By Takiya Smith

As always, most of my beauty articles come from topics of discussion amongst clients and myself, so this week’s article poses no difference in that respect.  With that said, I want to enlist the intricate minds of men and women alike, to go deeper into discussion about the subject of hygiene.
I’ve found this area to be a sensitive matter and, though it clearly needs to be addressed, I want your views and opinions.  Hygiene, whether it deals with hair, teeth, skin, nails or body, can be like the icing on the cake or the nail in one’s coffin. It’s either good or bad and we’ve all got to choose a side.
Hanging out with girlfriends or talking to a loved one doesn’t seem to weigh heavily on the ease of comfort in pointing out the fact that a tic-tac is needed or that an individual smells as if they literally bathed in their cologne.  Yet, when it comes to informing a less than familiar target, such as a co-worker or maybe even the boss, the level of ease drops insistently low. Most times, leaving both the target and the well-intentioned informant in a position of discomfort and uncertainty that could possibly lead to resentment. Resentment may lead to discussing the issue with others and discussing the issue with others could lead to undesirable gossip.  Gossip, in no way, shape or form is ever attractive or appropriate, nonetheless, with the entire office now  involved in the knowledge of the target’s less-than-appealing state, the matter at hand is still not resolved.
So, how does one approach the issue of bad hygiene habits? Depending upon the situation and the individual, is it anyone’s place to do so? Then, in all fairness, when placed in a public setting or any role that offers involvement with others, should a person not be owed the right to speak up or inform one of such hygienic violations? Take, for instance, a beauty industry consultant. Working directly with the public in a position that is viewed as marketing oneself, it would make absolutely no sense at all to have a bad hair day, damaged, dirty fingernails, bad breath and tattered clothing. A proper and managed image is expected, of course, because one can’t sell beauty if they are not beauty. So, again, I ask, what about any other industry or setting that involves close confinement or interaction amongst others?
How do you address  informing others of personal hygiene issues, what is your approach and in what manner?
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