March 2010 Issue
Mis Quinces’ like you can dazzle like a Hollywood star at any party. With every eye on you during this special night, it is essential to look your best with all the right must-haves. A quinceañera will not be one unless the Mis Quince sparkles in this coming of age soiree.
But just before you get your party started, here are simple tricks from our little beauty black book that will make you steal the look of the stars and shine like a runway goddess on this special night.
- Dressed to Kill
The party dress defines the theme that you’d want to convey on this special evening. What you wear is how you want to be remembered. That is why ball gowns, party and cocktail dresses alike need not settle to anything less than perfect for a Quinceañera.
If you prefer that Prom Queen feel, go full out with a long, classic princess cut ball gown. Not a fan of long gowns? You may go for a nice flowing dress that falls above the knee instead. A more daring look on your special night can transpire by slipping into a fitted dress that rightly hugs your body or a jewel-toned dress that matches your skin tone. For a classy and chic style, one can opt to tog up in a little black dress or a simple satin dress.
No matter what style you choose, the perfect dress can only be realized by planning ahead. Do research on a desired look that you want to achieve for that special evening. Get to know the colors that best suit you. Know your body type, its flaws and its strengths. Solicit pieces of advice from friends and experts. Never compromise your comfort over style or the latest trend. Study looks that catches your eyes and find out which looks good on you. Master an outfit’s outline and distinguish the right size that makes an impact. Something plain and effortless can instantly look spectacular when proportions are well worked out. Always remember, price doesn’t always equate quality and beauty of clothing. It is how you carry it.
- The Mane Event
The Mis Quince’s crowning glory is her hair.
Your hair speaks a lot about your personality. A greasy and tangled crowning glory is the last thing you want on your special night. No matter what hairstyle you plan to get, a clean, well-conditioned and fragrant hair is a definite must-have. Hairstyles should also tone with the shape of one’s face and the type of hair.
Washing the hair with the right shampoo is essential. Thin hair strands could use an effective volumizing shampoo like Pantene Pro-V Sheer Volume. For normal to thick hair strands, regular shampoos will work just fine, then blow dry with preferred styling products.
If you’re aiming for straight flattering locks a la Gwyneth Paltrow, straighten your hair with a hair flat iron. Applying an anti-frizz product like Citre Shine Spray Laminator keeps your locks from going wayward. If you are going for a sultrier look akin to Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen, curling your hair just at the bottom might be the key. For hair that is naturally very curly, straightening it with a flat iron first before curling it will do wonders. For a naturally straight hair, a curling product like Jonathan Create Curl Curling Serum will help bring out your most desired natural waves. If you’re feeling ultra-elegant, go for the usual French twist or an up-do, which you can get for a minimum price at a local hairdresser.
Accessorize your hair with a tiara or a stud embellished clip to get that elegant and stunning look on your hair. Make sure your hair accessory is just right for your outfit. Top your hairstyle for the night with a shine spray product like Aquage Beyond Shine to eliminate frizz and make your hair super shiny and perfect-looking like a princess.
- Face Primer
Your makeup can either make or break you. Looking your best is easy. All it takes is the correct set of information, following some steps and the right products.
Before applying any makeup on your face, make sure that you are well-cleansed and moisturized to give you a clearer skin. When it comes to makeup, rely on products that do not contain harsh ingredients to avoid skin irritations and break-outs. Find the shades that match and look well on your skin type. Choosing the right makeup to coincide with your outfit and the theme of the event is very important.
For parties at daytime, use the neutral tones and for a night party use dark tones. For a tan or dark skin, it is best to use bronzing powder than a blush-on. On the other hand, a peach colored blush is perfect to achieve a sun-kissed look. Never fail to use a lip liner that matches your lipstick. Lip liners help fill the upper and lower sides of your lips to make it fuller. To look more radiant and blemish-free on this special night, add glitter to your look by applying body skimmer to your arms, legs and shoulders. Look for all-over powders that have a subtle sparkle. You can dust it on your shoulders too.
Add on a special something on your look to highlight a feature of your face. It may be false eyelashes or glitters to really stand out. Your makeup should be more dazzling than your everyday look, but it shouldn’t be something overdone as well.
After the party, never forget to remove your makeup to allow your skin to breathe and prevent clogged pores and blemishes.
- Glitz with Glam
The type of accessory you choose depends on the look of your gown as well as the kind of character you want to express. You may be wearing the same outfit, but accessorizing it will give a twist of magic. At times, choosing a point of focus and accessorizing around it does the trick. It could be your waist, your shoulders or your legs.
Pearls make a grand statement when mixed with formal dresses. They are even perfect when paired with most traditional dresses, or a basic choker-style necklace. Long strands of pearl with gold or silver chains are great on a strapless dress. If you’re aiming for fancier bling and sparkle, rhinestones are the way to go. Rhinestone jewelry adds a lot of glare to your look. Conversely, wearing bangles and bracelets is the best way to accentuate and doll up a sleeveless or tube outfit.
Rummage through your mom’s jewelry box or hit the nearby mall for amazing finds and pieces that will accent your party dress best. When planning to invest on pricey pieces, stick to those styles that you think you can still wear ten years later.
Accessorize with no fear. Experiment for that ideal style.
- In Her Shoes
Any plain dress can instantly look stunning when matched with a great pair of heels. Cinderella wore the perfect dress during that much awaited evening, yet it’s her shoes that everyone remembers. Your shoes complete your every outfit. Bad shoes could definitely ruin even the most awesome and stylish clothing.
Don’t just throw on any old pair of pumps for this special night. A classy and nice footwear could just be your ticket to instant stardom. Shoes can enhance your posture. It gives you a better look. Stilettos will give you an extra confident look. The classic pumps and wedges set off an edgy and more traditional look. Not so comfortable in heels? Lucky you! Pretty ballet flats are in style this season. They come in nearly every color. Choose a pair to match your dress precisely, or accent it with a metallic pair.
Whichever pair you choose, practice dancing in them as well. Remember, you will be dancing the night away so these good shoes are exactly what you need.
- Bag it!
This may be something you may forego if you feel like you don’t need one. Though it may be too small, you need to stock your purse with all the must-haves like your cash, makeup, facial tissue, cell phone, digital camera, bobby pins and even emergency band aids. These things inside your little tote or clutch bag are as important as your dress and shoes.
Mini envelope-style clutches are simply classic and glamorous. Tiny bags on long chains or straps are practical and more relaxed. Antique-looking vintage bags, tiny metallic crocheted pouches, velvet purses— the possibilities are merely endless. With the wide array of bags in trendy styles these days, you’ll be glad you’ll even need one.
- Gloves Away
If you are opting for a Breakfast at Tiffany’s theme, donning on a simple, glamorous sheath dress, long opera gloves (in black or white) will give you that Audrey Hepburn signature guise.
Sweet, pretty dresses will look extra-romantic with a pair of dainty crocheted gloves. For Mis Quinces opting for that gothic or punky look, fingerless or black lace gloves will work best on you. Gloves are also perfect to make minimalist and unadorned outfits fly.
Gloves may not go with every dress style. However, if you’ve chosen a look that works on them, they’ll instantly add an extra class to the outfit.
- Scents and Sensibility
A signature scent can be that distinct smell that everybody will most likely remember. The right fragrance in the right amount will give you that added mystery. With all of that dancing, a little spray of your favorite perfume will keep you smelling fresh for the rest of the night. Overdoing it might send the wrong impression, though, so it’s good to just keep it light.
If you have a perfume you like, add a bit to your hair product and you’ll exude a lovely scent all night. If you don’t usually wear any, try a soft, delicate perfume like White Shoulders or L´Air du Temps.
For a more personalized scent, look for single-note perfume oils that you can mix to create your own memorable fragrance. Try rose, gardenia, lavender, lemongrass or even cinnamon to leave a fine and lasting impression.
- Underneath your clothes
Wearing the right underwear is imperative to any occasion. A dress worn with the wrong undergarments h can ruin its lines which would draw attention to all the wrong places.
A VPL (visible panty line) is certainly not attractive and can even ruin your night. A pair of Spanx might be handy if you look bulky in the waistline. Even thin women look sleeker and put together with some sort of smoothing garment under their dresses. A special hose can complete your look, whether they’re barely-there sheers or flirty lace.
Gown couture and a variety of clothes often demand special undergarments to match it. Different dress styles hold different lingerie underwear requirements with them. Explore every outfit and try to identify these requirements to pull off that complete look. A good underwear is always better than bare.
On your special night, never leave without these must-haves, but keep in mind that confidence will always be every Quinceañera’s best accessory. Carrying oneself with composure and flair pulls off the whole package seamlessly.
As Dolce & Gabbana would say, “What matters most is to be confident and never betray your personality and personal taste. Be yourself and that is stylish.”
Always keep in mind that this is your night and the best ticket to a happy ending is to simply be bold and have fun! After all, every princess deserves a happily ever after.
March 22nd, 2010
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