Shop With Style

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Dress for Success.” Well, that’s easier said than done, especially if your budget is a bit thin. It’s a frustrating Catch-22: you need to dress the part to get a better job, but you can’t afford to dress the part until you get a better job. Luckily, there are some things you can do (yes, even on your current anorexic budget) to plump up your work wardrobe while you climb the corporate ladder.

• Sign up for sale alerts – Many websites, such as ShopItToMe.com, provide customized sale alerts. Simply choose which items you are looking for (in your initial wardrobe-building, focus on wardrobe staples such as pencil skirts, trousers, cardigans, etc.), and the site will email you with alerts when those items go on sale across the internet.
• Know what compliments your figure – If you are pear-shaped, you know to pick styles that hug your waist and flow away from your hips (A-line skirts are great). If you have an hourglass figure, you know you can pull off more body-hugging styles (but try to avoid items that are too clingy). If your figure is more boyish, you know to pick more feminine, flowing pieces. Once you know your body shape, a simple internet search will show you the silhouettes that flatter you the most.
• Find a tailor – Now that you know your best silhouettes, and you’ve found the deepest sales, you will be amazed at the difference a good tailor can make. In the skilled hands of someone who can nip, pin, and sew, a good article of clothing can be transformed into a fantastic article of clothing in no time flat. The best use of a tailor can be seen in that all-important professional wardrobe staple…the suit. Great suits can cost a small fortune, but a suit bought at a less expensive retail chain can be made to look as if it cost a small fortune…and made to look as if it was made for just for you… after your tailor has had their way with it.
• Focus on basics, not Louboutins – Sure those leopard print Louboutins look fierce, but when you are just starting out in the working world, spending an entire month’s salary on one or two pairs of shoes is absolutely ridiculous. And even though your feet will look fab, the rest of you will look like an impulsive, childish noob. You need decent quality shoes in black, brown, and nude. Those will work with just about anything in your closet.
• Invest in undergarments – No, we’re not talking about clearing the sale racks at Victoria’s Secret. We’re talking shapewear and bras. These are your foundation pieces for everything, and if they are ill-fitting, everything looks off. They don’t have to look pretty…they have to work. So go for form over fashion here. And don’t just go after the size you think you are… go get fitted for a bra, which is a free service in many stores.
• Know when to splurge and when to scrimp – There are certain wardrobe pieces that will never go out of style: black trousers, pencil skirts, a classic cashmere sweater, a fitted white button-down shirt, a large leather tote, etc. As you begin shopping with a more skilful eye, and as you begin earning more money, start filtering these “splurge-worthy” pieces into your closet. For now though, stick to the basics, and, most importantly… IGNORE LABLES. Besides, after you get through with the targeted sales, the flattering silhouettes, the shapewear, and the tailor, you’ll look like a million bucks!

Here’s the thing about nude lipstick…everyone’s “nude” is different. The nude that’s perfect for your very fair-skinned best friend might leave you looking like you’ve been dead for 3 days. And your perfect nude might make your very fair-skinned best friend look as if she went on a Doritos binge and forgot to wipe her mouth. So finding your nude can be tricky. Luckily, we’ve got a few tips that should make the hunt a little less confusing.

• Texture – There are some options when it comes to texture: sheer, opaque, creamy, matte. If you try a sheer nude, for example, it will allow more of your own natural lip color to show through. Therefore, it’s more of a tinted lip balm than a nude lipstick. That means we’re looking for something opaque to make more of a statement. Next consider finish: creamy or matte? Matte is great when it comes to bold colors like red and fuchsia, but in a nude, matte can sometimes make your lips look chalky and dry. So start your search focusing on a creamy, opaque lipstick.
• Prep – Any lipstick looks better with smooth, exfoliated lips. In fact, you really can’t judge it at all if your lips are dry and cracked. And no, just putting lipstick on over your dry, cracked lips won’t make them any more moisturized. Lipstick doesn’t work that way…if it did, it would be called moisturizer. So before you begin your adventure to find the nude of your dreams, be sure your lips are ready for action. Exfoliate them with a simple mix of sugar and olive oil. Rub in gentle circles with your finger, wipe clean with a cloth and warm water. (Another tip for making any lipstick look better: apply a lip moisturizer beforehand. After you rub your lips together, wipe the extra moisturizer off, or else the lipstick you’re trying will be too gloopy).
• Tone – Know your skin tone. You might be fair, but are your undertones more blue, yellow, or neutral, more cool or warm? Likewise, you might have darker skin, but are your undertones more yellow, blue, or neutral? That’s the tricky bit. The easiest way to know for sure is to head to a makeup counter and get matched for a foundation (it’s free). The makeup person should be able to pinpoint your exact skintone and undertones, which is not only something you will need to know for your makeup in general, but it will also help to find a nude lipstick that’s perfect. Since all lipsticks have undertones (blue, yellow, neutral), knowing yours should give you a range of colors that will work with your skintone, so you might actually be able to find 2 or 3 perfect nudes for you right at the makeup counter.
• Get together – If you are by yourself in your local drugstore, telling one nude lipstick from another can be more challenging. Pulling one color at a time won’t really help much either, since all nudes pretty much look the same when examined on their own. What you need is a contrast. So, pick 2 or 3 colors you think might work for you and hold them up next to each other. This way, you can definitely see if one is more pinky, or one is more orangy, or one looks juuuuust right.
• Try – You know the old adage… if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Finding your perfect nude lipstick is not something you can do without trying on a good number of the contenders. Don’t be afraid to try (and wipe off) multiple possibilities. Hey, you’ve gotta kiss some frogs before you find the Prince, right?
• Add makeup – Any nude lip is going to look 1000 times better with a bit of makeup on the rest of your face, because even the best nude lipstick can completely wash you out if it’s all by itself. A good rule of thumb is that if you are emphasizing your lips, go with a lighter eye, and if you are emphasizing your eyes, go with a lighter lip. Since nude is about as light as you can go with a lip, try putting a little more “oompfh” into your eye makeup. If you would rather do a moderate eye and emphasize your cheeks, then definitely be sure to add bronzer, cheek color, and highlight to really make those cheek bones pop. (Another tip – if you have cool tones to your skin, you might find that a warm-toned cheek color looks amazing. And vice versa, for warm skin tones, a cool-toned cheek color will really balance your makeup out).

Sure, your green eyes are naturally stunning, but that doesn’t mean you necessarily feel comfortable going without eye makeup altogether. To have the best of both worlds, why don’t you experiment with some natural makeup looks? To gather some inspiration, Google images of some celebrities with green eyes and natural makeup. And once you’ve gotten those creative juices flowing, it’s time to take a try for yourself!

Primer – The first step in creating both bold and natural makeup looks is to start with lid primer. Lid primer (like bareMinerals Prime Time Brightening Eyelid Primer) will give you an even canvas, and will also cut down on your need to add tons of eye products to cover blotchy coloring. Apply to entire lid, from lashes to brow and blend. You can also run a little under your lower lash line and blend.

Shadow – If you’re after natural looking makeup tips, you should know what we’re going to recommend: natural, subtly hued shadow colors. Think light taupes, tans, peaches, and crèmes. Sweep  a bone, vanilla, or light peach shade onto your lid, from lashes to crease. For a touch of definition, blend a matte tan, light matte gray, or matte taupe through the crease and slightly above it, then out into the outer V, and run some along your lower lashes as well. Remember, your goal is to look natural, not naked, so a little bit of muted shadow is perfect. A lovely all-inclusive kit is the Lancome Hypnose Star Eye Shadow Palette in Color ST3 Terre d’Ivoire.

Liner – The key to using eyeliner in natural makeup looks is that there should be no harsh lines. Some people use a dark brown or gray shadow as liner, while some opt to smudge a soft kohl pencil along the upper and lower lashes. Unless your skin coloring is very dark, try to avoid using black as a liner color. Stick to browns, grays, and plums, and always smudge. A great one to try is the bareMinerals Round The Clock Waterproof Eyeliner. It’s a waterproof formula, but it goes on smoothly and blends like a dream.

Brows – Well groomed brows are one of the most important factors in natural makeup looks. Without them, your face loses all context and balance. Fill them in with a shadow no darker than one shade beyond your hair color, and use a brow wand (basically a bare mascara wand) to soften your strokes after applying product. A pencil can be used here, but it’s very easy to go too dark with a pencil. A pencil can also tend to make the brows appear too “done.” Remember, you’re going for natural. If you are unsure of your best eyebrow shape, you can visit a salon for professional grooming. Or, you can invest in a brow kit (we love Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo) and then take to the Web. There are thousands of valuable tutorials online that will help show you the basics of shaping your brows beautifully!

Mascara – When adding mascara to a natural look, be sure not to pile on the product; a Twiggy-esque tarantula eye won’t exactly be considered “natural.” Also, consider not reaching for the blackest-black mascara you can find. Blondes and light redheads do well with brown mascara, while brunettes and darker redheads can use a soft black. For darker hair and skin, go for a dark black mascara, but try not to over-apply. One of our favorite mascaras also just happens to be one of the best natural mascaras: Physician’s Formula Organic Wear. The formula goes on smoothly, and it is 100% organic and safe for your peepers! We love that!

Contrary to popular belief, effective natural makeup looks can take at least a little bit of effort. Your goal is to highlight and accentuate your natural, beautiful features, while camouflaging imperfections. With the right products and the right application, you will make “natural” look effortless!