Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I need your help with my wife's style. We've been married for 10 years now, both approaching our 40's, and earlier on in the relationship she had a great sense of style. After having two kids, she started to dress more "conservatively" as she puts it. I thought it was because she was insecure about the baby weight, but even after she got back down to her old size, she still dresses dowdy. I know that she has a broader fashion sense and I wish she would tap back into it, but I can't seem to pull her back out of her shell. Any suggestions?

Signed,

Husband of Safe Styled Wife

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Dear H.O.S.S.W.,

Your wife, like most women, has gone through quite a few transformations in the past few years. To you, she may seem a bit "dowdy" but it sounds like her perspective has shifted to putting her families priorities first - yours included.

Maybe your wife feels like she has a lot on her plate, what with getting the kids ready for school, getting herself ready for work, getting you out the door and making sure that all of this goes off seamlessly. She's probably found a routine that works but may have gotten stuck in it, which is where you come in. If she's up before you to make sure the kids are getting their day started, fixing breakfast and any of the other hundred things mom do without breaking a sweat, offer to pitch in. Maybe you should try your hand at taking on the morning tasks a few days during the week so that she has more time to think about getting dressed. Hire a babysitter and bring "date night" back into your routine so she'll have an excuse to get dolled up again.

Even encourage her to have a "girls night out" every so often so she can really let her hair down and run around like she may have in her "Sexier in the City" days. Vacations are always nice ways to recharge old batteries too, for both of you. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant; maybe just a weekend away while your in-laws or friends watch the kids (i.e. free childcare) while you and your wife go someplace to get back to your old selves.

The woman you knew and fell in love with is still there, she's just buried underneath all the new responsibilities and pressures of being a triple threat: wife, mom and career woman. Helping her to remember to focus a little more on her needs will get her back to her old self - and old style - in no time.

Have a fashion question? Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

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To Spray or Not To Spray: Sunless Tanning

This past weekend while people watching I noticed that the fake-n-bakes were out in droves. Good to see because those people were probably faking their tan in lieu of exposure to the sun’s harmful rays. Bad to see because some of the at-home culprits were SO noticeably amateur. Either they were too orange, too streaky or the application was uneven (i.e. the product was applied to their legs but not their feet despite sandal wear).

In an effort to save those of you into sunless tanning from the same problems the poor souls I saw seemed to suffer from, below are some products worth trying that have received excellent reviews, as well as a few tips for applying them.

Lancôme 'Flash Bronzer' Tinted Self-Tanning Body Gel is known for giving great color year-round. It’s been called a “beach vacation in a bottle” so why not look like you’re returning from a fabulous vacation everyday?

Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel has ingredients that prevent premature signs of aging as well as gives skin a sun-kissed glow. Use year-round for a light, natural-looking tan.

Neutrogena Micro Mist Tanning Spray is easy to apply, has a great airbrushed effect and the best part? It dries in 5 minutes or less. Just spray, shower and be on your way!

St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing lotion is heralded as one of the best sunless tanning products on the market. Luxury in a bottle, it gives one of the most authentic glows of all the best sunless tanning products tested.

L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee is the least expensive of all the products listed and almost never leaves a streaky finish. However, be warned: this product works best on those with fair skin for the most natural look.

Tips for application:

1. Don’t shave your legs for several hours before applying products, especially if you have sensitive skin.

2. Use a soft cotton washcloth to exfoliate your skin in the shower. Using anything harsher than that could leave a streaky finish or cause skin irritation.

3. Don’t waste your money on the expensive department store exfoliators. They don’t do more than the brands found in drugstores. Just look for a product with polyethylene as its active ingredient.

4. Wear a fitting, dark swimsuit when you apply. Wear the same thing each time you apply for the best (and most natural) look.

5. Wash your hands every 5 minutes for an even application.

6. Sensitive areas: The skin on your lips and nipples are virtually unaffected by tanning products so feel free to rub right over (it’s suggested in fact, to avoid build up on the surrounding areas). Your bikini area however, is very different. Don’t bother applying in this area as product doesn't absorb well.

7. Freckles and moles will darken like the rest of your skin. This is an unavoidable fact. Scars (stretch marks included!), however can be unpredictable. Newer scars have a tendency to absorb more.

8. Beware of the too dark belly button! After applying tanning product, dip a cotton swab in regular body lotion and wipe the belly button area. If the next day it is still too dark, dip another cotton swab in liquid eye makeup remover and wipe again.

9. Don’t kid yourself; even if your tanning product claims to contain sun screen, it isn’t enough. Apply tanning products at night and apply sunscreen liberally and daily.

10. DON’T FORGET TO APPLY TO THE BACKS OF YOUR HANDS, WRISTS, ANKLES AND THE TOPS OF YOUR FEET TO BLEND WITH ARMS AND LEGS!

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Prepare Yourself For a Dual!

With the downturn of the economy everyone is looking for ways to save a few bucks. However, trying to cut costs doesn't mean you have to cut corners on your beauty regimen! If you’re on a budget, or just want to save some cash, here are a few household items that have dual uses to fight the retail cost of beauty!

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is good for more than just fighting cavities. If your nails are yellowed or stained, try scrubbing them using toothpaste. For added whitening power, add a few drops of lemon juice.

You can even use toothpaste for an emerging acne emergency! Dab a bit on your pimple and leave it on overnight to help draw out the oil and bacteria.

Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets are useful if your hair is not cooperating. Tame fly-aways by rubbing one on your hair. Not only will it rid your hair of its static charge, but it will also leave a lingering smell of freshness.

Baking Soda

Baking Soda is great to use in lieu of purchasing clarifying shampoo and I find that it works better. Simply mix approximately one teaspoon of baking soda with your shampoo and scrub your scalp and hair. Shampoo a second time using just your shampoo, then complete the process by conditioning your hair as normal. Be warned: this agent works so well that I don’t recommend using it more than once or twice a month to avoid completely stripping your scalp of its natural and necessary oils.

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly works really well to remove nail polish from cuticles without damaging them. Just dab a very small amount on cuticles before painting your nails and then wipe away any polishing mistakes with ease!

Or, if you’re searching for a solution to dry, rough feet before sandal season, liberally rub petroleum jelly on your soles and wrap them in plastic wrap. Cover them in socks and wear overnight. After the first application you will notice a significant difference! Just be careful when you get in the shower the morning after applying - your feet will be very slippery!

Eggs

Create your own hair mask made of egg yolk and olive oil. For my shoulder-length locks I use 1 egg and 2 tablespoons of oil but this can be adjusted for your hair length. Apply this mixture to your hair as you would a conditioner. Place a shower cap on your head and let it set in for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The egg yolks help to strengthen hair while the olive oil conditions hair from root to tip.

Toilet Paper

If splurging on oil-blotting sheets is not really your style, use a square of toilet paper instead. These work just as well to soak up excess oil from your T-zone.

Cooking Spray

Use cooking spray after giving yourself a manicure rather than using a quick-dry spray. They both work the same but cooking spray can also help remove unwanted nail polish from cuticles. Use a non-fragrant and/or flavorless option to avoid having your hands smell like, well, a cooking product.

Clear Tape

Use clear tape to test a new nail polish color by covering your nail with a piece. Or if you need to remove dead skin from your lips, press the adhesive side to them and gently remove.

Yogurt

If you burn yourself with your curling iron, cover it in yogurt! The cool temperature will help ease the swelling and the yogurt itself will speed up the healing process and reduce the redness.

Oatmeal

Have dry, itchy skin in the winter? Or perhaps irritated skin in the summer? Run yourself a warm bath and put cooking oats in it to soothe aggravated skin.

Hope these natural alternatives for skin care and beauty tips help you in your quest to cut costs and highlight your natural beauty!

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Lacquered Up!

For the first beauty post, I’m giving a tutorial on how to give yourself a manicure that will help maintain your nail’s health, strength and beauty for less than what it would cost you in time and money to visit a nail salon.

Begin with a clean nail. Use nail polish remover and cotton balls to take off old polish. Now would also be the time to clip your nails if necessary. Though be sure not to clip too much; you want to leave enough nail to be able to file and shape them without making them shorter than desired.

File your nails to the desired length and shape. It is a good idea to use a metal nail file. They are cost effective since they seemingly last forever and are gentler on nails. It is vital that nails are filed in one direction to prevent tearing and breakage. I recommend using a buffing block which has 4-types of grit to file nail tips, remove ridges, smooth nails and buff for a natural shine.

Wash your hands and moisturize with lotion. Once finished rubbing in the lotion, use cuticle oil on each nail to moisturize dry cuticles.

Apply cuticle oil any time your cuticles look or feel dry. I use it twice a day, minimum. I like apricot cuticle oil by essie.

Push cuticles back gently using a metal cuticle pusher. The flat square side is intended for pushing back cuticles while the cupped side is for cleaning underneath nails. Notice that I do not use, or suggest using, a cuticle cutter - you risk exposing your nail bed to bacteria if you cut incorrectly, which can lead to an infection!

Use a nail primer. This helps remove any oils from your nail bed and prepares them to receive the polish. I recommend this primer by Deborah Lippmann.

Consider using a nail strengthener. This is an optional step, however, if you feel that your nails are weak consider purchasing one to use. I have yet to find a real difference between brands.

Apply a base coat before using color. This will keep your nails from becoming stained and make removing polish easier. Here I am using first base coat by essie. Let it dry, then continue to the next step.

Polish nails using the color of your liking. I am using Gris Montaigne by Dior, which was on runways last New York Fashion Week. Shades of gray are extremely popular right now and for a girl on a budget, designer nail polish is a way to have a bit of luxury without taking out a loan.

Let the polish dry, then apply a second coat.

Top it all off with a top coat. I swear by Seche Vite which is a quick-dry top coat. I promise, this top coat dries in 2 minutes or less!

Recommended daily maintenance. Use cuticle oil to moisturize as needed and reapply a top coat every 2 to 3 days until you're ready to start the process over again.

Expect regular posts on the subject of nail care, maintenance and nail art among other posts on beauty. Until next time, enjoy playing in polish; your nails are one of your most important accessories!

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