We want women to be comfortable with their bodies and acknowledge their true, natural beauty. We invited some ladies to stand in front of a mirror and tell us what they see. We heard things like:

• I’ve recently lost weight so I don’t like all this extra skin, and I still look in the mirror and see the person I was before.

• I don’t like my thighs and butt because I think they’re too big.

• I don’t like right my saddle bags. They’re jiggly.

What our Self-Loving Ladies say

Bodacious Barb & Lorna

Cousins and business partners Lorna Ketler and Barb Wilkins own a clothing store called Bodacious Lifestyles Inc., which caters to sizes 10-24.

We realized we needed to celebrate our curves. We didn’t want to wait until we were thin to live our lives. We wanted to have the clothes that we saw other people wearing, so it was a matter of creating it for ourselves.

There’s a tendency to, if you’re not liking what you see in the mirror — parts of your body — you want to cover them up with drapey clothing. It makes you look bigger; it’s not necessary. Wear clothes that fit properly and you’ll look good the size you are.

Retail Manager Emily (6’4″ in heels!)

In school, people thought I was older than I was because I was tall. If I could tell a tall girl one piece of advice, I would tell her to be strong, to be tall and be proud of it.

Counselor Dawn Schooler

We interviewed Dawn Schooler, Registered Clinical Counselor, about women and their body image problem.

Everyday,  everywhere you look — magazines, billboards — we’re bombarded with visual imagery of “The Perfect Woman”. I think all women can change the way they think about their bodies and their own self-image. Develop a better filter for the messages you let in and the things you actually pay attention to.

My one piece of advice to women: you can absolutely choose how you feel about yourself.

Love the Shape You’re In!

Tips we learned from interviewing our self-loving ladies:

• Go easy on yourself. Be gentle and silence that inner critic.

• Walk with confidence. Next time you pass a mirror, check your posture. (Head up, shoulders back, back straight. No slouching!)

• Grin and bear it! Take a deep breath and smile more often. Smiling makes you appear more open and friendly, and puts everyone in a positive mood, especially yourself.

• Be open to compliments. If someone tells you that you look nice, accept their words it rather than playing it down.

• Be your own role model. Watch what you read. It’s unrealistic to compare yourself to airbrushed models in magazines.

• General rule of thumb: use all make-up products within 3 years of manufacturing, regardless of how long they’ve been open.

• A recent trend in make-up towards natural and preservative-free products means many have expiry dates and much shorter shelf lives. Ask sales people about shelf life and make sure you’re ready to use the product up quickly.

Why Worry?

• Using old make-up (or badly stored make-up) exposes your eyes, lips, and skin to harmful bacteria, microorganisms, yeasts, fungi and viruses.

• For example, you can contract:

  • Eye infections from bacteria like staphylococcus include blepharitis (inflammation of the eye and eyelid), styes (a swollen bump at the base of the eyelashes), conjunctivitis (aka pink-eye, reddening and inflammation of the eye).

  • Skin infections like peri-oral dermatitis (little red bumps on the skin that look like acne).

• Bottom line: don’t share make-up, and pay attention to shelf life! (See below.)

Best Before:

• Here’s a list of typical make-up items and their shelf life:

  • Mascara and liquid eyeliner: 3- 6 months (though the FDA recommends 2-4 months)

  • Eyeliner and lip liner pencils: 3 years

  • Foundation, oil-free: 1 to 1.5 years

  • Foundation, creamy or compact: 1.5 to 2 years

  • Powder, pressed: 2 years

  • Powder, loose: 3 years

  • Concealer, liquid: 1 year

  • Concealer, stick: 1.5 years

  • Blush and eye shadow, powder: 2 years

  • Blush and eye shadow, cream: 1-1.5 years

  • Lipstick: 2 years

  • Lip gloss: 1.5 years

• IMPORTANT NOTE: These guidelines are only good if the make-up is stored correctly. (See “Prevention” section below)

Time to toss it:

• Even if your make-up hasn’t reached its expiry date or recommended best before usage time, it can still go bad. Use your eyes, nose, and common sense to determine whether you should use it.

• It’s time to toss when:

  • Mascara becomes thickened or dried out. This usually happens due to the pumping action of the brush, which allows air (and other potential baddies!) into the tube.

  • Foundation (oil-free) separates and dries out. It will also start to smell “off”.

  • Powder becomes crumbly and dried up, and no longer goes on smoothly. Pressed powder may also become slippery due to mixing with your skin’s natural oils.

  • Concealer sticks dry out and pull at your skin when you try to apply, rather than transferring its creamy colour.

  • Concealer liquids separate and become lumpy.

  • Powder blush and eye shadow colours fade or change. This happens due to oxidation (exposure to air) and also exposure to light. The texture may become drier, or slipperier due to mixing with the skin’s oils.

  • Cream blush and eye shadow, which contain emulsions, start to separate.

  • Eyeliner and lip liner become dry, cakey, and don’t go on smoothly anymore.

  • Lipstick changes colour and feels dry and scratchy. (Note: if tiny drops of moisture appear on the surface, don’t worry. Just wipe them off.)

Prevention is key:

• Even if your make-up is relatively new, it can still become contaminated if you don’t store it correctly. These guidelines can help you ensure you get the most out of your make-up:

  • Clean: always apply make-up with clean hands to a clean face. Keep applicators, lids, etc. from coming in contact with tables and counters. Use clean brushes, sponges, and applicator tools. Clean them with warm, soapy water and air dry, or replace completely, every week.

  • Keep dry: never add water, saliva, moisturizer, etc., as this will introduce bacteria, create a moist environment for bacteria growth, and also water down preservatives.

  • Keep cool: preservatives in make-up break down at high temperatures (e.g. 30C/85F or higher). Do not keep make-up in your car, and store it in a cool place at all times.

  • Beware of wands: mascara, liquid eyeliner, liquid concealer and some lip glosses are prone to contamination because the applicator is potentially exposed to bacteria and then reinserted into the liquid for storage, which is a prime breeding ground for bacteria.

  • Container properties: foundation and concealer in tubes, sticks or bottles with pumps only dispense a precise amount, whereas open pots or wide-mouthed bottles expose make-up to oxygen and potential bacteria.

  • Share not! Sharing increases contamination and can directly spread infection and viruses.

  • Sharpen often: regular sharpening of eye liner and lip liner pencils helps keep them free of bacteria.

  • Less is more: use only a few products at a time. (We know, it’s fun to experiment with lots of different things.) At least stick to one mascara only. The less you use, the sooner you’ll use them up before they expire, and the less risk of contaminating other products.

Irritated?

• If you have an eye infection or constantly itchy eyes (not hay fever-related), toss all eye make-up immediately and sanitize brushes thoroughly (or replace) so that you don’t re-infect yourself.

• If your skin reacts with bumps or itchiness, your blush, powder or foundation may be past its prime. If it’s new, however, you may instead be allergic to something in the product.

The Basics

When looking at how well (or badly) a dress fits, there are a number of areas to check:

• The neckline should lie flat while you’re standing. When seated, make sure it’s not too tight at your throat or pulling down at back. (If so, it’s too small.) If there’s a gap, it’s too big.

• Arm holes should not gape (on a sleeveless dress), nor be too tight. When you try it on, stretch out your arms, lift them up, and move around. If it’s sleeveless, make sure your bra doesn’t peek out the sides.

• Side seams should lie flat and run straight down the hem without puckering. Bias-cut pieces tend to pucker. Be sure to sit down and see how the seams fare.

• Skirt slits should be perpendicular to the hem and should be flat and closed when standing straight. Do a sit-down check to make sure the slit doesn’t ride up and expose more than you’re comfortable with.

• The hem must be straight all the way around. Look at it from all angles. Also make sure that the dress hangs properly without getting caught up or wrinkled at the hem.

• Your rear should look fitted in close-cut styles, but not tight. If it pulls at the seams, it needs to be let out, or you need a bigger size. If you can see your underwear lines, either take them off, or get more room. (Or try a body shaper garment.)

• Your back area should be smooth. No pulling at the seams, no gaping arms or neckline, no bumps, rolls, or bulges (that can’t be otherwise smoothed out with a good body shaper).

• The front should look smooth and fitted (depending on the style). There should be no crease or break in the fabric at the tummy, which could mean the hip area is too tight, or the dress is too big. If you have a bit of a belly and the dress is fitted, you want to make sure that the fabric doesn’t hug your belly. Instead, it should drape. 

• Your bust area should feel comfortable, not constricted, both standing and sitting down. If there are buttons down the front, make sure there are no gapes between button holes.

  • If there are bust darts, they should originate from the underarm seam area and point towards the fullest part of the breast (e.g. nipple area). If the dart is to high or too low, the dress is not the right size or shape for your body.

• The shoulder area should be flat across the middle of your shoulders. Sit down and make sure it doesn’t tug or feel restricted. If it does, try going up a size, or consider having it let out by a tailor.

Other Considerations

• Buy a dress to fit your largest feature (e.g. bust, hips) and then have the over-sized areas taken in.

• If you have a short torso, you may have trouble with dresses that have a defined waist. Try waistless dresses that are loose all the way down, or empire-waist dresses, which highlight the smallest area of your torso, just under the bust. The empire-waist style is flattering on many figures.

Dresses by Ports 1961

One turkey, a few marshmallows and a dozen crème brûlées were harmed in the process. But we tried to retain some grace under pressure in these dresses supplied by Ports 1961 (above) and Holt Renfrew (below).

Dresses by Holt Renfrew

After lunch it was time to get out of the kitchen and into full glamour mode, featuring a selection of looks that we shot at a beautiful West Vancouver home. Thank you to the owner who hosted us and gave us full reign.

We shot this one below in front of a fabulous piece by Gordon Smith, Anna in D&G and me in Prada, courtesy of Holt Renfrew. Can’t wait for sales season as I hope to be able to nab this number; it’s the perfect LBD.

D&G and Prada dresses from Holt Renfrew. Painting by Gordon Smith.

We wore these divine pieces by Lanvin, provided by Bacci’s in Vancouver. Such beautiful workmanship and fabric, we didn’t want to take them off!

Lanvin dresses from Bacci’s

Halfway through the day it was time to take a breather, in our floor length gowns, of course!

Dresses from Holt Renfrew

Thankfully the rain stopped and we were able to head outside by the pool in these amazing poofy skirts by Canadian evening wear designer Catherine Regehr. The jackets and shoes were our own.

Poofy skirts by Catherine Regehr

These particular photos were taken by our hair and makeup artist Jessica Styblek. Once again, thank you Jessica for your magic touch!

But the true maestro of the day was photographer Jonathan Cruz (with help from his assistant, Deo Cruz). We have worked with Jonathan few times in the past and, as usual, it was a real pleasure. Jonathan, you make everyone look good!

Thank you everyone for such a fun-filled day.

A & K

The Basics

• With so many styles and choices available these days, you never have to resort to boring beige, unless you want the “nude” look.

• Bra designs imported from France and Belgium have an excellent track record because of the high quality of fabric and lace used. They cost more, but they will fit well and last a long time.

• Cup sizes range from AA to JJ, and band measurements from 30-56.

• Cup styles are plentiful, including:

  • Full cup, which provides the most coverage. It falls anywhere above the topmost swell of the breast and covers the centre front.

  • Demi cup usually means it rises about one inch above the nipple or bust point in coverage and has a much shallower underwire than the full cup. This design pushes the breast toward the centre, allowing for more cleavage and less tissue near the underarm.

  • Baseball cup is made with one seam running across (rather than down) through the bust point (nipple) line and curving from a point near the centre and to somewhere toward the side seam. This creates a vaguely baseball-seam curve in the lower cup piece.

  • Tulip cup is a demi cup cut on a diagonal about one inch from the bust point. The shape is as if the tips of the petals of a tulip are leaning toward the armpit.

  • Contour cup is a lightly padded cup for sizes C and less.

• Aside from the standard “half-H” strap style, you can also choose from:

  • A bandeau: a strapless band around the bust-line made of knit fabric, similar to a 70’s tube top. The wearer is at the mercy of the bra’s fit and ability to remain in place.

  • Convertible straps: can be adjusted and crossed, uncrossed or removed entirely. They work best for smaller bust sizes and are usually underwired with boning in the sides.

  • Racer back is any one of several styles that allows maximum movement of the back and shoulders. Usually it’s a high curve near the neckline with a T-strap down the centre back or a lower curve with cut-outs around the shoulder.

  • Sports bras are specialized and provide extra support for wear during exercise. Many have no hardware at all and so are slip-on, step-in or pullover designs.

  • Padding has become a popular design feature in many bras, including gel, water, air-padding (inflatable!) and more. These are effective at providing a little extra oomph in the cleavage area. They also cost more, but many women swear by them.

  • Seamless bras are very popular for their versatility under t-shirts, snug clothing, or delicate fabrics.

• Underwire is essential for good breast support, however there are also soft choices available that provide less support, or no support at all. If you are large-chested, you will feel more supported with underwire.

  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Breast health experts are now discouraging women to wear bras with underwire due to the suspected link to breast cancer. It is thought that underwire prevents the natural movement of toxins out of the breast tissue into the lymph nodes, which help clean the body. If you must wear a bra with underwire, try to only wear it for a few hours a day. Take it off as soon as you get home.

• Doctors and bra retailers agree: the most important thing is to find the right fit. Large-breasted women need the support to take strain off their shoulders, back and neck. If you’ve had breast surgery, whether reduction, implantation, or reconstruction, it’s important to provide the right support to hold everything in the right position.

Size Measurements:

Band size:

• The band is the most important part of the bra structure, providing the majority of the support.

• Measure directly under your bust, around under your arms to your back to get your band measurement. Round this number up or down to the nearest even number, depending on what’s comfortable for you.

Cup size:

• Measure the fullest part of your bust without a bra. Add five inches to your band size and then subtract from your cup size measurement. The difference determines your cup size:

  Difference  (in inches)	Cup Size
  0 to 1.5	A
  1.5 to 2.5	B
  2.5 to 3.5	C
  3.5 to 4.5	D
  4.5 to 5.5	DD/E
  5.5 to 6.5	F
  6.5 to 7.5	G
  7.5 to 8.5	H
  8.5 to 9.5	I
  9.5 to 10.5	J
  10.5 to 11.5	K

• Knowing your band and cup size is only the starting point. Not all bras are created equal, so be sure to try on lots of styles and sizes, and don’t be afraid to switch band and cup sizes in certain styles in order to get the right fit.

Getting the Right Fit

• There’s nothing like going to a specialty lingerie store and getting properly fit by an expert. If you have never done it in your life, do it! Your breasts (and chest, shoulders, and back) will thank you!

• The fullest part of the bust should fall approximately at the middle point between shoulder and elbow. If the bra has a horizontal seam, it should be parallel to the ground. (If the seam goes up from horizontal, the straps are too tight; if it goes down, the straps are too loose.)

• Lean forward to let the breasts fall into the cups and fasten the closure on the middle set of fasteners.

• Arrange breasts manually so that they rest naturally within the cups.

• The underwire and centre piece should be flat against your chest, not riding up on top of the breast tissue.

• The bottom band should ride across the middle of the back and pass under the shoulder blades thus providing the necessary support. It too should be parallel to the ground.

• Adjust the straps to give firm but comfortable uplift to the bust line. You should be able to run one finger smoothly under the straps to prevent them from digging into the shoulders.

• With the new bra on, look in the mirror and see if the straps are vertical, front and back. Straps that don’t sit vertical indicate a wrong size or poor construction.

• Larger breasted women looking for extra support should look for enhancements like wider straps, wider sides, side stiffeners, heavier materials, wider fasteners and a wider under-bust band.

• The band size/cup size combination is flexible. If, for example, the band isn’t snug enough, try a smaller band and a larger cup size (if you try a 36B and the cups are a good fit but the back is too large, try a 34C).

Troubleshooting common fit problems:

• Wrinkled cups: go down one cup size.

• Spilling breasts: try a larger cup size or a design that offers more coverage.

• Falling straps: if adjusting the straps doesn’t fix the problem, your breasts are probably not filling out the tops of the cups. Try going down a cup size. Also, look for designs where the straps are located in the middle of the cup, not at the edges. Or try a racer-back style.

• Band rides up in back: try a tighter hook or loosen the straps. If neither works, go down one band size.

• Strap marks: try loosening the straps. Otherwise, you probably need a more supportive bra.

Bra Care

• Try to handwash your bras. If you don’t have time, machine wash on delicate using a lingerie bag (or a pillow case tied closed if you’re in a pinch).

• Never put your bras in the dryer! Always hang to dry.

Dry shampoo is used as a way of freshening your hair without putting it through the rigors of a wet wash and the harshness of a full restyling with the likes of hair dryers, curling irons, styling products, etc.) 

A powder that is sprayed on to your hair, dry shampoo absorbs oil from your hair and scalp and is then brushed out. Many products also have added scent to help mask odor, and some are even coloured to create highlights or cover roots.

Dry shampoo doesn’t actually clean your hair as a wet shampoo wash will, however.

You may remember dry shampoo being popular back in the 1970s, though forms of dry shampoo (e.g. clay, rice flour, etc.; anything to absorb oils) have been used in different cultures for centuries.

Recently there’s been a resurgence in popularity of dry shampoo as a new batch of innovative products has entered the marketplace.

Best Uses of Dry Shampoo 

• As an in-between boost instead of a wet wash. This is particularly good if you have over-processed hair: give your hair and scalp a break every other day using a dry shampoo instead.

• As a travel option. Easy to pack without worry of leakage, dry shampoo can be a great way to keep your hair fresh on a short trip.

• As a rejuvenating touch-up after a work day, before going out at night. Dry shampoo will absorb the oils that weigh down your hair, which are generated by your scalp throughout the day. 

• As a hairstyle boost after a workout. To help absorb sweat and oils post-gym, dry shampoo is a great option. 

• For a better style: slightly dirtier hair is actually easier to style. (Think back to your bridesmaid days: ever had a hair stylist tell you to wash your hair the night before the wedding rather than the morning of? This is why.) Dry shampoo helps create really good texture on the hair so that fancy updo will behave.

• For more volume: the enemy of volume is limp, oily hair. Dry shampoo helps fix this by cutting out the unwanted oil. It also adds great texture (as noted above).

Shopping Tips

• Dry shampoo products in a spray can tend to be the lightest and sheerest, according to beauty experts, and they also tend to be easier to mist evenly over the head.

• Some dry shampoos come in tinted varieties to match your hair colour. Be careful with these because the product can stain clothes, hands, and pillow cases.

• If you’re sensitive to smell, remember to check the scent before you buy.

• If you have dry hair: look for oat-based products. Oatmeal and oat milk have long been known as moisturizing treatments for dryness.

• If you have oily hair: look for products made for oily hair, which should include astringent ingredients like plant oils, tree oils, and herbal extracts to break down your scalp’s oil more readily.

TEST CRITERIA

We recruited some regular gym-goers to help us test our dry shampoo products after their workouts throughout a month.

Test Results

• It seems that overall, dry shampoos do give your hair a bit of lift, which we think is great for time-strapped people, or to give limp locks an extra boost.

• The Klorane felt light and powdery. The application of it was easy and it felt good in the hair. It didn’t leave the darker-haired testers with a white or gray tinge.

• The Rockaholic felt almost like a hair spray to one of our testers.

• The Fekkai powder left our dark-haired tester with a gray tinge to her hair. She said she had to massage it in a lot for it to look natural.

• The Bumble & Bumble was a big flop with all of our testers. It was super messy, and it left an annoying residue of colour on our hands.

• Anna liked the baby powder best. She found the spray products all had alcohol in them, which is drying on your hair. The Fekkai powder was her second choice out of all of our products.

OUR TOP PICK

Kristina felt the Klorane did the best job on her darker hair, as did the majority of our testers. Klorane Oil-Supressing Dry Shampoo gets the A & K Stamp of Approval.

If you’re like most people, you’ve spent a lot of time out in the sun and haven’t always been diligent about slathering on the sunscreen. As you age, darkened patches of skin can appear anywhere on your body that has had prolonged, unprotected exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays. Most noticeably on your hands, and your face.

Brown spots, age spots, liver spots, or solar lentigo. All are terms used to describe these unsightly patches of darkened skin in which large concentrations of melanin pigment occur. (And no, they have nothing to do with your liver.)

Brown spots are typically smooth and look like your regular skin, other than the darker colour. Though they are aesthetically undesirable, they are usually no cause for concern. However, it is important to note any skin discolourations you may have that are raised, itchy, or tend to change shape. If you notice unusual patches like this, consult your doctor as they could be signs of skin cancer.

The (Potential) Solution

Brown spot removal creams are part of the growing arsenal of anti-aging products available on the market these days. They use various combinations of chemical ingredients that all aim to lighten the dark patches of skin in one way or another.

(There are also many recipes available for home remedies including ingredients like lemon, castor oil, onion, and vinegar, but we’ll leave those to you to look up and try on your own, if interested.)

Many over-the-counter creams make great claims about their brown-spot-reducing properties, including reducing discolourations, creating more uinform skin tone, moisturizing, anti-oxidizing, and texture-improving, among other things. Most creams are meant to be applied once or twice daily on target areas and require weeks or months to show results.

There are also prescription creams available through consulting with a dermatologist. These creams have hydroquinone as the active ingredient and should only be used under the guidance of a professional. Some over-the-counter creams also contain hydroquinone, but they will only be at 2% maximum. A prescription can get you a higher concentration (not more than 4%).

Buying Tips

Look for products that have opaque packaging since exposure to the sun can deteriorate the active ingredients in many creams.

Safety Precautions

Products with hydroquinone aren’t recommended for dark skin types since it can cause a condition called Ochronosis, in which the skin darkens, thickens, and develops yellow, grey, or brown spots.

Other side effects may include mild burning, stinging, itching, redness, or irritation.

These products are not recommended for use on dry, irritated or sore skin.

Most of these products can make your skin extra sensitive to sunlight as you’re using them, so it’s very important to wear an SPF at all times. (Even cloudy days.)

TEST CRITERIA

We selected two of the many brown spot lightening products available on the market and put them up against a prescription cream.

Our test products:	.	BUY IT
Nars Lightening Cream: $98 Active ingredient: Ascorbyl Glucoside (derived from Vitamin C)	. .	—
Olay Professional Pro X Discolouration Fighting Concentrate: $55 Active ingredients: N-Acetyl Glucosamine, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, and Niacinamide (derived from Vitamin B)	. .	Well.ca
Ultraquin: $60 Active ingredient: Retisol-A and 4% hydroquinone	. .	By prescription
(Note: prices listed above are approximate and in Canadian dollars)

Skin Test

We invited some viewers to help us test these creams. We each tried two types of creams on our hands and faces and applied them as directed religiously for 3 months.

• The Olay Pro X claims you’ll see results in 30 days. None of our testers saw any improvement. We think it’s a waste of $50.

• The Nars Lightening Cream was considered a good, moisturizing night cream, but again, none of our testers saw an improvement.

• The Ultraquin prescription formula worked the best on our testers, on Anna’s light skin especially.

OUR TOP PICK

If you’re serious about lightening your brown spots, consider seeing a dermatologist for a prescription strength cream like Ultraquin. Otherwise look for products with Retinol-A and 2-4% Hydroquinone. Also, remember to wear sunscreen everyday, but especially when you are treating your brown spots.

• First, familiarize yourself with the different types of garments:

  • Camisoles are short tops that offer a layer of coverage under a sheer blouse or some modesty under a deep v-neck. They were first developed in the mid-nineteenth century to be worn over a corset.

  • Corsets are short, stiff garments that lace up at the back, designed to cinch the waist and lift the breasts.

  • Slips are made from cotton, silk, nylon and other materials and provide coverage underneath a thin dress or skirt.

  • The baby doll is a short, hip-length nightgown that is matched with a panty-type bottom

  • A teddy is similar to a one-piece bathing suit; sort of a tank top and panty combo.

  • A chemise is a short nightgown made from a light flowy material.

  • A bustier is form-fitting tops that often fastens in the back and help to accentuate the bust, of course!

  • Boy shorts are tiny shorts that women wear as underwear. The leg holes are usually elastic-free.

  • The all-popular thong helps limit those dreaded panty lines. Don’t confuse it with the g-string . Thongs have more material at the back, whereas the true g-string is, well, a string.

• Fabric can range from slinky satin to more substantial cotton, sheer to opaque, simple to fancy and frilly. Here are some things to look at when choosing fabrics:

  • Lace should be a soft quality lingerie finish. To test its quality, stretch it out of place. Good lace has a memory and will snap back into place.

  • All silk is not created equal. The quality is usually reflected in the price but any good silk will feel heavy.

  • Make sure there are no loose threads hanging off the garment. This is a sign of lower quality

  • Cotton allows the skin to breath and washes well. It is also inexpensive and good for everyday.

  • Microfibre is finer than even silk, and is breathable. Good quality fabric is of the utmost importance for both durability and feel. Microfibre provides superior texture, incredible softness and smooth fit.

  • Polyester is second only to cotton in worldwide use. It stretches and resists wrinkles while te low absorbency in fabric allows for a quick dry. However, it doesn’t breathe as well as other fabrics, so save it to wear on cooler days.

• If you’re a lingerie novice, start at a specialty lingerie store where trained employees can help identify the best cuts and the right sizing for you.

Colour

• As for colour choice, we did an informal poll of 100 men on the street. Red was the most popular (55 votes) followed by black (27) and white (18).

• With women, black is still the top-seller. Nude tones offer more versatility with various wardrobe items.

• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Instead of red, try a bright pink or peach, or deep red wine. Instead of black, try out a dark blue, royal blue, or deep purple. Have fun!

Other Considerations

• If you’re well-endowed (D-cup plus), look for a bra with under wire.

• Bargain-hunter’s tip: if red puts you in the mood, look for red lingerie on sale after Valentine’s Day.

• If your beau is buying, guide him to your store of choice where you can have all your measurements recorded in the store’s database to reduce the margin for error and up his chance for romance!

OUR TOP PICK

Lingerie is intimate and personal. Whether you want hot and sexy or pretty and luxurious (or all of the above), it’s up to you to choose what works for your taste, budget, and body type. Happy shopping!

Posture is important

• Stand up straight as though you’re a marionette and someone is pulling up on a string attached to the top of your head.

• Keep your shoulders back (which also helps push your chest out, hint hint) to appear taller and slimmer. 

 Position your body

• Don’t face the camera directly. Instead, tilt your hips away from the camera, while keeping your shoulders facing back toward the camera, though not square on. This trick helps create a slimming effect.

• Avoid facing your hips square on to the camera, which creates an illusion of wideness.

• Step one foot in front of the other, whichever feels more comfortable with your hip tilt. This also helps create the illusion of a slim silhouette.

Face Facts

• Point your face toward the light source (e.g. the sun or lighting) for a more flattering look.

• If you face away from the light, you may end up with dark shadows across your face.

• Avoid lifting your chin up, especially if you’re trying to hide a double chin, since this can do the opposite, leading to a photo that highlights your neck instead of one that focuses your face. It can also give us an unflattering view up your nose.

• Lower your face as you look toward the camera and tilt your head ever so slightly. This will give your face a more heart-shaped, longer look.

• To minimize a double chin, make sure you’re standing up straight with your shoulders back. Avoid hunching over or slouching. If you’re looking at the camera straight-on, think about pushing your forehead toward the camera, which has the effect of stretching out your under-chin area. It may feel weird (and it looks a little like E.T. from the side view), but it really works!

Hand to hand

• Position your hands on a part of your body you want to highlight (e.g. on your waist to highlight an hourglass shape).

• Relax your hands and allow yourself to place them as you naturally would.

• Avoid putting your hands near a part of your body you want to hide (e.g. down at your sides highlights your thighs).

• Also avoid showing the back of your hand square to the camera, which can makethem look overly large.

Camera? What camera?

• Try not to be too conscious of the camera or get too pose-y.

• Have fun and be yourself!