Trend - Sequins Galore!

It's not the first time I've admitted out loud that I'm a bit of a magpie when it comes to fashion, beauty and... well just generally! If it sparkles I want it and I've been loving the sequin trend that emerged this Autumn/Winter. They're everywhere - over blazers, leggings, hats, you name it - it sparkles. And apparently this party season we're going to see more thrown over dresses and handbags - you can't really avoid them, but really why on earth would you want to?!

Here are a few of the style inspirations that I love when it comes to rocking the sequinned goodness of this winter...

What's your favourite trend of the season?

A/W Hair Colour? As Red as the Autumn Leaves

Recently I've been toying with the idea of getting my hair coloured just for a little change! I haven't altered the colour of my hair for about 4 years now. I used to bleach my hair with a home bleaching kit and let's just say my poor hair suffered big time. Hair dressers nearly went white with horror as they saw that my hair was in such bad condition because the kit was practically cleaning bleach in a bottle!

Since then as you can imagine, I've developed a bit of a phobia of dying my hair, especially as now my hair's in the best condition it's been since I was little! But I had been toying with going brunette/blonder... As you can probably tell from my photo, I'm a strawberry blonde so I was very happy to see that this year's A/W hair colour trend is... RED!

Red hair is so beautiful, coming in all sorts of shades. It's fiery, passionate, romantic, heart-stopping and very symbolic of Autumn when the leaves turn all shades of golden and red! Some of the prettiest/most handsome people I've met/known have gorgeous red locks and there are some beautiful models and actresses that have emerged on the scene in recent years making red hair very popular - Lily Cole, Nicole Kidman, Isla Fischer and Debra Messing to name a few!

So if you are a natural flame-haired mademoiselle (or monsieur!) celebrate your lovely locks as many a fashionista will be rushing to the salon paying good money to imitate your colour this winter! Here are some of the amazing, inspiring photos that I've come across demonstrating that red hair can really be the best hair colour around ; )

A/W Makeup Trends 2009

With the chill of autumn on our doorstep, let's face it September makes or breaks summer for good! I'm still clinging to the hope that we might have 2 more weeks of a Golden September, but until then and after (if it ever comes!) it will most definitely be "Bye bye summer" for 2009...

That said - it's not all doom and gloom! Autumn and winter mean more accessorising (hats, scarves, gloves, tights and booties), layering (jackets, cardigans, wraps and knitwear galore) YAY and also makeup - whether it be your eyes, lips or even nails - can be taken up a notch in terms of colours and strength/depth, HOORAH! So the colder months needn't be boring, and they ought not to be seeming as all that colour and the excuse to wear more clothes will help lift your mood on the rainy, cold walks to work : )

Today I've been looking at the new trends for makeup this A/W and what's hot on the catwalks this season...

It's All About Brows, Brows, Brows!
Over the years people have realised how important a well groomed and defined brow really is to complete a look! I never used to fully understand how it could make a difference but trust me it does. If you haven't tried defining your brows, be brave and give it a go. You'll wonder how you ever managed without it before.

A well groomed and defined brow can take years off a face and transform it all at the same time. This year shimmery golds were brushed through the brows to add more impact to the overall eye makeup. It may sound severe, but the end effect is stunning, opening up the eyes and adding a new dimension to the face.

Of course you might feel this all to be too much if you've never even touched your brows with a brow definer brush or pencil, haha! I'll be giving a tutorial in the next two weeks on how to define your eyebrows so watch this space...

Red Lips
This winter the lips are 1940s inspired, rich red and strong! Plus it's all about the detail - lips are going Geisha-style with a sharp contour on the Cupid's bow. A red lip needs to be done carefully, so make sure to apply concealer/foundation to the lip and powder so you have a great base, then get to work with a red lip liner all over the lips and finish off with your red lipstick of choice.

Smoky Dramatic Eyes
And we're not just talking black - blues and sparkling greens are among this year's colours of choice for that impactful look. I'm in love with Aaron De Mey's creations that he demonstrated for Lancome.

The new Artistic Director has also developed his third makeup collection for the brand called Declaring Indigo which made its debut on the catwalks this season and will be hitting our stores very soon! He's even had input into other areas of Lancome's business such as the way its products are presented instore...

He gave models a smoky eye using sapphire blues and emerald greens but advises to use very little foundation to keep the look fresh and youthful.

Aaron De Mey, whose Lancome range Declaring Indigo is out in stores soon!

I Heart Topshop!

I've been in love with Topshop's clothes for a long time now! Every time I go there, I come away with more and more stuff (or end up trying to when my bank account allows haha). To me they're constantly evolving and developing and I love every effort that goes into their collections.

I went on their website the other day and I must say it's looking very chic at the moment. The overall layout and accompanying photos are all looking gorgeous! I'm particularly fond of the Marianne collection that you can see on there right now. I've a sneaking suspicion it's so named after Marianne Faithfull who's well known for her beautiful sense of style from suede boots to fur coats - very 60s and very sexy!

The Kate Moss A/W 09 collection launched on Thursday and I think it might be her best line yet. There's many items from it I'm adding to my wants list hehe... I'm coveting the fur print bolero top, the flame mesh halter dress and her trophy stud dress...

I understand why some people may not be so fond of Topshop since their prices went up in the last few years, but you have to give them their due - they are the only highstreet retailer that offer people on limited budgets such a diverse range of on-trend collections that I know I wouldn't otherwise be able to afford!

When I get some cash together I'll be taking a grand trip up to Oxford Circus Topshop - bring on three levels of seventh heaven fashion - I managed to spend FOUR hours in there once... Well it is supposed to be Europe's biggest retail outlet - Mamma mia!