REPOST: The 10 Winter Layering Fashion Essentials Every Woman Should Own

Winter is the best time to experiment on layering. Take advantage of the cold months by knowing how to do it stylishly by following some tips from Glamour.com.

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These layer-friendly fashion essentials are the building blocks of a solid, stylish wardrobe—10 gotta-have-'em pieces that will get you through even the coldest of cold-weather seasons. Read on for more outfit ideas than you could imagine.

Must-Have Layering Piece: Skinny Jeans
Choose a pair of skinny jeans in a goes-with-anything color like black or dark blue and you'll be in the clear. Running errands? Tuck them into a pair of boots. Lunch with the girls? Borrow a page from Ashley Madekwe's style playbook and wear them with ballet flats and a leather jacket. And if you're heading out for a night on the town, pointy-toe heels and a drapey top will be your go-to look.

Must-Have Layering Piece: A Cashmere Sweater
Nothing says off-duty prep like Kristen Stewart's crewneck cashmere sweater and blue oxford combination. Not your cup of tea? The wardrobe mainstay also goes with everything from skirts and printed trousers to leather pants and shorts.

Must-Have Layering Piece: A Tissue-Thin Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
This easy-to-style shirt is not only the ideal layering piece, it also works almost any time of year. Beyoncé wears a hot pink tee on its own with wide-leg pants, but as the temperature drops, you can wear it as base under a chunky sweater.

Must-Have Layering Piece: A Chambray Button-Down
Sick of the same old white button-down? Sub in a chambray blouse and spice things up! Make like Emma Stone and do denim on denim with a pop of color for a modern version of the Texas tuxedo.

Must-Have Layering Piece: A Bright-Color Coat
From October to March, your outerwear is the first thing that everyone sees, so why not make a statement? Olivia Palermo's jacket adds a pop of color to an otherwise neutral-hue outfit.

Must-Have Layering Piece: Knee-High Boots
Warm and chic—two qualities we look for in cold-weather footwear—come together with the perfect pair of knee-high boots. Pippa Middleton's style is excellent for trolling the weekend farmers' market, while stacked-heel versions are appropriate for dressy occasions.

Must-Have Layering Piece: A Knit Sweaterdress
For those days when you simply cannot imagine pulling on another pair of pants, go for a sweaterdress. Choose a formfitting one, or rock a more relaxed version like Ashley Tisdale's with the aforementioned layering essential knee-high boots.

Must-Have Layering Piece: A Printed Scarf
Whether you choose a zigzag pattern similar to Jessica Chastain's or a classic leopard print, a printed scarf is sure to function as your windy-day BFF.

Must-Have Layering Piece: A Sleeveless Shift Dress
Naya Rivera's flawlessly tailored version of this closet workhorse fits in at both the office and a cocktail party after work. Pair a shift dress with a bright bag and look-at-me pumps to complete the sophisticated outfit.

Must-Have Layering Piece: A Tuxedo Blazer
Less masculine than a boyfriend blazer and more polished than a leather jacket, a tuxedo jacket can be layered over a gown, worn with a blouse and shorts, or paired with matching pants to make a killer suit, like Janelle Monae's.

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Fashion is not just about clothes, but also about attitude. Learn it from the pro, Lou Habash, by following her on Google Plus.

REPOST: How To Dress For Winter Weather

What things should one remember when dressing up for winter? Read the details from this Weather.com article:

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What a difference the right clothing can make. The weather may be cold, windy and wet, but you're warm and dry because you're wearing authentic winter apparel. Whether you're skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or just running errands, versatile winter apparel is worth the investment.

Shopping for winter clothing can seem a bit overwhelming. New fabrics and insulations are constantly making apparel warmer, more breathable and more waterproof. Fashions seem to change by the season. But don't worry. This guide is designed to give you some basic information about dressing for winter and will make your next shopping trip a lot easier.

Skip to...

• Layer Up: Proper winter dressing means three layers # wicking, insulating and protection. Find out what kind of clothing is best for each.
• Accessorize: What to wear on your head, eyes, hands and feet
• Fashion Tips: How to get the best clothing fit, and what not to wear in the snow

Layer Up 
The best way to dress for winter is to wear layers. This gives you flexibility to add or remove layers, depending on the weather and your activity. In general,the three main layers are wicking, insulating and weather protection.

Wicking layer: This is the layer worn next to your skin, usually consisting of long underwear.

• Look for thermal underwear made of a synthetic # usually polyester # fiber that has "wicking" power. This means the fibers will wick (move) moisture away from your skin and pass it through the fabric so it will evaporate. This keeps you warm, dry and comfortable. Silk is also a good, natural fabric that has wicking abilities.
• Even though it's cold, you will sweat # especially if you are cross country skiing or snowshoeing.

Insulating layer: This middle layer includes sweaters, sweatshirts, vests and pullovers. The purpose of this layer is to keep heat in and cold out, which is accomplished by trapping air between the fibers. Popular insulation materials include:

• Fleece, a synthetic material which maintains its insulating ability even when wet and spreads the moisture out so it dries quickly.
• Wool, which naturally wicks away moisture.

Protection layer: The exterior layer, generally a shell and pants, serves as your guard against the elements of winter. It should repel water from snow,sleet or rain and block the wind, while also letting perspiration evaporate.

• Most genuine winter shells and pants are made waterproof and breathable to some extent by using tightly woven fabrics teamed with a coating or laminate. This keeps moisture on the outside but allows perspiration to escape, keeping you dry and comfortable.
• Depending on the weather and type of winter activity you will be doing, you may be interested in uninsulated pants and jackets/shells, or garments with increasing amounts of insulation.
• One-piece suits, which combine a jacket and pants, are popular with many alpine skiers, especially on cold days and days where there is a lot of fresh powder snow.
• Look for functional hoods, cuffs, pockets and zippers # details that truly make garments comfortable in a snowstorm.
• Although less baggy than in previous years, most snowboard clothing is still designed to fit looser than alpine skiwear, giving snowboarders freedom of movement. In addition, many snowboard pants are reinforced in the seat and knees for extra protection when kneeling or sitting on the snow.

Accessorize 
Headwear: Up to 60 percent of your body's heat can escape from an uncovered head, so wearing a hat, headband or helmet is essential when it's cold. (Tip: If you wear a hat, you may be able to wear one less layer on your body.) There are thousands of styles of hats and headbands, usually made from fleece or wool. Many have non-itch liners. Helmets are becoming very popular. Not only do they protect your head from bumps, but they also keep your head warm. A fleece neck gaiter (like a collar) or face mask is a must on cold days.

Sunglasses and goggles: Sunglasses do much more than make you look cool. They also protect your eyes from damaging solar radiation. Snow, or any other reflective surface, makes ultraviolet (UV) rays stronger, while increased altitude also magnifies the danger. On flat-light days or when it's snowing, goggles are vital. They protect your eyes and special lens colors increase the contrast so you can properly discern terrain features.

Gloves and mittens: Look for gloves and mittens that use waterproof, breathable fabrics. Mittens, in general, are warmer than gloves, but offer you less dexterity. Consider the type of activity you'll be doing. Snowboarding gloves and mittens often have a reinforced palm because of extra wear from adjusting bindings and balancing on the snow. Some snowboarding gloves and mittens also have built-in wrist guards, which are excellent for novice snowboarders. Cross country skiing gloves tend to be lighter-weight for extra movement and because you perspire more.

Socks: One pair of light-weight or medium-weight socks works best for skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing. Socks are made from a variety of materials, including polyester, silk, wool and nylon. Some socks have wicking properties similar to long underwear, meaning your feet will stay dry and comfortable.

Fashion Tips

• The wicking layer should fit snugly (not tight) next to the skin in order to effectively wick moisture. Comfort is key for the insulating layer. It should be loose enough to trap air between layers, but not so bulky that it restricts movement. Whether you are a skier, snowshoer or snowboarder, your protection layer should fit comfortably, offering you maximum range of motion.
• Look for 100 percent UV protection in sunglasses. Make sure the glasses fit snugly behind your ears and rest gently on the bridge of your nose.
• Goggles should form an uninterrupted seal on your face, extending above your eyebrows and below your cheekbones. Watch for gaps, especially around your nose.
• Don't buy gloves or mittens that are too tight. There should be a little air space at the tips of your fingers, which acts as additional insulation.
• Don't wear jeans or street pants. Denim is not waterproof, so water will soak through and you'll end up cold, wet and miserable.
• Cotton is a no-no. Cotton is great for towels, because cotton soaks up and retains moisture. That's precisely why cotton is all wrong for on-slope apparel. It absorbs moisture (sweat and snow), and retains it. When the wind blows, you will get very, very cold. Don't wear cotton athletic socks, cotton jeans, cotton sweatshirts, or cotton T-shirts.
• Resist the temptation of putting on too many pairs of socks. You'll restrict circulation and actually cause your feet to get colder.
  
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Dress up appropriately all the time. Learn how by following Lou Habash on Facebook.

REPOST: 3 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR CREDIBILITY

How to become credible and what is its significance to your brand identity? Read the details from this John Morgan article.

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Credibility is under-rated. Yet, your brand identity is greatly defined by it. The marketplace is crowded and the vast majority of people taking up oxygen have no credibility whatsoever. There’s a blogger in my town for example, who writes about ‘how to make a living blogging’. He has a 9-5 day job and should be arrested for lack of credibility.

Sadly, even the most credible entrepreneurs in the world do a poor job of showcasing that credibility. You deserve better and so do your prospects.

Your audience wants to know that you practice what you preach. It gives them confidence in doing business with you. Remember the Hair Club For Men ads where the dude says “I’m not just the president, I’m also a client”? As much fun as it is to laugh at that, it was also brilliant. If you’re not willing to use your product, then how can anyone confidently do business with you?

On the flip side, you can’t try to increase your credibility by making a big claim and not being able to back it up. Todd Davis, the CEO of Lifelock a company designed to protect your identity, decided to make a huge statement of credibility by running ads where he displayed his social security number. His identity has been stolen 13 times. I can hardly type this for laughing.

So, how do you showcase your credibility? Here’s 3 quick and easy ways to do just that:

Share Your Results. This is especially important for those of you selling information (authors, bloggers, speakers, coaches, consultants, etc) Prove that you know what you’re doing and that you walk the talk. The reason it’s a joke to be considered a social media consultant is because so many of them are taking money for social media advice when they barely use social media themselves. Showcase your results! The fact that I’ve worked with some of the largest brands in the world adds a certain level of credibility to my business BUT the fact that I’ve owned multiple businesses, sold successful businesses, and actually use the strategies I teach, adds a HUGE element of credibility. Don’t keep your results to yourself.

Where have you been featured? Have you been in a magazine or on TV? Let your audience know! It’s like having a third-party endorsement for your business. If you haven’t been featured anywhere then don’t panic. It’s really easy to get PR when you try, especially in your local media outlets. It just takes a little effort. Do something worth talking about and people will talk about you.

Testimonials & Praise I’ve written about this before (click here to read). Don’t collect testimonials and then do nothing with them. Use them anywhere and everywhere you can. Testimonials are ALWAYS effective. The other day I was humbled by some praise I received from Chris Brogan and Jason Falls on Chris’s show Kitchen Table Talks…

This is great because A. it was nice of them to say, especially since I didn’t pay them to say it. B. It adds credibility to my brand. and C. I was able to use it in this post as an “example” so you’d watch it and now think I’m more credible. Aren’t I sneaky? 

These are 3 easy ways to boost your credibility. But I’ve actually got a BONUS method for you! I know what you’re thinking: “Sweet mother of mercy John! You just smacked me in the face with 3 doses of awesome and now you’re giving me a bonus shot!”. Yep. Consider it an early…or late birthday present.

Your Current Paying Clients Your past may be full of credible things you’ve accomplished. But the world thinks in a what-have-you-done-lately mentality. Show your audience you’re making things happen by showcasing your current clients. This works especially well when your current clients are credible in their own right. But even if your client list is fairly unknown, they still add to your credibility. Plus they love it when you give them attention in public.

Of course, this entire post assumes you have some level of credibility. If you don’t, then you need to focus on establishing some! But if you are credible then it’s up to you to showcase it for the world. Don’t assume people will see it for themselves.

Credibility makes it easier for people to trust you and your brand.

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Get more tips on how to build a better brand identity from this Lou Habash blog site.

Repost: Always Dress to Impress

Is it necessary to impress people by dressing up? Annette Tapert discusses the topic in this Wall Street Journal article.

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"I CAN'T UNDERSTAND how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little, if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny and it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny," said Coco Chanel.

Chanel's words, I assume, had a romantic provenance. After all, a few of her affairs were fortuitous encounters that brought love plus fashion inspiration and career advancement. Destiny aside, I'm more interested in what she termed "politeness." In other words, respect for others.

The first time I realized it was disrespectful to make a public appearance of any kind without looking pulled together occurred in 1988. I was at home writing in sweatpants and a baggy sweater that I'd had on since taking my daughter, then 8, to school that morning. When it was time to pick her up in the afternoon, I didn't bother to change. I reached to take her hand as we exited the building, but she pushed it away and glared. "Why don't you dress nicely when you pick me up?" she asked. Kids do say the darndest things. She was simply embarrassed, but, in truth, my shoddy outfit exhibited disregard for her. Ironic when you consider that I was a stickler for making sure she was well-dressed and groomed when she went anywhere with me.

"Frankly, I couldn't go mail a letter if I didn't feel I looked right," the late Nan Kempner once told me. In the last two decades since that seminal moment with my daughter, I've often lapsed into the "Oh well, I'm just running out to do an errand" frame of mind. But recently, I've had Nan's dictum on my brain. A couple of months ago I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror at the Neiman Marcus shoe department. I'd taken a quick detour on my way home from the gym. I was trying on a pair of Prada platforms in workout clothes (and not Lululemon), no makeup and a baseball cap. I grimaced at my reflection. Never again, I promised myself.

Image Source: wsj.com

I polled a few of my stylish friends and colleagues to hear what they had to say about looking good no matter what.

Sarah Gore Reeves, stylist and fashion editor for Vogue Latin America and Mexico said: "Looking good is important to me as a woman. As a child it was something never discussed but quietly observed. My mother was always, and still is, beautiful and stylish. She's the president of the Humane Society of New York and she looks as good going to work every day with all the dogs as she does out at night with humans."

For writer Susan Fales-Hill, it's a topic she's dissected for years, and not merely because she's a member of the International Best-Dressed List Hall of Fame. Her mother was the late Josephine Premice, a noted black actress and singer who crossed racial divides in her industry. "My mother, the chicest woman I've ever known, and her friends used sartorial splendor as their armor in an unjust and oppressive world," she said. Barrier-breaking black performers couldn't control their access to roles, but they could express artistic genius through unrelenting elegance. "Their motto could well have been 'We shall overcome, in couture,' " said Ms. Fales-Hill. "Though I never knew a 16th of the hardships my mother experienced, like many black women, I was raised to use elegance as a pre-emptive strike: Do not give people the opportunity to dismiss you or mistreat you by looking less than your best. That means everywhere, even to the grocery store."

“There I was trying on a pair of Prada platforms at Neiman Marcus in workout clothes, no makeup and a baseball cap. I grimaced at my reflection. Never again.”

Amy Fine Collins, fashion and style correspondent for Vanity Fair, observed: "I appear to be the only one in my Pilates studio who changes in and out of workout clothes. The other clients appear to wear theirs to and from the sessions. I just can't do that. There's a kind of decorum of the street I like to follow. It is, of course, a respect for other people as well as a form of self-respect. It's just wishful thinking that you won't run into anyone you know, or would like to know, when you're looking your worst. Also, it's quite amazing who you see even if you're gliding by in a taxi. I often receive emails and calls from friends telling me I was just spotted at X corner wearing Y outfit—people observe, comment, notice. Who wouldn't want to look good for those fishbowl moments?"

Gigi Mortimer, an accessories designer, believes "all of us wish we had the time to look our best when we leave the house. Even when there is no time I have two quick tricks: a tinted moisturizer from Laura Mercier does wonders for the face and a stylish coat can hide a multitude of sins. As a child I remember my mother throwing a fur coat over her nightie to drive me to school. Even though I've have been married for 23 years, I always want to look nice for a quiet dinner at home with my husband. The question is how to be comfortable and still look acceptable. In the summer, I love to wear caftans for dinner—they are a glorified nightgown, comfortable yet stylish.

And lastly, I asked Georgia Howe, an interior designer and co-founder of the furniture design and textile company Carolina George. She also happens to be the daughter who scolded me for my sloppy appearance all those years ago. She recently moved to Los Angeles, where it's perfectly acceptable to be seen in gym attire even at chic restaurants. "I wouldn't be caught dead on the street in workout gear," she said. "But in an attempt to blend into L.A. life, I purchased my first workout ensemble. On several occasions I have stayed in it and met a friend for lunch, but it certainly won't be a habit. I felt uncomfortable and even found myself apologizing to my husband for looking like a slob. To a degree I dress for my husband and make an effort to be put together, but more than anything it's for me."

Once again, my daughter is right. In any venue, public or private, making an effort makes you feel good. Now when I write, I dress as if I'm going to an office or a casual lunch date. Maybe it's a placebo effect, but I think I'm more efficient, more focused, and it adds a little spice to an otherwise lonely profession.

Someone once told me that "glamour has no alarm clock." I won't lie, trying to be consistently pulled together takes extra time and dedication. Which reminds me of a story Oscar de la Renta once told me about Daisy Fellowes, the stylish Singer sewing machine heiress. In the 1950s, she invited fashion designer Antonio Castillo to her house in the south of France. The two traveled together from Paris on the overnight luxury train, which was scheduled to arrive at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin shortly after dawn. Long before sunrise, Mr. Castillo was awakened by a commotion coming from the next cabin, where Daisy was ensconced. When she emerged from her quarters shortly before their arrival, he thought to ask why she awakened so early. Then he realized that Daisy was perfectly dressed and in full makeup.

"Is there a gentleman waiting for you at the station, Daisy?" Mr. Castillo asked.

"Only my driver," she replied

"Then why are you dressed up? Why not just a pair of sunglasses?"

"I did it for myself." Daisy explained. "It's a question of discipline, you see."

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Lou Habash helps clients to become the better version of themselves through her styling and personality development services. More about her can found on Facebook. 

REPOST: 3 VMAs fashion statements that weren't awful

Music Awards is as much a celebration of music and music videos as it is about over the top fashion statements. Find out what's hot and what's not in this Los Angeles Times article. 

Image Source: latimes.com

What a train wreck of desperation the MTV Video Music Awards were Sunday night, right?

I'm not going to continue to pile on Miley Cyrus. The girl is 20, lest we forget, and if we're not careful, she's going to end up like Lindsay Lohan.

But her look--on the red carpet and onstage--just reinforced that the whole show was about bumping and grinding and butt jokes and bare midriffs and above all, trying too hard.

Taylor Swift, poured into that navy blue Herve Leger column dress, had an unpleasant air of being above it all. So did her pal Selena Gomez, who looked like Swift's mean girl partner-in-crime, dressed in a navy blue Versace column gown. Did they conspire to dress alike?

Rita Ora, who is usually impeccable, looked like she was trying too hard to be the evening's fashion star in her over-the-top Alexandre Vaultier gown, dragging a duvet's worth of feathers behind her. In Brooklyn, are you kidding me?

And Katy Perry's leopard print Emanuel Ungaro dress was a rerun, first seen back in May on Coco Rocha at the Met Gala. She deserved better (and a better fit; the dress was a bit snug, skewing spots every which way).

Lady Gaga's technical black satin Prabal Gurung gown was haute in a trashy-luxe way, but kind of got lost with all her hair and cleavage.

My favorite looks were on the kids who weren't trying to look twice their age or sell themselves as sex objects. Also, going casual seemed like a smart thing to do. This is MTV, after all, not the Oscars.

Willow Smith's drop-crotch overalls had attitude, paired with a Runaways T-shirt.

I also liked 16-year-old Becky G's "urban girly" look, as she called it, with a schoolgirl skirt and red knit cap emblazoned with the slogan, "Ain't No Wifey." Ha!

Grimes rocked a pair of '80s-baroque Versace pants with a black T-shirt and chunky gold chain necklace.

All three looked like cool customers.

Be updated on the latest fashion worldwide by following this Lou  Habash Twitter page.

REPOST: The Best Jeans for Your Body

Choose a pair of jeans that will flatter your body type. Get this from this Health.com article.

Image Source: health.com

Jazz up your jeans

From Health magazine We asked these seven readers to share their denim dilemmas, then we matched them up with the perfect problem-solving pair. Take a look, and discover the ultimate new pair for you.

Jeans that work for work 

Image Source: health.com

Liza Sheker, 36, actuary

Dream jeans: Ann Taylor Denim Modern Bootleg Jean in Dark Evening Wash ($85)

Why they work: Dark, tailored jeans are thoroughly professional (not to mention slimming). Pair 'em with a silk top or blazer for a foolproof, casual work look. Opt for boot cut, which looks sophisticated with fall boots and office-appropriate heels.

A pair that flatters the thighs

Image Source: health.com

Serena Tong, 28, finance manager

Dream jeans: Not Your Daughter’s Jeans Bootleg Trouser Pant ($108)

Why they work: Trouser-style jeans are cut wider through the upper leg, so they’re a great choice if you want to streamline legs and hips. The extra stretch in this pick helps smooth and slim, particularly in the thigh and rear area.

Jeans that stays up when I bend down 

Image Source: health.com

Maggie Zembruski, 34, consultant

Dream Jeans: Paige Premium Denim Skyline in Eclipse ($168)

Why they work: This mid-rise jean falls just below the belly button and stays put around the waist, thanks to a blend of cotton and luxury fiber (Dow XLA). The stretching power of XLA keeps this jean’s shape longer—no unflattering bagging when you bend down or sit.

A pair that can handle your curves 

Image Source: health.com

Vanessa Griggs, 34, photo producer

Dream jeans: Cj by Cookie Johnson "Grace" Jeans ($191)

Why they work: This style’s incredibly forgiving boot cut helps balance out full hips and thighs. And the near-magic cotton-and-elastin blend offers up just the right amount of stretch, hugging skin without leaving any unsightly bumps.

No more muffin top 

Image Source: health.com

Maggie McCormick, 38, at-home mom


Dream jeans: Riders by Lee Tab Watch Pocket Jean ($20)

Why they work: The built-in tummy control panels in these surprisingly stylish higher-rise jeans help eliminate stomach bulge, while hidden elastic in the waistband prevents gapping. And check out the incredibly low price!

Rear-raisers

Image Source: health.com

Aretha Burke, 40, lifestyle blogger

Dream jeans: MiracleBody by MiracleSuit Samantha jeans ($110)

Why they work: The strategically placed embroidered pockets sit higher on the butt, drawing the eye up—and giving the area a visual lift. These jeans also contain 4 percent Lycra, which provides extra holding power in the rear ... and all over.

Closing the gap

Image Source: health.com

Zovig Garboushian, 31, marketing services director

Dream jeans: Gloria Vanderbilt Cherise Jean ($40)

Why they work: Look for a narrow, mid-rise style with a slightly higher cut in the back of the waist to prevent gaps. These trouser-style jeans have just enough stretch to keep the denim snug on your body.

Are you having a fashion dilemma? This Lou Habash Facebook page will help answer your fashion queries.

REPOST: Riding the Wave

If  you don't feel like blowing more heat in your face with your blow dryer, skip it and get wavy, beach hair instead! Find out how in this New York Time article. 

Image Source: nytimes.com

The sleek look is still prevalent in the moneyed precincts of Manhattan, but for a certain segment of the population, what has come to be known as “beach hair” (tousled, tawny, done to look undone) reigns supreme after Memorial Day. Even if one is nowhere near an actual beach.

Among its enthusiasts are Brett Heyman, 33, founder of the luxury accessories line Edie Parker, named for her daughter, Edie. Both Edies came into the world about three years ago, and that is when Ms. Heyman, with “definitely a lot going on in my life,” met Chris Lospalluto, a hair stylist at Sharon Dorram Color in Sally Hershberger’s Upper East Side location, who has since given her the unfussy, low-maintenance wave she seeks.

“I have messy hair to begin with, and it’s just a better version with Chris,” Ms. Heyman said, noting that Mr. Lospalluto works fast. “It’s not ‘Real Housewife’-y — that’s always the fear — and he always gets my references: the whole ‘I was surfing in Costa Rica for a month’ look.”

Ms. Heyman has since recommended Mr. Lospalluto to many friends, including Eleanor Ylvisaker, a founder of the clothing line Earnest Sewn, and Rebekah McCabe, who works in public relations at Chanel. Both now skip pristine blowouts in favor of wavy styling.

Mr. Lospalluto said he became the “beach hair guy” by accident, but he found “it resonated as an everyday style that was natural and was better than boring, straight hair.” And though his fee starts at $85 for a process that uses varying curling irons and heat settings, there is a certain lack of ostentation to the results.

“When they’re done, they don’t look like they went to a salon,” he said.

The beach wave, once a shrugging result of summer weather and activities, has taken on a certain artfulness: stretching year-round, coast to coast, and with surprising staying power. Indeed Oribe, the hair guru based in Miami Beach, tracks the laid-back style back more than a decade. “It came from Gisele,” he said, referring to the Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen. “But she has that hair naturally. It just dries like that.”

If you lack Gisele’s genetics, there is a cornucopia of sprays, mousses and creams aiming to tousle, tumble and clump. Perhaps the best known, Bumble and bumble Surf Spray, is a salty solution first introduced in 2001 that the company said has become its No. 1 seller. It is expanding, with the addition of a Surf shampoo and conditioner arriving on shelves this month.

For effective beach waves, said Jordan M, an editorial stylist at Bumble and bumble, women must “own their texture” and resist the urge to overpreen. “I see a lot of girls trying to do beach hair, but it ends up ‘Barbie doll,’ ” he said, perhaps because the long-running trend has taken on polish over the years. This season’s waves, he said, are a balance between Alexa Chung’s (“It’s a little chicer than your typical beach hair”) and that hardy-perennial summer reference: 1960s Brigitte Bardot frolicking in the South of France. (“It has that dry texture but still has a full wave to it.”)

Jordan M uses both the Surf Spray and thickening spray, and a curling iron to create volume and roughness. “I’ll use a one-inch iron and use it really loosely: I take big sections and I don’t do the ends,” he said. “It should take about five minutes; if it’s taking longer, sometimes you’ll get into trouble.”

The success of Surf Spray has since spawned other sodium-filled concoctions like Organix Moroccan Surf Paste ($7.99), L’Oréal EverStyle Texture Series Beach Spray ($6.99) and Sachajuan Ocean Mist ($28).

That last one is favored by Erin Anderson, a founder of Woodley & Bunny, a salon and apothecary with locations in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, because “salt holds up with heat styling,” she said. Particularly in Los Angeles, Ms. Anderson noticed that the glossy “Khloe Kardashian wave” is in, which seems less Venice Beach than Hollywood Hills pool. “You see it a lot on the red carpet,” she said.

Many online commenters, meanwhile, mourn the discontinuation of John Frieda Beach Blonde Ocean Waves spray, a drugstore item that now trades on eBay for upward of $50 a bottle.

But perhaps such outlays aren’t necessary. When on beachside shoots for Sports Illustrated’s 2012 swimsuit issue or recently for Vogue Spain, Ward Stegerhoek, a founder of the hair-care line Living Proof, said he filled a spray bottle with actual seawater. “It almost acts like a form of dry shampoo,” he said. “The salt crystallizes and gives both texture and volume, and it’s softer than the products out there.” (Nowhere near an ocean? Mr. Lospalluto recommends mixing your own with kosher salt and water, using one to two teaspoons of salt per liter of warm water.)

Mr. Stegerhoek avoids curling irons (they make waves that are “too glamorous and unreal looking,” he said) and instead uses his Root Lifting spray for volume, before twisting hair up in sections and blow-drying gently.

He also imagines real beach waves as a product of the elements: wind, finger-combing in the product for a similar effect, and suntan lotion, which he emulates with a spritz of his Restore spray, to increase shine and fight dryness.

Parched hair is exactly the issue for Oribe, the Miami Beach hair guru. “Salt spray is drying and harming,” he said, adding that it can make the scalp itch, so it’s not an ingredient he uses in his styling line. “When I’m at the beach, the moment I get out of the water, I want to take a shower,” he said dismissively.

And so his sprays, like the Après Beach Wave and Shine with a brilliant finish and Dry Texturizing with a matte, wispy effect, and a new clumping mousse called Surfcomber Tousled Texture, available in June for $37, are intended to enhance texture that is already there. “It’s much cooler to see a variety than to see the same wave on 20 women in a restaurant,” Oribe said.

Mr. Lospalluto uses sprays with and without salt, depending on hair density and texture. Come summer, he’ll give ends some weight by rubbing in Serge Normant’s dry oil spray or Shu Uemura’s new Touch of Gloss wax. He also cautioned against going too tousled.

“Then it becomes bedhead and it doesn’t translate to everyday life,” Mr. Lospalluto said. “Everybody likes the idea of a look that came off the runway, but for going to a meeting? Looking like you’ve just had a romp in the restroom is not appropriate.”

Lou Habash's areas of expertise include wardrobe management, fashion styling, beauty consultation, personality development, public relations, and advertising. Follow this Twitter page for more updates.

Not blessed up there? Care no more with these bust-enhancing tips

Women complain a lot about their body; a recent study proved that most women don’t believe that they look good even if they do. Trust me, I’ve heard quite a lot from my clients alone. “Ugh Lou Habash, it’s always hard to choose clothes because I’m not gifted up here,” is just one of them.

Image Source: stayinghealthyplus.com

I don’t agree though, and a lot of fashion experts are with me on this for sure. Having a flat chest may make some women feel deprived, but in fashion, having a smaller chest is actually more favorable because it allows endless styling possibilities. Women with small breasts can freely wear sheer and strapless tops without minding their cargo. A lot of top-heavy women cannot do this because they feel unsecured with wearing a strapless bra and that if they wear a sheer top, they might get more attention than they intend since their chest is exposed. Due to the same reason, dresses or tops with open sides often do not look good on women with big breasts – this is exactly why they look amazing on Kate Hudson or Gwyneth Paltrow. Other types of clothes that women with a small chest can definitely rock are empire waist tops or dresses, tight tops, and bandeaus.

Image Source: nydailynews.com

From choosing clothes that flatter the body type, there’s also the undergarment to consider. Women with small or saggy breasts must stick to push-up bras or brassieres with pads. They can also try wearing cookies or cutlets, which are best when wearing backless tops or if they want to boost their cleavage.

If women want to really enhance their breasts and not just create an illusion of sort, experts suggest that they gain some weight. To take it up a notch, women may also consider doing some chest exercises to acquire perkier breasts, as shared in MarieClaire.com. From clothes to chest exercises, women must also consider the nitty-gritties, such as maintaining good posture and sleeping on their back. 

Image Source: dailyfitnessblog.info

Lou Habash is a California-based image consultant. More of her articles can be found on this blog site.