What exactly is a Prom night?   
A  PROM NIGHT IS A NIGHT that all the girls PREPARE   FOR AN  ENTIRE HIGH SCHOOL YEAR.      
 A prom night is that special moment when we can  shop for a  Formal Dress and  show off our  GORGEOUS attire at the dance that honors our    school,  says “fairwell to our wonder years” and  marks a Beginning into adulthood years!!

But most of all,  Prom Night is The AWAITED  magical night when we girls can dance with that special boy, with whom we have  had a crush on, for the entire school year. 

Prom night is also  considered the only time to transform each of us  girls  into a Cinderella.  The opportunity to wear a very elegant gown and showcase fancy  “up dos”,  can  spell “magic” into everyone of us. 

But whether a prom night is a night to remember or just a dance; it does require a lot of preparation! I am a Junior in college now, but I still remember the jitters and the expectation of my prom night as if it happened yesterday. This is why I can tell with confidence that the  One thing that everyone has  in common with one another: is the CHOOSING of a prom gown! This  is a major task that can overwhelm  and stress many teens.   
So here are some advices that hopefully, will simplify  the process of choosing Your Perfect Prom Gown and make you look “picture perfect” on your prom night.  Regardless of where you buy the dress: weather you use on-line shopping or off line shopping; you still need to know how to pick the best dress that enhances your natural beauty. 
 Buying a prom dress on-line
Buying prom dresses on- line- can be easy and less time consuming.  It is also lots of fun, because you get to check out hundreds more varieties than you would if you were shopping in a traditional store and you can shop for designer dresses, or for discounted dresses, all at the click of the mouse.  Tip: check their return policy, then buy two or three different styles to experiment with.  

Regardless of your budget  and where you buy your gown from, the important points to  keep in mind  to ensure you pick the perfect gown are:  YOUR BODY TYPE,  YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE  &  YOUR COLOR SEASON   

If you do not know what Color Season you fall into and if you do not know what Personality Style you fall into; please refer to the previous postings in this blog.

Your Body Type is an important consideration when shopping for a  –gown on-line.  In fact, I  can even strongly say that it is the most important thing, BECAUSE you want to select a dress that flatters your body type, not one that may accentuate your flaws! 

Don’t choose one just because it looks good on the model displaying it on the net! Why? Because you may have a different body type than she does! You should choose a gown that compliments YOUR best features!!

Learn how to discover your body. 

Is it curvy?  An hourglass shape, with small waist lines and curvy hips is a common body type.
 It is athletic? (Straighter waist, narrow hips and smaller bust).
 Is it round all over? 
Is it pear shaped? (Larger on the bottom than on the top).  
Take a minute to assess your body and decide what shape describes most you.  
TIP: if you are not sure, wear some tights and tank top,  tape a large sheet of paper against a wall and have someone (your mom or sister or friend) draw a contour of your body against the paper. This help will identify your body type.  
Once you have identified your body type, then you can choose a dress that flatters YOU!  

Here are some prom dress selections for different body types:

        HOURGLASS- hourglass figures are lucky; they usually look good in everything! Consider strapless or halter top dresses. 

        STRAIGHT- if you have a boyish figure, you’ll want to try avoiding body dresses that might emphasize your squarer figure. Try an A-line dress, not  fitted which will help add volume and curves. Open shoulders are a good choice, consider a  dress with a flared skirt.  

        ROUNDED- for rounded figured women there are many flattering dresses, the best are the ones with a drop waist and low neckline. A low neckline helps enhance your bust,  the drop waist lengthens your torso. An empire cut dress is also flattering it lengthens the body and figure overall. You might try paring this look  with a  skirt. 

        PEAR SHAPED- A-line dresses that are straight cut and empire waists are good  selections for this body shape, because they lengthen the legs and to give the appearance of balance and height.  

Size --How do you know what size to buy?

Size is actually a big problem for most. The closer to your actual size you get, the less likely you’ll need alternation. Keep in mind that manufacturers sizes vary. You may be a size 10 but with a designer gown you may be an 8. In some less expensive dresses you may be even a size 12. So how do you know? Fortunately almost all dresses listed online will have a manufacturer chart  handy! You must take the time to measure your body parts indicated in the chart and then match them with those on the chart.   ON –Line shopping can be a very fun experience (one that will save you time and money, with no need in handling returns waiting on long lines). 
 Prom Shopping Guide Directory: 

This category will be updated regularly; please visit often and please blog with me.  I will add your suggestions  and will list any  site that each of you will recommend,  to make your On –line Shopping as fun and inexpensive as can be!!

Here are some winners: 

Do you want to dance all night without risk of aches and pains?
Here is an item I will recommend, it is a pair of comfy, cushiony inserts that can be flipped in your high heel sandals or shoes  made by  Dr. Shools. Available at any drug store.
Do you want to know how to find the greatest jewelry for next to nothing? Visit www.clairesaccessories.com

Do you want to shop for the hottest evening bags?  Try www.amiciaccessories.com A little expensive, but nice.

Does your budget allows you to splurge in  very fancy dress, priced at about $200.00 ? Then try www.edressme.com
Also www.dressfornight.com. They have  a great selection for any important event.  

More to come!!! 

If you can’t afford that price tag, but you still want to be chic, try:

 www.rampage.com or

www.forever21.com

What about finding the best dancing shoes?  www.capezio.com  then click to “dance shoes” at the bottom.

They have the best kept secret:  Broadway performers use them.  These shoes come with extra padding and are made of flexible materials. They will make you dance the whole night.

What about the best STAY ON lip stick? I tried this one and I can assure it will stay on.  Try: maxwear lipcolor & gloss duo $ 10.00 from Max  Factor.

Best product to zap away a zit?

www.myzeno.com . It is expensive and may sting a bit because of the excessive heat penetrating your skin, but it does work. It helps control only mild cases of acne and occasional breakouts.  

Do you wish you have kissable, plumped lips, without injection and without drying out your lips? Click to  "my picks" button on this blog.  

Do you want the best up-do on a budget? 

Try a virtual hairstyle first and then head to JC Penney Salons.  They have stylists who are specialized in prom style up-dos to transform any girl into a  Cinderella one.
Hope you enjoyed this blog.
Have a great prom night.
-Donatella-

Shopping can be a bewildering experience, there are tons of different decisions to make in a very short time: which style, what goes with what, where can I wear this, can I afford this?..... these questions bombard our heads all at once while we try to pick up something, no wonder some people  leave the store with a big headache and end up hating the whole idea of going shopping.  I know because I was one of them: I dreaded shopping.  But after i learned a few techniques passed down from my Image Consultant mom, I have grown to enjoy shopping and I have grown to be a .great shopper and a savvy shopper as well! My motto has become “Look like a million without spending one!
Below are a few tips that will help making  your shopping spree fun, help you build a  wardrobe that conveys an image consistent with the message you want to send to the world (read more in the Personality Posting),  and will make you save lots of time and money also.
 
1. Window Shop. Before you actually go out to spend your money; spend a little time window shopping and looking through fashion magazines.  Look for specific details: Color, Hemline, Shoes, Belts, Accessories. Asking yourself these questions: what is the color of the season? what is the most trendy shoe, belt? Are necklaces in, if yes what style: choker or long?
After you note each of these details, write it down, or  make a little collage with some outfits you really like to purchase or to emulate. This will give you an idea of what's new  and how to incorporate some of the new styles and colors into what you currently own.

2. Inventory.  You must start with your closet. Take stock of the items you already own  in your closet.
Make three piles:
1. Clothes  you plan to keep.
2. Discard what you do not need and give it away for donations.
3.  Add . Make a list of any  "orphan" piece: these are clothes that are in need of something new to be added to them in order to be put to good use again.
Bring this list with you . Focus on purchasing the Add items first for your "orphan" pieces.    Also bring the kind of shoes you'll be wearing with the item you are shopping for. It's hard to judge a prom dress while wearing your favorite sneakers.

3. Make a list.  This is the list that you will build while going through your closet.
Make sure you put a little note next to the  "orphan" piece in order for you to remember exactly what you need to buy . Example: NEED white button shirt to go with  purple pants and orange skirt. Or NEED a brown belt to get more “mileage" from that white shirt. The more detailed is your list, the faster you will be able to accomplish your task. 
.After you have crossed ALL of the "NEED" items from your list, then, you can have fun relaxing and looking for a "deal" for something new. to introduce in your wardrobe.
If you leave your house with a plan you will learn to buy only what you need, spend less and come home happy instead of guilty. 

4. Quality, When you buy basic wardrobe items such as coats, jackets, suits and raincoats, invest in quality merchandise. Finer fabrics and good styling last longer and look better. Also, think about "cost per wear" If you spend $200. on a coat that you will wear the whole season the cost per wear comes less than a few dollar per each wear. Instead if you spend $200 on a blouse or a dress or a pair of shoes that you only wear a couple of times, the cost per each wear is in the "hundreds" and that is not good common sense.
Also, spend less on a trendy items to update your look such as tights, hats, and costume jewelry, because these may go out of fashion next season, ...and if it does it won't be a great loss.

5. Don't match color. It can be frustrating trying to match a color exactly. Dyes differ from the same manufacturer Combine your colors tonally; that is, go a shade or two lighter or darker or choose a contrasting color.

6. Sizes. It can be very disappointing if you do not try something on while at the store, yet,    making up the decision to buy it anyway,  just because you think you know your size. Once  home if it would end up not fitting you - because each manufacture has a different sizing - returning this item now will cost you money in gas and in time going back and waiting on long lines all over again, so it is best to spend a bit more time while there than going up again.

7. Avoid alterations. If possible, avoid purchases that need extensive alterations. Such alterations are expensive and they usually affect the basic style of the garment. Slight alterations such as hems, shortening of sleeves and nipping in of waistbands; usually pose no problem. It's generally better to take a seam in than to let it out. There may not be enough fabric in the seam to let out, and the stitches may show as well.

8. Fabric Care. Most garments have a label and hang tag that tell what the fabric is made of and how to care for it. Read them carefully. It's a good idea to know the symbols of the international cleaning code. Remember that if a garment must be dry-cleaned, it can become a significant added expense, especially if you expect to wear it frequently. So, a $20 deal on a shirt that requires dry cleaning may not end up being a good deal after all if you factor in the cost of dry cleaning it at $8.50 - $12 per each cleaning.

9. Check Quality. Unless marked "as-is," you're entitled to a perfect garment. Before you pay for your selection, make sure it has all its buttons (sewn securely), belts, or other accessories. Check that the zipper slides smoothly, and that hooks and eyes are all intact. Seams and hems should be in perfect condition.

10. Ask about the store's return or exchange policy. If you can't get a cash refund, or worse, if the sale is final, be especially sure you're making the right choice. Always keep your receipt in case you have a complaint.

11. Choose a store. We all know the feel of stumbling around a huge department store. Our eyes get pulled into dozen directions by exciting floor displays. Soon we forget what we really need to buy. Instead, if we go directly to the store that offers the item we are shopping for, we will save time and money and we will feel victorious for our “conquest”.!!

12. Consider YOU. When buying a new garment, consider how it will suit YOU: will it flatter your Body Type?..., Will it enhance your Skin Coloring? …Will it exude your true Personality Type???. …
Remember, even if an item is a great buy because is on sale, if it will not suit YOU, it will not be a great buy after all!!!

13 Be Sure. Finally buy an item, only if it passes the test of this checklist; if you have really fallen in love with it, if you really need it, and if it really suits you. If you are not sure you probably do not really need it or you don’t really like it.
It is easier to put something on hold than buying and then returning it . It will save you time and money in gas.
Hoe you enjoyed reading this posting.

Happy shopping.
-Donatella-

Hi, and thank you for visiting my blog. Have you ever wondered why a black top might look super on your best friend and not on YOU? Or maybe you bought a lipstick in a shade that looked fabulous on a celeb you admire but  did not look good on you??

Maybe you even decided to go blonde, because you admired the new look on your famous celeb, but  then when you tried it  turned out to be a disaster on you?....The answer to these questions lays on one principal: Color Analysis.
Without the knowledge of this principle even celebs can make mistakes and end up on the list of the "worst" instead of the "best".

If you want to know which hair color, makeup, clothing, accessories and sunglasses will look fabulous on you, read this article filled with lots of resources to help you identify your COLOR SEASON and help you maximize your choices.

In this section I am going to teach you about color analysis (also called color season) and help you determine your Color Season by identifying your undertone. Your undertone determines your season, so learning how to properly identify it, is crucial to selecting the right hue for your clothes, makeup- accessories and hair color.

               What is an undertone?
An undertone is composed of 3 pigments: Carotene-yellow; Melanin- brown; Hemoglobin- red.

If a person has more of the hemoglobin and melanin, red and brown makes blue so that person has a COOL undertone. If a person has more of the carotene, because carotene is yellow, that person has a WARM undertone.
 
How can you identify your undertone?

Normally a color consultant will have to do it. With the help of the right tools (called drapes) she can pin-point your undertone  and show you the difference of how each color  impacts your face, but since I have been raised by a mom who did Image Consulting as a profession, I have learned how to recognize each season not only by using the drapes but also by analyzing your own characteristics since each season exhibits common traits.

    Here are guidelines easy to follow.

Read the following information to discover how you can transform you into a NEW YOU.

1-Take a long careful look at yourself in the mirror. Do it bare-faced, without a single trace of make up. What do you see?
Study your skin tone in a natural light. See if it has a predominantly yellow or blue cast.
2- If you're not sure, place a white sheet of paper next to the inside surface of your wrist and determine whether your skin has a bluish or golden cast.

Cool people tend to have more of yellow –sallow - olive tone  on their skin

Warm people tend to have pink-translucent cast on their skin with yellow freckles or it can also be very red....
.....Yeah, I know it sounds contradictory, but this is why pink blush and lipstick on someone who has a pink reddish skin-tone is not flattering and can make their face puffy and  blemished.

Cool. If you see a blue tone, you belong to one of the "cool" color groups (winter or summer).
If your skin has a yellow tone, your colors are "warm" (spring or autumn). Below are detailed characteristics that best describe each season. See which group below best describes your natural coloring.

Winter—Your skin has a lot of blue in it. Your skin tone is yellowish. It can range from milky white to a true black. If your skin tone is pure beige or olive, you are also part of this group. Your eyes are probably dark brown or dark blue. Your hair color can range from as dark as black to medium brown to ash /blond.

Autumn—There's a clear yellow-gold tone to your skin. Your skin color ranges from peach to golden beige. Pale ivory with golden freckles also belong to this group. Your eyes are light and pure or warmly dark. With golden specks in it They range from clear blue or green to olive green, light golden brown and dark brown. The hair color can range form redheads, strawberry blondes, chestnut , or golden brown.

Summer—Your skin is blue based with lighter beige overtones. In this group, skin tones can range from soft pale beige to lightly rosy pink, olive, or medium brown. Your eyes are: light blue, soft hazel, soft brown and soft gray . Your hair seems sun-kissed. It goes from blonde to medium brown. Ash blonde or light brown hair is also in this group.

Spring—Pure gold is the basic skin tone here. Your skin may be golden, ivory peach to dark beige and golden brown. Your eyes are either dark with golden specks or bright bright blue, dark blue, clear green, light brown with gold specks. Your hair may be strawberry, dark brown with reddish highlights. It also may be golden blonde, golden brown or deep black.

Once you determine your  color season, whether warm or cool, any color season is flattering to the person that belongs to that season. If you select the color range that enhances your natural beauty, you will look great and you will feel confident in anything you will wear!!

TIP: If  you are still not sure which season you fall into, this is my advice:
Experiment with some inexpensive lipsticks in cool shades: pink or red and in warm shades: cinnamon or coral.
Then buy two inexpensive scarves: one black and one ivory or golden beige.

Wear the black scarf with the cool lipsticks (one at a time) and see what happens to your face: are your eyes "popping"? or are your circles popping?
Repeat the same with the warm scarf and lipsticks and see what happens.

             Congratulations.
If you love what you see, chances are that you have  pinpointed  your undertone and found out if you fall into the warm or a cool season. Once you have this knowledge, everything  becomes easy and buying cosmetics, jewelry and clothing will be a piece of cake.

Here are  color swatches that represent each season!!!  Make them your  own and see your confidence  soar to  new heights! (insert color charts)

                       Color Charts

  Winter Color Chart

The Winter palette has the range of all dark, vivid, and bright colors. These colors are blue based and icy.This is the only season that  holds all of the primary colors: white, black, pure red, and navy. Winters do not wear  oranges well. Also light-medium browns and some camel are not the best choice for Winters. No woman can wear a Pure White as beautifully as Winter can!

  Summer Color Chart

Black is missing from the Summer palette, because it’s not a flattering color for Summers, if used close to the face. Summer, has soft colors and lots of pastels to choose from.  The dark colors are more muted than those of the Winter.  Pastels are lovely for Summers.

  Spring Color Chart

Spring has a red, a green and a blue; but these hues differ from the ones of the Winter because they are  yellow based. Spring has medium and light colors, and some vivid colors. This season, looks best with corals and salmons colors next to the face. Avoid: pure black and pure white next to the face.

  Autumn Color Chart

Autumns Do NOT look good in  black. Perfect Colors for Autumns  are camel, teal, olive, cinnamon and any shade of the browns.
This palette has rich, warm, golden colors, light and dark in tones both muted and vivid.

          Hope you enjoyed this info.
Love to hear from you. Leave your comment, become a fan, or a subscriber if you like to check my videos UTube.
-Donatella-

 Thank you for visiting my blog. Here I am going to share tips on how to discover your face shape so that you can choose the most flattering eyeglasses' frame for your face shape-effortlessly-.

Choosing  eyeglass frames    -for vision or for fun -that compliment our face shape, is what can  make us stand out among the crowd!

When we do not know our face shape, we can try- on every pair of eyeglasses in the store, yet none will look good. By narrowing down the choices in advance we can save a lot of time, aggravation and  we can look like a million even with a chip frame!  What do we need to know to accomplish that?  To do so, it is important to determine our face shape and our skin tone coloring!! After we understand these two concepts, choosing the right one will just be a "piece of cake".

There are seven basic face shapes: round, oval, oblong or rectangular, base-down triangle, base-up triangle, diamond, and square. Here is a  description of these face shapes.

ROUND- a round face has curvilinear lines with the width and length in the same proportions and no angles. To make this face shape thinner and longer, try angular narrow eyeglasses to lengthen your face.  

OVAL- the oval face is considered to be the ideal shape because of its balanced proportions. To keep the oval’s natural balance, look for eyeglasses that are as wide (or even wider than) the broadest part of the face, and that are not too deep or too narrow.

 OBLONG- the oblong face is longer than it is wide and has a long straight cheek line and sometimes a longish nose. To make the face appear shorter and more balanced, try frames that have a top-to-top bottom depth, decorative or contrasting temples that add width to the face or a low bridge to shorten the nose.  

BASE-DOWN TRIANGLE- this triangular face has a narrow forehead that widens at the cheek and chin areas. To add width and emphasize the narrow upper third of the face, try frames that are heavily accented with color and detailing on the top half of cat-eye shapes. 

BASE-UP TRIANGLE- this face has a very wide top third and small bottom third. To minimize the width of the top of the face, try frames that are wider at the bottom, very light colors and materials, and rimless frame styles which have a light, airy effect because the lenses are held in place to the temples by a few screws.

  How to Determine Your Face Shape?

Step l
Pull your hair completely away from your face Look straight ahead into a mirror. With an eyebrow pencil, or lipstick, trace around the outer line of your reflected face onto the mirror, or, use a photograph of yourself looking straight at the camera with your hairline showing. Outline your face on a tracing paper or draw on the photograph itself

Step 2
Now. look at the shape you've drawn, and decide which of the seven face shapes it most closely matches. At first glance, it may look like more than one shape; take your time, decide which looks most close to the one of the seven shapes mentioned above

Remember, the seven face shapes:
• Triangular
• Round
• Rectangular-'Oblong
• Diamond
• Square
• Heart (Upside-Down Triangle)
• Oval

It you're still not sure of your face shape, dissect the drawing of your face with a grid like the diagram below. Draw a vertical line down the length of the lace on both sides, from the hairline above the forehead, in line with the outer corner of the eye, down to the jaw. The amount of face outside the two vertical lines helps you discover your facial shape.

Triangular. Is there very little of your face at the top, outside of the vertical lines you drew? And is there more at the middle, outside of the lines, and even more at the jawline outside? Your face shape is a triangle.

Round -Outside the vertical lines, is there more of the face near the ears, and gradually less curving upward and downward? And are upward and downward equal? Your face shape is round.

Rectangular or  Oblong Is there very little to almost none,  your face outside of the vertical lines you drew? And is it the same width whether you look at the top, the middle., or the bottom sides of the face? Your face shape is a rectangle.
 

Diamond Is there very little, to almost none, of your face outside of the vertical lines you drew? But is what's  outside a little wider near the cheekbones and ears?. If the "above and below" parts are about equal your face shape is a diamond.
 

Square Is there a lot of your face outside the vertical lines you drew? And is it equal, from top to bottom? Your face shape is a square.

Heart . Is there very little of your face, at the jaw and outside of the vertical lines you drew? And is there more at about the eye level, outside of the lines, and even more at forehead level, outside? Then, your face is heart shaped.
 

Oval. Oval is considered by many to be the loveliest and most adaptable face shape. What it should look is  neither very little nor very much face outside the vertical lines you drew. What  is outside should be gently curves a bit  wider at the eye/ear level, to slightly narrower at the forehead and jaw levels, looking almost equal to each other in width. If so then your face shape is oval.
Hope you enjoyed these tips.
Please visit again to learn How To Determine Your Skin Tone and how to flatter it with the right Colors. - Donatella- 

Look at Justin, all grown up! The now 18 year old had a photo shoot with V Magazine. 

The magazine comes out Jan 12th. Bieber has been crowned "Pop's Crown Prince"... not too shabby. 

To see his pictures, click here to the original article: http://tinyurl.com/6npocdt

Nicole just confessed to InStyle that she does not know how to put on makeup. Granted, being a celebrity and all, people on makeup for you. But she admit to not even owning much makeup, either! Ah that's like a sin! 

For makeup junkies like myself, not knowing how to apply makeup or not owning much makeup is just unheard of!  

Find out what makeup she DOES own here: http://tinyurl.com/89jnmqp

Her sense of style, however, shines through her two clothing lines. We still love ya Nicole, but if you would like some helpful tips and tricks when it comes to makeup, try watching some of the most talented girls on Youtube!

What do you think about that? Leave comments below!

Hello lovelies :)

List of clothing/products from vid
*Nails: O.P.I. Lincoln Park at Midnight
*Lips: Easyshine in 08 Sweet Strawberry
*Winter Coat: Michael Kors Century 21
*Watch: Century 21
*Skirt: Marshalls
*Shoes: TJMaxx
*Leggings: Pretty Girls Boutique
*Red Scarf: gift from Aunt (bought in NY)
*Black Scarf: Rue 21 (long time ago)
*Silver shirt: Marshalls

Post YOUR outfit of the day here or on my Youtube video!

xoxo

Jessica looks so radiant and happy ... and rightfully so! She is, of course, pregnant and is now playing the guessing game about the sex of her baby! I'm also very excited to find out what her baby is going to look like and if it will be a he or she... very thrilling time for her!

Speaking of babies, Jessica is coming out with her own maternity line! And exciting for future mom's, they won't have to wait too long for that to come out. She announced that her line will be coming out in February. 

Jessica of course also talked about Fashion Star which premiers on March 13th! WHO IS EXCITED FOR THE SHOW TO COME OUT?! I am! It's going to be kinda like the X-Factor in that people will have mentors, but in the fashion biz... can't wait!

What are your thoughts? Excited for the show?

Share below in the comments section!

For the full article... click below:http://tinyurl.com/7vyu4z9