Showing posts with label autumn/winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label autumn/winter. Show all posts

Monday, 24 December 2012

HerUni: Beauty Trends For Party Season

Is it true to say that you, like me, don’t really think about the makeup as much as the dress and the hair for the night out you plan on having? Or, are you a true beauty fanatic who is already up to date with all the trends? Either way, the following beauty trends will give you what you are looking for in the makeup department during the winter period, and more importantly, the party season, especially Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
 
 
All
 
 
Fresh Faced
There is one look on trend right now for all those out there who like to keep a fresh face over the Christmas season. It may not be a look you would choose for a night out, but for working and earning, or a wintery walk through the park. It is a very simple look to create. The trick with this is aiming for a dewy glow by exfoliating, hydrating and moisturising your skin. All that is before putting on your foundation. One foundation to go for would be BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector Sensitive Skin by Garnier. To complete the look, wear brown or brown/black mascara instead of jet black. Avoid the extra volume mascara too; leave that for the crazy nights out. A good brand on budget would be Collection 2000 Lash Lengthening Mascara (W/P) Brown/Black. With this look, it is also about eating healthier, sleeping more and stressing less which will all show on your face. Balmain, Chloe and Calvin Klein Collection among many others showcased this look at the Autumn/Winter fashion shows.
 
 
Be Ethereal
Take some inspiration from other-worldly creatures, maybe not from the film Avatar. Nobody wants to be painted in blue from top to toe during winter season as we’re already blue from the cold at this time of year. Pearly shades, clear, pale skin tones and pink lip colours are the beautiful colours that create the ethereal look. Costello Tagliapietra, Giles and Giambattista Valli have all taken on the ethereal look for their models this season. Silver and blue tones alongside bronzed eyes and silver liner are all part of this other-worldly look. Adding a peony lip will make the look more classic. To go all out, and very over-the-top, mix orange, black and purple to recreate Prada’s fantastical take on the ethereal look. A dewy base is best; use BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector Sensitive Skin just like in Fresh Faced. For the eyes, glitter eyeliners are great such as 2true Eyeliner Dazzler No.2/3/4 in Silver, Green and Purple. Top it off by rimming the water line with a light blue such as Barry M Kohl Pen Kingfisher Blue. For the lips, a simple pale pink will do, and what better than Nivea Lip Care Soft Rose 4.8g for that extra protection against the cold night.
 
 
 
 
Eyes
 
 
Normally, for a big Christmas or NYE party, the eyes are the focal point on your face. Whether you go all out, or you create a more subtle look, there are plenty of trends to choose from.
 
 
Golden Eye
Want to be star of the show? Gold is a festive colour, and it can brighten up your eye immediately. Hitting the catwalk with the golden eye is Emilio Pucci. For the best outcome, use a variety of gold’s to illuminate some parts and accentuate others of your eye. Don’t forget to draw a golden line underneath your eye to add that extra pop. Use a mixture of Accessorize Merged Eyeshadow Golden Caramel and Golden Brown for the ultra smoky golden eye look. Make sure you add extra black Rimmel Scandel Eye Mascara to complete the look. Or, for the simple golden eye look, wear L’Oréal Colour Appeal Mono Eye Shadow Pure Gold, or for a golden line, Sleek MakeUP Eye Liner Liquid Dip It Gold. All these variations can be found in Superdrug stores nationwide or online. This look is definitely one for the New Year’s celebrations.
 
 
Sultry Smoke
The smoky eye is always in season despite the sun or snow. During the party season, the smokiness has a darker effect with silvers, greys, blacks, and even dark blues just like Diane Von Furstenburg and Valentino. For the classic smoky eye, think of the model in Armani Code by Giorgio Armani. Her eyes look beautiful surrounded in black. You can achieve that look too without the assistance of a makeup artist. You can either achieve this with a simple black liner surrounding the eye with pencil, Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeliner Pencil Black, or with liquid: Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner Black. A different way to achieve the simple black smoky eye look would be to use to likes of single shadow GOSH Eye Shadow Mono 006 Black. On the other hand, if you want to achieve the ultimate smoky eye, buy a combination palette of shadow like the Rimmel Union Jack Eye Palette Black Cab. Start with the lightest colour as the base of the look, working it all over the base of your eye up to the brow. Then, with the middle colour, brush that on the entire eye lid, and line it underneath too. Finally, with the darkest shade, blend it from the outer half of the lid, the same underneath the eye. Girls, you are ready to find someone for the mistletoe with this sultry look.
 
 
The New Smoke
Instead of the classic smoke, why not go for smoke with a little bit of an edge: a change in colour. Donna Karen New York opts for deep red smoky eyes on her models for Autumn/Winter whereas Jason Wu goes for a metallic green smoke. You can achieve the smoky look with any blend of colours: greens, reds, purples, blues, which are all right on trend right now. Use colour palettes such as Rimmel Glam’Eyes Trio Eyeshadows – Sumptuous Tourmaline for a purple smoke or for a dark green look, use Rimmel Glam’Eyes Quad Eyeshadows – Green Sapphire. For a bright blue look, use Make Up Academy Professional Trio Eyeshadow Blue Babe or Max Factor Max Effect Trio Eye Shadow 7 Over The Ocean. Rim the waterline with Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeliner Pencil Black and complete the look with Rimmel Scandel Eye Mascara. This look is one to use for a night out on the town.
 
 
Grunge Look
The trick to this look is to make it look like you’ve slept in your makeup. Usually, any of us girls would be like “No way! That only happens after a big night out.” This look has hit the catwalks like a 90s flashback, and it could very well be the daring option to go to over the smoky eye. All the big names in fashion, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, and Rag & Bone, have ordered a grunge look for their models, especially Jean Paul Gaultier. Use Rimmel Special Eyes Eyeliner Pencil Black to create a cat eye look. A good thing to do would be to dip the pencil in water beforehand. Not only would the pencil go onto the skin easier, but it would make it smudgier. Another tip for a lived in look would be to put bronze eyeshadow underneath the lower lashes, using your fingers. A good one would be Max Factor Earth Spirits Eyeshadow 108 Inca Bronze. If there is a rock gig to go to, this would be the look to go for. Or, even if you wanted a change in style, a grunge look would be the one to use. I wouldn’t use it for the day time in case anybody actually thought you hadn’t taken your makeup off the night before.
 
 
 
 
Cheeks
 
 
Blushed Cheeks
Pink cheeks will make sure that you don’t have that washed out look. Think typical English Rose, and buy products such as NYC Colour Wheel Face Mosaic Cheek Glow or 2true Blusher True Colour 1 Pink Blush to create a fresh wintery face as if your Granddad has just pinched your cheeks like he used to do (or still does) when you’re a little girl. This ultra feminine look has come from shows such as Dolce & Gabbana and Michael Kors.
 
 
 
 
Lips
 
 
If you don’t want to make your eyes the focal point of your makeup, the other option is the lips which you can spruce up with two options: the classic red lip, or the daring stained lip.
 
 
Red Lips
Ruby red lips have always been on the catwalk, and they will never be taken off it either. This is a look that you should master today to make sure that you are set for a life of red lips for years to come. This season’s shades include deep velvet berries and intense pops of scarlet. Gucci and Rochas have chosen the deeper shade of red with colours of berries to add glamour. Coral red is a playful look compiled by Rick Owens and it will suit every skin tone. A top tip is to blot the lipstick to make sure that this look lasts from dawn til dusk, meaning from your long day of studying for January exams, until those drinks after dark with your nearest and dearest. Accessorize Lip Stick Really Red is the one you want for the pop of lip colour to brighten any occasion, whereas if you prefer a deeper shade of red this season, buy Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick Diva Red or Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick Hollywood Red.
 
 
Stained Lips
Mixing the darker shades of red into this Autumn/Winter trend of stained lips, you can go for an edgier look of dark stained lips. Colours range from red-wine and deep berry. On the catwalk, Gucci, Etro, Bottega Veneta and Nicole Farhi have all put stained lips in their shows this season. Start with a lip liner to create a precise look and blot away excess oil and gloss for the matte look. Minimise the eccentricity around the eyes with this look for a classy look. Dark lipped examples are L’Oreal Colour Riche Made for Me Lip Blush Silk, Maybelline Superstay 24 Dual Ended Lipstick Rasberry and Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick 685 Mulberry. Be warned, this look is only for the brave, and prepare make sure you take your lipstick out with you because you’re going to have to top up throughout the long night of partying ahead.
 
 
 
 
Head to Boots or Superdrug for all the makeup mentioned at low prices.
Whichever makeup trend you choose to follow this Christmas and New Year, don’t forget to take it all off after a night out so that you don’t clog up your pores and make a mess of your clean pillow. Your skin will thank your dirty cleansing wipe in the morning.
 
 

Sunday, 4 December 2011

HerUni: Winter Hair

With the run up to Christmas, us girls are all looking for our Christmas dresses! It is an exciting time, but one thing that we might not be sure about is what to do with our hair. Every year, I get out of the shower, put my Christmas outfit on and look at my head and wonder how on earth I am going to style my hair! Usually, I just leave it. Not this year. This year, there is a huge variety of catwalk inspiration for every girl to choose from.

Pretty Ponytails
For a neat and smooth look that will keep your hair out of your face all day (including keeping it out of your food at dinner time), tie your hair up in a pony tail. It instantly sweeps the hair off your face and you still have the length (for long haired lasses) with an added bounce to it. This look would go great with any type of make up, from dark, smoky eyes to a natural look. Plus, if you opted for a low back dress this year, it would suit perfectly as would the bun.


Ballerina Buns
Another updo for this Christmas would be the obvious bun. However, don’t see buns as the boring, simple way to get your hair off the back of your neck. Instead, add a little twist to it such as a deep side parting with a knot at the nape, or two buns on top of your head instead of one. Or, you could create an oversized bun that falls out during the day in contrast to a top-knot with your hair scraped back. As you can see in the examples below, the majority of buns can actually be combined with a rock chick look to give you more of an edge. This is a stark contrast to the innocent buns that models wear when they are in white and cream gowns on the runway. It goes to show how much fashion is changing with regards to hairstyles!


Perfect (Or Not So Perfect) Plaits
Instead of the fishtail braid, the plait has come back in its place. And for Xmas, it is here to stay. This is another great way to keep your hair off your face, but it comes with an ounce more femininity than the pony tail and the bun. You can play around with this look a lot combining a low-naped pony tail with a plait, or a loose plait, or, if you’re daring, many plaits with a variety of different sizes. This look should be combined with a more natural look, even a folksy feel with laidback day dresses instead of the glittery glam party dresses.


Au Natural

Another option for your hair this Christmas is to leave it natural, whether that be curly or straight or wavy. Whatever your hair type, leave it be. However, get rid of the frizz that some of you may have. Just use a bit of serum and you’ll be perfect! This look is so versatile that you can wear it from when you wake up Xmas morning in your PJs, to when you dress up for dinner, to when you party at night! It’s a fabulous look worn by all!

Now that you have the hairstyles for this Christmas (and for the rest of winter), be sure to keep your locks beautiful and strong in these cold months. As with your skin, the cold wind will damage your hair so keep it looking luscious with these products:


Images: cosmopolitan.co.uk; authors own

faye xoxo

Sunday, 30 October 2011

HerUni Article: Anthropologie

A lifestyle store set in Chelsea is the place to be if you want cute interiors and fabulous eveningwear for the upcoming party season. This store has the air of romanticism in it and every piece it sells. Next month, Anthropologie is bringing out all the cocktail dresses and statement jewellery that you desire. Although, I warn you to save up or dip into your “rainy day” stash, as some of the items can be outside of a student’s budget!
This season, the collaboration for the exquisite new range includes Anton Heunis, a Portuguese statement jewellery designer. He is a fantastic addition to Anthropologie’s collection. This season is all about vintage, and one can see the jewellery and dresses are clearly inspired by vintage styles. When I visited, a mannequin on show wore the necklace below with a floor length navy dress. It was a beautiful outfit. However, it had a larger price tag than your usual high street stores. But of course one can justify the high-quality materials and clearly intricate craftsmanship.


The navy dress which accompanied the jewel, was designed exclusively by Pyrus (a brand which has its own online store). If you do want to save and splash the cash on one statement garment, definitely do it on this dress. But as you would have to save at least £500 to buy it I would suggest you think twice before making such investment.
The beautiful dresses in the Anthropologie store are something that we students can only gaze at in the shop window with desire. They are stunningly gorgeous and would make any girl feel like a modern princess in them. Think Kate Middleton, the characters of Gossip Girl or Made In Chelsea. These are the type of characters likely to be found shopping in Anthropologie.
As I said, Anthropologie is a lifestyle store stocked with fabulous designer wear. It’s almost like a beautiful show home. The unique books and home decorations it sells are my favourite parts of the new season’s collection. The thing that struck me the most during my visit were the homemade-looking Christmas decorations. These consisted of newspaper animals that you would find in the classic winter story: robins, polar bears, reindeer plus other woodland creatures. These would be cute decorations for your flat or house. There was also a fabulous old wooden desk complete with an old fashioned typewriter. Next to it lay some small notebooks and behind it there was a pictureframe and a bookshelf full of old and new books. A dream setup for a very trendy study.
So next time you’re roaming about the streets of Chelsea, head to the Anthropologie store. The space alone is beautiful. The water decoration at the back of the store give it a feeling of tranquillity. There may also be some small gifts that you can buy for friends and family this Christmas. However, if you want to buy some fashion I would recommend heading for the sale section to see what’s in stock!


–
faye xoxo

Wednesday, 31 August 2011

Autumn/Winter Trends: Colour Blocking

Autumn is fast upon us and so is some new trends including colour blocking! All the celebs are already wearing it. It's been on the catwalks and heading to the High Street!

Bodycon dress: £40 ASOS
Red jeans: £39.99 Republic
Pink vest: £19.99 River Island
Orange vest: £29.99 River Island
Blue skirt: £42 Miss Selfridge
Yellow dress: £20 Boohoo.com
Blue heel: £59.99 River Island
Blue flat: £15.99 New Look
Purple bag: £17.99 New Look
Green jeans: £38 Topshop
Red blazer: £60 River Island

Happy shopping!

faye xoxo