NAIL IT....

I am crazy inlove with the new trends for nails. Gone are the days of the gothic-fab look and in with the neon brights and customised nail art.

So now you can reflect your personality onto your nails... while some people may find it abit OTT, I think its awesome! Now I wont seem as awkward while every1 else is also sporting leopard print nails.
The best part about this trend is you can do it on short , rounded nails OR with tips on.

One of THE easiest ways to do this at home without the possibility of messing up is using my new BFF of nail polishes.. China Glaze. It's a light weight water based nail polish that spreads evenly and dries almost instantly.... and best of all its reasonably priced!
China Glaze is the only nail polish with which you can do this trick..
Step1: Fill a small bowl with water . Choose 4 china glaze colours you wish to use and organise them into the order you wish to use them.
Step 2:use the 1st colour of your choice and drop a blob into the middle of the water (notice how it floats) and repeat steps with the 3 other colours.
Step 3: take a toothpick and "draw a line" across the colours (i.e swirl them together)
Step 4: dip your nail into the colour design by placing it onto the colour then pulling itunder the water and back up. let it dry for a few seconds and blot dry. Use acetone to remove any nail polish from around the nail plate.

For a variation you could aslo pre paint a coat of white or black... or any colour of your choice as a base to the "nail art"

also a really cool site to visit with tips and how-to advice is :
http://www.nailsmag.com/nailArt/

MAKE-UP TRENDS 2009

As far as i've noticed Europe and America are quite on polar opposites as far as make-up trends go.


Europe is more the edgier geometric, bold , striking make-ups. While the U.S is going for natural, bronzed and relaxed make-ups.


MY FAVOURITE BY FAR ARE AS FOLLOWS:


1. BOLD BROWS

By far my favourite! Sexy, dark, volumised brows are seen walking the ramps and streets. While the fashion trend is a straight, thick brow, the everyday woman cant always recreate this look. So for all the ladies out there with thick brows celebrate them . If you have thinner brows you can either pencil them in slightly thicker or use a eyeshadow shade slightly darker than your natural brows (i mean SLIGHTLY) and brush it on using an angled brow brush. ALWAYS remember a good eyebrow gel to tame those unruly hairs or if you're on a tight budget hair gel is a good alternative ( BONUS= cost effective (",) )

2. EYELINER

MORE is more in this look. The more you use the better. Thick liner, slightly winged out to open up the eyes and give the illusion of slightly wider almond shaped eyes is your goal. The key applying winged liner is to first pencil in the black line around the eye , as close to the lash line as possible and holing you eyelid taut while looking into a mirror. once you have your basic outline you can make it as thick as you desire ( I always try keep it thin in the inner lid and as I bring it out get thicker thus giving a doe eye look) . THEN.. the part most girls find hard.. the flick..

look straight into your mirror, and mark where you want to see your flicks (making sure to keep them symmetrical) draw your flicks with a kohl pencil. Close your eye and perfect the line , so there are no "gaps" or ridges. Take a fluid or liquid liner and go over the flicks to keep them in place all day. For a more natural day look you could always skip the fluid liner and smudge the kohl liner slightly.

3. GOLD ,BRONZED ,NATURAL BEAUTY

Think Peachy blush, Golden eyeshadows, Browns, Minimal Liner, Thick Mascara and a nice glossy nude lip. The best part about this make-up is taking it off. I always take off one eye to see the difference, this make-up makes you feel less guilty as it highlights your natural look without the possibility of making it look over done or fake.

Tie this in with structured brows and you have a sure winner for day OR night. the best part? Use you bronzer as blush and eyeshadow.. this helps with the natural contouring and gives the extra feel of NATURAL. Use a pencil liner full on the top lashes (between the lashes making them look fuller) quarter on the bottom (blend with a ear bud to half way) and how i add extra oomph.. use an illuminating cream like MAC strobe cream on your cheeckbones, push it into your temples in a rolling motion , in the cupids bow above your lips , use it down the centre of your nose and apply it to your collar bones. Lastly take a teeny tiny drop of foundation and rub it over your lips 9DO NOT block them out) mix a nude gloss like MAC jellybabe and a tiny bit of a pink or peach lipstick to make a custom nude gloss. Think Eva Longoria and J.Lo.

Remember lipliner is important, make sure it matches the lipstick you are using or the glosses you are mixing.

4. BOLD GEMOETRIC DESIGNS

Dior is known for their way-out funky make-up. Now dont go out doing your make-up like that... but experiment with colour and design. The K.I.S.S rule does NOT apply. (Keep. It. Simple. Stupid). These types of make-ups dont happen in 10minuets... as a professional my advice is practice practice practice.

5 BOLD COLOURFUL LIPS

Red is a massive trend. It's elegant, sexy and classy... and has that playful edge. Bright fuscia pink (or porn pink as some girls call it) lips are also very hot right now. Other gorgeous colours to try are Burgundy, Aubergine, Coral and Baby doll pink. Black is quite hot on the ramps and very effective in photo's but not very street friendly ;)

The Trick to preventing lipstick bleeding is to firstly have smooth , exfoliated lips. Condition your lips and leave it to settle into your lips while doing your eyes and other make-up. Line your lips with a good liner making sure the line is perfectly on the lip line. Colour in the entire lip area with the liner. Use a lipstick brush to apply your lipstick, apply it from the middle out. Once you get the the outer lip line, slightly blend the lipstick with the line being careful not to go out of the lips and onto the surrounding area ( you will be suprised how often you see women with smudged red lines around the lips). Blot and apply again.

When choosing the colour always ask the make-up consultants help...as there are warm and cool tones, dependant on your skin tone. They are trained professionals and will save you from a bad purchase. :)

FASHiON

Hey there!
so, first things first... while i love fashion and know all my designers and everything there is to know about their ranges and history, I dont believe that makes you fashionable. While I LOVE the quirky-ness of heatherette , the street glam of baby phat and the luxury of roberto cavalli ; I wouldnt wear exactly what the models on the ramp display to me or the diva in the posters shows me.

To be fashionable is to have your own personal style which you adapt to your mood, needs and feeling for the day or the moment.
To be trendy on the other hand is to keep up with all the latest fashions and adorn yourself in them before everybody else... or WITH everybody else.

I admit to dressing quite off beat at times but if something calls out to me, i'll wear it. I've always had a passion for handbags, shoes and clothes. Some people laughed at the way I dressed in school but I doubt I dressed TOO bad when the next weekend all my friend wore replica's of my "laughing-stock" outfit of the previous week. I trawl the vintage stores and charity shops, many days you can find me rummaging through my mothers cupboards and sifting through elderly friends clothes from the 60's and 70's. That said, I do still buy brand new...most times. Mixing old with new, re-inventing an outfit I know I wont see another person wearing and making it mine is always a good feeling.

A friend once told me that the most important accessory to any outfit is confidence.
SO.. put on that abstract outfit, throw your shoulders back, hold your head up high and look the world in the face.