Hey, it’s Afrobella, ella, ella, ehh lol.

OK, enough of pop song jokes, I have a problem. There is one part of my body and beauty routine that irritates me all summer long. If you’re like me, you try to ignore it all day, but mirrors, pictures, and a constant sticky film feeling prevent you from doing so. Yep, you guessed it, it’s that pretty face of yours. How do you moisturize your face during the summer? Wait, I meant how to do you moisturize your face AND keep it from being sweaty and oily from June through September? HOLD UP. How should you mositurize your face period? Are there rules? Procedures? Guidelines?

ANYONE??

Whether your skin is dry, oily, combination, or for lack of a better term, BIPOLAR, keeping it calm, cool, and conditioned throughout the summer can be a challenge. It could be the sudden need for UV protection and excess moisture on your skin. It could be the summer heat making you sweat 5 times more than usual. Or it could your body finding ways to send you to the beach. Who knows. The point is skin care gets increasingly complicated during the summer. With an expected high of 95 degrees this weekend, I thought it would be the perfect time to give you some summer skin care tips.

Moisturizer by Skin Type:

1. Dry Skin: Choose a thicker, oil-based (or creme-based) moisturizer.

2. Oily Skin: You need an oil-free, water-based moisturizer.

3. Combination Skin - Use a light, hydrating formula twice a day.

Make sure if you use a fragrance-free mosturizer if you have sensitve skin. We don’t want any break outs! You should also apply your mosturizer ONLY after cleansing and using toner. Putting on anything without washing your face first is a definite no-no.

The reality is, whether it’s summer, winter, autumn, or spring, consistency is key. Maintaining a regular skin care regiment is the best thing you can do for your face. Forget using make-up as a cover up! Take charge over your skin and allow make-up to be what it’s meant to be, an accessory.

Catch ya by the poolside!

~ Afrobelle

I’m standing in front of a display window at Forever 21 and my sense of style is taunting me. She’s shamelessly flaunting flimsy halter tops, skinny jeans, and backless summer dresses this girl shouldn’t be caught dead in. Why am I so in love with outfits obviously made for someone else? Is it just me, or are most women’s eyes adversely drawn to clothing that does not flatter their bodies? It’s like we have a child inside of us who just wants to grab every piece of candy in the aisle and all we can say is “put that down!” (hopefully not out loud). I mean come on now, how many times have you seen a woman awkwardly adorned in an outfit that would be perfect..on someone else?

Every single dress my eyes fall in love with is not made for women with a C cup or higher. Yet here I am, once again standing in the dressing room, squeezed in tightly enough to induce cardiac arrest, dreaming of breast reductions. My body isn’t perfect, but what body is? God made my body beautiful, I know that. The problem is, I have yet to learn how to dress it beautifully.

Let’s figure this out together.

There are many wardrobe guidelines that can compliment your body based on it’s shape and size. Don’t think of these as a must. Familiarize yourself with the rules, but use your own judgment to determine what works best for you. Here’s what you should know.

Let’s call the four body types Coca-cola, Perfect Pear, Double Stack, and Slim Jim.

(We will focus on four body types to provide examples. If I don’t mention the shape that fits you best and you would like more information, just leave a request for me in the forum and I’ll do a follow-up article).

Coca-Cola is the proportional curvy woman.

Perfect Pear is the petite up top, wide hips/bottom woman.

Double Stack is the opposite of Perfect Pear…she has a double proportion up top but a skinny-minny slimmer bottom.

Slim Jim represents the woman who is slender all over.

So, now that you’ve got the shapes let’s talk style. Remember the tips below are general, they represent what usually flatters each shape.

Coca-Cola

(curvy and propotional)

GOLD:  A well-fitting bra is always a good look. Try to pick fitting clothing that shows off your shape. Be careful not to choose clothing that is really fitting though because what the other girls can get away with..looks suspect on you.

NOT SO MUCH: Big, bulky clothing. Don’t be shy or embarrassed that you have curves! The most important ingredient to any look is confidence. We know it’s there so you might as well be comfortable with it.

Perfect Pear

(small top, wide hips/bottom)

GOLD: Dark colors are slimming, so choose the black pants or dark jeans. You can also rock the high-waist pants or skirt. It will draw attention to your smaller torso and away from those big hips!

Halter tops, wrap-dresses..all of the above you can not only get away with, you can straight up work it!

NOT SO MUCH: Light and tight on the bottom is not a good choice! Whether lighter or tighter it will emphasize your bottom and hips..and they probably don’t need any help. Don’t wear a straight-down dress. It will appear too tight. Make sure the dresses and skirts you choose are roomy with a defined waist.

Double-Stack

(heavy up-top, slender bottom)

GOLD: Shaped shirts with darker colors. Patterns and brights will draw MORE attention where you obviously don’t need it! High necklines look awkward, go for the v-neck if it’s not too low. Whether your wearing pants or a skirt, pick something that is fitting up top and flares out at the bottom. It will balance your look.  You probably have slimmer, longer legs so heels are great!

NOT SO MUCH: Large sweaters or boxy blazers made hide your bust…but they also make your waist and general size much larger. The key is finding fitting clothing.

Slim Jim

(slender figure)

GOLD: Soft, feminine colors and fabrics work best for you. Pretty patterns and wrap dresses are also a nice touch. Be playful and creative!

NOT SO MUCH: Try to avoid really tight clothing. You want to create curves so skinny jeans, plain styles, and deep v-neck shirts are NOT a good look. You may be tempted to opt for padded shirts but those are not always a good choice because sometimes they show!

Well, that’s it folks. I could summarize…or I can let you shop. Don’t get boxed-in by what you are used to. Use these tips, try new styles, and find out what works for you. Adios!