How to master the art of looking good in the virtual space
Working or learning from home is the new norm nowadays, but that doesn’t mean we just roll out of bed and go straight to work or our online classes looking like we just woke up. Our professional image matters whenever, wherever.
Working or learning from home is the new norm nowadays, but that doesn’t mean we just roll out of bed and go straight to work or our online classes looking like we just woke up. Our professional image matters whenever, wherever. According to personal branding guru Miakka Lim, it takes a little more effort to look our best professional self in the virtual space. “Think about three things: your audience, your goal, and your climate. The rule is that you have to dress a notch higher than your audience,” Lim mused.
In TeamAsia’s recent Let’s TAlk session, Lim shared some tips and tricks in stepping up one’s online aesthetic by answering the most intriguing personal branding questions. From her take on virtual fashion faux pas to fixing common makeup woes in the online space, Lim relayed what it takes to look your best professional self online.
Dress for success
Dress how you want to be addressed. Even if you’re talking to colleagues, you might want to dress up a little bit so it sets the tone, and to set the stage that you’re in charge. When you’re meeting with higher executives, you need to look more presentable so it’s best to always have a cardigan, blazer or light jacket on stand-by. “The key is to look relaxed yet well put-together,” Lim explained. “You can look respectable yet stylish, comfortable for home yet exude a commanding presence by choosing the right necklines and fabric.”
When it comes to accessories, the key is to keep it simple. “You have to make sure that your personality and face aren’t overpowered by your accessories,” as per Lim. You want your audience to focus on you, and not on what you’re wearing so it’s best to opt for simple earrings and necklaces for women, and stainless or leather watches for men.
Staying prim and proper
Your online aesthetic is not just about your outfit. You need to put the right amount of makeup to look good, too. The goal of putting makeup on is not only to polish your whole appearance, but also to enhance your features, making you look well rested and confident. Lim suggests using five make-up items to enhance your features, and look more presentable: mascara, blush, brows, concealer and lip gloss.
“Number one is mascara because it opens up your eyes and brightens up your aura, since your audience will be looking at your face 90% of the time,” Lim discussed. “Number two is blush because the camera washes your skin tone, so you need to apply a little bit more of your normal amount to make your skin look plumper and healthier. Number three is brows because they frame the whole face. The key here is to remember that your brows have to be gradient. Number four is concealer. Concealer does not only hide your blemishes and dark spots, but it can make you look like you slept for eight hours. Number five is lip gloss just to top it all off, since you don’t want to look very dry on-screen.”
When asked about how to avoid looking dull online and brighten up the skin, Lim suggested getting some Vitamin D. “To look brighter, one should go for a walk or jog for a few minutes in the morning. All it takes is a little workout in the morning so you have that natural source of Vitamin D,” Lim said. If you’re not able to go out considering the current community quarantine, you can drink a lot of water, then use brightening products for your skincare routine.
It takes a little effort, but looking the most professional version of yourself in the online space does exude a commanding presence and in turn, sends the message that you mean business. When you look good, you feel good, and you can take on any task with confidence when you bring your aesthetic A-game. You can take this a step further by investing in upskilling with TeamAsia Training Online.
To be ahead of the curve in this day and age, it’s important for you to continue learning. Investing in learning is needed for building critical skills now to prepare for what’s ahead. As your learning partner, TeamAsia Training Online is here to help you achieve success in driving organizational growth for a better normal.
TeamAsia Training Online is driven by TeamAsia’s 28 years of experience in marketing communications and its proprietary strategic marketing approach, Integrated Marketing Experience (IME) that empowers audiences to actively take part in a brand’s story by engaging them across multiple communication channels.
Ready to look and dress for success in the online space? Jump start your online learning journey by emailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to know more.
