NYOU Image Consulting, India – Discover a New You

A girl should be two things – classy and fabulous! – Coco Chanel

And to look classy and fabulous always, they need to up their makeup game! But how does one do that? Well, to begin with, it takes discipline and dedication, and a commitment towards makeup. And no, this is not just limited to following a proper makeup regime but also caring for makeup. Unfortunately, while we all love buying makeup, we do not pay heed to caring for our makeup products.

Imagine the worst nightmare coming true – one happens to use ‘the’ red lipstick, a super expensive one, they had kept aside for special occasions. However on using it, it not only smelt different, but ended up giving one severe rashes and a swollen lip! Why did this happen? Simply because makeup products need to be used and cared for.

Caring for one’s makeup is important because it doesn’t last forever but with proper care, it’s lifespan can be increased.

Here are few simple yet effect makeup storage ideas that can work wonders in prolonging products’ life:

#1. Get the storage right and keep it clean

Makeup – all kinds, lipsticks, eyeshadows, mousse, foundations, etc. need to be stored in a cool and dry place. Many of us keep our makeup in the bathroom, exposed to the wet and humid atmosphere. The damp air will ruin the makeup faster. It is also important to note that once one is back from the beach or a trek, the makeup needs to be stored back in its proper dry and cool place. If it is left in the bag or the car, freezing will cause the emulsification to break down.

How will we know it is ruined? Well, it would lose its smoothness.

For storage, it is important that we have a dedicated drawer or a small cupboard to store makeup. There are lipstick cases available too that can help showcase all different shades of lipsticks. For crayon sticks and kohl sticks, mascara, etc. a pen holder can do the trick.

It is important to clean everything if we want them to work right. Makeup brushes should be cleaned every 2-3 days. This can be done with a gentle makeup remover. Dab the solution in a cotton swipe and wipe the brushes clean. The brushes can be washed with mild soap as well.

If we have makeup brushes made of natural fibers, they may be cleaned once a month only. They are best cleaned with baby shampoo and water. To dry the bristles, blot the water on a tissue paper and leave it on the side to air dry.

Also, do not give up on your makeup. Most of us make this mistake. Makeup can be revived. For e.g. some lipstick crayons lose their sharpness and look gnawed at because we happen to use the wrong sharpeners. Use proper sized branded sharpeners to ensure your lipstick crayons or kohl pencils last longer. If the crayon is melting, place it in the fridge for about 30 mins and then sharpen it.

#2. Choose the right makeup for skin tone

Many of us are victims of trends. We end up buying makeup because certain products are in trend. However, when it is time to use them, we realize that it simply doesn’t suit us and then, it just becomes another ignored product. To avoid such waste of money as well as space, it is best to consult the expert  at makeup stores who can guide us to the right colors and shades for our skin tone.

Additionally, it also important to know the right shade of a color that suits one best. For e.g. The color red has many variations. It could be crimson, rose, tomato or any other. Shades of blue and green also vary. An image consultant can further assist one in making the right choices to selecting colors that suit their personality best. Choice of color will also be determined based on the event or occasion one attends.

#3. Time to let go

No one is going to say this out aloud. Not many brands state this openly but over a period of time, namely, one year, makeup products should be retired. If not, certain products begin to smell. One can rely on the good old sniff test and if it smells weird, it’s time to replace it.

Bronzers, blushers, eye shadows etc. may last for over two years. For mascaras, well ideally, they need to be replaced every three months. Sounds crazy? But it’s the truth. Because a mascara is wet and moist, it attracts more bacteria than other products. If not timely changed, it can cause eye infections.

Lipsticks are like lightbulbs – they might just go off. They will start to smell weird and their texture changes and so does their color.

In the case of perfumes, some last up to five years. But the floral and citrus scents may die sooner. So, to save on costs and not let the perfumes go waste, invest in smaller bottles.

Just like us, our makeup also needs a lot of TLC. And if we respect it, it will respect us, i.e. make us look even better each time! It is not only what we use but how we use it!

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I get more compliments on accessories than anything else. I think they’re kind of like herbs and spices. They give zest and zing to an outfit. – Iris Apfel

Aptly said, the right accessories, namely the jewellery, bag, shades or earrings have the power to make or break one’s look for the day. Ask any fashionista – a veteran or an aspiring one, they will tell you that without accessories, their look is incomplete. Like herbs and spices are to dishes, accessories are to outfits and one’s overall look. And just as the herbs and spices need maintenance, like storing them correctly, away from sunlight and using dry spoons for their prolonged life etc. accessories too need maintenance.

The problem is, however, that we think that once we have invested in a piece of jewelry or sun glasses, they will look after themselves. We buy numerous bags but then dump them in a cupboard, paying no heed to their shape or size. With shoes too, we behave in a step motherly fashion – we buy them, wear them and then forget about them. Some of us are even careless with our real, expensive jewelry! Take for instance, wearing gold or diamond earrings when we hit the beach. It might seem normal, but the stone setting can get loose and we may lose the diamond itself! Also, we never bother to clean any of our jewelry or any piece of accessory after use.

So, what do we do? Well, for starters, we follow the below tips to maintain and care for our accessories:

Keep your fashion jewelry clean and dry

To maintain fashion jewelry, be it in white metal, silver or even with stones, it must be cleaned and stored in a dry place. This includes everything – necklaces, chains, bracelets, bangles, rings and even earrings. It is best to keep jewelry away from any perfume, lotion or chemical products. Even exposure to water can tarnish their shine and texture. So wear your jewelry right at the end when all makeup, lotion and perfume is applied.

Most importantly, be free of jewelry of any kind when entering a pool!

Take off your jewelry before sleeping

We religiously take off our makeup or wash our face before we hit the bed. Jewelry needs the same treatment. Wearing them in bed can get them to be entangled in the sheets, cause lint to get stuck in them or simply be uncomfortable. Delicate pieces of jewelry can be distorted when worn to sleep. It is best to remove them and store them in a drawer if necessary.  And more importantly, give your jewelry a break! Yes, everything and everyone needs a break. Wear your accessories sparingly. Keep them for an occasion or an event. If worn everyday, they will lose their coloring.

Clean your jewelry

To ensure long life of your jewelry, clean them after every use. It might seem like a daunting task, but a little TLC never hurt anyone! Wipe your jewelry with a plain cloth to remove any residue of sweat or traces of perfume or even water. For example, for the expensive pearl jewelry, one needs to store them in clean mul cloth. This helps maintain their enamel and shine. Also, once pearl jewelry is taken off, it needs to be wiped with a clean tissue.

Invest in the right storage

It is a very common habit to dump our jewelry, all of them, in a haphazard manner in some box or drawer. No wonder our chains get entangled, enamel chips off and some even break. However, jewelry needs to be stored carefully. Nowadays, layered jewelry boxes are available. They have separate compartments for chains, earrings, bangles and so on.  Expensive gold, silver and diamond jewelry can be kept in separate velvet or silk pouches. And if space permits, one can maintain their original boxes to place the jewelry.

Fashion jewelry can be hung on hooks.

Use newspaper to maintain bags

We often regret that our expensive bags are ruined due to our poor storage methods. Handbags, expensive or not, need to be filled with paper and then stored as this will help maintain their shape. Also, leather handbags are prone to fungus in months of humidity. We need to add silica gel packets to help absorb the moisture.

Also, use a dry, soft cloth to clean the bags is a must.

Maintaining goody shoes

Shoes speak louder than words! Yes, they are one of the first aspects to be noticed in a well-dressed person and hence, shoes must be maintained! To begin with, one must never wear the same shoe day-in-day-out. A change of pairs is must!

For leather shoes, polishing is a must as it helps maintain the leather for a longer time, keeping it supple. One may spray their new shoes with a water protector spray. If the shoes smell, clean the insides by swabbing them with tea-tree oil or alcohol. However, don’t let these touch the outer side of the shoe.

If the feet sweat a lot, socks or peds can be worn so that sweat doesn’t harm the insoles. If there are blackened toe-pressure marks, these need to be cleaned regularly. For suede shoes, avoid wearing them in the rain and clean them with polish made for suede shoes.

Dust your shoes regularly. Also, air them sufficiently to be rid of the dank shoe smell. And lastly, to retain the shoe shapes, shoe trees can be kept in them.

So, if you love to play dress-up and are really conscious about your image, start with maintaining your accessories the right way!

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Remember the time when our mothers and grandmothers gave way too many instructions to the house help for washing clothes? Everyday, white clothes would be soaked in separate buckets, mild detergents would be used for woolens, colored clothes would be dried separately. It was too much fuss, wasn’t it? But it was all worth it. unlike today, clothes were not bought very frequently in the earlier days.

Washing or caring for clothes is never high on our priority lists, yet it should be. Pushing off washing, ironing or storing clothes as they come, for weekends that turn into months, make our clothes suffer. They gather dust or may fade or simply, lose their shine.

Being owners of expensive clothes or having a good taste in fashion doesn’t amount to anything if we don’t know how to look after them or store them properly. So what’s the point in investing in good clothes when you won’t be taking care of them? Well, you might say what this hullabaloo about clothes is – frankly, good clothes speak volumes about your personality. So if you want to be seen as confident and in charge, your clothes need to be near-perfect as well. Good clothes, i.e. well-washed, ironed properly and matched for the occasion, speak a lot about your mood too.

This is a serious phenomenon and is known as Enclothed Cognition. Simply put, it ‘involves the co-occurrence of two independent factors – clothes have a symbolic meaning and influence the physical experience of the wearer. For example, if a person wears well-ironed, crisp formals for a meeting, they feel in charge of the situation. This is because their confidence is at its peak. Similarly, brides go all out and dress in their finery to feel like a dream, and the most beautiful girl at the event. In short, clothes maketh the man or the woman!

So where do we go wrong? When we buy clothes, we hardly pay attention to how it is to be maintained. We think that a regular tumble dry in the washing machine and a quick iron will do the trick. To add to our woes, we cut out the labels in our clothes that have washing instructions. But every cloth we buy – a dress, a jean pant or a formal shirt, needs a different kind of TLC.

Wondering how to make this happen? It is straightforward really. Here are some easy and efficient tips to maintain your clothes:

#1 Wash & Iron, Steam Press Care – do it at home or seek professional care  

This must be done like clock-work as it is question of hygiene. This also increases the shelf life of your clothes. Plus, it is a great way to rotate the many clothes you have and wear them out equally. For example, georgette dresses in bright colors have to be washed separately and preferably hand-washed in mild detergent. Cotton shirts can be starched.

Jeans need not be washed too often or ironed at all. Ironing of clothes needs to be done with much care as well. There are different temperature settings on your iron and they are there for a reason! We need to pay attention to these details else, we lose money. For example, If we send our expensive clothes to the ‘Dhobi’ without any instructions and then realise that it has been ruined because he has burnt a hole in them, the mistake is ours entirely!

Different fabrics  call for different heat temperatures. Plus, each garment  must be ironed properly along with its lines, else there will be burnt marks all over, rendering the outfit useless.

Another important point to remember is that not all clothes can be washed and ironed at home. This is true for silks and other heavy-duty clothes with embroidery or work on them. Silks should be laundered or roll-pressed, depending on its next requirement. They need to be stored in soft cotton cloth bags or in muslin with naphthalene balls. Clothes with heavy embroidery should be turned inside out so that they do not get tangled with others. winter clothes need to be drip-dried in mild detergents and stored separately. Distinctions can be made based on colors, make, and material and so on…

#2 Invest in the right hangers

Well, hangers are hangers, right? One for all? NO. It is perhaps the most overlooked aspect! Not all hangers are the same. For skirts and blouses, we need hangers with hooks or clips on them. For blazers or heavy clothes, sturdy wooden hangers are needed.  For shirts, the hangers will have divots or rubber tipped ends, especially in case of tank tops or silky fabrics so that they don’t slide off. Similarly, for pants, the hangers need to have trouser bars so that pants don’t fall off.

#3 Wardrobe Arrangement

Did you know wardrobe arrangement is a full time job and a highly paid one at that? Yes, for the rich and famous, there are professionals available who arrange their wardrobes, shoes, bags and other accessories. But for other mere mortals, we have to do this on our own!

Wardrobe arrangement can be done as per seasons. By doing so, it leaves us with enough space to keep clothes properly that are currently in use. For example, at the beginning of summer, put away all your winter sweaters, cardigans and coats. Similarly, you can arrange your wardrobe for spring and autumn too. This means all your clothes get a chance and you don’t have to struggle to find anything.

Similarly, they can be clustered or categorized as per work, casual, events or party clothes. This helps to maintain a distinction and one has clothes for all occasions.

Storing clothes doesn’t mean merely packing them off in a suitcase or boxing them. It requires patience and strategy. Hang the clothes in sturdy hangers that are required daily. Different clothes can be placed in different compartments in the cupboard.

#4 Retire Old Garments – Donate it or simply discard them

Old garments that have served their purpose, i.e. are not wearable anymore or the ones that don’t fit should be retired or discarded. They can be donated to institutions or simply handed to the househelps who can use them. In case of undergarments, it is best they are discarded as they can cause hygiene issues. Underwears should be cut up and chucked with the garbage. In case of brassieres, they can be given to the help as well. However, an important point one needs to remember is that undergarments should be changed every three to four months. The ones in use should be washed separately from the clothes, preferably hand washed in mild detergent. If they are stained or soiled, they should soaked in soapy water before they are rinsed.

In short, clothes like any other aspect of life, has a shelf-life. It is upto us to decide whether we want to enhance their life or simply not care and continue to shop mindlessly. Of course, what we decide also reflects on our personas. There is a science behind maintaining clothes and storing them efficiently. If done well, it can ease out the chaos in our lives.

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“I don’t call them New Year Resolutions. I prefer the term ‘Casual Promises to myself that I am under no legal obligation to fulfill!” – Anonymous.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Well, it has to be as it is the fate of most resolution-keepers across the globe. The idea of a ‘New Year resolution’ is empowering. It becomes a beacon of hope, giving one an adrenaline rush to change or restart an ignored dream. It is the ‘wind of change’ everyone is after, but it seldom happens, as it is, sadly, short-lived. Unlike the New Year celebrations and greetings that last at least until the month of March, New Year resolutions or the ‘changes’ one promises to one’s self-lasts a week at max.

Casual promises of going on a diet, to switch jobs, to save more or to travel more or to live a fuller life… all are forgotten. Well, life is like that. Whatever one promises to it, it takes up the challenge and throws a googly, one after the other to keep one distracted. Today, a resolution has become a joke. It is like promising unrealistic things to self without really giving it much thought. One thinks of New Year resolutions as new hope or like a magic wand that has all the power to change things in a jiffy. No. There is no magic wand, and one learns this the hard way. But why does one fail? Why is one never able to keep their resolutions?

The answer is simple – one doesn’t really understand the meaning and the motive of a resolution. A resolution is a desire to change, to bring about a positive change. It is a promise to change something that has not worked in the past or has gone horribly wrong. It is to change something for the better. The real problem with resolutions today is that one is doing it to please others. It is being taken under pressure or to impress someone. More often than not, it is unrealistic. When promising these changes, one needs to think about ‘why these changes are required.’

Take, for example, the many social media posts that highlight actors and actresses’ lives. They term them as ‘goal worthy.’ But are they? Not really. What is the point of acquiring a figure or a relationship like a celebrity? It won’t make one famous like them. Why live under someone else’s shadow?

On the other hand, there are some people who wait for an event or an occasion or for some unfortunate incident to make changes in their lives. These are not goals. These are circumstantial changes. They are not from within. One fails to realize ‘why a change is required.’

Changes are like reviewing one’s self. It is a self-realization process, away from peer pressure or external influences. It is from within. If it is not then it will fizzle out or burst like a bubble. It will be a failure in one’s life.

Living the change

A change is about how one looks at their life – breaking it down from day to day, from moment to moment and not year-to-year. It is about chalking out one’s personal, social and professional life. It is about following a particular path – constantly reviewing it and realigning it when it is working in one’s favor. The end goal needs to be very specific. It should be a vision that will manifest into a positive result and be time bound. Without urgency, it won’t be achieved. Also, it should be realistic. Obsession won’t get one anywhere as it only puts undue pressure.

Passion for change

On the other hand, however much realistic it is, the passion for it cannot die down. It depends on how much one really wants that in their life. Every good habit has a science behind it. A good one should replace a bad habit and to acquire something as a good habit; it needs to be done for 21 days. Therefore, one needs to have patience.

Virtue of Patience

Once one has chalked out their game plan, one needs to have the patience and commitment to stick to it at least for 21 days. Post this; it will be seamless and inculcate as a habit. Remember, all good things take time.

Intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation

Motivation – it should come from within. One should be the kind of person who can motivate himself or herself. It should be intrinsic as it will be self-rewarding. If it is extrinsic, it may not last longer. Why? Because then what next after the goal is achieved?

It also depends on the kind of motivation seeker one is. There are people who need external motivation, e.g. a mentor to keep pushing them to believe in themselves. And there are those who want to change to be a better person altogether. There is no wrong kind of motivation. However, it is best to identify what drives one internally. It is this achievement and drives from within that will make one pat themselves on the back! And, no there is no harm from getting an occasional pat from someone too! After all, we are human!

Long lasting goals

It has to be long-lasting and not temporary. Given one’s current lifestyle – with shorter attention spans, one becomes commitment phobic. Boredom seeps in easily and quickly. Therefore, to stick to the ‘plan’, one needs to be creative to keep boredom at bay. There should be no room for ‘giving up’.

A Change cannot be resolution or New Year driven nor can it be driven by peer pressure or money. It has to be a part of one’s life journey, their purpose in life. It is like a new door of opportunity – it must lead one somewhere to a better place.

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Profanity is potent and it makes for great fillers in conversations too, right? In fact, if one wants to express their anger, frustration, shock or even amusement, foul language comes handy. For many, using cuss words is a way of life. It is cool. It is hip and of course, saying these words gives them an emotional boost. In short, it emphasizes the intensity of their state of mind.

Foul language becomes a powerful tool that people tend to use for constructive or destructive purposes. Also, these words give a natural thrill to people using it as they stem from taboo-ridden subjects. For example, slangs used for sex, bowel movements etc. gives one a thrill as it makes others uncomfortable and therefore, it is an act of rebellion. And rebellion gives one an adrenaline rush. It also pretends to be a one-way ticket to being cool. Growing up, every child wants to be cool. They want to fit in with an older crowd and using foul language is the easiest route. According to experts at the University of California, San Diego, when one uses profanity or cusses, their heart rate increases, skin pores open up, and they start sweating. Even the pupils dilate. By using profane language, it puts the person in fight or flight mode.

As cool as it may seem, the foul language should not become a permanent condition. It shouldn’t be a permanent fixture in the fabric of one’s verbal communication. Unlike what one thinks, such behavior is not appreciated nor is it great for one’s image. Additionally, it can also ruin one’s professional image. Even if one is a good performer and is a great team player with potential, constant use of foul language will negatively impact their personality.

Here are six reasons to not use foul language and to avoid its negative impact on one’s image:

Foul language offends people

Foul language is not any particular language but slangs or terms associated with taboo in any language. When such terms are used in place of clear, normal language with an intent to cause discomfort, it becomes ‘foul’ in nature, i.e. offensive.

And no, using foul language just like that is not cool. It is odd and feels out of place. Even if one is using a cuss word to express or to prove a point, it is taken negatively, as an insult. It merely sets a wrong image mainly when used in a new setting, i.e. around new people; it becomes odd, rude even. Often one has to apologise for their choice of words. It shows poorly on one, indicating that such a person has no care or concern for the people or the kind of place they are in. It is best reserved for a personal setting, depending on the company, if you must!

It is rude

Yes, foul language is rude as it is entirely out of context for the other person in the conversation. It is abrupt too. Why use language that will only confuse the other person? People might start ignoring or avoid getting into a discussion with one altogether. For instance, Yahoo’s ex-boss Carol Bartz was let go because of her constant use of foul language. In the past, she had had to apologize a few times for her tardiness and use of offensive language on a public forum.

It is selfish

No one wants to come across as self-centered. It is not a trait to gloat about. Hence, when one knows that people might be uncomfortable with the use of cuss words, one should steer clear of such behavior. Else, it just indicates that one doesn’t care about what the other person feels.

Makes one popular but for the wrong reasons

Everyone looks up to famous folks. They are the most liked people in the crowd, and they are also the ones who speak with respect and are cordial to all. If one wishes to be famous and much-liked, then foul language should be kept to a minimum.

It comes across as lazy and ignorant

While one may think they are cool and very worldly when they use profanity or foul language in their regular conversations, people think of them as lazy and even ignorant. This is because they use the same cuss words over and over as fillers. It just shows limited understanding and limited vocabulary.

Setting the wrong example

Children are very observant, and they often pick on habits people think they will ignore. Children quickly pick up the foul language as they see how people react to it or what impact it sets. Apparently, they are unaware of its repercussions.

It is said that “The way you communicate reveals everything about you. Words are the clothes your thoughts wear.” Why make your words wear dirty or soiled clothes when you wish to communicate clearly? Don’t let others think poorly of you just because you choose to use certain words. Language, a clean and clear way of communication is essential to all of us. If one speaks clearly and conveys what he/she needs to say, then there is no need for any foul language or words. Therefore, it is vital that one learn to curb their need to use cuss words or else learn to live without respect.

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