Find the right bra size

How to find the right bra size

Use a measuring tape -- the kind found in a sewing kit, not the type buried in a tool box.

Enlist help. Your measurements will be more accurate if someone else takes them. If that's not possible, begin by facing a full length mirror.

Measuring against bare skin will give you the most accurate results. If someone else is taking your numbers and you're feeling shy, don a tight-fitting seamless T-shirt over bare breasts.

There are two elements to your bra size; the band size (32, 34, 36) and cup size (A, B, C). Start with band size, also called frame size: Wrap the measuring tape tightly around your rib cage, just below your bust. Add 5 inches to the measurement. Thus, a rib cage measurement of 27 inches + 5 inches would equal a 32-inch band size.

Find your cup size: Measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust.

Subtract your band size from this measurement.

A difference of 1 inch = A cup; 2 inches = B cup; 3 inches = C cup; 4 inches = D cup.

For example, a cup measurement of 34 inches - 32 inches band size equals 2 inches, or a B cup.

Be prepared to re-measure every few years.

Breasts change size with time, which is why bra-fitting experts recommend re-evaluating your measurements at least once every two years -- more often if you've lost or gained a significant amount of weight or had a baby.

You wear it well: Know your bra size

Knowing your bra size is important, but so is knowing exactly how a bra is supposed to fit.

Cups: The cups should be filled out so they fit smoothly. If there are wrinkles, you may need a smaller cup size. In the case of cotton/spandex underwire bras, there should be a little excess fabric in the cups to allow for shrinkage. If there is overflow at the top, under the arms, you should try a larger cup size.

Security: Your breasts should be held snugly in place, even when you lift your arms, bend over, run or jump.

Band: The band should be fitted, but not cutting into your skin. It should sit lower on the back than in the front and sit comfortably below the shoulder blades. The back of the bra should not ride up above the bra line. If it does, adjust the straps. If the bra still rides up, try a smaller band size.

Bra straps: Straps should be adjusted to give support to the bust without cutting into the shoulders. If the straps are falling down, you may not be filling up the cups. Try a smaller cup size.

Underwires: All pressure should lie on the underwires to support the breasts without digging in at the sides. Underwires lie flat against the chest. If the underwire is standing away from the body, suggest a bigger cup size. Underwires should completely surround the breast tissue to provide support.

The center piece -- and underwire, if the bra has it -- should lay flat against your chest. It should not shimmy up onto breast tissue or dig into your skin. So should the underwire, if the bra has it.

5 lingerie must-haves

1. Date night bra

This is a bra that makes you feel pretty when you go out in the evening. Pick a color other than nude - like red or black, to feel extra sexy.

2. Demi cup or cleavage showing bra
A demi cup bra has cups that cover less of your upper breast tissue. This allows you to wear lower necklines. One version of this bra is a plunger bras with the center panel cut very low so that you can wear lower v-necks or be able to keep one more button unbuttoned.

3. Strapless bra
With today's variety of unusual necklines, a strapless bra sometimes seems like the only choice if you want to wear a bra, or need that extra support.

4. Elegant camisole
An elegant camisole is a great solution as a layer under jackets and sweaters. And, there are great support camisoles that not only look pretty, but give you the added smoothing benefits.

5. Matching bra and panty set
According to Oprah and her stylists, women who wear a matching bra and panty set feel more confident when they walk and talk - even if no one other than themselves knows they have it on.

Eating a good breakfast

Believe it or not, treating your skin right in the morning is also about your diet!

Start the day with berries. Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries all contain vitamins C and E, which are terrific for your skin. Vitamin C restores your skin by helping produce natural collagens, while vitamin E keeps it moist and smooth. As an added bonus, these berries are yummy, and make a perfect complement to cereal or yogurt.

Staying hydrated is another vital component, so drink your water -- at least eight 8-ounce glasses -- each day. Think of it as drinking to your beautiful self!

How to Choose the Right Makeup

Treat your skin well by using quality cosmetics that are non-comedogenic (essentially, something that won't clog pores and/or otherwise make your skin more breakout-prone). Seek out products that will keep your face hydrated but not make it oily. Remember that what is an almost-magic potion for one person may not work at all for another, so be prepared for some trial and error! After moisturizing, use a light foundation with SPF 15 or above to even out your skin tone and keep your skin protected.

If your face is naturally oily, you can choose to use a powder foundation rather than a liquid. Powder foundations contain less oil and will leave your skin with a beautiful matte finish. On the other hand, if your skin is dry, select a liquid or cream foundation that is labeled "moisturizing" or "hydrating."

Also look for make-up containing mineral powder. These all-natural cosmetics are very good for your skin and do not contain chemicals, dyes or fragrances -- which can cause irritation and allergies.

Make Your Skin Glow

If you want to start the day off right, you need to begin thinking about your skin the night before. Here are some tips to help you glow, girl!

Evening skincare routine

First, be sure to remove your make-up completely before going to bed. Your mother has probably been telling you this since you were a teenager, but it's good advice. Leaving makeup on overnight will lead to breakouts caused by clogged pores and excess oil. Also, leaving eye makeup on while you sleep can cause temporary inflammation and swelling (and will wreak havoc with your contact lenses).

Use a product such as Biore Daily Cleansing Cloths or Olay Daily Facials Cleansing Cloths to remove oil, dirt and makeup before you go to sleep. The soft, alcohol-free cloths can deep clean your skin down to the pores, but are also gentle enough to remove eye makeup -- even waterproof mascara.

Follow up with a toner followed by a light oil-free moisturizer before going to sleep.

And when it comes to sleep: Be sure to change your pillow cases often, as dirt trapped in fabrics can cause irritation and breakouts.

Don't forget about your hands and feet. If you feet are dry and cracked, apply a thick layer of Vaseline or moisturizing body lotion to your feet. Then, wear a pair of clean, cotton socks to bed. Moisturize your hands, arms and legs too -- particularly in the cool months of fall and winter when your skin can get dehydrated.

Morning skincare routine

Start in the shower by rejuvenating your skin with a face steam. Hold a steamy wash cloth up to your face and let the steam penetrate your pores for a few minutes.

Cleanser

Cleansing will remove dirt, oil and bacteria from your skin that may cause breakouts. It will also stimulate the blood circulation in your face, rejuvenating your skin to a healthy glow.

Use a skin cleanser suited for your skin type. A foaming cleanser, such as Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser, Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser or Biore Skin Recharging Cleanser, will awaken your tired, sluggish skin and leave it healthy and vibrant. This cleanser uses natural lemon, pineapple and grapefruit juice to leave your skin feeling and looking refreshed -- and is a treat for your other senses, too.

Work the cleanser into lather in your hands. Wash your face and neck in a circular motion for a couple minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cool water. Pat dry with a clean towel. Be sure not to scrub too vigorously or too long. Overdoing it may cause inflammation, redness and lead to breakouts and swelling -- exactly what you don't want.

Toner

Many people tend to skip the toner in the morning. But it's actually a very important step because it balances the pH of your skin and preps it for moisturizing.

Look for toners without alcohol, which can severely dry your skin. Also be sure to select a toner for your skin type; many companies offer toners especially formulated for sensitive skin or acne-prone skin. Dab toner onto a cotton ball and apply to your face and neck. After applying toner, do not dry your skin with a towel before applying moisturizer -- just let your skin breathe and air-dry.

Moisturizer

Everybody needs a product to help their skin say soft and smooth and to remain hydrated. Even if you have oily skin, you need to keep it moisturized. Again, be sure to pick a product suited for your skin type. It's also a good idea to find a moisturizer that will give you protection from the sun throughout the day. You want something that gives your face just enough moisture without feeling oily or greasy.

Apply moisturizer on your face and neck, paying special attention to the area around your eyes and lips, which can get excessively dry.

Easy Makeup Tips for Busy Women

Look Your Best In Minutes

Moms are busy. Some days you’re lucky to get a shower and have your teeth brushed, let alone apply your make-up. It’s time to change that way of thinking. Just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice looking good. These easy tips will have you looking and feeling your best in no time flat.

Combine steps

Shave precious minutes off your morning routine by using products that combine several steps into one. Use a tinted moisturizer with added SPF. This product combines your facial moisturizer, foundation and protection from the sun into one easy-to-apply product. The moisturizer makes the product light and creamy and it usually only has a slight tint of color. This means it packs just enough power to brighten your face, without needing a precise application. Look for a product with at least an SPF 15 to help keep your skin safe from the sun's harmful rays.

Skip the lipstick

Instead of taking the time to apply lipstick, slap on some tinted lip gloss. Gloss can be applied in seconds without worry of going outside of the lines. It also doesn't look bad when it starts to fade, so there's no need for mirror checks and second applications throughout the day. Long-lasting lip glosses are available as well, meaning they won't just save you time in the morning, but all day long.

Go easy on the eyeshadow

Choose a light shade of eyeshadow that's similar to your own skin tone. When the color isn't drastic and bold, there's no need for complicated applications. Slap on a shade of brown or warm peach to add a punch of color without going overboard. If you aren't getting much shut-eye at night, stay away from eyeshadows in shades of red or purple. Those colors tend to make dark circles even more obvious.

Make mascara last

Use waterproof mascara, even if your plans for the day don't include a swim or dancing in the rain. Waterproof mascara usually has more staying power than other types, so one application in the morning will stick with you all day long.

Know what you need

If you only have limited time in the morning, focus on your feature that needs the most attention. If your skin looks drained and dry, make sure you have time to moisturize. If you always have dark circles under your eyes, a brightening concealer should be your number one priority. If your skin looks great but you need a kick of color, you may be able to get by with just mascara and a splash of lip gloss.

Natural Hair for Natural You

Natural hair is the greatest blessing for both gender in human but especially for females it is considered as the core or vital part of the female entity. Our hair is like ultimate beauty in ourselves. Your natural hair reflects the basic personality whether you are male or a female. For example if someone have well combed and organized then there are chances that someone keep things clean and well managed. Respectively if you have the negative awareness about the cleaning of hair then you may be going for new hair style or that you are too much busy with other things.

If you want your hair to be the perfect, all you need to do is to start care about your natural hair and follow the professional tips for the betterment of your personality. Here are some impressive and passionate tips to keep your hair well clean and cared:

Wash your hair every other day so that you can manage to handle the curly locks daily. But don't go for frequent washing which cause damage as well.

Use smooth and bigger comb with sharp tooth that will prevent the damage to hair roots and shafts.

Don't encounter any treatment and repairing process for example hair rebounding, ironing and blow dryers, these thing make your hair look beautiful but will remove the core portions from your natural hair resultantly weaken.

Like the skin care your hair needs the same level of care like damage from harmful UV (ultra violet) rays from the sun. Wear hats, umbrella or hood to block these rays that harm the natural hair.

Scalp massage is good for natural growth, don't go for the pressured massage this will resultantly damage the roots of the hair shaft.

Your hair look depends on the shape of hair shaft weather you have curly hair the straight one. That also determines the positions of your hair follicle. A cross section view of the curly hair appears as the oval in shape. This shape can be firm through the generic nature. People also think that there is need of special care for the curly hair but that's true.

The best routine of take care of your curly hair is to shampoo hair every other day, use conditions daily and also go for the intense moisturizing treatment every other week to get the best result out of the curly hair formation.

The popular way is to use of modern, lightweight and less oily content gels, creams and serums that can instantly add the body to your hair which transform the dry and dull hair into impossibly glossy, humidity resistant and smooth hair.

Dark-skinned Makeup Tips

Dark skin or ethnic skin cosmetics tips and information is often challenging to find. After all, dark skinned ladies require a very unique set of makeup rules to help them get the look they desire. Most of the light skinned makeup rules, just won’t apply! Use these makeup tips and techniques for dark skin beauties to help you learn how to look the best you can!

Choose Foundation Color or Shade Wisely: When it comes to brown or dark skin, it’s important to choose an oil-free foundation that is actually a bit lighter in tint than your skin’s tone. This will allow a natural highlight to your skin and give you a nice glow.

Use Powder: If your skin is dark, using powder is a must. Choose a loose powder with a sheer quality. This will help your skin look fresh, without looking oily or shiny.

Always Wear Sunscreen: Many dark skin ladies don’t think about wearing sunscreen every day, because they don’t usually get sunburnt to remind them of the immediate need. However, it’s very important not only to prevent wrinkles and sun damage to your skin, but also to prevent skin cancer. Even if you don’t tan or get burnt, be sure you wear a daily sunscreen.

All About The Eyes: Some women find it challenging to find eye shadow colors that will allow them to get smoky looks or that blend nicely with their complexion. However, if you use dark browns, prunes, copper or burgundies, you can easily get a dramatic look without looking over the top. Try to find a compact with several of these colors in it, so you can experiment with various shades to find the best one. Just be sure to avoid any iridescent colors on your entire eyelid. If you want a little shimmer in tone, simply use translucent powder over the lid for a slight glow.

Cheeks Need Color Too: When it comes to dark skin and cheek color, it’s best to try to contour with blush shades of cocoa, dark peach, cinnamon or dusty pink. Always add a little blush, then examine yourself in natural light before you go back to add more. It’s much easier to add more than lighten it if you’ve gone overboard. However, if you do go overboard on accident, simply use powder or foundation to help tone down your mistake.

Choosing a Flattering Lip Color: There are many different colors of lipstick that look wonderful on dark skinned ladies. If you want to play it safe, consider using shades of berry or plum. However, for a little more dramatic edge, you can easily get away with beiges, golds, soft pinks, nudes, coffee, chocolate or wines. Just be sure to stay far away from any color with orange or an orange tint in it.

Don’t Forget to Moisturize: Although many dark skinned ladies struggle with oily skin, moisturizing is still very important. In fact, if you don’t drink enough water or moisturize properly, your skin will produce even more oil. So, use a light moisturizer that is oil-free every morning and evening after you’ve cleansed your face. In addition, be sure you’re drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water every day to ensure your skin and body stays hydrated.

How to Groom Your Hair

Beautiful hair is cherished by everyone. However, to keep those in healthy condition require a little but regular effort. Let us start with basics of hair grooming:

Keep your brushes & combs clean, wash them weekly using soap or shampoo. Do not damage your hair by using sharp tooth combs as they can cause split ends, & scratch your scalp. Always use brushes & combs with wide spaced bristles & smooth tips. Also, do not use plastic brushes or combs; they create static electricity, thus resulting in causing damage to your hair. Before brushing comb your hair to remove any tangles. Always brush/comb with a downwards stroke. Avoid brushing or combing wet hairs as they are most fragile. Wait until your hair is dry.

Before applying shampoo, rinse your hair thoroughly to remove any dust, dirt, & any other foreign particles. Apply the shampoo onto your scalp & massage it gently with your finger tips & work your way outwards. Leave shampoo on your scalp for few minutes & then rinse your hair. Ensure no shampoo residue is left as they may dry your scalp/hair & or attract dirt.

Use a conditioner after shampooing, it'll moisturize your hair, give it extra protection, add shine, reduce static, & makes it easier to untangle. Always apply conditioner from the ears down & never on the scalp, the roots of your hair contain the most oils & usually don't need the extra conditioning.

Use shampoos & conditioners that match your hair type. It is better to use natural hair care products extracted from herbs as they are generally devoid of harmful chemicals & their associated health hazards.

Haircut that flatters your neckline

Matching your hairstyle to your outfit is no easy feat. But there are a few good guidelines to keep in mind that can help you get the best out of your look. Here, we've chosen a few of the most popular necklines and the haircuts and styles that flatter them most.

Short hair

Having short hair really allows the attention to fall on your outfit. A great neckline to try is a strapless look as they’re intended to highlight your neck and shoulders. Halter cuts are also a good look for shorter hair as again, this style really showcases the neck and shoulders. Accessorize with a pretty choker and all eyes will fall on your outfit and your hair. If you’d like to try a deep V-neck cut, accessorize your hair with a barrette or headband so the eyes are drawn upwards. This will help keep the overall look more modest and a lot less risqué.

Long hair

If your haircut is long, it can be pretty versatile to different necklines. But one in particular you can definitely pull off is a deep V-neck cut. With longer hair, it balances out the sexiness of this style. Other low-cut styles like empire-cuts and sweetheart necklines are options to try too. Try styling your hair in long waves for a nice contrast to the cut of your top or dress. For strapless styles, pull hair back into a pony or a half up half down style to highlight your shoulders. You can do the same for halter styles too or any neckline that’s heavy on ruffles or embellishments like many of the styles that are out this season. Another style that’s hot right now is asymmetrical tops and dresses. To style this cut, sweep hair to your bare shoulder in a low side ponytail. The opposition of the hair on one side and clothing on the other really balances out the look.

Medium-length

For hair that hits right around the shoulders, bateau, boatneck and crewneck tops and dresses are a good look. The hair skims right around the same area of the neckline and really highlights the style. Other styles that are good to try are empire-cut necklines (not to be confused with an empire-waist) and V-necks. Try a half up half down hairstyle when wearing halter and strapless outfits. If you feel your hair isn’t long enough for a deep V-neck cut, experiment with some clip-in extensions for the night. They can add just the right amount of length and thickness you may be looking to achieve.

 

Any length

No matter what length of hair you have, crewnecks, V-necks and turtlenecks are universally flattering. These styles tend to be very casual so you can experiment with different types of hairstyles to see what you like best. Crewnecks and turtlenecks lend themselves well to ponytail styles or short hair looks while with modest V-necks you can wear your hair just about any way you like best.