ASOS Beauty and the Bloggers

I am horridly behind on posting but this week will be more fruitful. ASOS recently held a bloggers beauty evening at their Mornington Crescent HQ and I was genuinely excited to see their new Christmas makeup lines.

The event was held in their studios, where there was a beautifully set out dressing table, laden with all the newest xmas beauty treats. Bianca and I dived straight in and began layering our faces with a new covering of makeup.





I began by trying the Nicola Robert's Dainty Doll concealer for pale skin. The moussey formula is actually very smooth on the skin and it is presented in a handy screw top pot with cute cartoons. The colour was quite natural on my skin, I tried Porcelain which was a good match but they also have a pure white which looks interesting!

Next, these amazing Bourjois eyeshadows and blushes;
Exclusive to ASOS these limited edition eyeshadows and blushes have beautiful vintage pictures on the pots. I intend to get some and then display them on an old fashioned dressing table (which I am going to try fit in my room soon).



After we had crammed as much makeup on to our face as possible (so tempting to try every product), we had a look at the new ASOS black range. We were encouraged to try on the samples for a strut down the catwalk; Bi and I didn't take too much encouragement and grabbed the cool cage dresses in alternate colours. Unfortunately we are not sample sized girls and could not get the underskirt over our hips! So we had a good laugh, took a head shot (with the zip at back undone) and went on our merry way! We found some sparkly jackets and heels and took a spin down the runway in those instead- picture at top!



The Black collection has some amazing pieces in it though, namely this black feathered cape. I think I might have to get it; would love to layer it over coats, dresses, and more! ASOS have really stepped up their game this winter, and I think my purse is going to feel it- internet shopping is dangerously easy!

Make Do and Mend

I love Vogue, they are just so thrifty. Take for example this ingenious shoot from the November UK Vogue issue...yes times are hard so they show us how we can make, do and mend from everyday household supplies. Above is a dress crafted from nothing but cotton wool balls with shoes made from toilet rolls- a couture look for pennies! Well, not quite...the text proudly proclaims that this outfit cost a mere £120 to make.

I know that this is a frivolous bit of fun where someone witty got to be creative, but I had to laugh that the pages of Vogue are still showing me unrealistic purchases- I can't even afford loo roll shoes!!

It is a clever though. Here are some more shots from the editorial:

Source: Thefashionspot

ChinaFright!! Chinawhite Relaunch

Chinawhite relaunched itself last week and Ellie and I decided to go along, a decision fuelled by the need for a mid-week drink rather than excitement over the venue and it's return. This London club was previously renowned for its WAG-tastic clientele, girls in shiny cocktail dresses, spiky heels and orange tans, so we both had a little outfit crisis before we went. I had a panic I would be the only girl in tights, only girl with a modest hem, etc etc.

In the end we both opted for the safe LBD. Ellie worn an amazing vintage cape that was once part of a nurse's uniform, I love it and want it. I did a dark lip and wore what I like to call my Sherlock Holmes coat. I wore this coat a few years back to Covent Garden and a tramp shouted 'Star Trek!!' at me- I was bemused but apparently someone has massive shoulders in it. Well now shoulders are fashionable so I avoided any jests from the homeless.

I was diligent to my blog and we took photos outside as we departed:



So the club itself? After descending ankle snapping stairs designed to uproot the even most of sober girls' balance, you will arrive in a black box room. This is pretty much it. There was loud music and lots of hungry looking girls milling around. We grabbed a wine and looked out for canapes but sadly they consisted of chicken legs which does not bode well for a couple of herbivores.

Undoubtedly the best thing in the club was the taps in the toilet. I don't know if you can see from this picture below, but the water falls from long mirrored tubes. That was really enjoyable!



The paper the next day showed some of the royals at this event, plus fire eating dwarves and naked dancers but we saw none of this as we sloped home early, ending up in one of Shoreditch's finest food establishments. It's relaunched but I don't think I shall be in attendance again.

The Great es(t)cape

If you ever wanted to hear a tale of woe, I have a good one about a cape. An American Apparel cape that I lusted after and bought, only for it to be stolen by a rotter. Well, though far from my wardrobe, this AA cape has not been far from my mind, and recently I re-purchased the exact same one - the black version of the photo above.

I love the hooded design, and it is made from thick jersey so perfect for the chilly weather of the moment. I have also been wearing it around the house, as our dear little flat is already an ice box. With the buttons open the cape becomes a hooded blanket, and the best accompaniment to a cup of tea and a 4OD documentary (transgender 8 year olds last night!)

Acne Paper Party

On Friday we went to a party for Acne Paper in Spitalfields Church. There is something a little wrong about partying in a church, but we soon got over that after a few vodka based cocktails. There was a DJ on the balcony and fire podiums outside, and also three wise men walking around on stilts? I forgot a camera but there were Blackberrys on hand (sadly not mine) to take photographs. I ended up in a denim number as I didn't change after work, I felt a little out of place amongst the black slicked fashion lot but then again perhaps black cannot disguise that truth.

I have changed the layout of my blog with the intention of doing shorter yet more frequent posts, lets hope it works!

Signature scent Vs. One for Every Occasion

Some people have a signature scent that is engraved in to their personality, and on smelling that perfume somewhere else you are immediately reminded of them. I have always liked the idea of this, but with so many options I have not yet remained faithful to any one. Just as you pick your shoes with the day's activity in mind, I pick my perfume in accordance to mood and situation. Here is a quick run down of the perfumes that I reach for the most:




Givenchy- Hot Couture



Givenchy's Hot Couture is probably the closest thing to my signature scent if I were to have one. I found this perfume on a sample rampage in Boots and loved it's classic scent. I wear this perfume both day and night quite frequently, and have kept coming back to it; in fact now I am on my second bottle, which is definitely a perfume first.



Dior- Addict
Christian Dior Addict surfaces fairly often but only in the following conditions: It must be night, I must be wearing heels that are hard to walk in, I must have black painted eyes and messy hair. If I were to describe this scent in a word, it would be 'dark', even the perfume itself is purple on the skin initially.


Benefit- Maybe Baby

Benefit Maybe Baby is like a trashy novel of the perfume world; flirty, fun and fleeting. It has a sweet scent that doesn't last too long on but for some reason I love the smell of it. And others do too, I wore it on a brave journey to London Bridge and on alighting an old man told me that I looked and smelt lovely! I certainly didn't look great that day so maybe that was the power of Maybe Baby?


Michael Kors

Michael Kors was a gift from Bianca who had abandoned it on the grounds it 'smells like cucumber' (Bi is a renowned cucumber hater). Whilst I can't actually smell the cucumber that she found so replusive, it has a distinct fresh smell that lasts from morning to eve. This is for days when I feel a bit grumpy, and I put it on in preparation for becoming more annoyed on the tube?

There are other perfumes but these are the staple four. Perhaps it could be said that I have four signature scents? I think it is a shame to limit to just one when there are so many out there, my sister even picks them by the look of the bottle! Do you have a signature scent or one for every occasion?

Undercover Aussie Pampering Evening

I genuinely had an Aussie post in mind awhile back; I got hooked on this hair care range in school, the shampoos all smell absolutely amazing, and I have been using the intensive 3 minute miracle condition for years. So, I was very excited when I was contacted and asked if I would like to be an 'Aussie Angel'. Check out the website HERE

Last Saturday we were treated to a 'pamper' evening in a fancy Soho salon. We arrived, and after chatting with very generous champagne top ups, we were transferred to a stylist for a wash and blow dry using Aussie products. I was prescribed the mega shampoo and conditioner, with a dab of my favourite 3 minute miracle at the tips. The shampoo really does leave your hair with an amazing fragrance, it is so pleasant I can sometimes sense a lingering trace around fellow Aussie-using commuters when on the tube! Makes a nice difference to BO.

Anyway, onto more pleasant tales. My stylish asked how I would like my hair dried, and I requested 'messy and surfy and volume'. Poker straight hair doesn't suit my face, neither does anything too polished, and the stylist achieved a nice gentle wave that wasn't OTT yet was a major improvement on the usual unkempt look!

Here are some pictures from the evening:

Me feeling a bit uncomfortable having a lone photo: my hair is under control for once!


Jeanie and stylish with a new shorter and spikey hair do


Bianca with Hollywood gold curls


Anne with a stunning fringe and shiny finish

The interactive aspect of this event worked so well, there is no better way to explain a shampoo than to actually wash someones hair with it. If I wasn't already converted, I definitely would be now! After we all had finished in the stylists chair, we were taken for a drink at a nearby hotel with a fancy roof garden. It was such an enjoyable evening and I met some lovely fellow bloggers who I'm sure I will be seeing again! Thanks to undercover Aussie for a great girly evening!

Dracula- Bram Stoker

Whilst I don't want to make a habit of writing about every book I read; sometimes it feels impossible not to register my opinion when reaching the end of a novel. I have just finished Dracula:


I am a big fan of all things vampy, and it occurred to me recently that although I know the vampire legends, about the garlic and rosaries, I had never actually read the source that originally publicised these old myths and legends.


The story begins as Jonathon Harker travels to Transylvania to the castle of his client, Count Dracula, whom is planning a move to England. Harker witnesses great horrors and discovers that the Count is far from human. Later the story transfers to London, where young women complain of nightmares and wake with puncture marks on their neck, children are found pale and lifeless after playing on the heath. Dracula is in Britain and praying on the fresh blood of the young to restore his own youth.

It is a epistolary novel, one which in which the story is told through compilation of diary entries, letters and newspaper articles. Whilst this gives a vital insight into the though process of the characters, I found it frustrating that the one narrative left out was that of the Count himself, who is in my opinion the most intersting character.

Though a little long winded, I did really enjoy the story, however my reception of it was perhaps marred by my current awareness of the ledgend. In the Victorian era this novel would have taken place in real time, the book describes a vampire in the London they were actually living in. With the Victorian era itself foreign to me the fantasy element was over prominent; it is also harder to shock one who has had access to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight, True Blood and Count Duckular!

I now feel quite inspired by all the explicit imagery used by Stoker; Dracula sweeping into bedrooms and feeding on the neck of sleeping women, a creeping mist flowing over the hills and under the window frame, pale pallid skin and pointed teeth, blood dripping onto white nightgowns....

Cream lace shirt- Topshop, Lipstick- MAC, Face powder- Urban Decay, Rosary- D&G

If you are a fan of a splatter of blood, a bat and wooky castles I recommend it!

Spring Summer 2010 Beauty Review

The month of fashion weeks is once again upon us; I bowed out of this weeks LFW in favour of red wine and relaxing but have been happily scrolling through the images as the shows drip one by one onto style.com. Of course I firstly look at the collection, the clothes, but I am also fascinated by the detail shots as runway beauty is always so carefully considered. Beauty trends are perhaps more subtle than fashion, but still ever present. I have a lot of shows still to click through, but these are my favourite beauty looks from New York and London so far...

Rodarte

The black lip trend is still going strong but is softened for summer by lining the lip and leaving the center naturally pink. This look is far more wearable than block black but still wonderfully striking! I read about a new Givenchy black lipgloss which would probably give a similar subtle touch, and this is something I will definitely be trying. Also, we must talk about the body art. Could temporary tattoos make a triumphant return in 2010?

Luella

I loved everything about the Luella show, the dresses, shoes, bags, hair and makeup! Everything worked so well together and here the high bun (seen at Vuitton last season) is reinvented with a pretty patent bow. The makeup is bold and bright, and almost paint like? I'm not sure what the artists used on the models, but it looks like some sort of creme formula rather than powder. I would love to get a matt colour like this as the intensity is amazing!

Roksanda Illinsic

I love the vampy ethereal look championed at Roksanda. This muted orange/brown colour eyeshadow cropped up in a few places last season, and here a thin layer is swept around the eye socket and right up to the eyebrows. The lips are kept pale, nude and almost blocked out to emphasis the eye bone structure further. Simple and beautiful.

1971 Reiss Launch/ DazedDigital Party

Yesterday I went along to the launch of the new Reiss collection. '1971 Reiss' sees the brand evolve into denim with a new range that includes 5 different denim silhouettes and a selection of jersey and cotton casuals. This adds a new dimension to the Reiss we all know and love; now you will find carefully crafted washes and 'smatterings of studs' for a rocky tougher edge.

So with the press release duly quoted all that is left to say is that it is a totally gorgeous range; as we wandered around the store (just behind Selfridges) we experienced total clothes lust that could only be eased by stroking and picking up various garments. I think the pictures express this! Alas, there is only a small selection of pictures, we found out that photos were banned when Bianca got told off by a very good looking security man. We coyly put our lowly compact cameras back into our bags, grabbed a goody bag and scarpered!

Outside the store


We absolutely LOVED this men's ginham shirt, and it was styled up all nicely on the hanger with a bow tie. Great look for the boys but modelled by Bi


Lilac and feathers. One of the beautiful feathered jackets in store...we were all lusting after this one...

I just rediscovered Melissa Auf Der Maur- Followed the Waves. Think I saw her at Reading years ago. She was the redhead in Hole and this is a good song. Don't think the rest of the album is up to much though..