Dear Janet, oh how I hate thigh riding shorts! It is so uncomfortable and embarrassing... not to mention the painful chaffing! The issue can be caused by a few things. You have to be aware of both the cut and fit.

When shopping for shorts, make sure that the cut proves the front panel to be smaller that the back panel. Shorts with a front panel that is equal the size of the back panel often ride between the legs pulling the crotch seams back between the legs. A smaller front panel will help keep the shorts comfortably in place. To check this, lay the shorts flat, you should be able to see the side seams on the front side.

It is also best to avoid pleats or any extra fabric in the front as this can also cause the riding and pulling towards the back. Check the rise, (the length from the crotch seam to the waist) if the rise is too long there will be fabric bunched at the crotch which will also cause the riding.

The ease of the thigh is equally important. If the shorts are the least bit too tight, they will cling and ride between your legs. You have to find shorts that are both relaxed through and extend past the fullest part of the thigh. Thanks for your question Janet! Follow these tips and you will reduce the ride!

Tanya, first of all congratulations on your interview and good luck! If I were you I would wear a great pair of straight leg, flat-front, black trousers with a bright colored, structured jacket and same colored blouse.  The technique of wearing the same colored jacket and blouse with black trousers is called color blocking. This technique will make you appear taller and thinner.

Wear a beautiful brooche on your lapel and coordinating earrings.  Choose a sleek black shoe and structured bag... nothing floppy or scuffed.  Create "Happy Hair" with a soft flip or some curls and keep your make-up natural with glossy lips.   Let your accessories and rich colored jacket be the visual indicator of your personality and professionalism! My fingers are crossed for you!!

Kelly, a pronounced square jaw can look beautiful with the right cut and color! You just need to add highlights, lowlights and piece-y layers to create movement. The result will be a high dimension look that will appear much thicker and voluminous. You should choose a hair cut/style that lifts off the forehead and comes forward at the temple and the jaw. This creates the illusion of narrowness and softness in the face and can be achieved while maintaining your length. Good luck Kelly... I know you will look beautiful!

Chick, dry skin is caused by an insufficient flow of oil from the sebaceous glands and there are dozens of reasons why this happens. The best way to avoid extreme changes in your skin is to establish a cleansing and moisturizing routine that will give your skin all it needs to balance your Ph levels. My favorite new cleansing, moisturizing and treatment line is by DOVE. I have to tell you, the new Dove SKIN ESSENTIALS line is incredible and the value is unbeatable. I would recommend the SKIN ESSENTIAL Day SPF 15 and SKIN ESSENTIALS Night Cream. I am sure you will notice a difference. Be happy; be beautiful; be thrifty!!!

Dear SOFA, highlighting your hair is a great way to camouflage your budding gray with modern, multi-tonal results. Dark brown/auburn hair looks fresh and modern with caramel, honey brown or dark buttery blonde highlights. This will look much more contemporary than a single process. Thank you for your question and good luck!

Dear Katie, khaki pants are a fashion basic just like jeans. The type of shoes you wear with them depends on the formal or casual nature of your tops, not the khakis. If you choose to dress the khakis up with a blouse and blazer, then stylish loafers would work beautifully. If you dress the khakis down with a polo type shirt, you could add a fashionable cuff and a pair of Keds or basic sneakers without socks. I personally love to sport my khakis with a cuff, layered colored tank tops and cute flip-flops. Don't over think it Katie. Khakis are a versatile wardrobe staple that you can pair with all of your low-heeled options.

Well Terri, winter fabrics are thinker, heavier fabrics; such as wool, leather, suede, heavy knits, cashmere. Summer fabrics are lighter and more breathable; such as light weight cotton, linen, linen blends. The general rule is that you never wear these specific fabrics out of season. However, many other rules regarding fabric and season appropriateness have changed.

It used to be you would never see satin or taffeta in the summer or chiffon in the winter. These fabrics are now used year round. Really, the guide lines fall more with color these days. Richer colors simply look more appropriate in the winter. Winter colors seem to be deeper and have a touch of brown to them. (Imagine a bright pink can of paint that would be fresh and crisp for spring/summer. To winterize it you would add a little brown and it would become dusty rose.) You shouldn’t wear a white cotton dress in a snow storm, nor a rich brown suede skirt to a July 4th picnic!

Luckily, with new fabric technology there are many fabrics that can be worn all year long. Depending on the weight of the fabric and your comfort level, you can now easily wear fabrics like cotton, denim, rayon, Lycra, spandex, gabardine, polyester, silk, and tropical wool all year long. The determining factor with these fabrics would be the fabric thickness and the garments style. Meaning is the garment a sweater, a short sleeve shirt, or sundress, etc.

Dear Tracy, Congratulations on your new baby, I hope you are enjoying motherhood! I have got a couple of basic tips that will help you diminish.and I stress the word diminish, your tummy trouble. Nothing will make it disappear, but we can definitely make it less noticeable. Each tip should cost you less than $20 bucks and if you follow these specific guidelines I know you will see a difference!

1. Buy a new bra! (I love the new ones at TARGET!) Your breasts, and entire body for that matter, go through a metamorphosis during pregnancy and I would be willing to bet you need more support. I know it seems crazy to think that your bra can affect your waistline, but it is absolutely true. The fastest way to help recreate your old shape is to put your boobies back were they look best! When it comes to boobies, higher is usually better, you want them out of the tummy region! (Follow my guide lines in The Perfect Fitting Bra on this page.)
2. Layer solid colored fitted blouses or jackets (unbuttoned) over lighter weight, lighter colored, shorter, fitted, scoop-neck t-shirts. This will help visually by color blocking the light and dark and structurally by creating a more flattering shape. This theory will work for casual, business and evening attire. Just remember that the key word is FITTED! If you choose boxy garments with no dart or seams the illusion is blown! Here is what to look for when shopping:
   
   Blouses/Jackets -
   
   • Choose bright, bold solid colors.
   • The length should not extend more than three to five inches past your hip bone.
   • Darts and seams at the waist are an absolute must!!! These details are what give the garment structure and help create a feminine silhouette.
   • Nothing boxy that just hangs from your bust!
   T-shirts -
   
   • Choose light colors.
   • Again, the length should be shorter, but the t-shirts should end right at your hip bone.
   • Choose open/scoop necklines that bring the focus up to your décolleté.
   • The fabric content should contain a little lycra or spandex so that it softly hugs your body.

Lori you are so lucky! The coolest accessories on earth are eyeglasses. They are immediate visual indicators of your personality. I mean, glasses are one of the first things that you see when you look at someone, and cool glasses speak volumes during that first impression! I just love glasses and the selections right now are so hip!

Here are some basic rules to consider when selecting those spectacular spectacles:

• Larger faces need larger frames; small faces take smaller ones.
• Dark frames make the face look smaller.
• Light-colored frames emphasize the face as it is.
• Thinner, more delicate frames flatter a small face.
• Big, bold frames are best for larger women.
• Tops of frames should hit around the brow area

The shape of the frames or unframed lenses should be chosen to correspond to the shape of your face. Lori, you have an ideal shape, oval, so you can wear almost any frame shape if no individual features need special consideration. But here are some guidelines:

• Round faces look best with straight, squared-off frames because they give the face more interesting planes and angles.
• Square faces with a sharp jaw and angular lines are softened by round lenses.
• Heart Shaped faces look best with darker frames that fit close to the head. This will balance a narrow jaw.
• A long face looks best with large frames with strong horizontal lines. This will help the face appear shorter.

I hope this helps Lori. Be courageous and knock'em dead with your new glasses!

Hi Nikki, Thanks for your question and kind words. There are three basic products that can instantly brighten your face and polish your look. Blush, lipstick and mascara are the corner stones of a feminine face and a great place for you to start. Look for a rosy cream blush that you can apply with clean fingers, a glossy lipstick that brightens your smile and rich black mascara that defines your eyes.

There are lots of drug store brands that I love, but because you have never bought any make-up, I am going to suggest that you go to a department store cosmetic counter and play with the colors a bit. This will help you find the colors/products you like best with minimal returning.

I understand that for many people the cosmetic counter represents high-pressure clown central; but if you call ahead, make an appointment with a counter representative and declare your fears up front, you should be able to avoid high pressure tactics. Just let them know that you are going to buy three things, and you need personalized help in selecting them. This should make the experience a pleasure and not a chore.

I am sure you will look especially gorgeous in those photos! Good Luck Nikki!

Dear Brenda, this is a tough question for a few of reasons.  First, I am a firm believer that healthy hair is better than long hair, so my first instinct is to encourage you to cut your hair to a healthy length.  Your hair is your best accessory, so I feel all women should have a great modern cut and style not just cranial plumage!  Second, I suffer from dry over processed hair myself and I am always trying the latest cure-all, potion or pomade.  For me it seems that products loose their effectiveness after time, so I am always on the hunt. That being said, I am happy to tell you about a great resource, longhairlovers.com and a product that the founder Jennifer Bahney created.  Long Hair Lovers All-In-One Essential Treatment ($19.95 for 8 oz.) is my latest product obsession because of the way it makes my hair look and feel.  The base of the product is aloe, which is so soothing and helps repair damage.  Here is what the product claims:

Longhairlovers All-in-One Essential Treatment is unlike any product you've ever used. Here's why:

Longhairlovers.com founder Jennifer Bahney worked closely with a respected chemist to develop a proprietary formula of high-quality ingredients. She wanted a single product that could be used as a scalp massage, deep treatment, leave-in conditioner and styling aid. She also had three requirements for this unique product.

- First, that it nourish the scalp with herbs and essential oils of Cedarwood, Lavender, Rosemary and Thyme - ingredients proven to promote hair growth.

- Second, that it condition the hair shaft with the best ingredients available, including Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, Castor Oil, DL-Panthenol (Vitamin B5), and Milk Silk Protein.

- And third, that it protect the hair from the environment with antioxidants (Vitamin E) and sunscreen (Benzophenone-4).

The result is the All-in-One Essential Treatment - a product unlike any you've used before.

You can only get the All-In-One Essential Treatment online at www.longhairlovers.com, but I highly recommend it!

Good Luck, Brenda!

Dear Amy, Congratulations on your weight loss! That's terrific! I am happy you are feeling better about your shape.  No matter your size, we can all use pointers on creating a more feminine silhouette, especially when selecting business clothes.  Here are a few basic tips to get you started.

First, change your bra!  Loosing 50 lbs affects your entire body and I am sure you are a different size.  You want to find a bra that lifts your breasts off your waist, helps you stand up straight and at the same time doesn't create back-fat and/or bulges!  The right bra quite simply gives you more shape.  I have addressed the issue of finding your bra size in a past ASK ANDY question, so scroll down and follow those instructions.

Next, you need to focus on structured garments that are fitted. Don't wear anything too tight or worse, over sized.  Fitted tops and jackets that create shape through tucks and darts are what you want to look for.  Stay away from flimsy fabrics that cling and/or don't hold their shape.  Your clothes should skim your body without being too loose or too tight.

Don't wear tops that are too long, they instinctively look more masculine.  Jackets and tops should not extend more than three to five inches past your hipbone.  This will keep the visual focus up and naturally create a more feminine line.

Avoid at-the-waist-pants, skirts or any excessive bulk around your middle.  Contrary to what you might think; trousers and skirts that hit you just below the waist actually help create shape and de-emphasize tummy problems.  The key is to make sure they fit and are not too tight!  The right fit will allow your tops to sit closer to your natural waist and slightly exaggerate your hourglass.

Finally, choose a nice size handbag that fits right under your arm and doesn't hang down around your waist or bottom.  Purses that hang low visually add girth.  A purse that is worn in the curve of your waistline will naturally help accentuate it.  Make sure to choose a size that is balanced for your body.  Nothing too tiny or too large, it is all about proportion.

Good Luck in all of your future endeavors Amy!  Remember to love and trust!

Dear Tanya, I am so happy you wrote me. There are so many dressing myths for full figured women and the "no white" rule is one of them. The truth is, the fit is the key! You can absolutely wear white clothing as long as the fit is flattering and works well with your shape.

A great white suit is gorgeous on everyone and makes what ever color you put with it just pop! When selecting white pants, look for straight leg not tapered, flat front with no pleats. Opt for a shorter fitted white jacket that will accentuate your waistline and not look bulky; and a simple A-line or pencil skirt in white will look best.

White looks so fresh with all of the beautiful colors of the season. No matter your size, focus on the fit and wear it well!

Dear Fran, I have received many questions about this, so I did some research. Milady's Standard Textbook of Cosmetology indicates that a yellow cast can occur from a variety of causes. Smoking, medication, exposure to sun, iron rich or hard water, hairspray and styling aids can all cause gray or white hair to turn yellow.

Bleach and professional dye removers will remove yellow discoloration occurring from internal causes or oxidation. But everyone I asked and all of the literature I consulted agreed that violet colored products like shampoos and conditioners offer the easiest and least expensive way to neutralize the yellow tones.

Violet shampoos and conditioners are usually created to enhance blonde hair, but the violet or purple tone will work to eliminate the yellow in gray hair. I have seen these lavender colored shampoos and conditioners at several different price points, so it is worth trying before you make an investment at the salon. I hope this works Fran! Good Luck!

Dear Melinda, I confess that I understand your problem intimately! I woke up one morning when I was 26 and was confronted with a horrible case of adult acne. No matter what I tried it only seemed to get worse. This was very scary for me, because at the time I was making a living as a full-figured model and problem skin was not an option for me. My dermatologist put on a revolutionary and very radical drug called Acutane.

Melinda, this is a heavy-duty drug that has horrible consequences if you are contemplating having children any time soon. As I matter of a fact, I had to sign many releases stating I would refrain from having children for 18 months, I was placed on birth control, and I was monitored every month I was on the drug and up to a year after I ended the medication. Acutane is known to cause birth defects for up to 18 months after you stop taking it. Again, this is a radical answer to your problem, but the truth is it worked for me. I was on a super low dose of Acutane for four months and I have hardly had a pimple since.

If you are not planning on having children for the next couple of years this could be the answer. My skin peeled constantly while I was on Acutane, but once I completed the medication cycle, the most perfect skin I have ever had in my life emerged. Even if Acutane is not an option for you, I suggest that you go back to the dermatologist. There have been many advances in the past few years and I am sure there is something that can help you. You shouldn't have to suffer any more. Good Luck to you!

I am thrilled to tell you about a product called DERMA BLEND. Derma Blend is a secret weapon used in Hollywood to cover tattoos, scars, dark circles, varicose veins, blemishes, bruises, etc. It is simply amazing. I know you are concerned about it looking cakey and if used correctly, Derma Blend looks completely natural. I used it during my modeling days and can't recommend it highly enough. You can go to dermablend.com and read all about the product and find a store near you that carries it.

Beth, it is estimated that more than 75% of American women wear the wrong size bra. Many women don't know how to find the right fit and even when they do, they forget that with age, motherhood and other hormonal changes your bra size may need changing as well. Here is what I have learned. I hope it helps!

To get the right fit:

1. Bring a tape measure around your back, stand up straight and measure just under your breast (top of ribcage) where the bottom of your bra band should lay.
2. If this number you measure is even, add 2 inches to it; if the number you measure is odd, add 3 inches to it. (So if your ribcage measurement is 31" you would add 3 inches to make your bra band measurement 34". If it is 32" you would add 2 inches to make your bra band measurement 34" and so on.) You have now determined your bra band measurement.
1. This is the most important measurement because the majority of your support must come from the band. If the band is too loose the support rests on your shoulders and that inevitably causes back and shoulder problems.
3. Now take the tape measure and measure around the apex of your breast (nipples). Subtract this number from your determined band measurement to determine your cup size. 1" difference is an A cup, 2" difference is a B cup, 3" difference is a C cup, 4" difference is a D cup, 5" difference is a DD cup and so on.
4. When trying bras on, (and you must try everything on, even if you know your bra size) you should fit to the first row of hook and eyes in the back. This way, there is more adjustment room for tightening when the bra stretches out a bit. The fit should not be too tight or too loose... you should be able to pull it out no more than a couple of inches when tugging at the back.
5. The straps should be tightened to allow 1-2 inches of space when tugging up on the strap.
6. When putting the bra on, bend over and pull all of the breast tissue from the underarm and underneath the breast to fill the cups completely.
7. Jiggle the wires into place if your bra has them. You want them to hug the body and cradle right under your breast.
8. Also, make sure:
   1. The under wire ends at the side edge of your body. It should reach for your underarm.
   2. The side of the cup hugs your body
   3. Everything fits…not too tight and not too loose
   4. There are no wrinkles in the cup or anywhere else
   5. The back band doesn't ride up
   6. The center band between the cups lays flat against your sternum

Barbara - Doubling up never hurts, but wearing a sunscreen and moisturizer with sunscreen is actually unnecessary. You cannot achieve SPF 30 by wearing two products with SPF 15. Some people have oily skin and skip a daily moisturizer, but you should never skip the sunscreen. Wearing daily sun protection on your face should be as constant as brushing your teeth.

It seems as if you are doing what is best for you, by using a daily moisturizer with SPF 15. This should offer you adequate protection if you spend most of the day indoors and apply a light foundation. If you feel you need more protection or plan to be exposed to the sun more than usual you should increase the sun protection in your moisturizer to SPF 30 or 45. Keep in mind, that if your skin changes and you don't feel as if you need a moisturizer for the day, then you must apply a non-greasy sunscreen for the face in SPF 15 or higher.

Patty - Any matte eye shadow (with no iridescence or sparkle) in an earth-tone brown or taupe, depending on your hair color, will work just fine. You will probably do best to buy a single pot of eye shadow versus a combination of eye shadows, as you will use the brow color the most. (I personally hate a shadow combo that has all of one color used up and the rest of the colors are just useless.) There are many cosmetic lines like Rimmel, Jane, Revlon, L'Oreal, etc. that offer single shadow pots for less than $4.00.

For trial and error find a drug store that will allow you to return cosmetics with the receipt. I know that Rite Aid will allow you to return gently sampled cosmetics within seven days with a receipt and I think Walgreen's will too. This is a great policy and is terrific for trying lipsticks, foundations and the like!

Lori - if these women were wearing open toed shoes or strappy sandals they did the right thing by forgoing hosiery. Actually a nude leg that has been given a high shine has become an enviable evening look, as not everyone can effectively pull it off. Beautiful legs and feet are an asset. If you have them and only if you have them, then current fashion and etiquette demands that you show them off. Hosiery per say and not tights or fishnets, has not been seen on fashion runways for years. Hosiery rules still apply to the corporate world, but a beautiful pedicure framed by a sexy strappy sandal that peaks from under a ball gown is more than okay... it's gorgeous! Com'on Lori you can do it! Free those toes and paint them your favorite color!

Robin, eyebrows are a big problem for lots of women so you are not alone. While the perfect eyebrow can practically give you a small facelift, achieving that brow can be tricky. Here are some tips to help guide you

• To determine where your eyebrow should begin and end, use a long thin handled cosmetic brush and hold it vertically on one side of your nose. Any part of your eyebrow that goes past the "line" that the brush handle forms should be plucked or should be filled in to that point. Next hold the brush diagonally (45 degrees) starting at the base of your nose and lay it across the top of your cheekbone extending past the outer corner of your eye. Any part of your eyebrow that goes past the "line" should also be plucked or filled in to that point. This is where your eyebrow should begin and end.
• The arch of your eyebrows should peak at the outside of the iris when looking directly into the mirror.
• Use a brow pencil, then set that with a touch of brow shadow to fill in your eyebrows, they will look more natural. (Eye shadow can double as brow shadow just choose a color that is a shade lighter than your eyebrow hair color to avoid the Groucho effect!))
• Use a stiff slanted brow brush to apply the brow shadow.
• In order to fill in your eyebrow properly, stroke the brush and/or pencil back and forth so you cover both the hair and the skin.
• Keep in mind that a thicker brow is a younger brow. If you have thinning brows consider using Rogaine cream on them at night.
• You can wax your eyebrows just once and the keep the shape by plucking from there on out.
• Never pluck the top of your eyebrows because as you get older, eyelids droop and you'll need those hairs on top a few years from now.
• Symmetry is key.the more symmetrical your eyebrows the more captivating your eyes.
  
  

Susan.all of the above. You should choose vibrant warm tones that will naturally bring out any chestnut highlights in your hair, warm your skin tone and complement your eyes. Colors like soft peach; vibrant coral or salmon, even orange will look great and make you feel beautiful. You want to wear these colors close to your face in a blouse, sweater, jacket or scarf. This is much less expensive than buying an entire suit or dress but will offer the same impact.

Shirley, I gotta tell ya the hunt for a great concealer is an exhausting one! All the "good ones" are expensive and when you suck it up and pay for them rationalizing your purchase as coveted drops from the fountain of youth they always seem to fall short! But I will tell you what formula I have developed for the best coverage that doesn't look crepe-y or dry.

1. Start with an eye gel all over the eye area. This will plump fine lines and work to reduce puffiness and dark circles. (Neutrogena makes great eye creams and gels)
2. Apply a thin coat of foundation to the eye area while putting foundation on the rest of your face
3. Take a taklon concealer brush and precisely place concealer on just the dark areas of the eyes close to the nose. If you have puffiness to contend with, don't cover the entire puffy area, just draw a line of concealer in the channel of the under eye. (I've been using a Clinique concealer that offers two colors to the palette, one yellow base and one blue base so you can blend them for the best color correction... it is pretty good.)
4. With a CLEAN ring finger, pat the concealer until it is completely blended into your foundation.
5. When you are ready for the powder application of your cosmetic process, (I recommend after foundation, concealer, contour and blush) you should reach for a powder foundation instead of a translucent or press powder. This will offer a little extra coverage and set your makeup. Keep in mind that each one of these layers should be very thin, but the combination offers the best coverage.
6. The last step that will add a touch of moisture and pull the powder out of any fine lines, is to finish your make-up application with a mist of Evian spray. This mist will make your complexion look dewy and not cakey. I have to say this is the key. The light mist of water sort-of blends it all together and makes it look natural.no kidding!
   
   
   

Now about that foundation, I have looked just as far and wide for the perfect foundation but sadly, I ain't found it yet! However, I have found that if I layer a thin coat of liquid foundation with a thin layer of powder foundation and a sprits of Evian mist at the end, I get a natural covering effect that I am comfortable with. Also remember:

• You need to change your foundation with the seasons because your skin texture and tone changes.
• A good moisturizer/hydrator with SPF 15 under foundation is a must.
• A moist sponge thins the foundation application preparing it for the thin layer of powder foundation.