FirmFoundation

A Brief Appair

When it comes to panties, comfort and fit are essential; style is a bonus. The best panty styles are invisible. Either select a full brief or try a smaller style (e.g. a tanga), in a larger size to ensure it lies flat and smooth.

Try going without panties altogether if you are wearing pants. Wear a cotton gussetted pair of pantyhose instead alone or instead of panties. For the very full figure, a panty girdle or full-body support garment may be the best option. Modern body-shapers are lightweight and made of specialised fabrics, mixed with Spandex or Elastin. These elements combine to make today's girdles extremely comfortable. French knickers are best reserved for wearing under dresses and skirts. Under trousers, they have a tendency to ride up and become uncomfortable. Front-raise knickers are fantastic for anyone who has a large bottom and heavy thighs. Not only does it have the rise in the front of the leg, where we carry less fat, but the forward placed side seam also stops the back from flipping over the cheeks as you walk.

Ruffles

Why Image and Me loves Ruffles....

A ruffled blouse can soften a tailored suit, skinny jeans or even a pair of rock and roll leather pants. It's a note of femininity.

Without much effort ruffles will either frame your face or draw attention to spectaculair legs (but not at the same time!).

Nowadays ruffles show up on accessories too, so you can experiment in small ways. Put a ruffled shoulder bag with a structured dress for the office, or wear a flamboyant ruffled heel with a tuxedo for a black tie.
How to pull it off...

Think elegant instead of girlie. You definitely don't want to wear a floral ruffled dress with romantic jewellery and your hair in ringlets.
There needs to be some kind of contrast. Your hair should be sleek and modern, and your makeup either very natural, or strong and dramatic.
Let the ruffle be a bit of a surprise, as in wear a feminine ruffled blouse with a teared jeans.
Consider the overall line. Ruffles look modern when the silhouette is long and lean, not full and flouncy.
Unless you are 16 or younger, beware of baby-doll styles and overall ruffles. Also, flirty cap sleeves are better left to those under 30.
Look for well-cut ruffles in a substantial fabric, such as cotton, wool, taffeta or even leather. These work beautifully for women of all ages. Rayon and silk also provide a softer, age-appropriate allure in tops and simple silhouettes, like a pretty V-neck or classic white sheath.

NewInMyCloset

I bought this top this weekend in Forever21, Vivocity and I absolutely LOVE IT!

Shapewear

Shapewear Basics

Ok, so let's agree that the most obvious benefit of wearing quality shape wear is that it enhances your figure (where it needs it most)! It's a safe bet that most of the actresses who walk the red carpet are wearing some type of shape wear (yep, even the size 2 stars complain of cellulite and tummy bulges). Honestly, not many of us can say that we don't need a little 'adjusting' to have a shapelier figure. It's not so much about looking thinner, as it is about selecting the right foundation undergarment to enhance you where you need it.

You spend considerable money on a stunning new outfit, but what's underneath is what will make you stand out from the crowd. How many times have you seen a woman in a beautiful dress only to be distracted by unsightly panty lines or the dreaded bra bulge! Shape wear easily eliminates bra bulge, eliminates visible panty lines, soothes thighs, slender the waist and tummy, and more! Gwenyth Paltrow shared that wearing shape wear helped her hide her post-baby extra 10 pounds.

Selecting the right shape wear to correct the problem area is the key.

For more information on shapewear, contact Stephanie (stephanie@imageandme.com)

How to Wear: Flat Sandals

With Denim

For the days when the weather isn't quite scorching, pair your flat sandal with a straight leg jean (only if you have straight hips!) and a flutter top. Accessorize with an interesting beaded necklace to finish off your look.

With A Dress

In the hotter days, your flat sandals are perfect with a jersey shift dress. We absolutely adore this citrus floral by DVF - it's yellow shade will brighten up your mood in minutes. Don't forget to wear a wooden bangle to accent the outfit.

With Shorts

As the days get hotter and hotter, wear your flat sandal with a classic chino short and a flattering floral tunic. This tunic by Free People is perfect for the charming gal.

F1-Outfit

Well, I guess we can't live without jeans and flats ...

QuickTip!

Secret Tee Buy

The men's underwear department can be a great place to look for comfy tees. Pick those in thin, springy fabric with some polyester. Choose the ones with short sleeves and avoid thick neckbands, which can start to sag and become unflattering after repeated washes.
TIP: Mustafa has the biggest selection!

Little Black Dress for a Pearshape

MyFavoriteClubbingOutfit

People who know me very well, will know this is one of my favourite outfits

Must-have Wardrobe Tools

Hollywood Fashion Tape

Underarm Shields

From our friends at Hollywood Fashion Shape, these underarm shields protect your clothing from perspiration.

Gal Pal

Garment Deodorant Remover for gals AND guys

Lint Roller

Tie a pretty ribbon through the handle and keep it hanging on the door which is closest to where you dress.

Evercare Fabric Shaver

This gently trims off the fuzz from the top of your sweaters versus the comb which tends to pull the threads and break them.

Cedar and Lavender Blocks

Moths be-gone! Pkg/24

Foot Petal Tip Toes

Perfect for the balls of your feet!

Celebrity Look of the Day

Katie Holmes

The actress's skinny jeans, T-Shirt and button-up jacket may be the ultimate in casual wear, but she adds a little glam to her outfit with oversized shades and sky-high stilettos....

NewInMyCloset...

This lovely Silk Scarf...

Scarf trends have been fleeting in the past years, with special ways to tie them around your neck in an attempt to keep out the cold. Seems that the trend this season is one simple wrap around the neck, and it's more about the style than the wrap:

Extra Long...
Paired with jeans and a blazer it's a great casual chic look.

Pretty Accent...
If you live in a warm climate like in Singapore your need for an actual scarf is probably nonexistent. That doesn't mean you should forget about neck embellishments all together... a light and pretty scarf like this one is perfect when paired with an equally light jacket, jeans and a tee.

For sure Image And Me is a big big fan...

6 Upcoming Tricky New Trends

Covered by a tunic, like at Michael Kors, the bike short seems almost harmless. But there is a good reason this trend went away: the bike short looks bad on most women because it fits tightly arount the thighs were most of us have some jiggle.

In general, skirts got longer this season, which is a good thing. But skirts that are long and full in all the wrong spots (like at Lacoste) are not such a good thing. The drindl skirt features a gathered waistband which adds loads of bulk to a body area most women don't need any more heft.

Sheer fabric is nothing new, but this spring ethereal looks gave way to downright see-through fabrics. Although some of the sheerness can be layered away ( especially in the blouse area where a cami does the trick) other see-through spots were in the legs of pants and skirts.

The runways at Fashion Week were full of jumpsuits, but the trickier trend here was a distinct overall. Although Proenza Schouler gave their overalls a futurist bent, other designers sent overalls down the runway in traditional denim.

A tricky color between green and yellow is called Chartreuse and it has to be one of the most difficult colors to wear for most women. Although designers like Lela Rose partnered red with chartreuse (eek!) it does mix well with navy and purple.

Fashion Week designers showed them in everything from super-sheer chiffon to knit: harem pants (identified by a full leg and banded bottom) were a big trend. But can your figure handle the fullness? Harem pants are not easy to wear because they put volume right where most woman do not need any extra fluff.

Best Dressed Celebrity

Best Dressed Female Celebrity by People's Magazine

First Place: Kate Hudson

Second Place: Rihanna

Third Place: Gwyneth Paltrow

Other well-dressed celebrities are: Fergie, Anne Hathaway, Heidi Klun, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Obama, Eva Mendes and Charlize Theron.

Why are Fashion Accessories Essential to Your Look?

The Magical Touch of Fashion Accessories

What makes fashion fun for many people is the way it creates a new personality to the wearer. Everyone wants to have a distinctive look. One of the worst fashion disasters that could ever happen to you would probably be to bump into another person wearing the exact same outfit you have on. Just imagine attending a party where you find someone else wearing exactly the same dress that, until a few minutes ago, seemed like it was specifically made for your body. The probability of this happening is huge especially if you bought your outfit from a local department store or boutique. With fashion accessories, you can easily create a unique look even if you got your outfit from a local retail store. Accessories are like icing to a cake. They can make any outfit look fab.

Updating your wardrobe.

Not everyone is fortuante enough to be able to afford the latest fashion trends and designer outfits. If you're a fashionista on a limited budget, you can update your wardrobe with a few choice pieces of fashion accessory. If you want to look chic and trendy, all you need to do is invest in carefully selected accessories such as bags, shoes and jewelry.

With a chic purse or dazzling jewelry, you can easily dress up classic staples to make you look unique and dazzling. For instance, the little black dress is appropriate for practically any occasion with just the right kind of accessories to go with it. For evening parties, just pair it with diamond earrings and stiletto shoes can create an elegant look. Conversely, you can dress the same piece down with ballet flats, a cardigan and a big bag and it would be suited for a day at the mall.

Creating a statement

Fashion accessories can create a statement. They can reflect the type of personality that the wearer has. If you want to exude a certain image, pay close attention to the types of accessories that you match with your clothes. Take stilettos as an example. These shoes convey an image of confidence, they can make any woman feel like she can take on the world because she can stand tall.

For those who want a personal style, they usually spend more time choosing fashion accessories than they do with clothes. A scarf, a headband or mini-turban or even ballet flats can be readily associated with a wearer as her own style signature.

Fashion faux pas to fashionably chic

With the right selection of fashion accessories, a person can easily go from being a fashion victim to a trendsetter. Many people tend to become slaves to trends. The best way to enjoy the season's latest styles is by accessorizing. Even a simple white tee and jeans can make you look like someone who's just came out of a fashion magazine with chic accessories.

Last thing that you need to remember when choosing fashion accessories is to alwayss put comfort as a top priority. Please, stay away from shoes that will hurt your feet. Make sure that all your acquisitions combine comfort, functionality and style so that you can get the most out of your budget.

NewService

Discover your Personal Fashion Style


People have trademark styles. Kate Moss is popular for the laid-back style. Nicole Richie almost always has a bug-eyed shades and a big bag. Jackie O. was known for her classic suits that made her a timeless fashion icon. You too can have your own style. Image and Me can help you discover your style personality and help you choose clothing and accessory.



Service includes:

• Initial Consultation Time: 1 to 2 hours to discuss and find out what your personal style and style icon is. We have a look at pictures of celebrities, models and anyone who appeals to your fashion taste or who are made-up in a way that appeals to you. We research about fashion icons and style trends and take notes on which ones you feel greatly reflect the image you want to create.


• Creating your own "Scrap Book" or "Inspiration Board" with pictures of clothes, accessories, hairstyles and make-up looks that make you say "wow".


• Follow up Consultation on your Scrap Book or Inspiration Board.


• Cost: 290 SGD

For enquiries contact Stephanie, stephanie@imageandme.com, (65)9296 5370.

Great Body Shimmer

MAC Strobe Cream

How to get that perfect fake tan...

How to use self-tanner on your face...

This is a four step process. Pull hair up in a ponytail before you start so you don't miss any parts.

First, prepare skin by gently cleansing and exfoliating. Skip moisturizer, which may interfere with the tanner.

Step two: Apply undereye cream. You want the color of your skin to be lighter under the eyes, it makes you look younger.

Step three: Blend a few drops of self-tanner and equal parts moisturizer in the palm of your hand then apply over face and neck. You only want to go one shade darker than your natural color.

Step four: Let color develop for three hours then follow up with a sweep of bronzer on forehead, cheeks and nose: areas where the the sun naturally shines.

Don't forget: Smooth remaining tanner over earlobes and upper ears. Wash hands thoroughly. Don't skip the sunscreen.

How to self-tan your body...

For this three step process, start by exfoliating skin with a body scrub in the shower playing special attention to rough areas like knees and elbows. Shave before you tan. I suggest using a body oil, instead of shaving cream, when shaving.

I also suggest rubbing Vaseline on cuticles and nails. This protects your manicure and keeps fingertips and nails from staining.

Apply tanner limb by limb, starting with your legs. Apply over the shin and calf of a leg, sweeping tanner down over your ankle, foot and toes. Then apply tanner to your thigh from front to back, using the excess to cover your knee. Repeat on your other leg. For the final step, apply tanner to your hips, stomach and torso, following with your shoulders and arms. Wait 10 minutes to dry before dressing and avoid any excessive activity that will make you sweat for at least a few hours. If your tan hasn't set, sweat could cause streaking.

Extra tip: Give arms, legs and decolletage a subtle glow with a body shimmer. To create fake fab abs, create a contour with the tanner. Flex your stomach muscles in front of mirror, leaning to the side to see where your "ab line" is, then tracing the outside of your muscle with a bit of tanner on your finger. Do the same to the other side. Once it dries, do an all-over coat.

How to make eyes appear bigger

Proper application of eye makeup, can make small eyes
appear larger. Learn which colors to use, and which not to
use, to give this appearance.

Apply a light shade of eye shadow to the crease of the upper
lid.

Curl eyelashes with a eyelash curler.

Apply a coat of thickening mascara on the top lashes only. Wait a few seconds for that ot dry, and apply a second coat.

Use a sharpened black eye liner to the inner corner of the eye and top. Use your pinky to steady your hand, by placing
it on your cheek, just below the eye.

White pencil on the inner part of the eyelid will help make eyes appear bigger. If your eyes are normal-sized, and close
to almond-shaped apply mascara all the way round. This looks really dramatic, and is a real eye-opener.

If you want to add dimension to your eyes, add a slightly darker color above the crease.

If you also want to make your eyes appear wider, make your eyeliner thicker towards the edges of your eyes.

Put mascara especially on the lashes near the outer corner of your eye: these are the ones that need extra lift, and make a huge difference in eye appearance.

Be careful! Do not use dark eyeliner on the bottom lid, this only makes eyes smaller! Many makeup experts use white eyeliner - it works!

Big Hips and Thighs?

To balance this sexy pear shape, choose tops that fall just over the behind. Also empire line of high waisted tops that accentuate and draw attention to the top are very flattering on this body shape.

Dresses with empire waist are just perfect as they enhance the bust and therefore balance the shape. Wrap style dresses also look stunning on this shape. Avoid bias-cut dresses and skirts as these mould over your shape and draw attention to a big behind.

A-line skirts, wide leg pants and boot-cut jeans (especially with a hipster or low rise which make the behind look smaller) are flattering on this body shape. Anything too clingy or figure hugging in the hip and thighs area will draw attention there and make it look larger then life! Unfortunately, skinny jeans only look good on celery shapes.

Use dark colours on the bottom half and bright colours on the top. Go for flowing fabrics, and avoid anything shiny on the lower half. Don't wear tops and jackets that finish at the widest part of your hips, and stay away from high waisted pants and skirts that accentuate the waist, as the small waist wil just make the hips and thigh look bigger.

TheBOB

Is it right for you?

The Bob is an incredibly versatile style for those with straight to wavy hair textures.
The curly haired will find that without frequent flatironing, this cut can get too puffy.
Round faces are slimmed by bobs snipped to just below the chin.
If you have a square face, avoid blunt bobs; hoppier versions will soften your jawline and draw attention away from any hard angles.

StarInJeans

Let the stars be your inspiration...

GetInspired

Create Outfits, Get Inspired

An inspiration board (as the one at right) is a collage of looks you love (and might want to imitate). Tack up pages from your favorite fashion magazines as well as things like postcards, snapshots or color swatches that remind you of a shade or mood that speaks to your style.

How to Make an Inspiration Board

Things You’ll Need:

A bulletin board or foam board
Magazine Clippings
Photos
Small colorful items

Step1
Cover your inspiration board with colorful fabric, paint or paper. Create a unique canvas to build off your board.

Step2
Start collecting small items that catch your eye. Whether it’s a photo from a magazine, a piece of ribbon or the packaging from a soup can, anything that you find visually appealing can go on the inspiration board.

Step3
Attach the small items with tacks, tape or glue.

Step4
Watch your inspiration board take shape.

It'sOK...

...if your shoes and bag do not match.

...if you wear two patterned pieces together.

...if you wear a white jeans in winter.

...if you wear black and navy together.

...if you pair a fancy designer skirt with a white men's tank top
from the drugstore.

...if you get married in a sexy red dress.

...if you do not wash your hair every day, or even every other day.

...if you wear UGGs when it's really snowy.

...if you wear a flower in your hair.

...if you wear a nice blazer with a jeans skirt.

...if you do not wear a different outfit every day.

...if you dress for the job you want not the one you have.

...if you wear s sweatsuit to grab a coffee or a long flight.

...if you wear a plaid top with dark jeans.

...if you wear a teared jeans if you're painting your house.

...if you ignore all "IT" trends.

Image And Me Loves Stella McCartney

Eyelashes

Tips:

I personally prefer to use black mascara on the upper lashes and brown on the lower ones, because brown looks less harsh.

Make certain you coat your lashes with mascara at the inside corners and the very outside corners. These are the two areas that many woman miss.

Two or three thinly applied coats of mascara are far more effective than a single clumpy one.

I Live In Jeans

I love my jeans. All eight pairs of them. It's been said that I may have a jeans fetish. But I can't resist them.

I practically live in jeans. They're comfortable, go with practically anything, and are always in fashion. My favourite way to wear them is to team with a black tee or a simple blouse, a jacket with heels. They are the ultimate in cool casual that you can dress up at your will. Can't imagine my world without them.

Believe it or not, Nudie jeans recommends waiting 6 months before washing your jeans for the first time to create your own custom worn look. Wearing jeans should be like saying hello to an old friend, they should fit your form perfectly.

For the past couple of years my favourite brands have been Paige Jeans, Seven for All Mankind and Habitual. I love their fit so much that I never really bothered investigating other brands.

The skinny on jeans is that the skinny "drain-pipe" jeans are everywhere in the shops. Trying them on is a hoot. You need good balance (on one leg) or a good friend and a large changing room. All three if possible. You may not need help getting them on, but you'll almost certainly need help peeling them off. They're skin tight, moulded to you and look like they've been painted on you.

You'll also have to point your toes to the utmost to get your foot through the leg. They also feel like they've been painted on you as well. There is supposed to be a skinny style for every girl... that might help sell them, but I'm not so sure it's true. They may be trendy, but they show every single bump and curve, so some are going to have challenges if they are going to claim then as their latest must-haves. Should be interesting.

They may be called the "new skinny" jeans, but they are suspiciously like the 80's "drain-pipe" jeans, recycled. I didn't like them then and I dislike them even more now, maybe because they are being touted as "new". I prefer a little more room to breathe so my style is a little more relaxed.

Where to Shop for Jeans: Inhabit, Palais Renaissance. Bit expensive though, but worth the money if you live in jeans...

StyleIcon

StyleIcon

I want to know who your style icon is. I have listed 8 celebrities, who I believe are the current ladies in fashion:

1. Victoria Beckham

2. Gwen Stefani

3. Kate Moss

4. Sienna Miller

5. Rachel Bilson

6. Queen Rania

7. Cheryl Cole

8. Rachel Bilson

Each lady has their own unique style. Do you find that you have a particular style icon that you like for inspiration? Perhaps it's not one of the ladies I've listed? Well, I like to ask you to vote or leave a comment and let me know who your style icon is.