Would it be so wrong...

... To spend £62 on tights? Head says yes but heart says no for this pair from Bebaroque, covered in a beautiful rose / leaf print and smothered with crystals:

Image Source: Bebaroque

Foundation success.

Due to my pale complexion, finding the right shade of foundation can often seem like an impossible task. When I discovered Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in Alabaster, I thought I had found my perfect colour match, which, in truth, I had. However, the product was terrible in terms of staying power  -  after an hour, the product had clearly started to displace, even when worn with both primer and powder.

So, the other day, I decided it was time to start searching for a foundation that was pale enough for my fair skin and that stayed on all day. This is when I came across Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makup in 1C1 Shell. 

Image Source: Estée Lauder

It looks natural and has medium to full coverage (plus you can always mix with moisturiser for a more sheer look); most importantly, however, it's pale enough for my porcelain pallor and still looks good several hours later. Overall, I thoroughly recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a foundation in a pale shade and / or staying power. 

NB: Do make sure you moisturise properly before using this product  -  it needs something to help it glide on smoothly, plus it dries rather quickly and doesn't budge once it does.

Bargain of the week.

So, I was walking back from a meeting with a tutor when I spotted a pair of tall black Knightsbridge Ugg boots in the Oxfam window, in my size, in a perfectly decent condition, and priced at only £39.99  -  RRP: £225! As an Ugg fan (I already own the short classic chocolate boots and a Love From Australia pair), I had to buy them, no?

Image Source: Ugg

Some of you may deplore of such a monstrosity, complaining about how mainstream / fugly the Ugg boot is or some such. However, the fact is I really don't care. These boots are ridiculously comfy, dispel any numbness brought about by icy stone pavements, and yet must have some aesthetic appeal, considering that they're hardly on the same level as the hideous yet tactilely pleasing (or so I hear) Crocs. Besides, if they're good enough for supermodel, Miranda Kerr, girlfriend of Orlando Bloom, then they're good enough for me:

The romance.

This Topshop nude lace crop top, £25, is a beautiful addition to anyone's spring / summer wardrobe:

Image Source: Topshop

Wear over an opaque body for an on-trend daytime look. Alternatively, layer over a nude lace body, like this one below from American Apparel, £32, for an ostensibly innocent yet seductive night-time look:

Image Source: American Apparel

Ohhh.

The latest forbidden fruit:

Image Source: British Vogue, February 2010

These spindly stilettos are customised by Philip Treacy for Valentino and scream tortured fashion fairytale. Black lace, black satin, black crystals; insanely desirable; made for sublime stomping.

Christmas 2009 fashion shoot.

Back in December 2009, I was lucky enough to partake in the big Christmas shoot for the fashion pages of my university's student newspaper, Student Direct. The theme was 1950s American winter prom with a touch of modernity. Some of the photographs I was in are below (excuse the quality, no digital copies of the photographs and no scanner):

Model: Myself.

Clothes: Metallic teal mini dress: American Apparel, £44; white ballerina skirt: Urban Outfitters, £35; black headband with bow and veil: Urban Outfitters, £12.

Model: Myself.

Clothes: Pink hip flask: Urban Outfitters, £10; headbands: stylist's own.  

Models: Myself, Bernard Fanning, Kat Scott and Phie McKenzie.

Clothes: Renewal ballerina dress (worn as a top): Urban Outfitters, £59.99; lilac ballerina skirt: Urban Outfitters, £35; purple sequin bag: French Connection, £32; black headband: as before.

Photographer: India Dobson

For vampire fangirls.

A certain beauty brand  -  indeed, one product in particular  -  currently excites me. Ellis Faas, a make-up artist who has specialised previously in special effects (think bruises, wounds, blood, etc.), has established her own eponymous line of cosmetics. The stand-out product has to be Ellis Lips in Ellis Red; the colour is exactly blood-red and therefore suits all skin tones, considering that there is only one shade of human blood.

Image Source: Ellis Faas

Moreover, there are three types of finishes to choose from: Creamy (traditional lipstick), Milky (a tinted lip balm) and Glazed (a strongly pigmented lipgloss). Ellis Faas cosmetics will be available exclusively at Liberty from 1st February 2010. If you can't get yourself down to London, you can always order online.

 Image Source: Ellis Faas

A fresh scent for a fresh year.

For an energising scent to start the new year with a sparkle, look no further than Chanel's Chance Eau Fraîche, £44 for 50ml at Boots:

Image Source: Chanel

The product information reads: "The unexpected floral bursts with a lightness and zest as notes of citrus, water hyacinth and jasmine absolute are highlighted and energised with woody notes of amber of patchouli and fresh vetiver." Refreshing and feminine, this perfume is perfect for all spring / summer occasions.

Plastic fantastic.

Inexplicably, I adore the transparent plastic handbag offerings from Prada and Fendi for s/s '10:

Image Source: Prada

 

Image Source: Fendi

Perhaps not the safest of arm candy options, but who really cares when danger looks this good?

Latest indulgence.

Just thought I'd share a recent purchase of mine with the fashion world:

Snapped these up in the Russell and Bromley sale. There was only pair left, which just happened to be in my size; it would have been wrong not to buy them, surely? The gold, bronze, rose and lime palette renders the shoes a delightful accompaniment to this season's neutrals. Moreover, the chocolate leather subverts the girlishness of the bows, resulting in a pair of sequinned pumps with attitude. Oh, and they go brilliantly with this Topshop dress, £35, that I shall be purchasing as soon as the student loan comes in:

Image Source: Topshop

Wear with tights, boots and a pashmina during the chilly stages of spring, then switch to bare legs and pumps once summer hits.

The new shoe.

The upcoming spring / summer season announces the demise of the extreme heel, which is probably for the best  -  at least until our feet have recovered. Moreover, brands such as Calvin Klein have proved that the mid-heel need not look awkward and frumpy, so there really is no excuse not to succumb to the comforts of a lower heel. Pictured below are a pair of Calvin Klein spring / summer '10 Japanese-inspired sandals:

Image Source: Calvin Klein

Nonetheless, you've got to love Alexander McQueen's "fuck you" attitude, as demonstrated below with the latest form of his infamous alien shoes:

Image Source: Alexander McQueen

Spring / summer '10.

The spring / summer 2010 shows certainly began the new decade with panache. From sexy collegiate sportswear at Alexander Wang to thigh-skimming trenches in cool pastels at Burberry Prorsum to romantic lingerie-based looks at Fendi, there was an enthralling fashion fix for everyone.

My personal favourite, however, were the offerings of Phoebe Philo for Céline. Sticking to a palette of neutrals and monochrome, the collection focused on clean shapes that flatter women. Elegant simplicity combined with discreet luxury and sensuality, resulting in an overall attitude of quiet confidence. My most coveted look from the show? The flesh-coloured body worn with a leather skirt and bare legs, of course:

Image Source: Céline