Personal Grooming For An Elegant Lady

To achieve an elegant look, one has to value personal grooming.

verb (used with object) to tend carefully as to person and dress; make neat or tidy.

Self Grooming is not about vanity.

In fact, proper grooming takes the 'spotlight' away from yourself. You will not cause someone to ponder, "Gosh, she looks so pale", or "Did you see those dirty fingernails?"

Personal grooming is about presenting yourself in the best possible way. It tells people what you think of yourself.

Someone once said, "The cornerstone of elegance must be represented by a bar of soap."

Maybe from her time, a bar of soap was all she had. Today we have help from many places, friends, beauty counters, magazines. It is simply impossible to not know at least a little about grooming.

Bad personal grooming can be spotted a mile away. Some examples are unconcealed red patches on the face, clothes that are not ironed, dirty fingernails or chipped nail polish, run in the stockings, a dirty, scuffed shoe, untidy hair and make up, a weak collar, bad designer knockoffs, faded clothes etc.

The Mirror Test

Do a mirror self-examination test! Take some time to look yourself in the mirror.

The breakdown MUST-DOs of Personal Grooming:

Face

Good Skin

A person with good personal grooming always seem to have clear, even complexion.

If you do not have good skin, establish a skin care regime that works for you. Other basic good skin care tips are to wear sunscreen, exercise regularly, sleep well and drink lots of water.

Naturally, we all have moments in our lives when we are battling zits. A good concealer helps mask those imperfections as a spotty face is distracting.

Removal of Facial Hair Ref

Hair around the lips must be removed at all times.

Eye brows should be shaped about once in six weeks and maintained every week.

Make up

Aim for a fresh, healthy appearance. Learn to do your make up elegantly and well, evenly and free of smudges.

Wear heavier make up in the evening, such as bolder eyeliner strokes.

Learn how via Make Up Video Tutorials.

"But I don't wear make up?"

Elegant Hair

Personal Grooming for hair means that hair should be clean, neat, tidy and elegantly styled.

You should wash your hair every other day. Good hair etiquette also means never scratching your head, combing your hair or attempting to tie your hair in public.

Find a hairstyle that suits the shape of your face. Also consider your lifestyle, when choosing a hairstyle. If you have a fairly busy schedule, opt for a low maintenance hairstyle.

A medium long to should hairstyle is the most versatile. You can wear it up or down, straighten it or curl it, tie up in a casual pony tail or leave it as it is. This is for those who enjoy doing their hair. Check out some Sophisticated Hairstyle videos. Also, you might view my Sophisticated Hairstyle Gallery for more ideas.

If you wear a different colour to your natural hair, be sure to get your roots down regularly.

Body

Exercise and Posture

You can tell when a woman applies personal grooming to her body when she takes care of it.

Exercise affects your core muscles and gives you good posture. That reason is good enough to engage in exercise! I know when I'm not getting enough exercise when I start to slouch. My stomach muscles become weak.

When you exercise, you build your self-esteem and confidence because you feel good about yourself. You feel better when you find the clothes you want to wear, not clothes you are trying to fit into.

Pay attention to your gestures and movement. Move with grace. Have someone videotape you or take up some ballroom or ballet lessons to improve on how you move.

Hair Removal

I have some girls writing to me about how their mothers never taught them grooming and are bad examples themselves. Fret not, I've always believed that your desires will teach you want you want to know.

In general, hair from your legs, underams, bikini lines should be removed at all times and your upper thighs and arms too if your natural body hair is long and dark.

For your face, upper lip should be removed and eyebrows should be shaped (Face Section).

Nails

Personal grooming for nails means they should always be clean and shaped.

Ideally, your nails should be polished or buffed, or coated with a clear protective coat. Whether nails should be long or short depends on your lifestyle.

Dirty fingernails are a rude shock, not to mention the harm to health. The most elegant look is the French manicure, because they look clean, neat and healthy.

Don't forget your toenails. Learn how to do a french manicure.