thePULSEStaying Warm While Staying Stylish
How to Flatter your Figure for Fall
By Elizabeth Cutler
Fashion starts with naked bodies. Tom Ford, former Gucci designer, says, “…I’ve always found people more beautiful naked than when they are dressed. There is only one way of being naked, whereas there are thousands of ways of dressing badly.”
So, begin with the blank canvas of your body. Pick clothing deliberately, listening to your internal voice as it forecasts your mood and the requirements of the coming day. Unlike summer, fall is a time when our clothes, rather than bodies, must define silhouettes. After getting used to the low hip-slung peasant skirts and bathing suit tops of summer, it can feel boxy and bulky to put on layers. It is important not to lose the sense of skin beneath the clothes.
This fall, major designers and their copycats have fully embraced some exciting new styles. For women, Gaucho shorts, the step-sister of capris, can be found everywhere. Hitting below the kneecap, this new item of clothing is a cross between shorts and pants. When worn with brown thigh-high leather boots, another fall essential, the entire leg is covered and warm. This look also lengthens legs and cusps the underappreciated calf, all while minimizing the thigh. In a rage of desperation (and collegiate poverty!), I cut a foot of fabric off some old JCrew corduroy pants to mimic the look. I encourage you to do the same with any pants in your collection that don’t fit the fall bill. Alternatively, both Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom both have a plethora of ready-made gauchos in different colors, fabrics and styles.
Shrunken blazers are everywhere this season and often come with built-in belts. These blazers look like hand-me-ups from a prep school cousin and smartly reveal the alluring curve of hipbones and the nip-in at a natural waistline. They’re meant to be worn snug so as to define and shape the body. They are great outerwear and easy to layer over cardigans or sweaters. BCBG MaxAzaria, which often has overstock at TJMaxx, shows some of these absolute must-have blazers this season..
For dressier looks ~ whether clubwear or cocktail dresses ~ find tops and dresses thatcriss-crosses under the bustline; they clarify and enhance the femininity that can get lost under layers. Proenza Schouler brought outlined corsets to the forefront of style with their spring 2004 line and are still elaborating on them beautifully with their fall 2005 line.
With fall’s grey days and harsh breezes, the tendency is to hide in formless fleece or oversized sweatshirts. But surrounding yourself in the equivalent of a down moo-moo isn’t going to make getting through the day any easier. Instead, layer over the topography of your body, find ways to remind viewers of your mountains and valleys, and use your clothes to make your own sunshine.
Energizing Beauty
No sleep? No time? No problem!
By Linnea Sheldon
Our hectic holiday schedules ~ full of parties, exams, deadlines, and last minute shopping ~ make it hard to get the sleep we need. But have no fear, there is a crop of new products that can help you look like you got that full 8 hours even if you pulled an all-nighter finishing that thesis or stayed out a little too late at that holiday party.
The best plan it to begin treating yourself the night before. All you may be thinking about is your pillow, but you still need to wash your face to get rid of all the build-up from the day. To quickly wash away oil, dirt, and make-up, grab a cleansing cloth like Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleansing Pads. These no-water-required cloths are quick and convenient, which means you can spend more time snoozing.
Always remember to moisturize. There are a number of creams out there designed for overnight use, so take advantage of this down time to treat your skin right. One cream designed to combat fatigued, dull skin is Lumene Vitamin + Radiant C-Energy. It brightens the skin with Vitamin C and wild cloudberry, giving you a radiant glow even if you’re not feeling quite so energized. So give it a try and remember to turn the TV off at bedtime, too, to make the most out of the little bit of sleep you will be getting.
In the morning, reach for products designed to wake you up. A peppermint body wash in the shower will open your eyes. Clean and Clear Morning Burst is a line of cleansers and moisturizers designed specifically to wake you out of your morning funk with scent and tingling sensations.
Now that your skin is clean, it need to be moisturized. Nivea Simply Glowing Moisturizer will give your skin a healthy glow and combat a sallow complexion. If your eyes are puffy and time permits, relax with a warming gel mask for about five minutes and you will really see a difference.
Aveda Light Elements Reviving Mist is a great short-cut for cutting down on your routine in the morning. This product reactivates your hairstyle without washing and helps restore moisture to your hair without buildup. Using this product will allow you to stay in bed just a little longer.
A great concealer for your under-eyes will work wonders. Derma Doctor Eye Spy is not only a concealer, but also a treatment that combines caffeine with white tea and retinal to combat puffiness and dark circles. Use it and then apply some correcting face powder like Physicians’ Formula Multi-Colored Powder over your entire face and you will be ready to face the world in no time. And once you’re out the door, remember that as reviving as “topical caffeine” is for the skin, ingested caffeine actually dehydrates the skin. So avoid all those caffeinated drinks and instead opt for lots of water to combat dullness.
All these products will help you look fresher and more vibrant if you’ve absolutely had to miss out on sleep (after all, sometimes a party is just too rockin’ to leave early, and that paper just has to be done by morning). But your best allies in the war against a dull complexion and bags under your eyes are always fresh air, a good diet, a regular exercise schedule and keeping your sleep deprivation to a minimum.
