Image Makeovers - What's All the Fuss?

It seems lately that there is a lot of interest in image makeovers. We see it on television from extreme makeovers to home makeovers. What is an Image Makeover? Why do people want makeovers? What will they do for you?

Image Makeovers can be extreme and include plastic surgery, hair implants, liposuction and dental work. For the lucky few who are chosen, it will make a great difference in their lives. Image makeovers help raise self-esteem and give those who have them an edge in the corporate and business world that they would have not previously had. It may seem unjust but there is a widely held belief that how you look reflects who you are - your social status, intelligence etc. Whether we like it or not we are judged within the first fifteen seconds of meeting someone. This alone would be enough reason to want a makeover.

The good news is you have control over the image you project. For those who don’t need or want extreme work done but would like a more polished image and want to highlight their assets, there are simple steps that can be take that will create a more satisfying look.

The elements to consider when creating a professional look are: hair, makeup, style, body type and wardrobe building, communication skills and attitude.

Hair: Keep your hairstyle up-to-date. Hair has a huge impact on your overall look and an out-dated style will make you appear out-dated as well. If you are working in the corporate world this could destroy any chance of advancement. If your style is from the last decade it may communicate that your ideas and practices are too. If you need an updated look find a hairstylist who knows the latest hair fashions.

Makeup: If you don’t wear makeup now and you are otherwise well –groomed you will not look completed finished. If you are not sure how to use makeup seek out a professional- it will be well worth the time and effort.

Style: When we dress to suit our personal style or fashion personality we feel more comfortable. Sometimes women don’t want to “dress up” because they feel like they are being someone else. When you dress to fit your personal style you can be “dressed up and feel like the clothing belongs on you.

Body Type: We are not all born with the same shape, so, the style we wear will impact the way we look. Have you ever seen an outfit on one of your friends that looked spectacular but when someone else wore that same outfit it lost its pizzazz? That has to do with the body shape of the two people. Both women could be the same height and weight but have a totally different shape. This has a huge impact on how the outfit looks.

Building a Wardrobe: Have you brought home clothes that you really liked and when you looked in your closet you realized that that you didn’t have a thing to go with it? What do you do? Go back to the store and buy something to match. That’s not always a bad thing if you have lots of money to spend. If however, you don’t, you will want to make wise purchases. Making wise purchases means knowing how to build a wardrobe.


Is Your Health Portfolio Balanced?

We are all aware of the need to balance our financial portfolio so that in times of hardship or when disaster strikes -- stock market drops, pink slips, etc -- we will be affected by financial challenges as little as possible. Having a substantial bank account allows us many opportunities that people with lesser financial savvy and preparation must forego.

Perhaps you are at a “comfortable” financial level, able to pay off bills and credit cards timely, and have enough disposable income to enjoy a good quality of life. Perhaps you enjoy an “extremely high” financial level, with unending “toys”, travel when and where you want, and other opportunities for the “good life”. Either way you are able to handle sudden financial challenges and able to take advantage of financial opportunities as they come your way. Feels good, doesn’t it?

But what about your health portfolio? When faced with challenges such as a cold, flu season, children’s ear infections, etc. do you just accept them as part of life? What about when disaster strikes in the form of a serious health challenge to you or a family member. Is your health bank account equipped to fight back?

In the United States, the average age of disability (when quality of life becomes so poor that you need help for daily activities of living) is 65 years old. Modern medicine is providing miracles in keeping us alive longer -- increasing our “lifespan”. But what about the quality of our lives? If we want to continue our “healthspan” along with our “lifespan”, it is imperative to raise the level of our health bank account as well as balance our health portfolio.

If you think the cost of health care has gone through the roof now, wait until the majority of baby boomers reach the “age of disability”. Now is the time to take a serious look at your own health bank account and ask “Do I have all the energy I need each day?”, “What is my ‘cushion’ in case of serious illness?” and “Does my health portfolio need balancing?”


Is Your Health Portfolio Balanced?

We are all aware of the need to balance our financial portfolio so that in times of hardship or when disaster strikes -- stock market drops, pink slips, etc -- we will be affected by financial challenges as little as possible. Having a substantial bank account allows us many opportunities that people with lesser financial savvy and preparation must forego.

Perhaps you are at a “comfortable” financial level, able to pay off bills and credit cards timely, and have enough disposable income to enjoy a good quality of life. Perhaps you enjoy an “extremely high” financial level, with unending “toys”, travel when and where you want, and other opportunities for the “good life”. Either way you are able to handle sudden financial challenges and able to take advantage of financial opportunities as they come your way. Feels good, doesn’t it?

But what about your health portfolio? When faced with challenges such as a cold, flu season, children’s ear infections, etc. do you just accept them as part of life? What about when disaster strikes in the form of a serious health challenge to you or a family member. Is your health bank account equipped to fight back?

In the United States, the average age of disability (when quality of life becomes so poor that you need help for daily activities of living) is 65 years old. Modern medicine is providing miracles in keeping us alive longer -- increasing our “lifespan”. But what about the quality of our lives? If we want to continue our “healthspan” along with our “lifespan”, it is imperative to raise the level of our health bank account as well as balance our health portfolio.

If you think the cost of health care has gone through the roof now, wait until the majority of baby boomers reach the “age of disability”. Now is the time to take a serious look at your own health bank account and ask “Do I have all the energy I need each day?”, “What is my ‘cushion’ in case of serious illness?” and “Does my health portfolio need balancing?”


7 Steps to Great Makeup

1. Avoid wearing too much

Makeup is meant to enhance features not bring negative attention to you. That's what wearing too much makeup will do; it will bring you unwanted attention. Don't wear too much of anything such as:

1. Eyeliner: dark, thick eyeliner will make you look overdone and will ruin the rest of your makeup.

2. Mascara: too much mascara looks fake and will flake. It looks especially bad if worn with thick eyeliner or dark blue eye eye shadow.

3. Foundation: Make sure your foundation is the same color as your skin. Foundation is meant to protect and give the face a smooth look. The magic word is blend.

4. Powder: The same holds true for powder - not too much. Also, be sure to blend your makeup so there are no obvious lines.

2. Lips

Apply lip liner to completely cover the lips, add color and your lipstick will stay on much longer. Make sure your lip liner doesn't show. Also, your lip color should match your
skin tone; wear cool colors if you have cool coloring and warm colors if you have warm coloring. If you want to make your lips look smaller, keep your liner on the inside of
your lips. However, if you decide to make your lips look larger, going outside the natural outline of you lips is a mistake. This can look quite messy and unnatural.

3. Appropriate makeup
Wear makeup that is appropriate for the occasion. If you are going to the beach you shouldn't wear the same or as much makeup as you would if you were going dancing. Also, when you are in daylight your makeup should be a lighter than when you are out for the evening.

4. Too little or no makeup
Some women don't wear makeup because they are not sure how to use it and are afraid of being overdone. If you are unsure, start will light colours in your shade. Start slowly and add one product at a time. Maybe start with foundation, add mascara, blush or lipstick. If you are not used to wearing makeup, using a lot a first may be a little too much for you, so start slowly. The bottom line is a little is better than none. If you are still unsure seek professional advice.

5. Overall look
When your makeup is completed it should look natural. That means avoiding colours that clash. If you have dark skin and hair you will look better in darker shades; light colours will make you look washed out. If your hair and skin tone are light, light colours will look better on you. Dark makeup will make you look older and harsh. If you have oily skin, first use oil control moisturizer and foundation. Then be sure to wear loose powder, keeping pressed powder with you for touch ups.

6. Hair color
Your hair color should also be in harmony with your skin. If you have dark hair and you want to add color, keep it close to the same shade. If you have light hair, use light colors. As you age your skin will lighten, so should your hair color. One last thing about hair color - if you do color you hair be sure you keep it up, don't let your roots show.

7. One last thing
Keep makeup looking fresh all day by doing regular touch ups. Don't let your makeup fade or crease. Smile!!!