B Styled for Life formerly Beauty Glow, Skincare, Makeup, Style, Image Consultant in Brisbane

Category: Uncategorized

  • The Perfect Fit for Garments

    The Perfect Fit for Garments

    Do Your Garments Fit Perfectly?

    No matter whether you are dressing casually or for a special occasion it is important to ensure your clothes are the right fit for your body.  

    Here are a few tips for you to ensure each of your garments is the right fit for you.  It is always handy to have someone (or you can do it yourself) measure your body accurately so that you know the fit according to measurement charts if shopping online.  It is always good to ensure a company has a return policy when shopping online in case the garment is an incorrect fit.  Different stores and brands will also vary in label sizes so a try on session is always worthwhile if you want to ensure the fit is right.

    Your Perfect Fit Checklist

    Jackets

    • Do not pull across the shoulders
    • The lapels lie flat
    • You should be able to slide a flat hand inside your jacket under the lapels 
    • The vents do not pull open
    • The sleeves finish just on or a centimetre below your waist
    • You are able to cross your arms across your body
    • You are able to button it up without pulling
    • The jacket’s second button from the bottom should lie just above your belly-button, never below
    • With your arms at your sides, the sleeves should cover the wrist bone
    • If a jacket doesn’t fit your shape properly and flares out at the bottom part this means the jacket fit is too slim
    • Length of a suit jacket should finish just where the curve of the buttock starts to go inwards or.. where the middle of the hand is if arms are relaxed at the side.  This would be just past where the fingers start below the palm

    Shirts

    • Fit your neck properly when done up.  You should be able to fit two fingers in between the neck and the collar
    • If turning your head causes you to turn the collar also then your collar is too tight
    • Sleeves finish around 1cm below your jacket sleeve
    • Cuffs should be a bit looser than a good fitting watch and should end just where your palm starts
    • Your cuff should not move more than an inch up your wrist when you bend your arm 
    • Buttons do not gape open
    • The shoulder seam should be at your shoulder bone
    • Armhole seams should not be too tight 
    • You should be able to bend without your shirt becoming untucked
    • You should be able to put your hands behind your head comfortably
    • Sleeves on mens shirts should not be so loose that they “billow” when moving the arms

    Pants

    • Only one break at the hem
    • The pleats lie flat against your body
    • You can fit two fingers between your body and the waistband
    • Does not pull across the front creating a crease at your hips
    • Dress trousers should not be tight to the leg nor billowing they should drape the leg comfortably
    • Avoid pleats in the front as they can make you appear heavier.
    • Trousers should have a single defined crease down the center of each pant leg.
    • If you have pants with side pockets that don’t sit right – sometimes they gape when sitting it is easy to have the pockets removed.  A dressmaker or dry cleaners who offer an alteration service can do this easily.  See article on alterations This will create a smoother silhouette.
    • Length of pants is important 2.5cm off the floor if you want to show your shoe a little or or a hem that’s a 6mm off the floor for floor-skimming styles, like wide-leg trousers – again, another easy job for someone who does alterations.

    Skirts

    • You can fit two fingers at the waistband
    • The splits remain closed except when walking (for a skirt with a split)
    • The right length (not too short for modesty and suitability reasons and not too long for body shape/fashion)
    • You can sit down comfortably without risk of the skirt splitting
    • All linings are hidden
    • Hangs straight down from your behind

    Dresses

    • Not too tight
    • Does not reveal too much cleavage
    • Sleeveless dresses do not have flesh oozing from under the armhole
    • No shorter than 2.5cm above the knee

    So much of a garment’s fit and length is also to do with your personal body proportions and shape.

    During a Wardrobe Audit your Personal Stylist can help with advice on the fit of all your garments that you are not sure about.  For all Style consultations contact Moana Robinson at Beauty Glow

  • Common Scents about Perfume

    Common Scents about Perfume

    Perfume is such a Personal Choice

    Some of us who love perfume do have a signature scent …A perfume  they like to wear to reflect their personality and can even become part of their own personal brand.  

    I find that most women either 

    (a) Stick to one or two  “signature scents” with their perfume; or

    (b) Like to try a variety of different perfumes

    Sometimes the perfume you choose to wear can depend on what you are doing that day for example …

    Weekend daytime – Sports, Market Shopping, Running around with the kids something light and fresh  such as Burberry Brit or Gucci Flora or Dolce & Gabban Light Blue

    Everyday workwear Perfume –  Something with vitality and energy …Chance by Chanel or Miracle by Lancome or Dior Addict.  

    Romantic/Date Nights – Something sensual and sexy like Gucci by Gucci or Lola by Marc Jacobs or feminine and floral like Romance by Ralph Lauren or Innocent by Thierry Mugler 

    Eau de Parfum or Eau de Toilette?

    Eau de Toilette is less concentrated and contains more water than eau de parfum which contains more alcohol.  If you want your fragrance to last from day through to night choose eau de parfum (which is more expensive because of its concentration).  You need to use a lot less of eau de parfum than eau de toilette

    Perfume Points to Remember

    • The general rule is 2-3 sprays of perfume – enough to notice but not too much so that you knock out your friends and co-workers 
    • Only spray perfume where your skin wont be exposed to the sun otherwise it could cause hyperpigmentation 
    • Wrists, behind your ears and behind your knees are pulse points and good areas to wear your perfume
    • If you wear the same perfume for a long time. day after day, your body gets used to that scent and you will find that it mixes with your own body chemistry
    • Get to know the type of scents you like – such as  woody, floral, fruity, spicy, and citrus.  This way when you are looking for a new scent to try if you are getting some assistance from the store you have a starting point.
    • I always wait after trying a new perfume on my wrist and see how it smells after it has been on a while before I purchase it.  I prefer trying it on my wrist to the tester strip as each scent reacts differently on different people
    • When spraying hold the bottle eight to ten inches away from you.
    • Only ever try three fragrances in one go as your olfactory senses can easily become overloaded.  Most perfume stores provide glasses of coffee beans to sniff to prevent this from happening
    • Store perfume away from heat, humidity and direct light or the oils and alcohol in perfume can break down and change the fragrance or cause it to disappear completely.

    Moana Robinson from Beauty Glow can be contacted for Colour, Style, Skincare and Makeup Consultations