Conducting business overseas is a necessity today for executives who seek the upper ranks in management. With over 50% of women in the workforce today you should be aware of the challenges and advantages that you have in global business. Asia is one of the fasted growing business regions and for many female executives their first business experience. Many American women are surprised to see how few women are in management in Asian firms and they do not expect the cultural role biases that they face. Females do not necessarily walk into the business meeting with the same level of credibility that their male colleagues might have. There are steps which you can take to help ensure your credibility with Asia:

Have an introduction before you go from upper management or a credible third party. This can be done by a fax, a phone call, email or at the first meeting if necessary face to face through a formal introduction. The introduction should highlight your credentials and show that your company is endorsing you to do business on their behalf. If you are an entrepreneur send a fax and literature on your company in advance of your first meeting. Include your bio if you have a strong background (education, titles, honors etc.). One woman entrepreneur sent a video tape of herself at work with her employees in additional to company literature to illustrate this size and credibility of her firm.

As many Asian women are exposed to fashion and beauty media aimed primarily at white Caucasian women, it is important to be aware of the subtle differences between the two although the beauty concepts are similar.

Appreciating the difference in skin, eyes and hair is essential to making the most of the natural and exotic beauty enjoyed by so many Asian Pacific women.

What works well for blond hair and blue eyes may prove to be ill suited or even a disaster for women of other ethnic groups.

The yellow and golden skin tones and exotic eye shape are the most outstanding difference that Asian Pacific women enjoy over women of other races and these are just the features that should be emphasized to create a naturally beautiful effect.

Just think how many leading actresses and photographic fashion models with Asian looks have become prominent in films, TV and magazines in the last decade.

Film makers, magazine editors, fashion houses have at last recognized the allure and naturally exotic beauty that so many Asian women possess.

At the same time the cosmetic industry has developed make up specifically designed to suit and enhance Asian skin tones.

An Asians woman’s eyes are not only her best asset but also her biggest challenge when it comes to applying make up.

Generalities

Start by making sure you have good tools. Checking out the on line sites is the quickest and best way to compare prices and quality, and gives you time to consider your best buys.

Many Asian women think that they should use foundations and powder in shades, mainly pink that counteracts their natural skin tones.

More often than not this produces an unnatural look.

The use of yellow shaded facial products creates a naturally attractive clear modern look and does not make the skin more yellow looking, as many women believe.

Eye MakeUp Tips

Picking the right eye shadow brush. The ideal width should be 3/5 of the space between your eyebrows and upper lash line when your eyes are open. Choose a brush with good quality bristles.

Eye Shadow Colors. Experiment with colors that you think look good on you. For work and daytime think about more natural shades.

For looking great for going for the evening try brighter shades to give greater emphasis to your naturally beautiful almond eye shape.

Coral, orange or light grey can complement your skin shade and looks up to date and fashionable. Although widely used, be careful with some browns, which can give a dated look.

It’s fun to experiment with eye shadows and liners and you can get some great effects.

Use a tapered contoured crease brush to create depth and size for the eyes. Eye lining pencils are the most important eye makeup tool for controlling the look of your eyes.

By drawing the line past the outer corner of the eye and blending it upwards you can emphasize the naturally longer and exotic look of your beautiful Asian eyes.

To downplay the exotic look at work or during the day, gradually thicken the eye line as you work towards the outer corner and stop just past the end.

Tips on applying mascara and enhancing the lashes apply to every woman.

Try using a lighter shade of eyeliner under the lower lashes and a heavier shade above the upper lashes if you want your eyes to appear deeper and more open.

Always use a light touch when applying eye make up, if you want to add depth then do so in easy stages, otherwise you may have to clean up and start all over again or feel uncomfortable with the make up looking caked on and unnatural.

When we meet people, whether it is for the first time or old friends, most will first look into each others eyes.

It is no wonder that it is said that the eyes are truly the mirrors of the soul. That first impression is important in so many situations that special attention to healthy, clear and beautiful eyes is worth the effort.