If you want to upgrade your life, start with your personal style. If we haven’t met, I’m Gina, and I’m an aesthetic traveler who believes style is one of the most powerful forms of self-expression. In fact, one of my favorite parts about taking trips is deciding which outfits to pack! When your outward appearance aligns with who you are internally, you radiate confidence and good energy. In this blog post, I’m going to tell you about 8 things I did to elevate my personal style that you can apply to your life, too.
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For me, style is a mix of everything. It’s how I dress, how I do my makeup, and how I do my hair. I think someone’s personal style refers to their overall presentation of themselves. Therefore, the tips in this post will reflect ways I’ve elevated my personal style in all 3 categories.
1. Invest in a Professional Color Analysis
If you’re serious about leveling up your personal style, I would consider this a must-do. Getting a color analysis involves working with a professional who identifies your “season” based on your natural features and undertones. Warm-toned people are classified as either Springs or Autumns, and cool-toned people are classified as either Summers or Winters. You’ll get a complete breakdown of which colors look best on you, which colors to avoid, whether you should wear gold or silver jewelry, your best hair colors, and even specific makeup shades to choose.
Even if you are 95% sure you know what colors you look best in, getting a professional color analysis is still worth it because you just may be surprised. I spent most of my life leaning towards olive greens, mustard yellows, and maroons (aka Autumn colors) because they were the most flattering on my warm-toned skin…or so I thought. I walked into my color analysis ready to bet money that I was an Autumn. Turns out I’m a Spring, and should be wearing warm, BRIGHT colors instead of the more “muted” shades I was wearing. Good thing I’m not a betting person!
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Getting a professional color analysis taught me to think differently about how I chose my outfits. Many times, I used to buy tops, dresses, and even makeup based on whether or not I liked the color, without stopping to think if the color actually looked good on me. I finally understood why I loved certain outfits so much when they were hanging in my closet but I didn’t exactly feel beautiful when I put them on. Now, color is one of the first things I pay attention to.
2. Finding the “Perfect” Hair Color
Discovering my perfect hair color was also a direct result of getting color-matched, but it made such a difference in my appearance that it deserved its own section. Like many millennials who grew up in the era of The Girls Next Door, I wanted my hair as blonde as humanly possible. While my hair was too fine to achieve the true bleached blonde look (seriously, I would have had no hair after one session), I did go through a serious icy blonde phase. Sometimes, depending on the purple shampoo I used, I could even make it look silver.
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Don’t get me wrong…Icy Blonde Gina was a vibe. I loved her, and I will never regret her. But she required a lot of self-tanner to pull off. (Seriously – I even tried to find a photo of me without self-tanner to show you, and I didn’t have one.)
Once I got a color analysis, I learned the best blonde for my skin tone was a gold- or red-toned blonde. Leaving Icy Blonde Gina was like breaking up with your toxic ex that you’re still madly in love with, but I knew I had to do it. After biting the bullet and making the switch, I will never forget the moment I saw my complexion for the first time. My face went from looking dull and pale to bright and sun-kissed in the salon chair. Seriously, it was AMAZING how changing my hair brought so much color to my face.
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For years, I thought my skin lacked warmth or brightness unless I wore self tanner or makeup. In reality, my hair color was washing me out. Changing to a shade that suited my complexion made me feel confident letting my natural skin tone show. While I’m still a fan of self-tanner, I no longer feel like I have to wear it in order to look pretty.
3. Studying European Women’s Approach to Style
One of the biggest things that influenced how I leveled up my style game was traveling to Europe and really paying attention to how the women dressed. IMO, European women have the best style. I was fascinated by how they took the most simple, basic neutral pieces and put them together to look chic and polished. My closet has always been very colorful, and I always thought of neutrals as boring. But observing European women changed all of that. It wasn’t that I looked bad…it was just that they looked runway, Vogue, and expensive.
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Once I decided to emulate a more European style, I started doing a little experiment to see how my efforts were paying off. I spent a summer living in Barcelona, Spain, and had brought a variety of clothes with me. I started paying attention to how people greeted me when I dressed more American vs. more European. I found that when my outfits erred more towards American style, people would say hi/hello when I walked in somewhere. But when I chose pieces that reflected a more European style, they would greet me in Spanish. Coincidence? Maybe. But I like to think this served as confirmation that I was implementing European style well.
4. (Finally) Purchasing in a Dyson Airwrap
I know for some of you, I’m REALLY late to the party on this one. Dyson Airwraps have been around since 2018, and I’ve put off getting one for multiple reasons. Between the mixed product reviews (some people love it, others say it doesn’t work or it breaks) and the cost ($650!!!), I didn’t know if it was worth it. But the people who claimed to love their Airwraps swore by them. I knew the Airwrap could dry and curl my hair simultaneously, which would save me a ton of styling time. I love wearing my hair curled, but I would only curl it for trips or occasions to avoid damaging it. Most of the time, I would just blow dry it, and it would be straight and flat.
I definitely felt better when my hair had some life to it. But I read multiple reviews of cheaper do-it-all blow dryer and styler tools, and many people mentioned serious heat damage. So, that wasn’t exactly worth it to me either.
Finally, I caved after I could no longer take my flat, limp hair and bought myself one. Not to be dramatic, but DEAR GOD. It’s been life-changing. My hair is bouncy, full, and has that lived-in curl that I always wanted. Plus, it’s cut down on my styling time, and I haven’t noticed any heat damage. Even on days when I’m dressed down with minimal makeup, my hair still looks styled and intentional, and that alone makes me feel more put-together.
If you’re still on the fence, the newest Airwraps come with curl i.d. technology that basically takes the guesswork out of styling. I connect mine to the Dyson app and it automatically customizes the airflow, heat, and timing based on my hair type. Let me repeat: Life. Changing.
- Pro Tip: Dyson Airwraps are NOT dual voltage, and can break if used in European countries due to Europe having a higher voltage system than the US. I never take my Airwrap overseas for this reason.
5. Learning To Adopt Trends Wisely
Full disclosure: I have not been a fan of several big trends during the last few years. Bootcut and flare jeans transported me right back to high school. A lot of the chain necklaces reminded me of something my ex boyfriend wore back in the late 2000’s. And don’t even get me started on the sneakers > high heels debate!
Like many other things, I learned to adapt these trends by first studying people who wore them well and who I deemed to be fashionable. This allowed me to slowly incorporate modern day style without feeling like I was 15 again. I started pairing flare jeans with off-the-shoulder bodysuits and layering paperclip chain necklaces with tennis necklaces or other dainty pieces. This worked because bodysuits and sparkly necklaces are 2 of my go-to items that I already love. These trends now felt like an extension of my existing style rather than something I was forcing myself into.
Not Every Trend Will Be a Fit
One of the best things about staying up to date by adopting modern day trends is that you don’t have to adopt all of them. You can adopt the ones that speak the most to you, wear them on a consistent basis, and forget the rest. For instance, I do not own a pair of Adidas Sambas and probably never will. I’ve tried them on multiple times, and I don’t find them comfy nor do I think they flatter me. So, I just don’t wear them, and I’m okay with that. FYI – for fashion sneakers, my fave brand is Dolce Vita.
6. Learning How To Dress for My Body Type
Dressing for your body type is a skill that I think everyone should master. It’s about understanding your proportions so your clothes work with you, not against you. Once you know what silhouettes naturally balance your shape, getting dressed becomes easier and more intuitive. You stop fighting trends that were never meant for your body and start gravitating toward pieces that make you feel confident the second you put them on.
For instance, I have an athletic build, so I know that I need to gravitate towards more form-fitting clothes. If I want to do a flowy skirt or baggy pants, then my top definitely has to be form fitting to balance it out. I tend to avoid dresses or rompers with no shape since they make me look 15 lbs heavier than I actually am. In contrast, people who are tall and thin with minimal curves can often wear these long, shapeless pieces because they carry them well. Knowing how your body responds to different outfits makes shopping way easier and helps you feel more confident in your clothes.
Accepting That Some Pieces Aren’t Meant for My Body
Let’s take this a step further. Accepting that some pieces aren’t meant for my body was a huge turning point in elevating my personal style. I love a classic tweed blazer in theory, but on me, tweed blazers tend to feel stiff, boxy, and overwhelming rather than polished. They don’t flatter me the way they do other women.
Instead of forcing myself to make certain “iconic” pieces work, I learned to pay attention to how fabrics, structure, and proportions interact with my body. As a result, I’m able to take the pieces that do work for me and know how to style them well.
7. Perfecting My “No-Makeup Makeup” Routine
Just so we’re clear, the goal with a “no-makeup makeup” look is to create a fresh, glowing complexion using minimal, subtle products. What does this have to do with personal style, you ask? As my life got busier and busier with always being on the go, I realized I needed to come up with a way to look pulled together in a minimal amount of time. When my skin looks healthy and radiant using only a few products, a simple cropped hoodie and leggings instantly feels styled instead of thrown on.
Even if I’m not dressed down, I still use this makeup routine if I’m short on time or during my travel days. In the photo below, I was getting ready to go from Hvar Island to Split, Croatia, and this routine helped me look fresh and awake despite an early start and a day of travel ahead.
I’ve linked my favorite no-makeup makeup products below. The sunscreen and the Dior Star Filter give me a dewy finish, the color corrector fixes my dark circles, and the lip gloss pulls it all together. With this routine, I can do my makeup in less than 5 minutes!
My Favorite “No-Makeup Makeup” Products
- For more of my favorite makeup products, check out The Best (TSA Approved!) Makeup To Pack in Your Travel Bag
8. Having a “Signature Look”
Having a signature look can be thought of as knowing your “go-to” pieces. For example, I love an all-black outfit, especially in the wintertime. I feel good in black, it’s easy to accessorize, and I can incorporate small pops of color if I want to. Knowing this takes a lot of stress out of planning an outfit and saves me a ton of time. (Side note – as a traveler, this also makes packing for a winter vacation incredibly easy!) Other signature looks of mine include high heels, crop tops, and anything that sparkles.
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Having a signature look can also extend to makeup. As someone who – at one point – had dozens of eyeshadow palettes and lipsticks, I’ve found that narrowing my options down to a few shades that I look and feel best in has made a huge difference in getting ready. While I still love experimenting with makeup, knowing my go-to products saves me time, money, and a lot of unnecessary decision fatigue.
In summary, having a signature look makes getting dressed easier, makes you more recognizable, and builds quiet confidence because you know what works. Instead of chasing every trend, lean into what flatters you. If you don’t know where to start, think about a specific vibe (minimalist, romantic, sporty-chic, classic, edgy) that really speaks to you and start incorporating pieces that fit. When incorporating makeup, lean into the colors you never second-guess. The key is repetition with intention, and asking “What do I want to be known for?”
