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Ladies!

I have a favor to ask. As a business owner and blogger, my mission here is to start a color revolution even bigger than what was begun in the 1980s. This means that I need some help.

If you enjoy reading my blog, then please send your e-friends my link http://colormycloset.blogspot.com.

Color My Closet works in Houston right now but plans to expand throughout the country in the future. All the exposure we can get is greatly appreciated.I promise that we will continue to deliver content-rich, yet concise color, fashion and beauty info.

Thank you very much. You can even subscribe to this blog and "follow" me. See the link!

Live in color!
Lauren

Do you know about Aging Backwards?

Through my media research and constant efforts to stay abreast of what's new in the color, beauty, and fashion industries, I ran across an interesting site called Aging Backwards.

Jackie Silver is the owner and face of Aging Backwards, and her mission is really quite simple: to show women (and men I presume) how to turn back the hands of time by taking care of themselves with the right combination of healthy life choices, exercise, nutrition, mind activities, and anti-aging products. She herself is 50 years old and still gets carded for wine at the stores!

I encourage you to take a look at her site, because Jackie is all about giving helpful, well-researched and tested advice to all of us out there. You can visit her at www.agingbackwards.com.

Live in color!
Lauren

Top 10 ways to guarantee a precise color analysis

Top 10 Ways to Guarantee a Precise Color Analysis
Guaranteeing that color analysis is done properly is determined by the tools and surroundings used, as well as the analyst's skillful eye. Follow these tips before choosing your method of color analysis.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1484040/top_10_ways_to_guarantee_a_precise.html

Have you ever tried false eyelashes?

About a year ago I met a lady who struck me as being so classy and put together. As I conversed with her, I took note of her eyes, but specifically her lashes. She had these Bambi-like outer lashes that looked tremendous. Now, it was obvious that she had false eyelashes, but she placed them strategically so that they gave her that uplifted, cateye effect. It was subtely dramatic if that makes any sense at all.

I decided that I'd try my hand at applying some false lashes today. Ladies, they are AWESOME!!! So I bought the individual lashes that can be applied to different sections of the eye. Experts say that it's easiest to dip the lashes in a bit of lash adhesive (which should be placed on foil first), then use tweezers to apply the lashes.

I wholeheartedly agree with the tweezers part. Using my fingers was just too obtrusive to work in that small space around the eye. I let the glue set then applied a coat of mascara. These lashes look beautiful!

If you would like to try your hand at this, then you can find very inexpensive individual or whole sections of lashes at any drugstore. The brand I picked up is at Walgreens--it's called Andrea.

Also, if you are scared to do these lashes yourself, I have been told that the ladies at MAC cosmetic counters are trained in this area. They have different sets of lashes to choose from, as well.

Live in color!
Lauren

Fashion word of the day--What is an obi?

What do you think of when you hear the word 'obi'? I think of Obi-Wan Kenobe from Star Wars, but I got it all wrong. For years I've been inspired by Asian fashion, so naturally I was excited to see the new obi sashes or belts on the fashion runways. Obis are the ultimate waist cinchers, and they are as versatile as the pashmina wrap with the various ways they can be tied.

Obi is simply the Japanese word for sash. It is made traditionally of a soft material like silk, is very wide, and is wrapped around the body twice then tied in a variety of ways. Give the obi a try and let me know how you like it!

Live in color!
Lauren

Color My Closet invited to 'guest host' Jones New York Style Miles event in Houston

Ladies,

My very sweet contacts at Macy's (I love them!) recommended me to their area contact (also so sweet!) at Jones New York, and I have now been invited to 'guest host' for two of their local Jones New York Style Miles breakfasts.

If you live in Houston, then I highly encourage you to be there. We will discuss Spring colors, strategically stretching your wardrobe, and there will be shopping incentives and other perks-----like a one-hour shopping consultation with me on the spot!

Click on the picture above to enlarge it...there is date/time/RSVP info there!

Please RSVP for this or email me with any questions. I feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity to work with both Macy's and Jones New York!

Live in color!
Lauren

Beauty find of the day--L'Oreal True Match

You've heard me get on my soapbox and talk about how 2/3 of women out there are neither cool nor warm in undertone, right? Most of you are neutral. Well, the good news is that cosmetic companies are realizing that, as well.

If you don't already know about L'Oreal's True Match foundations and mineral powders, then let me introduce you. They are magically priced, can be found at Wal Mart and drugstores, and they are all coordinated with letters and numbers that are easy to use.

They all start with either C for cool, N for neutral, or W for warm. They follow with a number from (1) lightest to (9 I think) darkest. Best of all, L'Oreal's foundations are lightweight and offer buildable coverage. I have personally used these foundations on Caucasian clients with ivory and beige skin tones, Hispanic clients of caramel and bronze coloring, and on African-American clients of deep bronze and mahogany tones. These shades blend well into the skin and are very natural looking.

Now, please come and see me first for your color consultation, so that we can determine if you are C, N, or W. Won't you?

Live in color!
Lauren

Can we really rock the jumpsuit look?

Ladies, can we really rock the new look of the jumpsuit? I asked myself this question then saw my dream jumpsuit the next day at Macy's. BCBG has a beautiful wide leg, silk sash tie jumpsuit that I believe can work on just about anyone!

I cannot find the picture of it online, so the one you see isn't right. The BCBG wide leg version is generous through the hip and leg areas, and it features that sash that can be tied in a variety of ways. The material is both elegant and lightweight, and it can be worn in so many ways for so many occasions.

For a business look, it can be paired with a button down white shirt with a funky belt, or with a blazer. For evening, it can be worn with a fur or metallic shrug and evening heels. It can be worn with some simple hoop earrings, bangle bracelets and strappy sandals. It truly is an alternative to the little black dress!

This is one trend that I think has some real staying power.

Live in color!
Lauren

Fun facts about color

Here are some fun facts about color:

Color is not seen in an object. No, that object merely serves as a reflector of light, light that filters through your eyes to the brain, where that light is interpreted by your brain as color.

The color pink is used in prisons to subdue inmates. When an inmate is being particularly violent or unruly, he can be placed in a room that is painted a very soft pink. His pulse immediately slows, and he will immediately calm down.

Red is a power color and one universally favored by men to be worn on women. When men see a woman dressed in red, she becomes 30% or so more attractive to them. I read this stat somewhere recently...take my word on it, okay?

People size us up within 90 seconds, and their first impression of us is based predominantly upon the colors we are wearing. In fact, color alone accounts for between 62 and 90% of that vital first impression.

Some argue that black is not a color, that it is absence of color. I disagree, especially when we try to match different black garments in the store. Look at all the shades that exist.

Yellow and orange are not recommended as great paint colors for home kitchens, as they reportedly stimulate our appetites. Hmmmmmm....my kitchen is painted in yellow....oops!

Blue is the most universally preferred color by all adults around the world.

Live in color!
Lauren

How to calculate your fashion common denominators

No, I am not a mathematician but I do have an accounting degree. Isn't that crazy? Here I am in this very creative, free thinking field of color and fashion with an accounting degree. Frankly, I enjoying employing both skills in my work, because I always seek to create logical ways for women to take image into their own hands.

Here's my latest logical tip for cultivating your signature style: find your fashion common denominators. What is a fashion common denominator? It is simply the characteristics that your clothing and accessories have in common. In my case, my common denominators are color, strong patterns, geometric or sharp lines, and florals.

Here's how to find your common denominators. Take 2-3 fashion magazines and cut out as many pictures as you can--pictures that catch your eye. There doesn't have to be any logic to it at this point. Simply cut out the pictures that inspire you....be they jewelry ads or models wearing Chanel.

Once you've done the cutting, paste those pictures onto some posterboard, collage style. Next to each photo, describe what specifically you like about it. Focus on why you like the piece.

Once you've labeled each picture, go around looking for words you've used consistently. Those words will help you determine your style patterns and tastes. They are your fashion common denominators, the constants that you should continue to shop for.

Try this experiment and let me know what you think.

Live in color!
Lauren

Why nobody looks right in clothes

Here is statistic that I'll bet you did not know: Less than 1% of women look good in store bought clothing. Do you know why this is?

Store bought clothing, or ready-to-wear apparel, is manufactured to a perfectly proportioned standard of a women who is 8 equal head lengths in height. In other words, her bone structure is perfectly proportioned. Nothing needs to be altered on her. Her legs are the perfect length in proportion to her torso and so forth.

What do the other 99% of us women do? Do we cry, throw a tantrum in the fitting rooms, or write vicious letters to clothing manufacturers? No, ladies, we are above all of that.

Here's what we do. We give thanks to the good Lord for making us unique, with bone structure that is all our own. We give thanks that clothing manufacturers are now able to give us millions upon millions of clothing options due to this universal standard of a fit model.

We recognize that if a garment fits our coloring, style and overall body type requirements, then we can simply have it altered to our unique bone structure. This is after all what women in past generations did. Everything they wore was tailored to their specifications.

I always tell clients to factor alterations in as a portion of their clothing budgets. The right tailoring can visually slenderize you by 10-15 pounds in an instant....with no dieting!

So there is NOTHING wrong with you ladies if the pants or sleeves fall too long or too short on you. It's not you.....it's the clothing! Make the clothing work for you, not the other way around.

Live in color!
Lauren

Why should we all love turquoise?

Turquoise is such a beautiful color, not only because everyone has a shade of it that she can wear, but because it is both a calming and balanced color. We feel better in turquoise. Turquoise coordinates with everything from black to grey to brown, and from pink to yellow to purple. It is such an incredible 'go to' color because it's universally appealing and non-controversial. It grabs attention without seeming obnoxious.

It looks fresh and bright against the tanned skin of spring and summer, and bold and rich against the darker clothing selections of winter. If you are looking to add just a little bit of color to a predominantly neutral wardrobe, then turquoise is a safe bet for you. Best of all, you can find turquoise year round since it is always 'in style.'

Live in color!
Lauren

Spring clean your wardrobe

We have officially sprung forward, ladies, so it's time to spring clean those wardrobes! Here are some things to do not only to preserve your fall/winter wardrobes, but to get ready for the colorful spring and summer ahead.

1) Set aside the heavier winter fabrics and darker colors.
2) Get rid of those winter garments that are worn or tattered. They don't deserve you anymore!
3) Be sure to dry clean and properly store the other winter garments. They will be fresh and ready for you next fall.
4) Evaluate your lighter weight and seasonless fabrics. If there is anything there that is worn, tattered or out of date, toss it...and you know why!
5) Be sure that you have the basic spring and summer neutrals like: white denim, linen pants, white lightweight Ts and gauzy shirts, and other neutral colors like khaki, grey or taupe. Navy is a great alternative to black for the spring and summer.
6) Pick 3-4 new colors you'd like to add in for spring. I suggest finding your best red, turquoise, pink or coral, and green. Buy a few tops and accessories in those colors.
7) Go out and find yourself a pretty dress in one of the colors. While you could certainly go and buy up a cute print, a solid color is far more versatile.
8) Check out your makeup bag. Set aside the rich, darker hues in favor of the lighter, more lively colors.
9) Buy yourself one statement piece of jewelry in a stone like turquoise.
10) This has nothing to do with wardrobe, but get yourself some new highlights to coordinate better with your lighter, fresher wardrobe.

Live in color!
Lauren

How to get the flawless face without tons of makeup

Three days a week I'm in full glam mode, but the other four days I don't feel like putting on makeup. Instead of going out totally bare faced, I choose to do the 'non makeup' look. Here are my tricks for looking totally fresh and natural:

1) Cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, protect with high SPF, hydrate like crazy...that's a given!

2) Illuminate. I use a skin illuminator that can be worn alone or mixed with foundations and tinted moisturizers. This creates that bronzy glow. My favorite illuminating product is by Senegence www.mylonglastingbeauty.com.

3) Brighten. I use a facial highlighting pen by Mary Kay. This product is applied to forehead lines, the inside and outside corners below the eyes, and on any deep, recessed areas of the face. This products visually lifts those darkened, shadowy areas and acts to visually rejuvenate the face. Its does for the face what teeth whiteners do for the teeth.

4) Hint of tint. I use a tinted moisturizer by Mary Kay, though the best on the market is by Laura Mercier. I only apply the tint to areas of my face that have blemishes, like the nose and chin.

5) Powder up. There are so many great mineral makeups on the market today. You can buy high or low end, and they create a very natural, non-makeup look for the skin.

6) Conceal. I use concealer in one shade lighter than my natural skin tone. Both Mary Kay and Laura Mercier make nice, creamy concealers that don't settle into fine lines.

7) Lashify! I love to put one coat of mascara on upper lashes only. It really does wake up the eye.

8) Glossify! Dabbing some clear or slightly tinted gloss brings the rest of the face to life.

9) Colorize! I always....always....always use color around my face with a scarf, piece of jewelry or t-shirt. It instantly lifts the face, minimizes fine lines, wrinkles, and imperfections, and brightens your whole look.

In effect, you walk out of the house looking put together but not all glammed out.

Live in color!
Lauren