Receptionist Grooming

Grooming for Men and Women – What to wear

Often large corporations will issue you with a uniform, but for your interview you should wear a suit and follow these guide lines below.

Women

A suit should be black, dark grey or navy with either a skirt or trousers.

Skirt length should be a little below the knee and never shorter than above the knee.

Blouses should be cotton or silk (white or light pastel colour) and plain with no ruffles.

Tights/stockings should be flawless (no runs) and skin coloured. (You may want to keep an extra pair in your handbag).

Shoes should be closed toed and have small to medium heels.  No platforms, trainers, strappy sandals or pumps. Make sure they are well polished and not worn.

Simple accessories. Stud earrings only. No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc).

Makeup should be professional. No bright lipstick or eye shadow – click here for ‘professional make-over’.

Hair and nails should be clean and well groomed with no bright colours. Hair should be well cut or tied back, but always neat and tidy. Take a comb or brush in your handbag.

Minimal perfume.

Men

A two piece suit in black, dark grey or navy.

A tie in a simple pattern that matches the colour of your suit.

Button down dress shirt (white or pastel).

Polished dress shoes in a dark colour.

Socks should be dark and high fitting, no hairy legs to be seen between trousers and socks.

No earrings! If you normally wear one, take it out

Hair should be cut short, above the collar.

Clean trimmed fingernails.

Minimal cologne.

There is nothing worse than a dusting of white and very noticeable dandruff on your dark navy or black uniform jacket. It doesn’t matter how many times you shower or wash your hair you always feel a little unclean and very conscious of how other people will perceive you.

In alternative medicine we treat the body from the inside out rather than conventional medicine which tends to treat from the outside inwards.

For example the conventional treatment for dandruff is usually over the counter anti-dandruff shampoos or if very severe prescribed lotions and shampoos that you have to use on a continuous basis.

Because you are working in a very customer orientated business and you want to look your best at all times then of course it is a good idea to use one of the several anti-dandruff treatments currently on the market.

This however is only sticking a plaster on the problem. Our body’s health is dependent on balance. Our skin is the largest waste organ of the body and is a constant reflection of our internal health.

Our body surface sheds dead skin cells daily and you will shed your entire skin every three to four weeks. Your scalp, like every other area of skin will also shed dead skin cells but if you think about it, the skin on your scalp is not only affected by our internal health but also to a great deal more punishment than the rest of your skin.

Look at the shelves full of hair products and those available in hair salons. Colour treatments (bleach and ammonia), highlights (bleach and ammonia), shampoo, conditioner, hair gels, wax, hairspray etc.  We also have hairdryers, curling tongs and hair straighteners that we can use everyday at home. Daily washing and conditioning combined with the use of these heated appliances is very drying and damaging to the scalp and therefore a leading cause of flaky skin.

In our office environments we are subjected to overheated offices and receptions and also the stress of our jobs. Combine this with a poor diet full of sugars, hydrogenated fats and white starchy carbohydrates and lacking in the basic nutrients for our body to work efficiently and you have skin problems.

Internal Causes

It is no coincidence that children rarely suffer from dandruff and that it is more common from puberty onwards. Hormonal imbalances are often responsible for many of the teenage skin problems such as acne and throughout our lives if our diet does not support our hormone production we will suffer from conditions such as dandruff.

We have already touched on poor diet but adequate rest and stress also play their part in skin health. Being dehydrated causes over dry skin as does a diet low in the good fats such as Omega 3 and 6.

There is another cause for dandruff and that is linked to Candida Albicans. Candida is a fungal parasite that thrives on yeast and sugar. We all have it in a benign form but if you have a poor diet and have taken many courses of prescribed medication such as antibiotics it can overgrow and cause a great many internal and external symptoms.

Plan of Action

Try to avoid washing and drying your hair daily. I realise that it is important to look groomed but it is harmful to use these chemicals and heated appliances too frequently. If you have longer hair, try to vary the styles so that you can wear it up for a couple of days so that you are only washing your hair a couple of times a week.

If your hair is shorter try using the old fashioned rollers to give your hair body and leave them in for a half hour rather than use curling tongs or a hair dryer.

If your body is in a state of imbalance you are unlikely to be metabolizing food efficiently leading to a lack of nutrients needed by the body to maintain health in general and as I have mentioned already this will be reflected in the health of your skin.

One set of vitamins that can be associated with skin problems and in particular dandruff is B vitamins. These are present in whole grains. Vitamin B6 is a key nutrient with regard to hormonal imbalances and is also important for skin health and I would suggest that apart from a high quality multi-vitamin and mineral supplement you take B6 in addition.

Diet

In recent issues you will have found the Healthy Eating plan for life which is great for maintenance and ongoing health, in the next few issues I will be introducing you to The Gentle Detox which is designed to help your body rid itself of toxins that have built up and I suggest that you follow that for the suggested six weeks before moving onto the Healthy Eating plan.

If you are already following the healthy eating programme that is great and will certainly be helping your body become healthier but make sure that the following foods are definitely included on a daily basis as they will increase your intake of the B vitamins and B6 in particular.

Whole grains - Brown rice, whole or multigrain breads, Ryvita and rice cakes, whole grain pasta and cereals such as porridge oats, weetabix etc.

Proteins – Beans and lentils, Beef, chicken, cod, eggs, halibut, lamb, liver, milk, salmon, shrimp, tuna, turkey, low fat yoghurt.

Fruit – Banana and strawberries.

Vegetables and seeds – Asparagus, aubergine, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, mushrooms, peas, tomatoes, sunflower seeds.

Exercise

If you are in a sedentary job, rarely getting fresh air and sunshine your body becomes static. Toxins build up and this will be reflected in your skin condition. Try to get out in the fresh air for a 20 minute brisk walk daily and later in The Gentle Detox you will learn about some deep cleansing breathing and flexibility exercises that will also be very beneficial.

Candida Albicans

If you have other symptoms of Candida Albicans such as itchy ears, dry and scratchy throat, lower back pain, frequent thrush infections etc then take a look at my website or email me for an information sheet.

sally@moyhill.com

“HELP – Makeover & Training urgently required!!!”

This message was left on our answer-phone at FOH HQ

Within seconds we’d pulled out an old copy of FOH Mag, so activating a secret passage beneath the building and within the flick of a cat’s whisker we were sliding down shoots, jumping into colourful costumes and boarding the FOH Jet. Roaring above the city our team of Flying Receptionist OR Switchboard / Telephonist Improvers, Educators & Stylists (or F.R.O.S.T.I.E.S as our clients call us) were finding their way to CHUMP Alarms Ltd.

When we arrived at the scene the situation was worse than first feared. As we stood in reception panting and feeling more than a little conspicuous in our crime fighting costumes we were incredibly invisible to Jenny the receptionist – and we weren’t even wearing our invisibility headsets!

The six of us stood waiting for her to finish what looked like a very important call, about a fabulous party in Knightsbridge that we hadn’t been invited to, which was a shame, because we’re party Frosties.

She did look up at one point, but it was to ask if anyone had a light!

In the end we decided to sit, but as one of our band resembles something close to the hulk, we were wondering whether the seating would take our weight or whether it would in fact snap, crackle and lastly pop. (sorry couldn’t help it – editor)

At last we’d achieved eye contact – and were pleased that finally she was about to give us her opening welcome message!

That was enough – we decided it was time to take evasive action…. School had begun!

Achieving the “Am I bovver’ed” look.

This look is really a no no, so we wont go into the details… but if you’re on reception – just stay away from the club colours like these, especially blue eye shadow & mascara. Oh and while we’re on it, if you’re trying to achieve the professional receptionist or concierge look, steer clear of having ‘love and hate’ tattooed onto your knuckles and a chain from your nose to your ear, clients don’t seem to like it.

Achieving the professional receptionist look…

Advice from make-up artist: Carly

Always moisturise before applying foundation. I used dermalogica intensive moisture balance.

I used Revlon colourstay foundation, but MAC face and Body, and Dermologica are really nice natural foundations that I would also recommend.

Mac select cover up concealer is really good to use around the eyes if needed and great at covering any blemishes.

I applied a light sweep of translucent powder, I used Clarins, any will do.

Creamblush is really nice for a natural look. I like Mac creamblush in Posey.

Natural shadows are best for the office; I used a natural eye shadow trio by Benefit.

I applied a very light sweep of Mac bronzing powder in Matte bronze

Maybelline volume express mascara in black

Clarins colour quench lip balm in number 13 is a really natural colour that looks great on anyone and tastes great too!

ALL PICTURES IN THIS MONTHS ONLINE FOH MAG TAKEN BY ZOE

ZOE – RECEPTIONIST MANAGER – NOW PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

Zoe moved to the UK seven years ago and started out in catering and event management. Moved into a position as Front of House Assistant Manager 4 years ago working in one of the cities top law firms. Had a fantastic 4 years, but 6 months ago left it all behind to pursue a career as a photographer. Specialising in fashion, portraiture and corporate assignments, her approach to her work is creative and fun, but always maintaining a high level of professionalism – and rates are very reasonable!! For more info email zoebarling@yahoo.co.uk

CARLY – RECEPTIONIST / MODEL AND MAKE UP ARTIST

I have been in London since June. Before coming to London I lived and worked in Sydney, Australia. I worked for three years as a medical receptionist, during that time I completed certificate IV in makeup at the makeup technicians in Bondi and worked as a freelance makeup artist. I am qualified in wedding, photographic, TV and film, special effects, theatre, and fashion makeup.

Suits

There’s no novelty here, very often fashion follows the economic climate and this season is no exception; suits are veering towards plain fabrics, with checks definitely a no no. Pinstripes remain an essential part of any man’s wardrobe and here the trend is towards subtle shades of pink – no longer the very brash stripe. Styling is sharp and fitted with a strong emphasis on one and two button suits. And guess what; double breasted suits are making a come back! Just kidding, step away from the attic, there’s nothing to see here. Yet.

Shirts

A lot of emphasis on very fine fabrics and textures, with plains dominant for business attire. On the casual side, flowery patterns are all the rage.

Ties

No trend. Everything goes. Except Bart Simpson, and wide mouthed frogs, and leather, and anything that spins or flashes.

If you are going for a very colourful and fancy patterned one, coordinate nicely with the plain shirt and suit.

Shoes

The narrow last will be strong and I suspect a lot of play on different leather finishes.

Grooming

On the subject of grooming I would like to comment on some very common mistakes we all see in our shops.

First is sizing. It could be that some men don’t want to know they’re wearing a tie; and therefore have a collar so large they could slip out of it without undoing the buttons, and unfortunately this really does loose the whole suit-effect. As a rule, you should be able to slide a finger into the collar, not a small Chiwawa (unless it becomes a fashion)

The same applies to suits; give me a bad quality suit that fits well any day, than a good quality suit that is too big for me. Just look at our politicians, they nearly all wear suits way too big. President Putin is a case in point – the sleeves reach his knuckles and the body is much too long, all this accentuates is the fact that he is not very tall. Likewise if you have a big waist don’t go for a very baggy jacket, as sharp fit does not mean uncomfortable. The jacket of a suit should, even open, cling to the contour of the body, if it flowers out then it’s not fitted right. Similarly always show 1cm of the cuff of your shirt below the jacket sleeve and the jacket sleeve length not go over your wrist.

Fashion is all about creativity and having fun, but the points I made above will always apply.