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

x

Mac: Pro-Longwear SPF 10 Foundation Review and Online Experience

For months and months I've been wanting a Mac Foundation. If you know anything about the beauty based world, you'll know that the Mac brand is the holy grail of the makeup industry. You'll also know that a Mac product comes with a hefty price tag, ranging from 14 to 40 pound for a single product. But believe me when I say, a great deal of them are worth every penny. 

I had read some great reviews about the Mac Pro-Longwear Foundation with SPF 10 and after a fair bit of research into which Mac Foundation would best suit my skin type, I finally decided to give the Pro-Longwear ago. At 24 pound it's not a product you could buy in bulk, but it's certainly worth the money in my eyes. I was looking for a foundation that stays all day, especially on my T-Zone as I feel that due to my slightly oily skin, many foundations begin to rub off or even melt off my face by late afternoon. The first day my Mac foundation arrived in the post, I was eager to give it a try and applied it during mid morning. By the time my family got back from work around 6 in the evening, they complimented me on the radiance and flawlessness of my skin! The foundation looked just as fresh and new as it had done the morning in which I had applied it!

I will say this foundation is very matte, which I love but many may not have the same feelings towards foundations of this kind. I find a matte foundation such as Pro-Longwear gives the appearance of flawless skin, which is particularly helpful when trying to cover breakout scars or particularly annoying breakout zones such as the forehead and chin area. I brought my Mac Foundation in the shade NC15 which is perfect for my skin tone as I have yellow undertones and often find it hard to match foundations to my skin. I didn't want the foundation to be too dark as this would make it obvious but pale foundations often gives me the complexion of an anaemic vampire. The shade is just perfect for me though and I feel like it blends effortlessly into my skin tone, creating a natural yet flawless finish. The application of the foundation is really lovely. It's texture is smooth and surprisingly light, which means it doesn't feel like it's being caked on or is blocking your pores. I must add though that my mum also tired this foundation but found it very drying on her skin, so I'd recommend that people with less oily skin or more mature skin (in the politest way possible) try one of Mac's other foundations such as StudioFix or Match master as these are not long wear foundations and will be lighter on dryer skin. 

Now, although I do have a Debenhams that supplies Mac products just an half hour drive away from me, I didn't have the time during the Christmas period to take a visit, yet was still desperate to get my hands on a Mac foundation. Much to my mother's warning that I should not, I decided to buy online, however, as I had not used Mac products beforehand, I did not have a shade to go by. I thought I might guess, but 24 pounds is a lot to pay for a product if it turns up and is WAY to dark or light a shade for your skin, so I decided to search around Mac's sight a little more. To my surprise, I found out that Mac have their own online makeup artists who can advise you on what shade will best suit your complexion. You can drop the artists an email if you are not in a rush, or even chat online (which I highly recommend as the reply is instant and you can talk to your artist for along as you please). My artist was Sarah and she gave me a great tip in order to find out what shade would best suit me. If you clench your fist and look at the veins on the back of your hand you will see they are either blue or green. If your veins are green, it means you are an NC shade, which is for people of a more yellow undertone. If they are blue, you are NW, for those with a pink undertone. This tip as well as the knuckle test (clench your knuckles and white knuckles mean NC, pink mean NW) can really help you when choosing a MAC product as MAC skin products are all built upon this system of undertones, allowing you to buy a foundation that really fits your complexion. However, I was still unsure of which  shade of NC to buy. Most people will be able to guess their shade based upon previous foundation colours and comparing them to the colour samples shown online. But as I said before, my skin can often be unpredictable and I didn't want to buy a foundation too light or even too dark. Sarah gave me an email address in which to send a picture of myself without foundation, so she could recommend a shade she believed would suit my tone. Within a few minutes I had sent a webcam picture through to the email address and had a reply from Sarah telling me that NC15 would be the shade to suit my complexion. 

Overall, I am ecstatic with the customer service I received from Mac. They are SO very helpful and I honestly felt like I was given all the information I needed in order to make the right choice. The shade matches my skin perfectly and the online service provided is fast and simple, allowing you to talk to knowledgable and friendly artists just a click away. The product is literally the best foundation I think I've ever brought. I've never had a foundation which matches my skin so perfectly and allows my skin to look flawless whilst still looking effortlessly natural. I will defiantly be purchasing more products from MAC in the near future and feel like my money has been spent well. I would recommend this foundation to anyone and everyone! 

Picture of me with Mac's Pro-Longwear Foundation.

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/158/10180/Products/Face/Foundation/Pro-Longwear-SPF-10-Foundation/index.tmpl

Hello everyone!

Sorry I have not written any blog entries over the festive season! I have been very busy but will start posting some very soon as I have some new products to tell you guys about!

I hope to speak to you all soon!

Happy New Year! 

oxoxoxoxo

Rimmel- Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick

Now I'll be the first to admit that lipstick has never been my favourite 'can't live without' makeup product over the years. Being of a rather pale complexion I have always felt lipsticks tend to look wrong against my skin and often don't suit me. But over the last two years my love affair with lipsticks has really ignited. 

However, I am not very experimental with my lip colour and have only ever brought the classic red. Then, whilst searching through my local Boots a few weeks back, I found Kate Moss's new lipstick collection. 

For those who might not know who Kate Moss is (You never know!), she is the UK's biggest international super model and once dated Johnny Depp! I know right!?!

So, when Kate Moss signs her name over to a product, it's usually a massive success (take her Topshop range for instance). That wasn't the only thing that instantly drew me to the product though. The lipstick has a lasting finish giving it a matte application. I don't know about you but I love lipsticks that are matte as they really allow the product to stay true to it's colour. It's important that a makeup product transfers the exact colour it is showing me. 

I recently purchased two MUA lipsticks (I'll write up a review about those ones) and found that the colour's transfer to my lips was nothing like the original colour so it was great for me that the Kate Moss lipsticks really were the exact same colour as the were show. 

The lipstick also does not need re-applying as much as a lot of the lipsticks I have tried as the colour almost stains the lips (in a good way!).

I also love the feel of these lipsticks. They aren't too heavy and glide on for a smooth application. I brought two of the Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish lipsticks in Shade 01 and 03. Shade 01 is a dark, vampy red colour and 03 is a nude. I felt the two colours really complimented my skin and didn't wash me out like most lip products do. Overall I just really liked the application and look of these lipsticks. I am a really big fan of Rimmel products and feel that they are possibly the best high street makeup brand with strong products at a reasonable price. I would, however, like some more shades in this specific lipstick- especially some vampy winter colours like Mac often produce!

I would definitely recommend you give these beauties a try though! You won't be disappointed and at £5.49 who can resist?

http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-Kate-Lasting-Finish-Lipstick_1230439/

Beauty Buy Wishlist!

Seeing as Christmas and my 19th Birthday is just around the corner (Boxing Day), I've been keeping my eyes peeled for any requests for prezzies this year! There are a few products I would love to receive in my stocking this year or will either be purchasing after the Christmas period when I have saved up a few pounds! 

Here are just a few of the beauty buys I have my eyes on:

Kat Von D's Tattoo Concealer in Light 16

I've heard it's one of the best concealers around die to it's high level of pigmentation and therefore it's strong coverage. I'm a massive fan of Kat's Tattoo work so I'd love to own a few items from her makeup range seeing as I'll probably never have the money to get one of her inks! Only problem is, Kat's range is only sold at Sephora, who don't ship abroad. :(

http://www.sephora.com/tattoo-concealer-P231113

Mac's Pro Longwear SPF10 Foundation in NC20

Mac has been a brand raved about by beauty bloggers and celebrities alike. I'be heard there foundation gives a fantastic matte finish which I love in a foundation. Although their products are quite pricey, I have heard they last a while and are worth every penny. I need Mac in my life!

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/158/10180/Products/Face/Foundation/Pro-Longwear-SPF-10-Foundation/index.tmpl

Mac's Marilyn Monroe Lipstick in Charmed I'm Sure 

I'm not the biggest fan of lipstick but when I do wear it (usually for evenings or nights out) I like the finish to be matte. Mac lipsticks always appear to be true to their colour (unlike a great deal of other lipsticks) and leave you with a bold, statement lip that can last you hours. I'm also a Marilyn fan.

http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/168/22455/Products/Lips/Lipstick/Marilyn-Monroe-Lipstick/index.tmpl

Bourjois's Queen Attitude Khol Kaja (Eyeliner)


I was in Superdrug the other day and came across this interesting eyeliner. It's very much like a pencil eyeliner yet presents itself like a liquid. It allows you to create bold black eyeliner looks without the mess and stress of liquid liner. Quick and simple, it slides on with ease and is quite pigmented. 

http://www.bourjois.co.uk//catalog/make_up/eyes/eyepencils_eyeliners/queen_attitude_khol_kajal/node_242730

Revlon Nail Enamel in Dreamer 



I love pastel coloured nail polishes, so when I saw this beauty from Revlon I knew I had to have it! I love the baby blue colour of this nail polish as it reminds me of the sky on a summer's day. This will go great with my collection and I would love to try Revlon's range out as I have never used any of their items before. 

http://www.superdrug.com/nails/revlon-nail-enamel-dreamer/invt/398353/

Conceal it! Concealer Reviews (Benefit+Rimmel+Collection2000)

I'm not to sure about you girlies, but it's feels like I've been searching for the perfect concealer for a life time!

Ever since Maybelline discontinued my favourite concealer ever: The Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector, I have been struggling to find any concealer that amounts to it's fabulous coverage and pleasing application. 

After months of research, here I am to present you with three of the concealers I have been using for the last few months. All these concealers were either personally recommended by shop assistants or friends or have been brought due to strong reviews. 

So here are the contestants for the BEST CONCEALER ON THE MARKET!

The Nominees are...

Rimmel's Wake Me Up Concealer 

Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection Concealer 

and Benefit's Erase Paste.

The first concealer I purchased was the Benefit's Erase Paste. Unlike the other nominees for the contest, Erase Paste, like most Benefit products comes with a hefty price tag, averaging around 20 pound. I purchased the Erase Paste after a recommendation from a makeup artists in my local Debenhams. The Erase Paste appears pretty much as it says on the tin, in a pasty consistency which can be applied through a small spoon like application or through the fingers. 

For me this was the first sign that my relationship with this concealer was set to hit rock bottom before we'd even reached the honeymoon period. I don't like the idea of concealers being quite thick and cakey as they have a greater probability  of creasing throughout the day. It was also quite greasy which I found off putting. I also did not like the idea of using my fingers to apply the paste straight from the case as this would increase the level of bacteria within my makeup (I would continuously be placing my fingers inside the product itself). 

These issues aside, I decided to give the Erase Paste a chance to prove itself. For a few months I used this concealer and these were the pros and cons I found with the product throughout the time I have been using it. 

Pros 

The product has great coverage. All dark areas were covered and the concealer's brightening effect left my under eyes looking more awake. 

The colour really suited my foundation and my skin, complimenting most shades of my foundation range. (No. 1 Fair)

Cons

The product had a very cakey and thick consistency.

The concealer creased under my eyes throughout the day and was not long lasting due to it's pasty constancy. 

The product was quite greasy. 

Overall, although the product gave great coverage, it had a very thick and creamy consistency, which meant the product creased throughout the day. It also felt thick under my eyes. I don't personally believe the product is worth it's money and there are cheaper and similar products available which can provide the same brighting coverage that this concealer provides. 

I would give this product: 3/5 stars.

The second concealer was Rimmel's Wake Me Up Anti-Fatigue Effect + Radient Glow concealer in 030 Classic Beige. This product has been raved about by many beauty buyers across the nation. So I decided to give it a try myself. The product cost me 5.99 from a local supermarket. I used it for 2 months with my Benefit Hello Flawless foundation yet still found the concealer was quite dark for my under eyes (even though it is one of the lightest out of Rimmel's 4 shades). Your concealer should be at least 2 shades lighter then your foundation. 

I did, however, like the application of this concealer. I love the traditional wand application as I find it easier to apply and it also reduces bacteria within your makeup. The coverage overall was not as great as I expected it to be. My dark circles were still quite visible and I did not feel the product presented much of the promised anti-fatigue effect. The product was also not very long lasting throughout the day which lead to the need to re-apply half way through the day, something I'm very sure most woman do not have time for!

Here I have wrapped up the pros and cons of the product overall. 

Pros

The product is quite light to wear and has an easy, clean wand application. 

The product is not very visible against the skin so can be worn alone.

Cons

The product is not long lasting leading to re-application half way through the day. 

The product does not provide a great deal of coverage.

Overall the product is worth it's money but is not as strong as other similar concealers on the market. It is not long lasting and does not create enough coverage for those with pale skin and therefore more prominent dark circles under the eyes. 

I would give this product: 3 1/2 stars

Our last nominee is Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection concealer from Superdrug. This concealer cost me 4.99, making it the cheapest of our nominees. I have watched and read some shining reviews across the web by makeup enthusiasts (including some of the biggest names in beauty blogging) so felt it was only fair to give this product a try. 

I was unsure of purchasing the product at first due to it's brand. I tend to stick to brands I have used for years or my family have used as I feel they are more trusted and less likely to make my sensitive skin react badly. But I felt I could not miss out on giving this brand a go. I have only been using the product for a few days now but already feel it is an excellent substitute for my beloved Maybelline. It uses a wand application and is extreamly easy to apply. 

The consistently of the product is quite light and I did not feel it was heavy under my eyes. Due to it's long lasting effect which can see it work for 16 hours, it takes a lot to budge this from your under eyes. This means I do not have to reapply the product halfway through my college day, which is fabulous! 

It also gave strong coverage and really hid my dark circles well, making me look wide awake and brightening my eye area. The product also mixed well with my foundation in Fair. It mixes well with a few of my foundation shades which means I will not have to continuously be changing my concealer depending on my foundation. 

Here are a few pros and cons to wrap the product up overall:

Pros 

Light constancy means it does not feel heavy under the eyes or crease. 

Wand makes for clean and easy application.

Strong coverage. 

Cons 

The product dried quickly making it harder to blend with foundation. 

The concealer is hard to remove at the end of the day.

Overall I believe this product was the strongest of the three due to it's long lasting effect yet light consistency which meant no creasing or reapplying throughout the day! I will defiantly be buying this product in the future and other products from the Collection 2000 range. 

I would give this product: 5/5 stars

AND THE WINNER, OF BEST CONCEALER ON THE MARKET IS AWARED TO..........

COLLECTION 2000's LASTING PERFECTION CONCEALER!

So it just goes to show, sometimes the cheapest product is the strongest!

I would defiantly recommend this product to anyone looking for a new concealer. 

If you would like me to post images of me wearing all three of this concealers then please comment me. I would also love to hear any of your suggestions for reviews I should do in the future! 

Thank you very much for reading this and I will post again soon. 

G

oxoxoxo

BUY THEM HERE:

Benefit Erase Paste 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer 

Collection 2000 Concealer