Picture Day

During school possibly the most dreaded day of the year is picture day. It is a one-shot photo and if it turns out bad, then you are stuck with it. Half the time you never know when it is! You just go to school the teachers say, "Hey by the way, it is picture day." Here are some tips so in 10 years you will look back and not be wondering what you were thinking.

Clothes

Wearing today's latest styles might seem like a good idea at the time, but later you will laugh at how cheesy you look. So stick with solid colors. Keep in mind you will only see the top half of your body so do not worry too much about what shoes or pants you are wearing.

Makeup

Makeup can be tricky since the style changes all the time. To be safe, wear dark, but still neutral, colors. If you apply the makeup too lightly, it will not show up. It is good to pack on more than you think. You can always wipe some off later if necessary. Or if your picture time is not until mid or later that day, apply more right before the picture. Avoid any shimmer or lip gloss because this may add unwanted shine to your photo.

Hair

No matter what you do, your hair will always look slightly cheesy later on. Hair styles are probably (aside from fashion) the thing that will change the most later on. There really is no avoiding it. The best you can do is make it look good. Then this way later you will say, "Ya, I look cheesy, but I looked nice then!"

Additional Tips

• If you want a good picture, be prepared. Make sure you keep track of the day it is scheduled
• Do not try to force a grin. Smile with your eyes it looks more natural, rather than trying to keep your eyes open wide  
• Tilt your head slightly down and forward to avoid the illusion of a double chin

Summer to Fall

As summer is coming to an end, the days get shorter and colder. To adapt, we change our clothing types. This can not only be expensive, but also wasteful. So before you give away all the tank tops and shorts, think twice.

The basic rule is simple, layers. If you have a cute tank top you do not want to give up just yet, add a jacket or blazer. Have any shorts that were just bought at the end of summer? Add leggings and boots. However do not forget the color scheme for fall. Remember, warmer and softer colors for this time of the year. If you are worried about some of the prints in your closet, just know floral is perfect for around the year.

Boots are a staple piece for fall, and also go into the winter season. So investing in a nice pair of boots that will last is a smart idea. Try to get a neutral color like brown, black, or grey so you can match them with a variety of outfits. Don't forget about the flip flops you have been wearing all summer! Transition them into the early months of fall, (or depending on how cold it gets where you live) by pairing them with a pair of jeans.

Accessories can pull an outfit all together. For fall, belts really add a nice touch, and they also help put variety into your wardrobe. For example, if you want to wear a simple shirt with a belt over it one day, then another day wear it with a jacket instead, it looks like a whole new outfit. Necklaces can make a huge difference also. When picking a necklace, keep in mind the type of shirt. If you are wearing a high neckline shirt, you want to wear a longer necklace. If you are wearing a lower cut shirt, you can usually wear either and that is when you look into the shirt itself. If the shirt is a print or has 3D designs, (such as  ruffles) you want to wear a shorter, more simple necklace. It is alright to wear a louder, longer necklace if the shirt is plain or a simple design. 

Fragrance

   Various scents and smells can complete a whole outfit. Sometimes picking the right fragrance can be difficult, however. So to start out, find out what types of scents you enjoy, make sure you will be able to stand the smell all day. There are three basic categories of scents: sweet, spicy, and fruity. Sweet scents include fragrances from flowers, such as sweet pea, or lavender.  Spicy would be more herbal ingredients such as mint, cinnamon, or anything in the name that has "spice" in it. Fruity contains the obvious, fruit. Some of the classics are peach, watermelon, and apple.

   So how do you decide? Well pick which category you will most likely wear, then pick out different scents within the genre. It is alright if you want one or multiple from each category. It is good to have a variety. On a daily basis, picking which to wear should start by the colors in your outfit. Try and match a fragrance to the color that most stands out in your outfit. So for example, if your shirt is a soft orange color, try a scent like pumpkin spice, since pumpkins are orange. Doing this will complete your outfit and make the scent stand out since your senses can smell and "see" the fragrance. 

   When you are picking a perfume, try to also keep in mind the season. If it is spring time and you are wearing an orange shirt, pumpkin will not be ideal, since pumpkins do not grow in the spring. Try to get a flowery scent to go along with the color. Think of what you will typically see growing that time of the year. 

   There is always that one person that you happen to walk by and are overpowered by fragrance, well you do not want to be that person. Remember that other people smell the scent stronger than you do because you are used to it. Less is more. Some scents are stronger than others however. You should be able to full on smell it for about 30 seconds, then forget it is on. If you can recognize the scent all day, you have way too much on. If you accidentally put too much on, take a wet wipe and remove it where you sprayed it on. 

Tips

• 1-3 sprays usually does the trick
• Spray on the back of your neck to make the scent last all day 
• Try not to spray any perfume in your hair, it will just make it greasy
• Careful when spraying on your clothing, some perfumes have dyes that may stain

Fall Nail Polish

It is starting to feel like the fall season! If you want to get ahead of trend, start stocking up on your favorite colors for the season. Colors for fall are darker and warmer. Try to get inspired by the your surroundings. Notice all the leaves changing colors and falling to the ground. Reflect colors that are around you to fit in with your surroundings.

Plum

Orange

Golden Brown

Gold Sparkles

Dark Purple