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!