Workaholic Tuesdays: Get dressed for success in 15 minutes flat

We all have our share of juggling working late nights with household chores, that leave us with hurried mornings and make the work week seem longer than it is. With harrowing days such as these, dressing up for work seems like more effort than you can manage. But, one doesn’t need to spend hours in front of the mirror trying to look impeccably turned out at work; in fact, that beautifully ironed shirt/dress/saree/salwar is going to be all creased up long before you reach your office, since you have to brave public transport known for its bone-crushing massages. And, if it’s raining, brace yourself against inconsiderate vehicles gleefully splattering the roadside-puddle contents of mud and who-knows-what-else all over you. Presenting quick tips to a beautiful you in 15 minutes flat.  

The thumb rule is: be comfortable in whatever you choose to wear. So, cottons during the summer, dark colours during the rains and warm clothes during the winters—easy, isn't it?

Weekends are the best time to prep yourself. No time to pamper yourself at the parlour? Do it at home, like all us penny-pinching moms. Soak your feet and hands and scrub gently, trim and file your nails and apply your quick-dry nail paint—it’s good to last the entire week. Time invested-less than 30 minutes. Your weekend manicure reduces your workday worries. Again, weekends are good for all the ‘girlie’ things you need to do... wax, tweeze, haircuts, trims...

Come Monday, you wake up in a bleary-eyed daze. Oh how you loathe Mondays! You hate getting out of your comfy shorts and PJs. Your hair looked better on Sunday. You are Oh! so very late to work. But, you can be ready in under 15 minutes.  

Pick out what you want to wear and don’t change your mind over and over agian, unless you notice a button has gone missing or you spy a tear.

Heels are always great. Don’t opt for heels that are on the higher side for work—save them for the next cocktail party. Wear a pair of heels you are comfortable walking in. Choose shoes in shades that complement your clothes. If you don’t have clean toes, avoid peep-toes. Don’t kill yourself with your heels, every day of the week. You owe your feet some rest after all that hard work you put in. Smart flats and ballerinas are great options.
 
Most girls love bling, but you don’t want to end up looking like a “Christmas tree”. If it’s chunky, keep it minimalistic—bracelet or earrings or chains or rings—don’t do it all. If it’s classy and feminine... do it all, if you can carry it off. Jewellery always adds a touch of elegance to your attire.

I don't know about you, but I have dark circles. I could give a complex to a racoon. If I turned up at work without my ‘mandatory’ concealer, my colleagues would think there was a zombie on the loose. So dab-a-dab-dab on the foundation. Apply a dash of liner and lip colour and you're almost ready to go.
10 minutes down. 5 more to go.

Now, attack your hair. It's only a very lucky few who own tamed hair. Almost everyone has a “bad hair day” at least once a week. Arm yourself with serum, rubber bands, hair clips, everything in your arsenal. Your hair will fly—into your face, into someone else’s face. Pony tail it, braid it, bun it, curl it up and clip it—you can touch it up once you get to work, but again... don’t go MIA for hours over strands that are likely to play mischief the moment you step out of the house.

Wear your favourite perfume. It will soothe your mood, however nasty, ill-tempered or cranky you might feel. Fragrances contain magic.

Voila—you are ready to set your best foot out the door. Didn't I tell you. 15 minutes is all it takes. And, all the effort is worth it. You have the “Look Good...Feel Good” aura. Don’t forget to carry safety pins as well as needle and thread, wardrobe malfunctions have a tendency to show up unannounced