maximize the maxi dress

do you know what these celebrities have in

common?

Yes. They’re all sporting long maxi dresses, but they are also on the more petite side of the vertical scale. You may have heard that you can’t wear a long dress if your under 5’4″. Not so. It’s all about proportion, scale of pattern and fit. Read more about maxi dresses on one of my favorite sites. WhoWhatWear.

A Dozen Dirty Little BeautyTricks

A DOZEN DIRTY LITTLE BEAUTY TRICKS
By Tamara Gold

Shhhhh, we need to keep this strictly on the QT. Look over your shoulder pads and make sure no one is watching.

I’m about to violate the Secret Stylist Code of Ethics by telling you the little Hollywood tricks we do to make our clients look extra fabulous including treatments stars regularly do before they sit down with us.

Remember that you didn’t hear it from me.

1. No Panty Hose.

Take a little bit of your favorite luminizer and mix it with an amazing moisturizer. Gently apply it on your legs and it looks like you’re wearing beautiful hose, but instead you have soft, natural, glowing legs. Amazing! My favorite for this…Laura Mercier. It rocks for your legs.

2. Shine on? Forget it!

If you’re shiny because of too much running around just hit the ladies room and grab the toilet seat paper cover. ( A new one of course.)  Tear off a piece and blot your face. It’s a great way to get rid of the oil without taking off your makeup. But, those of you have worked with me personally, know I love those tiny little blue oil-blotters from Clean & Clear.  Keeps you from looking shiny and helps you steer clear of that cakey look you get when you powder over your face to keep your shine at bay.

3. Spanx under it all.

Okay, Okay! I know….It’s not always comfortable, ladies, but hike ‘em up. If you have waist, hip, tummy or thigh issues – or all of the above, damn it all to hell – then get out the Spanx because they will suck in it for you. And, if you were wishing you could wear Spanx to the beach, your in luck!  This just in… Spanx Swimwear

4. Botox

A lot of the stars are  doing it. It’s true.  Same with plastic surgery.  I’m sure you knew that, right? You either think it’s okay or you don’t.  If you decide to give Botox a try…make sure you go to someone who knows what they are doing! Yikes.  And, remember…Just don’t go too far. A little bit at a time will avoid those horrid cat eyes. Who wants that look.

5. Hair extensions

No one over 40 has the same thick, long to your butt locks that they did when they were younger. Ask your stylist about extensions if you want that look. Discuss the ones that are the least harmful to your regular hair. There are so many different techniques. Try clip in extensions before you invest the big bucks. Again, go to the pros that do this kind of thing all the time. Extensions need to match your color and blend into the cut of your hair. There is nothing worse than being able to see where the extensions start and that the hair looks fake.

6. Visit your dentist and get your teeth bleached.

There’s nothing more beautiful than a gorgeous smile without the old lady yellowish I-drank too-much-Starbucks teeth. No time today? Try baking soda on your toothbrush and Crest White Strips are another favorite of mine.

7. Get out of your lawn chair.

For those ladies who are still tanning (and I know you’re out there), just know that stars never expose their faces. It’s horribly aging. If you’re out always use sunblock, but also wash it off the minute you get in the house. If you want that tan look then just use an amazing self-tanner on your face. And, go easy. I’ve been a little too “tan” ( read- orange!) in the past from a little more self-tanner than necessary. There are new organic self-tanner’s out there today. Stars do opt for the tan look because less makeup is needed to give them that glow and well, the lights on some sets can really wash you out.

8. Pad it, Baby.

If you’ve got a little tush envy..You don’t need to toss down more carbs to get Kim Kardashian’s curves….because you might also develop a gut at the same time. You can buy butt pads and add them into your jeans the way certain stars do. It’s also fine to pad your bra a bit with those chicken cutlet type pads that look natural. Can you believe we actually add padding to give the right curves? But, it’s available if you need it. Make sure their are securely in place! Nothing worse than a little bra pad playing peek-a-boo when you’re feeling oh-so-sexy…only for your admiring friend to point and say, “What’s that?” Hmmm. Been there. Done that. Laugh it off. That’s the only way out of this one.

9. Wear nude shoes to make your legs look longer.

Check out the pictures on the Web of the “Sex and the City” gals at the recent Showest event in Vegas to hype the movie. They were in gorgeous slinky dresses with nude heels. Even shorter girls will look like tall models. It works! You don’t get the break in the line that you get when you slip on a dark shoe.

10. Buy fabric tape.

You can take a hem when your pants don’t fit perfectly or you wear flats. It’s also a way to change up  a skirt- make it longer or a mini without alterations.You need to do this one while not wearing your clothing. Taping while in the clothing leads to wrinkles, rumples, and uneven hemlines. Still in doubt; Get a second opinion,and make sure you’ve taped it all up evenly. www.hollywoodfashiontape.com

11. Splurge on false individual lashes at your salon if you have a big event.

It’s about $40 to $50 to have a professional makeup artist put them in and they will only last a few days. But if you’re going to a reunion or on a big date or a wedding then they’re absolutely worth it. Your eyes will pop. You’ll feel like a movie star and won’t even need to wear as much eyeshadow. Individual lashes look more natural if applied in between your real lashes. Applied on top of your lashes, a little more glam. Strip lashes really pop the look and take it way up to the max.

12. Smile!

So many of us are so serious (worried, frantic, busy, etc.) Your smile is your best beauty secret of all.

One Coat is Not Enough

There are many things in life that are singular sensations: Your first kiss, hiking the Great Wall and that one-time-only amazing dream where you’re in a love tryst with George Clooney who announces to the global media, “I found The One. It’s Sally from Wisconsin.”

Okay, wake up now.

Sometimes, you need more than just one time. This brings me to your eyelashes because they need three times the love on the daily basis.

Many letters pour into this website asking me, “Tamara, how can I get that look of false eyelashes without the pain of trying to put them on or the expense of going to a professional makeup artist?”

First tip: The key is great mascara and three coats of it. Not one or two…but three.

That’s not the only way you can achieve those delicious thick lashes that all the movie stars have as their most fabulous accessory. Here is the way to have luscious lashes on a daily basis:

1. Most Important: Buy a Great Mascara

One of the best is Dior’s Diorshow in basic black, which retails for about $35 and will last at least eight months. It’s worth it because it’s thick black mascara and the wand is beyond amazing because it’s long, sturdy and will hit every little lash. It’s one of my favorite products for creating major lash action.

Tamara TIP: Often the applicator in the more expensive mascaras makes the price point worth it. Wash and save it when you use your cheaper brands.

2. Apply Mascara Before Anything Else!

Yes, I’m serious here. I promise,  you will use far less eye makeup and it will be a better look. In the studio, I always do lashes first and then the shadow. Plus, this will also save time on cleanup. There’s nothing worse than spending forever on shadow only to ruin it by missing your lashes and hitting your lids with mascara. It’s 6 a.m. and you’re on the way to work. No blame.

3. Use a Wet Q-tip Remove Fallout

My favorite are those pointed little q-tips! I think there so cute, but  don’t under estimate their power! While swiping on three coats of mascara before your shadow has been perfectly placed might just lead to a false sense of  “I don’t need to think about this anymore!” And, you really don’t, but when you find little black specks on your lid; here is your solution. Add a little water to the q-tip to dampen first.  ( This will  get rid of all fuzzies before you make another move) Then, gently glide over your eyelid where ever fallout has occurred.  Ick fact: Eye boogers should also go at this point.

4. Guidelines Baby, Guidelines!

Take a black liner pencil and go really tight onto the part of your lid that touches the lashes. Apply on the top of your lash line.

Tamara TIP: Lift your eyelid up to make sure you’re really getting to the L-spot where you’re almost jamming (I use this term loosely. Please don’t injure yourself ) the liner into the spaces between your lashes.  This is a key technique when you’re applying false lashes. It will save you the naked crack line that may appear if you don’t get the glue in tight enough to the lash line. We all know no one needs to see that, now do they? If you feel confident enough, then use a liquid liner on this spot. This one step will make your lashes appear super dense and ultra lush.

5. Curl Those Lashes Ladies

I’ve read magazine articles that say you should curl after you put on mascara. This becomes a big mess and can even break off your lashes. Always curl before you put on mascara.

Tamara TIP: Once I got a hysterical call from friend who curled while the mascara was still wet and all her lashes stuck to the curler. Permanently. There is no 911 for this tragedy. Only tears.

6. Walk This Way

Here’s the technique the pro’s use. Apply like this…. Go up and then out. Up and out! Do this fast and don’t let the mascara dry between coats or it will get all gunky. If the gunk does accumulate, grab a trusty lash separator….not a pin! Use it to  brush and comb your lashes to separate and get rid of any lumps & clumps. Make sure your lashes aren’t sticking together.

7. Save Yourself from Black Eyes!

Grab  the waterproof version of your favorite mascara when the heat starts risin’. Remember … always wash off all the mascara at night. You’ll not only save your 500 thread count Calvin Klein pillowcases, but when you don’t wash off mascara and sleep in it then your lashes have a good chance of breaking off.

Oh, you might want to save face when you roll over and see George Clooney cuddled up on the pillow next to you.

FAB FIX: So now you have the fab false lashes from just using mascara. One of my favorite stunning looks is to use a neutral, almost skin tone color  eye shadow and blend it into the crease of your eyes and the outer edges. (Don’t use shimmer, but a matte that’s a bit more than nude, but not dark enough to be brown) This tip is how you can achieve that amazing movie star look where it appears as if Gwyneth or Jennifer Garner are not really wearing shadow, but we know they did something. This is that something! I’d add a fuchsia or red lipstick – matte or sheer-  with a bit of clear gloss over it. Fabulous!

OMG! That Dress!

Okay, Jennifer Aniston you have to stop it! I mean it! Stop it right now.

Don’t even get me started about how you romp around with hot Scot Gerard Butler in your new movie “Bounty Hunter” only to dump him and then have him rekindle.

Even worse is that after he stuffs you into a trunk while doing his bounty hunter duties, you emerge looking professionally fluffed and sleek, all killer legs flashing, in the world’s most perfect little black dress.

I couldn’t even focus on your hair. Instead, I was forced to say, “Oh my God. That dress!”

Of course, being a style sleuth, I found out it’s not even really a dress, but a top and a skirt that’s so perfect on Jen and she wears it well. For the whole frickin’ movie! The specifics aren’t important because it looks like the prefect black dress. Why? It fits her body, it’s very streamlined and it works for her style.

Now, let’s pick apart why it works. The top is very casual and its scoopy neck almost looks like a T-shirt while the skirt hits her at exactly the right spot on her thigh. Sweet!

Just in case this sends you to the racks to buy your own trunk worthy LBD, (little black dress) I have a few helpful hints.

Tamara’s Tactics for Your Perfect LBD:

1. Watch the length of the LBD

Everyone will be different here. There are some of you Red Lipstick mavens who need that LBD to hit at the knee or below. If you’re in your 40′s and the skirt is two or three inches above the knee, it might just be too short. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done, but it’s tricky. Make sure you feel comfortable in the length. If you have that awkward ick moment (be honest) then go a bit longer. No matter what age, please don’t go six inches above the knee so a slight breeze means we get to see your crotch. Not attractive unless you’re doing a Showtime Late Late Night movie. At the knee or an inch or two above should be just right.

2. Find a neckline that works best for you like our style sister Jen.

Consider that Jen has round features, the scoop neck works great on her by complimenting and repeating her natural geometry. She’s a softer type with a great set of arms, so she can go sleeveless. If you have a bit more meat on your bones than opt for a longer sleeve. A V-neck can also be quite flattering and will accentuate your pretty face, especially if it’s a rounder one. Your best shirt style should be reflected in  the neckline of  your LBD.

3. Make sure your LBD is fitted to your body, so we can see your shape.

But it can’t be so fitted that it looks like you need oxygen or we see the exact shape of your kidneys. Please don’t get one that’s too big, so it looks like a maternity tent. That’s not the point here. It should gracefully skim your body and then drape over your form. You can go skin tight if that’s your personality. If you’re a glamour puss who loves the nightlife then a form-fitting black dress is your perfect LBD and wear it proudly!

4. Pay close attention to the fabric knowing that a medium weight material is the most versatile.

You will be able to wear it in summer with nothing over it or in the cooler weather months with a great jacket. If you’re very petite and tiny boned then lighter weights will work better for you. If you have stronger features including curly hair then you can go heavier fabrics because you can wear clothes with more visual weight to them.

5. Buy a classic, simple, streamlined dress without too much detail.

If it has all those studs or necklaces attached to it then it’s harder to work with in the future, plus people will think, “She’s wearing the stud-y, necklace dress again.” The perfect LBD is just the dress with maybe a hint of detail like a gorgeous stitching or detailed draping,  but don’t buy one that is too “souped up” with stuff because that’s not the point. You want to wear this dress a million different ways and  no one will know it’s the same dress because you will be able to create a faux hemline with hollywood tape, make it into a tunic, dress it up with jewelry or even use it at work under a jacket.

Five ways you know you have the WRONG LBD:

1. It screams disco queen.

2. It’s cutting off circulation to your pelvis and other important body areas.

3. You need girlfriends to help you get into it or men friends to help you get out of it. You’re empowered women and your clothes shouldn’t need assistants.

4. You can’t eat a bite of food in it or it will burst off you like Superman’s street clothes.

5. It makes noise when you walk in it. Your clothes shouldn’t talk back.

Five ways to know you have the RIGHT LBD:

1. You don’t have to wear any accessories and you still feel magnificent and sexy.

2. People stop and do double takes. Yes, they’re looking at YOU!

3. It packs easily.

4. You can wear it with almost anything in your closet plus any shoes. It looks great with boots, flats and the big girl pumps.

5. Our gal pal Jennifer Aniston might wear it to seduce Gerard in the sequel.

To Your Beautiful Life!

Tamara

Get kissable lips just in time for Valentine’s!

Ready to pump up your look for a romantic evening? Check out this video from Smashbox to get the ultimate pucker.

The Spring runways were all about softly stained, satin-matte lips. Lori Taylor shows us how to get this ultra-feminine, romantic look in just a few simple steps using our amazing new Lip Tech. – from Smashbox

Click here to watch Smashbox’s Insider Secrets Video.

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