One thing that is frustrating about swim suits is the price. I don’t go swimming much and I don’t go sunbathing in a swim suit. So why pay much for something that you won’t wear very often? Well, there will be those times when you do want to go swimming but you don’t have anything to go in with. I think it’s best to find a plain, flattering swim suit that will last for years. Purchasing a swim suit with color blocks, patterns, or belts may be boring in the long run. Stick to more plain bathing suits as well. Neutral Most stores will be having sales right now because it is in the middle of the summer.colors work for any skin tone, but if you want to find a colorful swim suit, make sure it will work with your skin as well as your body. You most likely will want something that you will like for the next two or more years.

This is a swim suit I think would be very flattering for an hour glass figure:

An hour glass figure generally means that your shoulders and hips are around the same width and your waist is smaller than both. I like the simplicity of this swim suit but I would like to see more color. Black always works but sometimes it’s fun to have an unusual color. A simple swim skirt would be very fun as well.

A swim suit that would be flattering for a more busty or full sized woman:

The neckline on this swim suit will draw attention to your face and the length of the swimsuit will hide any unwanted attention to your bottom region. If you fall into the category of this body-shape, you’ll want some length to your swimsuit.

This swim suit would be flattering for a pear shaped woman:

Pear shape means that that you have a fairly small upper half and bigger thighs. Again, drawing attention to your upper half will take attention away from unwanted areas. It’s important to decide what you want to draw attention away from on your body and find a bathing suit that will help you do so. The empire waist will flatter any shape body but will definitely help a pear shape.

Most stores will be having sales right now because it’s the middle of the summer. I found all of these bathing suits at Lands’ End online. They have some great sales on their overstocks so check them out! Also, adding a swim skirt will help with length and modesty issues. It’s a simple solution to some very big problems. =)

I hope this helps all of you figure out what kind of bathing suit to be looking for!

I am a hairstylist.

Something I figured out right after hairstyling is that I had managed to turn my hobby into my profession. It is a blessing and a curse all at the same time. But, I suppose I can’t complain: I love my job. How many people can say that? If you could see inside my head during my mid- to late teens, you would have seen how I would break down the shape of a hairstyle, make up techniques, and general assessment of fashion. I wanted to know how to create a stacked bob and what tool to use to make textured edges.

Needless to say, I have been working in the field of hairstyling for over two and a half years — which doesn’t sound like a very long time, but my personal expertise (I think) is not just cutting/coloring/styling, but to educate my clients on why certain looks are more flattering than others.

So.

Here is my first of, hopefully, many tips for you.

Why Shouldn’t I Part My Hair In The Middle?

Good question.

This is my answer:
Do you like your nose? If you love your nose and want to bring attention to it, than you can part your hair in the middle.

The human eye picks up details and general shapes and concepts more than we understand. Lets say you free-hand draw a circle. (Now, I am assuming that you don’t draw a perfect circle.) Now draw a line right down the middle of it. What do you notice more about the circle now that you have a line down the middle? Most likely, the answer is that it is more asymmetrical. It makes the imperfection of the circle more obvious.

In the same way, when you part your hair in the middle, inadvertently you are drawing a line down an imperfect circle. Your face - unless you are one of the few women in the world with a perfectly symmetrical face - isn’t perfectly even. One eye might be smaller than the other, your nose might be crooked, your ears might be slightly off balance… the list goes on.

So, when you part your hair down the middle, it is both drawing attention to your nose and also showing off the imbalance of your features. Neither of which I would suggest.

Which Side Should I Part My Hair To?

Quite honestly, I would have to see your head. And since I am not going to ask you all to post pictures of yourselves, I am going to say this: generally there is one side that you may find has a cowlick/whirl near your hairline. Otherwise, experiment! Try one side and then try the other side. Check and see. If you want some extra volume, part it on the side of the cowlick so that it creates height. If you want a smooth part - especially if you want side bangs - part it on the other side.

An Example:

This week’s question is regarding the perennial issue of modesty:

What are some good guidelines for determining modesty? How can one encourage a younger Christian sister in this area without unnecessary offense?

Modesty is one of those perennial issues facing Christian women. How do we live in the world and not be of the world?

In 1 Peter 3:3-5 women were exhorted to be more concerned with the inward adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit than in jewels and fine apparel. In other words, first things first. That is always a needed reminder. But inherent in Peter’s statement is the acknowledgment of an “outer man”. We know that the much admired Proverbs 31 woman dressed in purple linens and provided garments of scarlet for her family. In other words, they were looking pretty good.

But good, in this case, included a sense of modesty. We, too, need to be achieving “good” with modesty.

I once heard this recommendation as a general guideline. Imagine yourself as a beautiful masterpiece - His masterpiece. His work needs an appropriate frame. It shouldn’t distract from the work of God within; too shabby detracts, too ornate overwhelms. Your presentation should compliment and enhance His presence and the testimony of His goodness in your life. Let’s remember, we represent Him on this earth.

What does that mean in everyday language, in practical application? This was recommended by a friend and they had some good basic guidelines. Check it out for some great insights.

In a nutshell, we don’t want to distract the men around us from Holy service, nor do we want to bring a blight on His name. But we do want to look relevant, clean, and even attractive (my husband likes me to look my best!)

What about those young Christians who seem to be unaware of this issue? From time to time we may be called upon to sharpen one another, and scripture allows for exhortation in our midst. Still, one wants to use caution.

Before ministering correction it is best to establish a sense of nurture and care toward the person. Show genuine interest, take time to know them, offer prayer and words of encouragement. Find every opportunity to share principles of all sorts that the Lord has shown you. Testify of His faithfulness in teaching us, His children. If possible, include some thoughts on modesty. Perhaps this could develop into an ongoing discipleship relationship. Seek the Lord for such opportunities.

Unless there is an urgent need for correction, allow the Lord to reveal their need to grow in a sense of modesty in His time. Eventually you may be able to recommend books, studies, etc. that will help this younger sister to grow in the ways of the Lord.

I know you have ideas about these things. Would you be willing to share them? Thanks!