You are applying to be the physical face of a premium brand. If you cannot keep your grooming perfect through a long assessment day, recruiters may doubt you can maintain it on a long-haul duty day. Scuffed shoes, chipped polish or messy hair can count against you.
The checklist below is general. Airlines publish their own uniform and grooming standards, and those override anything here. If an item mentions your airline’s policy, look it up before you rely on it.
Hair
- Clean, freshly washed
- Styled conservatively (bun or French twist for long hair, neat taper for short)
- Flyaways secured with spray or gel
- Meets target airline uniform standards
- Natural-looking color, with no extreme roots visible
Skin & Makeup
- Skin looks healthy and rested
- Consistent skincare routine applied
- No visible temporary concerns (manageable with light coverage)
- Makeup (if applicable) is natural, professional, not excessive
- Lipstick matches your target airline's color palette
Nails
- Trimmed evenly
- Clean and well-maintained cuticles
- Airline-approved polish color (clear, nude, or brand-specific red)
- No extreme artificial extensions or nail art
Outfit
- Conservative business attire (typically skirt suit or tailored pant suit)
- Perfectly fitted (not too tight, not too baggy)
- Skirt length hits the knee (minimum standard)
- Freshly dry-cleaned and ironed
- Appropriate hosiery/tights with no ladders
- Professional, closed-toe, polished shoes (appropriate heel height)
Accessories
- Minimal and professional (e.g., pearl or small stud earrings)
- Classic, conservative watch
- No visible facial piercings (other than standard earlobes)
- Tattoos completely concealed, according to the airline's policy
Posture & Presence
- Upright, open posture (no crossed arms)
- Natural, sustained eye contact
- Confident but composed walk
- Able to hold a warm, genuine smile naturally
- Hands relaxed and visible
Plan for stamina
An Assessment Day is long, and recruiters can observe you during breaks as well as exercises. Choose a style and products that will still look neat in the afternoon, and stay in role until you leave the property. Our Assessment Day guide lists the other things observed.
Tattoos and piercings
Several airlines publish a rule on visible tattoos and piercings in uniform. See what the airlines publish.
Where to go next
If you are invited to an Assessment Day, run the free diagnosis to confirm what to focus on.