FAQ’s

I love the way colours look on other people, but every time I try to choose some, I end up looking tired or the colours seem to overpower me, so I end up just sticking with boring neutrals.   How do I figure out what looks best on me?

When choosing the best colours for my clients, I start with by determining the undertone of their skin.  No matter what colour your skin is, everyone has an underlying tone – warm or cool.  You can determine your undertone in a number of ways.

Look at your natural hair and eye colour.  Warm undertones usually have amber, hazel, brown or black eye colour, strawberry blond, red, brown or black hair which can sometimes have gold or red undertones.   Cool undertones typically have blue, grey, green or brown eyes.  Their hair tends to be blond, brown or black with blue, silver, violet or ash undertones.

Observe the veins on the inside of your forearm in natural sunlight.  For cool undertones the veins typically appear blue in colour; in warm undertones they will appear green.

Look at your skin with your hair pulled back and drape your neck with a white towel, cloth or shirt.  If your skin appears yellowish, golden or peachy next to the white cloth, then you have a warm undertone.  If it appears bluish, pink or rosy then you are cool.

Finally, warmer skins usually look best in gold or bronze jewelry.  Cooler skins look best in silver, platinum or pewter.

I have things in my closet I absolutely loved when I bought them, but I never really landed up wearing them.  Some still even have the price tag on them!  How do I avoid this?

Before you purchase anything, here are some things to consider:

• Ask yourself  ‘Will this coordinate with at least 2 -3 pieces I currently have in my wardrobe?’  If the answer is ‘no’ – DON’T BUY IT!
• Try it on!  If it doesn’t fit; if it needs major alterations; if it just doesn’t look good – DON’T BUY IT!
• Avoid buying from a place of emotion rather than practicality.   If you’re angry with your spouse, if you just lost that contract, or if you’re feeling rushed – DON’T BUY ANYTHING!

What are the biggest mistakes people make when shopping?

Buying clothes that don’t suit your lifestyle. You just love that sparkly, sexy blinged-out cami, but you work in high finance and your idea of a fun evening out is bingo at your church.  When in the world are you going to wear that?  Don’t buy it!  Want something that can go from a day at the office to the night with the girls?  Try a simple black tank with a little bit of embellishment that looks appropriate under a suit and fabulous with a pair of dark wash jeans & heels.

Not having a plan. Treat your clothes shopping the same way you treat your grocery shopping – plan & make a list.  The same way you look through your cupboards to see what’s needed for the next week, look in your closet & make note of what’s needed for the next season.  Start with the basics, like a basic pair of black dress pants or a simple, crisp, white blouse.  Then add the treats – those sexy red slingbacks or that cute little top for your next girls night out.

Not working with a budget. Know how much can you afford to spend on each item?  Don’t be afraid to spend a little more on the basics, as you’ll wear these most often & get your money’s worth.  Stick to the budget – no matter how great the sale is, no matter how fabulous you look in it – if it’s going to take you beyond your budget & you don’t need it, DON’T BUY IT!  Always make sure to purchase the basics first before the treats.

Not trying things on before you buy them. It’s essential to try everything on and I mean EVERYTHING!  From undergarments to overcoats.  Things often look different on your body than they do on the hanger.  When you do try it on, ensure everything falls in the right place – shoulder seams are at the shoulder, waistlines at the waist, the rise on your pants doesn’t sit halfway down your thigh.  Don’t just stand there & look in the mirror, move!  Sit, cross your legs, bend down, raise your arms up.  Does each movement feel comfortable?  Do your clothes easily return to their rightful place?  If not, it may not be the right size or the right cut for your frame.

I understand the importance of making connections at networking events, but I always feel uncomfortable selling myself.  Any tips on how to overcome this?

Simple, adopt the attitude of ‘It is better to give than to receive.’  Don’t go into the event thinking, “How can these people help me boost my business?”   Instead, ask yourself, “How can I help someone boost their business?”  This will take the stress and pressure off yourself to find a lead.  Also people will find you more approachable and feel more comfortable talking with you as you’re not trying to ‘sell’ them like most others at the event.

People love to talk about themselves, so encourage them to share by asking questions about their business, their ideal client and how you can help them make those connections.  As you learn more about each person, you can make an educated assessment as to whether or not they qualify as one of your ideal clients.  If they are, don’t push for a sale, but make sure you stay connected regularly to build rapport.  Most sales transactions don’t happen during the first encounter – it takes a bit of time to foster trust and build credibility.  So relax – just enjoy meeting new people and the satisfaction that comes with being of service to others.  Trust that the business will come.

I just got a promotion and now I need to give presentations to my department every week.  I’m terrified of speaking in front of people – any tips to relax?

Public speaking is a fear worse than death.  Seriously!  Studies have shown that most people fear speaking in front groups more than dying.   So, you’re not alone.

The first step to a great presentation is good preparation.  Know your material inside and out.  That way you’ll feel more confident and communicate clearly.

Next, practice in the mirror or better yet, in front of an audience so you can get some immediate feedback.  If you’re not ready for that, then videotape yourself so you can see what you do well and what you can strengthen.

Each day leading up to your presentation, visualize yourself in the boardroom or at the podium delivering a flawless & effortless presentation.  Hear yourself answering questions with ease and taking on challenges with the utmost confidence.  Feel the rush of excitement from facing your fear and the sense of accomplishment from surpassing all your expectations!

Finally, a few minutes before your presentation try to find a quiet space to practice some deep breathing.  Slow, even breaths to steady your heart and your mind.  Some experts even suggest striking a couple of powerful poses to improve confidence and performance.  It creates internal shifts – testosterone levels rise and the stress hormone cortisol, drops.   Stand with your arms akimbo (hands on hips, elbows bent outward) and your feet apart.  If you practice yoga, Warrior 1 is awesome for this!