What’s in Your Makeup? The Organic Alternatives

For those who made the decision to transition over to organic food, you might not have considered the benefits of doing the same with your makeup too. It’s not the first thing More »

What’s Your Favourite Fashion Show?

For those who get their fashion news from a limited number of sources – such as word-of-mouth and via whatever you see on the highstreet – it’s very possible that you only More »

Hot Fashion Picks for this Summer

If you don’t really get caught into the hype of the ever-changing fashion world, it’s easy to fall out of touch with what the trendies are going crazy over. However, we all More »

 

What’s in Your Makeup? The Organic Alternatives

organic makeup

For those who made the decision to transition over to organic food, you might not have considered the benefits of doing the same with your makeup too. It’s not the first thing you think of, as you might not feel as though you’re ‘consuming’ it, in the way that you are with food, but if you’re an organic convert and you’d like to play things by the book, you have to make sacrifices somehow. Changing your makeup from the usual brands to organic ones isn’t as much of as a task as you may think and it won’t break your bank, as you may assume, but there’s often not enough information on where to source it. Here’s why you should think about what you’re applying to your skin and what the alternatives are.

What’s in Your Makeup? – As far back as there have been girl enhancing their beauty, toxic chemicals have been spread across the faces of those very people. Since this is nothing new – it’s been going on for centuries – you’d think that times would have moved on and safe options would have been used by now. However, a recent National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health said that as many as 900 of the chemicals used in cosmetics are toxic. While they’re clearly safe in those doses, do you really want to expose yourself to them? They’re noted for potentially causing anemia, cancer, asthma and, ironically, early signs of aging. Combat that now and side with the organic alternatives available out there.

What are the organic alternatives? – Primarily, Naturisimo are specialists in this field and pride themselves on being one of the most popular sources, which are able to supply different options of the same high standard, but by using solely organic products. Amongst the other notable brands which achieve this are Burt’s Bees, Jason Natural Cosmetics and Tom’s of Maine, all of which have spiralled in popularity recently. However, even some of these have been known to use substances such as parabens, phthalates, and talc, which are best avoided by those who want to be as cautious as possible with their makeup.

What’s Your Favourite Fashion Show?

Catwalk

For those who get their fashion news from a limited number of sources – such as word-of-mouth and via whatever you see on the highstreet – it’s very possible that you only get fed second-hand information on the trends. You might want all that to change and literally see into the future of fashion and what the top designers have planned for the upcoming months. Well the easiest way to do so is to follow the bi-annual and annual fashion events, which happen all around the world.

Below is a rundown of the top ones, for newbies. For those in-the-know, which is your favourite?

1. New York Fashion Week. The first of its kind and designed, initially, to take the prominence of the Western European influence on local fashion, New York Fashion Week has become a mammoth event. It’s an invite-only showcase of some of the country’s (thus some of the world’s) most notable fashion brands’ latest lines – spring/summer and fall/winter. With all the hype which surrounds it, Americans may confuse it for the only one in existence, but the big name designers could make it seem that way.

2. London Fashion Week. Starting back in 1984, the retail-focused event offers the public a chance to get cut-price garments, as well as it gives the press an early insight to the upcoming season’s tastes from UK and other designers from around the world.

3. Milan Fashion Week. As one of the more traditional events, which is able to pull in some of the undisputedly most revered fashion brands around, Milan holds more influence than many may assume.

4. Paris Fashion Week. As the final one in the ‘Big Four’ cycle, Paris always hold out to deliver a massive show filled with all the extra details which the rest left out on. Don’t jump the gun and side with the rest, before you’ve seen what Paris have to offer.

5. Sydney Fashion Week. Known more commonly as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Australia’s premier fashion show might not receive the same level of attention of the others (which are collectively known as the ‘Big Four’) but its unique take on the Western stylings keeps inspiring the cutting-edge of contemporary fashion.

Hot Fashion Picks for this Summer

Summer Fashion

If you don’t really get caught into the hype of the ever-changing fashion world, it’s easy to fall out of touch with what the trendies are going crazy over. However, we all know that not everyone has the sort of time on their hands to commit to being dragged into it either. For those who are conscious of the styles coming in and out of the catwalks, but haven’t got the time to check every blog’s latest entry about what you need to be wearing, it’s always nice to have a bitesize idea of what’s in. Consider it a one-stop-shop for some high end additions to your wardrobe this season.

Here’s a brief rundown of some hot fashion accessories for the summer:

1. Falabella Cross Body Python Bag. Get your instant fix for a little more Stella McCartney with an accessory which you can pick up and wear at any opportunity. If you’re just looking to have a touch of the brand at your disposal.

2. McQ Razor Blade Print Scarf. You might have seen other Alexander McQueen designs floating about, but this is the one you can expect to see taking over the ‘Skulls’ one in popularity for this year.

3. Linda Patent Wedge Sandal. We know just how difficult it can be for some girls to go without brand new Stella McCartney shoes. If you’re one of them, these are the ones you need to be stocking up on. The wedge is in and Stella McCartney do it well with this one.

4. Gaia Scarf. Have you ever had a reason to question Vivienne Westwood? Of course not. That’s why you should just follow her lead and try out a Gaia for size.

5. Preppy Straw Ragosa Tote Bag. Quite frankly, if you haven’t seen one of these out and about let, you haven’t been down the highstreet to know. This bag is an utter essential which all the girls seem to agree with, as you can’t walk too far away from your house without coming across one. Don’t be left out and make sure you have one to show off too.

Our Favourite Designers

Fashion Designers

You know what it’s like with fashion – the minute one year’s come through and another has passed, people are quick to latch onto the whatever the next bubbling brand appears to be, while fad ones are abandoned. However, there’s always going to be a select pack which stand strong are able to withstand any slight changes in the market and continue to deliver great new designs year upon year. For those who aren’t able to keep on top of the rapid movements of the industry and the turbulent market which it follows, the following is a beginner’s guide to it all.

Here’s our favourite five fashion houses and what they have to offer their customers this year:

1. McQ. Due in part to the passing of Alexander McQueen and the fact that one of his dresses was worn at the 2011 Royal Wedding, McQ’s clothing has gone through a massive boost in popularity. A-listers are getting in the hype to the same degree as high street fashionistas, so you should too.

2. Prada. With a plan to bring the ‘50s back for 2012, Prada’s Italian culture-soaked stylings have kept their popularity flowing this year. Other designers might think that it’s about the 1960s in 2012, but if you want to buck that trend, these will be the ones to keep on track of.

3. Chanel. Indian-inspired tweeds are the flavour of the month for Chanel, who’s very pure and elegant designs are often noted for their light tones. Taking a slight diversion from their typical path, this might suit the more adventurous person, but they’ve still kept their traditional styling intact too.

4. Ralph Lauren. Never ones to fall out of the winner’s circle of essential brands to look into, Ralph Lauren have continued to keep their names on the tips of the tongues of the fashionables everywhere. Their richness, which bridges the modern-day with old school, sporty with casual, keeps them ones to watch for this year.

5. Jil Sander. With a desire to push their effortless branding into the clothing designs, Jil Sander keep things simple and floaty this time around. It’s the perfect time for it too – just as the Sun starts coming out a bit more, you’ve got sharp, sophisticated, but light designs at your fingertips.