Why do I have to use the clothes steamer every day: The less glamorous real life of a beauty consultant
Many people have a misconception about beauty consultants, thinking that our job is simply:
having great skin, applying perfect makeup, and constantly recommending products in a glamorous way every day.
But if you have actually worked in this industry, you will know that the reality is completely different from that.
My day usually begins with the realization that "there isn't enough time".
When getting up in the morning, one has to rush and your mind is already thinking about today's client situations:
Who has sensitive skin, who has been breaking out recently, who didn't respond well after the last treatment... All these need to be planned in advance.
Once at the store, you sit for several hours and hardly have any real "relaxation" time.
Apart from these intense communication efforts, there is another very practical matter -
You must always appear to be "on".
Not beautiful, but online and active.
When it comes to clothes, I only started to pay attention to them after experiencing some unpleasant experiences.
When I first started out in this profession, I really didn't pay much attention to my clothes.
I will spend my money on skincare products, researching ingredients, learning techniques, and practicing communication skills. But when it comes to dressing and the condition of clothes, to be honest, I just think "it's okay as long as it's decent".
Until one day, an old client casually said to me during our chat:
"Are you feeling a bit tired today? You don't seem as energetic as usual."
That day I was actually in a good mood and had a good sleep.
Later, when I got home, I realized the problem - my shirt was wrinkled.
It's not the kind of exaggerated wrinkling, but rather a state where "you yourself may not notice it, but others will feel that it's not done neatly enough."
At that moment, I realized one thing:
What the client sees is not how much preparation you have made, but how you present yourself.
Why did I start using a clothes steamer later?
At first, I used an iron, and I was quite serious about it.
But the problem is that it really doesn't fit into my lifestyle.
You can imagine:
- There were only 20 minutes left before I had to leave in the morning.
- Suddenly, I noticed that my clothes were a bit wrinkled.
- Then I had to take out the ironing board and wait for it to heat up.
At that time, you basically would only make one decision:
Forget it. Let it be.
That's how I kept saying "Forget it" over and over again, until one day when I was on a business trip.
The hotel didn't have an iron. So I borrowed a small clothes steam machine, which was only intended to be used temporarily. But after that day, I rarely used the iron again.
Not because it is more advanced, but because it is more in line with real life.
How did it gradually become my "daily tool"?
Now, with the clothes steamer, there is absolutely no "ceremonial" aspect to it. It's more like a toothbrush - something that is used every day.
Before going out in the morning
I don't prepare my clothes one day in advance because I often change my mind.
Basically, it is:
- Turn on the machine while washing up
- get things ready before changing clothes
It was just a few minutes, but the difference was really obvious.
Once the clothes are neatly arranged, the person will look more refreshed and even their mood will improve.
During the middle of a day's work
Sometimes, when sitting continuously to communicate with clients, there might be some wrinkles on your clothes.
If there are others behind me, I'll go and do a quick touch-up.
- The part in front
- Sleeve
- Cuff
You don't need to be overly serious, but it can help you "get back to your normal state".
When on a business trip
There's no need to say more about this.
The clothes in the suitcase are bound to be wrinkled.
Previously, I used to be very anxious and would even bring a bunch of clothes just in case I needed to deal with something.
Now, it's much easier.
There was a steamer, and that basically solved the problem.
After using it for a while, I developed some rather "personal" habits.
These are not what would be written in the manual. I figured them out gradually on my own.
I will definitely deal with the upper body first.
Because when the client looks at you, they are basically within this range.
The collar, the front part, and the shoulders - these are the areas that need to be kept clean and tidy. They are more important than anything else.
I'll gently pull the fabric with my hands.
Many people just run the steamer over the fabric, but the result is quite mediocre.
I usually steam while gently pulling the fabric with my hands.
This way, the steam can penetrate more evenly and the resulting texture will be more natural.
I don't aim for "absolutely no wrinkles"
This point is quite important.
Clothes are not paper and cannot be completely flat.
My current standard is:
It's enough if it looks clean, neat and energetic.
Regarding "Nesugar", it is a kind of existence that gradually becomes familiar.
The first time I came across "Nesugar", I didn't have any particularly striking feelings about it.
It's not the kind of thing that seems "very powerful" at first glance.
But after using it for a while, you will find that it has a very subtle advantage - it doesn't disturb you.
- Turning it on is simple
- It's easy to use
- There's no need for frequent adjustments
For someone like me who uses it every day, this is actually something that matters to me.
It's not about being overly advanced, but rather about being stable, easy, and not causing any additional burden.
What it changed, actually, was my approach to "being prepared for myself".
Previously, I would think that achieving a good state was a rather strenuous task.
One needs to do makeup, choose outfits, and pay attention to details.
But now I am more inclined towards a more realistic approach:
Make those "problem-prone areas" simple and manageable.
Clothing is one of them.
When you know that -
even if it gets wrinkled, you can handle it within a few minutes,
you will feel much more relaxed.
A very genuine feeling
In our line of work, after doing it for a while, you will find that:
The client believes you not only because what you say is correct, but also because you seem "right".
This "alignment" is not perfection, but rather unity.
- Your skin condition
- Your way of expression
- Your clothing details
They are connected together.
If the clothes are wrinkled, even from a professional perspective, there might sometimes be a discount applied.
Finally, I would like to say...
Nowadays, I rarely worry about "what to wear today".
It's not because I'm better at styling, but because I know that -
No matter which one you choose, as long as you slightly arrange it, it can become an "OK state".
This feeling actually makes one feel quite at ease.
It won't make you suddenly become extremely skilled, but it will help you be more stable every day.
In a job that requires long-term building of trust with others,
"stability" is more important than anything else.
