Spring Style: The 60s, Monochrome & Floral Print

The 60s is a key fashion trend this spring/summer. Designers, in particular Louis Vuitton and Moschino, showcased shift dresses, cropped trousers and boxy jackets in typical sweet spring shades. However, it wasn’t all pastels and pretty floral prints on the catwalks. Surprisingly there was also a strong emphasis on black and white.

Monochrome is timeless and one of the easiest ways to sport the 60s trend. It's also flattering and there are a number of ways to wear it - stripes, spots or block colour. Add low-heeled pointed shoes and a ladylike handbag and you have a one-way ticket to 60s chic!

 

Dress – Penneys/Primark

Shoes – Asos

Earrings – Penneys/Primark

 

 

 

Dress – Warehouse

Shoes – Asos

Bag – Vintage  

 

 

 

Beauty Review: Dermalogica Products

 

Last year I resolved to take better care of my skin and invest in some high-end skincare products. I typically have normal/dry skin but I'm also prone to flare-ups of dermatitis. With my skin’s propensity for extreme dryness, I was concerned about premature ageing. I chose Dermalogica over other skincare brands for a number of reasons. (1) Dermalogica classifies skin care as a health issue as opposed to a cosmetic concern. Its products are free from common irritants and ingredients found in budget skincare products. (2) My sister uses Dermalogica products and swears by them. (3) Dermalogica products repeatedly win beauty awards in respected women's magazines. (4) Jessica Alba, Victoria Beckham and Lucy Liu have all stated they use Dermalogica products. If they’re good enough for them, eh?! Millies Beauty Rooms have the best value Dermalogica products in the country. You can buy online here

Intensive Moisture Balance (€41.95 for 100ml, €31.25 for 50ml): This is an ultra-rich cream for dry or prematurely-ageing skin. Vitamins A, C and E and nourishing ingredients such as ginkgo, wild yam and grape seed all work together to smooth dry lines and reduce the signs of premature ageing. I noticed a huge improvement after using this for a few days. My skin looked plumped up and dry patches disappeared. As Intensive Moisture Balance doesn’t contain SPF, I use it as my night cream.

Daily Microfoliant (€37.50 Winner of ‘Best Facial Exfoliator’, InStyle Best Beauty Buys 2012): This exfoliator is unique in the sense that it is a powder formula. It transforms into a creamy paste upon contact with water. This paste is so gentle that it can be used every day and around the delicate eye area which is ideal if, like me, you suffer from dry patches under your eyes. Like Intensive Moisture Balance it is packed full of gorgeous ingredients such as rice enzymes, salicylic acid, grapefruit, liquorice, green tea and colloidal oatmeal. Daily Microfoliant effectively removes dulling skin cells leaving skin smoother and brighter. It also soothes the skin while helping to balance uneven skin pigmentation.

 

Fair Maidens Rejoice: Rimmel's New Match Perfection Foundation In 010 Light Porcelain Is Super Pale!

 

010 Light Porcelain

Budget brands are improving their foundations all the time in terms of coverage, longevity and packaging yet their shades remain terribly limited. Many budget foundations are simply too dark for girls with pale or Celtic skin tones; what is labelled ‘ivory’ is usually soft beige or something bordering on tangerine! I found this was the case with two of the most popular budget foundations launched this year. Both Rimmel Wake Me Up and Bourjois Healthy Mix’s lightest offerings were at least two shades too dark for me.

 When my fair friend Laura told me she had found the ultimate pale foundation in Rimmel Match Perfection I was sceptical at first. Match Perfection has been around since 2010 and I had never heard it applauded for its light shades. However, unbeknownst to me, Rimmel launched a new Match Perfection foundation in November and its lightest shade is now a beautiful porcelain!

  
This is definitely the palest budget foundation shade I have come across. If you're lighter than NW10-15 in MAC foundations I would recommend trying this. The foundation itself is a light liquid formula which smells lovely, very like Bourjois Healthy Mix. It blends in effortlessly and gives light to medium coverage. Rimmel Match Perfection is marketed as an illuminating foundation but it doesn’t have any obvious radiance sparkles in it. Rather, it leaves a natural finish with a subtle glow. I find it lasts all day on my normal/dry skin and doesn’t emphasise any dry patches. 

The truth is I’m in love with this foundation – the glass bottle, the pump dispenser, the price (€9.95), the SPF of 18, the gorgeous finish and the fact that it actually matches my ghostly complexion perfectly. Yes, match perfection indeed!  

An Alternative Christmas Dessert: Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

I'm a huge fan of traditional Christmas desserts – mince pies, Christmas pudding, Yule log – I love them all. However, many people don't. Here’s a recipe for a non-traditional Christmas dessert, a lighter option but still delicious and festive. If you’re flat broke this Christmas, these would make a gorgeous gift. Wrap in cellophane and tie with a big red ribbon.

I found this recipe in Easy Food magazine and altered it slightly. You will need:
400g sugar, pinch of salt, 90g butter, 240ml double cream, 100g mini marshmallows, 940g plain chocolate (this seems like an enormous amount but trust me,  you need it all!), 1 teaspoon peppermint essence, half teaspoon vanilla essence.

1.       Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper. Coat evenly with cooking spray or melted butter. Break the chocolate into pieces.

2.       Put the sugar, salt, butter, cream and marshmallows in a saucepan. Stir over a medium heat for 5-6 minutes until the butter and marshmallows are almost melted.

3.       Bring the mixture to the boil and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

4.       Once it has been removed from the heat, add the chocolate, peppermint and vanilla. Stir until melted.

5.       Pour the mixture into the lined dish.

6.       Allow to cool at room temperature for 3 hours. If you disturb the cooling phase, you increase the likelihood of seed crystals forming which causes grainy fudge. Lift the fudge out of the dish using the edges of the greaseproof paper. Remove the paper and cut into squares.

Festive Beauty Tutorial: Santa Hat Nails

 

Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me

I've been an awful good girl

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Show Santa you’ve been on your best behaviour this year by painting the man’s trademark hat on your nails. Once he’s catches a glimpse of your red and white beauties, he’ll be so honoured you’re bound to get that 54 convertible (in light blue)!

 

You will need a base coat, red nail polish, white nail polish (this can be difficult to get your hands on, the most affordable one I could find is by Natural Collection), nail polish remover, a cotton bud and a top coat.

Left to right: Sally Hansen Complete Care 4-in-1 Treatment, 17 Fast Finish in Knockout Red, Natural Collection in Nail Tip Whitener

 

After your base coat has dried, take your red polish and paint a triangle shape on your nails. The top of the triangle should be pointing to your cuticles. Don’t worry if it’s looking a bit rough, you can tidy it up with a cotton bud soaked in nail polish remover.

 

Once this has dried, take your white polish and create the trim of Santa’s hat. Do this by painting the tips of your nails but bend the brush slightly, you want a curved trim. To create the bobble of Santa’s hat, paint a rough circle on the top of the triangle. Finish with a top coat and a glass of mulled wine…or two. Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

The Retro Suitcase In U Magazine's Fashion Diary!

I was thrilled to feature in U magazine’s Fashion Diary (issue 24 which went on sale November 19^th). Special thanks to Aoife, Maggie and Jen who all played the role of photographer.

Winter Style: Pinafore Dresses, Cosy Knits & Collars

 

 

 

Pinafore dresses are experiencing somewhat of a revival this Autumn/Winter. Save some cash and treat an old sleeveless dress like a pinafore. Put a snug jumper underneath it and voilà, a completely new outfit! A skater dress would be perfect for this. A detachable collar is the ultimate accessory to smarten up your new pinafore. Learn how to make your own here.

Dress – LOVE at Topshop

Jumper – F&F at Tesco

Collar – Handmade by myself

Boots – River Island