Beyonce Knowles (left) and Salma Hayek (right) are the classic examples of having the perfect hourglass figures.

So, if you don’t have the right assets, does it mean you cannot achieve the ultimate female body form?  Absolutely not.  You just need to know a few tricks to balance your body and you will look fabulous and sexy in any outfit that you wear.  You do not need to be a size 2 to look smoking hot.  It all comes down to how you wear your clothes and the confidence that comes with it.

Flatter Your Body Shape is a series discussing ways to enhance your body type.  Each post will talk about one specific body shape and how you can flatter your figures by using some simple tricks.

The pear shape is the most popular body type in America – smaller bust in comparison to your hip.  In order to balance out your lower half, you need to increase your bust.  This doesn’t mean you have to make an appointment with a plastic surgeon to make it happen.  There are ways to enhance your bust without making physical changes to your body.

Kelly Clarkson (left) and Alicia Keys (right) are embracing their pear shape bodies.

Yesterday I had a fitting with a model for an upcoming photo shoot.  She has a smaller chest but a fuller hip – the classic pear shape.  When I told her that it will look better if we enhance her bust by stuffing, she gave me a funny look and thought I was crazy especially the part where I said that we can use paper towels to do the trick.  But once we tried it, she was surprised how natural it looked by simply using paper towels!

You can purchase gel inserts at the stores like Target or Nordstrom but you can always use paper towels or cotton clothes.  Just mold them into the right shapes so they will sit right on the sides inside your bras so they will push your breasts towards the center.  Don’t put them directly in the front of your breasts or directly underneath.  They should sit on the sides.  The shape should resemble a large curved flower petal and not like a tennis ball.  The thickness of the shape depends on how much you need to enhance.  Ideally, you can get to a C cup and still look natural.  Try it next time in front of the mirror while wearing your favorite outfit until the final result looks right.

Left:  Beautiful You Breast Enhancers at Target $12.99

Right:  Push Up Gel Pads at Nordstrom $38

Another option is to wear clothes that have more details at the chest and neckline area.  Ruffles, bows, flowers, and beadings create interests and the illusion that your bust is larger.  So do deep scoop, V-neck, and halter necklines.  Empire top is also a very figure flattering silhouette.  If you cover up too much of your chest, it will only make it more noticeable that your bust is small.  A little cleavage goes a long way.

Try these tops.  Left:  DVF Ruffle Top, ShopBop.com; right:  Free People Empire V Top, ShopBop.com, $88

Because your hip is wider than your bust, one common mistake that women make is to wear tightly fitted bottoms.  Avoid skirts, shorts, pants, and jeans that are clingy and tight.  They will only exaggerate the broadness of your hip.  Your best friends should be straight leg and boot cut pants and jeans as well as full and A-line skirts.  You may wear skinny jeans and pencil skirts if you can wear tops or add gel inserts that will enhance your bust so you’re drawing everyone’s eyes towards the top and deemphasize your bottom.

Left: Beaded scoop neckline along with a flowy full skirt is the best combination for your pear shape - 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2010.

Right:  Pencil skirt works if you are wearing a fuller top.  In this case, America Ferrera is doing everything right by wearing a dress with full circle sleeves so they draw your eyes upward and offset her bottom half.  The V-neckline and empire waist elongate her body and makes her bust look fuller and more feminine.  She looks absolutely stunning!

Color is another very important factor when it comes to flattering your pear figure.  Darker shades do make your body look more slimming but if you wear one dark shade, like black, head to toe, it actually makes you look dull.  Instead, you should try wearing a lighter color top and a darker color bottom to create the best combination.  So, if you are wearing a LBD (little black dress,) you can wear a light blue jacket or cardigan to contrast.  The black skirt will slim your bottom half while the light blue jacket or cardigan diverges your audience’s eyes to the top especially if you pair your outfit with a fun statement necklace.  Sneaky, isn’t it?

Pair a little black dress with a light color jacket so your audience’s eyes will go upward while the darker color skirt slims your hip.

To further create an hourglass figure, add a 1.5” – 2” belt at the waist whenever possible.  Your belt will create a nice horizontal line and make your waist look smaller. The best way to do this is to create a color contrast.  So, if you are wearing a light color top, try pairing that with a darker shade belt and vice versa.  Not only are belts useful to flatter your figure, they are a low budget way to spice up your wardrobe.  Belts are no longer just functional like they used to be, but they are accessories like your jewelries now.  You can get multiple styles and colors to match your outfits.  You can belt your tunics, button down shirts, dresses, and even jackets and sweaters!

Use a 1.5″ or 2″ belt contrasting belt to create the perfect hourglass figure – Crinkle shirtdress, Banana Republic.

These are some of the magnolia paper flowers that I made using a paper flower kit.

Paper flowers have been around for many years but not that many people cherish their beauty since the majority of us prefer fresh flowers over fake.  However, using paper flowers is a excellent budget friendly idea for all occasions – whether it is for decorating your home, creating a set for a photo shoot, or even dressing up your wedding reception!

On average, a typical wedding floral centerpiece is $50.  But if you purchase a pre-made paper flower kit that contains materials to make 12 flowers, it’s only $15.  The kit is perfect for those who are beginnings because it provides you with all the essentials to make it happen.  Add on a simple elegant vase that costs around $8, you only pay $23 + tax.  What a deal!  True, it takes time to put them together but it’s a fun project that you and bridesmaids can get together over a weekend to complete.  Best of all, you can make them whenever you want without having to worry that they only last 5 days like fresh flowers.  Also, I have to say that it’s probably one of the greenest ways to plan your wedding.

Left:  This a close up of the paper magnolia flower made from the flower kit.

Right:  The magnolia flower kit comes with all the materials that you need to make the perfect bouquet.

You should try them.  I am having so much fun making these flowers while watching my favorite TV shows at night.  All you need is a kit, wire cutter, scissors, and PVA glue.  If you’re creative, you can purchase different pattern papers, floral wires, and floral tape create your own designs!

Here is a bouquet of paper daffodils made from the kit.  Then I put the arrangement in a simple metal watering can.  Simple and fun.  Spring is here!

You can easily purchase the daffodil flower kit at the Paper Source store or at their online store.  If you are a beginner, you should talk to one of the sales associates at the store and he/she can give you a quick 10 minutes tutorial on how to make your first bouquet of paper flowers!

PVA is the secret ingredient to making all paper flowers.  It looks and feels like Elmer’s glue but stronger.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Goossen.

If you have the time and some artistic skills, I think it’s a great DIY project for the new year.  I stumbled across an article from the Nest that I find to be very helpful to get you started on your next DYI paint job.  The fun part is to pick up your colors.  You should absolutely purchase different color sample paint and test them on the walls.  Otherwise, you run the risk of hating the results.  Also, remember to take different combinations of color cards at the paint store so you can play with the swatches.  I also purchased The Color Scheme Bible: Inspirational Palette for Designing Home Interiors to help me with the project.  This book gives me different color ideas, and it tells me how to choose the right color to create the right mood.

If your walls are already painted, you do not need to prime it first.  When it comes to choosing the type of paint, I highly recommend spending a little extra because you will thank me when you begin to paint.  I recommend using Benjamin Moore Green Promise paint.  Instead of applying 4-5 coats, you only need 1-2 coats.  Although they are more expensive (about $20-30 more), they really save you time and money.  Plus, you will not be attacked by strong odor during and after the painting.

As most of you probably know, you need to use painting tape to keep the lines looking clean.  But if you have non-smooth walls like the popular orange peel texture, it will increase the difficulty of your project.  Even after I carefully pressed the tape to the walls, paint still leaked through creating jagged lines.  No matter how careful you tape, this will still happen.  So, be prepare to use a small art paint brush to go back and touch up the lines.  Yes, it does require steady hands to get the prefect results.  However, you’ll be impressed with the quality when you’re done.  Try it and have fun with your project!

Featured – from Left:  Halle Berry, Amy Adams, and Cameron Diaz

The Perfect Bra

You don’t think about it but what you wear inside is sometimes more important than what you wear outside.  The right bra can really take you the distance.  Lift up the twins and create a sexy cleavage.  Push-up bras are my favorites because if you don’t have the cleavage, you can always fake it.  Depending on the dress itself, the bra that you use will need to work well with the neckline of the dress.  You don’t want the bra to peek out.  If you are not sure, take the dress with you so when you shop for the bra and try them on together.

Left:  Jennifer Aniston – Perfect cleavage with the right support

Right: Versatile and sexy; try the Plunge Multi-way Bra with Gel-Curve, Victoria’s Secret, $50 – 53

The Perfect Body Shaper

Every woman should own at least one good body shaper.  For most occasions, you can use body shapers like Spanx.  They will offer you enough support along with smooth lines when you wear your evening or cocktail dress.  But if you plan to use it for your wedding, you should purchase one that is strapless with bonings.  A shaper with bonings will ensure that it doesn’t roll down your body.  A nude color is better than white because some times white undergarments can show throw white or light color dresses.  Shapers come in many different styles.  Some only support your torso while others support your glute and thighs.  Everyone should at least have a full body shaper that combines the bra and torso support in one.  A good body shaper can be pricy but it is well worth the money.  You can wear it under any dresses and it is not something that you need to purchase often.

Beyonce Knowles has the perfect body support – smooth lines and a flat tummy.

Left:  SPANX “Hi-Rise” Body Smoother, Nordstrom, $68

Right:  If you want the best support, try a strapless body shaper with boning.  Jezebel Caress Bustier, Ella Park Bridal, $56.99

The Perfect Heels

Once you have the perfect dress, the perfect bra, and the perfect body shaper, you should also have the perfect heels.  Depending on your comfort level, you should always have a pair of heels that will work for all type of dresses.  From my experience, a 2.5” to 3” black or nude heels are the best but any neutral color heels are great investments too.  They will elongate your legs and force you to stand up tall.  Whenever I wear heels, I will get a boost of confidence to anything that I wear.  If you are not used to wearing heels, start with 2” and slowly work up to 3”.  Although 4” plus heels look very alluring, they are usually not comfortable and can cause problems for your feet.  I am guilty of owning a few 4” plus heels but I only take them out for a walk once in a while.  Well, it’s hard to resist their charm.

Left:  Taylor Swift and Lisa Rinna wearing the perfect sexy high heels.

Right:  Try the 3″ peep toe pumps –  Pippa Patent Peep Toes, J.Crew, $198