Supermodels as Duran Duran

To my mind, Duran Duran’s relevance to pop culture has stretched like a rubber band over the decades. But now comes their latest single Girl Panic, and it isn’t just the sound of synths we’re hearing; it’s the sound of flagging relevance being reignited with a boom.

The key to bringing their new track to a much wider audience? Pulling out the oldest trick in the Duran Duran book: the Supermodel.

The original supermodels, whose careers are of roughly the same vintage as the band’s, star in the film clip for Girl Panic. But rather than star as themselves they cleverly play the parts of the band members – singing, doing interviews (“obviously, we were one of the first to put models in our videos,” says a tongue-in-cheek Naomi Campbell, playing the role of lead singer Simon Le Bon) and getting up to the kind of rock ‘n’ roll mischief bands are famous for. It’s an entertaining piece of cross-over between music and fashion that’s spread like wildfire for the draw of those ever-alluring household name models.

All I want for Christmas...is to be a Size 10!

It may be coming up to the season to be jolly, but Christmas brings with it plenty of edible temptations for those determined to stay trim for the party season.

New research has revealed that 56% of women feel that being a size 10 no matter what they ate would be the best Christmas present they could have this year.

2,500 women were polled by FULLfast and results showed that nearly a third of women struggle to fit into their Christmas Day outfit due to excess eating and drinking over the festive period.

The majority of us do everything we can to look our best to fit into our new outfits at Christmas, and as hard as it can be only 11% of ladies say that they don't find dieting an issue, despite the stacks of mince pies, choccies and mulled wine paraded in front of us!

In a bid to be the perfect size 10, over a third of women admitted that they would actually sacrifice receiving Christmas presents for the rest of their lives so they could eat what they wanted, safe in the knowledge they would keep their figure.

Women in the East Midlands polled the highest at 42%, followed by the Scots at 37% and the Welsh at 37%.

How to get...Decadent Punk Glam Eyes

As the autumn/winter season sets in for the next few months, meaning dark nights and gloomy days, don't fret just yet. Light at the end of the tunnel comes in December, as the Christmas party season gets underway, bringing with it plenty of glitz, glam and sparkle.

Pat McGrath, global creative director for Max Factor has some handy hints hot off the Gucci s/s 2012 runway on how to create the perfect OTT (over the top) decadent eye look, just in time to practice for the festivities.

Smoky eyes are well and truly established as one the key make up trends for the year. So, if you love this look, but looking for ways to add new dimensions to it, why not go for the extreme, decadent eye look with a punk edge for extra funk and glam.

1. Start out by preparing for the look by collecting a few of your favourite smokey shades together that you think will work together to build this climatic look. Try using Max Factor Smoky Eye Effect Eyeshadow in Onyx Smoke.

2. When picking out shades, think about different textures and finished too that will add depth to the look. I.e. pick out some matte, smoky, shimmers, sparkles, eye pencils and not just bold colours.

3. To start, find a strong base colour and stroke this evenly over the eye lid. Don't be afraid to use strong sweeping motions to get the ultimate effect, this look is all about statement eyes.

4. With your darker base colour now all over the lid, go for a second shade, perhaps a lighter eye shadow crayon to go over the top, eventually blending to a slightly paler shade to the crease of the eye for extra definition.

5. Finally, with another shade, preferable a shimmer or sparkle, brush a light layer onto the eye lid, just to finish off.

6. For an eye liner, go for a black crayon and shape the eyes however fine or thick you want it to be. Smudge this in to add to the smoky effect. If you want a very fine line, go for a liquid eye liner and aim for one perfect line to accent the shape of the eye.

7.Finish with a good couple of coats of mascara for a brilliant bold set of lashes that scream ready to party.

Lipstick application

To apply lipstick seems a simple enough task, yet I often encounter women sporting a poorly-shaped or smudged lip contour. Half-eaten on the inside and smeared on the outside, slapdash lip makeup looks worse than no makeup at all.

To create and maintain a flawless mouth, you will need to know:

• when to use a lip pencil, and how to choose one.
• how to apply colour with a brush or a tube.
• how to maintain the contour and reapply the colour.

Lip pencil

Lip pencil facilitates lip colour application and prevents it from feathering, however you don’t always need to use lip pencil. Skip it if you are young and there are no fine lines on the skin around your mouth. Also, lip glosses, sheer transparent lipsticks, and some matte long-lasting lipsticks do not require prior outlining.

For natural lip makeup, choose a soft pencil in the colour of your lip flesh. Soft pencil can be used as a coloured base if followed by gloss or lip balm. Don’t attempt to modify your lip contour with soft pencil; this creamy product will not stay where you put it, even if the advertisement says “does not smudge”.

For bright lip makeup, you will need harder pencil; it will give you a more precise contour, and will more effectively prevent your lip colour from feathering. Choose a slightly darker shade than your lipstick.

To add volume to small or flat lips, outline the entire contour of the lips on the outside rims with a hard pencil. Use natural colours that do not contrast with your skin. Be very careful when modifying your contour; what works on some lips may not work on lips of another shape or maturity, and a highly unattractive feathered contour occurs when you apply lipstick to your skin rather than your lips.

Start your lip makeup application with a lip cream (eye cream serves the same purpose) or primer that is quickly absorbed by the lips. When outlining, stretch your lips slightly by opening your mouth, keeping it relaxed, and don’t smile. Define your cupid bow first, then draw upper and lower lip lines from corners to centre, and do not outline the corners.

Colour

You may find a lip brush handy for applying bright colours, especially if you are skipping lip pencil; however, I find this application approach too tedious for everyday makeup. A new lipstick usually has a point or wedge shape that is convenient to use for accurate colouring. If you are not completely satisfied with the accuracy of your application, you can pass a lip pencil over your lipstick to fix small flaws in the contour.

With your mouth relaxed, start your colour application by defining the cupid bow, moving the lipstick from the centre upward and outward.

Open your mouth wider, and draw the upper and lower lips from the corners to the centre. In the corners, blend your colour into the mouth, keeping it open.

Add more lipstick to the centre of your lips with long strokes in different directions. For a more festive look, apply lip gloss in the middle of the lips.

Ensure your lip colour does not extend beyond the contour, especially in the corners, and that there are no traces of lip colour on your teeth.

Maintenance

Layering your lip colour in the hope that it will stay longer does not make sense. Blotting your lips with a tissue between layer applications will destroy the suppleness of the waxes in your lipstick. Layered lipstick is very difficult to maintain and impossible to retouch; the same is true of long-lasting lipsticks, which can also be dehydrating and uncomfortable to wear. You will need to clean your lips completely and reapply your lip makeup from scratch.

Glosses and creamy lipsticks need to be retouched more often than long-lasting lipstick, but they are easier to retouch and keep fresh and free of small particles that can get stuck to the lips.

My advice would be to apply less lipstick, and retouch when needed. Instead of trying to figure out how to make your lipstick or gloss stay longer, just put it in your purse and go.

Lipstick colour

Lip colour has the longest history of all makeup, and is still evolving every year. Nowadays, with the huge range of brands, colours, and textures, we find it difficult to select products that suit us. Many women refuse to wear anything but the one or two lipsticks they are accustomed to using. I believe that every woman should own an assortment of lipsticks in various shades, each of them looking great with specific attire and in certain situations.

All of us would like to have a collection of lipstick colours, but we don’t want to waste money on products we will never use. When choosing lipstick quality, you will need to consider the performance of the lipstick, and how it feels on your lips. Most importantly, you must select the right shade.

In this article you will learn the three aspects of colour, which are:

• hue,
• brightness, and
• transparency

Hue

The hue of a lipstick may belong to the warm, cool, or neutral palette.

Warm colours look best on skins with warm undertones. Asian, some Hispanic, and warm black complexions look fabulous with salmon pink, coral, or golden brown lips.

Cool colours in pastel look more natural on women with skins that have cool undertones: pinkish European complexions, and black skins with red undertones. However, for stunning lips, a bright fuchsia or dark plum shade works best with warm-toned skin and hair.

Neutral colours are the most universal. Indeed, the most flattering lipstick shades for any complexion, pale or dark, will be on the boundary between the cool and warm palettes. Neutral lipstick colours, from soft peachy shades to poppy red, are also easy to wear with outfits in warm or cool shades.

If you have the confidence to wear the boldest looks, then try making your lipstick and outfit palettes complementary, instead of matching them. For example, the combination of a bright apricot lipstick with a navy blue suit, or fuchsia lips with an apple green dress, will create a stunning effect.

Brightness

The brightness of your lip colour will depend on the pigment density of your lipstick. However, lipsticks of the same brightness may look very different, depending on how strongly the lip colour contrasts with your skin tone. In this illustration, you can see how a single pastel or dark lipstick can appear different on light, medium, or dark skin.

For everyday makeup, choose a shade that corresponds to the natural colouration of your skin and hair. Your most flattering shades will sometimes change, depending on how tanned your skin is, and on your current hair colour.

To accentuate your mouth, your lipstick shade should contrast with your natural skin tone. Its brightness will depend on your attire, your personality, your mood, and the occasion. For a classy look, match your lip colour precisely to the hue and brightness of one of your accessories, or your jewellery.

To liven up your entire look, use a bright lipstick in any hue of red. The best shades of bright red are the hues between the warm and cool palettes. Dark reds are much easier to wear than bright reds, and offer a larger range of hues, from brownish reds to dark berries. Dark red lipsticks will also make your teeth appear whiter.

Coordinating with your outfit is also very important. I don’t like matching the brightness of makeup and attire: if both are bright, they will compete for attention; if mute, they will make you look washed out. You can match the hue of your lips with one of your outfit’s colours, but not the brightness.

Transparency

Lip colour can look transparent, sheer, or opaque, depending on its texture.

Transparent gloss is ideal for a young face; it makes the lips look full, sexy, and luscious. Gloss is also great for an instant lift when applied on top of your favourite lipstick, adding festiveness.

Sheer lipstick is ideal for natural, sensual lips, and suits women of every age group. Its texture is close to that of lip balm, making sheer lipstick moisturising and comfortable enough to wear every day. I also like the satiny finish, which creates luscious lips.

Opaque lipstick gives the best coverage and contains stronger pigments, making the colour appear more pronounced. Opaque lipstick is best for evening makeup, or for when you need to make a statement. Satiny, metallic, or matte finishes will create very different looks, from confident and bold to glamorous and sophisticated.

If you are creative and willing to experiment, blending different lip colours and textures may help to enrich your palette, but there are limitations: two products with differing transparencies may not blend well together, and blended colour is much harder to retouch because you must maintain the relative proportion.

Smoky eyes

Smoky eyes have become a classic party eye makeup look. The secret of this trend’s popularity is that smoky eyes can change your face dramatically, transforming the girl-next-door into a stylish diva.

Once you learn and master these application and blending techniques, the transition will take you only a few minutes. You can then have irresistible-looking eyes, even if they are not big or bright.

In this article you will learn:

• how to choose the texture of your eye makeup.
• which are the most flattering shades.
• easy and mess-free application techniques.

Colour

You will need one black eye pencil, at least two colours of powder eyeshadow, and dark mascara to produce a fantastic smoky eyes effect.

The base colour should be a rich shimmery (not metallic) powder texture. Choose a shade slightly darker than your skin tone. You may choose neutral beige or grey colours for a soft and sophisticated look; or use a bright base for a dramatic look.

The contour colour must be a dark, matte, or slightly shimmery colour. Choose between dark brown, blue, green, or purple, depending on the colour of your attire. Use black with any outfit for a stunning effect.

You may add a third shade to your smoky eyes: a slightly shimmery highlight colour applied just under the eyebrows. This will enlarge the eye area and also soften any demarcation lines that remain after blending. Your normal facial powder can produce the same result if you are aiming for a more sophisticated look.

Choose soft black eye pencil or kohl for an enhancing all-around contour. Never use liquid eyeliner; it is for crisp lines, not the soft and sultry look we are aiming for here.

Black thickening mascara and stronger-than-usual eyebrows are in tune with smoky eyes makeup.

Application

Outline your eye contour with a black eye pencil, all the way around. Make the line thicker along the upper lashes.

With a brush or a sponge applicator, apply your base colour eyeshadow on the mobile eyelid and above the crease, about halfway to the eyebrows, blending slightly.

With a pointy sponge applicator, apply contour colour eyeshadow all the way around your eyes, blending it well with the pencil line.

Half-close your eyes and apply contour colour in the crease.

You will now need to define the outside corners of your eyes using a horizontal “V” shape. The position of the pointy end of the “V” will control the apparent shape of your eyes.

With a medium-sized soft round brush (you can also use a flat one, holding it sideways), blend the eyeshadows on the upper eyelid. With a flat brush, blend the eyeshadows on the lower eyelid.

Repeat your contour colour application with a sponge, as many times as needed to achieve a deep shade. Blend again with brushes after every application.

Apply highlight colour eyeshadow or facial powder under your eyebrows to ease the blending of the dark contour and add some volume to your eye makeup.

For an irresistible deep regard, outline the inside contour of your eyes with eye pencil. Use darker-than-usual eyebrows and lots of mascara to finish the look. Your eyes should now be smokier then ever before!

To keep your bright eye makeup in balance, try a stronger blush, and keep your lips pale with a light gloss application.

Eye Make Up Tips That Really Work To Add Health And Beauty

Eye make up tips are provided on these pages to educate and entice you. There are countless tips that can be considered, but only the best are worth your time. Many of us realize that the eyes are the most essential part of the make up of the face. They are a window into just who we are. They are also a focal point for the rest of your make up. If done right, the make up will lure in those that are looking at you. That is what your goal is.

The Eyes Aren’t Everything

The make up that you use should be designed together, as a whole. From your eyes to your lipstick and everything in between, it all has to work together. Here you will find countless pages of information on how to formulate a look that helps to enhance your look and even that will define you. No matter what fashion trend you are pursuing or what beauty style you prefer, there are eye make up tips here that will allow you to be the very best at it.

Health Counts Too

One thing that should always be considered is the health of your eyes. Your vision should never be compromised for makeup and there is really no reason for that to happen either. Instead, you should be looking for overall health and well being with sensitive products, all natural products or those that are used correctly for health benefits.

There are many parts to the eye makeup tips that are provided here.

Eye Makeup

In the eye makeup section, you will find many of the tips that we all need. Consider what the right way to apply your eye makeup is. Do you need tips for the application process? Most of us would like to know what the beauty experts have to say on these matters and now you can learn the tips of the trade. Here, you will learn eyebrow tips, eyelash tips and eye makeup applications you will use the rest of your life.

Eye Cosmetics

Eye cosmetics are important, too. Here, you will learn about these products including how to use them, choose them and apply them. These beauty and toiletries are meant to help you to learn the proper selection of cosmetics that will benefit you overall. You will find information on eye creams, eyebrow enhancers, mascara, eyeliner, false eyelashes, concealers and eye makeup remover, plus much more.

Eye Health Care

Having healthy eyes is not a problem. Here, you will find eye health care tips and information. From the most natural approaches on, there is much to learn about how to use makeup and still have the quality vision you need. Healthcare is a must and always should come first. Find ophthalmology help that you need and the eye care you must have. Also, here is the place to find information about those wrinkles, puffy and baggy eyes, and the red eyes many of us face. Look for healthy remedy solutions here.

Finding Beauty Coupons and Promotions

When it comes to beauty, finding the best beauty coupons and beauty deals is a serious bonus. You want to have the perfect lipstick, the perfect eyeshadow, and the perfect look. But why settle on just one thing?

You need different looks for different occasions and moods. Finding beauty deals and using beauty coupons will help you save money while developing your looks. This means that you can buy more beauty products.

Different sites all over the net, including the manufacturers themselves, are constantly offering beauty deals, beauty coupons, and even free stuff. Check back often because deals change constantly.

Eye-Make-Up-Tips.com also features links and pages that will provide useful information as you go through your journey towards beauty. Find makeup tips, tools and resources that will surely come in handy for you.

In addition, you will find reviews for all major cosmetic brands; since there are so many different cosmetic brands to choose from and the choice might be overwhelming.

Eye make up tips like these are tips that everyone must have. Are you using the right eyeliner? Are you sure you are shaping your eyebrow the correct way? What about anti aging cream? Does it work? What are the top skin careproducts? There are plenty of questions and even more answers here for you to take full advantage of.

Nicole Farhi Spring/Summer Collection 2012

The Nicole Farhi Spring Summer Collection 2012 is full of bright colors and a youthful streak to it. The spring summer collection 2012 is based is modernized and a lot of new printing techniques have been experimented with floral prints. Yellow seems to be the trend for spring summer 2012. The designer has proved her mark and will celebrating her 30 year anniversary soon.

Nicole Farhi is French born, London based designerand her spring summer collection is all about modernizing and bright colors. Graphic yellow is used in a lot of dresses along with white which gives a summery feel to the dresses. Digitalized prints give a very futuristic idea of the trends and a lot of floral prints are visible. Canvas shorts and tunic tops are also seen showing the spring summer trends 2012.  

The collection is very sporty and energetic with buttercup yellow bursting in the floral prints. The karate belts were a great idea which gave shape to the voluminous front open tunics. Oriental necklines also give more shape to the dresses.  

 

A voluminous blouse over silk skirts that form a triangle at the bottom and are hemmed with coral prints was a little too much experimentation. Whereas bright orange and yellow tops and white knits with blue or pink splashed on it was a refreshing experiment and turned out to be great.  

 

Cocoon shaped coats and dresses were also a part of Nicole Farhi Spring Summer collection 2012, they are in pale peach and shades of mustard. The shorts were also a major part of the collection that gave a very summery feel. White checks are also used on skirts which was a good experiment. This collection is modern yet classy at the same time, the summer dresses take you to a cool paradise.  

 

The collection definitely leaves a mark on the fashion trends 2012 and Farhi again proved that her collection is for everybody. Everybody has something stored for them in her collection. The colors used are mostly yellow, white, peaches, mustards, pale pink and watermelon red.

Hairstyles & Headdresses

Overview

Fashion gets a little more daring with the headdress trend. The fashion world has seen some fabulous headwear styles and some gorgeous hairstyles to go with them. Take head-to-toe style a little more literal and try out your fashion luck with some hot headwear.

Casually Fun

As always, Sarah Jessica Parker does not disappoint in her metallic, multicolored headdress. It’s a cross between a turban and a hair wrap with a knot in the middle -- and it’s oh so fierce. This look calls for leaving your hair down, and since it's a bit hipster, go for a natural look -- skip the hair irons and go light on the hair products.

Ageless Style

No matter the era, fashion is fashion -- and headdresses are no different. Smaller headdresses from the 1950s, like the ones worn by the stylish Lucy and Ethel on the "I Love Lucy" TV show, can give you so much room to play without fear of overkill. If you opt for a smaller, fitted headpiece, let your hair share the style spotlight. Try heavy bangs, and take it further by subtly curling them to the side.

Royally Chic

We may not all be royalty but we can sure dress our hair like it. When going for a chic headdress like the ones worn by the lovely Kate Middleton, class and style are a must. Flowers, ribbon, tulle and pastels all call for soft styles. Lightly curl your hair, and since your face will likely be covered enough, pin some of your hair back so that it stays out of your face.

Don't Let it Wear You

Headdresses can get pretty massive, so when styling yourself, don't let the headdress wear you. This means your hairstyle should always complement your headdress, not compete with it. The bigger the headdress the more subtle the 'do. Also, avoid thick or oily hair products because if they get on your headdress, they can definitely dirty it, if not stain it.

The Best Hydrating Body Lotion

You cringe every time you hear that three letter word, the word that reminds you what Old Man Winter gave you for the holidays. That word is "dry" and your skin is suffering from it. Dry makes you itch. Dry is causing painful cracking. All you long for is hydrated skin that is soft and supple. Find a lotion with the right hydrating ingredients and you can banish that awful word and step into moisture.

Shea is What You Need

Shea is a wonderful fatty acid from nature that has many healing properties. It comes from the nut of the Karite tree, a tree indigenous to Africa. Shea is used as an oil and a butter. Shea is used for many things due to all of its beneficial fatty acids, vitamins and anti-inflammatory qualities, according to the American Shea Butter Institute. Shea is intensely hydrating and is said to help with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Shea helps soften calluses and relieves severely dry skin. The vitamins A and E in shea helps repair skin damaged from dryness.

Get a Dose of A and C

Pro-vitamins are essential to skin staying hydrated and retaining moisture. Pro-vitamins are also known as retinals. Vitamin A (also in shea butter) is a pro-vitamin. Skin lacking vitamin A tends to be dry. Carotenes are also part of the pro-vitamin family. Carotenes help repair damage and help stimulate new cell growth. Vitamin C, another pro-vitamin, helps heal skin and is thought to stimulate collagen.

You Need a Deep Conditioner for Your Skin

Jergens Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Body Lotion delivers ultimate hydration. This lotion was a favorite of "Allure" editors. The main ingredient is -- you guessed it -- shea butter. The shea nourishes skin. Its natural doses of vitamins A and C help repair skin and protect it from free radicals. They also stimulate new skin growth. The formula helps skin retain moisture. This is a very rich and intense lotion with a lightweight feel.

Keep Your Skin Hydrated Day and Night

If you are suffering from dry skin, there are a few things that you can do to restore moisture. First, use a hydrating lotion every day. If you are looking to kick start your moisture, use it day and night. Another simple thing that you can do to keep skin hydrated is to increase your water intake. Your skin needs water to work at its best. Be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. If you are active and exercise a lot, you will need to increase your water intake to more than eight glasses.