- Lets face it: Today’s corporate woman is constantly on the go. And maintaining equilibrium in career, home, and spirit while being a stylish trendsetter isn’t always easy. As part of our <a title="BE Polished" href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/style/"><strong>BE Polished</strong></a> style series, we detail some awesome products to keep on hand for those fashion emergencies. These items will help you maintain a flawless look, and ensure you’re always ready to put your best look forward when sealing the next business deal. Your transition from the corporate office to an after-work mixer, or a date at that chic cigar lounge this fall will be seamless! <i>—Sirita Wright </i>
- <strong>Tape to the Rescue: </strong>We all dread a wardrobe malfunction, so to be prepared for such a snafu. Wardrope tape can keep hemlines, drapey blouses, and wrap dresses in check! To keep things simple, invest in a double stick version such as the <a title="Hollywood Fashion Tape" href="http://www.drugstore.com/hollywood-fashion-tape-double-stick-strips-with-take-away-tin/qxp150681" target="_blank"><strong>Hollywood Fashion Tape</strong></a> ($9).
- <a title="Tinted Moisturizer with SPF" href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P109936&categoryId=B70" target="_blank"><strong>Tinted Moisturizer with SPF</strong></a><strong>:</strong> After a long day at the office, refresh your make-up with a tinted moisturizer, specifically one with SPF. Tinted moisturizers with SPF condense three steps into one (foundation, sunscreen, moisturizer). Try the <b>Laura Mercier</b> cream, which comes in 10 shades (Sephora; $42).
- <strong>Cutting Edge Style:</strong> Thought this was just for woodsmen? Think again. Whether you need to fix a chipped nail or snip a loose thread, every woman needs a Swiss Army knife. Try their <a href="http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=tomo+collection+&product=0.6201.A5& " target="_blank"><strong>Tomo Knife </strong></a>($24), which offers the same features of the basic Swiss army knife in a sleek, colorful design.
- <strong>Lip Nurishment: </strong>A dry lip is never a good look, so it's best to pucker up throughout the day with a moisturizing lip balm. Try <a title="Evolution of Smooth's lip balms" href="http://store.evolutionofsmooth.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Evolutions of Smooth's (EOS)</strong></a> lip balms ($3.95), which come in a chic sphere applicator and are 100% natural. Your lips will thank you!
- <strong>Wrinkle Relief: </strong>Even being in the office—going from meeting to meeting, lunch to desk or client to client—can take a toll on clothing, leaving you looking wrinkled and disheveled. Maintain that polished look or touch up your change of ensemble with the chic and handy <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?sku=17180746&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping" target="_blank"><strong>My Little Steamer® Go Mini Hand Steamer</strong></a> ($20).
- <strong>Legwork:</strong> Some offices require women to wear hosiery, while others don’t. Either way, it’s always good to have a nice pair on hand to to handle what’s almost inevitable—a run or snag. Try <a href="http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=413047&cm_mmc=Google_Feed-_-2-_-19-_-MP219" target="_blank"><strong>Hue hosiery </strong></a>($14), which comes in a range of sizes, tones, and textures, to add a punch of polish to any ensemble.
- <strong>Glamor on the Go</strong>: Nothing says glamor like a good eye shadow. To take you from day to night, try <a href="http://www.yslbeautyus.com/Ombres-5-Lumieres/356YSL,default,pd.html?dwvar_356YSL_color=1%20Sahara&start=2&cgid=makeup-eyeshadow" target="_blank"><strong>Yves St. Laurent's monochrome selection</strong></a> ($56), which ranges from shimmer to matte in one sleek package.
- <strong>Perfect Match</strong>: Any 2-in-1 product is great when it comes to convenience and space saving, so for hair touch-ups, having a mini brush/mirror combo is a good look. Try <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P291410&om_mmc=GoogleBase&_requestid=42976&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=1338557&sbanner=us_search" target="_blank"><strong>Sephora’s Pop-Up</strong> </a>($8) that comes in metallic colors. Also, keep a good pomade or gel on hand to use with your brush, to keep fly aways and edges at bay—whether you’re natural or relaxed— such as <a href="http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/organic-root-stimulator-olive-oil-edge-control-hair-gel/ID=prod6028849-product" target="_blank"><strong>Organic Root Stimulator’s Olive Oil Edge Control</strong></a>.
- <strong>Poppin' Gloss and Scents:</strong> Don't you just love a good beauty combo? Get the perfect pout and fragrance all in one with this <a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml;jsessionid=KKZEGRNLHBZKWCV0KSIAQAQ?id=P220903&categoryId=C13030" target="_blank"><strong>Michael Kors Rollerball</strong></a>. Air travel friendly, this nifty combo—which includes a perfume with hints of floral and musk and a nude gloss good for topping one's favorite lipstick hue—will ensure you keep the allure going from 9 to well after 5.
- <strong>Essential Extras: </strong>It’s good to have a nice<a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/nordstrom-tissue-weight-cashmere-wrap/2815691?origin=related-2815691-0-0-1-1" target="_blank"><strong> wool/silk blended scarf </strong></a>to add a punch of color and guard against the cold; a <strong><a href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=853038&locale=en_US&kwid=1&sem=false&sdReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DBanana%2BRepublic%2BBoucle%2Bjacket%26ie%3Dutf-8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26aq%3Dt%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial%26client%3Dfirefox-a" target="_blank">single-breasted jacket</a> </strong>in a seasonal blend to keep at the office for impromptu formal meetings or dinner; <a title="breath fresheners" href="http://www.drugstore.com/listerine-pocketpaks-oral-care-strips-cool-mint/qxp55651?aid=336064&aparam=listerine%20breath%20strips&scinit1=listerine%20breath%20strips" target="_blank"><strong>breath fresheners</strong></a>; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UV4ZDS/ref=asc_df_B004UV4ZDS1695381?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B004UV4ZDS" target="_blank"><strong>personal deodorizing wipes</strong></a> and <a href="http://www.zappos.com/steve-madden-russhh-nude" target="_blank"><strong>a modest but chic nude pump</strong></a> that can match with almost any ensemble.
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<li><strong><em>Visit </em><a href="http://www.BlackEnterprise.com/style">BlackEnterprise.com/style</a> <em>for more Fashion Week coverage as well as features on how you can upgrade our professional style profile!</em></strong></li>
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Posted: September 9, 2011
