Shop With Style

A girl might think that the most important article of clothing she could wear is a fancy shirt, or a pricey pair of jeans, or even a killer pair of shoes. But a woman will tell you that the most important article of clothing in your wardrobe is unequivocally a really well-fitting bra. In fact, wearing the wrong bra can actually make you look fat! But worry no more…we’re here to explain how the wrong bra can be effecting you, and what you can do to fix it.

How does your bra make you look fat?

• Your boobs are hiding your waist – When your bra is ill-fitting or sagging, your boobs will sag. Since the smallest part of your torso is the area just below your chest and just above your bellybutton, how is anyone supposed to see it with your boobs hanging in the way?
• Your too–small bra is creating the appearance of extra fat rolls – A bra that is too small around the band will dig into your back. No matter how skinny you are, trust us, that too-small band will create fat rolls on either side of it. And if your cups are too small, your boobs will be pushed out above, below, and out the sides, again creating rolls of fat.
• Your bra is causing your clothes look too tight – You know how frustrating it is to try on a shirt, only to face the mirror and see gaps and gaping? You try on a larger size, only to face the mirror and now see the shirt looking sloppy on you. 9 times out of 10, it’s not the shirt…it’s the bra.

So how can you fix the bra conundrum?

• STOP…FIXATING…ON…SIZE – So what if you wore a perfect 34C in high school. Does the rest of you still look the same as you did in high school? So why would you think your bra size would still be a perfect 34C? The main reason why women wear the wrong bra size is because they have a stigma in their head about going up a size or two. Stop thinking in terms of a “bra size” and start thinking in terms of “a bra that fits, size-schmize”!
• Get properly sized – You might be thinking…”I can’t afford to get sized.” But guess what? You’re wrong. Many lingerie departments in department stores have trained their sales people to size bras properly. You can also get free sizing in some stores, like Victoria’s Secret. So be sure to ask to be sized when out bra shopping! It’s one of the most important factors in looking better in your clothes!
• Take a deep breath, and make the investment – Aside from the size-stigma, the second biggest reason why women cling to their life-long bra mistakes is that they don’t want to spend the money for a really good, really well-fitting bra. Stop thinking your bra is unimportant just because it’s unseen! Again, this is where you need to shift your priorities. Your bra needs to be on par with your outerwear, or with any other purchase in fact, clothing or not, in terms of you forking out money. A good bra fits and holds up better because it is a better made bra. It is an investment. One you will never regret!

Oh great…just in time for the Victoria’s Secret runway show. Curves, curves, curves. That’s all you seem to see and hear about in the fashion magazines today. Celebrity style magazines also have more than their fair share of curves, thanks to such glamazons as Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyonce gracing the glosses pages. But if you’ve got a boyish figure, you might find it hard to identify, let alone rock those feminine, figure-hugging styles with any confidence. The good news is that you don’t have to wear Lycra to look like a glamorous woman. It’s all about fit, creative camouflage, and illusion! Here are the basics:

What identifies a boyish figure?  Typically, boyish figures are also known as “lean” or “athletic.” Shaped more like a ruler than an hourglass, your hips are narrow and your waist is small, as are your breasts.

What to avoid:

• Strapless anything
• Shapeless clothes, clothes that are too loose
• Body-con from top to bottom, you need to always wear at least one piece that is more structured with one piece that can create curves

Tops: One of the best features of that lean figure of yours will be your shoulders, so tops with high necklines, crew necks, boat necks, sleeveless, and halter tops will help to show off your shoulders will creating the illusion of a slightly larger bust. Also don’t forget great camouflaging helpers like ruffles and peplums. Not only will they add a distinct air of the feminine about you, but they act to add dimension without adding bulk or swallowing you up.

Jackets: Tailoring is key, as it is with jackets for every other body type. You are looking to add curves, so look for a structured jacket, or  a shorter jacket that nips in at the waist (with a tie or a button), and then softly flairs out. Cropped cardigans also help to “create” a waist for you. Another benefit of your lean figure is that your jackets can definitely have embellishments, and you can accessorize both jackets and cardigans by layering on a thin belt…again, helping to create curves where there aren’t many.

Bottoms: It might be tempting to go for tight or boxy mini-skirts, but instead, you should opt for softer yet flattering silhouettes, like circle or skater skirts. If you’re looking to go longer, fishtail or mermaid shapes are so flattering and absolutely girly. In terms of pants, you can definitely pull off cropped straight cuts, but don’t discount the effect of a great pair of structured, boot-cut trousers. Skinny jeans, leggings, and jeggings will work well, as long as they are paired with a slightly more flowy top, or layers like a ruffled blouse and a short cardigan. Low rise jeans with wide waistbands are a good choice too, and don’t forget that a bit of detailing on the hips and butt will also help to give the illusion of a curvier figure.

Dresses: Obviously, the best dress for the boyish frame will create curves. That means a flowy fabric, nipped in at the waist. Don’t shy away from ruffles, embellishment, or fullness at the bust, since your narrow hips will balance it out. Look for empire and A-line shapes, or dresses with a fuller skirt. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need movement in your dress, not something too clingy. Dresses with movement will skim your boyish figure but nip in at the waist, giving the appearance of more curves.

The first false lashes actually hit the silver screen in 1916, when legendary movie director, D.W. Griffith, gave a wig maker the directive to create lashes so long they would touch a starlet’s cheeks when she fluttered them or looked down.  Human hair was carefully weaved through gauze and then stuck to the lid with a type of cosmetics gum.

We’ve certainly come a long way since then! Falsies are more popular than ever, put to daily use in the routines of many makeup mavens. But, thanks to the huge number of lash brands, styles, and types on the market, finding the best lashes can be challenging, even for the most practiced among us.  If you manage to get your selection right, not only will the lashes look fabulous, but they should hold up through multiple wears (with the proper care).  So, just to make your work easier, we’ve taken a closer look at some of the most popular brands in every price range.

Ardell – Ardell false eyelashes are readily available online and in most drugstores. The company began in 1971 and has grown to one of… if not the… biggest false eyelash brand in the world.

• Types of lashes: Natural, Glamour, Accent, Individuals (some semi-permanent styles), and Rhinestone (more exotic and daring styles, colors, accented with small rhinestones ).
• Real or synthetic? According to the Ardell site, “The majority of Ardell strip lashes are made from 100% sterilized human hair. Some strip lashes may be made with synthetic fiber similar to human hair due to intricacy of particular style and addition of rhinestones.”
• Lash glue or special directions? Some lashes may have a small vial of false eyelash glue Online they offer both clear (Lashgrip Strip Adhesive) and black glue (Lashtite Adhesive). While Ardell does offer Lashfree Remover, no special eyelash glue remover is necessary.
• Price point: $3 – $6
• Overall selection: Huge. Literally. You could wear a different lash almost every day of the year.
• Overall reviews: By far, some of the best false eyelashes you can find in a low price-point. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive everywhere we looked online. Some consumers complained that when buying the lashes online, the product they received did not match the picture. Other complaints dealt with application… but in our opinion, that’s really operator error, not a problem with the lashes themselves.

Eylure – Eylure lashes, also, are readily available both online and in your local drugstore. Founded by David and Eric Aylott,  Eylure has been a trailblazer in false lashes since the 1940s. In the beginning, their products were mainly used on stage and screen, by the 1960s, the Eylure lashes hit the mainstream.

• Types of lashes: Natural, Lengthening, Texture, Volume, Definition, Exaggerate, Dramatic, Party, and Brown lashes.
• Real or synthetic? After a long, frustrating search online, we’ve decided that unless the product specifies “100% human hair,” that they are most likely a good quality synthetic.
• Lash glue or special directions? Some packages my include a small vial of eyelash glue, but they also have eyelash adhesive made especially for their strip lashes (Lashfix), clear and black eyelash glue (Superfix)… but any eyelash glue should work. Eylure also offers “Lift Off” eyelash remover, though any oil-free makeup remover should work as well.
• Price point: $4 – $10
• Overall selection: Aside from a massive range of styles, colors, textures, and effects, Eylure offers some “celebrity” styles, from such notables as Katy Perry and British favorites Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh, and Nicola Roberts.
• Overall reviews: The majority of reviews we found online were very positive, however, there were some consumers who found mistakes with packaging (two visibly different lashes in the same package), and some had trouble maneuvering the thicker more voluminous lash varieties (complaints that the lashes were too stiff and would not bend).

Revlon –While Revlon the company began in 1930, marketing their unique nail polish and lipstick, the Revlon false eyelashes are a more recent addition to both the brand and to the contenders of the best false eyelashes battle.

• Types of lashes: Revlon Runway, Revlon Fantasy Lengths, Revlon Beyond Natural, Individual, and Volumizing.
• Real or synthetic? All of the lashes appear to be synthetic-only.
• Lash glue or special directions? Most packages come with a small vial of their Precision Lash Adhesive, some are glue-on, and some are “self-adhesive” (the adhesive strips already in place on the band of the lashes is water-resistant and latex-free). You can also buy the Precision Lash Adhesive separately.
• Price point: $4 – $6
• Overall selection: Not a lot to choose from here. Since they can be found in some drugstores, they might work in a pinch if you couldn’t find Ardell or Eylure. We are hopeful that they will offer more selection as time goes on and/or demand rises.
• Overall reviews: Again, since they are relatively new to the false eyelash market, there aren’t that many reviews to compare… but the ones we did find were very positive.

Dolly Wink – Launched by Japanese one-time teen model/pop star Tsubasa Masuwaka, Dolly Wink eyelashes were once only known to false lash insiders and fashion-conscious women of Europe and Asia. Thanks to the internet, though,  Dolly Wink has gone world-wide, becoming a cult favorite as one of the  best false eyelashes available.

• Types of lashes: With names like “Dolly Sweet,” “Sweet Girly,” “Natural Girly,” and “Sweet Cat,” Dolly Wink doesn’t really have types of lashes as much as they have different styles of one main type. There are approximately 20 different lashes, all either full strips or demi lashes, and all very natural looking, delicately spaced, layered, and of graduated lengths. They are strategically longer both horizontally and vertically, creating the appearance of longer, larger, doll-like eyes. Dolly Wink also sells natural-looking bottom lashes.
• Real or synthetic? While there are eyelash extensions branded as “Dolly Wink” available to salons, the eyelashes you can buy online (Amazon, Ebay, etc.) are made from synthetic hair.
• Lash glue or special directions? Thankfully, no special protocol here. Apply with regular eyelash glue, and remove either with lash remover or oil-free makeup remover.
• Price point: $17 – $30
• Overall selection: While what they do have is lovely, the overall selection is not broad in terms of either styles or types of lashes available.
• Overall reviews: We honestly could not find a blatantly negative review of the Dolly Wink products. Any slightly-lower-than-top-star ratings were mainly from consumers not practiced in false eyelash application.

And the winner is… For a wallet-friendly, readily-available, good-quality variety, our bet is with Ardell. We like that they use real hair in the majority of the lashes, and the price-point says that experimentation with different looks is definitely doable.  Huge selection and availability also! They truly are the best false eyelashes for the buck!