Healthy Skin and Your Diet

I recently attended a talk by Dr. Jessica Wu, M.D., a very stylish and attractive dermatologist, who wrote the book, "Feed Your Face". I was very impressed by the information she imparted that did not involve invasive procedures. She recommended certain low cost over the counter products and changes in your diet in achieve more radiant healthy skin. Naturally I bought her book. It covers all the areas of concern from acne to aging skin, plus hair and nail health. Did you know that the lycopene in tomatoes can help prevent sunburn and UV radiation damage? Dr. Wu writes in such a personal style that you feel like your best girlfriend, who just happens to be a dermatologist, is giving you some woman to woman advise. The book is very organized and formatted with tip boxes, case studies, chapter summaries. I highly recommend it.

www.feedyourface.com

Part I

Skin Basics and top skin enemies

Part II

Chapters on various skin concerns with causes and solutions

Part III

Feed Your Face Diet

Part IV
Make-at-home skin care products

Dermatological procedures

Instant slimming

Every New Year we all resolve to watch our diets and exercise more. In the mean time, you may not be able to fit into some of your favorite clothes. This is when shape wear really comes in handy. Above is a garment my clients have loved for immediate results. This TC Intimates shape wear sucks in the tummy, waist and thighs. It stays in place and creates no lines under your outfit. DSC stands for dynamic stretch control which provides comfortable wear. I always keep some in stock for clients. This wonderful product is available in nude and black.

Here are some other tips while working on losing those extra pounds. Does your bra give you the lift you need?. A poorly fitted bra can make you look much heavier than you are. Adjust the straps or if your bra has lost its elasticity toss it. Draw attention to the center (vs. sides) of your waist with an interesting belt buckle. Watch your posture: just raising your rib cage takes off inches. A column of monochromatic color works wonders, but try another color besides black. A great fashion coat that conceals yet makes a statement and is an excellent addition to a January/February wardrobe.

Overdoing Black in Your Wardrobe

I recently did I style analysis and wardrobe audit for a woman who works in a conservative financial company. Her wardrobe was predominately black. While this is certainly a great color for the conservative environment that she worked it, it was not actually best color for her individual coloring. With her warm skin and hair color I advised her to add tops and even scarves to wear under her jackets with touches of colors like coral, aqua, warm red, yellow, apple green, camel and beige. Wearing warm toned jewelry such as a gold chain, warm toned pearls, and stones in earth tones would also lessen the effect of black next to face. Note how the blond pictured here in a Carlisle jacquard black suit has a scoop necked top under her jacket allowing her skin to show and a gold toned necklace to accent her hair color.

Personally, I also have a warm Spring's coloring. When I wear black I never have it near my neck. I wear a darker eyeliner and deeper eye shadow. In addition I usually wear a soft red lipstick and deeper shade of blush. Without intensifying my usual makeup I look washed out in black.

So while black is such a basic neutral in many women's wardrobes, it may not be your best neutral. You may want to consider navy blue or chocolate brown as a base for mix n matching.

Makeover for Executive Level Interview

Shirley was selected by McDermott and Bull Executive Search for a makeover by Corporate Icon. As a member of the team I helped Shirley with her wardrobe and accessories. Patsy Cisneros coached Shirley on her body language. Michele Hardy was brought in for hair and makeup. Shirley needed to step up the quality of her attire to reflect the director level position she was interviewing for. I selected a suit with some texture and updated 3/4 sleeves, as opposed to more traditional brasers which just looked simply boring

on her. The necklace was an appropriate size or her small frame and added that extra polish.

What is your color contrast level?

Most women know about seasonal colors or at least which colors look best on them. Have you ever considered what contrast level in a print works best for you? The model on the left has a medium contrast between her hair color and complexion. The dress is also medium contrast: beige and brown. This is one of the reasons this dress looks great on this model, the contrast levels agree. If the dress was black and white (the ultimate in high contrast), then someone with dark hair and a fair complexion would look especially striking because the again the contrast levels agree.

Contrast level is one of the items I note on my client's profile. It's a subtle element. Sometimes though a certain garment color and the styling of a garment will trump contrast level when making a purchase decision. Just become aware of your personal contrast level. Look at the prints in your closet. Are they low, medium or high contrast? Which do you feel best in?

What not to economize on

Please do not economize on your skin care. You will regret it years later when this whole mess is over. At the minimum cleanse with a PH balanced product, use a daytime moisturizer with sunscreen and a good night cream. Now I happen to sell a product I researched and love, Arbonne Swiss formulated skin care. But I also like Dermalogica. Both companies use botanically based ingredients, like natural oil. Do avoid mineral oil. Lots of lines use this cheap oil which is often given other names on the list of ingredients. Mineral oil sits on the top of your skin. Now this is great to prevent diaper rash and mineral oil (a petroleum based product) is the main ingredient in baby oil. It act as a barrier to the acid in urine penetrating the skin. You want a oil that goes into your skin. This is what I like about Arbonne it selects only natural oils and uses their nanosphere patent to assure that the product does penetrate the skin to provide the benefits that reduce aging.

My photograph shown here was taken in the last year. It is not retouched. I have been using Arbonne for about four years. I am 62 years old. My skin is moist and elastic. Beyond Arbonne I credit sunscreen and hats, exercise, a healthy diet and flax seed oil daily.

http://www.wardrobeperfect.myarbonne.com/