Hairstyles, makeup trends, and fashion are ever-changing recycling in and back out again. Some of us have never changed or “updated” our look and some of us look different regularly, whether it be a new hair color, a fake tan or a different makeup routine. The pressure to be “with the times” may feel intimidating, but following a basic, universal style routine is much more feasible and makes as big of a difference. This guide gives you simple timeless tips to maximize your appearance with little effort and can be referred back to whenever needed.

Fix your posture: Improving your posture may take practice, but it will make you appear confident, engaged and interested. 

Know your body/size: Dress the body you have, not the body you want (or the body you want to appear to have). 

Go-To outfit: Always have an outfit that you can rely on, something that will work for multiple environments and that you feel good in. A plain white tee, denim jeans and a nice clean sneakers never fails. Layer if needed. Classic, clean, and comfy!

Steam/Iron your clothes: Do not convince yourself that a few wrinkles don’t look that bad. They do! Steamers are cheap, work like a charm, and only require a few minutes. Dewrinkling WILL transform your appearance. 

Accessorize: Accessories are often overlooked or forgotten. Some jewelry can transform a simple look into an elevated one. Headbands, belts, and bags/purses are also easy add-ons that make you appear more put together. 

Less is more: Too much of anything will always look overdone. Too much junk in your purse or wallet looks cluttered. Too many accessories or layers look messy. Too much makeup can look overstated, even exaggerated. Let the simplicity speak for itself. 

Experiment with hair product: Not all hair is the same, not all products are the same. Give yourself time to discover what your hair responds to (gel, mousse, wax), and then learn to perfect different hairstyles using those products. Getting ready will be less daunting, less time consuming, and more fun when you know what you’re doing and how to do it. 

Finding and using perfume: Finding the right fragrance comes down to personality and mood. Try to understand what you are smelling and how the scent will change over a few hours and test it on your skin rather than paper testers. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find your signature or go-to scent. Most importantly, do not over apply. Apply to the edges of your wrists and your collarbones will go a long way. 

Applying makeup: Makeup is arguably an art form or craft. It’s a creative outlet, but it’s also easily overdone. Makeup is meant to accentuate your natural features, not to alter your appearance to the point of being unrecognizable. As mentioned earlier, work with what you have, not what you want to appear to have. 

Manicured hands and feet: Manicured and polished nails are a simple but very effective way to elevate one’s appearance. Not only is it hygienic but it also shows that you will spend the time to get them done or do them yourself. 

Moisturize: Dry, ashy, or flakey skin is so preventable and looks worse than it really is. Make it a point to apply lotion top to bottom, especially if you will be in an outfit that shows off your arms and legs. 

Hairstyles for face shape:

   Round: wearing your hair down with waves or loose curls make your face look more elongated. You might try a side braid or fishtail to give your face more structure, a classic slick back ponytail shows off your full face in all its glory.

   Square: A low updo with a few pieces left out, like bangs make your face appear more round and adds some softness. An updo with  height, like a high bun or top knot, adds length to your face to appear more elongate. 

   Rectangle: The key to this face shape is softening the angular appearance. You might go for poker straight hair worn down to hide some of your cheek bones and jawline. If you’re feeling extra brave, you might go all out and get yourself bangs–bangs create the illusion of a smaller face.

   Oval: a half up – half down hairdo works well for oval face shapes because it gives a wider and rounder illusion to the face while still complementing the elongated shape. You can pull the hair upward and backward like you would with a high slick back pony, or you can keep your hair parted and pull it back at ear level for a softer, messier look. 

   Triangle: Consider a messy updo if you have a triangular face shape. Leave out some loose strands to frame your face and add some volume at your crown to give the appearance of and oval shape. If you want to wear your hair down, keep it voluminous. The volume especially on top, adds width to your forehead. 

Purse vs. Clutch: Downsizing from your everyday purse to a smaller crossbody or clutch helps complement your outfit or better fit the occasion. You don’t want to be at certain events with a large purse over your shoulder or in your way. Choose a few essentials – ID, money, lip gloss (lipstick), tampon if needed and transfer them into a small handbag. 

Glamor game on point: Every woman needs a little black dress. The little black dress (LBD) is typically a cocktail or evening dress and cut above the knee. It is still a classic closet staple today because of its versatility, affordability and accessibility. It is widely perceived as everything from tempting, glamorous, and sexy to simple, elegant and practical. It gives you room to play when accessorizing, whether it be diamonds, bright colors, or pearls. And because black is a neutral color, it pairs well with almost any color. Nudes/beiges are always a safe option, but don’t be afraid to go for a silver or gold shoe and add some pizzazz.