Summer Staples Fashion

To look fashion forward this summer you will need some key pieces. Some of these items are low cost and basic for any wardrobe while others are modern trend on some classics.

Must have colors are red, white, blue and a gold or yellow color. You may pair with neutrals and prints. The must have print is stripe this season of summer 2012. If your brave pair it with solids and a floral print design.

If your thing is to wear neutral colors try pastel or lighter colors of the above like pink instead of red.

Skinny belt a must have for most all outfits this year as well as large clutches and colorful bold jewelry. Cardigans, sweaters and bangles are in plus Color is in this season of this year 2012.

Another key staple to have is a white tank top. Pair two together if sheer and you can buy them at Old Navy or any other store. Try layering since this is a big trend to stay. You can extend the color in your wardrobe if you put a white tank or tee underneath a tank or top with color.

White pants or jeans are super hot again. Capri jeans are for a weekend casual look and pants more work related. Make sure they are not too thin, bright clean white, seams are also white and lean.

Wear thongs in a neutral or white matching color or otherwise wear a long top. That will cover up your butt so you don't show the no-no panty lines.

Strips are in such think nautical meets the Hampton. The modern trend with the nautical look is to dress it up a bit more. More style and femininity to your look so you look more refine and put together.

Example a strip shirt blue blazer and white pants. Yellow shoes with a red and white striped dress. Over size accessories like pearls, shades pairs with a colorful bag. Like yellow or green that acts as you neutral or a real neutral with texture.

Finger nail colors are bright but mostly showing up in lady like colors light pink or other shades of pastels. Wear lips are more bright where nail colors were before and dark shades not seen as much in fashion or movie stars.

As always being beautiful starts within. looking good can make one feeling good about yourself too. Exercise with cautious because of the heat, drink plenty or water and eat healthy. Use sunscreen, wear a hat, light color clothes when extreme heat if you must go outside. Cooler days dark clothing to help keep the sun from penetrating and finally wear shades. Get your checkup at your doctor and dental office regularly. Take care of yourself, love yourself and have fun this summer.

Basic Need to Know Makeup Tips

Clean skin is a must before using makeup and having the correct "tools" is a necessity. Invest in good quality brushes for your application, and use a good skincare range everyday. Using makeup is fun - Practice with color, balance, blending, light and shade, and you should look beautiful.

Makeup is applied to the face to improve appearance - to emphasis the good features and make defects less noticeable. Foundation creates a good contour to the face and gives a base for color harmony, conceals blemishes and protects the skin from weather, wind and the environment.

The smoothest way to apply a foundation is with fingertips - blending one section at a time. Then evenly blend around the jaw, and hairline with a small dry sponge. Translucent Powder lightly applied gives a refined velvety finish.

Blusher adds color and contours the face. Pick the right color in either cool or warm tones. Apply under the cheekbone structure brushing gentle slanting strokes up towards the temple. Be careful not to use too much.

Start light and build up color as needed (see pictures further on - coming soon). {Check LINKS below} Eyes can be made to appear larger or smaller through eye shading. Light brings out, dark conceals. Dark liner make eyes appear smaller where as light bigger. Light eyes don't need as much makeup or attention.

Keep eyeliner thicker at outside end of eye graduating to middle of eye with a thinner line. Apply Mascara, and eyebrow pencil with a steady hand. If you have dark circles under your eyes, don't apply eyeliner until dark circles are covered with concealer or else your eyes will become too dark.

The finishing touch is Lipstick, gloss or stain. This will last longer if foundation and powder is applied to lips or you wear a long lasting brand. Outline lips with a soft lip pencil and define the shape and prevent "bleeding" into tiny lines around mouth. Fill mouth with chosen color, using a lip brush for application.


With all applications use light strokes and lots of blending with correct brushes or sponge flusk. Apply Blusher with a little color on brush, and use soft circular movement of brush from cheekbone to ear. Check face shapes following for correct position.

Make the right choices for your makeup application based on mood and look for the day. bend a little and don't be the same every time you make up. The appearance of our skin and face changes season to season and even day to day, depending on our health, the weather, our mood, and many reasons ..... WHILE MAKEUP TRENDS COME AND GO, STYLE REMAINS. Keep it simple.

Following are great tips for perfect makeup, enjoy the experimentation. Bad makeup technique are unflattering and can make you look tired and haggard, whilst a good makeup can bring out your best features and take years off your face, and give confidence.

Here are a simple few tips:
* use toner on your face first and apply moisturizer, to enable better blending of foundation/concealer.

* work your liquid or cream foundation onto the face with fingers in circular motions, working one area at a time, say from forehead down one side of face, then down the other side with quick motion. Blend downwards and outwards with a dry sea or makeup sponge.

* concealer is best applied after foundation - apply small dots where needed and gently pat into the skin, then wipe with a sponge to remove excess. Concealer can be applied with a sponge flusk or lip brush using the tips. If you feel a little more color is needed add to the spots, and blend again with sponge.

* use Translucent Loose Powder to set the makeup using a large soft brush and dusting over the face quickly in a downward motion. If the skin is more mature just use powder in the T-Zone of forehead, nose and chin. Use a water base foundation instead of oil to eliminate extra moisture to skin or carry mini towels that adsorb oil.

* to work out where to apply blusher, place finger along bottom of cheekbone and apply blusher in soft circular motions above that area. Never apply below the bottom of cheekbones, nor past a line from the center of your eyes. refer face shapes - click here

* for a lighter much more natural look, after loading blush onto brush, tap end of brush lightly against your hand to remove excess, then apply.

*foundation over the eye lids provides a smooth matte base and it helps stop creasing.

* go for a "no-colour" eye shadow as a base, like a soft creamy shade "highlighter" and place this on lids up to brow bone. For most eye shapes the dark colors needs to be used on outer eye area and/or in crease. If you use too much, add a little "no color" or translucent powder.

* Don't use colors to match your clothes, go for colors that suit you and your overall complexion. Example eyes first, hair and skin next. Using neutral, smudgy colors will flatter your face and try to avoid mauve, and very pink shades, depending on your skin type and makeup skills.

Refer to EYE SHAPE link for method, and find your correct colours via a Colour Image Consultant.
* eyeliner should be applied close to base of eyelashes to make them look thicker. A soft pencil is easier to manage.

* keep the thicker look to outer edge and with elbow on table for stability, draw the line towards inner corner of eye, thinning as you go. On lower lids, after application, smudge slightly with sponge tip of shadow applicator for a softer more natural look.

* to determine the correct length of eyebrows hold a pencil at the base of the nose, align it to inside corner of eye, then angle it from the base or your nose to outer corner of eye.This shows where brows should start and finish. To keep tidy, brush with
eyebrow brush. Define with light strokes of a pencil OR add a little eyeshadow power on the brush.


As with eyelids, lightly applied foundation provides a wonderful base for lipstick and helps the color last longer. Color has the power to transform your face - and your mood - completely. Palettes of color in pure pastel shades and vibrant true colors offer choices for every woman to celebrate all her many facets of a very definite femininity.

The right lip color can make all the difference. If there's one cosmetic you should have in a wide range of shades, its lipstick. For color that clings to your lips, in radiant warm earthy tones and classic natural cool shades, both matte and gloss. Make sure your lips have been moisturized, and foundation/powder applied. Outline your shape with a lip pencil in natural or a toning shade to the chosen lip color.Apply lipstick with a lip brush.

Then blot by "kissing" a tissue held between the lips, then reapply more color. Choose color tones in either warm or cool tones to suit your complexion. Though will newer lipstick available in sheer you don't not have to blot nor worry that you have applied too much this the newer formulas. So unless you are using older full coverage formula's you will not have to blot.

If you have had your "Colors" done, you will know what shades to go for, but as an example if wearing a Red outfit, don't wear Pink, Purple or Orange lipstick because it is your favorite. Look for something in brown - red (flattering on all skin types), pink-red, or red red (blue red)- depending on your skin tone and age.

These links will lead you to more information on specific titles . (Links have been removed).


For hygiene it is best not to keep product beyond certain dates.... most women use the rule of thumb of 3-6 months for all makeup. Foundation 1 year but I'd say more like 3-6 months. Lipstick maybe 1 to 2 years if matte and no longer that 6 months if creamy or liquid, powder 2 years, mascara 3 to 4 months, shadow 3 month, blush 1 year at most and in dry enviroment.

ALWAYS keep brushes clean - wash very regularly in mild natural shampoo and let dry naturally. Sponges should be washed weekly and thrown out every 4 to 5 weeks. For ladies over 40 to 50 years of age, simplify your style - in clothes and makeup.

Blend more carefully, and make sure foundation is a good match for your skin. Use light reflexive makeup to minimum unflattering shadows. Use foundation in either non-drying mineral foundation, cream makeup or liquid foundation since other skin is generally dry. All information above is common sense and from years of experience. If I have forgotten anything please add your comments below. If moisture has gotten to your makeup or your in doubt please throw away after 3 months.

* Disclaimer: All info herein is for educational purposes only and not medical advice. Please speak with your health care provider.

How To Do Your Nails Fast

When you are in a rush, decisions have to be made. Prioritize. Do you shape or polish? Do you quick-dry or go the long, slow route? New formulas allow for snap decisions:

Speed-dry enamels are worthy of their name (you can open mail, search for keys, or put on your tightest long-sleeved shirt within seconds), but there's a downside: "As fast as they dry, that's as fast they chip," insists manicurist Elisa Ferri, so save them for emergencies. Eke a few extra days out of a fast-dry manicure by doing a daily touch-up with a quick-drying coat.

In the other corner, there are strong, chip-resistant formulas - the tortoise of the polish race. To pick up the pace of these tougher enamels, like That Girl's Nail Lacquer, carefully submerge freshly painted nails in a bowl of ice-cold water for 30 seconds to harden still-groopy polish.

Light or sheer shades are best for hasty manicures, Ferri says. "You can even get away with just a wide stripe down the center" rather than painstakingly painting the entire nail.

If a manicure is beyond the repair of a topcoat or two, face facts and call in the remover. You can keep single-use packets of nail polish remover (Cutex and Get Fresh make them) on hand so you can strip away color on the run.

When there is no time for polish, just clean underneath the nails, rub on a buffing cream, and shine them with a chamois buffer. Article take from some blog years ago.