Valentine's Day Beauty Products To Treat Yourself To

January 25, 2016, 8:31 am

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Valentine's Day is just around the corner and shops are getting stocked up with all things pink and heart-shaped.

With the giants of the beauty world getting in on the action, whether you're loved-up or single, the art of treating yourself is one we can all enjoy.

So forget date night, this year it's all about pampering bath products, indulgent skincare and too-cute-to-wear makeup.

Prepare to fall in love:

SEE ALSO:

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This Is What Happens When Guys Try Their Girlfriends' Makeup Routines

January 25, 2016, 9:08 am

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Ever wondered what life would be like if men had the same morning routines as women (bar Patrick Bateman of course).

Well, that's exactly what Glamour found out when they made their hilarious new video - subjecting three men to performing their girlfriends' makeup regime, step by step.



Watch the video above to see what happens when they attempt it (you'll definitely appreciate it if you've ever endured complaints about the length of time it takes you to get ready in the morning).

SEE ALSO:

See 100 Years Of Eye Makeup Trends In Less Than Two Minutes

You Can Now Buy Gwen Stefani's Urban Decay Makeup Line In The UK

This Makeup Artist Takes Snacking To A Whole New Level

Kandee Jonhson Demos 100 Years Of Lip Makeup Trends In Less Than Two Minutes

January 25, 2016, 9:42 am

≫ Next: The Winter Coat

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The 100 Years Of Beauty series has been so popular, it seems everyone is having a go at their own time-lapse videos.

One of the latest and best clips, filmed by YouTube star Kandee Johnson for Allure, showcases the most popular lip trends from the past 100 years.



Did you know that matte brown and plum hues were in fashion long before Kylie Jenner made them cool, with 1920s starlets even drawing on their OTT pouts with a stencil?



From the first ever long-lasting lipstick in 1954 and the rise of pale colours thanks to bands in the 60s, to the origins of overlining as we know it today - watch the video above to see just how much things have (or haven't) changed over the last century.

SEE ALSO:

See 100 Years Of Eye Makeup Trends In Less Than Two Minutes

See 100 Years Of Russian Beauty In Less Than Two Minutes

The Latest 100 Years Of Beauty Video Is Here And It's Incredible

The Winter Coat

January 26, 2016, 2:38 am

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There is something rather special about a very good winter coat. It feels set apart from other garments; it offers you its own kind of relationship. Unlike other, more transient, items, the coat has longevity. Jeans become ripped, jumpers shrink, and t-shirts worn out. But the right coat, on the other hand, can last a lifetime: a steadfast witness to your wardrobe's evolution. Like a bag, a coat is immensely versatile, but unlike bags, coats protect us.

It is our coats, after all, that shield us from the wind and inclement weather (unless, like my most treasured coat, it is made out of suede - impracticality of the highest order). Coats conceal us when we feel a little shy, they provide us with pockets that warm our hands and carry our things; they are the threshold between the outside world and us. But they can also be full of seductive power: think how potent the image of a trench coat worn with high heels, and the hint of only lingerie underneath. Coats can convey sex appeal without compromising on mystery; in fact, that is where the very sex appeal lies.

A Burberry trench tied at the waist leans on the sexier side of life, of course, accentuating the sinuous curves of the female form; but there is a coat for all moods, whether it be shearling, simply oversized, a cape, or military style. Nothing quite screams luxury like a white, cashmere mix coat though, does it? Such a coat laughs in the face of dry cleaning costs; the kind of coat Jackie Kennedy used to wear.

For some reason, fur trimmed parkas seem to be having a particularly modish moment. They can be seen in various incarnations, but only a handful are really elegant. Done well, they bridge the gap between luxe sophistication and easy understatement; but done badly, they epitomise ubiquitous naff. I'm afraid coats are just one of those things that require an investment, and where quality cannot be underestimated. I truly believe that few things in life make one feel quite so splendid and so empowered like a beautiful, well-fitted coat. Why trouble ourselves co-ordinating and ensemble of clothes when the coat does it all for you. Just one piece; our outer shell; the ultimate symbol of our style.

Perhaps the most powerful thing about the winter coat, however, is how we return to it. Not just day after day in the cold and dismal months, but year after year. In winter, our coats become an intimate friend, familiar and reliable. And then we forget about them. Superfluous in the warmth, our coats are relegated, forgotten, until we need them again; and then find an ancient bus ticket lingering in the pocket, and are reminded of how fondly we once wore them. The very best coats are part of a cycle of absence and return, like the ebb and flow of the tide. They hang in our closets over summer, silent and inert, the repository of our memories and experience. They alone retain the human shape they once held, waiting for our return.

You Don't Need to Be Middle Class to Be a Beauty Blogger, But It Helps

January 26, 2016, 2:45 am

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Bella sets her camera up on a tripod, making sure to position it in front of a window to get the most light. She checks herself in the camera screen, brushes her hair behind her ears, and takes a deep breath.

"Hello guys!" She coos out to the camera; soon to the hundreds of thousands who watch the videos that she uploads each week. Bella is a beauty blogger, one of 1107 currently listed on Youtube.

A beauty blogger is somebody who writes, takes photographs, and/or makes videos ('vlogs') of or about anything that falls under the umbrella of cosmetics.

Bella talks us through some of her Favorite Things: a neon orange lipstick; a mascara with two compartments; some teeth whitening strips. Her deep blue eyes glisten when she talks; you can see, spilling out of the screen, her passion for beauty. Bella is so passionate about beauty that by the time you have finished watching her video, you are positive that your life is incomplete without an irridescent greige nail varnish.

But for all of her doe-eyed endorsement, Bella misses something out: the price. The small, iridescent nail varnish is made by Chanel, and it costs £18.

I made Bella up; choose one of her non-fictional counterparts and the script fits much the same. Some beauty bloggers are more transparent than others about how much the products that they recommend cost: the underlying point is the same; being a successful beauty blogger costs.

When beauty blogging first began to establish itself around about seven years ago, it didn't etch away at a cultural space; it strapped a load of TNT to itself a sent shockwaves through the beauty industry. Before this, traditional forms of beauty journalism - print newspapers and magazines, held the publishing ground. Women with an interest in beauty were directed to these sources because they were the only spaces where information about the beauty industry could be readily accessed.

So we are continually told: beauty blogging is good because it is democratic. The power of beauty bloggers is their number; the number of opinions expressed by beauty bloggers (of which there are thousands) decentralise the authority of beauty articles written according to dubious editorial instruction. Beauty bloggers propel us in the direction of a more libertarian press, enabling the everyday women-with no editorial agenda-to write, publish and, hopefully, tell us the truth about cosmetics.

But this narrative that we are fed about the democratisation of beauty journalism features many of the same oversights that we find in the political narratives that we trophy. In principle beauty blogging is a great democratiser; in practice the same underlying social inequalities that prevent women from entering the media prevent them from becoming successful beauty bloggers.

And it is beauty blogs that highlight this difference so starkly, when compared to other blogs, e.g. blogs about politics, or news, because beauty blogging is fueled by money. Without money, Bella wouldn't have that £18 nail varnish to share with us. She would be without props, and without props she would be without a blog. Without money, Bella wouldn't have become the twinkly beauty blogger with the audience of thousands.

Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture: Spring/Summer 2016 Street Style Will Blow You Away

January 26, 2016, 5:06 am

≫ Next: I Spent A Week Living Like Gwyneth Paltrow And This Is What Happened

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Couture Fashion Week 2016 in Paris may be in full swing, but that doesn't mean we can't already start reminiscing about all the spectacular womenswear.

While the catwalk looks are nothing short of stunning (the supermodel-packed Versace show being a major highlight), something equally as magical is taking place outside the shows themselves.

Behold, the epic street style outfits giving us all major goals for SS16:

SEE ALSO:

Vintage Photos Show The Glamour Of Paris Fashion Week Over The Years

10 #LFW Street Style Looks You'll Want To Steal

5 Of The Craziest Fashion Week Catwalks

I Spent A Week Living Like Gwyneth Paltrow And This Is What Happened

January 26, 2016, 5:51 am

≫ Next: #AerieReal Campaign Model, Barbie Ferreira, Is The Body Confidence Inspo We All Need

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Gwyneth Paltrow is a mystery. A riddle inside an enigma. Just how does the 43-year-old actress defy all laws of time and gravity without breaking an oxygen-infused sweat?

Gwynnie's blog Goop may be best known for macrobiotic musings, impossible month-long juice cleanses and jumpers that cost as much as your rent - but it is designed to bestow upon us mere mortals the key to her (seemingly exclusive) fountain of youth.

With that in mind, I decided to give Goop-ing a go. To channel my inner Gwyneth, to live my best life. But only for a week (I do have a worst life to live, too).

This is what happened...



Day 1

I envisioned emerging from my post-Christmas cocoon a long, lean butterfly, powered by green juice and with an abundance of energy from a chia seed high. But my attempts at the 'GP Morning Smoothie' (Gwyneth drinks one every morning) were thwarted by the fact I didn’t have any 'Moon Juice Dust'.

I instantly felt delated. How would I ever be Gwyneth if I couldn't even find her ingredients?

Not being able to source the products she speaks about was a recurring theme during the week. I could barely get hold of anything. 'Ashwagandha', no idea. 'Ho shou wu', what the...? 'Kabocha squash', sold out on Ocado.


Gwyneth Paltrow and fitness guru Tracy Anderson

I did, however, manage to sign up to her personal trainer and BFF Tracy Anderson's live-streamed workout classes and entered into what would become my own personal (but muscle defining) hell over the next seven days.

Seriously, my whole body burned, but now I have muscle definition in places I never thought possible.

Day 2

When faced with temptation, I constantly found myself repeating a new mantra: What Would Gwyneth Do? (WWGD). It began to seep into my consciousness, slowly encroaching on every small decision.

A friend invited me for a free dinner and I felt paralysed by anxiety. I started to wonder if it's really healthy to think about food this much.

The dangers of excessively restrictive diets are starting to be documented, with some people hoping to class orthorexia (an obsession with healthy food) as an eating disorder.


Goop's 'Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie'

On the other hand, it almost felt like I was re-learning to eat (a concept that's being championed right now) - understanding what's fueling my body, rather than just satiating hunger - and I was actually enjoying the nutritious food.

In fairness to Paltrow, Goop's recipes are nice, delicious even. After all that clean eating, the mint chocolate chip ice cream-inspired smoothie made me want to cry real tears. Maybe I could do this after all?

Day 3

Having felt sufficiently detoxed, I went for the big guns: the juice cleanse.

Under the recommendations of Goop, I opt for a one-day cleanse from celeb favourite Imbibery - they use raw, organic juice with no high pressure pasteurisation (HPP), as apparently this kills of some of the nutrients.


'ID 1' juice cleanse from Imbibery

I'd tried juice cleanses in the past, but this was one of my favourites - there was even a little bottle of lemon juice to add to my hot water in the morning (Gwyneth swears by it).

What better way to absolve all my December sins than to simply lie back and absorb a sea of cold-pressed nutrients delivered straight to my door?

But there's this weird thing with cleanses - though you're constantly sucking at the teat of Mother Nature, it's hard to feel satisfied. Plus, there's the muscle aches and tiredness to contend with.

Then, the cashew milk arrives before bedtime like a creamy white angel and answers all your prayers and you wake up feeling amazing. Worth it IMO.

Day 4

Taking Goop's advice, and because we're in the middle of winter, I carry on my cleanse by souping.

A 'soup cleanse', that is. It's basically like a juice cleanse, except with freshly made vegan soups, and it felt amazing after a day of drinking chilled liquids.


Goop's 'Roasted + Clean Carrot Soup'

Benefits of souping include - it's way more filling than juice (thanks to all that fibre), it’s low on the glycemic scale (as it's all veg-based), and did I mention it's warm?

Day 5

To help me shed even more toxins, I headed to an infrared sauna. For those unfamiliar, infrared saunas heat up the body, rather than the air - pretty much the equivalent of having a fever, the body's natural way of stimulating the immune system.

Apparently, sweat is one of the major elimination channels for toxins and Goop is no stranger to it - Gwyneth apparently has one in her home and uses it every day.


Trying the infrared sauna at Pür Wellness Spa

I headed over to Pür Wellness Spa in Notting Hill to try it out and sweat more in half an hour than I have in my entire life combined, probably.

Infrared saunas can burn between 400-600 calories in one 30 minute session, along with helping shed excess water weight, and I noticed a big difference in my muscle tone the morning after.

Day 6

To revive me after my sauna, I went for a vitamin IV drip at Nosh Detox's Marylebone infusion clinic (they also make home visits for extra comfort and privacy, but I am not actually Gwyneth so...).

Paltrow famously skipped the Met Gala to have a vitamin IV, so I figured it must be pretty good.


Getting a vitamin IV at Nosh Detox

I went for their 'Fitamin Infusion' - a cocktail of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help support and strengthen the immune system, along with a rehydrating saline solution.

Straight after, I feel relaxed and sleepy (I'm told this is due to a previous magnesium deficiency) and not really the star-powered Super Mario I'd dreamed of. But then, I arose the next day like a vitamin-infused Christ, waking up before my alarm and feeling more alert every day for the rest of the week.

Day 7

The final day arrived and I couldn't quite believe I'd made it through successfully. A pizza did manage to slip itself into my week of Goop-ness somewhere, but it was gluten-free and vegan (WWGD).

To celebrate, I relaxed in an Epsom salt bath (for the best value for money, bulk buy from EpsomSalts.co.uk) to ease my post-Tracy Anderson Method muscles.


Gwyneth allows herself a glass of red wine in the evenings and one cigarette a week

I also treated myself to a glass of (organic) red wine and a cigarette. GP famously admitted she indulges in a glass of vino, but only in the evenings, along with a once-a-week cigarette on a Saturday. Apparently they keep her "vibrant".

After spending a week in her shoes, I think I'm starting to really get Gwyneth. Not only do I feel and look a whole lot better (vibrant, even), the experience really has overhauled my views on healthy living. I'm actually choosing to eat nutritious food, and I've found a type of exercise I find fun rather than just a chore.

When she said: "It's what makes life, finding the balance between cigarettes and tofu" - at first I lambasted her, but now... I have to agree, she's kind of right.

SEE ALSO:

Gwyneth Paltrow's Rap-Themed Clutches Are As Terrible A Combo As P-Diddy And Sting

Gwyneth Paltrow Is Launching A Goop Skincare Range

Gwyneth Paltrow Fails $29-A-Week Food Challenge

#AerieReal Campaign Model, Barbie Ferreira, Is The Body Confidence Inspo We All Need

January 26, 2016, 6:40 am

≫ Next: Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture: The Most OTT Dresses Of Spring/Summer 2016

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Every now and then, a fashion campaign comes along and makes us all cheer - and that's exactly what happened when we watched American lingerie and swimwear brand Aerie's celebration of the female form.

Its latest advert for the new #AerieREAL campaign stars self-proclaimed 'curve model' and 'Queen of In-Between' (size definition, that is) Barbie Ferreira - a proud UK size 16.

The 18-year-old next big thing poses in a hot pink bikini alongside four other models of different shapes and sizes.



For the past two years, #AerieREAL has used no Photoshop or retouching in its advertisements - instead, showing women's bodies exactly as they are.

"Not being retouched in the images is something that's very important to me," Ferreira says in the brand's video.

"People knowing that's what I look like without anyone's perception of what my body needs to look like."

A photo posted by barbie ferreira not nox (@barbienox) on Jan 25, 2016 at 1:18pm PST

Her final words in the clip are: "I am unapologetically myself, no matter what anyone's opinion of me is. The world needs more women who are so strong" - and we have to agree.

Watch the incredible campaign in full below:

SEE ALSO:

5 Things You Need To Know About Plus Size Model Mahalia Handley

This Designer Was Accused Of Betraying Plus Size Women

Tess Holliday Slams Models Who Refuse To Call Themselves 'Plus Size'

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Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture: The Most OTT Dresses Of Spring/Summer 2016

January 26, 2016, 10:17 am

≫ Next: 2016 Beauty Trends for the Over-30 Beauty

≪ Previous: #AerieReal Campaign Model, Barbie Ferreira, Is The Body Confidence Inspo We All Need

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Couture Fashion Week 2016 in Paris is giving us some major style goals right now - but some of the outfits are a little out of our sartorial comfort zone.

While they may not look out of place draped on a supermodel strutting down the Parisian catwalks, we can't help but feel these dresses would get all sorts of crazy looks in the real world.

We guess it's called 'haute couture' for a reason...

SEE ALSO:

The Street Style At Paris Fashion Week Will Blow You Away

Vintage Photos Show The Glamour Of Paris Fashion Week Over The Years

5 Of The Craziest Fashion Week Catwalks

2016 Beauty Trends for the Over-30 Beauty

January 26, 2016, 2:36 pm

≫ Next: Coloured Freckles Are The Boldest New Beauty Trend

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As someone (well) over 30, I find I prefer to take beauty trends with a grain or two of salt. My skin isn't perfect, my budget isn't infinite, and I actually have to go to work wearing this stuff. I also can't take every recommendation the beauty blog-o-sphere provides because I will only use products from brands that don't test on animals. So, since it takes a bit of legwork, maybe it will save you some time if I share some ways I've found of interpreting recent beauty trends that work for me.

In 2015 we added 'strobing' to our beauty vocabulary. Or, at least, that's when I learned about it. All reports suggest that strobing should be listed in your beauty thesaurus under highlighting, the strategic placement of light to the high points of the face.




For 2016, it appears that an all-over glow is the way to go. Luckily, there are some ways to achieve this effect without having a dab hand with the highlighter brush. There are some lovely base products that give a luminous finish, oftentimes in the BB and CC cream family. I also feel fairly certain that we'll be presented with a flurry of new options this spring. That said, I think there are other ways to get some glow without having to rush out to your local beauty counter. One strategy is to mix a bit of cream or liquid highlighter into whichever is your foundation of the day. I'm almost positive that I learned this from the lovely Lisa Eldridge. You get that luminosity without having to sacrifice the coverage or color-match you already have from your foundation. Another way to go is to layer your illumination either under your foundation with a primer that has a quite hydrating, luminizing finish or to go with a setting spray that adds a bit of illumination as a finishing touch. Either way, you get the glow, but you also get the added advantage of makeup that lasts a bit longer than it might otherwise.

Next up, blue eye shadow. Yes, you read that right, and yes, I know what you're thinking. The 1960s (or, heaven forfend, the 1980s) are calling and they want their shadow back. While you'll not spot me sporting the fluorescent and electric blues, I do think we have options that can be both subtle and sophisticated. In a word, navy. For a dramatic take, I think a navy smoky eye is a stunning alternative to black or brown. If that's a bit much on the time or intensity front, skip the shadow and stick with a touch of blue liner.




Another eye trend, which I couldn't be happier about, is the return of glitter. I am a firm believer that we over 30s are quite capable of sporting some sparkle!




Similarly to her cousin the smoky eye, the glitter eye can be a bit much on the time and effort front. If you're looking for a way to achieve this look without the mess, a great way to go is cream shadows that have a bit of gloss or shine in them. Less work for you, and more work-appropriate.




As a gal who came of age in the 1990s, I am pleased to report that the dark, vampy lip does not seem to be going anywhere. But, another trend that seems to be coming our way this year is for a slightly brighter lip look. The cherry/apple red lip.




It is my personal belief that there are few things more classic and chic than a red lip. However, there's no avoiding the fact that if you're going for the full effect, you need to invest some serious time perfecting your lip line. If you only have time for a quick swipe, finding a tinted lip balm will be the best thing you've done for your beauty routine all week ;)

Well, I hope this has been helpful! Let me know if you'll be trying any of these trends.

Images blogger's own

For more info, check out the original posts, volumes 1 and 2 of my cruelty-free takes on 2016 beauty trends, on beautyforgood.net.

Coloured Freckles Are The Boldest New Beauty Trend

January 27, 2016, 3:15 am

≫ Next: Men's Fashion Week 2016: Fur On The Catwalk In 60% Of Autumn/Winter 2016 Collections

≪ Previous: 2016 Beauty Trends for the Over-30 Beauty

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The future of 2016 beauty trends is looking brighter than ever (glow in the dark hair, anyone?) - but we think we've just discovered the most fun look yet.

Introducing, coloured freckles.

Following on from the faux freckle makeup trend that took off last summer, coloured freckles are the bold new way to fake it.

Check out our favourite looks and YouTube tutorials below...

A photo posted by Marlee (@marleexmakeup) on Jan 17, 2016 at 3:56pm PST

A photo posted by Jacqueline.B Artistry (@jacquelinebartistry) on Nov 20, 2015 at 12:26pm PST

A photo posted by GEENA.KASHIF (@makeup_by_geenakay) on Dec 12, 2015 at 12:40pm PST

A photo posted by Eliotte Casimiro (@eliotte_mua) on Jun 25, 2015 at 7:26pm PDT

A photo posted by Jenn Hudson (@jennhudsonmua) on Jan 18, 2016 at 10:09am PST

A photo posted by Sara Lee (@saraa_smirks) on Jan 25, 2016 at 12:43pm PST

(H/T: Mashable)

SEE ALSO:

What Are Freckles? (And How To Fake Them With Makeup)

Glow-In-The-Dark Hair Is The Brightest New Beauty Trend

This Is What Your Face Shape Says About Your Personality

Men's Fashion Week 2016: Fur On The Catwalk In 60% Of Autumn/Winter 2016 Collections

January 27, 2016, 4:59 am

≫ Next: 9 Beauty Tips For Asian Skin: Bloggers And Writers Reveal Their Favourite Products

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A debate about whether real fur will become a major menswear trend for autumn/winter 2016 has been sparked by reports that more than 60% of designers at this year's Men's Fashion Weeks included the material in their new lines.

London Collections: Men saw 28 of the 60 designers (47%), including Astrid Anderson, Burberry and Coach using fur across accessories, coats, and jackets, according to research by the International Fur Federation.


Astrid Anderson AW16

Fur made its biggest impact during Milan Men’s Fashion Week AW16, with 35 out of 38 designers (92%) using the material. Dolce & Gabbana created huge oversized fur coats, while Marni and Giorgio Armani toned down the trend with fur stoles.

Finally, in Paris, 32 of the 49 designers (65%) incorporated fur into their collections - from Boris Bidjan Saberi's fur shorts, to Valentino's mixed pelt gilets.


Marni AW16

SEE ALSO:

Your 'Faux' Fur Could Actually Be Real...

How To Wear The #LFW Faux Fur Trend Right Now

Vivienne Westwood Sent A Lot Of Penises Down The Runway

Mark Oaten, CEO of International Fur Federation, commented on the trend: "Admittedly the more whimsical animal prints and full fur garments might raise a few eyebrows, but all in all, more and more men are comfortable wearing fur."


Burberry AW16

But not everyone is a fan of the look.

Mimi Bekhechi, director of animal rights charity PETA, told HuffPost UK Style: "Designers who still use fur in their collections seem pathetically desperate for attention, trying to revive something cruelly obtained that was vogue in a far earlier, unenlightened time.

"It takes no creativity to dress someone in an animal's skin as if he were a caveperson – and it just makes the wearer look oblivious and silly.

"Respected designers such as British icons Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood and emerging, fresh talents like Vika Gazinskaya don't pretend to be edgy by using a taboo material – their designs generate attention for all the right reasons."


Coach AW16

Let's just hope the menswear designers take a cue from womenswear trends - 80% of designers at last year's London Fashion Week eschewed real fur for the fake stuff.

Plus guys, if you want to try the look - don't forget about the super-realistic faux fur taking over the high street this season.

9 Beauty Tips For Asian Skin: Bloggers And Writers Reveal Their Favourite Products

January 27, 2016, 6:02 am

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We're a proud rainbow nation but you wouldn't quite know it judging by the beauty pages of weekly and monthly magazines.

As part of our ongoing commitment to featuring diverse beauty across HuffPost's Style pages, we asked some of our favourite Asian beauty bloggers for their top tips.

Anita Bhagwandas, senior beauty editor at Marie Claire, blogs at The Guardian



Illamasqua Gel Scultp in Silhouette and charm, £22

That whole heavily contoured look is so done, and not to mention hugely ageing. That's why these genius new sticks from Illamasqua are so great. Silhouette, the bronzing shade acts as a translucent contour-enhancer that adds just the right amount of pigment on areas like the sides of the face, chin and underneath the cheekbones.

While a little hit of Charm – the corally, orange blush stick - is so flattering applied to the cheeks, and much more modern than a pink or plum shade. They're the most natural looking textures I've used, they just look like real skin and I wouldn't be without them now.

SEE ALSO:


Coloured Freckles Are The Boldest New Beauty Trend


2016 Beauty Trends for the Over-30 Beauty

Estee Lauder Little Black primer, £20

I’ll be the first to admit that I was really dubious about how life-changing a lash primer could be. But this little wand of glory has proven me so wrong.

In fact whenever I wear it I get oodles of admiring comments on how long my lashes look. So for anyone with darker lashes looking to add drama and depth to the eyes this is a real gem of a product. Just brush it on, and use your regular mascara on top.


YSL Touche Eclat Blur Perfector, £31.50

I’m waging a personal war against pressed powder. Firstly, super-matte skin is aging because healthy skin reflects light and glows. Secondly, when said pressed powder mixes with oil on the skin, it combines to form a weird foundation-like substance that’s gross and just looks cakey.

But I get that you don’t want your entire face to look like an oil-slick so that’s where this mattifying balm gets involved. It acts like a powder, quelling areas of shine, but because it’s invisible it doesn’t cake. It minimizes pores comes in a beautiful pink compact. Basically, you HAVE to try it.


Nina Patel writes at The Asian Fashion Journal and is based in London.



Bobbi Brown's mahogany eye shadow, £17.50

Like most Indian girls taming my brows is a must. I get my eyebrows threaded regularly and fill them in every day with Bobbi Brown's mahogany eyeshadow and brow brush. Filling them in defines and enhances the shape.

Nars Radiant Creamy concealer, £22.50


This is my favourite. It's a heavy concealer that dries to a light finish. Nars have a good range of shades for Asian skin and the concealer is great for brightening up dark under eye circles and discoloration which are a common problem for Indian skin.

M.A.C Barbecue, £17

My last must have is a bright lipstick. It instantly polishes off any look. My fave at the mo is Barbeque from M.A.C's Toledo range. It's a matt orange-red that really pops.

Samyukta Sharma blogs at I Simply Love Makeup



The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum Oil, £15


A good face of makeup for me should look like I am not wearing any. For this the base makeup needs to be flawless. I have dry skin and I start with a well moisturised face. For this I recommend The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum Oil. Its a great night time serum for all skin types and helps you wake up to smooth and supple skin.

MAC Face & Body Foundation, £22


Next I prefer to apply a gloriously natural finish foundation and my go to for this is the MAC Face & Body foundation. It gives a beautiful naturally dewy finish and is perfect for someone with dry to normal skin. It gives light coverage and looks like second skin.

NYX Above and Beyond Full Coverage Concealer, £5.50

Last but not the least is getting my concealer right and for this I trust only the NYX Above and Beyond Full Coverage Concealer. As the name suggests its a full coverage concealer, stays for the whole day and does not crease.

How To Get Scouted By A Model Agent: Top Models Share Their Stories

January 27, 2016, 8:09 am

≫ Next: Tess Holliday Announces Pregnancy And Speaks About 'The Reality Of Being Plus Size And Pregnant'

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Ever wondered how top models really get discovered? Teen Vogue did some investigating.

Their latest video gives us all an insight into the fashion world - revealing the ways some of the hottest young models were scouted by their modelling agencies.

A photo posted by Shlomit Malka (@shlomitmalka) on Sep 20, 2015 at 4:13am PDT

Some were discovered the traditional way - through simply walking into an agency, or being stopped in the street or shops by a model scout (even when they were as young as 12-years-old!).

One male model even had his now-agent run up to him through a busy crowd in London's Covent Garden to give him her business card.

A photo posted by Mackinley Hill (@mackinley_hill) on Nov 3, 2015 at 12:12pm PST

Others were persuaded to give posing a go by friends and family already working as models (including Victoria's Secret Angel Taylor Hill's sister Mackinley).

While some models were discovered in a very 21st century way - through emailing in photos to agencies, or being spotted by agents on Facebook.

A photo posted by Herieth (@heriethpaul) on Dec 10, 2015 at 5:22am PST

Hoping to get discovered yourself? Read our handy guide on being spotted, with top tips from Kate Moss' agency Storm Models.

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Tess Holliday Announces Pregnancy And Speaks About 'The Reality Of Being Plus Size And Pregnant'

January 28, 2016, 3:09 am

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Tess Holliday has announced she is pregnant with her second child.

The plus size model shared the news with People magazine, before telling fans on Instagram with a post that addressed being plus sized and pregnant.

"Plus size women face so much stigma and doubt over what our bodies are capable of," she wrote.

"It's something I feel doesn't get enough media attention, but I hope that the next few months of my pregnancy will help change the conversation. All bodies are amazing!

"Thank you for the continued support in this exciting time in our lives."

A photo posted by ➕Size Model | Mom | Feminist (@tessholliday) on Jan 27, 2016 at 9:47am PST

When a fan tweeted to say they couldn't wait to see her maternity fashion, Holliday replied:

"I'm 20 weeks so you've already seen some!"

And she also shared that her baby is due in June.

This will be Holliday's first child with her fiancé Nick Holliday, but she also has a son called Rylee from a previous relationship.

Holliday's pregnancy announcement came a week after Rylee recently celebrated his 10th birthday and the proud mum marked the occasion by sharing a throwback photo of him.

A photo posted by ➕Size Model | Mom | Feminist (@tessholliday) on Jan 19, 2016 at 10:44am PST

She wrote in the photo caption: "It's hard to think of a time in my life before my son.

"I was young and didn't have a clue what I was doing, but like all mum's... We figure it out.

"He has been by my side through my darkest days, always making me laugh regardless of how bleak things seemed. On the happiest days, my little cheerleader ready to celebrate by my side.

"He is emotional, silly, artsy, and often serious, and always has been. We've been through so much together and I wouldn't change a moment.

"To my son, Happy 10th Birthday. You have taught me how to love, to fight for my dreams and that farts will always be funny. You will always be my little boy."

SEE ALSO:

Tess Holliday Slams Models Who Refuse To Call Themselves 'Plus Size'

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These Could Be The Most Intriguing Baby Names Of 2016

After making the pregnancy announcement Holliday spoke to blogger Plussizebirth.com about her experience of being plus size and pregnant.

"I think it’s really important to talk about the realities of being plus size and pregnant," she said. "The options for nursing bras, maternity, belly bands and books are so minuscule that it’s insulting.

"I knew it was frustrating but had no idea until I found myself pregnant and searching for things that didn’t exist.

"Thankfully my doctor is amazing and hasn’t shamed me once. We searched all over for a doctor who supported all bodies and he has been a life saver."

---

Winnie Harlow, Model With Vitiligo, Stars In New Sprite Advert

January 28, 2016, 3:44 am

≫ Next: David Beckham Reveals 2016 Bodywear Collection With H&M And It's A Lazy Guy's Dream

≪ Previous: Tess Holliday Announces Pregnancy And Speaks About 'The Reality Of Being Plus Size And Pregnant'

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Winnie Harlow, the supermodel with vitiligo, is the new star of Sprite's television ad - a double series also featuring restaurateur and TV food personality Eddie Huang.

Writing on their Instagram, the soft drinks brand describe ambassador Harlow as a "dream chaser and groundbreaker," who "defined herself before giving others the chance."

A photo posted by Sprite (@sprite) on Aug 16, 2015 at 8:03am PDT

The casting is a great step for diversity - but also a smart one, considering the Toronto-born model's stunning looks and huge social media presence.

Check out the ad in full below:

"Wanted" instrumental in the new Sprite commercial with @winnieharlow! #ObeyYourThirst pic.twitter.com/DR8ijkNwhr

— Kehlani Updates (@YSBHDAILY) January 23, 2016

Harlow, 21, was quick to share the good news on her Twitter, posting a behind-the-scenes still from the video shoot.

My @Sprite Winnie Harlow commercial just dropped! Look out for it on Tv https://t.co/9SbV7aJMXd pic.twitter.com/x7sWKWq8NX

— ChantelleWinnie♔ (@winnieharlow) January 22, 2016

But she wasn't the only one getting excited, with her legion of fans taking to social media to report on spotting their favourite star on TV:

I just saw @winnieharlow on a Sprite commercial. I love it. You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

— Survivor♥力 (@LiveSTRONG212) January 25, 2016

@winnieharlow in the new Sprite commercial tho

— YungWestAfricanGirl (@MsAdiLongLegz) January 25, 2016

@Sprite's commercial with @winnieharlow and it has Kehlani's music playing is just bomb tbh

— SV (@ShawnValentine_) January 25, 2016

Did I just see @winnieharlow on a Sprite commercial?? Is it wrong I got so excited?? #queen

— Tori Paige (@ToriTaboo) January 26, 2016

@winnieharlow new Sprite commercial is bomb . And yass with the Kehlani music in the background

— Colbi (@xxcolbiixx) January 19, 2016

SEE ALSO:

Winnie Harlow On White Women Imitating Her Vitiligo (And It's Not What You Think)

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David Beckham Reveals 2016 Bodywear Collection With H&M And It's A Lazy Guy's Dream

January 28, 2016, 4:18 am

≫ Next: Ashley Graham And The Plus Size Activewear Proving 'Healthy Comes In All Shapes And Sizes'

≪ Previous: Winnie Harlow, Model With Vitiligo, Stars In New Sprite Advert

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David Beckham is back once again to remind us all why we need to dress exactly like him.

The retired footballer has teamed up for another menswear collection with H&M - this time, a bodywear range comprising of classic loungewear pieces (think sweats, tees and tanks).



Hitting H&M stores and online shelves on Thursday 4 February, the new line mixes things up with a more modern silhouette - t-shirts are looser, crewnecks are longer and sweatpants are skinnier.

It's how we'll all be lounging in 2016 (well, he is the man that launched a thousand underpants).



“Everything about my Bodywear for H&M has to be authentic," Beckham said of the range. "If I wouldn’t wear it then it doesn’t go in the collection.”

“I’m always trying to evolve the Bodywear collection and include classic pieces like sweaters and track pants that I would wear out or at home.”



*Cue mental image of DB lounging around his mansion in nothing but track pants*

SEE ALSO:

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David Beckham's Best Fashion Moments On Instagram

Ashley Graham And The Plus Size Activewear Proving 'Healthy Comes In All Shapes And Sizes'

January 28, 2016, 7:11 am

≫ Next: Page Three, Feminism and Me: What I Learned From a Glamour Model

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We just found our 2016 fitspiration... body positivity activist and model Ashley Graham has just been named as the star of a new plus size sportswear campaign.

The fitness range, Nola by Addition Elle (the brand Graham also designs super sexy lingerie for), comes in sizes X to 4X and comprises of leggings, yoga pants, sports bras, tops and running jackets.







Graham, who wears a UK size 14/16, is real life proof of Addition Elle's slogan 'Healthy comes in all shapes and sizes'.

The 27-year-old model often shares photos and videos of her workouts with her 969 thousand Instagram followers.

A photo posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Jan 8, 2016 at 4:34pm PST

A video posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Jan 16, 2016 at 5:23am PST

Addition Elle isn't the only plus size brand launching gym-wear, British high street staple Evans is launching its first ever sports line on Wednesday 3 February.

The Evans Active collection will offer a range of stylish separates to "dispell the myth that curvy girls don't hit the gym".





With prices starting from £18, and a mix of body-sculpting and super-comfy fabrics, we reckon this is another range to keep an eye out for.

SEE ALSO:

You Can Now Buy Ashley Graham's 'Unapologetically Sexy' Lingerie In The UK

Ashley Graham: 'I've Been Brainwashed Into Calling Myself Plus Size'

Models Ashley Graham And Denise Bidot's Secret To Success

Page Three, Feminism and Me: What I Learned From a Glamour Model

January 28, 2016, 9:25 am

≫ Next: Pippa Middleton To Auction Clothes For British Heart Foundation

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It's been almost a year to the day since the Sun stopped printing Page 3.

For months, 'No More Page 3', a campaign group led by Lucy Holmes, had worked tirelessly to remove topless models from the Sun. The campaign compared the feature to "soft porn", stressing that it was 'inappropriate' for a family newspaper, and that it objectified women.

Bare breasts obviously aren't news, but what if these women like being objectified? What if these women like the crude comments from men or enjoy flaunting their bodies for attention?

Last summer, I met a glamour model who completely changed my opinion on the glamour industry. The Sun's removal of Page 3 had come into effect a few months prior, and I was curious as to whether this had stopped girls like her from getting work.

Despite modelling myself, I'd held a certain contempt and elitist attitude towards glamour models. I would stalk them on social media and view them with disdain - the sexual poses, the provocative posts and the lecherous comments they'd receive; forgetting that I, too, would receive such comments and had sometimes posed in similar positions for high fashion, all for 'likes', attention and money.

I'm ashamed to say I judged these women, forgetting that just as I'd had the privilege of choosing modelling as my job, they too had this entitlement.




I towered above Rae, a petite and bolshy 25 year-old, who frequented Page 3 and lads mags often with a loyal fan base. She would receive sacks of fan mail from men around the world, be showered with messages of affection online, and her topless calendar would sell out annually. Her genetics, like Victoria's Secret models, had made her successful.

Like the other glamour models I met, she loved the male attention. She enjoyed manipulating men with her provocative social media posts, flaunting her femininity and using the sexual power that being female grants you. Her photos and captions were suggestive, and men loved it.

It was refreshing to see Rae embracing her sexuality. She was proud to be a woman and there is something incredibly sexy about a woman aware of her beauty.




I watched her pose on a Page 3 shoot, bouncing topless on a blow-up ball. The atmosphere was so asexual, I might as well have been watching a pantomime. Although it would've been slightly hard not to notice Rae's huge breasts, the men on set weren't leering at her. She was the person in control - not only in the room, but of the image she was portraying.

It was a far cry from the fashion shoots I was used to, where the lines between sex and fashion have become increasingly blurred. Unlike fashion models, who are often asked to go nude or topless without being asked beforehand, glamour models know what they are posing for. Their topless photo doesn't just 'miraculously' turn up on Page 3, nor does the (very) minimal pay cheque mysteriously land into their bank.

What they hope for, like millions of other girls, is that their lucky break will come; that they'll become the next Jordan or Caprice and make their millions.




Lads mags and Page 3 disgusted me, as did the sexist, misogynistic 'culture' which followed them, and I believed girls like Rae were merely encouraging men to treat women a certain way. They bred the type of boys - and later, men - who would grope you on a night out; the type to make a mockery out of women, of feminism and of how far we had come.

But it wasn't until I compared a few Page 3 cuttings to online porn that it dawned on me just how mild Page 3 actually is. In fact, I'd seen cruder poses in fashion advertisements or editorials.

Here's the reality: sex sells. Men like looking at pretty women, and women like to feel lusted after. Men will always source a way of finding naked pictures of women, and there are many women who will pander to that.

And yes, a woman's worth is based on more than her looks. But not all women are designed to work in an office or be charity workers.

Therefore, it seems a shame that we've taken something relatively 'meek' and placed it in the same league as online porn. The idea that a photograph of a cheeky, topless woman could ever be compared to a pornographic video is surely incomprehensible to even the most prudish of minds.




Rae and I didn't know it at the time, but soon came the announcement that FHM and Zoo were to suspend publication. Playboy also announced it would stop printing nude models from March this year, instead choosing to pursue a more "fashion-led" publication. The world of glamour modelling suddenly became smaller, and the opportunities fewer.

For a working-class girl like Rae, whose family read red-top papers, glamour modelling was a way of making something for herself, just as it had been for the likes of Kelly Brook or Katie Price. Modelling for a newspaper like the Sun or Daily Star is often viewed as an achievement.

The truth is that, whilst print magazines are dwindling year on year, glamour models simply don't compete with the dirtier (and free!) videos or images available online. Men want more, and we've pandered to it. Mainstream media is getting filthier every day, meaning women like Rae are having to turn to "seedier" work in order to keep up with those demands, such as porn, live cams or escorting, all because of a feminist backlash.

The only difference between mine and Rae's jobs are our body shapes. We're both selling the same thing: sex. But you never see a thin, flat-chested model on Page 3, just like you don't see a glamour girl with Double D's in Vogue. Our sexually-charged facial expressions or poses are often similar, yet because fashion is aimed at a female or gay audience, it's considered acceptable.

As a society, we say that thin bodies with small breasts are couture-worthy, but rarely worthy enough for male attention. We put a petite girl with huge boobs in a family newspaper and it's instantly seen as sexual, but never 'fashionable'. A fashion model can stand there seductively and topless with no questions asked; a glamour girl will stand there topless and smiling, and suddenly she's letting women down.

To the 'No More Page 3' campaigners, large breasts screamed "sex". We've subconsciously placed women into categories and judged them based on their builds. Curves mean you're open to male objectification, never femininity.

There is nothing anti-feminist about wanting to look good or be desired, for yourself or for male attention. But there is something wrong when a self-proclaimed feminist tells other women how to behave.

And this is why I have a problem with the 'No More Page 3' campaign. You cannot state that you support and fight for women, all whilst telling some of those women what lifestyle choices are acceptable or not. There will never be anything feminist about that.

Pippa Middleton To Auction Clothes For British Heart Foundation

January 28, 2016, 10:39 am

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Been dreaming of dressing like Pippa Middleton? You're in luck, as the Royal sister is set to auction off her clothes for a very good cause.

The 32-year-old socialite has teamed up with the British Heart Foundation for its Roll out the Red auction to raise money for life saving research.

An online auction will take place ahead of the charity's fundraising ball on Thursday 11 February, and will include fashion items alongside once-in-a-lifetime holidays and experiences.



Middleton has donated a limited edition Tabitha Webb dress and scarf, that she helped design no less.

Other style items include a Keepsake sleeveless coat from The Saturdays' Mollie King and luxury designer pieces from Longchamp, I Love Lola and Aspinal of London.

There's also a date with Ollie Locke from 'Made In Chelsea' and a Valentine's Day weekend at Highclere Castle (where 'Downton Abbey' is filmed) on the cards.



Visit Rolloutauction.com to see a full list of auction prizes and how you can take part.

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