You want to know what the difference is between a stellar first impression and an average first impression? Good grooming. People who take the time to groom and show up anywhere and everywhere looking their best convey a very important message: I respect and value myself, so you should do the same. Yes, my reader, that is the message we give to the world when we take the time to look polished. Make no mistake, we must groom every single day, regardless of what we have planned. We must do this because we are telling the world how to treat us. If you are wondering what good grooming looks like, then this post is hand-picked just for you.
People read into your appearance what kind of person you are. I do not come from wealth or a middle-class upbringing. I am as blue collar as you get, and in my world, aprons and uniforms were the standard daily wear.
Despite our humble home it is salient to me that my mom always practiced good hygiene. I remember she used to shower three times a day, once before each of her shifts, to show up smelling clean and looking neat and pressed. It seemed like a lot of work to me so I asked her why she showered so much. Her answer, “Mi amor, como te ven te tratan”, which translates to people will treat you the way your look. Life has taught me that she was right. One should always take the time to look well-groomed and if possible, polished.
What does it take to look well-groomed? The essential step in looking well-groomed is practicing good hygiene. When a person practices daily hygiene it shows and makes a positive impact on his/her appearance. Here is a list of the basic steps to good hygiene.
This entails scrubbing all smells away. You need to take really good care of scrubbing your entire scalp with shampoo focusing on the smelliest areas; usually the back of the head and the hairline along the forehead. Private areas and armpits need a good scrub with body wash or bar soap foam. The rest of the body needs to be scrubbed with a loofah or brush to wash away dirt residues that stick when one sweats.
This entails at the very least running a comb or brush through your head daily. It is very important to use the right type of product to tame frizz, enhance shine, or define texture. Each hair type has a product that works best for the hair’s characteristics. This step will require experimentation. I recommend that when you try a product you buy the smallest size, despite it being more expensive, to try out how it does with your hair. I also would advise that you schedule haircut appointments and establish an acceptable timeframe for your haircut; that is before your hair length makes the haircut get lost and starts to make you look unkept. It is always wise to find a haircut or style that enhances your best features and is versatile. I suggest asking your hair stylist for an opinion and researching haircuts that flatter your face shape: oval, heart, round, square. You should stay away from haircuts that require too much maintenance if you know your budget and/or time are limited. Why? Simple, you will always look like you missed a haircut appointment or didn’t have time to style your hair. This will diminish your overall appearance and may lead to poor service or treatment.
At the very least you should brush your teeth with toothpaste once a day. If you need financial motivation, taking good care of your teeth now will save you hundreds in fillings. Oral care is of paramount importance to being treated well, no one wants to hold a conversation with a person who has fowl smelling breath. Your pearly whites, also the only exposed bones in the body, require daily meticulous care. This care starts with brushing once, preferably twice, but extends to flossing and mouthwash. You will be surprised at how important gums are in preventing bacteria from entering your bloodstream and causing all sorts of ailments. Flossing and mouthwash are the steps that help prevent bad breath by removing lodged food particles from teeth crevices and washing away general mouth bacteria. If you can afford dental care, take advantage of it, as a good set of teeth will open many doors. Everybody loves a beautiful smile.
Did you know skin is the largest organ in our body? I recommend applying a skin product to your body right after your shower. There are a variety of products in a range of prices that help keep our skin moisturized: oils, butters, lotions, cremes, etc… Find a product that works well for your skin and that you can afford on a tight budget. As with hair products, I suggest you first try the smallest size to test out the product. You should pay particular attention to areas prone to dry skin: elbows, knees, hands, neck, ears, and feet. On a personal note, this is a step I can’t skip as I am prone to eczema, the perk of not skipping it is most people have always complimented how soft my skin feels. Albeit, it has always been a weird compliment to get.
Sweat generates bacteria and the bacteria turns into unpleasant smells. Take care of using products to handle the sweaty areas in your body. If you perspire excessively at the armpits make sure to buy deodorant and antiperspirant. If your feet sweat significantly make sure to use a medicated foot powder to help with perspiration and prevent athlete’s foot. Finally, make sure you find a body spray, perfume, or cologne that helps people associate you with good smells. Our sense of smell is closely linked to memory, so finding a scent that is particularly you, will help set you apart and evoke great memories of you when perceived somewhere.
Once we master the five daily habits of good hygiene, we will be ready to give a first good impression. The next element of that first impression is outward appearance. Come back to read how we can go from groomed to polished in: How to Achieve a Polished Look and Why It Matters.
Your Life Coach,
Kim
