If you’ve been feeling a little “blah” about your look lately—or you’re just itching for a fun style refresh—this one’s for you! I teamed up with four incredible experts (covering wardrobe, hair, makeup, and color analysis) to give my appearance and confidence a boost, without blowing my budget.
Wardrobe Tips: Elevate Your Outfits with Confidence
I met with Mena, a wardrobe and fashion stylist (Style Me Mena), to find out how to refresh my closet and find outfits that make me feel joyful and polished. Here are her top fashion tips:
1. Pants for Your Body Shape
- Look for pants with a flat front or pull-on style to avoid unnecessary bulk. And opt for pockets that are slanted (for the same reason)
- Petite women should opt for pants that fit snugly at the waist and gradually flare below the knee for a balanced look.
- Avoid pleats in areas where you don’t want extra emphasis.
2. Play with Textures and Accessories
- Adding dimension and texture to your outfits instantly elevates your look.
- A simple way to do this is by layering a denim jacket, blazer, or scarf over a basic outfit.
- Accessories like crossbody bags, scarves, and statement jewelry can transform even the most basic outfits.
3. The Rule of Thirds for a Balanced Look
- Instead of dividing your body into equal halves with a long top and straight-leg pants, aim for a 1/3 and 2/3 proportion.
- Higher-waisted pants create a more flattering silhouette.
- Avoid boxy styles that visually cut you in half.
4. The Power of Pearls and Metallics
- Pearls are an instant way to brighten your complexion and add a touch of elegance.
- A metallic shoe (like gold pumps or flats) pairs well with neutrals and keeps an outfit light and airy.
- If wearing black pants, stick to black shoes to keep the look elongated.
5. Refresh Your Accessories with This Simple Scarf Trick
Have old scarves you don’t wear? Try this:
- Fold the scarf in half and roll it up.
- Wrap it around the back of your neck and pull one end through the loop.
- Tie the other end, and you have an effortlessly chic accessory!
Hair & Color Analysis: Choosing the Right Shades for You
Before touching my hair, Monica and Evangelina, my hair experts, started with a seasonal color analysis (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) to determine which hues brighten your complexion and make you look radiant. Turns out I’m a Spring!
Knowing the right shades for your skin tone can make a huge difference in how fresh and vibrant you look.
Seasonal Color Tips:
- Understand Your Undertones – Your skin’s undertone (cool, warm, or neutral) determines what colors will flatter you most. This applies to both clothing and hair color choices. 🎨Color hack: Head to the hardware store, pick up paint samples, hold them to your face and see which colours work best!
- Use Color Analysis to Your Advantage – If you’ve never had a seasonal color analysis done, consider trying it! It helps you build a wardrobe and makeup routine that enhances your natural beauty.
- Hair Color Should Complement Your Skin Tone – Choosing the right hair color based on your undertones will give you a more youthful and vibrant look.
Hair Transformation:
1. Finding the Right Hair Color
The struggle is real when it comes to brassiness. The key is to work with, not against, your natural warmth. If you have cool-toned skin and eyes, opt for a warm, honey-toned blonde instead of trying to neutralize the warmth with ashy tones. Ashy colors can actually enhance brassiness rather than reduce it. Instead, embrace warm tones that complement your complexion for a more vibrant and natural look.
2. Greasy Hair Fix: Balancing Oil Production
If your hair turns into an oil slick faster than you can say “dry shampoo,” the issue might not be over-washing—it could be an imbalance in your scalp’s pH. When your scalp is stripped of its natural oils too frequently, it overcompensates by producing even more oil. The fix? A pH-balancing shampoo that helps regulate oil production. Be patient, though—it can take 1-2 months for your scalp to adjust and stop overproducing oil.
3. Choosing the Right Haircut for Your Face Shape
Gone are the days when turning 40 meant chopping off all your hair. The best haircut is the one that suits your face shape! If you have an oval face, you have the flexibility to experiment with different styles. Wispy bangs, for instance, can frame your face beautifully without overwhelming fine hair. Keep layers light to maintain movement without sacrificing volume.
4. Making Your Blowout Last Longer
To keep your blowout fresh, use this simple trick: After drying and curling sections of your hair, wrap them around two or three fingers and pin them in place with a duckbill clip while they cool. This technique sets the curl and extends the life of your blowout. You can use bobby pins or inexpensive clips from Amazon to achieve this salon-worthy look at home.
Makeup Magic: Easy Tips for a Fresh, Youthful Glow
1. Prepping Your Skin for Makeup
The key to great makeup is a well-prepped canvas. Start with a lightweight, water-based moisturizer, pressing it into the skin rather than rubbing. Avoid oil-based serums in the morning, as they can cause your foundation to separate and pill (think salad dressing—oil and water don’t mix!).
2. Eye Makeup First for a Clean, Polished Look
Applying eyeshadow before foundation makes it easy to clean up fallout without messing up your base makeup. Start with an eyeshadow primer to keep your look in place all day—especially useful for long days that stretch into the evening.
3. Quick Makeup for Busy Mornings
If you only have five minutes, go for multi-use products. A cream blush stick is a game-changer—it can be applied to your cheeks, eyelids, and lips for a cohesive, fresh look. Pair it with a concealer to brighten your complexion, and you’re good to go!
4. Eyeshadow Tips for Hooded or Aging Eyes
Instead of highlighting the inner corners of the eyes, which can emphasize fine lines, focus on the center of the lid to create brightness. When applying crease color, look straight into the mirror to find the right placement—going slightly above the natural crease helps open up hooded eyes. And don’t forget to blend your shadow slightly past the outer corner to give the illusion of a lifted eye.
5. Budget-Friendly Makeup That Works
You don’t have to spend lots of money on an eyeshadow palette to get great color payoff. Affordable brands like NYX and Essence (available just about anywhere) offer high-quality eyeshadows with great pigmentation for under $10. Pairing drugstore shadows with a good primer can give them the staying power of luxury brands.
DOWNLOAD the affordable makeup list from the Pros for free here!
6. Soft Eyeliner Look
For a softer, more natural liner look, use dark brown eyeshadow instead of traditional eyeliner. Apply it with a fine brush (even an art store brush works well!) by pressing it into the lash line and slightly above. This technique avoids harsh lines and creates the illusion of fuller lashes.
Making over your look doesn’t have to be drastic. Small changes—like choosing the right colours, balancing your outfit proportions, and updating your makeup routine—can make a huge difference in how you look and feel!
A HUGE thank you to these incredible experts for sharing their amazing tips! Be sure to check them out!
Hair Stylist Evangelina Lombardi
Colour Specialist Monika Lombardi
Make-Up Specialist Lana Baker:
🛍️ Products Mentioned in this post:
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