Makeup Tip #3: Eyes

Here is part 3 in our "Girl's Armor" series.

Did you know that there are hundreds of songs written about the eyes?! The eyes have had an inspiring effect on song writers throughout the centuries.

Obviously, then, the eyes are an important feature for us to enhance when we put on our makeup.

When applying eye makeup, it is important to enhance your natural eye without detracting or distracting from the natural beauty of your eyes. Find the color of eyeshadow that compliments your eye color and experiment with what looks good on you.

To enhance and lenghthen your lashes, use mascara. The main thing is not to wear so much eyeliner and dark eyeshadow that it takes away from the natural beauty of your eyes. Most of the guys I've talked to don't like a lot of eye makeup on girls because they want to see your eyes.

Have fun and experiment with colors and shading and see what looks best on you!

Did you know you can speak with your eyes without saying a word? Have you ever heard anyone say,"Don't look at me that way!" or have you ever gotten in trouble because you rolled your eyes? You were talking with your eyes.

Take some time today and see what people are saying with their eyes and pay attention to what you are saying with yours. You might find that someone is asking for help or comfort with their eyes because their is a sadness behind them. You might discover that you can be an encouragement when you look into the eyes of someone and find fear or worry. You can communicate without a word, so try smiling with your eyes today!

Pay attention to what you are saying with your eyes this week as you walk in your beauty, ladies.

-Kristi

Makeup Tip #2: Lips

Getting ready for the day is like putting on your armor. In this series we are looking at different areas of "armor" that we put on and how it relates to our spiritual lives.

Find the lipstick that compliments your coloring. Sometimes what's in style doesn't necessarily fit your coloring, so stick with what looks good on you.

There are so many colors that sometimes it can be confusing, but just keep trying until you find what you like. If you don't like a lot of color, just use a light or clear lip gloss or chap stick.

The main thing is to not let your lips dry out. No one looks their best with crusty lips.

As you put on your lipstick, gloss, or chap stick, think about the words of your mouth today. Your words can bring blessings to others or cut them like a sword.

When you walk in beauty, you will guard your words and only speak about appropriate things and let kind words come out of your mouth. No amount of lip gloss can cover up an "ugly mouth."

Remember the last time you received a compliment or a time someone said something kind to you. Do that for someone today!

Leave me a comment today and tell me what was the best compliment you ever received.

Continue walking in your beauty, ladies.

Kristi

Makeup Tip #1: Foundation

Getting ready for the day is like putting on your armor. Over the next few weeks we will address areas of "armor" that we put on and how we can relate it to our spiritual armor. We'd love to hear your thoughts.

It's important to start with a good foundation when applying your makeup.

Your foundation should match your skin tone and provide a smooth back drop for the rest of your makeup. Determine whether your skin is dry or oily and buy a foundation that will benefit your type of skin.

Ask a cosmetologist at a store like Dillards or Macys to evaluate your skin so you know what colors you should use and what kind of skin you have. Most places will give you a free makeover or consultation to help you get started.

As you put on your foundation in the morning, remember who the foundation of your life is today. God is the firm foundation we need in order to weather the storms and earthquakes of life. It is important to build your foundation now before the storms hit. Spend some time with God today and let Him be your firm foundation.

Continue walking in your beauty,

Kristi

Finding Your Best Colors

This is the third and final part on finding your fashion. Last week I closed with the importance of determining your best colors to wear.

God made the colors of the rainbow for us to appreciate and emulate. You should try your best to find the colors that emphasize your beauty and wear them wisely.

Some colors will flatter your skin, your hair, and your eyes the better than others, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid some colors completely.

The best way to find “your colors” is to experiment. “Drape” different colors of cloth samples around your neck at your chin-line to see which colors look best on you.

Scarves are popular now and are a great way to check out your colors. Take your mom and/or a few friends shopping and try on shirts in different colors, or try out some scarves.

If you look better in blue while yellow washes you out, but yellow is your favorite color, you still have options. You can buy a yellow purse, yellow pants, or even yellow earrings, but avoid buying yellow shirts.

You’ll be surprised at the variety of colors that look great on you. Wear them all and enjoy them!

As a foundation, buy basic items in solid and neutral colors. You’ll be wearing your basics in neutral tones (black, navy, gray, brown) a long, long time. You might buy red pants to pair with a gray shirt, or a purple skirt to pair with a black top. A brown tee with jean capris would be great with an aqua summer scarf and brown sandals.

Summer is a good time to play with colors and fashion. Always remember, you can dress the part, but it is more important to have the heart.

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

Personal note from Jody: In my classes with girls, I brought in scarves of different colors. I gave each girl a color-coded chart. We would drape each color scarf over every girl and evaluate whether it was ‘their color’—low, medium, or high. As stated above, if it wasn’t a girl’s ‘best’ color, but it was one of her favorite colors, we found other ways for her to weave it into her fashion statement with accessories. Places like Charming Charlie provide accessories of all kinds very inexpensively. When you go into the store, you quickly see they are sorted by colors. It makes shopping quick, easy, and affordable.

Enjoy the coming summer as you remember to walk in your beauty!
Jody

Some Secrets of Style

The secret to style is not an endless supply of cash to shop with or a closet overflowing with clothes. Some girls have both, but still say, “I can’t find anything to wear!”

The secret is wanting to look your best! If you care enough, you will take time to develop a sense of style; you will take time to plan your outfits; you will learn how to shop wisely. Here are some principles to guide you.

1. Choose classic styles.
2. You may want to consider learning to sew.
3. Avoid extremes.
4. Your must dress to reflect your own taste and personality:

• You are a special person!
• You believe in your identity!
• You dare to be yourself!

Less is More

To dress with simplicity does not mean that you must look plain. Simplicity can be fresh and strikingly beautiful.

The trick is to add an eye-arresting feature so it won’t be plain. But remember, it is best to concentrate on one point of interest at a time.

For example, if you wear a bright yellow plastic necklace with a black dress, you should skip the hot pink earrings and arm full of neon bracelets. If you wear a dress that has a large bow, skip the big bows on your shoes and in your hair.

If you overdo your look, you will be causing the viewer to experience fashion overload. Plus, too many attention-getters creates conflict, because each unique and flashy piece is fighting for the attention of those around.

To eliminate this disturbing civil war on your body, start peeling and continue until your outfit looks peaceful and restful to the eye.

Mix and Match with Care

Separates add spice to your wardrobe. But do you know the rules for mixing and matching?

A busy piece of clothing is one that has too many details that catch someone’s eye. For example, lace, monograms, embroidery, ruffles, big buttons, and the like would all be considered “busy.”
Ok, let’s check out the rules. If your top is a busy print, combine it with a bottom that is quiet and simple (example: a patterned top with a jean bottom). If your top is patterned, combine it with a lower of solid color (example: a plaid shirt with a black skirt). If your lower is “busy,” combine it with a top that is quiet and simple.

Also, blend your colors wisely. Sometimes two bright colors can look good together, but choose them wisely so they don’t ‘blind’ those around you.

Often picking several shades of the same color can be soothing to the eye and look classy. However, if you pick the wrong shades, it can be a fashion disaster.

Next week I will give some tips for finding your color!

Share your 'secrets of style' on the C-7 Girls Facebook page! And remember to walk in your beauty this week.

Jody

What Are You Saying About Yourself?

People form their ideas about the “real you” hidden inside by the clues you furnish on the outside. And in their estimation, the way you dress provides a first-rate clue!

Clothes do not necessarily make the girl, but whether we like it or not, they do serve as part of our ‘statement’. You cannot afford to throw on “just any old thing,” saying, “It doesn’t really matter.” There’s no sense kidding yourself… it does matter!

Experience has shown that girls who posses enough initiative and skill to choose attractive clothing are usually more interesting to be around. Don’t let boring outfits send out false signals. See that you look as delightful on the “outside” as you really are "inside."

It is not about the cost, or the label, it is about the way you put your clothes together. A smart girl shops wisely and dresses to make a statement. What are you saying with your clothing?

Is it, “I don’t feel good about who I am on the inside and so I want others to look at my outside. I am showing off what should be covered so you won’t take time to look at the real me.”

Or, are you saying...

"I feel good about who I am and I want you to get to know the real me. My clothes highlight my eyes, my personality, and make a statement that I care enough about myself to not cheapen who I am. And, I am smart enough to know how to put together a cute outfit on a limited budget.”

Next week we will discuss how to find that outfit that reflects your inner beauty on the outside through a few very simple rules.

God bless you as you walk in your beauty!

Jody

Teenagers and Cell Phones: Pro or Con?

It occurred to me that cell phones have not been in use for very many years.

This generation is really the first one to be brought up completely with everyone owning their own cell phone.

So, I asked the girls in my Bible class to come up with some pros and cons of having a cell phone as a teenager and this is what they came up with:

Pros
1. If an accident happens, you can immediately get help.
2. It gives you protection because you can call 911 without having to look for a phone.
3. You have more opportunities to communicate with people anywhere you are.
4. You can talk to people who live far away.
5. You can be reached at anytime. (Can also be a con)
6. Texting enables you to send a quick message of encouragement when you don’t have time to talk.
7. GPS on your phone can help you when you are lost.

Cons
1. Texting can cause fights.  You may be more willing to say mean things because you do not have to face the person.
2. Someone can easily misinterpret what you are saying in a text because they can’t decipher your tone of voice.
3. A cell phone can enable you to lie about where you are because you can use it anywhere.
4. You can be reached at anytime. (Can also be a pro)
5. You have more access to prank call.
6. Can cause you to lose social skills because we do not talk face-to-face as often.

After we thought about the pros and cons of cell phones, we came up with some etiquette and manners of cell phone usage.
1. Don’t text at the table.
2. Don’t talk on the phone when you are with a friend.
3. Don’t text and drive. (More than manners, this should be a strict rule.)
4.  Turn your phone off in a meeting or at church.
5. If you can’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it in a text.
6. Don’t prank call.
7. Never text or call people during sleeping hours.
8. Don’t ignore others in order to text.
9. Don’t allow yourself to become antisocial because you are always on the cell phone.

What would you add to our lists? Leave us a comment with your ideas for other pros, cons, and etiquette tips you use!

Remember to walk in your beauty this week - and that includes your cell phone use :)
Kristi