Goodbye 2016.

It's time to say goodbye to 2016 and hello to the new and exciting 2017. 

As I was doing my yearly clear out and putting away my decorations, I began thinking about how important it is to have a mind clear out as well. I'm not talking about permanently removing memories from your mind, although sometimes I really wish I could.  What I mean is reflecting on the previous year and allowing yourself to make piece with everything and collect all the memories, put them in a file and store it away. 


2016 was a big year of growth for me. Some years are more of a work in progress while others offer you some serious insight into who you are and where you want to go. So i've categorised all the highlights from my year.  


University

2016 was my final year as a student in university. From writing essays until my fingers felt numb to producing an entire magazine about Hong Kong as my dissertation, I pushed myself over the final hurdles of my studies and graduated in July, which was something I never believed I could achieve. 

Travel 

I was lucky enough to get a good amount of traveling done, which I hope to continue in 2017. Firstly trips to and from UK and HK over the holidays. Some crazy partying in Malia with my best friends. I then moved back to Hong Kong at the end of the summer, ventured to Macau for my 21st and finally snuck in a trip to Vietnam with my family after Christmas. 

Work 

Getting started on the career ladder has been extremely eyeopening, I've learnt what kind of path I would like to go down, as well as boost my confidence in both my writing and myself. You can check out my articles on http://magazine.foodpanda.hk

People 

Every year you get to say hello to a selection of new people, some who merely just pass by while others grow to become main characters in your life. But with hello's also come goodbye's, which my year had a lot of. 

Obviously no year is perfect and sometimes sad moments are going to come, but I would rather keep them private. 

So here's to an exciting, successful and happy 2017, thank you for your support! 

xx 

Kylie Jenner Inspired Makeup Tutorial

Kylie Jenner has been all over the gossip sites recently with her supposedly sending Justin Bieber nudes. But rumors aside, there is no doubt that she is absolutely stunning and like her sisters, the Kardashians, her makeup is always perfect. Kylie's instagram is like a personal magazine all about her. I have already taken inspiration from her hair style, hence the short cut. But now I think it's time to steal her makeup too! 

Firstly, using your normal foundation, powder and concealer make your face up but remeber Kylie's makeup is quite thick so apply it generously without making yourself look orange! 

Then its time to get into the detail of her makeup. Kylie's eyebrows are her defining feature, she wears them dark and bold so make sure you outline them sharply and fill them in with an eyebrow pencil. Pluck any loose hairs that don't fit well into the shape (It's best if you do this a while before you start your makeup but I'm not that organized) 

Kylie's is usually a smokey brown with an ombre effect. Start with a white shimmery base and highlight under your eyebrow, then with a light gold colour cover your eyelid. Once these colours are set go over the back half of your eyelid with a darker brow and blend well. This will give you eyeshadow that subtle ombre effect. 

I used the Naked 2 pallet to archive this look with the colours Verve for the white shimmer under the eyebrow, Suspect for the first covering of my eyelid and Snakebite for the dark smokey effect on the edge and finally a touch of Busted to darken it slightly. 

Apply black eyeliner to your water line and to the bottom of your eyelid to give your eye more definition and outline. Then use mascara to darken and lengthen your eyelashes, Kylie's eyelashes are always super long, so the more the merrier! 

Highlighter helps to brighten up your makeup and define certain aspects of your face. Kylie will usually apply it under her eyes, down her nose and above her eyebrows. Apply it lightly to these areas and blend it in so that its lighter but not too obvious. 

Using a mixture of light blusher and bronzer, highlight your cheeks and define your cheekbones by brushing the powers up your jawline. This will lighten up your face and help to make your face look thinner and more defined. 

Finally, apply a nude or pale coloured lipstick. Kylie often changes from dark lipstick to natural lipstick a lot but since this the eye makeup is so dramatic, a natural lip gives it the subtle finishing touch needed.

Final Look

 

Products Used 

Left to Right: GOSH lipstick in Cappuccino, Cosline black eyeliner, Collection Extreme felt tip liner, MAC False lashes extreme black, Urban Decay Naked 2, MAC studio fix powder in NC20, MUA Mosaic Blush in English Rose, Bourjois Bronzing Powder in shade 51, Maybelline Pure.Liquid Mineral foundation in Honey Beige, Benefit Watt's Up highlighter, Maybelline Browdrama in Medium Brown and Matbelline Master Shape brow pencil in soft brown. 

What do you think about this makeup look? If you want be to attempt anyone else just leave a name in the comments xx

Confidence in Fashion

Confidence has got to be one, if not the most important thing about fashion. A dress can look beautiful and perfect on the hanger but if you put it on and hate it, there is no chance for it. People are always saying how confidence is sexy but they don't express just how important it is in everyday life. From the moment you put on an outfit for the day, you are deciding how you're going to feel. If you put on a skin tight dress that you think might be a bit to small but "never-mind it'll do" you'll spend the whole day covering your stomach paranoid that someone might see a fat roll. But if you put on a dress that you love you'll be skipping around all day and physically appear better looking because you're smiling and strutting your stuff. 

I went through a phase where I brought maxi skirts, I didn't even think I looked good in them but I tried one on in the changing room, went out to show my friend and she thought it looked amazing. That little boost of confidence made me buy it but its never seen the light of day since. Now you might be wondering what's wrong with maxi skirts? And to be honest I see them hanging up and really wish they suited me, but they don't. I feel that they make my hips stand out too much and make me look shorter then I already am, as much as they are seen on and off the catwalks I will never feel confident in one. 

So before the big summer season arrives in stores with hundreds of tank tops and bikini's, I'd just like to say: Just because it's the must have of the season or in every shop you go to, you don't have to buy it, you don't have to try to make it work and you certainly don't have to force yourself to wear it just so that you appear fashionable. Wear what you like and what makes you feel your best, for me the colour black makes me feel confident and although sometimes it may look like I'm going to a funeral, I don't care. Make your own decisions on what you like, don't just follow the trend. 

xx

My Wardrobe Essentials

You may think you need a huge wardrobe full of expensive designer shoes and coats and be able to dish out the cash every season to buy the new trend to make you fashionable. But all you need are some key items that you can pair with anything to make it seem like you own more outfits.

These key items are better off being your usual colours such as black, white, grey and demin, as they never go out of style. They also make it easier to pair with coloured clothes if you want more in your wardrobe. 

Jackets/Cardigans

A blazer is a perfect way to smarten up any outfit, so if you can't be bothered to wear uncomfortably high heels and an "I can't breath" dress, then you're blazer will be your bestfriend. 

A plain white cardigan can be for slouching but can also help you dress down an outfit, so if you really want to wear that new dress you brought, but theres not special occasion then just chuck on one of these. 

Leather jackets have always made me feel badass and cool so if your outfit is lacking that little bit of edge then the leather will definitely give you some.

Tops/Shirts

A shire black top can be sexy and casual depending on what you pair it with, so if you want a night out look then a high waisted skirt and some heels will make you look hot as, but for a more causal look pair it with jeans and a leather jacket. 

I'm a sucker for denium shirts, I just think they go with anything and if I can't be bothered to look for an oufit I just pull one on over some legging and vuala! 

Everyone needs a black tank top in their wardrobe no matter who you are! Even my mum has one to put under any see through of revealing clothing to smarten you up. 

Although printed jumpers are not exactly the most fasionable of clothing, they are super cute and in winter you just want to rap up in one and drink hot chocolate. 

Skirts/Trousers

To me lace is pretty much timeless and gives any outfit that elegant touch, so whether its a skirt or a dress, its always nice to have a little lace in your wardrobe for those special occasions.

Black jeans are a must as they go with absolutely anything, but make sure you get the perfect size because i've been having real trouble trying to find a pair that doesn't give me builders bum!

And of course leggings! they go with anything, they're comfy, easy and oh so in right now, these are a must have in your wardrobe. 

What are your wardrobe essentials? Thanks for reading xx 

Be Brave, Wear Yellow!

Summer fashion is all about bright colours, bold patterns and keeping cool. This season is no different, with pastel pinks, bright whites and lemon yellows taking over our stores. Designers experiment and have fun with their designs, making us feel sexy and confident in the sun.

Personally I find it hard to think fashionably in the summer, because the heat just makes me throw on a tank top and some shorts. But this year there are some gorgeous simple summer outfits to keep you cool and stylish. 

Here are some of my top yellow looks from this years spring/ summer collection

Collette Dinniga 2014

Moschino Cheap&Chic 2014

Jonathan Saunders 2014

Yellow is an extremely hard colour to pull off especially if you have pale skin, which usually puts me off even looking at anything yellow in stores. But this summer I thought i'd give it a go, using Jonathan Saunders idea of paring a yellow top and black skirt together. Although this doesn't give you the typical  summer look, the black brightens the yellow making it the perfect combination.

I decided to do a little photo shoot to show you my black and yellow combination that is perfect for cold english summers. 

Nail Polish: Electric Yellow from Maybelline 

Shoes: from International 

Top: River Island, Skirt: New Look

I hope this post gives you some outfit inspiration, be brave and wear yellow! I'm trying to do more fashion based posts so tell me what you think xx 

Oliver Goldsmith's Sunglass Collection

 I'm very much not a history person, but when it comes to fashion history i'll make an exception. I find it fascinating to know where all our outfit inspiration and designs come from and whether the past has helped shape our style choices today. So when I discovered this hidden gem of a collection in the building next to my university I couldn't wait to take my camera out and show you guys some of the dazzling glasses featured in the mini museum. 

Oliver Goldsmith was a very popular family-run glasses business in the 20th century, stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly were renowned for wearing their glasses. He was the first person to see sunglasses as an extra fashion accessory, which is why his deigns are so flamboyant and unique compared to sunglasses we have today. He worked alongside designer brands such as Dior and Givenchy to produce beautiful and unusual statement pieces, which got him featured multiple times in Vogue. Take a look! 

As much as these are beautiful, I don't think i'd ever have the courage to actually wear them, but they are very pretty to look at. 

The address for this mini museum is:
Liberty Way, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear SR6 oGL, United Kingdom 

What do you think about this collection, to extreme or the perfect statement piece? Thank you for reading xx