I got an anon about the topic but wanted to make a masterpost since I would be able to add a readmore to it. Iโll touch on every possible topic about looking polished that I know of, sorry itโs so long!
I keep makeup simple but it can be extravagant, whatever you wish. As long as itโs something you can stick to everyday, youโll be fine. I would suggest having a signature look, like red lips, good lip gloss (which is one of mine), or a certain blush. I keep my makeup simple because Iโm not a fan of beating my face. The Chante Caille Future Skin foundation has such a natural look with great coverage, itโs crazy. I use their concealer as well. I use Tarteโs Amazonian Clay blush, Diorshow Blackout mascara, and I switch up everything in between. Iโm not a big fan of eyeshadow unless Iโm going somewhere important. I think it is important to note that you donโt need a beat face to look polished, a good tinted moisturizer can take you places. I wear Chante Cailleโs! (I love them)
As for skincare, do it RELIGIOUSLY! Keep your face looking rejuvenated, moisturized, exfoliated, and healthy. You donโt have to follow any sort of special regime (i.e. the Korean skincare laws), just make sure it works for you. Donโt listen to those Twitter threads on how to get rid of skin issues because none of them know your skin personally. Try things out and see what works for you! The more natural a product, the better. If you have acne or any major skin issue donโt worry about people judging you for it, because no one honestly does. Iโm a big advocate for making the natural face look as good as the beat face. If you want longer eyebrows, get a product thatโll grow your eyebrows (Iโve used Revitabrow in the past). If you want longer lashes, do something to make them longer. When I neglected to do this, I began to prefer my beat face and became very insecure without makeup on. Find what you like in your beat face and try to make it your natural face :)
As a Black girl, hair to me means my natural hair and my weave, but something to note for both is that you should have it perfectly cut, no uneven or split ends, and know how to keep your hair in place. Also, make sure that whatever texture you want is the texture you have in your hair. For example, if you want curly hair for the week, keep it curly and try not to let it frizz. If you want it straight, keep it straight and try not to let it frizz. Donโt leave an amateur look. I donโt care about hair color or keeping it a natural color, I personally have to because of my clients but Iโve gone rainbow in the past. If everything else is together who the fuck cares about hair color! Keep it fun!
Haircare is really important for me and itโs something people donโt care about as much compared to skincare which really baffles me. I use Briogeoโs kale shampoos and conditioners which is god tier, and occassionally Functionofbeautyโs handmade shampoos and conditioners thatโre tailored to your hair. Make sure youโre not using any bad gels in the hair, no relaxers, nothing with sulfates or preservatives or dyes. The more natural a product is the better your hair will look! Do hair masques to restore the hair if youโre dyeing or using heat often.
BUY QUALITY CLOTHES, STEAM THEM, TAILOR THEM TO YOUR BODY! Fuck Fashionnova, seriously. Looking polished is all about the details. Quality clothes donโt have to be expensive, it is simply a matter of material. Itโs better to invest in a few quality stores than a bunch of cheap shit thatโll fall apart very fast. Read the labels of the clothes you buy. You want clothes that are made of natural fibers, like cashmere, wool, 100% cotton, and silk. When I say that it doesnโt have to be expensive, I mean it. A lot of these high fashion companies source their material from lower-end companies, meaning they use the same high-end fabrics but for less.
Tailoring is very important. If you have the range, go for it. Nothing looks worse than a fit that doesnโt look good on your body at all. This goes for slouchy clothes too. No sweatpants all of the time when youโre going out if you want to look polished. This was the hardest thing for me to do honestly because I love to feel comfortable but it donโt look good. Steaming is needed! Crinkled and messy looking clothes will never look polished or put together. Iโm not good with the iron so I steam and it works the same, lol.
Now Iโm about to get technical with it (if I could put a readmore inside of a readmore I would):
1) Statement pieces are a MUST. I swear by understated jewelry pieces.
2) Pay attention to things like your bag matching your shoes/belt/jewelry. Itโs something that you wonโt overly notice but it makes all the difference. Keep the metals of your bags and jewelry match. I hate a silver/gold clash.
3) Buy classic, staple pieces in neutral colors. I hate my closet being boring though so I rarely follow this rule myself. Iโm a very vibrant dresser.ย
4) Be fitted for your bra somewhere besides Victoriaโs Secret. Trust me on this. Also invest in your underwear. You can have lazewear, just make sure itโs likeโฆsilk robes, not old ass t-shirts that make you feel lazy as hell in them. Something about the difference of material changes my mood!
5) Lint rollers are NEEDED. I hate them but you NEED one. Especially if you have animals.
Keep your shoes clean! Take them to the cobbler if you must to fix them up. No scuffs, no worn places. Also, I watch the types of shoes I buy & wear. I only wear athletic sneakers if Iโm about to work out, casual sneakers for when I feel chill, and all else for different moods and weathers. Donโt just wear athletic sneakers everywhere if you can help it. Iโm not saying to wear heels, flats are just fine.
The thing about perfume is that it depends on your personal scent and how it meshes with you. Try a sample and wait about 30 minutes for it to mesh with your scent, and then youโll know if it works for you. Do anything that makes you feel good, but donโt overdo it unless you want to give people headaches. Put some behind the ears, the wrists, the neck, and your clothes (if itโs not oil based). Thatโs all. Just make sure the scent isnโt too overpowering, thatโs the difference between a cheap and expensive perfume.
Your purses donโt have to be expensive. There is a difference between a quality purse and a cheap purse, and the main difference is material and structure. Slouchy bags never look good. Get a good leather (or any other material if youโre looking to be fun) bag thatโs classic and can match everything. You donโt want to have only one staple bag that might not match everything you wear. A good example of an everyday bag is the YSL Sac du Jour. You can find plenty of purses around the $50-$100 range that have the same structural set up!
I prefer to keep my nails low and clean because Iโve never liked acrylics. I get gel, and get very fun designs in them sometimes, but I stay away from acrylics. It doesnโt matter though lol. Just make sure that you toes and your nails match! Thatโs all.
Keep nothing that looks cheaply made (as if I havenโt said that 500 times already lol). Donโt overdo pieces, keep a watch on ya wrist and earrings on your ears and youโre good. Necklaces here and there if youโre feeling them; they irritate me so I only put them on when I know itโll absolutely elevate your outfit. I like to keep prosperity jewelry on me, like certain stones to boost my luck & such. You donโt have to though, just something I do.
Thatโs all I can think of! I hate making long posts but I get asked about it a lot and wanted to address it.