Review: Browzings by Benefit

OOTD: Colbalt & Orange

Warehouse Jumper, Topshop Vest (just seen), Topshop Leigh jean, Dorothy Perkins heels, Kate Spade Wellesley bag, Topshop ring, Topshop necklace, Jacquie Aiche finger bracelet.

Life in winter is always a little dull so I brighted up a blue outfit with pops of Orange. I got the blue jumper in the sales and wore it to keep me warm on a recent night out. The start of this year hasn't gone as I had hoped it would. I seem to be running here there and everywhere for everyone but not getting anything done which means I am already failing on my resolutions. Hopefully if I get some time to think i will be able to get myself back on track in march.

Hair: SS14 Trends - Bob It & Gypset

Carrying on from my last SS14 hair report here are two more trends you may want to consider when styling your hair in the upcoming season.

L-R: Paul Smith, Chanel, Mary Katrantzou, Badgley Mischka all via Pinterest

Bob It

Bobbed haircuts are making a comeback if the catwalks are anything to go by. Personally I think Karlie Kloss cutting her hair into this chic shape has had a huge influence on the opinion of bobs too, let’s face it all of us with long hair think we will do it when we turn 40 or for ‘Mum’ hair to “save the hassle of blowdrying” but not so anymore. Chanel used wigs to give the models a 60’s flicked bob in a pageboy cut to accompany their colour make-up and models at Paul Smith, Steve Alan and Lacoste were spotted sporting this length. If you go for the chop make sure you keep it on trend by having a blunt one-length between chin and shoulder length. Fringes are optional but most bobs were seen centre parted with no shape around the face. If you are having a cut like this please keep in mind you will need to keep a regular 4-5 week appointment with your hair stylist to keep it fresh and the right length. If you dont fancy a chop try a faux bob a la Badgley Mischka and pin your hair into a roll at the back while keeping a bobbed shape at the front.

L-R: Topshop Unique, Alexander Wang, Balmain, Burberry Prorsum all Via Pinterest

‘Gypset’

Gypset is a bohemian styling for the Jet Set so try to think of hippy hair with a polished finish. The Topshop Unique show seems to have coined the word by opting for curls and waves that look like they have maybe been slightly exposed to humidity with a rougher finish while Alexander Wang models got an almost second day hair with polish effect. Balmain went for a polished natural dry and Emilio Pucci left the roots and ends straight but curled the mid-lengths. The Gypset trend is going to be a bit wear-your-hair-your-way, so work with the natural texture a little and tweak. L’Oreal’s new Tec.Ni.Art Wild Styler in Crêpage De Chignon would be great for the texture of this look whether you wear it straight or waved on dry hair or to get natural texture while drying naturally and a later day booster Kérastase Spray à Porter would be a great product and is also an ELLE's International Beauty Award winner.

OOTD: Valentine

H&M biker jacket, Topshop viscose V neck Tee, H&M Leopard embroidered skirt, Primark red bag, primark boots.

I went out on Valentines day with my friend Jane and a few other singles for some fun. Ee decided just because you are single doesn't mean you have to sit at home and mope, right? I wanted to wear something fun but because the weather in the UK has been so crazy this last week I knew a jacket would be required which is why I pulled out this H&M Biker which I haven't worn for ages and for the life of me can't work out why now. We didn't stay out long unfortunately as the weather meant most people stayed at home {sensible idea} but I did have a good time and a cocktail which is always a plus.

Natural History Museum

Hair: SS14 Trends - Poker Straight & Textured Braids

I haven’t done a Fashion Week report for a while but since some of my most visited posts are my fashion week hair reports {and NYFW kicked off this week} and I have made a promise to myself to blog about hair a bit more I’m going to digest down the Spring/Summer 14 catwalk trends for you today.

L-R: Proenza Schouler, Valentino, Chloe, Ralph Lauren all via Pinterest

Poker Straight

I have a feeling the poker straight trend will be quite a big one as a lot of celebrities already embraced it with open arms at the Golden Globes. From Up-dos to Day-to-Day prepare to love your straighteners again girls {but please use heat protection!} as a poker straight finish was seen at Chloe, Preen and Marc by Marc Jacobs to name a few. This season sees hair having a lack of volume too opting instead for a natural or rough dried volume finish so ditch your round brushes, rollers and volume boosting products for a catwalk finish. My favourite product for getting a sleek and straight finish is L’oreal Tecni.Art Liss Control+ as it has very little hold but will smooth down fly-away hairs with ease.

L-R: Moschino, Rachel Zoe, Giles,  Rebecca Minkoff all via Pinterest

Textured Braids

Braids are still going strong on the catwalks and I think this has something to do with their versatility and suitability for every hair type and length. For the SS14 season you will be looking at adding texture to your braid whether it is voluminous roots on a side braid as seen at Giles or messed up scalp braids a la Moschino a good texturizing product will ideally need to be in your arsenal as well. No matter which style you are trying start by rough drying your hair with a little salt spray or moose and then apply a small amount of texture product like Redken Rough Paste and then braid your hair. For more texture rough your braid up after or pull it looser gently or for a flyaway effect get an old blusher or kabuki brush and brush some fly-away hairs out. 

OOTD: Jewelled

Topshop Jewelled Jumper, Topshop Leigh Jean, Michael Kors Chronograph Watch, Primark Bag, Primark Boots.

 I love a good jumper in the winter months it probably doesn’t help that I really feel the cold as I have bad circulation so my hands and feet get really cold really quickly. This jumper jumped out at me when I brought it because of the jewelled shoulders as I thought it could be great to dress up a casual outfit or just because it is more interesting than a plain ol’ jumper. In winter I also live in my Topshop Leigh jeans but I do want to upgrade to some high branded denim just because I think they might last a little longer.

Socially I’m looking into a few new courses I can do as I feel my brain is getting s bit mushy again. It seems I can’t go more than 9 months before I feel desperate to study again now. I’m also looking forward to hopefully booking a holiday at the start of April for my birthday, fingers crossed it happens as I don’t want to waste the little holiday time I get off staying at home for a week.

Review: bareMinerals 9 Piece Starter Kit

OOTD: Studs and Buckles

H&M studded top, Topshop Leigh jeans, Tiffany ATLAS necklace, Michael Kors Watch, Vivienne Westwood Pirate boots.

I'm currently down in London as this posts {I’m a huge fan of scheduling posts as I can write a few out for when I can’t think of anything else to put} hopefully having a completely fun time, I still wish I could live in London hopefully one day I will get there. I’m really not sure about this outfit I will be honest, I don’t think it is my best but I wanted to wear my Vivienne Westwood Pirate boots as it has been too long since I wore them and I really should wear expensive things to get some cost per wear.

They are super comfy but being suede more of a summer shoe due to all the rain we get in to UK and me generally fearing them getting ruined by a sudden downpour but luckily we have {until recently} had a bit of a reprieve from the wet so I managed to pull them out again and attempt to work out what I now have to wear them with. So hopefully they will start to feature on the blog a lot more over the spring and summer months.

L'Oreal Professionnel Global Ambassador: Kirsten Dunst

Can I take a moment to have a small fan-girl moment over L’Oreal Professionels having its first global ambassador? After working with their professional products and colours for the best part of the last decade it’s great to see those taking strides in a new direction. Kirsten Dunst (from films like Marie Antoinette, Melancholia and Spiderman) will be their first global ambassador and be the face of L’oreals campaigns for Tecni.Art Wild Stylers {which look amazing}, Beach Waves and Absolut Repair Lipidium and possibly the new collections of reds from INOA {though currently I am only speculating at the one photo I have seen).

L’oreal started with the big campaigns last year when they chose Alexa Chung to be the first celebrity to face a salon colour brand, in this case the INOA ODS2 range which is completely ammonia free colour and gives incredible shine and nourishment, rather than a drugstore alternative. They even created a shade range especially for her to launch and then got her to show off their hair-chalk collection on Instagram before releasing the official photos.  I haven’t had chance to play with the hair chalks yet but I will let you know what I think when I finally get my hands on them.

Follow the progress by using the #LorealProfMuse hash tag and check out Kirstens promo video for the Wild Stylers on their YouTube Channel.