Lookey Likey

Hey, all!

The first celebrity 'Dress for Less' look I will be doing is Emma Watson. Suprise, surprise! Emma recently joined Oxford University for a year and she uploaded an image to her blog in which she showed off her outfit and happiness at her first day at uni. Looking like a true student, in more expensive clothing, Emma looks young and fashionable. Here's the image that I took the inspiration from:

Shirt: Gingham Woven Shirt from Forever 21 (£16.75)

Jeans: Selected Femme Distressed Skinny Jeans from ASOS (RRP £75.00 reduced to £38.00 - Be quick: these are in the sale)

Parka: Atticus Women's Kaiser Fur Hooded Parka Jacket in Khaki from Play.com (£34.99)

Boots: Wenda Style from LinziShoes (£30.00)

Bag: Liberty Bags Large Tote with Zipper Closure from Amazon (£4.99+£3.99 Shipping)

Rebecca xx

Christmas Crackers!

Hey there!

For the Christmas season, I ordered two outfits for the parties I won't be going to! I had an offer on Oasis and decided to take advantage of it and I'm glad I did. I absolutely adore Oasis: the quality of their clothes is amazing and well worth the price even though you might feel a bit guilty about spending so much money at first. So when they arrived, and very quickly (fantastic service), I couldn't decide between the two, so my lovely mum said she would give me them for Christmas. What a star! So here are the two items I got:

The Satin Crepe Jumpsuit:

This is an absolutely gorgeous jumpsuit and feels wonderful on the skin. I probably won't wear the belt or I might buy another one, but I have to make my mind up first. The silk top is a halter neck with spaghetti straps and quite loose-fitting but fitting at the waist, but I will probably have to get it taken in as its too loose-fitting. If you're conscious about your legs then the wide-leg design of this jumpsuit hides those flaws that you're uncomfortable with, which is why it appealed to me so much. This would look amazing with a tan and I would probably be wearing fake bake to Christmas dinner with the family. They do stock this in a purple, but I'm a bit shy about what I wear - as much as I love fashion - so this is perfect for me!

The next item I got what the Tipped Pencil Dress:

This dress is a fitted shift dress and has a zipper at the back that nips in at the waist and sticks to every possibly curve! The bright pop of colour brightens up the black like the Christmas decorations brighten up those dark Christmas nights. In the picture, the model must be about 5'10 because I stand at 5'5 and it reaches below my knees. It has lining underneath which makes it difficult to put on but once you rearrange it out of the twisted mess, it's wonderful!    

My sister also bought this gorg number:

It's one of those illusion dresses that people like Kate Winslet are loving and the high street are beginning to emulate. It does give the illusion of being slimmer and it the perfect style for my sister. If you're looking for something flirty and young, then definitely go for this creation. It's not fitted so it's comfortable and fashionable at the same time. Absolutely beautiful!

Fabulous Fashion: My Favourite Dresses Of All Time

Hiya, everybody!

In light of the recent publication of '100 Unforgettable Dresses' by Hal Rubenstein I have decided to choose my favourite dresses of all time. Some you may like, some you may not and I'd like to see what you think. This is in no particular order, so here goes.


So, first up is the Hubert de Givenchy dress Audrey Hepburn wore to the 1954 Oscars, an display of style and elegance. Givenchy had been expecting to dress Katherine Hepburn but was shocked (and probably grateful in retrospect) by the appearance of impish Audrey dressed in a t-shirt and sandals. It was following this that Givenchy began to dress Audrey frequently with great results that still resonate today. The belted ivory lace floral designer dress gave further definition to Audrey's tiny waist and quickly marked her a fashion icon.

In 1994, 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' was being released, but no one remembers much about the premiere but "That Dress". Who could forget that unmistakable Versace dress that Hugh Grant's date wore? Unknown at the time, Elizabeth Hurley made a bold decision by dressing in a black plunging dress held together by strategically placed large gold pins to hold her in place. It was a dramatic choice and is considered Versace's finest dress and the moment Elizabeth became known around the world. Made from a combination of silk and Lycra it is claimed to be inspired by "neo-punk" - well, maybe a more feminine and sultry version of it.

Who wouldn't love to stand outside Tiffany's and munch away on your breakfast in that elegant way Audrey Hepburn does? But more than that, who doesn't want to be wearing that dress? A beautiful piece that inspires millions of women around the world to invest in LBDs. One half designed by Givency and the other by Edith Head as the length originally designed was not suitable for the film and so Head had to created a longer length. Made from Italian satin sheath with a slightly open back to reveal her shoulders and creating a gorgeous, memorable figure. Designed specifically to accentuate her waif features, Givency ensured the accessories (including those fab sunglasses) matched the look down to a T; thus becoming the "Hepburn" look and is still the basis on which every LBD is designed around.

Grace Kelly: actress, princess and style queen. She is the epitome of fashion and proves that simple and understated are always a winner. Her clothes are timeless and classic and the same can be said for the clothes designed in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Rear Window'.  The Paris dress she wears in the film has a fitted black bodice with a plunging V-neck with cap sleeves. The skirt, full and made of gorgeous chiffon and tulle gave Grace the appearance of a ballerina. Clearly designed by Edith Head, one of the most famous costume designers of film, it is delicate and beautiful and gives Grace the perfect silhouette, reminiscent of the '50s and the floral spray on the skirt feminises what could be considered a tomboyish cut. A stunning dress for a stunning woman.

It was the designer, Jacqueline Durran's intention to create a diverse outfit that varied from the "scruffy, slumpy and bumpy" fashion adopted by upper-class females in the '30s and '40s; thus Keira Knightly's fabulous, beautiful gress was created. The fabric was made from an emerald green silk - a controversial choice for any film as it can render the audience uncomfortable, but green is often seen through Atonement like the fields in France and the kitchen walls of the estate in the film. A loose-fit around the bust with spaghetti straps descending to the lower-back is a wonderful creation that exudes temptation. The waist is gathered and has been knotted at the front which drops to a straight skirt and a rear train. A gorgeous dress that suited Keira's slight figure and alabaster skin.

 

Marilyn Monroe is an ionic sex symbol to both men and women and a fabulous icon for fashion. Monroe's approach to clothes was the sexier the better and she proved it in the number she wore to sing for President Kennedy's birthday. A flesh-coloured floor-length gown that was encrusted with rhinestones designed by Jean Luis, it curves around Marilyn's body so tightly that it has been said it had to be sewn on. It's almost a work of art that encompasses everything about femininity and elegance.

In the film 'Pillow Talk' which stars Doris Day and Rock Hudson, Doris wears a fabulous range of clothes to coincide with her job as an interior designer. One particularly stunning dress that I adored was the dress she wears in the nightclub where Rock is sitting nearby. It is a white calf-length dress that has a biased, ruched bodice with a large waistband. The front and back has a contrast: the front has a high neckline and the back drops in a V to her waist. It highlights her fab white-blonde hair and she accessories it plainly with white, simple gloves. It is an understated piece which is just beautiful.

**I apologise for this crap picture - no one seems to have upload the full length picture, but I would recommend watching the film! 

A controversial choice, I must admit, but being a lover of all things Emma Watson I can't help but love everything she wears, including this Oscar de la Renta number that may not to be everyones taste. The simple embroidery on the bodice meant that she did not have to adorn herself with jewellery. With its voluminous size, the colour is kept neutral and simple in order to keep things simple and the attention on the detailing of the skirt. Her young age meant that the neckline and lack of jewellery was perfect and ensured it was fresh and funky. A somewhat daring dress for Emma to wear, but she carries it off perfectly and naturally.

The glamorous dress Kate Winslet wore to the 2002 Oscars was designed by Ben de Lisi was simple in design, but magnificent in effect. Everything was created around the asymmetric shoulder made from a leaf-design that was delicate and feminine. The neckline had a twisted affect and then the dress fell straight with a pleated skirt and rear train. The red hot colour of this emphasised Kate's pale English skin and to ensure the dress was a complete knockout, Kate kept her hair and make-up minimal which is the look we have all come to love from this beautiful woman.

I just had to choose a Princess Diana dress and a blue dress (my favourite colour) and this one is just simply breathtaking. The soft, powder blue chiffon dress has a strapless neckline that compliments her bronzed skin tone beautifully. She matched it with a simple scarf that was integral to the look of the dress, and to-die-for jewels - as usual. Designed by Catherine Walker, this creation has ruching around the bust and a waist band that crosses over one another and falls to a straight skirt that slightly fills out. Princess Diano had evolved her fashion credentials through her years as a public figure and this dress displays her fabulous eye for fashion.

So, there we have. My list is massive in reality, but I don't have the time or energy to write about all the fantastic dresses I love. But please, let me know what some of your favourites are. I'm always interested in other's opinions!

Rebecca xx

Facial Fun

I thought I would let you know how I prepare my face for my make-up in the morning and then what I use for make-up each day.

First, I'll let you know what my skin's like. When I hit puberty, my face was bombared with spots and oily areas. I didn't use make-up for the first couple of years of secondary school except a lick of mascara. Then, when I got interested in make-up, I began using Dermalogica products for my oily and acne-prone skin (it wasn't severe acne, but it was reaching that point). I'm not sure if they do the same products, but it consisted of an anti-bacterial wash, a multi-active toner, an oil control lotion and an overnight gel to remove sebum and reduce breakouts. I presumed it was working, because my skin was clearing and felt healthier than it had before, but then I was diagnosed with a hormonal condition and so I thought that maybe that had made my skin better. But don't get me wrong, Dermalogica are fantastic products, if a little on the pricey side of things. I would really recommend these.

Then, once my hormones returned to their normal balance, my face took a U-turn and returned to its former mess. Because I presumed my skin was oily, I got the Simple Moisturiser for oily skin. Complete mistake! It stripped my skin and left me in a flaky, disgusting mess ... not nice. I quickly binned that.

I now have the Garnier Pure Deep Clean Wash for normal/combination skin and the Olay Nourishing Day Fluid for normal/dry/combination skin. These both have been a God-send: my skin is looking and feeling much better. The spots on my cheeks have almost disappeared as well as those on my forehead. The only spots I get now are during my period or around my hairline after sports and such. I cleanse my skin twice daily with the Garnier wash: once in the morning and once at night with warm water. Then I close my pores with cold water as well as removing the cleanser. I haven't found a really good toner that doesn't hurt my skin (not that it's sensitive), so if anyone has any suggestions, I'd be really grateful! Then I use my Olay moisturiser by tapping in into my skin - a tip I learned from watching missglamorazzi's 'Evening Skincare Routine' on Youtube (I'll put the link down below) - which helps your skin soak in the moisturiser better than just rubbing it in. The only thing I don't like about the Olay product is that at night, it leaves a greasy layer on my skin and take a while to skin in, but other than that, I love it! I still have redness across my cheeks from scarring (although, I have never popped a spot), but I can live with it for now. I might invest in a Clarisonic if I feel I have it. But this routine took me a while to see the benefits and also I have used several different products through my time using skin-care, so I would recommend doing the same until you find products which benefit you most.

Then, onto make-up. After my morning skincare routine, I must use a primer because my make-up slides off otherwise. I previously used the Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Smoother primer because my mum had used it and didn't like it (her make-up doesn't slide off!) and gave it to me (I am only 16), but due to that being about £8/£9, I decided to get the 17 Photo Flawless Skin Primer. Both do the same thing and are as equally as good, but the 17 primer is cheaper.

Then I use the Maybelline New York Pure Liquid Mineral Foundation in Nude021. It has an SPF 15 in it, which is always good. It gives a medium to full coverage and is a good base for my make-up. It does need a touch-up of powder throughout the day, just on my forehead, but it's a great foundation.

The concealer I use is Natural Collection's Liquid Concealer in Medium which is great for covering up blemishes and dark circles under my eyes. But I'm not anamoured with it, so I'll probably get the Collection 2000 that everybody raves about.

Then I use Natural Collection Pressed Power in Warm to set my foundation. It gives a slight colour to the skin, but doesn't make my foundation look cakey which is always a good thing. All my Natural Collection products were bought when I didn't have a lot of money with me and was in need of products for holiday and with the perpertual 3 for 2 offer, you can't complain. A lot of people have spoken to me about the Maybelline Pressed Powder and my hand keeps going for it when I'm in Boots, but I'll wait until I'm finished my current powder.

The bronzer I used is Rimmel's Natural Bronzer in Sun Glow 025. It's not great, and I don't really like the coverage it gives. It might have something to do with my crappy brush, but I'm beginning to really hate it. It's quite shimmery and I won't be buying it again!

My blush is Natural Collection's Blushed Cheeks in Peach Melba. I can't get enough of the blush and is the one I most readily reach for. It gives a natural flushed look and is a gorgeous finish! For the price of it, the colour is beautiful and the pigment is great! I also use the Rimmel Smoked Oyster 037 Powder Blush. It had more brown tones and it great for the summer months when you're looking for a more bronzed look instead of a flushed look. But the packaging! It's crap. It takes your teeth to open it and then the blush breaks easily - I wish Rimmel would really fix this.

^^ The photo doesn't so it justice at all - sorry!

Then I set my make-up with the same pressed power and then onto my mascara. I'm always switching between mascara, but I tend to go for ones to improve volume and length. I'm currently using Natural Collection's Lash Length Mascara which is good for its price as it gives good length and seperates them well.

The lip products I most use are Rimmel's Moisture Renew Lipstick in Rose Sobert 110 which is ah-mazing. I got this about six months ago and fell in love with it - but I am a bit funny with lip products and don't tend to wear bright products. I usually just dab this on and then spread it, but it is gorgeous. It is a frosty lipstick, so if you don't like the glitter, I would advise against this. And another point: the packaging is so pretty and it really does moisturise your lips. Another product I use is Estee Lauder's Long Lasting Lipstick Pure Colour in Beige 12. It's a brown lipstick, but also a nude and shimmery. I was given this by my gran who got it as a free gift with a purchase she made and it's really pretty and for those days when you're not feeling very outrageous. And my last lip product is Rimmel's (can you see a pattern here?) Stay Glossy Lipgloss in Endless Night (I think - the lettering has rubbed off ... which is another thing I hate about Rimmel's products). It's a rosy, brown colour. The texture is perfection: like putting Vaseline onto your lips! I love it and always return to it.

From left to right: Rimmel Stay Glossy Lipgloss, Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick, Estee Lauder Long Lasting Lipstick, Rimmel Natural Bronzer, Natural Collection Blushed Cheeks

... So there you go, my facial routine. Hope that gave you insight into the kinds of products I use.

Rebecca xx

Missglamorazzi's skincare routine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvt9AF6n_wg

Christmas Savings!

Hi

I would like to say that I have bought all of these products with my own money and am not endorsing any products or have been asked by any company to promote their products. And also the savings images are copyrighted to the websites - they do not belong to me!

First and foremost, I want to apologise for the standard of these photos. I was just so excited to write my first proper post that I took no consideration for lighting or a good camera. A good camera is not possible due to my non-existent income: I am at secondary (high school) and unable to buy one and I don't want to ask my parents for one - they're so expensive. So if anyone has any tips on how to improve pictures, please let my know. And for the lighting: it is winter just now and gets dark around 4-5 o'clock, when I'm returning from school. So most photography posts will take place at the weekend. Sorry for that!

I went shopping with my twin sister today as many teachers across Britain are striking today. Bad for exam prep, good for some retail therapy. In school, me and my friends are doing 'Secret Santa' and I selected a girl whom is new to the group and I don't really know. That was a problem! I was wavering between River Island's trio of Model's Own nail polishes for only £10 and something else ... But then I went into Boots and I saw their amazing 3 for 2 offer on their gifts and toys. I went about thirty minutes in the shop, trying to figure out what to get her and another friend who I was buying for. And then I spotted the FCUK The Woman Pampers giftset which contains were Signature range: Signature Bodywash (75ml), Signature Bodyspray (75ml), Signature Body Wash (75ml) and Signature Body Polish (75ml). I think this is fantastic value and the products are of great quality and smell! I hope she's happy with it.

The other two things I purchased for another friend (and got one free!) were The No7 and Poppy King Celebrate Balmy & Beautiful and the Sancutary Spa Perfect Sanctuary Essentials.

The No7 and Poppy King Celebrate Calmly Beautiful is a brilliant pressie for a friend who loves her expensive drug-store make-up. Bit of a contradiction there, sorry! It's a steal at just £10 and contains two lipstick, a multiple cheek stick and great blotting papers which are brilliant for those days when your skin just won't comply with your needs. Perfect for the real girly girls!

The Sancutary Spa Perfect Sanctuary Essentials is perfect for someone interested in treating their skin and keeping it soft and supple. It contains little bottles of Body Wash, Foaming Bath Soak, Body Scrub, Body Lotion and Luxury Bath Float. A great little set for only £10. Perfect for mothers, aunties and friends alike. Or maybe just as a little treat after hauling yourself around the shops all day!

I love Christmas and all the deals- they're great if you have a tight budget or maybe want to spend more on family instead of splashing out for friends. These are just some of the deals that are accessible near you:

Debenhams:

ASOS:

Superdrug:

Boots:

New Look:

Happy shopping!!

Rebecca xx

Welcome!

Hi there!


After watching YouTube videos and reading blogs incessantly for almost a year now, I have, somewhat wearily, took my first steps into blogging. I hope to share my reviews, my inspirations, and my opinions with all of you who take the time to read any sort of blog! This may be a terrible idea and not reach any of my expectations, but I'll endure.


And so with that ... welcome to my blog, "Beauty in Practice" and thanks for reading the first post of many (hopefully)


:)
Rebecca x