My Thoughts on Resolutions

 'Tis the month to start anew. Many are making New Year's resolutions. "This is the year that I am going to get organized!", "This is the year that I am going to lose weight and get into the jeans I wore back in high school!", "This is the year that I am going to find a man or woman!", etc....

  So many years have gone by with people starting the exact same way... unrealistically. Let's start with a small goal and then work our way up. Many times we look at the entire year and make a plan that sounds really good and possible, but never include the things that pop up and throw us off course. So, I suggest start with the month of January. Make a goal that you can accomplish that month! Then, towards the end of the month, make another goal for February same for March and so on. This way your year is broken down in months and it's easier to actually accomplish some things!

  Many popular resolutions have to do with self image. Losing weight, being fit, being more positive, getting organized... These are all great things! So, how does it fit into a beauty/fashion article?

1) Losing Weight/ Being Fit

   There are two parts to this one.  Lets say, your weight loss goal is a significant amount. As you succeed your body image will change. You will have to learn to dress differently for your new shape. Many times we look at those jeans that we are desperate to wear and see how far we have to go to get in them. Lets say we have twenty pounds to lose and so far we have lost five. Well, when we lose five. that's an accomplishment! But our jeans we have currently don't fit so well and our goal jeans don't either, just yet. Don't get discouraged! Go out and get a cute, cheap pair and wear them proudly until your next size down. A whole new wardrobe is not needed, but a couple essentials are!

  Second part is, what if your weight loss goal is not that big? It's just more about toning up. OK! You go to the gym, or workout at home, and you admire your progress in the bathroom mirror.Then you put on the same clothes that hid your shape or made you feel out of shape in the first place! None of your friends are noticing your hard work because it's hidden under baggy, loose fitting clothes. So, you feel that you need to workout harder. These types of things play with our heads! Again, shop for a few essentials, get some of your favorites tailored, hire a stylist. (hint, hint.. and yes, they can be affordable and not just for reality shows) It will make you feel better, not to mention, look better!!

2) Being more positive

  When was the last time you were complimented on your hair or hair color or style? If it's been a while, or, heaven forbid, never, it's time to look into something different. Talk to your stylist discuss new ideas. If they don't have any, talk to some new ones. Consultations are usually free at salons. When you get complimented it makes you feel great, which in turn puts you in a great mood, which leads to positive energy, and BOOM, you have 'Being More Positive' accomplished!

3) Getting Organized

  We think of the areas like the piles of bills or miscellaneous papers lying around, our garages, basements, closets, kids rooms, cars etc...
What about your cosmetic bag? Or under your bathroom sink? How many of us have fallen victim to sample hoarding or gift with purchase? What about the shampoo, conditioner, styling products we buy, just knowing it's going to make our life so much easier, and we end up with enough to start our own salon? Get rid of it! You can sift through it yourself or hire a professional (hint, hint) to help you keep the colors that flatter you or the hair products that actually work.

  Having goals is wonderful! They keep us moving forward in a positive way, but not accomplishing them can be depressing. Keep it simple, small steps are still steps. It can be more enjoyable accomplishing goals with someone versus alone, so get some help! Wishing you all much success!

Edited version published in Suwanee Magazine

It's all about the Flavor!

It's approaching fall, or it already is if you are like me who gages the seasons when school begins and ends, and all the designers and beauty editors are giving us the latest looks for the season.

  It can be a little daunting as a reader on what really is 'do-able'. We might think, should I really put this purple eyeshadow all over my lid?  These 'Harem Pants' really look like 'Hammer Pants', is it really a good idea to wear?  The eighties brights are back?! Didn't we all look back on the eighties and grimace just a little?

Well, let's think about this a little... do we have to do exactly what we see in the magazines or on the internet to be in style? Or are the things that are shown to us really intended to be a guide?  I think the latter. What we see as the final product in the magazines have been sifted and edited countless times!  So focus on the flavor of a style.  Purple eyeshadow that's featured in a magazine might make you feel like you're auditioning for a Broadway Show, which might not be the look you're going for.

I really do love this picture above!  It's Nars, one of my favorite cosmetic lines!  But this is my flavor, yours might be different. Ok, so back to the point...

    

This style, like I said, might be too much. Does that mean purple is not for you? NO! Try purple eyeliner instead, or a wash of lavender, which BTW is beautiful paired with silver hair!

As far as the Harem Pants the flavor is eastern culture. Think Eat, Pray Love... if you mimic the feel of the clothes, you're in!              

The eighties is a stigma some of us just might have to go to therapy for....LOL

 In review, don't look so literal at trends. There are plenty of styles for us to look at and we may relate more to one or we might see ourselves a little in all of them. Either way, look for the flavor and adapt it to your lifestyle and comfort level.  This way you will always feel current and comfortable!

A Sincere Beauty

  I have a girlfriend who has a beautiful family, but it's her daughter that captures my thoughts the most. She has long spirals of sandy blond hair and she looks as if she should permanently remain in a field of wild flowers. She is quietly satisfied with herself and comfortable with her abundant thirst for knowledge.

  At seven years old (yes, seven), she possesses such positive self esteem that I at.... my age, am just now starting to find!  I think that she has become a little role model for me. She doesn't always match, appreciates makeup and girly things but they hardly influence her life, has an extensive knowledge on animal behavior and is comfortable to shrug her shoulders at the thought of anyone calling her a nerd. 

  Her mother frets over potentially failing her children, as all loving mothers do, but what greater gift can a mother give a daughter than the gift of healthy self esteem? The gift of shoes that are comfortable to stand in no matter the trend or the pressure of peers? This isn't to say that this child won't go through a period of self uncertainty, doing things to 'find herself'.  However, through all the horrible haircuts, bad fashion choices, heartache of disappointing friends, heartbreak ...etc. she will find that gift that has always been there, re- establish it and appreciate it's value.

  My mother gave the gift to me, although I didn't realize I had it until recently, and now seeing my friend passing it along to her daughter makes my heart swell with joy.  I only hope to follow in their footsteps!

To Mineralize or not mineralize?

Well, that is the question now isn't it? Minerals are on every one's brain. It's in our water and smoothies, cereals, daily supplements and now our makeup as well.

 Let me start off by saying I am not a scientist nor do I plan on being one. I did however, do some research and have an opinion. There are different types of minerals feldspar, quartz, mica...  So if  we use a cosmetic product containing one of these minerals it can be marketed as 'Mineral blah, blah'. So our question should not be does it contain minerals but, what type of minerals does it have AND are those the minerals that my individual skin likes and/or needs?

So, some common minerals that are beneficial to the skin are:

Selenium- plays a key role in preventing skin cancer by protecting your skin from sun damage and reducing your chances of burning (you can find it in supplemental form or in a cream)

Copper- helps develop elastin to support skin (best combined with vitamin A and zinc)

and

Zinc- helps with acne and clears skin by controlling oil production Most mineral foundations I found contain zinc along with mica, which is to give a you a glow and blur fine lines and silica, which absorbs sweat and oils in the skin, prevents light reflection and keeps makeup on the skin longer.

 I am positive there are others but for the sake of not losing your attention I'll stick with these three. Look at the ingredients on your moisturizers, lotions and mineral makeup (foundations, eye shadows and blushes) to see what minerals are included and do a little web surfing. You, of course will find negatives and positives on virtually everything.  We all have an opinion and researching can help you form yours.

Curls Unite!

 As I was walking to my car the other day I happened to catch a glimpse of this beautiful head of curls bouncing along to the vehicle a few spaces down. When she turned she saw me and we smiled in appreciation of each other's spiraled tresses.

 It's almost as if in those few seconds there was an exchange of understanding, empathy and encouragement.
Understanding, that she too:
*has a million products in her shower that fight frizz, lock in moisture, define curls, add shine etc...
*is terrified to get a trim
*constantly has to unclog the drain in the tub/shower
*is thrilled beyond words when the hair behaves as it's supposed to because you finally found the perfect product or cocktail of products
Empathy, that she too:
*is teased for going against the norm
*has random people ask, 'is that all your hair?', 'did you get a perm?', 'can I touch it?' (the more touching the more frizz)
*suffered through the grow-out process
*has shed numerous tears over a bad haircut
Encouragement:
Rock those curls! They are a beautiful part of the many different forms style can come in!

 Yes, her hair was pretty and so was mine and I walked a little taller that day. I hope she did as well!

Check...Done...Already Taken Care Of.

Check...Done...Already Taken Care Of.
Cool news for those of us that love the TLC show, 'Say Yes to the Dress'!

The Pixie Cut

The 'Pixie Cut' is making a comeback!  It started in the twenties with women rebels stretching their boundaries of decency with scissors in tow. It's a significant style and even though short it has some versatility, (pumped up with volumizer, slicked down with gel, adorned with barrettes, headbands, flowers). Perfect summer cut and great for those with fine textured hair. Wavy hair looks good with it as well but we have to do a bit more styling to it.

The thing is, I was looking on-line to see what's in now and so many people have labeled any shorter haircut as a pixie. No! So, here it is: a pixie cut is cropped short in the back and on the sides and two to three inches longer in the crown or top of the head. It can also be short all over with longer fringe (bangs) or longer in the swirl to cover cowlicks.

Who does it look good on? A woman with confidence and fine features. High cheek bones, big eyes and full lips are played up with such a sassy style. Think Halle Berry, Eva Pigford and Alyssa Milano. Lots of texture (razor, slide cutting, chunking) comes into play with this type of cut. So, if you dare, (which I say, 'Go for it!') keep in mind that it will lose shape fast. So, trims should be scheduled every four to six weeks to keep it looking best.

Have fun with it. Get some awesome earrings and necklaces, a sassy new color shade, play up your cheeks, lips or eyes with beautiful simple make up. But above all, pair it with a bright smile, confident posture and a genuine personality and you are sure to shine!http://media.photobucket.com/image/alyssa%20milano%20short%20hair/charmed_lover34/Alyssa%2520Milano/Alyssa_Milano77.jpg
http://www.haircutshairstyles.com/img/photos/full/2009-06/halle_berry_new_short_pixie_haircut259.jpg
http://www.hairstyles53.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/eva-pigford.jpg