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GROOMING

How often have you been repulsed by the body odor of the person you are standing next to or by his bad breath- breath that reeks of garlic and onions or rotting food. These leave a bad feeling/impression. Do you realize that how you look accounts for 55% of the impact in the first impression that you make? Grooming matters. Good grooming is how you look- how you present yourself. An executive must be smartly turned out in good clothes and with a clean appearance. Body odor If you feel clean you will be able to project yourself better. You should ensure that:

• You bathe everyday and if necessary before a meeting. • You always smell fresh and clean. You should liberally use, deodorants, after

shaves/perfumes or eau de toilettes. • If you perspire, you work on keeping your clothes clean. Smell is caused when

new perspiration mixes with stale perspiration. • Your hair and skin feel fresh. • With regard to shoes, you do not wear the same pair two days running. You

should air your shoes to get rid of foul smells. • As both under and outer clothes absorb odors, these are washed daily. • You keep a toothbrush and mouth wash at work to refresh breath at work.

Bad Breath Bad breath is terribly off putting and therefore after meals, one should wash one’s mouth and if possible brush one’s teeth. A very effective way of killing bad breath is by gargling with Listerine. Hair Hair should be short, well cut, clean and combed. Ruffled hair does not inspire confidence or indicate a sense of orderliness. Shampoo and condition your hair. Keep it clear of dandruff. Sideburns Men are expected to keep the sideburns in level to the middle of their ears or shorter.

Eyebrows You may have bushy eyebrows or very little. You should look at your eyebrows in relation to your face and shape, pluck or trim as necessary Facial hair Many men have moustaches/beard make sure that these are trimmed, well kept and neat. If you have visible hair in the ears and nostrils they should be removed. Women should check that they do not have facial hair. If they do these must be removed. Nails and Hands Hands should always look clean and manicured. Teeth Smiling is good. It makes meetings pleasant. If your teeth are not evenly colored or in poor shape you should have them treated by a dentist. Make up Women should wear makeup What are the factors to remember?

• During the day makeup should be light. • The make up should be appropriate • Waterproof base and eyeliner should be used so that there is no smudging. • One must start with a base (should be skin color) to even out blemishes on the

skin. • A compact should be used next especially if the face is oily • Eye shadow can enhance the eyes. A light eye shadow is most appropriate. In

view of our coloring it should be light brown. • The eyeliner used should be thin. • Regarding lipstick, the color should be light/nude. • If blush/ rouge is used, it should only be to highlight the face.

Perfume It is good for ladies to wear perfume. However, it must not be overpowering Spectacles If you wear spectacles you should ensure: • That they suit you.

• That they do not dominate your face. • That they fit you. Lenses If you wear lenses, they should fit well and be of good quality. Budging or red eyes are intimidating. Accessories It is useful to keep a small kit of accessories in your car/at your office. They can be very useful especially when you need to meet someone at short notice. 1. Small bottle of after shave/eau de cologne/perfume 2. Deodorant 3. Comb and brush 4. Breath mints 5. Toothbrush and paste 6. Make up/Shaving kit 7. Nail polish/lacquer 8. Facial tissue 9. Small sewing kit 10. Hair spray