Thursday, 9 May 2013

5 Great Tips for Changing Your Style to Match Your Body Shape.



Most of us develop a personal style over time. It may be casual, quirky or carelessly elegant. It may lean toward bright colors or stick to neutrals in subdued patterns. If it's been a while since you revisited your look, it could be time to review your assumptions about what's fit to wear. Your body shape and lifestyle may have undergone some changes since the good old days when you were trying to find a date for the prom. The fashion choices that worked for you a decade ago may not (well, probably won't) work today.
This can be a big, scary deal. Having a familiar style is comforting when you make an assault on the clothing racks at the clothing store. Every year, there's a new fashion color palette to contend with as well as a bewildering array of neckline, hemline, skirt, sleeve, blouse, dress and pant styles to consider. Knowing a big shirt paired with a comfortable tee and a quality pair of jeans works for you -- during the weekends at least can be pretty reassuring.
Time can be unfriendly, though. When some of your bouncier attributes are sagging southward or your silhouette is looking bulkier than you'd like, find a three-way mirror and host your own reality show. Think of it as an intervention designed to save you from ending up on the "What was she thinking?" section of someone's Facebook wall.


If you're paying attention to the style mavens, dressing for your body shape is the key to looking good. The only problem is that the instructions for discovering and dealing with your shape can get as complicated as trying to land the space shuttle on a garage roof.
Questions we often ask ourselves? Am I diamond shaped? Can anyone actually be diamond shaped? Is that, like, total structural failure or something? Wouldn't it just be simpler to have a few clues about clothing (in English) that will help you look -- better? Let's leave the geometry to the college textbooks and look at some common sense ways to choose the right clothes for the real you.



1: Get real with your weight. 

Most people weigh more than they would like, and those who don't stress about a few extra pounds generally think they are too thin. Statistics suggests that only about 10 percent of adult women are comfortable with their current body weight. Often, this means women are either ignoring weight gain by cramming themselves into clothes that are too small because the size on the label is somehow reassuring, or they're using one of a number of camouflage techniques -- usually jackets, big shirts, sweaters, dark colors and other layering methods to trick others into thinking the extra bulk is really just fabric.

Choosing the right size garment, whatever your size happens to be today, is an important element of looking good in clothes. Unless you're swaddled in spandex, and maybe even then, insisting on a size 8 when you should be wearing a 10 or larger isn't doing yourself any favors. It could make you look even bigger due to the tightness. Covering up the problem with outerwear designed to drape and conceal probably isn't fooling anybody, either.
 
Forget the skinny model ideal and own your body. Models are super thin to make the clothes look good.
 
Dress to make you look good. Take measurements of your bust, waist and hips and buy clothes designed to fit the real you, or find a good tailor if you do have a hard-to-shop-for body. Your clothes will last and look better longer that way, too.



4: Use Shading to Your Advantage

Whether you believe black is the only real neutral or pink is the prettiest color for a dewy complexion, color does more than reflect your personal style and complement your shoes and skin tone. Think of your body as a map. The goal is to create an hourglass shape, even if your natural contours lack definition.

 

Using colour in the right places can create some pretty amazing illusions. Place light colours for emphasis (to make shoulders, the bust or hips look larger) and dark colors to minimize (areas like the stomach, hips, bust and broad shoulders). If your hips are larger than your bust, wear light colours above the waist and dark colours below the waist. If you want to create the illusion of a smaller waist, wear dark colors at waist level in belts or the banding on blouses, shirts or jackets.


3: Showcase Your Best Attributes

Colours like red, white, bright blue and yellow draw the eye. When you wear them close to your best features, you pull attention were you want it instead of, say, on the extra 5 pounds around your middle from your latest breakup. 


'Accentuate the positive'



If you have lovely hands, show them off with a colorful clutch handbag or an eye catching bracelet. If your face is your best feature, wear interesting necklines and collar styles in colors that flatter your skin tone. Learn to make the best use of scarves to complement your waistline, bustline or neck. Accentuate the positive; it's one of the oldest tricks in the book because it works.


2: Collect Some Basic Pieces

One of the smartest ways to develop an effective style is to have a core wardrobe of classic garments. This is the little-black-dress approach to dressing. Here's how it works: The little black dress (for example) is that one go-to dressy dress you know looks great on you. (We all pretty much know when we look great, right?). If turquoise is in this year, wear the black dress, but enhance it with a turquoise shawl and maybe a coral bracelet or evening bag (complementary colours on the colour wheel usually work together well).



The little black dress takes the stress out of dressing up. Because it's so basic, it never looks trendy (that's what the accessories are for), but it still always looks good on you. It's a classic. Your little black dress can be short if you have great legs or long with a V-neck if your legs are just OK but your upper body is nicely proportioned. It can be sleeveless or belted, and made from any of a variety of materials. Because it'll probably be a keeper over a number of years, you can invest a little more money in it than you would a one season wonder, too.

It turns out there are lots of garments that work like the little black dress in your wardrobe. Most fashion experts have their own lists of must-have essentials. After you've found a few quality pieces that work for your lifestyle, use them as building blocks to enhance your look.


Be practical with your little black dress (LBD)

 1: Respect the Rules (Most of the Time)
 
You may think adding unexpected or outlandish touches to your wardrobe makes your look distinctive. Just remember that your style choices are most effective when they complement your features and your body.



You probably already understand some of the essential rules of good dressing as they relate to your body type. If you ignore them, you could end up a fashion casualty instead of a trailblazer. No one is going to arrest you for wearing horizontal stripes across your impressive bosom or outfitting your cankles in day-glo shoes with plenty of elevation. If you want to look great in what you wear, though, make a conscious effort to strike a balance between what's hot and what's right for you.



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Saturday, 13 April 2013

Cherelle Rose Patterson makes History as First Black Miss Universe London 2013.



A LEE Green beauty queen has made history by becoming the first black woman to be crowned Miss Universe London.

 Model Cherelle Rose Patterson burst into tears on claiming this year's London title for one of the top three beauty contests in the world. The 23-year-old donned swim-wear, jeans, and evening gowns, and won over judges in interviews, but says the hardest part was cutting out Nando's meals. The former Sydenham Girls School student says she is still dizzy from her "rollercoaster ride" to success and keeps looking at her crown and asking "Is that mine?"




Ms Patterson, who lives off Winn Road spoke, "When they called my name, I was in tears. It was amazing.

"I really worked hard for it – part of the reason I cried was because I felt it had paid off. It’s been a rollercoaster ride but I am more confident in myself and I think when you are it shows – you can see it in how people walk and talk... I am the first black woman to win. I have made history so that is an achievement in itself "

"I still look at my crown at home and I think: ‘Is that mine'

The beauty pageant is owned by business magnate Donald Trump and Cherelle will now compete against other British stunners in June at Miss Universe UK who are all eyeing the global title of Miss Universe.
Ms Patterson undertook a gruelling six-days-a-week gym routine over three months to shape up for the body-bearing swimsuit round and shares her beauty tips.

She said: "The swimsuit round – that is what I needed to train for. To get down to the perfect body type I wanted for myself. I dropped a dress size – it was amazing. It was all in my mind – I thought I couldn’t do without my Nando's. But if you want something so badly you see the bigger picture. I don’t have one beauty secret – I just say to anyone to eat healthily, train hard and get enough sleep."

The model-of-six-years says she leads a double life away from the catwalk as a retailer in a men’s tailoring store and relaxing with her best mates – mum Rose Morgan and boyfriend Chris Mukoko.

Cherelle, whose modelling icon is Victoria's Secret pin-up Adriana Lima, says it would be a "dream come true" to win Miss Universe and she aims to do lots of charity work while wearing her crown.



CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS CHERELLE PATTERSON FOR MAKING HISTORY!! MISS CONGO UK WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND CONTINUE MAKING US PROUD...

To read more and for more information regarding Miss Universe London: http://missuniverselondon.com/2013/crowned/

HOW WOULD YOU FANCY BEING MISS CONGO UK 2013?

Did You Miss The Last Miss Congo UK Castings?? Do You still want to join?? Don't worry>>> Help is Here: For registration details contact: 07983089586 NOW or email your name, age, DOB, Address, number and 2x pictures of yourself to missconguk@gmail.com


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Thursday, 14 March 2013

7 Tips for Natural or Relaxed Hair.


We are women of every colour on the outside but what goes in is always the same.
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, but many women suffer from various conditions that rob them of optimum hair performance.

You are what you eat..
Experience Hair&Beauty Stylists and also Miss Congo UK Beauty Pageant Director Nadege Tshiobi offers us tips on how to care for your natural or relaxed hair for the sisters.

Natural Afro Hair


Chemical Processed Hair

 1. Leave the Chemicals to Professionals.
Have your hair relaxed in a salon or by a hair expert; the stylist will determine whether it’s healthy and strong enough to handle the chemicals in a perm.

If you dont know, leave it to the professional experts

Always seek professional advice before applying perm for the first time

Coloured, under-conditioned, or over-processed hair may not be ready for straightening and you will alleviate hair breakage from a “bad” or untimely relaxer. Professional/salon perms also offer various types and strengths of chemicals used to straighten the natural curl of African or Caribbean hair, that is not ofetn available in home perm kits.

Avoid over-processing you hair 
Examples of home kit perms


2. Invest on Organic Products.
Natural oils are a wonderful tool for making curly hair soft and shiny and enable you to avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals. Eating and applying the right diet can help promote strong growth and healthy hair. When it comes to healthy hair, it is not just what you put on your tresses that counts - it is what you put in your body too! Here are a few examples on what to take to promote healthy growth and skin (you can purchase them all at many leading food supermarkets, food markets and hair/beauty stores, just make sure they are *organic*):

Avocado/Avocado Oil

Coconut/ Coconut Oil

Grape/ Grape Seed Oil


Olives/ Olive Oil

Walnuts/ Walnut Oil

Salmon/ High in Omega 3 Fatty Acids




3. Sleep on Satin. Why? 
Cotton pillowcases have a rougher texture than their silk sisters, creating friction between the pillow and hair, which can cause hair breakage and cotton can absorb oil from the scalp which leads to drier hair. Silk or satin pillowcases and hair wraps (“wrap caps” or “head wraps”) retain moisture. For women with perms or pressed hair, wearing a satin or silk head wrap also helps flatten hair and keep your style neater for a longer time. Wrapping hair around the head alleviates unkempt edges and ends. Plus, satin pillowcases are hypoallergenic.

Satin head wrap

Natural hair ends keep its moisture
Example of satin head wrap
Choose to sleep on Satin Pillowcases
Results whilst sleeping on Satin Pillowcases, hair ends looking healthy.


4. Minimize Heat.
Limit the amount of heat from curling irons, flat irons, and blow dryers as well as styling products. Heat removes essential moisture and can “fry” and damage hair. 

Avoid heat on processed hair
Examples of heated styling products
Avoid heavy heat on your hair

















Avoid over heating/ *fry* hair, may cause hair to shred and damage ends.

 Instead, air dry hair,towel dry, use rollers, straw sets, or different braiding/twisting techniques to achieve desired curls.

Use hair rollers

Straw roller sets

Towel dry hair


5. Styling Can Be Stressful!!!


Not only is styling stressful for you, it can be stressful on your hair. Wear and tear is normal, but you can minimize damage by practicing protective styling. Dare to be adventurous, but be cautious when you suspect that the trendy look you love will damage your tresses over time.

Natural cornrows

Natural Fro'

Weave

Braided and Styled

Micro Cornrows

Relaxed and long

Twist-rows


Long box braids

Fringe/ Wavy weave

Daring cornrows

Maxi-Long Box Braids

Short and Cropped

6. Good Diet = Good Hair.



Hair follicles need nutrients to grow strong and healthy. Meals high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B12 promote healthy hair growth. Drink plenty of water and take a multi-vitamin to supplement the nutrients you may be missing.

Natural oils


Balanced diet is the way forward to a healthy living
Eat lots of vegs/fruits
Dairy products is a good source of calcium, and also provide nutrients vital for your health to also promote health hair growth

 Protein, Dairy and Omega 3 foods are good for health hair growth.
 
Avoid purchasing cheap hair products as chemicals used to produce these products may be deadly against your hair/skin.


Do not forget to drink plenty of water and take a multi-vitamin to supplement the nutrients you may be missing.

Water is Good For You!!

Vitamins/Minerals

7. Rest.
Instead of regularly applying heat, chemicals, and other products to your hair, let your hair rest through protective styling – or a loose bun a few days a week.









Of course, there's more to your hair than what you eat. Smoking, hormonal imbalances, and not enough sleep can also affect how your hair looks and feels. No magic nutrient can make up for those concerns.
Still, you have a lot more leverage than you might think. If you eat a balanced, varied, protein-rich diet that focuses on the above 7 tips, you will be giving your hair the TLC it needs and deserves.
  
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