1. Direct your attention to your assets. (Fakes out fruitcake.)
Do
something special with your most beautiful features. Great hair? Make
an appointment for a blow dry if you're between haircuts. A
professional wash and blow-out of your hair can make you look great for
a whole week. Great hands and fingers? Pull out the cocktail rings that
are so en vogue right now. Get a fresh manicure; add some bangles to
your wrist. Pretty arms? Go sleeveless in a sparkly knit tank. Or bring
attention to your face by adorning a crew neckline on a sweater with a
chunky choker. The light from the choker splashing up to your face will
be all you need to get the attention off of you-know-where.
2. Keep the eye moving up the body. (Neutralizes peanut brittle.)
Strong
vertical lines make us look taller and slimmer. You can achieve this by
wearing a black cocktail dress with black tights and black heels. Or,
you can wear one dark shade (your choice of chocolate, charcoal, black
or deep olive) in a top and a matching pant and add your pop of color
(your choice of magenta, turquoise, deep orange) in a shawl, shrug or
jacket. That solid inside color keeps our eye moving up your body,
which makes you look thinner. Also, consider wearing a belt and a shoe
in the same color as your hair when you're wearing separates. Your
accessories will tie into the color of your hair and stretch that
vertical line for you, making you look taller and thinner.
3. Lift your bustline. (Cancels out sugar cookies with red and green sprinkles.)
Nothing
can make a woman look matronly and heavy quicker than a sagging
bustline. When you look in a full-length mirror, your bustline (if it
were an imaginary vertical line) should sit right in the middle between
your shoulder line and your waistline. If it's not, hike up those bra
straps or go indulge in a new bra that lifts you towards that
centerline.
4. Buy a bigger size. (Hides eggnog.)
Really.
If you've been living in those clothes while they've been getting
snugger, you may not be noticing the way the too-small size is
distorting the drape of the garment and adding even more pounds. Going
up a size isn't a disgrace; it's a slimming device. Wherever there
is strain, create ease. Upper arms-a dolman sleeve may be great.
Waist-relax the belt. Thighs-wear pants with gentle pleats for extra
ease or wear skirts with elastic waistlines that you cover up with a
fabulous belt.
5. Don't leave home without your eyebrow line. (Fakes out fudge.)
To
keep the focus up at the face instead of on the hips, be sure your
eyebrow line is doing its job by framing your face. If your eyebrows
are thinning or if they are barely visible because of their color, get
help with the makeup in my studio. You'll need a slanted brush and the
right shade of color. I'll show you how to dip into the color with your
slanted brush and gently fill in your eyebrow line. Attention will
automatically be directed to those gorgeous eyes of yours. Wear bangs
or glasses? You still need to give attention to your brows. Then, add
the all-time never-fails accessory: a smile! You'll look fab!
Happy Holidays!
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