Southwest Make-Over - staff
| This make-over may be in the
opposite tradition of glamour make-overs because although being a
southwest woman can be a state of mind, it is also a lifestyle; a
toned-down, natural, exuberance radiating the warmth of the southwest,
the enchantment of the desert, colors of the rich palette here, and the
use of natural fibers. Jewelry is locally made but of excellent quality
and famous to the region. Fashion styles are comfortable, functional and
flowing, drawing on the cultural influences that abound in this region. |
brilliant weaves for the colors of the southwest |
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Photo © Iryna Kurhan
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Clothing of course should be suited to
the occasion but business dress is a little more lax in the southwest,
sometimes incorporating boots with a western or desert style, while
native American fabrics and prints are popular and worn for almost any
occasion. A carefully planned wardrobe can carry you from home to a
casual to a dressy affair; rather it is knowing how to piece it all
together that is the trick, how to dress up or tone down with colors and
accessories. |
Make-up, if worn, is
subtler, for an attractive yet natural glow. Colors are blended to
almost mute, and tanning is as easy and natural as simply getting out of
doors. Gaudy brightness and overpowering make-up is not meant for the
southwest. A good daytime routine includes a protective moisturizer, a
natural base if needed, just a stroke of light blush, mascara, lip-liner
if a business or social engagement, and lightly colored lipstick. For
evenings, go a shade darker and add layered earth-tones eye-shadow
applying a light base color from lid to brow, adding a darker shade in
the crease and blending well, re-blend all with the base shade once more
from lid to brow.
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Photo © Randy Mckown |
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A woman shops at Biltmore Fashion Park, Phoenix - photo
Phoenix CVB |
Temperatures vary in the southwest from
the year-round warmth of Arizona to the cold, snowy winters of the
mountain communities. A woman’s attire in Phoenix will be completely
different from that of a woman in Santa Fe, yet common factors remain: a
creative flair for fashion through the use of regional colors, fabrics,
cultural influences, and individual style. |
Resources for fun shopping in the
southwest to get you started on your make-over:
- Albuquerque Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico - Albuquerque's
first neighborhood, charming old adobe village offering clothing &
accessories, art, jewelry, trading posts, specialty shops.
- Downtown Shopping, Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Galleria Dallas, Dallas Texas
- Biltmore Fashion Park Shopping Center, Phoenix, Arizona - The
Biltmore Fashion Park offers world-class shopping in a beautiful
garden-park environment. The peaceful outdoor mall features upscale
retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Gucci and Cartier.
Women's group make-over workshops:
Available in Dallas and Santa Fe.
email esenciadesantafe @ yahoo dot com for info |
Downtown Shopping, Santa Fe, NM photo Doug Merriam
courtesy Santa Fe CVB
Visit www.santafe.org for a complete list of shopping in Santa Fe |
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