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Women's plus size clothing is our specialty. Here are our beauty and fashion tips to help enhance your appearance.

The following articles are excerpts taken from Total Beauty, by Sarah Stacey and Josephine Fairley

Makeup Tips

Great Gals Apparels offers a full range of accessories

"For blondes - Most blondes find they can't live without mascara, taupe eye shadow (which can double as brow color and eyeliner) and cream blush. Lipstick colors that work for blondes are soft pinks, with salmon or pink blush, and bone (creamy-white) shadows.

For brunettes - Most can skip mascara or eyebrow color, but foundation is often a must for evening out skin tone, together with blush and lip gloss. Good shades are rose, raisin, brown and mahogany.

For redheads - Eyeliner is great for empahsizing pale skin and light lashes - and can double as an eyebrow definer. Lip gloss is great on redheads, too. The best shades? Caramels, rich browns or brown-red on lips, apricot or muted pink blush, brown mascara and camel and toast eyeshadows.

For grey hair - Just eyebrow pencil, mascara (if your lashes are pale) and a blush and/or lipstick can work wonders. Pink, rose, red, apricot or peach lipsticks: use rose tones, soft brights or soft pastels for cheeks."

Quick Applications

"Bobbi's 3-minute countdown
3...Start with concealer under the eyes and in the most recessed corners of the eyes, near the nose. It makes you look awake.

2...Put on a tinted moisturizer or, if your skin is smooth and even-toned naturally, sweep a natural blush color or bronzer on your cheeks. If you use foundation, cover any blemish or redness around the nose.

1...Apply brown or black mascara to your lashes, and put a sheer or slightly tinted gloss on the lips.

Bobbi's 5-minute countdown
5...Start with concealer (one shade lighter than your foundation). Apply to the under-eye and at inner eye corners, and blend into your skin.

4...Apply foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone where needed to even it out, and set with yellow-toned powder.

3...Smile, then apply blush to the apples of your cheeks with a brush, blending downward and outward for the most natural effect. Or stroke on a creamy-textured blush.

2...Brush a light shade of eye shadow over the entire eyelid to open up and brighten the area. Line the eyes, working eyeliner pencil into the lash-line. Brush lashes through with mascara.

1...Go for a slick of lip gloss in a natural shade.

Jeanine's 3-minute countdown for younger faces
3...Apply concealer to well-moisturized skin wherever you need extra help; use a small brush to disguise blemishes.

2...Apply concealer/cream foundation to eyelids. Use a multi-purpose product on eyes, lips and cheeks as needed.

1...Sweep mascara through lashes and, if you like, add clear gloss or tinted lip balm to lips."

The Art of Applying Foundation to enhance your appearance

"Never apply base/concealer to un-moisturized skin - and try to leave at least 10 minutes between applying moisturizer/primer/eye cream and makeup. If you can't do that, the trade-off is that your makeup may not stay put for as long.

Up close - particularly in magnifying mirrors - everything from open pores or broken capillaries to blackheads and wrinkles looks like a flaw, and is therefore a prime candidate for 'erasing' with concealer or foundation....'Never use a magnifying mirror to apply base or concealer or you'll be tempted to slap it all over. Instead, stand about two feet away from an ordinary mirror and observe from there, dabbing base or concealer where it seems needed from that distance. Then go close to the mirror to blend. Remember: very few epople see you up that close.'

Some professionals swear by makeup sponges to apply foundation but... fingers warm the foundation as you work, and are less fussy. (They can also be cleaned more easily.) One rule: always wash your hands throughly before applying makeup, for hygiene's sake.

If you're going to apply foundation with fingers rather than a sponge, Barbara Daly advises putting a small amount on the back of your hand, then picking up what you need as you go along.

For really quick application, try a synthetic foundation brush. You dab foundation on with the brush where you need it, then pat it into skin with fingers, delivering amazing results.

You'll almost certainly need two shades of foundation and concealer in your 'wardrobe' - one for summer, one for winter. As seasons change, you can custom-blend the two in the palm or on the back of your hand.

When applying concealer, use your middle or ring finger; this makes for a lighter touch and a more natural-looking finish.

"To disguise pimples, Trish McEvoy recommends using a stiff concealer brush to apply a dab of concealer 'on the tip of the pimple - not the sides,'... 'Blend in using your finger, patting the edges till they blur with skin.'..."

Controlling Shine

"If you're prone to shine, consider using a mattifying under-makeup base....These contain 'micro-sponges' which soak up oil in the skin and help keep sheen at bay. They're a better option than caking the face with repeated applications of powder, which clogs pores and can lead to breakouts."

A World of Color

"Black skins are surprisingly vulnerable to sun damage, says Iman. The problem is that you can't see the damage - but it's there. In summer, I'm two shades darker than in winter, and I burn easily. I believe that wearing an SPF 15 daily on the face is a must in summer months.

Alcohol-based toners destroy the skin, which redoubles its oil-producing efforts to make up for the oil you're removing. You really need gentle cosmetics, because sensitivity is often a problem for women of color, too.

Many black women have lower lips that are 'split' - the top half being redder, the bottom half darker. For best results with lipstick, even out lip tone first. (You can do this by applying foundaiton over the lips - which acts as a base to make lipstick more longlasting).

Don't use base to make your complexion lighter or darker. Test foundation on your jawline, where the neck meets the face. The right color will disappear completely in daylight. I like foundations that have powder built into the formulation, so that you don't get a 'cakey' effect - or powders that are tinted, used over moisturizer, so that you don't even need foundation.

Dark skins should use a foundation with a yellow base, and it should match your skin tone exactly. If your skin is patchy, always match the foundation to the predominant shade. The foundation must look natural enough to blend in with the neck.

Use bronzing powder instead of blush for a much more realistic effect.

Take a cue from your skin tone for your lipstick. If you have light skin, you should wear light berries and neutrals; medium skin looks good in rich earth tones and dark skins should use deep tones.

Many women fall prey to the allure of brightly colored cosmetics that override their best natural features - and wind up with a face as bright as a box of Crayola crayons. Women....should steer clear of colors that are garish. On eyes, for instance, resist highly frosted shadows and pearls/shimmers, and go for colors that are neutral and closer to your natural skin tone.

The Secret to Great Lips will enhance your appearance

"The secret to long-lasting lipstick isn't just the lipstick itself - it's in the art of application....consider using a liner pencil to extend the length of time your lipstick stays put. Quite simply, use it to outline your lips, using short, feathery strokes rather than long lines - that's when lip-liner tends to wander. If you have big lips and you want to play them down, draw just inside the natural lip-line. If you have small lips and you want to enhance them, you can accentuate the outer edge of the lip-line by drawing along the very outside edge of that line - but don't ever leave a gap between the drawn line and your own lip....'When you're using the pencil to outline the cupid's bow - just above the middle of the top lip - use the pencil to draw in two soft mountain peaks. The effect is to make lips look plumper.'

Once you've outined your lips, color them in with the liner - just as if you were using a crayon or felt-tip marker in a child's coloring book. This creates the base to which lipstick adheres, and also slightly stains the lips so that when the lipstick/gloss wears off, something's left.

Never use a sharp lip pencil - blunt the ends by drawing backwards and forwards on the back of your hand to soften (and warm) it.

Nobody needs more than one lip pencil - and it should be as close as possible to the natural color of your own lips, so that when your lipstick wears off, your lips aren't encircled by an obvious line. For a softer effect, apply the lip pencil after your lipstick; the liner and lipstick blend, and they'll both last a bit longer. To soften the line, if you need to, you can smudge with a finger."

Lips - Plump Up the Volume!

"The first trick for creating a fuller-looking pout is to leave just the center of the bottom lip free of color when you're applying lipstick. Color from the rest of the lips will 'travel' to that spot but since it's not as intense, it will create the illusion of plumpness.

Add a dab of shimmer lipstick to the middle of your bottom lip, and smack lips together. A dab of gloss does the same thing. (It's a light trick).

Fuller Pout Trick No. 3: Dab a bit of lightweight concealer on the center of the lips over matte lipstick, then blend out towards the corners by smacking your lips together lightly.

To make the upper lip appear to stand out more, run a white pencil lightly just above the center of the cupid's ow or add a touch of gold, silver or white shimmer there. (Be careful not to add so much that it looks sweaty.)

There is also a new generation of lipsticks and bases designed to make lips look fuller - and more sensual than Nature made them. Some give impressive results...."

More Lipstick Secrets!

"The sheerer and glossier the formulation, the quicker it is to apply - because you don't have to worry so much about precision.

Lip gloss has a tendency to slide off more quickly than any other formulation...'To give lip gloss more staying power, line lips first with a coordinating lip-liner, then fill in by drawing all over the lip with the liner. Lip gloss will naturally wear more quickly than lipstick, but the liner will make the lips matte and provide a base for the gloss to adhere to, so it won't slip and slide around so much.

It's up to you whether you apply lipstick straight from the tube or with a lip brush - but a brush gives a more polished look and makes lipstick stay put longer by pressing the color into the lips.

To make any lipstick last longer, apply, then slip a tissue between your lips and press down on it with your lips. Add a second coat of lipstick.....some makup artists like to powder lips after the first application - using a velvet puff - and apply a second coat after that.

There's a red lipstick for everyone...but warmer complexions, including olive skin and ones that tan easily, look best in reds that have yellow and orange in them. Cooler tones (fair skin) should stick to blue reds. When in doubt, try red in a sheer texture.

To make sure you avoid getting lipstick on your teeth...purse your lips as though you were about to give a kiss, then put your index finger in your mouth and pull it out. Any excess color will end up on your finger rather than on your teeth.

Don't pull out a fave lipstick just because it's broken off. Swivel it up so that the broken base is exposed. Then, hold the decapitated top with a tissue - so it doesn't slip - and slowly wave a lit match under the chunk of lipstick to warm it. (Be careful not to burn yourself!) When it starts to soften, gently place it back on top of the broken base. Twist the lipstick all the way down and place it - uncovered - in the fridge for five minutes. (Just make sure not to twist the tube up so high next time.)

Got the end of a lipstick and don't want to waste the last bit? Scrape out the remains with a cotton swab or an orange stick, and mash with Vaseline or lip gloss in a lipstick palette.

Some shades make teeth look brighter....'The best range from watermelon to the fruity, berry colors. Avoid too-bright oranges, or any colors that are muddy or brown-based. They seem to highlight the yellow in teeth.'"

Eye Shadow Know-How

"The time-saving option, when it comes to choosing shadow colors, is to go for neutral shades - from bone to mahogany. The brighter the color, the harder it is to get it right and to blend seamlessly.

If you want to be a little more daring - say, for evening - choose your eyeshadow to enhance the color of your eyes. This means opting for a shade that contrasts with, rather than matches, the color of your iris....Slate blue and navy look good on brown eyes, browns and taupes are best on blondes....Green eyes look good in cool colors such as soft mauves and lilacs.

....tip for making eyeshadow last: 'First prime the lids with foundation and lightly dust with translucent face powder to create an even base.' (If you use an oil-free formulation, you can skip the powder.)

To make close-set eyes seem farther apart, take a concealer one shade lighter than your skin, apply and blend it at the inner corners of the lids. (Don't forget to include those gray shadowy areas on the side of the nose.)

To keep stray specks from ruining your eye makeup, always tap the handle of your eyeshadow brush sharply on a hard surface - either the back of your hand or a tabletop - to remove any excess before applying to skin.

Almost all eye shapes look best when the emphasis is on the outer corner of the eye - imagine a 'V' on its side. If you apply too much makeup on the inner corner, it makes eyes look closer together.

A dab of white or cream shadow on the center of the browone - in a dewy or matte finish - can really open up the eyes. The golden rule: this zone must be perfectly plucked, otherwise stubble/brow hairs become super-obvious. (For night, you might try a dab of sheer silver or gold in this area, well blended with the finger; you can even use the tiniest amount of a pale, iridescent lip gloss for the same trick.)

...cream shadows won't blend well over powders, so don't even attempt to layer cream shadow over powder shadow. For blending cream shadows, the middle finger is ideal - you'll exert the least pressure, thus preventing tugging at delicate lid skin.'

The quickest and most effective way to line eyes is with a pencil - but the downside is that these tend to smudge esily. The 'set' eyeliner so that it won't budge, apply an eyeshadow in exactly the same shade over the liner, using a fine brush. For even longer-lasting color, dampen the eyeliner brush beore dipping in the shadow. (Once eyeshadow gets wet, it's almost impossible to use it as a powder in the future; it's only good for lining. So create an imaginary line down the center of your eyeshadow - and always keep one side for wet.)

Concentrate on getting your eyeliner as close to the lashes as possible - this creates an optical illusion of lash length....work the shadow or pencil between the lashes to create a seamless look.

Every so often, liquid eyeliner sweeps back into vogue....Try this hand-steadying technique: place your mirror flat on a table and lean into it. Rest your elbow on the table and draw close to the lashes, as thickly or thinly as you like, in an outward direction.

Younger eyes (only) look exotic when sultrily kohl-rimmed....dot a soft but well-sharpened eyeliner pencil as close to the lashes as possible, beginning at the inside and moving outward. Then sweep a pointed brush across the lid, connecting the dots, ending with a slight tip upwards at the edges, for more drama. Blend with a finger if you want a subtler, smokier look. For sexy definition under bottom lashes, dot on pencil then use your finger to 'wipe' away the liner, creating a deliberately smudgy effect."

Lash Flash

"Pros swear by lash combs for separating and preventing clumps - but we find them fussy and time-consuming. Get rid of excess mascara by wiping the wand on a tissue, eliminating blobs before you start.

An alternative to a lash comb is to have a second mascara wand, clean and dry, which you sweep through lashes to separate them while mascara is still wet. No need to buy one: when you finish your next tube of mascara, swish the wand in a capful of eye-makeup remover, then wash with soap and dry. Keep it clean by washing it whenever you clean your tools.

...'one coat should be enough to thicken, lengthen and curl. The more you apply, the more you run the risk of spider lashes.' Skipping that second saves time.

Colored mascaras look great in glossy ads but rarely work in real life, we find. The simple rule is: black works for everyone except blondes, who look best in brown/black by day, reserving black for after-dark.

Lash-lengthening and/or thickening mascaras use tiny filaments to extend and fatten lashes, but many women find that these shed their fibers and encourage smudging as the day weas on. If this is your problem, switch to a lash-curling mascara instead, or ask at the beauty counter for a mascara that's 'filament free.'

Eyebrow Essentials

"....follow this advice from Eliza Petrescu to help establish the ideal shape for your brows.

1. The space between your eyebrows should be equal to, or a little wider than, the width of your eye. Hold a brow pencil parallel to the side of your nose. The inner edge of esch brow should start above the nostril. Do this on both sides of your face. You may want to draw a tiny line at brow-level (with a soft eye pencil, held against the brow pencil) to guide you the first few times.

2. To work out where your brows should end, hold the brow pencil diagonally from your nostril, following the outside edge of your eye. Extend the pencil past the outer corner of your eye. Where it meets the brow line is the correct length.

3. To determine your arch, hold the brow pencil parallel to the outside edge of the iris. This is the highest part of the arch. (It's a myth that brows should never be tweezed from above; if the skin below is tweezed super-smooth, then the top should be smooth too - otherwise your brows will look half-finished.)

Tweezing Techniques

Tweezing should be done after a bath or shower, when skin is supple, using natural light.

First, apply a dab of witch hazel or tea tree oil.

Brush eyebrows upwards and outwards.

Hold the skin with the opposite hand and gently stretch. Place tweezers close to the skin, near the roots of the hair, then pull the hair with a quick motion in the direction of the growth. Pluck strays and any hairs that fall under the browline one at a time, all the way across the brow.

Pluck a few hairs from one brow, then stop and pluck a few from the other. Be sure to check that the shape is even on both brows.

Holding tweezers straight and pulling the skin up towards the forehead, pluck any strays from between the brows.

Jenny Jordan has these additional tips: I numb the brows first with Orajel, a gel which is actually designed for tooth and mouth pain.

After plucking brows in daylight - facing a window - or using an illuminated mirror: don't try and pluck in artificial light as it's harder to see where the hairs are.

Don't use a magnifying mirror for eyebrow plucking - unless you would otherwise have to wear glasses. Although they're good for showing individual hairs, magnifying mirrors don't give the overview vital for gauging the correct brow shape, so it's easy to overpluck (and regret it later.)

If you are unhappy with the shape of your brows, don't pluck them for 6 - 8 weeks. It takes time for brow hair to grow back fully; then you can try again.

Some Brow Don'ts

If you're unsure, don't pluck hairs at the outer ends of the brows; simply brush and fix with gel.

Don't be a brow fashion victim. Brow shapes come and go, but what you should aim for is a classic, elongated shape that will stand the test of time.

Cheeky Color To Enhance Your Appearance

"Blush is for perking up your face, superfast. Let's start with the right color choice:

Ivory Skin Tones should stick to light beige tones for contouring and soft pinks for blush.

Pink Skin Tines also need pale beige for contouring with a stroke of warm peach to highlight and play down the rosiness of the complexion. This applies to women with broken capillaries, too, who should opt for more peachy/apricot shades - otherwise the blush picks up that redness and empahsises it.

Yellow Skin Tones - perhaps a bit on the sallow side - do best with a honey-colored contour, with a peachy/coral blush.

Black Skin Tones should choose a fudge-colored blush for contouring, topped off with a brighter, but still dark, shade of auburn - or bronzer.

Oily skin should use a blush that's a shade lighter than the one they want to end up with. This compensates for the darkening effects of oil on the blush's pigment."

How to Apply Color to Cheeks

"To avoid obvious 'stripes' of blush, apply it mainly to the apples of the cheeks, rather than all along the cheekbone. Smile, and the center of your cheek will puff out; this is where to apply blush; then blend outwards towards the hairline....If you can just see your blush from about five feet away, the shade is about right. If you overdo blush, don't rub; apply some pressed powder over the top to tone down the color.

If you're feeling tired, you can use blush to give your skin an instant 'lift'; sweep it high on the outer part of the cheeks, near the eyes and up towards the temples.
"Gel Blush is good for flawless skins that don't really need base, as it's best applied just over moisturizer; but it doesn't work well over powder or foundation. Be aware that there's very little 'playtime' because if you don't blend it into skin super-fast, you can be left with circles of pigment.

Cheek Stains are for the experienced only - they're even harder to blend in, but are incredibly long-lasting.

Cream blush is our top choice, especially the easy-glide formulations that can be dabbed onto skin - either bare skin (with a bit of concealer if needed), or over foundation - then blended outwards with your middle finger....the creamy formulation does slowly 'set' to a powdery finish.

Powder blush should be applied with a very light touch, always with a generously sized, domed blush brush. Sweep the brush across the color, then tap it firmly against a hard surface (to get rid of absolutely all the excess) before applying to your face; never, ever go straight from the compact to your cheeks - that's what creates the 'clown' effect.

Bronzing powder is applied in the same ways as powder blush, but can be used to create a sun-kissed look elsewhere on the face. Follow the same guidelines as for powder blush - but when it comes to placement, John Gustafson advises: 'For a natural effect, apply the bronzer to the places that would catch the sun. Sweep the color up over your nose, the tops of your cheekbones, the brow and the chin."

How to Lose Five Pounds in Five Seconds

Makeup can be used to slim down a less-than-svelte face - provided it's used carefully. It's all about optical illusion: using makeup that's a shade or two darker than skin tone can create cheekbones where there aren't any and make double chins and flabby jawlines look more sculpted.

Jenny Jordan's trick is to apply blush in the usual way, and then use the lightest dusting of a light-toned matte bronzing powder - in a sweep, just under the cheekbone. (Suck in your cheeks to locate your natural hollow).

The bronzer can be used under the chin, too. Alternately, experiment with a shade of face powder two or three shades darker than you usually wear, applied in those same zones. You can also try using foundation that's two shades darker than your regular choice and apply to those same areas. This is even more subtle, but just as effective - provided you're careful to avoid streaks. Above all, contouring requires practice before you go out.

Transition from Daytime into Evening Events

"For 'repair' work, you need a good magnifying mirror and cotton swabs to get rid of mascara flakes, etc.

Seek out the best light. Daylight is best, flourescent is worst. If you're making up at home, after dark, take the shade off a table lamp and put on your makeup sitting about 2 feet away from the lamp, facinh the light source.

Use blue-tinted eyedrops to take away any redness from the day especially if ou've been sitting at your computer, which strains eyes.

Valentine sweras by Yves Saint Lauren Touche Eclat Radiant Touch for repairs. Pump a little Radian Touch onto the back of your hand, roll a cotton swab in it and use that to pick up any smudges or flakes around the eye area. This works better than eye remover, which takes too much off.

Roll back the years. Radiant Touch also works instantly to minimize the appearance of fine lines. Once you've brushed on a tiny amount, pat lightly with your ring finger to blend. Apply down the lines that run from nose to mouth, adn between the brows, to subtly highlight the forehead. And apply it to dark circles under the eyes and on the inner corner of the nose, next to the tearducts.

You don't need to reapply base; simply take a creamy cover stick and apply it to blemishes or broken capillaries.

Add a touch of blush. Use just a little blusher or bronzer in a very slightly darker shade than you'd usually wear for day. The key is to tap the brush to get rid of excess, and whisk it very lightly over cheeks.

Freshen your face. If you finish with powder right away, makeup will look cakey. So spritz first with a mist of Evian mineral water spray. Allow it to dry, then add a super-light dusting of loose powder.

Emphasize lips. Lipstick should definitely be more intense for evening - a dark red or prune.

Add a touch of shimmer. Dip your finger into mineral shimmers to pick up a tiny amount of powder, then add a touch to the eyelids directly above the pupil and blend with your finger till it's sheer. It's also good on the brow, or on the center of the lips over lipstick.

Darken the eye line. Line your eyes with dark pencil, then brush over the line with an wywshadow in the same shade, and it'll last all night.

Spray on your favorite sexy scent."

Voila! You're ready for the evening!