Look 10 pounds thinner by New Year's
OH, NO! YOU say you've packed on a few pounds since the holiday eating frenzy began, and now you're worried about fitting into that New Year's Eve party outfit?
Well, fear not. No, you can't lose 10 pounds overnight, but you can look 10 pounds thinner - and 10 years younger - by choosing the right outfit, jewelry, shoes, hairstyle and makeup. Here are a few tips for an instantly longer, leaner holiday look.
Let it shine
First, maintain a positive attitude and healthy self-esteem. The right attitude will carry you a long way.
Feeling good about yourself will boost your confidence, automatically lighten your load and enliven your spirit. Your good vibes will radiate and your light will shine. If you don't feel great about yourself, then use your imagination and pretend.
Posture perfect
There's a reason your mother told you to stand up straight. Aside from the obvious, like maintaining good spinal health, good posture automatically makes you look slimmer and more confident.
Good posture can make you look 10 pounds thinner and 10 years younger and lose an inch instantly around your waist, according to Janice Novak, author of "Posture, Get it Straight!" (Perigee Books).
A firm foundation
If you want to subtract inches, a properly fitted bra is a must, said image consultant Inayah Hart, owner of Extreme Luxurious in Philadelphia. "If the bra is too small, it will create unattractive lumps and rolls."
I was guilty of that. I was wearing the wrong bra all my life, until I was properly fitted at Nordstrom a few years ago.
It's about style, fabric and fit
Ill-fitting clothing that's either too big or too small can add pounds. The right fit can make all the difference in the world.
When it comes to clothes, it's all about the cut. A poorly cut garment can be disastrous to your figure. I learned some of these fashion fundamentals while studying theater and costume design:
Focus on garments that have a defined waistline, not an elastic waistband.
Go for a monochromatic look by dressing head-to-toe in a single, dark color. Black is perhaps the most slimming. Also look for slimming fabrics like gabardines, silks and flat knits.
Avoid large, busy patterns.
If you're on the busty side, go for a V-neck or scoop-neck top to elongate the neck.
A higher, empire waist can camouflage a tummy.
A-line dresses flatter wide hips.
A wrap dress will also shave off some pounds.
Skip those boxy jackets. Invest in a well-made, fitted jacket. Look for darts and jackets that taper at the waist.
Well-made pants are generously cut; pleats are full and fall gracefully to hide a tummy or minimize a voluptuous derriere.
Skirts and dresses with definite waists shouldn't pull or bind, but lusciously skim the body.
When it comes to accessories, vertically shaped, thin earrings will slim the face. A delicate wrist should be adorned with an elegant, bangle-style bracelet.
Finally, higher heels add a vertical advantage and create a thinner profile. However, limit your wearing time, because high heels can be hazardous to your health.
Hair do's
Take 10 years off your appearance with a snap with the right hairstyle. Invest in a hairstyle, cut and color that complement you.
"Like clothing, different hairstyles can add or subtract weight," said stylist Kimberly Nesmith, co-owner of Endless Creations of You, in Upper Darby. For example, an up-do or a side part are slimming, while a center part makes the face appear rounder.
Makeup
"Contouring the cheeks with a darker blush applied directly underneath the cheekbones, and a lighter blush applied above on the apple of the cheeks, creates the illusion of high cheekbones and slenderizes the face," said makeup artist extraordinaire Kelly Ann Williams, owner of the Perfect Facade.
Also, tanned skin makes you look slimmer, but use safer spray tanning treatments, not tanning beds.
Mama said, Mama said
For years, I toted a large bag, until my mother pointed out how ridiculous I looked.
My mother says, "A handbag should be proportionate to the woman carrying it. A large woman can carry a large bag, but small and medium-size women should carry appropriately small and medium bags."
Last but not least, never leave the house without your lovely smile. *