The right hairstyle makes a world of difference!

I recently watched the film ‘Bachelorette’ and in every scene involving actress Lizzy Caplan I couldn’t help but marvel on how beautiful she and her hair (particularly her hair!) looked. Hence, when I searched for pictures of her online, I was really surprised to see that she looks quite different with non-Bachelorette hair, and not as awesome as she did in the movie. Along with a few other examples of hair not necessarily gone bad, but hair that could go way better, it got me thinking just how much of a difference a hairdo can make.

To illustrate, I have a few a few photos of Lizzy and also of Jessica Szohr and model Arizona Muse, in which they sport very different hairstyles, and as a result look like completely different (and infinitely more chic) people.

1) Lizzy has had many different hairdos, from a classic bob, to long corkscrew curls, but the wavy layered style with the fringe that she had on Bachelorette is the most flattering on her, in my humble opinion. Not only is it effortlessly chic, modern, girly and versatile, but it also softens her strong features. 

★Non-Bachelorette:★

 

★Bachelorette:★

 

2) My second example is Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szor. Now here is a girl that is so extraordinarily beautiful that she would look good in just about anything, but I think that one of her recent hair experiments makes an actual difference in her overall style, and drives the point home that an elegant, flattering hairdo can make a person look elegant themselves, even when their usual style is not necessarily that.

Jessica wears her hair long, black and mostly straight, but in recent photos she has a short and soft ombre bob that frames her face beautifully and gives her an air of sophistication and sweetness that her other hairstyles do not.

★Black long hair:★

★Ombre medium length hair:★ 

 

3) Arizona Muse, who is one of my most favourite models, is my third and most obvious example. She shot to fame after she had her long locks cut and created a sort of bob frenzy, at least if fashion magazines are to be believed. Frenzy or not, I think short-ish hair (curly or straight) look amazing on her, and although Arizona has the kind of features that could work with anything (in a previous post I dedicated to her I have a few photos in which she has different hairstyles and looks amazing in each and every one), the bob gives her character and makes her look even better (if that’s possible).

★Long hair:★

★Bob:★

When I was younger I wasn’t afraid to experiment with different lengths and cuts, but as I got older I kept to a hairstyle that is basically no maintenance, no fuss, and easy to manage. However, writing this post made me think if I should go out of my comfort zone and try something different that just might end up being my holy grail hairstyle. What are your opinions - have you found your holy grail hairdo? Do you prefer to keep it safe hair-wise, or do you like to experiment with different lengths and colours to see what suits you best? Let’s talk hairy matters! :)

Summer sales!

It's the time of the year when fashion lovers all over the world are rushing to the stores to swipe their credit cards with fury; when online shoppers are glued to their computer screens waiting for that sale alert to light up the screen and start racing towards the check-out button; when monthly budgets get thrown out of the window and coveted items find new homes. Yes, the glorified summer sales are finally here! Unfortunately for yours truly, the reductions are nowhere near low enough for a purchase to be justified but that doesn't mean that others can't profit from the various discounts! And to enable people even more, I've compiled the collage shown below with a few items that I consider absolutely worthwhile in their reduced price. 

♥ Firstly, we have a Victoria by Victoria Beckham dress that is as cute as a button, and would be ideal for a summer evening with a pair of black brogues or ballet flats (or even better, with those gorgeous Charlotte Olympia kitty shoes).

♥ I don't think the second item needs any introductions, as it's a classic Rick Owens biker-style leather jacket that may be exorbitantly expensive but I believe would be worth every penny because it's highly versatile, has a classic shape and its quality promises longevity of wear.

♥ Then we have Mulberry's Bryn (large size), which can be worn for work, or cross-body for a more sporty appearance with a shirt and a pair of boyfriend jeans.

♥ The following item is one I would buy in an instance if I were able to afford it: it's a pair of blush coloured Chloe sneakers which would entice even the most hard-core sneaker haters as they are absolutely beautiful.

♥ The fifth item is a pretty and flow-y summer dress by Acne. It looks very light and the shape reminds me a little of 1920s dresses which have gained popularity recently due to the release of the Great Gatsby film. In true 1920s style, I'd wear it with a long beaded necklace.

♥ Finally we have a bag that was also featured in my favourite Spring/Summer bags post, a bright yellow Proenza Schouler clutch that makes me happy just by looking at it!

I hope you liked my sales picks and if you managed to grab something in the sales, please share in the comments below - I love to hear about a good bargain! Happy shopping!!!

The 2013 MET gala!

I loved the punk theme of this week's MET gala and I was glad to see so many celebrities playing along! Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker in particular should definitely be commended for their bravery – their ensembles were theatrical but somehow managed to eschew the fancy-dress factor (which unfortunately cannot be said for some of the other attendees). There wasn’t any one dress that stood out for me but I really approved of the confections donned by Cara Delevigne, Karolina Kurkova, Emily Blunt, Miranda Kerr, Kate Bosworth, Emma Watson, Jaime King, Katy Holmes, and Mary-Kate Olsen. Notable mentions: Anne Hathaway for rocking a seriously cool new haircolour/hairstyle and Diane Kruger for adding subtle yet awesome details to her look: her earrings and the pink dip-dyed ends of her hair were great finishing touches!

My favourite perfumes!

There are people who are veritable perfume connoisseurs; they can make insightful comments about the history of fragrance and about notes and combinations and they know of obscure perfumeries and scoff at concoctions made by celebrities. I am not one of those people.  I wear perfume sparingly despite the fact that I can’t remember a day when my mother left the house without perfume on, or didn’t have at least 4-5 different perfume bottles on the bathroom mirror. Nevertheless, I do enjoy a nice perfume and since I wear different ones for different occasions, I have developed strong mental associations with certain perfumes; after all it’s a well-known fact that the olfactory and memory centres are related in the brain. So without further ado, here are the perfumes I’ve liked and worn over the years (the quoted descriptions are courtesy of fragantica.com and jomalone.com):

24 Faubourg by Hermes 

“24 Faubourg is an invitation on a journey where the sun is the destination. Top notes of brilliant white flowers, matched by a floral heart, are enveloped in iris,wood and mystery. Vanilla and ambergris lend the tone to its afternote.”

This was a gift from my parents and I initially disliked the smell, but I was fond of the case it came in so it always had a prominent place on my dresser. I think the reason I didn’t like it at first is because this is a perfume designed for older women and I couldn’t appreciate its allure in my early twenties.  It has a very distinct aroma, I never found a perfume quite like it, and even though it’s on the heavier side, it’s not overpowering if you don’t go crazy with the spritzing. It has amazing longevity; you can still smell a ghost of its presence days after washing the clothes. I’m grateful for being given this perfume because it’s not something I’d seek myself and it’s a testament of how sometimes we don’t really know our own very tastes in things!

Le Premier Parfum by Lolita Lempicka

“It opens with notes of ivy leaf, pineapple, lemon, rosewood, sour cherry and anise. The heart features lily of the valley, rose, jasmine, licorice, violet and iris based on sweet almond, vanilla, heliotrope, tonka bean, musk, praline and vetiver.”

I love this perfume and its sibling the ‘Lolita Lempicka’ fragrance, and I have gone through several bottles through the years. It’s a very sweet and heavy-ish perfume that can get a bit overbearing if one accidentally sprays on too much, but in smaller doses it’s very flattering and memorable. The bottle is beautiful although the design is not particularly unique since many perfumes bottles nowadays have a similar shape (for instance, the Nina Ricci ones).

Sun by Jill sander

“Citrussy top notes are just like the bright sunshine rays, sunny and fresh, composed of sweet orange blossom. The floral heart is an unusual bouquet of iris, ylang-ylang, heliotrope and carnation. The base is warm and sweet due to vanilla, while tonka, cedar and benzoin also lend their warm character to the composition.”

This perfume is very aptly named because the smell does indeed induce thoughts of sunshine and sun-filled days. It’s a very happy perfume for a lack of a better description; it’s uplifting and fresh and perfect for going out and about in sunny mornings.

Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel

“Top notes are orange, mandarin orange, orange blossom and bergamot; middle notes are mimosa, jasmine, Turkish rose, and ylang-ylang; base notes are tonka beans, patchouli, opponax, vanilla, vetiver and white musk.”

I mostly like sweet perfumes but Coco Mademoiselle is the exception to that rule as it’s sourer than I normally go for. But it’s a beautiful fragrance, not too heavy or too light, a perfect combination of sweet and sour and a truly refined scent that is appropriate for all times of the day.

Hypnotic Poison by Dior

“Top notes are apricot, plum and coconut; middle notes are tuberose, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, rose, brazilian rosewood and caraway; base notes are sandalwood, almond, vanilla and musk.”

This is a very popular perfume, I frequently happen upon women wearing it and it’s not hard to see why; it has a very strong, distinctive and quite sexy smell. I would characterize it as bitter-sweet. I think it’s more suited to evening wear and it’s one of those perfumes that are bound to procure compliments.

English Pear and Freesia by Jo Malone

“English Pear & Freesia, a scent that is inspired by a walk in an orchard and captures the luscious scent of just-ripe pears, cooled by the autumn air, ready to twist free from the tree. Experience the surprising, sensuous freshness of sweet pears, wrapped in a bouquet of white freesias, on a subtle background of scrambling wild roses and skin-warming amber, patchouli and woods.”

I wear this perfume frequently because it’s subtle and refreshing but the smell is not generic or boring. It’s funny but I’ve always thought that if it were an outfit, it’d be a perfectly elegant, understated yet charming outfit and I’d wear it without a moment’s hesitation. The notes are floral and fruity but nothing like the perfumes geared towards teenage girls. It’s more appropriate for spring and summer time and it lasts reasonably well.

Other perfumes I liked over the years but haven’t worn as much:

• Mimosa pour moi by L’artisan parfumeur 
• D&G by Dolce & Gabbana
• Candy by Prada
• Blv by Bvlgari
• Cheap and chic by Moschino

What are your favourite perfumes? Do you have a signature scent? Please share in the comments, I love to hear other people's favourites!