5 Ways to Create a Profitable Image

Recently, I happened to catch part of an E!

Entertainment program called something like, "The 25 Hottest Red Carpet Stars." It showed some of the most beautiful women in the world as they counted down to number one. Uma Thurman, Selma Hayek, Nicole Kidman - all of the "usual suspects" were there. The youngest was Kiera Knightly, the oldest was Sophia Loren. Halle Berry was number one.

As I watched, it occurred to me that in addition to enjoying active careers and all but monopolizing magazine covers these days, many of the women on their list also happen to have lucrative fashion or beauty endorsement deals on the side. Catherine Zeta-Jones (Elizabeth Arden), Angelina Jolie (St. Johns Knits), Ashley Judd (American Beauty by Estée Lauder) - the list goes on and on.

Coincidence? Hardly! Everyone loves a winner.

So when the red carpet reports show "who's hot" and "who's not," companies line up with endorsement deals, hoping to catch some of the stardust coming off the red carpet.

So what does all of this celebrity fashion have to do with you?

It emphasizes just how far a polished image can take you. There are TONS of celebrities out there, but only a handful dominates the magazine covers and endorsement deals. They're not necessarily the most beautiful or the most talented, though a little of both certainly helps. No, these are the ones who understand the power of personal packaging and are savvy enough to "make hay while the sun shines," or in this case, while the spotlight shines on them.

The question is, are you?

Are you harnessing the power of a polished image, whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or are far removed from that world? Are you taking the time to make sure your outside accurately reflects the quality of your inside? Or, like so many women, are you taking an expensive education or in-demand ability and putting it in a discount wrapper?

If so, you're doing yourself a disservice.

As shallow as it is, people DO judge you by how you look. In fact, since your clothing and demeanor reveal SO much about you, from your origins and education level to your probable income, others make snap judgments about you all the time - just as you do with them. If you look and carry yourself like a thoroughbred, others will assume you belong in the race or in the winner's circle. If you're unkempt and plod along obligingly, they'll assume you're a work horse and treat you accordingly - even if you have the talent and instincts to lead the field.

I've seen it too many times to count, even in industries or in positions where looks aren't supposed to matter.

So what can you do to harness this power and use it to your benefit, whether you're in the classroom, climbing the ladder, staying home with the kids, or enjoying retirement? Here are five steps to creating a profitable, "red carpet" image:

1. Make your Appearance a Priority

When you're young and into fashion, how you look may be your only priority. As you get older, however, other things take more of your time like working, raising kids, volunteer work, and the like. Often, we're so busy taking care of others that we lose ourselves in the process. We can justify dropping a lot on dressing our daughter for a special occasion yet balk at spending the same amount on ourselves. Or, if we've put on a few pounds, we put off updating our closets to reflect the new size. We accept the short end of the stick time and again until we look and feel like a work horse - and then we wonder why all we get is more work.

Remember: People treat you how you treat yourself. If you ignore yourself, others with ignore you. If you strive to look like a thoroughbred, people will respond accordingly.

2. Build a Style File

Start by flipping through a few magazines or catalogs or clicking around online. When you find looks you like and that appropriate for your lifestyle, rip them out of the magazines or print off screen shots and start collecting them in a file. You'll begin to see a pattern of the types of clothing elements you like. You can also pick up some nifty styling ideas.

3. Shop in your Closet

Before you head to the mall, flip through your closet and see if you can duplicate any of the looks in your style file with what you already own. Your pieces may not look exactly like what's in the picture (you have a yellow shirt but the picture shows a blue one, for example), but try approximating the look as closely as you can. It's an easy way to look up-to-date without spending anything.

4. Clear the Clutter

If you're having trouble taking stock of your clothes or accessories because you have so much, get rid of the things you don't wear so you can see what you have to work with. If you're hauling around a bunch of stuff in your handbag, tote, or briefcase that you don't need, get rid of it. If every inch of your office or workspace is covered with papers that need to be filed or sorted, clear them out. If you routinely use your car for business or hauling kids and it's a mess, clean it up. In short, get rid of all the clutter around you that's bringing you down and zapping your energy. Once you clear the mess, you'll look and feel like you're in control - instead of totally out of control and incapable of handling more.

5. Strive for Consistency

Finally, strive to present a consistently polished image. Anyone can clean up for a special occasion. But if you make it a priority to consistently look good, you'll not only feel better about yourself, those around you will consistently treat you with respect because they'll know what to expect from you. Those red-carpet starlets don't JUST look good on the red carpet; they look good any time they're photographed, which makes their endorsement partners even more confident that they have the right person for the job.

So it should be with you. A polished image doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. If you strive for a consistent look every time you walk out the door, you'll be delighted by the response you get. Try yourself and see.

About The Author

Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant and author of "Business Wear Magic," ebook that shows women how to increase their income by dressing appropriately for their line of work. Visit her at http://www.fashionforrealwomen.com.

Straight From The Runway: All You Need To Know Beauty Trends Guide

When it comes to beauty trends, every woman wants to ace them. Even if it’s not to the same degree as a super model or someone that has an entire fortune to splurge, but to some extent beauty trends are important to every woman, regardless of her background, preference or budget.

The way our society relates information to us in regard to up and coming beauty trends or trends that are now outdated, it should make us wonder why we all don’t look the same! Truth be told, there are so many different kinds of beauty trends out there, it’s impossible to keep up with them all, let alone sport them all. There isn’t a woman on earth who has the financial resources or the time for this impossible mission

Magazines continuously offer front cover glances at what kind of beauty trends are currently in style, making it easy for everyone to pick up on. A quick look through the shelf tells you big, Hollywood-style glasses are in and lace is out again. Magazines also offer articles within them that explain different kinds of trends and how to transform oneself from one “trendy” look to the next.

The fact that these beauty trends are usually first spotted on television or in newspapers and magazines first should give you enough clues that it probably isn’t your nameless neighbor who created the latest trend. If you are wondering who really does come up with them you certainly don’t have to look too far to find the answer. Yes, it is the top companies in the industry trying to market their products that make the current beauty trends flourish or flop. They practice demand manipulation all the time. Cosmetic companies realize that women want to refresh their look from time-to-time so they introduce new product lines each season and make it seem as if you will die without their new toys. Don’t forget to include the clothing industry in this thought, because they come up with many beauty trends as well.

One thing about beauty trends is that some of them never go away. They’re called classic, timeless styles. Let’s face it, we all know that society thinks of thin women as beautiful, and if you are not thin you are certainly not part of that trend which never seems to end. Of course, beauty trends like these have been known to be superficial and it all has to do with personal taste and preference. It is the beauty trends like what color make-up to wear during certain times of the year that continually change and grow. Beauty trends such as not wearing pink one year but it being all the rage the next year is what keeps the beauty industry alive and kicking.

So the next time you read how pink lipstick is the color to wear this summer, remember that there are still many other colors that will look good on you. Don’t stomp out of the house and rush to the nearest store only to buy the pink that you always know to be unsuitable for you. Trust your instincts, stay true to your own sense of style and you’ll never again have to wonder what they next big beauty trend will be.

About The Author

Glen B. Porter provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, http://www.entertainment-resource-directory.com, and reviews for http://www.top-entertainment-news.com, music, movies and other related information.