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 With the national joblessness rate at 9.5%, a 26-year high, many women are looking for a good job these days. Even if you’re not looking for a job, you probably know someone who is. And with rates this high, you should also consider what it will take to keep your job or maybe impress your boss to get that promotion.

Having had many years as a hiring manager, I personally know that first impressions count a lot. You should keep in mind that an employer will make decisions on you based not only on what you say in your interview, but your body language, as well as your attire. That first impression happens within the first 30 seconds of contact!  Since hiring managers know nothing about you, your attire reflects your socioeconomic status and can actually impact your salary offer. If you look like you really need a job, any job, you will not get the job. It’s your responsibility to convey to the employer that you will be an asset and hiring you would benefit the company, not the other way around!

You should consider putting some effort into the perfect interview outfit and here are a few guidelines:

Do your homework: Research the company you want to work for and learn what the company values. Try to match that theme with your outfit. They need to instantly visualize you in that position.

Interview attire no-no’s: Don’t wear open-toed shoes, mini skirts, sleeveless tops, obvious trends and labels, or too much skin. And don’t ever show cleavage!

Style: Do wear professional clothes that are somewhat conservative, but yet shows your personal style. This shows creativity as well as personality and confidence.Â

Details: Please make sure all your clothes are pressed and clean. Your handbag should look nice as well as your shoes. Buy a good bag; you don’t have to spend a lot, but these little things show the employer that you care about details.

Hair/makeup:  Keep your make-up on the conservative side as well, but definitely do wear some make-up to look polished. Get a good haircut and put some effort into styling your hair for the interview. Your nails should be at least clean and well-manicured. As a rule, if you feel ashamed of your hands, fix them!

Always remain on the traditional  side with your interview dressing. You want to convey that you respect the interview process and are eager to land that position.

Whether you’re looking for a job, or trying to keep the one you have, looking great is always going to be to your obvious benefit.

The choice is always yours, make it a good one!

~ Lani

A Special Offer

For my Portland, Oregon clients, Etcetera is back in town and will be available in a private trunk show on February 15-22^nd!

You will receive a 1-hour customized fashion consultation as a gift ( $50.00 value) just for scheduling an appointment to view the private showing with no purchase necessary.

To receive an invitation or if you have questions, please email: [email protected] and visit Etcetera.com and click on “Looksâ€, to view the full collection.

Do you have questions about fashion?  I often get comments and questions about fashion or make-up in my blog.  Here are some of my favorites!

Q I really like the look of putting different patterns together, but I never know what really goes together other than what is displayed on the manequins in the stores.  Is there a trick to this?Â

A There are some basic rules to think about. First, the color scheme should be the same; ie, black/white or red/black, etc. Second, the two patterns should not be the same scale. One print should be a different size than the other. A good analogy would be using different font sizes! Thirdly, there should be an anchoring piece in a solid color like a jacket or a cardigan to pull it together. If you’re unsure if it goes together, ask a sales associate.

Q I want to wear those new bowed blouses, but how do I keep it from looking too formal and old lady-ish?

A It’s all in how you wear the top. Ruffles and bows are still going strong and you’ll see a lot of it going into spring. If you pick a solid color and wear it with a slim skirt, it’s great for work with a pair of really great heels and a nice belt. For dressing it down, wear it with some fitted jeans to balance the casualness of the jeans and the proper look of the blouse. You can wear this look with the bow untied and wear heels with your jeans. I really like these blouses with casual hair. Don’t wear your hair too prim and proper to balance out the look .  It’s all the little details that can make or break this romantic look!

Q I am in my 30’s and I have never worn make-up regularly. I just got a job that is more like a “career†and I need to look professional. How can I wear make-up and not look overdone?Â

A  You can look professional and polished and not feel overdone by sticking to natural tones in your  cosmetics. Start with a lightweight foundation that matches your skin perfectly and apply all over, including your eyelids. Groom your brows and use a skinny brush to apply eyeshadow to fill in your brows. Next, brush on a light  brown eyeshadow as shown in the picture and apply mascara on upper and lower lashes. Add a rose-colored cream blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend back towards the hairline. Finally, choose a naturally rosy lipstick or lipgloss for the finishing touch. Your make-up will look polished, but still remain very natural looking.Â

Q I was recently downsized at my company and am back on the job market. I want to look good, but I am very conservative and maybe even a little outdated. I have gained some weight and I need to buy some new clothes, but I don’t want to spend very much money. Do you have any suggestions?

A I always tell my clients it’s better to buy a few nice outfits than have a lot of ill-fitted clothes that are bargains. You can get great deals if you take the time, but you should stick to some basic guidelines.  Purchase a dark- colored suit and pair it with dark hose to give the illusion of being taller and slimmer. Add color around your face with solid colored tops and blouses under the jacket. Purchase nice trousers as well, but make sure to wear some heels with them as that will give your legs an elongated look. For updating your overall look, consider getting a new haircut and style that looks professional and make sure to ask your hairdresser how to style it every day! And get some new make-up and start wearing lipgloss- it’s an instant make-up updater.

That’s it for now, but I always welcome questions or comments to my blog!

~ Lani

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As you know, not all products are created equal. We all spend a lot of money on products that we don’t really like and stick with the ones that we do. These products below are a compilation of great products that have been recommended to me, that are my personal favorites and have the highest consumer ratings.  These are beauty must-haves and yet are also a great value! What more can you ask for?

1. Sunscreen: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55, $9.99. Available in drugstores and Walgreens.com.  This lightweight formula you can wear with or without daytime moisturizer. You’ve heard it before, but a sunscreen is your best defense against premature lines, wrinkles and discoloration of your skin. Tip: Always apply to your face, neck, décolletage and hands as well.
2. At Home Hair Color:  Clairol Natural Instincts, $8.99. Available at mass retailers. This brand has great staying power. Always make sure to rinse the product out at the roots very thoroughly. Tip:  Go to a beauty supply store and pick up a small pan with a brush for applying hair dye for best application and coverage!
3. Skin Brightener: Esoterica Fade Cream with Moisturizers, $ 7.00. Available at drugstores.  This will lighten dark areas, blemishes, freckles, and spots on your skin and give you a more even complexion. This is an oldie but goodie and an excellent value!  It contains 2% hydroquinolone- the same active ingredient found in skin lightening creams that sell for up to $ 75.00. Tip: Use as a moisturizer in the a.m. and p.m. and don’t forget your hands, neck and décolletage. Be patient; it takes a minimum of 4 weeks to see a difference.
4. Teeth Whitener: Crest Whitestrips Premium, $34.99. Available at mass retailers. This product will whiten your teeth with professional results in 7 days. It’s worth the price. Tip: Brush your teeth after drinking coffee/tea and red wine.
5. Make-up concealer: Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer for Eyes, $ 8.99. Available at mass retailers.  Smooth and creamy with great coverage, but doesn’t apply cakey. Tip: Apply as an eyeshadow base as well!
6. Hair oil: Pureology Shine Max, $ 34.00. Available at Drugstore.com or your hair salon. This is how I keep my hair in top condition. You can waste a ton of money on hair oils that don’t perform like this one.  It’s feather-light, alcohol free and also contains UVA/UVB sunscreens to protect your hair.  Even at $34.00, this bottle lasts me about a year!  Apply to hair to protect it from heat styling. Tip:  After you’re done styling, rub a small amount on your palms and smooth onto your ends for a thick, shiny look to your hair!Â
7. Leg cover:  Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, $ 12.95. Available at drugstores or beauty.com. This spray on product is a leg make-up that evens your skin tone and lightly covers imperfections on your legs and gives you that beautiful finished look to bare legs. Tip: Moisturize legs first, then apply and blend in with your hands.
8. Eye Cream: Olay Regenerist Eye Derma-Pod Anti-aging Triple Response System, $ 24.99. Available at drugstores or beauty.com. This product is a bargain and will moisturize the dry skin around your eyes and really helps puffiness as well!  This is one of those products you have to try. You’ll be impressed. Tip: Apply eye cream by patting the cream on with your ring finger, which has a lighter touch.
9. Facial Cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $ 11.99. Available in drugstores. This is a deep facial cleanser that is gentle, but removes make-up and oil really well. Tip: Always cleanse your face morning and night and exfoliate daily with a gentle facial scrub.      Â
10. Eyelash curler: Shu Uemura, $ 19.00. Available at Sephora or Sephora.com. This is the BEST eyelash curler I have ever tried. I will not buy anything else. Using an eyelash curler will give you that wide awake look to your eyes and Shu Uemura’s has just that right angle that really makes a difference. Tip: For longer lasting effect, apply one light coat of mascara and let dry before you curl your lashes, then apply the second coat!Â

Even in this tight economy, women still want to look and feel their best and these products speak for themselves. My mission is to bring you the best tips, best products and best value the beauty industry has to offer. Use this blog to learn the insider tricks of the trade to look your best and save money!

Now go out and make 2012 your most beautiful year ever!

Happy New Year!

 ~ Lani

There is so much to get ready for in this season, but what are you doing for yourself these days? Taking good care of ourselves first will give us even more emotional energy for taking care of others and all the projects and tasks that come with the season.

Here are some things you can be doing right now that will also give you a great start for the new year:

Give yourself a facial. Wash your make-up off and while the skin is warm and moist, gently blot off the excess water and apply a facial mask that dries on your face. Leave it on as directed and gently rinse off. This will unclog those pores and exfoliate the dead skin on the surface, revealing a new , fresh layer of skin that glows!  Follow up with a hydrating lotion or cream.

Get your hair trimmed or get a new cut! Don’t underestimate what having a great head of hair will make you feel like. Go to your hairdresser and communicate clearly what kind of cut you want, what your lifestyle is and most importantly how much time you are willing to put into your hair every day. After your haircut, ask your stylist to teach you how to maintain that look and what products to use.

 Easy Holiday Updo. I love wearing my hair in what I call a “messy bun.†Simply gather your hair in a high ponytail, but instead of pulling it all the way through the elastic on your couple go-arounds, stop halfway and pouf it out. Now carefully pull some wisps down the nape of your neck and framing your face, then spray with hairspray. This hairdo visually lifts your face and is an easy transition fix from office to holiday party instantly.

Whiten your teeth.  Stop by your local drug store and pick up a teeth-whitening product. If your teeth are stained, a tint with blue undertones will brighten your smile. I like to use Crest Whitestrips.

Wear a make-up bronzer. You may think that this is not the time of the year to wear this, but it will actually give you just the right extra color to your skin if you choose the color correctly. Choose a shade that mirrors your natural base color (does your skin have yellow or pink undertones?). After preparing with moisturizer and foundation, use a large, fluffy brush and apply very lightly to areas where the sun naturally hits, such as the forehead, cheeks, chin and nose.  Don’t forget to apply to your décolletage, neck and tops of your feet if you’re wearing going stockingless.

Get your nails done, or do them yourself!   There is something about looking at your fingernails when they are  polished. Because our hands are something we can see all the time, it’s just a small detail that makes us feel good. Keep the length short and don’t match your manicure and pedicure colors unless you are using  red or wine.

Exercise!  With busy schedules, exercise is sometimes put on the back burner, assuming it was there at all! Exercise helps relieve stress (a big factor in aging your skin) and increases the oxygen flow, thereby promoting younger looking skin.  More importantly, vigorous exercise releases endorphins and this process can create feelings of euphoria , happiness and a general sense of well-being.   Don’t tell me you don’t have time, fit people MAKE the time.

 It isn’t going to matter what clothes or make-up you put on if the blank canvas underneath isn’t in good shape. Taking care of yourself is key in this season of giving and all year round as well. This holiday give yourself the gift of prioritizing yourself and you’ll be surprised how much more you have to give to others!

The choice is always yours, make it a good one!

~ Lani

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Look at this picture of a party. What goes through your mind when you look at this?

For some people, the thought of going to holiday parties is something they really look forward to; they mark their calendars as soon as they hear of the date of the event.  In their mind, they think about getting dressed up, meeting new people, seeing friends and co-workers in a different than usual office setting. They think about noshing on delicious treats, laughing and imbibing in the festivities.

For others, there is a different picture running through their mind. For introverts, the thought of going to a party can bring about feelings of anxiety and dread. When these people hear the date of the party, they write it on their calendar and try to think of a legitimate way they can get out of going to the event. They could be remembering the times they wore dressier clothes they felt funny in, standing “alone†in a crowd, not being able to make conversation or fearing the moment someone makes a comment or joke about them because they know they won’t be able to come up with any clever banter.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that there are many individuals who identify with the second scenario. I used to be one of them; click on the “About†tab on my site to get to know me a little better. Today I work with people who want to change their mindset about their confidence and I teach them one step at a time.

How does this relate to style? Simply because we feel the way we look.

Changing your mindset: First, you need to realize that your mind and body strive to be in accord with each other. If your mind is saying, “I’m shy,†then your body language will instinctively move in accordance. You may slump, look towards the ground, avoid eye contact and maybe even stutter. Conversely, if you want to have more confident body language, then you must first adopt a positive demeanor.Â

Here are some practical things you can do before and during a party:

• Do some pre-party warming up!  Put some loud party music on. Now, jump up and down, lay on the bed, kicking your feet up in the air, sing loudly, and grin from ear to ear in front of a mirror. Basically, act like a crazy person! Sound silly? Try it and see.
• Get dressed up. Put in some real effort this time so you know you look your best, but be careful to wear something that you feel good in so you don’t worry about your appearance. When in doubt, dress up, not down for the occasion.
• At the party, make larger, fluid body movements. Confident people take up more space in a room.
• Be conscious of your body language. Stand tall and keep your chin up. Don’t fidget and keep your hands away from your face.
• Don’t stand in the corner by the snacks. Walk directly to the center of the room; that’s where people will gather.
• Make eye contact and smile, but make sure it’s a warm and sincere smile from your heart. There is a difference.
• To start conversations, introduce yourself and ask open-ended questions to the person you are talking to and listen intently. People love to talk about themselves!

By planning ahead and practicing, you can train yourself to act confidently and it will eventually become second nature to you. You will start to genuinely look forward to holiday gatherings and change the pictures in your mind.  Make a commitment to yourself now to take steps to a more confident you!

The choice is always yours, make it a good one!

~ Lani

P.S. If you like this blog, please forward it to your friends so they can sign up and start enjoying it too! And here’s to us, and being our personal best!