For The Men!

I know I spend a lot of time talking about women topics because... well... I am a woman! I have neglected our men followers as of late so I will try to remember to talk about men's style more often. So, here goes!

My husband likes to go to the spa. There, I've said it and there's no turning back now (unless he reads this and tells me that I'm embarrassing him and I delete this entry but I hope that doesn't happen). I think that in today's day and age there is absolutely nothing wrong with men looking after themselves and practising great grooming habits. Afterall why should women only be the ones to fuss and fret over looking their best only to go on a date with a guy who looks like K-Fed on a bad day?

Someone once said, "Women come out of the bathroom in the morning totally transformed. Men come of the bathroom in the morning smelling better." Men, if showering and shaving are the only thing you are doing to get ready for the day ahead, have I got some suggestions for you!

1. Ditch the Uni-brow

Invest in some good tweezers (Tweezerman slant ones are my favourite) and pluck those stray hairs between your brows. If you have exceptionally bushy brows that almost cover your eyelid, then go to a salon and get your eyebrows shaped with a good waxing.

2. Ditch the Nosehairs

If women are watching an octopus' tentacles move in and out of your nostrils when you breathe, then trim your nosehairs. Trimmers are very inexpensive and can be found anywhere. this goes for ear hair too.

3. Ditch the Grey

We colour our hair, so why don't you try it if you are pre-maturely greying? Pre-mature greying is when your getting a lot of grey hair in your 20s and 30s. And don't go with Just For Men as it is crap that comes off on everything. Women's hair colour is far more superior in every way. If you feel weird about buying a box with a woman on it, pretend it's for your girlfriend/wife. Or get it done at a salon.

4. Ditch Soap and Water For Your Face

Start a good skin care regime which doesn't involve using soap on your face. Soap dries out skin and clogs pores. Buy a dedicated face cleaner for your skin type. Also exfoliate your skin once a week either by using a gritty scrub or a chemical exfoliant like Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). And everyday of the year, wear a sunscreen of 15 SPF or more. You don't want your woman to look old and neither do we want you to!

5. Ditch the TV

Start exercising! You have it way easier than a woman to gain muscle and lose weight being that we are fat storers thanks to our ability to have a baby. You don't want a fat girlfriend/wife and we don't want a fat guy. We like to be able to brag to our girlffriends how attractive our man is.

6. Ditch the T-Shirts (at least once in a while)

There was a photo on facebook circulating recently that said, "A well-tailored suit is to women what lingerie is to men." Although this is cute, it is also true. I'm not saying that you have to wear a suit to go grocery shopping with your gal, but at least put some effort into your appearance. Wear nice jeans or khakis and a button down shirt or golf shirt. Wear some nice shoes, not the beat up runners you use to mow the lawn. Trust me, your effort will pay off in ways I cannot discuss here. *wink*

Now guys, I know not to give you more ideas because quite frankly I think this may be more than enough for you to process if you never tried any of these things. But try them and you'll see that not only you'll feel better about yourself, but maybe you will find that certain special someone or keep that special someone interested. Hope this helped out!

Joelle

Friday's Faux Paw

When you put on mascara, it is supposed to make you look better. If you choose clumpy mascara, you look like there is a hairy spider around each of your eyes. If your mascara clumps, either throw it out and buy a new one or if it's new then buy a better mascara. Expensive doesn't necessarily equal better. After applying mascara, use an eyelash comb (or save a mascara wand from a past tube and clean it) and run it through your lashes to get rid of clumps. Also if you find that your mascara flakes off under your eyes making you look like a raccoon, then once again buy a better mascara! Mature women, if you wear mascara try not wearing it on your lower lashes. This makes one look more awake (it detracts from dark under-eye circles) and draws the eye upwards and away from those crow's feet that may be starting to show under your eyes. If mascara doesn't enhance your eyes and instead makes you look worse, then why even bother wearing it at all?

Paula Begoun The Cosmetics Cop

I need to mention an important person to me in the field of cosmetics. Her name is Paula Begoun and she’s also known as The Cosmetics Cop. She is the reason I no longer spend too much money on products that don’t work and end up hating them later. Here is some background information on her taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Begoun at Wikipedia:

Begoun studied Science at Northern Illinois University, before moving to Washington D.C. to work as a professional makeup artist and esthetician in 1978. Begoun relocated to Washington and opened her own cosmetics stores in Seattle in 1981, adding a business partner a short time later. In 1982, KIRO-TV in Seattle, Washington offered Begoun a consumer/feature reporter position, where she began reporting on the beauty industry as an investigative journalist. At that time she began working on her first book, Blue Eyeshadow Should be Illegal.

Begoun had sold her business shares to her partner in 1984, and at the end of 1985 she self-published Blue Eye Shadow Should Be Illegal. In the following years, Begoun received thousands of letters from women across the nation for her Dear Paula syndicated column, wanting more information on products and her ongoing expose of the cosmetics industry. The constant product review requests from women led Begoun to begin work on the first edition of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. The first edition was published in 1992.

In 2008, Paula created an online version of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. http://www.beautypedia.com/ is a product review database with over 45,000 products reviewed from over 300 brands. Products reviewed cover a wide range of skin care and cosmetics from many companies, making Paula Begoun the only cosmetics industry CEO to recommend products other than her own.

In the early 1990s, Begoun began work with a team of cosmetic chemists to develop her own line. She adhered to the standards that skin care should offer results based on published, peer-reviewed research rather than hype and hyperbole. Begoun’s extensive research of the cosmetic industry earned her the expertise necessary to develop her exceptional, state-of-the-art formulations,relying on proven science to create products unique to the industry: skin care that worked, without exaggerated claims. In 1995, Paula’s Choice began to sell their first products online. Every Paula’s Choice product is free of artificial coloring agents, fragrances and irritating ingredients. You can learn more about her products and order them here: http://www.cosmeticscop.com. Begoun remains a consultant for dermatologists, plastic surgeons, major cosmetics companies, news and industry insiders.

She also has a free phone-in show where you can ask questions every Thursday night. To listen live go to: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/paulas-choice-community-page.aspx If you miss it, you can download the free Podcasts on iTunes. Do yourself and your wallet a favour and check her out!

Paula Begoun The Cosmetics Cop

I am not receiving any benefit by recommending anyone or anything on my blog. I would be amiss if I did not mention an important person to me in the field of cosmetics. Her name is Paula Begoun and she's also known as The Cosmetics Cop. She is the reason I no longer spend too much money on products that don't work and end up hating them later. Here is some background information on her taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Begoun at Wikipedia:

Begoun studied Science at Northern Illinois University, before moving to Washington D.C. to work as a professional makeup artist and esthetician in 1978. Begoun relocated to Washington and opened her own cosmetics stores in Seattle in 1981, adding a business partner a short time later. In 1982, KIRO-TV in Seattle, Washington offered Begoun a consumer/feature reporter position, where she began reporting on the beauty industry as an investigative journalist. At that time she began working on her first book, Blue Eyeshadow Should be Illegal.

Begoun had sold her business shares to her partner in 1984, and at the end of 1985 she self-published Blue Eye Shadow Should Be Illegal. In the following years, Begoun received thousands of letters from women across the nation for her Dear Paula syndicated column, wanting more information on products and her ongoing expose of the cosmetics industry. The constant product review requests from women led Begoun to begin work on the first edition of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. The first edition was published in 1992.

In 2008, Paula created an online version of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. http://www.beautypedia.com/ is a product review database with over 45,000 products reviewed from over 300 brands. Products reviewed cover a wide range of skin care and cosmetics from many companies, making Paula Begoun the only cosmetics industry CEO to recommend products other than her own.

In the early 1990s, Begoun began work with a team of cosmetic chemists to develop her own line. She adhered to the standards that skin care should offer results based on published, peer-reviewed research rather than hype and hyperbole. Begoun’s extensive research of the cosmetic industry earned her the expertise necessary to develop her exceptional, state-of-the-art formulations, relying on proven science to create products unique to the industry: skin care that worked, without exaggerated claims. In 1995, Paula’s Choice began to sell their first products online. Every Paula’s Choice product is free of artificial coloring agents, fragrances and irritating ingredients. You can learn more about her products and order them here: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/. Begoun remains a consultant for dermatologists, plastic surgeons, major cosmetics companies, news and industry insiders.

She also has a free phone-in show where you can ask questions every Thursday night. To listen live go to: http://www.cosmeticscop.com/paulas-choice-community-page.aspx If you miss it, you can download the free Podcasts on iTunes. Do yourself and your wallet a favour and check her out!

Joelle

Building a Capsule Wardrobe

Do you have a lot of clothes but never seem to have anything to wear? If so, I may have the solution to your dilemma.

In pretty much every book on dressing well there is talk of creating a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe consists of basic clothes you can wear year after year and are the foundation on which you build the rest of your wardrobe.

First you need to pick a neutral colour which looks good on you, such as black, charcoal grey, chocolate brown, tan, navy, ivory, or cream. The most popular colours for a capsule wardrobe are black, chocolate brown, or charcoal grey.

Let's build a capsule wardrobe. First I will choose a colour--black.

   The Basics Checklist

• Black three piece suit--blazer, pants, skirt.
• Black cardigan
• button-up blouse in white or off-white, depending on your skin tone
• black camisole
• black opaque tights
• dark denim jeans--the most versatile would be boot-cut.
• little black dress

Once all of the aforementioned items are crossed off your list, then, if you want, you can buy the items you bought in black in a new core colour such as brown, then charcoal grey and so forth.

When you are finished with the basics, then you can add diversity and pattern into your closet. These will be your add-on pieces. While your basics will work for each season, your seasonal add-on pieces will be in secondary colours. Just remember that for each new piece you add, make sure it goes with something you already own.

To show what I mean, I have chosen blues and purples.

   Add-on Checklist

• Blue and purple printed dress (my example has black in it as well)
• Solid purple dress 
• Printed skirt with purple on it
• Purple blazer
• Purple cardigan
• Printed or solid blouse in blue and purple
• Solid tanks in secondary colours--purple and blue

A good rule of thumb is to spend less on patterns than solids, because patterned clothing has fewer mix-and-match possibilities than solids.

And don't forget shoes! I used black as the core colour.

   Basic Shoe Checklist

• Black high heels
• Black flats
• Nude heels
• Black boots (flat or heeled)
• Black booties
• Walkable black flats (canvas sneakers, sandals, or slip-ons)

And last but not least, please make sure you buy some good underwear. A piece of underwear can make or break an outfit.

   Basic Underwear Checklist

• Seamless bra and underwear to match your skin tone
• Seamless strapless bra to match your skin tone
• Black seamless bra and underwear
• At least one set of matching bra and underwear in a fun colour (I love leopard print!)
• Foundation shorts for tummy control under tight dresses
• Half-slip to wear under skirts
• A full slip to wear under dresses

Hope this helps you to start having something great to wear each day!

Joelle

Friday's Faux Paw

I know that many women will be angry at me after reading today's blog entry, as what I have chosen for today's faux paw is very popular right now. I strongly dislike platform stilettos. They look clumsy and uncomfortable and make a woman's feet look huge, and yet women seem to love them. I never thought I'd see the day that stripper shoes would go mainstream. Also, most men absolutely hate this current trend. You look like you're trying to be taller instead of wearing normal heels. Adding three inches to your height with normal shoes is acceptable; anything more than that is just plain unsafe. A twisted ankle is never in style!

Not to mention there are many physical problems from wearing heels that are too high such as: hammer toes, sciatica, Haglund's deformity, bunions, back and knee problems, and irreversible damage to leg tendons to name but a few.

All anyone can see is your shoes coming and how silly you look teetering around these atrocities. You weren't born six feet tall so just let it go.

Products I Can't Live Without And Neither Should You! Part II

I just started a new job today and I am soooooo sleepy right now. Must. Do. Blog. Post. Zzzzzzzzzzz… *cough* oh yeah, okay well uhm here are some more of my favourite can’t-live-without products.

Nutiva Organic Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been suggested as a really great moisturizer with antioxidants by many people including Kate Somers (runway model). After doing my own research as well as checking out:
http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2012/01/160-uses-for-coconut-oil.html I thought I might as well give this versatile oil a try. So glad I did because I love this product. The added bonus is the smell. Works wonderfully on my dry skin but those with oily skin will want to pass this product suggestion by. ($12.99 Superstore)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Kiss Me Coral 

This year Pantone’s colour pick is the Tangerine Tango. (For the description of what Pantone is check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantone) As a result why not try some orange lipstick? There is a shade for every complexion out there. I love Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick because it doesn’t dry out my lips and stays put for a long time.

($7.99 Superstore)

Bed Head Control Freak 3 TIGI

TIGI’s website talks about how great this product is for controlling frizzy hair and making it straight. I disperse this product through my hair and scrunch it while blow drying. I get wonderful waves AND no frizz. Plus the smell is fruity and wonderful! (Around $20 at most hair salons)

Tweezerman Tweezers

 A few years back I was very skeptical when I read in a magazine that these tweezers were the best ever. I thought, “At twenty dollars each, they’d better be!!” Now I have three pairs and will never even think of using anything else. They grip the hair pretty much every time and have come with lifetime sharpening. They. Rock. ($20 London Drugs)

Sinful Colors Nail Polish

I know I wrote about this product line my first blog entry ever, but I must bring this up again. I adore OPI for it’s staying power and colour selection (loving the Aqua shade right now), but now I buy Sinful Colors instead. Why? Because it performs the same, has an awesome range of colours, AND it’s cheaper. ($5.99 at London Drugs)

This concludes the products that I can’t live without – for now. Hope you enjoyed!

Products I Can't Live Without And Neither Should You! Part II

I just started a new job today and I am soooooo sleepy right now. Must. Do. Blog. Post. Zzzzzzzzzzz... *cough* oh yeah, okay well uhm here are some more of my favourite can't-live-without products.

Nutiva Organic Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been suggested as a really great moisturizer with antioxidants by many people including Kate Somers (runway model). After doing my own research as well as checking out:
http://www.hybridrastamama.com/2012/01/160-uses-for-coconut-oil.html I thought I might as well give this versatile oil a try. So glad I did because I love this product. The added bonus is the smell. Works wonderfully on my dry skin but those with oily skin will want to pass this product suggestion by. ($12.99 Superstore)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Kiss Me Coral 

This year Pantone's colour pick is the Tangerine Tango. (For the description of what Pantone is check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantone) As a result why not try some orange lipstick? There is a shade for every complexion out there. I love Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick because it doesn't dry out my lips and stays put for a long time.

($7.99 Superstore)

Bed Head Control Freak 3 TIGI

TIGI's website talks about how great this product is for controlling frizzy hair and making it straight. I disperse this product through my hair and scrunch it while blow drying. I get wonderful waves AND no frizz. Plus the smell is fruity and wonderful! (Around $20 at most hair salons)

Tweezerman Tweezers

 A few years back I was very skeptical when I read in a magazine that these tweezers were the best ever. I thought, "At twenty dollars each, they'd better be!!" Now I have three pairs and will never even think of using anything else. They grip the hair pretty much every time and have come with lifetime sharpening. They. Rock. ($20 London Drugs)

Sinful Colors Nail Polish

I know I wrote about this product line my first blog entry ever, but I must bring this up again. I adore OPI for it's staying power and colour selection (loving the Aqua shade right now), but now I buy Sinful Colors instead. Why? Because it performs the same, has an awesome range of colours, AND it's cheaper. ($5.99 at London Drugs)

This concludes the products that I can't live without - for now. Hope you enjoyed!

Joelle