How to Make a Titanium Watch Look New

Titanium is a favorite material for wrist watches because it is durable (30 percent stronger than steel), light (50 percent lighter than steel) and abundant (the 9th most abundant element on earth). This is not to say that over time,however, a titanium watch won't become blemished with various nicks and scratches. This is simply the natural wear and tear that your titanium watch will likely endure. If your watch is left looking old and worn, don't fret. You can make your watch look brand new again with very little effort on your part. Does this Spark an idea?

Lay a soft cloth on a level work surface, and lay the watch down flat on the cloth. Shake the refinishing pen up and down a few times, and remove the cap. Place the tip of the pen on one of the scratches of the watch. Press the pen gently on the scratch, and move the tip across the scratch several times. Continue this process for every scratch you wish to remove.

Allow 20 minutes for the watch to dry.

Apply a dab of toothpaste (1/3 of a dime) to a soft-bristle toothbrush. Add a drop of water to the toothbrush, just enough to make it damp. Place the toothbrush bristles on the titanium, and gently scrub the material in a slow, circular motion, covering all the titanium on the watch. The toothpaste will act like a polish to remove the dirt and grime from the watch.

Allow a few minutes for the active ingredients in the toothpaste to work through the dirt.

Take the watch in one hand, and the soft cloth in the other. Firmly wipe the watch with the cloth until you have removed all of the excess toothpaste. Bend the bands of the watch so that you can remove any toothpaste that might be stuck in between the links of the wrist bands. Continue this process until the watch is completely dry.

How to Wear Graduation Cords

Not only can all of the commotion surrounding graduation day be confusing, the protocol around the attire you are expected to wear can be confusing as well. Depending on your grades or the organizations and clubs you participated in while in school, you might be given graduation cords to wear with your cap and gown. Graduation cords are long, thin ropes, usually constructed of a nylon fiber that identify you as having a special status. Wearing them on graduation day is a way of proudly displaying that status. Does this Spark an idea?

Put on your graduation gown to specification.

Take the graduation cords out of their packaging and drape them over your neck and across your shoulders. If your gown has a collar, tuck the graduation cords underneath the collar of your gown.

Look in the mirror and check your graduation cords to make sure that they fall evenly on both sides down the outside of your gown.

Pin the cords in place with a safety pin in the back at right below the neckline or underneath your hood to ensure that the cords do not slip out of place or fall off.

Tips

- Check to make sure that your cords you received are the correct color for your graduation designation before you take them out of the package. If the cords are not the correct color, you can return them if the package is unopened.

How to Make a Flat Nose Look Prominent

Almost everyone has a feature they aren't entirely happy with. However, facial features can be accentuated or obscured with a few cosmetic tricks. If you believe your nose is too flat and doesn't stand out enough, use makeup to create the illusion of a longer, more prominent nose. Does this Spark an idea?

Apply a foundation in a shade close to your natural skin tone to your nose with your fingers or an applicator sponge.

Apply foundation a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone to the sides of your nose. This will accentuate the contours of your nose, making it appear longer, according to EZ make-up.com.

Using your fingers or a makeup brush, gently blend the foundation on your nose, making sure the line between the darker and lighter colors is not visible.

Apply powder a few shades lighter than your natural skin tone to the center of your nose using a makeup brush. ShoppingLifestyle.com recommends blending the powder until it is smooth to avoid noticeable lines.

Emphasize your cheekbones to draw attention to your nose. Apply flattering blush colors to the apples of your cheeks, according to BecomeGorgeous.com.

Tips

- Become Gorgeous recommends selecting rose-colored blush if you have a warm skin tone, peachy blush if you have a peach skin done and lighter shades for fair skin.

Tricks to Make Your Eyelashes Bigger

The eyes provide definition and personality to the face. Your eyelashes are an accessory to your eyes and can be played up to make them look bigger. By using proper makeup application techniques and other tricks, you can achieve beautiful, full eyelashes. Does this Spark an idea?

Eye Makeup Application

To make the eyelashes bigger, you need to create an alluring look from the eyes as a whole. When choosing eyeshadows, select three (or more) different shades from one or multiple color families. Choose a pale color for a base, a medium color for more definition, and a dark color for contrast (or for a "smoky" look). Buy an eyeliner pencil in black or brown, too---eyeliner is a great tool for making the eyelashes look longer. Apply eyeliner as close to the lash line of your upper lids without irritating the eyes (eyeliner should only be applied on the top lid because lining the entire eye can create a small look). Another trick to open up the eye and create a bigger eyelash look is to apply white eyeliner to the inner corner of your eyes.

Strategic eyeshadow application also will contribute to a bigger eyelash look. Begin by applying the lightest eyeshadow color on the inner corner of your eyes (if you did not use the white eyeliner) or over the entire lid. Experiment with applying the medium eyeshadow color on the brow bone and slightly above and below it. For some people, this look works perfectly; for others, blending the darker eyeshadow into the crease is more effective for a dramatic look. Decide for yourself.

Eyelash Curling

Next, use a eyelash curler (never use the curler after applying mascara because it can damage your lashes and cause some of them to fall out). Squeeze the curler as close to the roots, holding the tool in place for at least ten seconds. Repeat the process, work your way up the lashes to the tips. Next, dust loose powder over your eyelashes to add volume and help your mascara to stay longer. Finally, apply several coats of a volumizing mascara to achieve the bigger eyelash look you desire.

False Eyelashes Application

For others who want a more dramatic look, false eyelashes work best. Choose a pair that matches
your natural eyelash color as closely as possible. When buying a pair of false eyelashes (they are fairly inexpensive), purchase eyelash glue as well if it does not come with the lashes.

One trick that some women find helpful when using false eyelashes is to apply a thin line of black eyeliner over the upper lid before applying the false lashes. This strategy will help disguise them and give you a well-defined "landing spot." When you're ready to apply the false lashes, squeeze small beads of glue to the false eyelash's lash line, and then spread the glue with your finger across the entire lash line. Allow the glue to dry for a few seconds before applying the false lashes to your natural ones. Starting from the center, push the false eyelash down to the outer corner of your eye, then repeat from center to inner corner. Allow the false eyelash to dry for a minute before attempting to apply the other eye's lash.

How to Lace Up Double-Tongued Converses

Converse’s Chuck Taylor line of sneakers has once again become a popular choice among teens looking to express themselves through the Taylor’s many color combinations. Double tongued Chuck Taylors feature material in two different colors, with each having its own set of eye loops and tongue. One color makes up the top tongue and inner set of eye loops, while the other color is the inner tongue and outer row of eye loops. With two separate sets of eye loops, there are multiple ways to lace your shoes. Does this Spark an idea?

Lace only the inner set of eye loops for a standard look to your shoes. The inner set of eye loops is situated where the eye loops on a single tongue pair of Chuck Taylors are, and when laced alone, will make your shoes appear like a normal pair of two-tone sneakers.

Lace only the outer set of eye loops for a wider look to your lacing. The second set of loops is set wider than laces on most shoes, and, as a result, your laces will cover not just the top of the shoe but also down the sides of the shoe. This lacing may also be looser than an inner lacing.

Lace both sets of eye loops completely to get the most from your double tongue shoes. Try using a different color lace for each set of eye loops. With two different colors, the distinction between the two sets of laces will be distinct.

Use a short lace for lacing the outer lace, and a full-length lace for the inner laces, to combine the double-laced look with tight lacing. The shorter outer lace will allow the shoes to have the double laced look of a fully strung pair of double tongues but will stop below the knot of the shoe, preventing the outer knot from covering the inner knot. You will end up with a pair of knots, with the inner laces knotted above the outer laces.

Mix up the style of your lacing to alter the look further. While standard alternate side lacing can look attractive in its own right, adding one set of laces in a style such as bar lacing, where each lace travels straight across the tongues, instead of diagonally across the tongues, can give your Chuck Taylor double tongues a unique style.

Eye Make-Up Ideas for Prom

The prom is a time of dressing up and dancing the night away with friends. Flowing gowns, high heels, updos and perfect makeup are a must for a girl heading out the door for this magical night in her teenage life. Eye makeup for proms is often bolder and more colorful than that worn on a daily basis. Practicing application prior to the prom is suggested. Does this Spark an idea?

Smoky Gray

Purchase black or charcoal eyeliner and eyeliner in dark, medium and light gray shades. Line the top of your eye from the inner corner of your eye, past the outer edge all the way to the eye socket bone. Using a small brush, apply the darkest shade of gray just above the liner in a thin line. Apply only to the outer edge of the lid, leaving a bit of eyeliner farther out. Using a small fan type brush, apply the medium shade of gray just above the darker shade from the inner corner all the way to the edge of the eyeliner covering the entire lower lid. After applying to each side, lightly brush over the shadow with the brush to blend it with the darker shade just below it. Take a large fan brush and apply the lightest shade of gray to the upper lid area, connecting with the darker shade at the outer edge.
The smoky gray look goes well with black, white or gray dresses. Dresses of odd shades or multiple colors are also matched well with this look.

Match Four

You can choose to match your eyeliner to the color dress you choose. Pick out four complementing shades of the same color. Choose nonmatte varieties. Using a small brush, apply your darkest color along the eyelash line. Using the same brush, apply the next lighter shade to the inner half of the lower lid. Apply the next lighter shade to the outer half of the lower lid. Use the lightest shade to cover the top lid area. Use a fan brush to blend the separating lines between each color.
If you cannot find four shades to match your dress, consider getting a medium or dark gray for your darkest shade, or a very light gray for your upper lid.

Sparkle and Shine

For a super-bold look on the eyes, put some petroleum jelly and glitter to use. Purchase body glitter in the colors of your choice. You may want to mix the colors of your dress in with silver or gold glitter for a truly outrageous look.
Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your upper and lower eyelid. Be cautious not to get the concoction in your eyes, avoiding the inner corner. With a small makeup brush, dip carefully into the glitter and gently shake off the majority of the glitter. Dab the brush gently onto your eyelid beginning on the lower inner lid. Work your way up the lid slowly applying the glitter. Do not attempt to add glitter on top of what you have applied.

How to Make the Neck Bigger On a Shirt

A simple way to enlarge a neckline on a T-shirt is to cut a slit down the middle of the neck, fold in each corner to form a V, and sew the flaps down with a sewing machine. Create a simple V-neck to widen a shirt neckline with a demonstration from an eco-friendly fashion designer in this free video on making clothes.

Video Transcript

Hi, I'm Tolly Moseley. And I'm Rene Geneva, and you can check us out at EcoChicClothing.com. Sometimes I get two shirts, and they're really too tight around the neck. Well, why don't we go over today making a neckline bigger in a T-shirt. That would be great. OK. The tools that we have for you today are scissors, pins, a measuring tape, and a sewing machine. The first thing we do, is we take our T-shirt. OK. And we decide how much bigger we want it. Would you like it to be V, or would you like it to be all the way around bigger, because it fits you on the shoulders up here. I think I'd like it to be a V. OK. Alright, so what we can do is we can measure. So what we can do is we can measure how far down you want it. So, two inches? Yeah, sure. So the first step you want to do is to pin the shoulder seams together on your T-shirt. And the easiest way to make your neckline bigger, and of course there's many ways to do it, but the way I'm going to show you today is how to make a little V in it. So we marked the two inches down, and now we want to take the center, so I'm going to put a pin in the center of the V, and open it up. Put a mark where the original pin was, because that's how far down you want it. OK. So we mark the middle, and we mark the spot that you want it to go down to, and we are simply going to take the scissors and we are simply going to take the scissors. OK. We're just going to cut down to that mark. Now from here, you can take a piece of binding, or you can simply turn it in and sew. Got it. So, I'm going to take the pin and pin it. Then I will pin the other side. Because this is a V, one of the easier ways to do it is just sew down to the little point, and then sew back up from that point. Alright, so now, you have successfully widened your neck line, and you've made a cute little V in the front. So. Cute. Would you like to try it on? Sure. Looks pretty awesome.

How to Make Your Shoelaces Look Straight

Maybe you want to lace your shoes a different way to add personalization to your footwear, or maybe you suffer from foot problems and want to reduce the pressure that footwear can cause. Whatever the reason is, it's easy to make your shoelaces look straight. Instead of inserting your shoe laces into the eyelets in the traditional zigzag pattern, you just run one across from one eyelet to the next. Does this Spark an idea?

Remove any existing laces that are in the footwear. Reuse the strings or use new ones. As long as they are the proper size for the shoes or boots, they'll work fine.

Start with one shoe or boot. Insert the ends of the shoelaces into the last eyelets in the footwear. Place one end into the left side, and the other end into the right side. The shoelace will be straight across. Adjust the string so it's equal on both sides.

Reach into the shoe or boot and grab the left end of the shoelace. Pull it up inside the footwear. Bring it up and through the first eyelet so it emerges from inside out, according to Ian's Shoelace Site.

Grab the right end of the shoelace from inside the footwear. Insert the end into the eyelet directly above it from the inside. Pull the string out. Then, place it into the eyelet on the left, across from it.

Pull the shoestring down on the inside again. Place the end into the next eyelet on the shoe or boot that's directly above. Continue putting the shoelace in according to steps 3, 4 and 5. Adjust the string every now and then so it's equal on both sides.

Pull the shoelace out of the top eyelet on the right side of the foot wear to complete the task. Adjust the strings one more time, if need be. Now your shoe laces look straight and will be more comfortable on your feet.

Tips

- Straight (bar) lacing works best on shoes or boots that have an even number of eyelet pairs.

How to Make a Pair of Man's Shoes Look Like Woman's Shoes

Finding the perfect fit in a shoe can be difficult. Sometimes finding the best fit for a woman means shopping in the men's section of the shoe department. Once that ideal shoe has been found, however, it may need some dressing up to make it appear more feminine. Simply adding different accessories to the upper part of the shoe can work wonders in making a man's shoe look like a woman's shoe.

Attach a silk flower to a pair of shoe clips using a hot glue gun. Hold the flower by the petals and place a dab of glue to the base of the flower. Press the base of the flower onto the clip. Allow the glue to dry and attach the clip to the ridge of the vamp. Other variations that can be glued include large beads or ribbon bows.

Replace shoelaces on sports shoes with feminine colors, such as lavender or pink. Shoe laces with threads that glitter also appear more girly.

Attach rhinestones to fringe with a hot glue gun. A popular men's style includes leather fringe across the upper part of the shoe. The fringe is about 3-inches across (depending on the foot width) and about 1-inch long. Run a thin line of hot glue down each strand. Use tweezers to hold the rhinestones as you place each rhinestone on the glue.

Tips

- The vamp, or upper, is the part of the shoe that extends from the sole and wraps over the top of the foot.

- Use accessories that are the appropriate size for the shoe. Accessories that are too big or too small will look out of place.

- Purchase shoe clips from the shoe section of a department store or a shoe repair shop. Packages may contain more than one pair of clips and are either gold or silver.

How to Make Yourself Look Skinny Straight Away

We all want to look like we are in our best possible physical condition, while also looking fashionable. If you are interested in making yourself look skinny straight away, it is a simple process. Here are a few key suggestions to follow. Does this Spark an idea?

Purchase clothing that is more flattering to your figure. Avoid tight clothing, which only accentuates imperfections. Jeans are a versatile item that you can dress up or down so begin your shopping looking for dark denim. The bottom of the pants should almost cover your shoe. You do not want the jeans so long that they trip you, but they should almost cover your footwear. The point of wearing jeans long is so that your shape is elongated.

Buy shirts that are longer than normal. If you have big hips, a long shirt will cover the area as opposed to attracting attention to it. Button-down cotton shirts are often flattering. Avoid capped sleeves and sleeveless styles if you have heavy arms. Any woman should opt for solid colors and thin vertical stripes.

Highlight small areas with light or bright shades. Larger areas are easily camouflaged with dark colors or with a head to toe monochromatic look. These suggestions apply to anything in your wardrobe. Avoid bows, big flowers and ruffles in places where you are large. If you have a heavy bust, avoid ruffles near the chest area, which will only enhance.

Accessorize as much as possible without going overboard. Long scarves and wide belts can work for you, and not against you. A long scarf draped along the neck helps to elongate the body. To define a waistline, wear a wide belt over a long shirt.

Remember that no article of clothing should be so tight that it creates a bulge in or over it. In terms of pants, avoid low-rise where any extra bulge around the midriff is prone to hanging over your pants. Shirts should never appear excessively tight where bulges are visible.

Tips

- Only buy clothing that you know will make your body look thinner, because it is flattering.

- If you want to look chic, remember that understated elegance is timeless.

Warning

- Avoid elastic in any garment or items that have too much fabric.