Can you stop the Fat Talk?

I just found about this incredible campaign launched by Tri Delt to Stop the Fat Talk! Watch this amazing video to find out more, and click here to sign the pledge to stop Fat Talk in your life.

Thank You Tri Delt for reminding all of us women of this powerful message. I haven’t met one women or young person who isn’t happy with some part of her body. If we could all learn to love our bodies and focus on our amazing talents and beauty, imagine how far we could all go together!

Beauty Secrets for Teens: Do you beat up on your beauty?

We had a really interesting experience in our loft the other night.  There were six young, gorgeous women that came for a party.  Each and every one of them could have been on the cover of a magazine.  They all had great haircuts, cute figures, beautiful skin and were generally just pretty.  They came in and we got excited because it is like having human Barbie dolls.  We get to see how the clothes fit on different women and that really thrills us.  You just can’t believe what happened next.

Donna and I were standing there waiting to be of use to one of the girls and they started tearing themselves apart.  One young lady said that she wanted to wait until she lost weight to try anything on.  My best guess is that she is about a size 6 or 8.  One absolutely adorable, young lady tried on a dress and said that she didn’t want to show her lumps and bumps.  It was just unbelievable.  No matter what Donna and I said they just wouldn’t stop putting themselves down.  It was a real eye opener. 

Most of the time we deal with women in their 30’s and 40’s.  We tell these women all the time that they are gorgeous and point out their beautiful features.  I have yet to see a woman that something about her wasn’t attractive.  These women generally say something like, “you’re right…I am hard on myself, but I do see what you are talking about and I do look good.”  We usually have some success showing the women who shop with us that they are beautiful and they are the only ones saying that they aren’t.  The thing is we didn’t have any impact on these younger women at all.

It started to make me think.  Has the younger generation grown up with so many airbrushed images that represent the idea of perfection that they can no longer see what is beautiful in the mirror?  Have they lived such a short time that there has never been an image in a magazine, on tv or in movies that wasn’t perfect?  Are we responsible for having made these young women feel like they can never be beautiful? 
I don’t know if there is anything that we can do to change the way that these young women feel about themselves right now.  I hope that they will learn that they are stunning and have such fabulous personalities that make them even more beautiful.  What I can tell you is that we can stop this trend now.  We have the opportunity right now to help the next generation of young women love themselves.

I have a girlfriend who has a 3 year old little girl and a 5 year old little girl.  As I was listening to her put down her body and call herself fat it broke my heart.  Not just for her, but for what she is doing to her beautiful little girls.  You see, my girlfriend is a smaller than average women.  She wears a small or medium most of the time.  She has beautiful dark hair, great eyes and a killer smile.  She is also funny, interesting and smart.  She is teaching her girls that isn’t enough.  Every time she calls herself fat she gives them an image of what “fat” looks like.  This has to stop now! 

We are an amazing gender.  We care for our families, we are creative, we are smart, we hold jobs (whether inside or outside the home), we love our friends and we care for those around us.  When did that become not enough?  So, I challenge you….especially you mothers of daughters….stop putting yourself down.  Figure out what it is that you like about yourself and focus on that.  Tell your children that you love the way they look.  Tell your children that you love the way you look.  Let them grow up to believe that they are beautiful!
“Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn’t have said.”
Anonymous 

Written by Gini Linnabery Swancy, CEO of AnatomyofStyle.com, www.anatomyofstyle.com

 

Style Tips for Teens: Quick Fashion Tips for All Sizes

I was reading Seventeen Magazine, and I found some helpful style tips for teens to dress all body types that I thought I should share.

For petite girls, a minidress is a must-have. Get a short dress in a solid color. Whatever you do, stay away from cropped pants. You’ll have luck shopping at stores such as American Eagle. To add a little flare, get dangly earrings because they frame your neck by making it look longer and more graceful.

For a full bust body, sport a v-neck t-shirt. Avoid ruffled tops because they’ll make you look top-heavy. You’ll have luck shopping at department stores such as JCPenny’s. Test out what you’re buying by trying it on and sticking out your arms. Twist to make sure the fit isn’t not too snug. Wear a detailed belt under your bust to make the look pop.

For curvy hips, an a-line skirt will highlight your waist. Avoid short shorts and make sure your pants don’t pull across your hips and cause horizontal ridges. Stop by stores such as Express when you shop, and add bold necklaces to bring the focus up to your lovely face.

A wardrobe essential for plus sizes is a cinched top. Add a sash to bring in your waist and create an hourglass figure. Avoid long dresses because they’ll break up your bottom half and make you look stumpy. You’ll score some great finds at stores such as Torrid, and check out www.bandlu.com and www.fashionoverdose.com as well.

Tall girls can rock colored jeans because they’ll draw attention to your long legs. Stop by shops such as The Buckle for some great finds, but avoid drop waist tops because they’ll shorten your legs and make your torso look lanky. Take a long pair of heels when you shop for pants because it’s the only way to see if the pants will work with your shoes. Add bright flats to the look to draw attention to your legs without making yo look taller.

Beauty Secrets for Teens: Words of Wisdom

Okay, so the other day my boyfriend’s mom sent me this poem and I thought it was very uplifting and the perfect thing for every girl to read. Audrey Hepburn was asked about her beauty tips and this is how she responded:

“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows.

And the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!”

How do you guys like it?

Hair Tips for Teens: The bad hair day…

So, what if you’re having a bad hair day? Can you just…throw your hair up in a ponytail and move on?

If you want to feel and look better, you need to take action. Sometimes that can be really hard when you’re having a down day. When that happens, try to find at least one way you can be kind to yourself. Go for a walk, call a friend, listen to music, or sit outside. What else is on your list?

Easy Beauty Tips: Makeup Made Easy

Applying makeup can be tricky, but how will you become pro if you don’t practice? Use these east beauty tips to get started:

1. Keep it Simple. Less is definitely more, so don’t pile on the makeup.

2. Talk to someone who knows what they’re doing. Ask your older sister or mom for advice.

3. Don’t be afraid to experiment with color. How else will you find the perfect pallette?

4. Ever heard of Bobbi Brown? She’s got great tips and advice. Check them out at www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com

5. If you have acne, talk to a dermatologist about your skin instead of loading on a bunch of products.

6. Remember to see behind the makeup. You are always beautiful, so don’t ever believe differently!

7. Maintain a healthy balanced diet and drink water. What you put inside effects your outside.

Makeover Tips for Teens

Here are some effortless tips anyone can use now and then to make your look pop:

1. If you’re going out and feel like your outfit is too simple, add some bold jewelry with a purse or bag.

2. The best way to make yout eyelashes pop is to curl them! It’s like a blow dryer for your eyelashes. Also, the darker your eye color, the darker your eye shadow should be if you want to make them POP!

3. Yellow is the “in” color for spring. Add a touch of yellow to your ensemble, even if it’s something as simple as earrings or a bracelet.

4. Bad hair day? Use a brightly-colored headband or scarf to tame your tresses.

Style Tips for Teens: 20-Minute Fashion

We’ve all been there before. It’s Monday morning after a long weekend and you don’t want to get up. You’ve hit the alarm a couple times, and now only have 20 minutes to get ready. Here’s a few quick and easy style tips for teensto get you out the door in time:

Throw on that plain summer dress and fasten a chunky belt around your waist. Grab a pair of high-heeled boots, then add a long necklace and a couple of bangles for a little extra flare.

What’s you favorite out-the-door-in-20-minutes look?

Visit www.mystyle.com for more fashion tips.

Teenager Quizzes: How High is Your Beauty Confidence?

How high is your beauty confidence? Are the following statements true (T) or false (F).

When I look in the mirror I like what I see.

I feel confident most of the time.

I can think of two things I like about my beauty.

If you answered true to all three, your beauty confidence is high. If you answered true to 2 or less, keep using the tips on our site and get support from friends to keep building your beauty confidence.