What makes a woman polished

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Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Style your hair to look more polished. A polished look is a put together look, so don't leave your hair out of the equation. If you have time, make an effort to spend some time styling your hair every day — straighten it, curl it, put it in a nice bun, shape it with mousse, etc.

If you're not a great hairstylist, rock a low-maintencace haircut that's easy to style on your own. Ask your hairdresser about cuts that would work best for you. After you put your hair in a ponytail, take a small piece of your hair, wrap it around the hair tie, and pin it in place.

This will elevate your pony to a polished hairdo. Even if you like the messy, bedhead look, use styling creams or a little shine serum to give your hair an on-purpose messy look. Leave some hair products and tools at work. Whether the wind ruined your curls on the way in to the office, or you need to re-straighten your hair before after-work cocktails, it's a good idea to keep some haircare things at work.

Always wear a fragrance. Whether you're heading out on a date, going into the office for a regular day of work, or running errands around town, always wear your fragrance.

People always notice when you smell good, and it will leave an impression that you're well polished and put-together. Don't douse yourself in your scent, but subtly apply it throughout the day. Take good care of your hands. As simple as it sounds, taking care of your hands and nails is one of the top characteristics of a polished individual. People who keep their hands manicured appear to be more put-together than those who don't. You don't have to necessarily keep polish on your nails, but make sure that you keep your nails filed and your cuticles trimmed.

Carry hand lotion with you to keep your hands nice and soft. It's a good idea to wear softer colors, like tans and light pinks, as it is less obvious when those polishes start to chip.

Complete your look with the right makeup. Good grooming is key when you're looking to create a polished look. Aim for a natural, flawless complexion, as opposed to caking on layers of heavy makeup. Choose a foundation that smooths and evens your skin, without taking away it's natural glow. Add a bit of blush and highlighting powder to subtly contour your face, shape your eyebrows with pencil, and apply a touch of mascara and lip color.

Creating this bright, fresh look will definitely help you look more polished. Some guys look great with scruff, but make sure to keep it in check.

Use aftershave creams to avoid razor burn, and always apply moisturizer. If you have excessive nose hairs or a unibrow, pluck those hairs to give yourself a more polished look. Part 2. Know your wardrobe essentials. Check your clothes before hanging back in the closet after wearing. Ensure that you smell sweet, choose a light perfume and make it your own.

Avoid anything strong or heavy. Nothing is more delightful than being complemented on the way you smell! Elizabeth Arden Green Spray. Wash your hair at least every 2 or 3 days - everyone's hair responds differently and you'll know when it starts to look less than perfect. Find a style that suits you and is easy to manage.

Brush or comb it several times during the day. Hair is your 'crowning glory' and it's a major factor in looking attractive and well groomed. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money. Unless I need a special treatment or toner I use Alberto Balsam , a good inexpensive shampoo and conditioner. Clean your teeth at least twice a day, morning and evening. Check your teeth in the mirror after lunch as food between teeth is very off-putting, clean them again if possible.

Clean and healthy teeth with regular visits to the dentist will ensure fresh breath and a beautiful SMILE! A smile gives a particularly attractive well groomed and polished look, and is one of your best assets! Attractive teeth are youthful!

If you're feeling self conscious, consult your dentist. Alternatively, there are plenty of inexpensive products on the market that will help you to whiten your teeth. Take care of your skin and it will pay dividends with an improved complexion.

Makeup will not harm your skin but not removing it properly will! A good face scrub initially will help to lift tired looking skin then use a regular cleanser and moisturiser every day. Olay provide plenty of choice at a sensible pricepoint whatever your skin type. A natural looking makeup on good skin makes a woman look more attractive, polished and professional.

In fact it's often said that women who wear makeup earn more than those who don't. As we get older stray hairs just sort of 'happen' around the chin and upper lip so a facial hair remover is useful. Don't ignore your eyebrows either, they provide the frame to your face and have a great impact on your total look. Neatly tended, well shaped brows are essential to good personal presentation. Your hands are always on show. Keep finger and toe nails clean, trimmed and cared for with a regular home manicure.

So many times, a fashionista is stopped after attending a runway show or a gala and is asked who she is wearing and we find out that fabulous frock was purchased at J. Crew or that blazer was from Topshop. Crap is sold at all price levels, and so is quality. Wearing an ill-fitting, and un-you dress from Prada far worse than wearing a well-fitting simple one from LOFT. Especially now as we're exploring new retailers and shopping more online and seeing how the trend of fast fashion has affected the quality across retail as a whole, it's important to let go of stereotypes and try new-to-you brands and designers.

A few tips for shopping new online retailers:. Assa Cisse from the blog My Curves and Curls. You got rid of the impossible dream to be Audrey Hepburn, now get rid of all those lists that say you need X perfect pieces to be well-dressed.

Yes, these are great pieces for many women, but not all women. Go back to your style journal. Did you feel strong in that rust-colored turtleneck with your brown tweed trousers? Did someone say you looked great that day, or notice your green eyes while wearing it? More often than not, these pieces feel good to you AND to those around you because they express your personality best. Personally, I love the look of a crisp white shirt tucked into a pencil skirt with some fabulous slingbacks… on another woman.

A tucked-in blouse accentuates my short torso, my tummy and large breasts, most pencil skirts are unforgiving to my solid legs and round bum, and I have thick ankles and not enough definition from them to my heel to keep slingbacks up all day.

However, I feel great in short shift dresses in stretchy fabrics and tall boots because they work with my petite frame, de-emphasize my midsection and wide calves, fit my lifestyle, and make me look pulled-together, stylish AND true to my personality. Accepting and embracing your exterior AND interior is the key to achieving personal style, and looking polished.

Beth Djalali from the blog Style at a Certain Age. The advice about prints is interesting. I agree with it, but never thought about it. After a botched breast reduction, prints tend to camouflage the discrepancies, but most prints are generally not flattering on me.

My work wardrobe was always paired down. When younger and willowy, I wore a bit of trend because I could. As age advanced, the classics came more into play. It works in the summer since one is seldom out of air conditioning and is three season friendly.

I ultimately owned several Eileen Fisher black washable silk shells, sort of cap sleeve, round neck tops paired with black Elliot Lauren slacks. All together the look was age appropriate with a hint of youthful.

This year, the motivation needed is so much less as well. What a great post!!! You are so right about feeling good when you know you outfit is on point. The diversity is well appreciated Thank you. What a great post! Very inspiring. And thanks for your obvious care in having a diversity of models — it really makes a difference. Clean your jewelry now and then, and especially your wedding ring s if worn daily!

I often see otherwise very put together people wearing wedding rings or other fine jewelry that is obviously dirty and no longer shining.

For the gold or platinum and diamonds that make up most traditional wedding rings, a simple dip in jewelry cleaner and a gentle brushing with the included brush will have them looking great, and jewelry cleaner is very cheap and one container will last years.

Fine jewelry, especially pieces worn regularly, needs care just like clothing to keep it looking its best. My only caveat is be careful and do some research on what to use to clean which types of stones. It will destroy them. Diamonds, garnets, rubies, and sapphires are all tough and are fine for regular ammonia-based jewelry cleaner.

For anything else, like emeralds, opals, malachite, turquoise, etc. Costume jewelry can also be cleaned. Rhinestone pieces can be dusted with a soft, dry toothbrush sounds goofy but it really works and any piece can be polished gently with a microfiber cloth.

Never wash them, never go swimming while wearing them, never let them get wet in the rain. It will cause the rhinestones to discolor, stop shining, turn black or gray, and permanently ruin the piece. For goldtone or silvertone items without rhinestones, rhinestones without any backing, or for plastic or resin pieces, you can gently wash when needed with a little hand soap or dish soap and dry immediately and thoroughly with a soft cloth or towel.

Great advice! The slight abrasion works perfectly — generally, I just put a pea-sized amount on my finger and then rub the jewelry with it, then rinse and dry.

Nontoxic and easy. This is some of the best advice. Take care of it and it will look great forever. One more thing I thought of that really is important. Make sure your nails look nice.

It only takes a minute to remove that chipped polish and apply hand lotion. Makes a world of difference. Completely agree! I find it a total turnoff to see chipped, split, too long, and obviously fake nails.

It is super unhygienic, esp in this pandemic era. Funny how relevant this post is after all these years! I want to get some of my mojo back. Thanks for all these tips! Also for putting them out there with such an engaging writing style. I have a beautiful artist friend with a great sense of style whose signature look IS a messy bun and playful clothing. I must admit to feeling slightly conflicted about this post.

And I think with such posts about any aesthetic there will be those who subscribe to that aesthetic who have very serious feelings about it and expound on it. Thanks for the thoughtful response, Alison!

I just felt that it was important to state that a woman can be totally unpolished and still look damn amazing! I wish I could look polished — is it even possible with naturally curly hair? You have inspired me to polish my work shoes and to rethink my makeup. Perhaps I could do something with my eyebrows as I have never done a thing with them. Maybe eye lash extensions too. I have naturally curly hair! Hair texture does not determine whether one is polished. In the past maybe, but that is an outdated expectation for us all to achieve a very specific, and very white ideal.

I encourage you to seek out fashionistas with natural texture to their hair to see that you can have curly hair and still look polished. Tracee Ellis Ross, Diane von Furstenberg, Blythe Danner, Elaine Welteroth are ones off the top of my head who are stylish and polished and embrace their natural texture.

Brows are a super easy way to look polished. Once stores open, check out a waxing studio and seek out reviews.

Go in saying you want to keep your volume and shape just clean it up. Also Benefit a beauty brand has brow experts in Ulta stores that can help. I was walking to work one day, and a woman in a suit told me how pretty my hair was. I was furious. I am a lawyer, by the way. Be prepared to spend a little extra for that expertise. Search Pinterest for photos of curly hair and find a handful of styles that you like.

Screenshot the images to your phone or tablet and show them to the stylist. Ask if any of them will work with your particular hair texture and curl type. The curly world is overwhelming, as are the products and recommendations.