Spring 2013 Trends: The Contrast

As showcased by Marc Jacobs, Alexandra Wang and Chanel among others at this year's London Fashion Week, 'The Contrast' is what everyone is talking about this spring. The black and white combination is classic and demure but can be dressed up with bright patterns and outrageous embellishments! It's an easy and understated trend that can be embraced by the bargain hunter and the 'more money then sense' splurger, so here are just a few outfit ideas and items which can help you jump on 'The Contrast' band wagon, no matter what budget you have! 

1. Catarina Lace and Leather Skater Dress- Missguided.co.uk

£29.99

I really love the sophisticated yet edgy elegance to this dress. The contrast is subtle with the of set white lace yet the leather skirt and collar makes the dress an automatic statement. To stay in the contrast theme  and not deter attention from the dress (the outfit does the talking) I'd team this with a pair of black or nude wedges or chelsea boots and wear minimal accessories. I think this dress is fabulous for the price as it looks a lot more expensive then it really is. 

2. H&M Black and White Print Top- hm.com 

£7.99

This top really is a statement piece. The vertical lines are really flattering for pear and apple shapes. The  triangles at the side of this top draw the eyes to the centre which gives an automatic slimming effect. The contrast on this top is really bold and will have you at the centre of attention! I'd pair this with a pair of black cropped cigarette trousers and a pair of chelsea boots or even platforms for an evening look. This top is great for dressing up or down and means you can add the contrast trend to your wardrobe without breaking the bank! Fabulous!!

3. Newlook White Contrast Lace Shoulder Peplum- newlook.com

£12.99 

The peplum is a trend that took off around winter 2012 and is still a massive trend for the spring. The peplum style is really flattering as it draws the eyes to the waist, enthusing your stunning assets. The contrast is not as apparent on this top but it is beautifully feminine with black lace sleeves. I'd team this top with a pair of black cigarette trousers or shiny disco pants for the evening and a pair of cute courts. 

1. Zara Shift Dress with White Stripe- zara.com

£45.99

Once again another understated yet sophisticated piece that allows you to dress up or dress down the contrast trend. I think this dress would be great for a night on the town or a dinner date. For a night out I'd team this dress with gold accessories, a pair of studded platforms and a leather jacket, transforming it with a blazer and a pair of black leather slippers. This dress is the perfect staple piece! 

2. Topshop Texture Stripe Shift Dress- topshop.com

£38.00

This dress has designer written all over it, except the price tag! Contrast stripes are the simplest and most effect way of staying on trend. Eye-catching yet simple, this shift dress could be teamed with a pair of black platforms and a blazer for a cultivating classic. This design has been seen on the cat walks so I'm pretty sure this dress won't be around for long! Grab that designer look for half the price. I think this dress is definitely worth the money as a piece like this will get so much wear. Stripes are almost always bang on trend. 

3. Missguided Veris Monochrome Tweed Sleeve Leather Jacket- missguided.co.uk

£37.99

A bloggers favourite, this jacket really is to die for! The contrast lies in it's leather body and white tweed sleeves, which give the jacket an air of suave will keeping it young and current with the leather body. This jacket would like great on most outfits, meaning you could be rocking the Contrast trend all day, everyday! It's a simple way to create the trend without worrying you have spent money on an item you may only wear once. This jacket is classic and a staple piece which can be worn all year round. A great investment and a great price. 

1. Stella McCartney Sleeveless Contrast Dress- selfridges.com

£445.00

The only thing that preventing me from buying this dress is the price tag! But if I had the money, this baby would be hanging up in my wardrobe. I love the simplicity of this piece. A body con dress is a pencil skirt is perfectly elegant yet has a sexy element to it. The contrast in this dress is very understated, with a strip of white running through the hem of the skirt, yet it just looks bang on trend. The high neck is also really sophisticated and allows their dress to be teamed with some REAL statement jewellery. As the dress is beautifully simple, I'd team this dress with a silver chain necklace or  a statement drape collar. I'd keep the shows neutral as not to overpower the dress, staying with the nudes and blacks. I just love the classiness and classic look of this dress! I just wish it were in my price range. 

2. Alexandra McQueen Contrast-Detail Shirt- selfridges.com 

£595.00

Contrasts shirts are always a great piece of buy into with the contrast trend. They can be worn day and night and are the most simple way of buying into this trend. I love the white collar and cuffs of this shirt. Although the shirt is rather masculine, the contrast gives it a feminine demure. The scoop hem is also beautifully feminine. I'd wear this shirt with black wet look leggings or cigarette trousers depending on the event. I'd wear a classic pair or black loafers to keep this outfit classic and not deter from the beauty and elegance of this shirt. Classic yet current, I just love this shirts ability to speak out from a crowded room. It's a stand alone piece which can define any wearer as an automatic fashonista.  

3. Marc Jacobs Scooter Stripe Dress- marcjacobs.com 

$398.00 

Looking at this dress you can automatically see where H&M and Topshop got their contrast inspiration from. This classic Marc Jacobs dress is sweet yet beautifully stylish, using horizontal and vertical stripes to draw the eyes to your figure. The boxy shape to this dress is classic and simplistic while the pattern keeps the piece on trend and gives it a breathtaking edge. I love the way this dress takes the contrast trend and real turns it on it's head,using patterns to keep the design unique and fresh. I think this dress is a stand alone piece. I wouldn't wear accessories with it and stay to understated footwear, as the dress tells us all we need to know. If only I had the cash, this baby would be mine! 

The Contrast Trend is a simple yet classic trend which is so easy to follow without having to buy a whole new wardrobe. From a plain white shirt and a pair of black trousers to a monochrome body con, this trend is bang on for the Spring and will carry you right through to the Summer. It's so easy to dress up or down and adds that touch of class to any outfit. Let your outfit do the talking this Spring and buy into the Contrast Trend! Then all you have to do is wait for the compliments to role on! 

Love G

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Topshop Magic Liner Review

Now, I'm guessing that if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram then a lot of you will already know about my EXTREME obsession with Topshop. If not, let me just tell you, I solemnly swear I keep that place in business. As much as I ADORE their clothes range though, I've always been quite sceptical about trying their makeup range since it's release a few years back.

For me, when a clothes store releases makeup, it always feels like it's just a disaster waiting to happen. Remember the saying- Jack of all trades, but a master of non? So yeah, Topshop releasing a makeup range had me feeling rather unsure. But last month I was desperately looking for a new liquid based liner. I've been using gel for quite a few months and even started using pencil liner before Christmas, which is great for daily use, but just doesn't cut it for the evening glitz and glammer! I have previously used liquid eyeliners from Rimmel and have tried some felt tip liner's from Maybelline. I found that liquid eyeliner was WAY to messy and time consuming for me (in previous years I may have had the time to faff around with cotton buds and cat flicks but I'm a full time student now!) and felt tips seemed to dry up super fast.

So, whilst getting my Topshop fix of the week (yes, the week...) on, I decided to have a meander of their makeup goods. I read a few reviews online about their 'Magic Liner' and decided at £6.50, I couldn't go wrong. The colour is called 'Engraved' which is just a creative word for Black. The applicator is felt tip for precise application. Now, with most felt tip eyeliners, you tend not to get the same pigmentation and bold statement as you do with a liquid liner. And as I've mentioned previously, the felt tip can often dry up, meaning it must be pressed against something to soak in the product (this can get a bit messy, especially if you are in a rush) But after a month of using this eyeliner, I can honestly say it is the best I have ever used. The application is really precise which is perfect for those who want to cat flick but can't be asked with the hassle of the liquid. The tip does not tend to dry up quickly and it wasn't until the fifth use that I felt I had to add pressure to the nib. I feel like this is probably the most pigmented and hassle free eyeliner ever. It's so precise that the tip of the liner can be used to stick close to the lash line (for more understated makeup looks) or turned on it's side to stroke the liner across the middle of the lid (for bolder and more statement looks). The other GREAT thing about this product is that it doesn't smudge!! I can't abide it when I get home from college to find my eyeliner is half way down my cheeks, so this liner is also great for pre-longed wear, keeping you looking and feeling as fresh as the moment the liner went on. 

The liner is also SUPER smooth. I don't know about you guys, but when I'm using liquid liner, I often find that after a while, the liquid begins to go flakey, which is a pain in the ass when you've spent half an hour trying to get a flick for half of it to then fall off from your face!! This liner just glides across the lid for a super smooth and bright eyed finish. 

SO if it's a signature Amy Winehouse flick you are looking for or a demure Zooey Deschanel, this eyeliner is perfect for your everyday look! Easy to apply, great colour and won't budge! Get your hands on this beauty from your local Topshop. You won't regret it! 

www.topshop.com

Love 

G 

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Pearlys Magic Dazzle Dust (Weekly Brighten Powder) Review

I'd always dreamed of having the Hollywood smile since having my braces taken off last year. But as a student on a part time wage, this was only ever a dream. That was until Pearlys dazzled their way into my life. You may have seen the Pearlys range while rummaging round your local Boots but if you have not yet had the pleasure of knowing who they are, I'll inform you! 

So Pearlys is the UK's premier provider of in-clinic and at-home teeth whitening treatments. Although the company is primarily based in London, they have a number of stockists and clinics nationwide, so wherever you may be, you can treat yourself to a set of beautifully white nashers. Pearlys are the brand that celebrities such as Mark Wright, Alexandra Burke and JLS put their trust in to keep their smiles looking beautiful, so it's quite clear to see this is a brand that can be trusted. After a few weeks of following the brand on Twitter and seeing the raving reviews their home whitening kits were receiving from customers, I decided to get in contact with the team at Pearlys and see if they could send me any products to try! 

A few days later, I received the company's 'Magic Dazzle Dust' in the post! The brightening powder which gives you the same sparkling clean you'd get from your local hygienist! The powder is very easy to apply and I got to work using it almost immediately, desperate to see what difference the product could make. Now my teeth are in a great condition as I was always taught by my mum that mouth hygiene was of the upmost importance, so I never thought that a deep clean would make that much of a difference, but this product really does leave your teeth feeling squeaky clean. The product should be dipped onto a wet tooth brush, focusing primarily on the teeth rather then the teeth and gums. You should brush the product in for around 2-4 minutes depending on how much of a deep clean your teeth need before rinsing your mouth and admiring the new polish. After using this product for the first time, I saw a difference straight after using the product. It felt like a deep clean at your local dentist and I could see that my teeth, especially the top row, were a lot brighter then previous to using the product. I've been using the product for around 3 weeks now, once or twice a week and can feel a massive difference. I'm so impressed with the level of customer service I also received from the staff at Pearlys. I feel like they are definitely a company I can trust with my teeth and I'm looking into having my teeth whitened with them in the near future! 

If you haven't tried any of Pearlys products out, you can find their products stocked at the local Boots or you can contact them through Twitter to find out where their nearest clinic is to you. With affordable at home kits and experienced staff, I just think this company is really great and hope to see a lot more of them in the future. 

Overall I'm really impressed with this product and will definitely be re-purcashing some 'Dazzle Dust'!

Give it a try and let me know what you think! 

http://www.pearlys.co.uk/

http://www.pearlys.co.uk/pearlys-products/ 

Pearlys Weekly Brighten Powder – £12.50

EDITED: A few readers have pointed out the fact that Pearlys may not be working within the new EU guidelines surrounding teeth whitening. New legislation says that only registered dentists are allowed to prescribe and provide 6% hydrogen peroxide. Non-dentist can only supply 0.1 hydrogen peroxide.

Pearlys actually supply most of their teeth whitening ingredients to licensed dentists. 

Here is the disclaimer regarding their EU Safety Certificate which can be found on their website: 

Pearlys provides products to both dentist and non-dentist teeth whiteners.

Pearlys dentist-only products include 16% carbamide peroxide (which is equivalent to 5.33% hydrogen peroxide) and are only sold to GDC registered dentists. By law, the first application of this product must be made by the dental professional, after this first pass the patient may continue to use the products provided by their dentist at home.

Pearlys non-carbamide/non-hydrogen-peroxide cosmetic whitening products may be provided by both dentists and non-dentists. The Daily-Whiten Foam, Whitening Pen and Syringes of Whitening Gel  contain the active ingredient sodium perborate 0.16%.

All Pearlys cosmetic products comply fully with the EU legislation click on the links below to view the EU Safety Certificates.

EU cosmetic safety certificate Pearlys Teeth Brighten Powder

EU safety assessment Pearlys Teeth Whiten Foam

EU Safety certificate Whitening Gel in Pen & Syringes

The whitening gel that is used in Pearlys Whitening Pens and Whitening Syringes provided with Pearlys Professional Teeth Whitening Home-kits is the same gel. The original EU Safety certificate did not spell this out and so we have had an additional EU Safety Certificate produced here:

EU Safety Certificate with Whitening Pen & Whitening Syringes in the title

This shows that the company do comply with the law and are professional and safe in their actions. 

Thanks 

G

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25 Random Facts about Me.

I haven't been able to post as much as I would like these last few weeks as I have had a LOT of trouble with our internet provider, BT! Thankfully our internet is now fully working so be sure to check back on the blog weekly for new blog posts! 

Since it may take me a few days to write up all the posts I was meant to write about my new beauty products, I decided I'd do a fun, personal post today!

My good beauty blogger friend, Amiiee from the Blog, Amiieeism posted this '25 Random Facts' tag earlier on and I just knew I wanted to have ago myself! I have not been tagged for this post, but I thought it would be a great way to share some personal information with you guys, so here it goes! I hope you enjoy learning a bit more about me! 

1. I'm currently a Creative Media student at a local college.

2. I'm hoping to study Media Production at Salford University in September.

3. I'm a self-confessed shopaholic who finds it hard to go a week without spending money! (I'm literally the worst saver ever, which I'm hoping Uni will help me with!)

4. I sometimes have anxiety attacks and worry about the silliest things!

5. I aspire to be a TV/Radio presenter as well as a Director.

6. I want my first media production to be an independent British Film. 

7. I sometimes believe I was born in the wrong era and I'm 100 per cent sure I should have been born in the 80's! 

8. I adore 80's music and fashion (my favourite bands being The Smiths, The Cure and U2)

9. I have an undying passion for fashion due to it's ability to act as an extension of a person's personality (it allows people to express themselves and their interests)

10. I have a brother called Elliot, who can often be found messing around on my Youtube channel. 

11. I am a Youtuber. Check out my channel, GezzieeTbh for vlogs and comedy sketches. 

12. I get bored really easily and I often wish I could change this element of my personality. (This includes getting bored of

 routines, hobbies and even people! :/)

13. I tend to suffer from low self-esteem which in turn makes me a bit depressed. (I often find I can't leave the house without makeup and feel shit when I'm not wearing it)

14. I LOVE independent films due to the dynamic stories and emotions that can be conveyed through them! (I also love the creativity of them and how relatable they are!) 

15. I can talk for England, literally! 

16. I'm very opinionated and stand up for what I believe is right! (Which often gets me in a bit of trouble!!)

17. I have MAJOR girl crushes on Lana Del Rey, Mila Kunis and Penelope Cruz. 

18. My perfect man would be a guy with a great sense of humour, a nice smile and a kind heart. (Think a dark haired Russell Howard!) 

19. I want to adopt a child from South Korea. 

20. I am literally in love with French Bulldogs and want to have one when I leave home! 

21. I am the 19 year old Virgin! (Because no man will have me ;D AHA ) 

22. I'm terrified of heights to the point where I break down and can't breath if I have to go up an escalator more then 3 floors heigh. 

23. I often fancy/fall for guys I can't have. 

24. All I really want from life is to be happy and love the job I do.

25. I was a very interesting child and loved to record my own radio shows on old cassette recorders!

Love G

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Origin's Super Spot Remover Review

From bothersome blemishes to full apocalyptic break outs, I've had my fair share of spotty skin! It's a phase all teenagers have to put up with (think of it as an initiation test). But whether it's part and parcel of adolescence, it's still a pain in the royal derriere. I heard about Origin Products through various Youtube videos. I'd always seen their products displayed in my local Debenhams but I'd always thought their products too pricey and for a brand I had heard little about, I wasn't willing to invest a great sum for something I wasn't sure would work with my skin. However, a few months back, I heard a few beauty bloggers raving about how excellent Origin's Super Spot Remover was and I could not resist giving it a try myself. 

For £13.00, the product is not cheap, but I'd be willing to pay a lot more for this product for what it does. Not the product itself is actually extremely small, measuring around 4 1/2 cm and containing 10ml of gel. But as I found after  two weeks of using it, a little goes a long way. I've been using the product for around 4 weeks and still have over half of it left, which for someone who tends to use products very quickly, is really good. On the day the product arrived I got straight to using it on a few pesky blemishes that seemed to be stubborn as hell! You squeeze the tiniest bit of the gel onto your finger and dab it gently on the blemish.   

The gel's Salicylic Acid contents get to work at drying out the spot while it's Caffeine and Red Algae ingredients calm and soothe skin redness. Because the product is quite drying, you should only apply it to the spot itself rather then a larger skin surface. I made the mistake of applying a greater amount upon one spot the other night and it stings REAL bad. This shouldn't be a problem though if you aren't an idiot like moi and apply the product how it should be applied. 

After 4 weeks of using this product I can honestly say it works miracles on the occasional stubborn blemish and is really quick as well as being fuss free. I apply it usually before bed (sometimes in the mornings but it often works better over night) and the spot is a lot less red in the morning! It's one of those life saving products that can really fix that problem of waking up before a big event and finding you have a second head! 

I actually really loved this product and overall found it really works! I will defiantly be re-purchasing and it's also hope to try out some other Origin products in the future!

Have you tried this product? What did you think? What Origin product should I try next?

Much love,

Georgia 

oxoxoxox