Lip a L'Orange

From vivid neons to soft corals, Spring/Summer 2014 is all about the orange lip colours. It may not feel like summer just yet, but with lips this bright, maybe the weather will take the hint?

Dennis Basso SS14

Rag & Bone SS14

 John Galliano SS14

The lip colours in the SS14 shows ranged from matte to glossy, and everything in between, but the shade was usually bold and in-your-face. This colour can work amazingly for an exciting twist on an evening look - I love Mac's "Morange" - just make sure to keep everything else simple, nothing more than dewy skin and a bit of mascara.

"Morange" by MAC

However, sometimes we need to make adjustments when translating beauty trends to our everyday lives. Amidst our hectic schedules, and those endless cups of coffee, trying to make such a bold lip colour work in real life can be difficult (and messy!)

Here are some options for a more toned down, chaos-friendly version of this look:

Revlon Matte Balm Stain in "Audacious"

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté in #32 "Corail Jalouse"

Revlon Lip Butter in "Juicy Papaya" 

L. x

Shoe shop gone wrong

On Monday I am very excited to announce that I will be starting a new job as an online merchandiser. It is my first 'real job' since graduating and by that I mean 9-5,inside a real office building. I have previously worked freelance from home as well as for small start-ups.

Today I decided that I would need a pair of new shoes, to make the right impression of course! The dress code is smart-casual however I'm not sure this stretches to a pair of Birkenstocks - much to my disappointment. 

I made a good start focusing myself, repeating the word 'footwear' so as to not be distracted with all the shiny offerings. It went well, for a time. 

Spotted these in New Look straight away and thought they were perfect but at £65 I feel it's a little pricey for the brand - what do you think? 

Then it all went very wrong. Miss Selfridge is always my downfall. For many, many years now it is like they are in my head as far as style is concerned. I always find something that I like and that seems to fit perfectly to my shape. 

Within about five minutes I was in the changing room with three items. Oops. 

Well I do need some work clothes! The two dresses I tried first although they are both similar in shape, both with 90s style necklines, they give such different feels and could easily be worn for days, work or evenings. 

90s Geo Printed Midi Dress - £25

Salt and Pepper 90s Dress - £18

Then came the jumpsuit. I have tried on so many jumpsuits and dungarees and they NEVER fit. My top is a size 8 whilst the bottom is a 10 so I have to opt for a bit of boob falling out or to be nearly sliced in half underneath - sorry to be so graphic! This one fit! Perfectly! Some kind of Miss Selfridge magic!? I found after I went to the till to purchase that I had accidentally picked up a petite size. Is never considered trying this at 5'6" but apparently this worked - brilliant! It has great double strap detailing too. 

Petites Black Strappy Jumpsuit - £42

So finding that I has mistakenly spent pretty much all of my money I then just wandered to Topshop and River Island for a browse. These were the best I saw, most completely not office appropriate! 

Unsuccessful yet successful shopping trip!

S. x

 p.s. I will be doing a summer shoe dedicated post very soon\

Ready, Set, Glow!

A spring beauty trend that comes around year after year is that dewy, glowing, i-just-woke-up-like-this skin, and Spring/Summer 2014 was no exception - the look was seen at Alexander Wang, Christopher Kane, and Giambattista Valli, to name a few.

Alexander Wang S/S 14

Christopher Kane S/S 14

Giambattista Valli S/S 14

Think this look is down to flawless genetics? Think again. 
As natural and fresh as this trend is, creating it is the opposite of a lazy no-makeup day. Let’s take a look at some of my favourites for looking like you made no effort at all.

Bourgeois Healthy Mix Foundation

I have never found a drugstore/ high street foundation that I love as much as this one. It’s low/medium coverage, which is great for spring as we want our real skin to shine through, and it sinks in to leave such a smooth, natural finish that it will feel like you have nothing on at all. Plus, it smells very pretty! 

Benefit Rockateur Blush 

If a highlighter and a blush had a baby, they would create Benefit’s newest boxed blush. "Rockateur" is a natural rosy colour with a golden sheen, which makes you look glowing and healthy, without looking unnatural. Use a fluffy blush brush to swirl it on the apples of your cheeks, but bear in mind that a little goes a long way. 

Face Stockholm Cream Highlighter in "Dignity"

Face Stockholm is not a brand that I often hear a lot about, but I think it’s an unsung hero! Their cream highlight in “Dignity” is gorgeous, iridescent and easily blended, and the packaging is simple but classy. For this look, I much prefer a cream highlight over a powder as it gives a dewy, fresh finish. Put a little on the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your brow bones, and your cupids bow. 

Dior "Creme de Rose" Lip Balm

Lip balm is an essential in every make up bag, and especially when doing a no-make-up look it is vital - luminous skin and chapped lips aren't quite a match made in heaven. Whilst this one is pricy, it works wonders and smells divine. I am always a fan of a multi-purpose product, and this lip balm is not just for lips! I use my "Creme de Rose" to tame my eyebrows and on the top of my cheekbones so give some extra dewy-ness. 

L. x

Summer Bummer

It was my sisters birthday at the weekend and as we are going to Glastonbury together this summer she asked for a gift that tied in with that. She gave a few hints and options, phone charger - boooorrrinnggg, waterproof jacket - meh, sleeping bag - kill me now, bum bag - ding ding ding we have a winner!

So, I started to trawl through websites in search for something appropriate. She usually has quite a subtle style but wanted something colourful for the summer. I was really surprised to find such a limited choice on my regular 'go to' websites - Asos, Missguided, Boohoo. They had relatively reserved pieces and I was looking for something more 'Mr Motivator'-esque.

I ventured deeper into the world of fashion online and on my way through I made a stopover at Etsy. To my surprise there was the biggest selection of bum bags I had as yet found anywhere else by far, with a wide range of colours and styles. These are a pick of my favourites:

Butchi and Gosmos Shiny Bumbag - £22

Kokomo Fanny Pack - £15.27

90s Hi-Tech Fanny Pack - £15

Sea Life Bumbag - £18.99

Sequinned Unicorns Fanny Pack - £27.49

and this is the one I chose for her present - hopefully she won't see this before she receives it tomorrow - It is from a brand called Butchi and Gosmos (£19) and was completely hand made. The African pattering is screen printed and you are able to pick your own zipper, I opted for black. It arrived after just over a week and it beautiful, I had to resist stealing it for myself! I will be sure to take a picture of her with it at Glasto.

S. x

Human prints

Spotted these gorgeous patterns in the human body section of the science museum, London. They fit in with with paint splash effect and neon trends for SS14. 

Warehouse Fashion Shooters Festival

Been spending my evening online shopping and I've rediscovered a brand that I used to be an avid wearer of.. Warehouse. I've always thought of Warehouse as a place to get really great prints and they have loads of silk printed dresses scarves and kaftans currently but they are also have loads of summer brights which I got quite excited about. I'm currently working on my tan and have just bought some Xen-Tan to try out - I will let you know how that goes.

 

Jewel Section Plaited Cotton Bracelet - £8

Lux Pryamid Studs - £8

TEXTURED CREPE HIGH NECK MIDI - £36

Dial print maxi kaftan- £40

Round Crystal Frame Sunglasses - £16 (Definitely getting a pair of these!)

Whilst on the website I also came across the Warehouse blog and a piece on their Fashion Shooters Festival. It sounds like anyone interested in fashion, photography or blogging should be heading along. This takes place on March 22nd, next Saturday in Brick Lane. 

The event is FREE and sounds like there will be lots to do Elle Magazine styling zone, DJs, a token to make your own bespoke tee and loads more. 

And... as well as a nice day out, 25 lucky so-and-so's will win a load of prizes including the chance to shoot the final look for the SS14 campaign. They will be mentored by Helen Christensen who has shot the other thirteen looks. ~Incredible! 

Sign up here for your free ticket. Look forward to seeing you there - feel free to say hello! 

S. x

*All opinions and views mentioned on TheStylingForecast are my own (Sarah Hill) and they are mentioned for information, enjoyment and reviewing purposes only. 

Baukjen Shirt Dress

Little bit in love with these shirt dresses by Baukjen. This brand really focuses on easy to wear, effortless chic for busy women who still want to look super stylish..

You can see these shirts and all the new ss14 pieces Baukjen here.

Use code DEL134 for free delivery before midnight 17th March.

*All opinions and views mentioned on TheStylingForecast are my own (Sarah Hill) and they are mentioned for information, enjoyment and reviewing purposes only.