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Beauty Trend Alert: fashion forward

  • posted June 20th, 2011
  • Beauty

stephencollinsbelt

The good news for this Autumn/Winter 2010? Well mostly that the beauty world has gone back to basics. Glowing skin, plump lips and clear eyes, not to mention glossy and natural hair, is on everyone’s wish list as we start to face the colder months. After seasons of attention-grabbing beauty looks on the international catwalks at Paris, London, Milan and New York, with frankly scary creations that you could never wear to your local pub, let alone to the supermarket, it’s a relief that natural is now back on the beauty radar.

This season is all about beauty looks that complement the clothes. In my two part post I will show you how:

1. Follow the same colour palette as the clothes that really count this season. Camel translates into honey-toned hues. Try a nude lipstick, such as Clarins Joli Rouge in simply nude.

2. Mirror colour blocked outfits with bold lipstick and eyes in the same textures.

3. If you’re wearing high-shine patent leather then mimic this in your makeup. Glossy, dark red lipstick, such as Guerlain Kiss Kiss or deep scarlet shiny nails will up the ante on your outfit. A shiny belt, like this Stephen Collins black patent leather belt and a bold lipstick will instantly update your look.

Featured items: Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick  in Simply Nude, Max Factor foundation in honey, Guerlain KissKiss lipstick, and Stephen Collins patent leather belt

Beauty School: The new bob

  • posted May 30th, 2011
  • Beauty

toniguy

Well beauty queens, enough with extensions! Lose the layers and ditch that boring Jennifer Aniston style hair. The sharp, swinging bob is staging its very own comeback and it’s not been hotter since the Sixties. This summer hair is all about decisive action and Vidal Sassoon. Blame it on the famous scissor wielding hairdresser’s upcoming film blog or on a general sense of boredom with the wishy washiness of hair trends of late.

For a good start just think Mary Quant, Sixties fashion designer who made the mini a key trend and was fearless in her modern approach to style. Jessie J’s long bob is a good starting point but make sure you keep hair super shiny. Use a good hairdryer such as Vidal Sassoon Solutions hairdryer and blow dry nice and smooth. Try adding a spritz of a professional hair shine spray for ultra glossy locks. I love Toni and Guy Finishing Shine Spray. It’s a backstage regular at the fashion shows!

Vidal Sassoon Solutions hairdryer and Toni and Guy Finishing Shine Spray

- Isabel Dexter

Trend Alert: Ballerina Beauty

topshopdress

This spring/summer the ballerina trend is really rocking new heights. Think Natalie Portman sporting the look in the amazing Black Swan film. Ok she’s far too skinny but her hair, tied back in a classic ballerina bun, looked uber chic. She’s a consummate actress but also one of those beautiful screen sirens whose faces are just mesmerising. While we can’t all look (or act!) like Ms Portman, we can at least steal her hair style!

Add the fact that the Erdem show at London Fashion Week was full of models wearing twisted, plaited versions of a ballerina up do and we’ve got a full on trend on our hands. Recently actresses Marion Cotillard and Amanda Seyfried have been spotted working the style on the red carpet too so it’s one to last. Plus at the Chloe Spring/Summer 2011 catwalk show the girls sported diaphanous tulle dresses, nude shades and sleek up dos. The prettiness and primness of the hair style is the ideal anecdote to a grecian-style draped dress.

For how to get the hair look read my follow-up post and in the meantime indulge in this show-stopping one-shouldered grecian dress from Topshop. I love the coffee colour and contrast between the draping and the fitted style.

Featured: Topshop Grecian dress

- Isabel Dexter

Beauty School: Lip Service

  • posted May 16th, 2011
  • Beauty

esteelauderslipstick

“Throughout time there has always been a fascination with a woman’s mouth,” Tom Ford has recently stated. “Bold, glossy lips are undeniably provocative.” Of course if I’m being cynical this could be because of his Tom Ford lipstick range, which actually I really love. Try this Azuree by Estee Lauder in Tropee Sunset. The dusky red shade is perfect on dark skin or for those with an early summer tan.

Honestly though Tom is right. Nothing says sexy and powerful like a slick of lipstick. Even if you’re not wearing any other makeup it makes a dramatic statement. I’ve been chatting with makeup artists backstage at the catwalk shows to glean some of their tricks of the trade. Here’s one to get you started: Time to pucker up girls!

“You know you’ve found exactly the right lipstick shade when it enhances your skin tone, makes your eyes look brighter and gives your face a lift. It makes you glow,” says Paul Herrington, the Head of Artistry at Bobbi Brown. We’ll have some of that please!

- Isabel Dexter

Beauty School: Ballerina Beauty

  • posted May 16th, 2011
  • Beauty

ballethair

Take your seats people the show is about to begin! Ballet’s big moment is here, thanks to a plethora of fashion week shows this Spring/Summer that showed the time to dance has never been more apparent. Add red carpet appearances thanks to stars such as Kate Hudson and we have a fully fledged trend alert on our hands – or rather on our heads! This trend is all about the hair and happily the neatly pulled-back style of the ballerina bun is currently de rigour.

To get the look first create a simple pony. Pull hair tightly back from the crown and secure with a simple pony tail band. Add a touch of designer chic with this Marc by Marc Jacobs pony tail cluster of bands. The pale grey  and pink are spot on for this season and you can also wear them as charm bracelets.

If your hair is too short or you want to mimic that thick, plush, fat bun that the models were rocking at the Erdem show then why not try a cool ponytail hair extension? These Love clip in hair extensions are easy to use and super shiny.

Finally twist the pony into a neat bun and secure by tucking ends underneath. Ensure your style lasts the day with a spritz of a decent hairspray, such as Fudge Skyscraper hairspray and then get ready to take your final bow!

Featured:  ponytail hair extension by Love, Marc by Marc Jacobs pony tail band, and Fudge Skyscraper hairspray

Back to Beauty School: Blusher

  • posted February 22nd, 2011
  • Beauty

illamasqua-blush

Don’t be a beauty school drop out this month. It might be cold and dark outside and you may be looking rather on the pale side but a dose of blusher can leave you looking pretty and perky!

Blusher is a brilliant beauty must-buy when it comes to making everyone look instantly prettier and healthier. If you’re feeling hung over, under the weather or just not looking your usual best then a sweep of the pink stuff will have an  instant pick-me-up  effect. Go for a flushed, natural look that defines your cheekbones. Here’s how:

1. Choose light peach or pastels. I like Illamasqua blusher in beg. It suits most complexions and has a lovely light finish.

2. Swirl a fat brush onto the blush and tap off the excess.

3. Sweep the brush in an upward motion across cheekbones and then up to the temple and blend into the hairline. This shades cheekbones naturally and creates a more natural effect.

4. To boost your complexion sweep a small amount of the same blush across lids.

Bobbi Brown’s tips for party glamour (part two)

  • posted January 21st, 2011
  • Beauty

bobbi-brown-party-looks-2

The makeup guru and backstage makeup artist Bobbi Brown is well-renowned amongst beauty editors for her down to earth approach. For Bobbi, make up is not about hiding who you really are or conforming to stereotypes about beauty; instead it’s a chance to increase confidence and take pride in your appearance. Plus Bobbi knows the secrets to looking made-up and gorgeous, without having to spend hours in the bathroom!

For a gorgeously glowing evening look follow her expert advice:

1. For glowing skin, add a touch of eye cream to smooth out the concealer you put on earlier in the day.

2. Concealer is the trick to brightening your complexion and giving you a wide-awake look. It’s also the only way to cover up dark circles. Try Bobbi Brown creamy concealer.

3. Add dimension to your pout by applying a lip gloss onto the middle part of your top and bottom lips.

4. For an indulgent treat apply a great smelling body moisturiser or luxe oil pre-party or evening out to feel extra special. I love Bobbi Brown Beach Body oil.

Featured party glamour products: Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, No 7 Protect and Perfect Intense Eye Cream, and Bobbi Brown Beach Body Oil

Bobbi Brown’s top tips for party glamour

  • posted January 20th, 2011
  • Beauty

bobbi-brown-makeup

“Women want to look and feel like themselves, only prettier and more confident” says the makeup maestro Bobbi Brown, whose range of expert beauty products have long been a favourite of mine. Beautifully blend-able formulations, soft, flattering colours that are strong enough to pack a punch and gorgeous packaging. I introduced a friend of mine to this brand a few years ago and now she, her mother and her grandmother are all addicted! One of my favourite things about Bobbi Brown makeup is that it’s not age-specific. Most of the colours and creamy formulations look great at any age.

Here’s some top tips from Bobbi over this two-part post on how to get a glowing and gorgeous evening look, in an instant!

1. For evening eyes, warm colours such an vanilla and taupe can look dull and flat. Switch to something dramatic, such as white, charcoal, black and grey for a dressier look.

2. Looking for the perfect black eyeliner? Bobbi’s long wear gel eyeliner comes with a nifty brush and goes on like a dream. It stays put all night too.

3. If you have any redness in your skin, dot on a little concealer such as Bobbi Brown luminous moisturizing foundation to even out skin tone and provide a great base. It will add radiance too to tired skin.

Featured: Bobbi Brown oil free even finish compact foundation, Bobbi Brown long wear gel eyeliner, and luminous moisturizing foundation

Saving Face: How to Look Younger Part 3

  • posted January 19th, 2011
  • Beauty

dark-spot-corrector-clinique

Blame it on the sun, smoking, too much alcohol, or even daily worries but as we get older a host of imperfections can start to show on our skin. One of the worst for people who have lived in sunnier climates or who have spent a lot of time in the sun during their teens and twenties can be dark spots or pigmentation.

The technical term for these blemishes, which occur when sun damage produces too much pigment (as a way of protecting the skin) is solar lentigines. Certain plant extracts can actually help protect again free radicals that cause the spots and can also, joy of joys, reduce their appearance. Getting rid of pesky age spots has become something of a hot topic in the beauty world for around a year now, and the good news is that these wonder ingredients also help brighten skin, which makes you look younger too!

Dianella ensifolia is one such extract, originally found in South East Asia and now used in many dark spot corrector creams. One such wonder product is Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector, which is much talked about and fantastic for reducing the appearance of these pesky spots.

Featured: Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Remover

Saving Face: Part 2

  • posted January 18th, 2011
  • Beauty

saving-face-2-face-serums

Getting older may be a fact of life but there’s no reason why we can’t age gracefully and more importantly perhaps, beautifully! So whether you want botox or prefer a more natural alternative it’s no secret that deep down we all crave plumped-up skin and an even, firm complexion. Luckily, help is at hand with top of the range lotions and potions that promise to hold back the hands of time. Here’s a few of my favourites:

1. After the age of around 30 collagen production slows down, which leads to skin looking less firm and less fresh. The solution? A great skin serum applied under moisturiser. I love Biotherm Skin Vivo serum.

2. Sleeping on your back can actually stop you getting wrinkles but even better is to invest is a silk pillow, which keeps skin smooth. It’s also great for making a blow dry last longer too. Try a John Lewis silk pillow case and see the difference.

3. If you’re a fan of the effects of botox but want something less invasive and also cheaper, try the cult Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum. It really works and I can’t recommend it highly enough – perfect for anxious types whose worries show up on their faces!

Featured: Biotherm Skin Vivo serum, John Lewis silk pillow case, and Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum

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