It’s Monday, and I’m trying to finish my taxes and get the laundry caught up and find my husband’s passport (don’t ask). In other words, I’m having one of those days where I have precisely five minutes to get ready and not a single second after that to do so much as check my lip gloss.

Sound familiar?

Today I have a random assortment of tips and tricks for you, for days just like today, plus some great news about things you can win.

Tips
I learned something interesting recently, about how to find the Perfect Jeans, that pair that makes everyone say, “Have you lost weight?” and “Wow your butt looks FANTASTIC.” And honestly, it’s so simple that it makes me want to cry, because how did I not realize this before?!?

When you are shopping for jeans, look for three things: fit, length and rise. Yes yes, you say, we knew all that — but wait! There’s a strategy here.

Make an effort to find jeans that fit the most difficult part of you well — I have a small waist and big hips, and in the past I have settled for jeans that fit one or the other, and have made do. But the pair I am currently wearing fits BOTH and I cannot tell you what a HUGE difference it makes; they are comfortable and flattering all at once. And yes, I tried on close to a million pairs to find the two I now have, but it was worth it. Don’t shortchange yourself; ONLY buy what FITS, and commit to making the effort to find that fit.

While you are in the dressing room with six dozen pairs of possibly perfect jeans, keep your eye on the length. We all know that jeans need to be the right length, but consider this: a slightly longer length — either for flats (with a bit of a break over the top of your foot) or heels (falling to within a quarter inch of the floor) makes your legs look longer and slimmer. Again, don’t settle — find a pair that really IS the right length, and keep in mind that slightly too long is better than slightly too short (and by SLIGHTLY I mean perhaps a centimeter — not three inches, please).

Finally, rise to the occasion. A mid-rise is the most universally flattering, but for a really great back view, look for jeans that have a slightly longer rise in the BACK — in other words, the waistband should come up a little higher in the back than it does in the front. I used to scoff at these jeans, because who wanted that HUGE backside, but honestly, it makes your tush look smaller because it contains EVERYTHING. No peeping underwear or rolling muffin top. And the slightly-higher-in-back rise is more professional, because there is really NO chance of flashing anyone. Keep the rise a little lower in front, for a flat, modern look, but cover up in back.

Tricks
I am currently having a huge love affair with my concealer, because I’m not having ENOUGH of a love affair with my bed; I am chronically tired and have the dark circles to show for it. But I’m always leery of putting on too much concealer, because then I look tired AND sloppy, which isn’t good at all. And so I’ve been perfecting my concealer application technique, to share with you.

You’re welcome!

1. Put a small blob of concealer on the back of your hand, about HALF of what you think you will need. It’s easier to add more than it is to remove too much.

2. With your pinky finger, pat three dots of concealer JUST on the dark circles under your eyes. Not sure where they are? Look straight at yourself in the mirror and slowly tilt your head down. See them now? I thought so.

3. Here’s the trick: with a FOUNDATION BRUSH (yes, the big one, not a wee concealer brush) blend the dots; use gentle strokes to spread the concealer over the circles and just past the edges. The larger brush eliminates any hard edges and covers completely and evenly.

I will repeat the process on my eyelids; the concealer acts as a primer and holds my eye shadow in place. That’s it! Now you look like you’ve had a full night’s sleep.

Let’s get to the gifts, shall we?
Work It, Mom! is turning one this week, and we’re all celebrating (I had cake for breakfast, because that’s what you do on your birthday, yes?). And of course a birthday isn’t really a birthday without favors — and so all this week, WIM is giving away one terrific prize each day. Just head on over to the contest page and follow the directions (which consist mostly of LEAVE A COMMENT AND YOU CAN WIN — so simple). The prizes are great and you ALL deserve one. So enter now and win!

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