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Hair how to: Perfect fringe (part two)

  • posted March 5th, 2010
  • Beauty

fringe-part-2
Now Spring is finally in the air, despite all the cold weather, a girls thoughts naturally turn to getting a new hairstyle. Personally, I am still craving a runway-worthy fringe that falls almost in my eyes for a sexy, ingenue effect.

In Part One of this hair how to guide to creating the perfect fringe I gave you some tips on how to get a sleek and ultra shiny fringe. Now whilst we all love a bit of shine, somedays I prefer a more mussed-up, rock chick approach. So here’s some tricks on how to style your fringe. Think the girls from hip Parisian band The Plasticines and get ready to rock out!

1. Wavy, messy hair with a sleek fringe is a great juxtaposition. Spritz your barnet with a texture spray, such as Wella High Hair Touch & Feel spray , which will give lightweight structure and bounce. Then tong your hair randomly  with curling irons. Blowdry your fringe straight and sleek (as I explained in part one) and you’re ready to go.

2. Alternatively, make your fringe mussed-up for a rocky, edgy effect. Use a texture shampoo such as KMS Hairplay Texture shampoo. This wonder product will condition and strengthen hair, whilst giving a superb texture.

3. Blowdry roughly and then backcomb the fringe slightly with your fingertips. Keep it tousled and carefree for a laid back, too-cool-to-care vibe.

Featured: KMS Hairplay texture shampoo £12, Wella High Hair Touch & Feel spray £7.55 and WAHL Steel Curling Tongs £8.69

Hair how to: Perfect fringe (part one)

  • posted March 4th, 2010
  • Beauty

hair-care-products
The fringe has been on the fashion radar for a while now and I can see no signs of this trend becoming old. Pretty much universally flattering, a fringe can draw attention to the eyes, as well as covering any fine lines or wrinkles and giving shape and structure to long hair. No wonder it’s a favourite of so many models!

Spring/Summer 2010 sees the fringe  looking hotter than ever. Here’s some tips and tricks on how to create the ideal sleek and sexy fringe.

1. To keep your fringe behaving itself, make sure it’s in good condition. Dry or damaged hair won’t have that super sleek effect you want. Use a shine-enhancing shampoo, such as Pantene Pro V to get your hair in shape.

2. After rinsing, towel dry the hair and then comb through a small amount of straightening cream. Too much and the fringe will look greasy, so go easy. Try Mop C System Straightening Cream, which smells divine and will protect your hair from hairdryer or straightening iron damage.

3. Blow dry your hair in small sections leaving the fringe until last. Use a paddle brush to lift at the roots and point the hairdryer downwards along the hair shaft. This will give a sleek finish.

Products featured: MOP C System Straightening Cream £11.85, Philip Kingsley paddle brush £17, Pantene Pro V Shampoo £2.27

Shop to watch: Agent Provocateur

agent-provocateur
Now Valentine’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to put away the sexy undies. Agent Provocateur is the undisputed queen of sexy and still sophisticated underwear and the vintage edge plus a gorgeously covetable selection of sweet nothings makes it my first port of call for re-stocking the underwear draw.

Started in the early nineties by Serena Rees and Joseph Corre (who is the son of Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren) Agent Provocateur can be credited with bringing downright sexy and erotic lingerie out of the closet (so to speak) and into the high street. The shops are chic in black and pink, whilst the staff wear revealing pink nurses uniform to add a dose of very British, Carry On humour.

Kate Moss, Daisy Lowe and Peaches Geldof have all starred in their advertising campaigns and the range also includes some rather lovely beauty products and perfumes. The underwear has a 1940’s retro pin-up air. It’s best for lacy, sexy, flirty pieces that won’t go out of style.

All at Agent Provocateur clockwise from top left: Kiki Kimono, Diamond Dust fragrance, Love basque £185 and Pom Pom Mule


Bag to Have: Versace hobo

versace-handbag
In response to the fashion aphorism “Less is more”, who else but queen of the Versace empire, Donatella herself, would say “More is more”. You can almost imagine that prefixed with a “No, sweetie, darling” and a flick of her platinum blonde mane. Well as far as it comes to owning an IT bag, more is most certainly more. Despite the high octane glamour and sometimes over the top glitz of Versace clothes their leather bags are beautifully elegant and even, dare I say it, understated in a way that whispers luxury.

This mouth-wateringly pale beige Versace  hobo bag is a case in point. Made from puckered nappa leather it also features a small smattering of silver coloured studs, which are a key look for this season. An oversize tassle hangs from the zip and the twisted strap is the ideal length to tuck the bag snugly under your arm. Now all you need are some oversize sunglasses and sky high heels. Donatella eat your heart out! Mamma mia indeed.

Versace hobo bag £855.17 from Overstock

Dare to wear: Studded ankle boots

studded-boots
Rock chick-worthy metal studs have been appearing on bags, belts and even jackets this season but it’s cool, laid-back and often slouchy ankle boots that look best decorated with a Hells Angels stud or two (or three, or four …). Worn with ribbed tights or skinny jeans and a  black blazer now, and then with bare legs, a hint of a tan and a pretty floral print frock come spring, they’re definitely worth investing in.

My favourites are these chunky studded pair in black leather from Marks & Spencer. With a triple strap detail, complete with silver metal buckles and studs, they will add a modern, tough love effect to a pretty, girlie ensemble. If you’re looking for statement ankle books with a chunky high heel then opt for these Barratts ones. Different sized multi studs provide an unusual look  and the shape is chic and contemporary.

For a more relaxed look, I adore these super slouchy and extremely soft suede boots. With a flat sole that’s bang on trend as well as being very practical, they come in black and brown and boast two-sized square stud details. Perfect for all-night dancing!

Studded boots featured clockwise from top left: Black studded ankle boots £35 Marks & Spencer, Multi-studded ankle boots £35 Barratts, Groove rock star ankle boots £26.23 Overstock

Feeling ruffled

  • posted February 28th, 2010
  • Fashion

asos-ruffle-dress
One of the key trends for this Spring/Summer is a bevy of frills, flounces and girlie ruffles. Now I know it’s hardly Spring/Summer weather (in fact as I write this I am wearing cashmere) but fashion is all about looking forward and so this is the month to start planning your new season look.

At Paris Fashion Week in particular the models stepped out in a plethora of frothy frills, sculptured pleats and pretty ruffles that went from frou frou to elegant folds and curves. Lanvin showed beautifully constructed one-shoulder dresses with pleats and folds that had an origami-edge. Meanwhile British designer Giles Deacon did ruffles in a tongue-in-cheek Eighties manner, contrasting the flounces with metallic body armour.

For something more purse-friendly that will work for cold Spring days, this Oasis ruffle dress is perfect. The structured shoulders with shoulder-pads inserted is very Balmain, while the teal colour is dark enough to be worn with tights and boots but also fresh enough to feel new-season pretty! Get ready for a frill-ing summer!

Aqua Couture One Shoulder Ruffle Front Dress at ASOS, £90.00

Bag to have: Prada antique tote

  • posted February 27th, 2010
  • Fashion

prada-antique-tote-handbag
It is a simple fact of fashion, that where Miuccia Prada leads the rest of us will usually follow. It was she who put stilettos with socks for the first time, revitalised the trend for heavy, boiled wool and has such a frank dislike for what she sees as constrictions in style that it is tempting to credit her with kick starting the current love affair with mixing it up – think vintage garments worn with ultra-modern pieces and the clashing of colours and textures.

Prada bags are a classic and this beauty in black is sure to become a much-loved addition to your wardrobe. In soft black nappa leather, it has a slightly antiqued finish that nails the vintage trend perfectly. The soft black floppy bows on each side add a touch of girliness to an otherwise sleekly chic city tote. Two short handles and a runched clasp finish means you can tuck it under your arm or carry it in your elbow, a la Lindsay Lohan.  Made in Italy, it has a logo lining and gold-toned hardware too. Definitely one to snap up!

Prada antique tote £1,183

Slipping and sliding

kids-slippers
When I was a kid our Christmas presents would always consist of, amongst other treats, an apple, an orange and some slippers. Despite getting these every year I was one of the few children who actually adored getting slippers as presents, so long as they were pretty, fun and most of all pink! My brother however was one of those children who had to be forced to wear slippers, so it’s quite funny that now he has children they have all been gently persuaded into slipper-wearing!

My nephew, who is six, said he’s only wear slippers with monsters on. So being the sweet hearted Auntie that I am, I dug up these fantastic monster slippers from Marks & Spencer with the words “I’m a little monster” on the heel. Hilarious.

For something more classically chic, these soft leather cream moccasins from Polo Ralph Lauren have a luxurious feel. They’ll also give a classic preppy look to any outfit. Finally, to keep my inner six year old little girl happy, I can’t resist these little pale pink booties. In super soft velour and  decorated with pink heart motifs, they also offer good support around the ankles.

Childrens slippers featured: Monster slippers at Marks & Spencer £6-£8, Cienta pink slippers £21.58, Polo Ralph Lauren moccasins £30.61

That’s what little boys are made of – Little Boys Rugby Tops

boys-rugby-shirts
No not slugs and snails and puppy dogs tails, of course! The best thing about having boys is how honest and up front they are. Chances are if you try to make them wear something they hate they will just tell you straight out. Having said that, my nephew would only wear the same dingy black t-shirt if he was given a choice so sometimes you have to work with a bit of encouragement.

Rugby tops are always a winner. Classically cool and with a slightly preppy, sophisticated design they also appeal to your little boy’s inner hero. Dark green, white and black stripes are super stylish and this Junior J by Jasper Conran design is simply eye-catching. It boasts a branded button neck fastening, the iconic ‘96′ on the back and cotton stitch elbow patches. For something a little more blatent this bright red ‘I’m gonna to be a rugby star’ tee (featuring the hilarious tag line ‘And make mummy and daddy rich’ is perfect if your little one wants to be the next Jonny Wilkinson.

Little boys rugby shirts: Junior J by Jasper Conran rugby shirt £50, I’m gonna be a rugby star t-shirt £9.99

Book me in

  • posted February 24th, 2010
  • Home

fashion-art-books
So you’ve got the chic leather sofas all in place, the wooden floor is polished and you’ve splashed out on a gorgeous glass coffee table? Now all you need to make your precious pad properly Ideal Homes worthy is a few elegant looking tomes and artistic books lying nonchalantly about on the coffee table. Now coffee table books can be called pretentious, but personally I think it’s nice to have something beautiful to look at and interesting to read when you’re left alone in someone’s house for a moment.

As a fashion girl, I can’t help but adore the photographs of the great Richard Avedon. His iconic images, often for Vogue, completely revolutionised the previously static and rather stuffy fashion photography that was de rigeur before he came onto the scene. Similarly, the beautiful American Beauty Aesthetics and Innovation in Fashion book from Yale University Press combines stunning photography with a fascinating commentary on the ideal of the All-American beauty from 1910 to the present day.

If you’re more interested in art photography than fashion, Phaidon publish some great books that are more than just about looking pretty on your living room table. The photographer Roger Ballen’s collection of images in this book are simply breathtaking. They have a mysterious, slightly eerie quality to them that blur the boundaries of reality and fantasy.

Fashion Art Books featured: Avedon Fashion 1944-2000 £56.17 at Overstock, American Beauty Aesthetics and Innovation in Fashion £33 at Yoox, Roger Ballen: Shadow Chamber from Phaidon at Yoox

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