Time to get chocolatey this Easter!

Hear ye hear ye, all chocoholics! Easter is around the corner and yes, it is the month of chocolate feasting. Don’t we all love that special taste of chocolate? Whether it’s white, milk, dark, mint, orange, etc., it’s undeniably irresistible. As I believe you already know, eating chocolate makes you feel good as it triggers the release of endorphins into your system. Dark chocolate apparently is also high in anti-oxidants. But lest you decide to go on the dark chocolate diet, let me remind you that whatever the chocolate, there will still be a large amount of calories in it from the milk and sugar. 

If, like me, the advent of Easter is getting you a little nervous about piling on the calories and possibly suicidal from thoughts of breakouts on your face, panicky not. We offer you the chance to indulge in a fat-free chocolate fix. Rather than binging on Mini Eggs and Lindt chocolates, go crazy on these fabulous chocolate beauty products.

Take real good care of your skin by slapping on vegan Raw Gaia Chocolate Face Mask 50g, £8.03 on your face. Packed with raw chocolate powder, this dudette will draw out toxins, cleanse and nourish for a smooth, well-toned complexion.

 Slather cocoa butter all over yourself. Moisturize and firm up at the same time with Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Butter 250ml, £4.50. It’ll make you feel and smell soooo good.

Can’t say ‘no’ to chocolate orange and coffee? LUSH Sonic Death Monkey Shower Gel 250g, £8.07 uses real cocoa butter and arabica coffee, leaving you light-headed and smelling delectable all day.

Take your lust for chocolate to the next level with sulfate-free Healthy Sexy Hair^® Chocolate Soymilk Shampoo 13.5oz, £12.95 that maintains hair colour with its sunscreen formula, leaving it smooth and silky whilst giving it a light scent of chocolate milk.

Put away that Dairy Milk and instead, doll yourself up with Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in Milk Chocolate, £16.

 

Then indulge in a soft, sexy and sparkly lipgloss from Lily & Lolo Mineral Cosmetics in Cocoa Kiss, £8 for kissable and oh-so-sweet smackers.

If you’re already working on your summer tan, why not try MAC Eyeshadow in Swiss Chocolate, £9.79. A mute reddish brown matte colour will work wonders in bringing out that chocolate goddess in you!

 

Davina Lim

Library Chic: The Wait!

Dusty books… stale coffee… the vague trace of terror and Pro-Plus in the air… Surely these are the things that one should associate with a university library?  And yet, if you walk around the floors of our library here at Birmingham, everybody seems remarkably calm, jaunty even, and more worryingly… stylish.  Maybe the panic just hasn’t set in yet, and come May, the pretty dresses and carefully selected accessories will be abandoned, but at the moment, if you walk around 3C, the boys are clean-shaven and smell of aftershave, and the girls are fresh-faced, high-heeled, hair-straightened.  We can only hope that the period between May 1^st and June 5^th will come as a great equaliser, and these shiny, groomed specimens will crumble into the woolly hat-wearing, Red Bull-swigging messes that should be populating our library.  

Please understand, I mean no ill-will towards them, I just think that there is an integral moment in every student’s life, when they realise that they haven’t eaten a proper meal in a week, that they now run purely on caffeine and adrenalin, and that their entire outfit would not look out of place at the gym/their Nan’s house/an asylum.  Dissertation hand-in week has not seemed to deter the stalwart fashionistas, but final exams might just do it. Perhaps this is a naïve observation, and in some cave in 4D, there is a group of malnourished, unwashed, exhausted workers, that will fulfil every grubby student stereotype, but until they emerge for supplies, I’m watching for the cracks to appear in the Purple Computer Room, the makeup to slip, and the hoodies to come out. 

Angharad Jones

photo credits: fashion156.com, stefaniegraceblog.blogspot.com

Your Ultimate Guide to Spring/Summer Trends!

First things first… Don’t panic. Twice a year,  the new trends announce themselves on the catwalks of the most innovative and talented designers in the world, and the fear starts to edge its way in: Is this a trick? Is this some horrible Emperor’s New Clothes scenario, with me at the centre, wearing a puffball skirt, gold-plated leggings, and python-effect blazer? For the most part, the answer is no. The catwalks show the most intense version of a trend, and we mere mortals wait for the kind people on the high street to create the Real World equivalent (hopefully minimising python body count in the process).  And so, with nerves suitably calmed, what will be this year’s purple, or indeed, spring’s answer to the Alice-band craze of ’08?

This summer, tribal prints and vibrant colours are going to be influencing every aspect of the fashion-savvy wardrobe, from dresses to shoes, and back up to sunhats.  The runways of Anna Sui and Louis Vuitton were dominated by bold patterns and colours, broken up by feathers and wooden jewellery.  This is one of the more wearable trends, whether you go for the full-length, patterned sundress, or just let it inspire your choice of bikini, or sarong this summer.  Rich browns, and terracotta oranges are the key colours for this look, so choose a coral lipgloss, or smudgy, chocolate eyeliner to bring out the most vibrant parts of your outfit.

At completely the other end of the fashion spectrum, you have the beautiful ballerina dresses from the Nina Ricci and Giambattista Valli shows.  Although they might seem a bit fussy, this trend can be toned down to create a soft, pretty spring look, and is definitely one to consider when choosing evening dresses, as it is a much more current take on the ever-present prom dress.  If Darcy Bussell is not your ideal style icon, then try pulling your hair into a messy bun, pulling down a few tendrils, and securing with a loosely bowed ribbon, which will give the feel of the look, without the drama of the dresses.  

Under no circumstances should anybody be tying ribbons up their legs, unless you are flying through the air with the greatest of ease, nobody needs to be laced into their pumps.

One of the few survivors of this year’s seasonal fashion cull has been the faithful leggings, which for a fairly modest item of clothing, were seen all over the runways.  However, competition came in the form of billowing harem pants, which are being hailed as the new shape of spring/summer trousers. These enforce the strict rules of outfit balancing, as tops must be skin-tight, and starkly lacking in detailing, so as not to detract from the line of the trousers.

Vivienne Westwood, once again, showed some of the most striking examples of one of the key trends of SS09, as her blinding use of metallic fabric reflected the awestruck faces of the fashion elite.  On the high street, American Apparel has gold and silver leggings and leotards, or if you prefer a more subtle gleam, Barry M has nail varnishes in lots of shimmering, metallic shades.

As for accessories, it is simple really: Think big.  Jewellery is huge. Plain evening dresses with chunky, colourful necklaces, or strings and strings of pearls; sundresses with bangles piled up to the elbow; costume jewellery in the shape of wrist-breakingly heavy rings…  And in terms of bags, the giant, slouchy holdall has won out over the demure, evening clutch.  In other words, avoid the gym, just accessorise with aplomb.

Angharad Jones

The Sanctuary's Guide to Transitional Dressing!

Knowing how to dress in-between seasons is something of an art form, in particular considering the unpredictability of British weather, but once you’ve nailed it, it can often be the most fun time to play around with fashion and looks. Not quite the connoisseur yet? Never fear, here is The Sanctuary’s definitive guide to Transitional dressing.                                                                                                                                

Layering is key to Winter-Spring dressing (and is a concept also easily applied to the Summer-Autumn period) by protecting from the cold and accommodating you for any Spring warmth which may materialise (if we’re lucky!). Think layering tough rock-chick leather jackets and blazers over feminine dresses for a sexy, fresher take on the Autumn-Winter trends. Channel your inner Gossip Girl by adding knee high socks for a preppy, Manhattan-chic edge.                                                                        

As we enter the Winter-Spring period outerwear suddenly becomes dangerous territory. A winter coat is too heavy but some sort of outerwear is still needed when braving the outdoors. Consider the period’s most covetable coat-the cape, or a light mac or trench coat. These will be sure to see you through until the happy days where a coat is no longer needed (hurrah!). As the weather gets warmer, try adding a waistcoat to your usual ensemble. The look is set to be a key trend for Spring/Summer having already been seen at Gucci, DSquared and Moschino.                                                     

Cardigans are a fail-safe, everygirlshouldownatleastfive wardrobe staple, in particular during the transition period. Their versatility is unparalleled and there is no end to their wearability factor: wear long with an obi waist belt and tights or wet-look leggings, wear over gorgeous knitted dresses and tops (as seen at 3.1. Phillip Lim), or over a simple tiered ruffle skirt and tank top. The possibilities are endless! A belted cardi, like on the Alessandro Dell’Acqua catwalk, is always sexy-cool and exudes feminity and effortless style. For the brave amongst us, why not pair a leggings-and-cardigan-combo with over the-knee boots for the ultimate in sexy?                                                                                                            

A favourite look of mine is an oversized jumper or jersey top worn off the shoulder with leggings and accessorised-up with rings, belts, bangles and scarves. It’s an easy look to throw together and combines comfort and playfulness without compromising on style. Topshop and American Apparel are essential haunts for this look, and remember, the bigger the top the better-I always buy them at least 3 sizes too big!                                                                                                                                                     

Now is the time to shed the dark colours of the Winter palette in favour of nudes and earthy tones of green, tawny, beige and brown, with the slow introduction of Spring/Summer’s essential hues: gold, orange, green and pink. Now is also the perfect time to play around with accessories. As the weather remains bitter gloves, hats and scarves are necessities, along with the jewellery-box staples of statement accessories. Spring/Summer sees the return of HUGE earrings and necklaces so be sure to raid the high street now for yours. Don’t be afraid to experiment and, as an advocate of the ‘more is more’ look, I truly believe you can never wear too many accessories!                                                     

As we enter the realm of Spring/Summer wear, here is a roundup of trends to begin introducing into your wardrobe: The textures- Sequins, lamé, ruffles; the adornments- Zips, Feathers, Fringing; the details- Dots, Bows, Broderie Anglais and Cut Outs; and the concepts- Ballerinas and Orientalism.

 

Jodi Lawler

Michelle Obama: The Fashion World's Latest Crush

The fashion world is going crazy for America's newest First Lady. Michelle Obama epitomized class and calm throughout the entire election campaign process for her husband Barack Obama, the recently elected president of the United States. Yet whilst the rest of the world gets excited about him, the fact that there is a black man in office and the welcome change from having George Bush in charge, fashionistas are all over Michelle Obama.

However, we must look at why she looks so good. Is it because she spends hours choosing outfits or getting her nails done? Probably not. She is a Princeton and Harvard graduate with a successful law career, two young girls and a media following Paris Hilton would be proud of! Her husband has just been inaugurated into the White House; one can only imagine when she finds the time to wash her hair! Michelle’s glow comes from inner radiance, a strong sense of personal style and a confidence borne from years as an attorney and career woman.

She stands at 5'11'', yet isn't scared of sticking on a pair of designer heels and strutting out in front of the world. Her fashion choices reflect this. She has been praised for mixing high street with the lesser-known designers, such as Jason Wu, Maria Pinto, Isabel Toledo and Thakoon and breaking away from the First Lady mould, namely away from Hilary Clinton's skirt suits! Whilst a large chunk of the Republican budget went on Armani and Valentino for Sarah Palin’s preened “hockey mom” image, Michelle wore an economy-friendly dress from H&M to one important event, J Crew on inauguration day and was even praised with a grand fashion soiree in her honour, thrown by none other than Anna Wintour herself! She has even graced the cover of US Vogue. We can only look forward in anticipation to what she produces out of her wardrobe next!

It seems that along with Carla Bruni-Sarkozy recreating the timeless elegance of Jackie Kennedy in a way only an ex-supermodel knows in France and our very own Sarah Brown supporting worthy causes with Downing Street fashion bashes and wearing British designers, women no longer feel the need to hide behind their politician husbands in dowdy suits. The current world of politics has a new breed of modern, fashionable women and Michelle Obama has just stepped up as leader of the pack. 

 

Stefanie Haigh

Beauty News...

In 1976, Jean and Jane Ford – twins born in Indiana – decided that after years of experimenting, the world was ready for their particular brand of makeup. They embraced the idea that cosmetics could be both functional and fun, started a company and began to design beauty products around these ideals.

The result is a brand that has grown into the multi-million dollar, trans-national empire known as Benefit, present in department stores and chemists throughout the world today. Since 1976, the company has continued to expand and showers women with new and innovative products to solve every beauty dilemma. Although the world is currently being hit by an economic downturn, cheeks still need to be rouged, mascara must still be applied and lipstick must stay on the lips. This is where Benefit comes in with their mid-priced, effective beauty solutions. The latest treats to hit our shelves are enough to get any girl to dip into her student loan and splash out on one of their petite and perfectly packaged products to beat the winter blues that typify January and February. Firstly, two new mascaras have recently become available – Bad Gal Waterproof Mascara and Bad Gal Plum Mascara (both £14.50). Bad Gal mascara is an amazing invention (and my personal favourite) that actually remains on your eyelashes at all times – unlike some mascaras – and coupled with a lovely winter plum shade or the waterproof technology to withstand seasonal snow and rain, Benefit really have a hold on the mascara-wearing masses. As your lashes will look so pretty, it would be a crime not to treat the area around your eyes with the new Powderflage (£19.50 with applicator), a brand new light-diffusing, lighter than air powder to perk up tired eyes that can be used on the rest of the face if necessary. Just finish with a sweep of the latest blusher – Coralista (£22.50) – to complete the look and you are ready to go. Of course, there is a whole treasure trove of products to plunder, but if you are a Benefit virgin the new mascaras and the blusher are certainly a good place to start – teamed with High Beam (£15.50) perhaps, one of their top selling cheek and brow highlighters. Go along to a counter (Debenhams and Selfridges in the Bullring) and speak to one of their representatives to get recommendations or browse through their website (www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk) to learn more about the company itself and maybe even order yourself a box of delights online to be delivered to your front door. 

Elizabeth Kent

My-wardrobe.com Launches New Menswear Collection!

What would you think if you saw these guys walking past you? That maybe they need HELP in getting dressed in the morning? To celebrate the unveiling of their new menswear section my-wardrobe.com completed a hilarious stunt in the centre of London!

 

Since its launch in 2006, my-wardrobe.com has been a Mecca for fashion-conscious women, offering the best in luxury, high-end clothing, shoes and accessories. The site prides itself on providing its customers with an extensive range of well-known and ‘up and coming’ designer collections to complete their fashion wardrobe. It is at the forefront in making prominent cutting edge talent and often features ‘ones to watch’ amongst their impressive line up of designers which includes Christian Dior Vintage, See by Chloé and Paul & Joe Sister.

Due to the overwhelming success of my-wardrobe.com’s womenswear collection, the site has launched its menswear collection in time to showcase Spring/Summer ’09 collections. The new my-wardrobe.com for men is a one stop shop for all things chic, providing shoppers with the crème de la crème of men’s fashion: Paul Smith London, Vivienne Westwood and Polo Ralph Lauren to name but a few. Shoppers are spoilt for choice for the Spring/Summer season with ready to wear, footwear and accessory collections by almost forty high-end designers.

The site provides an enjoyable way for men to shop their favourite designers, with the options of exploring the site by ‘brand’, ‘style’ or ‘new in’. Its interactive features include exclusive designer interviews, grooming advice and style news, under the ‘My-TV’ and ‘My-Blog’ links, proving that the site is much more than simply an online shopping service.   

Madame Butterfly's Beauty Box

Whether it’s vava voom catwalk drama or girlish flutter you desire, Madame Butterfly looks at the best volumizing and lengthening mascaras out there this issue.

Volumizing

1. Diorshow Blackout £18.50

This comes highly recommended if you seek shockingly dramatic, high impact volume and colour that lasts all day. The formula is über creamy – think a thick coat of kohl on your lashes. The thickening agent is amazing and the saturated pigments give a sexy charcoal finish, producing big, black and well-defined eyes. The wand is fairly large so careful application is necessary. An effective but gentle eye makeup remover, i.e. L’Oréal Absolute Eye & Lip Make-up Remover, is also essential. Madame Butterfly goes nowhere without this.

2. Anna Sui Super Mascara DX Volume Up £16

A mascara that does the job quickly and smells of tea rose is perfect for any self-loving woman, unless you are allergic to fragrances. This made-in-Japan mascara is creamy and glides on like a dream. The unique wand, at a glimpse, seems to lack a brush. It instead has the shortest bristles that swirl round towards the tip like a nail, and is able to catch even the shortest lashes at the corners of your eyes. This quick and easy plumping mascara produces lasting thickness in only one coat. Beautifully packaged in a black floral patterned box with an inner purple lining, Madame Butterfly adores this fine product.

3. Maybelline Colossal Volum’Express with Collagen £6.84

Maybelline’s new mascara is perfect for fashionistas searching for a volumizing mascara on a budget. Fear not the huge bristled brush as it evenly distributes the mascara through your lashes with minimal wiggling. The formula is very smooth and surprisingly clump-free. No mess, smudge, flakes or spikes except natural fullness and acceptable volume. The formula, however, seems slightly ‘thin’ so a few coats may be needed to really deliver some thickness. Great for daywear or natural-looking lashes. Madame Butterfly certainly thinks this is a steal.

 

Lengthening & Good Curl-Hold

1. Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes £17.50

This exceptional mascara with a revolutionary rubber-spiked brush is worth every penny. The innovative brush reaches even the shortest lashes, pulling them up and out, separating and lengthening each lash without producing a clumpy spider-leg effect. It is near impossible to mess up with this as the rubber bristles bounce off your lashes if you so happen to twitch, rather than smearing off onto your skin. The creamy jet-black formula effectively holds curl in place, lasting all day without flaking off. Madame Butterfly gives her stamp of approval and suggests using a good eyelash curler with this. The mascara comes with a tiny manual so rest assured that application isn’t in the least tricky.

2. Shiseido Majorlica Majorca Lash Expander £11-17

Madame Butterfly understands there is no point recommending a mascara that is not easy to get your hands on but this Japanese creation is mind-blowingly good. Its fibre-based formula glides on, lifting your lashes upwards and then extending or ‘expanding’ the ends with natural fibres. The special comb wand ensures that the mascara is evenly coated clump-free and works miles better than regular brushes. The formula dries fairly quick, leaving your lashes soft and bouncy whilst holding the curls in perfect place for 24 hours. But an effective, gentle oil-based eye makeup remove is highly necessary as this sweatproof, waterproof and tearproof mascara tends to be a little stubborn. Easily available on Ebay and international beauty websites, Madame Butterfly always stocks up on this all year round.

3. Lancôme Virtuôse £19.50

Lancôme is well-known and trusted for its mascaras and Virtuôse is no exception. What makes this mascara a real favourite is its brush. The curved brush allows wonderfully smooth application and easy access to majority of lashes, especially on the lower lashes, gently lifting and curling as you go. The lengthening powers of this unfortunately ain’t show-stopping and the mascara fails to deliver long-lasting curl-hold. Nevertheless, it is perfect for daywear or a natural look and certainly keeps away those dreaded panda eyes. It comes in 5 cool shades: Noir Sensuel, Brun Intrigant, Bleu Insolent, Prune Magnétique and Bleu Renversant.

How to be a Recessionista: Buy Vintage!

The credit crunch has made even the most label-conscious students re-evaluate their choices when it comes to purchasing new clothes.  Yet these should not be dull and depressing times for fashionistas, in fact it is having quite the opposite effect.  The recession is forcing us to think carefully about the things we buy.  Consequently more and more of us are going on Saturday morning vintage hunts and charity shop crawls to save the pennies.  With a little time and patience, your entire approach to shopping changes and you find yourself looking through every rail to find timeless, one-off pieces or this season’s trends for half the highstreet price.

Vintage is a far more glamorous term than ‘second-hand’.  And for me, scouring vintage warehouses has always been an exceptionally rewarding experience and far more preferable to being swept along by hoards of people in stuffy shopping centres.  I’m not saying avoid the highstreet completely.  Although I know I much prefer quiet Digbeth to the manic Bullring at the weekend.  Of course still buy your basics from Topshop or American Apparel, but make the look your own by adding vintage accessories like fabulous costume jewellery or 1940s style kitten heels – I spied a YSL pair at the Custard Factory flea market recently for a mere ten pounds!  I have to come to feel so smug walking round Urban Outfitters, knowing I bought my lumberjack shirt for £5 from Cow Vintage, when they buy their ‘vintage renewal’ clothes from these outlets, and sell them on at extortionate prices (lumberjack shirts are £28 each).  Obviously there is a high price to pay for laziness.  A good hour-long search through the vintage rails is much more satisfying than buying cheap, throwaway fashion on the high street.  Vintage clothes are generally made of more durable fabrics and the items you find are unique and won’t be seen on anyone else.  If you are both an ethically and economically conscious shopper then vintage is perfect for you.

The trends that count now are all too easily found in vintage shops.  Bleached and distressed denims, trophy jackets in decorative, military styles, ethnic and animal prints and embellished tops with 80s shoulder pads, sequin detail and 24-carat glamour. Why buy catwalk replicas from highstreet stores when you can find designer garments for half the price if you shop vintage?  One big S/S 09 trend that ties in perfectly with becoming a bonafide recessionista is the English eccentric look.  Wardrobe staples such as high-waisted skirts, tweeds, 30s style tea dresses and lace cocktail dresses are all best bought second hand for authenticity.  Accessorise with vintage pearls, cameo broaches and leather gloves, the best of which will undoubtedly be found on the highstreet.  Mixing granny chic with Topshop extras will ensure you don’t look like you’ve raided your great aunt’s wardrobe. I for one am overly partial to ‘grandma’ jumpers.  However, you don’t want to look like you’re going to a fancy dress party so combine your genteel vintage ladieswear with oversized accessories in bold colours and modern designs to keep your look upbeat.

Happy vintage shopping!

Laura Spence

Do they have a VOGUE idea?!

     

The sight of the formidable Anna Wintour sitting in the front row of a fashion show has become a hallowed image in the fashion-following world.  Immoveable bob, enormous sunglasses, pursed lips.  It is amazing how these relatively innocuous components make up one of the most revered members of the fashion elite.  And sitting opposite?  The equally imposing Carine Roitfield, who exchanges sunglasses for heavy, black eyebrows, and bob for a highlighted shoulder-length curtain of impossibly shiny hair.  What is it about the position of editor-in-chief of Vogue that inspires the creation of such undeniably iconic images?  It is almost as if the one woman chosen to lead every other in her country through the changes in their wardrobes, loses the time or inclination to change her own.   Or perhaps they have learned that maintaining the mystical power imbued in their sunglasses/eyebrows/highlights is easier than forever staying ahead of their scrutinising public.  Strictly speaking honeyed highlights have not been in vogue since Rachel Green returned to being plain old Jennifer Aniston, and yet Carine Roitfield’s colourist would apparently disagree.

While, in some ways, this is admirable, as they steadfastly stick to their respective styles, and have created whole personae around said aesthetics, does it not send out rather a conflicting message?  Consistency is one thing, but girls all over the country wear the same thing to school every day, and I don’t remember the girls who wore theirs perfectly and had the neatest hair being the ‘fashionable’ ones.  Their staff write pages and pages about the next best this and the next hottest that, while by these standards, Wintour and Roitfiled are not so much fashionable as, well, the boring prefects of two amazingly image-conscious girls’ schools.  And so, a challenge should be levelled against these two omniscient and immaculate women – roll down your socks, slap on a fake tattoo, and scrape your hair back in a non-regulation scrunchie.  I dare you.

Angharad Jones