Looking good on the outside will give you confidence on the inside.

While many American women receive professional advice on everything from career changes to health, most are left to their own judgment, or the opinions of friends, when it comes to issues of fashion and beauty. With outward appearances being as important as they are, we sought some basic style hints from a bigwig in the modeling industry.

Cathy Gould of Ford Models, Inc is the head of the Supermodel of the World competition, the largest and most prestigious amateur modeling competition in the world. Here she offers model-tested tips for enhancing a woman's beauty and style:

• Wear what's current and comfortable.
  It's a fact of life that many people are going to base their initial impressions of you on the way you look, so it's important for your clothes to be in style and up-to-date. At the same time, it's essential that whatever your wearing feels comfortable.
  
• Work with the sales staff but be skeptical.
  When you're at the stores, listen to the salesperson's advice, but never forget that his or her primary goal is to sell you clothes, so you won't always hear a totally honest answer to your questions.
  
• Get free makeovers.
  Many major departments stores will offer free makeovers or makeup application at their beauty counters. It's even possible to experiment with different products or looks without actually buying anything.
  
• Remember what works.
  Gould recommends getting this free treatment 4 or 5 times, but not necessarily in the same store or with the same salesperson. Each time you go you'll learn something new about your features and which beauty solutions are best for you.
  
• Enhance your lifestyle.
  Making improvements in your wardrobe and makeup brings a physical change, but the primary benefits are to your self-confidence and your lifestyle.

For more information about beauty, fashion and style, check out the following organizations or websites:

Ford Models
www.fordmodels.com

Substance
www.substance.com

Style with Elsa Klensch
www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/style

Style.com
www.style.com

Beauty Net
www.beautynet.com