The Perfect Christmas Nails!

I don't often purchase MAC nail polishes as I find them a bit overpriced, watery and difficult to work with. However, as I was given Bad Fairy for my Birthday I was eager to try it out, and of course show off just how happy I was with my present. Who knew that this would turn out to be such a spectacular nail varnish, and absolutely perfect for Christmas!

                                With Flash                                          Without Flash                             

To get the maximum glitter effect I used three thin coats topped off with Seche Vite. Unfortunately the photos really can't give the multidimensional, duochrome sparkle justice. It really is beautiful and vibrant - changing between a deep ruby red to a warm orange/gold depending on the angle of your nails.

 Please ignore the horrendous splodges and creases on my nails above. Boys will never understand why it is not a good idea to pounce on you after you have painstakingly applied five coats of varnish to your nails and are peacefully sitting, waiting for them to dry! To say the least, I was not impressed!! :(

Have you tried MAC's Bad Fairy polish from the Venamous Villains collection? I doubt I would have purchased this as it looks a little similar to China Glaze Ruby Pumps, but it is completely different on the nails. I can't wait to use this again for a Christmas party or two ;). xxx

Miss World 2010 Finals: Nick Verreos Rates The Miss World Evening Gowns!!!

And The Winner Is...

Kentucky Princess: The newly crowned Miss World 2010, 18 year old Alexandria Mills

Yesterday in Sanya China, a new Miss World was crowned and to a lot of people's surprises, the US representative, 18 year old Alexandria Mills, won. 114 contestants from all over the world competed. She was a favorite to make the finalist roster but not necessarily to take it all. But she did! Miss World--in case you were not "in the know" for international pageants--is a completely separate pageant from the Donald Trump-owned Miss Universe.

Top 5 Gowns: The five Miss World 2010 Finalists Venezuela, Botswana, USA, Ireland and China

While most of the Western Hemisphere (North and South America) consider the Miss Universe Pageant as the premier international beauty contest, the rest of the world (Europe, Africa, Asia) see Miss World as the leader. The Miss World Organization is based out of London and it's "Donald Trump" is CEO Julia Morley.

The new Miss World, hails from Kentucky and is a model with Elite Models in Miami. There is no "official" Miss United States World pageant and, according to THIS, since 2007 Elite Model Management has been in charge of choosing the US representative via portfolios and then sending the "winner" to the international pageant. But enough of the pageant nitty-gritty, let's get to the GOWNS: As usual with gowns we see at the Miss Universe, Miss World gowns tend to also either be "Oh-No-She-Didn't" or "Pageant Elegant" (beading, satin and a high slit somewhere!). While we don't expect to see actual "red carpet" gowns on these girls (one can only dream!), it's nice to see at least some who get it semi-right.

Winning White: The Winner, Miss United States Alexandria Mills wore a very "Pageant Safe" white taffeta one shoulder gown with beading. It featured a fitted silhouette but never went into too-sexy mode (Miss World Organization does not like sexy!) and appropriate for an 18 year old.

Black Peacock: Miss People's Republic of China Tang Xiao (who was a Finalist) wore one of my favorite gowns of the night: A Mermaid-shaped black dress with cascading peacock feather sequin detail. It was elegant, dramatic and impressive. The train was a little too long, however, and she didn't need it. The gown spoke for itself in all its drama without the extra 15 yard train!

South American Red: My favorite gown of the night was this red multi-layered chiffon dress worn by 2nd Runner Up Adriana Vasini from Venezuela. It was one shoulder (of course!) and featured elegant interwoven beading and a high slit (of course, Part Two!). On the stage, she worked that gown OVERTIME! I loved how the color stood against her porcelain skin and very dark hair. It reminded me A LOT of this one:

Worn by Miss Mexico Ximena Navarette, when she won the Miss Universe 2010 title earlier this year.

Canary Queen: An interesting choice was the gown worn by 1st Runner Up Miss Botswana Emma Wareus. It was a strapless bright yellow Mermaid-shaped (popular shape this year) dress with intricate silver and black flower embroidered beading and lots of feathers. This could have gone the "Oh huney that's a mess" route but Kudos to the designer and Emma for OWNING the look and making it work!

Dancing With The Stars, the Miss World Edition: Miss Puerto Rico, Miss World Beach Beauty 2010 Yara Lasanta was very "Dancing With The Stars" in this heavily beaded gown featuring A LOT of chest AND a lot of leg. When you have that amazing of a figure, pick one or the other. She won the "Best Body" already, there's no need to shove it in everyone's faces. It's a little too much, especially for Julia Morley to take. Now, if she was in the Miss Universe Pageant, Donald would have LOVED it!

Miss Thailand Yuwaret Sirirat Rueangsri, looked like a Hollywood (or Bankok rather) film starlet , in this. Love the heavy silver torso beading and deep purple velvet sweeping gown featuring a high slit and open sides/back. I was surprised to see such a SEXY Miss Thailand! How do you say "At A Girl" in Thai?

Penelope 2.0: Although she didn't even place, I still loved the gown Miss Spain Fatima Jimenez wore. It was creme, fully beaded and featured a draped front cowl and gold details at the bust. It was modern, chic and had a 1920's/1930's vibe. Loved the hair bun and the simple drop earrings. Muy elegante.

Beauty and The...Ball Gown: Miss Greece, Diamanto Gasteratou decided to go the Ball Gown route. Hers had a corseted bodice and silver sequin details. She is SO beautiful, I just don't know why she chose such an over-powering gown--that was frankly so Quinceañera. No Miss World since 1996 has won in this type of a gown (when incidentally, Greece won!), so it's a good bet it ain't happening any time soon.

Where's The Steamer: The very pretty Miss Finland Anne-Marie Nurminen unfortunately chose this not-so-pretty gown. I liked the lilac color but the dress itself was uninspired. Besides the wrinkled hem, the bust line had an odd fit problem and I pretty much know that the inner black tulle petticoat should NOT be showing like that. And what is with the oversized pukashell-looking necklace?

Finally, we must end with the winner of The Miss World Best Dress Designer Award: Miss French Polynesia Mihilani Teixeira. It was part Tahitian costume, part evening gown featuring several red tiers of printed crepe satin, feathers throughout and accessorized with an over-sized silver necklace. It's A LOT OF LOOK. If an actress wore this at the Academy Awards, Emmys or Cannes, she would be SLAMMED by the media. But somehow, at the Miss World, it worked for the judges (but not me!).

Click BELOW for the Crowning Moment of Miss World 2010:

Until the next Pageant--And remember: Keep it elegant, simple, modern and don't forget that high slit!

Happy Halloween!

I hope you are all having a super fun Halloween my lovelies! As I absolutely love dressing up I never miss an opportunity to do so, and Halloween is definitely a great time to go a little bit crazy. Even though in England we don't celebrate this holiday half as much as our cousins on the other side of the pond (yes I mean you USA!) I would never let that quash my spirit ;).

Can you guess what I was this year?

 

Though the coat, Ugg boots and leggings weren't strictly part of my outfit I think you can guess where I was going with this ;).

Since I have pretty much exhausted my 'scary costumes' repertoire I decided to go for something a little more 'exotic' this year. I know it isn't very Halloween(ish), but the theme I was working with was an arabian princess/ Disney's princess Jasmine/ belly-dancer. The bf accordingly went as Aladin... though he was evidently having problems with his lamp ;).

I bought this costume when I visited Dubai a few years ago and still had not had a chance to use it, so what better time. 

My favourite part of the costume was definitely the makeup. I had SO much fun doing a full on arabic style eye, especially as I haven't had a chance to create a really dramatic look in quite a while! Would you guys be interested in a tutorial on this?

 I only used a few shadows in this look to try and match the colours in my costume, but it did take quite a while to get them to blend seamlessly.

 Oh makeup, how I do love thee! I wish everyday was a chance to dress up and play!

What do you think of my efforts? Should I stop scaring the children? What are you dressing up as for Halloween? xxx

Makeup Crush: Haley Bennett

I have always thought that one of the most timeless, classical and glamourous looks are derived from the pin up girl style of makeup of the 40's and 50's.  Obviously the three main components that generally fuse together to create these looks are the set waves in the hair, the slightly stronger brows and the black flicked eyeliner.  You can go all out and wear a vivid red lip or go modern by wearing a nude lip.  There are so many variations on this look and the Megan Fox pics I used for my last Makeup Crush post were a great example of a contemporary take on the genre.  It's something that still looks fresh, sultry and super feminine.

This week's makeup crush is still pin up and it's the american actress from Marley & Me, Haley Bennett.  This look is so striking but amazingly simple...champagne beige lids, black liquid eyeliner and pillarbox red lips.  I love the contrast between her pale skin and the red lips!  I was just thinking that I would LOVE to dress up as a pin up girl for a fancy dress party so I will have to keep that in mind for the next party I get invited to.  Although I would definitely go for a tamer version as I don't think my husband would let me out of the front door wearing some of the get ups you see in the retro illustrations!

The products used in the above look are as follows:

Chanel Base Lumiere Illuminating Makeup Base

Chanel Pro Lumiere Correcteur Professional Finish Concealer

Chanel Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Soft Makeup

Chanel Ultra Fine Translucent Powder

Chanel Blush Duo Tweed Effect in Tweed Pink

YSL Eyebrow Enhancer Duo in Chestnut Brown

YSL Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown

YSL Water Resistant Eyeshadow in Pink Sand

YSL Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Wood Brown

YSL Faux Cils Volume Effect Mascara in High Density Black

Palladio Liquid Eyeliner in Black

Shu Uemura Individual False Eyelashes (Flare/Black)

Chanel Lip Definer in Rouge

Estee Lauder Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Simply Red

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect Lip Gloss in Red Stockings

YSL Golden Gloss in Simply Gold

In my opinion, there's nothing more glamourous than the pin up hairstyles, whether it's the Veronica Lake style set waves, the classic pin up pomp 'fringe' or the bandana look.  There are tons of tutorials on You Tube to show you how to create looks like these.  Obviously you don't have to make the look too structured and that will ensure that you still look contemporary.

This is a really popular look for celebs like Katy Perry, Dita Von Teese, Christina Aguilera, Megan Fox and Scarlett Johansson.  Katy Perry has really pushed this look into popular culture and often finds new and fun ways to play with it.  The likes of Dita and Christina tend to stay true to the original look.  I like the idea of creating makeup ideas INSPIRED by this look rather than all out copying it to a T.  I think by adding glowy skin and playing around with the colours, you can bring this retro look right into 2010 and easily pair it with current fashion.

I need to do some practice on the hairstyle side of things but I'm currently trying to find the best colour of lipstick to suit my skintone.  I never ever wear a bright lip because to be perfectly honest, I always found it a bit scary.  But now that I have learnt a shedload more about makeup, I feel confident enough to try these things out now.  So over the next few weeks I am going to try some hot pink and bright red lipsticks to find out if I am brave enough to rock a statement lip!

What about you guys, do you lust after this look from yesteryear? Who do you think embodies the pin up girl look the best?

Lily

via Knightcat

Debut of Miu Miu studded pump 2010!

Since day 1 that I bought myself a coffee machine Jura ENA 5, I am used to have a cup of coffee at home before I go out.  


I think it is a good habit that I limit myself to drink less than 2 cups of coffee a day and avoid using store cups/lids by drinking out of my portable mug. ..... Doing very little help to save the earth...I assume!!  Obviously, not today though!! ^^


Today I have to visit my friend, Renee, in SF city before she flies out to Shanghai on Sunday. But first thing first that I have to do some house chores such as putting away my Halloween decor. (see, we are even ahead of the holidays!), vacuuming the floor, washing our micro-suede sofa covers since we had guests over for Halloween parties ( I am also a semi-hygenic freak.) and my duvet cover. 


Don't you just love the clean and crisp scent of cleaning sheets/sofa!! 

My normal breakfast: Coffee and English Muffin or any sweet pastry that I can get myself one. 


My ODJ


1. Top:
peace symbol military green tee
Chanel 08 red/gray tweed jacket


2. Bottom:
Preen leather pants w/ studs


3. Accessory:
Fallon spikes/crystals necklace
Barton Perreira cat eye sunglasses
Chanel matte black reissue 226


4. Shoes:
Miu Miu studs/spikes platform pump w/ cut-out





OFF WE GO~~



Renee found this 97' Chanel long tuxedo style blazer at consignment store Cris in SF city the other day... it is such a fab. find. 

The back stitches of this Chanel blazer is superb. 

The buttons has golden CC stamps which is such a classic look of Chanel that I refrain Renee from replacing them. (She thinks they are too conservative of the look.)

Can you believe that Christmas ornaments are stacked all over the stores already!!!

Hope you have a spooky Halloween trick or treat on Sunday!
xoxo Rachel 

ASOS Purchase & Styling

I was browsing on ASOS the other day and spotted a dress that was SO me that I just had to have it.  It's a pastel lilac panel bandeau dress with a grecian feel to it.  I absolutely adore the sweeping, knotted sashes across the body.  It comes a couple of inches about the knee so it's the perfect length for me.  It's such a flattering fit because the sweetheart neckline compliments my fuller bust and the ruching has a really slimming effect!  The best thing is it only cost £42.

I tried it on as soon as it was delivered and before long, I was mentally styling it with different accessories I have.  I wanted to take you through my thought process I have when I get a new piece of clothing.  I am such a massive OCD clothes geek that I mentally plan what I would wear with the item, even down to the makeup, hair and what shade of nail polish I would team with it.  So I raided my shoes, bags and jewellery and these are the options I came up with...

The shoes above are from Carvela, the bag is from Accessorize and the necklace is from Coast.

The shoes above are from Next, the bag is from Coast, the jewelled bangle is from Debenhams and the thin bangles are from Accessorize.

The above shoes are from Aldo, the bag is from Warehouse, the necklace is from Coast and the cuff is from Next.

The above shoes are from Aldo, the bag is from Oasis, the necklace is from Coast and the ring is from Monsoon.

I think with this dress, loose waves would work best to compliment the femininity of the dress and makeup wise...I'm thinking either a subtlely smokey eye with silvers and greys OR a bridget bardot liquid liner flick with a candy pink lipgloss.  Oooooh the decisions!

As I said, I even plan my outfits down to the nail polish I'm going to wear and I picked out the above four shades in my collection as perfect partners from the gorgeous dress.  (Elf Royal Purple, YSL no.42, Illamasqua Jo'Mina and Essie Bachelorette Bash).

So what about you guys...do you plan your outfits this thoroughly or do you prefer to wing it on the night and choose what comes to hand?

On another matter, I cannot get Rihanna's new song out of my head! It's so damn catchy and I love the feel of the video...the way they have created that pinky, orangey sunset lighting.  That's always a magical time of the day and the location of the video looks incredible!  Apparently they filmed at locations just outside LA and I love the way they have created this colourful wonderland.  It looks amazing with Rihanna's vivid red hair and I'm also loving the retro styling!  Definitely one of the better pop videos around at the moment!