Holiday Makeup

This week I had my makeup done for a photo shoot by a professional makeup artist who I would like to recommend, Pamela Jeffries. I was very happy with the natural look she created for my corporate training head shots. She also does bridal party and special event makeup. http://www.glowmakeupstudio.com/

While working with Pamela we discussed Holiday Party makeup looks. We both agreed that either you make the focal point your eyes or lips. So if you do the smoky eye look, then do a more natural lipstick or gloss. Conversely if you want to do bright red or fuchsia lips, then go light on the eye liner and shadow.

Shimmer is great for parties on the lids, cheeks. and even the bust line. Women with mature skin need to apply shimmer very lightly though. A touch on the center of the lid or just across the top of the cheek bone, as shimmer will emphasis wrinkles.

I will be doing smoky eyes at a black tie event this weekend. Basically this means that after doing a base or makeup primer and light shadow over my entire lid to brow area, I'll apply dark eyeshadow on my eyelids up to the crease. Some apply eyeliner both inside and outside your eyes. I do not like lining the inside of your eyes though, so I just do a dark eyeliner pencil on the top and bottom of my lashes and smug with a Q-tip. Pamela suggests topping the pencil liner with a liquid eyeliner for extra intensity. As a final touch I apply a thin line of the lid shadow below by lower eyeliner and blend with a Q-tip. It's a very dramatic sexy look that is best used at night. Here is my plug, I use Arbonne products, but there are lots of lines that will do. http://www.wardrobeperfect.myarbonne.com/

The photo above is Keira Knightly with smoky eyes and light lipstick.

Sensible Jewelry Gifts

Certainly during this economy jewelry sales overall have declined, yet jewelry is still selling. There are always occasions when nothing but jewelry marks a special events in one's life: engagements, anniversaries, significant birthdays, graduations, etc. In addition women are not just waiting to be gifted, but buying their own jewelry.

My advice to those building a jewelry wardrobe is similar to my advice regarding building a clothing wardrobe: begin with good classic basics. You should have earrings, a necklace, a bracelet and ring in your best base color: white gold or yellow gold. These pieces should work with the majority of your clothing wardrobe. They should look good together, but not be matching. A few diamonds that are not to flashy might be added to your basic metal. Often a necklace may become your signature piece, such as a chain with a gold coin perhaps. These classic pieces will most likely be built over time (often with not to subtle hints to husbands) before Christmas, an anniversary or a birthday. You may even eventually "upgrade" to replace a piece bought years ago.

After these basics are completed you may want to begin another jewelry acquistion plan. Perhaps it will be pearls or a certain colored gem that suits your coloring and wardrobe. As these are all somewhat planned sensible purchases that will be worn frequently for year and years, I personally do not see them as that extragant unless you have very limited discretionary income.

I also suggest buying from a respected jeweler who you can trust to sell you good quality and can handle any repairs needed over the years. In addition a good jeweler will understand what scale and shapes work best for your body structure. Most of my classics pieces are from Asanti Jewelers in San Marino, CA. The owner, Nelson Holdo, even provides safe deposit boxes for his clients. http://www.asanti.com/ The classic gold earrings in this blog are by Suna Bros.

Wardrobe Colors by the Month

In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal Christina Binkley wrote about Holiday attire and the short number of weeks we might wear something like a red velvet dress. I certainly have a few items that only get worn in December. For years I have hung out on my hall rack a 3/4 length red and green plaid Carlisle coat that I wear multiple times per week all through December. I think the red silk dress pictured here can be worn October through March and not simply December though.

I actually tend to go through my favorite colors to wear by the month. In October and November it's my orange tops. My base tends to be brown. My December it's naturally anything red often with black bottoms. Though I wear red accessories almost year round. In January-February I love wool sweaters and pants in winter white. By Spring I am into corals and aqua blue. The hot days of summer it's often bright lemon yellow or lime green cottons with crisp whites.

As I buy classics these seasonally rotated clothes are in my wardrobe for years. Though many pieces can be worn any time of year, they just cry out to be worn certain months especially.

All this is somewhat mirrored by my home decor. I rotate my accessories by the seasons. In January and February it's mirrors with crystal vases and bowls and white candles to pick up the weaker winter light. Come Spring it's flowers and bunnies. In Summer I display all my seashells.

Am I alone in the joy of expressing the flow of the year by the rotation of my clothes or household decor? Certainly retailers hope other women do the same!

What to wear to Business Holiday Parties

At this time of the year your company, your vendors, or your clients often have parties that you are invited to. It is a great time to form closer relationships with these groups, plus have some fun. Be careful not to get to carried away with the alcohol and embarrass your self though. This is a business event.

Since this is still business not a date night or evening with your husband, refrain from anything too sexy like plugging necklines. Can you hear the buzz from all the men if you do! This is not how you want them to remember you when you next meet for business.

There are lots of beautiful dresses that are appropriate. Picture here is a Carlisle Collection shiny charmeuse silk blouse with satin bow paired with a flowing pleated chiffon skirt. Elegant, appropriate and also versatile. You can pair the skirt with an existing jacket for an updated look or wear the blouse with slim evening pants.

Have you worn bamboo yet?

The Thursday Nov. 12 issue of the Wall Street Journal had an article on bamboo fabric used in designer clothing. It is touted as an ecologically friendly textile. The downside is that toxic solvents are currently used to break the stems down. Hopefully this can be improved in the future.

Have you worn bamboo yet? Please comment on your reactions. Was the fabric comfortable? Did it wear well? Was it blended with other fabrics? Did it enhance the styling of the garment?

Sweater Care

Now that we can finally wear sweaters in Southern California it's time to think about proper care. Though you may not be able to tell it, the cardigan pictured here is a cable knit. It should not be hung on a hanger both because of the weight and looseness of the knitting. Hanging will lead to the shoulders stretching out and the entire garment. "growing" or lengthening. Occasionally you may have a light-weight tightly woven knit sweater that can be hung on a padded or heavy hanger, but usually sweaters should lay flat.

Snags and pulls are another care issue with sweaters. Larger loose weaves are prone to being caught on protruding objects. Tight weave can easily be snagged, so watch that your jewelry and purse have no rough edges.

Moths love lunching on the food particles dropped on your sweater, even those particles you do not see. So dry clean them for sure at the end of the season, but also during the season as needed. You can even wrap your sweater up and place it in the freezer over night to kill any bugs or eggs that might be inside your favorite wool or cashmere pieces.

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?