What's The Deal With Blue Lipstick?

Back in the early 20th century, the only nail polish colours to choose from were red and pink. Eventually, we graduated to the blue and greens, but though I was not alive at the time, I can imagine this was a difficult transition for society. Now, let's move on to the subject at hand: blue lips. I won't lie. The first thought that comes to mind when I think of blue lips is staying out in the cold too long or, The Titanic. Why would anyone paint their lips blue on purpose?

via thegloss.com

Lo and behold, my friends, I've already spotted the trend at Sephora and in my favourite high fashion magazines. Is it possible that this is actually catching on? Or more importantly, why am I so shocked by this?

Let's talk about the deeper issue. Why are blue lips such a problem for me? And potentially, for you as well? If the most daring among us try this trend, will it raise eyebrows of envy or confusion?

While I consider myself to be a major lipstick fanatic (I'll try almost any colour once), this one plagues my mind. Then again, before trying red lips in the day time, the mere thought seemed outrageous to me. Today, I'll wear plum purple. If I've managed to ease into a quasi-black lip, is blue in the cards for me? Would you try this trend or will you leave it to the fashion editorials?

What does our reluctance to try such a bold lip say about society? Why are we so incapable of accepting change, even in the smallest form? I ask myself these questions because I can't help but wonder why colours can be deemed "taboo" on the street scene (or maybe just out of our comfort zone). So, I challenge you to try this lip trend one day. Maybe you're only prepared to showcase it in the evening with dimmer lighting. Maybe you're bold enough to attempt it at work. Perhaps you'll get a few compliments. You'll never know unless you try. Be bold this season. Who's stopping you? Other people's judgement?

Think about it.

Bella

Why This Summer Will Be All About Those Braids

As much as I love leaving my hair loose and blowing in the wind, when summer hits, I find it best to keep it tucked away to avoid sweaty neck syndrome. As someone who lives in a humid city, I know that letting your hair down can cause some serious frizz and may not always be the best choice. Luckily, I learned how to braid my hair this year and not just the basic way.

As a little girl, I always found braids beautiful and enjoyed making bracelets with string to mimic a look I couldn't master on my head. I found it to be therapeutic and relaxing, and I aspired to learn how to recreate the look with my hair. All this time, I never thought I could master the braid and alas, I opted for a simple blow dry. Until now.

A braid can take on a variety of forms. Whether a fishtail, a french braid, a braided headband, or even a crown, there are so many options to choose from. If you search the word "braid" on Pinterest, you'll find an abundance of looks that don't limit you to the traditional three strand braid.

With the 70s being the fashion decade of the moment, the hippie look is very a propos and nothing goes better with wide leg pants, fringe, and suede jackets, than a few braids in your hair.

Here are ten braided looks from the runway to inspire you.

Marissa Webb S/S 2015 - cosmopolitan.co.uk

Valentino S/S 2015 Couture - style.com

Giorgio Armani S/S 2015 - harpersbazaar.com

Chanel S/S 2015 Couture - vogue.co.uk

Bibhu Mohaparta S/S 2015 - harpersbazaar.com

Michael Kors S/S 2015 - thisisglamorous.com

Suno S/S 2015 - harpersbazaar.com

Mara Hoffman S/S 2015 - via wwd.com

Peter Som S/S 2015 - harpersbazaar.com

Marco de Vicenzo S/S 2015 - fashionising.com

Will you be braiding your hair this upcoming season? If so, which braid is your favourite?

Ponder it,

Bella

What Your Favourite Lipstick Says About You

It's a common saying in today's society that red is a woman's signature lip colour. Just when we thought we were all being bold and unique, another girl comes up with that same line to counter our feeling of individuality. With so many colours on the lip spectrum to choose from, it may actually be considered conventional to select red as your signature. Gone are the days where this look made a statement. Today, everyone is inspired to try it and attempt to own it. If this is the case for you and you're feeling a bit dejected, that's okay. Red has a lot of amazing things to say about your personality. Based on my addiction to experimenting with lipstick colours, I've decided to provide you with a personality analysis based on your best lipstick. Are you ready?

NUDE

You're a more subtle girl who loves keeping her look as natural as possible. You're sweet, good natured and incredibly approachable. Though you are a closet seductress, you prefer more subtle ways of exhibiting intrigue such as eye contact. Your wardrobe consists of more muted tones such as beige, white, and black because you strongly adhere to the saying that less is more.

Advocates of this look: J.Lo, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Keira Knightley

via makeup.allwomenstalk.com

RED

You like to pack a punch, but you're a true classicist at heart. You're known to be a bit of a feminist and for being incredibly knowledgeable in a wide range of subjects. Your sex appeal is immediate and every time you enter a room, people can sense that about you. You're aware of the power of a red lip and use it to your advantage to ensure that nobody messes with you even though they're all dying to approach you. Your wardrobe consists mostly of black, but every once in a while, you like to add a splash of colour to match your mood. 

Advocates of this look: Taylor Swift, Anne Hathaway, and Gwen Stefani

via whowhatwear.com

FUCHSIA

You're incredibly feminine and have a playful attitude that people adore. You live for fashion, your active social life, and witty banter. A pink lip is your way of saying that you're a tough girl, but you're still girly, silly, and fun. Your wardrobe consists of an array of bright colours because you love to play around with fashion and make a style statement no matter where you go.

Advocates of this look: Emma Stone, Alexis Bledel, and Kaley Cuoco

via bellamumma.com

ORANGE

Known to be the wildest girl in your group of friends, you enjoy a great party with a huge crowd that you can work. You love making new friends and starting conversations about passionate interests and philosophical ideas. Your orange lip is a symbol of self-expression and invites a lot of attention, which you love. Your wardrobe is filled with LWDs, but occasionally you'll mix it up with some nude. If you're going to add colour, it will always be part of your beauty look. When it comes to clothes, you're a neutral girl and proud.

Advocates of this look: Jessica Alba, Rita Ora, and and Margot Robbie

via rstyle.me

PURPLE

You're mysterious and edgy, but you still aren't afraid to be bold. Though you consider yourself to be more individualistic, you have a tight knit group of friends whom you hold close. You're very loyal and committed to the people in your life and don't put up with fake friendships. Purple is your way of making a statement while ensuring that nobody rubs you the wrong way. Your wardrobe consists of many dark colours like black, burgundy, and brown. Your favourite look? A classic LBD and some patterned tights.

Advocates of this look: Rihanna, Megan Fox, and Lorde

via refinery29.com

Which look is your signature? 

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

Fashion's Obsession With The "Weird"

A common misconception about the fashion industry is that it's all about an idealized version of beauty. P.S It's not. I am well aware that women are being touched up on all our favourite magazines from A to Vogue, skinny is the dominant trend, and makeup, a tool used for beautifying, is an industry in itself. But what people don't know is that fashion is not the pretty girl in your English class that gets all the attention. Fashion is personified by the other girl who sits in the back with the gapped teeth and bushy eyebrows. What was once an industry that promoted a singular look is now a realm of versatility on a constant quest to find the "weird". From gap toothed models to whimsical prints, fashion loves to counter established notions of beauty with unusual silhouettes and bold accessories simply because it can. After all, mother knows best.

When you take a moment to look at a runway show from Alexander McQueen or Marc Jacobs, you enter a world where beauty is undefined. The general public calls it "weird", but can we really define "weird"? What does the word "weird" even mean?

via ivheesalvador.wordpress.com

Once upon a time, the word weird referred to anything supernatural. Today, we call that girl who eats paste in kindergarten a weirdo. In fact, anything that differs from our own reality appears "weird" to us. Unfamiliar foods, unconventional haircuts, and oversized hats are deemed weird because we don't see them on the streets every day. But what if we did? What if the entire world decided to embrace their inner weird and do something they've always wanted to do but didn't because they thought it would be interpreted as weird.

When you look at a fashion trend, how do you decide if it's "weird"?
Is a giant fur stole weird or flamboyant?
Is flamboyant a euphemism for weird?
If so, why are we so keen on the word flamboyant, but cringe at the word "weird"?

via www.womenzmag.com

Weirdness is frowned upon in most societies. You can't just walk up to a stranger and strike a conversation. It's weird. You can't make strange noises in a public setting. It's weird. You can't wear a wizard's hat at school. It's weird. You're not Harry Potter. Fiction can be weird, but you? Definitely not.

If you're weird, you risk being rejected by your peers. Who will accept you if you're too weird?
How would we know if we avoid the weird? What is the appropriate amount of weird that society can tolerate?

Designers embrace weirdness because society doesn't. Fashion aims to be original, unique, and slightly bizarre to challenge those regular folks. That's what keeps it fresh. If we all engaged with our weirdness, would the world be a more creative space? Or would it be a raucous circus?

Ponder It,

XOXO,

Bella

The Bun Stigma

via stylistsinthecity.blogspot.com

Once upon a time, buns were the only way to tie up a woman's hair. It was a symbol of status, wealth, and high class. As women began to allow their hair to tumble, a bun become that hairdo you save for special occasions. Today, a bun takes on many shapes and forms. Unfortunately, it has taken on new meaning filled with negative connotations.

Is she just that lazy?
Did she have no time to blow dry?
Did she just wake up?
Has she just returned from the gym?

And then there are those who view the bun in a positive light.

Did she wake up looking that cool?
Is she a model off duty?
HOW DID SHE DO THAT?

And then the serious questions come up.

Can I pull that off?
Would I look that cool in a bun?
Is my bun sloppy?

In case you were wondering, my buns always look sloppy. We're going to try NOT to misinterpret that statement. Some girls look super chic in a bun, while others fall short.

No matter how hard I try, my hair is just to darn slippery to hold it up in an elegant way. Despite the creation of hair donuts (that's what they're called. I kid not), I can't wear them because my hair is too thin to support them. I love a schrunchie as much as the next 90s girl, but even that isn't going to cut it for my next job interview. And who really has time to style their hair ALL THE TIME?

Is it possible that only girls with fluffy voluminous locks can wear the bun?
Are people like me doomed to remain #classynotclassy forever in a personally styled updo?
Should I just give up?

What do YOU think of the bun?
Do you fall under the YES category or the NO WAY IN HELL category?

Check out some of these street style buns and let me know what you think!

...

Happy Thursday!

Bella

I REALLY Want To Talk About Eyebrows

Fashion's favourite new look? Heavy duty Sandy Cohen meets Bert eyebrows. It's time to put those tweezers back in the drawer and cut down on your visits to the aesthetician. All your woes have come to an end. Eyebrows are in. They have invaded the runways and the faces of all our favourite models, starting with my favourite brit, Cara Delevingne. And for those who don't have eyebrows, with the magic of makeup, you can make it happen (just don't paint them on inadequately, because it's frightening for onlookers). So, this post is dedicated to our new favourite facial feature: Eyebrows. Forget those fake lashes and bold lips, it's time to direct the attention towards your brows. If I say eyebrow one more time, my brain will combust, so let these photos speak for themselves.

If you aren't yet sold on this concept, don't fret. These ladies will convince you to let your facial bush run wild. Here are some of my favourite heavy browed babes:

CARA: Queen of the Eyebrow

She rules the eyebrow world because she started the trend. At first, we thought "where are her tweezers?" Who's laughing now?

via www.fashionthroughtravel.com

LILY COLLINS: Eyebrow Princess

I have a crush on her eyebrows and they make me want to be her best friend. Is that normal?

via Glamour

AUDREY HEPBURN: Original Eyebrow Ruler

Okay, maybe Cara didn't start it. But if Audrey Hepburn is still iconic and known for those bushy brows, we all better follow suit.

via elegantaudrey.tumblr.com

BROOKE SHIELDS: Eyebrows Diva

And then Brooke Shields did it in the 80s and it was pretty wow. If it's on Vogue, it's high fashion. It's law.

via www.selfserviceuk.wordpress.com

BAMBI NORTHWOOD BLYTH: Eyebrow Babe

And today, this Australian model is rocking those brows like it's nobody's business. Does that make her unattractive? As a matter of fact, I'd kill for that level of fierce only attainable through those massive brows.

via roseoverclothes.blogspot.com

So, thick brows are the new gap tooth. Embrace your weird defects because they are now your most beautiful asset. Then again, some women (Miley Cyrus) are bleaching their brows. Pick your extreme. There's nothing in between. Go big or go home.

Love,

Bella