Less is More: Dress and makeup tips to spark interest by Camy Tang

Being overly concerned with your looks is vain, but that doesn't mean you can't look your best when you head out the door. Here are some tips that will help you enhance the natural loveliness God gave you, without going overboard.

Many times, it's the little things that enhance beauty, while the big, gaudy displays attract attention, but not necessarily personal interest.

Earrings: A small, sparkly stud will set off your face, especially if your hair is up in a ponytail, braid or bun. A bigger stud or clip-on, or a huge dangling piece, often attracts attention to the earring, making people's eyes bypass your face.

Necklaces: A delicate filigree, a slender chain, or a transparent strand is perfect for small beads or crystals, preferably something shiny but subtle. This draws the eye to your face, specifically your smile, without the observer consciously noticing that you've got something around your neck. A larger necklace is like larger earrings--it will draw notice to itself, not to YOU.

Lipstick: Tracing with a lipstick pencil and a light coat of the right neutral-type color will give your lips a rosy shine and define their shape, without looking as if they have anything on at all. A darker shade and heavier coat looks thick and pasty, and on a younger woman, it tends to look like a little girl playing dress-up with Mom's makeup.

Rouge/Blush: Just a very light brush of color gives your cheeks a healthy glow without anyone realizing you even have blush on your face. Too much and you could look like a prostitute.

Eye makeup: Everyone's eyes are different, but remember that you want people to think, "Oh, look at that girl's blue eyes!" not "Oh, look at that girl's blue eye shadow!" Because of the quickness of a person's eye blink, subtle shading and only a dash of color mixed with neutral tones often give the stunning effect you want. Many department make-up counters can show you how, if you ask them how to subtly define your eyes.

Hair: Although guys appreciate the glamorous effect of stiffly perfect hairdos, your elaborate curls also act as a cool armor around you, making you unapproachable. Guys will relax around you more if your hair seems soft and touchable. Only you will know how much work it took to get it that way!

So before the date...
Experiment with everything a few days before your date, so that you will know exactly how to WOW him. Don't wait to find out Friday night that the "coral pink" shade you bought turns to bright fuchsia when it's applied!

And remember that while makeup and accessories can enhance your natural beauty, your real looks should come from Christ's supernatural, divine beauty shining through you!