I’ve been asked a number of times to describe my style and it’s always left me a little stumped. I mean, Do I even have a signature style? Perhaps this is a question that you’ve been asked (or asked yourself) once or twice. If I had to describe my style, I’d define it as equal parts classic and trendy. I like to play with new shapes, textures, and styles but I never venture into things that don’t feel me. Over the years, I’ve learned that some styles work for my body and others – no matter how chic and trendy – do not. My signature style, I guess, is just kind of... me. Which is actually exactly what your signature style should be.
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A signature style doesn’t necessarily mean that you exclusively wear black clothing, or that you only wear your hair in one particular style. Your signature style should be the style that is most you – making you feel beautiful and confident. It may be something that you do every day but have never really considered as being “your style.” Once you recognize and own it, you can really define who you are through that look – superficial as it may sound. Like it or lump it, how we dress and present ourselves tells the world a lot about us. Ask yourself what you want your look to say.
Now, let's create YOUR personal style!
If you feel like you don't have one - or you're struggling to really define your style - ask yourself the following questions:
1. How would you define your personal style?
Are you strictly a jeans and tee-shirt girl? Perhaps you feel most comfortable in tights and a dress. Perhaps you consider yourself to be casual, conservative, edgy or glamorous – maybe you see yourself a mix of casual and glamorous. Whatever you want your style to say and how you want to feel should be first and foremost in your mind when shopping or dressing yourself. You should also consider how much time you have to devote to your style: do you have two hours to master a super glam hairstyle every morning, or do you have 30 minutes to get ready and get out the door?
2. How do you want to feel?
Sometimes, in the busy-ness of life and parenting and work, we find ourselves in a stump and our “personal style” becomes less personal and more about efficiency. Perhaps your weekday look is based almost entirely on your office dress code, or on what’s most comfortable (and practical) for a day of running errands and taking the kids to the park. If your current style doesn’t make you feel good, it’s time to change it up.
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3. What’s your one thing you feel best with?
With the exception of days I’m staying in the house alone and not going anywhere, I always wear Blackest Black mascara and black eyeliner. Always. I might be rocking Day 4 unwashed hair in a topknot and have leggings and a sac dress on because I’m sick, but dammit if I don’t have mascara and eyeliner. I’ve even been told that I “don’t look like me” when I skip my eyeliner and mascara. (Which is basically a nice way of asking me "where are your eyes?")
Whether your "one thing" is red lipstick, a white streak in your hair – maybe it’s just that you always rock a super edgy, short hairstyle or you can’t live without your blunt-cut fringe – whatever your one thing, own it and rock the shit out of it.
(I also have a thing for red or burgundy nails. In fact, I wear those shades for my manicures almost exclusively. And they're almost always quite short and squoval.)
4. How can you create a style with these ideas in mind?
One of my girl friends once described herself to me as a “tom boy in red lipstick”, and it’s always stuck with me. There’s just no other way to describe her or her look. She regularly rocks boyfriend jeans, simple tees and blazers or moto jackets and heels, booties… but she always wears red lipstick. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen her in a dress in over 20 years of friendship. Ever since we were kids, she gravitated towards cool, casual and yet edgy pieces and she owns it.
As I said before, your personal style does not have to mean that you always wear a graphic tee, distressed jeans and a blazer: your signature style can be as simple as red lipstick or black nails. If you want some inspiration on creating a signature style, look to celebs like Kim Kardashian or Jennifer Aniston – two ladies with very distinct but very different signature styles. Once you’ve found yours, stick to it but don’t be afraid to grow with it and experiment from time to time.
But remember: In order to be YOUR signature style, it needs to feel like YOU.
Here’s to a stylish year ahead!
If you liked this post, you may like my guide to wearing your LBD everywhere and how to dress up your favourite jeans and tee shirt! See you again soon. XO
Melt your coconut oil Stir in powdered sugar and coconut flakes Scoop out by tablespoon and roll into balls
As I desperately cling to the memory of summer and the laissez-faire styles that make me so happy, there is one thing I enjoy about the colder weather: bringing structure and clean lines back into my hairstyles. While summertime is filled with loose, messy ponytails, and flowy fabrics, fall and winter are the perfect time to polish your look and play with thick textures.
In a short while, we’ll be ramping up for holiday party season (not to be confused with the actual holidays) and you best believe I’m looking forward to dressing up, drinking wine, and eating until I can’t close my pants. Huzzah! But hey, there's no excuse not to have great looking hair, even if your pants don't fit.
When it comes to holiday parties, it seems like you either have oodles of time to get ready, or exactly 7 minutes to shower, change, and do your hair and makeup. But fear not, reluctant hair-stylers! I happen to have the party-worthy styles you can put together in a snap with Goody hair accessories.
For those I totally forgot my office party tonight, we need to be there by 7 and it’s 6:25 occasions, this style is perfect. No time to wash your hair? No problem. In fact, second (or, uh, third…) day hair is better for up-dos. This style is especially perfect if your hair has some texture (that's PC speak for "it’s all wavy and weirdly curled from wearing it in a bun for the last three days.")
Tip: For a quicker version that does not involve the side twists, simply pull hair into a high or low ponytail and twist your hair into a bun. Secure with your Goody Spin Pin. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Spritz with hairspray and go!
For those I’ve been cooking all day for this soiree and I don’t really feel like doing anything new occasions, begin with sleek, straight hair. You may need to straighten your hair using a flat iron (don’t forget your heat-protecting spray!), or simply blow dry straight.
For the “I want to wear my hair down but then it gets in my face and that’s annoying” occasions, this is the style you need. I totally get it. I hate having my hair stuck in my face—or worse, in my lip gloss. Blah! This look may take a little longer, depending on whether you need to style your hair first. Volume and texture are key here. You may choose to blow dry your hair with a round brush to add volume, or curl your hair using hot rollers or a hot iron (curling or flat iron).
To be perfectly honest, I rarely wear my hair “up” with the exception of a bun once a week and my go-to ponytail for working out or doing chores, but the holidays are a great time to dress up a little. When I do my hair I have a few must-have products and tools that I just can’t live without:
I’d love to know what your favourite holiday hair look is! Share them with me on Twitter or Instagram with #GoodyTips so I can see your festive styles!
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