Katie, ditch the dark-toned blouse. It looks too drab for summer, and it would look more flattering if the neckline were about an inch lower. It looks a bit prim as is.

July 1st is “Build a scarecrow day”. Here’s an idea for all of those clothes in your closet that you would normally wear on “casual Friday”: get rid of them, they are the kiss of death for a career—you could always use them for your next scarecrow for fall.

(L) Classic Eyes (R) Smoky Eyes

“Smoky” eyes have been the rage for years, but very few people know how to execute them effectively. First of all, you mustn’t ever put a dark color on the lids, because it will obscure the eyelashes. Secondly, smoky eyes are usually done in an almond shape, so that the eyes have a subtle uplift that is like a smile. Mona Lisa, in fact, was probably the first “celebrity” to have smoky eyes. It isn’t her smile that seduces you, it’s her smoky eyes.

This is not a smoky eye!

Many makeup artists think that lining the eyes with black and adding lots of dark eye shadow on the lids qualifies for smoky eyes. It doesn’t. Black eyeliner only makes the eyes look smaller, and too much dark eye shadow easily looks severe. This is the perfect red lipstick color, incidentally, so even though the eyes are not practical, think about wearing this color lipstick when you have smoky eyes and a great outfit on. Remember, red lipstick is meant for sophisticated, big city looks, not for jeans and a T-shirt – unless you have very dark hair and a sophisticated look in general.

Katie – grey and white isn’t a bad look. However, I’d suggest getting a fake white Chanel flower pin to wear on your jacket (of course you can get a real one, only they cost about $500!) to make more of a statement.

Nice white jacket, Katie. Next time try it with a black and white zebra print blouse – or a black and white striped one. Incidentally, chains with small pendants don’t look very powerful, since they tend to have a collegiate air.

Katie, how I wish you would read my blog. I want desperately for you to know that pastels have no power – they make women (especially blonde ones) look, pale, pasty, powerless, puny, pathetic and pitiful. Their powerlessness can be mitigated, however, by the clever use of accessories such as earrings and makeup.

Katie, that’s the way I like to see you look: dynamite! Red is the most exciting and energetic color of all, and you also look extremely attractive in this powerful color. Hoe to see you in more powerful colors in the future.

Katie, another pastel color to go with your grey suit. Grey is a blah color and needs an exciting top to go with it, not a blah pastel. Hint: fuchsia is the best friend grey ever had. By the way, love your royal purple suit with matching satin blouse! It’s a wow look.

Katie, nice soft pastel look for summer – feminine but not powerful.

Katie, well this is better than yesterday, but those earrings are too wimpy for the bold colors you are wearing. If I knew where to mail them, I’d send you a pair of bold earrings.