Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008
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Topic of the week: How to keep children from obsessing over their appearance

By Mara Levy Published: 2007-12-10 19:54
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By Kathy Murdock
Published: Tuesday, December 4, 2007 - 21:42

With nearly 11 million people opting for some form of cosmetic surgery in 2006, plastic surgery has become as accepted as crossbreeding canines for the perfect designer, hypoallergenic pet. Yet not everyone is cut out for the surgeon's table, which recently made me venture into the world of garments, accessories, tips and techniques designed to turn the body part that you loathe the most into the one that you love to flaunt.

Up Top

Perhaps your cups runneth over with a pair of symmetrical and perky non-sagging breasts. If you are happy with your chest, you are in the minority: The now defunct Jane Magazine once put together a slideshow of women's beautiful breasts when a study revealed that 70% of women were unhappy with their size and shape, which may explain why over 300,000 women underwent breast augmentation surgery in 2006 alone.

And let's be real for a second: Mother Time is a witch, so even if your girls started out standing at attention, chances are you hit that notorious 3-0 mark and watched them slowly creep over and burrow in your armpits, which is never a pretty sight.

Breastfeeding and pregnancy
don't help matters. New mothers often describe their post-baby breasts as deflated balloons. Other common breast complaints include a chest that is too small, too droopy, too large or not evenly proportioned.

Statistics show that up to 80% of women are wearing the wrong sized bra, which former Hollywood stylist and TV personality Linda Arroz says may be a large part of the problem. "Bras can lift and separate . . . or minimize." Lifting opens the torso and elongates the figure, which takes off pounds visually. Minimizing redistributes the breast tissue, which balances out the body and proportions the hips and waist. Wearing the wrong sized bra can actually detract from your look, so first and foremost make sure you get fitted and then purchase bras that are right for your size.

Finding a bra that fits is a start, but for some women it's just not enough. A great bra can pull together breasts that are heading toward the outer perimeter of your chest and even create the illusion of breasts that are the same size, even if one cup is much larger than the other. Demi-cup and padded bras not only add inches to your bustline but also add a youthful shape to breasts that have begun to sag.

Cleavacious Bra

I recently had the joy of testing out a Cleavacious bra, which was designed to pull the breasts together through the use of a small adjustable strap located between the bra's two cups. The beauty of this bra is that the strap adjustment allows the wearer to 'fix' her individual breast problem, making it the perfect bra for women with any type of chest issue. Set the straps further apart for a more conservative daytime look, and then, when the sun goes down, tighten up the strap to create more cleavage for your night on the town. Available in black, white and nude, the Cleavacious sells for less than $30 at JcPenneys online: A small price to pay for a great looking chest!

Bra Inserts

Gel and silicone inserts can also be used to both improve the appearance of and lift the breasts. Most inserts cost less than $50 and mold to the natural shape of your breasts, creating a more natural look than the inserts of old. Use an insert with a bra designed to push up your breasts and you'll be surprised at the amount of cleavage that pops out at you.

While flat chested girls often dream of larger breasts, those born well endowed sometimes wish that they could create the appearance of a smaller chest. Nothing, sans surgery, can totally reduce the size of large breasts, but by following some basic guidelines those who are more on the voluptuous side can keep their girls under control.

First, wear looser clothing, since tight clothing tends to make the breasts stand out more. But avoid going too baggy, which will just make you look bigger. Lose the plunging necklines and jewelry that dangles well into the cleavage zone, and purchase bras created specifically to minimize a large chest.

Fat Bottomed Girls

If your bottom jiggles like jelly when you walk, it's time to find something to hold those cheeks in place...

Dr. Rey's Instant ShapeDr. Rey's Instant Shape



Exercises, such as squats and lunges, tighten and lift the gluteals. Perfect for those who need to reduce some excess butt fat, and even for those who need to build up their butts, squats and lunges cost nothing and can be done in the comfort-and privacy-of your own home.

If you're looking for a quick clothing fix for that large posterior, Not Your Daughters Jeans, worn by Diane Sawyer and Elizabeth Hasselbeck, utilize a special crisscross panel designed completely of denim that not only flattens the stomach but that works to lift the butt as well-all for under $100.

Yet some women have the opposite bottom problem, with too little meat on their cheeks. If you're shaped like a stick and exercise alone does not plump up your tushy, check out the Bootylicious (yes, that is its real name). These padded panties amplify the backside, firming a saggy rear end and creating shapely curves beneath clothes. Available at Macy's for under $30, the Bootylicious work for the butt the way a push up bra does for the breasts.

All Over Shapers

So you want to look as though you've had some fat lipoed out without actually going through the procedure? Then a shaper might be just what the doctor, as in Dr. Rey of Doctor 90210, ordered. A very popular surgeon in the exclusive Beverly Hills area, Dr. Rey has just added clothing line entrepreneur to his list of accomplishments. Rey recently paired with Australian designer Bruno Schiavi to create a line of undergarments called Instant Shape, which are meant to take off pounds and slim the body.

Says Bruno, "With Dr. Rey's plastic surgery techniques and my experience in the lingerie industry we were able to create a collection that will not only drop you one to two dress sizes, but is sexy to boot."

Available nationwide in Sears and the Home Shopping Network, Instant Shape offers women the advantages of plastic surgery without the risks or cost. Pieces sell for less than $75 and include garments that slim the stomach and hips and lift the breasts.

Other brands of shapers exist on the market today and according to Arroz, "Spanx is one of the best. They make every type you can think of to slim, streamline and smooth the body, therefore mimicking the results of lipo." She goes on to add that the high waisted bike shorts slim the torso and hips, tighten up the thighs, and take almost an entire dress size off of the hips: not bad for just $50 at Nordstroms.