You Clean Up Well! 6 Ways To Look More Polished Without Trying Too Hard

When was the last time you put maximum effort into getting ready for the day? If the answer is, “I can’t even remember,” then welcome to the club. Many of us are spending extra time at home and focusing on comfort these day, which has its perks. But it might also have some side effects that are starting to affect your self-esteem.

There’s something rewarding about picking out an outfit to wear to work, spending a few extra minutes doing your hair and makeup, or even unwinding at night by adding a step to your evening skin care routine. But when the days seem to blur together, there’s really no point in putting yourself in an “all dressed up and nowhere to go” situation.

Even under the most normal circumstances it’s easy to fall into a routine that doesn’t include making yourself look job-interview-ready. Most of us don’t. But we all know a person or two that always looks annoyingly perfect. Maybe it’s their DNA or maybe it’s their bank account. Or both. Those we can’t help with.

But we can all look more polished in our daily lives by paying more attention to detail. Because when it comes to looking our most shiny and refined, it’s all about the little things. So, whether you’re in #StayHome mode or out and about, here are a few tips and tricks you can start using now that will have the people in your life saying, “Wow, she really has her sh*t together.”

Brighten that beautiful smile

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 48% of American adults find a person’s smile to be their most memorable feature after a first meeting. And when you think about it, that tracks. Whether you’re in a social or professional setting, it’s hard to forget when someone has a great smile. So where does it come from?

A great smile starts inside of course, with a positive attitude and self-confidence. But let’s be real, your teeth are also part of the equation. It’s hard to show off a radiant, confident smile if you’re tying to hide your teeth. Putting in the effort to get a smile you love to share is a relatively simple way to improve the way you look without putting in a ton of effort every day.

There are a lot of ways to go about changing your smile. There are whitening toothpastes, natural whitening remedies, and of course, a trip to the dentist for a whitening procedure.

But for those of us that want the maximum effect without scheduling an appointment, at-home techniques have improved a lot over the years. Thanks to companies like Byte, you can now do professional-grade teeth whitening right from home using an all in one, at-home whitening kit. While the DIY whitening methods of the past took up to 20-something days to see results, if you use your Byte kit for just 10 minutes a day, you can start to see results in as few as three days, which is sure to boost your self-confidence in just as little time.

If your smile is already pretty white, but you’d like it a little straighter, you can do that at home too. Byte and other online teeth aligner companies also offer straightening procedures that can be done right from home, and can save you thousands of dollars on trips to the orthodontist. By taking the leap and making an investment in straightening your smile, you’ll never have to do another closed mouth grin again and can feel proud to show off your perfect teeth. Remember, smiling is supposed to help relieve stress, not create it.

Ditch your iron for a steamer

Is there a more annoying chore than ironing? Probably not. From having to store a large ironing board to finagling the iron under the sink to add water, it’s inconvenient to say the least. So often, we end up not doing it at all and opting for wrinkle releaser sprays or dealing with wrinkled clothes. Unfortunately a few wrinkles can completely undermine an otherwise put-together look. And once you experience the beauty of adding a steamer to your wash and fold routine, you’ll never leave the house looking disheveled again.

Whether you prefer a handheld steamer or one with a stand (author’s note: I’m team stand). The steam will relax the fibers in your clothes and remove the wrinkles instantly. It heats up in seconds, and the steam is extremely hot, so be careful! For women’s garments especially, a steamer works wonders to remove wrinkles from silk blouses, maxi dresses and even your favorite pair of jeans. Don’t ask questions, just add one to your online shopping cart today and thank us later.

Keep your shoe game strong

What’s that saying? The shoes are the window to the soul? Yeah, that’s it. While sometimes shoes are the final thought before stepping out the door, they actually play one of the most critical roles in how someone scores your appearance. If your shoes are showing visible signs of wear and tear or are just plain dirty, what does that say about how you keep your car, your living space or your closet? You get the idea.

And no, we’re not saying you need to buy a million new pairs. But it is important to take good care of the shoes you have and recognize when it’s time to walk away from a pair for good.

Throw your sneakers in the wash

A pair of running sneakers or tennis shoes should have no problem going through a cycle in your washing machine to clean them up and return them to a like-new shade of white. Put them in the wash solo, on a delicate or cold wash and let the machine do the work for you. If you have a more delicate pair of sneakers or shoes that need to be cleaned up, they can be scrubbed in the kitchen or bathroom sink with a sponge or a rag and some soap and water.

Protect your shoes with shoe protector spray

Certain materials can be damaged instantly if you get caught in the rain or accidentally step in a puddle outside. We often think to protect shoes made of suede or leather, but what about the details? Embellishments or fringe, are just as vulnerable to damage. A shoe protector spray will help shield your shoes from the elements to make them a bit more resistant to certain weather conditions.

For just $11, rain and stain spray can be used year-round to give your shoes an extra layer of protection --allowing you to wear them longer, and more frequently, without having to worry about looking unpolished or unprofessional.

Go easy on your shoes (and have a few “go-to” pairs)

This is the part where we tell you it’s OK to have a few too many pairs of shoes in your closet --seriously. When you wear the same pair every day, it doesn’t say much about your creativity, but more importantly your shoes are going to get worn down fast.

Even if you like a particular style for your day-to-day routine, have a few similar pairs that you can keep in a rotation. Whether they’re from Target or a high-end boutique, depends on your tastes (and budget). But when each pair get a break now and again, it helps them say in good shape for as long as possible.

Look well rested (even when you’re not)

We’ve all been asked before by a friend, colleague (or mother) if we’re sick, tired or sad for no apparent reason. Typically, that’s because there’s a little something about your face that says you just aren’t ready for the day, even if it’s not true. Both men and women can get “bags under their eyes”and that extra luggage is often what’s making it look like you are in desperate need of a nap.

A brilliant meme once said that being an adult is telling other adults how tired you are all the time. We know, most of us could always use more or better sleep. But there’s no reason the rest of the world needs to know that, just by looking at your face. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do in a pinch to reduce puffiness and brighten up your eyes for a more refreshed look.

From lightly pressing a cold spoon under your eyelids to start the day (put the spoon in the freezer the night before), to using a jade roller to soak in your serums or moisturizer before bed, making undereye care a part of your daily routine will help remove the appearance of dark circles under your eyes. And if you are spending a bit more time at home nowadays, consider purchasing a few pairs of under eye masks or a new under eye cream and letting them work their magic. It can be a daily ritual or just a part of a low-key self-care Saturday night.

Focus on nail care

Whether you’re waving “hello", swiping your credit card or typing on your computer, your hands are highly visible in almost every task you do. When you don’t take care of your nails, it might drop some hints about your personal hygiene that you don’t want going around. So to look fully polished, pay attention to your nails and hands. You don’t need to be perfectly manicured all the time. But it’s worth the effort to push down your cuticles and clip and file them frequently. If you like your nails long, that’s fine --just make sure they are shaped and clean. Oh, and definitely keep your hands moisturized --especially with all of the hand washing going on nowadays.

If you’re up for it, adding nail polish is a fun, interchangeable accessory that instantly makes you look presentable. But you don’t need to go wild to look good. Just painting your nails with neutral colors is a great way to appear put together without calling too much attention to your nails and neutrals will almost always compliment your outfit of the day. But here’s the thing with painted nails - when a nail breaks or the polish chips you have to take care of it ASAP. If that’s not a maintenance level you can live with, clear polish for a little shine is probably your best bet.

Accessorize when you can

Maybe you aren’t motivated to put together a runway worthy outfit for a Zoom chat with your gal pals, an at-home date night or a regular work day. And that’s totally fair. Even with simple clothing, you can rely on accessories to take your look to the next level. Right now, dainty jewelry is a top trend on Instagram, so poke around your jewelry box for a chain necklace, a pair of thin hoops or some stacking rings or necklaces you can layer.

Jewelry trends are always changing. The trick is mostly just to try. Something as simple as putting on earrings to go with your t-shirt of the day (no one knows you slept in it) can make you feel like you got all dressed up and curated a comfortable, yet trendy look. The magic of jewelry is that it shows you put a little thought into your appearance yet, it can still look still completely effortless.

Some people are just born looking pulled together without having to worry that their chaos is showing. But for the rest of us, there are simple but significant, things we can do to help give the impression we’ve to everything under control. The secret is - when we start to notice and address these little details, we feel better about ourselves and that self-assurance is the best polish of all.

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