So. Prints. How do you feel about them? Weirded out? Put off? Totally turned on?!
I for one have fallen hook, line and sinker for them. But even as an average size 10, how the hell do I wear them? Accessories are always a good way to try out a style without going too OTT, and tights and leggings are great but seriously, you won't catch me wearing the printed ones! No kidding, they look great on those stick thin girls that are so prevalent here in Bristol, but bigger than a size 8 and you need balls of steel to go out in them as far as I'm concerned. Nonetheless, for those of you who are a size 8 and/or have metal testes, here are the best of the leggings and tights ...
http://store.americanapparel.co.uk/rsa8349p.html
http://www.republic.co.uk/Jeans/Vila-Animal-Leggings/invt/82991
http://www.mytights.com/mytights/4242.html
http://www.mytights.com/mytights/zoomimage/4337.html
Something a little easier to contend with is a printed dress. Ditsy prints are big this summer but you can be a bit more creative than that, right girls? To see this great bird and heart print dress by Reko at Topshop go to topshop.com, click BRANDS and then REKO. It's bright blue so it's pretty hard to miss!
New Look (newlook.co.uk) also has some great prints, like this vibrant flowered dress - not for the wallflowers though!
http://www.newlook.co.uk/1646942/164694209/ProductDetails.aspx
For pricier options check out warehouse.co.uk for this designer-looking Crystal Aztec dress,
http://www.warehouse.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion/Dresses/CRYSTAL-AZTEC-DRESS/11711
or oasis-stores.com for this great Arthouse Print shift -
http://www.oasis-stores.com/fcp/product/Oasis/Dresses/Arthouse-Print-Shift-Dress/4470047561
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Monday, 16 February 2009
Finally.... FASHION!
I've been focusing on make-up a lot recently, but today and yesterday's sunny weather in Bristol got me thinking about my fashion plans for the summer. Like most people, I can't afford to go on a spending spree every season, but none the less I do make a wish-list (or 5!) and then head to the nearest Primark looking for the great catwalk knock-offs!
1. This summer I've finally embraced the fringing trend. It's been around for a few seasons, on and off, but this spring/summer it's had an injection of colour, and the bright reds, blues and purples have finally endeared fringing to me. New Look (www.newlook.co.uk) have some great pieces, from sandals, to mega-high heels and fringed bags.
2. Ditsy prints, from flowers to hearts, are another trend that I love. Despite being addicted to fashion, I find that the clothes I wear day-to-day can be kind of dark and masculine, so I'm trying to show my feminine side a bit more this summer. Primark usually have lots to choose from in terms of prints but you'll have to get your shopping shoes on because unfortunately Primark don't yet have an online shop...
3. Customise! If you haven't ever customised an item before don't just grab the scissors and start hacking away at your favourite dress, because believe me, it will turn out more Jodie Marsh than Vivienne Westwood. Start simply by customising a few simple vest tops. Topshop do the best ones in a range of colours, and they're cheap too. Sew on some flowers, bows, hearts - whatever you fancy! If your sewing skills leave much to be desired, just safety-pin them on instead. That way you can change the look later!
4. As much as I hate to say it, it's too hot for wet-look leggings in the summer so I'll be ditching mine for some black skinny jeans, ripped at the knees - grunge style. Go all out grunge with long straight hair, and plaited strands, or mix it up with a pretty t-shirt or girly blouse!
5. Last but not least on my summer wish list is a great, bright clutch, like this one from Dorothy Perkins. (Copy and paste the link into a new window).
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=20552&storeId=12552&categoryId=51590&parent_category_rn=51593&productId=1079154&langId=-1
1. This summer I've finally embraced the fringing trend. It's been around for a few seasons, on and off, but this spring/summer it's had an injection of colour, and the bright reds, blues and purples have finally endeared fringing to me. New Look (www.newlook.co.uk) have some great pieces, from sandals, to mega-high heels and fringed bags.
2. Ditsy prints, from flowers to hearts, are another trend that I love. Despite being addicted to fashion, I find that the clothes I wear day-to-day can be kind of dark and masculine, so I'm trying to show my feminine side a bit more this summer. Primark usually have lots to choose from in terms of prints but you'll have to get your shopping shoes on because unfortunately Primark don't yet have an online shop...
3. Customise! If you haven't ever customised an item before don't just grab the scissors and start hacking away at your favourite dress, because believe me, it will turn out more Jodie Marsh than Vivienne Westwood. Start simply by customising a few simple vest tops. Topshop do the best ones in a range of colours, and they're cheap too. Sew on some flowers, bows, hearts - whatever you fancy! If your sewing skills leave much to be desired, just safety-pin them on instead. That way you can change the look later!
4. As much as I hate to say it, it's too hot for wet-look leggings in the summer so I'll be ditching mine for some black skinny jeans, ripped at the knees - grunge style. Go all out grunge with long straight hair, and plaited strands, or mix it up with a pretty t-shirt or girly blouse!
5. Last but not least on my summer wish list is a great, bright clutch, like this one from Dorothy Perkins. (Copy and paste the link into a new window).
http://www.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=20552&storeId=12552&categoryId=51590&parent_category_rn=51593&productId=1079154&langId=-1
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Make-up brushes
Ok, it's been a busy 2 weeks and I've been neglecting you - sorry! But now I'm back with a boring little blog about make-up brushes: which brushes you need, the best ones to use and the alternatives.
Which brushes?
1. Foundation brush
I tend not to use one of these because I prefer to blend my foundation and concealer with my fingers. Nonetheless, a few foundations do come with brushes attached (see below - YSL Perfect Touch, and Bourjois Brush Foundation) and they tend to be pretty good. I apply the foundation all over my face with the brush, and then use my fingers to blend it into hard-to-reach areas like my hairline and around my nose. If you do want to use a foundation brush, go for thickish, flat brush with a rounded tip. The flat side of the brush will ensure good coverage, and the rounded tip means you shouldn't get any hard lines if you haven't blended very well.
2. Blusher brush
A blusher brush should generally be quite big i.e. it covers a large area in one sweep. This ensures that you get a natural looking blush on your cheeks, and not just a big blob of colour on your cheeks! Although it's quite an 80s shape for blusher, I still sweep from the apple of my cheek up towards my brow bone. The difference is that my blush tends not to be so strong a colour that I get a neon stripe up my face! I find that applying the blush (or bronzer) this way really lifts my face and makes my cheekbones really stand out.
NOTE: Estelle at the Brits is an example of how not to rock this look!
3. Eyeshadow brushes
If you only buy one eyeshadow brush, make sure it's a great blending one. The best kind of eyeshadow on any age of face is a well-blended shadow, so go for a brush with a large, rounded end made up of bristles that aren't very close together. For a stronger colour, just keep layering the eyeshadow until the get the desired effect. As well as my blending brush, I also have a 'strong colour' brush which is the shape of those free applicators you get with most eyeshadows, but made of bristles instead of foam . With this I can apply a lot of colour in one go which is perfect for when I'm applying the base of a smoky eye. I even have a flat-ended brush that I use for applying eyelash glue to false lashes!
These are the basic brushes that you need. But which brand should you choose?
Shu Uemura without a doubt make the best brushes in the business, not to mention their famous eyelash curlers! Find them at www.spacenk.co.uk. Although these brushes are great, they are pricey. For a cheaper option try MAC, www.maccosmetics.co.uk and for a really great budget buy head to the Body Shop - www.thebodyshop.co.uk. All these brands make really good quality brushes, but remember to keep them in good shape by cleaning them every so often. Just add a little make-up remover to a bowl of warm water and work the excess make-up out of the bristles with your fingers.
Which brushes?
1. Foundation brush
I tend not to use one of these because I prefer to blend my foundation and concealer with my fingers. Nonetheless, a few foundations do come with brushes attached (see below - YSL Perfect Touch, and Bourjois Brush Foundation) and they tend to be pretty good. I apply the foundation all over my face with the brush, and then use my fingers to blend it into hard-to-reach areas like my hairline and around my nose. If you do want to use a foundation brush, go for thickish, flat brush with a rounded tip. The flat side of the brush will ensure good coverage, and the rounded tip means you shouldn't get any hard lines if you haven't blended very well.
2. Blusher brush
A blusher brush should generally be quite big i.e. it covers a large area in one sweep. This ensures that you get a natural looking blush on your cheeks, and not just a big blob of colour on your cheeks! Although it's quite an 80s shape for blusher, I still sweep from the apple of my cheek up towards my brow bone. The difference is that my blush tends not to be so strong a colour that I get a neon stripe up my face! I find that applying the blush (or bronzer) this way really lifts my face and makes my cheekbones really stand out.
NOTE: Estelle at the Brits is an example of how not to rock this look!
3. Eyeshadow brushes
If you only buy one eyeshadow brush, make sure it's a great blending one. The best kind of eyeshadow on any age of face is a well-blended shadow, so go for a brush with a large, rounded end made up of bristles that aren't very close together. For a stronger colour, just keep layering the eyeshadow until the get the desired effect. As well as my blending brush, I also have a 'strong colour' brush which is the shape of those free applicators you get with most eyeshadows, but made of bristles instead of foam . With this I can apply a lot of colour in one go which is perfect for when I'm applying the base of a smoky eye. I even have a flat-ended brush that I use for applying eyelash glue to false lashes!
These are the basic brushes that you need. But which brand should you choose?
Shu Uemura without a doubt make the best brushes in the business, not to mention their famous eyelash curlers! Find them at www.spacenk.co.uk. Although these brushes are great, they are pricey. For a cheaper option try MAC, www.maccosmetics.co.uk and for a really great budget buy head to the Body Shop - www.thebodyshop.co.uk. All these brands make really good quality brushes, but remember to keep them in good shape by cleaning them every so often. Just add a little make-up remover to a bowl of warm water and work the excess make-up out of the bristles with your fingers.
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Product Reviews - the basics!
Everyday products for a make-up mad girl like me....
Concealer, foundation, bronzer/blusher, eye make-up (inc. mascara), lipgloss - PHEW!
1. Concealer
Ok, so Touche Eclat (YSL) is the concealer/highlighter for hiding bags and blemishes, but it also retails for around £22! I say save that for when you really need it, and in the meantime buy the far more reasonably priced L'Oreal Touche Magique. It really does do the trick just as well and comes in various shades to suit your skintone. And at £6.99 it's far more purse-friendly.
2. Foundation
Although mineral foundations are very popular at the moment, I find that they often don't offer enough coverage so I tend to go for a liquid foundation. Very handily, many of them come with a brush attached to help with application. I've tried the more expensive option, YSL Perfect Touch (£29) which really does give you a great glow, but again, it's a bit steep (I am a student after all!). So instead I tried Bourjois Brush Foundation (£11.70). It gives great coverage, it's very easy to apply thanks to the brush, and because of the 'clicky' action to release the liquid, you shouldn't waste any either!
3. Bronzer/blusher
A firm favourite of mine is Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush (around £6). It comes in a range of fresh shades and isn't very expensive at all. There's a little mirror in the lid of the pot, and a brush inside too - handy or what! I like Rose de Jaspe (95).
4. Eye make-up
My favourite! I wear eye make-up every day without fail so I have a lot of favourites, but I've picked a few of the best. For eyeshadow, I love Sleek Cosmetics (available at Superdrug) Divine Eyeshadow palettes. It comes in 3 varieties and at £4.50 for 12 shades you can afford all 3! Despite being so inexpensive, the shadow lasts all day, and because it's mineral-based it gives a great, deep colour. With a mirror and a brush included, what more could you ask for! I also always fill in my eyebrows to give them some definition, and the absolute best product for this is No7 Amazing Eyes Pencil (around £7). Mine lasts me ages, despite the fact that I use it everyday. Eyeliner next, and I'm a fan of Maxfactor Colour Perfection (around £5) because it's very black, and lasts all day. There's also a brown shade for those who prefer a more natural look. Finally, mascara - every woman's best friend. Diorshow Blackout Waterproof (£19.50) made my boyfriend ask if I was wearing false lashes, so it's definitely a showstopper, but trying to remove the stuff truly is a mission! For a more remover-friendly option, try Maxfactor Masterpiece Waterproof (around £9.99) which still gives you sexy lashes, without the hard work at the end of the day!
5. Lipgloss
I'm addicted to buying lipglosses but the one I always go back to is L'Oreal GlamShine 6hr (£6.99). It really does last that long and it's not too sticky unlike some other brands. A great neutral colour is Amber Fidelity (104), and once you've tried this you'll definitely be faithful!
Concealer, foundation, bronzer/blusher, eye make-up (inc. mascara), lipgloss - PHEW!
1. Concealer
Ok, so Touche Eclat (YSL) is the concealer/highlighter for hiding bags and blemishes, but it also retails for around £22! I say save that for when you really need it, and in the meantime buy the far more reasonably priced L'Oreal Touche Magique. It really does do the trick just as well and comes in various shades to suit your skintone. And at £6.99 it's far more purse-friendly.
2. Foundation
Although mineral foundations are very popular at the moment, I find that they often don't offer enough coverage so I tend to go for a liquid foundation. Very handily, many of them come with a brush attached to help with application. I've tried the more expensive option, YSL Perfect Touch (£29) which really does give you a great glow, but again, it's a bit steep (I am a student after all!). So instead I tried Bourjois Brush Foundation (£11.70). It gives great coverage, it's very easy to apply thanks to the brush, and because of the 'clicky' action to release the liquid, you shouldn't waste any either!
3. Bronzer/blusher
A firm favourite of mine is Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush (around £6). It comes in a range of fresh shades and isn't very expensive at all. There's a little mirror in the lid of the pot, and a brush inside too - handy or what! I like Rose de Jaspe (95).
4. Eye make-up
My favourite! I wear eye make-up every day without fail so I have a lot of favourites, but I've picked a few of the best. For eyeshadow, I love Sleek Cosmetics (available at Superdrug) Divine Eyeshadow palettes. It comes in 3 varieties and at £4.50 for 12 shades you can afford all 3! Despite being so inexpensive, the shadow lasts all day, and because it's mineral-based it gives a great, deep colour. With a mirror and a brush included, what more could you ask for! I also always fill in my eyebrows to give them some definition, and the absolute best product for this is No7 Amazing Eyes Pencil (around £7). Mine lasts me ages, despite the fact that I use it everyday. Eyeliner next, and I'm a fan of Maxfactor Colour Perfection (around £5) because it's very black, and lasts all day. There's also a brown shade for those who prefer a more natural look. Finally, mascara - every woman's best friend. Diorshow Blackout Waterproof (£19.50) made my boyfriend ask if I was wearing false lashes, so it's definitely a showstopper, but trying to remove the stuff truly is a mission! For a more remover-friendly option, try Maxfactor Masterpiece Waterproof (around £9.99) which still gives you sexy lashes, without the hard work at the end of the day!
5. Lipgloss
I'm addicted to buying lipglosses but the one I always go back to is L'Oreal GlamShine 6hr (£6.99). It really does last that long and it's not too sticky unlike some other brands. A great neutral colour is Amber Fidelity (104), and once you've tried this you'll definitely be faithful!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
