M A K E UP

Lower Lashes. lower lashes are getting just as much attention as their upper counterparts. Now is the time to give all of your lashes some extra oomph! While faux lower lashes are very difficult to do at home—and the results are usually over-the-top Twiggy-like—we definitely recommend giving them a little extra love via mascara.

Innocent lips. Tenderness and innocence of lips’ color palette range from slightly pink, violet, fuchsia to extremely pale, almost skin-fitting-hue. Steer clear of lip glosses. Your lips should be decorated with matte lipstick. This will allow laying more stress on the eyes.

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Petite bags. We adore supersized day bags for toting our copious wares, but when it comes to party purses, we prefer to opt for more petite styles. This is especially true during nights out, as dinner and cocktail parties only call for a lipstick and a credit card.

Over-the-Knee Boots. The cutting edge, high heeled versions create a high-fashion look, while the more versatile, flat soled styles are great paired with skinny jeans for school, and dresses and opaque leggings for night. Try a pair in patent leather to incorporate another trend: shiny leggings.

S T Y L E

Pops of Colour. Keep your love of summer sunshine alive all year long by adding a pair of magenta heels or royal blue flats to an outfit featuring an otherwise neutral colour palette.

Demured. Pick a red dress with a demure fit. in theory, we love a red dress, but in practice it can be a bit tricky, as they can veer into overly fancy, prom territory quite quickly.

H O W T O ‘ S

Got curves?

Whether you got a little cushion for your tooshie or a little baggage for your package, you can make yourself look HOT! Sometimes, women think that being skinny is the ideal size; but truly, you can rock any body as long as you wear the right clothes. Here are some tips that will make this process easier for you:

Dos
· Wear dresses that has something that cinches at the waist like a belt or are fitted at the waist to accentuate you’re the tiniest part of your torso.
· Wear a well-fitted bra to give you lift.
· Wear platform stilettos to make your legs leaner, longer, creating a good body proportion.
· If you love stripes, wear vertical stripes as they will help you look taller.
· Wear some jewellery to bling out your outfit.

Don’ts
· Do not wear loose-fitting shapeless clothes.
· Do not wear horizontal stripes because they will make you look wider.
· Do not wear a dress size smaller than your actual dress size as it will accentuate other parts of the body and make you look wider and shorter than you really are.

S P R I N G  C O L O U R  T R E N D S

Pastels. Gone are the brights of last year; this season’s colors are soft and sweet. The new neutral is a delicate dove grey, which works beautifully with pale pink, butter yellow, and the scorching hot mint green. These colors positively scream spring, and will be delightfully cool all summer long.

Soft neutrals. Nude is a big trend for spring. Mix nude bags and shoes with dark pieces. An amazing pair of nude coloured shoes are great for achieving longer looking legs (wear them with bare legs).

Deep purple. A grapey outfit plus a candy-apple red bag equals a bold combo. Though we’ve never met a little black dress we didn’t like, we’ve got to concede that they can be a little boring. Instead of reaching for that go-to hue, try pretty purple instead!

Monochrome. Black, white and shades of grey are a staple. Think dramatic rather than dreary - there’s nothing quite so sharp and vivid as opposing shades side by side. And if you simply can’t resist a bit of colour, some pillar box red lippy will compliment the razor sharp look. The same color from head to toe will create a continuous, lengthwise flow. Dresses are an easy way to achieve this effect.

S P R I N G   M A K E   U P  T R E N D S

A Softer Smoky Eye. After several seasons of dark, heavy shadows, eyes are lightening up. The eye is still dramatic but the colors are softer. Blend a combination of gold shadows over dark kohl for a metallic smoky eye.

Eighties Eyes. Winged eye makeup is making a comeback. Though this is definitely statement makeup, there is a way to wear these eighties eyes. When translating this look yourself, please remember that you should keep the rest of your face basically bare. Natural lips and soft blush are the best choice; otherwise you risk looking a bit like a drag queen.

Smurfette chic. We’re happy to report this blue-hued edgy, elegant trend! One simple way to work the color into your regular makeup routine is to simply create a smoky eye using navy blues, instead of charcoal or gray. If the style’s still too strong for you, simply swap out the midnight blue shadow for one that’s lighter and more gray-based. Make sure you balance the vivid shadow with lots of black mascara and liner too.

Pale lipped. The nude and pale lip color of the 1960’s is the inspiration for lipsticks this season, along with rich berry hues that provide a sheer wash of colour. Have a colour from Fall 2008 you love? Mix it with a clear lip balm to lighten the texture and continue wearing it into spring.

Baby Pink Cheek Color. Give cheeks a flushed look with a fresh streak of pink. It’s the season for accentuating the cheekbones and apples of the cheeks with some baby pink highlights. Look for shimmery palettes for an even sweeter, runway inspired look.

Silver Shimmer Crème. Go light on the foundation this season, brighten up that winter skin with some silver shimmer crème instead. It’s the easiest way to highlight the contours of your face and achieve a natural-looking glow, and this simple makeup trick works great with red lip stains and neutral colors for the eyes.

S P R I N G  S T Y L E  T R E N D S

Belt it. Belted jackets and sweaters are a big trend for spring. Highlight your natural waist, by belting over or under and add a high waisted skirt to the ensemble for an ultra chic look.

The Vest. Crisp and tailored, hip-length is where it’s at this year. Pair it with leggings or a super fitted mini and tee layered with necklaces for a downtown hipster vibe.

The Big Top. Loose, luxe and all about the shoulders and neck (read: forgiving around the stomach and hips), pull a look together with leggings and a stacked heel and you can eat as much dessert as you want.

The Short Dress. Channel Twiggy in an updated groovy ’60s mini dress. Opt for a slim cut or an hourglass shape and wear with sky-high over the knee boots and a smile.

The Sheath Skirt. Hitting just above or below the knee, this flattering skirt sits at the waist and pairs perfectly with any type of shoe.

The Cardigan. Effortless and seasonless, cardigans are the answer to every outfit. Get crazy with your cardi this season and buy in bold colours and prints.

The Mini. Every year magazines scream, “Minis are back!” Our question is, “Did they ever leave?” Pair a leather version with de rigeur coloured tights and go bare in summer for a leggy look.

The Ankle-baring Pant. A cross between the cigarette pant and the dhoti, this season look for a fuller silhouette that transforms from day to night with a simple shoe change.

The Blazer. Forget rummaging through his closet and invest in yourself. Roll up the sleeves and pair it with a dress for a modern and feminine twist. Keep it loose but fitted for cool day-to-day wear, or go for something a little more tailored to sharpen up your look.

The Summer Short. Casual, polished, denim, cotton..so many choices, but one thing’s for sure: Shorts signal the true arrival of summer. Can we get a woot woot?!

Jumpsuits. Unlike its more casual cousin (overalls), rompers and jumpsuits create a look that is sophisticated, unfussy and perfectly pulled together in one fell swoop. Pair with opaque tights in colder climates. Accessorizing will always help you achieve a polished ensemble; a strong heel and statement necklace will no doubt bring this shape to new stylish heights.

Smart balance. Wear trendy accessories with great basic pieces. Smartly balance your bold shoes and bag with an understated sweater dress. Dear readers, take note: if you are going to show off a spectacularly strong accessory or two (and we suggest that you do!) make sure to temper the look with a more basic piece. Try our sleeveless turtleneck.

Retro futuristic. Stick with us on this one, it’s not quite the oxymoron it seems: cast your mind back to what the stylists of the original Star Trek deemed directional back in the ’60s, and you’re half way there: silvers and golds, pointy shapes and shiny materials.

Cut-outs. This one is pretty much exactly what it sounds like and can be adapted to suit all shapes. Cut outs are big news for spring so have a play with this versatile trend and show your best bits. Whether you prefer a punk look, something a bit sportier, or a sharply designed frock, surely there’s one that fits your personal taste.

Ballerina. Dust off your wrap-around cardigans and pink pumps from yesteryear, an ultra girly ballerina-inspired look is set to be big news this season. Think pastel shades, soft fabrics and ribbon detail.

Fringing. 1920s references were rife on the recent runways, and there’s no easier way to evoke the same feeling with a bit of flapper-style fringing.

Sheer. Go sheer for a look that’s sophisticated and sexy, and great for evening glamour. We’ll see sheer layering for party tops and smart blouses all over this spring season.

S P R I N G  S H O E  T R E N D S

Fetish-esque. Studs, spikes and chains are some of the details that are finding their way onto shoes for Spring. While this trend is around, rock it, and rock it hard. Sex up a demure outfit with bondage details, but keep it luxe. Avoid: anything too chunky; cheap PVC.

Gladiator Sandals. A long time in the making, this trend has finally reached a stage of mass adoption. The gladiator sandal has basically become a wardrobe staple; whether in flat or heeled form. You’ll no longer stand out with this one unless they’re truly unique; but the right pair will serve you well all through the warmer seasons.

Reptile Leathers. Reptile leathers were a huge part of Fall 2008, Spring/Summer 2009 sees a range of new interpretations. Avoid gaudy snake prints and cheap imitations; whether real or faux, it’s all about the quality.

Tie-up & Lace-up shoes. Criss-crossing laces and ballerina ties add interesting detail to heels or flats. Ribbon ties are the perfect casual summer version; for heels, leather lacing is the best option.

Ankle straps. One style that will pop up often for spring is the sky-high heel with straps around the ankle. Any shoe that stops at the ankle has a tendency to shorten the leg; so while tall girls can pull it off, others should be careful. If you do decide to try it, stick to the super-high heel and it will balance out the look.

Feature Heels. While shoe trends in previous seasons have been all about the moves from stiletto to chunky heels to wedges and back again, the current trend is something new entirely. The heel is no longer just a structural support of the shoe, it’s a feature. If you’re going to be bold, be very bold. Make a statement and invest in pieces that will have long-term value.

M A K E  U P

Blood Orange Lips. There’s something so festive and saucy about a bright orange-red lip, so we were ecstatic to see this look on the spring runways.

Major Liner. The perennial favorite. Rimmed eyes with black pencil. Keep the rest of your makeup simple with natural blush and lips.

Peach Blush. This season is more about peach. It gives you the appearance of being a bit made-up without looking too girly or bronzy. Because peach powder contains strong pigments, use a light hand to apply one swipe of blush a little below your apples so it doesn’t look too doll-like.

A C C E S S O R I E S

Want longer necklaces? Instead of replacing your old faves, extend them with this nifty kit from www.necklacenecessities.com.

Get lacey. Black lace tights look smart with dark plaid skirts. The textured hosiery is an unexpected delight with the dark tartan skirt, and the overall look is fashion-forward and fun.

De-masculinize. A girly bow adds charm to a masculine jacket. Look charming in a military jacket and feminine bow.

S T Y L E

Ruffles and Romance. Nothing says romance like ruffles! Flattering and feminine, go with the flow of fluttery fabrics, but don’t fly away - try structured shoes to keep yourself well-grounded.

SSSSnakeskin. One style that is definitely not endangered this spring is snakeskin. You’ll find these in a wild range of colours on many species of affordable accessories. Who wouldn’t be charmed?

Flaunt your curves. If you’ve got curves, then this is the season to show it! Celebrate your fine female form with shorter lengths, hourglass silhouettes, transparency and skin-baring cut-aways.

H O W  T O ‘ S

One step to stunning: Slip on a cuff. Over 4000 years ago pharaohs donned golden cuffs to honor their gods. Today they’re back in a big way, and the right one will make you look simply divine!

For casual chic. Wear it circling the wrist. Clasped at the wrist, it visually lengthens the torso, making the wearer look taller and leaner.

For subtle elegance. Egyptian queens flaunted cuffs to display their power and prestige. Pushed halfway up to the elbow, it can highlight the forearm and wrist - slim spots on almost every woman.

For high drama. Women in ancient Rome wore looping designs representing a coiling snake - an ancient symbol of immortality. Placing it just below the elbow deflects attention from belly bulge.

HE L P F U L   T I P

Hat hair? Avoid hat hair by flipping your hair upside down and moving all hair towards the front of you head before putting on a hat. When you take it off, your hair will look fuller instead of flat.

M A K E   U P

Mr. Golden Sun. With all of the excitement surrounding Spring Break, it’s easy to forget your responsibilities. One thing you should never let slide though is being responsible when it comes to the sun and your skin. You owe it to your health – and your future self – to take sunning seriously.

Multi-purpose liner. Gosh Extreme Art Eye Liner, is a semi-permanent liquid liner that’s great for applying thin and thick swipes. Nifty tip: Use it as a body pen or to decorate your nails, sealing it with a clear top coat.

Gray Nails. If you haven’t tried it already, you should, as gray polish not only grounds all your pretty spring dresses, it also will go with whatever you’re wearing (since it goes with nothing)! We like the medium, matte, purple-gray shades, darker hues, and dark gunmetal gray with some shimmer.

Bordeaux Lips. We know that dark lipstick (be it red, wine, or berry) is a big commitment for many of you and it seems high-maintenance. Frankly, we adore it, as it’s a super easy way to turn your day look into one that’s instantly cocktail-ready!

A C C E S S O R I E S

Mixer. Mix silver and gold chains over a basic black base (top or dress). Add a pair of strappy black boots and black tights for a gothic runway look.

Studs. Bags with studs and tough accents are the look of the season. Invest in a large shoulder bag with a long strap and a smaller structured clutch.

Lacey. Lace brings a romantic feel to both dresses and shoes. Lace footwear gives your outfit a retro edge.

Bold peep toes. Bold, bright colours continue in rich suedes, especially in peep toe styles. Pair it with tights for a fresh take on transitioning.

Fringe it. Don’t go anywhere without the fringe look - on a bag, on a boot, or any accessory. It adds a boho chic feel and movement to any outfit.

Rock the croc. Rock the croc (faux, of course) in shoes, bags and belts.

One, toe, buckle my shoe. A delectable medley of buckle boots are popping up on the feet of stylish ladies left and right! From futuristic and multi-colored types to pointy, varieties to posh platform interpretations.

Sparkly Headpieces. Hair accessories, in all their many splendid forms (including bows, bands, and feather-festooned pieces) have been hot for several seasons, but we’re most interested in the sparkly kind right now.

Armwarmers. Elbow length gloves are a must-have this season. Wear them with a 3/4 sleeve jacket, or a shorter sleeve top or dress. Plus, you can pair it with a chunky bracelet. Elbow length gloves come in a variety of colours and styles… leather, felt, knit, and even fingerless.

Bigger is better. Large stud earrings and large cocktail rings are great pieces to add to your transitional wardrobe. You can wear them with something casual or for a night on the town.

Love for tights. Dark, opaque tights are classic and will make you look slimmer. Adding shoes in a matching shade will make legs look miles long. Coloured styles are harder to pull off, but update your look. Make sure the colour picks up on, or matches, a colour in your outfit & avoid shortening the legs by wearing shoes of a similar tone.

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Layers. Layering your mini dress with a pencil skirt underneath is a quick and simple way of making a CC 1827 outfit more conservative for the office or an important business meeting. It screams power and sex appeal all at the same time.

Mix it up. One of our key recipes for producing original and stylish looks involves mixing together unexpected clothing combinations. Mix a prim blouse with a sexy skirt.

Recycling. Recycle your spring dresses for winter or the transitional season by wearing them with opaque tights and cardigans. Belt it for some extra sass or pair it up with some tough looking high heeled boots.

Tuck it in. A simple tucked-in tee makes a bold skirt look sleek and sexy. Don’t be afraid to mix it up for an uber hot contrasting look.

Get rich. As in high-pigment, saturated colours and jewel tones (sapphire, rub, emerald). Mix a bright fitted dress with a motorcycle jacket or denim.

Roll with it. Roll up sleeves and cuffs (but not both at once please!).

Raid the Boyfriend’s closet. Boyfriend blazers and slouchy, beat-up Levi’s are de riguer with platform stilettos.

Gray outerwear enlivens a basic combo. Enliven your simple outfit with an unexpected gray jacket. It’s a refreshing and unexpected departure from the expected basic black.

H O W   T O ‘ S

Layering:

Wrap up with these tips for an effortless layered look.

Scarves are essential to layering - and a great way to introduce colour too. Pair a scarf with a long necklace for added texture.

Play with length. A long sleeve poking out from under a cropped jacket adds a slouchy, comfy feel. A long fitted shirt peeking out adds interest, while a cropped leather jacket gives a tailored look and defines the waist.

It is possible to layer too much. If you bulk up on your top half, then keep your bottom half sleek.

Dresses work over tights, opaque or sheer, leggings, or jeans. Plus, dresses carryover into every season!

Play with your layers. Use them to introduce different colours, textures, and shapes.

Layer in unexpected places. Think slouchy sock/boots over leggings.

S H O E S .  S H O E S .  S H O E S.

Detailing. It’s all in the detail this winter. From buckles to straps to laces to studs, as long as it’s interesting and unique.

Over the knee boots. Above the knee boots are most popular in heeled versions (rather than small or flat heels) with suede being the material of choice.

Lace-up Shoes and Boots. Laces and tie-up details are another continuing trend. From Victorian influences to sexed-up school mistress heels, laces are lingering for a little longer and offer quite a few options of styles and heel-heights.

Mary-Jane with a Twist. Mary-Janes are back with a twist! Double or even triple buckles are one common defining detail; bright colours, luxe fabrics or sharply pointed toes are other examples. This trend strikes a combination of school-girl sweet meets sexy vamp.

Reptile leathers. Alligator, crocodile, lizard, snake… reptilian skins. The feeling of reptile leather is that of something exotic and luxurious. Avoid gaudy snake prints and cheap imitations; whether real or faux, it’s all about the quality.

Fringing and Folk-Inspired. It’s the new foho: folk-inspired with an ethnic twist. Fringed boots are the defining feature of the trend, with other details like studs and tooled leather adding to the crafty, bohemian feel. Short fringed ankle-boots in leather or suede can look sexy with bare legs or tights.

Open-toed shoes with tights. It used to be a massive faux-pas, but these days it’s not just OK - it’s fashionable. Open-toes or peep-toes with stockings, socks or tights underneath works wonderfully with like colours, especially black on black - but daring contrasts can also look great. It also means your Spring/Summer shoe collection can be worn in the colder months.

Two-tone and multi-colour. There’s no excuse to be boring with your shoes when it comes to colour. At least, not anymore. Different elements of a shoe can be different colours, for example contrasting straps or heels. Don’t think that a multi-coloured shoe can only be worn with a plain coloured outfit; use them to add colour and style to pretty much anything. They can be anything from bold bright colours to classic shades of grey and black.

S T A P L E S .  S T A P L E S .

Staples never go out of style, are forever chic and go with almost everything. These pieces can be used as canvases so that other pieces can shine and most importantly, so that you can shine!

Denim

Your feel good jeans. Whatever the style, fit, brand or price.

Classic White Shirt

Throw ‘em on with jeans, a pencil skirt, under a dress, over a dress, with dress pants……..

The Little Black Dress

Need we say more?

Cozy Cardigan

Like the rest these items you will wear it all the time.

Trench Coat

It’s instant style, instant glam!

A Classic Watch

Time is of the essence.

Diamonds

Real or Fake it doesn’t matter. If they’re fake, just don’t bring them in the bathroom or they’ll fog up. Unless you buy crystal ones, which are forever sparkly.

Ballet Flats

Because we can’t always wear heels. Like, at the airport, outings with small kids and at the beach.

A Classic High-Heel Pump

While it may be a bit of a bore to buy, make sure you have a solid comfortable pair of black pumps. Also a pair of neutral shoes for a leggier look; gold, tan, nude.

A Great Bag

You will need 3 basics; a tote, a medium sized and a clutch.

H O W  T O ‘ S

How to Wear Headbands

Headbands are one of the most stylish accessories this season.

OK, we admit it, lately we’ve been kind of obsessed with headbands. From hippie headbands in NYC to chic Parisian ones , we’ve seen them on the heads of the most stylish girls. But how can you wear one with ease and not look like a six year old?

Just like jewellery, headbands are accessories. If you add earrings, a bracelet and a necklace you’ll look like a hot mess, so keep it simple and minimal.

Keep in mind the material. If it’s stretchy it will be more comfortable and won’t leave a dent in your hair. Molded plastic is known for giving headaches because it can be pretty tight. Experiment to find what works best for you.

Think about what shape your face is and use proportion in your favour. If you have prominent features and a full face, try a wide band with detailing; if your face is petite, stick to a thin no-fuss band so as not to overwhelm your features.