OMG, Did You See The Oscars?

Did you watch this year’s Oscars Ceremony?

I usually don’t watch them, but I do like to see the pictures of the “Red Carpet” fashions to see watch all the celebrities are wearing.  What one image stood out (like a sore thumb so to speak) concerning the fashions of the evening?  I’m sure there was more than one that comes to mind.

But the one image that went viral and caused “no small stir” was Angelina Jolie’s right leg.  You outta “google” it for a real laugh!

Angie wore a pretty black velvet gown with a slit up the side.  But what was so funny was that she strategically revealed her right leg every time she stopped to pose for a picture, and especially when she walked up on stage to present an award. Personally I thought that was very tacky of her.  Maybe she’s still trying to compete with the killer sexy legs of Brad’s ex Jennifer?

What bothered me even more than her exposed lower appendage was that no one even noticed her gown or her face.  Sure it was partially because her black dress was such a stark contrast to her pale legs, like her bright orange/red lipstick on her pallid white face . But the truth of the matter is that the color of her dress was not right for her to begin with. This time she got away with it because her dress is low-cut, so it doesn’t take away from face too much, and she was wearing the right shade of lipstick at least.

You’ve probably noticed that Angie LOVES black, it must be her favorite color as she wears it alot.  BUT Black is NOT the best color for her skin tone, her eyes, or her hair color.  Black just doesn’t flatter her natural Autumn features.  The most flattering colors Angie should be wearing are earth tones, like deep orange, dark green, and golden brown to name a few.

I guess I can’t help but notice these things being a certified color analyst and all.

Here is another photo showing her wearing the wrong color, doesn’t she look washed out, and pale in this drab grey dress?

It is very unflattering to say the least. Makes you wonder, What was she thinking?

What’s funny is you’d think that famous people would know and wear what looks best on them, especially when they have to constantly make public appearances.  You’d also think that the top fashion designers of the world that make their gowns would tell them “this is a beautiful design on you, but the colors are wrong, let’s see what I have in your colors”.  But amazingly they don’t. Neither do their hair stylists or their makeup artists!

It is very rare to see Angie in her right colors.

But look, I found one!  Here’s a pic I dig up from a few years ago.

Now can you see the difference?

This emerald-green dress just brings out the best in her.  Yeah Brad’s also in the picture, but try to focus on her, ok?

This beautiful gown in her proper color draws attention to her face, and not away from it like the gray dress did.  You see the hazel color of her eyes stand out and she just has a more naturally beautiful, elegant look.

.

This is just a quick example of how “color” can make a big difference in one’s appearance.

Want to know more about how color can change your appearance, your attitude and your life check out my article on “What Season are You?”.  

I think Angie needs to read it too!

Tends and Trends

Fashion is fickle.  Trends come and go.

But we still tend to follow whatever the latest fashion gurus dictate is “In Style”.

Do you think fashion designers really consider or care what their styles will look like on the majority of the population?  Or do they just love to come up with those weird, quirky styles that only look cool on anorexic models, making the rest of us look like blimps?

The fashion industry continues to provide cookie cutter molds that are unrealistic that make the majority of us feel inadequate and unattractive.  Just think when you see a model or celebrity wearing the latest style, is your body shaped like theirs?  Are you close in age to them?  These are important things to consider when you tend to follow the current trends.

If you want men to go gaga over you, please don’t follow the styles of Lady Gaga! She loves to “shock and awe” us with her outrageously tacky fashions, but then that IS her quirky trademark.

Remember Madonna’s style back in the 80’s, how every teen had to dress like her? Her styles over the years have been quite wild (and downright slutty).  Then Gaga carried it a bit further beyond wacky and weird.

Neither of them are natural beauties in my opinion nor do they have perfect figures. Maybe that’s why they dress so outrageous, to hide their flaws!  Or to flaunt them!

You may not have killer curves like Kim Kardashian, or a derrière like J Lo, but you are uniquely beautiful in your own right.

Learning what brings out your best attributes and hides your flaws is the real key to being “fashionable”.

A very important thing to remember is that there is NO such thing as a PERFECT figure!

Personally I’ve never been too concerned what others are wearing, or what is “in” style at the time.  Maybe because I had a brief modeling career back in my twenties and I’ve seen how fast trends come and go.  I also learned the hard way how expensive it is to keep “in style”.

Here  are a few things to ask yourself that will help you determine what styles look good on you:

Are you petite?  (I hate using the word “short”)

Wear clothes that make you look taller, not ones that emphasize your size.  Avoid long skirts that are below the knee.  High waisted clothes and shorter length skirts and jackets look good on you!  High heels are great but be careful, you don’t want it to look like you are trying too hard to look taller.

Too Tall?

The taller and slimmer you are the more styles you can wear.  But if you are over 5’7 it’s best to avoid high waisted jackets and vests.  Skirt lengths can vary, but keep in mind that mid length hems can make you look shorter and add weight.  Choose high heels that don’t add too much height, as you don’t need it.

Are you overweight?

Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight, that show every bulge.  Do wear clothes that have vertical lines or seams rather than horizontal.  The right colors can also have a slimming affect. And despite popular belief, the color black can actually make you look larger (unless you are a Winter, then Black looks great on you!).

Here are some fashion mistakes to avoid:

UGG!!!  This is a big NO-NO!

I don’t care how comfortable these are.  Ugg’s were designed to be worn with leggings or tight jeans NOT shorts, or skirts, how tacky!

Over accessorizing is another big NO-NO!  This can make you look bargain basement cheap.

Pants that are too long or too short.  Or pants that are too tight or too loose.

Oh yeah and where did the tight jeans with the thongs sticking out the top come from?  Yikes!

Is this the women’s version of the men’s pants hanging below their underwear? OMG! 

More Fashion No No’s-

Too much denim.  Demin jackets do NOT go with everything!

Always wearing solid colors.  That is so blah!  Better to have a print or patterned blouse with solid color pants or visa versa.  The colors don’t necessarily have to match, contrasting colors can add a dramatic affect.  Just stay with colors within your Season to look your best!

Women over 50 wearing the styles of women in their 20’s.  Boy this one really gets me!  Stay with styles that flatter your age, not make you look ridiculous.

Sweat pants with writing on the butt!  OMG I saw a very unattractive heavy set woman wearing a pair of tight sweat pants that had “sexy” written across the butt. What was she thinking? I couldn’t believe it!

I could go on and on!

The bottom line is that no matter what is in style for the moment when you “know” what looks best on you then people will notice your true fashion sense and want to follow you!

You’ll be a trend setter!

P.S.  If you can think of any other fashion mistakes you’d like to add feel free to comment.  We can help each other out here.  Thanks!

Related Articles:

What Season are You?

Makeup Your Mind

Judging a Book By It’s Cover

You’ve all heard the phrase 

“You Can’t Judge a Book by it’s Cover” 

But yet we all do it. 

Just think about it,  when you’re browsing in a bookstore aren’t you attracted to a book by how interesting the cover is?   They may be colorful, or have some unique picture or phrase that grabs your attention so you’ll pick it up to find out more, right?  They are designed that way, that’s marketing. 

Believe it or not it is the same with people! 

Did you know that you only have three to seven seconds upon meeting someone to make an impression on them?   In this short time, the other person will form an opinion about you that is based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed. 

That means you will be  judged before you can even open your mouth to speak!  

This is done on a subconscious/emotional level of the brain.  So there is nothing you can do about it, or can you?

As Will Rogers once said “You never get a second chance to make a first impression“

Like it or not, you need to grab people’s attention right away by your appearance. 

Though your true beauty is on the inside, your personality will take time for people to see.

“It’s beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart.” ~Anonymous ~

There is only one that does not judge you by your looks, that is God.  “…for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7b. 

But when dealing with people how you present yourself will determine if someone will want to be your friend, consider you for a job, or feel that you are trustworthy, and so on.

So what can you do to make a good first impression that will last?   How important is your appearance? 

Your clothes, your hair, and your mannerisms all play a part in the impression you make on others.  

Let’s start with the way you dress. 

What is the best way to dress for the meeting or occasion?  If it’s a business meeting, a job interview, or a first date even, think about  what is the appropriate attire?  Also ask yourself what other people will be wearing so you are not over or under dressed for the event. 

Wearing the correct Season of colors for your specific skin tone, eyes and hair is crucial in making the best impression and feeling confident about your appearance.

If you have confidence in yourself others will notice right away.  A polite and courteous behavior helps make a good first impression.  

How about your personal grooming?   Cleanliness is next to godliness!  Nicely styled hair, neat and clean clothes (not wrinkled like you wore them to bed the night before), and appropriately applied makeup are all important.  Oh yeah and take it easy on the perfume!  Too much can be just as offensive if not more so than none at all.

Project a positive attitude, even when you are nervousness, and remember to smile,  it’s contagious!

People will “read” you on the outside before getting to know you on the inside, so strive to be the most beautiful you can be both inside and out.

Related Articles:

What Season are You?

Makeup Your Mind

Are You Attracting or Detracting?

True Beauty is a State of Mind

Dying Your Hair Without Killing Your Looks

We’ve all had “bad hair” days, right? 

But when you make a mistake in coloring your hair you have to live with it for a lot longer than a day!

I have to admit that I have dyed my hair almost every color in the spectrum, aside from the outrageous purple, blue or orange variety.  I’ve never been that wild or brave! 

Every time I started to feel unattractive the first thing I used to do to change my appearance was dye my hair.  Somehow I thought that it would transform me into another woman, more beautiful and desireable.  But sometimes it had the opposite effect, and  I would end up looking and feeling worse than better. 

It was hard to pinpoint the problem. 

Then I realized that some of the shades of colors I chose to dye my hair were just not right for my skin tone.  If I went too dark or too red I looked pale and washed out.  

When I finally learned about the Four Seasons of Color and found my correct Season I no longer made hideous color choices.  I could color my hair in a variety of different shades within my Season and never look bad.  What a relief!

The main reason we dye our hair is to change our appearance.   Maybe we just want to look younger (cover grey) or we don’t think our natural color has enough pizzazz!  Or we just want to see what it is like to look different (women love change!)

Ready for the BIG SECRET  to choosing the best colors for your skin type?

Just remember what the natural color of your hair was before you started dying it.   That is the best clue to determine your correct season. 

Let’s say you were a natural born red head, you could be either a Spring or Autumn, depending on how light or dark your true shade is or was.  A natural red head can change to certain shades of brown but needs to stay within the correct” warm” season.  Never use “cool” shades! 

The same is true for someone who has a natural “cool” shade of  dark brown or black, they should never dye their hair a “warm” shade of brown, red or blonde.

You will notice when shopping for hair dye that the shades are separated already into cool and warm colors to help you in picking the correct shade for your skin type. 

That takes out most of the guesswork!

Here is a good word of advise about hair dye that I learned from a good friend of mine who is a professional cosmetologist.   She warned me that  hair colors you buy in the stores have twice the amount (or more) of ammonia in them than professional hair dyes.  Why do they use more ammonia you may ask?   To sell more hair care products.  I’m not joking!   That’s marketing.  The damage to your hair makes you go out and buy more products.

Ever noticed that the directions tell you to do a test first to make sure you are not allergic to the product?  Well who follows directions right?  I admit I didn’t  and regretted it!  I had a horrible experience using one store-bought name brand color (on sale!), as soon as I started applying it to my roots and working it into my scalp it felt like I let loose an army of red ants that started stinging me all over my head.  I was almost crying in pain as I rushed to the sink to wash it out.  I vowed to myself that I would never use that brand again.  

You may pay a lot more by going to a beauty salon to get your hair done, but overall it is worth it to prevent harsh chemical damage to your hair.

What about highlights?  

To add highlights to your hair it is best to use lighter shades within your Season for a more natural look.  Otherwise the overall effect will not be flattering, not to mention a waste of time and money, and embarassing looks from friends and strangers alike. 

Don’t worry about what is trendy, or in fashion at the moment because it will go out  just as fast as it came in style.  And just because a color or style may look good on a model or actress doesn’t mean it will on you.   Celebrities change their hair color like the wind, it depends on the roles they play.  But even most of them don’t have a clue what looks best on them without their professional hair stylist.

By using the various hair dyes available within your correct season you will look and feel naturally vibrant and beautiful.

If you need help determining what season you are, check out the related article below.

Related Article:

What Season are You?

 

To help you choose the best colors of makeup for your skin tone: www.colormedirect.com/triciat

Are You Attracting or Detracting?

 

Learning how to accentuate and complement your natural beauty can make a world of difference in your appearance. 

One of the first things you must know is what are the right colors that complement your skin tones, your hair, and your eyes.   Makeup (ie. eye shadow, lipstick, and blush) comes in both Cool and Warm shades, so you will need to determine which is best for your type (see related articles below).   This key element is crucial in defining whither you will be attracting or detracting from your natural beauty. 

Let’s look at some common mistakes women make in applying makeup, and how to avoid them:

Eye Shadow:

Shimmery iridescent eye shadows may look good on teens, but for women that are starting to age those shiny eye shadows actually emphasize lines, and wrinkles so it is best to avoid them and stick with a matte finish that will soften your look.

For those of you with blue or green eyes it is best to stay away from eye shadows that too closely match the color of your eyes.  As they will actually detract from your own eye color.  Instead look closely at the different  flecks of color in your eyes and choose one of those shades to highlight and complement your baby blues.

Applying too much color under the eye emphasizes puffy eyes and dark circles.  It also fights with the color of the eye.  Instead use a thin line of brown, taupe or black and smudge it for a smokey look.

Concealer:

When covering dark under eye circles don’t use too light a shade of concealer or it will produce the “raccoon eye effect” which makes dark circles look worse.  Concealer should be half a shade lighter than your skin, a light color foundation can also be used.  It is best to apply with a wedged sponge, cotton swab or soft brush, never use your index finger as it puts too much pressure on the delicate area.

Blush:

Blush should not be applied on the upper side of the cheekbones, as it will interfere with the eye area making the skin under the eye look puffy.   Blush should be used to contour and highlight using two shades to achieve this look.  The darker shade should be used on the hollow of the cheek (under the cheekbones) applied in an upward motion from the hollow to the temple.  Then the lighter shade applied to the apple of the cheek.   The purpose is to add slight color and dimension to your face, apply it lightly so that it looks natural, too much will detract.

Perfume:

Don’t spray perfume directly on your clothing, the oils and alcohol will damage your garments and the scent never smells as good on your clothing as on you.

Be careful not to apply too much fragrance, you want people to notice you, not your perfume!  When it is overpowering it can be offensive.

The best  rule of thumb in appying makeup is that “less is more”.

The big key is that you don’t want to emphasize your makeup, you just want to diminish any imperfections and enhance your best features to be the most attractive natural beauty you can be.

 

For great color coordinated, vitamin enriched makeup and skin care: www.colormedirect.com/triciat

Related Articles:

Makeup Your Mind

What Season are You?

True Beauty is a State of Mind