7 Ways to Add Glamour to Daily Life

2020 (and now 2021) have been many things… Glamorous is certainly NOT one of them! Most days we are simply trying to stay afloat, to find a work-from-home balance, and to stay healthy. We’ve cut out time consuming beauty rituals, opting instead for fresh, natural faces. We’ve swapped blazers for cozy sweatshirts, pencil skirts for leggings. In many ways this shift is wonderful. After all, shouldn’t we be focusing more on what’s inside than our exteriors? But we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t occasionally want to add glamour to daily life. Luckily it doesn’t take much to achieve!

Glamour is not created solely with fashion and makeup, it’s about allure and attitude.  

Let’s take a look at the definition for a second…

Glamour – 1. an attractive or exciting quality that makes certain people or things seem appealing. 2. enchantment; magic

What does this tell us? First, that glamour doesn’t have a price tag. It a subtle aura of mystery you can cultivate—even in crazy pandemic times! Think about historically glamourous women (e.g. Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly) there was nothing splashy about their demeanor or appearance. Instead, they sparked curiosity and left you wanting to learn more about them. Glamour is also very personal.

Dress (only $14) | Similar Boots

What makes me feel glamorous (flowy fabrics, playful femininity, Latin dance, bold shoulders, and a great black turtleneck), might not be the same for you. The key to adding glamour to daily life is unearthing your authentic sense of style, then injecting a little something extra. If we want to project elegance outward, we need to trigger feelings of glamour internally first.

Still sounding a bit opaque? Here are a few universal habits of glamorous people, plus a few I personally find helpful. 

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Sparking Elegance: 5 Ways to Add Glamour to Daily Life

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1.  Bring Back at Least One Beauty Ritual 

Take 10 mins and do your hair. Paint your nails. Put on a swipe of lipstick (or maybe mascara since we’re all masking up). I’m not urging anything elaborate, but the first way to add glamour to your daily life is to feel polished. You just can’t do that when your hair’s a mess!

Last week, I got my first hair cut and color after a full year away from the salon. Let’s just say I felt like a new woman walking out! When you are in a rush, a sleek ponytail or bun can look quite glamorous. These little things make a huge difference in how you feel.

Heels | Jeans | Top (only $16)

2. Up Level Your Look With a Great Shoe

No matter how casual your style may be, a stand-out shoe will instantly add glamour to daily life. Pair a beautiful shoe (or boot) with leggings, joggers, denim and a casual look becomes alluring.

A gorgeous pair of flats can achieve this, but heels have always been my personal glamour trigger. They have a way of enhancing your walk, allowing you to move confidently and gracefully—like a dancer. Heels make me feel more feminine, assertive, and provide the long leg line I crave. And at 4’11 I need all the help I can get!

Do heels freak you out? I have a friend (pro ballroom dancer Sarah Bohdanova) who can help. We did a series of live chats late last year discussing the launch of her course on walking with confidence in heels.

She also has a series of workshops beginning soon, “Secrets of Feminine Mystique” Feb. 20  and “Secrets of Balancing in Heels – Feb. 27”. If that sounds like fun, Sarah created a special discount for Anchored In Elegance readers (use Lindsayws30 for 30 percent off).  Both workshops really speak to my next point…

Skirt | Top | Clutch | Wedges

3. Cultivate An Air of Mystery

I’ll use a journalism/writing analogy to explain this one… Imagine you’re writing an excerpt for the book of your life. You want to intrigue the reader. You need to explain who you are, but reveal just enough to leave some mystery and keep people interested.

We talk so much about sharing our authentic selves these days, about being real and transparent. In fact, if you rely on social media for your business or brand, you might feel you need to show every aspect about your life! It helps you connect with your audience, right? Well, kind of…

Selectively opening up about our struggles or deeply personal life moments can be powerful. If your intention is to inspire, encourage or motivate… go for it! But oversharing—spewing all of our problems/frustrations online (or in person)—is not glamorous. Save that for your inner sanctum of close confidantes. Always remember, you are the editor of your own life. That’s a really powerful thing!

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4. Play Up Your Eyes

What’s the saying… Your eyes are the window to your soul? If you really want to add glamour to your daily life, the eyes have it. Curl your lashes, add a swipe of mascara, or test out a sultry smoky eye. My recent trick has been using magnetic false lashes to add a bit of extra oomph. I use the “accent” type (or half lash size). I find them much easier to place and more realistic (this is my favorite set). False lashes add glamour, but only if no one knows they are there!

5. Engage Your Mind

Art, music, history, a foreign language, dance… Find something you can really dive (ideally it should have nothing to do with your career). We’re trying to broaden our horizons! Now, allow yourself a sliver of time each week to fuel that part of your brain. Having a passion or unique interest will make you a great conversationalist. And isn’t intelligence a glamorous trait?

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6. Add Fragrance (or Fresh Flowers)

A touch of fragrance will also put your mind in an elegant state. Do you have a signature scent you can spritz on in the morning? Alternatively, you can add glamour to daily life with your home décor. Look for pieces that feel like a luxury. They don’t have to be elaborate. A vase of fresh flowers is a real mood booster. A scented candle, a faux fur throw blanket, a beautiful rug… There are so ways to build a glamorous sanctuary. Even if it’s just one corner of your home, create a little oasis for yourself where you can escape the daily chaos and restore calm.

• Read this next: How to Decorate Above the Bed

7. Set the Mood With Music

Music will definitely add glamour to daily life! Create a playlist of tunes that speak to your soul and don’t be afraid to dance around in your living room. Whenever I’m getting ready for a special occasion, I always set the mood for glamour with music. Classic artists like Frank Sinatra, Etta James, and Billie Holiday are a good place to start. But again… glamour is highly individual!

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So, there you have it! 7 Easy Ways to Add Glamour to Daily Life

What would you add to the list? Drop a comment below!