6 Tips For Wearing Statement Earrings

By CountryDutchess.com

They're big, they're bold, and they're hard to miss! They're called "statement earrings" - named so for a reason: They make a statement! From their bold designs to their dazzling colors, these are the earrings you wear when you want to get noticed!

On the other hand ....you do want to get noticed for all the right reasons! Unfortunately, if don't wear your statement earrings in quite the right way, well, your statement could end being "I'm fashion clueless" !

Well, we don't want that to happen! So we asked our designers to come up with a few guidelines for making the best possible fashion statement with your "statement earrings!"

How To Wear A Statement Earring

1. Keep other jewelry to a minimum. And we do mean minimum! If you wear a necklace, limit it to a thin chain with no more than a small pendant. You can add a couple of bangles and maybe a ring - but you want the earrings to do all the work - so don't distract the eye with other baubles!

2. Statement earrings look best with simple outfits - like that little black dress or pantsuit or even jeans and a tee. If your clothing is garnished with lots of sequins, sparkles or other embellishments there's just too much going on for a statement earring to take center stage.,

3. If your statement earring is in a color , then choose one other accessory in that same color - and no more than two. If your statement earrings are red, for example, you can choose a red bag and red shoes - or red shoes and red belt - but not all three. Again, you want to keep the focus on the earrings.

4. Statement earrings look best when there's not a lot competing for attention - so try to keep necklines lower than your collar bone. The other option is to wear them with a solid color turtleneck to act as a "frame" for the earring. Neutral colors such as black, white, cream, tan, plum or navy form the most attractive frame for most statement earring styles.

5. Put on your earrings before you put on your make-up. More so than any other style of jewelry,a statement earring is right next to your face, so it's almost like part of your cosmetic look. That means you probably want to skip the glittery eye shadow or blush and opt for a cleaner simpler look. Having your earrings on while you apply your make up will help you build a total look without overdoing it.

6. Scale down your other accessories. If you're wearing a statement earring, skip the "statement bag" or "statement belt". You only need one outstanding item per outfit - so let your earrings shine!

For more round-the-clock beauty and fashion tips, visit CheapChicDiary.com - or for the best in statement earrings - including clip on chandeliers - and lots and lots of jewelry galore - visit CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All
Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

Red Alert: 9 Tips For Wearing Red Lipstick

By CountryDutchess.com

It seems that every fall we hear about the return of that sexy, pouty, ruby red lip - and this year is no exception! Red is in for fall and winter 2009 - and painting your pucker with a glossy red sheen is the quickest way to update your look!

Moreover, did you know that studies show men find women who wear red sexier - and are more likely to ask them out on a date , then women who wear any other color? It's true!

At the same time, make-up artists the world -over tell us that wearing red isn't quite as easy as flicking up the tube for a quick swipe of color. Why? More so than any other lipstick shade , if you "color outside the lines" and don't get red on right, you run the risk of looking like an escapee from the nearest puppet show! Not exactly a date magnet !

But worse still, once red lipstick hits the skin it stains - so not getting it on right means you run the risk of looking like an escapee from a puppet show who also ate too much raspberry pie on the way out the door!
The good news: There are tips and tricks to wearing red lipstick that make it easy to look on trend! What follows is what our consortium of experts say is the best way to wear red lips this year.

Red Lipstick Alert : 9 Tips For Wearing Red Lipstick!

1. Before putting on a red lipstick ALWAYS ( and we mean ALWAYS) use a lip liner first, to define your lip shape. Look for a color as close to your lipstick shade as possible and if you cant' get an exact match go lighter not darker. Use the pencil to outline your lip shape then using your pinky finger "pull" the liner down towards the center of your lip. This will help form a layer of liner that keeps lipstick in place.

2. When applying red lipstick use a lip brush and don't swipe straight from the tube. Unless your red color is very sheer, you're likely to apply way too much if you go straight from the tube to your lips. Using a brush will allow you to control the application .

3. And speaking of application, go for thin layers of color that you build to get the desired intensity. Again, this will allow you to control both the color and the depth of color. To keep red lipstick on longer - and keep it from smearing - apply the first coat, then blot, lightly dust with a translucent face powder, and then add on another layer or two of color.

4. If you're looking for that glossy red lip look, it's always better to use a matte red lipstick and add the shine with a clear gloss. First, matte colors are "harder" which means they are more likely to stay-put on your lips. And second, adding a clear gloss means you can re-gloss to keep the look fresh without piling on so much red color you start to look like you're wearing wax lips from last Halloween!

5. Recognize that red comes in myriad shades - and finding the right one ( the one that compliments your skin tone ) is essential. To this end there are a few tricks you can use. First, use other lipstick colors you already know look good on you as your guide. For example, do you look great in salmon pink but dreadful in fuchsia pink? Then look for a golden red and bypass the "blue reds". Do you normally wear brown tone lipsticks ? Then look for light burgundy red shade.

You can also use fabric as a great color guide. Pack a purse mirror and visit any fabric store . Once there zero in on the red shelf. Pull out the purse mirror and start holding reds up to your face. Look for the ones that warm your complexion and don't leave you looking ghostly pale or ghoulish. When you find the right shades ask for snippets of the fabric then take it to your local beauty emporium and match the shade. You'll be more likely to find the right color without ending up with a drawer full of "dead reds" you'll never wear!

6. When you wear red lipstick, keep blush color minimal. DO NOT, ( and this is SO important we're writing it in CAPS) :) repeat DO NOT wear red or bright pink blush with red lipstick and under no circumstances should you ever use a "pinch" of that red lipstick on your cheeks. Doing so will immediately alert the local authorities that a Cupie Doll has escaped from the nearest carnival. :) Instead, use a muted wash of color on cheeks in a neutral shade - what you want to avoid is the presence of any "obvious" color.

7. Don't over do the eye make up -particularly color. Again, you want to let your red lips do the talking here , so don't contradict what they're saying by piling color on your eyes. Again, a soft neutral palette, or even just some black mascara and a smudgy neutral liner is pretty much all you will need.

8. Do compliment your red lips with red jewelry - particularly earrings or a necklace ( not both) and choose red accessories - like shoes, belt , a handbag, or a scarf. Use them to trim a basic black, navy, tan or white outfit. What you want to avoid is "head to toe " red. Other good jewelry choices for red lipstick include plain gold or silver jewelry ( no stones) or earrings with clear or black stones. In some instances you might get away with a deep blue sapphire or emerald green earring, but only if you're wearing it with neutral color dress.

9. Do polish nails red - and if you're wearing sandals or open toe shoes, paint your toes red too. This look nicely compliments red lipstick and doesn't compete. Do, however, make certain to choose a shade of red polish that compliments or matches your red lipstick - particularly if you're an animated talker and your hands are frequently near your face.

So, there you have it ! Luscious red, on trend lips that do the talking for you ! For more round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous Jewelry at prices you can afford!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All
Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.

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So buckle up your seat belt and get ready to power shop until your booty hurts!

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For round-the-clock fabulous time & money saving beauty and style advice visit CheapChicDiary.com - or visit us anytime at CountryDutchess.com - Your Source For Fabulous!

Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved.
In addition to US Copyright, the text of this CheapChicDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. All
Formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.