Fashion Blog

Victoria's Secret Hits London

2012-05-24T10:25:01Z

And about time too!

How very excited I was to read that Victoria's Secret will be opening their first UK stores in London just before the Olympic Games begin in an effort to cash in on the tourism boom.

The US lingerie brand will open a flagship store on New Bond Street on the 25th July, then in Westfield Stratford the following day.

Victoria's Secret are the best bras I have found, so comfortable yet don't compromise style - previously I have found that my comfortable bras were the ones I would rather die than let anyone see, but with Victoria's Secret they know how to design pretty, edgy, funky, stylish bras that feel amazing to wear.

My fiancé has just returned from Las Vegas with a Bombshell bra (he had a list!) which really is amazing. For all of you ladies who wish to boost your assets, this bra is like an instant boob job and completely knocks those other well known cleavage increasing bras out of the ballpark.

No more big stock ups when traveling to America, however those London shopping trips just got a bit more expensive :0)

Gelish Nails

2012-05-24T09:06:43Z

I’ve had fibreglass extensions with Josie from NailsMakeupMe, moved onto OPI Axxium gels, as were much more practical after having my son, as I could play with him as soon as nails were finished, but Josie has now convinced me to try gelish. I was hesitant about it simply because my nails are so bendy, and I know gelish goes on like a polish, however Josie eased my concerns by promising to build them up with the structure gel.

I love getting Josie over because she is such a great girl, we have fun and gossip, but I have never met anyone that is meticulous like she is, almost to OCD status! I’ve been in the beauty industry for over 10 years, and in this time have had many manicures and pedicures in 5 star spas, which have never met the standard that I have become accustomed to with Josie and gelish doesn’t disappoint.

It doesn’t take more than an hour, as usual, she checks, double checks and triple checks there is no ‘bleeding’ of colour at the side of the nails and she also always tidies the cuticles before starting – something I find even the most expensive of spas neglect.

There are 3 or 4 processes to the application

Foundation gel

Structure gel (only if like me, you have weak bendy nails)

Colour gel

Top it off.

Am I converted to gelish? Let’s see after 3 weeks which is how long my OPI axxium gels last, but in the meantime, pics below (colour is ‘red hot’).

Josie is offering Fashion Femme readers their first gelish manicure with her for £25 instead of £30, just mention this article when placing your booking. Remember Josie is freelance, so comes to your house/office/hotel in London or Bedfordshire www.nailsmakeupme.com Twitter @nailsmakeupme

Bare Minerals

2012-05-15T10:24:40Z

So, I had a clear out of my make up last month, and discovered 7 foundations that are more than half full due to them not delivering on what they promise. I decided enough is enough and went to a Bare Minerals counter to see what they could offer. I’ve always steered clear of mineral powder foundation after trying one previously and not getting on too well with it but thought I’d give the concept the benefit of the doubt.

Overview of my skin, it’s not great at times, I have a few scars from squeezing things I shouldn’t, it can be quite bumpy with those under skin spots that never come to anything, and so I really went into this consultation thinking ‘never gonna work’.

How wrong could I be?

You can repeat the application steps to get the coverage as light or heavy as you need and I left looking radiant! Bumped into a friend later who asked what my secret was, told her and she hot trotted it to the bare minerals counter too. I bought the get started pack (£49 - total bargain!) which comes with 2 foundations, 1 bronzer, 1 mineral veil (seals it all at the end), 1 concealer, and 3 brushes which are so lovely, and don’t shed all over your face leaving you looking questionably hairy! (I should also point out here, that the finish is so natural that my other half has occasionally asked me to cover up a blemish, as it is so unnoticeable, yet totally hides his spots!)

I hear they have just launched the pressed foundation, which I am dying to try too, so keep posted for my thoughts on that when I get my hands on one.

Here are my before and after pics to illustrate just how good the coverage is - Abby.

Not a great skin day!

Foundation - Medium beige, Concealer - Summer bisque, Bronzer - Warmth

Lets step this blog up a gear

2012-05-10T23:12:47Z

And what better way to do that than by introducing you all to our guest blogger and beauty crackerjack Ms Abby Summerville.

Abby has many years experience working within the Beauty, Hair and Spa industry and will be focussing her experience onto the beauty side of the blog; reviewing products, sample suggestions and giving you her thoughts on beauty must haves and those things best left on the shelves.

Her honest, knowledgeable approach promises to give our readers invaluable advice and save us all the time and money of trawling through products before finally finding those things we can't live without.

Hugo Boss Fact of the day

2012-05-03T15:23:28Z

Not quite sure why we got onto this subject but an interesting little fact for you that I learned during drinks with the girls on Tuesday evening...

..During the war, the German clothing factory that eventually became the international menswear powerhouse Hugo Boss designed and produced thousands of Schutzstaffel uniforms using forced prisoner of war labour. These uniforms were later adopted by the Nazi party which Hugo Boss himself became a member of in 1931.

In a 1946 denazification judgement, based on his early party membership, his financial support of the SS and the uniforms delivered to the Nazi party even before 1933, Boss was considered both an “activist” and a “supporter and beneficiary of National Socialism”. He was stripped of his voting rights, his capacity to run a business and, fined “a very heavy penalty” of 100,000 marks. He died in 1948 but his business survived.

So would this make you think twice about buying Hugo Boss products? It's certainly one to think and read more about - just as well I changed my signature scent, Deep Red is off the beauty shelf for now I think.

Iron Fist - Rocking the shoe love

2011-12-03T21:05:01Z

Phenomenal artwork and unique designs described as bold, impulsive, raw and unforgiving....Love it!

Don't get me wrong, I love classic but give me a bit of classic with a quirky twist and that just puts the cherry on my ice cream sundae.

Iron Fist is a brand to have fun with, mix it in with your staple wardrobe pieces to 'edge' things up a bit. A splash of graffiti art on my feet would just totally rock my world this party season.

Fashion should be playful, life is far too short to be too serious ;0)

Candy for cuties - 1930's future fashion predictions

2011-12-01T14:29:34Z

What a little gem of a find!

Lady Gaga has clearly been getting some inspiration from this

Now about that electric belt...Designers listen up, this is something you need to get working on - Imagine the sales at this time of year?

Max C Sample Sale - Everything just £10

2011-12-01T14:06:57Z

Alexander McQueen Sample Sale London

2011-12-01T13:10:36Z

An original Alexander McQueen piece in wardrobe is a must but lets be real here, not all of us (or even most of us) can stretch to £500 for a skull scarf so it's time to get your lovely selves down to the Alexander McQueen sample sale. The sale stated yesterday and runs until Saturday December 3rd, it features Womenswear, Meanswear and accessories from previous seasons so with Christmas gifts in mind or just pure indulgence this sale won't disappoint.

Just a quick shout out to Alexander McQueen Creative Director Sarah Burton for being honoured as Designer of the year at the British Fashion Awards 2011 - Very well deserved indeed.

Details on the below invitation , please note no invitation, no entry to the sale.

Deadmau5 - Nokia Lumia Live - Seriously Cool

2011-12-01T12:29:01Z

If you weren't lucky enough to get down to Millbank Tower London on Monday to witness this live then here's a little, seriously gob smackingly cool treat for you.

The amazing Deadmau5 put on an epic half hour set combined with a 4D multimedia extravaganza to celebrate the launch of the Nokia Lumia 800

Power to the people at Nokia - this was a launch to remember.