Beauty and Technology

We are living in an amazing age, an age of technology. Everywhere you go there is a touchscreen, a smart phone, or a wireless Bluetooth that connects us to social media universes like facebook, youtoube, or twitter. This new world of technology has done everything from helped us advertise new products to raising billions of dollars in relief funds. Technology and social media has even changed the world of beauty and fashion. Prime Example? Youtube.

Youtube is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share and view videos. Beauty Gurus, Fashionista, and Regular People are using Youtube to share make up ideas, tips, and products. It is almost hard to imagine millions of people around the world exchanging real make up tips for everyday people. YouTube is a great way for beginners to learn more about make up or for experts to learn new things.

Today’s Well&Chic Beauty Pick is YouTube! 

Below I am going to leave some make up tutorials  from Youtube. Tell me what you think or if you subscribe to someone on Youtube that you would like to recommend the Well&Chic community

Beware of the BBQ

Summer is not summer without several family barbecues or the classic fourth of July BBQ. Although reunions are best served with food, not all food is best served for you. Here is a list of barbecue favorites that are sworn enemies of your summer diet.

Potato Salad: classic potato salad is made with mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, potatoes, celery, onion, eggs, and garnish of green onions and or tomatoes.Potato Salad is high in sodium and cholesterol and 30% of its content is fat.

1 Cup Potato Salad: 358 calories 

 

Macaroni Salad: A classic macaroni salad recipe is made with chopped vegetables and mayonnaise, along with seasonings and hard cooked eggs. Sadly it’s also a recipe for fat calories and massive amounts of sodium (642mg)

1 Cup of Macaroni Salad: 275 calories 

 

Cheeseburgers: A simple but deliciously sinful contraption of cheese on a hamburger that’s delicately placed between two buns. Worse thing about Cheeseburgers? You can rarely only have one.

1 Regular Cheeseburger (w/o toppings): 360 calories 

 

Ribs: There are almost as many ways to cook ribs as there are Ribs. Its all about barbecuing, grilling, outdoor cooking with tested barbecue recipes and grilling recipes for baby back ribs, spare ribs, pulled pork, and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately so does the calories.

1 Serving of grilled BBQ pork ribs (half a rack): 502 calories

*calories change depending on type

 

Hot Dogs: no matter what you call them (frank, sausage, wiener) or what you put on on them (ketchup, sweet pickles, cheese) hot dogs are a classic summer time meal. They are  also classically packed with fat.

Beef Franks: 230 calories

 

 

Now we wouldn’t leave you with just a list of DO NOT’s. Here are list of Well&Chic’s Barbecue Picks. 

1 Cup Garden Salad: 11 calories

A garden salad (also green salad or tossed salad) is a salad consisting mostly of fresh vegetables. Therefore it’s naturally healthy! Add some lite non-fat dressing and it instantly becomes a healthy side dish.

 

 

Roasted Chicken: 140 calories

Classic Roasted Chicken is usually made in the oven. But during the summer time many families use this recipe for the grill. All it entails is a pan, the chicken, the correct healthy ingredients, tin foil, and the lid of the grill. This meal is perfect with corn on the cob (which is only 66 calories)

12 Grilled Shrimp: 180 calories

 

Shrimp marinated in chipotles, lime juice, and olive oil then grilled over a campfire. How great does that sound? It sounds almost as good as 12 pieces of shrimp being only 180 calories!

 

 

1 Grilled Tilapia Filet: 80 calories

 

Tilapia is a great fish that can be doctored up with all types of ingredients. For example Grilled Tilapia with Mango Salsa or Cajun Tilapia. The best part of grilling Tilapia is that it is high in protein but it does not have loads of calories. 

 

 

 

 

Skewered Vegetables 44 Calories

 

Everyone tends to shy away from vegetables. At a barbecue, rush towards them; they will soon become your best friends. Grilled skewered vegetables are great with different low calories rubs and sauces. So remember, eat those vegetables!

 

Fruit Salad

 

For healthy desert exchange Peach Cobbler (1 cup is 419 calories) for a cup of Peach Melba Sorbet (100 calories). Or just some watermelon or a fruit salad. 

 

 

 

Try some of these suggestions at your next barbecue! If you have other suggestions, recommendations, or comments fell free to write the below!

Stay Well&Chic!

Natural Summer Makeup that won’t Burn Up your Wallet

Summer makeup is all about a light, glowing, all natural look. During the summer it shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to apply your makeup. Today we are going to not only give you tips on how to apply it, but where to find great make up for less.

Always start with your oil free moisturizer; hydrated skin is healthy skin. This is an essential step to not only a good makeup routine but a good skin care routine.

When it comes to makeup no two girls put it on the same. So, here are some different products and procedures for the many types of makeup coverage.

• Tinted Moisturizer: Tinted Moisturizer is perfect for the summer it provides sheer color that hydrates the skin while the sunscreen provides UVA/UVB protection from everyday sun exposure.  Tinted moisturizer is applied just like regular face cream and it  helps even out skin tone.

Well&Chic’s Beauty Pick: CoverGirl Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer: $8.00 

• Press Powder:  Press powder provides natural coverage that is light and blends in well.  Apply to your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin using gentle downward strokes.

Well&Chic’s Beauty Pick: Maybelline Fitme Press Powder: $8 

Well&Chic’s Pick for Make Up Brushes: Eco Tools Mineral Brushes $9.99 at Target

• Liquid Foundation: Usually we don’t recommend using liquid foundation during the summer, but like we said, we want to give you options. If you do use liquid foundation make sure you use a light oil free foundation. Apply a small amount with your fingers so you get a natural barley there kind of coverage. 

Well&Chic’s Beauty Pick: Neutrogena Skin Clearing Liquid Makeup: $11.99

• Cream Blush: Cream blush blends easily into your skin, adding a sheer wash of natural color to your cheeks. It blends easily, doesn’t appear cakey and it last all day long.

Well&Chic’s Beauty Pick: Revlon Cream Blush: $9.00

The great thing about summer is that you can play with bright vibrant colors for eye shadow. Before applying eye shadow make sure you prep your eye lids with primer to insure that your eye shadow won’t fade through out the day. For lips try a neutral lip stick or lip gloss. 

Hopefully these tips were helpful! Next week we’ll show you how to create a Glowing Gold Goddess Look. If you have tried any of these products or have suggestions for different products, leave a comment below.

Stay Well&Chic!

Steps to Unleash your Inner Fashionista

Shopping for a new wardrobe can be time consuming and disastrous. Especially when we know how easy it is for us to just dig into the summer clothes bin and scavenger for clothes from summer’s past. We at Well&Chic do not condone this method at all. Ladies, it is 2011 it’s time for you unleash your Inner fashionista. Here are some steps to do exactly that! 

1. Look through your closet and pick out every article of clothing that is too tight or too baggy or fits strangely. What you wear should be comfortable and stylish. You shouldn’t have to tug it, pull it down, or twist it all day long. Donate these unwanted clothes to the Salvation Army. Expensive suits that maybe a little out dated can be altered at any dry cleaners.

2. Now that you have empty space in your closet you need to look for what we like to call Fashion Inspiration. Look in fashion magazine’s like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle or Glamour take a marker and circle the clothes that you think will look best. 

3.  Armed with you magazines of Fashion Inspirations it is now time to go shopping. Find clothes you want, find clothes that fit, and buy them. Three easy steps right? Not necessarily. One of the main reasons women don’t shop for fabulous clothes is because they have convinced themselves that most styles won’t look good on them. This is a myth; every woman has the ability to be a fashionista. Try on as many different clothes and styles as you possibly can before you buy a stitch of fabric. Don’t get discouraged if a couple of styles don’t fit the way you thought they would, it’s all part of the process.

4. When you shop look for full

 outfits. Even if you are just looking for pants or a top, if you think in terms of full outfits (shoes, accessories, and all) you will have a closet of full of stylish clothes by your 3rd shopping trip.

5.  Not everyone is a born shopper, but that is not something that should prevent you from being fabulous. The last step is to know when you need help; reach out to a professional stylist. Stylists can help direct you to clothes that look and feel great. Stylists are just not reserved for celebrities and they are not as expensive as Rachel Zoe. Stylists, like the one’s here at Well&Chic, can save you a lot of time and heart ache.

Try these tips and let us know how they worked for you!

Stay Well&Chic

Dance those Pounds Away

It seems that every time you turn on your TV, you run into some infomercial about the latest fitness craze. The “Ab crunching”-this of the “Thigh blasting”-that or the “aerobic”-something or the other. Here’s the thing about health crazes; they’re usually not worth the three easy payments of $59.99 and they usually end up collecting dust in your basement. In order to get healthy and fit it’s required for one to do more than toning  just the abs or the thighs. You need an equal balance of Cardio and muscle toning to shed those unwanted pounds.

Well&Chic’s Fitness Pick of the week is Zumba! 

Zumba Fitness^® is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that mixes red-hot international music such as Salsa, samba, calypso, reggaeton, and hip hop to  contagious steps to form a “fitness-party” that is downright addictive. Zumba was created in 2001 as an accident of sorts, but now the Zumba Fitness program now has six different classes that include: Standard Zumba, Zumba Gold (An exercise program for baby boomers), Zumba Toning, Aqua Zumba, Zumbatomic (Zumba for kids), and Zumba in the Circuit. 

Zumba is so fun that you almost forget that you are working out! In an hour of Zumba you can burn at least 500-800 calories! Zumba has caught on like wild fire and can be found in virtually any gym or community fitness center. This fitness class is a great way to learn dance steps, have fun, and stay active.

If you have tried a Zumba class, tell us what you thought! If after seeing this blog post you felt inspired to try it, also leave a comment!

Stay Well&Chic!

Drinks that Will Keep your Hot Summers Cold

With the record breaking heat we at Well&Chic want to do everything we can to not only keep you Chic and beautiful but Well and healthy. During the summer, sugary calorie filled drinks are always in abundance. Everywhere you go there’s a large, frosted, whip-cream topped concoction that you know will probably stick to your hips. Here is a list of some drinks that are good and good for you.

• Lemonade is an old summer classic. Served at family reunions or on beautiful southern porches; Lemonade is a staple drink and symbol for hot summer days. It’s also a symbol for sugar. Lemonade is can easily become one of the sweetest most problematic drinks of the summer. So instead of getting a large smoothie like lemonade drink, opt for a small frozen lemonade.

Well&Chic’s Pick: Panera Bread’s Frozen Lemonade

100 calories

24 g of Sugar

 

 

 

If you are looking for a more classic pick you can always try

Chick-fil-A Diet Lemonade (medium, 20 oz)
20 calories
0 g fat
2 g sugars

 

 

 

• Another classic summer essential is Ice Tea. We all have memories of summer afternoons with slip and slides, games of tag, and cold glasses of ice tea near sunset. Just like lemonade ice can pack an outrageous amount of sugar. For example Mcdonald’s Sweet Ice tea has 280 calories and a whopping 69 grams of sugar. 

Well&Chic’s pick: Dunkin Donuts Unsweetened Ice Tea (medium) 

5 Calories

0 (g) Sugar

You’re probably cringing at the thought of unsweetened ice tea; here’s the solution. Add maximum 3 packets of a aspartame free artificial sweetener or two table spoons of honey.

If you have time for a fun summer activity you can make one of our favorite beverages. Mint Ice Tea! Cooks.com has a wonderful recipe. Remember to take it easy on the sugar, but we assure you this will soon become a summer classic http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,193,133185-247193,00.html

• Over the last decade Starbucks has been the leader in deliciously over priced coffee. Everywhere you go there will most likely be three Starbucks Coffee. Let’s be honest Starbucks coffee and other similar drinks are amazing. Sadly not all the amazing drinks are healthy. Example? Starbuck’s Double Chocolatly Chip Frappuccino: 410 calories and 52 grams of sugar. 

Well&Chic’s Pick: The Mocha Light Frappuccino (Grande, 16 ounces)

140 calories

29 g sugar

 

 

 

 

• The last item on our list is a Well&Chic Treat. Three words ladies: Strawberry Coconut Daiquiri. This is a beautiful recipe that will make you feel like you’re staying in a beautiful tropical resort. It’s a tasty cocktail that only takes 10 minutes to make. Want to see the best part?

112 calories

5 (g) sugar

This drink is also just as good without the “spirits”. For more healthy cocktail recipes check out eatwell.com ( http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/summer_drinks#2)

Well ladies there it is; a guide that will help you live through those hot summer days without the guilt of breaking your diet.

Stay Well&Chic!

The Three Cardinal Rules for Beautiful Summer Skin

Well ladies summer is finally upon us. We have said goodbye to UGGS and hello to flip flops. We have bid “Adieu” to large winter jackets and “bien venue” to tanks and shirts. We are now ready to enjoy the beach, a cold sangria, and the sun. Right?

Wrong.

Sorry ladies, there is no way “Well&Chic” will let you out into the summer jungle without arming you with the essentials. Summer weather can be just as harsh on the skin as winter weather. Here are a the Three Cardinal Rules to Beautiful Summer Skin

1. Sunscreen is without a doubt the most important summer must have. you should not leave the house without applying the correct amount of sunscreen. But how much is enough sun screen? What SPF should be used? and how much should apply a day? Experts say that adults should apply 1 ounce of sunscreen (the equivalent of a palm-full or 2 tablespoons), for full-body coverage every two hours spent in the sun. According to ConsumerSearch.com  the best sunscreen is:  Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sun block. Well&Chic’s pick is Badger SPF 30 for Face & Body, it’s an natural face and body sun screen with organic materials that keep your skin hydrated and protected

2. Best way to keep your skin clear and fresh during the summer is by using face scrubs. Face scrubs help exfoliate unwanted dead skin cells, making skin soft and smooth. They also unclog pores and improve the appearance of uneven skin tones. When it comes to facial scrubs always go natural. Facial scrubs with chemicals or too much alcohol can damage and break your skin. Make sure your scrub is rich in vitamins, aloe, and other natural nutrients. Our pick for face scrubs is St. Ives Apricot scrub (it goes on great and smells wonderful!)

3. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize! If I could type this word in more times without driving Microsoft Word or you crazy, I would. Dry heat is killer on the skin. The best defense to dry summer skin is a thick all natural lotion. Well&Chic’s pick is Aveeno Daily Moisturizer. This is a good moisturizing lotion because It’s not sticky but rich and cream; it has natural ingredients that will keep your skin soft all day.

Those are the three skin care cardinal rules for the summer! If you think that I missed something or if you have your own remedies. Leave a comment and we here at Well&Chic will happily do an expose!

Stay Well&Chic!

Communicate to Connect with the Listener

 The goal of effective communication should be for the listener to say, “Me, too!” versus “So what?” ~ Jim Rohn

To communicate effectively, there must be a connection with the listener. The listener must show interest and be willing to pay attention to what you have to say. There are so many people with a multitude of messages competing for attention. We are all multitasking and trying to get many tasks done at once. Your job is to figure out a creative way to be seen, heard, and understood in order for you to be successful in your personal and professional endeavor. Here are a few tips to consider:

1. Be of Service to Others: Before approaching a listener, establish the right mindset. Figure out how you can be of service and help. It is not about you all the time. Keep in mind the listener will ask themselves, Why should I listen to you? What will I get out of this conversation? To connect with the listener, the message has to be about helping them.
2. Be Observant and Ask questions: When approaching a stranger, try to learn something about them before speaking or delivering your message. Do a visual assessment. How is the person dressed? Can you compliment them on something to warm them up? Are they reading or doing an activity that you can connect with; something that the two of you have in common? Most importantly, are they open for a conversation or are they preoccupied with other thoughts or activities. Observing non-verbal behavior is also extremely important. Are they smiling and do they look relaxed? Do they look annoyed and have their arms crossed? Is so, this is probably not the best time to try to communicate with them. If you are getting a GO signal, approach the person. Ask questions first. Find out if they are open to a conversation. Try to get to know them first; their interests, profession, hobbies, etc. Deep listening is required. Do not interrupt. Give your full attention. Your body language should show that you are very interested in this person. Ask clarifying questions to ensure you understand exactly what they are telling you.  Do not rush this process; take time to really get to know them. People can sense when you are not sincere with them. You may find that you need more time to establish a relationship and should not present your message at that time. Ask the person if they would like to exchange contact information and stay in touch. If they say yes, offer your business card. Follow-up in a few days and work on the relationship and make the connection with the person.

If you are giving a presentation to a group, ask the organizer to clearly define the purpose of the event, describe the audience that will be attending, and the subject matter they would like you to discuss.  Arrive early to the event, again make a visual observation of the audience, and ask questions to get more insight into the event.

1. Tailor your message: After getting to know the listener, be flexible and make adjustments to your message. Tailor your message to meet the needs and interest of the listener. Cookie cutter messages are not very effective in connecting with individual listeners
2. Be creative: Present your message in a creative and interesting manner. Take the time to figure out a way to really appeal to the listener in a way that will make them stop and take notice. Pay attention to details and do something that reaches the listener at an emotional level. You will stick out and will be remembered.

Be sincere, honest, and truthful: This tip is extremely important. You must be sincere, honest and truthful at all times. Be sincere in getting to know the listener. Be truthful about your message. Listeners can sense when you are only interested in getting what you want out of a conversation. You will connect and communicate much more effectively if the listener believes you are honest and have their best interest in mind.

Distinguish yourself through a unique style of communication

What is your communication style and can you improve it to create the most positive impression on others? In Understanding Your Communication Style, Ruth Sherman defines three basic communication styles¹:

• Aggressive: Close minded, Poor listener. Has difficulty seeing the other person’s point of view. Interrupts. Monopolizing. Frowns. Squints eyes critically. Rigid posture. Critical. Loud. Yelling tone of voice. Fast, clipped speech.
  • Effects of this style: Alienation from others, and pays high price in human relationships.
• Passive: Indirect. Always agrees. Doesn’t speak up, Hesitant, Sighs a lot. Tries to sit on both sides of the fence to avoid conflict. Clams up when feeling treated unfairly. Complains instead of taking action. Lets others make choices. Has difficulty implementing plans.
  • Effects of this style: Builds dependency relationships. Doesn’t know where he or she stands. Slowly loses self-esteem. Promotes others’ causes.

Assertive: Effective. Active listener. States limits, expectations. No labels or judgments. Expresses self directly and honestly, Interested facial expression. Direct eye contact. Confident or relaxed posture. Vocal volume appropriate, expressive. Varied rate of speech. Check on others feelings.

• Effects of this style: Increased self-esteem and self-confidence. Feels motivated and understood. Others know where they stand.

Obviously, the assertive style is the one to aim for, however, build on these characteristics to create a unique style that set you apart from others. Below are a few communications tips to consider: 

• Be personable. Get to know your audience and tailor your message and approach to their interests and needs. Figure out what interests them. Seek to help resolve a problem, provide targeted information, or entertain. Strive to be of service to others.
• Sharpen your creativity skills to enhance you communication style and image. Find ways to be bold and different but align your actions to your audience interests and need.
• Pay close attention to details. Find ways to go the extra mile and show you really put effort into communicating with others.

Ruth Sherman, Understanding Your Communication Style, Ruth Sherman Associates, LLC,  http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/sba/comm_style.htm

To be stylish, focus your wardrobe on comfortable, timeless classic pieces

 A critical part of Image Development is creating a positive memorable personal style; how you physically look and feel.   First impressions are lasting and hard to change. Unfortunately, many people create opinions and perceptions based on your external appearance. We recommend you consciously direct and manage your personal style to align with your goals and aspirations. Create a look that will get the response you are looking for in your personal life, work, and business. The key objective is to be successful; don’t let your personal style get in the way.

 The beginning of each New Year is the perfect time to conduct an extensive audit on your wardrobe.  Take time to survey your closet and carefully select pieces that you really like, are in good condition, and wear regularly. Be honest with yourself. Cut emotional ties to items you haven’t been able to get into for years. Choose items that make you feel and look great.  Keep these items, remove everything else and immediately give them away to a charity like Salvation Army.  

 Next, plan to refocus your wardrobe on comfortable, timeless classic pieces. Add classic quality items to your wardrobe first.  The anchor of your wardrobe should be pieces that will not go out of style and are of the highest quality. Less in more. Purchase a few choice pieces that you really like, fit perfectly, and will wear. Classic pieces for work include: the button down white shirt, black suit, black shoes, trench coat, quality leather bags/briefcases, and smart accessories. Don’t forget to round out your wardrobe with pieces for special occasions and play. Once your anchor pieces are in place, add a few trendy fashionable items and a splash of color for fun. Now it’s time to go shopping. Enjoy rebuilding your wardrobe and developing your personal style.