How to Dress for a Cocktail Reception

A cocktail reception is a party where the host provides hors d'oeuvres instead of a sit-down dinner, and guests mingle and drink. Cocktail wedding receptions are popular for less formal weddings and are less expensive than traditional receptions. Businesses also hold cocktail receptions for corporate events. Additionally, cocktail receptions may be part of a book launch, an art gallery opening or museum event. While cocktail receptions are not as formal as black tie or green tie in terms of dress, they are not casual dress events.

Instructions

1. Put on cocktail attire. For women, cocktail attire means a cocktail-length dress. This is a mid-length dress that can be anywhere from a few inches above the ankles to above the knees. Dresses for cocktail receptions should be “elegant and chic,” according to the Wedding Channel. For men, cocktail attire translates to a suit. Tuxedos are not appropriate, but a fashionable suit is preferred to a traditional business suit.
2. Accessorize for a cocktail reception. Women should wear jewelry that flatters their dress. Do not go overboard with accessories; choose one or two items that work well. A good purse that women can carry while they hold a drink is essential. Men should wear a tie that suits a celebration. Consider purchasing a tie especially for the occasion.
3. Wear the right shoes. Dress shoes are the only appropriate shoes for either gender. Women may wear dress flats or heels. Because you will spend a great deal of time at the cocktail party on your feet, you should consider comfort when selecting your shoes. Men should coordinate their dress shoes with their suits. For example, black suit and brown shoes do not coordinate.
4. Style yourself appropriately. Cocktail receptions are events where everyone should look polished. Men and women should style their hair with care. If you normally have a messy or relaxed look for your hair, this is the occasion for you to spend a little extra time. Likewise, women can go for a more colorful, festive look for their makeup when attending a cocktail reception.

Source: eHow
Author:K.C. Winslow

It would seem at first that nothing could dampen the celebratory mood when you finally find that elusive waterproof mascara that actually stays put as promised through pool parties, workouts, sad movies and torrential rains. Nothing, that is, until you go to wash it off and find yourself with black linebacker smears beneath your eyes and a few missing lashes. To keep your eyes healthy, you'll need to tweak your mascara-removing routine.

Waterproof Mascara Remover

Ideally, when you purchase a tube of waterproof mascara you should also take a moment to pick up a good waterproof eye-makeup remover. Look for an oil-free formula to avoid greasy lids, and make sure it's ophthalmologist approved for eyes (the bottle will say so.)

Dampen a cotton ball with the eye makeup remover. Close one eye and press the cotton ball against the underside of your lashes. Hold the cotton ball there for at least 10 seconds. Then very gently wipe the cotton ball up the lashes. If you're having trouble removing mascara deposits from the roots of your lashes, dip a cotton swab into the makeup remover and run it over the base of your lash line. Once you've done this on both eyes, use your regular facial cleanser to wash off any residue.

DIY Removers

Sometimes, of course, you might get caught without any waterproof mascara remover. In a pinch, a gentle facial cleanser will remove waterproof mascara, but you really don't want to do this because if even a tiny bit of cleanser leaks into your eyes it will be unpleasant at best. Instead, try classic remedies: Vaseline, baby oil or olive oil. They're gentle on the lashes and contain emollients to lubricate the lashes so mascara slides off more easily.

Layer Mascaras

To get the smudge-defying benefits of a waterproof mascara without the hassle of removing it, try this trick. Apply your favorite non-waterproof mascara. Layer a coat of waterproof mascara over top of it. The waterproof layer acts like a sealant, preventing any smudges or smears no matter what the weather or mood. Since the waterproof mascara doesn't directly touch the lashes themselves, it will slide off more easily, with less tugging and pulling on your delicate eyes.


Source: eHow

Even though you select a style when you put in a hair weave, the ends may seem thin or you may be ready for a new look and need to cut the hair. Cutting your hair weave at home can be a quick fix between regular salon visits or can be something you do on a regular basis. Cutting hair extensions requires the same technique as cutting natural hair. Different hairstyles require different techniques, but there are some basic instructions to follow.

Instructions

1. Wash the hair as normal and towel dry. Comb through the hair until there are no tangles.

2. Part the hair into three sections, clipping the top two sections up and leaving the bottom section down.

3. Comb through the bottom section of the hair one more time to ensure that the hair is tangle free. Once there are no tangles, comb through the bottom section again and stop the comb where you would like to cut. Grab the scissors and cut a straight line under the comb.

4. Comb through the cut hair, and make sure the cut is straight. If the hair is not straight, trim areas to create a straight line.

5. Release the second section and comb through the hair. You will see a defined line between the cut hair and the uncut hair. Comb through the hair again and stop at the cut line of the underneath hair. Cut the hair in a straight line and trim any areas that aren't straight.

6. Unclip the top section and repeat Step 5.

7. Comb a small front section of the hair slightly forward and hold the ends between your fingers. Trim the hair to create a straight line.

8. Comb through all of the hair to make sure everything is even.

Tips & Warnings

• To cut your own bangs, section off the desired amount of bangs and twist them together. Snip into the twisted bangs in a zigzag pattern.

• Hair-cutting scissors are very sharp. Be sure to keep fingers out of the way.

Source: eHow

You could try to match your nail polish color to your clothes, but the best choice of color for your nails should have something to do with the tone of your skin as well.

Instructions

1. If your skin tone is very light, you can get away with lighter tones of nail color such as pink, pale peach and beige. (Wearing dark colors of nail polish when you are light skinned tends to look "vampy.")

2. If you have a darker skin tone, you can get away with darker colors of nail polish, such as reds, blues and even black.

3. Follow the rule of thumb: Light skin looks better with light to medium nail polish; darker skin looks better with medium to dark nail polish.

Tips & Warnings

You can also tie your nail polish color to the tones of the clothes you tend to wear. If you are light skinned and wearing a dark outfit, go for a lighter version of the colors you are wearing. Or, choose a simple French manicure that will match everything.

Source: eHow

Some people are lucky enough to have a good complexion, while others have to work hard to achieve perfect skin. If you fall into the second category, there are plenty of things you can do to renew your skin's radiance.


Instructions

1. Eat a healthy diet filled with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins. Besides controlling your weight, eating healthy food can boost your skin's radiance. According to the Mayo Clinic, a diet high in vitamin C and low in fat and carbohydrates may promote younger-looking skin. Drink water instead of soda and juice, which are filled with sugar.


2. Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser in the morning and at night. If you suffer from acne, choose a cleanser with salicylic acid. Follow it with an oil-free moisturizer. Keeping your skin clean will prevent pimples and blackheads from occurring. Exfoliate your skin once a week to get rid of dead skin cells.


3. Learn how to manage stress. Being overly stressed can lead to acne breakouts and other skin problems, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some ways to manage stress include going for a jog, reading a book and writing in a journal.


4. Avoid smoke. According to the Mayo Clinic, smoking narrows the little blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin. This narrowing diminishes blood flow and deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients like vitamin A. Smoking also causes you to make repetitive expressions, such as pursing your lips, which may cause wrinkles.


5. Stay out of the sun. Excessive sun exposure can cause freckles, dry skin, wrinkles and age spots. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply it every two hours. The Mayo Clinic also advises wearing protective clothes, such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats.

Source: eHow

It’s a terrible feeling to wake up in the morning to find that you have to pull out the iron before you can leave for work. Why can’t our clothes just magically remain wrinkle free? Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help eliminate wrinkles or prevent wrinkles in clothes from forming.

Instructions

Things You Can Do To Prevent Wrinkles in Clothes

1. Never leave your clothes in the dryer. Pull them out and put them away as soon as the dryer is finished. The cold air will allow wrinkles in clothes to set, so properly hanging or folding your laundry while it is warm will keep those wrinkles at bay.


2. Properly hang your clothes to prevent wrinkles. This means putting them on hangers in your closet instead of draping them over the side of the ironing board or on the back of the couch. Forget clothes hooks or the side of your dining room table–hangers only!


3. Hang everything! Most of us think we should fold our t-shirts and hang our sweaters. The best scenario would be to hang everything, but if that’s not possible try to hang your lighter weight clothing items instead of your heavy sweaters. Lighter cloths wrinkle easily while those heavy sweaters will fare just fine in the dresser drawer.


4. Buy clothing that is made out of wrinkle-free fabric. It really does exist and is the perfect solution for anyone who hates ironing, or for the busy traveler who just doesn’t have time. Look for clothing made of licra, microfiber of poly or vicose.


5. Frequent travelers should roll their clothing instead of folding it for the suitcase to prevent wrinkles. You may end up with a few, but not nearly as many as you would have had you folded instead.


6. Be careful while ironing. Ironing can’t be avoided in some cases, but if you do iron make sure you push the part of the clothing you’ve just ironed away from your body so that it hangs over the far side of the ironing table. This way you won’t lean on it and cause new wrinkles on the freshly ironed (and still warm) fabric.


7. Invest in a good wrinkle spray. There are a few products on the market that you can use to prevent wrinkles. Simply spray them on your clothes and smooth the surface with your hands. Any existing wrinkles will be eliminated and when you return the garment to its proper place in the closet it won’t get any new ones.

Source: eHow

All women are beautiful, not just those picture-perfect models, actresses and singers on the cover magazines. One of the reasons all women are beautiful is because they all come in different shapes and sizes. Not one woman is exactly like another; each woman is unique and special. Despite this, most women want to look their best. One way to do this is dress in a manner that will make your specific shape and size look great.

Instructions

Apple Shaped

1. Buy blouses that fit you at your bust. Make sure they don't cling to your body. Wrap-around tops work well for your shape. Choose jackets that have long lapels.


2. Avoid empire-waist tops and turtlenecks. V-neck, boat and collared tops usually work best. Experiment with light and bright colors for you shirts and blouses.


3. Wear darker colored pants and skirts. To hide excessive weight in your middle, wear higher waistlines. Purchase pants that wide-legged.

Pear Shaped

1. Wear black tops and blouses that will make you look slimmer. Try sleeveless t-shirts and tops. Experiment with different looks that brings the eye upward.
2. Draw the eyes up by wearing tops with patterns and color. Wide necklines will have the same effect. Dresses and skirts should fall at your knee. Avoid anything that is clingy.


3. Low-rise pants are a great choice for the woman who is pear shaped. Avoid pants with side pockets; they will only emphasis your hips. Wide or boot cut pants will draw the eye away from your hips.

Plus-Size

1. Wear clothes that fit. Oversized clothes only add bulk and make you look larger. Look for tops and blouses that have details at the neckline to bring the eye to your face.


2. Patterns are fine as long as they match your body size. Try vertical stripes that are proportionate to your body size to make the eye look up and down instead of side to side.


3. Choose outfits that are monotone. All clothing should have some stretch to it. Find the smallest part of your waist and accentuate this area with a belt.

Boyish Figure

1. Buy baby doll blouses and dresses with ruffles and details around your bust. Bring attention to your shoulders, neck and face by wearing spaghetti straps and tank tops.


2. Shop for clothing that will define your waist. Experiment with different types of belts that will bring attention to your curves. Lots of color, textures and patterns look great on you.


3. Look for clothing that will make you look taller; avoid cropped tops and t-shirts. Skirts look great on women with boyish figures. Avoid boot cut pants and jeans; wear straight leg pants instead.

Source: eHow

Keeping your hair beautiful, healthy, shiny, and flexible can seem like quite the chore, especially with all of the seasonal elements that can come into play. From the hair becoming brittle and dry during the winter months and the hair feeling oily, damp and lifeless in the summer to hair becoming frizzy when it is raining, many problems can arise. However, with a little bit of knowledge and upkeep, the hair can stay healthy and attractive for all 12 months of the year.


Instructions

1. Wash your hair with a shampoo ideal for those who suffer from hair that is brittle, dry, thin and weak. Hair has a tendency to dry out during the harsh winter months as a result of the cold temperatures. This type of shampoo makes dull winter hair look and feel silkier and shinier.


2. Condition your hair with a leave-in conditioning treatment, which works to renew and repair hair that is damaged, stressed out and weak due to the aggressive winter weather.


3. Cleanse your hair with a lemon tea tree shampoo. Lemon tea tree products are ideal for those that are suffering from oily hair during the humid summer months. This type of shampoo contains sugar cleansers and coconut oil, and utilizes organic oils in order to eliminate the accumulation of excess oils within the hair. The shampoos quickly go deep into the scalp to dissolve any oil build-up.


4. Treat your hair with an anti-humectant pomade. This kind of pomade is beneficial for those that suffer from frizzy hair, especially during times of excess moisture in the air, such as the humid summer months or times of rain. Anti-humectant pomades aim to increase the shine of the hair while simultaneously decreasing humidity.

Source: eHow

Your eyes are the windows to your soul. Make them come alive with a touch of shadow on the lids. Don't choose a color just because you like it, choose colors that go well with your skin tone and on special occasions you can match your eyeshadow with your clothes.

Instructions

1. Shop for shades that complement your skin and eye color. Look for colors that softly contrast with the shade of your eyes - not colors that match them exactly.


2. Choose simple, natural shades. If you opt for bright or trendy colors, be careful; they can look unnatural unless balanced with other suitable tones, and may go out of style as fast as they came in.


3. Buy colors that blend well together. You want your eyes to attract the attention, not any marked lines caused by your shadow.


4. Keep in mind that dark colors will minimize your eyes, while light shades will make them stand out.


5. Consider soft browns and tans with sandy or pink undertones for blue eyes.
6. Wear khaki and brown shades with yellow undertones for green eyes.


7. Accent dark brown and black eyes with brown and charcoal shadows.


8. Experiment. Head to a department store's cosmetic counter and have your eyes made up by a professional. Ask for color combinations that could work for day and evening.

Source: eHow

Choosing the right color of eyeshadow is important for achieving just the right look. You may want to create a dramatic smoky eye for an evening out, or develop a more natural look for a daytime outing. Finding the right color of eyeshadow also depends on the color of your own eyes. Typically, you want to use a contrasting color to make your eyes stand out. There are also different kinds of eye shadows. You can choose from powders you apply with a brush, or creme eye shadows, or stick eye shadows.

Instructions

1. Testing eye shadows is the best way to find out what colors are right for you. Most drugstores and large department stores have makeup and beauty departments where you can use testers to see which products suit you. Most makeup counters have sales employees that offer professional makeup advice as well.


2. Call a makeup salesperson who makes house calls. There are many companies that have sales representatives who will come to your home, like Avon and Mary Kay. These sales reps demonstrate their cosmetics and allow you to test them. You can ask them for advice, place and order from their catalogue or order the eyeshadow from their website.


3. Choose a format. Powder eyeshadow creates a soft, natural look. However, you need a small, fine-tipped brush to apply it, or a sponge-tip applicator. Stick shadows provide more precise coverage on the eyelid. You can also use eye shadows that come with a wand similar to lip gloss containers.


4. Choose the color. Opt for a medium color eyeshadow, not too light and not too dark for every day use. Neutral shades such as taupe, beige, browns, and grays suit most eye colors. For a dramatic look, try a metallic shade which is ideal for narrow eyes. Eyes may appear larger with metallic or gold eye shadow. To make brown eyes appear more brown, use blue eye shadow sparingly. When you have hazel eyes and you want the green color to stand out more, use purple or green eyeshadow.


5. Apply a darker shade of eyeshadow just above the crease in your eyelid when you want to detract from deep-set eyes. Apply a white or ivory shade of eye shadow just below your eyebrow to achieve a wide-open eye effect.