Thursday, July 17, 2008

Make sure you look great for your man in uniform!

I snagged this from the Happy Housewife's Club. I have to say, I was a little thrown off... I read this 3 times through trying to figure out if this was a joke or not. As far as I can tell, the author was being serious... Thoughts? Comments? Personally I could care less what I look like. coming from the stuck up area I grew up in, I'm thrilled that I can now go to the commissary without makeup on, or run to Walmart in nothing more then jeans and a baggy shirt.

Make sure you look great for your man in uniform!

Beauty is only skin deep. We have all heard this maxim first declared by Sir Thomas Overbury in his poem “A Wife”. Physical beauty may be superficial and not as important as a person’s intellectual, emotional, and spiritual qualities, but product packaging is vital to its success in today’s world! Reveal your inner beauty for the world to see… take care of your body and keep up with styles to raise your self esteem.
Exercise Daily
Face it…if you live on or near a military installation, you have access to a Gym at no cost. What is your excuse? Physical fitness is a job requirement for our husbands. They get up for PT at 0500. You can find at least 30 min a day to squeeze in some cardio. Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind. When you exercise, your body produces endorphins – a chemical that makes you feel peaceful and happy. Exercise daily to keep your mind and body healthy. Create your own personal training program here. Need some support and encouragement? Talk to other Happy Housewives Club members on the losing weight board.
$ 0

Take care of your skin
If you have a chronic skin problem or condition that warrants medical attention, go to the dermatologist. TRICARE prime insurance coverage is 100% (read: FREE). Some military dermatologists even offer free cosmetic procedures like skin peels and microderm abrasion. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, but it’s easy to take for granted. Your skin can make you look years older if not taken care of properly. Take time to learn your skin type and get on a cleansing system. Learn the ins and outs of skincare here. Your main goal should be to get yourself on a daily routine when it comes to your skin. I use Proactive to keep my acne at bay. For a daily body moisturizer, I love Eucerin Plus ($5 at Walmart). Find a formula that is right for your skin type. Ask Tammy, our resident Happy Housewives Club beauty expert for product recommendations.
$25

Get fitted for a bra
70% of women are wearing the wrong size bra. Chances are you are one of them. I was. The wrong size bra will cause you pain, poor posture, and unsightly budges. Simply walk into a local Victoria’s Secret stores and ask for a free fitting. It is not as embarrassing as you think! I promise! Now, since you are on a budget, I suggest looking at the sale rack. I personally only buy my bras a Frederick’s of Hollywood (online since I do not have a store close to me). You get a good quality for a better price than VS. For good price, support, comfort, and style, check out my favorite bra of all times here. After you know your proper size, it is easy to shop online.
$24 each

Update your Hair
It never fails… I find a hairdresser that actually knows how to cut my hair GREAT and then we get orders and move. Keep yourself in style with a fashionable hair cut…for us this may take trial and error with salons every time we move. Find a salon by reading reviews at citysearch or scope out a hot mama on base and ask her who cuts her hair. Trust what other people say about it and bring in pictures of how you want your hair cut. Ladies, your hair is not something you want skip on. Aside from wearing a hat, you can’t hide it. Pay the money for a good haircut ever few months. For a salon shampoo without the salon price, I use Loreal Vive Pro.
$60 every 3 months

Stop bumming around!
We iron our husband’s uniforms so they can look nice every day but do we do the same for ourselves? How many of you envy that officer or NCO’s wife who always looks classy and put together even when you bump into her at the commissary? Do you justify it with the fact that her husband makes more money than yours? There is no excuse. You can look just as classy and just as nice as a military wife of any rank.

Every day you should get dressed.
Stop lounging around in sweat pants, even if you don’t plan to have company or go anywhere. It will make you feel better about yourself. Wear cloths that accent your figure and make you look fashionable. 

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on clothes to look nice.
Only buy clothes that you can mix and match. Simple t-shirts and shorts/jeans look nice as long as they are clean and fitted properly. I truly believe you get what you pay for. I have no problem shopping at Target for clothes, but I know they will not last as long as stores where you pay more money (and sometimes that is ok since I get bored with my t-shirts often). On the other hand, I am not comfortable walking into Banana Republic and paying $85 for a tank top… no matter how cute it is! You can find some amazing discounts on designer clothes at your local exchange. There are also several good quality clothing stores that carry new styles at an affordable price. New York & Company is a great store where you can get all then new looks and not blow your bank account. Also, keep an eye out for the new line, Bitten, by Sarah Jessica Parker. Check out her styles here. Everything in her collection comes in sizes 2-22 and is under $20! Her idea is to make fashion easy and affordable. What could be more perfect for the military wife! Oh, and don’t be afraid to ask if the store offers a military discount. Often times, you can get up to 10% off. 

You must accessorize!
This is the key to fashion on a budget. You can look like an officer’s wife even if your husband is an Airman. You can dress up your shorts and t-shirts by using accessories! Take the time to learn to accessorize properly so that you don’t waste your money buying things you won’t wear. $100 more or less depending on what you need

Wear Makeup
The truth is that we are not 18 anymore. Most of us need some amount of makeup to make ourselves look fresh and well put together. You don’t need to spend the money on expensive lines (like Estee Lauder) in order to look great. Find a product that you love at a decent price. Clinique is a great product but still a little pricey for some of us. Check out the exchange. Usually their makeup costs less and is tax-free. For a great product at a CHEAP price, shop online at e.l.f.. Everything is around $1 a product. I have tried almost all their products and love them. My favorites are the lip glosses (which a woman should never leave home without).
$15-$30

With these tips, no one will ever catch you at the Commissary looking like you just scrubbed the floors ever again. Remember, as a military wife, your image reflects on more than just you… you are a reflection of your husband and the military. Beauty isn’t a luxury. Living on a budget should not mean sacrificing your body. Keep your appearance up, be self confidant, and let your great personality shine through!

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