“I Broke Up Like This” is a new bi-weekly series on Galore. Every other week, we’re sitting down with some of our favorite bombshells who we love, admire, and look up to so that we may ask them about their break ups. This week we sat down with Stylist and Beauty expert Gloria Cavallaro for tips on how to channel a break up into a personal style metamorphosis.
You’re a freelance stylist and beauty expert who’s always on the go, what’s it like trying to balance your career and dating life?
I’ve been totally swamped since I started my business and had no interest in delegating any time to dating, but now that my business is self-sustaining, I have more time. Now I’m actually dating and going out with people.
As a beauty expert and stylist, though, what would you say are the best ways to refresh your look while going through a break up?
The best ways to refresh your look while going through a breakup are to try different styles without totally overhauling your closet. Often, getting out of a long relationship can feel like escaping stagnant waters. Here’s your chance to meet new people, get to know yourself independent of being apart of a couple, and learn how you’ve changed over the course of the relationship. Who is this new person who is untethered and free to make all the decisions about life without considering someone else’s opinion?
“Testing out a new look here and there can help your discover what your style is, something you may not have explored before.”
Testing out a new look here and there can help your discover what your style is, something you may not have explored before. Try this fun experiment: go shopping with a friend who has totally different personal style than yours and shop for each other. You can see what your friend picked until you start trying things on and try EVERYTHING on. You’ll be surprised what pieces that you would never have picked for yourself you end up loving.
A lot of people want to jump to extremes post break up and do completely new looks. Should we all fight that urge or embrace it?
Post breakup, fight the urge to go to an extreme when changing your look. It’s totally natural to want to try something new after ending a relationship, you’re turning over a new leaf and you want to express that in what you wear and how you do your makeup. Embrace *that* feeling, the wanting to try new things, and not the desire to shed everything and anything that reminds you of your ex.
“It’s totally natural to want to try something new after ending a relationship, you’re turning over a new leaf and you want to express that in what you wear and how you do your makeup.”
Did your ex adore your long hair? Don’t chop it all off because you want to get rid of something he liked. Instead, think, “Have I been wanting to try a shorter style and didn’t do it because he preferred my hair another way?” Make a change for yourself, one you would love regardless of your ex, not to spite them.
What about water proof mascaras for those days where it’s likely you’re going to cry in public, what are the best ones you have used?
What are your personal top 5 beauty or style picks for an instant confidence boost?
My top five picks are:
1. Mascara and a lip stain. Mascara instantly opens up your eyes and a natural lip color brings feminine definition to the face.
2. A daytime heel. These are heels that you can wear all day and be comfortable in, like an ankle boot or a chic wedge. Something about that extra height and the natural swagger a good heel gives your body is very empowering. Who said a sexy strut only has to happen after dark?
“I beg of you, go out one night in a high-waisted wide leg pant and heels and try and tell me you didn’t captivate the room.”
3. A fitted white blazer. It’s very modern, looks good on everyone, and is perfect for summer. 4. A tinted moisturizer than makes your skin look like a dream. I’m all about Tarte’s Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer.
5. A high-waisted, wide leg pant. Sucks in the belly, makes your ass look fantastic, and, when worn with heels, gives you legs for days (and you musttt wear them with heels). Women are afraid to try this style because they think it’s such a *look.* But, I beg of you, go out one night in a high-waisted wide leg pant and heels and try and tell me you didn’t captivate the room.
And your best piece of advice to someone who is currently going through a break up?
For anyone going through a breakup right now, my advice is to put a deadline on the wallowing. I know everyone recovers at their own pace but try to put a cap on how much you can go through old messages and stare at their picture.
“Spin your new singleness into something positive, a life that is wonderful because it is filled with exciting experiences and not one to mourn because it no longer contains that other person. “
Give yourself a date when you are going to stop yourself from doing those things and put something to look forward to at the same time, like taking a class to learn something you’re interested in or going on a trip. Spin your new singleness into something positive, a life that is wonderful because it is filled with exciting experiences and not one to mourn because it no longer contains that other person.
Gloria Cavallaro is a freelance stylist, make up artist, writer, creative consultant and co-founder of the blog The-BLVD. She’s styled look books for fashion designers such as Marrakech, Lola & Sophie, and R&R Surplus. She is currently working on a new make over show for TLC, set to air next September.