Great looks don’t have to be complicated or over the top.  Do you ever find that you receive the most compliments when you haven’t put in that much effort?  There is something to be said for looking “naturally beautiful”.  When in doubt, simple is always better.

Sometimes all it takes is a pair of jeans and a great sweater paired with some simple hair and make-up.  The key to great jeans is fit; you have to try on a variety of styles to find the fit that flatters you.  It is important to remember that looking great doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune; I bought these jeans on-sale at the Gap for around $60.00.  My sweater came from Macy’s and was also $60.00.  You always want to look for clothing with unique or interesting details…I love the open “fish net” of this sweater which I threw on over an old spaghetti-strap tank top ($10.00 at a Gap outlet store).

Pairing a casual look with a little natural make-up and blown-out hair will give you a polished overall esthetic.

Hair and Make-Up:

• Your hair is your ultimate accessory.  Since you will show-off your hair daily, I STRONGLY suggest investing in a good professional colorist; they will be able to enhance your appearance in a way that most of us cannot achieve from a box.  There are places where you can (and should) economize…hair color is not one of them.  While you are at it, unless your hair is very short and needs to be cut frequently, most of us can get by with seeing a good stylist 4-6 times per year; it is well-worth the investment to see high-quality hair professionals.
• Your make-up makes a stronger first impression upon people than you may realize.  As a professional esthetician and make-up artist, I would offer the following advice…yes, your make-up is all about self-expression; however, you want to be sure that you are using your make-up to enhance your appearance…not to “paint” yourself.  In other words, less is more.  Applying your make-up with too heavy of a hand tends to age your appearance.  In my opinion, there is no worse make-up mistake that I see than women who cake their foundation onto their faces.  In order to mitigate this, you can mix your foundation with a little moisturizer prior to applying it and/or you can gently spread your foundation out with a damp sponge.  I do advise splurging on your foundation at a make-up counter, simply because this enables you to match the color to your skin by actually applying it before you make your purchase.  Beyond that a simple and polished make-up look can be as easy as a sweep of blush, a coat of mascara and a little lip gloss.