12 Universally Flattering Styles for Women (and Men Emulating Women)

"12 things that look good on every women" is a slideshow on The Huffington Post. The 12 universally flattering styles for women should work for every man emulating a woman, too.

As a long-time femulator, here is my take on the dozen styles.

1.  White Button-Down Shirts --- I never had one in my female wardrobe, but I have a few on the other side of my closet that might work en femme.

2.  Wrap Dresses --- Yes! I never look bad in a wrap dress. Wraps and shifts (Item 6) are my go-to dress styles.

3.  Trench Coats --- I never owned a trench coat in girl or boy mode, but will now consider one next time I am coat shopping.

4.  Black Pumps --- Probably half the pumps I own are black.

5.  Sunglasses --- I own a few pairs, but don't wear them often enough. I plan to change my ways.

6.  Shift Dresses --- Ditto Item 2. I never look bad in a shift (see photo).

7.  Monochromatic Outfits --- This is a look I never considered, although I may have unintentionally worn; now it's on my to-do list.

8.  Statement Necklaces --- I have recently begun wearing statement necklaces and having a lot of fun with the look.

9.  Natural Hair Color --- Been gray so long that I don't remember my natural hair color!

10.  Blush --- I always use blush, but I have not always used it correctly. Bottom line: a little goes a long way.

11.  Red Lipstick --- Is there any other color of lipstick!

12.  Fake Eyelashes --- I am becoming a big fan of fake lashes especially after I found lashes that are not over the top that I can wear everyday.

I recommend viewing the slideshow. Some slides have useful links that expand on the topic being addressed.

How Stana Falsifies Her Eyes

Yesterday, I wrote about how I have recently become a fan of false eyelashes. Today, I will describe how to put on and take off false lashes.

1.  When you open the package containing the false lashes, remove the lashes from their mooring slowly so as not to damage them. (I wish the adhesive they used to keep the lashes in place in the package worked as well on the eyes.)

2.  Some lashes are too long out of the box. Hold the lash against your eye and if it is too long, use sharp scissors to trim off the access from the end that will be on the outer side of your eye, that is, the end with the longer lashes.

3.  Optionally, trim random lashes to make them look more natural and less perfect.

4.  Squeeze a small glob of lash adhesive on the back of your hand or on a clean spot on your makeup table. Use a toothpick to pick up some glue and apply a thin coat along the band of the lash. Apply an extra dab at each end of the lash. (As hinted in step 1, I find that the adhesive on the pre-glued lashes is inadequate and I use glue even on the pre-glued lashes.) Set the lashes aside and let the adhesive to set for a minute.

5.  Use tweezers to apply the false lash as close and as quickly as possible to the base of your natural lash line on top of your actual lashes. Do not apply the lash on your eyelid. (I use the tweezers that I use to pluck my eyebrows.) The white adhesive will be apparent initially, but it dries clear, so forget about it. Use your fingers to press on the lash from end-to-end and hold it in place as the glue dries.

6.  After the glue has dried completely (no white is visible), fill in any gaps with eyeliner.

7.  Apply mascara and you are done.

8.  Some makeup mavens suggest using an eyelash curler to curl the false and natural lashes together, but I have not been brave enough to try that yet!

When you are finished wearing false lashes, do not rip them off because you may remove your natural lashes in the process. Instead…

1.  Apply baby oil or makeup remover on the lashes to soften the glue and remove the lashes only after the glue is mush.

2.  After taking off the lashes, use makeup remover to remove the glue and other makeup from your eyes and false lashes.

3.  Rinse the false lashes with cool water and let them air dry.

4.  When dry, put the lashes back in their original box.

And keep being pretty!

False Eye Density

I have recently become a fan of false eyelashes.

When I was a teenager experimenting with makeup like most teenaged girls, I wore (or tried to wear) false lashes. I had no idea what I was doing; I was on my own because I would not ask my mother or sister for help. I usually ended up with a sticky mess, crooked lashes, or lashes that became loose and disappeared down my blouse!

As a result, I was not a big fan of false lashes and seldom bothered with them except for special occasions. A few times, I had successful lash experiences on those special occasions, but most times I was not.

When I had my pre-banquet makeover at Fantasia Fair in October, I paid close attention to how Hera applied my false lashes. I was so impressed with the results that I did some research and successfully applied what I learned when I did my makeup for One Big Event last month.

After that successful do-it-yourself false lashing, I considered wearing false lashes all the time. My lashes are thin and mascara can only take them so far --- nowhere near what false lashes can do. On the other hand, most of the false lashes I have worn were too over the top for everyday wear, so I shelved the idea of wearing false lashes all the time.

Yesterday, I was Christmas shopping. When I passed the cosmetics aisle, I checked out their false lash offerings and discovered lashes that might work for everyday wear. They are Revlon's Beyond Natural brand of lashes, specifically the "Flirty" and "Defining" models, which I think will enhance my lashes without going over the top.

I purchased a set of Defining lashes and will wear them next time out: the Avon representative Christmas party next Tuesday.

Tomorrow, I will describe how I put on and take off my false lashes. Until then, keep on femulating!

the fake lashes and the First Lady

In the past, I have worn fake eyelashes, usually for dress-up affairs like banquets and weddings, or when I model in fashion shows. Even though my natural eyelashes are long and lush, the fakes make an obvious difference and I would wear them more often if I was more adept at putting them on.

I estimate that half the time I try to wear fake eyelashes, I abandon the effort because I have trouble putting them on, keeping them on, or making up my eyes after putting them on. Too much glue and/or too little glue is the usually the culprit.

Practice makes perfect and I will keep trying, while referring often to this video on how to do it.

Meanwhile, some folks are on our First Lady's case because she wore obviously fake eyelashes during her visit to 10 Downing Street in London last week.

I thought she looked great and if you are interested, go here to see how she looked and to participate in the poll regarding her look.

shopping for the Fair

(updated below)

I took an early lunch and went to the mall to shop for my week en femme at Fantasia Fair. I intended to shop for three things: silver shoes to go with my evening gown, false eyelashes, and a pair of pants.

For false eyelashes, I went to the M·A·C counter at Macy's. I told the saleswoman that I wanted false eyelashes that looked natural. She suggested two pairs and I picked one . I was surprised that the eyelashes did not include glue; it was a separate item that I had to purchase.

Speaking of separates... after considering what I wrote yesterday about mixing and matching separates to save space in my luggage, I decided I needed a nice pair of black pants. Since I have never bought woman's pants before (leggings yes, pants no), I decided to go to a store where I was likely to get assistance from a salesperson: Lane Bryant.

I knew what I wanted, but I was overwhelmed with the selection. After trying to look as lost as possible, a saleswoman asked me if I needed help. I told her I did drag and that I wanted a nice pair of black pants around size 16 Tall.

She was very helpful and found two pairs of black "Right Fit Lafayette pants," one pair in size 2 Tall and the other in size 1 Tall. She showed me to the dressing room and I tried on the size 2 Tall first. It fit fine. Then, I tried on the size 1 Tall and it fit more snugly than the 2 Tall. I was not wearing a girdle (or a mirdle), so I figured that the size 1 Tall would be a perfect fit when I wear them with my girdle.

The pants cost $49.50, but by opening a Lane Bryant credit card, I saved 15% and the total cost came to $35.76.

Online, Payless had a pair of shoes that I liked, so I visited the Payless store at the mall, but they did not have the shoe in my size. I looked at shoes in the other stores and only one pair (in Macy's) caught my eye, but the price tag ($99) scared me away.

I stopped at another Payless store near work, but they did not have the shoe in my size either, however, the saleswoman did a search and found a pair in another Payless store that I can stop by on my way home from work this afternoon. (Wish me luck.)

UPDATE: The third Payless store had the shoe in my size and with the referral from the other store, I received a $3 discount. I also bought the matching handbag, which was on sale for $11, but I only paid $5.50 because Payless is having a BOGO (Buy One, Get One half off) promotion.