by admin - Monday, November 28th, 2011
The world of first impressions is littered with opportunities and pitfalls. Based on a few superficial behaviors, you can come off as anywhere from future celebrity to potential serial killer. Whether this is a good thing or not, in the world of dating it’s important to turn this impulse to your advantage. With this opportunity in mind, here is a panel of beauty experts whom we prompted with the question:
“What are your top three beauty tips to impress someone on a first date?”
OnlineDatingSites.net’s Beauty Expert Panel:
Lauren Clark
Lauren Clark is a makeup artist of 7 years. She has high visibility work with big name companies such as Betsey Johnson, Beach Bunny Swimwear, Guess, Seventeen Magazine, ESPN, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, and FOX News. She is passionate about teaching others the art of makeup and has recently authored a how-to makeup artistry book and teaches makeup classes on a national level. She is also married and is a mother to 3 sweet girls. For more tips and makeup looks, visit www.laurenclarkmakeup.blogspot.com or www.lauren-clark.com
See Lauren’s Response Here
Rachel G. Halsey
Rachel G. Halsey is a Los Angeles makeup artists who has experience in film, television, theatre, print, press, junkets, fitness competitions and consulting with private clients. She prides herself on staying on the cutting edge or the industry, and is guided by the idea that each face is a work of art. Check out her website http://rachelgmakeup.com.
See Rachel’s Response Here
Su Han
With detailed precision and unparalleled expression of her craft, she has created countless beautiful faces for the Oscars, Golden Globes, and red carpet events. Her A-list clientele continue to rely on her for a flawless and novel look that she consistently delivers. Top magazine editors request Su to create unique trend setting abstract beauty in fashion spreads and countless covers. Check out her website
www.cloutierremix.com/suhan.
See Su’s Response Here
Bridgette Raes
Style Expert Bridgette Raes is the president of Bridgette Raes Style Group, author of the book Style Rx: Dressing the Body You Have to Create the Body You Want and a sought-after spokesperson, style expert and writer for many media outlets including CNN, Good Morning America and Real Simple Magazine. You can check out her blog at
http://Blog.bridgetteraes.com.
See Bridgette’s Response Here
Karen Byrd
Karen Byrd is a career driven Californian who values family and being part of a bigger community. Check out her websites
http://naturalhairbeauty.blogspot.com/, and http://www.naturalbeautifulhair.com/.
See Karen’s Response Here
Lauren Clark:
“I think it’s safe to say that most guys don’t prefer heavy makeup. With that being said, my first beauty tip for first date makeup is to keep the makeup on the more neutral side. That’s not to say you can’t wear as much as you need (or as little) to feel comfortable. Just keep the color factor to a more neutral state. Focus on really prepping your skin before doing any makeup to give the most flawless finish possible. Avoid a lot of gloss and color on the lips. Even though you may have no intention of kissing on the first date, a man will stare at your lips, bright or deep glossy colors may scare him at first. My 2nd first date beauty tip is to keep a touch up powder with a mirror in your purse. (Throw some mints in there while you’re at it!). You may want to sneak a peek at yourself to make sure everything is still in place if he leaves for a minute to use the restroom. Lastly, don’t stress about your makeup! Don’t do anything out of the norm that you wouldn’t feel comfortable doing on a day-to-day basis. For more tips and makeup looks, visit www.laurenclarkmakeup.blogspot.com or www.lauren-clark.com”
Rachel G. Halsey:
“You are headed out on a first date. Perhaps you met this man online, in which case, you want to live up to, or even exceed the image your profile presents, even if a high percentage of the time, he will be shorter, older, or less attractive than his.
Maybe you just met a handsome new coworker, and he asked you to out. It could be a random stranger you met at the post office, a new cute neighbor, or even a blind date. In any case, going on a first date is always exciting, fun, and nerve wracking.
First impressions count, and men are visually stimulated creatures.
The only thing to do is to be you, of course! That is, the best version of the real you.
Men differ in their response to “makeup”. Some love it, some detest it, a lot of them don’t really understand it. But, by the time you are on your way to a first date with this guy, you should have an idea of his preferences. I would say to tailor it somewhat to him, however, you have to be you, so if you are the girl who won’t go out of the house without being fully “done”, don’t force yourself to go “bald-faced” to win over a man who says he hates makeup. This just is a set up for disaster!
Three things you want to enhance with makeup are, your skin, lips, and of course your eyes.
Start with a flawless, fresh looking foundation. Not too heavy, just enough to even your skin tone, and give you a nice glow. There are quite a few foundations available which give a dewy finish as well as buildable coverage for where you need it.
For your lips, it seems a lot of men have a love-hate relationship with lip gloss…yes it draws their focus to your lips, but some guys don’t like to kiss the gloss….so if you can find a lip color which gives you a nice tint with a sheen, rather than high gloss, it might be best for that first date. Also, if it is a longwearing product, even better. You don’t really want to be constantly reapplying during you first date.
Flirty lashes, whether your own, enhanced with mascara, or false lashes, work wonders. Definitely curl lashes, if needed, before applying a few coats of a luxurious black mascara. If using lashes, choose some that are more of a natural instead of dramatic look. There are so many amazing lashes available, even at the drugstore, you can find cute and easy to apply lashes for that first date.
Overall, you just want to have a good time on your first date, and hopefully find a connection with someone special. If nothing else, look at it as an exercise or a free dinner, and keep it moving…next!”
Su Han:
“Skin : the goal is to make skin glow and look healthy and young.
Avoid heavy powdering that’ll make your skin look dry and opt for tinted moisturizer and CREAM BLUSH!!! Think blushing bride, children’s rosy cheeks or your flushed cheeks post sex…. Whatever floats your boat.
Eyes : you want him to look into your eyes, not at your heavy eye makeup.
Dust a sheer and shimmery shadow and CURL your lashes!!!! Before applying mascara.
Lips: make him irresistible to kiss them with either bold red or your favorite lipgloss. Lip balm’s ok too. Just remember there’s nothing more unattractive than dry lips!”
Bridgette Raes:
“First, when dressing for a first date it is important to dress like yourself and choose things that make you feel comfortable and confident. You didn’t get asked out on your date fro your winning wardrobe but for who you are. Self-perception is a great dictator of how others perceive us, so your clothing choices should make you feel like you are putting your first foot forward. Impress yourself first in what you are wearing and you’ll impress your date. Unfortunately, a lot of women think the other way around and put together uncomfortable outfits that they think will wow their dates. The energy found in doing this might send a message to your date that you believe you’re not enough for him just the way you are. So, when getting dressed, ask yourself if you feel sexy, attractive, outgoing or however else you want to feel in you what you are wearing. If you feel it, others will feel it about you naturally.
Next, keep it simple. Don’t distract your date with tons of bells and whistles. The first date is your opportunity to get to know someone. Unless you are dating a metrosexual who cares about whose shoes you’re wearing, most men won’t really notice. Men don’t usually focus on the little details; they see the bigger picture. In fact, if you have too much going on it can build a wall between you and your date really getting to know each other. There is nothing wrong with adding some great accessories to your look, but make sure their there for a reason, that they complement an entire look that you’ve put together. Imagine the distraction found in loud clanging bangles while gesturing with your hands or how annoying large hula-hoop sized earrings can be while your date is trying to focus on your face and what you are saying.
Prints can be great and memorable but they can also work against you if you choose the wrong ones to wear. Look at your own personal coloring. If your coloring is softer (where your skin, hair and eyes are similar in depth of color and there isn’t a lot of contrast between them) a loud print like a bold black and white, for example, can overpower you and make it even harder for your date to notice you. Conversely, if you have bold personal coloring (and a lot of contrast between the coloring of your hair, skin and eyes, like dark hair and eyes with light skin, for example) your coloring is bold enough to wear a louder more optic print and, in fact, you may look washed out in sick if you wear a print that is too soft or subdued. The bottom line is that you always want the focus to be on your face and by choosing prints that match the boldness or softness of your own personal coloring you can achieve that.”
Karen Byrd:
First dates are a great way to get to know someone; and to see if there is a mutual attraction, common interest or more. One of the most important things you should always remember is to try and be yourself. The more you can relax, just enjoy the date and the conversation, the better time you will have.
Three tips that will impress someone on a first date:
Look your best: I heard a funny story of a guy who went on a first date with a woman and her hair was completely undone. It looked like she had just come from an all night party and did not stop to freshen up. No one is expecting you to show up in a 3 piece suit (unless the date calls for it); but try to look good for the person you are meeting, so they will feel that you are interested. And less is more ladies! No need for tons of makeup or jewelry.
Ask questions: The conversation should go both ways. It is important that you are open to answering questions about yourself and also asking the other person about their lives and interest. No one wants to sit on a date where there is one-sided conversation.
Be honest: Don’t make up tall tales to impress your date. Be honest about who you are, where you are in life and what you want for the future. It is never good to start any relationship based on false information.
Most importantly – just remind yourself that there is no need to be nervous! If the date is not perfect, it’s ok. If there is truly a love connection, the person your on a date with will want to see you again. So just relax and enjoy yourself!
by admin - Monday, September 12th, 2011
It’s back. Insomnia. Like the sequel to a horror movie you never thought was good enough to have a comeback in the first place. As the last of daylight recedes and my part of the world plunges into darkness (not sleeping makes me melodramatic, okay?) I sit in my chair staring at Twitter thinking, “I could get in bed now at a decent hour and watch the movie screening on the backs of my eyelids titled, “Everything You Ever Worried About” starring Death OR I could stay up to the point of delirious exhaustion and hope that when I finally fall into bed at 4 AM even my anxieties will have passed out. Usually I try for the second option but still end up with the movie, only it’s the late night screening. Among the scenes that flash before my eyes are imagined scenarios between me and a guy I like. While some people might find it kind of fun to lie in bed and think about kissing and holding hands with someone they dig, I find it really disturbing. It’s exactly that kind of delusional fantasizing that turns dating from getting to know someone into the sad project that is taking all my hopes, dreams, and lonely needs and trying to glue them together into a boyfriend version of Frankenstein’s monster.
Like Frankenstein’s monster, this idea of combining parts to construct something new and perfect, tailored to your every whim, is one hatched in darkness. In the light of day the stitches show and rather than perfect pieces you have one horrific, muddled monster. In the case of my imagined boyfriend you have a perfectly nice guy with his own personality and past oblivious to the mad scientist that is me trying desperately to project what I imagine is missing in me onto him. Suddenly instead of two people on a date you have one person staring at the human in front of her thinking, “You were so much more loving and sensitive in the movie you starred in last night on my eyelids. You got me then… why don’t you get me now???” It’s a recipe for disappointment. No real person can live up to the monster that was assembled from parts of 90′s movies, childhood dreams, scenes from teen romance novels, black and white posters, comic book heroes, John Stamos, the love between Frodo and Samwise, the smell of the beach on a foggy summer morning, doodles of people kissing from your high school notebook, and the hypothetical adoration your dad would have felt for you if, in an alternate universe, he wasn’t your dad. Next to that dreamy mess, a regular guy doesn’t stand a chance. Which is why fantasizing about a boy I actually have plans with gives me the kind of anxiety that causes me to lose so much sleep I have crumpled paper bag face and googly eyes.
All I can hope for now is that the sleep loss will send me into a delirious zombie-like state so that I’ll be so focused on staying awake and keeping up with the conversation I forget all about my night-made monster and won’t be able project anything on to the guy in front of me. Maybe, through the blurry, sleep-deprived haze I’ll actually be able to see him clearly.
Your best friend in the whole wide world is getting hitched soon and you want to do something ridiculous and absolutely unforgettable on his/her last single night, but sadly the chaos of life and wedding planning is getting in the way of a perfect party opp. So now what?
