Nitty Gritty on Personal Business Grooming

Here's a few suggestions to consider regarding your grooming for business occasions.  You also may wish to consult (especially before important occasions) the BASIC GROOMING CHECKLIST (see previous post) to be sure you are A-OK.

HAIR
In some offices a man's clean-shaven, beardless face, though not mandatory, may be expected.
1.  Keep hair combed or brushed at all times, but DON'T perform the ritual in public.
2.  Use a minimum of hairspray, especially if it's perfumed.
3.  Abstain from the habit of stroking or playing with your hair.
4.  Avoid curlers in public at all costs.
5.  If a wig or hairpiece is worn, make sure it is conservative, fits properly, good quality, and that the color is consistent with your complexion and age.

MAKE-UP
1.  Learn to apply make-up to enhance your appearance.  A make-up specialist can offer you hints to help you more deftly disguise imperfections and accentuate attributes.
2.  "Subtract something" is a good rule before going out the door.  Critique your face, then remove, lighten or blend as needed.  Less is truly more.
3.  Rule of thumb - use less make-up in the daytime office than you might use during evening hours.
4.  Types and amounts of make-up needed for the office may include:  a moisturizer, a colorless or skin-matching foundation, a light dusting powder, light blush to the cheeks, thin eyeliner (without noticeable color),and eyebrow pencil lightly applied to the contour of your natural brows.
5.  Thick mascara and eye shadow, beauty marks and false eyelashes are best left for after-hours socializing.
6.  Blot lipstick before a social meeting where drinks are served to avoid getting lipstick on your glass.

NAILS
1.  Well-shaped, clean, unbitten nails and cuticles are important for both men and women.
2.  Brightly colored or excessively long nails tend to be a distraction.  A quiet, neutral colored polish on shorter nails is attractive and recommend by most businesswomen.

FRAGRANCE
1.  Buy only quality perfume, after-shave lotion or cologne.  Apply fragrances lightly so that others are only slightly aware you are using them.

PIERCINGS/TATOOS
Nothing showing that would draw attention to yourself in any way.  Blend in.

Remember:  Good taste is mostly a matter of common sense, mixed with taking the time and thought necessary to improve and refine your appearance.