To Do list as result of Bostonfest - YouLookFab Forum

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To Do list as result of Bostonfest

Isabel

Veteran

There was a lot to take in with the ladies in Boston this weekend...and Greg. We underestimate him. I learned from him that chin length hair in natural waves can look awesome on ANYONE if done correctly. : ) Greg definitely had that dark clothing, cool, longer hair academic, Boho - Brahmin look going on . PERFECT for Boston.

Though I did not do much trying on ( only 4 things and one was the pajama bottom since I forgot mine ), I watched intently. And I watched everyone.

First, the hair was amazing. Everyone had such great hair. I have to be honest and say that Suz and BethL and Angie moved me enough to finally book an appointment and give myself over to a hairdresser. It is time. I told him to do whatever he likes and thinks would suit me and my lifestyle. He will do a live assessment next week and then hair cut on Friday ( the 19th ). GULP ! Suz and BethL don't know this, they didn't say anything, it was simply my observation of all the ladies and part of what made everyone great.

Second, I need to try more color. I just have to. Many of the ladies, especially Sveta and JenA and Angie talked about color to me and the shades that I would look good in. I realized how much I LOVED color on others ( Sveta's trench, JenA's pants and jacket, Angie's coat ) and yet I have a negative, visceral reaction to myself when I wear color that is not on a scarf. I do have items in color, but I never wear them. If I do, I feel uncomfortable all day. Though I did wear red pants as a leap of faith to the meet up. I felt psychologically safe wearing them surrounded by the other women.

I want to learn how to put on make up. I wear some make up everyday ( concealer ) , but I want to really learn how to do it. A wonderful young man named Andrew at Sephora helped me pick out blush, bronzer and lipstick that I LOVE. I am going to hire him to teach me application and a good day look. I have been practicing at night, but I have decided that I want someone to actually teach me something that I can practice accurately.

Finally, I want to have a facial done every 4 months. The ladies also had great skin. Or was it the subtle, great make up? Hmmm.... Though I have taken good care of my skin since my 20's, I need to do something professionally as I am 50 now and dryness has become an issue.

So that is where I want to spend my money.

Anyway, thank you for reading and "listening". XXXXXX

39 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Exciting changes coming for you - can't wait to see everything put together!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What great takeaways from the weekend! Ooh, a facial sounds nice. I was just thinking yesterday that I haven't had a massage or facial in almost a year. Might be time to treat myself. I'm due for the first pedicure of the year too!

My hair was terrifying (that walk through the misty humid morning to breakfast just ruined any hope of it behaving!), so I know that any inspiration I provided was to invoke a desire to not look like a yeti!

Isabel

Veteran

Janet !!! Absolutely NOT. Your hair was amazing. What struck me was what a perfect cut it is for you and it looked really effortless. That is what I want for me...a cut that is perfect for me.

Anonymous

What a great list and wonderful comments and observations too. As a soon to be age-twin I had been thinking about facials too. What sort were you considering? I have to say I have never had a facial in my life and I would love to know if they are worth the money.

Isabel

Veteran

Diane, I am not sure. I have never had one. I am going to book an appointment with a dermatology spa clinic near here. I have met the doctor and I LOVE her plus they get really good reviews. I know two women who have gone there. The doctor gives an assessment and then recommendations. So that is how I am starting. For now, I just want to know how to better take care of my skin and have it "cleaned" professionally , LOL . I will let you know.

deb

Veteran

Great plan. I had facials done every 5 weeks when I was in my 30's and 40's. Then she retired and I have not found anyone I like since. Maybe I am just too picky. I like you thought about wearing more color. You like color in your scarves and the transition to a top should not be too difficult.

viva

Veteran

Just booked a facial, Isabel. And cut my hair shorter and went blonder. I guess I was affected too.

Diana

Veteran

I need a haircut too! Plus I have an inch or so of undyed roots right now. I think the last cut/color I had was in November. It's just so hard to find the time (for me, it's at least a 2 hour block to get the cut and color).

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Isabel,
What a great thread and very inspiring.
I thought you looked beautiful as is and it is so funny how we all view ourselves so differently.
My hair had one of the worst days ever, if any of you have curly hair you know how disastrous heavy wind is to the whole look.
I walked 20 minutes to and from a train with very nasty high wind, had no gel or hairspray and was horribly insecure about my hair all day.
I also had roots because my appointment was this week, could not change it before.
It prompted me to ask my hairdesser about wind and she advised me to buy this product that I could use to put curls back into some kind of order after a hurricane.
Janet , I was admiring your hair, wishing mine looked as good as yours. I was sitting next to 2 fab hair twins, Suz and Viva.
We probably all had something we wish was better but everyone was beautiful to me.

viva

Veteran

And I was admiring your gorgeous mane, Jean. Those locks!!!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Isn't it funny how we are all self-conscious about things that others see as assets? Jean, I was admiring your hair too! I just felt like I had a combination of windblown and frizz going on, but I just shrugged it off and smiled big for pictures hoping that would distract the eye from my hair.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Isabel, I am blushing. (Almost as good as a facial for the complexion, I'll bet!) Thank you for your generous compliment. You know it really belongs to Angie because she is the one who urged me to cut my hair short again.

Like the others, I thought you looked terrific. Your skin glows. Your eyes are bright. Your step is lively. And your humour is infectious! Anyone who makes others laugh and enjoy themselves as you do is beautiful through and through. Plus, you had great pants. At least the day time ones.

I was also thinking about the ways we are so hard on ourselves. Jean and Janet both mentioned feeling self-conscious about their hair (while I was thinking it looked amazing!); Diana says the same (I noticed only how fresh and pretty she looked!); I was fretting about my burn/ blemish; Beth confessed to some worries on another thread...yet everyone looked lovely to me. What I love is how much like our forum presences we all really are. It's pretty amazing.

What an interesting revelation about colour! Fascinating. I wonder what it is about it that bothers you on yourself? I wonder if it's a good idea to push that comfort zone -- or if it's a deep part of your personal style, as it is for gryffin and Deborah, for example? It will be interesting to figure it out. I guess you need to experiment a bit to find out your answer.

carter

Veteran

What a great list of takeaways, Isabel. I love that you really focused on observing and studying while you were surrounded by all those fab women. We'll look forward to seeing your subtle but stylish transformation. You are beautiful now, but your goals sound like adding polish to your style.

Isabel

Veteran

What a fascinating thread this has turned into ! Thank you all for the compliments. They really mean so much coming from such awesome women.

Diana and Greenglove, I thought MY roots were screaming and that NO ONE else had "roots". LOL ! I seriously thought about dying my hair in the hotel room but my pj bottoms became the overriding priority...hahahahaha ( plus I didn't want to expose the other ladies to the smell. )

Janet and Jean, you are soooo right. I am a bit shocked by what the others have posted.

Jean, I was thinking ( wow, I wish my hair looked like THAT in stormy weather! ).

Viva, that is just too funny. I am keeping my color but if the hairdresser thinks short for me, I am going short ! Sveta hair is also just soooo perfect for her.

Suz, thank you so much for your compliments. This is such a great, warm, accepting group of women. That is why I felt so "safe" in my red pants. : )
Regarding color, the fact that I am actually thinking about it and admiring it so much everyone tells me that I need to start wearing it more. The truth is that color has started to really make me happy. I wore a lot of color ( red ) in high school because I was required to as a majorette. By college I was completely turned off, especially by red ( our school color ). Then black in the city was THE thing. I feel really harsh in all black where I live and as I age and it stopped feeling right about two years ago. I have gone into grays and navy/denim and olive as my "neutrals" - but I also want to "carry" some color with me. In the past, I always felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb in color and I just didn't like that feeling. But truthfully, in Boston, in the corporate world, wearing color would have been like a spotlight. And though I am very outgoing ( surprise !!!!!! I know ! ) , I don't like being the center of attention. It makes me squirm. But black all.the.time makes me feel "tired". And I HAVE pieces in color that I smile when I look in the closet. But I don't wear them...inertia maybe ?

It is a weird space to be. Loving something but feeling really a bit insecure about actually doing it and not wanting to attract attention.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Isabel, you are very gracious and too modest. Your style shines from within and bubbles through your effervescent persona. (Thanks for the kind words). You look stunning in rich jewel tones and are a true cool toned Winter. I'm excited to hear about your hair assessment.

Jean (Greenglove) and Janet - what are you smoking??? Your hair looked spectacular at the gathering.

Viva, I loved your shorter 'do and look forward to the extra blonde streak. May I suggest assymmetrical streaks - more edge.

Suz, your haircut suits you sooooooooo killer perfectly. Sublime.

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

It sounds like you have some pampering ahead of you! I started wearing makeup regularly a year or two ago, and when I first started, I was SO self-conscious about it. Now it feels natural to me, even though this exact look would've made me want to hide in a closet way back when!

I keep going back and forth about doing something about my hair. I want to grow it out but feel like I can use an in-between cut, and maybe a fun color. I've tried to make an appointment twice and so far the stylist has been booked... but I don't bother to schedule a week in advance because I'll change my mind again mid-week! I should've asked you all in person for opinions!

I think everyone looked fantastic in Boston. Really. I didn't see a single thing that you are all pointing out!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

What is it with us and hair? I also thought that everybody's hair looked amazing but mine was not up to the level of fabness which surrounded me. Although I am due for a haircut and color this coming weekend so I may feel better after that
Isabel, you have such a lively and sparkly personality it is really a joy to know you and be in your company. Somehow it feels that color would suit your personality quite well because it is so bright and sparkly. But you have to go with what makes you happy so you need to decide if adding colors makes you happy or not. Some people are the happiest in black, grey and navy ( e.g. Greg )... although I LOVED the red pants on you and burgundy leather jacket is fabulous too!

rachylou

Veteran

How very cool... take-aways!

catgirl

Veteran

This all cracks me up. You all look incredible and even the pics show how much you are just as you seem. Isabel, you have as much to offer as to learn - ask me how I know! I met you, woman! And I know your infectious joy and self deprecating humor is the most stylish accessory of all.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Isabel! Thank you so much for the compliment. I'm blushing, too. For the record, I was all worried about my windblown hair, too, wondering if my hair had completely flopped. I'm so happy you booked your appointments, but I also want to tell you that I thought you looked so attractive and together. You have great style. I was admiring your dark hair, cool specs, red pants, and wine coat, among other things, all day!

I like that you're going to give yourself over to your hairdresser. That's what I do, too. Sometimes, the results are a little unexpected, but it's always fun. I usually have much bolder streaks of color; this time, we went a little more subtle for some reason. I'm sure that will change next time! Giving her more say in the direction of my style and color is actually one of my tools in my war against depression, if that makes any sense at all. If it were just up to me, I'd be more inclined to play it safe, I think, and it would be more dull. I don't need any help in that department.

I've found that with make up, the best thing to do is play. Trust me, my skin is not that great. I have rosacea, and I've finally found the cosmetics and skin care that work for me to protect my skin and hide the blotchy redness. Sephora is a great place to go to get things to try out. Have fun with the make up lesson; it'll be great! The department stores are also good places to go for them.

And yay for color! Another tool of mine. I like black; I always will. But there's always room for color, too. I find it necessary.

I know what you mean when you said you felt safe with everyone. I did, too. Immediately. You're one of the reasons why.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Greenglove and Janet, I, too, wonder what you were smoking. You're both amazing women with amazing hair and style.

Sveta, you too - you are our icon of elegance.

Viva, I loved your short hair, but I bet it looks great blonder. I can't wait to see pics!

pastrygirl, I loved your hair and makeup. It completely suits you. But so would another fun haircolor.

All in all, everyone looked fantastic. And, again, I was just so happy to be there with you. (I know, I know, I keep saying that. Can't help it.)

Here's something: I spent the day with 16 (16!) women who put their own individual stamps on being stylish. Observing and processing all of that - now there's a takeaway!

crazyone

Veteran

Isabel, rest assured that you completely fab! I was especially happy to see you looking so hale and hearty after all the health issues you've faced in the last few years. I'm glad you felt safe wearing red pants around us, I thought they worked really well on you, as did that eggplant jacket you tried on at the Rack. That's another great color for you if you want to be adventurous about color

Good luck with the hair appointment!

And Jean, I remember you complaining about the wind, but your hair still looked as strikingly wonderful as ever The wind around here has been particularly nasty to hair recently--I'm feeling very windblown right now myself.

Everyone looked fab, not surprising for a website called "You look fab"

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

What a great take away from the event and a wonderful notice for us all to up our self care as women! Good luck can't wait to hear about the results of both the hair appt. and facial.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

What a great thread. I'm so excited for you Isabel, it sounds like perfect timing.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I have to agree with Angie - Greenglove and Janet, your hair was AMAZING! I thought everyone looked perfect, and here I was wearing my glasses - I do NOT like the way I look in glasses. My contacts have been bothering me lately, and in the end I figured it was better to actually be able to see the people I was talking to and the places I was going

I truly did think you all looked amazing, but what I really noticed was what a kind, thoughtful, generous, warm and loving group of women you are. I feel blessed to have met you all!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

This thread made me smile. Everyone is so hard on themselves and so supportive of everyone else. Fear of my roots in the wind was seriously one of the reasons I decided to stop dying my hair. You are all gorgeous!

Isabel

Veteran

This thread just proves, once again, what a fantastic sisterhood this really is ! Thank you !!!!!! You all are just so supportive and understanding. I have to pinch myself to know that this place is real.

It is just so interesting to hear what others were thinking too. I don't feel "down" about myself. It is just that the get together really inspired me to try some things. : )

Aida

Veteran

Fun takeaways, and not the expected kinds perhaps. You know, I didn't realize you don't wear a lot of color. When I think of you, your amazing personality and energy, you come to mind vividly colorful. I mean that in the best possible way ^^ I wonder if you are like me, in that when you wear color you want to wear color. I don't do particularly colorful outfits like, say the way Mary does, but when I wear color I do a big block of BRIGHT color. Just a thought!

Isabel

Veteran

Thanks Aida. What a great commentary on color. I am very touched about my personality being "colorful". I love the thought of that. I will have to do some experimenting. I know that I am feeling "brave" now. : )

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