TREND REPORT: Double Winged Eyeliner

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I love make up. I am a complete make up hoarder. But when it comes to experimenting with make up, I’m really not that brave. So I often look for subtle ways to change my make up from the usual day or night routine. This double winged eyeliner trend is subtle yet sleek so fits in perfectly with my not-so-outgoing-make up. I know what you’re thinking – it’s hard enough getting one pair of eyeliner wings to match, let alone two pairs – but get it right, and the payoff is worth it. Embraced by Kim Kardashian for years and spotted at Peter Philip’s first catwalk for Christian Dior for their Spring/Summer ’15 collection, the trend can be adjusted to your own style. It can be as bold and dramatic as you like; infusing colours, sparkles and glitters, or as subtle as you want; a small, blurred wing pulled out from the lower lash line. Not something to try for the first time before you go out, this trend will take practice and when you do, keep near you lots of cotton buds (or Q tips) to wipe away those pesky strays.

Will this be a trend you will be incorporating into your make up?

 

makingup xo

New Look Autumn/ Winter 14 Collection Preview

Although it feels like it barely passed, AW is upon us again and summer is very nearly over. It’s my favourite time of year for fashion and I’m so excited for the brand new array of coats, boots and evening outfits to hit shop floors this September. I was lucky enough to attend the Autumn Winter 2014 New Look Press Event back in May and am so excited to show you some exclusive pictures of their new collection and key trends for this Autumn/Winter.

The peep toe trend has officially come full circle. From being a trend synonymous with the 1940’s, it has made its way through the designer circle and slipped down in to the high street stores, with New Look taking it under their wing, displaying some lovely peep toe options. The cut out detailing and the buckle make this peep toe boot rather biker-ish, and the simpler sleek mules, reference a SS14 Whistles pair, at a much more affordable price. Both can be easily teamed with skinny jeans and a casual top for a stylish day time outfit.

Similar to the Topshop jumpsuit we have all seen this season, which comes in black, pink and white – New Look have done their own (and hopefully slightly cheaper) version. Again symbolising a classic Whistle’s design from the SS14 season, the jumpsuit is strapless, fitted and with a straight leg. On the back there is also an oval cut out shape, but avoids the no bra dilemma by still keeping a band on the back.

If you fell in love with the 90’s this season, like I definitely did with Iggy Azeala’s Fancy video and Kylie Jenner’s make up, then there is something for you here. This shoe and bag combo screams the 90’s. The low chunky heel and pointy top is something you’ll definitely see on the feet of the women in the films Sliding Doors or American Beauty! And the check detailing of course relating to Iggy’s take on the Clueless outfit.

Just because winter is here, it doesn’t mean you have to throw your pastels away and move to dark reds and purples. By combining some texture, New Look has created the winter pastels. I’m not sure how confident I would be carrying the pink fluffy tote bag just yet, but can see a more stylish person carrying it off perfectly. The suede texture on the shoes and the leather crocodile skin effect on the bag also make this pastel blue a staple winter edition.

 

Do you have your eye on anything in this collection? I know I do…

 

MU EDIT

Oh My Love Fishnet LBD

Oh My Love has done it again. They somehow just continually get it right for me when it comes to LBD’s. Bought on a whim during their sale, I thought afterwards that I might regret it. The very plunging neckline is not me at all, and I will definitely need to invest in some sort of keep-everything-in-place-sticker-bras as there is no way I can get away with wearing a bra with this dress!

With the flash sale, and a very generous discount code, the dress only cost me £12.50 (inc p+p) and as it’s RRP was £39. How could I say no?

Just a heads up on Oh My Love’s sizing as in dresses I am normally an 8, which usually correlates to a small but in Oh My Love I seem to always be an XS (feel good factor moment!) so I would suggest if you’re not sure, and can’t afford to buy 2 dresses and send one back – go for the smaller size!

The fishnet details are key this season, with the Nicole x Miss Guided collection sporting it on almost every dress.

I’m still yet to wear it out – and I will definitely post pictures when I do. But I am thinking I would team this with either simple black heels, and a black studded clutch OR grey/beige shoes, and grey clutch.

I would try not to overdo it with accessories and make up, and I would definitely stay away from a red lip, which with the fishnet detail could make you look more stripper than sophisticated sexy!

 What bargain have you recently picked up?

making up xo

Miss Selfridge Monochrome Buys

It doesn’t matter if the warm weather blessed us this weekend, it didn’t stop me splashing out on my favourite colours, black and white!

The off white/cream, fluffy jumper is perfect for slipping under a light jacket and pretty much goes with everything and the black square neck crop top is a real bounce back from the 90’s. It really reminds me of the Spice Girls and I love it! Especially for just £8. It’s ideal for days and nights, and comes in a variety of colours including mint, nude and white.

CHUNKY CHELSEA BOOTS PART 2

 

Chunky Chelsea boots // BooHoo // £30

I know I’m late on the bandwagon but I have wanted a pair of chunky Chelsea boots for ages. I found my perfect pair on Miss Guided but they were forever out of my size. I finally found them on BooHoo, exactly the same pair just £5 cheaper! 

These are a size 4 and are a lot comfier than I thought they would be. The heel is sturdy and I feel steady walking in them – I never wear heels on an everyday basis so this is a first for me! 

I really recommend these as they can be worn in the day and the evening and just add that little extra something to your outfit. 

CHUNKY CHELSEA BOOTS PART 1

LITTLE BLACK DRESS

A LBD goes a long way… Here I am with the old age argument as to why everyone should have a timeless LBD in their wardrobe. Ever since I was about 11 and going to school discos, I have always loved having a black dress. Back then it was more Tammy-Girl than Topshop, but the fact still remains the same – it is a universal must have for women.

It is timeless. You will never not need a LBD. They are suitable for almost every occasion – a work do – a family do – going out with friends – going for a meal – … a funeral? Maybe not quite..

So I thought I’d share with you my LBD. I originally bought it for my 19^th birthday in September but have worn it so many other times since, and I think that is purely down to it’s classic and flattering design. It is from Oh My Love, which is an online retailer, but can also be found in Topshop and it was just £39! They also do 20% student discount at the moment!

Halter necks aren’t for everyone – but as I am more pear shaped, the halter neck attracts attention to my neckline and collarbones, rather than my chest. The mesh cut outs in the side give the illusion of a slimmer waist and although the material of the dress is very tight, it is also stretchy enough to fit round my lumps and bumps seamlessly.

I teamed this dress with MAC’s Viva Glam III lipstick, a strong cat eye and no accessories for a simple yet classic look when I wore it on my 19^th. Yet, for a more casual look I have just worn very minimal make up and let the dress speak for itself. Either way – the LBD worked without me looking like I was just ‘recycling an outfit’ which I actually have no problem with anyway..

Anyway, this is my go to dress when I don’t know what to wear and also don’t want to buy something new! At only £39 and good quality, as it has kept it shape through my many drunken times, I couldn’t recommend it enough!

What's your go-to dress?

MISSGUIDED PVC INSPIRATION

MISSGUIDED INSPIRATION by makingup featuring calf length skirts

Missguided calf length skirt, / Missguided black mini skirt,  / Missguided Milusia PVC Skater Skirt In Baby Pink, / Missguided Mircia PVC Midi Skirt In Baby Blue,  / Nagsia PVC Mini Skirt – Skirts – Mini Skirts – Missguided,

Although I published some of my key winter trends a couple of weeks ago.. winter is a very long time in England and new trends are emerging all the time!  I have completely fallen in love with Missguided’s PVC selection. Topshop do a very similar skirt but Missguided are quickly becoming the online highstreet-go-to store, for their inexpensive but still on trend pieces.

You can dress PVC up or down, a cropped fluffy jumper is so on trend and makes the look more casual. But team the skirt with heels and a cropped top and you’re ready for a night out.

PVC used to be called the cheap and tacky material, but  I think this glossy look is classy and glamorous. It’s funny how trends and fabrics evolve, it reminds me of the leopard print transition, as it was once known for being cheap, but at one point not long ago, it completely took over the high streets, and it was definitely one of my favourite prints.

Give PVC try and let me know what you think, even better, tweet me a picture of you wearing your PVC item @making__up!

2013 Autumn|Winter Faves

2013 Autumn|Winter Faves by making___up featuring OPI

Purple motorcycle jacket, $49 / Topshop coat / 2nd Day fur waistcoat / Oasis short skirt, $90 / ASOS high heel boots / Jeffrey Campbell black shoes, $155 / H&M beatle boots, $41 / OPI nail polish, $39 / Atlas Homewares TRN1-BL 6-Inch The Traditionalist House Number-1,… / Atlas Homewares TRN1-BL 6-Inch The Traditionalist House Number-1,… / Atlas Homewares TRN1-BL 6-Inch The Traditionalist House Number-1,… / Atlas Homewares TRN1-BL 6-Inch The Traditionalist House Number-1,…

Ignoring the labels and the price tags.. I have pulled together my key looks for this Autumn and Winter.

1) Oversized Boyfriend Coats – Honestly can’t get enough of ’em. Stylish and simple. They aren’t one of those ‘after thought’ coats that you put on and it ruins your outfit – they really make your outfit complete. I think it is worth investing in one of these if you haven’t already because judging by the style and silhouette of the coat, I truly believe it is timeless and not an item you’ll be giving away to charity next year.

2) Winter means Christmas and I use this as an excuse to exploit my nails as much as possible!! I go OTT sparkly and if anyone looks weirdly at them, I just say ‘It’s Christmas….’ and they soon shut up in the fear of being The Grinch. It also means I can comfortably wear dark reds and blacks without being called weird like I am in the summer (I’m really not a fan of pastel nail polish.)

3) FUR AND LEATHER. My two most favourite textures are in their element at Christmas time as they are used everywhere. I have to stress I mean FAUX FUR .. I am so against wearing fur it makes me sad thinking about it .. I have plenty of leather and fur items this winter and they couldn’t be missed in my favourites.

4) The classic black boot. Every year I get a different one, and to be honest, they’re never really that different year to year. But I do love a good stylish black boot that you can put on with almost anything. I practically live in mine, I genuinely can’t remember the last time I wore a shoe that wasn’t a black boot…

They were my Autumn/ Winter favourites or ‘key looks.’

I want to know what you’ve been loving this winter!?

PRIMARK/NEW LOOK/ TOPSHOP/ MISS SELFRIDGE HAUL

I am not really a clothes person – I could definitely spend all my time and money on beauty products – but recently have been splashing out on clothes which is not good for my student budget…

I have wanted an oversized boyfriend jacket for aaages but I needed to find the right one, and when I did, it was out of stock ….. for 3 months. And I’m not joking. I searched and refreshed the New Look website page for THREE MONTHS. I thought I was never going to have the jacket until a miracle occurred and they finally had my size last week and here it is! Some of you are probably thinking why on earth did you wait such a long time for that. But it is exactly what I wanted and every other coat I saw, I only compared to this one.

It is from New Look and is only £39.99 which I don’t think is that bad. It has a really good quality feel but you have to remember it is only a jacket and is not lined like a coat, for a cold day I would definitely have to layer up.

 

My second two purchases were these fluffy gifts of heaven. I really like this stringy/fur/soft texture that a lot of shops have at the moment and the cream one was a real bargain. At only £10 from Primark it feels exactly the same quality as the Topshop one next to it, which was £38. I heard there is almost an exact replica of this black jumper in Primark but I couldn’t find it for the life of me, so I forced myself to buy this one. Fortunately I work for Arcadia, so I managed to get it at a slightly discounted price because I’m really not sure my budget could stretch that far.

 

My last two purchases were from Miss Selfridge. I fell in love with both of these items as soon as I saw them. I have wanted a black faux fur gilet for absolutely ages, but I couldn’t find a flattering one at all. I tried on this colour however and I loved it. So easy to put over anything for extra warmth and glamour. I usually dress like I am going to a funeral every day – all in black – so putting this on makes me look a bit less Wednesday Addams. It was £59 but on promotion when I bought it. I have no idea why Miss Selfridge have decided to advertise its shape in such a distorted way though..

Finally these dogtooth leggings. They are my favourite! Like I said before,  I usually always wear black. I have various different types of black leggings and jeans and just swap between them on a day to day basis but I took the plunge and went for these. Yes the main colour is grey and black, so not quite the bright colours but they are big step for me! Very stretchy and warm, I think these would look really flattering on anyone. And these were only £24, but again on promotion!

I hope you enjoyed my first fashion – style blog. Not sure whether to continue them or not, I’m more confident in the beauty sector.. HMM

Thank you anyway and I hope it gives you ideas!