4 top ways to look slimmer

For most of us, it is inevitable that we gain a few lbs over Christmas and the New Year so I decided to list some tips here to help you to look slimmer and feel more confident.

  • Dress in darker colours. This is an oldy but a goody.  Even if black is not your best colour then consider wearing it away from your face in a v neck or in a sleek cigarette pants. Black is great, but also consider navy, burgundy, chocolate brown and a dark olive. They are equally slimming and may be a better option with your colouring.
  • Avoid jumpers and coats in  bulky fabrics as they can make you look like the mitchelin man. Choose less bulky fabrics with wool and other thermal properties to keep you cosy.
    Try layering a light or bright collared shirt under a slim dark jumper, letting the hem and the sleeves peep out underneath. This draws attention away from a slightly rounded midriff and looks stylish and put together at the same time. Pull up your collar and let it stand up at the back and add some a silver or gold chunky necklace to up the luxe factor.
  • Wear clothes that skim, not cling. Anything that is too small will actually make you look bigger.

When in doubt, try one size up and cut the label off when you get home if that makes you feel better.

  • Wear outfits with vertical design lines. This might be a jacket/cardigan worn open or a scarf flowing down the front of a sweater dress. Also try a long necklace that flows vertically down the front of your top (You may need to knot it below cleavage to keep it in place).

Illusion is a marvellous thing so why not take full advantage of it to look your best and feel more confident as you take on the new year.

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What to wear – Christmas Day

I can’t believe it but Christmas day is already upon us! That happened fast in the end.

Have you thought about what you are going to wear?

Having an outfit planned will take some stress out of the day and help you feel more comfortable as you navigate what is a very busy day for most people.

Christmas day is a big celebration in our house and usually starts out with present opening, hanging around having a drink in our PJs and then getting dressed and going to Christmas Day Mass. This followed by a big turkey and ham feast.

My outfit has to work hard and take me comfortably through a chilly trip to the church, a very hot kitchen, an after lunch walk and drinks later in the afternoon.

Here are my thoughts on how to be best prepared:

  • Start by choosing a colour combo that works for you. The outfits in the set I have prepared would work for someone with cool or Winter colouring.
  • Choose fabrics that can breathe and that allows you to layer a warm coat over if you are planning to go outside. Avoid chunky jumpers as you will overheat inside.
  • Select your shoes wisely; while stilettos will likely look lovely with your outfit, a pair of wedges or booties will be more comfortable and practical for a long day.
  • Outfits that allow room for expansion are a good idea as most people tend to over indulge a little (or a lot!) on Christmas Day. Bring on the elasticated waistbands!
  • Add a little festive cheer by adding some sparkle or shine in your outfit, however be aware that shine brings attention to an area so be sure to place it somewhere you want people to look. An alternative is to select an outfit in a Christmas colour like red, green or gold to up the festive factor.

Once you have your outfit sorted, you can then relax and let your hair down and enjoy all the lovely food and company.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with lots of love, peace and fun.👠🍾🎄🤶🏼

 

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Dressing for the Office Christmas Party

This is a tricky one, as you often want to let the hair down after a long year of work but you have to keep in the back of your mind (or in the front in some people’s cases) that this event is actually an extension of work.

With a few key thoughts in mind, you will glide through the event with your work reputation in tact and be able to face your work colleagues on Monday and spare yourself the blushes. After all, who wants to be the subject of the office gossip for the next several months?

  1. Choose an outfit that showcases your personality without being too revealing. This is not the event for low necklines, backless dresses or your new leather mini.
  2. Often times, the office party can be directly after work so you can glam up your work dress with  jewellery and high heels. Keep accessories simple and make sure they work with your outfit.
  3. A fitted, sleek tailored pants with a top is always a great option and might be just the perfect outfit. Avoid going too casual though. Jeans are probably not ideal, unless they are a dark wash and fitted.
  4. I highly recommend that you wear something comfortable  and something that you have worn before as mal functions at this type of event can be very embarrassing.
  5. If you are still concerned about what to wear, then you can always ask the organizer what the dress code is. You can also check with your colleagues what they plan to wear so you feel comfortable and fit in.
  6. Some etiquette tips to keep in mind
    • There may be an open bar for the event , so plan carefully so you don’t  end up too tipsy. Eat a snack before you arrive to the event so you are not drinking on an empty stomach and restrict yourself to one or two drinks . Alternate alcoholic drinks with sparkling water or a mineral.
    • Do make an effort to mingle with colleagues from other departments rather than sticking with your usual crowd.
    • Avoid being the first to leave and do make an effort to meet people and enjoy yourself.

I know, I know, everyone dreads it a bit because it takes us out of our comfort zone and people get to see us in a different light.

Take some time to plan and think it through and another office Christmas party will glide by without a blush in sight!

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How to use colour to express your personality

I adore colour. Always have and probably always will. I go around figuring out people’s colours in my head. I especially love when someone doesn’t fall exactly into a colour category and I have to come up with a unique solution. I can happily ponder their ‘colour conundrum* for hours.

You see to me,

A successful colour analysis cannot just consider the characteristics of the skin, hair and eyes; it also has to address a person’s personality. You cannot separate the physical and the psychological outlook of a person. They go hand and hand and both must be considered when ‘getting your colours done’.

So how can you go about using colour to express your personality? Here are some thoughts to ponder.

I love to wear tints, tones and shades of the colours that suit me. It makes me feel calm and collected. Other people do not feel threatened and I am often told that I am friendly and approachable. I am not sure which came first, the colours I love or my personality. I think one reflects the other and that it could be no other way.

Some people love to wear red. Often dramatic or romantic types love a good red. Reds are fiery and show personality traits of daring and fieriness.

Nature loving people often gravitate toward browns and greens. These colours show gravity, earthiness and stability. Think all the shades of brown from beige to the darkest chocolate browns and all the greens from forest green to the palest mint.

Creative personality types love to mix unusual colours to express their unconventional style personality and their artistic mind. Think of Vivienne Westwood. Unexpected is to be expected.

Fun loving extroverts often wear lots of brightly contrasting colour with lots of movement in the print. This again shows how their mind works. They are out-going, fun loving and social in most cases. It would be unusual to see an introverted person who loves to stay home wearing these colours.

There is no doubt in my mind that the colours we choose to wear reflect what is going on inside for us.

How do the colours you wear reflect how you think and feel? Do you go for bright unusual combinations or quieter softer tones? Do you avoid colour altogether? Do you like lower contrast or higher contrast?

When I conduct a colour analysis consultation, I consider personality as well as colouring so don’t be surprised when one of the first things I ask you to do is fill out a personality quiz. Colour analysis becomes truly fascinating when personality is taken into consideration and in time, you too will find that personality and the colours you choose to wear become inseparable.

Reply by email if you have any questions about colour analysis or about the services I provide. I am happy to chat by mail, messenger or by telephone.

*Colour Conundrum is a word made up by me for people with unusual colouring or colouring that is hard to categorise into conventional colour groupings.

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Why Colour Analysis? What’s all the fuss?

Why Colour Analysis? Very good question. What’s all the fuss?

The fuss is that, it is one of the single simplest changes I can make to improve how you look and increase you confidence.

The right colour when worn near your face or indeed on your face in the case of glasses, makeup and accessories will make you look healthier and younger. Your skin will appear more even and any lines will appear softer. The amount of makeup you need to look healthy and fresh will be far less as the correct colours worn near your face will provide a soft glow that no makeup can replicate.

Knowing your colours also forms the basis of having a functional wardrobe and having a wardrobe that has items that mix and match. It is so much easier to put outfits together when colours go with each other.

When you come and have your colours done with me, I will show you:

  • Your best lightest neutrals and your best darkest neutrals. This information alone is worth a fortune as these colours provide the foundation for your wardrobe and this is where to invest your euros.
  • Your best jewellery and accessories colours. This information is critical and will help you wear colours which are not ideal for you.
  • Your best colours for different occassions e.g. professional, romantic etc.
  • Your best makeup colours including eyeshadows, blusher and lipsticks.
  • Tips on choosing haircolours. Invaluable information when visiting your hair stylist.

A personal colour consultation at my studio in Mougins costs €250. It takes 2 hours. Book now by dropping me an email at aileen@laneimageconsulting.com

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