Crowning glory: Finding the perfect haircut

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A woman's hair is considered to be her crowning glory. When we want to change our image, getting a haircut is one of the biggest and most noticeable changes we can do. Many of us worry about whether or not a certain haircut will suit us but don't fret. There are ways to know which haircut will help you look your best. The most important factor is to identify your face shape.

Round face

You know you have a round face if the length of your face is about the same as its width. Girls with round faces usually have prominent (if not, chubby) cheeks. If you can't imagine a round face, think Ginnifer Goodwin or Selena Gomez. For a person with this face shape, celebrity stylist Garren has this tip: "If you wanna go short, go short all the way." A choppy pixie cut will add volume to the top of your head, making it look longer and less circular. You can also go for a medium-length hairstyle that's below the shoulders. Adding weight to the cut will counterbalance the roundness of your face.

Oval face

If you have an oval-shaped face, you've got it easy. Most haircuts would look flattering on you. When the length of your face is one and a half times its width and your forehead may be lightly wider than your chin like that of Keira Knightley or Ashley Greene, you can go chin-length short, medium length or really long. Some may discourage you from keeping your hair really long, especially if you have straight hair because it add length to your face but having side-swept bangs can remedy that.

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Heart-shaped face

If you're forehead and cheekbones are wide but you have a narrow jaw and a pointy chin, then you have a heart-shaped face. You can either go really short like a coy pixie cut or a really long hair with a heavy fringe. These cuts cancel out the pronounced jawline and hide the forehead. Celebrities with this type of face include Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon, and Halle Berry.

Square face

Prominent jaws and square chin are marks of a square-shaped face. Try out a short, layered bob to focus the attention on your cheekbones than your jaw. You can also opt for a feathery shoulder length layers, which work well to add softness to your features. Think Jessica Simpson or Olivia Wilde for some flattering hair inspirations.

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Hello! I'm Lou Habash and I love making people look and feel better about themselves. Follow me on Facebook to get more tips on improving your image and your outlook on life.

REPOST: Winter fashion inspiration from Duchess Kate

Her clever color choices is one of the reasons that have turned her into a fashion icon. This time, the Duchess of Cambridge once again inspire us on her elegant and sophisticated winter wardrobe choices. Read the article below:

Feel like you're stuck in a rather unstylish winter wardrobe rut? Let Kate show you how to see through winter in style.

The Duchess of Cambridge has rocked up to various events and charity dos in some real winter stunners already this season.

We may not be able to invest in the same designer clobber, but if you want to emulate her elegant cold weather style, here’s some inspiration.

The coats 

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The silver textured collarless coat she wore in New York is perfect for the festive season. But Kate’s a big fan of the double breasted single-coloured coat too, pale blue suits brunettes in particular.

The long-sleeved dresses 

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Nothing says it’s winter like a long or mid-sleeved knee length dress. Again, Kate likes a single colour to keep it streamlined and elegant. We love the red dress she wore to the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices Norfolk Capital Appeal.

The party dresses 

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The Duchess likes her party dresses a certain length. You wouldn’t see her in a thigh-skimming mini! Instead, to add a bit of allure, go for sheer or crochet panelling like Kate. She never seems to waver from her classic black heels either.

The gowns

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Oh the gowns. This season Kate hasn’t let pregnancy stand in the way of a stunning evening look. The black Diane Von Furstenburg gown she wore at the Royal Variety performance was a bit of a showstopper. And just the other day she looked breathtaking in this dark teal blue in New York. When Kate goes for length, she makes sure the waist is clinched in.


Hi! I am Lou Habash, an image consultant. For more tips on fashion styling and wardrobe management, subscribe to my blog today.

The history of the little black dress

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The little black dress or the LBD is a staple fashion item in every girl’s closet (if you don’t have one, then you better get one quick!) Why? Because you can practically wear it for any occasion. The LBD is a classic, originally popularized by French designer Coco Chanel, and has been henceforth a dress women can rely on to save the day.

It was in 1926 that American Vogue featured a Coco Chanel design of “an apparently simple yet elegant sheath, in black Crepe de Chine, with long narrow sleeves, worn with a string of white pearls” (Source: Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life). Compared to the elaborate dresses from 1925, Chanel’s LBD (also called the “Ford dress”) became “a sort of uniform for all women of taste.”

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The LBD even survived the World War II. At this time, it was the members of royalty and elite who adopted this fashion statement. Designers also managed to create their own versions of the classic and versatile LBD so that women everywhere can have a go-to outfit that would always remain stylish and chic.

The LBD came to America, most notably by Hubert de Givenchy’s design as worn by Audrey Hepburn in the movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” in 1961. Since, there was always a variation of the LBD to suit the trends of the decade. It is a fashion staple that survived almost a century as an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe.

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As a professional image consultant, Lou Habash is an expert on fashion styling and wardrobe management. Subscribe to her blog for more tips on how to dress to impress.

Beyond the looking glass: On image consulting and its importance today

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Since time immemorial, humans have been very conscious about how they appear to one another. The reasons were initially biological – attracting an ideal mate, at the primal level, follows a display of physical endowments. The sexual attraction could lead to a relationship that would hopefully nurture strong, healthy children.

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Nowadays, however, the image we present to the world has become less about biological fulfilment but an encompassing need to fully integrate into society. In fact, it can be argued that it is more important than ever to present a pleasing image to our peers.

Despite this, most people still hesitate to hire an image consultant, believing that only wealthy people or celebrities require this type of service. This could not be farther from the truth. Image consulting can help people gain more confidence and could potentially lead to a higher pay, desirable employment status, or even increased happiness.

If you find yourself shaking your head in disbelief or even questioning my intentions, don’t worry. I’ve heard all these doubts before. But that doesn’t mean that what I said was a lie. Based on my experience as a long-time image consultant in some areas in California, I understand how a fresher look can significantly increase confidence. It is not the clothes per se that make the person but rather how you carry yourself as an overall package.

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The goal of image consulting is to make you feel good about yourself, which in turn leads to you being more assertive in the more important areas of your life. It is not unknown for women to get into a better relationship or even acquire a higher paying job after changing their appearance. However, bringing out an attractive nature is an image consulting task that also extends to males.

With a new look, you get people to notice you in the right way. Remember that impressions are made within the first few seconds of an encounter. You cannot afford to let other people have a negative perception of you just because you weren't conscious enough of how you were coming across.

Become more confident by following image improvement advice on this Lou Habash Facebook page.

REPOST: Workout clothes get a fashion makeover

 Gretta Monahan of The Boston Herald discusses the new trends in workout fashion in the article below.

Actress Kate Hudson celebrates the Fabletics Spring Collection.| Image Source: bostonherald.com

Fashion has been seeing a big surge in athletic trends for a few seasons. This burgeoning segment of the industry has morphed into a well-rounded lifestyle category I call “workout-wear out,” that makes it easier to be stylish in the gym and far, far beyond. Sweat is the new sexy, and being fit (or becoming fit) no longer means baggy T-shirts or cheesy logo gear. These modern options feature high fashion cuts and silhouettes, performance fabrics and a multitude of color palettes for a chic, multi-use wardrobe. Gym wear is now glam wear, anywhere and anytime, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get in on the trend. Incorporate the essentials, adding key pieces as you go. Then, play around with different combinations and accessories to create ensembles that are modern, comfy and stylish.

Caelum 
by Brooke Burke

Brooke Burke’s new athletic line Caelum features 
leggings and bras in pretty patterns and yoga pants 
with such fun details as slimming color blocking and neon, peekaboo lining. One of my favorite pieces is the Isis Cocoon open hoodie ($88). This versatile, ultra soft piece can be worn with yoga pants and a tank or a cami, some glinting necklaces and your favorite pair of jeans.caelumlifestyle.com

IMPACT 
by Jillian Michaels

IMPACT by Jillian Michaels at Kmart covers all the basics and then some, at very affordable prices. The Ruched Capri Athletic Pants ($21.99) are lightweight and feature a mesh lining to keep skin dry and cool. The subtle side ruching makes these pants, in light grey or black, stylish for both cardio class and casual weekend days. Switching up your shoes, adding some bangles or a scarf may be all you need to breeze into errands or lunch, post-workout.kmart.com

 Customized outfits 
at Fabletics

Fabletics is a fitnesswear membership 
site that offers fashion-forward gear and 
customized outfits based on customer lifestyle profiles. With the ever stylish Kate Hudson as co-founder, the collection offers multiple mix and match combos that can pull double duty when mixed with clothes you already own. The Gaviota Capri ($39.95) is ultra cool with edgy, see-through mesh panels and the Vibe Tee ($24.95), with its high-low hem, can sub in 
for your favorite T-shirts. Sign up and take 
advantage of the latest offer, 50 percent off your first full outfit. fabletics.com

Men’s picks 
at Lululemon

Here’s one for the boys: Lululemon’s men’s 
collection offers so many options, in subtle color palettes and fabrics that breathe and are easy to layer, making it a snap for the guys to go from gym to street, no sweat. From the Seawall Track pants ($118) to the slim and trim Rival polo shirt ($78), Lululemon can be your man’s go-to for both technical workout gear and casual clothing staples. lululemon.com

Lou Habash is a professional image consultant specializing in fashion styling and wardrobe management. Follow her on this Twitter account for more beauty tips.

REPOST: A Desi Makes It Work on ‘Project Runway’

The Wall Street Journal features designer Sandhya Garg's challenge-winning creation in Season 13 of Project Runway in this article below.

Sandhya Garg, left, with a model who wore her creation on Season 13 of “Project Runway.” |

Image Source:wsj.com

Zac Posen ‘LUVS’ her. Tim Gunn is intrigued. Heidi Klum has never seen anything like it before.

Welcome to the drama of “Project Runway” and Indian-born designer Sandhya Garg, who created ripples with her debut on Season 13 of the reality show on Thursday night in the U.S.

Ms. Garg, who studied fashion at the National Institute of Fashion Technology and has worked in India, derives a lot of inspiration from the country. The first piece she created – a dyed, fringed dress with ripped shoulders – on the immensely popular show won the first challenge of the season. She said it was inspired by an Indian spring festival.

“Project Runway” is an American reality-television series hosted by Ms. Klum, a model. Mr. Posen, a fashion designer, and Nina Garcia, a fashion editor are judges. Mr. Gunn, a fashion consultant and former faculty member at Parsons The New School for Design, serves as a mentor for the designers.

So what do we know about Ms. Garg?

She is from Birmingham, Alabama, and her collections are produced in India.

On the show, she said she wanted her clothes to say what Indian women can’t say out aloud. That makes sense if you read closely the print on a color-blocked, cotton knit pair of pants she calls “Hindi Abusive Print Leggings.” The pants, which sell for $764, are emblazoned with the Hindi phrase “Ullu ka patha.” It means “son of an owl,” and is used by women in India to chide men who they believe lack wisdom and act stupidly.

Can we expect Ms. Garg to step up style-wise?

She has a lot going for her – including being able to dye cloth on a show with a ticking clock (that stuff is time-consuming), the ability to work wi

She’s been part of the Indian fashion-show circuit since 2012 and this year started showing her work in the U.S.

A word of caution: Yet untested is Ms. Garg’s ability to deal with cattiness on “Project Runway.” One of the contestants on Thursday night said Ms. Garg’s winning creation looked like a “stained curtain.” But if her Abusive Print Leggings are anything to go by, Ms. Garg’s art of snipping should naturally extend beyond her scissors.

For more news on the fashion front, visit this Lou Habash blog.

REPOST: Finally! The Secret to Lorde’s Amazing Curls

 An article in Allure.com reveals the secret to singer Lorde's fantastic hair in three easy steps.

Image Source: allure.com

 If you’re going to carve out a spot for yourself as a cool-girl musician, it’s an unspoken requirement that you'd better have awesome hair. And what’s more badass than Lorde’s glorious mane of curls? “She likes it big, she likes it natural, and she likes to toss it around,” says her New York–based hairstylist Ryan Kazmarek, who met Lorde when she was in town for a M.A.C. event. "They called me last-minute to do her hair, and now whenever she's here, I style her hair." We chatted with Kazmarek to find out exactly how he styles it—turns out it's simpler than you may think.

1. Starting with damp hair, Kazmarek smooths Kérastase Crème Oléo-Curlstyling cream over each curl and wraps them around his finger to define the shape. “Her natural curl is very tight, and I want it to look as much like that coil as possible, so I take very little sections and twist them in different directions,” he says.

2. He blow-dries Lorde’s hair with a diffuser while her head is flipped upside down to get extra volume. When it’s 90 percent dry, he mists Kérastase Spray à Porterall over her hair, blasts it with the diffuser again, and then sprays on one final cloud of the texturizer for body.

3. Then, “I’ll take the frizzier parts and curl them with a one-inch wand,” he says. “I don’t like the fake look, and she doesn’t like it too fussy, so I’ll mess it up a little bit after.” Kazmarek also uses the curling wand to smooth the hair at Lorde’s roots and around her hairline so it’s not as tight or frizzy.

And boom! Perfect, unfussy curls in three steps.

 For more hair style tips and other beauty secrets, follow Lou Habash on Facebook.