Doesn't Hurt to be Beautiful: beauty on a budget

Showing posts with label beauty on a budget. Show all posts

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Wardrobe Staples Worth the Investment

There are a few wardrobe items that spending more money means you'll end up with a substantially more comfortable, flattering, or long-lasting garment. I'm not suggesting that you drop outlandish amounts of cash; many of the the items on my list can still be found for substantial discounts at places like Overstock or TJMAXX. But when you're shopping for the following five things, it will serve you well to consider quality and fit above cost.

1. Shoes

There are many reasons why expensive shoes are worth the indulgence, but my big two are comfort and longevity. In my experience, it's much more likely that cheap shoes will cut into my feet, cause blisters, irritate my bunions, and generally provide poor support. Furthermore, well-made shoes can last several seasons as long as you show them some TLC. Have a cobbler fix any rubbed-down heels or soles before the shoes become unwearable.

2. Handbags

Like shoes, a well-made bag can continue looking good for several seasons, and it's much less likely to suffer from ripped straps, broken hardware, and fussy zippers. Don't go all out for a bag that's made to get dirty — a cheap canvas tote does just fine for the beach — but a stylish clutch in a color that matches a lot of your going-out wear or nice everyday leather bag should serve you well for quite some time.

3. Coats

A good-quality coat can last for several seasons, as long as you don't purchase anything too trendy.

4. A Dress You Love

Whether it's the "little black dress" or a bright-red stunner, this should be something that looks great on you and you can always count on when you need to look awesome...something that's versatile and can be accessories different ways to look different.

5. Good Jeans

I don't care if you think your butt is weird, you don't like your thighs, or you feel like your inseam is outlandish. There are so many companies making different cuts of jeans now, you should be able to find a pair that fits and flatters you. Like other items on this list, properly cared for jeans can last for years. That said, don't think this is an excuse to pay $300 for jeans. There's a difference between paying for quality and paying for a brand name. Hello Nordstrom Rack!

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Sunday, May 1, 2011

6 Tricks to Appear Thinner

Many women would like to look a few pounds lighter and with some clever dressing you can do just that. Some of the best ways to dress thinner include; wearing flattering fabrics, choosing the perfect fit in both clothing and lingerie, keeping the silhouette simple, dressing in monochrome and highlighting your smaller areas.

1) Wear shoes that elongate your legs

Everyone always looks slimmer in a heel. However, there are some that are even better than others. Try a simple nude or skin colored shoe. This gives the optical illusion that your leg is actually longer, because your skin blends in with the shoes. Try to avoid ankle strap shoes (unless it's nude) if you have short or thick legs. The ankle strap gives the illusion that your leg ends at the strap, thus making it appear shorter.

2) Wear fabrics that flatter

You can appear slimmer simply by choosing to wear flattering fabrics. The fabrics I am talking about are the ones that don't cling to your body, but drape nicely over it. Silks, softly structured fabrics like stretch denim, and wool blends can hide many small flaws. Lightweight knits can work well, but avoid heavy knits because they have a tendency to add bulk. Avoid flimsy fabrics, shiny fabrics and all Lycra fabrics. Lycra fabrics only tend to look good on very toned bodies, because they cling to every curve of the body.

3) Moisturize

It's amazing what moisturizing your skin can do. Not only does it prevent your skin from aging, it makes it smoother and tighter looking. There are many skin firming products on the market that actually work. I stick with Bliss' FatGirlSlim or basic cocoa butter lotion.

4) Get the fit right

This is an obvious one, but still needs to be addressed. Different brands run differently, and sometimes even different styles within the same brands do as well. Many women buy based on psychological size rather then buying what fits them. To look slim you need your clothes to fit nicely, you don't want them to cling and you don't want them to hang off you like a sack. You should be aiming for a nicely tailored look. If have real difficulty getting a good fit, buy the size up and have your clothes altered to fit perfectly.

5) Draw the eye to your smallest points

By highlighting your smallest points and playing down you fuller regions you can make yourself appear slimmer all over. This will vary from person to person, but most people are slimmest through the top of the ribcage, wrists and just below the knee. Having hems or details in these points can be effective.

6) Dress in monochrome

Those in the fashion world know that dressing in monochrome has a powerful impact on how slim you appear. Wearing black from head to toe has the most potent effect, but any color worn head to toe will make you look leaner then a mix of different colors on top and bottom. So if you want to wear light, or bright colors, consider wearing them consistently in the one line.

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Thursday, July 22, 2010

How to Make Cheap Clothes Look Expensive

Pay attention to fabrics. You can add style an outfit, but for this the quality of the fabric is essential. Regardless the cut of a clothing item, if it's made from a cheap fabric this can be easily seen. In this case natural fabrics should be your choice. Therefore, avoid buying clothes that contain more than 20% synthetics. Moreover, synthetics are hard to make them look good due to their bad edges. Buy cotton, linen and silk instead, and avoid shiny fabrics.

Buy expensive accessories. Even if you decided to save money, you have to invest much more when it comes to shoes, handbags or belts. Every girl should have at least one leather bag and shoes. Optionally, you can wear a silk scarf or a good watch. These items are more like investments. They will be worn year after year, and stay in style.

Don't spend your money on basic items. There are a few classic pieces that are not worth spending on. Therefore, whenever going shopping, buy cheaper t-shirts, blouses, skirts or jeans. You can wear them with very stylish accessories and you can match them with other pieces in order to create a designer look.

Black is back. Black has always been the color of elegance and versatility. Besides this, it can be used for so many occasions from casual to formal. You can mix and match a black cheap item in so many ways in order to get a glam and expensive look.

Mix and match. It's already known that all the money in the world couldn't buy the sense of style. Therefore, even if you spend lots of money on branded clothes it doesn't mean that you are very well dressed. Put your creativity to the test and mix cheaper pieces with pricier ones. A beautiful and unique style means knowing how to mix and match less simple items with more simple ones.

Quality check. When shopping around look for high-quality items in a bargain. "Quality" can be in certain situations synonym with "expensive". Pay attention to the seam edges and make sure that they are finished, to buttons and colors, and symmetrical patterns. There are details that could make a difference.

Make changes. You can add a bit of glitz and glam to your wardrobe just by changing a few buttons on your shirts or your dresses. Buy buttons of different shapes and sizes, and apply them on your favorite shirt for a modern and sophisticated look. You can do the same thing with your old dress. Apply a few sequins and you'll instantly get a chic and versatile effect.

Color matching. Your look should be in perfect balance from head to toe. If you mix all colors possible you'll just obtain a ridiculous and cheap look. Find out what colors flatter you and learn how to match them in a chic and elegant way.

Avoid the extremes. Try to not over exaggerate and always know the limits. Everything that is too short or too long will ruin your look. Choose clothes that flatter your body shape and add elegance and style to your appearance.

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Friday, October 30, 2009

How to Recycle a BridesMaid Dress

No matter how fun it is to be a bridesmaid, there is always one major downfall: the dress. This hideous dress that someone else has picked out for you, that you don't plan to ever wear again. Might as well burn your money... or not.

Before you give up all hope, here are some ideas:

Use it for a Halloween Costume. If you don’t have any sewing skills, save it for use in your next Halloween costume. Be a tacky Beauty Queen. Just at a tiara sash and some heavy makeup. Miss Finland's evening gown for the Miss Universe pageant sure looks like a bridesmaid dress that I have been forced to wear.

Remove gaudy elements from the dress. If the dress has big bows or bustles or ruffles, remove those elements from the dress, leaving behind a simple dress. Most of these elements are additions and can be removed without damaging the dress. Once you remove these elements, you will be amazed at the difference.

Shorten the dress. If it is a dress that you really like, but don’t have need for a full length dress, you can shorten it into a tea-length dress to wear on dates, and to weddings. This is done by cutting off excess fabric and hemming the dress. If you don't know how to do this, bring it to your tailor. It will cost less than $15. A drop in the bucket compared to the original cost.

Remove the skirt from the dress. Even if the style of dress is not something you will wear again, it may have a skirt that you would be glad to wear again and again. Cut the skirt of the waist away from the bodice, and remove the zipper. Replace the zipper with a skirt zipper and add a waistband. Then you can wear it with any top you own. Again, if you don't know how to do this, bring it to your tailor and give him/her your directions. This should cost in the $25 ball park.

Use it for scrap fabric. If the dress is completely hideous and unalterable, save the fabric. You can use it to make beautiful throw pillows, lampshade covers, a runner for your couch, or even a table cloth for a small table. Bright pink looked terrible on you, but it sure makes a good throw pillow!

Donate it. A gaudy train wreck to you, might be the ultimate prom dress for a highschool student. Give it to a younger sister, cousin, consignment shop, or local Good Will.

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Tuesday, October 13, 2009

How to Re-Wear a Dress

Sometimes you just don't want to re-wear the same exact dress to an event, especially if you will see the same people. It's annoying to look the same in pictures. Also, you don't want to be that person that get's the back handed compliment from your Great Aunt Gretchen "oh dahhhhlinggg your dress is lovvvvvely... of courssse, I liked it last 2 times you wore it."

That being said, there are many ways to re-wear a dress to make it look different and new. You would be amazed. Having such a large family, the "dressy" events never seem to end. My sisters and I take great pride in our skill of re-wearing dresses. Here are some of our tricks:

Before you buy: Before you buy any dress you need to assess how many times you can potentially wear this dress. If it costs $300, but you can wear it 5 times.. in my book that dress is $60. You are better off buying a great $300 dress vs. a one-time wear $150 dress.

Cardigans: A cardigan changes the entire look from the waist up. If you are re-wearing your dress to a "dressy" event, find a fancier cardigan. There are so many out there, embellished, lacy, gem toned, floral, colorful, etc.

Shoes, Purse, Jewelery, etc: Your shoes and purse should usually go together (not match per se, but "go"). If you have a simple black dress, you can try a colorful shoe and a colorful purse. Try hoops instead of pearls, silver instead of gold... a charm bracelet instead of bangles. Or maybe even a belt.

Hair: Your hair really changes your look and the entire vibe of your entire outfit. Re-wear your dress with a low pony tail, a flower clip, a headband, or other hair accessories. I am a big fan of the flower clips. I have them in many colors. You can also clip them on your dress to make them look like part of it.

Alterations: If you are really tired of wearing your dress, take it to the tailor and get it altered. I do this a lot, it really cracks up my tailor. Usually I bring it in and try and on and ask him what he can do with it. Take the sleeves off, shorten it, taken it in, whatever. Usually it costs me about $12 - $24 and it looks brand new. Think Project Runway.

Change / Add Buttons: Find some fancy buttons online, colorful, cameo antique looking, pearl, etc. The fanciest of buttons are usually less than $12 for a dozen. If your dress has buttons swap them out. OR if you have a plain black dress, get some fancy buttons bring them to your tailor with the dress and tell him to sew them around the neckline. Congrats, you will have made your dress look $100 more expensive with a few buttons.

Some parting words: Don't be ashamed to wear the same dress over and over again. My sisters and I think of it as a sport. You win by wearing the dress the most times, and the least distinguishable from the original.

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Sunday, September 27, 2009

2 Easy Ways to Stretch Your Shoes

So you got a new pair of shoes and they're gorgeous, but they're a bit too tight. This happens to me a lot because I have really wide feet. Here are two tricks I use that are really easy ways to make them fit better.

1) Use rubbing alcohol
(This works with leather pumps, sandals, and boots.)

Rub the alcohol into the critical spots.
Then put on a pair of sweat socks and walk around your house with them on for an hour or so.
Alcohol usually dries faster than water, and won't damage your shoes-- contrary to water, alcohol doesn't dry out the leather.

2) Use some baggies & throw them in the freezer
(I know this sounds silly, but it works! I use this rather on rougher shoes; ie patent leather)

Take a plastic ziplock baggy and fill it with water.
Put the baggy in the shoe
Put the shoe in the freezer overnight- believe it or not as the water solidifies the shoe will be stretched.
If it doesn't work for the first, repeat it several times until you'll stretch them more.

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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Stay Beautiful in Allergy Season

Purple circles, itchy & watery eyes, sneezing, and blotchy skin. All signs that summer is over and allergy season is here. Instead of looking like a pock marked, fluid leaking relative of Shrek, you might want to use some of these tips.

Moisturize the T-zone

When allergies are at their worst, you will likely have watery eyes, an itchy nose, and spend time rubbing your eyes and face. You will find you develop a red nose and blotchy red cheeks too, and the skin might dry and peel or crack. To avoid this, moisturize your T-zone from your forehead down your nose and around your mouth and cheeks to keep the skin hydrated.

Cortisone Creams

If your face it blotchy, inflamed, itching or burning due to allergies, you might find that moisturizing with a cortisone cream in the T-zone is more effective than using just a plain moisturizer. Cortisone cream will help with the inflammation and redness, and the cream will moisturize and keep the skin soft.

Tissues to go

No one is beautiful with snot running down their nose. Always carry around a small pack of tissues to use as needed. If you can't find a small pack, put a bunch in a ziplock baggie and place it in your purse.

Eye Gels, Masks, Coolers

Dark circles around the eyes are a common problem with allergy sufferers, and usually this includes puffiness and tenderness around the eyes. Using cooling

eye gels and cooling masks for the eyes that you put in the freezer can cool down your eyes and help take some of the itch and sting away, while reducing puffiness.

Get Rid of the Red Blotches

Allergies often cause red blotches on the skin, and if moisturizing is not enough to prevent them, you can conceal them by using a yellow base concealer. The yellow will help offset the red color of your skin, and then you can apply your makeup as you normally would.

Makeup Tips

Avoid using blush when you are suffering from allergies, because you face will tend to be reddish as it is, and you don't want to add to that look. Also, consider wearing slightly more eye shadow than you normally wear, to draw attention to the top part of the eye and not the watery-ness of your allergy eyes. When suffering from allergies, use more earth tones and avoid pinks, reds, red-based colors.

Listerine Breath Strips

Sometimes your throat gets a little scratchy, but not quite enough to need cough drops. The Listerine Breath Strips are so strong that they tend to not only freshen your breath, but sooth your scratchy throat and momentarily clear your sinuses.

Voila, there you go... beautiful as always.

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Friday, September 4, 2009

Use Hair Conditioner to Shave

My littlest sister, Natanya, swears by doing this. I never believed her until recently when I ran out of my shaving gel. Using hair conditioner actually works amazingly. It gives you a closer shave and leaves your skin very, very smooth. It also is a lot less expensive. I have been shelling out $3.99 for shaving gel, when VO5 Strawberries & Cream hair conditioner is 85 cents! Not to mention the bottle lasts longer and smells better.

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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

How to: Recycle BareMinerals Makeup Containers

Another reason why I love BareMinerals: you can recycle the makeup containers. After you finished with any of their products, never throw away the containers.

Here is how to do it:

1. After you have no makeup left, remove the divider. Look closely to the edge, you will notice that you can remove the divider with either your finger nail or a butter knife.

2. Throw away the divider and clean out the container.

3. Clean out the container with dish soap, or throw it in the silverware tray in the dishwasher.

Why is this awesome?

Traveling purposes: no more paying to check your luggage. No more lugging around a huge bottle of something, if you are just going away for a few days.
You can put your favorite hair gel, shampoo, conditioner, makeup remover, lotion, etc. into these containers.
They are small enough to put in your carry-on luggage and pass through security.
No more buying "travel size", or travel containers that sometimes explode when they are packed too tightly.
Since the lid is screw on, you never need to worry about any leaking.
There are other uses, like for make shift pill or earring box.

If you don't already have BareMinerals, you can check them out here at Ulta.com. You get a free 10 day BareMinerals travel foundation with a mini brush.

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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Getting Coupons Online: It's free money!

I really have never been a big coupon collector. I would always forget to use them, and before you knew it the expiration was past due. I discovered this awesome website, www.coupons.com, where you can just print the coupons that you want for that week. I just go on the site the night before I go grocery shopping and print out what I think I will buy. There are actually some really good ones. Last week I found a $5 off for a $25 Rite Aid purchase! Check it out, it's awesome. Every week there are new ones and you can use the food coupons at any grocery store you want. It's free money!

www.coupons.com

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Thursday, August 20, 2009

Sephora vs. Ulta

Has anyone heard of Ulta.com? I just heard about it a year ago when one of them opened near my house. I was very impressed, it's basically the same as Sephora, but not as well known. However, at the time I was a very loyal Sephora fan, so I really didn't think about Ulta again.

Last week I noticed I was out of my bareMinerals foundation, so I went to Sephora.com to order it. Out of stock at Sephora!!WTF?? So I checked out Ulta's website. I was very impressed--not only did they have my foundation, but it was cheaper!!! Many of the products were cheaper at Ulta than they were at Sephora! I guess Sephora thinks they rule the market.

Here are some other things to take into account:

Ulta: Free shipping over $50.00 + 3 free samples.
Sephora: Same

Ulta: receive purchase in 3 - 5 days
Sephora: receive purchase in 5 - 10 days

Ulta also sent me a free gift on top of the free samples, a 10 day travel size of my foundation! cool!

Check it out. See ya Sephora.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Make your own highlights

I was at the beach with my future sister-in-law

and we decided to be old school and put a little lemon juice in our hair to give us some highlights. It was disgusting. After the lemon juice dried our hair got hard like it had a pound of hair gel in it, and looked greasy like that too. However, the next day I did realize my hair had some streaks.

I recently discovered a remedy to this, and it's so simple:

LEMON JUICE + 1 tablespoon of HAIR CONDITIONER = same highlighting effect, but doesn't make your hair crunchy and dried out

Monday, July 27, 2009

My Stilettos Hurt My Feet

While at business school, I met a classmate that is starting a company called Fit in Clouds. They make small shoes (like ballerina slippers) that fold in half and fit in a small pouch in your purse. The purpose of these shoes are to carry around in the smallest of purses, and put them on when your stilettos start hurting your feet. I thought to myself. What a genius idea, why didn't anyone else think of it?

First thing I would like to say is that these shoes are very cool. They are like ballerina shoes with grippers on the bottom and they come in couple of colors. Second thing, they are very comfortable and can fit into the smallest purse. I ended up buying pairs for all my sisters and they are now obsessed too. Thirdly, they are very economical. One pair costs $19. You can buy them on their site http://www.fitinclouds.com/ AND there is free shipping.

I talked to my classmate and they said that anyone who reads my Blog can get a 10% discount on the shoes by entering the code SHOES09 at the checkout, which will bring the price to under $17 including shipping & handling!

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