Showing posts with label trends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trends. Show all posts

Tuesday, 22 July 2008

TRENDS - Sweet Sorbet Shades


Aqua, lemon, jade, lilac and pink. According to Vogue magazine, Galliano and Dior's frocks were full of the heavenly hues. Somewhere between pastels and brights is where you should be aiming. The colours take inspiration from the block colours that have been key to trends for the last few months, but these shades are toned down and sweeter.

Sunday, 13 July 2008

VIDEO - Interview with Lulu Guinness

Legendary handbag designer Lulu Guinness talks about the history of her bags and current trends. Courtesy of Handbag.com

Tuesday, 8 July 2008

TRENDS - In the Nude

Photo Credit: Pablo Resoalbe_ Pvlx on flickr.com

In terms of cosmetics, the nude look is great for summer, and very 'this season'. This is a relief for anyone going on holiday to warm destinations, as it can take far less effort than full on slap.

Photo Credit: Simon Pais-Thomas on flickr.com

The base is the most important part here, concealer should be used, and a light foundation or tinted moisturiser to cover any flaws. A peachy blush is all that is needed for the cheeks. Choose a creamy eyeshadow, or one close to your natural skin tone, with a slight shimmer to brighten the eye area. Mascara should be kept to one coat, so that lashes are long, separated but subtle. You can even try lining inside the lower lid with a white eyeliner to make eyes appear more open. Lips can be left with just a slick of gloss, or lashings of lip balm. And all this should take less than 10 minutes to do; perfect for busy people like me.

Photo Credit: igorms on flickr.com

Team with natural hair, straightened but not overly sleek. I would suggest straightening and then lightly spraying with hair spray and ruffling with your fingers. This stops it from being too prim.

Thursday, 26 June 2008

MY STYLE - To Dye For

I have decided to get ahead on the Autumn/Winter trends early and have dyed my hair a dark plum colour. In fact it is by Feria, and the colour is number 22 - 'Mystic Black'.

If you haven't heard yet, Gothic is going to be big later in the year especially in terms of make-up, so look out for little touches on the high street soon.

Tuesday, 17 June 2008

TRENDS - Forties Tresses

Photo Credit: {WiLd_AnGeL} on flickr.com

Waves and pinned curls are the only way to wear your hair for parties this summer. Expect every well informed bride to saunter down the aisle with a forties inspired hair style.

Photo Credit: chelharris13 on flickr.com

To get the look that Kylie has been championing, work with small sections and tong to the tip. Pin hair around the sides of the face and keep any bulk at the back.

Photo Credit: jasmyne.rose on flickr.com

Hair should be nice and shiny for this look, so serum is a must. You can really experiment with the look, just have lots of hair grips and pins, or pretty slides and flowers for special occasions.

Photo Credit: xcffx on flickr.com

Thursday, 12 June 2008

TREND NO NO - Fringed Fuss


Fringing and tassels are all fine and good if you are Pocahontas, but my guess is that not many people wandering round the UK are genuine native Indians. Dangling tassels are good for one thing... getting you stuck in closing lift doors, which isn't particularly helpful. I reckon we should ditch the fuss of fringing and swap for ladylike ruffles. Much more pleasing to my eyes.


Anyone care to disagree?

Tuesday, 10 June 2008

TRENDS - Loud Lips

Photo Credit: only alice on flickr.com

Reds and oranges are the way to go for this trend. The catwalk sported every colour under the sun, but keep things wearable. A bit of fuschia and plum can look great too. Lily Allen was recently seen sporting Claret lips but things tend to lighten up for summer.

Brights have been big in every other aspect of fashion so it seems obvious that lips would also follow suit. Just take it easy on the rest of your make up, the lips are the focus here. Also make sure your lips are in great condition, scrub them and use a moisturising treatment to avoid any flakes or bleeding of the lip colour.


Photo Credit: Auntie P on flickr.com



Try these products from Avon to get the look...



color trend read my lips lip gloss



Glimmersticks Lip Liner



Anew Beauty Lip Plumping Lip Conditioner

Tuesday, 3 June 2008

TRENDS - Gladiator Gets Glamourous


Gladiator sandals have been a celebrity favourite for a good couple of seasons, but this summer this sandal style will be everywhere. The look has hit new heights as straps get further and further toward the knee. Heels or flats are great, and try blacks, browns and all kinds of metallics to be really on trend. Have a gander at some more gladiator goodies below...


Tuesday, 27 May 2008

5 OF THE BEST - Summer Scarves



Scarves can be worn in summer too, carelessly thrown around the neck to add interest to a plain tee or draped around the shoulders of an evening to keep you warm. There are loads of great ones in stores and the distressed look is proving popular.

My personal fave is my yellow leopard print scarf which was a gift from South Africa. I can't show you where to buy that one, but I will say that prints are big news on scarves; checks, stars, ombre, animal print and tribal in particular. Throw in a few tassels and you will be the trendiest gal on your street.


Tuesday, 20 May 2008

TRENDS - Quirky Heels



Quirky heels are a sure fire way to get noticed, and there are plenty of different styles to choose from right now. Try contrasting colours, cut out holes, intricate details and crazy shapes. Anything goes with this trend, all you need to do is tone down the rest of the outfit to balance out a shoe the screams look at me. Have a look at some of these beauties...



Tuesday, 13 May 2008

TRENDS - Natural Nouveau

Straw hats, basket bags - Natural materials are where it is at when it comes to accessories this season. I must admit I am not a huge fan of the traditional straw bag, but things have moved on since they were first popular. You can get straw clutches and the perfect straw sun hat not to mention a little bit of raffia here and there for good measure. Some of the best on the web...

Tuesday, 6 May 2008

TRENDS - Love Leopard


I am trying to remember a time without leopard print being 'in' fashion wise and I must admit I can't. This is one trend that has been sticking around for a good few years now and as long as designers keep adding the look to their collections, we will keep it in our wardrobes.

Mix a little bit of leopard and other animal prints into your 'safari' and 'tribal' trend pieces and no one will ever know you are wearing clothes from 5 seasons ago. D&G and Dior love it, Christina Aguilera never let it go, so here are some inspired choices for you...




Tuesday, 29 April 2008

TRENDS - Festival Fashionista

Photo Credit: lilyfrench on flickr.com

Hippy, global, festival... what you call it doesn't really matter. The important thing is that this will be a key trend this summer. Add ethnic touches to the hippy look for a modern take on what has been done before. My advice is to keep it groomed, it is easy for the festival look to get scruffy, by keeping hair and make-up flawless you will avoid looking dishevelled.

This is perfect for the gig and festival season as your clothes don't have to be immaculate, or if you prefer you can take just the accessories and team them with your everyday attire. Perfect if you are not brave enough for all the wild prints and bold patterns. This is one look where a little bit of a clash is just fine.



Sunday, 27 April 2008

TREND NO NO - Killer Shoulder Pads

Photo Credit: vixendoll on flickr.com

I remember as a child being dressed in a floral, button up frock with the most ridiculous shoulder pads. It is no wonder that I have an aversion to them in any guise. I might just put up with them in a tailored suit jacket, but even that makes me feel a frump. So why on earth are massive shoulder pads being tipped for super trend status I ask myself.

Is it cool?... no, is it flattering?.... no, is it something your mum wore in the 80's?... YES! Some fashions do not have to come back around, and I am in no hurry to embrace the padded shoulder look, no matter how many times Agyness Deyn is spotted wearing them.

Tuesday, 22 April 2008

TRENDS - Skirts go Full Circle

'full' and 'circle' are the best way to wear your skirts this season. A development from the prom dress trend that was everywhere recently this takes the look to a more casual level, and takes far less effort. Make the most of the waist and opt for something that starts there. Hide the hips and thighs with a voluminous skirt, but keep the fabric lightweight to avoid adding too much bulk.


Or why not find out how to make your own with a free tutorial at whatthecraft.com

Laura Ashley Ltd

Wednesday, 9 April 2008

TRENDS - Bright Shoes


The right shoes can make or break an outfit, but at the moment it seems the right shoes are bright shoes! Yellow, blue, orange, pink and green or any colour of the rainbow will do. Bold block colour works best, but also try clashing primary colours. It will lift an otherwise plain ensemble and make you stand out for all the right reasons. If you have open toes I think it is best to go for a nude nail polish or a different colour, don't match shoes and nails. Wearing brights on your feet is a great way to wear a colour that wouldn't usually suit you head to toe. Get inspired with my options below...

Tuesday, 8 April 2008

TRENDS - Fluoro Florals

Have you noticed the recent colour explosion! Big, bold floral prints are back. Because this look is such a statement, it really needs nothing else. Keep accessories to a minimum and go for plain a shoe and bag. Colleen McLoughlin was spotted at the Races this week wearing her floral mini dress, a great trend for the coming months. So get brave and inspired by my picks below...

Tuesday, 1 April 2008

TRENDS - Jingle Jangle Bangles

Sporting an array of bangles is a great way to jazz up a boring outfit. Celebs everywhere have been wearing theirs, you could say they are elbow deep in arm candy, quite literally. The key is to experiment with what looks good, you don't even have to stick to one style. Layer up different textures, colours and styles to create an individual look.

I am a fan of safari inspired jewellery but would mix this with some gold or perspex to bring the look right up to date. Try a mixture of wide and narrow bangles too but keep other jewellery to a minimum so as not to over-do it. Don't forget charity shops, as these can be a great place to find quirky and original items, and at bargain prices too.Accessorize Mop Mozaic Chunky Bangle - Oli.co.uk - £10.00

Sunday, 30 March 2008

TRY THIS - Flashy lashes


The latest cosmetic trends are definitely bolder than they have been in previous seasons. I have covered colourful eye shadows in this blog, but lets not forget eyelashes. You needn't have to choose from just black or brown mascara, why not jazz things up a little. I first tried this with a little bargain glitter mascara I found at Bodyshop a few years ago. I just coat the very tips of my lashes with silver sparkles, and it really adds a special something for night time make-up.


Why not try some different colours, jade green, teal and blue are always good. You can keep things subtle by using a normal mascara, and then just coating the tips with colour and this will just show up in the light. I did see someone with black and white mascara on and it can look really different and definitely dramatic.


Otherwise, glitter and shimmer can be good. Gold, bronze or silver give the lashes extra dazzle which can look really cool, but again, don't overdo it. We don't want to look like a Christmas tree, and not only that, your vision will seem as if a disco ball has got stuck on your retina! If you can't find a glitter mascara, then you can use a glitter eyeliner to coat the edges of the eyelashes and this is just as effective.

You can go