Chinese New Year is just round the corner and I’m getting pretty excited about it! Considering getting together with family, mahjong, snacks, red packets, chocolate coins and everybody just being happy and in the festive mood is bringing smiles to my face. Here’s how you can look picture perfect on the lion dance-filled moment.
Remember
By “light,” I mean something that’s airy and does not trap heat. Now the Monsoon season is finished, the sun is taking over its own throne. You’d want to enjoy time with fun and nothing is going to be a much better mood spoiler than being all sweaty (pit stain alert) and gross. You might even wind up stinking and nobody will want to play Dai Di (a local card game) with you. Jeans are out and so is anything that covers you from head to toe.
Long sleeved tops? You’re in for trouble. Even turtle necks should be avoided! Mini skirts are excellent, especially the flowy types. Skater dresses would be ideal. But since it is going to look weird with everyone skating door to door, I also advocate cheongsams that end above the knee, bodycon gowns and really basically anything that’s a short dress.
Chinese New Year
It is all about new beginnings and fresh starts. Leave the bags of dull pasts behind and walk in the sunlight. Bright, cheery colors should be in the spotlight this year each year. There’s a reason the older people detest black on this day (and really every other day too but even more so during festive occasions) but you do not need to catch everything red that you see on clothes hangers in shops.
If you are wearing a cheongsam, something with light colors and hand-sewn silk floral designs would make everybody very satisfied. For men, if you have got that Kenzo shirt you have been meaning to wear, this is the time to put it on. Should you get something red, rejoice for you can wear it on National Day.
Keep in mind
If you are going to be seeing several relatives, it is likely to take up the whole day. Therefore, refrain as much as possible from putting on too much makeup as it’s going to become cluttered by the time you get home. You’d want to look picture perfect each time you visit somebody else. Go for a facial a few days before the first day of visiting for deep cleansing. Keep makeup simple and bright. I don’t mean using red eyeshadow with golden sparkles.
Try a neutral shimmer eyeshadow to brighten up the eye area. Highlight cheekbones and under the brow bones. Skip the contouring altogether. Look refreshing like tulip blossoms, not made up. Avoid dark and stern lip colors and attempt glosses for the additional shine instead.
Ditch the Clutch
Unless it’s a significant one. If you are unmarried and have not any kids, odds are, you are going to have quite a lot of red packets and you will want something at hand to store them in. Betting tables will be set up and you may even win big. It’s pointless to lug around a massive bag too because it is highly improbable that mandarin oranges are moving in there. Totter about using a handbag instead. Just something large enough for red packs, additional coins, some candy and your personal valuables; and something small enough that won’t be awkward and heavy.
Sport a Chignon
If you pair your cheongsam with a traditional low chignon, bam! You’ve got it spot on. Nothing says it better that you are really into this Chinese New Year party. Engage using hair bun rollers to help achieve this look effortlessly. They’re quite easy to use and will not take long. Use hair spray on it to maintain the chignon set up. And, again to the hot weather, it is going to help you remain cool for longer.