To find the perfect accessories for the holidays, you first must find the perfect dress. So pick a dress that you absolutely love and stick to it. Then, get to work on finding the best accessories. Here are some dos and dont’s.

Don’t Overdo It

Choose focal pieces, instead of over-accessorizing. Think bold instead of quantity. Try chandelier earrings, bold cuffs, multi-layer necklaces and cocktail rings — but not all at the same time. A good rule of thumb is not to put items too close together on the body. Instead of big earrings AND a big necklace, try big earrings and a cocktail ring.

Keep Day Accessories Separate From Evening Accessories

Shine (metallics, patent, embellishment) is always good for dressing up an outfit and going from day to evening. Leave the beat-up leather boots or shoulder bag you wear every day to the office at home.

You Don’t Have to Match

You can mix metallics and different styles of accessories, as long as there is cohesion in the outfit. Bags and shoes do not have to be the same color. The general rule to follow? Choose one in a color or pattern and the other in a neutral (and remember! Metallics ARE neutrals).

Importance of Size

If you are larger in stature go for bigger pieces. Don’t wear anything so small that it simply gets lost on you. Conversely, if you are smaller, don’t wear pieces that are so big, it looks like you are drowning in decoration. Save that for the tree.

Resist Holiday Colors

Just like red and green are colors to avoid at Christmas, resist “seasonal accessories” which include but are not limited to, ceramic reindeer or turkey pins, Christmas tree and candy cane earrings, mistletoe brooches and pilgrim hats (unless you are in a school play). Buy timeless, beautiful, interesting jewelry that will last you throughout the year with oodles of outfits, not just for November and December.

Why dedicate an entire article to something as mundane as socks? Well, simply put, too many men are spoiling perfectly reasonable outfits by wearing the wrong kind of socks.

While there’s not a ton of rules to follow when it comes to socks, there are actually a few that are key to making sure you’re able to pull off your otherwise carefully put together ensembles. Certain socks are only for particular occasions, for example, and certain colors of socks should only be worn with specific outfits. To make sure you’re not sabotaging your style, have a glance at the list below and make an effort to rectify any deviant sock tendencies you may have.

White socks are only for sports

Probably one of the most violated rules of fashion -- wearing white socks outside of sporting activities -- is all too common. Just the other day, in fact, I saw a carefully groomed man wearing a decent quality black suit with black dress shoes, but when he sat down two inches of white socks poked out of his shoes and totally destroyed his look by making him appear somewhat ridiculous.

If you’re going to the gym, white socks are fine. They’re also fine, and actually even look better than black socks, if you’re playing sports outdoors or going for a run. Apart from activities where you’re going to generate a lot of sweat, however, white socks are a big no-no. Even with jeans you should wear black socks, so section off your sock drawer and keep your white socks close to your workout clothes and well away from your dress-up wardrobe.

Dress shoes require dress socks

If you’re going to wear dress shoes, you can’t wear athletic socks -- no matter what their color. For example, it’s simply not enough that your socks be black. The reason for this rule is the following: Athletic socks are often bulkier than dress socks since they’re usually made of heavier cotton or other materials, so they tend to bunch out over dress shoes. Plus, athletic socks are frequently ribbed and the contrast of cheap, ribbed socks against smooth, high-quality dress shoes looks odd. Instead, wear dress socks with dress shoes. They’ll be easier to slip in to your shoes and the finer, thinner material will mean that any attention focused on your foot area will remain centered on your swish shoes instead of your socks.

Match your socks with your pants, not your shoes

When wearing dress pants or casual pants, apart from jeans, the color of your socks should be dictated by the color of your pants and not by the shade of your shoes. Black pants should obviously go with black socks, and brown pants with brown socks. The same goes for blue and gray pants. Choose your socks carefully for pants in other hues. Try out a few pairs of socks if you must in order to determine which socks match best with your pants. If you’re in doubt, a darker color usually works better. The reason it’s important to match socks with your pants is that when you have to take your shoes off or you sit down and your socks are exposed, socks that coordinate with your pants make your outfit appear more fluid. On the other hand, socks that don’t match your pants will break up an otherwise awesome ensemble.

Any kind of stripe on clothing can be hard to wear. Horizontal stripes for example, can actually make you look larger than your are, while vertical stripes will lengthen your silhouette. But…how can you wear diagonal stripes?

Try not to wear a necklace or chunky accessories with this kind of print coz  the lines alone call attention to themselves.  Instead, opt for a simple and elegant look.

The diagonal stripes actually create a taller, slimmer silhouette, so you don’t have to worry about looking bulky or short.

With this type of dress you should wear low-cut shoes. They elongate your legs by keeping the line from the knee to the ankle seamless.

There are a lot of fashion faux-pas out there, especially for guys, but with a little guidance you can avoid these wardrobe malfunctions. Just be aware of what’s hot and what’s not, and don’t forget that whatever looks good on a model, doesn’t necessarily mean it will look good on you!

Patent Leather

While patent leather might look great on a purse or women’s shoes, men should never wear this trend. The shiny plastic look of patent leather will break out, literally. So now patent leather pants, messenger bags, or anything like that! If you absolutely must have a patent leather item, choose a belt and pair it with something more natural.

80’s Style

Although the 80s style has made a comeback…it really shouldn’t have. The 80s were an era filled with long long tees, tight pants, and bandannas. And nobody wants to see that anymore! So stay away from skinny jeans and over sized jackets. Also, using a ton of gel on your hair won’t help- no woman is going to want to run her hands through that!

Metallics

Ok…first of all, this should have never ever been a fashion trend for men. So for your own sake, I hope you don’t own a metallic item, it’s all wrong. No metallic jackets, pants, or tops, please. Just stick to watches and chains, that’ll be enough.

Long Sweaters

In memory of the grunge era, long sweaters made a small comeback, but don’t worry they’re on their way out. Sweaters for men should be no longer than hip length. Anything longer will either make you look like you’re wearing a women’s sweater dress, or just plain sloppy.

Gray may be the season's hottest hue, but that doesn't necessarily make it easy to carry off. Here's how to wear gray:

    * Add shine to gray. Either choose gray pieces with hints of metallic thread or sequins, or layer with a sequin or satin piece.
    * For the most sophisticated look, pair gray with black or white. Or wear various shades of gray, layering dove gray and charcoal together.
    * Add interest to gray with color. Jewel tones -- ruby, purple, cobalt -- all look rich with gray. Many women find the best way to wear gray is as a jacket or bottom, using color (in the form of a blouse or shell) up close to the face for flattery.
    * Look for gray pieces cut in feminine and contemporary -- not boring basic -- pieces. Swing jackets, a pair of wide-legged trousers or a sexy satin minidress all work great in gray.
    * Use accessories to add color and texture to gray.
    * Look for pretty jewel-tone bags or shoes. Exotic skins -- especially snakeskin or faux snake -- in black or black and white look great with gray.

Halloween is just around the corner, and you may be stumped over what to wear! There are so many choices, yet so little time left, and you just don’t know what will work!

So what are some of the coolest costumes to wear this season? It is all about creativity! Think about what makes you feel good and sexy, and then get to working! Finding your inner person will be very important. You can pick a character that you really love, or a childhood character, whatever floats your boat!

Either way, you have to remember to keep it interesting and creative, and of course, sexy! Remember that it’s Halloween so go crazy and don’t be shy. Fairy tale costumes are very hot, as well as mythical characters such as Greek Gods and Goddesses.

Try to stay away from the cliche naughty nurse or french maid costume, it’s been done too many times. Think beautiful, natural, and creative!

But then here are some choices for this year! Pick from being a Spartan, Harry Potter, A Pirate, One of the Fantastic Four or even a Transformer!

Transformers Costumes

Making your own Transformers Halloween Costume is going to be tricky, especially If you want your costume to transform into a car. Of course if we could easily build this type of technology, we wouldn�t be so worried about getting the perfect Transformers halloween costume. You will need to start with some sturdy cardboard boxes, cut them up and glue them together. Once you are done decorating the boxes, have a friend glue the last few pieces together while you are wearing the costume. To add some realism get some shiny metallic paint and spray paint the boxes using your favorite Transformers colors.

300 Spartans Costumes

You will need to get yourself a nice large piece of red material, which you can use a makeshift cape or toga. Next, you can get yourself a pair of sandals and build a pair of nice shin armer out of cardboard. Depending on your budget you could buy some of these accessories at a Halloween Costume Shop, but if you are determined to make your own costume here is how to proceed: find some golden construction paper and draw some Spartanesque patterns on four different sheets. Good luck, young Spartan!

Harry Potter

Now if you would rather be a young Harry Potter this Halloween then here are the materials you will need: one large brown or blue cape, a long piece of wood to make a wand, some face make up to design your lightning bolt and some glasses. For the cape you can either use a robe or just buy a large piece of blue or brown material and fasten it around your shoulders. Next, get some simple face painting materials and draw a nice lightning bolt on your forehead.

Pirates of the Caribbean 3

The good news is that pirate costumes are easy to come by and it should be easy enough for you to customize a generic pirate halloween costume to fit the style of Jack, Elisabeth or Will! Get the typical pirate wares, then for Jack add some eyeliner under your eyes, get a wig with some dreads and start walking like you�ve been on a boat for too long. If you want to be Elizabeth, simply get yourself a nice pirate�s hat and some three quarter pants, add a nice scarf around your waist and hide your hair under the hat.

Fantastic Four

If you want to be the best Silver Surfer in town, you might need to spend a bit of money on silver body paint. But don�t worry, that�s not my only tip: I don�t want you arrested for indecent exposure. Why not find an old pair of jogging clothes or shorts, then spray paint them with some silver paint. Whatever paint you use, be sure it is non-toxic and safe for your skin. Next all you need to do is find a nice surf board!

Spiderman 3

It won�t be easy finding the perfect tights to fit you, but once you do you�ll be so happy that you�ll be climbing the walls! I suggest you get yourself multiple pairs of nylons or stockings and then dye each one a different color depending on how you plan to use them. For instance, you can use one of the pairs as the upper body: so dye the middle part red. This can easily be done using fabric paints. Use blue dye on the stockings you will wear on your legs. For the spidey boots, get an old pair of shoes and spray paint them red.

When you think of celebrities, you probably notice their keen sense of style. The cool get-up that you would probably never be able to pull off (but secretly want to), like Justin Timberlake’s style; it’s original, fresh, and most of all…stylish. So how can you get that star look?

Pinstripe Dress Shirt

A pinstripe dress shirt is what you need to start your transformation. Wear it unbuttoned all the way (since you’ll have a white tee underneath) and you have a casual look. What’s great about this piece is that you can wear it with dressier pants for a more sophisticated look.

White Tank

This extra layer of warmth not only protects you from the cold, but it is also reminiscent of the stars’ simple yet modern style sense. Wear the white tee underneath the pinstripe shirt to get the look going.

Dress Pants

To pull off this retro-chic style of Justin’s, dress pants. These gray wool trousers are perfect with their single pleat and tapered cuff. The pants also have a slouchy, laid-back look, so you won’t feel too stuffy in them. You can even wear them with sneakers for an old school 80’s look.

Suspenders

I know what you’re thinking: who wears suspenders? But if you truly want to achieve that Hollywood style, you must get a pair! And that doesn’t mean you should wear your 20-year-old suspenders, just get new ones…they’re a little more modern

And there you have it, the ultimate celebrity style. If you’ve got the confidence, you can easily pull it off.

This season we are seeing a lot of new trends making their way into our closets, but we also see some of the older trends sticking around.

Cropped jackets are very popular this season. Wear them with jeans or dress down an outfit with a heavier material jacket.

Bold colors scream confidence and that’s what it’s all about this season. Although darker colors are also in this fall, bold colors should not be ignored!

Metallics are a shoe-in. They’ve been around all summer and thankfully, they are still gracing us with their presence. Everything from shoes, to bags, accessories, and clothing.

Feminine accessories are also hot this season. Feminine hats and accessories are all the rage, so make sure you add your feminine touch too!

Last but not least, we have the inevitable ankle boot. These babies are hot and you can pair them with almost anything. Make sure you get your hands on a pair soon!

For the men, tweed is in! This fall, designers from the Emerald isle to Alabama are feeling the need for tweed. The result? Whether youre out to a formal party or just a casual dinner out, theres never been a better time to go green.  Tweed is made in either plain or twill weave and may have a check or herringbone pattern.  Tweeds are desirable for informal outerwear, being moisture-resistant and very durable.

This season we will see a range of colors from khaki green, to metallics, to everything shiny, matte, and purple of course!

Don’t be afraid to sport some purple items as this trend won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Choose purple accessories, tops, shawls, bags, and so much more.

A suggestion would be to combine a voluminous purple top with gray high waisted pants and a blazer. Add some hot pumps to your outfit, and voila- you’re a fashion diva!

Accessories can help your outfit because they emphasize your style as well as your look. Weather it’s a necklace, a belt, or in this case, rings.  We will see a lot of big, chunky, as well as very funky, fashionable rings.

This season, big, chunky rings are extremely hot. They are reminiscent of the Twenties and Thirties, combined with a modern bohemian look. So wear funky rings with a simple outfit and you’ll see the difference!

    Keep these 10 fashion items on hand and you'll be ready for any special occasion, from winter formals to holiday parties. All it takes are a few dressy basics to mix and match your way to glamorous party success!


1. Little Black Dress
It just doesn't get any better than a perfect little black dress for party wear. The newest (and most flattering) length falls modestly right below the knee. Satin, velvet, jersey and crepe are some of the best fabrications for this style.

2. Beaded Top
Head-to-toe beading is too much, but a sparkly top is festive enough to stand on its own. An embellished cardigan looks especially fresh right now. Pair with black trousers or a straight skirt, pull back your hair and slick on red lips for a classic party look.

3. Soft Trousers
A wider-leg pant is the perfect special occasion partner for sexy tops and jackets. Choose basic colors -- black and winter white are faves -- and festive fabrics (velvet, satin, crepe).

4. Dressy Wrap
A beautiful shawl does more than just look good: it can cover bare shoulders, too. Embroidered styles go great with basic strapless dresses; velvets and fringed pieces add richness to separates. Stick with a shawl in approximately the same fabric "weight" as your outfit (you wouldn't want to pair a heavy velvet piece with a gossamer gown).

5. Perfect Clutch Bag
Complete your outfit with a sophisticated clutch bag. Look for clean lines with subtle details (like gold or silver hardware) to get the most mileage. Some styles have short strap to go over your shoulder or a loop to hang around your wrist, but holding a dainty bag in your hand is still the chicest way to go.

6. Dressy Mules
These high-heeled backless shoes will go with everything from pants to little black dresses. Added bonus: unlike sandals, where you have to worry about your hose seams showing on the toes, mules have covered toes so sheer hosiery looks great!

7. Jacket
The dressy jacket is a staple because it classes up everything from simple white blouses to plain black trousers. Burn-out and embroidery are two finishes that add interest; look for traditionally sleek colors like black, white and burgundy.

8. Diamond Earrings
If you can swing it (and there are plenty of good buys out there), real diamonds are the only way to go. Hoops, drops and studs are all popular styles. Just pair your earrings to your updo (the more pulled back/up your hair, the longer the earring).

9. Shimmery Powder
Dust sparkly powders in pink or flesh tones wherever you want more attention: bare shoulders, cleavage, etc.

10. Sexy Camisole
Looks great bare or under a jacket. Pair with a dressy skirt for special occasions or toughen it up with faded jeans for daytime.

Ladies, yes you heard it right! Bellbottoms are back! What are bellbottoms?

Well bellbottoms were the fashion statement of the bohemian sector of young society in the late 1960's.

Initially designed for Naval personnel, the pant flare out at the bottom so that sailors could quickly remove their boots in an emergency situation. The pants became popular as musicians like James Brown, Sonny and Cher and Elvis Presley enjoyed their bell like form. When hippies saw the bell-shaped pants leg, they seemed like a counter-culture alternative to the straight-legged, straight-laced adult-oriented clothing worn by their parents.

While the original popularity of the pants focused on denim fabrics, eventually designs emerged, some made of polyester and others of corduroy. These versions were more conservative, with a much smaller bell at the bottom. These so-called "flares" were much like recent "boot cut" pants and were worn by hippies and non-hippies alike.

No more skinny jeans (ok well maybe they’re still in) but at least we can look forward to something else. These babies will look good on anyone no matter how tall or short you are.

Thank goodness for bellbottoms, or else skinny jeans would have destroyed us all. They’re cute and all, but you have to be a 6 foot model to really look good in those and reap the benefits.

Even celebs are sporting the hottest bellbottoms around and they’re loving it. They can be jeans, cargos, and even dress pants, bellbottoms are still hot. You can pair them with anything, and you can also dress them up or dress them down!

Its the hell week for most of us and the stress is probably making us feel and act old so to fight off that downer feeling, here are 5 looks the kids share with us to keep us young, hip and fresh!

1
When kids want to use summer shirts for cooler weather, they just layer a long-sleeve T-shirt underneath.

Steal It: A long-sleeve layering piece (T-shirt, henley, turtleneck, etc.) works in contrasting colors (like cobalt and black) or monochromatic (gray on gray).

The layered look even works for the office when you pair a sleek knit top under a swing jacket with short or bracelet-length sleeves (these sleeves end between the elbow and wrist).

2
Kids go head-to-toe bright: you know that just a touch of bright color adds spice to everything from jeans to workwear.

Steal It: Add a yellow knit scarf to a brown sweater. Try red shoes with black pants. Layer a fuchsia sequined top under a black blazer. Try mixing purple with gray or electric blue with black.

3
Skinny jeans and flats? Kids love 'em. But flats work with more than just jeans.

Steal It: Try ballet flats that have a little something extra like a shiny finish or a cute cut-out shape. Flats look great with wide-leg pants, knit dresses, knee-length skirts and jeans (of course).

With shorter dresses and skirts you can get the long-legged look of heels by adding monochromatic tights with your flats (black tights, black flats).

4
Sugary babydoll dresses and microminis are best left to the kids, but don't be afraid of giving a shorter silhouette a try.

Steal It: Full-cut trapeze shapes are difficult to pull off for anyone with a bustline and empire (raised waist) dresses may make you look pregnant. But a soft shift dress -- basically a straight, waistless dress that skims the body -- is flattering and modern.

You don't need to go too short to make this look work; anything above the knee works. Add black tights for extra flattery and coverage. Look for fabrics that drape -- knits, velvet, jersey -- to get a softer look.

5
Girls love hats and headbands because they make them feel grownup. You'll love how "finished" headwear makes you feel.

Steal It: Let the kids wear funky newsboy caps and super-tight knit caps. You'll look fab in more structured styles like a wide-brimmed wool fedora or mens-style fedora. Even a softly fitted knit cap would finish off the look.

   

No More Unflattering Lengths or Sizes!

You probably don't give handbags the same scrutiny you give a pair of jeans: if a handbag is cute or fits your lifestyle then it works.

But did you know that a handbag can flatter your shape almost as much as the right pair of jeans?

Apply these easy steps to getting bag in proportion to your figure. It can not only knock off pounds visually (no kidding!), it'll polish up your style in a flash.

Shapes

Try to choose a shape that is the opposite of your body type. If you are tall and thin, look for a slouchy, rounded hobo bag to compliment your figure. If you're short and voluptous, play off opposites by choosing a handbag that is tall and rectangular or long and sleek (like a clutch).

In general, the rounder your figure, the more structured your bag should be. That doesn't mean that you have to carry a hard box around to counterbalance your womanly shape: rectangular or square silhouettes in soft leathers or fabrics will do the trick.

Some popular shapes:

• Tote - An open-top bag with straps or handles.
• Hobo bag - A crescent-shaped shoulder bag.
• Duffle - Tall shoulderbag, often with a wider opening on top.
• Field bag - A flap-top shoulderbag with utility-type closure (buckles, snaps, etc).
• Clutch - A small, handheld bag or a larger, geometric shape that is tucked under the arm.
• Satchel- A large, handheld bag.
• Baguette - Long and rounded shoulder bag resembling the namesake bread.
• Messenger - A large, soft shoulder bag with long straps (often worn across the body).
• Cigar Box - A small, boxy, hard bag.
• Pouch - A soft, small bag.
• Kelly bag - A classic Hermes style named after Grace Kelly; a large, structured handbag with distinctive hardware closures.

Scale

While the shape should oppose your body type for maximum flattery, the size of the bag should be in proportion to your figure.

source:
http://fashion.about.com

Its been all about grooming and skin care for the past few weeks on all access fashion and your about to hear the last one for the meantime as the next weeks will be back to discussing the hottest trends on the runway and off it!

So were going into the month of August and its about the middle of the semester and were sure that work is piling up and the number of sleepless nights are coming!  Which means, those dreaded zits or pimples are on their way!

How to hide them? Well you can cover pimples with a ton of concealer but it’s not necessarily the best idea because it can clog the pimple even more, which in turn, will make it bigger and bigger.

So don't let that face monster get the better side of you; instead freeze it out, and say goodbye to it!

The best thing to do is dab a little toner over the pimple to dry up any excess oil. Then, wrap an ice cube in a tissue and dab it on the pimple, to cool and flatten the bump.Make sure you don’t leave the cube on for too long, as it will cause redness.

Finish off by drying your skin off with a tissue and applying your good concealer.  Now your pimple is safe from dirt and is on its way to getting freezed away!

Although you may not think too much of your hands, it’s always important to take care of your nails because nothing looks worse than hands that are uncared for, so make these steps a weekly treat.

Oh and this isnt just for the ladies, the men ought to try this! You'll have your girl not just holding, but clinging on! :)

First off, remove any nail polish you have on your nails. Soak your hands for 5-10 minutes in a bowl of soapy water to soften skin. Massage an exfoliating hand scrub into the hands, rinse, and dry gently with a clean towel.

Apply a generous amount of hand lotion to each one of your hands, and massage it into your skin using circular motions. Make sure to massage around each cuticle and nail.

For super soft hands, apply a thick coat of hand cream or even petroleum jelly onto your hands. Wrap them in gloves or plastic wrap, and leave them on your hands for 10-15 minutes. Remove the gloves and wipe off any excess cream, or massage into skin and nails.

Every once in a while, people get bothered with hard to deal with dry skin. Here are some simple tips on how to fight dry skin, and remove it permanently. You don’t need expensive products or treatments, just try being good to your skin and it’ll make a big difference.

1. Try staying away from long, hot baths. This will dehydrate your skin leaving it rough and dry. Instead, take a shower, and pat your skin dry when you’re finished.

2. Have a good moisturizer at hand. Moisturizers help keep in the moisture and prevent water loss.

3. Obviously enough, drink plenty of water! Water retains the body’s moisture, so try to keep up with it.

4. To get extra smooth skin, and get rid of the dry stuff, seal in the moisture by applying a moisturizer right after your shower.

5. If you have dry lips, try not to lick them- it will only make things worse. Opt for a good lip balm instead.

Source: style101.com

Last week, we were able to remedy those puffy eyes and before we move on to the other parts of our face, it is time to do the hair talk!

Here are SEVEN smart hair tips that will give you that stunning impression just looking at the back!

Tip #1

Avoid rinsing your hair with hot water. The intense heat will only damage your hair. Instead rinse your hair with cold to lukewarm water and you will start to see a difference.

Tip #2

Hold off on the heat monsters such as blow dryers, hair straighteners, curlers, etc. This is easier to do for men than for women. Ladies, try letting your hair air dry for about a month without using any sort of heat activated styling tools. To get some shape and volume to your hair, set your hair with some big hair curlers.

Tip #3

Use a deep conditioner once a week. This is very important because it brings back the much needed moisture to your hair.

Tip #4

Never pull your hair. Hair strands are so weak and fragile, that if you comb your hair too harshly and you pull the strands, you’ll end up with brittle, split-ends. If your hair doesn’t brush easily after washing, try a de-tangler and then work your hair gently with a wide-tooth comb.

Tip #5

Try going without any kind of harsh hair treatment such as a perm or coloring. Although it makes your hair look nice for the time being, it actually damages it to no end.

Tip #6

Don’t brush your hair too much. There is a limit as to how much you can brush your hair, and doing it too often and too much will weaken your strands and cause split ends.

Tip #7

Get a regular trim. Your hair does not look long with split ends; it just looks damaged. You will be surprised at how healthy your hair will look if you just trim it once a month or even once every three weeks.

 

Well cared for hair can make a lot of difference and you dont wanna wait to find out just how much! Start NOW! ;)

For the past few weeks, we've been talking about style and smart shopping but fashion goes beyond just looking good with these aspects! We have to take care of our skin and our body too!

For the next fashion issues, we'll be talking about how to maintain a healthy and glamorous look inside out!

GETTING RID OF PUFFY EYES

Basic Facts

The skin under the eyes is the thinnest anywhere on the body and is prone to dryness due to having fewer oil glands than the rest of facial skin. Fat pads surround the eyes, and the muscles that encase the upper and lower eyelids hold the fat (and skin) in place. There are plenty of blood vessels around the eyes, which can show through the thin skin, contributing in some cases to dark under-eye circles. Fluids that get trapped in eye tissue can trigger puffiness, while excess fat in the area can produce a permanent puffy look.

As we get older, our skin starts to loose its elasticity and we realize that we have dark circles under our eyes and therefore we need to get rid of these puffy eyes. Dark circles and puffy eyes form on account of many different things including not enough sleep, stress, wrong makeup removal, and genetics.

Simple Solutions

Thankfully, there are many ways that can help you reduce the darkness as well as the puffiness.

1. Tthe old fashioned way is using the trusty plain old cucumbers. Cucumbers retain the water and reduce the puffiness. They work wonderfully, and it is also very relaxing.

2. Limit your intake of alcohol and salty foods and drink plenty of water. Proper hydration is key to helping your body and skin look and feel their best.

3. Apply a cool compress. Sit for several minutes with chilled slices of cucumbers or tea bags, wet cotton balls or a cold washcloth over closed eyes. The cold helps constrict blood vessels, decreasing swelling.

3. Try a home eye treatment. Look for products with caffeine, yeast and/or cucumber to decrease swelling.

 

For the last few weeks, we've been giving you advice on how to keep up to date with the latest trends but before we flood you with more, here's a few smart tips we want you to keep in mind when you shop! :)

Once in a while, we all find ourselves to be fashion victims and therefore we need to start learning how to shop the smart way. You know very well how out of hand the shopping can get, and later on when you realize what you bought, you also realize you have nothing to wear that item with…or just you never wear it! Follow these steps to smarter shopping!!!

1. Whatever you decide to purchase, try to match it with something else you have in your wardrobe.

2. Don’t buy too many items that are of similar color…no one will notice 10 different black t-shirts.

3. Try giving yourself a limit and stick to it.

4. Do you really need it? Probably not! Just because it’s on sale, does not mean that you need to buy it.

5. Don’t buy anything you’re never going to wear…obviously. If you don’t have the place or time to wear a cute summer dress, then don’t buy one for the time being. Wait for an event.

6. Lastly, just be very conscious of what you buy and how often, because fashion changes so fast that you need to consider items that can be versatile and sustain all the fashion changes.

Armed and ready for your next shopping spree? Just keep these in midn and you'll be sure to get your money's worth! :) ENJOY!

 

Source: styletips101.com

Tired of just blending in? Well sometimes it cant be helped with the variety of styles to choose from so spice up your everyday clothes with some of these looks and you'll be sure to stand out!

 

Shift Dress

One of the easiest dress silhouettes to wear, the shift is a simple short shape that basically hangs straight down from the shoulder. The lack of fullness or waist definition give you a sleek line without lots of volume

 

Peep Toe

Open-toe pumps and flats give you a hint of toe, but still look polished. Try patent or quilted looks for even more updated style.

 

Convertible handbag

Girls love options, and the newest convertible handbags give them to us. Carry the bag by the short straps as a satchel by your hands, or hang it in the crook of your elbow; or wear the long straps as a shoulder bag. It's a great way to get the most bang for your designer bag buck.

 

Kimono Sleeves

Pump up the volume on top with wide sleeves known as kimono sleeves. This dramatic look works for both tunics and dresses in a wide variety of solids and prints. It's a great way to balance out wide hips and thighs; avoid this look if you are big-busted.

 

Baby Doll dresses

Don't be fooled by the term "babydoll." This is defnitely one grown-up dress style! The babydoll dress features an empire waist with fullness in the skirt and a shorter length.

 

Wide leg pants

Ease up for spring with wider leg pants. Don't confuse wide-leg with sloppy: these softly shaped pants come in crisp work-ready fabrics like khaki

 

Bangles

Show your bold style with chunky bangles or develop your own unique look by layering thin gold bangles

 

Puff Sleeves

A bit of puff sleeve gives any top or dress a girly edge. Try the trend in moderation with fitted shapes

 

Rimless Sunglasses

Sleek and chic rimless sunglasses are the hottest look right now in shades. These oversized designer sunglasses feature a glamorous shield style

 

 

 

 

Source: Fashion.about.com