Tuesday 31 January 2012

MAC Cosmetics get inspired by my birthplace!

So I was just on my way to work this morning- coffee in hand, when I received an email from MAC.. and actually did a little jump in the middle of the street almost spilling my Starbucks as I saw that this weeks Scene & Spotted comes from Santiago, Chile! 




To explain, I was born in Santiago and moved to England 20 years ago. 


I've grown up with Chilean influences at home and am always happy to see when the country receives good press about its growing economy etc... 


But to see that my favourite brand of cosmetics has noticed this amazing culture and it's blend of tropical & cosmopolitan vibes to inspire it's products made me so happy inside! 


So here's what MAC had to say about the Santiago beauty scene.. 


'The breakthrough local makeup artist setting standards in Santiago is Constanza Montenegro Iturra, better known as "Coni", has only been working for a couple of years in the makeup world- since working as a beautician- yet she is rapidly making a name for herself as one of Santiago's most acclaimed young makeup artists, setting the standards for how Santiago women use makeup creatively across town.' 


And here are some of the products from Scene & Spotted that I am on my way to Selfridges to buy after work and will add to this post my thoughts tomorrow! 




Powder Blush- Mocha


Stong eyes and lips call for just a soft glow on the cheeks. A soft, plum-pink blush mimics the warmth of the city and people of Santiago.



Pro Longwear lipcreme- Endless Drama


This deep, berry blue-red has everything a fashionable woman of Santiago needs to express herself.



Pro Longwear Eyeshadow- Plush 

This vibrant, vivid purple shadow reflects the tropical spirit of Santiago. 

I'm so excited to get shopping and add these products to my makeup bag so that I'm representing my homeland.

Will add to this post and let you know what I think of the shades that reflect the latin spirit!


Sunday 29 January 2012

Little Mix are bringing back Girl Power!

My new favourite Girl Band since Girls Aloud.. Little Mix rocked it at the National Television Awards this week!

And it's been a week of public appearances for the girls as they attended a pre-BRIT awards dinner at a Chocolate factory in London too.


They look fabulous!! But notably different from each other- style wise, as they express their individuality.. and that's what I love about them!

Since they are a band that were put together during the X Factor, the girls work well and look great as a group while each can explore their own tastes and style reaching out to all of us as their fans.

In this way, they are so similar to the Spice Girls who characterised themselves and their fans could pick a favourite to relate to. 


(My favourite was Baby Spice back in the day, but since I'm brunette I was always forced to be Posh with my firends!! Not such a bad choice now as VB is one of my style icons)

The Little Mix girls have even revealed their own nicknames to describe their individuality...

Jesy is 'Swagger Mix', Perrie is 'Boho Mix',  Jade is 'Cutie Mix' and Leigh-Anne is 'Fiery Mix'. 


These names certainly shone through at the NTAs this week as the girls ignored the formal dress code and lived up to their rebellious mis-matched image.



I really love Jade's style the best.. as 'Cutie Mix' she sported the cutest ankle socks and sparkly shoes I have ever seen! Definitely gonna get me some of those socks!


Little Mix have also hit the red carpet in the past in much more synchronised outfits which I also adore.. 

Here are some of their best looks.. 






Which do you prefer.. the slick, matching style or the individualistic Little Mix?


I just think that in such a short space of time, Little Mix have managed to get it so right! And they're definitely onto a winner with their attitude towards their style! 

Thursday 19 January 2012

Eylure + Katy Perry = Dream Lashes!


I honestly thought that nothing would ever compete with the Eylure Girls Aloud Lash ranges that I apply religiously every weekend (favourite being Kimberley's) - I think I may have been wrong. 

The false lash experts have unveiled a collection of lashes that they have designed with pop-princess Katy Perry!


Katy revealed that she had worn Eylure lashes during her California Dreams tour last year and was keen to develop her own range. 

Katy said: “When it came to having a range of my own, I wanted everyone to have a great experience with my lashes,” 

“As they have such an amazing history and great quality, Eylure was really the best choice for me to work with.”   

There are 4 designs which Katy had a great deal of involvement in. 

A spokesperson stated: "Katy had a very clear idea of what she wanted to achieve and was involved in every step of the design process. We were keen to create a range of lashes that were a direct extension of her own personal style" 

So here they are... 
Cool Kitty 
I think we may have guessed that the Caifornia girl would put her own spin on the names for each style and she certainly didn't disappoint by adding her love of cats in the mix. 

Katy says: "One of my favourite lashes! A perfect eveningwear lash with manicured tips. It can add the ideal finishing touch for a smoky look that will make people purr as you pass" 

Oh Honey! 

"I love that vintage flick at the corners that this lash gives me. Full, fun and great for day or evening" 

Sweetie Pie

"This is a great lash for anyone who wants to try false lashes for the first time. It's sweet and subtle, but add just the right amount of length and volume."

Oh My!

And this last style has got to be my favourite! As i only really wear false lashes when I'm going out for the night these are dramatic with great volume and will definitely get some attention as you flutter away!

Katy added: "I love Eylure Double Lashes, and I just had to have one for my range of lashes. The style is full of texture and very wearable. The perfect accessory for your eyes." 

I completely agree Katy, these are perfect!

So now that I've seen what they look like I can't wait to get my hands on them!

The Katy Perry- Eylure collection will be available to buy in Boots and Superdrug stores next month! So excited!! 

Here are a few tips in applying false lashes to prepare you for your new KatyCat eyes...


  1. Before applying a strip of lashes, measure the length of the lash against your lid. If it’s too long it will look very obvious, so carefully trim it to the right length. 
  2. Use the point of a pair of tweezers to apply the glue to the false lash. This will help you apply it in a precise way and ensure you don't load on too much.
  3. Wait a minute before applying mascara to ensure the glue has dried.
  4. Use a liquid eyeliner to blend the lash line to the lid for the perfect finish!

Monday 16 January 2012

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

That's right people... it's award season! 

And it got kick started last night with the 69th Annual Golden Globes! 

Admittedly, being a sunday night and E! Entertainment only being on our downstairs TV, I did have to wait until this morning until I saw Red Carpet gowns and sparkle, but some of the ladies certainly made it worth the wait.

So forget the awards for Best Actor and Best Mini-series.. the only award that matters is, of course.. BEST DRESSED!

So here's a little run down of my top 5 favourite looks from last night.. but for me, it's not just about the dresses- the hair and makeup have to be top too! 

So the nominees are....


Emma Stone, star of one of my favourite films of 2011- The Help, chose Lanvin for the event. 


The berry colour just compliments her light skintone beautifully as she embraces it with a plunging neckline. LOVE <3 




After just having wrote about her becoming the new face of Dior this year, Mila Kunis stepped onto the Red Carpet in this gorgeous black Grecian gown.


She looks so elegant... quickly becoming one of my style icons! 




Followed by another one of Dior's ladies, Charlize Theron also chose to wear the french brand to this year's awards.


She was definitely on trend as there appeared to be a love of nude and blush colours from Angelina to Heidi Klum. But Charlize stood out for me in this ballroom ballerina design. 


Her makeup is so natural (not too dark around the eyes) which gives a pureness to her overall look.


Note how these 3 ladies so far have sported the feminine side bun with loose sweeping fringe!! It's just such an effortlessly elegant look which really suits for an awards ceremony.  


3's a trend again so guess how i'll be wearing me hair this weekend?! 


A close 2nd in my countdown came..




Reese Witherspoon!


I don't know why i was so shocked to see her looking so good! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love her as an actress but lately she's gone off my radar a little and I forgot what a siren she really is! 


Reese opted for this flattering, bold mermaid style Zac Posen dress with nails to match. But i honestly think it's the hair that swung it for me! She looks so relaxed and .... happy! 


And i guess when someone feels happy on the inside it really shows on the outside. 


And the winner is..... 


who else! 




It's Zooey!


She has literally gone from being the annoying girl who wouldn't love Joseph Gordon-Levitt to my 2012 style crush, a lady after my own heart who can do no wrong in the style stakes! 


Zooey Deschanel wore Prada, which sparkled on top and flowed beautifully around her as she floated up the Red Carpet. 


(Look at me comparing her to an angel.. it must be love!)


And did you see her nails for the occasion?? 


Just before Zooey left for the event, she tweeted a picture of her nails.. 


"I am wearing a gown but my nails are wearing tuxedos" 




Amaze <3


I think it may have been the nails that won Zooey's place in my 'total awards look' heart and I therefore proclaim her this year's BEST DRESSED!


Here's your award Zooey! 



So what do you think? Did the right person deserve to win or have I overlooked anyone from last night?


Who stood out on the Red Carpet for you?


And who may have won worst dressed? 


Here's a few of the stars that just didn't get it right for me.. but that's just my opinion! 










All in all however I think it was another great night for Hollywood glamour, can't wait to see what's in store in the weeks so come!

Friday 13 January 2012

Twilight star joins this years Celeb endorsers..


I don't know how many of you were as shocked as I to hear that Twilight star Kristen Stewart was today announced as the new face of Balenciaga! 



Obviously I don't doubt that she is one of the most beautiful Hollywood actresses right now.. I was only taken by surprise as it wasn't that long ago she was described as a 'fashion pariah' due to her Gothic style and low-key look. 

It made me sad to hear the rumours that a number of designers and celeb stylists had said they would not want to work with her because of her love for comfy "scruffy" clothes! 

And as an absolute Twi-hard (admittedly for my obsession with R-Patz) I was always keen to see her endorse a beauty brand or designer label and be recognised for the beauty that she is...

Hurrah for Balenciaga!! 

Kristen will be the face of the brand's new fragrance which is set to launch this Autumn. 

The actress has said: "Balenciaga has always stood out to me," 

"Even when I first began to consider fashion and admittedly rarely knew the brand I was wearing, I always recognised and loved Balenciaga... 
the brand is just cool. That's the way it is. I feel drawn to it. It provokes on a number of levels. It isn't afraid or contrived. It hits a very cool balance, always."

Nicolas Ghesquière, creative director at Balenciaga said: 

"Kristen embodies the modernity of the new Balenciaga fragrance with her unique sensibility and intelligence."


So, I am sooooooooo excited for the campaign and to see how the two collaborate together.. 

As soon as I get word or see any pics I'll be posting them straight away!

It does seem that the fashion world are after the Twilight ladies as Kristen joins co-star Ashley Greene as she turned model towards the end of last year for DKNY and their SS 2012 collection. 



DKNY has been one of my favourite fashion brands for a long time and so I was really please to see these stunning photos which were unveiled last month. I really feel Ashley brings her feminine charm to the city style. 

Ashley stated: "To be a part of the brands’ message is incredibly exciting because it feels like such an organic fit."

Perfect match i think!


This year has barely got under way but there have already been so many announcements of fashion-Hollywood collaborations to anticipate in 2012. 

So here's a little taster of what's to come.. if last year is anything to go by I'll be adding plenty more perfumes to my collection as i'm a sucker for smelling like my fav celebs! 

(Thanks to Natalie Portman for Dior and Leighton Meester for Vera Wang!!) 



Anyway.. here's whats to come in 2012...

 

 Mila Kunis for Christian Dior and Emma Watson for Lancome.

It's gonna be a gooooooooooooooooooood year!

Happy New Year Everyone (Ha, I know it's very late to be saying that but it is my first post of 2012... the first of many!)


  

Thursday 15 December 2011

Meow! Katy Perry launches her new fragrance in LA..

Wow.. the pics of Katy Perry at the launch of her newest perfume 'Meow!' blew me away! 


My favourite California Girl looked amazing in her knee length pink dress- unusually demure but still fabulous and 'very Katy' by showing off her curves! 




And I would just like to point out the obvious but she is another star that has recently gone for the chop and dyed her locks blonde! They say 3s a trend- so if I go by Katy, Cheryl and Rihanna, it looks like that may be my new look next year when I go back to the hairdressers.. If I'm brave enough that is! 

Well, i sidestepped the Candy colour phase so maybe blonde is meeting in the middle on the crazy scale! 


So as for the perfume itself.. I am still waiting to try it.. although I adore the pink cat shaped bottle! (Which Katy complimented with her outfit!) 






Katy said "I grew up going to flea markets, and all the vintage stores and the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, I'd always look for milk glass - that beautiful, vintage milk glass that held candles, or salt and pepper. I definitely wanted to use it for Meow."


And as for the scent.. Katy went all Cheryl Cole on us and declared how she felt that certain smells could be linked to fond memories! 


"I think that you can hear a song, and it'll take you back to that moment, or that person, or that time in your life. Same thing with your sense of smell - it's really powerful...So I thought I could make memories with people with Purr or Meow." 


She also described the new fragrance as "edible" as it contains essence of pear, vanilla and honeysuckle along with musk and amber. 

Mmmmmmmmm 


Well I can't wait to try it as I loved Purr which she released last year... it was really me, very girly as it infused floral scents such as jasmine blossom, pink freesia and rose. 






So congratulations to Katy on the success of her perfume collection.. I really hope there is more to come as she really seems to capture a fun energy and her sensual personality.. Maybe in the future something i can wear at night will come from her as I do feel these are more of a daytime scent with their floral and fruity scent. 


Hopefully something seductive for her 'KatyCats' to really get their claws in to!