The return of Blue Nails!

I LOVE the blue nail polish/varnish trend. I am ALL over it like a…Blue nail polish rash!

I not only wore it during its emergence in the Summer fashion trend of 2011, I wore it before then, and I wear it after.

(Janet Jackson sporting a metallic blue polish, Summer 2011)

(Kendall Jenner fashioning light blue, Spring 2011)

Just like Eva Mendez who was sporting it in Mid-Feb of last year, I like to wear polish whenever I feel I like the shade, not only when it’s ‘on-trend’:

I wear it in different shades – including pale blue, and dark blue – nice and shiny; but I love the superman tone of blue. Blue is flattering for most skin tones, looks pretty on pale and vibrant on tanned.

I noticed it was becoming a ‘thing’ again recently whilst watching E!’s ‘Fashion Police’…My dirty little secret, along with ‘Hoarders’, ‘Come Dine With Me’, and ‘How Clean Is Your House’…Aaaah **feet up with a mug of vegan coffee**, love them.
Joan Rivers was wearing a gorgeous shade of blue on her nails, and she looked really cool.
That was a couple of weeks ago now, and she’s still into blue!

In the Daily Mail today…(Yes, nicely noticed – another dirty little secret of mine, I read it without question, every morning at my desk with a green tea and a quarter of a punnet of blueberries with strawberries). Beyonce was wearing a beautiful blue polish with a statement orange dress, looking amazing, daring and healthy…Considering she’s just had a baby! – cheeky mare, eh?! ;)

According to the Daily Mail, it was her first public outing since giving birth and they reported that she did it in honour of her baby, Blue Ivy’, in NYC lastnight.

Reportedly, Bey’s manicurist Lisa Logan tweeted today: ‘Check out Beyonce’s blue nails called Baker Street by Nails Inc. I love this color!’
(Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2097993/Beyonce-honours-baby-Blue-Ivy-Carter-bright-polish-1st-outing-giving-birth.html#ixzz1llloDJJ2

I ADORE this shade!

Whether your shade is baby blue, or Royal blue, give it a go – it’s fun, bright and always makes me smile if I see them whilst typing, they liven the work day up, and look great with a suit! ☺

Hey! If Johnny Depp says it’s alright, then it’s alright:

(Johnny Depp, October 2011)

Thank you for reading, come by again soon!

Kirstiie @ Tribe of Mannequins

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Sunless tanning

Since the 1960’s the rise of sunless tanning has risen astronomically.
Links have been made by health authorities between exposure to the sun (as well as sun-beds) and incidences of skin cancer.

As a person who lives in a majorly hot country, blessed with sun most of the year; I have to be careful in the sun; I ensure my makeup base has SPF 15 (Mac foundation in No.18), make sure I drink plenty of water, and don’t tend to sunbathe. I do, however, enjoy having a tan.
I personally avoid tanning booths/sun tanning beds and tanning pills at all costs and if anything, am an advocate for self-tanning moisturisers, tinted lotions and the fare – temporary, wash-off and better for…You!

Items commented on in this blog are opinion only and all come with a large HEALTH RISK.

For the basic scientific factoids and background; Wikipedia says ‘Tanning is the process whereby skin color is darkened or tanned. The process is most often a result of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or from artificial sources, such as a tanning bed, but can also be a result of windburn or reflected light’.
We know that many people consciously tan their skin for different shades, for various reasons. And in turn many people use skin lightening tools.
Some people use sun bathing, some prefer the use of artificial tanning methods.
Some people use chemical products, which can produce a tanning result without exposure to ultraviolet radiation. These are becoming the ‘safest’ and most popular types of products; such as lotions, spray-tans and even tinted moisturisers.

As a society, generally speaking – we are aware that casual exposure to the sun has moderate beneficial impact, including the production of vitamin D by the body. And as time goes on and we become better educated, we realise that excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays has detrimental health effects, including possible sunburn and even skin cancer as well as depressed immune system function and increased risk of accelerated aging.
Many sunless tanning products are available in the form of creams, gels, lotions, and sprays that are self-applied on the skin. Another option is the use of bronzers; cosmetic products that provide temporary effects. There is also a professional spray-on tanning option or “tanning booths” that is offered by spas, salons, and tanning businesses.
Spray tanning does not mean that a colour is sprayed on the body. What is used in the spray tanning process is a colorless chemical, which burns the dead cells located on the top layer of the skin, resulting in a brown color.

Sun beds

A sunbed, or tanning bed is a tool that releases ultraviolet radiation (typically 97% UVA and 3% UVB, +/-3%) to produce a cosmetic tan.
Because of the adverse effects on human health of overexposure to UV radiation, including skin cancer, cataracts, suppression of the immune system, and premature skin aging, the World Health Organisation does not recommend the use of UV tanning devices for cosmetic reasons. In fact, most tanning beds emit mainly UVA rays — which may increase the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Misusing a sunbed by not wearing goggles may also lead to a condition known as arc eye (snow blindness).
Occasional acute injuries occur where users carelessly fall asleep, as in the case of Marty Cordova and Kerry Corum.

A German medical company named Heraeus made the first indoor tanning lamp in 1903 as part of a research study to help patients with Vitamin D deficiencies. Much later, a German scientist, Friedrich Wolff, used indoor lamps in the 1970s to study the effects and potential benefits of sunlight on athletes. When he discovered that his subjects were getting tan as a side effect, the idea was born.

Dr. Wolff introduced and patented his lamps in the United States in 1978. He later sold his company, Wolff Systems, to his brother Jorg, who founded Cosmedico, Ltd., one of the largest manufacturers of low-pressure sunlamps.

A growing trend is the home tanning bed. Many people are now opting to own their own tanning system instead of going to the salon. The primary reasons are for convenience and privacy. As more and more people and establishments seek to ban young adults from commercial salons, home tanning with the control of a system that allows UV by skin type and a timer may encourage additional sales.
The average home system has 16 to 24 lamps, and in US Dollars costs around $2000 to $3000, making its price competitive (over a number of years) for tanners who frequent salons regularly. This has led to an explosion of retailers that feature smaller, home style tanning beds both on the internet and in traditional retail stores.

Pills

Although gels, lotions or sprays that contain DHA are said to be the most reliable and useful, there are other types of products on the market. Tanning accelerator; lotions or pills that usually contain the amino acid tyrosine claim that they stimulate and increase melanin formation, thereby accelerating the tanning process. These are used in conjunction with UV exposure. At this time, there is no scientific data available to support these claims. And on a personal level, I would avoid things like this at all costs.

Fake tan lotion/gel/mousse

These are usually known as DHA-based products. These products are available as gels, lotions, mousses, sprays and wipes, some of which also use erythrulose which works identically to DHA, but develops more slowly.

Spray tan/spray-tan booth

Professional spray tan applications are available from spas and salons by both hand-held sprayers and in the form of sunless or UV-Free spray booths. The enclosed booth, which resembles an enclosed shower stall, sprays the tanning solution over the entire body.
DHA has been approved for cosmetic use by the FDA. Because DHA does not use the skin’s melanocytes to make the skin a tan colour, it is recommended as a cosmetic disguising cover for vitiligo patients.

Air-brush tanning

Air Brush tanning is a spray on tan done by a professional. It can last five to ten days fading with every shower. It is used for special occasions or to get a quick dark tan. At-home airbrush tanning kits and aerosol mists are also now available.

Tinted moisturiser

A recent trend is that of lotions or moisturisers containing a gradual tanning agent. A slight increase in colour is usually observable after the first use, but colour will continue to darken the more the product is used.

Wash-off tan

Bronzers are a temporary sunless tanning or bronzing option. These come in powders, sprays, mousse, gels, lotions and moisturisers. Once applied, they create a tan that can easily be removed with soap and water. Like make-up, these products tint or stain your skin only until they are washed off.

Tan powder

As the above, the tan colour can be easily removed with water. Soap&Glory have recently come out with a spray powder.

Bronzer/make-up

If you read Tribe of Mannequin’s post on Contouring – look at the bronzing powders etc., these can make a real difference to your look. A subtle sun-kissed look without having for fork out for a professional spray tan, or without going through the hoopla of applying fake tan at home.

Tips/need to knows:
* Tanners can stain clothes. It is therefore important to look for fast drying formulas and wait around 10 to 15 minutes for the product to dry before dressing.
* For the 24 hours after self-tanner (containing high DHA levels, ~5%) is applied, the skin is especially susceptible to free-radical damage from sunlight.

Okay, so there are the technical options and a brief run-down of each. But hey, hold your horses! Let’s look at why. Why are there all of these options? Why do we do this to ourselves?

Historically and culturally

The term “tanning” has a cultural origin, arising from the colour tan. Its origin lays in the Western culture of Europe when it became fashionable for young white ladies to seek a less pale complexion.’

Acquiring a suntan has been popular for many years and is still one of the free and most enjoyable relaxing pleasures in life. However, a golden or dark tan was not always measured as desirable as it is today.

Throughout history, tanning has gone in and out of fashion. In Western countries before about the 1920s, tanned skin was associated with the lower classes, and lower class work, which would have commonly been outdoors.
Women even went as far as to put lead-based cosmetics on their skin to artificially whiten their skin tone. However, when not strictly monitored these cosmetics caused lead poisoning. Achieving a light-skinned appearance was achieved in other ways, including the use of arsenic to whiten skin, and lightening powders. Other methods included the wearing of full-length clothing when outdoors, and the use of parasols. The preference for fair skin continued until the end of the Victorian era.

In 1903, Niels Finsen was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for his “Finsen Light Therapy”. The therapy was a cure for infectious diseases such as lupus vulgaris and rickets. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be a cause of rickets disease, and exposure to the sun would allow vitamin D to be produced in a person. Therefore, sun exposure was a remedy to curing several diseases, especially rickets.

Shortly thereafter, in the 1920s, Coco Chanel accidentally got sunburnt while visiting the French Riviera. Her fans apparently liked the look and started to adopt darker skin tones themselves. Tanned skin became a trend partly because of Coco’s status and the longing for her lifestyle by other members of society.

In addition, Parisians fell in love with Josephine Baker, a “caramel-skinned” singer in Paris. Those who liked and idolised her idolised her dark skin also. These two French women were leading figures of the transformation tanned skin underwent, in which it became perceived as fashionable, healthy, and luxurious.

In the 1940s, advertisements started appearing in women’s magazines which encouraged sun bathing. At this time, swimsuits’ skin coverage began decreasing, with the bikini making its appearance in 1946.

In the 1950s, many people used baby oil as a method to increase tanning. The first self-tanner came about in the same decade and was known as “Man-Tan,” although it often led to undesirable orange skin.

Coppertone, in 1953, brought out the little blond girl and her cocker spaniel tugging on her bathing suit bottoms on the cover of their sunscreen bottles; this is still the same advertisement they use today on their bottles of sunscreen.

In the latter part of the 1950s, silver metallic UV reflectors were common to enhance one’s tan.

In 1962, sunscreen commenced to be SPF rated, although in the US SPF labeling was not standardised by the FDA until 1978. In 1971, Mattel introduced Malibu Barbie, which had tanned skin, sunglasses, and her very own bottle of sun tanning lotion.

In 1978, tanning beds appeared. Today there are an estimated 50,000 outlets for tanning, whereas in the 1990s there were only around 10,000. The tanning business is a five-billion dollar industry in the United States.
Also in 1978, sunscreen with a SPF 15 first appeared.
The 1980’s saw the convertible BMW as ‘The Ultimate Tanning Machine’. The widespread of indoor tanning salons and the launching of California Tan beneficial and protective skin products created a breakthrough in the technology of tanning.

2000 onwards; at the dawn of the new millennium tanning took a new dimension with the entry of Southern movie stars, singers, models and fashion designers with beautiful bronzed swept skins and bodies. The perfect sunless tan is till now, the craze with quality self tanning products.
Today, conscious of the risk of too much sun, thousands of brands of all SPF levels products for adults and children are abounding and eventually, will everybody out in the sun.

Trends

Choosing natural
Some of the most beautiful women in the world are not sun-tanned to the high-heavens with an orange tone. The key point here, is that the natural look tends to be most beautiful.
For example if you have natural olive skin, your hair and colouring match for a reason. And that’s beautiful. Someone with light hair and colouring like me would look overdone with Cheryl Cole’s tan for example. Beyonce looks at her most beautiful when she has bronzer on her already gorgeous glowing skin, not when her skin-tone appears more pale in magazines!

Tans gone good

Extreme

Tanning gone wrong

Tanning addiction

‘Tanning addiction’ is a rare condition where an individual appears to have a physical or psychological addiction to sunbathing or the use of tanning beds. The mechanism of the compulsion is unknown at this time.
Accordingly to Wikipedia, in 2005, a group of dermatologists published a study showing that frequent tanners experience a loss of control over their tanning schedule, displaying a pattern of addiction similar to smokers and alcoholics.
Biochemical evidence indicates that tanning addicts are addicted to an opioid release experienced during tanning. When frequent tanners took an endorphin blocker in a 2006 study, they experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, while infrequent tanners experienced no withdrawal symptoms under the same conditions.

‘Tanorexia’ is the term often used to describe a disorder in which a person participates in extreme tanning to achieve a darker skin complexion because they perceive themselves as unacceptably pale. The syndrome is different than tanning addiction, although both may fit into the same syndrome and can be considered a subset of tanning addiction.
Serious cases of tanorexia can be considered dangerous because many of the more popular methods of tanning (such as those mentioned above) require prolonged exposure to UV radiation, which is known to be a cause of many negative side effects, including skin cancer.
Although the term “tanorexia” has been commonly used by the media and several doctors to describe the syndrome, both the word and syndrome have not been widely accepted by the medical community, and is considered slang by many.
Extreme instances may be an indication of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a mental disorder in which one is extremely critical of his or her physique or self-image to an obsessive and compulsive degree. As it is with anorexia, a person with BDD is said to show signs of a characteristic called distorted body image.

Recent reviews

Me without any fake tan (2004):

Me with fake tan (2011):

Me with bronzer (2012):

Temporary fake tan
Step by step: TO COME SOON!
Wash, Exfoliate, Moisterise, Mitt up and tan!
Stay away for clothing and objects until dry, around 15 minutes. I find painting nails at this time, or tidying/organising items in your bathroom passes the time ☺.

Most importantly of all, be happy in your own skin, you only have one set, treat it like a temple and don’t abuse it :).

Thank you for reading, come by again soon!

Kirstiie @ Tribe of Mannequins

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Crazy for contouring

Since I started contouring; on pretty much a daily basis, I’ve been addicted.
Addicted to how you can use the bones and various areas of your face to – for example, highlight certain features, make other features seem less prominent, and altogether create a more polished and defined look.

Recently, make-up secrets of cosmetic artists to the stars, have come out to the public; aka: little ol’ you and I! Especially since the emergence and, indeed now explosion of reality television; we’re seeing stars and celebrities in their everyday getups (to a point – scripted/unscripted) often without a (completely/full) made-up face.
Whilst it is true, many of these stars have Photoshop to thank (I mean, you gotta’ sell a magazine, right?); much of it comes down to make-up, before retouching digitally.

Women all over the world use facial, and indeed body contouring – with cosmetics to appear thinner, more toned, or muscular, to appear more sun-kissed, and ultimately, more confident.

Just like with painting; contouring uses highlights and shadows to create different depths on the face, using your natural bone structure to highlight and emphasise your biological features and make the areas you’re less proud of, less obvious.

From a slightly wonky nose, to a round face; contouring allows the wearer/user to really almost re-shape their face and features (keep reading for tips and tricks!)

Having a round face myself – made more obvious from head-on pictures – hence the avoidance)…(No matter how many times I try to tell myself it’s ‘love heart-shaped), contouring has been a real lesson! It’s enabled me to emphasise my naturally high cheekbones, and slightly hide the roundness of my face-shape. It’s enabled me to make my nose appear smaller and more defined; and my eyes larger and more prominent. It’s enabled me to look more bronzed and healthier. These are definitely things I look for in make-up; and things I never thought would be possible; just with one make-up set of two-three colours.

Contouring – extreme version/not completely blended for visual purposes.

Contouring; less highlights used; emphasise on jaw, cheekbones and brows.

Obvious nose-to eye contouring; what seems to look normal in a darkened bathroom with one light; may not look normal in broad day light…Hotel bathrooms = issues.

Natural contouring; using mostly peach tones and mediums; and avoiding darks – even to shade.

Natural contouring; using mostly peach tones and mediums. Dark was used to contour, and a light sweep of powder was used to ‘set’ the makeup in place. This also finishes of the smooth appearance – which is why it should be used minimally.

Contouring; using highlights, cheek and contour shades.

Without contouring.

Extreme overdone bronze/medium on cheeks. Made worse by artificial lighting in the mall – not good! This is why less, is definitely more.

Colours

Light (For highlighting)

This part is fun! Accentuating parts of your face with highlights – the lightest colour – done with a concealer a shade or two lighter than your skin tone/usual foundation, I use a lighter concealer stick for the under eye part; avoid wrinkles right under your eye – or blend well; and gently– not a good look!). Once rest of contouring and blush etc. is finished, you can go back with a little highlighting shadow and run it, subtly down your nose in the centre, also top of cheekbones, and brow bone – I do this when rest of eye make-up is complete; especially after I’ve finished filling In my brows.

Medium/cheek (to bronze/blush)

This is a fun part too! When I’ve finished contouring, I apply the blush; which often – is the same colour as my medium tone – that I use on my forehead (top-hairline); others may prefer a more peachy or pink tone, it’s all relative. It’s all dependent on what you like, what suits you, and your own skin tone.

Dark (to shade/contour)

Of course the dark shadow must be blended! Bleeended! I can’t emphasise that part enough.

Celebrity examples of contouring

The Kardashian clan

Kim Kardashian with one of her make-up artists; Mario Dedivanovic. Apologies for the repeated image, however it’s a very good example, and can’t be ignored ☺. I was surprised when I saw this picture. I didn’t before realise she had so much make-up on. Then I started contouring; and it completely makes sense why someone would want to apply it to someone’s face!

Kim Kardashian – Contouring can make such a difference! Taking into consideration, age differences, eye make-up changes, brow alterations and fake tan relaxation; her make-up looks natural, sophisticated and beautiful.

Kim Kardashian – pictured here with friends; including Kelly Rowland; all of which have contoured face make-up. The nose contouring is slightly obvious; but due to it not showing up as well on camera – necessary. The light reflects the lighter, highlighting shades; especially below their eyes – beautiful.

Kim Kardashian – Her cheekbone contouring is blended extremely well and naturally; her brow bone looks amazing (as usual!) with the highlighted eye shadow and the shadowing of the dark to light eye shadow across her lids is perfect for this look. Tamed with a sexy, glamourous cat-eye with false lashes, and natural, glossy lips – this looks is romantic and natural – in comparison to her looks that incorporate harsh lashes and crimson lips.

Kourtney Kardashian – Kourtney is the most petite sister, but this doesn’t make her standout less. She has beautiful make-up in this picture. It’s dewy, sun-kissed and glamourous. I prefer the Kardashian sisters with this kind of look – the smokey, mysterious eye, the blushy peachy pink cheek, nude, glossy lip, bronzed skin and highlighted eyes (under eyes) – it gives an ‘old Hollywood’ look, which I think is just beautiful.

Khloe Kardashian – I think Khloe is fun. She gets a lot of stick from the press about being the ‘less attractive sister’ and other such ridiculousness. But I think she’s beautiful. Here, you can see how contouring and highlighting has extenuated her features and given her an overall glow. It has given her complexion a healthier look and it has given her face and cheekbones and more defined effect.

Other Celebrities’, contoured:

Serena Williams – the contouring and highlighting has made a massive difference to her overall glow. This is what Jennifer Lopez relies on to keep-up her ‘Glow’ brand.

Amber Heard – she’s definitely one of my current ‘look’ crushes. She carries of f the vintage bombshell look wonderfully; she has amazing bone structure, and a megawatt smile.

Rita Hayworth – Gorgeous. And, contoured. Yes – you read correctly, folks; it’s not as obvious as celebrities’ tend to have their make-up in today’s magazines, but Rita used to contour her brow line regularly. This is detailed more in the Facial Contouring: Forehead section, later on.

Megan Fox with beautiful applied make-up. Her bronzing and blush creates a very healthy glow, and finished of with the gorgeous pink lip; this is a lovely fresh, romantic look.

Extreme Contouring

I know this is extreme contouring; however it doesn’t detract from the fact that she has gorgeous features that are definitely extenuated. Celebrities usually have their contouring slightly overdone as it shows up less on camera. However, mixed with harsh lights and paparazzi flashbulbs – the make-up really shows up.

Nikki Minage with over-done nose contouring, also – the lack of mascara on her bottom lashes mixed the extreme false ones on her top lips are killing me!

Yes, you guessed it – that’s a still from the awesome ‘Shaolin Soccer’! It’s very 80’s, by which I not only refer to the extreme shoulder-pads and ‘Pat Butcher from Eastenders’ earrings; but the lip colour, blusher and nose contouring.

Contouring facial features

There are five basic facial shapes: oval, square/rectangular, round, heart and diamond. Most women prefer to create an illusion of an oval face shape and other just want to enhance their facial shape. The following are techniques for creating an oval illusion for the basic shapes.

Diamond-shaped face

Characteristics:
Narrow forehead
Narrow Chin
Wider cheeks than jawline

Objective:
To balance Forehead and jawline must appear wider

Techniques:
Apply regular foundation before contouring makeup
Apply lighter shade of foundation at angle on both sides of forehead
Apply lighter shade of foundation at angle from middle to bottom of jawline
Apply blush on the ball of the cheek in a crescent shape. Blend outward out toward hairline

Heart-shaped face

Characteristics:

Widest across forehead
Tapers down to cheeks, then down to narrow, sometimes pointed chin
Jawline is not prominent

Objective:
To balance face
Forehead must appear more narrow and lower half of face more wide

Techniques:
Apply regular foundation before contouring makeup
Apply darker shade of foundation on either side of forehead
Apply lighter shade of foundation at either side of jawline
Apply blush starting under the ball of the cheek
Blend away toward the center of the ear

Round face
(This is me, folks! – Which one are you?)

Characteristics:
Width about same as length
Short forehead
Wide cheeks
Roundness through jaw

Objective:
Create more definition Forehead and jawline must appear more narrow

Techniques:
Apply regular foundation before contouring makeup
Apply darker shade of foundation in an arc on either side of forehead
Apply darker shade of foundation on either side of jaw up to tip of ear. This will eliminate fullness in these areas
Apply blush on the ball of the cheek beginning at point just outside of center of eye. Extend to temples near hairline.

Square/Rectangular-Shaped Face

Characteristics:
Width of cheeks and forehead are similar
Width of jawline and forehead are similar
Prominent jawline
Angular overall appearance
Rectangular face is longer than it is wide

Objective:
To soften angles Forehead and jawline must appear more narrow

Techniques:
Apply regular foundation before contouring makeup
To make forehead appear more oval, apply darker shade of foundation on either side of forehead and blend
To make jaw appear more oval, apply darker shade of foundation on either side of jawline and blend
Apply concentration of blush directly on the ball of the cheek. Blend toward the top of the ear for a square face and middle of the ear for a rectangular face

Oval-Shaped Face

Characteristics:
Equal distance from hairline to eyebrows, from eyebrows to tip of nose and from nose to chin
Wider forehead than jawline Prominent cheekbones gently taper to oval chin

Techniques:
Apply blush just under the ball of cheekbone, directly below the outer part of the iris
Extend in smooth arc, fading toward top of ear

Overall contouring basics

Rita Hayworth contoured along her forehead, chin and cheekbones. Rita was actually Mexican. Stylists in Hollywood went to great lengths to make her features seem more ‘European’ in appearance, including electrolysis to her hairline and lots of contouring.

Ava Gardner contoured along her jaw, nose and cheekbones.

Nose

Contouring & Highlighting Techniques for Different Noses:
Flat Nose
Apply highlight down the center of the nose, avoiding the sides. Smooth and blend down the centre.

Broad Nose
Slim down a broad nose with a foundation that is one shade darker than your natural skin tone. Sweep along the sides of the nose with a small, firm makeup brush. Start just below the inner corners of the eyebrows, and end at the sides of the nostrils. Stroke a lighter shade of foundation down the bridge of the nose. Blend well.

Long, Wide Nose
Apply darker shade of foundation on either side of the bridge of the nose.
Extend down along each side of the nose and blend.
Extend contour down, between, and around nostrils, covering tip of the nose.
Blend.

Narrow Nose
Sweep concealer that’s slightly darker than your natural skin tone down the centre of your nose. Then use a lighter shade on the sides of your nose and nostrils.

Many people have bumps or slightly off-centre noses that they wish to fix. This can be done via the magical of make-up, to a degree.

Soften a Bump
Apply darker shade of foundation directly on bump and blend.
Apply lighter shade of foundation on either side of bump from bridge to nostrils and blend.

Straighten a Crooked Nose
Apply darker shade of foundation on to the bulging side of the nose and blend.
On the opposite side of the nose, apply a lighter shade and blend.

Basic nose contouring:

Marilyn Monroe used lots of contouring on her nose, cheekbones, and hairline.

(This is one of the same tricks that Marilyn Monroe would use; since I found that out around a year ago; I use it often!)

Jennifer Aniston with nose contouring example.

Naomi Campbell with nose contouring down the sides.

Eyes

Apply makeup primer onto clean lids. Press base eye shadow colour on from lash line to crease. This is the lightest shade on your current palette, and it serves as the backdrop for any contouring work you do.

Take an eye shadow brush with a small, flat head and use it to press your darkest eye shadow colour into the outer edges of your top lids in a sideways “V” shape. Blend hard edges away so that your new contour color melds with your base shade.

Finish the rest of your colour eye makeup application in either case by smoothing a subtle highlighter onto brow bones and fading away noticeable edges in the product. This separates your brow bones from the other parts of your eye, just as contouring gives you more of a crease.

My tip: I use a thin, small brush and apply a small amount under the bottom lash, almost lining it underneath.

Good basic colours for natural eye contouring

Advanced application techniques

A gorgeous example of good blending and contouring of the eye

Brushes for contouring

(Picture for visual purposes; by NO means do you need all of these brushes, I don’t have this many!)

Foundation Brush: Used to apply foundation to the face and typically made from synthetic fibers. Most foundation brushes have a small, rounded brush head shaped like a tiny spatula.

Concealer Brush: Concealer brushes look like mini foundation brushes. Being smaller than foundation brushes makes them better suited for covering blemishes or for applying liquid concealers in hard to reach places like the corners of the eyes.

Angled Brush: An angled brush is ideal for sculpting noses. Keep it small so that you have more control over where your product ends up.
There are also larger versions for contouring on forehead with bronzer.

Powder Brush: With a large, fluffy brush heads and soft bristles, powder brushes are ideal for applying loose powder to the face.

Blush Brush: They resemble smallish powder brushes with either a sloped or rounded tip. Great for applying blush or bronzer to cheeks.

Eye Brushes: There are lots of eye brushes to choose from, but the basics are:

Highlighter brush: I use this usually to sweep across the brow bone – under the eyebrows – above where the top and lightest shade of your eyes shadow is. I also use this to sweep highlighting product down the centre of my nose, and often top of cheekbones, and sometimes – underneath where I’ve contoured to my cheekbones for more definition.

Eyebrow Brush: Eyebrow brushes have firm, angled brush heads like the tip of a marker. Use them to apply powders, creams or waxes to brows.
Eyeshadow Brush: Not as stiff as an eyebrow brush, eyeshadow brushes have square heads used to evenly apply both powder and cream shadows to eyelids. I reach for this brush so often that I might as well have it permanently attached to my hand! Expect to use these a lot.

Eyeshadow Brush: Not as stiff as an eyebrow brush, eyeshadow brushes have square heads used to evenly apply both powder and cream shadows to eyelids. I reach for this brush so often that I might as well have it permanently attached to my hand! Expect to use these a lot.

Blending Brush: Like the name implies, blending brushes are used to blend different colored products and to wipe out harsh lines. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Not as firm as eyeshadow brush heads, the heads of blending brushes are usually tapered. This will be your second staple brush (behind your eyeshadow brush).
Crease Brush: Fluffy and soft, crease brush heads come in several different shapes, from thin and tapered to round and fluffy. The shape you choose will depend more on personal preference than anything else. Look for a brush head that feels soft against your eyelid and fits into the hollow of your eye.

This isn’t to say that if you don’t have these brishes that you can’t apply make-up, much less – contour! I contour with four brushes at times! A powder brush (largest of my brushes), powder brush (second largest – about half the size of my cheek for easy blush application – and also used for contouring forehead with bronze/same colour as blush for me usually). And a small brush for applying dark contour powder on face as well as dark eye shadow. Also a small but slightly wider brush for highlighting on face, nose and brow line.

I’ve attempted to use a brush to apply foundation, and personally, for me – I prefer using my hands. I used a Mac foundation without a squirty expeller and dab the bottle little a mini-ketchup bottle onto my left palm. I then use my index finger’s tip to dab on face all over, or where coverage is needed.
Concealer comes straight from the stick onto my face.

So whether you’re a contouring newbie, or an ol’ pro. I hope you enjoyed this post; and learned something new along the way; I know I have (I had no idea Rita Hayworth AKA: Margarita Carmen Cansin, was of Mexican decent – did you? Any-other secrets you’d like to share, feel free to drop me a line) :)

Thank you for reading, come by again soon!

Kirstiie @ Tribe of Mannequins

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Dubai Shopping Festival 2012: River Island and H&M

January 5 2012 marks another Dubai Shopping Festival! It runs for a month and although it’s well known that in most sales, the best stuff ISN’T included, and the tat that the stores are still overstocked in and the stuff that put in the sale racks; I did manage to get a few good items!

The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), also known as ‘Layali Dubai’ in Arabic, is one of the most famous shopping fiestas in the world!

DSF was first introduced in February 1996 by the Dubai government as a retail event aimed at promoting trade in Dubai. Since, DSF has grown to be an annual shopping, entertainment and cultural extravaganza that attracts millions of people from around the world and thereby promoting tourism in Dubai.

This past weekend I picked up items from H&M and River Island; both usually well-priced stores, and competitive in the UK; however in Dubai; River Island especially isn’t known to be overly cheap. So I was very happy when I picked up a clutch and a top.

River Island

The white clutch (something I’d NEVER normally be attracted to, matches a watch my good friend Carmen got me this Christmas and so when I saw it, I loved it!)

I normally wouldn’t go for a gold-detailed item either; but it’s a rose-gold and quite stunning. It attracts any spec of dirt like crazy though, so wear it well! It has a beautiful inside lining too, a pale pink – which I somehow didn’t save the image for. It also features a small inside pocket for key items such as phone etc. I’ve noticed lately that these inner-lining pockets nowadays seem to feature pockets that can fit iPhones especially. It’s nice to see fashion keeping up with technology! (Despite the fact I don’t own an iPhone) – no iPluggin here people!

The clutch was around AED 195.00, which is cheaper than most of the bags they stock in Dubai’s River Island; usually – despite what size they are, they’re around AED 250.00.

The top I also picked up from River Island. It’s very comfortable and wearable. I teamed it here with the same skinny belt I wore with my red Christmas Party dress.
You can wear this top with or without a belt, it just depends on the kind of outfit your wearing as a whole.

I’m actually wearing the stripy top today at the office, without a belt and with some plain black leggings I got from H&M for around AED 50.00. A quarter of the price for very similar ones at River Island and TopShop. And these are better because they don’t have strange tailoring details up the leg. Just plain black leggings.
The top is good for match with leggings because it’s long enough to cover your bottom; always a must with leggings; unless your have a perfect supermodel bottom; in which case; I am jealous! ;)

The neckline is interesting because it can be worn off one shoulder/ both shoulders (at a stretch), ruched at the front, or pulled back slightly at the neck and gathered down the back.

H&M

Next up was H&M. I picked up a really nice simple white top. The words emblazoned across the front read: ‘Little White Tee’. It’s shorter at the front and longer at the back, which again is great when wearing leggings. I think it was around AED 30.00.

I also found this beautiful necklace; gold in colour with a thin chain; it holds a faux perfume bottle as a pendant. It looks great when paired with simple tops, however with a ruched fronted top with the stripy one; it’s far too much going on at one time. This was around AED 20.00.
The fella doesn’t get the necklace though. It seemed more confused when I told him it wasn’t a real perfume bottle, it couldn’t be opened or filled. Nonetheless, it’s a lovely little necklace ☺.

The tee and the necklace/pendant together remind me of Coco Chanel No. 5; with the No. 5 tee’s and perfume bottle together, it’s quite a feminine look, but practical; and not overly girly or frilly.

The rest of our mall visit consisted of visiting Art Supply stores; looking for Acrylic, Oil and Gouache paints, brushes and canvases. The fella has some new project ideas for fun, and so far – it looks great! I’ll update you guys once there’s a finished product ☺.

NYC Christmas and New Year Vacation – clothes!

So, as promised, here’s a rundown of the most interesting things I wore in the chilly, brilly coolness that is New York around the holiday season!
Unlike my other posts, this is a visual rundown.

Firstly, footwear

New Look ankle boots

New Look knee-high boots

Roxy ankle trainers

Women’s Secret slippers

Coat

Morgan faux-fur (of course!) coat

Hats

River Island man’s bobble hat

Asos.com faux-fur bunny ear hat

River Island pink panda hat

Jumpers

Koton Red patterned jumper

Koton Holey knit jumper

H&M off-the-shoulder camel coloured jumper

Women’s Secret PJ cupcake jumper

Gloves

ASOS.com Moose mittens

Snood/Scarf

ASOS.com pink snood

Earmuffs

ASOS.com turquoise/aqua faux-fur (of course!) earmuffs

Outfits

Denim…Again?

Denim.

Ah, denim, denim, denim.

If you weren’t a fan of the 2010 denim trend (you couldn’t have missed it…Dungaree’s everywhere!), then you may not be a fan of 2011’s double denim.

This year had a lot of diversity with denim outlines with the return of the boot cut jean and the revisiting of the 70′s Boho Chic, think fringed bags and waistcoats. Although…Thinking in terms of celebu-tant, it never really left.

Here’s a list of Denim’s I’ve seen around lately, and next to the items I shall give my swift opinion; simply as a yes or no.

Denim sweatpants – I’m sorry, what? Denim sweatpants?? No!

Elastic denim cuffs – Why would you…I…No!

Denim Leggings – Noo! Although some funky waifs could probably get away with them. On the other hand, these could work.

Rolled cuffs; jeans and jackets – Yes! Tre chic. (Also, if you are…’Vertically challenged’ like moi, rolled up jeans are a must!)

Cargo Jeans – Oh yes! The bigger the pockets, the better! I’m wearin’ a pair right now! Comfort-a-rama.

Low-rise denims – Yes! My favourites! Difficult to pull off, quite literally sometimes! Better skip a large lunch to avoid the muffin top. I always make sure I have a long cardigan with me whilst donning a pair of these badboys. Cover up that surprise uncomfortable bloat after breakfast, grr).

High-waisted – Yes! Can look unflattering on the thighs though, but they are definitely practical.

Denim Shorts – Yes! Definitely yes! Ooh, frayed please! Sure, they’ll make us feel self-conscious; so I say – let’s look at lengths! I’ve been keeping an eye out…Both eyes in fact, for a cool pair of jean shorts, whilst they also send me on the memory train to childhood; I’d opt out of the knee length ones (not right for my height) and look for chopped off, messy, frayed shorts – not too thigh skimming though – only for the beach! I’m keepin’ my ‘orange peel’ away from the general public, I’m kind like that! : )
According to Denimology.com; Rachel Bilson’s denim cutout shorts are TopShop! I like the idea of adding the chain belt to dress them down.
TopShop’s ‘Frayed Denim Hotpants’ in Mid Stone with Studs, the brand sold out of these popular shorts that they did this season both with and without studs.

http://www.denimology.com

Bell Bottoms – YES! Definitely! All I would wear for like…At least four years was jean flares (bell bottoms). I love them. They are both extremely flattering on a slightly bottom-heavier figure, they are funkaaay!
(To my American readers; we British mean ‘funky’ to be ‘cool, rad, groovy) not funky as in ‘a bad smell’. I had a conversation with an American girl a while back, where I incorporated the word ‘funky’ – something I say quite often it seems. This was met with a strange look and a “Funky? Urgh, what?”…Followed with my Brit-US translation) Haha : )

I picked up an awesome jean jacket as Stradivarius in The Dubai Mall on the weekend. It makes me feel old-school! It’s has a slight twist to the one I wore at school however, which freshens the style – Epaulettes , military-style!

Stradivarius always have a wearable selection of jackets…Especially in Autumn (Fall) – Winter…And the chunky knit scarves! Don’t get me started on the chunky knit scarves! Breathe, breaaathe. OK. Where was I…Yes, Jackets:

Great to wear with jeans. Tough material. Very Wintery.

Gorgeous layered look. A favourite.

http://www.stradivarius.com/

What are YOUR views on the return of denim? Will you be sporting elasticated denim pants to work? Maybe you’ve already purchased a pair of denim jeggings/leggings and wouldn’t be seen without them?
Maybe your friend is embarrassing you by doublin’ up on the ol’ denim trend and fashioning a denim shirt on top with denim cargo pants…But in a way, it kinda works? We here at Tribe of Mannequins are interested in YOUR opinion :)

Office wear haul (my 40th post!)

As Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is currently on until the end of the month, I took advantage this past weekend by taking a trip around a few local malls to find…Specifically, office/work/meetings attire.

I have been on the hunt for a new blazer for quite some time now; the last one I purchased at Splash, a low-mid quality one, not great material, a nice dark grayish colour, but very long, and very skinny/shrunken style.
My favourite one before that was one I got from River Island, with puffed up shoulder sleeves and a curled back on it, very cute.
(picture appears in my post on 30 March: ‘Why I haven’t posted in a while…’)

But I wanted some new work attire and nowhere stocked it like H&M this past weekend, wow!
Mall of the Emirates

Dubai Mall

and Ibn Battuta

…are three of the malls I visited, and Ibn Battuta is where I found my star buys!

I picked up some great items!

Some items I am still on the lookout for:
Black comfortable shoes – court/rounded toe, no peep tops, higher than kitten heel, but NOT as high as what’s currently being stocked in River Island for example. I saw the most BEAUTIFUL shoes, multi-coloured sparkles, stripper-esque high shoes, my foot hurt just after I tried it on for a minute or so, but I want a very practical and wearable shoe.

Flicking through Grazia this morning, I noticed a pair of peep-toe Louboutins that looked almost identical – bare the red underside of course, and slightly dulled colour:

I also saw a fantastic Alexander McQueen inspired shoes in New Look! Studded back details, I wanted them! But again, I stopped myself and concentrated on the fact that I couldn’t walk appropriately in them! Haha
At the moment I have two favourite office wear shoes – a pair of nude court shoes, rounded toes, flat studs around the back heel, gorgeous. Looked similar to these but not as many spikes, unfortunatly:

(Pictures taken from my previous post ‘Awe – an inspired look book: TopShop’ on July 20 2010)
- Incidently, I ended up purchasing that white shirt dress in the corner of the above picture – in New Look’s Dubai Mall changing room:

And a pair of suede-effect high black mules (pictured further down in this post)

I am also on the lookout for a replacement cotton scarf I once owned. I purchased it from ASOS.com about three years ago. It was red with Alexander McQueen style skulls on it.
…I see a trend appearing in this post; however you know from previous posts that he is…Was, one of my favourite designers. Such wonderful and edgy designs. So wearable.
So I am on the market to replace this once overly-worn scarf.
I saw a potential replacement in TopShop; however it was peachy in tone and had velvet-effect lining and cut-out skulls on it. Not what I am after. A pop of colour! And it would also go nicely with the red nails I mentioned about in my previous post today.

I am still looking for a nice pair of smart black trousers, and darkish gray ones while I’m at it. I’m after flared ones, low waisted/rise. Even normal waisted.
I am over Skinny jeans; I need more than Bootcut; I crave Flares!

I saw this golden and satin flower clutch near the till at New Look in The Dubai Mall on the way out last weekend, had to prize my feet from being stuck on the floor and exit swiftly before I marched right back to the counter and grabbed it!
It was bigger than how it looks in this picture, and I definitely prefer it as a clutch opposed to on a chain as a crossover.
It’s not a habit of mine to like flowery things, but this definitely won me over!

Office wear haul

H&M, Ibn Battuta Mall
Grey high-waisted pencil skirt, with skinny patent black belt detail – 148dhs

Misc. sportswear store, Mirdif Mall
Black (slightly bigger size than usually buy to it doesn’t wrinkle when sit and isn’t tight) muscle-vest (usual gym attire) tucked in. Purchased from a gym shop – 120dhs

New Look, Ibn Battuta Mall
black suede-effect mules – 200dhs

I also picked up some fantastic blazers from H&M:

Black blazer with flower detail inside

Bow detail on pockets

Grey blazer with lovely back detail

Blazer with almost swing-jacket effect and hook closure, pink lining and high back

White shirt, sleeveless with large bow detail on chest. Perfect for wearing with high-waisted pencil skirts!

Black shirt, sleeveless with large bow detail on chest. I also purchased a band on trend midi-high-waisted black skirt with bow detail around the waist, it’s massively flared, it reminds me of an old fashioned witches skirt, and looks really cool with this black shirt as looks like a dress! To be even more this season, teaming it with a white three-quarter-sleeve shirt would create the monochrome look that’s all the rage right now. But I can’t help but think of Olsen attire when I envision it together.
I’ll have to really experiment with this skirt; especially being 5″3, it’s going to shortened the appearance of my legs.
I think I’ll keep my eye out for a smart-casual maxi-skirt to wear in the office. That wold definitely look nice with flats and wouldn’t create a ‘cankles’ look.

I will mix colours with these gray and black tones, such as a bright green cardigan I found at Forever 21 a couple of months ago, and separately a pair of flat patent blue pumps (the same colour as my blue nail varnish) to brighten the outfit.

…Still keeping my eye out for that skull scarf though
Haha, we’re never happy are we! ;)

Nails!

Yes! I am SO into nail varnishes right now it’s crazy!

My love of experimenting with colourful nail varnishes started up again when my fella got me a whole buncha’ different colours for my birthday!
Such treats for my eyes, I couldn’t try them all out at the same time fast enough!

His current fav’s on me are the yellow and the bright blue. He says they are ‘super hero-esque’ colours, and I can’t argue with that! When I saw these two shades I straight away said ‘The Watchmen colours’! I think that got me bonus points ;)

I surprisingly quite like a very pale blue out of the set too. At first it was a little too bright light; almost like Tipex. But after a few hours of wearing it, it grew on me, and now I think it’s quite feminine.
At first I thought it might not be very flattering becuase I have a pale skintone which can look quite drained against certain colours, but I think it can actually make a skin tone look more tanned:

To achieve a different look, I tested out using a bright yellow as a base colour before applying the pale blue (be sure to completely cover the base colour!…Unless you’re using a ‘crackle’ effect varnish).
I think it worked quite well actually. It seems to have given a slightly different shade and it appears thicker and more matte, which I like:

I try to wear this colour nail varnish with light coloured attire. I’ve noticed that it looks kind of cheap when paired with darks. Even with a plain white vest top can look casual but part of the ‘Romantic’ trend. Oooh – with a floaty maxi-skirt and a delicate decorated but chunky clutch: now that’s pre-planning!…Just need to get the maxi…And clutch…And…Oh bother.

I’ve never worn bright red nail varnish before; only perhaps once as a child from one of those dress-up makeup sets. But as a teenager upwards, I’ve not dared to wear it.
As soon as I painted my first nail, even the first coat; the colour just popped! I love to wear it with a black blazer outfit; usually with jeans and a funky; but fairly plain tee underneath.

This month I have tested out the following colours from Nailstation Paris:

BabyDoll – a pale pink, that needs around 4 layers in order to build up a nice colour! But it’s a very subtle shade that is good for formal meetings.
Aquamarine/Juicy Gossip: A gorgeous favourite of mine that I used up in the first month of owning it! It goes with so many outfits, and got many comments!
Dating Scene: A real eye-popping shade of red! Looks great with suits, especially black.
Confidentiel – a gorgeous shade of yellow, so summery and funky!
Cartoon Cute – a cool pea green tone that appears risky when in the pot, but when doubled up on layers, it really stands out!
Girlfriend – bright pink tone, so feminine and pretty! Don’t wear with purple!

http://www.nailstation.com/#/Nailcolors/

A blonde, brunette?

Me: “Okay, I’ll go brunette…No, wait, I’ll stay lighter…No wait…Um??”

I was born with very, very light – Gwen Stefani blonde hair. Since then of course it’s darkened naturally, and I’m left with a ‘dirty blonde’ tone.

Blondey 1

Blondey 2

Blondey 3

I desperately want to be a brunette. Like, really dark. Every woman should try this in their lifetime, shouldn’t they? A complete hair-haul!
But am very nervous about this. Especially as everyone who I’ve ever brought this idea up to has said “Nooo, stay blonde – it suits you”, or “Dark hair wouldn’t suit you”, or “It’d be too harsh”, or “It will make you look boring”.

I find this too difficult to swallow completely because, I personally have known a few people who have always been blonde, lighter than my hair colour, and have recently gone brunette, and it looks fantastic!

My old school buddy Natalie for example, it really suits her!:

Not only does it suit her, it brings out her eyes more and actually improves her skin tone.
I often think I look too washed out as a blonde. It’s definitely put colour in her cheeks.

The below women were all blonde once…

And I think every single one of them looks more beautiful as a brunette! It completely sells me on dark hair! I love the way it brings out their features, etc! And definitely looks more striking and classy.

One argument is that I am too pale…But I can counter-argue this with lots more sucessful stories of celebrities and ‘average joes’ with pale skin and dark hair. Although, it would probably make me look pasty, and I don;t have the best skin. So I definitely opt for sun-kissed tans.
The other argument is that I have quite fine hair. In this instance, I argue…The hairpiece.

I wear hair pieces a lot actually. Clip-ins.

I adore them, and get mine from HeadKandy.com.

At the moment I get the sandy coloured ones and they match my hair perfectly. I would however like the ‘Shade Organic – A great choice for anyone with very dark hair which could be considered a brown/black’. I would definitely need a tan if I chose to go that dark I think!

Anyway, despite hair pieces, which give length and a certain amount of body, the body isn’t there in the crown as much as they are with hair extensions.

I used to have hair extensions. Really long ones for about four years. I even took to ordering the Do It Yourself videos and packs, complete with ‘glue’ gun and hair pieces. And I would do my own. Believe it or not, this was actually successful and noone ever questions my own real hair actually being faux.

In the case of darker hair and living in such a hot country with temperatures of 51 degrees in peak summer periods, I would opt for weave pieces.

I always thought the Kardashian sisters had really, really thick beuatiful hair. And naivily assumed it was real, but with the help of professional hairdressers, etc.

Well, it seems, they do, opt for weave help – Kim and Kourtney, for sure. Not so sure about Khloe. Hers actually looks more natural.
Either way, all of their hair is gorgeous and makes me very jealous.

Kourtney and Kim with and without weaves

If I could get me a Kardashian weave, I don’t think I would even have to think twice about going darker.

Retro-spectation.

I’m still looking for a nice fitted blazer and also a sequin bolero.

Whooshing around the mall…Yes, whooshing…With my fella in tow, quietly whispering to myself – ‘Blazer, Booties, Bolero!?’…But couldn’t find the right ones anywhere.

BOLERO memories.
I had a beautiful Bronzed sequin Bolero back in 2006 that I picked up from Bromley high-street, a designer piece I discovered on a rack in an Aladdin’s cave of wonders…Also known as TXMaxx.

It was fantastic. I teamed it with everything, it was so versatile and really finished off an outfit.

I then found this almost matching cross over slouchy purse, bronzed with sequins. They were the perfect pair and went everywhere together.

Then one day, Bolero was a little worse for wear…Literally, she has gained some sort of hole, and even covered with a brooch, was ruined.
Bag never got over it.
Neither did I.

I’ve been searching for that perfect Bolero since, but, nothing.

BLAZER times
In terms of blazers, I shall refer to it as a blazer, had I wanted to call it a jacket, I’d get a jacket.
But a blazer, a fitted blazer is something else.
I picked up a perfect tailored size UK 6 grey blazer in 2007 from another well known high-street store…’Next’ I believe.

Similar to one pictured, but smaller and grey.

Now I seldom shop at Next, unless I am on the market for some mass produced home-furnishings, but this day my friend had suggested Next for some very feminine lingerie I was looking out for.
Skating through the aisles I found it. I carefully placed each arm in and pulled it closed. It was perfect. My hunt for a fitted blazer had finally come to an end. For me, finding that perfect blazer without getting it handmade was a mission indeed. Almost akin to finding that right pair of jeans. The ones that don’t make you look too bottom-heavy, too short, too pear-shaped, the ones that are low enough on the hip to create that fresh and funky look, but high enough to tuck in any unsightly and very much unwanted ‘cupcake belly’.

I have a gorgeous 3 1/4 sleeve navy blazer with silk lining and silk turn-up sleeves from River Island, it has a beautiful ruffle detail on the back and subtle pinstripes. It can be teamed with almost anything. It slightly comes away from the body just above the hip though, so creates a slightly pear-exaggeration, which isn’t great. So the blazer I’m on the market for has to be fitted everywhere. I also like to wear it with a crisp summerdress.

BOOTIES hopes
The word booties just seemed to work in the phrase, but they are more like ‘Desert-wedge boots’.

Quarter Desert boot, quarter wedge, quarter furry snow slipper (AKA Ugg!?…That’s not good) and quarter fabulous!

I saw them on The Saturday’s Mollie King (as pictured above) randomly online and spent the next 5 or so minutes Googling up a storm tracking them down…Turns out they are a Limited Edition pair for New Look UK…I hoped to find them in Dubai Mall’s branch…I had hoped, and had been let down. They weren’t there. There were similar ones, but A – without laces which created a more slip-on bootie look, B – in Kitten-heel style which just didn’t look right and C – Well C just led me to look at completely different shoes altogether, but those were the ones I was after. The ones to go perfectly with denim skinny jeans and a bright and nipped in at the waist lumberjack shirt.

Pah! Perhaps New Look in Dubai’s Marina Mall might stock them.

Perhaps I should just stick with Jeremy Scott’s collections for Adidas…Comfy colourful and fun…