Fragrance Friday: Taylor By Taylor Swift

This is the third perfume from Taylor I've bought and loved both of her previous perfumes. The newest addition to her collection however, is quite different from the others...

It's richer, creamier and more mature. The fruity notes of lychee, tangerine and apricot mix beautifully with a floral concoction of magnolia, hortensia, vanilla orchid and peony. Some woodiness and musk in the base give it some guts and overall, it's a delicious, addictive scent.

For me, this is my favourite of all three of Taylor's perfumes. The one thing I can't take to however, is the bottle. The design in theory is nice, but something about the multi-coloured ribbon pattern looks a bit cheap to me. Maybe it's the mix of the vintage looking cap (complete with fake pearls) paired with the milkshake-glass-like flacon, mixed with the 70's style disco print. It seems like the designers couldn't decide what direction they wanted to go in, so added a little bit of everything and for me it just doesn't work.  That being said, packaging shouldn't matter and I've still fallen totally in love with the scent.

As usual with Taylor's perfumes, the price point is really affordable too at $45 for 30ml, $60 for 50ml and $80 for 100ml. It is only sold as an EDP so the staying power is great. Overall a total winner for me. Well done Taylor!

Dove Colour Live (Nuffnang event)

Last week on Tuesday I was invited to attend a Nuffnang event called, 'Dove Colour Live'. A bunch of bloggers were invited by email to attend this lovely event hosted by Dove and their marketing team, to learn mostly about colour and which ones correspond to hues, and our personalities.


When I got there, i was greeted with some Champagnes, not a bad start, and we were directed to a dark room, with a flat screen TV at the front. Then the lights began to change colour, and a voiceover described what they represented. The lady on the screen then said that colour is a way to incorporate all the senses into life and enhance them, particularly focusing on how colours make her 'feel', at the end of the video it is revealed that she was blind, it made the message of the video a lot more impactful.



                                    


Then we went into this bright white room with a bright purple light, that looked a lot like a studio. We had some great speakers there who talked about colour and hair and little snacks and drinks were served around. They also served a Cucumber Vitality juice which was to promote healthy hair and if you like the nails on hand model, you can go see more fabulous designs on her blog here.

We then split off into little groups for mini consultations with a colour therapist. This was my favourite part of the night. She had us look in the mirror, then proceeded to identify our 'seasons' we corresponded with, and the colours that suit us to wear. According to her I was hard to identify, I'm a Cool Summer/Winter type, Summer are the quiet, highly organised and focused. Winter are the really outgoing types, Autumn people are passionate and Spring is light-hearted and just looking for a good time. Which one do you think you are?

She gave us a lot of information about colours we SHOULD and SHOULDN'T wear. For example, black clothes can be nice, but generally they close people off from you, so people are less likely to want to approach you. Whereas, red makes you more attractive to men and they are more likely to spend money on you. So if you are getting ready for a date and you can't choose between red and black, now you know which to choose!




Apparently I should wear bold bright colours and contrasts. Which is also true for the stunning model below who's blog you can find here.




Another plus is, when we left, we got given Goody Bags. It's a DOVE bag containing products to keep healthy and freshly-coloured hair.

                                                     

I just want to thank Nuffnang for inviting me, and the Dove team for not only providing an amazing and informative night, but also a bunch of great products for me to protect my hair with. Also, thanks to the other girls there that made the night so fun, and I had a great time meeting everyone.

Review: YSL Glossy Stain Lipstick

A revolutionary lip product! Glossy Stain combines the texture and shine of a gloss with the long-wear of a stain for a truly innovative lip product. A lightweight texture that immediately melts onto lips. Glossy Stain delivers intense glossy colour for an extremely long lasting new kind of shine. 

These are pretty big claims and I can honestly say i was very impressed by this lip product. I was fairly skeptical at first because most lip products that have the word 'Glossy' in the name, really means "Wears off before leaving the house" safe to say, "long lasting" is not a phrase I would associate. 

The design of the product is very classic and lovely. I think the simplicity shows class and elegance, both of which fit within the brands image. I particularly liked the strip of colour on the front. The amount of times I search through all my lipsticks and grab aimlessly because I can't see or remember what colour they all are, the strip removes that struggle and makes it super easy. I also really like the applicator's unique slanted tip and short soft bristles because it allows for flawless application with perfect precision. 

I was honestly so impressed by the durability of this product, it lasted almost 3+ hours without needing to retouch, not only is it durable. It is also fairly pigmented. However I did decide that if you want a natural shine, apply one coat on the center of the lips and brush towards the outer corners. For a stronger colour, perhaps for a nighttime look, apply two coats using the outer curved side of the applicator, then dab on the formula generously over lips.

I would definitely get your hands on this if you can. It is slightly more pricy but if you are in the market for a more high end lip product, you can rest assured that this one will not disappoint.

How to dress for your body shape: Inverted Triangle

Inverted triangle body types have a large upper half of the body and a slim lower half. They are characterized by large busts, large shoulders, wider, undefined waists, small hips and thin legs. Inverted triangles should try to accentuate their small hips and legs while drawing attention away from their large chest and shoulders.

• Choose bottoms that flare to balance out the larger upper half of the body. Skirts and pants with a flare add the illusion of size.

• Pick tops that show off thin arms to flatter this body type. Sleeveless tops and flutter sleeve tops accomplish this goal.

• Wear darker colors on top and lighter colors on the bottom. This minimizes the top half. Lighter colors also create the illusion of a larger bottom half, and creates proportion.

• Buy tops that cover the hip area. This hides the wider waist that inverted triangle body types have. It also draws the attention towards the shapely and slim legs associated with an inverted triangle body type.

• Try tops that have less detail. Details draw attention to the top, and will make an inverted triangle's top even more noticeable.

• Wear shirts with large straps. Anything strapless or with thin straps will draw attention to wide shoulders. Sleeveless tops are flattering if they don't make the shoulders appear more broad with thin straps.

Play down the top:

Tops should draw attention downward away from the shoulders.

V neck, wrap style and vertical lines in the bodice all draw attention downward.

Jackets should be narrow at the shoulders and widest at the hips.

Wear Tailored shirts and jackets.

Wear dark colored tops.

Vertical lines created with accessories will draw the attention downward

Monochromatic colors in draped styles will lengthen the body.



Play up the bottom:
Wear a belt, it will accent your waist

Choose bottoms that enhance and flatter your lower body.

Strong visual details below the waist will draw the attention downward.

Wear pants with pockets and embellishment.

Wear wide leg or boot cut pants.

Wear a full or A-line skirt.

Wear horizontal lines on the bottom half.

Add volume with thicker fabrics on the bottom with fabrics like knit, wool or tweed.

Show off those great legs with a great pair of pumps.

Stay away from shoes with straps, they will shorten your legs.

How to dress for your body shape: Apple

If you have an apple-shaped body, then your body is "top heavy," meaning you have a wide torso, broad shoulders, and a full bust, waist, and upper back. Apple-shaped bodied women also tend to have thinner arms, legs, and hips, and tend to gain weight at their waistlines. If you have an apple shaped-body, then you should be proud of your full figure and get ready to flaunt it. But if you want to show off what you've got, you need to dress appropriately. If you want to know how to reallydress to flatter your apple-shaped body, then keep reading!


Draw attention away from your middle. To dress your apple-shaped body, you'll want to take attention away from your middle, since it's already full. To draw attention away from your middle, avoid low shorts or pants, high-cut shirts, or any fabric length that cuts off below or above your middle. You'll want to distract people from your middle by directing their attention elsewhere or by creating more definition in your waistline.
You should also avoid wearing an outfit with a different pattern in the belly area. This will draw more attention to your belly.

Avoid wearing thick belts, which will draw more attention to your middle.

Avoid clingy shirts or dresses, which will also draw attention to your middle.


Emphasize your bust. If you have an apple-shaped body, then you must have a great bust, so don't be afraid to flaunt it. Showing off your bust will not only emphasize one of your most amazing features, but it will also take attention away from your middle. To emphasize your bust, you should wear v-necks, plunging necklines, or A-line dresses, to lengthen your body and draw attention to your bust.
Wear shirts or dresses that flow from under your bust, expanding at the waist.

Remember that drawing attention to your bust is different from looking top-heavy. You don't need to wear elaborate necklaces or tops with ornate patterns near the neck. You already have a great bust, so it needs no adornments.


Show off your legs. A great pair of legs often comes with the apple-shaped body. So, whether you're tall or on the shorter side, don't be afraid to show off your great legs. You can do this with a pair of short-shorts, or high heels that lengthen your body and balance out your bottom half.
Don't minimize your legs by wearing big heavy boots, leggings, or skinny jeans. This will only make your gorgeous legs look smaller.

Tops

Pay attention to the cut of your top. Whether you're wearing a top or a dress, there are a few rules for wearing a top that flatters your bust and draws attention from your waist line. Here are some types of tops to wear and some others to look out for:[2]
Wear: tops with v-necks, plunging necklines, strapless, scoop, or tops with narrow bodices. This will draw more attention to your bust and elongate your upper body.

Avoid: tops with a halter, very high necklines, decorated neckline, off-the shoulder cut, or boat neck. This will make your shoulders broader and will draw too much attention to your chest.

Pair your top with an appropriate jacket or coat. The right jacket can help camouflage your heavy midriff. You should wear a jacket that is single-breasted and doesn't have too many details. Wearing a structured jacket or coat will create curves in your chest and hips and will minimize your waist. Layering your top will help create balance for your figure. Here are some other things to try:
Tailored blazers and coats

Opened cardigans or waistcoats

A duster coat that ends above the knee

Bottoms

Wear the right pants. You'll need to show off your legs to balance out your apple-shape. Drawing attention to your legs will help add more balance to your look. Don't downplay your legs by wearing skinny jeans, leggings, or any other too-tight fabric. This will make your legs look even smaller and will make your waist look even larger as a result. Here are some other tricks to try when choosing a pair of pants for your bottom half

Avoid pants that have a lot of zippers in the front, or this will draw more attention to your middle. Try to find a pair of pants with zippers on the sides instead.

Wear pants with back pockets. This will create definition in your flatter bottom and will balance out your waist.

Wear pants that are denim, trouser cut, flared, wide-legs, or boot cut.

Wear the right skirt. A great skirt can help define your apple-shaped body. Try wearing a skirt that has a bias cut or an A-line, or flatter your figure with a full circle skirt. Avoid skirts that are tight around the waist or which fall at your natural waist. You can also wear a trumpet skirt or skirts with a hanky hem

WHICH CELEBRITIES HAVE A PEAR-SHAPED BODY?

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Liz Hurley and Drew Barrymore

                                 

Chanel's Coco Noir Fragrance Review

Coco Noir was launched in September 2012.

"For Coco Noir, I thought of Coco and of Coco Mademoiselle too, because it’s also part of the history. I wanted to continue exploring an entire esthetic range of CHANEL perfumery, a range that distinguishes itself from the Florals, one that is illustrated by Bois-des-Iles and Cuir de Russie. I took it up with Coco. It’s what I like to call the CHANEL Coromandel culture, what you see and feel in her apartment. The night vision of the ‘Orient that starts and ends in Venice’ imposed itself upon me and that is where I wanted to go.” perfumer Jacques Polge.
In 1984, there was Coco, that sumptuous blend of wood, resins, flowers, spices and fruit. A treasure trove of splendours and an endless source of discovery and sensual delight. Then, in 2001, came Coco Mademoiselle, a breath of air that lightens this cornucopia of fragrance, in which everything is simplified and accelerated in a radiant burst of fruit and flower. And today there is Coco Noir, a great nocturnal Baroque. Another journey in the wake of a Gabrielle who fully embraced the dazzle of black and Venice, incorporating them not only into her creations but into her life.

Top notes: grapefruit, Calabrian bergamot, Heart: rose, narcissus, rose geranium leaf and jasmine. Base: tonka bean, sandalwood, vanilla, patchouli and white musk frankincense.

This particular perfume was my wedding fragrance, it lasted all night and even into the next day! The staying power is incredible.

The bottle is just as classic as the brand is. Sleek and simple, the signature black colouring. This is deffinitly a classic perfume in the making. It is a musky scent, a perfect night time perfume. This fragrance is perfect for all ages.