New Year Resolution: Focus on my career

5 simple style tips for the black working woman

If one of your New Years Resolution is to get ahead in your job.  Then it is time to evaluate the question that vexes millions of women every morning "What should I wear?". Here are some tips to help you dress with less stress.

#1. Focus on style, not fashion

Fashion is trendy, and trends come and go. Style is about your individual expression, not about what you saw in a magazine. So don’t worry yourself trying to fit someone else’s mold of how you should dress. Dress for yourself first, and you can’t go wrong.

#2. Don’t go too casual

Your co-workers might wear torn jeans and baseball caps to the office, but that doesn’t mean you have to fall into the same rut. Your clothes say a lot about your character. You want to look like you’re ready to make things happen, not like you’re ready to watch TV.

#3. Avoid a color clash

You don’t want the “noise” from too many loud colors drown out the sound of your voice at the office. Color helps you stand out, but too many bright colors, bold patterns or animal prints may cause people to focus more on how you’re dressed than what you have to say. Keep it cute and feminine, but also polished and professional.

#4. Make the most of your shape.

Are you a pear, apple, brick, hour glass or inverted triangle? Learn how to play down your flaws and make the most of your assets.

#5. Tone down the sex factor

We’re not saying you can’t have any fun when dressing for the office, but would you rather have your colleagues and clients staring at your cleavage or listening to your ideas?

Top 3 short hair styles for the New Year

 

Is there anything more chic than a short ‘do? While it’s true that It takes a bold woman to rock a short hair style, short cuts are perfect for the texture of African American hair. And celebrities like Amber Rose, Halle Berry and Tia Mowry are living proof that mini tresses are just as feminine as cascading locks.

When you’re ready to go short, here are three great styles for black women.

1. Buzz Cut
While women of other ethnicities might have a hard time pulling off a buzz cut, the stronger and denser texture of African American hair makes this a can-do ‘do for women of color. A buzz cut calls attention to striking facial features.

This style, sported by celebs like Solange Knowles and Amber Rose, is ultra-low-maintenance, with no need for straightening or shaping.

2. Pixie Cut
Like a buzz cut, pixies highlight facial features, but they also add volume and height to the hair due to asymmetrical layers. There is some prep-work needed to keep this style, but it’s relatively low-fuss. Just apply gel or wax to create flip tips like Halle Berry and Malinda Williams.

3. Razor Cuts with Long Bangs
Razor cuts, done curly or sleek-straight, are top styles for this season. The key to pull off a razor cut is to choose the most flattering length. Tiny corkscrews tend to become shorter when trimmed, so let your stylist know the length you want before she starts cutting.

Get the Perfect Holiday Party Look

‘Tis the Season to look festive. If you want a look that you can wear to any holiday function no matter the print or color of your dress. Try a holiday shimmer eye and make them pop with extensions. Here is how to get the look:
 

The Shimmer

• Use a shimmery cream (try MAC - Shimmerene glitter cream) or if you have a powder shimmer you can mix the shadow with a small amount of water. The water will help create a dense metallic pigment that's not too soft.
• Apply shimmery shadow above the iris in your eye and on the inner corner of the eye. This will open up the eye, lighten up what is usually a dark area of the lid, and helps eyes pop in photos.
• If you do go with the shimmery eye, don't go overboard with the shimmer. Apply shimmer to no more than 2 places. For example, shimmer your eyelids and your cheekbones but don't also add a batch of shimmer to your décolletage (collar bone).

Eyelash Extensions

• Get a pair of lashes that match your natural lash color. If the lash is wider than your eye, trim one side of it lash by lash.  After applying glue pick the lashes up with tweezers and bring it as close to your natural lash line as possible. They should be longer towards the outer corner of the eye then make sure there is barely any gap between your real eye lashes and the fake. 
• Many salons now offer semi-permanent eyelash extensions. These are applied to the individual lash and usually last 2-4 weeks (depending on glue and application). Make sure you get an experienced esthetician and ask for references.