That IT Girl’s Guide | That IT Girl

That IT Girl’s Guide: Makeup for Beginners

Whoever said that beauty is only skin deep was telling a half-truth. Yes, there is more to us then our outward appearance, however, it is very essential for us as women to realize that maintaining our outward beauty is equally as important.

Applying makeup to enhance your beauty can be a very daunting task for some IT Girls. There are millions of beauty products in every price range, and even more techniques used to accomplish even the simplest look.

That IT Girl encourages all women to develop a polished everyday look. If you have no idea where to start, these pointers will equip you with the knowledge you need to step out of the house everyday freshfaced and fabulous.

Your Make-up Kit…

Creating your makeup kit is actually quite simple. Makeup kits are build-able and grow over time. Start small and affordable and build your product base as you become more experienced in makeup application. To get started, check out That IT Girl’s Makeup Kit List of Essentials. In the beginning, we recommend that you go to a professional makeup artist to help identify products that compliment your skin-tone.

Get to Work…

Ok IT Girls…Grab your make-up kits, a mirror, and your notepads because it is time for some hands on lessons. Even the most basic makeup regimens require lots of practice and patience. That IT Girl found some very useful videos to get you started.

Step 1: Start with a blank canvas. The most essential item in any makeup regimen is clean, clear and smooth skin. No amount of foundation can hide poor skincare practices. Your skin sets the tone for how your made-up face will look. Address any problem areas before applying makeup. Check out That IT Girl’s Guide: How to Build Your Skin Care Regimen for detailed information on how to get and keep your skin in tip-top shape.

Step 2: Apply your concealer and foundation only where you need it for a very natural coverage. Yes, you want to cover major imperfections like acne scarring and major birthmarks, however, our faces are multidimensional, therefore flat, one color, full coverage is a huge makeup faux pas. Once you have applied your foundation, use a translucent powder to fix it into place, and control shine.

Step 3: Fill in your eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil close to the natural shade of your brows. As outlined in the following video, use short fine strokes as opposed to long sweeping motions.

Step 4: Apply eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. You can easily make your eyes pop by applying a neutral shade to your lid, a darker tone to your crease, and a slightly shimmery neutral tone just under your brow bone. Use a dark brown or black eyeliner pencil to line your eyes, and finish up with 1-2 coats of mascara.

Step 5: Apply blush and bronzer. Staring at the apple of your cheeks lightly dust your blush color. For added warmth, you can also very lightly dust your blush color on your chin and forehead.

Step 6: Apply lipstick and/or lipgloss. This is like the icing on the cake, so have fun with this step. Feel more sexy with a fiery red stained lip, appear more girly with a pink gloss, or enhance your natural beauty with a nude lip.

Here is an added video of a very natural everyday look that is easily achievable and easy to execute.

Extra tips…

Never sleep with makeup on. This is a surefire way to not only ruin your pillowcases, but this will also ensure that you wake up with a few extra blemishes in the morning.
When applying your eyeshadow, blush, etc., start light and layer the color to the desired intensity. It is better to apply too little and add more if needed then to apply too much and have to remove and start over.

That IT Girl will love to hear about your simple make-up routine. Please leave a comment below or contact me to tell your story

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That IT Girl’s Guide: How to Walk in High Heels

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That IT Girl LIVES in heels! Yes I know…flats and tennis shoes are equally fabulous, but high heels are the spice of life.

High heels date back all the way to 3500 BC where they were used in ancient Egyptian ceremonies, and history dictates that heels were almost primarily used by men on horse riding shoes. High heels were not actually invented for fashion purposes until the 1500s where they were enjoyed by men and women.

It is obvious why women love heels; they accentuate your glute and calf muscles, make you appear taller, and make you legs appear longer. What else could a girl ask for?

Unfortunately for many IT Girls, walking in high heels is not an easy task. It requires a mixture of balance, practice, and sass. Luckily That IT Girl has come to rescue. Follow these simple steps, and you will be a stiletto wearing pro in no time.

Confidence:

This is the most essential item needed to successfully walk in heels. Without it you are bound to be awkward regardless of the heel height. Being confident is being certain in your ability, and it is impossible to enjoy the fabulousness of a perfectly crafted stiletto pump if you are unsure of your ability to walk in them.

The Right Fit:

Now I don’t care if you stumbled across a $100 pair of Gucci sandals at the latest local sample sale…If they do not fit properly, they Do NOT belong in your closet. Not only is an improperly fitted shoe a huge fashion faux pas, it also increases your risk for foot injuries, calluses, and lower back strain.

When shopping for heels it is essential to:

Assure that while standing and walking the tips of your toes meet the front of the shoe, and the heel of your foot meet the back of the shoe. Many times a shoe will fit properly while sitting, but upon standing the foot slides forward and the toes are now hanging over the front of the shoe.
Assure that any straps on the shoe properly secure the ankle. Many retailers are more than happy to punch a couple of extra holes in the ankle strap to provide a more accurate fit.
Get your foot properly measured. Our feet change in size and width throughout our lifetime. Get measured a minimum of twice a year, or with sudden weight loss or gain.

Stay Natural:

When walking in heels, your hips will sway naturally. The key is to embrace, not exaggerate this movement. Work with what you have!

Watch this short, cute video on walking naturally in heels:

Practice:

Not only does practicing walking in heels allow you to become more accustom to them, you also give an opportunity to break a new pair in and make sure they fit properly. The best thing to do is wear your heels while doing house work, walking the dog, grocery shopping or any other daily task before wearing them out.

While practicing be sure to:

Start short and wide, and end tall and narrow if you have never worn a heel. Kitten and wedge heels are a great beginning for aspiring IT Girls. Once you have perfected walking in these, try a boot with a medium sized heel. This gives you practice in a higher heel with the safety and ankle support of a boot.
Walk on different surfaces (e.g. carpet, tile, concrete, etc.), throw on some music and dance in them, and take the stairs in them.
Use proper posture. Walk with your back straight, chin up, and shoulders back.
Place your heels on the floor first, and toes second as opposed to placing the entire foot on the ground at once.

Congrats! You are now equipped with the knowledge needed to become a stiletto wearing diva. Feel free to contact me and tell me how this advice has helped you in your effort to become That IT Girl.