Sunday 21 August 2016

Tips for Models

When you decide you are going to be a model you will have lots of questions that need answers.  I hope you will find answers to some of your questions in this posting.
A must read for someone who wants to be a model.
Most professional models know by experience about what needs to be done before a photo shoot.
If you do not have a lot of modeling experience I suggest you look over the following list of things that will help you for this shoot and in the future. The more of these guidelines you follow the better your shots will turn out.
1. 72 hours before your photo shoot, avoid the following items (these items can give you oily skin and swelling):
o    a. Red meat
o    b. Alcohol
o    c. Caffeine
o    d. Spicy foods
o    e. Retin A and Alpha Hydroxy creams (causes skin peeling that will show with photo makeup)
2.  Drink lots of water, carry it with you everywhere you go, and keep sipping.
3.  Exfoliate your skin at least once a week and also the morning of the shoot. A good reasonably priced choice for a exfoliater is St. Ives Apricot Scrub which can be found at your Drug Store.
4.  Have your brows professionally shaped and then keep them up by plucking the strays every few days. I will pluck strays the day of the shoot but probably will not have time to shape your brows.  If you get your brows waxed, do it a few days before your shoot. NOT THE DAY OF your shoot!  The reason for this is that it is next to imposible to cover the leftover wax with makeup so best to do it a few days before!
5.  It is a good idea to carry your own mascara to the shoot with you. Some make-up artists use mascara with the same wand on several people.  This can spread infection very quickly.  Unless you know the artist and know that she only uses disposable wands, it’s best not to take your chances.  I do use disposable wands!
6.  Dark roots will look even worse in photos.  Refresh your hair color a few days before your shoot.  If you do not color your hair, try “shades” or a toner just a shade lighter then your hair to make it shine.  If you need a trim, do it before the shoot.
7.  Fingernails and toenails should be one length, well manicured, and the polish should be colorless or French,  unless this shoot calls for color.
8.  All traces of makeup should be gone from your skin.  All eyeliner and mascara should be gone.  Your face should be clean and product free when you arrive.
9.  Do not over condition your hair before a shoot.  Do use your regular styling products to make your hair behave, as chances are the hair stylist will not be wetting your hair and not be able to use gels, etc.  Your hair must be dry before you arrive at the shoot.
10.  Avoid dry lips by putting Vaseline on your lips before bed and the morning of your shoot. Exfoliate your lips by brushing them when you brush your teeth.
11.  For body (lots of skin showing) shots,  be sure you get rid of tan lines by visiting a tanning booth a few times.
12.  Don’t do the spray on tan, it looks orange in photos and it looks streaky 90% of the time. Spray on tans have ruined shoots for everyone involved.
13.  If you have facial hair and you are a woman you need to have it waxed before the shoot.  Peach fuzz will show up on your skin, in fact it will look worse in photos then it does in person. People get used to it,  you may have it and not be aware until the photos come back.
14.  Get rid of body hair. Anywhere and EVERYWHERE it could possibly show.
15.  Bring strapless bras, nude undergarments and a tube top usually comes in handy.
16.  Wear loose comfortable clothing to the shoot, clothes that bind will leave marks.

Tips for a Happier, Healthier Life

There’s no secret – the simplest things are often the best, says nutritionist Dr John Briffa, if we want to feel good all year round.
1.eat ‘primally’ 
Common sense dictates that the best diet is one based on foods we’ve been eating the longest in terms of our time on this planet. These are the foods that we’ve evolved to eat and are best adapted to. Studies show that a ‘primal’ diet made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, as well as meat, fish and eggs, is best for weight control and improvement in risk markers for illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes. This ‘go primal’ food philosophy will enable you to cut through the marketing hype and dietary misinformation, and allow you to make healthy food choices quickly and confidently.
2 Keep hydrated 
Water makes up two-thirds of the body and performs a plethora of functions, including acting as a solvent, carrier of nutrients, temperature regulator and body detoxifier. Maintaining hydration can have a profound influence on our vitality and energy levels, including mental alertness. Aim to drink enough water to keep your urine a pale yellow colour throughout the course of the day.
3 Eat mindfully 
In our fast-paced world, there can be a tendency to eat while distracted and shovel in more food than we need and, at the same time, miss out on culinary pleasure. Many of us will benefit from eating mindfully. Some things to think about here are avoiding eating when distracted, eating more slowly, and taking time to taste food properly. One particular thing to focus on is chewing your food thoroughly – not only does this help us savour food, it also assists the digestive process.
4 Get plenty of sunlight in the summer 
Sunlight, and the vitamin D this can make in the skin, is associated with a wide spectrum of benefits for the body including a reduced risk of several forms of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis, as well as improved immune function. As a rule of thumb, vitamin D is made when our shadow is shorter than our body length, ie when the sun is high in the sky. While burning is to be avoided, get as much sunlight exposure as possible for optimal health.
5… and in the winter
 Low levels of sunlight in the winter can cause our mood to darken. Even when it’s cold outside, it pays to get some external light exposure in the winter, say during lunchtime. Another option is to invest in a sunlight-simulating device and use this daily from October through to March.
6 Get enough sleep 
Sleep has the ability to optimise mental and physical energy, and optimal levels of sleep (about eight hours a night) are linked with reduced risk of chronic disease and improved longevity. One simple strategy that can help ensure you get optimal amounts of sleep is to go to bed earlier. Getting into bed by 10pm or 10.30pm is a potentially useful investment in terms of your short- and long-term health and wellbeing. Shutting down the computer or turning off the TV early in the evening is often all it takes to create the time and space for earlier sleep.
7 Walk regularly 
Aerobic exercise, including something as uncomplicated and low-impact as walking, is associated with a variety of benefits for the body and the brain, including a reduced risk of chronic diseases, anti-anxiety and mood-enhancing effects. Aim for a total of about 30 minutes of brisk walking every day.
8 Engage in some resistance exercise Resistance exercise helps to maintain muscle mass and strengthens the body. This has particular relevance as we age, as it reduces the risk of disability and falls. Many highly useful exercises can be done at home, such as press-ups, sit-ups and squats.
9 Practise random acts of kindness 
Random acts of kindness are good for givers and receivers alike. It could be a quick call or text to someone you care about or have lost touch with, or showing a fellow motorist some consideration, or giving up your seat on a train or bus, or buying someone lunch or giving a spontaneous bunch of flowers.
10 Practise the art of appreciation 
Modern-day living tends to be aspirational and we can easily find ourselves chasing an ever-growing list of goals, many of which can be material. Some of us could do with spending more time focusing not on what we don’t have, but on what we do. 

Our mood can be lifted by giving thanks for anything from our friends and family to a beautiful landscape or sunset. For holistic health and wellbeing information and advice, visit -http://bongqiuqiu.blogspot.sg/2010/11/you-know-it-when-you-look-like-shit.html

10 Easy Tips to Live By Healthy

Eating healthily is all about balance. Every now and then it’s perfectly OK to have pie for dinner or a nice slice of cake at teatime – treats are a part of life – but it's also important to recognise when we're pushing things too far. Indulgent food should be enjoyed and savoured, but only occasionally – it's important to remember that the majority of our diet should be made up of balanced, nutritious everyday foods. Make healthy food a priority in your life and allow it to bring your family and friends together. Learn to love how it makes you feel, how delicious it is and remember that a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise are the keys to a healthy lifestyle.
1. COOK FROM SCRATCH
This is one of the most important life skills you can learn. It allows you to have complete control of what goes into your food.
2. EAT A BALANCED DIET
Aim to eat a balanced diet that contains each of the food groups in the correct proportions.
3. VARIETY IS KEY – EAT THE RAINBOW
Fill your diet with a wide range of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, pulses, nuts, seeds, wholegrains and naturally low fat dairy foods. When it comes to fruit and veg, different colours provide your body with the different nutrients it needs to stay strong and healthy – it's not just greens that are good for you!
4. UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE EATING
Make an effort to learn about the food you're eating – we all need to understand where food comes from and how it affects our bodies.
5. EAT NUTRITIOUS CALORIES
Make sure the majority of your energy intake comes from nutritious calories that also provide your body with nutrients like vitamins, minerals, protein, fibre and good fats. Avoid empty calories.
6. DON'T SKIP BREAKFAST
Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism and helps you to be alert and awake throughout the day. Make sure you always eat a nutritious breakfast. Make it wholesome and make it count.
7. READ THE SMALL PRINT
It's important to read packaging correctly. Be aware of the recommended portion sizes, and the sugar, salt and saturated fat contents. Remember that not all E-numbers are bad, but too many is often a bad sign.
8. DRINK MORE WATER
Water is an essential part of your diet. Drink plenty of water and avoid empty calories from things such as fizzy drinks, energy drinks or juices with added sugar. Eat your calories don't drink them.
9. KEEP ACTIVE
Exercise is an extremely important factor in staying healthy so try to be as active as you can.
10. SLEEP WELL
Make sure you get enough sleep – it's an essential part of being healthy and directly affects how well we are able to learn, grow and act in life. While we're asleep, our bodies have that all-important time to repair.


Styling Tricks Fashion Girls

There's a certain kind of woman who appears effortlessly styled wherever she goes. We've come to know this woman as the fashion girl — the type who just gets outfit proportions, layering tricks, and how to pull off the trend of the moment. Sure, her styling prowess can be downright irritating — how does she always make it seem so easy? — but it can also be incredibly enlightening. 
Master the Basics First
Fashion girls aren't above the basics; they just know how to rock them. T-shirts, skinny black pants, and a classic pump are all among stylish women's must haves.
Change Your Look With Layers
In a fashion girl's closet, a sheath dress isn't just a sheath dress, it might also be a jumper. They look to transform staples like a great LBD into a fabulous day dress by adding a collared shirt or pretty blouse underneath. Just start experimenting with your layers; you never know what combinations you'll love.
Never Be Afraid to Mix Prints
Whoever said you couldn't wear stripes with polka dots had no idea just how cool they would look together. Fashion girls never play by rules like that, mixing up splashy prints with ease. If you're new to the print game, look for patterns that have a similar color scheme to start, then work your way up to bolder, brighter combinations.
Do the Half-Tuck
Tucking in your shirt has become something of an art form, and naturally fashion girls are really, really good at it. The half-tuck has been embraced by bloggers and street style darlings for its effortlessly chic feel, and getting the tuck just right is sort of like styling 101 for them. Just tuck the front in and let the tail hang out for the right effect.
Roll Up Your Sleeves
There's more than one way to wear a button-down. It might just be the easiest trick in the book, but rolling up your sleeves makes a big difference. It depends on the shirt and the look you're going for, but rolled sleeves feel more lived-in and a little more purposefully styled.
Knot It
Tees are meant to be twisted, rolled, and knotted — and stylish girls are adept at working them all the right ways. Knotting them at the waist is an essential styling trick that helps define your figure and can help you repurpose a dress as a skirt. Simply add a button-down or t-shirt over your dress and knot it at the waist to create the illusion of a top and skirt. How's that for layering?


Worst fashion mistakes a girl Can Make

Worst fashion mistakes a girl or a woman can’t risk making deserve quite a bit of space, my ladies, so do take not that this is going to be a pretty long list.

On the bright side, you may even enjoy a few laughs or feel encouraged to take a trip down the memory lane and laugh over a particular fashion faux pas of your own or feel good about all those common fashion mistakes you’ve managed to avoid with success!

But, let me spare you the long intro and share my top 20 worst no-no’s:
SHOWING TOO MUCH

1. 

Showing Too Much
Showing too much of anything doesn’t make you look sexy!

Furthermore, it’s one of the worst fashion mistakes in my book and pretty much any book out there.

Sure, we can turn a blind eye but only if you’re younger than 20 which is generally considered a perfect age to invest in a few tops than reach past your belly button and learn that showing it all doesn’t guarantee you attention..or, at least, not any positive attention.

MUFFIN TOPS
Having a bit of a problem with those hated “love handles” and being a total fan of low rise jeans I have, too, been tempted to say “Oh, what the heck” and ignore that fleshy overflow.
Not a good road to take at all, ladies, so do take my advice and don’t let this fashion faux pas ever leave your rooms.

BEING STUCK IN PAST

Okay, let’s talk about one of the most common fashion mistakes women, from what I could note, usually in their thirties, forties and fifties are prone to and that’s being stuck in one specific period of their lives and refusing to acknowledge the fact that their bodies/lifestyle or simply fashion has changed.Not an intentional fashion mistake for sure but definitely one that keeps those ladies from looking their best (remember TLC’s What Not to Wear?)!
IMPROPER FIT
Too large, too small – it doesn’t really matter, the point is that both can and do look bad and, even worse, make you look bad!Don’t hide in the folds of your baggy outfit and don’t try to squeeze yourself into something just for the sake of being able to say “I’m a size so-and-so”.
POOR CHOICE OF MATERIALS
Although synthetic materials are generally a valid choice for evening attire not to mention quite a popular ingredient of many well made blends, there comes a time in every woman’s life when she really has to start paying attention to the inner labels, basing her choice on the quality of fabrics used to create a garment in question.
Getting too creative with them…now, that’s a whole different story and quite an interesting one, for that matter, with more than just one fashion faux pas to point my finger at.

Worst Style Tips on the Internet

The internet is a weird and wonderful place. But mostly weird. And kind of dangerous. Hidden amongst the maybe-legal-maybe-not highs, hit men job boards, wives-to-buy and other bytes of vice are some truly bizarre and seriously questionable pieces of style advice.
They’re in your forums, and your feeds, your viral content aggregators and your video sharing websites. They’re even in your online magazines. But fear not, because we’re calling bulls**t on the bogus style doctors. Stay safe, kids.

Ignore fashion trends.”

“Yes, because that’s really what this whole multibillion-dollar industry is all about, isn’t it? Inner beauty.” – to quote a man from a film.
Of course, there’s some sense in advising a man to tread carefully through each season’s trends (not everyone’s going to be stoked about floral silk shirts or get hot under the collar for a Cuban heel), but to avoid them altogether? Well, what’s the point?
Trends are transient. Hence the name. If you want to look good, you get to know what works for you and what doesn’t, taking or leaving trends based on whether they suit you or not.
Ignore them altogether and yes, you could look good, but only for a year in every 20 or so. The choice is yours.
Buy three staple pieces every other season to keep your wardrobe up-to-date.”
Why three pieces?! Why every other season?! So many numbers, so little logic.
Your clothes – unlike your iPhone – aren’t necessarily victims of built-in obsolescence, which means (despite the inherent vagaries of fashion) you don’t need to replace three perfectly good pieces every year simply for the sake of it.
Anyway, if we’re talking ‘staples’ here, you shouldn’t need to replace them until you’ve worn them right out. Which shouldn’t be just 12 months after you bought them.

A gentleman carries a handkerchief in his front breast pocket.”

And stands up when a woman enters a room? Give us a break.
The basics of being a gentleman have nothing to do with where you place your accessories, and everything to do with not being a dick. Plain and simple.
If a neatly folded pocket square happens to perfectly polish off your suit, then go for it, put it in your breast pocket and walk proud. But don’t do it because of someone’s arbitrary, outdated idea of what makes for good etiquette.

Bath regularly.”

Is this code? Are we missing something here?
We came across this in a list of ’15 grooming tips for men’ and all we can say is that if you do, by some mind-bendingly confusing and slightly concerning turn of events, actually consider this a grooming tip rather than the first step in basic hygiene, then, please pull up a pew and get comfortable, because we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.

You need more than one pair of shoes, but not too much more.”

Too many, too many more. This piece of would-be wisdom is about as useful as its grammar is acceptable. Which is not really at all.
Unless you literally never leave your house, you absolutely do need more than one pair of shoes. However, you don’t (we concede there is some truth to this badly articulated bit of advice) necessarily need six, or ten, or twenty pair of shoes.
But you will – depending on your lifestyle – need at least three: one for casual wear; one for the office and occasions that call for smart-casual; and one for fixing up for formal engagements.

Tips Every Bride Should Know about shopping

For some brides-to-be, shopping for a wedding dress can be utterly thrilling, while—for others—it’s an utter nightmare. Regardless of which category you fall into, it is inevitable that you’ll have to shop for a dress. To help make the arduous (and often dramatically overblown) process easier, we’ve compiled 8 wedding dress shopping tips that every bride should know.

1. EAT first.A grumpy, hangry bride isn’t cute, so make sure you eat before you shop. No time? Bring nuts or fruit with you. It might sound silly, but being cranky can weigh on your patience—and might cause an “ugh” reaction to everything you try on.

2. Do yourself up a little.While you don’t need to go full-out with beauty when trying on dresses (ahem, foundation stains), it pays to arrive at the store with your toned-down hair and makeup (as opposed to a rolled-out-of-bed topknot and blotchy skin.) It’ll give you a much better picture of how the dress will look when all the moving parts come together. Plus, having a good hair-and-skin day can boost your confidence, likely making you more amenable to looking in the mirror all day long.

3. Shoe structure is key.Already have the shoes you’re wearing to your wedding? Great, bring ’em along. If you don’t, it’s key to bring footwear you know will be similar, both in heel height and in silhouette. Various shoe structures can dramatically alter the way clothing falls, especially hems.
For example, a sleek stiletto with a low vamp and a super-skinny kitten heel will make the hem of a gown lay quite differently than a shoe with a thick ankle strap and a huge platform, or a shoe that’s adorned with embellishments or hardware.


4. Wear—or bring—the right undergarments.

Without wearing proper undergarments to try on wedding dresses, the trip can pretty much be considered a waste. After all, there’s not a woman alive who hasn’t experienced the transformative powers of the right shapewear or bra.
If you’re going shopping without a clear-cut picture of what type of dress you’d like, bring a few different options, such as a strapless bra, a push-up bra, a thong, and various pieces of suck-it-in shapewear.

5. Know your price range.
It’s easy to get sucked into a vortex of over-the-top expensive wedding dresses (hello, you’re wearing it once), which is why it pays to start shopping with a budget—or at least a price range—firmly in place. Don’t forget to factor in extra, such as alterations, shoes, veils, and accessories. That said, it’s best not to even try on gowns outside of your price range when you’re shopping for fear that you’ll fall madly in love with a gazillion-dollar gown only be be let down by every other dress you try. 

6. Adhere to your own dress code.We’ve been to too many weddings where, surprisingly, it’s the looks of the bride that looks totally out of place—not any of the guests. Psyched for your exotic destination beach wedding, but dying to wear a princess-style ball gown? Not gonna work! Tying the knot in a fancy big-city hotel on a Saturday night? Skip the easy-breezy white sundress and bare feet. Trust us: Wearing something that compliments the setting and the background of your venue will look stylish—and timeless in photos.

Have an open mind.Yes, it’s important to know your own style—and not compromise—but you might be surprised how good you look and feel in a style, cut, or length you normally wouldn’t have expected. Likewise, dress styles you filled your Pinterest boards with might look terribly unflattering IRL, so there’s nothing to lose by trying on as many dresses as you can.

Mistakes Brides Make When Dress Shopping

Bringing an Entourage

We know it’s the most important dress you’ll ever wear, and you want to make sure it’s absolutely perfect. But having 10 different opinions makes it much harder to come to a consensus—and it can bring you farther away from what you actually want. “I have always been a believer that the most a bride should bring when dress shopping is two people,” said Cristina DeMarco, of Bridal Reflections in New York, NY.
Most brides do best with just their mom and maybe a sister or best friend, said Debra Lash, of The Wedding Tree in La Crosse, WI. “They generally have the bride’s best interest at heart, not what they want her to wear.” One of our real bride bloggers, Theresa Misso, recently wrote about her dress shopping experiences and said, “When you're standing there in a big dress, and random people in the store are ohh-ing and ahh-ing and all you want to do is take it off, you’ll need an honest, reliable companion to say, ‘I love it. But it’s just not you.’”

Shopping Too Early

It’s important to have the rest of your wedding details in place before you can truly shop for a gown, since many factors can influence the style of the dress. Consider your venue: “An ornate gown with tons of embellishments and a sizeable train might look stunning in a ballroom but completely out of place at a beachfront ceremony,” said Tolu Ogbechie, one of our real bride bloggers. Also, the colors you choose for your bridesmaids and décor can influence whether you choose white or an off-white shade.
But, at the same time, don’t procrastinate. Most dresses take anywhere from five to eight months to come in, according to DeMarco. You can sometimes place a rush order if you need it in under five months, but it’ll cost you.

Trying On Too Many Dresses

Often, a bride is trying on dress after dress because she’s just not ready to end the shopping experience and make a real commitment. The most common mistake that a bride makes is not purchasing her gown when she finds it.The danger that befalls her is she becomes overwhelmed and forgets what she originally set out to find. She begins to doubt herself and starts to lose faith in the experience.”

Being Swayed by Steep Discounts

Sample sales are popular among brides, but you must keep in mind that you are typically truly purchasing just that — a sample: The dress has been tried on by hundreds of brides and could have been torn, stained, or otherwise damaged during the process. Before making a purchase, check the gown very carefully for any damage—and if there's anything that can’t easily be fixed, put it back. Some brides end up spending hundreds in alterations to fix what’s wrong with the sample when they could’ve found a similar brand new dress for not much more money.

Demanding the Wrong Size

Wedding gown sizes typically run one or two sizes smaller than street clothes, so try not to get hung up on the number. Do not fixate on the actual size but instead on how your measurements compare to the particular line on the specific designer’s size chart.
Planning on losing weight before the big day?Play it safe and order a size that fits your current body. Any dress can be taken in, typically up to four sizes without affecting the look of the dress, but most can only be let out one full size—if that. You need to be realistic, in case you don’t lose your targeted weight...
What happens if your dress doesn’t fit when it comes in? 

Must Read Gown Shopping Tips

Have a Price In Mind

If you know you're not going to spend $15,000 on your dress, don't waste time trying on a bunch of gowns out of your range. You're better off zeroing in on your realistic price point so you can spend more time editing down the amazing options you can actually buy. Also, keep in mind that you'll need to factor in the cost of alterations, taxes and shipping fees, plus your veil, shoes, lingerie and jewelry, which can add up to $500 or more altogether.

Start Early

This is one of the things that surprises everyone. You really need at least six to eight months to get your gown—and that's if you're really decisive. If you're a picky shopper or don't really know what you want, start looking eight to 10 months before your wedding. Give yourself plenty of time; if you put it off for too long, your selection of dresses could be limited or you might make a quick decision you may regret later. Once you've found your gown, give yourself at least eight weeks to make alterations. 

Determine the Dress Code

You may need to consider religious restrictions when shopping for your gown. If your ceremony is in a house of worship, find out whether there are any attire guidelines you're required to follow, such as covering your shoulders.
Even if you're planning on dropping 15 pounds before your wedding, your body type isn't going to completely change. Besides, it's a lot easier (not to mention less expensive) to take a gown in than to try and make a too-small dress work. Or else you will look damn horrible like this. 

Call in Advance

Just because a salon carries your favorite designer doesn't mean it'll have the exact dress you've been dying to try on. If you phone beforehand and request a specific style, chances are the salon will be able to call in a sample of that gown especially for you. While you may get lucky and snag a salesperson just by walking in, scheduling an appointment guarantees you'll get a full hour of undivided attention. Plus, many salons require you to book an appointment in order to try on gowns, so you'll want to call ahead.

Let the Salon Make Recommendations

Don't eliminate anything at first glance. If the salesperson brings you something she says you should try, try it—even if you don't initially love it or think it's totally “you." It's possible to fall for a wedding gown you didn't think you'd like or want. Not every dress looks great on a hanger, and you might have to let go of some preconceived notions and keep an open mind.

Shop At the Right Time

Taking a half day off to shop on, say, a Tuesday morning is absolutely worth it. Saturday afternoons are the most popular times—which actually makes them the worst. Unless the store is by appointment only, try to target those slower times. Consultants are fresher earlier in the day and can give you more of their attention. A calm store means a more personalized shopping experience, Hall says. If you're shopping a sample sale, do yourself a favor and skip the first day. Call ahead to ask how many days the sale will run, then go a little later—there will still be plenty of inventory. Another shopping trick: Don't bring an entourage. It may be tempting to include all your friends in this experience, but any more than one or two adds up to too many clashing opinions.
Read the Fine Print
When you order your gown from a salon, it's important to triple-check the contract. Read it carefully, so you don't end up with the wrong size or color, and get the designer, style number, measurements, delivery date, the price of the gown and number of fittings, as well as the deposit amount, all in writing.

Bring Your Accessories

While most salons will have shoes and a slip on hand for you to try on with your gown, you should still come prepared with a nude bra and underwear for the fittings. Also bring shoes with a similar height as what you plan on wearing at the wedding, so you can see how the dress falls with your heels. And try on your other day-of accessories (if you have them), like your veil or cover-up, to get an idea of how your whole look will come together.

Trust Your Instincts

If you have to be reassured that the dress looks great on you, it's probably not “the one." If you can't see yourself walking down the aisle in it, move on. When you find the right dress, you'll know—you won't want to put on anything else. Have some tissues handy; it will be an emotional moment!

Best Fashion Tips

SHOW SKIN STRATEGICALLY

Looking truly sexy involves knowing what to bare-and what to keep under wraps. Otherwise, where's the mystery? "Choose one-only one-body part and show it off," advises Jen Rade, stylist to Jenna Fischer and Angelina Jolie. "If it's cleavage, don't show your legs. If it's your legs, stay covered on top."

aCCESSORIZE IN BRIGHTS

If you've got a closet full of neutrals-be they navy, black, camel, or gray-add energy with boldly hued shoes and bags. Not only is a hunter green satchel more lively than ho-hum black, but it's also surprisingly versatile. Feeling really brave? Wear a neutral base with shoes and a bag in two different complementary colors.

THROW ON A SCARF

It's the ultimate accessory according to a host of the best-dressed women we interviewed. Stash one in your purse or carry-on to transform simple Ts in the time it takes to make a knot.

EMBRACE YOUR SHAPE

"Once you know which silhouettes flatter you, filter trends ruthlessly," says designer Shoshanna Gruss. For instance, if you're petite and shapely, it's best to avoid tall columns and billowy maxis even if you love them. Go for a dress with a defined waist and just-above-the-knee hem or else you will look like shit.

MAKE A LIST BEFORE YOU SHOP

Not of what you want to buy, but of the 10 fave items in your closet. This will help you zero in on pieces that mesh with what you own (or remind you that you never actually wear big floral prints).

HIT THE DRESSING ROOM PREPARED

If you're shopping for that ultra-important dress, get a true feel for the fit by bringing your hip or thigh slimmer with you. And while you're at it, bring heels, lipstick, and a hairbrush. These will help you get a better sense of the final result.

ALWAYS CHECK OUT THE REAR VIEW

And don't leave the house until you like what you see. Every angle matters. Trust us.

 TOUCH THE INSIDE

A garment's lining is often a designer's calling card, and a good way to judge quality. A well-crafted lining is a sign that the whole piece has been sewn with care.

UPGRADE YOUR BUTTONS

Sometimes, the only giveaway that your cute jacket cost less than lunch money is its cheap hardware. Swap in nicer buttons, or have a tailor do it.

OWN SOMETHING LEOPARD PRINT

Make the print "a staple in your accessories wardrobe," says many stylists. It's timeless, racy enough, and always glamorous.