7 Sneaky Ways to Get Promoted

**WARNING

** No amount of beauty tips will garner you a promotion if you suck at your job, are lazy and unmotivated, or get caught talking smack about your boss when you by accidentally hit "reply all" to the company email chain.

So how on earth can beauty tips or wearing the perfect office hairstyle (see what it is) possibly get you a promotion or help you get hired? And why does your appearance make a difference when you are clearly packing some awe-worthy qualifications? Well, if you think about it, appearance affects how we are treated and treat others all the time. So why would the office be any different? "Newsweek" found that hiring managers rank appearance as the third most important character trait, right behind experience and then confidence.

To help you in your "I'm awesome at my job, please notice me"-mission is makeup artist Carmindy from "What Not to Wear" and lifestyle and fitness consultant Ashley Borden. Here are some of their tips to helping you get the promotion you deserve.

Tip 1: Use mantras

Positivity is key to the success of any office environment and you will thrive when you bring confidence and an upbeat attitude to the table. Carmindy says that before any beauty tips can be properly utilized to your advantage, you must practice positive self-talk. She tells her clients that "if you look in the mirror every morning and say, 'yuck my eyes look terrible,' no amount of makeup will make you feel better." This is why, while a bit corny, saying some nice words to yourself can make a difference in the way you see yourself. "You need to do positive mirror mantras every single day, and then makeup will make you radiant because it's backed up by a beautiful spirit inside," she exclaims.

Once you've got your mantras down, take note of the following beauty tips and interesting facts …


Tip 2: Lighten up

Who's making the big bucks? Blondes, apparently. According to a study in the "Economics Letters" journal, the hair color family you fall into can affect your bank account. So, if you want to make more money, grab some peroxide. Researchers from University of Queensland reported, after surveying 13,000 women in Europe, blondes make seven percent more than women with other hair colors. Maybe that's why blondes have so much fun -- they don't have to worry about making rent.


Tip 3: Emphasize your uniqueness

Getting noticed in the workplace can come from individuality. "Don't be a slave to trends. Create your own personal sense of style and have a signature, like a red lip, a lined eye, a stack of bangles or a passion for different glasses. Something that's unique to you makes people notice," says Carmindy. Having a signature style can be effective in creating a powerful persona -- Exhibit A: Anna Wintour's bob.





Tip 4: Flash some pearly whites

People who smile often are seen as being more intelligent, sincere, trustworthy and self-assured than those who don't, according to the "American Journal of Psychology." These positive attributes, given to people just for flashing some teeth, are worth their weight in gold -- literally.

To get your teeth ready for attention, try some at-home whitening strips (Total Beauty readers love
Crest Whitestrips Daily Multicare, $34.50). Also, eat crunchy foods (carrots, celery, lettuce, apples) at work when away from your toothbrush -- they displace plaque and debris from the mouth, keeping any embarrassing food out of your teeth.


Tip 5: Try a bold lip

When it comes to makeup for the office, you want to keep it simple and professional. Carmindy says the key is to "look appropriate and confident without overdoing it. A stronger lip like a red or berry stain screams confidence and draws the attention to your mouth so people will listen to you." Try Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Stain in Moody, $24.




Tip 6: Cover your roots

Tell-tale roots look un-kept and when you look un-kept, you lose a professional advantage. If you're neglecting your hair (when it's so easy and inexpensive to do touch ups at home with hair color like Clairol Natural Instincts, $8.99), what else are you neglecting? This is something you don't want your boss or any of your co-workers wondering.


Tip 7: Beware of happy hour

Yes, rubbing elbows at an office happy hour is a good idea, but that doesn't mean you should knock back a few too many beverages to ease the pain of a long day. Alcohol is a depressant and will leave you dehydrated and bloated the following day at work -- not the best way to be when you've got your eye on the prize. So, when out for an after-work drink, Borden recommends asking for a water to accompany your favorite beverage and alternating between sips of each. She also warns to not go on an empty stomach, because everyone will remember that you danced on the table at the end of the night.

Still waiting for your big break? Then you better read the rest of the beauty tips that will help you get a competitive advantage.


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