Dear Friend,

On A Personal Note...

I hope by now you've enjoyed your first tastes of summer... baring your toes in sandals, letting your legs breath in a full skirt, dawning something crisp and white. Well it is also time to buy a new bathing suit... aaaaggghhhh!!!! Wait! Come back! Come back! Don't run away yet, I am going to help!

I want to share with you a few tips that will help you buy a suit that looks great, enhances your assets, camouflages your flaws and has you escape the horrid ego-bruising process without running, screaming crying from the dressing room!

I recently contributed to a WebMD.com article written by Colette Bouchez (15 Tips for Saner Swimsuit Shopping) that explains we should all take comfort in that fact that designers are working feverishly to offer lots of options and styles that will flatter every body type. We ALL have "good" parts and "not-so-good" parts and the goal is to concentrate on the GOOD!

Before you head out shopping, keep these things in mind:

• If you schedule, yes schedule, the shopping trip on a weekday morning, you will have fewer eyes in the dressing room and more sales help to assist you.
• If you apply a self-tanner the night before, you will lessen the shock of a ghostly glow and be more apt to like what you see in the mirror.
• If you wear a thong, or at least small bikini panties you will get a better idea of what your swim suit will look like, since you have to try it on over your undies.
• Don't go shopping with clunky shoes on! Shopping with sandals or flip-flops on will help you better visualize your smokin' hot self at the pool or beach!

Once you are at your favorite store, with nice sales people, good lighting and excellent prices (I pray!), remember this:

• Even if you think you know your size, plan to take your size and one size LARGER into the dressing room... then try the larger one on first. With designer sizing being all over the board, you will feel much less deflated if you have to go down a size versus going up.
• Choose your style of suit like you would your lingerie. If you know that your bust line requires an underwire bra for support, then you need to choose a bathing suit with an underwire. If your favorite foundation garments give you the shape that you like best, look for a suit with built in support. And when it comes to selecting a bathing suit bottom, mimics the style of undies that you feel most confident in.
• Stay focused on the GOOD! If you have gorgeous eyes, choose a suit that will pull focus to them, if you have beautiful skin, choose a color that will flatter it, if you have a great bust line look for a suit that flatters "the girls", if you have long legs choose a suit that highlights the enviable length. Com'on... we all have GOOD stuff, so let's stay focused on that!

Now you are at the rack, take a deep breath... print out this cheat sheet if you need to... but keep this in mind:

• Full Bust = halter tops with thicker straps and underwire are best. This will help capture the full breast and offer the best lift.
• Small Bust = molded form cups, cups with a pocket for a silicone insert, underwire cups and front closures offer the best bust enhancement. Bright colors and bold patters also work wonders.
• Tummy Control = choose a one piece suit with a shaper panel built in for support.
• Larger Thighs = opt for a solid colored bottom and a bold printed top. Choose a plunging top with thicker straps placed farther apart to create more visual balance. You can also choose a skirted bottom but make sure that the side edges of the skirt smile or turn up to create a longer leg line. A skirt that goes straight across can highlight the size of the thighs.
  • Choose a beautiful wrap or bandeau that matches your suit bottoms and feels more glamorous. Avoid wearing oversized t-shirts, overalls, or men’s swim trunks. You will have more confidence and look better if you have a swimming ensemble that you like.
• Bumps and Bulges = larger prints and darker color combinations.
• Boyish Shape = choose high cut or French cut legs on your bottoms and enhancing plunging halters to create more shape.
• Flat Bottom = choose a suit with a lift panel to round out your shape a’la JLo.

I hope this helps a bit! I know it is daunting, but EVERYBODY has figure issues that they would like to change, so you are not alone! No matter what, don't let this season go by without enjoying the wonders of summer!

In recent weeks, I have received an overwhelming amount of love and support from Starting Over viewers in Israel, in addition to a steady stream from those of you in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and many other places around the world. I wanted to send a big hello and thank you for all of your thoughtful emails. I am thrilled that the love for Starting Over, Cents of Style® and me (huge smile!) continues to grow world wide!

Be happy! Be Beautiful! Be Thrifty!

This Month's Cents Of Style® Accessory Suite

WHITE HOT is this months fabulous Cents of Style® Accessory Suite... and it is! White is the hottest color of the season and I have gathered a stunning Suite that will have you sizzling with trendy perfection! The roomy handbag is simply gorgeous and it looks so expensive! The pebbled faux leather is terrific and the modern details make it appear as if it costs ten times as much... You know how I love that! You'll also flip for the modern, yet retro looking watch by CTNY. It feels very substantial as the white discs are made of metal, not plastic. It looks like a hip bracelet and it is very comfortable to wear. The longer beads with coordinating earrings are so cool. The silver chain detail makes them a standout in a sea of summer beads, and the length can be adjusted to make it shorter or longer! This crisp WHITE HOT Suite is a no-brainer... take it right out of the box; apply to your favorite outfit and voila, instant Summer, superstar style! I know you are going to love it! Check it out!

Sale Rack

Now that we have celebrated with dutiful bliss all the wonders of our mothers, the leftover retail items that we tend to shower our mothers with on Mother’s Day have hit the sale rack with lightning speed. This next week you will find deep discounts on the items that didn’t get wrapped up for mom! Make a dash to your favorite sale rack for:

• Sleep wear - cozy robes, slippers, pajamas and night gowns.
• Bath and Body sets - Collections of pampering goodies that ease the body and spirit.
• Blooming flowers - All of the special potted plants that were grown to bloom in May.
• All things with a Mother theme - picture frames, jewelry, art, etc.

Tips

Everybody loves long, thick, gorgeous lashes and quite often while applying the THIN, EVEN, ALTERNATING COATS (see my Beauty Boot Camp page for more cosmetic coaching and instruction) of mascara a dollop of the black goo will find its way to your upper or lower lid. Don't touch it! Wait for it to dry!

If you try and wipe away your mascara mistake immediately, it will smear and ruin your eye make up. Let the mascara clump dry, then it will fleck right off with ease... no raccoon eyes for you!

Have You Tried...

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs?

With weddings, graduations, bar and bat mitzvahs and out door shin-digs of all kinds on your calendar, I thought I would remind you that I super love Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs. This "legs I had in my 20's" wonder spray is a leg make-up that allows you to ditch the stockings and show off your gams with confidence. It diminishes the appearance of veins, cuts, bruises and other discolorations, leaving a soft even toned look. It won't sweat off on the dance floor, or easily rub off on your party duds.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you use this particular leg shellac. You get much better results from spraying it in your hands and applying it to your legs versus, spraying directly on your legs. When you spray directly on the legs the spray goes all over the bathroom and floor and it's very hard to control. You CAN use it at the beach or at the pool, because it really does need a little soap and water to come off completely.

You should choose your shade like you would a foundation. Don't try to use it as a self tanner or a bronzer; you will get a better result if it matches your skin tone. I have used all three shades (Light Glow, Medium Glow and Deep Glow) on my clients with great results and I myself wear the Light Glow for Fair skin. All of the shades offer a very natural color for legs that want to come out and play!

One spray can will last for several applications, so at less than $10 bucks, it is much cheaper than panty-hose! YIPPEE!