How to stay looking neat

Slipping CMA · Apr 16, 2016

I'm a CMA and even though I want to look good for the office I'm lazy. I have long hair that goes in a ponytail with a touch of hairspray so I don't get flyaways. Since I'm older and don't want to scare people its foundation, blush, eyeliner and lipgloss. I always use a little bit of setting spray for my makeup although I wonder if the stuff really works.

I don't spend a whole lot of time, I just make sure I look human enough not scare little children. I don't really see anyone in the office spending a lot of time on there looks. I know it's more professional but we are still all in scrubs.

verene, MSN · Apr 16, 2016

The biggest thing for me when it comes to looking neat is pinning up my hair. I have long hair so it always gets combed back and put in either a braid or pony-tail then pinned or clipped in a bun. Other than that I make a point of wear scrubs that fit reasonably well and minimal to no make-up. I think more of being professional is attitude over looks so long as you aren't a total mess.

zynmimi · Apr 17, 2016

What about fringes? Will that make me look unprofessional?

Missingyou, CNA · Apr 18, 2016

Short hair can be easier to take care of and look neater.

If you wear scrubs, solid matching colors (in my opinion) look more professional than prints. Make sure they aren't faded or dingy.

peachy512, RN · Apr 19, 2016

If you're in a pinch on looking neat, my quick makeup fix is just foundation primer (clear, to smooth skin out), concealer for the under-eye circles, blush, and mascara (that I really try to coat on to open my eyes up). I'll put on some pencil eyeliner if I feel like it. I usually have my hair straightened too, because otherwise it looks like beach hair gone bad.

I also have a habit of wearing pearl stud earrings, and those really do wonders for a professional image :up:

But trust me when I tell you this: they've probably seen worse. You wouldn't believe what some people will show up in.

allnurses Guide · Apr 19, 2016

I wish more people working in healthcare would ask this question, but it seems some people just don't care.

Whenever I go for a check-up, I do notice what the staff looks like. There is one particular CMA that looks like she just rolled out of bed. There is no excuse for wrinkled scrubs. If you don't have easy access to a clothes dryer, than invest in a cheap iron and a can of starch. I have found that ironing and starching can make even older scrubs look sharper and fresher. It doesn't take much time.

Also, if you have longer hair, pin it up! That always looks professional. Even if you don't normally do it or think you look "weird" with your hair up and back, you know you are doing it for work. That is your "work look" (just like wearing scrubs and comfy, unfashionable shoes) and you'll get used to it. It looks cleaner and, frankly, I don't want your hair flying in my face when you check my BP or draw my blood.

Fortunately, we don't have to spend a lot of time having to worry about coordinating a whole fashionable outfit. Because I'm know I'm wearing scrubs that I have made sure are wrinkle-free, unstained and fresh, I can focus on making sure my hair is tidy and neat. I have no choice but to use hairspray... I have wild hair! I use little makeup (but always lipstick... I'm a junkie for it!). I can look sharp in 20 minutes, no matter how tired I am.

Plan ahead. Get all your scrubs washed, ironed if need be, and hang them up right away to keep them wrinkle-free. Keep them ready to go. Learn how to do a quick, tidy (even cute) updo of some sort.

We are judged by our appearance, whether or not we like it. I'm sure the CMA I mentioned is good but she looks like she doesn't care and that bothers me.

Cat365 · Apr 22, 2016

I hate mornings so I do everything I can ahead of time. One day a week I do laundry and I hang work stuff together. A full weeks work outfits on the outside of the closet. That way I don't have to look for stuff. I wear minimal makeup at work, usually foundation, blush, and natural looking lipstick. My hair is long and it takes two minutes tops to put some gel in it and pull it back in a bun. Hair sticks are all together in a cup by the sink. I have work socks in a basket beside the closet. I can go from bed to door in ten minutes with a professional appearance if I have to.

all.is.silent · Apr 22, 2016

I don't wear any make up, but I spend about 5 minutes combing my hair into a bun, I use hair clips (same as my hair color) and gel that won't start falling apart. My scrubs are matching colors and ironed, my shoes are neutral and I wear no jewelry during work hours.