Are you looking to hook up with a guy who you’ve had your eye on for quite a long time? You may not feel confident to approach him… well, there’s your problem, in fact. If he ever notices that you lack confidence, it can be a real turn off to any guy. While most claim that there is something called love at first sight, we beg to differ. He can fall in love with the way you look, and have a crush on you, but love you? Love is something more meaningful and the term has been thrown around wrongly too often.

(Also read – Signs that he is falling in love with you)

So here we look at steps in which you can build up your confidence to walk up to the man of your dreams and make him fall head over heels for you.

Love yourself

Love yourself before he can love you

Loving yourself is the first step towards being loved. If he sees that you love the way you look, he’ll perceive you to be confident. Everything we see and read on television and magazines gives us an unrealistic perception of what our bodies should look like. Instead, learn to love yourself just the way you are, and he will too.

(Also read – Mistakes that can ruin new love)

Love everything you do

Any boy will be much more likely to fall in love with you if you love what you do and feel more positive about the things in your life. If you make it known that you’re happy pursuing your interests, work, or career, then he’ll be more inclined to want to get to know you.

Melroy Day, a 21-year-old I.T. student feels that, “The biggest sickness society suffers from is ‘what will people say’. A girl who could get rid of this unreal expectation of society and love herself will be much more attractive to me.”

Get his attention

If you want a boy to love you, then you have to look like a fun person to be around. 19-year-old Maargi Mehta opines, “Whenever a guy sees you, you should have a big but genuine smile on your face, do something different, be fun to hang out with.”

Body language

Your Body language should send the right signals

You don’t want to be friend-zoned, do you? It’s important to get your body language right and not send him the wrong message from across the room. This can involve eye contact, standing upright and not showing any signs of nervousness.

Show something special

If you have a special talent, portray it. Highlight your strength and hide your weaknesses. He’ll love how you are different from others when you show him some skill that you may possess.

(Also read – Falling in love too fast?)

Be mysterious

Don’t give him a chance to get to know you completely. Make him want to come back for more. Don’t tell him every story you know, make him want to ask you things. Don’t show too much excitement and he will long to hear from you!

You have to be patient. Love doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s surely worth the wait, because it is beautiful.

A close friend’s wedding is coming up! All your attempts to lose weight have failed, and you’re getting panicky. You want to appear thinner instantly, without going to the gym in these last few days? And without those silly crash diets? Well, of course you do! Here’s how you can!

Stand up straight

Standing up straight will make you look thinner

When you improve your posture, not only do you visibly decrease your stomach fat, but you also gain confidence.

Wear proper fitting underwear

An ill fitting bra or underwear will make fat spill over. Wear the proper size and you will look a whole lot thinner.

Wear long fitting tops

Wearing a long fitting top or shirt will stretch out your torso and thus make you appear thinner.

Choose colours carefully

Choose your clothes’ colours wisely

Avoid bright colours and patterns as they make you appear bigger than you are. Dark colours are known to make your heavier sections appear smaller.

Shoes should match your body

The shoes you wear should match your body type and size. If you are on the heavier side, try and look out for bulkier shoes, and don’t go in for slender heels!

Distract

Another way to appear thinner is to distract everybody from your body and make them notice either your face (for makeup tips read – How to enhance your best features using makeup ) or your hair (for hairstyle tips read – Hairstyles that can make you look stylish instantly!).

Size of clothes

Wear the right size of clothes. Do not go in for a larger size or anything too tight. If you try to squeeze into a size 12 if you’re a size 16, then you are surely going to accentuate your body fat, even the little that there is.

Stay away from horizontal striped tops/t-shirts

Don’t wear horizontal striped t-shirts or tops as they made you appear wider. But if they are vertically striped, they make you appear thinner.

(Also read – Mistakes that slow down your weight loss)

Jewellery

Match your jewellery to your body shape and size. If you are a big and/or tall person, wear a bigger size chain.

(Also read – Ways to get rid of cellulite)

Black clothes

Black will always make you look thinner

If you don’t mind the colour, consider that black will always make you look thinner!

Somebody has rightly stated that “Fashion is like seasons, it comes and goes and leaves the world wanting for more.” Whenever a new trend in fashion is doing the rounds, people all over the world turn to their fashion gurus for a word about how to rock the trend best. Some trends die out soon while others are more grounded for longer periods. Let’s take a look at which ones will stay on this year and what is fast disappearing.

Colours!

 Orchid coloured dresses

Orchid is the colour of 2014. We are extremely excited about this one because this vibrant and fresh colour can be worn on all skin tones. Plus the rosy-flowery touch to it makes it an out-and-out fashion staple. Rock this colour in accessories or go for a colour block wardrobe. Neons have made their splash but pastel shades are again making a promising comeback. We’re talking baby blue, lavender, subtle yellow and creamy-smoothie colours like shades of a prim rose… so romantic!

Culottes and Palazzos are here to stay

Culottes and Palazzos are making a splash this year

Culottes or wide legged short pants are back again and this time they will stay for a longer bracket. Also Palazzos will be widely accepted and preferred over skinny jeans. The high waist varieties will add length to your frame and make you look instantly taller and leaner. We give them a huge thumbs-up!

Tea-length skirts

Tea-length skirts have always been around and now with their colour palette going neutral, they never looked prettier! Mini-skirts can totally go into hiding now.

Crop tops

Crop tops are a huge rage this year

Crop tops will be a huge rage this year. If you dare to bare your mid-riff then you must try this sexy trend. They come in many variants depending on asymmetric hems and varying sizes. The bra-top or a bustier-top will soon make a mark.

Say no to Anarkali suits

The flared Anarkalis are completely out of fashion this year. These wedding staples will soon vanish from the mandap and straight kurta style dresses will take over the fashion scene instead.

Sarees

Pre-stitched saree

The traditional 6 or 9 yard saree will be swapped for one that’s pre-tailored. Textured fabrics will be more popular and pallu and pleats will be stitched as per the wearer’s body. Also the blouse will take a backseat with the young and bold; only to be replaced by a shirt or a tee for that edgy sassy look. Mainstream designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Masaba are already popularising this trend in the markets.

Hair trends

Short hair dos will be a popular fad

Shorter hair will be the hot favourite this season. Wind-swept pixie cuts or the classic bob will be popular. Beautiful and romantic braids will linger on for a long time.

Jewellery

India is known for its love for jewellery and this year too jewellery will be a huge fashion statement. Chunky designs inspired by history and nature will be hugely popular. Gold will remain wedding-loyal, and silver and platinum will be a preferred option for casual outings.

Many of my friends have been asking me how I manage to wear my scarf in so many styles. So I thought of doing a tutorial. Basically, I usually wear a scarf in 3 simple ways and later style them differently according to my outfit and the occasion. Here are few styles that I absolutely love and do them very often.

Also read: Cheat codes to look thinner

The big ben…er bun:

Bun-style scarf looks really elegant on any outfit

I learnt this style from a YouTube subscriber called Dina Tokio. It is so very simple and looks really, really chic and stylish. Here’s how:

You’re going to need a pretty scarf of your choice and some cute scarf pins. Begin by making a big high bun in your hair and place the scarf over your head in a way that the part hanging down the left side is shorter than the one on the right side. Now take both the sides behind your shoulders and make a lose bun and bring them in the front again (from the opposite sides of course!) Now go ahead and pin both the sides over your bun and secure the scarf with pins.

Simple everyday style:

The other day I was just trying to wear a scarf around my head in a way that I saw a friend doing a few months ago, and I messed up. Not really! Because I figured out a new way to style a hijab! Anyway so here’s how to do this style.

For this one you’ll need a bonnet cap, a maxi hijab/ a maxi scarf and some straight scarf pins. Tie your hair in a loose low bun, and wear your bonnet cap. Next, place the maxi scarf over the bonnet in such a way that both sides of the scarf hanging down your shoulders are equal in length. Now pin the sides together under your chin. Take the left side of the scarf and fan it out loosely, now drape it over your head from the same side going backwards      . Secure it with a pin. Repeat the same on the right side. Tuck in any ends that are hanging lose and secure with some more pins. And what do you know! Isn’t it such a cute and simple style?

Also read: This summer go head over heels

Casual day-out style:

This is ever so simple and the most common style I’ve ever come across. All you need a really long rectangular scarf. Start by draping the scarf over your head and in case you’re wearing a bonnet underneath, you can let the sides hang loosely around your face. If you aren’t wearing anything to cover your head, drape the scarf as per the shape of your face and pin it underneath your chin. Both sides of the scarf should be equal in length. Now take the left side and drape it over your head going across the right ear, no need to pin it. Drape the right side over the head going across the left ear and tuck it underneath your chin. If the day is really windy then use safety pins wherever you feel the need to.

Wrap around style neck scarf

Apart from styling the hijab over your head, if you don’t wish to cover it, you could simply wrap it around your neck, loosely without worrying much about being neat. Tuck the loose ends into your outfit or underneath the scarf. Is it hot or what?

Also read: Transitioning from conservative to chic

Scarf head-band

You could also use a smaller scarf to make it into a no-headache head band. Fold it into triangles 2-3 times over, until it looks like a tie. Then drape it over your head and tie it at the bottom of your pony tail. Drape it across your head again going over the same area and pin it on both side. Open your pony tail and that’s your scarf head band look.