Makeup errors…try not to make these

The other day I was browsing my latest email from www.totalbeauty.com and I saw a great list that I wanted to share with you.  The lovely folks over at Total Beauty created a list of the Top 10 Makeup Felonies using pictures of celebrities that have made these mistakes.  As we go from the warm, summer months to the cool, fall months, makeup will get a little darker and a bit more dramatic.  Make sure you pay close attention to the pictures in this list.  Do your best to not make these makeup mistakes.

http://www.totalbeauty.com/

How do I wear that trend…big jewelry

As we enter gracefully (yeah right…dog days of summer…it’s freakin hot and rainy!) into the fall, demure jewelry is starting to become popular, however big, bright accessories are still in vogue.  Although I’m not a big fan of wearing really large jewelry, I’ve seen it worn really well.

The main thing to do is try it on in the store.  Don’t walk out of the store with that awesome, big blue necklace without at least holding it up to yourself in front of a mirror.  Make sure that large accessory compliments you. For example, if you are a small person, you may want to delve lightly into the world of large accessories.  Stick with large earrings or a large ring and ease slowly into the large necklaces.  However on the flip side, if you are a woman that possess larger assets, you may want to be careful with large accessories as well.  A big, huge necklace resting on top of big, huge breasts can be distracting and not look very cute.  This goes for really big earrings as well.  Unless you are a drag queen, let’s try hard to leave the overly flashy, drag queen look to those fellas (ladies) that know how to work it so well.

So with the big jewelry trend, take your time.  Make sure that large, fabulous accessory compliments you and brings out the best in you and your outfit.  Don’t ever be dwarfed by your jewelry.

How do I wear that trend…florals

Earlier this year as I watched the trend reports, I noticed something.  Florals were making a resurgence.  Now, florals have actually never really gone anywhere but they have been most likely reserved for the prim and proper types who wear pearls and knee length skirts.  However this summer, florals were showing up on dresses, shoes, purses and accessories.  I have never been a big fan of florals (I’m not that much of a girly girl…I own one strand of pearls and I’ve worn it as a belt before) but I do think it’s a pretty trend that can go well into the fall.  If you aren’t a big flower person like me, there are some ways you can work the florals into your wardrobe.  If you are a girly girl who loves floral patterns, then you should definitely dive head first into the fashion garden!

1.  Accessories.  Flower accessories are a great way to ease your way into florals.  You can always do the now classic Carrie Bradshaw flower pin or even a flower in your hair if you’re feeling flirty.  If you don’t want to pin a flower on your chest or in your hair, go for a flower ring or a necklace with a floral theme.  It will be a great way to add some “cuteness” to your outfit without going overboard.

2.  Shoes.  A pair of all black pumps with a flower print on it is a very sexy and edgy way to add some floral to your wardrobe.  As a shoe maniac, I have been looking for some hot black, floral pumps.  If you’re not into the edgy pumps, you can go with shoes that have a flower detail like a rose bud on the front or maybe a smaller flower pattern.

3.  Dresses.  As I mentioned in my Sex and the City blog, dresses are a great way to spice up your wardrobe.  Want more spice? Go for a cute dress with a floral pattern!  If you’re not a big flower person, go for the dresses with a large pattern.  If you love flowers, you can go for all types of patterns: big or small.

4.  Purses.  Bright, colorful purses are a great way to add a splash of color to an outfit, especially if you prefer to wear more basic solid colors.  Look for a cute bag with a floral design or detail.  Toss it over your shoulder and go!

So there you go.  A few ways you can add some flowers to your day without having to stop by a garden or flower shop.  If you have any suggestions or tips on ways you’ve introduced flowers to your wardrobe, send me a comment.  Oh and as promised, here is a picture of my floor length mirror.  Still waiting on yours!

Jeans, Jeans, Jeans

I am a jean lover.  I have always been the quintessential t-shirt and jeans girl.  As I got older, I figured out other ways to maintain my t-shirt and jean status while looking cuter and sexier (more about that later).  I will talk about jeans a lot here so get ready.

Today I was checking my email and looked at one of the many fashion related newsletters that I receive weekly.  Stylebakery is a wonderful resource for the fashion minded person.  Their articles are always very straight forward and easy to understand.  Here is an article that I got from them about jeans.  It’s a great guide to the different types of jeans and which ones look good on which type of person.  (Hint: skinny jeans are NOT for everyone)  Check it out.  If you have any questions or need additional guidance, feel free to comment and I will find the answers that you seek.

http://www.stylebakery.com/style-recipes/the_ultimate_guide_to_this_seasons_hottest_jeans.html

How do I wear that trend…bright colors

As we slowly melt through the dog days of summer, bright colors are much more comfortable to wear than dark blues, blacks and browns.  You can keep those in the closet and dresser drawers.  The bright colors that were so popular this summer are still great to wear into the fall.  I know some of you may be a bit wary about wearing bright colors because they tend to draw attention to you.  So for those of you who are hesitant to break out the bright blues, oranges, yellows and reds, here are a few ways to incorporate them into your wardrobe and ease your way into bright color land.

1.  Accessories-You can safely add a pop of color to any outfit with a bright colored bracelet, earrings or necklace.  If you tend to lean more toward the neutral side of things with a lot of khaki, brown and off white, you can throw in a bright orange bracelet or earrings and add some dimension to your look.  If you lean more towards basic black (while it is a classic, it can become boring at times), you can toss any bright color in and it will work.

2.  Shoes-As a shoe lover, I am always excited at the prospect of putting on some fierce bright colored shoes and strutting my stuff all over the place.  However, I can understand that not everyone is like me so it’s ok if you take it slow.  Start with one pair of bright colored pumps and toss them in when you can.  Remember shoes don’t always have to “match”.  They just have to “go” with your outfit.  Your purse and shoes don’t have to match either so go all out.  But don’t be afraid to throw on some bright colored shoes to add some pop to your outfit.

3.  Hair pieces-A pop of color in your hair is a great way to ease into wearing bright colors.  You can start off really small and get a pack of headbands in a variety of colors and then go from them.  Be daring though.  Fashion is all about stepping outside of your comfort zone.  Put a brightly colored flower in your hair!

4.  Purses-Along with shoes, I also love purses.  However, I haven’t been as adventurous with my purses as I have been with my shoes.  I’m working on changing that.  Since your shoes and purse don’t have to match, this is a great way to add some bright color to your outfit.  If you don’t want to spend a lot on a brightly colored purse that you may not carry as often as your standard black purse, check out my favorite store, Target.  You can also check out Walmart, Kmart and Burlington Coat Factory for some cute but inexpensive purses.

I know some of you may be afraid that bright colors make you look washed out or as if you trying too hard.  If you sprinkle the bright colors in other places, they will compliment you and your outfit.  Don’t be shy! Give it a try! Share your bright color stories with us here.

Quality is key-Five Tips to Ensure Your Clothes are of Good Quality

As I work toward improving the quality of my wardrobe, I am becoming more and more aware of the quality of my clothes. Quality is a big reason why people tend to buy more expensive brand name clothing. But don’t fret. You don’t have to spend $200 on a pair of jeans to get good quality. You just have to be diligent in doing quality checks when you are out shopping.  Here are five things you can do to ensure that you are getting a good quality of clothing, regardless of where you shop.
1.  Do the stretch test.  Make sure your clothes don’t feel like you can rip them with your bare hands…unless you’re a body builder with abnormally high levels of strength.  Fabric should stand up well to being stretched.

2.  Check the fabric for any small holes or weakened areas.  You want to make sure that the clothes you buy aren’t already damaged.  Unfortunately sometimes other people may unknowingly or knowingly snag or rip clothes in stores.  You should check for this damage before you take the item home.

3.  Make sure any buttons are secure and won’t pop off at the slightest stress.  I have been a victim of poorly sewn on buttons that came off after only a couple of washes.  I, too, should be more aware.

4.  Try it on!  You should always try on any clothing that you want to purchase.  I am a firm believer that clothes that look good on the rack don’t always look good on your body.  Since you are already in the store, try it on.  There’s no need to make a wasted trip to return an item you shouldn’t have bought in the first place.  Besides, some fabrics aren’t good for everyone to wear and you won’t know until you actually put it on your body.

5.  Check the seams.  Make sure the sewing is secure and doesn’t look like it will unravel after one or two washings.  Sometimes mass produced clothing can have variations in how each item is sewn.  Take a moment to check the seams in that piece you plan to buy.  You may be able to avoid a wardrobe malfunction by choosing the one with the strongest seams.

If you follow these five steps every time you shop, you will start to notice an increase in the quality and longevity of your clothes.  I don’t know about you, but I am unable to do a complete wardrobe overhaul every season so I need clothes that will last at least a couple of years if not more.  Plus, once you start doing these quality checks you will notice that the quality of an item isn’t always directly related to the price.  This should make you smile.  I love getting a great fitting, high quality pair of jeans for under $50.  It makes me feel like I have found a way to beat the system.  And we all love to beat the system, even if it’s just by buying a cute and well made dress.

How Do I Wear That Trend…Long Scarves

Welcome to the first of a weekly feature for Clueless Fashionista. Every week, I will post a blog called “How Do I Wear That Trend?” where I will address practical ways that us non runway model women can wear current trends. I recognize that most of us don’t have a personal stylist so we may need some instructions on how to look our best while sporting the latest trends.

The first trend I want to address is an interesting one. As we come to the end of summer and start going into the fall months, long gauze scarves have become very popular. I like them myself but I don’t plan on wearing them until it gets a bit cooler, but for those of you in cooler climates, here is a picture of one.

Now here’s the instructional portion of this blog. Not sure how to wear this cute trend? Well here is a short video by the folks over at www.uniqlooks.com showing you three simple ways to work that long, gauze scarf.

10 ways to stop muffin tops

I got a comment from a blog reader today about the muffin top article.  If you haven’t read it, take a moment to do so.  The reader that commented on it has recently had some muffin top issues even though she falls on the “skinny” side of things.  She is a direct example of the different sizes of people that can be affected by the muffin top.  After reading her comment, I was inspired to write an article on how to disguise or get rid of the muffin top.  Check it out.

10 Ways to Stop Muffin Tops

1.  Exercise-The best way to get rid of that unsightly muffin top is by exercising so that you can fit smoothly into those jeans, skirts, shorts, etc.  Extra cushion around your waist is also quite unhealthy and can lead to diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.  I want all of us fellow Clueless Fashionistas to be healthy as well as fabulous so get those waist lines down!  Believe me, I speak from experience.  I’m currently taking kick boxing and jogging to get my waist line down as well as improving my eating habits.  It’s a lifestyle change.

2.  Larger pants-Once you realize that you’ve managed to acquire a muffin top, go up a size in your bottoms.  Don’t be ashamed or afraid.  You will look much better wearing a larger size than trying to squeeze in the size that you used to fit.

3.  Longer shirts-While you are out buying those larger pants, purchase some longer shirts as well.  Shirts that go past your waist are great ways to smooth out your silhouette.

4.  Looser shirts-Tight fitting shirts enhance and even create muffin tops.  Look for looser tops that don’t hug your belly and waist and the muffin top will be camouflaged.

5.  No belts-Believe it or not, belts can also create muffin tops.  Whenever possible go without a belt and your muffin top situation will be greatly reduced.  If you can’t go completely belt-less, put it on loosely so that it doesn’t cinch your waist.

6.  Jackets-If you find you have a muffin top situation and you don’t have the time to run to the store and buy some new jeans or a longer shirt, throw on a jacket.  It will immediately cover up your muffin top and add a different dimension to your outfit.  This isn’t as practical during the summer months but as we approach the fall and winter seasons, it’s a viable way to hide that muffin top.

7.  Dresses-No one ever has a muffin top in a dress.  This is a surefire way to disguise the muffin top.  Besides, a cute dress is an easy way to get dressed and look great in no time.  If you don’t have any dresses, go out and buy some.  I’m not a big dress person either but it has been my goal to find cute dresses so I recommend it to everyone.

8.  Elastic waist-Shorts, pants and skirts with elastic waists will also cut down on the muffin top action.  I know you may be wrinkling up your nose at this suggestion but give it a try.  There are bottoms that come with elastic waists that you can wear without looking like you’re going to a retirement home.  Yoga pants are one great example.  I was watching an episode of Oprah a while back and it was about improving on the casual dress of several ladies.  One of the ladies was put in yoga pants and they were a great comfortable option that can easily be dressed up or down while keeping you looking polished.  Don’t balk at the elastic waisted bottoms, especially if you are a muffin top victim.  Check it out.  Give it a try.

9.  Layering-I’m talking about layering shirts.  It’s been a popular trend for a while now and it’s a great way to disguise a muffin top.  Keep it basic though.  The easiest way to layer in the summer months is with a longer tank top underneath a t-shirt.  It’s a great way to add a nice pop of color to a casual outfit while covering up a muffin top.  Once it gets cooler, you can layer a sweater over a button up shirt or layer with a twin set.

10.  High waisted bottoms or ruching-I combined these two because high waisted bottoms aren’t for everyone.  It can be a very cute look but PLEASE be honest with yourself when you attempt this trend.  When you put on high waisted pants, skirts or shorts, take a long look in the mirror.  If you look weird or jacked up in any way, slowly remove the bottoms and take them out of the dressing room.  If in doubt, leave them there and come back with your most honest friend for a critique.  Ruching is something that has become popular recently.  It’s most prevalent in shirts but you can find ruching in dresses and swimsuits (oh yeah!) as well.  This is another great way to camouflage that muffin top.  Here are some pictures of ruched shirts.

I hope these tips can help you muffin top sufferers to work through that issue.  I still stand 100% by the first tip of exercise.  This is the best way to completely get rid of that dreaded muffin top and maintain good health.  Healthy fashionistas always have a glow.  Glowing is most definitely fabulous!

Oh and I got the full length mirror.  It was $5 at Target so there is no excuse for you to not have one in your room asap.  As soon as I get my camera fixed, I will post that picture.

Stay fabulous!  It’s a mind set, embrace it.

Taking risks with fashion and beauty

One of the things about fashion and beauty that makes it so fun and special is your ability to take risks.  The great thing about taking those risks is that the definition of risk isn’t the same for everyone.  If you typically wear all brown and khaki, a risk would be for you to start wearing more black and red.  If you typically mix polka dots with stripes, a risk would be for you to go basic and wear more khaki and brown.

Yesterday I took a risk.  I have been wearing locs for the past five years.  This past Tuesday, I cut those locs off and the following day I went with a curly bob.  It’s totally different than anything I’ve done in the past five years.  There are people in my life who only know me with the locs.  Here are some pics of my risk.

My locs

No more locs

My new do

Join me.  Take a risk this week.  Share your risk stories with me.  I can’t wait to hear them!

Blushing beauties!

One day I was really tired so I decided to brush on some blush to perk myself up. After I checked my reflection in the mirror, I was satisfied with the final product. I didn’t look as pale and tired and the blush definitely helped pull my total look together. When I met up with my friends, I got an additional pleasant surprise. My friend looked at me and said, “You look so refreshed and well rested!”

I was amazed. Here I was feeling tired and worn down and just by brushing some blush on my cheeks, I gave off the appearance of a well rested person. With this in mind, I want to share a video with you about how to properly apply blush. It’s not hard so don’t worry. However, if you’ve never purchased blush before, I would suggest visiting a makeup counter and getting help from a professional. You want a blush that naturally compliments your complexion so get some help with that as well as with choosing the right brush. It will be worth it in the long run, I promise.

Enjoy! Learn! Be beautiful!

Special thanks to TriniCandy223, the author of the video.