You know the one, the seemingly perfect mom who has things together and looks awesome. "How does she do it?" many ask. I do too. I have pick up a few things through my work and being around super cute gals. And well, here are some tips to help you too get that look and feel!
The LookDid you you know that 90 percent of a persons' impression of you is made in the first 4 minutes of meeting you? Wow! It is so important to make a great lasting impression, you never know who you will meet! Now am I saying that you need to base your life on what other people think of you? No. But you need to dress the way you want people to portray you. And if that is a 1980's hairband groupie, than by all means wear the ripped jeans and neon green tee while grocery shopping. But if its not, then here are several elements of a well polished look:
1. A haircut that is flattering to your face.-Make an appointment with a stylist and throw around ideas of the type of hair cut you would like. Take in pictures from magazines or books and make sure to tell him/her the amount of work you are realistically willing to do each day to walk out the door looking great.
2. Great natural makeup-This is very important. The main point of makeup is to enhance the beautiful face you have! Some great ideas to go by provided by Beauty expert Bobbi Brown. These tips, found at http://health.discovery.com/centers/healthbeauty/tipstricks/eyecolor.html and in her book
Beauty Evolution helps you choose the perfect makeup colors that look great on you!
- All-over eye-shadow base. The color, which is applied from the lashes up to the brow bone, should blend with your skin tone. Eye dos: White, bone, toast, sand or banana. Colors to avoid: Red-toned shadows — they can make you appear tired.
- Lid shadow. Use neutral shades to enhance your eyes. For blue eyes — ashy taupe, gray or heather. For green ones — yellowy taupe, camel or heather. And for brown — rich taupe, sable or mocha. Want to complement your eye shadow with an optional contouring color, to further define by day or add a dramatic touch by night? Go with a shade that's not too dark, such as brown, slate or mocha. Brown's word of warning where contouring is concerned: "Smoky black lids are for rock stars and supermodels only!"
- Liner. Go for darker shades, not bright ones — mahogany, charcoal or navy can be nice.
- Mascara. Black is makeup expert Brown's favorite, but not for women with fair skin and light-colored hair and eyelashes — for them brown mascara can create a look that's less harsh.
What about going beyond the basics to try trendy for a change? That can be OK, but only if the color doesn't clash with your skin tone and hair and eye color. And if you're older, bear in mind this added pointer from Rockville, Md., makeup artist Barbara Roybal: Stick with matte-colored eye shadows — and stay away from frosted ones — to minimize the appearance of wrinkles.*
3. Appropriate Clothing for your size and shape. And I mean your shape NOW not then, or where you want it to be. You want to look great NOW right? Than buck up and embrace your beautiful self! There are 5 different body types. Freelance Writer, Kristin Ketteringham tells us the different types and some tips and tricks to go by.
Apple - this body type is "top heavy." Apple bodies have a wide torso including a full bust, waist and upper back. They also have broad shoulders. They may have slim arms, legs, and hips. Weight gain will normally go towards the waist line. In general, the upper body is noticeably larger compared to the lower body.
Tops: Avoid tops with puffy sleeves or tops that are baggy. This will only add to your already heavy top. Try a tunic style top that skims around the waist. An empire waist shirt (waistline begins under the bust) will also work nicely by drawing the attention away from your stomach. You want your shirts to reach below your waistline. For a more balanced look, go with a shirt that falls at the largest point of your hips. Layer it up by wearing a layered blouse over a tank top. This will camouflage your tummy and other trouble spots. You might also consider wearing a belt over your shirt, letting it ride lower over your hips. This will minimize your larger bottom. With respect to neckline, going lower will move the eye upwards. Boat necklines, turtlenecks and collared shirts will also look nice. Knits and woven fabrics will flatter your body shape as well.
Bottoms: Avoid skinny legged pants in most cases. The exception is if you are wearing a longer tunic over the skinny pants. Apple shaped bodies normally have great legs and hips so they can pull off a hip-hugging jean that will emphasize their curves. To create a more balanced look you need to fill out your lower half. Try wide-legged or flare pants and wide-legged capris to showcase slim ankles. Look for jeans with front and back pockets. This will help to disguise your rounder midsection while flattering your curves. Avoid pleated pants and opt for a flatter front. When choosing a skirt, you want one that is fuller, with a flare and a higher waistline. This will disguise a large stomach. Avoid slim fit miniskirts and tight clothes as this will further exaggerate your broad top and slimmer lower body.
Pear - this body type is the exact opposite of an apple shape and it is extremely common. Pear bodies are noticeably smaller on top than they are on bottom. Weight gain will normally go to the hips and thighs, therefore pear bodies will appear larger in this area. This body type may have a slender neck with narrow shoulders. Pears will always have a curvy bottom.
Tops: You want to draw attention to your shoulders. Choose shirts that have wide necklines like a boat neckline or a scoop neck. Square necklines will widen the shoulders to create more balance. Buttons or ties at the neck will also bring the eyes up. Avoid shirts that are too tight and too loose. Semi-fitted, tailored tops look best. Shirts that are defined at the waist will highlight your waist, a feature you want to show off. Belted and cinched tops work well with a pear shape. For a jacket or blazer, make sure that the bottom doesn't hit the widest part of your hips. You want it to fall slightly above or at waist level. Avoid jackets that have two slits or vents at the back, especially if you have a larger backside that needs a little extra coverage. Go with a single vented jacket or a jacket without any slits at all.
Bottoms: Avoid high-waisted, shapeless jeans and skirts and opt for the younger, slightly lower rise styles. Go with waistlines that rest slightly below your natural waistline. Flatter your defined waist and small backside with wide-legged pants and deep dark colors. Larger pockets on the back of your pants will make your butt look a bit smaller. Your perfect pair of pants or jeans would have oversized pockets that taper at the bottom. This makes your butt look rounder and your thighs look smaller. With a skirt, choose flowing fabrics that minimize your larger bottom half. Straight, A-Line cut skirts are ideal for your body shape. The A-line cut will help to conceal some of your problem areas through the hip and thigh.
Rectangle - this body type has very little curve. Rectangle bodies have small frames and are considered athletic or slim. These are those "skinny" bodies that will many times wear petite or tall sizes. They also often times have a small chest size. The rectangle body looks straight up and down. Weight gain would deposit evenly throughout the body.
Tops: The goal is to add some curves. To achieve this try tops with necklines that fall below the collarbone. This will elongate the neck and upper body. Find flowing "blousy" shirts to help soften your shoulders and arms. Tops that cinch at the waist can add some curves to your frame as can certain embellishments. Simple ruffles, lace, or even a neck tie can make your waist look smaller and give you are more feminine look. A longer suit jacket will help to lengthen your upper body. Shirts with pockets on the bust line will also emphasize that area and give the appearance of curves.
Bottoms: Avoid details around the hips and do not cuff your pants or jeans, as this can make your legs appear stumpy. Choose bootcut and wider-legged styles that will flatter your muscular legs. Look for a pair of pants that have a larger opening at the ankle than at the thigh. This will make your thighs appear slimmer. Skinny jeans will only add pounds to your frame so try to avoid this style. Avoid belts and pleats at the waistline also as these can broaden your waistline, working against your illusion of curves. Choose an A-line skirt with a dropped waist to slenderize. Some added feminine accents around the hemline can broaden the lower half of your body and also draw the eye to that area.
Hourglass - this body type is the one that most women want. It is considered curvy but proportional. Hourglass bodies have well defined waists with hips and shoulders that are well balanced. Weight gain distributes evenly throughout the body with this body type as well.
Tops: You have plenty of options to choose from and not much to avoid. The key here is to draw attention to your well-defined waist. Your best choice is going to be a wrap top that sits just at your waist. Choose semi-fitted
clothes instead of a too tight or oversized styles that will overpower your frame. Too many accessories or prints can also be overwhelming. Bold stripes and plaids may flatten your curves, whereas soft, delicately patterned fabrics will accentuate. V-neck and boat neckline tops look nice with an hourglass figure also.
Bottoms: Once again, you want to accentuate your waist so wear pants that have defined waistlines with belts or contoured waistbands. Straight or wide legs will showcase your curves as will soft pleats and darts. Flat front pants will also look nice. Feel lucky that you don't have any real "off limit" areas when it comes to the pants and skirts you wear.
Circle/Round - this body type has a lot of weight around the tummy and will likely have large breasts. The waist line is not well defined. Many women fall into this category due to weight gain or natural changes in the body with age. Shoulders and hips appear narrow. Weight gain would deposit around the waist with this body type.
Tops: You want to accentuate the positive by wearing lower cut or v-neck shirts. This draws the eye to the bust line, one of your best assets, and also helps to elongate and slenderize your neck. Avoid tight-fitting tops that will showcase your larger midsection and avoid overly large sizes that will make you look larger than you actually are. You want your
clothes to skim your body. Avoid horizontal and diagonal stripes, and opt instead for vertical strips that can make you appear slimmer. Turtlenecks and large, busy prints will not flatter a round body type.
Bottoms: If you have nice legs, go with some capris or knee-length skirts. Wear a belt to narrow your waistline and make you appear slimmer. Stay with fitted skirts, like a pencil skirt, when you have a round body type. This will accentuate your legs and bring the eye away from your midsection. Skirts and pants with a straight style look best. Avoid tapered, pleated, and cargo pants as these will give you an even fuller figure.
Hopefully your next shopping trip won't seem quite so daunting now that you have an idea of which styles will be the most flattering on you. Remember, use your own judgment about what looks best.
4. Eye Catching Accessories. Accessories are a MUST! Experts say that you should always be sure to budget accessories into your wardrobe budget. Did you know that most woman wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time? WOW! And the way we can change those stand by staples in our closet to look fresh is with accessories. Accessories never make you feel fat, because they stay the same size, and they have this uncanny ability to make you feel put together. Some things you should follow when wearing accessories:
-Don't over do accessories. They should be used in moderation. Ways to over do it? By Doing things like wearing a big sassy hat along with a bright scarf. Unless of course, you are wearing it for the real reason...to keep you warm. Or wearing a big bulky necklace on top of a boldly printed shirt, yikes!
-When dressing, a simple tip is to do solid, solid, pattern. And accessories are a great way to get that pattern in there. With a cute polka dot jacket, a sophisticated paisley scarf, or with an awesome pair of pin striped heels. Do not mix patterns. It will be confusing, and it will look as though a fabric store threw up on you. I am sure that is not the look you are going for.
-Look through fashion magazines and pay attention to fashionable people on T.V.. Do they look put together? How are they wearing their accessories? Write it down and make a mental note. When you go shopping, pick up some of the items that you enjoyed. Then go to your wardrobe, and put together an outfit with them!
5. Your Smile! Yes, I know, there are days when you feel like you got hit with a board with a nail in it. And yes I know it is so much easier to vent to everyone you see through the day, including the little boy trying to sell you a candy bar for his school. But isn't it nice on those days when someone smiles at you? Or they tell you to have a nice day? It certainly makes me feel better! I also have found that I feel happier when I make someone else feel good. Or when I kill that really rude lady at the drive thru with kindness. There is something deep inside that says "Haha, your rudeness will not break me, I will take you up a level with my positive rays!"
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