Dare Salon

“The character or reputation of a person or thing as generally perceived” is the definition of “Image in the Concise Oxford Dictionary. Within seconds of meeting you, based on a single observed physical trait or behavior, people will assume to know everything about you (as is explained in the 2003 book Social Psychology by H. Andrew Michener, John D. Delamater, and Daniel J. Myers).

Light travels faster than sound, hence you speak volumes with non-verbal communication before you are even heard. This is why, before even uttering a word your visual image will say a multitude about you. Research by Social psychologist Dr. Albert Mehrabian of UCLA, appearance and body language (visual image with dress, grooming, body language, etc.) accounts for fifty-five percent of an invaluable first impression, 38 percent on the way we sound (the tone and pitch of our voice, accent, etc.) and just 7 percent on what we have to say. In any case of a contradiction between your words and your body language, body language always prevails.
Perceptions do count and are usually accurate. Nalani Ambady of the Harvard Department of Psychology observed the length of time it takes to form a first impression by recording ten second video clips of individual professors. She showed the clips to a group of students and asked them to rate and evaluate each professor. When Ambady compared these students’ evaluations with those from students who had actually taken the professors’ classes for the entire semester, the correlation was amazing. Students from the first group were able to formulate similar impressions in only ten seconds verses having seen the professors for an entire semester.

Judging books by their covers, houses are appraised by their curb appeal, and people are initially evaluated on how they choose to dress, behave and gestures. In a perfect world this is not fair, moral, or just. It’s a trait we all have and do without meaning to. What’s inside should count a great deal more. Eventually it may, but not right away and if you have the opportunity to form a lasting bond. In the meantime, a lot of opportunities can be lost. As we control the power and Cruz control for how we portray ourselves to the world. In transformational learning, the idea is to start at a place that is most visible and allows for immediately recognized results. Wardrobe, grooming, and nonverbal communication are aspects that are apparent and have the quickest and effective outcome to the world. This is why reality shows(Idol, Next top Model, America’s Top Chef ect.) are very popular the transformations through out the shows are amazing. Remember Susan Boyles? Combined, these factors can frame us as competent, knowledgeable, elegant, gracious, powerful, or anything else we choose to communicate.

Therefore, if you want to be the best you can possibly be in sales or business, career or personally the first impression you exude is crucial to your success. Work on it, polish it, and practice it!

Check us out and vote…Thanks for your support!

Thanks to everyone who voted for us!

Thanks to everyone who has step through our doors. We appreciate and value having the opportunity to work with you. And for all our readers we envision the content to be tangible tools for success for your utilization.

Colors we surround ourselves with play an intricate part in our confidence, which precludes our happiness.  Whether choosing hair color or garment colors, skin tone and personality are the two major considerations before any choices are selected.

The theory of color is based on individual skin tone.  Warm toned or cool toned, with the rare individual being both like a chameleon.  A simple way to test which one you are is to hold a piece of gold cloth then a silver piece. With one your skin will radiate.  The other will make you look sallow.  Gold is warm; silver is cool.  An alternative is to try an orange-red and blue-red fabric. Neutrals in clothing (black, gray, brown and taupe) work for everyone.

Once you have discovered your tone, look at the color wheel. Cool colors are in the blue, green, and purple hues.  Warm colors are in the yellow, orange and red hues.  Typically these families fall in the opposing family if the underlying base is from that color family. An example would be a red-blue tone like magenta. 

You’ll feel much more confident in colors that compliment your skin tone.  Personality is key in your color choices.  If a vivacious outgoing warm skin toned individual wears a subdued color — for example a flat brown hair color or a muted powdery pink blouse — this will be a confidence killer.  But, a flattering sun kissed, golden brown hair color with a hot pink garment will radiate confidence.  Eva Longoria Parker is a great example.

A first impression is what customers, bosses & potential clients base their judgment of trust, comfort & ability to perform.
Giving you the competitive edge when Fifty-five percent is on pure appearance alone. Your packaging of appearance includes clothing, accessories & grooming to ensure visual marketing. Attention to details in your packaging to give a strong business presence will land you career advancement possibilities & potential referrals.

Top A lists of credibility enhancements:

Style Impressions Must:

1. Shoes clean, unworn & always darker or same color as hemline.

2. Clothing neat, clean & pressed to perfection.

3. Hair polished & tailored to enhance your face & body structure. Manicured nails. Seek a professional.

4. Appropriate undergarments to smooth away unseemly lines and distractions.

5. Smile showing your teeth. Whiten & seek professional help if needed. Always carry breath mints.

6. Long sleeves for a presentation or meeting.

7. Carrying appropriate business accessory; briefcase, day timer or leather pad

These are just the short list of tangible tools to implement in leading with credibility. Utilizing your competitive edge to jump-start your professionalism, promotion & profit’s. Your personal style will compliment the goals you desire to receive. Seeking the partnership of a professional image Consultant for complimentary colors & clothing shapes to work with your body structure.

DARe Image Studio partners to identify & define your style to effectively maximize your leadership in the market place utilizing tangible tools for optimum success. Wrap yourself in more knowledge has more information.

It’s about influencing others, by creating a personal style brand identity that associates certain perceptions and feelings with that identity The new trend is Personal Style Branding. Branding your style is more effective and sustainable than traditional marketing and sales. The most effective way to set yourself apart from competitors or eliminate your competitors. Madonna, Donald Trump and Disney have shown fabulously effective personal style branding.

Your personal style will define your brand and help you formulating an optimum style. This will translate the messages you want to project into tangible tools of image communication. Personal Branding is the communication of unique strengths, skills, values and passions.Branding isn’t just for companies anymore. . through non-verbal communications you will achieve Successful Branding. By consistently managing the perceptions effectively you will control and influence how others perceive and think of you. Your Personal Branding is the communication of unique strengths, skills, values and passions. By communicating an experience thru education, results, and verbal and non-verbal behaviors. Combining physical appearance and with what one chooses to surround him- or herself. The proper projection of these traits helps individuals to stand out from their peers or competitors and clearly communicate their unique value to all with whom they associate. A personal brand is reflected through one’s reputation, and over time becomes synonymous with how people describe the person. Excellent examples are Walt Disney (Disney’s culture is a personification of Walt), Donald Trump and Madonna.

Maximizing your marketability requires purposeful intent. Discovering your Authentic, memorable personal style to create purposeful intent is the key component in today’s market place. When first impressions are based on colors, wardrobe and hair grooming to make up 93% of how people perceive your image and brand. Keep the message consistent and powerful whether at the office, grocery store or giving a presentation.

Often used interchangeably the words image and brand are distinctly different. Image is the visual representation of the yourself or your company. A brand or personal “style” is the experience the individual, or culture of the company represents. It’s the unique promise of value. Your image is only a fraction of the total package that your personal brand communicates.

Through the Image development process you will optimize your professional presence by branding your style for success. Learning to intergrate the ABC’s of style into your personal brand – accentuate, balance and camouflage. Review your intent, priorities and goals to send a consistent short and long term message. Targeting your audience with the perfect fit in hair style, wardrobe and colors for both while meeting your lifestyle will effectively brand and communicate your personal style.

Keeping true and authentically you will reinforce simple and consistent.
Attention to details matters. Simple consistent messages are effective in image”Style” branding.

Representing who you are by clarifying and defining your goals:

v Relationships; personal & professionally

v Building sales

v Acquiring a new position or direction of your company

v Soaring past the competition

v Building consortiums or cooperatives

Others perceive the message you send through your appearance.

A perfect example: (All clothes bought off the rack). You are an abstract male artist going to a meeting to attract potential buyers.

A) Your wardrobe consists of:
1. Power red tie
2. Classic black business suit
3. White off the rack shirt

B) Your wardrobe consists of:
1. A tailored dusty purple shirt & tailored slacks
2. An embellished suit jacket
3. Cowboy boots or wing tip shoes

Attracting what you desire will result when your message is simple and focused. All the attention to simple inexpensive details in your appearance will ensure reaching your goals and soaring to new possibilities. Keep in mind branding yourself is not just appearance but the “experience” others relate to interaction with you, a company or product.

q          Before you shop, do a closet assessment; see what you have and determine what you really “need”

q          Work with items you love 

q          Don’t buy anything unless you know it will ‘work hard’ for you by mixing and matching to make numerous outfits (A bargain is not a bargain if it hangs in your closet)

q          Consider that you only need to add a few strategically chosen new items to give your wardrobe a significant boost

q          Invest in tailoring for a custom fit (this is an expense that is well worth the investment)

q          Invest in quality verses name brand.

q          Take shoes to the repair shop for a pick me up for about $20 verses $50-$150 new

q          Shop Bargain Rack first for prices that fit everybody’s pocketbook.  Buy only the things that fit your body shape & wardrobe strategy

q          Make a ‘wish list’ and let me figure out how to make your ‘wishes’ come true (birthday, anniversary, Mother’s Day)

q          keep the quality in your lifestyle spending wisely

 Most people only utilize 20% of their clothes in their closet.  And having 20% they have barely or never worn.  With the economy being tight learn how to shop savvy.  Sometimes right out of your own closet!

  Investing in an Image consultant saves $$$$ by effectively giving you the tools you need to build a strong wardrobe to send a consistent timeless message.

Schedule a closet Audit with a professional to enhance your Image at a fraction of the cost of random purchasing that doesn’t always work hard for you.