Zany Adventures in Fashion, Style & Beauty
Genieve Dawkins
Copyright © 2011 Genieve Dawkins
All rights reserved.
Extracts from Trendsetting Fashion
All rights reserved
ISBN: 978-1-4657-4437-1
Published by Genieve Dawkins, Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2011 by Genieve Dawkins
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
DEDICATION
Dedicated to God and my family and friends, who have helped me through some very difficult times. Waiting for a future, a hope and an expected end.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’d like to thank all of you, who inspire me daily and make writing worthwhile. May you find fashion gold and wisdom in these pages.
7 DEADLY FASHION SINS
How to Always Look Your Very Best
You’ll never make these fashion mistakes again.
Here is an invaluable list of deadly fashion sins. These are universally unflattering styles and clothing items that stylists and fashion magazines try to convince us are the height of fashion. In reality, these things either make you look stupid, cheap, homeless, obliterate your shape or put your worst body parts in sharp focus.
1. Socks and heels - if you are that desperate for a bootie look, buy a pair or booties, ankle boots or calf boots. This trend is wildly popular, but is not a good fashion choice for anyone over the age of ten, as it makes you look age-inappropriate and simply silly. Pass on this trend and wear something classier.
2. Ponchos, capes and anything that makes you look like a top-heavy, second-rate superhero, or his sidekick.
This look is very on-trend, but also very unflattering to average-sized or larger folk, so opt for a fitted look instead.
3. Playsuits - the really short ones put a whole lot of cellulite and untoned thighs on display, so NO! Leave this trend to waif-thin, very young girls and opt for a classy, grown-up look.
4. Muumuus - really comfortable, but they also make anyone instantly look two hundred pounds heavier. Some kaftans also do this, so check your reflection before you go out in one of these.
5. Supertight skinny stretch jeans on men - men really don't have the sexiest legs and these tend to hug you in all the wrong places. The reason people aren't making eye contact with you is because they're embarrassed by what you've chosen to display.
6. Flat combat boots on women - this is a very popular look for toughening up floaty dresses or for pairing with biker jackets to get a "biker chic" look. The sad truth is, flat combat books simply don't look good on women, no matter what they're paired with. Pair the short ones with socks, and you end up sporting a variation of the "go buy a pair of booties look." They tend to create a harsh, straight line right at the widest part of the calves and ankles, making you look shorter, and your legs thicker and fatter in an instant. Heeled combat boots knee boots that don't stop in the problem zone can be quite flattering, however.
7. Layers and layers of untailored clothing, or mismatched prints and patterns - cue the "homeless-and-wearing-my-entire closet" look. This is a favourite of stylists, bloggers and "street style" experts everywhere, and it looks awful. Less is more. Tailored is more flattering and keeping your look sleek and polished is way more elegant, no matter what's in fashion at the moment.
WHAT'S IN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSH?
Did you know that makeup brushes are often made from squirrel or cat hair? Natural animal hairs are coarse and hold powder very well. They also distribute pigments very evenly, giving professional-level coverage and smooth effects. Of course, they're also very soft and feel great on the skin.
Most of us aren't aware that we're putting animal hair on our skin, and would probably alter our makeup habits if we were. Check the country of origin of your makeup brushes and check to see if your brush hairs were ethically sourced and that the animals were treated well. Wash the brushes with shampoo before use, to remove possible natural pathogens or contaminants from the brush before first use. You may also wish to consider using synthetic brushes, but be aware that synthetics are made using chemicals and are not necessarily any better for you or the environment. Synthetic brushes and pigments rarely go together well, but may give good enough results for your home makeup jobs.
Whether you opt for natural or synthetic brushes, be sure to keep them clean, as bacteria, oils and dead cells from your skin will build up in the brush bristles over time, and could lead to unsightly breakouts. Most brushes can be kept reasonably clean and in good condition using a good shampoo and conditioner (they're made of hair). Just be sure to keep water away from the glue used to hold the hairs together.
Wash your makeup brushes at least once every two weeks to keep them germ-free.
THE FRENCH MANICURE UPDATED: MODERN, MULTI-COLORED FRESH LOOKS
The French manicure has long been one of the most popular looks for women. The soft, pink and beige hues and the clean, natural look lend an air of elegance to the wearer and go with everything in your closet. These are the true hallmarks of a classic.
Modern takes on this look include colored nail beds and tips. You can try any number of color combinations, from soft, subdued pastels to bright neons to dramatic dark shades. You can express your mood, creativity and turn heads with various fab custom shades. For a really modern take, try using different colors for the base and tip, then using a cracked polish for the top coat.
You can add a dimension of color and creativity by airbrushing or painting intricate designs over the basic French manicure, or by applying nail art decals or appliqués. Try something different. You're guaranteed to like it.
MAKE YOUR PERFUME WORK DOUBLE-TIME
Do you have a favorite perfume that you save for special occasions? Was it really expensive? Do you hardly ever find a reason to wear it?
Ladies, don't let your favorite scent languish unworn in its prized placed on your dressing table. Get a little bit of extra mileage out of it, without overdoing it or wasting any of the precious substance.
Buy an unscented body lotion or moisturizer. Baby lotion works very well for this purpose. Spray a few squirts of your favorite expensive perfume into the lotion container and give it a good mix or shake. Slather it on from head to toe. You'll be wearing a very dilute version of your favorite fragrance all day.
Alternatively, you can squeeze moisturizer or lotion into the palm of your hand, and then spray the perfume into the dollop. Rub your hands together to mix it all up and then apply. You'll get a more concentrated scent to wear just for the day and the bottle of moisturizer will remain unscented, so you can use it for other things.
FORMAL MAKEUP
Formal makeup can be more dramatic and alluring than your everyday look. The important thing is to pick one focal feature and play it up, while playing down your other features. If you choose to do bold lips, go easy on the eyes and cheeks. If you do a dramatic smoky eye look, play down your other features or risk looking like a clown or a little girl who got into her mother's makeup kit.
Take your age into consideration when choosing your makeup look. Ideally, younger girls should choose subtler looks so as not to appear overly aged, while older women can wear heavier makeup, but should still go for glamorous rather than trashy looks.
Match your makeup and foundation to your dress and the occasion. If you will be getting your photograph taken, take special care to use light-reflecting or photographic makeup to achieve that flawless on-camera look. If you'll be in subtle lighting, take the makeup down a notch. Similarly, account for harsh glare or heavy fluorescent lights.
Apply your makeup in natural light, if possible, then check it under different lighting conditions and adjust accordingly. Ideally, you should have natural, fluorescent and incandescent lighting available in your makeup area. If possible, get an opinion from an honest friend before making a formal appearance.
Always start with clean, moisturized skin, then apply your base, powder, eye makeup, cheeks and lips, then finish off with a dusting of translucent powder to set the look.
Remember, confidence and a smile are still the biggest assets in your makeup arsenal.
COSMETIC DILEMMAS, SOLVED!
Are you one of those people who throw cosmetics in the garbage because something just doesn't sit right with you? Do you toss lipsticks and foundations because the colors don't suit? If so, you could be literally throwing your money away. Many cosmetic products can be saved from the bin with a little bit of thought and creativity.
Blend different shades of lipsticks and foundations to achieve color match perfection. Mix odd colored foundation with body lotion to make leg or body bronzers. Add fragrance oils or essential oils to products whose fragrance you don't like to create your own custom scents. Almost anything can be repurposed with a little thought and research. Think twice before throwing your hard-earned money away.
Please do share any tips and tricks you can think of with us, as we'd love to know.
RESCUE YOUR HAIR FROM TANGLE DAMAGE
Tangles and knots and frustration. Don't rip your hair out or cut it off if you've suffered the distress of tangle damage. Hair is delicate and easily damaged. Tangles are unsightly and difficult to remove. Improper detangling can result in tears, slippage, fraying and split ends. You will need to use a good detangling shampoo and conditioning routine to remove and prevent tangles. You also need to take care when removing knots and tangles from your hair and while brushing and combing tangled hair. If you have already ripped out your tangles and created split ends, you will need to use products specifically formulated for damaged hair. In extreme circumstances, you may have to cut out the tangles or cut off the damaged ends.
Never fear, you can get those pesky knots out and have your hair back in tangle-free shape with a little effort and a lot of patience.
You'll need the following items:
Wide-toothed comb
Shampoo
Detangling Deep Conditioner
Damaged Hair Leave-in Repair Treatment
Water
Towel
Trimming scissors
Hair clips or pins
Assemble everything on a workspace, get a big mirror, relax, drink some water and let's work those pesky tangles out and fix the damage. Here's how:
Part your hair into one-inch wide sections with the comb.
Comb the hair gently from tip to root and try to work out any minor tangles. If you have very curly hair, you may wish to skip this step, as combing dry curls can result in breakage and further damage to the hair.
Use your fingers to detangle large tangles or mats in the hair. If there are large mats that cannot be detangled when the hair is dry, leave them and work on another section of the hair until the entire head has been basically combed and detangled.
Shampoo and condition your hair, following the instructions on the packaging. Apply a generous amount of detangling deep conditioner to your hair, ensuring that your hair is fully saturated from roots to tips. Do not rinse the conditioner out at this stage.
Comb your wet hair with the conditioner still in it, working from tips to roots and in small sections. Use the comb to fully detangle the hair. Any large tangles and mats should easily slip out of the hair during this process. Handle your hair gently and only comb small sections. Do not rip or tear the hair in an attempt to detangle.
Rinse the conditioner from your hair with warm water. Follow up with a rinse of cool water to smooth and flatten the hair follicles.
Towel dry your hair and attempt to comb through it with a wide-toothed comb. Cut any remaining tangles or mats out of the hair with the trimming scissors.
Apply the leave-in repair treatment to your entire head of hair, working it from roots to tips. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions. These treatments are capable of filling in splits and cracks in the hair follicles and will diminish the appearance of split ends and tangle damage in the process.
Allow the hair to dry and examine the ends for signs of split ends or fraying that the repair treatment could not handle. You may wish to lightly trim the split ends from the hair using the trimming scissors, as this will result in an immediate improvement in the look of the hair.
Follow a proper hair care and treatment regimen, as leave-in repair treatments often require several weeks and multiple applications to have maximum effect. You can find some very good hair repair and split-end treatments on the market. They deposit chemicals on the hair fiber, filling in and sealing splits, tears and cracks in the cuticles over time. You'll see healthy, shiny hair. You'll still need to get your hair trimmed regularly, to prevent unsealed cracks from travelling up the hair shaft and causing further damage.
EASY WAVES FOR CURLY HAIR
Here's an easy way to get a sweet, sexy, wavy look if you have curly hair.
Shampoo hair, rinse and apply a generous amount of detangling, moisturizing conditioner. Use a wide-toothed comb to distribute the conditioner from root to tip and define the waves, working in small sections.
As you comb through each section, lay it flat against the skull. Rinse the hair in place, leaving it flat against the skull.
While the hair is still wet, apply curl-defining mousse and curl crème. Comb through using a wide-toothed comb. Again, lay the hair flat against the skull. When you've finished combing through, pull the hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with elastic bands. Allow to dry. When dry, remove the elastic bands and spritz with a moisturizer.
Easy, beautiful but time-consuming, so it might be good for weekends.
WALK OFF YOUR MIDDLE
Who wouldn't want to look sleeker, more toned and healthier? The beautiful, cool transitional weather gives us the perfect excuse to go outside and walk, and reap health benefits in the process. Owning a dog is said to cause up to a 14 pound weight loss every year, simply because dog owners have to walk their dogs on a frequent basis, and end up walking themselves at the same time.
You don't have to own a dog to walk, nor do you need any special equipment - just some comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothes. What are you waiting for? Turn off the TV and go enjoy the wonderful outdoors. If it's fall where you live, the trees are a sight to behold at this time of year. Walking calms the mind, soothes the senses, burns calories and tones the body all at the same time. Get a pedometer or electronic trainer to help motivate you and track your progress. Work your way up to ever longer walks. Park your car and walk to the supermarket or store. Walk during your lunch breaks. Walk to work. You'll be happy with the results in the long run, no expensive gym membership required.
SCULPTING UNDIES/SHAPEWEAR
People seem to have very polar opinions on those large items of underwear that suck you in and make you look pounds lighter. One set absolutely hates them while the other camp loves them.
Some argue that they are being used as an excuse for not exercising, and are a "quick fix." Those with wobbly bits tend to like them because they smooth out your silhouette perfectly.
We like jersey dresses, and find the large, unattractive shapewear invaluable for eliminating VPL and keeping things looking decent. Also, for those with larger thighs, they serve to increase "comfort" when walking long distances.
There is always a concern when the body is compressed, as we all need unrestricted circulatory systems to stay healthy.
We advocate exercise and healthy eating. There is no substitute for living well. There is a time for everything.
With shapewear, fake eyelashes and nails, hair extensions and all manner of aesthetic enhancers rising in popularity, we ask, how much is too much?
What are your thoughts? Love shape wear? Hate it? On the fence? Weigh in and please share your experiences.
USE A DASH OF PRETTY COLOR TO BOOST YOUR MOOD
Feeling a bit down?
Perk up quickly with a dash of pretty color. The effects of colors on human emotions have long been recognized. Color has the power to cheer you up, change your mood and your outlook and stimulate your senses.
Take advantage of this and work your favorite colors into your wardrobe and your daily looks. Wear something soft, pretty and sensuous as your intimate wear to put a secret smile on your face all day. Use bright accessories to add unexpected pops of color to your look.
Choose a soft, pastel pink matte nail polish and a flowery shift dress for a quick pick me on a slow day, or a bright pop of color on the nails, lips, eyes, cheeks or accessories on dull days.
How do you use color to boost your mood?
BEAT THE BLUES
If you're suffering from the midweek blues, and are not in the mood to get dressed up or to go outside or exercise or anything of the sort, get some inspiration for lounging about then getting off the couch and going outside for some fresh, crisp air by wearing some nice, comfortable, on-trend loungewear/exercise gear, such as a soft white t-shirt and a pair of luxe tap pants.. This will also be great for letting your hair down and relaxing in after a long, hard slog at work.
Choose soothing, soft baby blue loungewear to calm your senses and help you relax while you chill out at home. Wear soft blue hues to keep you calm and centred during a stressful work day.
Wear navy and royal blue hues to provide you with a sense of regal power for business meetings. Work classic shades of blue into your wardrobe for chilled out casual chic.
Embrace blue to boost you out of the blues.
MATERNITY CHIC
For all the mothers and mothers-to-be, here is some style inspiration for keeping both you and baby comfortable and stylish through all the stages of pregnancy and the early years. The stylish mother never neglects her health, so relax with yoga, take walks and keep up with your exercise, as directed by your physician.
Maternity fashion need not be dowdy, as there are many designers who cater to the maternity market, making the days of wearing baggy jeans and sacks for the duration of your pregnancy a thing of the distant past. Choose to show off your growing bump in form-fitting yet comfortable stretchy fabrics. You can find maternity jeans and pants with a soft inset to accommodate the growing belly, but that look like regular bottoms when paired with a maternity top, meaning you never have to skip a style beat for the duration of your pregnancy.
Maternity dresses are available in a range of styles, so you can maintain your usual fashionable and classy look as your budget allows. Shop around for looks to suit your new shape and size. You won’t look like you did before your pregnancy, so embrace the joy of having a new body for a short time and dress it appropriately. Buy clothing that will accommodate all stages of your pregnancy and that can be adjusted by a tailor or dressmaker to work in your post-pregnancy wardrobe, where possible.
Make sure you put your health and comfort first during the pregnancy and put style and fashion second. Don’t cram swollen ankles into skyscraper heels unnecessarily. You can look good without looking like a party animal, although if that’s your thing, feel free to go ahead and do it. You’ll probably be able to find a maternity dress to match.