If you like the structure of a jacket but the comfort of a sweater, then the knitted jacket or “sweater jacket” is for you. Some styles look more like cardigans while others are more like jackets. Either way, these items are knits, which makes them stretchy, soft and relaxed. Tailored or trapeze, collared or collarless, classic or trendy, smart or casual and plain or patterned, there’s a style to pull together your look in a cozy and comfortable way.

Knitted jackets won’t work if your Springs are warm. But they’re ideal for chilly Spring days, which are plentiful even here is Tennessee.

An assortment of knitted jackets.

ShareThis

All body types and ages can pull off this look with style. From sizes 0 to 28 and petites to tall, it can be done. Here are some guidelines that might help:

• Dress or tunic style. You’ll want a dress that doesn’t cling and show through the detail of the leggings underneath. Thicker jersey knits, spandex knit blends and mesh work best. Fancier silk sack dresses will also work when paired with a heel. A-line patterned styles with empire cuts and front-knots work particularly well because they’re forgiving on the hip, tummy and thigh area. Straighter shift styles work well for those with round (i.e. A-frame) and rectangle (i.e. H-frame) body types.
• Dress or tunic length. If you have slim thighs, wear your dress/tunic as short as mid-thigh length and no shorter. If you’re leg-shy or carry a little extra on your thighs, wear your dress around the knee (either just above, on, or just below). Do not wear leggings without wearing an extra long top, or as a substitute for pants. Those nightmarish ‘80’s fashion days are over.
• Leggings length. I like leggings best when they stop on the widest part of your calf because accentuating a shapely calf muscle is flattering. Somehow, this length seems to work whether you have small or big calves. Wearing leggings that stop below your knees but above your calf muscle will also work. Wearing them ankle length looks best paired with a high heel. Most leggings are ankle length which means that you’ll need to scrunch them up to your best length. This automatically makes them more opaque, which gives you extra coverage.
• Legging types. There are plenty of options to choose from. Footless tights are cheap and made of nylon ($6-$12). You’ll find those in the hosiery section of any department store. Cotton lycra leggings will cost a little more ($22-$40) and you’ll find them scattered amongst the clothing. Once you get the dress right, you’ll get way with spending $6 on leggings.
• Shoe options. The look works with both flats and heels and will depend on your preference. If you feel a little flat-footed and short, opt for a heel. Ballet flats, wedges, fancy thong sandals and shoes with chunky heels are my favourite footwear combination for this look.

It’s fun to try a different look, especially if you feel in a bit of a rut with the clothes in your wardrobe, so give leggings a bash. If you still feel that the look is not quite “you”, you’ll at least have had a bash at something new.

A-line front-knot and empire cut dresses (left) are a “default” option for the leggings look. Sack dresses (right) also work magically with leggings.

Don’t forget to add a tank-T with those A-line front-knot dresses!

ShareThis

Great hair starts with the perfect part.

Here’s how to get it straight-or zigzagged!  

Natural Part

Almost everyone has a part that her hair naturally falls into.  Here’s how to find yours.  Comb wet hair straight back over the top of your head.  Place your hand on the top of the back of your head and push up.  Shake your head slightly, and your natural part should appear.  Draw the end of a tail comb along the part and comb hair out.

Perky Part

Add volume to your hair by changing your part.  Wet hair and comb forward.  Draw a tail comb across your scalp where you’d like the part to be and comb hair into place.  Then blow-dry on a low setting to lock in your part.

Zigzag Part

Try a crooked part for fun!  Comb hair forward over face.  Starting from the front, draw the end of a tail comb over your scalp in a zigzag pattern.  Comb or finger your hair into place as you go.

Stylist Secret

The pointed end of a tail comb is perfect for making parts.  Hold the end of the comb at a 45-degree angle and keep the tip in constant contact with your scalp while drawing the part.

ShareThis

 

Staying Healthy-Knowing Your Body

What Is Your Ideal Weight? 

A lot of us get hung up on that number on the scale.  But weight doesn’t tell you much about your health and fitness status or even how you look!  A crucial part of determining how much you should weigh has to do with what makes up that weight.  For example, is our weight made up of a healthy ratio of muscle, bone, and fat?  Knowing this can help you determine your scale reading.

Unfortunately, limits on “desirable” thinness have not been set.  The popular notion is that, as long as a woman isn’t “badly” anorexic, being thin is not hazardous.  Our standard of normal body size has become so thin that average weight people are considered abnormal.  What has actually been proven, however, is that people on both extremes of the continuum (excessively tin or over 100 pounds above the norm) have increased health risks.  The majority of those who consider themselves “overweight” are not.  To get a better idea of your health, you should consider your weight, body mass, and body fat percentage.

Body Types

The social requirement that we achieve the “ideal weight” is based on the presumption that we can completely control our body size.  In fact, the size and shape of our bodies are as genetically determined as skin and eye color.
Each one of us inherits a specific body type.  Even though the media would have us think otherwise, there are really many healthy and normal body types.  For ease of reference, body types have been categorized into three main types.  Each body type has advantages over the others for certain activities, but a person with any body type can be healthy and fit and look great!

If you don’t think you fit into any of these, don’t worry.  Many of us fall somewhere in between.  The important thing to know is that there are many body types, and all of these types are normal.

Losing Fat

The only way to lose weight is to create a calorie deficit.  One pound of fat equals 3500 calories.  So to lose ½ pound to 1 pound a week, that means creating a deficit of 250 to 500 calories per day (either by eating fewer calories or burning more in physical activity).  Of course, genetic differences determine how easy it is for you personally to lose weight. 

To increase the chances that you won’t gain it back, lose weight slowly!  Decrease your intake slightly by 300-500 calories per day and increase your exercise level.  Aim for about .5-2 lb. weight loss per week.  If you are very overweight, 2 lb. per week is acceptable.  But, if you only have a few pounds to drop, the rate should not exceed 0.5-1 lb. per week.

Of course before going on any diet, you need to consult your medical doctor.  You can then discuss an optimal level of desired weight loss as well as a program that will be best for you and your lifestyle.

ShareThis

It’s easy to choose clothes that add pounds to your appearance if you haven’t developed principles of good proportion and balance.  You can create an illusion of a balanced body when using these principles disguising areas that you consider “flaws.”  Our primary goal of any clothing is to create a balanced body. 

Stand in front of a full-length mirror and simply look for the obvious shapes and lengths listed below.  Start with your neck-remember that the neck appears longer on sloping shoulders and shorter on square ones. 

If you found that you have some characteristics from more than one category, then you simply have a combination frame or a frame that is balanced.  Just follow the recommendations for your figure challenges and remember to create good balance from top to bottom.

The following will help you get started by classifying what body frame/bone structure you have. 

Types of Body Frames/Bone Structure

A-Frame

• Bottom heavy - Shoulders narrower than hips or sloping
• Pear shape
• Possibly small busted
• Carries weight in hips (upper thighs)
• Slender midriff — No spare tire when sitting unless overweight

Goal:  Balance by widening shoulders.

V-Frame

• Shoulders are 2 or more inches wider than hips
• Large bust
• Narrow, flat hips
• Very thin legs
• Avoid skinny look on the bottom

Goal:  Give illusion of hour glass - widen hips and upper leg area.

H-Frame

• Average to large waist, high hips, short to tall in stature
• Athletic built (not always)
• Essentially straight up and down shape
• Width across shoulder and width across hip is the same
• Gains weight in the middle
• Sometimes broader shoulder (never narrow)
• Usually doesn’t have much of a “behind”
• Avoid lines which are too busy or skimpy

Goal:  Create hour glass figure - an illusion of a smaller waist.

8-Frame

• Can be short or tall; average to large bust; hips same size as bust; waist - 1″ smaller
• Gains weight evenly all over
• Leg length and upper torso length are balanced
• Frame is curvy and balanced

Goal:  This figure should emphasize the waist and avoid cluttering the figure with lots of clothes or layers.  This would involve choosing garments that fit the body and identify the waist.

ShareThis

Skin Care…..Part One—Why Skin Care?

The very first step to a radiant, more beautiful you is proper skin care.  What kind of makeup and how much you use won’t matter if you don’t take care of your skin and keep it looking its best.  Think of yourself as an artist.  If you were going to paint a picture, what kind of surface would you start with?  Would you pick one that is dirty and crinkled or one that is smooth and clean? Of course we would want to paint on a clean smooth surface!  This same thought applies to your face. 

Starting with a fresh, clean surface (your skin) is the key to creating a beautiful work of art (your makeup).  Whether you apply makeup or not, starting and ending your day with good skin care is essential to a beautiful face.  A simple skin care program, based on the needs of your skin type (dry, normal, combination or oily), can refresh your skin and help to give it a healthy glow that will enhance your own natural beauty. 

“When I was a teen I once woke up with a big red zit right at the end of my nose.  My face didn’t seem to care that prom was just a week away!  I scrubbed, steamed, and scalded my face, doused it with alcohol, and masked it with makeup.  Nothing worked.  That blemish popped right out no matter what I covered it with, and I went through the week feeling like I wanted to hide.  I avoided conversations at school and kept my head down with a tissue to my nose, faking a cold.  Whenever I heard giggling or whispering, I was sure it was about my hideous red blemish. 

The thought of my gorgeous emerald green gown, matching shoes, and perfect pearl accessories didn’t seem to make me feel any more beautiful.  My prom was ruined.

In high school I thought I was too young to need a skin care program.  I figured that was for old ladies.  When a blemish did occur on my face, I would feverishly fight the problem with a rigorous skin care routine.  When it went away, I quit the skin care until the next emergency.  I was in a rush in the mornings and too tired at night to stick with any skin care program.  I know now that in less than five minutes in the morning and five minutes at night, I could have avoided some of those problems and much unnecessary embarrassment.” —Tammy Bennett

Determining Your Skin’s Needs

Let’s see what kind of skin you have.  Making some simple observations, place one of the following answers that best describes your skin next to the question:  Almost Never, Sometimes, Monthly, Weekly or Daily.

Check It Out

1.  Is your skin prone to pimples?                      

2. Is your skin prone to blackheads?

3. Do you break out on your back?

4. Do you break out on your upper arms?

5. Do you break out on your chest?

The Answer Is

Check your answers.  Use the info below to determine the needs of your skin.

Almost Never-Sometimes—You are blessed to have minor complexion problems.  However, even minor blemishes can turn into huge problems when we have to face the world from behind a single zit!  You should still follow a regular skin care routine.

Monthly—Your skin tends to be oilier as your body goes through hormonal changes.  You will notice a change just before, during, or after your period.  Altering your skin care routine during your menstrual cycle can help meet the changing needs of your skin.

Weekly-Daily—Your skin tends to be very oily and needs the utmost care to look its best.  While many over-the-counter products work well, you may need to consult a dermatologist.  It’s money well spent and is sometimes covered by your health insurance.  Ask your parents.

Testing Your Skin Type

     If you know the special needs of your skin type, you’ll be able to avoid products that irritate your skin and waste your time and money as well.  Use this simple test to find out your skin type:

Check It Out

What you’ll need:  Perm end papers or curl papers and scissors

     Step One:  First thing in the morning before you wash your face, take a perm end paper (or curl paper) and cut it into four pieces about the size of a penny.  Gently place one of the four pieces on your forehead, one on your cheek, one on your nose, and one on your chin.  (The papers will stick on their own from the natural moisture and oils on your skin.  If they don’t stick, then you know that particular area of your skin is extremely dry).

     Step Two:  Wait ten minutes and then remove the papers one by one.  As you remove them, hold them to the light and examine each one to see how much oil is absorbed from your skin.  Circle the answer that best resembles the paper you removed from your face:

Forehead:    Dry     Normal      Oily

Cheek:         Dry      Normal      Oily

Nose:           Dry      Normal      Oily

Chin:            Dry      Normal      Oily

The Answer Is

What is your skin type?  Circle the answer that best describes your skin:

Dry                       Normal                     Combination                 Oily

Dry—If your skin is dry, then you may have difficulty getting the papers to adhere to your skin.  Your paper will have little to no oil on it; however, you may see flakes of dry skin on the paper.  Dry skin does not produce enough oil on its own to retain a healthy amount of moisture.  Your skin will be tight and flaky.  Dry dead skin cells will clog your pores beneath the surface, irritating your skin and causing pimples to form.

Normal—If your skin is normal, it has just enough moisture to make the paper adhere without appearing shiny.  Normal skin is a blessing; you should be so thankful to have this skin type.  Normal skin produces just the right amount of oils to keep your skin moist without it appearing dry or oily.

Oily—If your face is oily, your paper will be heavily saturated with oil from your skin.  Your face most likely appears shiny.  Oily skin is linked to hormonal changes taking place within your body that produce overactive oil glands.  If you have oily skin your face usually appears shiny no matter how many times a day you wash it.  Oily skin is most prone to severe acne problems.

“As a teenager I got very few pimples on my face, but my upper back would often break out with unsightly blemishes of every size and shape.  I’d take care of my face, which I could see in the mirror, but I’d forget about my back. 

When I showered in the morning I would scrub my back vigorously with a long-handled brush that hung in the family shower.  Little did I know that brush was loaded with bacteria that thrived in moist, dark places.  Every morning I was making the problem worse by scrubbing bacteria into my blemishes.  As my pimples multiplied, it never occurred to me to use the same skin care products I used on my face to help clear up my back.  Back then blemish creams came in expensive tiny tubes and just one application on my back would have required the whole tube.  Thankfully things have changed today. Now you can buy medicated cleansers made just for your back, arms, and chest area.  Along with specially formulated lotions and creams, these products allow you to look your best without spending a fortune!”—Tammy Bennett

Sensitive Skin

     In addition to your skin type, you may or may not have “sensitive skin.”  Does your skin get irritated easily?  Do you tend to break out or develop ruddy, rash-like patches when you apply any type of skin care product to it?  If so, you will need to purchase products made for “sensitive skin,” available for all four skin types.

     Hypoallergenic products usually, but not always, work best on sensitive skin.  Always test a small area of your skin first before spending too much money on a product.  If you have trouble finding a product that does not irritate your skin, consult a dermatologist.

TIP………. Avoid products that contain fragrances.

The 5 Steps to Skin Care

The five steps to a good skin care routine are cleansing, exfoliating, toning, moisturizing and protecting.  These steps need to be done twice a day.  And, if you play a sport, you need to cleanse and moisturize after every practice or game as well.

#1:  Cleanser

Cleansing is the first and most important step in skin care.  What should you use?  Well, I’m afraid that’s for you to decide based on your skin type.  Only you can grade the success of any one product or combination of products over time.  You should notice a positive difference in your skin within 5 to 10 days if you are using the right product.  If not, try another until you find one that works for you.  Don’t give up and don’t get discouraged during the search. 

Dry—Choose water-soluble cleansing milk formulated for dry skin.  Dry skin cleansers contain light emollients (medicated ingredients that soften and smooth) that leave your skin feeling soft and smooth without feeling greasy.

Normal—Choose a water-soluble cleansing lotion formulated for normal skin.  It should leave all areas of your skin feeling clean and refreshed, never tight or greasy.

Combination—Choose a water-soluble, oil-free cleanser formulated for combination skin.  When you wash your face concentrate on the T-zone area.

Oily—Choose a water-soluble cleanser that contains 2 percent salicylic acid that will loosen the oil and bacteria from your pores so it rinses easily from your skin.  For blemishes or acne, use a cleanser containing 3 to 5 percent benzoyl peroxide.  Use more benzoyl peroxide for more drying and less for less drying.  Follow up with blemish cream that contains benzoyl peroxide.  Apply it directly on the blemish.

TIP……..Apply cleanser with warm water to gently open the pores and remove dirt.  Use cool water to rinse your face.  Cool water closes your pores, which helps block dirt from getting in.

#2:  Exfoliator

Exfoliants or facial scrubs are cleansers that contain a fine gritty substance formulated to remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface and expose fresh, new, healthy skin.  Old layers of surface skin can clog your pores, trapping dirt and sweat and making your skin much more susceptible to blemishes.  Exfoliating your face twice a week gives you the same results as expensive facials.  Using your fingertips in a circular motion, gently massage the product into your already dampened skin.  This will buff your skin without irritating it.  Rinse well by splashing water over your face several times until you no longer feel any of the cleanser.  Gently blot dry.  Apply moisturizer immediately to protect the healthy new skin cells that are now exposed.  Never use exfoliants on the delicate skin around your eyes.

Dry—Use a buffing cream to loosen dry skin cells and slough off flaky dry skin.  Be gentle so you don’t pull, stretch, or irritate your skin.

Normal—Exfoliating masks are great for normal skin.  Gently massage it in with your fingertips, leave on (follow directions on the product label), and rinse off.

Combination—Use exfoliating masks or scrubs for normal to oily skin types.

Oily—Use an exfoliant that contains AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid).  AHA helps dry oily skin.  Avoid harsh scrubbing that will open blemishes, spread bacteria, and make the problem worse.

TIP……..Keep your exfoliating scrub in the shower so that #1 You’ll remember to use it and #2 It’s much easier to rinse off.

#3:  Toner

     Toner is like the rinse cycle in your washing machine.  It continues the cleaning process by lifting and removing any residual dirt or dead skin cells missed by the cleanser.  It also restores the skin to its natural pH level (acid level that helps repel bacteria from the skin’s surface).  Don’t use toner around the sensitive eye area, and always apply toner with a cotton ball or pad.

     You might want to keep a bottle of toner and cotton balls, or an over-the-counter jar of astringent pads, in your PE locker to freshen up your face after sweating.  Good old-fashioned sweat is one of your skin’s ways of natural cleansing.  Perspiration releases dirt from your pores, and it’s a good time to apply a refreshing toner.  Your skin will love you for it!

Dry to Normal Skin—Avoid toners that contain alcohol that will further dry your skin.  Look for toners containing witch hazel.  Witch hazel soothes the skin.  Use once in the morning before you apply moisturizer.

Combination or Oily Skin—Use a toner that contains alcohol.  Alcohol will dry up oily skin.  For best results use toner once in the morning and once at night before you apply moisturizer.

TIP……..Don’t forget to apply moisturizer to your neck. You don’t want to have a great-looking face attached to a sagging neck.

#4:  Moisturizer

     After you cleanse, exfoliate, or tone your skin, it’s time to moisturize.  Moisturizers don’t actually sink beneath our skin’s surface, but they do act as an invisible barrier to keep your body’s natural moisture from escaping.  Moisturizers come in many varieties, from oil-free gels to oily lotions.  Based on your skin type and the changing needs throughout the month, you might need more than one moisturizer.  In the cold, dry months many of us need heavy lotion to help keep your skin from getting dry and flaky.  During the summer months, and often during your menstrual cycle when skin is oilier, you will only need a lightweight, oil-free product.  Remember that everyone’s skin is different, so what works for your friend may not work for you.

     Use specially formulated eye creams or gels for the delicate area around your eyes.  These lotions will remove puffiness and smooth out the eye area without irritating your skin.  Application of eye creams requires a gentle touch.  Using your pinky finger, gently pat the moisturizer on your skin.  Make sure you select moisturizers that contain sunscreen!

Dry—Dry skin needs a moisturizer that contains heavy emollients.  If you have specific areas of your face that are much drier than other areas, then you may want to use two moisturizers; a heavy moisturizer for those targeted areas and a lighter moisturizer over the rest of your face and neck.

Normal—For normal skin, apply a lightweight oil-free moisturizer that doesn’t feel heavy or make your skin feel greasy.

Combination—Choose two different types of moisturizers to balance the two different needs of your skin.  Use a lightweight oil-absorbing formula on your T-zone area and an oil-free moisturizer on the rest of your face and neck.

Oily—Don’t skip this step.  Many people think that because their face is oily they don’t need to use moisturizer because it will just get oilier.  However, this is not true.  Your skin needs adequate moisture to be its healthiest and to combat acne.  Oily skin responds best to lightweight oil-free, oil-absorbing lotions or gels that moisturize your skin without adding additional oils.  Another product that works well on oily skin is hydrating mists.  In cases of acute acne it is best to consult a dermatologist. 

TIP……..When you’re outside and don’t want the heaviness of makeup, tint your moisturizer or sunscreen with foundation before you apply it.

#5:  Protection

     Most girls think that foundation is just for evening out skin tones and blemishes, but it is actually skin care.  Foundation can protect your skin throughout the day from things in the air that can cause it to become irritated or break out.  You really need a thin layer of liquid or cream foundation for protection (according to your skin type).  For example, if you were to carry a glass of water around without a lid on it, things such as rain water, dust, chemicals, pollutants, sprays from cleaning chemicals, perfumes and hair sprays will fall into the glass of water.  These same things are landing on your face.  A thin layer of foundation will protect your skin from all of those things in the air.

TIP……..Your foundation color should match your skin exactly.  Don’t use darker foundation just because you want to look darker.   When your foundation matches your skin color, then you can give yourself more color with color on eyes, cheeks and lips.  Your skin won’t look smooth and even with the wrong foundation shade.  A good test is to stripe some foundation across your cheek.  Blend the stripe in and then see if it is the same color as your skin.  The foundation will even out your skin tone and cover any areas that you want to hide.

This is how your skin care should look like on a daily basis:

1. Cleanse             A.M. and P.M.

2. Exfoliator        Twice a Week

3. Toner                A.M. and P.M.

4. Moisturizer     A.M. and P.M.

5. Protection       A.M.

Beauty Bonus   

There are several other factors that can adversely affect your skin.  Are any of these things you need to address?

Sun—Even a good skin care regimen won’t completely counteract the effects of too much sun.  Sun can cause irregular pigmentation, permanent spotting, and premature wrinkling…not to mention various forms of skin cancer.  Dermatologists recommend an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 for the optimum benefit.  Make sure the product you purchase protects from both UVA and UBA rays.  You should use sun block not only on your face, but also on every other part of your body that is exposed.  Not only will this protect from sun damage, it will help to keep your skin moisturized all over.

Diet—A balanced diet is critical to your overall physical development.  Both lack of good nutrients and fluctuating weight are detrimental to beautiful skin.  Vitamins and minerals are necessary for the natural repair and replacement of healthy skin cells.  Every time you gain weight your skin has to stretch to keep up.  When you’re young, your skin is more elastic; as you age, elasticity is lost and you’re likely to be left with sagging skin and stretch marks.  A well balanced diet is a key factor in preserving the appearance of your skin.

Exercise—Although we often dread it, we need exercise to maintain healthy skin.  Just twenty minutes (That’s only 50 seconds out of each hour in a twenty-four hour day) of aerobic exercise a day increases blood flow and supplies oxygen to your skin cells, helping to keep that healthy glow.  Exercise also helps keep your weight stable, stimulates the sweat glands, which keep your skin clean, and releases chemicals (pheromones) that make you feel revitalized!  Exercise can be anything such as jogging, rollerblading, or playing volleyball with your friends.

TIP……..Brisk walking is a great exercise.  It not only energizes your skin cells, but it also gives you more physical energy!

Sleep—Not getting enough sleep robs your body of the ability to properly nourish and repair all systems, including your skin.  When you don’t get enough sleep your eyes can be puffy, your skin can be sallow, and your eyes hollow with dark circles.  Make sure you get at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night.  Don’t think that you can pull an all-nighter and catch up on your sleep later.  It doesn’t work that that way.  You can never catch up on lost sleep.  Follow a regular sleep pattern to keep yourself looking and feeling great.

Hormones—Your menstrual cycle is a constant fluctuation of hormones, which can affect your mood, your weight, and especially your skin.  During that time of month avoid eating greasy foods and wearing heavy makeup.  Try a lightweight foundation followed by a light dusting of translucent powder to combat oily shine.

Smoking—Although some people think it looks “cool,” smoking stinks.  Not only does it rob your skin of much-needed oxygen, it gives you bad breath, the smell stays on your skin, hair, and clothes, and it stains your teeth!  As you get older little wrinkles will form around your mouth causing your lipstick to bleed out of your natural lip line.  Cigarettes are addictive despite what your friends might think.  They can cause many forms of lung, throat, and mouth cancer as well as other deadly diseases.  Don’t Smoke!

Alcohol—Any drink with alcohol depletes your body of water, which is needed for moist, young-looking skin.  Drinking causes your skin to look red and blotchy, enlarges your pores allowing dirt and grime to get in, and created little purple lines on your face (broken blood vessels).  Alcohol is fattening.  Ever heard the term “beer belly”?  Chemically, alcohol is a form of sugar, which is not efficiently used by the body and can cause rapid weight gain.  We’ve already discussed how fluctuating weight can harm our skin’s appearance, not to mention the rest of our body!  And on top of all that, alcohol can be addictive and cause fatal diseases.

Water—Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day not only keeps our bodies flushed of impurities that show up in our skin, it keeps the moisture level high and helps maintain proper weight.

TIP……..Healthy-looking skin begins with 8 hours of sleep and eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

Putting It to the Test

Proper skin care, along with a healthy diet and exercise, can bring beautiful results if you follow a regular routine.  Although you might not be thinking about getting older, your aging process started the day you were born!  Start taking care of yourself now so that you will look great for all your tomorrows: your twenties, thirties, forties…etc.

     Track the results of your skin care routine.  This will help you determine if the products you are using are effective.  If you are experiencing any adverse results, discontinue use immediately and try another product or consult a dermatologist.

My Skin Care Routine

Start Date: _______________________

Condition of my skin before I get started: _­­­____________________________

____________________________________________________________

Cleanser Name: ________________________________________________

Results after 5 days: ____________________________________________

After 10 days: _________________________________________________

Exfoliant: ____________________________________________________

Results after 5 days: ____________________________________________

After 10 days: _________________________________________________

Toner:_______________________________________________________

Results after 5 days: ____________________________________________

After 10 days: _________________________________________________

Moisturizer: ___________________________________________________

Results after 5 days: ____________________________________________

After 10 days: _________________________________________________

The key to beautiful, healthy skin in the future is a dependable skin care system today.

—From Looking Good from the Inside Out by Tammy Bennett

ShareThis

 1.  Spring Valley…Is my shirt to tight?   

Take the tips of your fingers and press into your shirt, right where your ribs come together in the “valley” in the middle of your chest.  When you take your fingers away, does your shirt immediately spring back like a small Smurf trampoline?  If so, your shirt is too tight!

Solution:  Try a different bra, since sometimes that can make a difference.  But if it’s still too tight, get rid of the shirt.  It’s not going to get bigger overnight.  Hint…buy a size larger!

2.  Raise and Praise…Am I showing too much belly?  

Stand and pretend you are totally going for it in worship, lifting your hands up in the air with your arms fully extended.  Is this exposing any belly skin?  Even if you don’t raise your hands to worship, just think of all the things you do every day that causes you to lift them up.

Solution:  Go for layers and put a longer shirt under a shorter one.  Our Secret Weapon:  a ribbed T-shirt or tank from the boys’ or men’s department.  They’re nice and long and stay tucked in under a cool, trendy shirt.  You’ll see that more girl shops are starting to carry these.

3.  I See London, I See France…Can you see my underpants?

Bend over and check yourself out in the mirror.  (You got it the back view!)  Can you see a distinct outline of your panties through your pants, skirt, or shorts?  This can happen if your pants are too tight or because your undies are too bright!  And while we’re on the subject, do your tank tops and wide-necked shirts leave your bra straps exposed?  That’s not A-OK!  The only straps showing on a girl of God should be the straps from her cute summer sandals!

Solution:  Trash your tight pants.  For lighter colored pants and skirts, keep a few pairs of “granny panties” (plain white or beige ones) on hand for a safe look.  And as far as those bra straps…don’t do it!  Make sure your tank tops have nice wide traps to cover your bra.  If you’re wearing white, always wear beige panties or bras.

4.  Mirror Image…How short is too short?

When you buy either shorts or a skirt, try this test.  Sit in front of a full-length mirror.  Sit both cross-legged upon the floor and with your legs crossed in a chair.  What do you see?  If you can see too much thigh or your panties, guess what?  So can everyone else. 

Solution:  Today’s skirts are about extremes.  Go for extremely long or extremely full…but pass on extremely short.  As far as shorts go, they can be hard to find but keep looking!  Find shorts with longer in-seams!

5.  The Plumbers Test…Are my pants just too low?

It ain’t cute on the plumber and it ain’t cute on girls either.  The terrible…the awful…crack view!  Sit cross-legged on the floor.  Bend forward as if you’re about to devour a great magazine.  Now, reach behind you and get a feel of what might be the showing if your jeans are too low.  (Or ask a girlfriend to check it out!)

Solution:  Time to reach for that Secret Weapon again:  a men’s tank or T-shirt.  And always be willing to consider that some low riders are just too low.  Find a pair that won’t cause viewers to blush.

 6.  Bra-lliant Idea…Is it cold in here?

Ok, girls…hate to bring this one up, but when we get cold or nervous, sometimes we can “get nippy”…if you catch my drift.  When this happens, it is visible to others if our bras are not thick enough.  There’s no test for this really…at least not one that I want to take!

 Solution:  When you’re wearing thinner shirts, wear a thicker bra with some padding to avoid this problem.  When you have on a sweater or a thicker shirt, go for a thin and cute bra if you want! 7.  Stand in the Gap…Tell me now…is my shirt too tight?

When wearing a button-down shirt, stand sideways and look in the mirror.  Is the space between the buttons gaping open, even just a little bit?  If it’s pulling enough to cause a gap, you’re in danger of exposing way too much and in danger of losing a button! 

 Solution:  It’s a no-brainer.  Too-tight shirts are a totally bad idea if you want to dress modestly.  It’s not just about how much of our beautiful epidermis is showing, but how much of our shape is showing!  Try buying a size or two larger.  (If that bugs you, cut out the tag when you get home.) Try a vest or sweater over the shirt or try a shirt under the button-down, which you can leave unbuttoned for a layered look.  I just want to comment, that there are shirts that aren’t tight, but gap too.  Wear something under them please!

8.  Palm Pilot…Is my shirt too low?

Cleavage.  That’s what they call it.  I call it a view of your breasts.  How do you know if your shirt is too low?  Well, take your hand and hook your thumb onto that little shelf under your neck (your collarbone).  Is there any skin showing below this region?  If so, you really need to think about this shirt.

Solution:  Guess what?  Our secret weapon works for low shirts as well as short shirts.  You can also try a trendy layering technique by putting a button-down under a polo or rugby shirt that plunges too low.

ShareThis

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous- and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:13-16 NLT

This says that God knit you together in our mother’s womb. Every single, little bitty part of us was made by God. He decided everything about us. He decided the shape of our nose, the color of our hair, the color of our eyes.

Everything! There is absolutely nothing about you that God did not decide. Everything about you is absolutely perfectly the way God designed you to be.

It says here that you are wonderful and marvelous, that you are God’s workmanship. There is nothing wrong with any part of you. God picked out every single detail of you on the inside and out. So, you are exactly what God wanted and God does not make mistakes.

—–Deanna Armstrong

ShareThis

ShareThis

ShareThis