Found My Lip Color!

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Lancomb's Blush Classique turned out to be my go to color. Oh so pretty!

Lancomb’s Blush Classique turned out to be my go to color. Oh so pretty!

Yesterday I continued my weight loss makeover. I visited my nearby Macy’s cosmetics department to find my cornerstone lipstick color to build my collection.

This lucky lipstick will serve as my go to color. It has to look good on me if I’m wearing no makeup.

With just a few cosmetic lines to choose from (my Macy’s is tiny!), I found what I was looking for at the Lancôme counter.

Lancôme’s L’absolu Rouge lipstick brand includes a moisturizer to prevent chapping, a big plus for me with winter fast approaching.  When sampling the different lipsticks, I found that it went on easily and evenly.  And the colors…oh so pretty.

Lancomb's Natural Mauve lip liner; weight loss makeover

Coloring my lips with Lancomb’s Natural Mauve lip liner.

Speaking of color, I picked Blush Classique. A shade deeper than my natural lip color, it looked the most flattering on me.

I also picked up a lip liner at the Lancôme counter – Natural Mauve. It’s a perfect compliment to the Classique and great for pairing with future pink, brown or nude lipsticks.

Putting It Together
Once I got home I started applying my goodies.  First I applied the liner and made sure to not just line my lips, but color them in too. As my Glam Squad taught me, coloring my lips with the liner locks in the lipstick color to prevent fading.

weight loss makeover, Lancôme's Blush Classique

Phase 1 of my weight loss makeover is complete with my new lipstick and lip liner!

After I applied the lipstick I used the brush at the end of my lip liner to smooth out the color.

Easy peasy!

Buying the moisturizing lipstick was a smart move on my part as my lips felt smooth and moist all day.  Hooray!

Now time to start building my collection.

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Everyday Beauty: Picking The Right Lip Color

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picking right lipstick color, everyday beauty makeover, chosing right lip color

With so many colors to choose from, how do you pick the color that’s right for you? Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono and FreeDigitialPhotos.net.

After nearly two weeks since my makeup makeover, I finally went shopping for some lipstick. I headed out to my local drug store and quickly got overwhelmed. So many choices. They all look so pretty. But how to tell if the one I pick is the right color for me?

And it’s not like Walgreens will let me try them on.

I immediately avoided the reds. I’ve never found a red lipstick that looked good on me.

But then I thought, I look great wearing my red shirts and sweaters. So what gives?

Then it dawned on me. When I went shopping with my Glam Squad we selected makeup based on my skin tone and eye color. Hmmmm… it makes sense that my skin and lip colors are key to selecting the right lipstick.

I left the store empty-handed, but more determined.

When I got home I asked The Google to clarify this mystery.  Bobbi Brown’s Lip System had the answer for me.

It turns out picking the right color isn’t all that hard.

Using the natural color of my lips as my guide, I can find my matching lip color. From there, staying in that color family, I can easily find flattering neutral, bright and deep lipstick shades. And I can play with different textures.

Seems like a simple way to start building my lipstick collection.  Of course it only took me 30 years to figure it out.

Tomorrow I head out to Macy’s cosmetics department, much more confident of success.

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Weight Loss Makeover: Putting It Together

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After my makeup masterclass, my Glam Squad — Julie and Claire, the makeover pros — set up a photo shoot to show off my new look.

But before we begin, here’s the before image.

weight loss journey before and after photo

My current weight loss journey started in January 2012, when I tipped the scales at 325. I’ve never looked back since.

And here’s what having two makeover pros like Julie and Claire can do for you!

weight loss fashion makeover

Showing off my new Old Navy Outfit and a fab purse I found while visiting a little shop called Sam Moon in Houston, TX.

weight loss fashion makeover

Great dress we found at Lord & Taylor. Perfect for business or parties (just like a mullet, but better).

weight loss fashion makeover

Old Navy is the store that just keeps on giving! Jeans, black cardigan, blue short sleeve top and scarf are all from Old Navy. The handbag I picked up at Sam Moon.

A great leather faux jacket I picked up at Lane Bryant. The sleeveless orange top we picked up at Old Navy.

A great leather faux jacket I picked up at Lane Bryant. The sleeveless orange top is from Macy’s.

Weight loss fashion makeover

Practicing my best “Blue Steel” look, I love this green shirt Claire found at Macy’s. The fact it only cost $11 made me love it more!

weight loss fashion makeover

OK, here’s a better look at the Macy’s green top. The necklace is from Lane Bryant.

Unfortunately, my shoes from Zappos didn’t arrive on time for the photo shoot.

weight loss fashion makeover

Very pretty! I no longer have to wear only flip flops. Shoe styles (Top Row L-R): Vigotti Bethan, Nine West Heroheart, Softspots Maria; (Bottom Row L-R): Hush Puppies Chaste Ballet, Nine West Mela.

All I can say is thank you to Claire and Julie, the most awesome Glam Squad ever!

weight loss fashion makeover

Me with the Glam Squad – Claire (L) and Julie (R), enjoying a well-earned glass of wine.

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Cover Girl Time: The Weight Loss Makeup Makeover

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weight loss beauty makeover, weight loss cosmetics, reward weight loss with makeup

(L-R) Nordstrom’s beauty stylist, me and Julie talking about best products for my skin.

Since I was rewarding myself for losing weight with a wardrobe and hair makeover, it made sense to ask my Glam Squad – Julie and Claire, the makeover pros – for some makeup advice too.

Confession Time
I never really wear that much makeup.  I don’t prefer going barefaced, but I never felt confident on how to put it on.

But before I could attend Julie’s makeup master class, I needed to actually buy makeup.

Skimping and Splurging
I don’t know about you, but I always find the department store makeup counters overwhelming. If I don’t know what I need, how do I shop for it? And which products are the best?

The good news: Julie went with me to take some of the mystery out of the experience.

Julie knew exactly what I needed. Her big challenge – staying within my $225 budget! Now that may seem like a lot, but keep in mind we were starting from scratch. I needed to invest in certain specialty items. Other things I could pick up on the cheap at my local drug store.

Our list included the basics:

  • Face – coverage makeup
  • Eyes – eyeliner, eye shadow, eyebrow liner and mascara
  • Cheeks – blush, bronzer
  • Lips – lipstick, gloss, liner

And if the budget supported it, an eye cream and Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair (I’ve used this and it rocks!).

weight loss beauty makeover, reward weight loss with makeup

Glam Squad’s Makeup Master Class: Learning how to apply concealer to get rid of those dark circles under my eyes.

When I arrived at Nordstrom’s makeup counter, Julie was already working with the beauty stylists pulling different products for me to test.

Julie recommended we splurge on a tinted moisturizer (Laura Mercier) for my dry skin and to help tone down my naturally very rosy cheeks. Also I needed to invest in a good concealer (Estee Lauder) for those dark circles under my eyes.

We both loved the Laura Mercier Colour Wardrobe. It had everything I needed for my eyes and cheeks. The colors perfectly complimented my skin color and green eyes.

We also picked up brushes at Sephora.

As for my lips,  the Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss Trio tempted us. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t make the budget work.

It was an educational shopping trip, completely took the fear away of visiting the makeup counter, and best of all Julie stayed within $2.00 of my budget – how’s that for awesome!

weight loss beauty makeover, rewarding weight loss with makeup, everyday beauty

The master at work! Julie touching up the eye makeup as we take a brief pause during the photo shoot.

Makeup Master Class
Sunday morning I met up with my Glam Squad for a makeup master class.

Julie walked me through step by step – how much tinted moisturizer to put on (a nickel-size drop); best way to apply the concealer (pat it on with the ring finger!); simple motion for applying blush (backwards “C”); and lots of little tricks for my eyes and lips.

She went over what each brush is for and how to care for them (wash once a week in baby shampoo).

She was incredibly patient with my questions. And she had great little tips for turning mistakes into great looks.

The best thing about makeup class: Julie crafted me a look that was amazing, quick to put on (90 seconds folks!) and felt like I’m not wearing makeup.

Now I just need to practice, practice, practice.

So ended the morning portion of Day 3 of my weight loss makeover. Up next, putting it all together for the photo shoot!

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Weight Loss Makeover: Time For A Fun And Sassy Hairdo

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After losing 80 lbs., I was ready for a new hairstyle that mirrored how I felt on the inside – fun and sassy! I just didn’t know what to do.

weight loss hair style makeover, losing weight and makeovers, new hairstyle reward for weight loss

In my defense, I air dried it and just got back from a long walk in very humid weather.

My hair became unmanageable. Long and thick, my hair took over an hour to dry and style. It lacked volume, the color faded and it frizzed out every time I used a blow dryer.

I started keeping it in a ponytail. Everyday. It was the only way to contain it.

Worst of all, I looked older than my age.

Once again I called on the Glam Squad – my friends and makeover pros Julie and Claire – for much-needed help.

Medium Wavy Style
Julie recommended I go with look that took 4 inches off, added curls and bounce. Plus she wanted layers – a great way to add volume, soften the lines around my face, as well as feel lighter and cooler.

As for color, Julie and Claire urged me to go darker and add in highlights for contrast and create a shading effect.

Sold.

Julie recommended a stylist she worked with at a wedding and scheduled my appointment.

weight loss hairstyle makeover, new hairstyle reward for weight loss

Me with the fabulous Jenny just before applying my new dark, sexy color.

The Perfect Hair
I arrived at the salon a few minutes early. After checking in and putting a smock on, the receptionist promptly asked if I’d like a glass of wine.

This was my type of salon!

Just as my glass arrived I met Jenny, my hair makeover stylist.  She was great! Jenny walked me through the Glam Squad’s suggested cut and showed me how it would frame my face.

I told her my only concern was being able to duplicate the look once I left the salon. Let’s face it, Jenny isn’t doing my hair every morning. That’s my job and I’m terrible at it.

Jenny promised to walk me through the style phase and show me just how easy it is to maintain.

Then we started talking color. She liked going darker than my original or boxed colors and recommended adding gold highlights on top – right where the patch of gray stood.

What Does It Look Like?

weight loss hairstyle makeover, new hairstyle weight loss reward, celebrate weight loss hairstyle

My new do! I really love the highlights. It’s simple, fun and easy to style.

It took Jenny 3 hours to color, cut and style my hair.

It looked awesome. The color was perfect and my hair felt bouncy and silky.  And it’s incredibly easy to style. All I needed was a curling iron and fingers to tousle the curls for that natural look.

Easy peasy.

Day 2 of my makeover extravaganza down. Up next: From bare face Cover Girl time!

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Everyday Beauty Makeover: Creating A Stylish Weight Loss Wardrobe

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When I started my weight loss journey last year, my ensemble quickly evolved into sweats, Nikes and an oversized t-shirt. Well after losing 80 lbs., I decided I needed to look more stylish. In short, it was time for a full makeover — hair, makeup and clothes.

Enter my personal Glam Squad! Two friends — Julie & Claire — who are makeover pros. Their task: to help me become fashion forward while I’m still losing weight, without breaking the bank.  My transformation took 3 fun days. There’s a lot to cover, with great photos (compliments of my Glam Squad!), so I’m breaking it down into several posts over the next couple of days.

weight loss and new wardrobe, weight loss wardrobe on a budget

Before hitting the stores, I reviewed great fashion looks with Claire, a member of my Glam Squad.

The Building Blocks Of A Stylish Wardrobe
We caught up over lunch last week and went over outfit ideas and hairstyles. Claire and Julie did a bang-up job. Since I’m still losing weight, they focused on the staples – jeans, dresses, blazers and sweaters.  Easy, low-cost items to rebuild my wardrobe, but stylish enough to add some spice.

Since my current wardrobe is 90% black, their recommendations added a much-needed splash of color. Plus, much of what they showed me included new cuts and shapes – things to try with my new figure.

From there, we went over the budget and then hit the stores.

weight loss wardrobe on a budget, weight loss and clothes

Working with Glam Squad member Julie in finding the right look at the right price!

Do They Carry My Size?
My only anxiety about the shopping excursion was the list of stores. My Glam Squad lined up trips to Old Navy, Macy’s and Lord & Taylor. In the past, I’d stayed away from those stores for one simple reason: my size.

Up until now, 85% of my clothes came from Lane Bryant. Other stores didn’t carry my size – and if they did, never in the store, only online.

Yes I lost weight and went from a size 28 to a 20. But that’s a Lane Bryant size 20. Stores and designers don’t share the same formula for their sizes. A size 20 in one store is different from a size 20 in another (how annoying).

Alone in the Old Navy dressing room, my fear intensified as I held up the size 20 jeans Claire handed me a few moments ago. “No way these are going to fit,” I thought.

weight loss and new clothes, new weight loss clothes on a budget

After getting over my fear of shopping at a new store, I had a blast mixing and matching clothes.

After losing all the weight, where the hell was this doubt coming from?

Well, not doubt, exactly. More like…weirdness. It felt overwhelmingly strange to shop at a “thin person’s store.”  I kept telling myself, “I don’t belong here…it’s a mistake.”

Taking a deep breath, I tried on the jeans. A perfect fit. The weirdness vanished. I belonged.

In that moment, I became an Old Navy customer!

But I needed to temper my excitement or I’d blow through my budget.

Claire to the rescue! She sent me an Old Navy 20% off coupon. Awesome!

She encouraged me to sign up for the store’s email blasts to get coupons and sales alerts.  Making my dollars go further, these two ladies found great deals, including cute tops for under $10. Amazing.

The next 4+ hours flew by. Clair and Julie picked out a ton of great outfits, many of which I never would have tried. I never felt so exhausted.

weight loss and clothes, new weight loss clothes on a budget

Signs your makeover is off to a good start? Lots of bags filled with lovely clothes you got on sale!

The great thing about the day, it gave me more confidence to try new and different styles and to go into stores that were completely off-limits before due to my weight.

Day one down. On the horizon, part 2: a new hairdo.

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Down 3 Ring Sizes!

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weight loss and ring size

To big to rule them all! My wedding and engagement rings sit in a jewelry box, too big to wear.

Jewelry is on my mind lately. Due to the weight loss, I can’t wear my rings, including my wedding or engagement rings. Worse, I’m unable to re-size my wedding band or engagement ring. The gems will pop right out.  Which means a new ring (hooray!). But since I’m still losing weight, I’m waiting until I reach my goal weight (boo!).  So hopefully in another year (sigh!).

However, I’m toying with getting a simple band in the meantime. I hate going about without a wedding ring. And let’s face it, a year is a long time to go without.

So Saturday I found myself in a jewelry store drooling standing in front of the case with my precious the pretty rings.

The sales lady asked if I wanted to look at a particular ring. “No, just looking.”

Then it struck me: I don’t even know what size I wear anymore. My ring finger was a size 10-1/2.  So I asked if she could measure my finger.

Hot damn! I’m now a 7-1/2.

It’s amazing where your body loses weight.

Drop A Size, Catch The Fashion Bug!

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Yes, I got a very conservative outfit for a business meeting...but it's a size 20 baby!

Yes, I got a very conservative outfit for a business meeting…but it’s a size 20 baby!

It looks like the 1.8 lbs. I lost this week pushed me into a size 20 officially! I popped into my nearby Lane Bryant for an outfit to wear for an upcoming presentation (I’m helping a friend market her new business line).

My pre-make over consulting session isn’t until Thursday (followed by shopping on Saturday) and the presentation is early Friday. So I decided I needed to get something without my fashion gurus. I chose a simple but cheap low cost look – a pencil black skirt and shirt.

As I tried on the 22s, I realized how baggie the clothes looked. Awesome! The size 20 skirt fit fine and the shirt is a little snug in the chest, but not for long.

Ok, it's not real leather...but it's a size 20 and I love it.

OK, it’s not real leather…but it’s a size 20 and I love it.

In all my excitement, I noticed a cute quilted faux leather jacket. Mistakenly I tried it on…and loved it. Cha-ching!

Then one of the all-too-freakin’-helpful sales ladies let me know that their 1/2 off jeans sale ends today. I tried on the 20s and they fit. Cha-ching!

Then I spotted boots in the corner. The last time I owned a pair of boots…1984, when I lived in Texas (I think it’s a state law).  It’s not that I hate boots. My big-ass calves just won’t squeeze into any boot known to man.

I decided to give it a shot.

These boots had a zipper on the side, so no struggling sliding my fit into them. However, the zipper stopped mid calf.

Well crap.

I'm calling these baby boots since they only go up to my ankle. 1/4 off my calves get me into the adult boots!

I’m calling these baby boots since they only go up to my ankle. 1/4″ off my calves get me into the adult boots!

I felt a bit defeated…until I spotted the ankle boots. Cha-ching!

At the register, the same happy-I’m-spending-$$$ sales lady told me that they have a black suede heeled boot for wide calves online.

She had to tell me.

I think I need to go cash-only when shopping with my make-over gurus next week.

Head-2-Toe Makeover Next Month

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Kitty likes my new dress size. And really, who wouldn't? I just need some more lbs to come off below the waist, then it's new wardrobe time!

Kitty likes my new dress size. And really, who wouldn’t? I just need some more pounds to come off below the waist, then it’s new wardrobe time!

Today is an awesome day!

Thanks to a business meeting, I needed a new outfit. Lo and behold my new dress (and belt).

Oh, did I mention it’s a size 20 (woohoo!) and, more importantly, kitty approved!

I’m not quite there yet as far as pants, but most size 20 dresses and tops fit pretty dang good this weekend.

The timing is perfect. Next month I’m going in for a full makeover: hair, make-up, clothes and shoes. I’m enlisting the help of some good friends who do this professionally.  I’m overly conservative in my selections and I need a fresh perspective. The weight loss gives me the confidence to try new styles and looks.

More details when we get closer to the event, plus you’ll have ring side seats.

2.5 Inches Closer To Size 20

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I’m measuring myself every month. The scale is a great snap shot of where I’m at on the day I step on it. But my body measurements give a more complete picture of my weight loss journey.

Today, good news in two areas.

Sept 16 MeasurementsMy waist and hips carry the bulk of my weight. So it’s no surprise that’s where I see movement.  I lost an inch off the waist and 1.5 inches from my hips. All other parts remain the same…again.

I’m very happy with the numbers. But of course, when I don’t see movement in other areas, I start kicking myself.

While we can’t pick which body parts the pounds come off, a part of me can’t help but think that the knee injury slowed progress on my legs. Stupid thought, since I just wrote we can’t target where we lose weight. Truth is, I’m very happy it’s coming from my midsection. Belly fat increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. With these numbers I’m closer to getting off the blood pressure meds.

I’m steadily adding the daily walk back into my routine. The knee feels good.

I’ve also decided to increase the exercise bands from 2 days a week to 3. I’m very happy with my progress, but there is a part of me that worries that I’m not doing enough toning.

I am getting closer to that size 20. This weekend I picked up a few new workout outfits. Normally I reserve shopping like this for hitting milestones. But my current crop of gear has lots of holes and tears. Size 20 fit perfectly. Of course, that’s not too difficult when you’re talking about stretchy pants.

I needed to try on a pair of size 20 non-stretchy pants – also for fun.  Close, but no cigar. The pants fit a bit too tight, but I’ll be back in another 10 lbs.