Personal style that shines, shimmers and pops

“Fashions fade, style is eternal” — Coco Chanel

In high school, I wore a uniform. I woke up everyday to put on a white oxford shirt, a black pleated jumper with a cross over my heart, and white knee-high socks. I hated it. The jumper was too long, starchy and itchy and it hung on my non-existent curves like an empty potato sack.

I remember crying and vowing never to like the idea of “leveling the playing field” (as my mother liked to call it). I felt like wearing the same boring outfit everyday was taking away a part of me, a part of my teenage life, a part of my essence! But after a while, I began to adapt. If I had to dress like a nun every day, I sure wasn’t going to act like one.

As an adult, we often find ourselves in a similar situations: whether it’s a bland office dress code or even a stifling work uniform, we all have to find ways to let our personal style shine through. Clothes don’t make the (wo)man. This week, I’d like to share my favorite trends and accessories that will help you stand out this season.

First, there’s the always-coveted Smokey Eye. There’s no better way to get instant sexiness than by adding a little depth to your eyelid. Be sure to start with the darkest color right above the lash-line and gradually add lighter eye colors above. Try not to add anything dark above your crease to avoid looking like a raccoon.

Come this time of year, the harsh Winter cold can make us all feel a bit washed out. Add a warm glow to your skin by sprinkling a little shimmer into your face powder or lotion. Remember, there is a difference between glitter and shimmer. Glitter is what I pasted on my eyelids in the 7th grade when my mom finally let me wear makeup to school.

Now as a responsible adult, I stick strictly to shimmer on my collarbone (when wearing a lower neckline) and a tiny bit on my cheekbones for a special night out. For a pretty scented and sexy glow, try Victoria Secret’s limited edition Dream Angels Heavenly Holiday Shimmer Powder.

Put some pop into your wardrobe with a cool nail color. If you’re daring, go with a bright pink or a dramatic purple-black (my staple since high school has been OPI’s “Lincoln Park After Dark”). If you’d rather stay more conservative, a classic red can be fun and playful without being crazy (try “I’m Not Really A Waitress” by OPI).

Pucker up with a cheerful color. When you’re making small talk with co-workers at the holiday party, why not give them something to look at? Wet your lips and scrub with sugar to remove dry and excess skin, apply your favorite lip balm to keep them soft throughout the night, then layer on your favorite color. Add a sparkly gloss to create a shiny finish or leave the color bare to go for a more matte look.

Be sure you don’t mix and match bold lips with intense eyes. Too much excitement on the face can be distracting — in a bad way.

Be “scent”-ual. Another aspect of style that is often neglected is how you smell. This is a big one for me. Your scent is often your calling card, as it can sometimes be someone’s first impression of you. This season, hit the department stores to do a sniff test. Maybe it’s time to adopt a winter scent full of deep, rich or spicy tones. My favorite has to be Calvin Klein’s “Euphoria.”

You can also try a few dabs of scented oil like Sandalwood or Egyptian Musk. They’re both warm and clean, plus they react with your body chemistry and leave you smelling great all day. However, scent is a very personal thing, so make sure you choose one that represents you and your style.

Fashion will never define who you are. No matter how much you love it, how many dresses you own, or shoes in your closet, your art will be how you put it all together.