Eyebrows are critical because they shape your eyes and in most cases frame your facial expression. Two sets of interesting eye brows belong to Michele Obama and Mitt Romney. Often, Michele’s seem very sculptured. Mitt’s are so close to his eyes, it makes it difficult to read his eyes.

Clients often ask questions about their brows. Here are a few tips on how you can work with them to further enhance your eyes.

For women only:

Shape

The eyebrow color should enhance the skin tone and either match or complement the hair color. For example, blondes often use a taupe or light brown coloring.

Looking natural

Use a pencil to define the eye brow. Then touch it up with a brow brush.

Keeping the shape

It is important to have brows tweezed to keep their shape. It is better to under rather than over tweeze. My preference is hand tweezing versus waxing.

For men only:

The biggest challenge for men with dark eyebrows are in two areas: over growth between the eyes and/or the hair being so thick it partially obstructs eye movement. Tweezing in both areas will shape the eyes.

In some cases, folks like their eyebrows to be very distinctive because it helps define their unique brand. My thought is that if it shows as a positive feature, then it’s ok.

It’s important because your eyebrows send a message even before you speak.

In the US it is considered the norm to offer a handshake when first meeting someone. In some cases a hug may also be appropriate. However, in other countries greetings are different. Since business is international, it would be good to know the greeting customs used in different countries.

Here are some examples:

India

This is land of Namaste. Place your hands in a prayer position at the chest, point your fingers upward and bow slightly while saying “Namaste” (nuhm-uh-stey).

South Africa

The traditional South African greeting is a standard handshake grasp followed by a shift of hands to an upward position, then back to the standard grasp – all in one fluid motion.

Japan

One bows from the waist with palms on the thighs and heels together. A bow ranges from a nod to a 90 degree bend at the waist. Levels of respect are indicated by the depth and duration of a bow. A small head nod is casual and informal.

When you visit these countries, using their greeting customs will be noted as a sign of respect.

David Gregory, Ted Danson and Newt Gingrich have been on television a lot lately; David Gregory and Newt Gingrich because of politics and Ted Danson for starring in the CSI series.

They look terrific in their gray, almost silver colored hair. It is combination of skin tone, style and clothing color choices. Plus, all three men sport contemporary haircuts and youthful mannerisms.

If you see gray-haired men and they exhibit these characteristics, you will sense their intelligence, confidence and elegance, also.

I am often asked what I think of holiday motif clothing, sweaters, ties and pins, etc.

It really depends on the situation and the culture of your organization. For family affairs, a great example could be seen in the December 7th episode of Modern Family. One of the family members was dressed in a holiday sweater and he loved it. Other family members did not wear any holiday styled clothing and were fine with that, also.
  
So, if you want to wear a holiday styled piece of clothing and look smart in it, here are some guidelines:

Do:

• Less. If you want to wear red or green to be in spirit, a little color will go a long way. For example, wear color in a sweater or scarf as an accent with camel as a foundation color. For Christmas tree, Santa Claus or candy cane designs, small prints are more elegant than large size ones.

Don’t

• Do top to bottom in red. Recently I saw a young woman wearing bright red shoes, hose and skirt. Choose one, not all three.
• Wear Santa hats, reindeer and ornaments in the hair at the Christmas party.

Follow these simple rules and you can be in the holiday spirit and retain a touch of fun.

The rule of thumb has always been to button all the buttons when wearing a double breasted blazer for both men and women. However, there are exceptions to the rule when it comes to jackets (not a suit jacket) that are double breasted. You don’t always have to button it all the way up. In some cases, when there is a tie with the jacket you only have to button half way up, leaving the top two buttons open. A double breasted jacket with a tie usually projects a casual look.

Below are the top five things that were listed in a recent workshop exercise on personal impressions:

1. Personal hygiene (grooming and body odor)
2. Facial expression (smile)
3. Positive attitude
4. Body language
5. Clothing choices

So, be sure these five points are working for you. If you do, then you will always make Your First Impression, Your Best One.

National news anchors and basketball coaches are great role models especially when it comes to the men and their clothing choices.

Great examples are Brian Williams and Diane Sawyer. Granted they have at least three consultants (hair, makeup and wardrobe) but you can become your own consultant by observing these folks a few times a week.

Ask yourself, what are their wardrobe and color choices? For men, observe shirt colors, tie choices and jacket styles. For women, notice the jewelry selections (necklaces and earrings) and styles. Look at the people on national and cable news stations. Once you become observant of their image, it will help you create fresh options which can take your image to the next level.

Business casual began as a step up from casual work days. It is supposed be a relaxed professional appearance.  That means, for men, it is a shirt and tie without a jacket or in some cases a long sleeved dress shirt instead of a polo shirt. For women it means a collared shirt, dress or a complimentary jacket.  Recently, while waiting for a client in the lobby, I found it somewhat disturbing to see how we are sliding downward instead of moving upward in business casual.
Here are some business casual faux pas:

For women wearing:
• Shirts worn outside with hems that are designed to be tucked in
• Sandals that look suspiciously like flip flops
• Too tight blouses that look very close to tank tops
• Blouses that show more breast that fabric
• Long dangling earrings especially the feather ones

For men wearing:
• Printed shirts with palm trees and birds on them
• Distressed jeans
• Running shoes
• Frayed leather belts
• Baggy sweaters
• Faded collars with dress sleeves

If you are constantly reviewing your business casual dress options you will always look your elegant, professional best.

Different dress codes appear to apply for different generations. Traditionalists and baby boomers will definitely tell you that white is never worn after Labor Day (the exception is in the winter when winter white is acceptable). The Millenniums and Gen Xers say you can wear white after Labor Day if it is still warm. This can be confusing to the those who want to be sure they are following the appropriate fashion codes.

Remember this: First, you cannot go wrong if you are generationally correct. Secondly, white is always acceptable year round in the tropical climates.

A stimulant, red can motivate cash-strapped consumers to make a purchase which something designers and manufacturers know. That’s not malarkey: A recent study by psychologists at the University of Rochester in New York found that red causes people to react both faster and more forcefully because it is seen as a danger cue.

Unfortunately, the study also found that any energy boost from seeing red is short-lived. The psychologists, though, do not believe that applies to wardrobe. The color has become accepted as a classic, alongside black and brown. So, red items are more of a long term investment rather than something to be worn one season and tossed.

Read more at http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20111001/ISSUE03/310019980/from-carmine-to-cerise-red-heats-up-fall-fashion#ixzz1ZrQMRGvP

Be modern in wearing red with brown, navy or camel.