Wishing for a new you in this new year?
It could be that you're presenting yourself in a way that doesn't reflect your true value, vitality and aspirations.
Maybe you're a go-getter in schlumpy stretch pants. Or you're a capable professional in a revealing blouse that sends the wrong message.
Or you were the dynamic artistic director of the Utah Symphony and Opera, wearing granny glasses and frumpy cardigans. That was Anne Ewers, who in 2007 was hired away to be the CEO/director of Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
While in Utah, Ewers booked an image makeover with consultant Coni Judge of Eden.
"She gave me the courage to try new things," wrote Ewers on Judge's Bloom Services Web site, www.bloom-svc.com. "She didn't try to change who I am, but rather enhanced the core 'me.' "
Judge, who studied at Conselle Image Management of Provo, charges $500 for a four-hour consultation. She shares five tips here, for free.
Define your desired image.
"I have clients imagine a neon sign over their heads, with three adjectives that summarize what they would want to project about themselves," Judge said.
One woman, in her 60s, who hired Judge in preparation for addressing the heads of NATO, chose the words "powerful," "intelligent" and "sexy."
"She said she wanted to feel sexy and attractive because it connects you to your power," Judge said.
Touches that are powerful yet womanly include fitted shapes with a defined waist. Jewelry and scarves can be chosen to complement eye color. Print blouses are in this year, and skirt hems should be an inch lower than your middle fingertip when your hands are at your sides.
Make room for the new.
Purge clothes that don't fit; are dated; were an unwanted gift; that require weight loss; or that you splurged on and never wore. Ditch things that clash with your new image.
"I knew an executive who had a Stevie Nicks closet of ethereal, diaphanous clothes she obviously didn't wear," Judge said. "I knew a TV news reporter who had a closet of cargo pants and sneakers, and wondered why she was getting feature assignments when she wanted to do hard news."
Buy fashions for your various life roles.
"Women may have a ton of stuff for hanging out and home and walking the dog, and nothing for date night or a corporate presentation," Judge said. "See if there's an aspect of your life where you need to fill in the blanks, make a list, and go look for those things."
Check your body shape in the mirror, then search through magazines and Web sites featuring celebrities and public figures with the same shape, Judge said. See what looks good on them but that fit your life. She also suggests a department-store bra fitting by a specialist.
Indulge in cheap thrills.
"Don't spend a lot of money, but step outside the box," Judge said. Try fun shoes in different colors, chunky "statement" jewelry, or clothes in hues you don't often wear.
Update hair and makeup.
"Find a hairdresser who brings new ideas," Judge said.
As for makeup, good places to get fresh ideas are from magazines or free department-store makeovers. Younger women can experiment with many looks, but should focus on keeping their looks appropriate for their environment.
For older women, less makeup is better, as are dewy foundations and understated eye makeup, Judge said. Older women losing color and volume in their eyelashes and brows should try mascara and brow tinting for a more youthful effect.
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