lazy me needs advice on appearance

Posted by Lily and Johnny (18 days ago)

My brother is getting married in a 5/6star hotel in a month.

I have not done any make up for >10 years. So far i only got a white and black valentino dress (just covered the knee) in a rush, a pair of aerosole shoes (but 'open-toe type') a couple visits to a salon doing facial (product is elemis i think).

I have short hair and not very young.
I lead a busy work life.

What should I do and prepare for myself for attending the ceremony as well as the banquet. I think it is a huge banquet.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Tags makeup, wedding

Posted by Lily and Johnny (17 days ago)

May be i should re-phrase my question:

I need to appear on a very important occasion
in less than 4 weeks.

currently i have

i) a dress
ii) a pair of high heels
iii) visited a beauty salon for facial for only 2 times in the last 4 weeks, and thanks god I did the waxing (recommendation by someone from this forum.)

My worries:

Generally...I am a dumb in fashion and appearance. I only wear casual clothing for the past 10 years.

i) I have not picked up the dress , not sure if fitting is perect (and not sure if it is too early to have it tried on and to have Ms. Tailor to make amendment)

ii) high heels are 'open toe' type . I have never done nails (and donno how to, where to visit) in my life

iii) dress does not cover neck n shoulder. I am now worrying if i should do anything to my skin on neck n shoulder...if yes, how?

iv) dress only just covers the knee and does not cover ankle and above. All other women/ ladies would have dress that cover ankles. Should I change the dress.

v) I have short hair. I donno how to communicate with a hair stylist. I did spend $$$ and visited $$$ salon before. I am an easy going person and i accepted every time. But this time the occasion is so important. I am worried.

vi) I am a dumb in make-up.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sk76 (17 days ago)

I am very interested in fashion and know instinctively what works on certain people.
Used to be a personal shopper back home - If you send me a pm I can help you with the clothes aspect and maybe even suggest a hair style that works for you and then you can get your hairdresser to do it.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 1975 (15 days ago)

Hi Lily & Johnny - you sound as if you'd really benefit from a once off, exclusive class/seminar on beauty and style taking place in Central. A top UK stylist/expert will be in HK to teach you everything you need to do in order to look your glowing best or up to ten years younger. The event is in June, so after your brother's wedding, but if you need to shake up your image/overall appearance in the longer term, this may be for you. Please pm me for details.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Lily and Johnny (15 days ago)

Thank you sk76 and 1975 for your kind reply.

I am a little bit shy... would love to invite suggestion on the internet (even i understand the best way is talk to someone personally face to face...)

would anyone be kindly enough to let me know, when should i ask the tailor to 'amend' my dress (the size is right, but not sure if fitting is perfect on that day), should i take the dress to the tailor 2 weeks before the day, or 3 weeks?...

is there anyway to make my feet look neat and clean?

sk76 should i have 2 dresses (one for the day and one for the night) on that day? may i send several questions to your mail box here??

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by allynz (15 days ago)

Unless you plan to gain or lose a lot of weight go and get your dress sorted now so it is done. Ordinarily I would go to a tailor in world wide house, on the next floor up from Deli France over int he corner, but being Valentino perhaps go to the Valentino store and ask for their recommendation on a good tailor.

Look at the various HAIR threads on here for recommendations. There is a guy called Douglas who posts alot and could help you. I can PM you the name of my hair dresser or Paul Gerrard salon seems to be a popular recommendation on this site.

For your make-up just go to a make up counter at Sogo or Seibu and tell them you want your make up professionally done on the day. They will charge you but less if you buy some of their product. There are probably places in the IFC too amongst all those skin care shops along from the movies.

Nails are hard to get wrong - I usually go to Shenzhen and although I can't speak a word of Chinese I can still get what I want. Go to any beauty place and ask for a manicure and pedicure and make sure they 'scrape' the skin on your heels to get your feet looking good. Sense of Touch do a nice job, I've noticed there are a few places I've seen on the left when riding the mid-levels escalator and in the IFC there are a few places just along from the movies. I really like OPI polish as it looks nice for a long time and if you want to do it yourself this is by far the easiest to apply. If you want to do your feet yourself go to The Body shop and get some peppermint foot lotion and a 'buffer' kind of like sandpaper to rub all the dry skin off.

Lastly go to the Ladies Market, Stanley or the Lanes in Central and buy a Pashmina priced from HK$40 - about $300 depending on size, thickness and quality. Buy a colour or be safe with black. Pashminas look good with anything at any occasion and transcend social status ie: they always make you look classy.

Good luck for the wedding, I hope you have a good time.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sk76 (15 days ago)

Ideally, it would be great to have a different look in the evening. You can get away with being more elaborate at night.
You may pm with any questions and I will answer as usually only look at my mail as opposed to looking thru the threads unless I need help on something in HK;)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (15 days ago)

L and J,
First and foremost always remember that no matter what you wear self confidence is the overall winner. Come on, your obviously older and well educated that in itself is a very sexy trait and you live in Asia where most have yet to tread. You should first be proud of your accomplishments and of your life. Throw your shoulders back put your chin up and no one will notice anything but you.

I am a very insecure person and I have been lecturing for 29 years, if I can act confident and secure in a crowd you certainly can...that said

First lets talk about your dress, Valentino...nice choice, sexy but very glamorous. You just need to let it do all the talking. Go understated with everything else, depending on the neck line and shoulders keep the hair down and back and bouncy but simple. Velcro rollers are a great trick here....make up...I have a girl you can use if you like named Karen, she is wonderful at simple but very elegant makeup. If you would please send me a photo of you in the dress front, side and back I can give you a better perspective and consult with my guys in HK so they can help you further...I have to run to church but will be back in tonight and we can converse on e-mail or here. If its specific questions I will answer on e-mail then repost here as the guys at Expat like to see the input . My e-mail is dlillico1@hotmail.com....talk to you tonight, cheers.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Lily and Johnny (11 days ago)

Thank you all for your kind recommendation. I am going to pick up my dress in central today (thanks god it is holiday). I shall walk around IFC and the escalator and perhaps sogo to check out the stuff.......

another stupid question. It seems that i should not wear the normal bra (the dress does not cover shoulder and neck.

What would ppl normally do? should i wear a nude bra? i hate plastic though..
the fabric of the dress is cotton ( kinda thick)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sk76 (11 days ago)

Pls do not wear a nude bra - as the straps are still visible. Why not wear a strapless if you can or halterneck bra so the straps aren't visible.
Do not ruin the look of an expensive dress with a bad bra.
And be aware of what you look like from behind - VPL is a no-no!!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Lily and Johnny (11 days ago)

Thank you sk76...may i ask which brand would you recommend for strapless and halterneck bra? should i go to sogo and take a look? or any other store?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 1975 (11 days ago)

Marks and Sparks usually has a good supply - try there first

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Lily and Johnny (11 days ago)

Thank you 1975, will check out M&S :)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by MayC (7 days ago)

It depends on your built. The local bra shops here have a good collection of halter neck bras and strapless bras.

I bought a few sexy outfits from Sydney and I took them to a bra shop near where I live. I told the lady that I wanted a bra to go with my outfits. It was wonderful! I ended up buying 2 halter-neck bras. They were lovely, the back part of the bra was like a scarf-type material and it had a diamond ring (buckle) so even if it was revealed it looked sexy, like it was part of the outfit.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by mamadavid (7 days ago)

MayC, what shops sell the halter neck bras?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by MayC (6 days ago)

Oops, I've forgotten to check the label on my bra last night. Sorry, I'll do it at lunch today.

Mamadavid, the shop I go to is in Sheung Shui. However, I heard it is a popular brand and you could probably get it at most lingerie shops anywhere in HK.

Will advise the brand name this afternoon.

MayC

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Douglas Lillico (6 days ago)

Land J....I just wanted to give you a name of someone that might be of great help to you, she is an image consultant of sorts and does colors and such. Her name is Eve Roth Lindsey and she owns Savvy Style...I will leave you her e-mail...lindroth@netvigator.com

Cheers

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by MayC (6 days ago)

Hi, I've just checked. The brand is Satami. You can get it at most lingerie shops all around HK. Ask them for a halterneck scarf-material bra with a diamond buckle at the back. The hook is at the front. It gives a wonderful cleavage too... and because you "tie" the scarf at the top, you can adjust the straps to fit.

Good luck.

If you cannot find it, pm me. I go over to HK Island sometimes and I could buy it for you, then take it over, although I think with bras it is better to try it on.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Lily and Johnny (4 days ago)

Thank you all for your help. I have been extremely busy in the last few days. Might not check this forum as frequent as before. Thank you all who took the time leaving your opinions here. Thank you.

(I am based in Hong Kong)