Waiting for a Missionary
the missionary girlfriend's online resource
Meet our columnist!
This is Chels, and she will be writing some more useful and up-to-date beauty information for you all! She is a licensed master aesthetician and has some great ideas to share! Keep posted and read them!
Get Cute!
 |
|
Step One: Evaluate
 | First you must decide what you'd like to change and how much time you need to do it! In most cases, change will be pretty easy and as simple as changing your routine or just visiting your hairdresser. But if you'd like to take on a bigger challenge such as losing some weight or toning up, you may need to be a little more precise on how you will accomplish your goals. Ask yourself these questions.. 1. What do I like about the way I look right now? Is the way I currently look the image I want to project to the world? 2. Do I feel like I am in good shape or are there some things I would like to change? If so, what exactly? 3. Do I like to spend a lot of time on my appearance or only what is necessary or quick? 4. Are there any particular things I'd like to change? (Such as hair, skin, style.) 5. How much am I willing to spend money-wise and time-wise toward these changes? 6. Write down the experience you imagine to have the moment your missionary first sees you again. Be specific about how you are dressed, your hair color and cut, maybe even the way you are walking. This is what you're going to aspire to!! |
Your Skin
 | As you know, beautiful skin instantly helps you feel prettier and allows your natural beauty to shine through. After all, the better your skin, likely the less makeup you will need to use. Now, I'm no expert on beauty but I know a thing or two!
You first need to decide if you have: |
|
..because this will change your routine up quite a bit. One way to know what kind of skin you have is to look in the mirror and notice where your face shines (from oil). Do this before you put makeup on or wash your face. Does your face appear to 'shine' all over? You likely have oily skin. Does your skin shine on your forhead, the bridge of your nose, and parts of your cheeks? You might have normal or combination skin. If your skin does not shine at all, you most likely have dry skin. Another way to tell is how often you break out. If you are prone to acne or breakouts, it's a good bet you have oily skin. If you almost never get a zit, consider yourself lucky and in the dry skin category. People with oily skin will have to do the most with their skin simply because avoiding breakouts will require more maintenance. Start with washing your face with an oil-free soap. I've heard that St. Ive's Apricot Cleanser is the very best and it's pretty inexpensive, too. A light, oil-free moisturizer should follow. As you can tell, oil-free is pretty important. About 1-3 times a week, a cleansing 'mask' (you can find them in the beauty department of most stores. Stay away from anything with avacado though) would be helpful. Staying away from stress will be crucial to avoiding breakouts. If you want to go the extra mile, you could purchase a toner and use it whenever you wash your face (right after.) In addition to all of this, makeup will be important to pay attention to. Use oil-free products and don't go too heavy. Your skin needs to breathe! Also, a common but effective tool is to exercise regularly and eat right. Do all this and your skin should be lookin' pretty divine! People with normal/combination skin should do the same as those with oily skin in avoiding stress and developing a regimne but depending on your skin, you can be a little more lenient with oily products. Experiment and see what works best for you. I have always found that Neutrogena has great products that are healthy for your skin. A simple cleansing (use cleansing wipes vs. soap) will do the trick and ALWAYS moisturize! It will help make your skin dewy and glowing! Also, for all skin types it is very important to drink a lot of water!! As someone with dry skin you will find that you are both blessed and cursed. Dry skin is much less likely to break out, but if you neglect it, you may peel or even get fine lines in a few years so don't think that just because you can sometimes get away without touching your skin means you don't need to!! As someone with dry skin, I've found that the gentler the cleanser, the better. Cleansing wipes are my best friend. Moisturizing will be key for you and it's important to do it in the morning before makeup (use one with a SPF) and possibly right before bed to help your skin absorb some moisture. Alright, now your face is clean and ready to go! Let's talk about makeup!! |
Makeup and You
 | Makeup, where do I begin? I'm a huge fan, not because I like to cake it on and walk out of the house looking like something from the Ringling Brothers but because it's so much a part of being a girl! Most men do not have the blessing of wearing makeup (and the ones that do..stay away!!) and it is truly a powerful tool if used correctly. I'm not suggesting that you should try to look like someone you're not, but to look like a new and improved version of you!! Have you ever seen the show "What Not to Wear"? It's one of my very favorites, and if you watch if you will see that often just 5-10 minutes is the difference between looking put-together and polished or not. Take your makeup bag out for starters and see if you have what are in my opinion some of the essentials. |
|
- A set of brushes. A good brush can make even inexpensive makeup look much better and can help you get the kind of coverage you're looking for. I would suggest going to www.sephora.com for some ideas. - A type of concealer. This should a slightly lighter than your skin tone. It should not be the same color as your foundation. Some ladies find that getting 'colored' concealer helps for hiding more serious blemishes. Example: green concealer helps counteract redness, etc. (Or was it yellow? Obviosly I don't use them!) - Either foundation or a tinted moisturizer. For girls who want a more natural look, go for the moisutrizer. Not only do you get another step in from your skin routine but you also get coverage! Many girls also like using BareMinerals powder foundation. It's spendy but I hear it works like a charm! You might have to experiment with foundations to find the right color for you. - Mascara AND an eyelash curler. I can't stress enough how awesome an eyelash curler is. Even if you're more of an all-natural girl, curling your lashes (do it at the root and hold it firmly) will instantly open up your eyes and make you look prettier and more alive. Find a mascara that is designed for what you have in mind. For example, a curling mascara for an even flirtier look or a lengthening mascara for short lashes. - A tinted lipgloss with a bit of shimmer. I use Beauty Rush lipgloss by Victoria's Secret---it is awesome! I say shimmer because a little glistening will help make your lips look fuller. If you want the appearance of whiter teeth, try a berry hued lip gloss. - A bronzer. I'm thinking powder but whatever works best. I'm not talking about a fake tanner. I mean a simple compact with some bronze in it. Apply it to your hairline and your cheeks. It can be a younger, sexier substitute for blush. - An eyebrow plucker thingy! Brows that are well-groomed act as a sort of makeup themselves. If you are curious as to what would look good, visit a nearby salon (with a good reputation) and splurge a little with an eyebrow wax. Once you have gotten that, you have your stencil and every few days plucking stray hairs will keep your brows looking polished! Suppose you'd like a little more makeup on, or maybe it's a special event? The things I have listed are pretty much for a daily routine but if you'd like to vamp that routine up, try adding these. - An eyeliner. I wouldn't suggest liquid for an every day look because it tends to be dramatic. Instead try a pencil that you can smudge with a q-tip after it's applied. Black can either open the eyes up or be harsh. I actually wouldn't suggest it for every day use. Try a dark sable, brown, grey, or even a plum. Hold the corner of your eye out (stretch the skin) and apply a thin line. Now, with a q-tip smudge it in to the eye. It will help your eye stand out without looking like a clown. Also, line the bottom third of your eye if you wish to help your eyes really pop! If you want a more dramatic look, make the line thicker and use a darker color. - Eyeshadow. I really believe in the power of eyeshadow! A few neutral shades can really make you look stunning. Try either browns, pinks, or plums for an everyday look. Before you buy them, put them against your skin and see if they are complimentary. Also it would help to know if you look better in warm or cool colors. Look at the veins on the underside of your forearms. If they are blue, you're a 'cool' and if they are green you are a 'warm'. Sometimes people look equally good in both kinds of colors. They are called 'neutrals'. Often trial and error will help you decide. One idea is to apply the darkest color to the lid and add lighter colors around it. Another is to add the darkest color to the crease. Sometimes girls even use their eyeshadow as an eyeliner. It's up to you! - Powder. I'm talking transluscent powder. There's nothing like it to hold your makeup in place. A good option if you have to wear it for a long time. - Lipstick. I save lipstick only for formal events and if I use a dark lipstick I try to not do a lot on my eyes. Choose a focal point. Lipstick can be drying so have a lipgloss over it for added shine! I like the site www.ivillage.com for beauty tips on makeup and application. Also, if you're stumped try picking up any girly magazine and it will likely be full of ideas, too. These are just some simple things that I would suggest to really looking pretty. If you're totally against makeup, give them a try and just see. Maybe you don't like makeup because you see it as too time-consuming? It doesn't have to be! Use essentials and you'll be good to go! |
Your Hair!
 | Cut Alright, for starters, take a good look in the mirror. The first step will be to decide if you haircut is doing good things for your face. If you looked at a bunch of pictures of hairstyles you would be able to tell just by looking which girls have the best cuts for their face. The best kind of cut will help you face look proportionate, slender, and will help bring focus to your face. This is a perfect time to decide if you want a change, so don't be afraid of deciding that your long, wavy hair would look better in a stylish bob. What if you aren't sure? Get opinions! Also, before he even is close to coming home, a haircut is the perfect thing to pick you up. Also, this early on it's better to do it because you know if you don't like it, it can still grow out somewhat. But don't be afraid of change. Even if you don't want to get a drastic cut, try getting some subtle layers to add body and style to your 'do. The sky is truly the limit. You might even want to go get a hairstyles magazine and flip through the pages to see if there's anything you look. However, as a note of caution, before you choose ANYTHING ask yourself these questions... |
|
1. How much time am I willing to spend on my hair and how much time do I have? 2. What is the natural texture of my hair and how will this work in to the cut? 3. Will this cut require a lot of upkeep? (going back to the salon often, etc.) 4. Do I want to do my hair every day or do I sometimes just want to pull it all back in a ponytail? 5. When in my life have I gotten the most compliments on my hair? Was it longer or shorter? Good luck, and remember not be afraid of change!! Color If cutting your hair doesn't seem like a good idea, color is a great place to make a positive change. Generally, stay as natural as possible to play it safe. Normally, I also wouldn't suggest going darker. If you do anything, go lighter. Highlights help brighten up the face and make you appear to glow a bit more than a dark, harsh tone. However, if you want to go dark, try a shade or two darker of semi-permanent (level 2) color first and if you like it, proceed on. Even if you just want to intensify your natural color, a professional can help you. One rule of thumb is to never, EVER use a box color. It dries your hair out and leaves it damaged. And trust me, I know. I'm the queen of doing my own coloring. But there's nothing quite like being able to sit down at a nice salon and just have someone do it. Before you color your hair, ask yourself these questions:
1. Do I look better in warmer or cooler colors? Good luck! Hope you blow him away! |
Your Style!
 | Ask yourself first:
1. Am I laid-back and casual or more sophisticated and serious? |
|
Now that you have a better idea of what you're looking for, it's time to decide where to shop and what to get. I think it's best to start off with adding a few simple pieces of your new look. First go through your closet and decide if the clothes you have right now are putting off an image that conveys who you are. Whether we like it or not, we are constantly being stereotyped and judged by the way we look. Does your look tell others who you really are? Maybe now is the time to find your image. Not to mention that you want to look stunning when Mr. Right lays eyes on you again. I would start off by getting one complete outfit that really screams 'you'. Wear it and see if people react differently to you. Pay attention to the impression you give off, and the way you act in your new outfit. If the effects are positive then as you have money and time, buy another piece. With each thing you get, get rid of something you don't really want. Also, focus on clothing that not only suits your style but flatters your body. Are you top heavy (carry your weight in your arms, back, chest, stomach) or bottom heavy? (carry weight in the hips, thighs, and booty.) Maybe you're an hourglass (like the bottom heavy girl except with a chest) or maybe you're lean all over with somewhat of a boy shape? All shapes have their positives. But learning to dress them is key. More to come! Some of my personal favorite stores!
American Eagle |