How to Discover (and Master) Your Personal Style

Kristen Uhrich
44, freelance photographer

My style icon is: Charlotte Gainsbourg
Three adjectives that describe my look: sporty, young, carefree
When it comes to makeup: I'm a minimalist
How she wants to look: Creative and youthful but not age-inappropriate.
How she got stuck: A single mother of three with an on-the-go lifestyle, Kristen began pairing her jeans with her 12-year-old son's Converse sneakers and hoodies just to save time.

The Fashion Fix
A bright button-down with a thin sweater and menswear-inspired jacket is as easy to wear as a tee and hoodie. Racing-stripe cropped pants are a stylish alternative to boot-cut jeans; brogues let Kristen retire her son's sneakers without sacrificing comfort. "I'm very casual, but I still feel like myself in this," she says.

The Beauty Assist
Colorist Gina Gilbert of the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York City painted golden streaks over Kristen's grown-out highlights for a beachy look that won't need frequent touch-ups. By adding long layers, Domingo brought polish to her easy style. A moisturizing foundation evens out Kristen's dry skin. Sandy dabbed a creamy pink blush on her cheeks and lips for a fresh, unfussy effect.

Next: How to create Kristen's look

After: Shirt, Equipment, $198, equipmentfr.com. Sweater, Diesel, $310, diesel.com. Jacket, Araks, araks.com. Pants, Trina Turk, $238, trinaturk.com. Bracelet, Coach, $48, coach.com. Clutch, Diane von Furstenberg, 212-940-2516. Shoes, Cole Haan, colehaan.com.

Clockwise from top left:

Color-Block Shirt
H&M, $60, hm.com.

Sporty Sheath and Belt
Michael Kors, $260, michaelkors.com.

Colorful Brogues
Bass, $129, bassshoes.com.

Edgy Cuffs
Coach, $78 each, coach.com.

Racing-Stripe Trousers
Vince Camuto, $99, vincecamuto.com.

Clockwise from top left:

Dior Diorskin Nude Fluid
$48, dior.com.

E.L.F. Studio Cream Blush in Seductress
$6, eyeslipsface.com.

Aveeno Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo
$8, drugstores

Lancôme Le Curler

$23, lancome-usa.com.

Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black/Brown
$16, clinique.com.

Donna Arloro
44, compliance manager

My hair: makes me unique
When it comes to makeup: I'm lost
I am most beautiful when: I am comfortable.
If money were no object, I'd have more: colorful dresses in my closet
How she wants to look: Hip and laid-back but not messy
How she got stuck: Comfort and ease became paramount in a hectic routine of working/commuting/parenting, so Donna started wearing stretchy black or navy blue clothing and a pair of Vibram FiveFingers shoes every day (she has seven pairs!).

The Fashion Fix
The swingy, bright blue skirt lets Donna experiment with vivid colors, while a subtly printed top under a minimalist jacket shows off her petite figure. And though Donna won't give up her toe shoes yet, she loved how elegant her legs looked in these heels. "I'd wear them if I could kick them off after a few hours," she says.

The Beauty Assist
Donna's white streaks were looking dull; a purple-tinted shampoo was all it took to make them dazzling. By trimming her ends and adding a few discreet layers, Domingo gave her hair a more defined silhouette—without sacrificing fullness. Sandy showed Donna how a plum lipstick flatters her complexion and adds a pop of style. The rest of her makeup is simple: concealer, neutral eyeshadow, and brown eyeliner.

Next: How to create Donna's look

After: Shirt and jacket, 3.1 Phillip Lim, $525 and $675, 212-334-1160. Skirt, Halston Heritage, $375, halston.com. Bracelet, BaubleBar + Nina Garcia, $26, baublebar.com. Shoes, Tibi, $425, tibi.com.

Clockwise from top left:

Faux-Leather Jacket Over Flirty Dress
Dress, Maje, $340, maje.com. Jacket, Worthington, $40, jcp.com.

Envelope Clutch
Clare Vivier, $180, clarevivier.com.

Circle Skirt
Milly, $265, millyny.com.

Stacked-Heel Shoes
Guess, $110, guess.com.

Textured Knit Sweater
Joe Fresh, $29, joefresh.com.

Clockwise from top left:

Sephora Collection Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Universal Beige $12, sephora.com

Maybelline New York DreamLumi Touch Highlighting Concealer
$8, drugstores

Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colourin Déterminée
$34, chanel.com

Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream
$32, moroccanoil.com for salons

Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Blonde & Silver Shampoo $8.50, sallybeauty.com.

Scarlett Long
61, landscape artist and herbalist

If I could wear one thing every day it would be: a baggy shirt
Three adjectives that describe my look: bohemian, layered, loose
My weight is the main thing that keeps me from looking the way I want to look
Anyone with: artistic flair looks stylish to me
How she wants to look: Earthy and natural but not dowdy.
How she got stuck: Working with plants and soil every day made Scarlett gravitate toward flats, comfortable tops, and elastic-waist pants in dark colors. Although she loves bold rings, her job requires getting her hands dirty, so she stopped wearing them.

The Fashion Fix
Scarlett loves mixing prints but wasn't sure how to pull it off. What makes this outfit work? The patterns in the blouse, skirt, and scarf don't exactly match, but the dark colors in each piece keep the ensemble grounded. Silver jewelry with colored stones and a beaded necklace complement the eclectic vibe but don't clutter the look. Finally, platform sandals add height without making Scarlett feel unsteady. "This outfit is a more modern version of me!" she says. "It's opened my mind to trying new things like the platform shoes. And the jewelry? Just my style."

The Beauty Assist
Scarlett's long hair had lost body, so Domingo took off six inches and added a few layers to bring back the bounce. Colorist Ashley Ferrett used a light brown semipermanent dye to give Scarlett's hair a healthy shine and tint her grays to make them look like natural highlights. A cream foundation and light bronzer make Scarlett's skin glow. Sandy also lined her upper lids with a brown liquid liner to open up Scarlett's gorgeous eyes without making her look "made up."

Next: How to create Scarlett's look

After: Top, Figue, $350, figue.com. Skirt, Akris, $595, Bloomingdale's, 800-232-1854. Scarf, Fig & Bella, $110, figandbella.com. Necklace, Circa Sixty Three, $90, circasixtythree.com. Bracelet, Ben-Amun, $210, ben-amun.com. Rings, Melissa Odabash MO, $575 each, Sola Showroom, 212-620-0988. Shoes, Sandro, $425, sandro-paris.com.

Clockwise from top left:

Printed Scarf
Tory Burch, $135, nordstrom.com

Embellished Tunic
$350, figue.com

Woven Bag
($268, elliottlucca.com

Ethnic Print Skirt
$200, nicolemiller.com

Stacked Bangles
$145 to $245, kararossny.com

Clockwise from top left:

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Season-To-Season Bronzer
$15, drugstores

Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray $25, blandiproducts.com

L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Foundation $13, drugstores

Giorgio Armani Cosmetics Rouge d'Armani Lipstick in #109 $30, giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

CoverGirl LashBlast 24hr Eyeliner in Eternal Brown
$8, drugstores

Dana Rich
25, magazine marketing coordinator

The best thing about my hair is: its rich brown color
Anyone with confidence: looks stylish to me
What I need are: heels and eye makeup to feel glamorous
Three adjectives that describe my style: classic, versatile, feminine
How she wants to look: Polished and professional but not ordinary
How she got stuck: After a few years in the working world, Dana settled into a default uniform of black pants and flats or heels. Her go-to accessory: pearl studs she's had since she got her ears pierced at age 4

The Fashion Fix
Black-and-white doesn't have to be boring once you master layering: Pair a collared button-down with a graphic sweater for a modern interpretation of the usual blazer and top. A winter white pencil skirt is a fresh alternative to the slim black classic. "I will definitely try mixing and matching more," Dana says.

The Beauty Assist
Sewn-in extensions, by stylist Amoy Pitters of Amoy Couture Hair in New York City, brought Dana's hair to a more versatile collarbone length. Domingo used a large-barrel curling iron to create waves. Dana likes to play up her eyes, so Sandy traced a thick black liner over her upper lashlines. A light bronzer enhances her flawless skin, and a matte deep purple lipstick is flattering, unexpected—and office-appropriate.

Next: How to create Dana's look

After: Shirt, Pink Tartan, $325, lordandtaylor.com. Sweater, Miss Wu by Jason Wu, $345, nordstom.com. Skirt, Sportmax, $650, 212-674-1817. Bracelet, Robert Lee Morris, $425, 212-431-9405. Watch, Citizen, $550, macys.com. Handbag, Sportmax, 212-674-1817. Shoes, Jean-Michel Cazabat, $425, 646-669-8508.

Clockwise from top left:

Leather Pencil Skirt
$158, asos.com

Shapely Sheath
Alex Kramer, $995, Tender, 248-258-0212

Carryall
Lauren Ralph Lauren, $348, Macy's; 800-622-9748

Leather Trim Booties
($129, vincecamuto.com

Unstructured Knit Jacket
Jacket, $130, mango.com. Shirt, Pink Tartan, $345, saks.com

Clockwise from top left:

Infiniti Pro by Conair 1875 Salon Performance AC Motor Styling Tool
$40, drugstores

Givenchy Magic Kajal Eye Pencil in Magic Black $23, sephora.com

Maybelline New York Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara in Very Black
$9, drugstores

Pantene Pro-V Normal-Thick Heat Protection & Shine Spray $6, drugstores

Lancôme Rouge In Love Lipcolor in Violette Coquette
$25, lancome-usa.com