Which Is Better? Sunscreen In Something Or Sunscreen Separate?

 

Since summer is here and if you are a careful person, you will be wearing sunscreen so that you are protected but is it better to wear sunscreen separate from the moisturizer or foundation?  I've always wondered and I am one who always puts on sunscreen over my moisturizer.

So today, we'll look at that question.  According to what I read, either one works but it depends on your personal preferences and a couple of other issues.  

One thing that comes across is that products such as foundation and moisturizer containing sunscreen are notoriously unreliable in regard to its ability to protect. Since their SPF rating is lower, it may not provide the level of protection you really need.  In addition, makeup is not always applied consistently on the face and it tends to wear off when you sweat or rub your face. It is recommended that once you clean your face, you apply a good layer of sunscreen before using your foundation and you should give the sunscreen a chance to dry. 

The advantage of using a separate layer of foundation is that you can choose a higher SPF for protection.  Furthermore, when you use a separate foundation and sunscreen, you can choose the exact type of sunscreen you prefer. So if you want a dryer finish, it's easier to get.  I have a body lotion with sunscreen that I don't like because it is much greasier than I like.  Think of the foundation or lotion as providing an extra layer of protection.

Although it is recommended one should use a product with an SPF of at least 30, one needs to apply a full ounce of sunscreen on your face to adequetly provide protection so you would need to apply at least one to  one and a half tsps of foundation to your face to get the benefit of the sunscreen part.  Furthermore, the sunscreen was rated with an SPF 30 before it is mixed with the foundation but once it is mixed with foundation, the SPF rating in no longer 30.

If you are not into wearing foundation but you want something that will even out the complexion and act as foundation, look at using a tinted sunscreen.  Furthermore, if you select the proper sunscreen, it won't pill under the makeup.  

Since it is important to reapply the sunscreen every two hours, one would ideally wash off all the makeup and start again by applying the sunscreen over clean skin and then reapply all of our makeup but we know most of us do not have time to do that.  So it is recommended that one apply a loose powder or a mineral powder with SPF protection over everything regular to help protect the skin.

No matter which way you go, it is important to wear enough sunscreen to make it effective and to regularly reapply it every two to three hours.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Ways To Cover Gray Hair

 

Gray hair is something that can strike at any age.  I've had friends who started sprouting gray hairs at 22 while others made it into their 50's or 60's before the gray became apparent.  It has only recently become popular to have some sort of gray hair so many people spend hundreds of dollars to bleach and dye their hair to go gray and its a different shade of gray than appears naturally,

There are a variety of reasons people want to cover their naturally occurring gray hair.  It might be due to wanting to look younger, wanting to meet social expectations that if you are older you don't know as much as someone who is younger or in some fields, the perception of being younger gives one an advantage, it keeps one from being self conscience, they personally or culturally believe in covering gray hair.  I know for my friend, she dyed it because she didn't want to be perceived as old even though she was in her twenties.

In today's world, a person has several options when it comes to covering gray.  The first option is one of the one most people think about and that is dyeing their hair.  The choice might be a permanent or semi-permanent dye but the permanent lasts longer.  If you go this way, choose a color that is about the same color or a bit lighter than what you have and usually, you only have to do the roots.  As long as you are going for around the same shade you already have, you can do it at home or head to a salon.

Another option is to opt for highlights or lowlights. When you chose to add highlights or lowlights, you add dimension to your hair thus hiding gray hair.  When you strategically place the darker or lighter strands you end up blending them with gray hair strands. This method is less intensive than dyeing everything and often requires less maintenance as the gray hairs grow out.

If you prefer something less permanent, there are always hair mascaras or root touch-ups. Both of these come in temporary formulas that provide a quick coverup for gray.  These come in either compacts, or wands with a brush you use to apply the formulas over your gray but they only last till you wash your hair.   According to a friend, these are a great choice should you need to go a bit longer between dye jobs but the problem is trying to find the right color to go with your own shade. 

Another temporary choice is to use a spray or a powder.  These provide a quick easy way to cover gray roots but again are temporary and last till the next time you wash your hair. They come in a range of colors and work well.  I know someone who used a spray to cover gray roots when she needed a quick fix between visiting the salon.  The root mascaras, touch-ups, sprays and powders are only a quick fix for small patches of gray.  They will not work on the whole head as it would require a lot of the product.

The last possible choice is to decide not to cover the gray and revel in it.  It all depends on your circumstances and needs.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Tanning Myths Busted!

 

It is summer again. The time when certain folks break out the oil, lie in the sun for a deep dark skin while other slather sunscreen on.  Where I live, we've had lots of rain with breaks of sun but it looks like the sunny weather is here to stay and that means it is easy to get sunburned. Of course, there is information flying about regarding summer tanning that is inaccurate and today, we are going to look at the myths circulating out there.  

One of the biggest myths that stays with us is the one regarding a base tan. It is said that if you get a base tan either by. being out in the sun, or using a tanning bed, you can protect yourself from getting sunburned.  Unfortunately, a tan indicates the beginnings of damaged skin since the darker skin is an indication of your skin redistributing its melanin as a way of protecting itself.  In addition, the base tan does not offer any real protection.  On the SPF scale, a base tan ranks about a 3.

Another myth is that you need to tan so you get enough Vitamin D. In northern states, a person's exposure to the sun is much more limited and your body needs sunlight to produce vitamin D but it is just as easy to get enough vitamin D through a well balanced diet combined with supplements.  Using a balanced diet combined with supplements is a much better way since you are not exposing your skin to damage or possible sun screen.

There is also a myth that says indoor tanning is better than tanning outside but this is not true.  Indoor tanning beds also bombard the skin with both UVA and UVB just as if you are outdoors. UVA rays are responsible for the wrinkles and fine lines that develop in the skin while the UVB rays are associated with skin cancer and sunburns. Unfortunately, there is the belief that because tanning beds tend to expose you to more UVA rays than UVB rays, they are much safer to use but that isn't correct. The extra exposure to UVA rays means the DNA found in the skin can be damaged which in turn can lead to skin cancer.

It is also believed that if you have darker skin, you don't need to use sunscreen.  Although the darker skin contains more melanin, it does not offer protection from ultra violet rays so skin can still be damaged.  The same applies to people who easily tan in that they are still exposing their skins to damage and they are at a higher possibility of getting skin cancer.

Of course, there are those who believe that you cannot get a nice tan if you use sunscreen religiously. Although sunscreen does cut back on the amount of rays reaching the skin, it does not totally block the UV rays responsible for tanning.  In the same vein, people believe that as long as you don't sunburn, you won't expose yourself to the increased possibility of a potential case of skin cancer.  Most people see sunburns as the only visible form of damage but any tan is considered damage.

So today, we've explored some of the myths connected with tanning.  I hope you no longer harbor any of these.  I know the myth about a base tan was prevalent when I was a teenage but as an adult, I know better.  let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great week.

Time for This

Had to pull my sun umbrella out due to the sunny weather. 

My Kind Of Emergency Vehicle.

 The place for caffeine!

What Ingredients Can You Use In Do It Yourself Facial Products

 

Last time, we explored the products one should not use in any homemade product, so today, we are looking at ingredients one can use safely in the product. If you want to make products at home, it is always good to use ingredients that are both safe and good for your skin. 

The thing about ingredients for do it yourself products is they can be broken into two groups. The first are ingredients that are easily found in the kitchen while the second group are ingredients that are healthy but have to be purchased specifically.

One ingredient that is considered relatively safe to use on the face is honey.  Honey is considered to be a natural humectant so it helps retain moisture in the skin.  It also helps with the natural bacteria found on the skin and improves healing while reducing inflammation. In addition, honey in its raw state can be used as an exfoliant to remove old, dry skin while encouraging new skin growth. To get the best results, one should use unpasteurized honey so it contains the most goodness.

Another ingredient is yogurt but make sure to purchase the plain version.  Make sure it has no added sugar or even vanilla and that it is full of active bacteria. yoghurt is said to be filled with lactic acid which can help exfoliate your skin while brightening it. In addition, it is said that yoghurt is able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.  I did come across a small blurb that said, the efficacy of yoghurt as an exfoliant is to as effective as glycolic, lactic, salicylic, or manic acid based products due to its near neutral pH.

Oatmeal is another ingredient recommended to use in homemade facial products.  Ground up oatmeal is good to use as an exfoliant which gets rid of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.  In addition, it is great at helping sooth and improve dry skin.  When oatmeal is ground up, it does not have the sharp edges so it is safe to use on the face. 

Check your fridge for cucumbers as they are known for helping to hydrate and refresh the skin due to its high water content. This makes it ideal for people with dry skins. Cucumbers are best known for helping to reduce puffy eyes by simply placing slices over the eyes and relaxing. In addition, it can be used in a toner designed to help sooth damaged skin.

Then there is green tea which can be used on the face due to its antiinflammatory and antimicrobial properties which can help sooth inflamed skin. It can also help counter UV damage, premature aging, and help sooth irritation. In addition, green tea doesn't cost much and is easy to find.

These are just a few ingredients that you are most likely to have around the house already and that come recommended for use in do it yourself facial products.  Although you'll find recipes out there recommending a variety of things from lemon juice to green tea, it is best to know which ones are safe to use.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Ingredients To Avoid Using In Do It Yourself Facial Products

 

There are times when people want to make their own facial products because they either can't afford to order an assortment of products or they want something more "natural"since one is only using ingredients one can pronounce.  Where does one go if they want to make their own?  The internet!.  Recipes are so easy to find but are they safe?  Let's dive in and find out!

One of the first things to keep in mind is that you want to use ingredients that will not cause irritation, or ones people react to due to allergies or rashes. There are certain ingredients common to many of the recipes found on the internet.  

One of these is apple cider vinegar.  This ingredient is often suggested as a toner on the skin to treat acne or hyperpigmentation. It tends to have a strong smell that can remain on the skin for a long time.  In addition,  it can irritate or burn your skin due to its pH. 

Another ingredient is lemon juice. It is included in DIY recipes because people believe that it will brighten the skin, lighten freckles, and age spots but due to its highly acidic nature, it can cause irritation, dryness, or even burn the skin chemically if applied directly to the skin.  In addition, it can make your skin more sensitive when out in the sun so you might burn more easily which could lead to skin cancer and hyperpigmentation.

If the recipe calls for baking soda, one should ignore the suggestion because it is an alkaline product with a high pH, baking soda can disrupt the normal pH of your skin. Using it can lead to dryness, irritation, and even damage the skins protective barrier because it is too harsh for the skin. When the skin barrier is damaged, the skin loses moisture and the skin drys out. 

It is often suggested one should use toothpaste as a spot treatment for acne due to its ingredients such as menthol, fluoride, or baking soda. Most toothpaste has a basic pH while your face is slightly acidic consequently, toothpaste can dry the skin, and be too harsh on it.  In addition, several ingredients in toothpaste can eliminate the natural bacteria found on the skin which can make the acne worse.

There are recipes for using sugar or salt to create a scrub which is designed to exfoliate the body, it is not a good idea to use it on the face because the crystals are too rough for the face.  The crystals can cause micro tears due to the jagged edges and these tears can lead to blemishes, infections and premature aging. The same issue applies to coffee grounds and other such materials.

Some recipes call for the use of body lotion or cremes but they are often thicker than a moisturizer specifically designed for the face. Unfortunately, these products may contain ingredients that clog pores making the acne and blackheads worse.  In addition, one should ignore anything suggesting one use mayonnaise on the face.  Although mayo is mostly made up of fats and oils, it can also clog pores and cause you to break out.

When it comes to making your own products, it is important to do a quick search to see if there might be any downsides to the ingredient.  Otherwise, let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

On My Way Home.

 I am on my way back from spending a week in Sofia, Bulgaria. I decided to share a few photos and I will be back to normal on Wednesday. This first photo was taken at the Bachkovo Monestery which has about 8 people in residence.

This is taken at Devetaki Cave where part of Expendables 2 was filmed. The government stored fuel in huge storage silos during the time it was under Soviet control.

This church is on the road heading to the Krushna falls.

This is the beautiful Krushna Falls

This is the old church by Aspen’s Fortress. The church is slowly being renovated but it is used for weddings, etc.

These are some of the ruins dating from Roman times. These were found when they were digging up the ground for an underground station.

Finally, the statue of St. Sofia which replaced the statue of Lenin when the eastern block fell.

Inside

 

A shopping center.

Outside

Beautiful covered bridge hides……. 

What To Look For When Purchasing Sunscreen.

It's that time of the year again and if you haven't purchased your sunscreen for the year, it is time to do so. Remember, not all sunscreens are created equal so you can't just walk in, grab something off the shelf, and expect it to be the right one for you. The good news about sunscreen is that it has a shelf life of three years, even if it's been used so this means you do not have to buy it brand new every single year. 

Now if you do need to purchase sunscreen this year, there are some very specific things you should look out for.  One of the first things to search for is the SPF rating.  It needs to have at least an SPF of 30 but could be higher. No matter what, sunscreen needs to be applied every two hours religiously for the best protection.

Next, make sure it is a broad spectrum sunscreen so that it will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays cause your skin to age while UVB rays are responsible for any sunburn you get.  By using a broad spectrum sunscreen, you are able to protect your skin from both.  In addition, look for a water resistant one so it doesn't wash off the minute you go into the water or start sweating because it's extremely hot out.  If you've been in the water or sweating a lot, you'll need to reapply the sunscreen more often, like every 40 to 80 minutes.

Depending on the type of sunscreen, you'll need to make sure it contains certain ingredients.  If you use a physical sunscreen which lies on top of your skin and reflect or scatter rays, look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as they are the most effective ingredients.  If you use a chemical based sunscreen which absorb and turn the rays into heat, look for avobenzone or octinoxate.

If you have sensitive skin, you'll want one that is hypoallergenic or created for sensitive skins. It is also important to look for fragrance free sunscreens to decrease the chance of irritations. Furthermore, think about your skin type when purchasing sunscreens.  If you have oily type skin, look for one that is oily free or is classified as a light formulation.  If your skin is dry, look for a product that has moisturizing properties and if you have normal skin, you can use most anything.

Furthermore, think about the way you prefer to apply sunscreen.  Do you want a lotion, spray, a cream, or stick?  Decide which way you want to apply it and purchase a product that meets your requirements.  Finally, do a bit of research to see how people feel about the various brands of sunscreen so you find one that is considered good.

Personally, I prefer to use one type on my face and a different one on my skin.  I usually go for a light formulation on my face so it doesn't feel as if it is clogging up.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Organizing Your Makeup

 I don't know about your makeup collection but mine tends to need organization.  You see that new foundation, or eye shadow you just have to have and bang, you have two more things to find a place for.  I also admit, I tend to put the things I use most on the counter in a small box so its all together but there are better ways to do it So today, we'll look at ways to organize your stash.

If you have space, you might want to invest in a vanity.  You know those pieces of furniture we always see in the old movies from the 40's and 50's.  The one where the woman sits in front of a mirror, pulls out her face cream, makeup, or hair brush.  A vanity allows you to layout all your makeup. at once so you can see what you have or you can organize it all in any drawers that it has. Or you might invest in a mirror that has a shelf or two below it so you have a place to store the makeup you use all the time in one place.  

Another possibility is to organize your makeup using drawer organizers. Drawer organizers can be used on the counter, shelves, or in the drawer of your vanity. These organizers help keep products upright and prevent them from rolling around.  It is recommended you invest in the ones that allow you to stack products vertically.  In addition, some organizers allow you to add pieces to expand or even provide additional organizational.

Furthermore, it is best if you buy the clear, see through organizers because you can easily see what is in each organizer.  If you can see the products, you are more likely to use them especially if you are in a hurry.  When we are in a hurry, we don't want to take time to search for things, we'd rather just grab and go. 

Grab a small container for all your brushes.  This makes it so the brushes are all in one place so you can find them when needed. In addition, they are easy to grab when they need cleaning.  It is better if your container has some sort of dividers in it so you can separate the lip brushes from the eye shadow brushes, from your kabuki brushes.  Furthermore, separating the brushes like this means you aren't getting shadow on your blush brush.

If you keep extra product around as backup, think about storing it in an over the door storage rack so they are easy to see and find.  This way you know exactly what you have and what you need to get.  It also cuts down on the number of times you buy extra product when you already have backup.  

On the other hand, if you are tight on space, think about putting the product you use all the time on a lazy Susan.  A lazy Susan lets you see what you have simply by spinning it and it keeps product from getting lost in the back.  In addition, invest in a makeup sponge holder so it is in one place and kept off the ground.  The holder helps a makeup sponge dry faster and keeps it from becoming cross contaminated. 

Just a few suggestions to help organize your makeup but don't forget to label drawers, shelving, or containers so you know what is in them at a single glance.  let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Water Aerobics

 

Since summer has arrived, the temperatures are increasing and there are days when the temperature is so high, all I want to do is hang out in the swimming pool.  This is the perfect combination to take advantage of water aerobics.  My mother was not a person who liked to workout but she was willing to walk or enjoy water aerobics down at the YMCA. 

Although this type of aerobics doesn't seem like it would do much, it is a low impact form of exercise that helps build muscles while improving endurance. 

The water in the pool, provides resistance and makes it harder to do certain exercises one does on land. In fact, the natural resistance of the water is able to engage muscles more fully and helps burn calories in a shorter period of time. A class usually lasts about one hour, is lead by an instructor, and is often set to music to help keep exercisers motivated. Consequently, you get a harder workout without putting too much stress on your joints.

A good class is made up of a warm-up, a cardio section, and some sort of strength training before a cool down. The exercises might include walking through the water, bicep curls, leg raises, and kick board moves and most of this is done in the shallow end because you aren't swimming.  

Water is great is because it provides buoyancy and this makes it easier on your joints.  Thus is is a great form of exercise if you have joint issues, recovering from an injury , or suffer from chronic pain. Water aerobics is popular with seniors and with pregnant women.

Water aerobics is classified as medium because it gets your hear rate up but won't hurt your joints.  In addition, it works the core because there are exercises such as leg lifts and lunges which work your abs and other core muscles.  It also works the arms, legs, glutes, and back. 

Furthermore, it helps improve your flexibility, gets your heart moving, helps tone muscles while building strength, and is classified as low impact.  This type of exercise is usually done at a gym or facility with a pool.  I've seen water aerobic classes at the local city swimming pool. If you have access to a pool at your apartment or at home, you can do a workout.

One simple exercise is to walk through the water. Begin by walking in the shallow end so the water level is at your waist. Stand straight and walk by setting your heel first and finishing on your toes so your foot is flat.  Do not walk around on your toes the whole time. Make sure to keep your arms by your side, moving them a little as you walk. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes.

Then think about lifting foam weights. For this you need to be in water that goes up to your shoulders. Stand straight with your arms next to your side with the palms facing up. Keep your elbows near your body and raise the weights to the top of the water, rotate your palms till they face down, and back down slowly to the original position.  Repeat 10 to 15 times.

Now instead of raising your arms to the front, raise them to the side.  You are still standing in water to your shoulders.  Raise the weights out and up slowly until they are level with your shoulders and the top of the water level.  then lower slowly until your arms are at your side.  Repeat for 10 to 20 reps.

Think about doing jumping jacks in water that is up to your chest.  The water provides resistance and makes it harder so you won't be doing it at the same rate.  You should do 10 to 20 reps to get the best results. So now you have four exercises to start you off.  If you are interested in doing more, just do a quick search for exercises and you'll be set.

Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day. 

Arriving Today

 Arriving in Sofia today.  

Heading Off Today

 

Leaving this morning for Europe for a week but I will still be publishing.

Cleaning Makeup Brushes

 

Makeup brushes are an important part of the overall makeup routine.  Although many things come with small applicators, it is good to have a proper set. In addition, it is important to keep them clean to prevent a possible fungal infection, E.coli infection, or staph infections.  In general you won't see the bacteria on the brushes so you'll need to take the offensive and make sure they are clean.

When brush is used to apply eye shadow, highlighter, face powder or other product, the brush tends to collect dirt, oil, residue, thus becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. To prevent this from happening, it is important to clean them every 7 to 10 days, and the cleaning must be done correctly to be effective.

The first step is to rinse the heads of the brushes under lukewarm running water to remove all the dirt, oil, and residue it has picked up. Make sure to only rinse the tips where it has all accumulated otherwise if you do the whole head, the glue holding it together will dissolve.  Next fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and one teaspoon of gentle or clarifying shampoo.  Don't use soap because that can dry the bristles out.

Then swirl the brush heads in the shampoo/water mixture or if you massage the head in your hand after swirling to bring up a lather. Once you feel you've done enough swirling or massaging, rinse the heads under running water to remove the shampoo. If you do not want to use a shampoo water mix, there are liquid brush cleaners on the market that can be used instead. The advantage to using a brush cleaner is that it is formulated with gentle solvents designed to eliminate powder, liquid, or wax based products without hurting the brush. 

 Continue swirling and rinsing until the water runs clean so you are positive all the residue is out and the brush is clean. Squeeze out the water from the heads before laying them on a towel to dry.  Position the tips so they hang over the edge.  Do not stand them upright in a container while wet or the water can run down and loosen the glue.  

In addition to makeup brushes, people often use makeup sponges to apply foundation.  If you buy the cheap ones in bulk, those are not meant to be cleaned.  They are meant to be used and thrown away. On the other hand, if you bought makeup sponges that are meant to be used again, then you need to make sure they are cleaned about once a week.  Sponges should be replaced every three to four months so they don't get too old.

The best way to clean makeup sponges is to begin by filling a small bowl with warm water and submerging the sponge in the water.  The more water it absorbs, the larger it becomes, and the easier it is to clean. Once it's nice and wet, drizzle some soap (antibacterial is often recommended) over it and massage the soap in. Then rinse with clean water until all the makeup and soap is out.  When the water runs clean, squeeze out the extra liquid, then lay out to dry. 

When your brushes begin to fray, are too pinched, too squashed, it is time to get new brushes.  Keep your tools clean and you'll be in good shape.  let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Deep Fitness?

 

Every so often, I peruse the health section of Amazon Kindle.  The other day, I came across a book on something called deep fitness.  I gather it is a new term to match the information found in this book.  I decided to look at it in more detail. I would call this a program because it claims to be a science based strength program that provides maximum results quickly.

They use the term "deep fitness" to refer to a person's overall state that mitigates various health risks. The big claim is that most exercise beliefs are about 50 years behind the current research. It claims that the health of your muscles is the foundation of your metabolism.  So one of the best ways to improve your metabolism is to work on your muscles. 

This program claims you only need to do one to two 30 minute sessions per week to increase your strength. It is composed of 30 exercises, some of which can be done at home with your own weight or a resistance band, and some can be done at the local gym.  They even have videos at a paid site that one can use to go with this program. 

Since I am not a person who is up to date on all the research, I went looking for reviews of this particular program because it is important to know any weaknesses of something like this.  The first 50 pages or so look at the biology associated with the body and it supports how important it is to do strength training each and every week.  The book focuses on six principles that focus on muscle strength.

The first one is the overload principle.  The idea behind this one is that the muscle only strengthens when it is required to do more work than it is accustomed to.  This is the reason you increase the amount of weight you use, or use stronger resistance bands. This is one of the fundamental tenants of strength training.  The second principle states the muscle strength increases due to the resistance applied that is more than the muscle is accustomed to. The resistance has to be increased so the muscle strengthens. 

The next one says that when the muscle is worked to the point it fails, this promotes increased muscle strength. This process does not have to take a long time.  I notice it takes a couple minutes when I up the weight I use, until I get used to it.  The fourth principal is the one where intensity is more important than duration. So how hard you go is more important than how long you do it.  Rather than counting reps, just do it until you've fatigued the muscle since you want to cause failure.

The fifth one focuses on the rate at which you do the exercise.  What produces the best results is to do the exercise slowly since that provides less stress on your joints.  Slowly is taking at least two seconds up and two down, or four seconds each way. The final principle is that the strengthening occurs after you have finished exercising because you are working the muscles to the point they fail and they have to recover so they are back to normal and this happens once you are done with your exercising.

This book seems to take all the current knowledge on strength training and put it all in once place and into one workout.  Having researched this topic, it means I need to make a few changes to my workout but it won't take much change to meet what is needed based on their information.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Accessories That Make Your Wardrobe Timeless.

 

Everything changes from season to season, you don't have to invest thousands of dollars each year just to stay in fashion.  Last time, the column was about having a basic wardrobe filled with less than 30 pieces and would take you from casual to work, to a night out.  Today, we'll look at the accessories you need for that basic, timeless wardrobe.  The one that will keep you in fashion for years instead of just a season or two. 

Let's start with the feet.  One needs a nice pair of dress heels for evenings and dress up occasions.  The ones you need just a bit more to bring your look to fruition. In addition, you want a good pair of flats or barely their heels for casual or work.  You also need a pair of sneakers or trainers for exercising, that casual weekend, or just going to or from work when you want to be comfortable. To finish your footgear, add a nice pair of boots for those times you want that look, ride a motorcycle, or the weekend.  Don't forget to buy socks to wear with your sneakers and boots. You'll need something to protect your feet and your shoes.

As far as purses go, you'll need several.  You'll need a nice tote that can carry everything you want for work, or for a short weekend get away.  Don't forget to include a shoulder bag for everyday wear and any occasion.  I like to have a clutch for those dress up occasions I don't want to haul a purse along but I don't mind those small purses with chains that make it into a fancy shoulder bag.

Invest in a couple of nice leather belts, preferably in black. Have a wider belt for pants or dresses and a narrower one for skirts or outfits that require a nice thin belt.  Choose one with a bigger buckle to add a focal point and one without anything fancy so it blends into the overall look.

For colder weather, make sure you invest in a nice pair of gloves to stay warmer.  You also might consider a nice knitted hat to help preserve heat in your head during the winter, and a nice hat with a brim for sunnier days.  Speaking of sunnier days, always have at least one pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.  You can have a baseball type had for those casual days you want a hat that goes with your look.

Finally invest in jewelry, hair accessories, and scarves.  For jewelry, invest in a variety of earrings, necklaces and bracelets so you can mix and match according to the situation.  Have some casual pieces for the weekend or dressier ones for going out on a date, and jewelry for daily wear.  Invest in a few scarves because you can tie them around the neck, use as a belt, or tie your hair back out of your eyes.  Lastly, invest in a few scrunchies, clips, and pins so you can style your hair to match your look.

When talking about colors needed to make your wardrobe timeless, think about using mostly the more neutral colors rather than getting them all in the trendy colors.  It's ok to have a few colored pieces to help with that pop of color but you want things that will last a while.  Think about gold and silver for jewelry and buy your hair accessories with color so you can mix and match with those.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

My Flowers

 My flowers always end up dead.

My Mothers' Flowers

 My mothers' flowers are always beautiful and blooming.

Your Basic Wardrobe

 

Although fashions change from season to season, most of us do not have the money nor the space to continually add to our wardrobe.  Some of us absolutely hate to wear something a couple times before selling it off or donating it.  Others are not really that fashion conscious and just want a wardrobe that has just about everything we need for any situation.

It is important to have a basic wardrobe that has enough clothing to wear at work, weekends, all seasons, and evenings.  The colors should be more neutral so they go from season to season. Although you have a limited number of pieces, you'll need to invest in accessories to make each look a bit different in addition to mixing and matching.

Let's look at what one should have in a basic wardrobe. Invest in a nice sweater that could be worn with jeans, pants, skirts, or even shorts depending on the season and the look you want.  Next think about a pair or two of basic leggings that can be worn with dresses or skirts or even under jeans and pants for added warmth in the winter.  Throw in a nice blazer, preferably tailored but it needs to fit well at least. 

Invest in a nice neutral colored button up shirt for work, or for situation that requires a bit more formality. In addition, think about buying a t-shirt or two along with a tank top, that can be worn out with friends or even under a jacket to dress it up. Either of these shirts can be worn with pants or skirts to create either a dressier look or a casual look.  

Furthermore, you want a nice pair of jeans, not the ones with holes, or are purposely distressed, but one that looks new.  The jeans should fit well and have straight legs rather than the flared ones that go in and out of fashion.  Add to that a nice pair of dress slacks for work and you have what you need for a look.  Don't forget to get yourself a couple of little black dresses for casual or dressy and one other dress you like..  

Finally, think about a couple skirts, one longer than the other so you can choose whether you are going out with friends, or off to work. I love to include a couple pair of shorts for the summer when you go shopping, or out with friends.  As far as shoes go, look at having a pair of heels, some sneakers, a pair of low cut boots, and some nice comfortable sandals. 

These basics give you enough choices to create a multitude of looks.  You can put heels with jeans, a button down shirt, and a blazer for work or wear the same outfit with fitted pants instead for a something a bit dressier. For a more casual look, swap out the heels for boots, add in the tank top and sweater to go to the mall. 

Put a dress with jacket, leggings, and heels for work or going out to dinner, or wear the dress with leggings and boots when you head out with friends.  With the few pieces, you have choices.  On Monday, I'll address the accessories one should have with the basic wardrobe.  These accessories will expand you possibilities.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.