Best Beauty Buys - Summer 2013

This week, readers, I would like to share with you an edited round-up of my personal favourite beauty products that have saved my make-up from melting and the ones that have put a summer smile on my face.
In very hot heat, it only takes a short walk to the station and a stuffy tube ride to have all your make-up artistry end up on your chin. Not a good look. Stop this from happening with a little before and after preparation. I was introduced to Elemis Pro-Radiance Flash Balm via Red Magazine's gift giveaway this summer. Applied before your usual foundation, it gives a glowing base that stays put all day long, for added staying power swipe over Chantecaille's Protection Naturelle to set your make-up. Mid- afternoon touch-ups with this handy brush tube will keep you looking fresh and glowing until evening. Looking for an eye-pencil that doesn't smudge and never ends up anywhere else apart from where you applied it? Then Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner is the one for you.

I believe every season one should always treat themselves to a luxury beauty product - why? Because you are worth it. This summer, Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino Body Oil was what I treated myself to. After spending a hot day by the pool, it's the perfect 2-1 product after a cooling shower. The luxurious quality oil moisturises, whilst the summer fragrance, reminiscent of hot sunny days and nights in the Italian Riviera, lightly scents the skin without any need for spritzing a fragrance which can feel heavy on a hot day.

Nars Larger Than Life Eyeliner 

You've Been Asking....

Campana Brothers x Melissa

From celebrity hairdresser's girlfriends to polite people on the early morning train, many of you have been asking about this bag. So here's a heads up on my Campana Brothers for Melissa white basket.

I was given it in 2005 by a friend who owned a fashion boutique in East London. He stocked the matching shoes, and he gave me the bag as I believe he had a few given to him for promotional purposes.

I decided to revive it from the top of the wardrobe late last summer as it seemed the perfect bag for a day trip to Whitstable, as you can throw in purse bags, clutches, make-up pochettes and Institut Esthederm sun protection with ease. The plastic irregular lattice work allows for hanging extra bits, like a Pucci visor and sunglasses, as seen here. The lattice work reminds me of Humberto & Fernando Campana's iconic Blow Up fruit basket which is produced in Italy by Alessi. The shape of size of the bag, are not commuter compliant by any means, but then neither is Chanel's SS13 Hula Hoop bag, yet they have been spotted in fashionable towns and cities too.

Baskets seem so right for now, and this one in a modern plastic from a pair of cult designer brothers gets no better. Search the web, you never know if someone is willing to part with theirs, although they'd be silly if they did. In my opinion this bag is a modern classic.





The Stand- Out Pieces - Autumn/Winter 2013

Whether you need a new woolly for the weekend or an ultra glam dress fit for the red carpet (or perhaps more like the Christmas party) The Style Eye identifies the new and interesting key pieces for next Winter 2013.
Everyone needs a new woolly jumper to at the start of the Winter season. The Style Eye is particularly fond of this fuzzy cocoon shaped number from Alexander Wang. The perfect  item to pair with a full circle skirt to balance a chic daytime look.

Alexander Wang AW13

Who really needs a pair of totally impractical sharp stiletto heeled suede thigh high boots? Not many I suspect will need them, although I can imagine many will lust and covet. Just as we do. Top of The Style Eye's wishlist are Pucci's AW13 catwalk boots.

Emilio Pucci - Look 2

An LBD will always be an essential to any wardrobe. Bottega Veneta's belted slim fit front slit wool version will stand up to any occasion, just style to match the mood.


Bottega Veneta

Brighten up fancy festive parties and smart winter nights out with Acne's silk satin sage gown. Glamourous yet edgy keeps it real if you happen to grace the red carpet.

Acne AW2013

A/W 13 Scarf Styling

Early in 2013, we witnessed what seemed to be one of the coldest and cruelest winters in living memory. Getting dressed to any sort of stylish standard was the last thing on most people's mind. So, imagine then what it must be like for the legions of fashion superstars who attended the international collections, having to make more than an effort to look good in the driving snow and sub-zero temperatures. Most, if not all, I gather from the street style images, adhered to the ' Seventy per cent of body heat leaves through your head rule' and about ninety percent of those outside the shows popped on a knitted beanie or bobble hat variation.

Giovanna Battaglia

Miroslava Dumas

The other, roughly, ten per cent of popular fashion heroines, including Miroslava Dumas and Giovanna Battaglia opted for an old school classic - a printed silk square folded on the bias covering the head and tied at the chin. This look was inspiring as an alternative way to stop the snow from falling directly on to the head and to keep the warmth in, without being fashioned from wool or such like. Although, on the catwalk, the prize for one of the best uses of wool most certainly goes to Dries Van Noten and his university striped scarves. Tied at the neck in a feminine half bow, this look is the quirky and cool way to wear woolly scarves next Autumn/Winter 2013.



Dries Van Noten

Copper, Camel & Tan - A/W 13's Favourite Catwalk Colours

Bottega Veneta

Copper-brown is the key 'neutral' shade for next autumn/winter. Like the 90s phenomenon that saw brown as the new black and all that blah blah blah, camels, mustards, tans and flashes of yellow are also added to the palette complementing this autumn 2013's main colour story. To be on trend, subtly include a piece or two to next season's outfits as many shades of copper are going to be the new.. err, black?

Emilio Pucci



Topshop Unique



Bottega Veneta

 The Style Eye would love to create new autumn outfits with a pair of Emilio Pucci thigh high softest suede boots and a burnt copper knee length pleated 'A' line skirt by Bottega Veneta ( although not worn together - well, not this season) What should you wear with this colour then, if not going head to toe like Bottega Veneta?



Rue Du Mail





Veronique Branquinho



Rue Du Mail

Pair camel tones with a flash of neon yellow or Chartreuse as seen at Veronique Branquinho or with classic pieces in basic black like this simple trouser at Bottega Veneta. Martine Sitbon's Rue Du Mail sent down copper furs flashing coral belts and shorts underneath to create a modern look. Topshop Unique encourages the new full circle skirt silhouette by showing it in a desirable shade of orangey-tan.



  

A/W 2013 Trends - Masculine/Feminine

In the background the flame haired U.S. Vogue editor, Grace Coddington sizes up Giovanna Battaglia's masculine/feminine look.

The masculine and tailored menswear look for women has been bubbling away for a few seasons now. For next autumn/winter 2013 this trend continues but blurs the lines between masculine and feminine styling. Best examples of this trend can be seen at designers Dries Van Noten and Holly Fulton. Their message is easy. If it's feminine clothing then sharpen the look with menswear accessories. When borrowing from the boys but cut to fit the girls clothing such as shirts, trousers and jackets then mix with girly prints and detailing. Be inspired at how the effortlessly gorgeous Giovanna Battaglia blends a mannish jacket and flat brogues with a simple yet feminine mini skirt, opaque tights and chic ladylike bag to balance the outfit. 

Holly Fulton styles a lipstick print skirt with mannish brogues making this outfit modern and fresh. 



Dries Van Noten sends out his ostrich feather trimmed cocktail dress with clompy men's lace ups.

And then he says match a crisp white shirt and sharp tailored trousers with a fluffy shawl, plus add a skirt and sexy spindly sandals to perfectly balance the mood of this look 













Super Nudes



Above. i-D Pre-Spring 2013 cover star Kate Moss with stiletto nails expertly manicured and painted in a super shade of nude by technician Sophy Robson.



There is a riot of colour stampeding style and fashion this spring. Lively yellow chequerboarding on dresses at Louis Vuitton and plenty of orangey-reds and corals at Chanel and Prada. Endorsing hot hues is the style message for clothing and accessories this season, and that is why the beauty pundits are applauding and promoting nails that are from a pale palette. These 'Supernudes' are the shade of varnish for spring and can be found at all beauty counters. There isn't one exact must have shade, its more of what works best with your skintone.  One tip that The Style Eye will suggest though, make sure your hands are perfectly manicured. Wearing natural shades enhance jaggedy cuticles and show chipped ends much more than a deep red or vibrant pink would, in fact thinking that this is an easy shade to wear isn't actually the case. The same goes for pale lips. The Style Eye loves a matt beige lip, such as Tom Ford's Blush Nude lipstick, and this too requires an immaculate foundation. Before applying a pale lipstick first scrub the lips with a homemade mix of gentle exfoliator and a decent lip balm to prepare the surface. By Terry Baume de Rose or Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm come highly recommended. Wipe clean with a cotton pad or tissue and then smooth over a little Hourglass Mineral Primer to make a good even base for your chosen beige lip shade. 





Tom Ford Lipstick in Blush Nude.