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sabato 26 luglio 2014

Cheryl Cole's Fashion Evolution

A baby-faced (and heavily made up) Cheryl poses with her new band mates as they celebrate winning Popstars: The Rivals. Pre-stylist Chezza works an interesting glittery denim crop top. Things could only get better...


Working an impeccable golden tan, our favourite Geordie’s still got that tum on show in a baby pink, crocheted cardigan – but we’re loving her glossy highlights at least.




Soooo not a good look! Back to the cornrows, Cheryl and co do the school uniform look at G-A-Y – but it ends up more Grange Hill than St. Trinians.
 Cheryl ‘scrubs up’ for her court appearance, where she was charged with assaulting a nightclub attendant. But in that jacket and those boot-cut jeans, this outfit could be described as a crime in itself.



We’re not sure if camouflage trousers were ever acceptable in the fickle world of fashion (although the Spice Girls might have had you believing otherwise), but we’re certain that these cropped versions really weren’t a good look for Cheryl. Check out Nadine’s get-up, too – Cheryl wasn’t the only Girls Aloud member who needed some serious wardrobe help!

Miranda Kerr Has Shared Her Beauty Routine And Apparently It Only Takes 15 Minutes...

One of the hottest supermodels on the planet, Miranda Kerr has kindly shared her beauty wisdom with the world, outlining an extensive morning preening routine that she insists only takes 15 minutes.

‘I’m often asked how I incorporate my favourite KORA Organics products into my morning beauty routine,’ she writes on her blog. ‘I usually have very little time in the mornings, especially with a toddler [her son, Flynn, is three years old] so with these simple skin and beauty steps I can get out the door in 15 minutes.’ 


In those 15 precious minutes, Miranda apparently crams in dry body brushing, showering, moisturising, hair styling and full make-up application - and still has time left over to make a smoothie before she leaves the house. Impressive, right?

Here's just a small extract from Miranda’s speed-friendly regime:

On waking up beautiful:
‘I drink a glass of warm water with the juice of half an organic lemon each morning. Warm lemon water in the morning helps kick start the digestion process for the rest of the day.’

On pre-shower body brushing:
'Dry body brushing is an integral part of my daily regime. It’s a great way to get the circulation going, remove dead skin cells, aid lymphatic drainage, detoxify your system and keep your skin smooth all over. I start with my feet and legs and work my way up in quick gentle strokes… it needn’t be too time consuming and just takes a few minutes before jumping into the shower.'

On showering:
'I multitask in the shower and cleanse both my face and body. I like to use KORA Organics Foaming Cleanser for my face – it’s a gentle, soap free, foaming cleanser formulated to gently cleanse the skin of impurities. I then apply a small amount of KORA Organics Essential Body Wash to a sponge and cleanse all over, it’s an uplifting aromatic blend of organically sourced essential oils such as Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood and Rose – so it’s the perfect uplifting sensory start to the day!'


On her post shower ‘mist and moisturise’ session:
‘Out of the shower I towel dry and mist my face. Whilst the mist is working its magic, I take a minute to apply… body lotion. I then apply KORA Organics Hydrating Day & Night Cream to my face, neck and décolletage areas - it’s a hydrating daily moisturiser with Rose, Natural Omega 6 Fatty Acids, Lavender, Rose Hip and Mandarin Oil.'

On hair:
'I wash my hair in the evening so it can dry naturally overnight, then all I have to do in the morning is style it. At the moment I prefer a low braid or a high topknot, as they both require little time and effort but still look feminine and polished.'

On make-up:
'[After foundation] I like to define my lashes and groom my eyebrows because the eyes really frame the face. I apply two to three coats of mascara. To finish off my look I apply lip balm if I want a more natural look, or a tint or lipstick in a shade of red if I want to make more of a statement – the red also brightens my complexion instantly.'

mercoledì 23 luglio 2014

Kale for Your...Nails? Yup, There's a Nail Polish Spiked With the Superfood Coming This Fall

You know a superfood really is all the rage when it starts to show up in nail polish. And kale is so in right now that U.K.-based Nails Inc has announced it will be releasing a line of polishes spiked with the nutrient-packed leafy green with Alexa Chung as the spokeswoman this fall.


The line will be called...wait for it...Nailkale, and although it's a little unclear from the announcement in WWD, it seems as through it will be a line of colors along with a base coat. Also unclear: If it will be available in the U.S., where we have different standards as to what can go in beauty products. But here's what I do know: Kale is packed with fiber, which may have some sort of strengthening aspect (which would make sense as to why would be in a base coat). And it's also got vitamins A, B, and, K, which are all widely acknowledged as playing a key role in healthy nails. So maybe it's not the craziest idea ever.
Now we await while some company somewhere works on pork-belly cuticle cream and poutine conditioner.

The Beauty Evolution of Demi Lovato, from Cute Disney Teen to Edgy Trendsetter

Demi Lovato is the kind of cool you can't fake. In fact, the star is known for her no-holds-barred realness and total lack of hesitation when it comes to taking a stand. There's also the fact that she can belt it out like few others, and pairs powerful lyrics with songs that stay stuck in our heads for days (not that we're complaining, because who doesn't love singing along to a Demi power ballad?). 


The 21-year-old star and three-time Teen Vogue cover girl got our attention with her personality and killer voice, but we've also been taking note of her beauty journey on the red carpet. In short? She's one to watch, and you'd better watch carefully—because blink once, and you might miss her latest transformation.



Over the years, Demi's gone through more hairstyles than we can count, not to mention the color changes: blonde, brunette, blue, and basically everything else you could think of. And while she's known for her signature look (smoky eyes, major lashes, and nude lips) she's also done more than her fair share of makeup experimentation.
Click through the slideshow above for her complete beauty evolution, and call out your favorite looks in the comments below.

9 Tricks For Younger-Looking Hair

Must-dos for healthy, sexy hair

Don't let your anti-aging regimen stop at your face.
Your hair and scalp are often-overlooked areas that evolve as you grow older, thanks to shifting hormones, dietary changes, certain medications, and external damage from sun and styling, among other factors. Whether you find your hair becoming coarser and dryer, finer and flatter, or just a little (or a lot!) grayer, as it changes, so should your product regimen and styling routine. Here, your guide to keeping strands shiny, strong, and bouncy, no matter what your age.

1. Fight signs of sun damage

It’s no coincidence that the hair along your part, which sees the most sun exposure, seems to age faster than the hair hidden underneath. The sun sops moisture from hair and dries out the scalp, zapping shine and making color look dull and faded, says celebrity stylist Sherri Jessi. Shielding your strands from UV light, especially around your hairline and part, will help lock in moisture and preserve your color. Try a sunscreen-pumped styling cream like Rusk Deepshine Luster ($15; Ulta stores), which absorbs rays while smoothing the hair with moisturizing marine extracts, strengthening proteins, and protective UVB inhibitors. Smooth a dollop throughout strands, focusing on your part and hairline. And try moving your part around—an inch up or down every few days—to minimize localized sun exposure.

2. Choose the right cut

It’s a myth that you have to wear your hair short once you reach a certain age, says Marc Anthony, owner and founder of Marc Anthony Salons. The most important thing is choosing a style that plays up your best features. Before deciding on a haircut, Anthony suggests taking a look at the way fine lines form on your face. If they spread out horizontally, like crow's feet, long hair could actually be beneficial—the extra length gives the illusion of shorter crow's feet, says Anthony. However, if your lines travel down, like "the 11s" between eyebrows, long hair might emphasize droopy eyes and laugh lines around your mouth, making you look more tired. Try a sweepy bang, a bouncy layered bob, or a flippy pixie cut—these styles draw the eye out toward the parameter of your face, away from your trouble zones.

 3. Take your vitamins
"Healthy hair is shiny hair, and shiny hair is young hair," says Devin Toth, stylist at the Ted Gibson Salon in New York City. He suggests using shampoo, conditioners, and hair masks fortified with vitamins A, B, C, E, and nutrients such as calcium and magnesium to help repair damage, lock in moisture and boost luster from the inside out. Check the ingredient label to make sure the formula doesn't contain sulfates—these harsh cleansers, found in many shampoos, can strip hair of its natural oils. We like Organix Acai Berry Avocado shampoo ($12, drugstores), which is sulfate free and infused with antioxidant vitamins.

4. Think swingy, not stiff

The stiffer you make your hair with wafts of hair spray or globs of gel, the older you look. The number one way to avoid grandmotherly "helmet hair" is to stop overusing products, says Ashley Hanna, editorial stylist for mizu new york. For a softer, more natural look, don't overapply spray directly to the hair. "[Position the bottle] far away from your hair, and mist hair for a light hold that doesn't look crunchy," Hanna says. You can also swap your extra hold hair spray for a lighter formula—we like Pantene Pro-V Classic Style Touchable Hairspray ($3.99; drugstores). If your hair is curly, avoid weighing it down with sticky gels. "This gives you that hard and crunchy look that we want to stay away from," Hanna says. She recommends choosing a cream-based product or very lightweight mousse. To give your hair movement when styling at home, avoid curling it under with a round brush while drying, and try blow-drying hair away from your face, says Hanna. If you want to achieve volume, use Velcro rollers to create height without overcurling the ends. "If you have bangs, do not round-brush your bangs!" says Hanna—that style makes you look dated.


5. Try a ponytail

"Pulling your hair away from your face in a single sleek pony always makes you look young and refreshed," says Larry Sims, got2b celebrity stylist. Positioning your ponytail at just the right angle can give you an instant face-lift. To get the perfect high pony, start by putting your pointer finger at the very top of your head. Then measure one pinky-length back from there and secure your hair here for a sleek, classic look. To smooth down renegade flyaways around your hairline, brush a dot of moisturizing gel like got2b ultra glued styling gel ($5.49; Walmart) over strands with a soft bristle toothbrush.

6. Reassess your routine

Hormones are the ultimate double-edged sword—they stimulate both hair growth and hair loss. As we age, the production of androgens (hormones present in both men and women) increases, changing the look and feel of hair follicles; for some of us they get thicker, and for others experience thinning hair. "Over time, adjust your product regimen," says Dean Banowetz, celebrity stylist and Bosley Professional Hair Products spokesperson. If your hair is becoming coarser and dryer, stock up on heavier, more hydrating conditioners packed with emollient ingredients like glycerin, soybean oil, and cottonseed oil. Try Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Conditioner ($24; aveda.com), which contains vitamin-rich buriti oil. In addition, boost your biotin intake (the recommended dosage is 30 mcg a day). Biotin, which you can get from whole grains, fruit, and eggs, may help promote hair health by increasing metabolism so that the nutrients you consume reach your hair follicles too.

7. Divide and conquer

If you wake up in the morning "looking your age," try this quick trick from celebrity stylist Thom Priano of Garren New York salon: Boost volume and mask thinning buy creating a zigzag part where your usual straight part goes. Start on clean, dry hair by placing the end of a rattail comb where you want the zigzag to end at the back of your head. Hook your hair at that spot, then draw the zigzag with the end of the comb, separating your hair as you go. "This creates a slightly messy style that’s current with today’s trends and looks fresh and youthful," Priano adds. To keep stubborn hair from falling back into your usual part, spray a very light mist of hairspray at either side of the part.

8. Watch your diet

"What’s happening on the inside of your body shows up on the outside and in your hair," says Jessi. Consuming a diet full of good fats like salmon and walnuts, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, will help improve the health of your hair and scalp. Here are a few other foods that pack a beauty punch:
Dark green vegetables: Spinach, broccoli, and Swiss chard are brimming with vitamins A and C, as well as iron, which protect against hair loss.
Lean meats: Protein is the building block of hair. Without enough in your system, you may experience greater hair loss.
Low-fat dairy: Foods such as yogurt and cottage cheese contain calcium, which promotes hair growth.

9. Go after your grays

Nothing screams "I color my hair!" like an all-over, single-hue dye job. Highlights in varying shades provide a more youthful, modern look, and you may not need to spend money on a full head of them to get pretty results. Secure a youthful hue with gray blending, a technique that you can request at a salon or do at home with a hair color kit (try Clairol Natural Instincts, $9, drugstores). If your hair is dark with just a few silver strands here and there, make them hard to pinpoint by adding highlights (brown, light brown, blonde) around your hairline. If you’re predominately gray, apply lowlights in your natural color (look at childhood photos to find the best shade match), using the same technique to give the appearance of fewer grays.

Kimberley Walsh And Nicola Roberts Celebrate Cheryl Cole’s Wedding

Following her surprise marriage to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini earlier this month, the artist formerly known as Cheryl Cole finally celebrated with close pals.




Joining the 31-year-old 'Crazy Stupid Love' singer were the usual suspects including Girls Aloud band mates Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts.





Pregnant Kim, 32, looked blooming marvelous dressed in a black maternity jumpsuit as she arrived with her boyfriend Justin Scott .  



Pop power couple Rochelle and Marvin Humes joined in the festivities as well, taking a night off from mum and dad duties to celebrate.


Cheryl’s mum Joan was also in attendance - one of the four witnesses during the top secret Mustique ceremony on July 7.
Noticeably missing from the glamorous line-up were Cheryl’s other former colleagues of ten years Sarah Harding and Nadine Coyle.

Valentino.Fall 2014 Couture

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was a Victorian painter who liked to depict archaeological fantasies of scantily draped girls lounging around Roman villas. Had he been alive today and at the Valentino couture show, he’d hardly been able to contain himself. Every one of the looks Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli sent out were inspired by the works of Pre-Raphaelite painters and poets, but first among them was a white draped tunic dress named after Alma-Tadema’s sultry study of a sleeping nymph, The Siesta, of 1868.



 

Forget historical exactitude, though. This collection was about a pair of Roman fashion designers conjuring up lyrical impressions of the ancient Imperial days of their own city, and building them into a new fantasy, from the delicately cross-laced Roman sandals up. “It’s our past we’re thinking about,” said Chiuri. “Something graceful, regal and a bit more pagan, this time.”





The clever combination of romance and relevance that is coming out of Valentino these days seems completely instinctive and unforced. On the one hand, there’s a grounded sense of how young women want to dress (it’s pretty handy that Chiuri has her eighteen-year-old daughter Rachele for reality checks) and on the other, there are the superb technical abilities which put the house in the category of up-there-on-clouds excellence.





 That sensible sensibility has already brought the long, lace Renaissance-inspired dress to fashion. It continues for fall with breathtakingly complex silver beaded embroidery, trailing in layers, and wondrous gilded gowns with tabard bodices.




But the new thing is simplicity—or rather, silhouettes which are unencumbered by any surface decoration. It’s a truism in fashion that these things are even more difficult to accomplish than any amount of froth and beading. Yet there’s absolutely no panic about that at Valentino. 





The stark, noble toga dresses and subtly dramatic constructs of draped and knotted silk in this collection carry the hallmarks of perfectionism that has been native to this house ever since Mr. 




Valentino Garavani set it up in the fifties. The upshot: What we’re seeing here is the gradual reaching out to different kinds of women—or maybe it’s the same women, in a different mood. 




And whichever way we look at it, Chiuri and Piccioli are turning their Roman couture fantasy into business reality. Such is the success of their work that they say they’ve taken on 30 more people in their couture ateliers to meet the growing demand.

J.Lo Just Tweaked Her Famous Blond Highlights and Here's What Her Colorist Has to Say About It

Back in April, we all agreed that Jennifer Lopez is one of our favorite sources of blond-highlighted / hair inspiration.
Well, over the weekend, J.Lo did a little midsummer color refresh with celebrity colorist Rita Hazan (who was also behind Jessica Simpson's perfect pale-blond wedding hair). Here's a first glimpse, in a paparazzi shot of her arriving at an NYC hotel on Monday.



 
Although we can't get the best look at her new hue thanks to that sun hat, I'm sure you still want to know more about the details of J.Lo's latest color tweak, so that the next time you color your hair you can make it at least a little bit more Lopez-like. Right? Obviously.
Hazan and J.Lo go way back—to when the singer was dark brunette. "I felt like it was too harsh for her skin tone and her personality," Hazan recalls. "I created a honey-highlighted hair color for her and people went crazy over it." This time around, a more subtle change was in order:



 Jennifer wanted Rita to add more dimension to her hair for summertime. "I gave her a chocolate base with golden blond highlights and used my Ultimate Shine Blond Gloss on her," Hazan says. "The darker base adds contrast to give her a cooler, edgier look."
I do see some darker hair peeking out from underneath. Now we just need to wait for photos of J.Lo sans hat so we can get a better look! Stay tuned.

Beyoncé's tentoonstelling

We all love Beyoncé! Daar heeft de Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland mooi op ingespeeld met een tentoonstelling van de meest bijzondere looks van de zangeres. Het museum heeft vanochtend bekend gemaakt dat outfits van haar optreden tijdens de Super Bowl, haar zomerse look in de Crazy in Love-video en de Thierry Mugler-jurk die ze droeg in haar Sweet Dreams-videoclip tentoon worden gesteld in de Legends of Rock-exhibitie.


Bij de verschillende looks staan leuke quotes van Ty Hunter, stylist van Bee, over hoe de verschillende outfits zijn samengesteld.
De outfits zullen vanaf 22 juli te bewonderen zijn in de Ahmet Ertegun Main Exhibit Hall in de Legends of Rock-afdeling, naast andere iconische stukken van David Bowie en Michael Jackson.

6 Lies She's Been Telling You Since You Met

Just as you embellish your resumé to impress potential employers, you also fudge some personal details on a first date to boost your odds of scoring a second. Your girlfriend probably did this, too—and chances are, she's kept a few ruses going ever since. Here are some of the fibs she still drops daily, and what she really means instead.
1. “I’m a Huge Sports Fan”
There are plenty of genuine female sports fanatics, but many women are a bit more “meh” on the subject. Problem is, they’ll still spend countless hours perched in front of a big screen with you and your friends, pretending to have fun but secretly wanting to escape by any means necessary. “Some women believe that to keep a guy interested, she must love what he loves,” says behavioral scientist and dating expert Christie Hartman, Ph.D., author of Changing Your Game: A Man's Guide to Success with Women. Not true. While it’s great to support each other's passions, if she keeps watching ESPN to make you happy, it will foster resentment. 



Get the truth: Don’t make a big deal of it. Just give her an out—and let her know it’s okay to take it, Hartman advises. Say, “Hey, we're going to watch the game. You’re welcome to come, but if you’re sick of baseball, I totally understand.” 
2. “I Like My Independence” 
Of course she values her freedom, but she'll pretend she likes to take things slower than she really does to avoid coming off as desperate. “When given too much ‘space,’ women feel unattended to,” says clinical psychologist Barbara Greenberg, Ph.D. Basically, she tells you to go out with your buddies, and then gets upset that you aren’t hanging out with her. 
Get the truth: Let her know you’re into her. The more secure she feels in you bond, the more likely she is to tell you what she really wants from the relationship, Greenberg says. You don't need to have a capital-T "Talk"—just make some small gestures. Randomly text her, “just thinking about you," or pick her up her favorite snack because, hey, you were listening.
 
3. “I’m Always in the Mood”
She couldn't keep her hands off you in the early stages of your relationship, but now it's a precedent she worries about keeping up, says Jane Greer, Ph.D., a New York-based marriage and sex therapist and author of What About Me? Stop Selfishness From Ruining Your Relationship. “Women are very much aware of their partner’s sensitivity in this area and don’t want to do anything to bruise their egos,” Greenberg says. But obligatory sex doesn’t make for orgasms or an emotional connection.
Get the truth: If you’re not sure she wants you to make a move, Greer suggests saying something along the lines of, “Want to have a little fun? If you’re too tired, that’s okay. We can rest up for tomorrow.” (Wink.) It’s all about letting her know that if she says “not tonight,” you aren’t going to roll over mad. 
4. “It’s Cool You Have So Many Friends Who Are Girls”
In theory, ladies love men with platonic pals. (“Finally, a guy who understands women!”) But in reality, guy-girl friendships can cause a lot of jealously. “There is such a bad connotation to the word ‘jealous,’” Greenberg says, "but it’s natural to have some degree of jealousy when you care about someone. It’s instinct.” 
Get the truth: You don’t have to ditch your female friends. Just let her know that sometimes you get jealous, too. Whether it’s from her hanging out with her “work husband” or accepting free drinks at the bar, tell her when the feeling crops up, suggests Greenberg. It will help her see that jealously is perfectly normal. Plus, by showing her that you care about her enough to be jealous, she might be less worried about you straying.
5. “I’m Low-Maintenance” 
A low-maintenance girl has never felt the need to utter this phrase. But if your partner doesn't lay down any rules and always says she’s “cool” with whatever, something could be up. She could be afraid of coming off as difficult, demanding, or, yes, high-maintenance, says Hartman. And while no woman is going to kick off a first date with a list of demands, if you’re getting serious and still haven’t heard them, that’s a problem.
Get the truth: Watch your words, Hartman says. If you find yourself complaining about a difficult ex or talking about how you “just hate drama,” you might be giving her the impression she needs to put on a super laid-back show.  
6. “I’m Fine” 
Despite what it seems, she’s not trying to be passive-aggressive. She’s genuinely trying to hide that she’s upset. “Saying ‘I’m fine’ can be easier than telling the truth, because she knows telling the truth risks making you defensive or angry. Or that you won’t understand,” Hartman says. But bottling in her feelings—even if they're less than logical—can spell more trouble down the road. And honestly, if you drop the issue after she says, “I’m fine,” you’re probably in trouble. 
Get the truth: Instead of “What’s wrong?" try “You seem upset. Tell me what’s on your mind.” It lets her know you're all ears. “As hard as it is, just listen,” Hartman says. “Let her share her feelings, knowing it isn't your responsibility to fix her.”

5 Nice Things Guys Do That Girls Actually Hate

Thoughtful gestures—as long as your heart's in the right place—will win you points, right?
Sorry, wrong. In fact, many of the nice things you do for your girlfriend may actually be driving her crazy: Buying her jewelry that's not her style, surprising her with romance at inopportune times, trying to fix her problems (rather than just listening to them), for example. What sweet, point-winning moves are you making that she secretly hates?
It's not quite as tricky as it sounds, says psychologist Alicia Clark, PsyD. "The problem mainly happens when a gesture isn't fully considered in terms of how a partner will feel," Clark says. "Thinking of how she'll feel about something is always a safe move to make sure your thoughtful gestures are received in the way you intended."
Okay, consider her feelings and you'll probably do fine—but here are some moves to avoid anyway.


1. Buying her jewelry
I love jewelry—most women do. So why am I almost always disappointed when a guy presents me with something sparkly? "Guys make the mistake of thinking that the broad category of 'jewelry' is enough," says relationship expert Tracy Thomas, Ph.D. "It's not." Women are very particular about jewelry, she says, and if you're not paying attention to what she actually likes and wears, your thoughtful gift comes across as a lack of interest.

"It looks like you don't know or care about what she really loves," Thomas says. "If you're going to buy her jewelry, you'd better know what she likes to wear. You can look for clues—does she like hearts, does she like gold or silver, is she drawn to bigger or smaller pieces?"
2. Trying to fix her problems
Unless her problem is a leaky faucet, a hard-to-hang painting, or a spider, she probably doesn't want you to fix it. "Men and women are very different in this regard," says psychotherapist Vinita Mehta, Ph.D. "When a woman is feeling down, she typically wants to be heard and have her feelings validated."

Translation: If she's having issues with her best friend or a colleague at work, she wants to vent, not come up with a solution. All you have to do is listen to her and (occasionally) agree.
3. Lavishing her with gifts
A pretty necklace here, some roses there—that's fine. But a constant onslaught of clothes, jewelry, perfume, and other "thinking of you" trinkets? Not smart.

She dislikes your avalanche of gifts for a couple of reasons. According to Clark, too much masculine care-taking behavior (i.e. buying her things) feels controlling, especially if she's gainfully employed and financially capable of taking care of herself. Also, even if your intentions are pure, she feels pressure to reciprocate—and no woman wants to be in a relationship where she constantly feels one step behind.
4. Jumping in the shower without an invitation
I'm all for sexy shower time—but when I'm 20 minutes late and trying to simultaneously shave my legs and deep-condition my hair, you'd better have a damn good reason for hopping in and stealing half the hot water. "Physical space is an important component in relationships," Clark says. "Entering another's space uninvited—even if you're trying to be affectionate—can fall flat."

I'm not saying you can't be spontaneous and romantic, just try not to do it when we're pressed for time or in the middle of getting ready: No girl wants to be dragged away for a quickie when she's halfway done with her makeup.
5. Checking in on her
You know the drill: Drop her off, but wait until she's inside before driving off. That's fine—no woman is going to fault you for seeing her safely home. But when you start asking her where she is, or when she's coming back, even if it's just because you care about her and are excited to see her, she'll start getting irritated.

"This is almost always meant to convey interest, caring, and affection," says Clark. "But it can read to her as controlling and jealous. Too much attention can feel invasive." Bottom line: Unless she asks you to, or you need her immediate expertise on how to put out a kitchen fire (or something), try not to check in on her.

Cara Delevingne and Selena Gomez splash around in St Tropez

First we saw snaps of Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss on holiday in Ibiza, and the latest celeb BFFs to take a trip together are supermodel Cara Delevingne and ex-Disney star Selena Gomez, who were seen splashing about in St Tropez together.
As you do when you're an A-list celeb.


The hot duo were aboard a luxury yacht, but soon plunged in for some respite from the heat.
Surprisingly, Cara looked far from high-fashion in knee-length red shorts and a plain black bikini top, while Selena wore a stunning white one-piece as she pulled off several modelesque poses while on board.





The pair later changed - Cara into white dungarees and a stylish royal blue hat, and Selena into a chic monochrome outfit.
 We'll trade lives with you anytime, guys!

Lara Stone voor Stella

Het is de Nederlandse Lara Stone die het gezicht is van Stella McCartney’s parfum Stella, dat opnieuw gelanceerd wordt in een andere verpakking en formaat.
Vanaf 1 augustus is de geur wereldwijd verkrijgbaar. Mocht je een tripje naar Londen voor de boeg hebben dan heb je geluk: Harrods lanceert het parfum vandaag al. De campagne is geschoten in Londen door Mert Alas en Marcus Piggott en wordt ondersteund door een 15 seconde durende video met een soundtrack van de rockband Warpaint. 

 

"Stella viert het leven en Lara is daar een goede vertegenwoordiger voor. Ze brengt het idee van het parfum tot leven op een eerlijke manier. Ze is een moderne vrouw die zowel toegankelijk als sensueel is,” aldus de Britse ontwerper over haar nieuwe gezicht.

De geur is officieel gelanceerd in 2003 en bestaat uit een topnoot van roos en mandarijn essentie.

This Intricate-Looking Braid Is Actually Much Easier to Master Than You'd Think

Have you ever seen a braid like this? It's so different and looks crazy complex. But it's easier than you think. As long as you can tie a knot, you can master this braid technique. CHI celebrity hairstylist Albert Luiz gave us the how-to.
What you need:
—A curling iron. We like CHI Ultra Orbit 3-in-1 Tourmaline Ceramic Curler ($160, ulta.com)
—Matte wax. One we love: Fudge Urban Matte Wax ($11, target.com)
—Clear hair ties. We love Ricky's No-Snag Clear Elastics ($4 for 50, rickysnyc.com)
—Bobby pins. Our recommendation: Toni & Guy Bobby Pins ($5 for 20, target.com)


Get the look:
Step 1. Create loose waves by wrapping sections of hair around a one-inch curling wand.  




Step 2. Divide front fringe into two sections.



 Step 3. Create a simple shoelace knot: Lay section 1 over section 2, bring the hair under, and pull out through the loop. Tighten until the knot reaches the eye line. Repeat the pattern of looping hair over, under, and through, adding a new section each time. When braid is desired length, secure the tail with a clear silicone band.



Step 4. Flip knots over and secure with pins to reveal the illusion of an intricate braid.



Step 5. Now deconstruct it by tugging gently on the knots to reveal some wispy, flyaway pieces. Add rough texture by rubbing the entire braid with a matte wax.



How to Wear a Slit Skirt

A few years ago Angelina Jolie flashed her leg at the Oscars in her remarkable red carpet gown and dresses with slits became immediately trendy with shoppers who wanted to show some skin.
The truth is that slit dresses and skirts are a classic, especially for formal looks. While the thigh-high slits may resonate on the red carpet, in real life you can get lots of bang for your fashion buck by trying a small slit.
Not only are slits sexy, they are flattering: older women can wear slits to carry off longer skirts and dresses without looking matronly. And shorter women can use the strong vertical element of the slit to make themselves look taller and leaner.
The trick to wearing a slit is to make sure you are showing off only what you want to show off (the last thing you want is a wardrobe malfunction.)
Here's how to wear a slit dress:

  • Leave thigh-high slits to the celebrities. All you really need to do is suggest a little skin, not expose it all. It's the idea of the slit that makes it sexy -- just a small slit (like on Paz Vega's dress, pictured) can be a sexy style addition.
  • Check your Spanx. The last thing you want to show when you sit down is the leg of your foundation wear, so make sure that any body-shaping gear is well out of range of the slit.
  • Wear hose or tights. If you're not comfortable going bare with a slit, don't shy away from hosiery — especially sheer black pantyhose which are chic again — to give you a bit more coverage than bare legs.
  • Go long. Love the look of long skirts and dresses but don't love the fact that all that fabric makes you look bulky? Try a longer silhouette with a slit for a simple fashion fix.
  • Stitch it up. A too-high slit is an easy fix; simply stitch it up a bit for more coverage.
  • Go easy on the rest of the look. Things can easily get out of hand when you add a voluminous top, bulky accessories, elaborate lace-up shoes or any other distracting fashion. Let the slit take center stage and tone down the rest of your look. A simple top and jewelry that doesn't distract work (the slit is the statement here.)
  • You don't need perfect legs. Since you won't (hopefully) thrust your entire leg out of your dresses with slits (like Angelina Jolie does), only a bit of leg will peek out until you sit down, and even then you can cross your legs so the slit is on the bottom and less leg shows. This is one time when bronzer and spot-on sleekness count because you may be showing lots of leg.
  • Go with heels. Honestly? What doesn't look better than a bit of height. A higher heel will make your legs look longer with the slit. Ankle details (ankle boots, wrap ankle) also work really well with the slit and add to the look.
  • Don't take it to work. Unless it's a really small/modest slit, this is one look (like sheer tops or too-short skirts) that's best worn during your time off. If you do dare the slit skirt for work (and honesty, it's a great look for a pencil skirt) pair it with a very conservative top to balance the sexiness.

martedì 22 luglio 2014

Weekly Singles Review: Cheryl Cole, Magic! & Neon Jungle

  After a relatively quiet twelve months, 2014 has been a bit hectic in the world of Cheryl Cole. First there was the surprise return to 'The X-Factor,' then there was the even more surprising secret marriage to her French boyfriend and now there's the release of her aptly-titled first new track in nearly two years. You can usually rely on the new Mrs. Fernandez-Versini to produce a killer lead single but sadly 'Crazy Stupid Love' falls far short of the standard set by 'Fight For This Love,' 'Promise This' and 'Call My Name.' In fact, it's all a bit of a mess. The beats are clunky, the melody is entirely forgettable, while it's hard to determine what's more awful - the highly annoying saxophone hook or guest rapper Tine Tempah's use of the word 'dickmatised.' 




Magic! - 'Rude'
Cole's biggest threat for the number one spot this week arrives in the unlikely shape of a Canadian reggae fusion band fronted by the man who's penned tracks for the likes of Justin Bieber, The Wanted and erm, Michael Bolton. Hitmaker Nasri and his Magic! bandmates have already reached No.2 in the US with this laid-back tale of heartbreak, which like Bruno Mars' 'Locked Out Of Heaven,' channels The Police at their chart-conquering peak. But as perfectly pleasant as 'Rude' is, there's little too get too excited about and it's hard to see why it's become potential number one material at all. 



Neon Jungle - 'Louder'
After three bursts of speaker-blasting EDM pop, Britain's hottest new girlband change tact for the fourth single from their forthcoming debut album. The emphatic beats and sky-scraping melodies of 'Louder' is a solid attempt at the epic power ballad which allows the quintet to showcase their impressive vocal abilities. But by venturing into the kind of territory occupied by the likes of Little Mix and The Saturdays, they perhaps run the risk of losing their unique selling point. 



La Roux - 'Uptight Downtown'
Five years after spearheading the nu-synth movement, La Roux finally return one member down and with a funkier tropical disco sound for their long-awaited second album, 'Trouble In Paradise.' Teaser track 'Let Me Down Gently' was undoubtedly more majestic, but the Nile Rodgers-esque 'Uptight Downtown' is still an enjoyably slinky affair which proves that Elly Jackson can cut it on her own.
Charli XCX - 'Boom Clap'
Charli XCX has had a hand in two of the biggest global hits of the past twelve months, Icona Pop's 'I Love It' and Iggy Azalea's 'Fancy,' but her own self-described 'Tumblr-pop' sound has still yet to catch on outside the confines of the blogosphere. Taken from the soundtrack to 'The Fault In Our Stars,' the explosive new wave pop of 'Boom Clap' thankfully now looks like giving her mainstream breakthrough she deserves.
Jon is a music and film obsessive from Wigan. His current favourite acts are Haim, AlunaGeorge, London Grammar, Disclosure and Jessie Ware. He has tried but he still doesn't really get the fuss about 'Blurred Lines' or 'I Love It.'

Kim Kardashian Experiments With Nose Ring

Stop everything and check out Kim Kardashian wearing a nose ring - ideal Monday afternoon procrastination, we are sure you will agree.

We wonder if this could be a whole new leaf for Kim K – a Marilyn Manson style 180 could well be on the horizon...



Either that or we will never hear/see/think of this again – much like the time she put on that blonde wig or pretended to have cut in a fringe.
The old tease.

In other, Kim K news – it was reported yesterday that she and Kanye West have been busy recruiting a body double for their baby daughter, 13-month-old North-West.

So yes, it’s literally like she is royalty.
The couple are apparently growing concerned about the amount of paparazzi attention their daughter receives and want to limit this when she is out with just her nanny.



To combat this they are reported to have ‘held auditions’ at a specialist LA agency to find a 13 month old who is the spit of their daughter.

A source told Grazia magazine: "Kim and Kanye hired the lookalike to shield North from the paparazzi.

Presumably the other kid works better with constant flash bulbs?

"There were auditions held in LA at a specialist agency and in the end they found a child who is the spitting image of their daughter.

 "They also hired a body-double nanny, who they hope will really throw paps off the scent."

Beyonce And Jay Z Divorce Rumours Sparked By Marriage Counselling Speculation

And as much as they try and fight it, it seems that pesky split speculation just won't go away for poor old Beyonce and Jay Z.
Say it isn't so!

While we HOPE that pop power couple are as happy as ever, we just CAN'T ignore the new split rumours, which suggest that the pair are set to go their separate ways after their tour wraps.
An insider has apparently told The New York Post's Page Six that marriage counselling didn't work for the pair and, although they don't want to divorce, they're considering a trial separation.
Noo!!




The source said: "They are trying to figure out a way to split without divorcing.
"This is a huge concert tour and they've already gotten most of the money from the promoters up front. There are no rings, if you haven’t noticed."
According to the 'insider', the pair have lost the spark that they originally had, despite considering adding to their family.
They added: "For just a split moment, things got real for them and she was even talking about adding to the family.


"But, after a while, Jay was out doing Jay and Bey was out doing Bey. They made the classic mistake of thinking a child would change everything and help to rekindle the initial fire, and it didn't."
Despite all of the speculation, the couple seem stronger than ever on their On The Run tour, seeming pretty defiant in the face of the doubters.
As well as their on-stage untied front, Bey and Jay have been keen to show the world that they ARE still together through a series of family Instagram snaps.
Yeah, we're not giving up on these two just yet!