Author Archives: jenna

How to do…pink & silver slanted-tip manicure

 

If you’re looking for a bold, bright and simple nail art to wear for a night out or special occassion, then we have the perfect look for you.

 

Bright shades of nail varnish are a brilliant way for you to inject a shot of colour to your look.

 

If you’re rocking an LBD or simply not a fan of the patterns and prints that are popular in this season’s fashion, then warm, tonal makeup choices and some sparkle on the nail can offer personality and individualism to any look.

 

This manicure could not be more simple to do and is incredibly effective.

 

You will need:

 

1 bold base colour of your choice such as 60 Seconds Funtime Fuschia, by Rimmel.

 

1 Silver or any other metallic colour, I used I Love Lasting Finish Your Majesty, by Rimmel

How to do...nail art   

 

So…

 

1. To start with you want to make sure that the nail is clean and free from any lasting polish you may have on the nail.

 

2. Take the pink base colour and make a slanted strip just over half way up the nail. Go from the bottom left to top right on the left hand and bottom right to top left on the right.

 

3. Colour in the tip of the nail section you have marked on both hands.

 

4. Paint on a section coat for lasting wear and to make it stand out a little more.

 

5. Wait until this is completely dry before starting on the silver.

 

6. With the silver, paint a slanted line at the bottom of the coloured tip in the same direction of the pink.

 

7. Do this in a quite a quick movement as it shouldn’t be a solid line of colour. You’re looking for more of a lightening bolt, stroke of colour effect. This adds definition to the nail tip.

 

8. It doesn’t matter if you can see the pink through the silver, it simply adds to the effect.

 

9. Touch up the silver at the corners of the nail if necessary and then wait to dry.

 

10. At this point, you can add further detail with thin brushed nail varnishes or stickers if you like for added detail or simply paint a clear top coat on for shine and lasting finish.

 

And there you have it…

 

Quick tips:

 

Don’t be afraid to make a mistake or worry that the line is not straight when putting on the base coat as you will be going over it with the metallic colour.

 

Although it doesn’t matter too much if you have a metallic colour for the quick line finish, it does work better than a bold colour. You get a better effect with the pink showing through underneath.

Jen.xox

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How to save a bob on hairstyling this season…

Hairstylist to the stars, Christian Wood, has teamed up with E.ON to create some energy efficient hairstyles this winter.

Looks including natural waves, polished curls and pin curls are all heat and electricity free ways of achieving the hottest celebrity styles just in time for the party season.

“I’m really passionate about saving energy so really want to show the UK how you can get amazing hairstyles without always reaching for your straighteners, tongs or other electrical gadgets.

“There are so many clever techniques out there which can give you really great looks but without the worry of the heat damaging your hair or the electricity adding to your energy bill,” explains Christian.

How to get the look without turning up the heat

Natural waves

Braids are a great classic way to give your hair an on-trend beach wave look. To get this look without turning up the tongs:

- Once you’ve washed your hair, run some basic product through your hair and put it into two braids and sleep in them overnight

- In the morning shake out your braids for beautiful, natural wavy hair

Polished curls

For polished curls guaranteed to turn heads this party season ditch the heat and let nature work its magic:

- Divide your hair into small sections and wrap around large Velcro rollers to create body and height

- There’s no need to use a hairdryer for this look, simply keep the rollers in whilst you do your make-up

- Once your face is painted to perfection, take the rollers out to reveal polished curls that would make Kate Middleton jealous

Pin curls

With the vintage revival in full swing you can create your own 40s-inspired look simply without getting hot under the collar:

- Start at the front of your head working backwards

- Wrap two inch sections of hair around your fingers to form a curl

- Remove your fingers and pin the curl to you head using kirby grips

- Blast your hair for a couple of minutes to heat the pin curls
Leave to set for as long as possible while you do your make-up or the housework. ??If you have the time sleep in the curls for extra effect

Go to bed as usual and awake to perfect pin curls in the morning

As well as his top styles for avoiding heat on the hair, Christian offers his top 5 products to cut down on energy use this season:

1. Dry shampoo

- Washing your hair too regularly is not good for your hair. Dry shampoo is a great tip for giving your do a fresh look and add volume to lifeless hair.

2. Beach/salt spray – Great for creating texture and waves.

3. Serum

- Helps to smooth the hair without using straightners or hot-brushes, which consumer energy.

4. Conditioning treatments

- For a quick 10 minute treatment, you can have hair in better condition, meaning it takes less time to style.

5. Hairspray – Brilliant for up-dos or smoothing the hair out. By holding the hair longer, it means it doesn’t have to be styled as often.

You can also save time and energy with Christian’s styling tips:

- Wear your hair in a tight bun to take away the frizz.

- With celebrities turning to the up-do for the red carpet recently. Go for the popular ponytail, trendy top knots and messy buns.

- If you require straighteners, go for the wider panel version as it will take less time to style the hair.

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Ada Zanditon talks eco fashion…

Ecover’s fashion-focused campaign, Wear and Care, is supported by cutting-edge eco-fashion designer Ada Zanditon to show that you can wear high end, luxury, timeless fashiom and care for your clothes, skin and the world around you all at the same time. Not only is your life made easier but you’ll have an excuse to feel good about it too!

Female First talked to eco-fashiom designer Ada Zanditon who is backing Wear and Care, to find out her wardrobe essentials and favourite garments….this is what she told us.

1. The little black dress

Every woman needs a little black dress that makes her feel good when she wears it, fits perfectly and can be dressed up or down for the occasion. A LBD is a timeless wardrobe essential that will never go out of fashion.

I think accessories make the perfect LBD look different every time – adding heels, statement jewellery or a clutch bag takes it from a lunch date to a night out instantly. To keep your LBD in great condition and hold its colour for longer, wash it with Ecover’s concentrated laundry liquids.

The Alectrona dress is based on our bestseller Poppy dress, a real brand signature piece, that works from day to evening with a elegant feminine shape – based on a 50′s prom dress shape it is nipped in at the waist and flairs out into a voluminous A line. This season the hem and cap sleeves are given a sophisticated veg tan leather finish.??

2. A selection of belts

A belt can completely change an outfit. I often use one to nip in an oversized dress or to make a simple outfit look smarter.

In my Spring Summer 2012 collection Poseisus – The Pandora Tweed dress comes with a elegant thin black belt that can be worn both with the dress completing the look or easily worn with a white shirt and trousers.??

3. A classic black top

A black t-shirt or long sleeved top is a wardrobe essential. You can wear it with just about everything and if you buy a good quality, organic Fairtrade cotton version then it will last you for more than one season! I use Ecover’s Fabric Softener to keep my clothes feeling soft and smelling lovely.

4. A great winter coat

One of the things I love about this season is the choosing a great winter coat – it is an A/W must have. I love tailored long coats and capes for a more military or sophisticated look, while a fitted leather jacket works for an edgy, evening outfit. I use Ecover Delicate to wash woollen garments and those with a dry clean label while the Stain Remover is perfect for getting out those tough stains you acquire throughout the winter months.

5. Feel good shoes

Whether it is a versatile pair of boots or your confidence boosting killer heels – shoes that make you feel good when you wear them are essential for the A/W season. I love wedge ankle boots to dress up jeans or wear with dresses.

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Friday’s Fashion Five

 

 

It’s that time of the week again and personally I couldn’t be happier to be so close to the weekend!

 

This week has seen some ups, some downs and some simply unbelievable moments in the world of fashion this week, so here’s the top five things that stuck out for me…

 

1. Versace for H&M

 

I know, I know, there has been so much press talk and coverage surrounding this collection, that you may be sick of hearing about it, but this was a great week for the industry. This high end/highstreet fashion collaboration had something for everyone in it, no wonder there were queues out the door for pieces. See yesterday’s blog post for my fave pieces from the collection.

 

2. The Marc Jacobs thief

 

I couldn’t quite believe it when I heard that the entire s/s 2012 Marc Jacobs collection had been pinched in transit from Paris to London this week. It raises a lot of questions in terms of security and the practicality of transporting collections from one place to the other. I also don’t see the point in stealing the clothes in the first place – The thief cannot wear them as people will know what to look out for and they cannot sell them as what can someone do with them? It’s not the first time it’s happened either, as a bunch of Victoria Beckham dresses were stolen, a whopping £500,000 worth of clothes! Where are the fashion police when you need them?

 

3. Magnetic nail varnish

 

I have a feeling that this could become my new favourite beauty product. Although I’ve not properly tried it yet, the excitement and anticipation of using it is enough to make the top 5. The idea of stroking your nail with a beautiful colour, covering it with a magnetic and a magical pattern appearing before your eyes just goes to show how advanced nail art is becoming! Thank you Nailsinc.

 

4. London Twilight Premiere fashion

 

I was just excited at the prospect of seeing Rob Pattinson on the red carpet as much as the next girl, but closely following was the outfits. K Stew, although not even billed to attend the event, she didn’t disappoint the crowds. Snuggling up to her supposed beau, Kristen wore a backless, black, sequined Roberto Carvalli gown. She looks good enough to gobble up…sorry, couldn’t resist the vamp joke!

Image from PAImage from PA

 

Fashion Yes also goes to Holly Willoughby, Fashion No no no no no goes to Lauren Pope – sling on some panties girl!

 

5. Leopard Print

 

It’s everywhere and I love it. The perfect hot winter print, it seems we all cannot get enough of leopard print at the moment. While it may not be an event, person and piece of fashion news – here’s a look that will be around all season and so well worth getting to know, if you haven’t already!

 

What have been your style highlights this week?

 

Jen.xox

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Today’s the Day: Versace for H&M

It’s the day that so many of us have been waiting for: The launch of Versace for H&M.

Actual Versace available at highstreet (ish) prices!

To celebrate this, I’ll chosen a couple of my favourite pieces for the collection. While I may not be brave enough to pull off the palm trees, there are some seriously timeless pieces, making this one of the best highstreet collaborations of all time.

Donatella, respect…

Biker chick:

Rock chic:

Lady of leather:

The bling ring:

Golden gurl:

Going Gaga?

Which is your favourite?

Jen.xox

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How to do…A striked through manicure

Nail art has become a massive trend for 2011.

With increasing numbers of creative ideas and artistic developments being brought to the table in a bid to make our nails as appealing and decorative as possible, women can do nothing but indulge themselves in a little pampering.

This week we have a simple yet effective design that will keep people guessing for hours as to how it was achieved. The great news is that it doesn’t take as long as it looks and you can be as experimental with colours and pattern as you like.

French manicures have inspired a whole host of tipped ideas of late. Everything from the inverted manicure, to the slanted tip to the multi coloured mani, there are so many options.

The design that I’m about to share with you is perfect if you’re as indecisive as me when it comes to picking out just one nail colour.

Ladies, now you don’t have to limit yourself!

To create the look, you will need:

A base colour of your choice

About 3/4 colours to sit on top (preferable shades that go well together)

2/3 Toothpicks

A piece of kitchen roll or sponge

 

 

 

So…

1. Apply a slanted tip colour to the top of the nail. This needs to be quite deep, so if you have short nails, don’t worry about using half the nail for this. Mine are quite long and so I like to leave only a little of the natural white tip showing.

2. Add a second coat and wait for this to dry.

3. When the coats of polish are dry, take the lids off all the colours you are planning to use, leave them resting on top of the pots as this will make it easier for the next step.

4. With your first colour strike a vertical line down the coloured tip on the nail – stop at the point where your colour does, in my case the pink. Add two lines if you’re using thin brush polish pots.

5. With another colour add another vertical line to the tip and repeat the process with the other colours until the nail tip is cluttered with as many colours as you like.

6. Take the tooth pick and gentle drag it along the diagonal, slanted tip of the nail. Do this as many times as possible on the nail tip to create the effective strike effect to blend all the colours together.

7. After each strike, you may find that the toothpick needs to be wiped clean, hence using the kitchen roll or sponge for this.

8. It doesn’t matter if the lines are not perfectly straight in the diagonal line. It all adds to the expression and effect of the nails. Depending on the colours you choose, you can go wild with animal prints or vibrant with pinks and reds like I have here.

9. Leave the whole set to dry and then apply a top coat to add shine and protect the nail.

And there you have it…

Top Tips…

As tempting as it may be avoid using cotton wool to clean the tooth picks. It will get stuck to the polish and you’ll get in a fluster trying to fight the wool for your toothpick and ruin the vertical/striked lines on the tip.

As well as going for different shades of pink on my manicure I chose a red and black too. This adds instant impact to the look and helps to create definition to the look.

Jen.xox

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Antonia Burrell’s top tips for keeping skin supple this winter…

Antonia Burell’s Top Tips for avoid dry skin while having the heating on this winter:

Antonia highlights the effects of central heating on your skin:

Sitting indoors with the central heating on full whack will leave your skin feeling dry, rough and tight. When the heating is too high, water will come out of your skin and evaporate into the atmosphere

Dry skin not only feels bad – it is also more prone to wrinkles and will appear ashy and dull. No one wants skin that looks like crepe paper!

Antonia’s tips for preventing problems:

Sleep with your heating off at night if possible. If you can, use a timer as well so that your heating switches on when you come home from work for a couple of hours, then switches on again in the morning. This will not only help you to save energy and money, it’ll also　 protect your skin from dehydration

If you feel you really do need your heating on during the night, turn the thermostat down.　 To prevent skin dehydration, consider putting a beauty bowl into your living room and bedroom. This is essentially a decorative bowl filled with water which will evaporate into the air with the heat of the room. If the air is more humid, less moisture will be lost from your skin

Drinking lots of water is always a good idea – pure water is best. To stave off the shivers, try warm water with a slice of lemon or a herbal tea to give your water a bit of flavour without detracting from its rehydrating goodness! Aim to drink 8-12 glasses of water a day

Make sure your skin is nourished – you can do this by using a hydrating mask and facial oils

Antonia’s top tips:

Got your heating on full? Consider turning the temperature down – not only will it cost you less but it’ll stop the heat from sapping all of the hydration from your skin. The optimum room temperature is between 18 and 21 degrees　

To avoid chapped lips, use a lip balm or a nice moisturising lip-gloss. Lipsticks are not as hydrating, so go for the sassy, glossy finish to hydrate as well as add a flash of colour!

To repair damaged and dry skin, use hydrating masks to replace lost moisture to your skin

You should adapt your beauty regime to the seasons – opt for facial oils and toners without alcohol in the winter months to keep your skin moisturised and supple

Exfoliate twice a week to maintain healthy, glowing skin

Drink a large glass of water before you go to bed (a whole pint if you can manage it!) – or if you’re feeling the cold, have a camomile tea

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Step by step guide to achieving glowing winter skin…

 

 

If you skim through any fashion mag, peruse any beauty blog or simply have an eye out for the latest seasonal trends, you will be well aware than winter makeup has become a massive to-do.

 

So with this in mind, I thought I’d jump on the beauty bandwagon and give you a step by step guide for how I put on my daily face ready for the winter months.

 

Just as we change our wardrobes to suit the seasons, we should be doing the same for our makeup bags too. Our skin needs different things depending on what month of the year we’re in. Summer is all about protection from the sun, swimming pools and sweating and while hydration and moisturising is needed no matter what month we’re in, our complexion needs more work in winter, as we’re all guilty of taking that summer holiday glow a little for granted.

 

1. Moisturiser – start by massaging a little moisturiser into the skin. This avoid any dryness or chapping that may arise from the elements outside.

 

2. Concealer – under the eyes and to cover any blemishes on the skin. Applying a little under the eye just helps to hide the appearence of tired eyes or dark circles that seem to be more prevalent at this time of year. Add a touch to the eye lid to bring extra light to the eye.

 

3. Foundation – Try and find a foundation and serum in one as this will help with the coverage on the face and also will help to offer the skin extra protection. Go for a warm shade to match the face to help give a warm look.

 

4. Highlighter – Under the eyes and around the nose, this helps to accentuate the light on your face, meaning darkness and pasty skin is avoided.

 

5. Bronzer – A dusting of bronzer can go a long way in winter. Apply on the cheeks and work out over the face. Don’t get carriesd away as this will look false and defeat the natural, healthy glow look you’re going for. It’s all about adding rich tones to the face.

 

6. Blusher – a light circling to the apples of the cheeks brings a lightly flushed colour to the face; be as liberal as your complexion or makeup deems necessary.

 

7. Mascara – Keep the eyes bright and bold with some lash extension mascara. We don’t want to achieve glammed up, party eyes for the day. Just a coat of a good extending, seperating mascara works a treat at opening up our eyes.

 

8. Lipstick – Finish with a warm shade of lipstick. I like to go for a darker shade as opposed to a nude as it seems to compliment the complexion better than sucking all the colour from you as a pale one can. That said, going for a ultra feminine look, a pale lippy works great.

 

Jen.xox

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Friday’s Fashion Five…

It’s the end of another week, which means it’s time to round up five of my best bits from the fashion world…enjoy!

1. Statement rings: I’m a huge fan of jewellery, (which lady isn’t?) rings mainly. On nights out in particular, I’ve taken to wearing just one statement ring that either clashes or compliments a look. Whether it’s a block colour ring, bling ring or edgy cool – when doing statement, it means choosing a couple of well thought pieces and not getting carried away in the moment. But if you’re anything like me it’s the process of choosing just one at a time that’s the issue!

2. Metallics at the office: I have just finished Friday’s pick of the day, in which I’ve selected a brilliant River Island metallic skirt for £20. Though you may not think it, it’s a great twist on the traditional office look! Just keep in mind that you’re dressing to sit a desk and not dance at a disco and you’ll be fine. Stick to simple black flats/courts to balance the shimmer.

3. Versace for H&M advert: Yesterday I blogged about the new Versace for H&M ad. It’s got me really excited to see the pieces in the flesh. While I don’t think I could pull off the palm tree ensemble, the wacky, creative advert is inspiring me to take more of a risk with my own fashion, and that’s what I love about mixing high-end with highstreet. Be inventive, fashionistas! 

4. Glam eyes: With party season just around the corner you should be stocking up on shimmers, glitters, gold, silver and sparkle for your makeup. Not only are the rich winter tones helpful for the going-out look for a/w 2011, but the punked-up, glam smoky vibe is also still bang on trend. Seeing this Gucci s/s 2012 shot made me want to grab for the kohl eyeliner and get to work on some serious statement eyes!

5. Getting into shape for Christmas: Is it really that time of year again? Different punishments diets are cropping up all over the place with new and inventive ways for you too lose weight and stay in shape for your diary of engagements this holiday season. One poll even said that some women said they would sacrifice all their christmas presents for the rest of their lives to stay a size 10 and still eat what they want…. really? The rest of your life?

 

Not for me, my Swarovski Christmas list gets longer by the day!

 

Jen.xox

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The New Versace for H&M advert…cool but creepy!

It’s the fashion collaboration of the year.

The one we’ve all been waiting for.

And with just a few days to go until crowds swarm outside H&M stores up and down the country, the advert to set our style tongues wagging has been released…

H&M + VERSACE =

I may not always like what Versace bring to the table, but even I have to admit there are a couple of pieces from this incredibly strong collection that I wouldn’t mind owning.

Donatella herself said she wanted this to reflect the best of the best that the line could offer with some of the designs being hers and others of her late brother Gianni.

The purple and black goth-like party dresses I see being snapped up in an instant. They are current. Appealing on the eye. Timeless. (Not to mention they would look fabulous with some frosted or statement smoky eye shadows.)

I also have to say that I love this advert. It’s creative, unusual, bold…all the things that make Versace, well Versace.

Don’t ask me how she’s done it, but in being completely fresh and innovative with her designs, Donatella has managed to create a selective line….

With something for everyone.

Fashion genius.

Jen.xox

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