New Year, New You or just a few tweaks!

Now that the 'new year' hype is over and you have finished reading all the suggested makeover opportunities that can transform your body, your mind and your health, what can you really do at home or with little outside effort, without making a huge life change? A new yoga routine with combined diet may sound enticing, but in reality few people have the time or inclination to apply such a change to their lifestyle overnight. After all, if you try these new regimes, they tend to fade out by the end of February anyway.

Often all that is required is a small change in the way you are thinking, a little time to yourself. This can do you the world of good and make a huge difference as they give you the boost that you really need. Small steps can lead to lasting changes than one big dramatic step.

I have created a list of things that you can do that will impact how you feel about yourself, give you a positive kick and help you achieve a healthier personal image.

1. Eyebrow reshape - They say 'your eyes are the window to your soul'. People use your eyes as a gage to how you are feeling. An eyebrow in a shape that works for you can do wonders in lifting and opening the entire eye area, and improving how you are seen or perceived. Your brow shape also impacts the look of the whole face. Reshaping is more than just the regular 'pluck', it is about clearing, trimming and fine tuning to create a shape that reflects your personality and matches with the sparkle in your eye. Reshaping rules vary per eye shape, but generally start to pluck away the brow area starting where the hair grows horizontally. Check out how to reshape and where to go if you are too nervous about attempting it yourself. I recall reshaping my eyebrow about a year ago and feeling elated for a week. I received many complements and felt my face looking cleaner and I was more open and approachable. Eyebrow waxing is my favourite option these days as it also removes all the tiny hairs that sit in the eye area, making for a more polished finish, and making maintenance easier.


2. Change of hairdresser rather than hairstyle - Finding a good hairdresser can be impossible. But once you have found them, you can often go for years without having a change. The only downside of this is that you can easily get stuck in a rut wearing the same style that they chose for you way back in the early days, which means it could well be out of date! Also, they might be bored of doing your hair as well and need a change too. Whilst your style may maintain the same theme, it has to evolve otherwise you are stuck. Take the plunge and try a new hairdresser. They will introduce a new perspective and although you may opt for a similar style, it will have a new influence. The best in London in my view is Gianni, the Creative Director at Vidal Sassoon in Sloane Street - 020 7730 7288. A young gypsy-like third generation Italian hairdresser.


3. Bathing - A good bath serves the purpose of cleaning but also 'cleansing'. Cleansing is very different to cleaning as it implies clearing out impurities as well as the everyday sweat and dirt, and can be considered as a personal Feng Shui. So, bathing in this way can leave you refreshed and feeling rejuvenated. Using natural salts is the best way to do this, (although my Homeopath would also recommend white wine vinegar but that is much more potent and for critical cleansing) and ensure you use a fair amount. A friend of mine, a GP recommends this for everyday bathing rather than using soap, as it also is known to help in healing irritations. Once you have purified yourself, then there comes the 'anointing' . Ancient Egyptian women used oils to bathe in because of their healing properties and also their psychological impact. For example, lavender oil is said to act as a relaxant. Bathing with oils can make you feel so much more feminine as you are adorning yourself with certain scents and textures. It is equivalent to treating yourself. Cinnamon is a well known oil used for in Brazil with flirty properties, or choose mandarin which is more refreshing or Jasmine for a more delicate touch.


4. Clear out your knicker drawer - Now that you have Feng Shui'd yourself, another area for clearing out that benefits you is your wardrobe. The thought of just entering into that zone can be too overwhelming, but how about starting out with the underwear drawer? Holding on to those Grey cotton knickers from 5 years ago doesn't do anyone any favours. Start by throwing out any items, except the exceptional special pieces, that have been brought before a year ago. Then look at the take out any remaining items that look faded, elastic is going, or have gone Grey. Then consider whether the item is flattering or not. Comfort knickers can be an instant killer to attracting the opposite sex. Whether you are consciously looking or not, you will unconsciously give out signals that are influenced by the underwear you are wearing. A sexy pair of red underwear for example will provide you with a level of assertiveness and authority that will surprise you. Once you have cleared out the old, then start to put some order in place. Separate thongs, cottons, shorts and fancy. Clean out the draw too, line even with a nice scented drawer liner. Your knickers are the first part of any outfit and can set the whole feel to what you are wearing. Getting the foundations right will give you a lift and inspire you in your everyday interactions. Now make a list of what is missing and start to build up the foundations to meet with your lifestyle and desires.
   


5. Bra's to fit - One of the easiest mistakes we can make as women is to choose the wrong bra for our shape and size. If you feel you need to take your bra off as soon as you get home, the chances are that it isn't the right size for you. Often as we change shape, we go up in bra measurement but in fact we should go up in bra cup. We all come in different shapes and sizes so it is easy to look at a friend and think we can't be a bigger cup as the friend seems much bigger or smaller, but in fact you may be a completely different shape to her, that's all. Getting measured correctly can be difficult. The places that I trust with coming up with the right size are few and far between. Try Selfridges - I had a refit last week and one of my favourite brands Lejeby have a very helpful assistant. But all the fitters there are very well trained. Also Rigby & Peller. Favourite brands - Lejeby and Maidenform with the best bra. Best websites - Figleaves.
   


6. Neat Nails - A manicure is often one of the beauty treatments we resort to for special occasions or pick-me-ups. In San Francisco the Nail Bar's (as they are called) are very popular and on almost every street corner. The Asian women have the French manicure down to an art form - it is almost like they are painting an ancient Asian scripture. So you end up paying a mere $8-$12 for a good French manicure that will last for a few weeks and your nails miraculously grow. Having a finished natural look will upgrade your authority level at work - it just looks finished and creates the impression that you have an eye for detail or you consider the details carefully. Going on a date with a French manicure will look like you made that extra bit of effort and will be seen as a positive sign by your admirer. Buying a good hand cream and a cuticle exfoiliator will get you started. Applying the cream before you go to bed each night will start to give you a more polished look. So many women judge a man by his hands, it is important to consider they may do the same. Extra TLC on the hands, is extra TLC for you. Taking care of yourself will make you feel more worth it and you will be surprised how others may respond by taking more care of you.


7. New lipstick - The lipstick is the most important make-up component. Why? Your lips do all the talking and thus are an important component of who you are. The colour and style of your lipstick can affect how you talk and how you are heard. On days when you would prefer to be locked inside away from everyone it is no mistake that you may not wear lipstick or wear a very muted non-gloss colour. The equivalent of saying - 'I don't have anything to say'. Even on those days, having a stronger lipstick in terms of texture, shine or colour will convey the impression that you do have important things to say! Our lips also contribute to our femininity. Adorning our femininity does have the instant affect of making you more feminine and feeling more feminine. Favourite choice of feminine-impacting lipstick - Mac Lip Lacquer.
   


8. Burn the bad news - Whether it be jealous jibes or badly mannered men, remembering or holding on to all those negative comments people have said to you about YOU, doesn't do you any good. When you look in the mirror if all you see or think about are some of those negative jibes, it is time to burn them! Firstly, it is important to know that no-one has permission to make personal judgments or defame you in anyway. If they do cross this line, know that they have crossed the line and the problem is not You or their criticism, but them for having such poor judgment and for having some personal issue that requires them to belittle you or undermine you in this way. If you can hold that point - that it is them with the issue and not you, then you are able to let these things pass over you. Easily said than done though, and any sensitive average person would be offended or hurt in some way. Now is the time though to write all those silly comments they have instilled in you and unfortunately made you believe yourself, and to get rid of them. Write every single one down and then burn it! Let it go as easily as it came, and take the power back to you and from them. And don't let those thoughts cross your mind again. Next time someone has the audacity to plant one of these negative gems on you, simply retort with 'I am sorry you feel that way!' Your self-esteem will remain intact.


9. New Perceptions - You don't need a plethora of pop-psychologist books to give yourself a boost. Often it is just a matter of stepping out from the everyday routine and contemplating on your needs and aspirations. Consider three aspects of your personal image or style that you would like to focus on this year. Whether it be putting more attention on your skin, or having a better range of sexy tops in your wardrobe, or having more credibility in what you wear. Note down the three things that you would like to focus on and mark down a few solutions next to them and pin them somewhere visible. Now they are activated and brought to awareness you will be surprised how they will naturally come to fruition.
   


10. Girlie Slumber Party - There is nothing more nurturing and indulgent than having a good old-fashioned slumber party with your female friends. A chance to sit around and natter in your PJ's sharing girlie stories and dilemmas. It also is a chance to put things into perspective and the PJ's symbolise a different level of open chat, rather than how you would talk over dinner. It allows for all the concerns and fears to be released and you feel connected once again to the female cycle and way which is a change from the media driven world or the corporate boardroom. Book it up now!
    

©2005 Sarah Whittaker [www.TheWardrobeShrink.com].
Don't know what to wear? Book a consultation with Sarah and learn to create your own style and identity through your Image Type.
Sarah Whittaker has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines worldwide, and writes The Wardrobe Shrink Newsletter full of the latest fashion trends, celebrity style and honest image advice.

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