9 Ways to improve your look

9 Ways to Improve Your Look Written by Chloe Gray I am a 20-year-old college student at the University of Iowa who has a passion for all things styling! I enjoy getting up in the morning and starting my day by putting on a cute outfit and doing my hair and makeup. Although I have always had a passion for beauty, it took a while for my look to come together. Over the last two years, I have taken time to improve my cosmetics and style. Here are the top 9 things that have helped me develop my style:

1. Less is more.

This is my favorite tip! If you really love a product and it’s something you know you will wear time after time, buy it! I have a $20 pair of shoes that I only wore two times and it still haunts me. On the other hand, my $100 pair of shoes has over 100 wears. They have definitely lived up to their ticket value. 2. Get advice.

Go through Tiktok, YouTube, or even ask your experienced beauty friends for advice. I try new products because I don’t know if the product is going to work, it’s worth the cash, or where to look for the right product. My best cosmetic purchases have all come from my friends’ recommendations! 3. Find what styles and fits you like most in store, but after you find it, shop online.

I understand how difficult it can be to find the perfect fit for certain types of shirts and pants. However, once you find a brand that you know fits well, shop online! You will find more options and the buy won’t be as impulsive. 4. Know your style.

This tip is underrated. If you shop without knowing your personal style, you may start buying pieces that won’t match the rest of your closet. Your style could just be choosing the same few stores to shop at or having a favorite piece or style of clothing to wear. Any specification helps! I was able to find my style by using Pinterest. Every time I shop, I almost always refer to my Pinterest board to see if the product matches the style I am shooting for. It also helps me keep my style my own instead of referring to what people around me are wearing. It has helped keep my style in check!

5. Get the basic and the poppy pieces.

When I say basic, I mean basic. The basic colors of white, black, and neutrals in long sleeved and short sleeved items. These should be some of the best quality items you own because you will get the most use out of them. On the other side of the coin, get pieces that pop! Fun items with something basic to match will make the fun piece look put together, giving your outfit personality. I’m sure you’ll even earn a few compliments! 6. Immediately get rid of the shirts that you know you shouldn’t wear.

Get rid of the pieces in your closet that are low quality, out of style, clearly looking old, shirts that don’t fit right, or shirts that you know are just ugly. I understand that it is nice to have these pieces for ‘back up’, but I’m assuming you would regret wearing it rather than buying a new shirt. All of last year, I got rid of clothes one by one and ended up with a quarter of my original closet. Since then, I have been able to start from scratch and am more confident in what I want because I know it is a similar style to my favorite pieces in my closet. 7. Platform shoes.

Platforms are half of my shoe collection. They will elongate your legs and make your look come together. Period. 8. Everyday Accessories

Buy simple gold jewelry that you wear every day. Before you buy it, make sure it will not tarnish. Having high-quality, basic accessories keeps the wallet full but will also spice up your outfit each day. 9. Take care of yourself.

If you are not feeling confident, emotionally and physically, you will never be fully satisfied by what you put on your body. To optimize your health, here are my top tips: eat vegetables, hit the gym, drink water, journal, and stay connected spiritually. Although this tip is said time and time again, taking care of yourself will improve your life in so many ways, which of course, includes your look.

Style sends a message about you, so wear what you genuinely like and be proud of what you want and have. If you feel confident in yourself, your look will be a ten out of ten!