Get Real Peach Blush

Makeup artist Amy Nadine: “I’m obsessed with a true peach cheek and disappointed when I buy blushes that turn pinkish when I apply them. The only way I’ve found to achieve a real peach on my clients is to use a formula that looks orange in its packaging. I promise it will become peach when layered on your skin! That’s why Nina Dobrev looked so great at the Independent Filmmaker event.”

Add Light Brown False Lashes

Switch to Coral Lip Stain

Makeup artist Gregory Arlt:  “I’ve been obsessed with corals this season, but not your grandmother’s old-fashioned version. New sheer coral stains are light and whisper soft, like you’ve just had a popsicle. I recently used MAC Lusterglass in Love Nectar at a shoot with AnnaLynne McCord and she loved it so much, she wore it out that night.”

Set Your Makeup With Mist

Makeup artist Tina Turnbow: “In the summer, I love misting my client’s faces with Caudalie Beauty Elixer. It sets the makeup, freshens and tightens pores, plus it’s incredibly cooling. I use this trick with Jessica Szohr on a warm L.A. nights.”

Use Cream Blush Not Bronzer

Makeup artist Fiona Stiles:  “I like a product that can multitask, especially in the summer. Instead of drowning Ali Larter in liquid bronzer, which can either look too orangey or a little greasy, I used cream blush in a warm, nude shade. (My favorite is Lancome Color Design Blush in Model Mocha.) It’s equally flattering on eyes, cheeks, lips and even as a highlighter on the shoulders, legs or clavicles.

Mix Foundation and Daily Moisturizer

Makeup artist Gina Brooke:  “There is nothing more important that fresh healthy looking skin in the summer. For Anne Hathaway‘s look at the Met Gala, I mixed a dab of hydrating, nutrient rich cream like Intraceuticals Rejuvenate Moisture Binding Cream into her foundation. It’s lighter and more natural looking than foundation alone, plus it works to give her a more radiant complexion in the future.”

See more Summer 2010 Beauty Tips at InStyle.com

I also don’t think Mom’s should have to duck into the nearest bathroom when baby gets hungry. Besides for the fact that it’s just plain yucky and often uncomfortable, the fact is that sometimes a private spot is just not available! So that’s why you may want to invest in a snazzy little cover-up to give you a bit of privacy when you’re nursing on the go.  It will even come in handy at home, when you have company and don’t want to miss any of the action!

Udder Covers

Great for the stylish cow–I mean woman!
Rigid neckline gives you direct eye contact with baby.
Made of 100% breathable cotton.
Stainless steel d-rings allow fully adjustable neckline.
Machine washable.

YOU CAN GET ONE FREE (just pay shipping) if you enter the code “BACKORDER” when ordering! I don’t know how long this will last, so if you want one, grab it now!

Get yours at uddercovers.com

Under Wraps Nursing Poncho

This is a great thing if you want all-around coverage!

• Uniquely designed to be worn during pregnancy, while breastfeeding or just because.
  
• Wear it while nursing or even as a fashion piece.
• Neck line design allows mom to latch baby easily without exposing anything!

Get yours here for $39.99.

Hooter Hiders

If the name alone is not enough to make you want one, maybe the buy-one-get-one-free offer will (good until June 28)!

Head Rush Nursing Covers

Breastfeeding in public can now be a pleasant experience with these lightweight, cotton, nursing cover. Plus, you get $10 off their Spring Styles!

• Complete 360-degree coverage
• Front pockets for pacifiers, nursing pads, etc.
• Lace panel in front for ventilation and eye contact.
• Burp cloth and drawstring bag included.
• Can be used as a stroller canopy and baby blanket!
• 100% cotton and machine washable.

Never fear! There are lots of them out there, and here are some of summer’s sweetest sundresses for UNDER $30!

Old Navy: Crinkled gauze fabric, breezy style, and adjustable straps. $29.50

Kiki’s Fashions: Lots and lots of adorable dresses, all under $50! Yellow & white print dress $28.99, Pink plaid dress $27.99

Motherhood Maternity: Soft jersey knit, smocked, spaghetti straps. $19.98

Old Navy: Soft gauze, crochet trim, graceful tiered hemline. $29.50

The extra weight is there for a reason!

La Leche League points out that one reason you gained extra weight during pregnancy is so you would have plenty of reserves for feeding your baby. This is particularly reassuring for nursing mothers because it means that breastfeeding help in shedding these extra pounds, as the “reserve” are converted into nutritious breast milk for you baby.

Breastfeeding helps with weight loss

You may be surprised at how much weight you can loose in the early months by simply following a normal diet and eating when you’re hungry. The LLLI BREASTFEEDING ANSWER BOOK says, “Breastfeeding mothers tend to lose more weight when their babies are three to six months old than formula-feeding mothers who consume fewer calories… Another study of mothers at one month postpartum found that mothers who breastfed (either exclusively or partially) had slimmer hips and weighed less than women whose babies received only formula…” (Yet another good reason to nurse your baby!)

Breastfeeding mothers can loose about one pound per week, while still consuming 1500 to 1800 calories per day.  The BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board says that most nursing moms actually need more like 2,000 to 2,700 calories per day! It’s very important to eat well in order to feel good, prevent mood swings, and have energy to care for your baby (especially if you are compensating for lack of sleep!).

It’s interesting to note that the composition of your milk really does not vary much with your diet. LLLI points out that mothers in famine conditions can produce perfectly nutritious milk for their babies. The main reason it’s important to eat well during lactation is for yourself– your health may suffer if too many of your own reserves are used to provide milk. Be sure to take care of yourself by “eating to hunger” and “drinking to thirst.”

Exercise and Dieting

If you feel like to need to actively work to lose weight, it is best to wait at least 2 months for your body to recover from childbirth and establish a good milk supply. Starting a diet too soon after giving birth can delay your recovery, affect your milk supply, and make you feel more tired (and no one with a newborn needs to feel MORE tired!). Always check with your doctor about increasing your activity level or reducing your calorie intake.

Exercise, not just calorie-counting, is important if you want to loose weight.  Try to be more active, whether it means hitting the gym or just walking your baby in the stroller instead of driving everywhere.

Don’t skip meals in an attempt to lose weight. It won’t help because you’ll be more likely to eat more at other meals. All you’ll accomplish is probably making yourself feel tired and grouchy. Breakfast really is important in helping you stay active and energized throughout the day. According to the National Weight Control Registry, 78% of successful dieters eat breakfast daily.

Go Slow

BabyCenter explains another danger of strict, restrictive diets. Too-rapid weight loss can release toxins that are stored in your body fat into your bloodstream and milk supply. These toxins include environmental contaminants like the heavy metals lead and mercury, persistent organic pollutants like PCBs and dioxins, and solvents.

Be realistic about weight loss

You should know that not everyone is able to return to their exact pre-pregnancy weight or shape. Pregnancy often causes permanent changes such as a softer belly, a larger waistline, and wider hips. With this in mind, you might want to adjust your goals a bit. (For a reality check, see Baby Center’s photo gallery of real post-baby bellies.)

Make good food choices

Some good food choices include:

• low-fat milk and dairy products
• whole grain products like whole wheat bread and whole grain cereal
• high-fiber, low fat fruits (like apples, oranges, and berries)
• raw vegetables (like carrots, jicama, and red pepper strips)
• broiled or baked foods rather than fried foods
• limit sweets and processed snack foods
• choose “good” fats (mono- and polyunsaturated fats) like olive oil, avocado, olives, nuts and seeds, and fatty fish like salmon.
• cut calories by drinking water instead of juice, soda, and coffee

Some suggestions for squeezing more fruits and veggies into your diet:

• Make fruit (or veggie) smoothies
• use fruit or vegetable salsas or sauces made from puréed vegetables over fish or chicken
• add shredded carrots to your sandwich
• try grilled vegetables,
• try puréed vegetable soups. Puréeing gives you a creamy soup without having to add cream.

feature image from www.indidenim.com

Before that there was bikini-clad Kendra Wilkinson, who graced the cover of OK! in February, just eight weeks after giving birth to her son. And last May, Elisabeth Hasselbeck posed for the cover of  Fitness, with baby Taylor only 6 months old. And famous octo-mom Nadya Suleman posed for the cover of Star in January one year after giving birth to her crew.
Pregnancy and weight loss are two topics that are sure to sell magazines, but as iVillage puts it, “There are so many things sadistically wrong with our post-baby celebrity body obsession.” You can probably figure out what the problems are yourself, but here’s what iVillage has to say about it:

The magazines are misleading

Kardashian’s cover reads “How I lost 33 pounds! My super-fast weight loss, flat stomach in days, new secret slim-down shake.” Just whip up your own slim-down shake, curl up with their magazine, and your pregnancy weight will disappear too! (We won’t mention the fact that you don’t have a private trainer, personal nutritionist, full-time nanny or cosmetic surgeon like she does.)

Some celebrity moms are lying too…

Octomom’s bikini cover reads, “No nips, no tucks, no lipo.” While it is technically possible that she dropped 150-ish pounds without surgery, you can’t get rid of that much stretched out skin with exercise alone.

Photoshop works miracles!

We all know that magazines retouch all their photos. Bye-bye stretch marks and love handles! Take a look at this altered cover image of Kardashian for evidence of how far digital “shaping” goes. Thankfully, she objected to it!

(photo credit and story here)

Not the role models we need!

You know what your priority should be after you have a baby? Your baby. Not weight loss, calorie intake, or how you look in a bikini.  The newborn period is so short, and before you know it this sweet, tiny little creature will be… well, not newborns anymore. Take time to bond with your baby and take care of yourself, too. That means eating hearty, healthy meals, getting enough sleep, and ignoring the pressure to looking perfect again.

Now here’s a photo we can all be comfortable with… Halle Berry, post baby, out shopping as happy as can be (note: not exercising!) and feeling comfortable in her own skin. She looks great, and that baby belly– well that’s pretty much what any normal postpartum mom looks like! It’s an old picture, but I’m liking it! ( photo source)

If something like this has happened to you, you’re not alone, and it’s actually quite normal.  These skin changes did not happen overnight, although you may notice them all of the sudden on morning.  The American Academy of Dermatology says that about 70 percent of pregnant women develop these blotchy areas of darkened skin. It’s called chloasma or melasma, but is also known as “the mask of pregnancy” (sounds more romantic than it is!).

The blotchy areas usually appear around your nose, cheekbones, and forehead (hence the name Mask of Pregnancy). They may also show up on your upper lip, cheeks, and jawline.  Some women also develop dark patches on other body parts that are exposed to the sun. You may also notice areas of skin that are naturally darker (nipples, freckles, genitals) — becomes even darker during pregnancy. Some women notice a darkened line, called the linea nigra, running from their belly button downward.

Why does it happen?

You guessed it– it’s those lovely hormones at work again!  During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause a temporary increase in your body’s production of melanin, the chemical that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes.

Women with darker skin are more likely that lighter-skinned women to get melasma.  This “mask” may become more pronounced with each pregnancy.

Will it go away?

The good news is that these darkened areas will probably fade within a few months after delivery. In some cases it never completely disapears, but for many women their skin will return to its normal shade.

Can I prevent it?

Although this skin pigmentation  usually disappear on its own after delivery, there are some things you can do to minimize the splotchy factor:

• Stay out of the sun and avoid tanning salons. Cover up or use sunblock if you’ll be out in the sun. More pigment is created when skin is exposed to sunlight.
• Use gentle cleansers and lotions. Irritating products can worsen the condition.
• Use concealer! When all else fails, there’s always the make-up bag.
• After birth: Continue to protect sensitive areas from the sun. Certain contraceptives containing estrogen may also cause melasma.

feature image from The Daily Green

So what should you be looking for?  Here are some Spring 2010 fashion trends for the mom-to-be that won’t have you shuddering in horror!

Sugar Candy Shades: Silky, floating fabrics in soft, feminine colors will definitely breath a sense of spring-time into your wardrobe. Bring on the frills, ruffles, and pastels!

Candy Floss style via Made for Mums

Be Knotty! Knots, drapes, pleats, and other fun shapes reigned on the catwalks, says Made for Mums.

Drop-Waist Peasant Top by Old Navy; Tie Knot dress by Isabella Oliver

Cool T’s: When the weather starts to heat up, you’ll want some fun, comfy T-shirts to brighten up your outfit. The bright colors, draping, and graphics on these T’s keeps them from being boring!

T-shirts from the Gap

Eye-popping Prints: Dress your bump in flashy florals and bright geometric designs.  Let your wardrobe energize you this spring season!

James Jeans Maternity Bootcut Stretch Jeans at Nordstrom; Maternity Jeans by Gap

Here are some of the great maternity fashions of the season!

(image from clothing tutor)

Feminine Frills

A bow neck on top or some ruffles cascading down your belly add a lovely lady-like touch to any outfit. Add some slim pants and a cardigan for the office, or a slim skirt and heels if it’s time to party!

(Ribbon-trim textured-stripe shirt by Gap, Elbow Sleeve Ruffled Maternity Blouse by Pea in the Pod, Silk Ruffle Blouse by Gap)

Pretty Patterns

You’ll see lots of great patterns out there, from fresh florals to preppy plaids, to funky graphics. Have fun!

(Flora Tie Back Dress by Gap, Plaid Ruffle Blouse by Pea in the Pod, Cravings Maternity Boutique)

Bangin’ Boots

Choose your favorite… scrunchy boot, a mid-calf, or an over-the-knee boot, heels, flats, wedges, stilettos, rain boots, cowboy boots… They’re all great this season! Whatever your style preference is, get some great boots to complete every outfit!

(Pictures from myddnetwork)

Chunky Knits

Keep yourself toasty and trendy this fall with some super-cozy knit sweaters. To balance out the bulk on top, wear these sweaters with skinny pants or a shorter, tailored skirt.

(Short Sleeve Cable Knit Sweater by Pea in the Pod, Funnelneck cable cardigan by Gap, Butterfly Sweater by Isabella Oliver)

Maxi Dress

Perfectly glamorous! The Maxi dress is definitely made for the pregnant woman’s delicious curves. The beautiful dresses below are great for a special occasion, but you can find casual maxi dresses too that are perfect for a day at the mall.

(The Maxi Wrap by Isabella Oliver, Spaghetti Strap Ruched Dress by A Pea in the Pod)

Over-sized Accessories

Your curvier figure will lend balance to chunkier jewelry and larger accessories than you might be used to.  Try wearing a simple jersey dress with a huge tiered necklace, chunky bangles, dangly earrings, or a fabulous, fits-everything-in-it bag. (Note: Wearing ONE of those at a time may be enough of a statement!)

(Photos left to right: WorkChic, Flickr, Best Ever You 20s)

1. Shop Your Closet

Raid your existing wardrobe for pieces that can fit your new shape. Open cardigans, long stretchy tunics and tees will continue to work, at least in the beginning. Tent and empire-waist dresses are natural transition pieces too.

2. Don’t Give Your Belts

Instructions for Use

Some doctors recommend a belly wraps as part of a postpartum plan. Women can put it on after delivery and should wear it for four to six weeks after delivery to reap the maximum benefits. According to the Belly Bandit website, “wearing an abdominal compression wrap after a c section may actually decrease the post op recovery time by minimizing associated incision pain, which allows greater mobility post surgery.”

The belly bandit does not take the place of a healthy diet and regular exercise. Instead, it should help make new mothers more aware of their bodies and encourage them to eat a well-balanced, healthy diet, and exercise on a regular basis.

How the Belly Wrap Works

Even the skeptics can’t argue that these belly wraps make you appear slimmer by holding the flab in. But proponents claim that these wraps also exert a gentle pressure that helps reduce the swelling of the uterus, while supporting the legs and back.  They help women recovering from birth with their posture, abdominal support, and self-confidence. Because the new mom feels more comfortable and supported, she is more likely to get out and exercise, speeding up the weight-loss process.

But the benefits of a belly wrap may go even further. Belly binding has been around for centuries, according to Target Women, and is common in countries such as Japan (where it’s termed Haramaki), Latin America (they call it Faja), India, and other European countries.  They claim that a flabby tummy can be reversed through proper posture, support and warmth on the abdominal.   It is believed that puffy skin needs certain amount of heat and pressure to reattach to the muscle. A belly wrap provides this gentle compression and also helps the uterus return to its normal size quicker.

Fans of the belly wrap say that it even decreases the appearance of stretch marks, cause by skin that is pulled and stretched during pregnancy. The theory is that even after birth, saggy skin may continue to cause stretch marks.  Greater support of this loose skin may decrease tension which in turn may decrease stretch marks in the postpartum period.

A belly wrap costs anywhere from $20 for something simple, to $65 for the deluxe, eco-friendly models.

Think Again…

Other doctors and fitness experts warn buyers not to be fooled by the belly wrap claims. As tempting as it sounds, there is no evidence that your body shape can truly improve because of a belly band. The only proven way to lose your baby weight and keep it off, they say, is to eat a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat and high in fiber, and engage in regular exercise. The wrap will help you suck in that gut, but anything else is just wishful thinking.

They may actually do new moms a disservice, WebMD quotes one doctor as saying. “We have to consciously work to strengthen and engage our core muscles, and we use less of our abdominal muscles when wearing wraps.”

Bottom Line: I have never tried a belly wrap, and am not sure I believe it would work… but it sure is a tempting thought! At worst, you spent $50 on a fancy girdle that at least makes you look thinner. At best, you’ve got better posture and a tighter, slimmer, less flabby belly!

And the fact still remains that there is no easy and quick miracle cure for losing weight. Gradual weight loss, attained through the right balance of a healthy diet and proper exercise, is still the healthiest way.