Shadowing Practice: how to be insanely chic *without being rich* | elevate your look & aura - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
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Girl, if you are expecting this video to be me telling you to buy expensive stuff so that you can look expensive, you clicked on the wrong video. The great Audrey Hepburn was probably the coolest woman to ever walk this earth. And you really only see her wearing the same rotation of outfits. But of course, it was never about what she was wearing. It was her. Chicness is that quality that you can't quite explain in words. It's simply an aura that some people have and others don't. So, why is that? And how can you be chic?…
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Girl, if you are expecting this video to be me telling you to buy expensive stuff so that you can look expensive, you clicked on the wrong video. The great Audrey Hepburn was probably the coolest woman to ever walk this earth. And you really only see her wearing the same rotation of outfits. But of course, it was never about what she was wearing. It was her. Chicness is that quality that you can't quite explain in words. It's simply an aura that some people have and others don't. So, why is that? And how can you be chic? If this is the first time we've met, my name is Allison and I give women the tools to become the best version of themsel. I'm also known to be that it girl and create that community for other women. I also want to give a warm thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this video. So, enough talking. Let's address the elephant in the room. What does chic even mean? The dictionary definition of chic is elegantly and stylishly fashionable, which is pretty obvious. What's interesting though is the origin of the word is French. And by the 1850s, it was being used in Parisian slang to mean classy, not expensive, not designer, classy. There's a difference. But unfortunately, with social media, words start to lose their meaning the more they get used. They become these blanket terms that people throw on everything until the word loses its meaning entirely. Don't even get me started on the word aesthetic. At this point, it's become almost cringey. And I think the same is happening with chic. We see the same presentations on social media.
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Drinking cappuccinos, buying designer, getting French tip manicures, but these are extremely surface level and honestly performative interpretations of chic.
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So, I want to bring back its original meaning. Being chic is a practice. It's small habits that exude cool girl energy without being desperate because the whole point of being chic is not trying too hard in the first place. So, these are the real practical habits that will instantly make you look chic without even realizing it. And I'm actually going to demonstrate with their pieces how you can have that timeless, elegant style, but without that high price point. The first thing that will make you effortlessly chic is invisible makeup. Not wearing less makeup, not doing clean girl makeup, but doing makeup so naturally that people think you just naturally look like that. I already know what you're going to say.
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Um Allison, what if I'm not naturally a 10 out of 10? Um neither am I. But I do my makeup in a way that enhances my natural beauty. Everyone has quote unquote good features and it's makeup's job to bring out those features. Makeup is supposed to give the illusion that your face just naturally looks like that. Essentially, you're not supposed to see the makeup. You're supposed to see the person. So, how do you do invisible makeup? Well, obviously the most important feature is your skin.
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Glowing, healthy skin will always look better than foundation. So, take care of your skin first. Wear sunscreen. Stay hydrated and moisturized even if you have oily skin. Now, when it comes to your actual facial features, like your eyes, cheeks, and lips, a subtle wash of color will always look the most natural and undetectable. When you can tell someone is wearing makeup, the dead giveaway is that line of demarcation, which is basically when you can see the makeup start and end. Of course, you don't necessarily need to have clear skin and already defined eyes, but you can create the illusion with the right techniques. And if you love a full glam, you do you. I am not here to rain on your parade. But to really give that chic, classy energy, it starts with the face and making your makeup look effortless. The other part of your appearance that is very important when it comes to being chic is your clothes.
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Now, I know I said being chic is all about the habits you do, but let's not pretend that we don't want to look chic on the outside, too. So, yes, we need to talk about clothes, but this is where a lot of women make the mistake of buying more stuff because they think it will make them look chic. But again, you cannot buy your way into being chic.
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It's an energy. It's habits. It's not a physical item. Most of us pull together an outfit based on how we want to be perceived by other people. But this makes it so easy to pick the wrong outfit because whatever is currently trending, that's what everyone's wearing and we want to feel included. I get it.
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I've done it before. But I know deep down there is an elevated, classy version of you that exists in your mind.
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And she doesn't wait for a special occasion to dress well. A good rule of thumb for me is whenever I go out, I always like to be slightly overdressed.
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You don't have to wear your prom dress, but one notch above what's expected. And in a world where most people wear sweats or athleisure, it's actually not that hard. In my opinion, the easiest way to dress chic is just by wearing timeless pieces. And that's why I think it is so important to build your forever capsule wardrobe. And my go-to for chic classic pieces is Nordstrom. Recently, I have been going through a closet purge and donating everything that doesn't align with the person I want to be. A lot of stuff I have is from college and even high school. And I honestly bought them because at the time that's what everyone else was wearing. But since minimizing my wardrobe, I have been very selective about what I'm letting in. And I want to show you some examples of how you can elevate your style with just a few but timeless items. First is this lace silk chamisole paired with a simple black skirt. This is a foolproof combination for a night out or a nice dinner. And because the top is a slightly different shade of black than the skirt, it actually works really well to create a subtle contrast. This top is from Reformation, which is one of my favorite brands for classic pieces. And now they're at Nordstrom, which is super convenient. And the beauty of a top like this is that you can dress it up or down. Here, I've paired it with some denim shorts and black strappy sandals.
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It instantly becomes a more casual outfit while still being slightly elevated. This is a great outfit for spring and summer when you want to stay cool but still look put together. This camisole is just as comfortable as a t-shirt, but without looking like one.
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But one of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to building a capsule wardrobe is thinking you can only wear neutral colors like black, white, or gray. But what people don't know is that certain colors can sway neutral as well.
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Like this light pink lace top that I've paired with some white jeans. Since the top is a light shade of pink, when it's worn with a true neutral like white, the outfit looks seamless. I love the subtle floral detail. It just adds some nice texture to the outfit. And this color just screams spring. I also think it's really important to have transitional pieces in your capsule wardrobe. Here I've thrown on this wrap, which is perfect for colder evenings or between seasons. You can also dress this wrap up or down depending on the occasion. Plus, it is super comfortable while still being elegant. This wrap is also great for travel since it's super lightweight.
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I will definitely be bringing this on the plane. It just keeps you warm and is still fashionable. If you want to refine and build your forever wardrobe, I highly recommend Nordstrom for their highquality and affordable pieces. I'll link everything I wore in the description, and thank you so much to Nordstrom for sponsoring this video. If I'm being honest, your physical appearance is the least important part of being chic. But the reason I mentioned it first is because that's all anyone ever cares about is how they look. But if you really want to embody chicness, you have to work on your presence. Classy women ask for what they want. They never demand but they express. There's a huge difference. I am not telling you to act entitled or snoody. Okay, that is the opposite of class. Please do not be a Karen. We do not need any more Karens in this world.
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However, you need to tell people what you want directly and calmly without apologizing first. So, instead of saying, "Sorry, can I sit at this table?" I want you to start saying, "I would prefer a table by the window." Or instead of saying, "Oh, sorry, I can't do that day. I have a doctor's appointment." Say that timeline doesn't work for me. Can we do Thursday instead and then stop talking? Most of us ask for something and then immediately justify it because we're scared what the other person's going to think. But really, you just seem unsure and it lowers your confidence. You are allowed to have preferences and it is your right to express them. Ask and you shall receive. But if you never ask, you can't receive. And the worst that's going to happen is they say no. Big deal. At least you asked for what you wanted.
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Chic women do not suffer in silence. I remember a few years ago, I would be nervous to ask my Uber driver to turn on the AC, and I'd just be sitting in the back of the car sweating my butt off.
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But when I look back at that time, I was also very insecure about myself. When you do not value yourself, you let other people treat you with less value. Do not let them. Be kind to people and ask for what you want. Life is too short to live with a closed mouth. As a former insecure girly, I get that it's hard to put confidence into action, especially if you're shy. I grew up being a yes girl. Whatever anyone wanted for me, I do it because the only thing I cared about was being liked and getting other people's approval. But as I've gotten older, the more I've come to find out that some people will dislike you no matter what you do. You could kiss their feet and give them a back rub, and they'll still dislike you for no reason.
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So, one of the most essential traits that a chic woman has is owning her opinions. She doesn't fall in line with what everyone else thinks or what she hears online. If she likes or doesn't like something, she will hold that belief and won't shrink herself down just because she has a different opinion. Now, again, don't get it twisted. This doesn't mean being contrarian or argumentative on purpose.
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That is honestly super annoying, and I dislike people like that. What I'm saying is that you can calmly disagree with someone and move on without feeling guilty or weird about it. You also don't have to convince yourself to like something just because your best friend likes it. And I know it's very difficult to feel like the only one with an unpopular opinion, but I promise you if you needed validation on this, just look at your parents. I don't know about you, but my mom will flat out tell people her unpopular opinions without worrying about how they're going to react. Me being one of those people. She is so fearless about being controversial, it's almost cancelable. And I think it's good to be opinionated. I don't think you should be neutral on anything. Say what you think and be okay when people disagree with you. That is called being a strong, independent, and chic woman.
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Since we're on the topic of having opinions, you want to know mine? I think we are the most vain generation yet.
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There have been several publications about why Gen Z is so consumed with being perceived. People call us the anxious generation, the most non-confrontational generation. I mean, half of us can't even pick up the phone to talk. We're scared to look people in the eye, make small talk, or speak up during meetings. Why are we so afraid of being perceived, yet we are so obsessed over our looks? On social media, we act like we know we're hot, young, and confident, but in real life, we're scared to be seen. And I think our obsession with vanity is the reason for this fear. A woman who is truly confident in real life is comfortable in her own body and isn't constantly checking herself out or making comments about her own appearance. She puts the outfit on and goes about her day. She doesn't constantly worry about her face or her clothes because she's certain that she looks good. And it's not because she's a supermodel. It's her mindset. She knows she's smart, personable, honest, and caring. She's not concerned with how pretty she looks, but with the person that she is in the real world. Chic women are always more interested in the conversation and in other people rather than how she's being perceived. So yes, take care of yourself, do your hair, put on the nice outfit, but once you leave the house, you need to let it go and actually live your life because that's what a chic woman does. None of these habits require you to fake a personality or buy expensive things to be perceived as chic. If you are so obsessed with appearing a certain way to people, you have already lost the plot. Being chic is not about flaunting your wealth or being stuck up. Because the easiest way to be chic is to be so authentic to yourself that you become a one-in-one.
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If you resonated with this video, let me know in the comments. And if you want to be part of a community of women who are driven to create their dream reality, you would love my exclusive community, Girl Academy. I have a few more spots left, so if you want to join, the link will be down below. As always, thanks so much for watching and I'll see you next week.
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About This Lesson
In this lesson, you will delve into the art of chicness as discussed in a highly engaging video. The focus will be on enhancing your speaking skills through the shadowing technique. By practicing key phrases and adopting the natural rhythm and tone of the speaker, you will not only improve your English fluency but also gain insights into personal presentation and self-expression. As you embark on this journey, remember that chicness is less about luxury and more about one’s attitude and habits.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Chic: Elegantly and stylishly fashionable.
- Aura: A distinctive atmosphere or quality surrounding a person.
- Invisible makeup: Makeup that is applied so that it looks natural and unobtrusive.
- Capsule wardrobe: A limited collection of timeless clothing pieces that can be mixed and matched.
- Classy: Stylish and sophisticated without being ostentatious.
- Confidence: The feeling or belief that one can rely on their own capabilities.
- Opinionated: Holding strong personal beliefs and views.
- Self-expression: The expression of one's emotions, thoughts, or ideas.
Practice Tips
To optimize your practice using the shadowing app or shadowspeak technique, start by listening to small segments of the video. Pay attention to the speaker’s pace and intonation. The speaker’s tone is confident and inviting, which you should emulate. Repeat phrases aloud immediately after hearing them, ensuring that you match the energy and rhythm of the speaker.
Given the engaging nature of the video, try shadowing at a slightly slower speed if needed, gradually increasing your speed to match the original pace as you become more comfortable. This will help reinforce your language skills while building your confidence in real-life conversations. Focus on key expressions, especially those related to personal style and self-confidence, as they enrich your vocabulary in speaking contexts.
Utilizing a shadowing site that allows you to control playback speeds can also greatly enhance your learning experience, making it easier to pick up nuances in the language.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.
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