Look sexy without freezing!

Photo Credit : The Grown & Classy

MY night life is almost non-existent during winter. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, I hardly go out simply because I’d rather stay indoors, keep warm under my Zebra print couch blanket and watch TV. Pity I’m not really a fan of coffee or tea but that would make my TV night perfectly warm, I’m sure. For a while I’d been saying no to invitations to visit the new joint in town, Private Lounge, because I dreaded the low temperatures.

But I just woke up on the other side of my bed the other day and decided to oblige my friends – just to boost investor confidence, like I like to call it. As expected, it was nippy so I’d gone out in a burgundy leather jacket, dark blue turn up skinny jeans, blush pink heels and a matching clutch bag. I wasn’t feeling absolutely warm but I’d survive a few hours of the cold. As we stood at the joints’ entrance while we waited for another friend to show up – a swagged up couple came through.

The guy was in a pair of blue denims, a white hoodie and white waffles. Like me, even though he was well covered up, it was visible that he could still feel the cold as he had his hands tucked away in the pockets of his hoodie. The girl, who I assumed was his girlfriend, wore a sexy sleeveless black number which came just below the hips and had a low neckline to flaunt her healthy cleavage with a pair of peep-toe heels. I couldn’t believe it! I just couldn’t get how anyone, in this chilly weather would walk out of the house looking like we’re in the middle of a hot October!

Don’t get me wrong, she looked absolutely stunning but the outfit just wasn’t weather appropriate. I know for a fact she was freezing cold, I mean, we all were in our jackets and jeans! And she’s not the first woman I’ve come across who feels pressured to expose some skin even when the weather doesn’t allow. It’s sad especially when the man she’s with is all geared up for the cold weather in a jacket, hoodie or jersey.

Ladies, don’t get it twisted, looking sexy doesn’t always entail leaving your legs and cleavage out. You can look sexy in winter clothes too. It all depends on how you put everything together! A cashmere sweater will keep you extra toasty obviously. Don’t try to do a baggy sweater with a mini-skirt if you’re going bar hopping, as generally no one pays attention to what you’re wearing below your waist in a crowded bar.

Try a cropped leather jacket over a v-neck shirt with a feminine chain link necklace. Do your feet a favour and step into closed toe shoes. If you insist on wearing a mini-skirt, opt for a fitted knit or cotton mini. The skirt won’t look so skimpy and will be able to keep your tushie a little warm. We’ve all seen THAT girl. There she goes again: the girl who thinks knee high boots are pants. No, sweetheart, those are boots and you look like a very cold hooker.

Just wear opaque black tights. They’re sexier than having goosebumps complete with the hairs on your leg at full attention because you’re freezing. Even simple changes to your usual makeup such as a bright lip or liquid eye liner can open your face up more and will keep focus on your face. Wearing your hair up in a styled pony will elongate your figure and relieve your torso of the hyper bundled look.

Pretty hands, sexy feet

I HEAR a lot about what men like and don’t like from my opinionated male friends.

Most times, they speak a lot of sense but sometimes they just rumble.

During a flame grilled chicken meal on a lazy Sunday afternoon recently, one of them suddenly remarked, “You don’t have fake nails,” sounding rather shocked.

I stopped chewing for a minute, looked at my hands and asked, “What’s wrong with not having fake nails?” I was ready to defend myself.

He quickly contextualised his sentiments saying it was actually good that I didn’t have fake nails – they irritated him.

Women love long fake nails and he really isn’t a fan, he said.

I personally have nothing against artificial nails; I get them once in a while.

In fact, until recently, I had acrylic nails painted red, which I absolutely loved!

They made my almost yellow bone hands look prettier.

But I had to stop after I realised that my nail bed had become fragile. It was probably due to all the filing that takes place during the process.

I knew it was time to stop when I’d exert minimal pressure on my nails and they’d become red and painful.

My mother was probably thrilled at this development – she has always resented long artificial nails and said they made my hands look like that of a witch – whatever witch nails look like!

I’ve never taken it personally because I know how pretty manicured nails can look.

Sometimes life gets in the way of things and makes it difficult for most to keep their hands looking neat.

Artificial nails make it easier to keep the hands clean and tidy, I’ve realised.

It’s probably psychological but when you have artificial nails, you avoid doing things that may mess up your nails.

For some, acrylic nails help conceal or fix broken, damaged, short, or otherwise considered “undesirable” nail appearance.

It also helps prevent people from biting their nails, breakage of nails, and protect splits.

They are used when people are not able to grow the length and strength of natural nails that they desire.

This problem can be solved by using certain nail techniques such as nail tipping, sculptured nails, nail wrapping, or acrylic overlays. But acrylic nails often make natural nails thin when removed. If fitted properly, artificial nails are usually not problematic.

However, long term use and poorly fitted nails can seriously damage the nail bed and hamper natural nail growth.

The most common problem associated with artificial nails is a bacterial infection that may develop between the false and natural nail. Sometimes I see a lot of dirt build up under the nails and I wonder if the owner can’t see the dirt.

Often I hear people asking, “How do you bath, eat or wash with long nails?” It’s actually simple.

For me, it’s the overly long and dirty nails that are appalling. Once you get artificial nails – it becomes a pre-requisite to keep them extra clean to avoid any infections.

A safe length is important so that you don’t accidentally hurt yourself or the people around you. We don’t want you to be clawing like a cat! 

Nail trends are on steroids right now, there’s just so much to choose from, it can get a little confusing.

But remember, whatever you choose needs to be manageable and clean.

You can’t stop living because your nails are too long to open a can of Coca-Cola!

I often hear people talking about wearing dull nail polish during winter, that’s boring!

Live a little and add some colour to your winter days.

If colour is a thing for you and you don’t really want artificial nails, acrylic powder applied directly to the nails creates a base that allows your nail polish to last much longer. I usually do that with my feet. Because I’m almost always wearing closed shoes and it is winter after all, I keep my toe nails short, apply acrylic powder and paint them some hot colour – for when I remove my shoes.

I can’t bear the pain of artificial nails on my feet, they seem to make my shoes fit tighter than they are – it’s unbearable.

It’s in the little things…

WHILE I stood in line to be served at a money transfer company the other day, a woman walked towards me to ask whether or not the company had money to give receiving clients.

But before she did, I’d already smelt her presence – a strong scent resembling that of Bint El Sudan stung my nostrils.

Intuitively, I had turned around, and here was a woman in a white string top, a denim skirt and white flats.

She had braids worn in a neat bun.  Her face was freshly powdered, she could’ve been coming from home, I quickly assumed.

And then she stood akimbo after I’d told her the company had run out of cash.

Boy was I repulsed!

She had exposed her unshaved armpits as she stood akimbo.  It was like an un-mowed lawn!

And she wouldn’t stop talking about the cash crisis and how she had failed, for days, to withdraw money.

She went on and on while I silently wished she’d stand at ease and spare me the sight of her unkempt underarms.

The hairs drenched in sweat and assumedly roll on of some sort looked absolutely appalling.

But the polite me kept listening until I realised she thought she had found herself a queuing buddy.

I decided to bring to her attention the fact that she had to join the back of the line if she needed to be served.

Of course I wasn’t catching feelings about her trying to skip the line by distracting me with small talk; I just couldn’t stand her very hairy armpits.

Of course I couldn’t tell her her armpits were repulsive – how do you tell a human being such a thing?

It’s like trying to tell them their breathe stinks. The least you can do is offer a mint and hope they don’t decline.

I wish more people would realise that keeping your underarms clean and shaven is an essential part of ensuring that your fragrance works brilliantly.

Hairs retain moisture and a mixture of your sweat and roll on is one nasty combination.

Imagine the smell of sweat mixed with a deodorant competing with your fragrance. It would be one terrorising scent.

Keeping your underarms shaven helps keep them moisture free. The hairs retain odours and in most instances residual sweat.

When they’re clean shaven, they’ll be easier to wash and enabling for your deodorant.

When your deodorant does its job – keeping your underarms smelling fresh – your fragrance will also thrive.

After all, you’ve paid your hard earned cash for it, it better work!

Smelling fresh is an essential part of looking good.

You know what they say about a black spot on a white piece of fabric? It taints the whiteness, even though it’s just one small black spot.

Body odours are distracting and shift the focus from how good you look to how badly you smell.

It’s like smudged lipstick, it taints the whole face. People will forget that your eyebrows are on fleek and your skin is flawless and concentrate on the smudged lipstick.

Same applies to make-up which is poorly applied. Overlapping edges and the wrong shade of concealer or foundation just look like dirt.

Another turn off is a visible panty line. Try by all means to maximise on seamless underwear and create a flawless look.

Nothing is as distracting as visible panty lines running from underneath your fabrics.

An equal worst is wearing a regular bra with a string top or a boob tube. How about investing in the right type of underwear? One strapless bra will come in handy when you need it the most.

Remember, they’ll be some warm winter days – pay close attention to your personal hygiene.  

Fashion designers, tailors - get your act together!

I SEE and want lots of different things. In most instances, these are things I can’t get off the rack.

They’re too specific and clothing stores won’t necessarily see the need to stock them.

So, what’s my next best option? Finding someone who can make the clothing item for me, right? Wrong. I’ve lost faith in fashion designers and wait for that one person who’ll turn things around for me.

Getting clothes tailored has backfired countless times and caused me unnecessary chest pains.

The first time I ever got a tailor to make me something was about two years ago. It was a red, black and gold African print dress.

To date, this is still my most favourite piece of clothing. The dress was to be worn to a friend’s wedding.

I took in my material and made a down payment on the dress in good time. But the Friday before the wedding, the dress still wasn’t ready and I only got it in the evening, after fuming at the tailor for failing to deliver the dress on time.

I went to the wedding looking stunning, I strut my stuff and yes, I rocked it but the drama behind the look was awful!

I took a break from the tailors until I fell in love with the kaftan. Somebody had to make it for me so I decided to try a different tailor. I gave him the specifications for the garment and was told when to pick it up.

The day arrived; I was beyond excited and couldn’t wait to try on my new kaftan! But it was yet another disappointing appointment. The embroidery still wasn’t done and quite frankly, the material the tailor had used looked plain cheap! My heart sank; I was extremely disappointed and never went back to that tailor. 

Take three was a dress to another wedding. I thought to give someone else a chance, I decided to believe in the trade again so I got another designer to make me a dress. This time it was a mustard disaster!

The shoulder line was uneven and too small, the hem was lopsided and the gathers looked like a sack tied together with a piece of string! I couldn’t deal with these people anymore.

I’d had enough and never again was I going to take myself on such an emotional roller coaster!

The designer apologised for the boob and promised to make a replacement dress but three months down the line, that dress still hasn’t come!

Tailors and fashion designers, I’m talking to you – how do you expect people to give you business if you fail to deliver?

I’m not the only one who’s had drama with fashion designers – my friend has had her fair share. Just the other day, she was complaining about a lady who had been sitting on her material for weeks and keeps promising to finish sewing her dresses.

She once complained about another tailor making a shirt she had not asked for. The tailor had ignored the design she had chosen and decided to make something else. I mean, who does that! What happened to the saying that customer is king?

My point is quite simple. When somebody trusts you with their material and hard earned cash, the least you can do is honour them. If you feel you can’t pull it off or you don’t have enough time on your hands – be honest and let the client decide whether to walk away or be patient.

Honesty and reliability are good for your business and your brand. Take yourself seriously. Human beings recommend services to each other – don’t be the person that people will never recommend. You really can’t afford to lose the people’s trust and credibility. Make yourself and your brand count each time you sew those stitches in.