Truly Styled

My New Favorite Makeup Find

I have said it before and it needs repeating.  I am not a beauty editor (but I'm starting to feel like one).  I love makeup, skincare, anything that will make me feel more beautiful.  I love to try something new, get a pick me up from a new gloss to something more of an investment like skincare. 

I went to visit one of my best friends for her surprise 40th birthday party (more on that fun trip later!) and she was primping in the bathroom (she has always been known to have a full makeup counter with her at all times) and she's swirling this powder all over her face for a flawless finish.  I ask her what she is doing and she starts gushing over Bare Escentuals.  She said she is completely sold on it.  Her skin looks amazingly smooth, not too made up, it's glowing!  Needless to say I'm sold!

I go to Sephora although I saw it at Target.  I always like to see the makeup on me before I make an investment.  Anyway, I get a makeup artist who is trained in this makeup line to tell me what all the talk is about.  He starts swirling away on my face once we have determined the best color package for my skin and I'm shocked!  My skin has never looked so smooth yet natural before!  It covers all my skin imperfections (which he calls freckles instead of sun spots, I love him!) and redness for what I can only say makes my skin look radiant.  It's made of pure crushed minerals from the earth and has SPF of 15.  I  got the package for my face but there are also packages for eyes as well.  I get home to put everything away and find it comes with a DVD.  I just can't bring myself to take 60 minutes to learn how to apply makeup and I think I'm doing ok without it. 

I went with the starter kit which appears to be the best value. You can go to  www.sephora.com to find out more information on what it comes with.

I completely recommend trying this makeup!  It has withstood the heat of a street fair with out melting off my face (and I'm a sweat-er).  I actually had a friend I haven't seen in awhile ask me why at my age I don't have many wrinkles.  I replied that some of it is the good genes I got from my parents, my Arbonne skincare line I use and this miracle makeup system called Bare Escentuals.

Commandment II

Commandment II:  Do Not Force Your Figure into the "It" Style of the Moment

All styles do not work for all women.  It's a hard fact to accept.  Think skinny jeans if you're wondering how true this commandment is.  They are certainly not for everyone, right? 

You need to completely understand your figure to know what will work and what will not.  Are your hips wider than your shoulders?  If so, maybe you skip low-rise skinny jeans.  Are you petite?  You should probably ignore the new hot look of long dresses.  Color is important too.  Yellow is such a hot color this season but there are so many different yellows out there and not all are right for everyone.

So, understand what is most flattering on you so when you get hit with all the  "must haves" for the season you won't get suckered into buying something that will look horrible on you.

The Ten Fashion Commandments

Of course I'm not implying that anything about fashion is more important than the guidelines that God gave us to live a life that is pleasing to him.  This is strictly for fun however,  these "commandments" should be taken seriously.

I'll be doing a series on this and hope that you find it helpful and fun!

(some of these are from Bradley Bayou with my own 2 cents added in)

Commandment I:  Choose the right undergarments. 
We covered this with the bra blog, but there's more than a bra you should be thinking about.  Especially now that we are in skirts, dresses and white pants.  We need to make sure we are showing no panty lines ever!  Here are some ideas:

•     Thong underwear.  No, they are not uncomfortable, just try them. I like Natori and Felina low-rise thong.  I've also heard a lot of women love Hanky Panky.  They are very sexy but not as comfortable as the ones listed above in my opinion.  Low-rise is important too because you don't want to see your underwear peeking out over your pants do you?
•     Boy-shorts style underwear-seamless.  Try Shimera
•     Control undergarment-like spanx.  Every woman should have one.  You never know when you will want to smooth some 'things' out.  Wherever your trouble spot is get a piece that smooths it out.    There is one for every flaw (tummy, thighs, back, you name it).  The trick is, if you experience undergarment rolling down fro the waist make sure it's long enough  to tuck it into your bra.  Everyone swears by Spanx but you could also try the Target brand called Assets

Q. Do you have a peference on a self-tanner?

A.  Does anyone remember the days of the super orange looking self-tanner?  Thankfully self-tanning has come a long way.  It had too.  All the information about how bad the sun is for our skin was going to have us paper white year long.  I have to come clean and admit that I love the look of tan skin.  I know it's so 70's but I love it.  I think everyone looks healthier with one.  Now, the tan we get from the sun is a thing of the past, but what now?

I have gotten many questions about a previous blog entry about my visit to tanning salon that offered the Mystic Tan.  How much was it and what did I think?  It was $36 which included my 10 minutes in the tanning bed (shhh).  It lasted about 5 days.  It met my needs.  If you remember, I wanted a tan before I had to bare my body in a swimsuit after 9 months with absolutely no sun on this bod.  Yuck.  The man that worked at the spa mentioned that I should do it a week before I wanted to really look tan because it has different effects on different skin tones/types.  It worked fine for me.  It also got me a great base to move forward with.

Now, to answer your question.  I have been dying to find out if all the hype about Jergen's Self-Tanner with Firming was all that it says that it is.  I have to say, I love it!  I chose the medium-dark tan (different colors for different skin tones) and in 3 days it looked great.  It goes on really easy and doesn't have an unpleasant smell (those of you who have used self-tanner know exactly what I'm talking about).  I would caution you on applying it around your ankles and feet.  It can get an orangey look around the ankle bones and feet bones.  I read that it could be applied with a cotton ball but with all the time it takes to put the cellulite cream on and then the self tanner who has time?

I'm all for a great looking tan that doesn't involve the damaging effects of the sun.  I'd love to know what you think and if you have favorites!

Why can't I be 5'6?

I don't really ask for much.  I'm not asking for 5-9.  I'd even take 5'5.  But at 5'3 and nearing 40 I think my chances of adding a few inches are over.  Actually, aren't I suppose to start shrinking at some point?

That's why I better figure out the best way to make myself appear taller than I am.  There are many advantages to that.  I will not only look taller, I can look leaner and my posture may be better too. 

Here are a few general tips I've learned.  There are many more specific tips based on your exact silhouette (shorter legs, short -waisted, etc...) but these are great general rules to follow.  I will have more about specific figures in later entries.  If those of you who are petite follow these few tips I promise you people will swear you are 2 inches taller than you are (which gets me to 5'5, yeah!)

You must start with a great tailor!!!  See previous blog for more information on tailoring.

1.  Pants.  You need to keep them as long as possible without having them drag on the ground.  They should also be straight-leg.  If there's too much of a boot-cut it could make you look shorter.  Wide-leg can be OK but you have to promise to only do it with heels, and wedges would be best.  I find the best petite jeans at Ann Taylor Loft.  Banana Republic also has a great petite selection, but some stores have a very small selection.  You will have to go on-line to check them out.  Joes Jeans have just come out with a shorter jean selection as well.  I love these jeans.  You can find them at major department stores like Nordstroms, Macy's and specialty jean boutiques.  If you need to have your pants tailored you will need the original hem on the jean.  Otherwise you will look like your jeans have been hemmed and that can look bad.  For those of you who love capris (which I'm not a fan of, especially for petites) the best look for you will be at ankle length and a straight-leg cut.  FYI, as a fellow petite woman, I rarely buy petite pants.  At 5'3 I can get a regular pant tailored and not loose too much of the look of the leg if I'm having them tailored for heels.

2.  Skirt length.  The best overall length for most people is at the knee or a couple of inches above the knee.  Look at the bend in your knee and go up an inch or two.  This will elongate your legs.  If your skirts are too short and you are over 35 you will look ridiculous.  Mini-skirts are for the young.  We've had our time and it has passed.  Let them go.   

3.  Shoes.  This may be as important as the right pant.  If you are wearing a square or very round-toe shoe get rid of them!  They will immediately make you look shorter.  A pointy-toe shoe will elongate the leg thus making you appear taller.  Ballet flats are big now, petites should focus on a less rounded-toe and you'll do fine.  I always feel better in heels, but as a stay-at-home mom of two little ones I would look very foolish running around the park in my platforms.  So, I always look for a cute ballet flat or pointy-toed casual shoe.

Did I mention a good tailor : ).  I'm not kidding!  Super, super important!!!

 

The Great White Pant...

So, if you've been following this blog you know I think the white pant is THE pant to have this season.  I have mentioned in another entry that Express has a great white jean.  I have found two more white pants that are worth posting about.

 Banana Republic has a great wide-leg white jean.  The waist is a bit higher which makes shorter legs look longer and those with a muffin top more comfortable.  It has white stiching on the jean which can make it look more like a pant than a jean.  Easy to dress up or down.

  Issac Mizrahi for Target has an amazing white sateen pant for $29.99.  They run a bit big so if you are usually a 6 go for a 4.  I usually have to have everything tailored and these fit me off the rack (although I'll have to wear a pretty high heel with them).  These too are higher waisted and have a cleaner look to them than a jean.  If you don't like the appearance of the pockets (and this goes for all white pants) just have your tailor remove them.

And one more tip, check your car seat before sitting in them.

Q. What about cellulite creams, do they work?

A.  I'm no beauty editor but I am a woman who suffers from the ugly signs of cellulite.  It's on the back of my legs and butt and with summer coming which brings shorts and swimsuits I'm always on the search for anything to help  even a little (and doesn't involve surgery).  In everything I've read there's nothing topical you can do that gets rid of them permanently.  But I had to try something. 

A friend of mine turned me onto Arbonne's  Vanishing Act which is a topical cream.  I tried it and it actually works!   It's a two step process.  The first step is in the shower.  You rub the scrub like product on the area of your body that has the cottage cheese look.  You rinse it off and finish off with a lotion after the shower.  It has a  cooling sensation and a bit of an unusual smell but I trusted my friend  and thought, heck I'll try it and what's wrong with a funky smell if it will help!  (it's not really that bad).  I have been using it for a week straight and I must say that the appearance of the bumps have decreased in appearance.  Apparently the  process boosts circulation and plumps the skin to make the cellulite less visible.  Whatever it does it does help a bit.  Both products are $85 and last a fairly long time. You'll want to use it at least 4 days prior to a swimsuit outing to see the benefits.

If you'd like to order the product you can email trulystyled@yahoo.com.