A Romantic Makeup Collection by Chanel

Les Aquarelles de Chanel
Makeup Collection

Chanel's new makeup collection is an ode to vintage romanticism; doe-eyed beauties fluttering their delicate lashes, with flushed cheeks and rose-tinted lips. During Paris Couture Fashion Week, Chanel awed audiences, not only with their delightful dresses, but also by the ballerina-inspired makeup worn by the models. 

Inspired by a 1920's watercolour painting of Coco Chanel, Les Aquarelles de Chanel reveals a softer, feminine side to makeup. Created by Chanel's makeup genius, Peter Phillips, this beautiful collection features 6 limited edition pieces. 

The Look
Eyelids shimmer with an iridescent tinge of ivory, gold and grey. Cheeks are abloom with misty pink blush, blended to create a natural rosy flush. Lips are tinted in pastel pink. I love the addition and precision of the black winged eyeliner, which perfectly balances out the soft opalescent shades. The final look is dreamy and striking at the same time. If I were to have a signature makeup look, this would be it.

Top Row

Le Vernis. A sugary pink nail varnish that duly corresponds with this feminine look. The formula is strengthening and nourishing, giving you colour that is resistant to chipping.

Ombrés Tissées. The star of the collection is this scintillating eye shadow palette in a woven tweed design. With luminous shades of pink and beige that beautifully reflect off the light, it bestows a youthful glow upon eyes and cheeks.

Stylo Yeux Waterproof. Add drama to eyes with a soft-textured, silicone-enhanced and smudgeproof pencil that is easy to manoeuvre, creating smooth lines. It comes with a built-in sharpener.

Bottom Row

Jouse Contraste. A silky powered blush for natural looking cheeks, providing seamless colour that can built up to achieve the rosy hue thats right for you. There are two shades available, Rose Pétale and Pink Cloud.

Rouge Coco Shine. The Hydrating Sheer Lipshine glides on easily, and has a lightweight, moisturizing formula. Royallieu is a cherub pink lip-tint with a hint of shimmer.

Ombrés Essentielle Gris Exquis. A dove grey eye shadow that defines eyes and adds an air of mystery to your romantic look.

If I had these few products in my makeup box, I wouldn't really need much else. You can create a versatile day-to-night look that is timeless, understated and enhances your natural beauty. The products range from about R203 to R503 ($28.50 to $75), and can be purchased from the Chanel website.

Lea Michele for Harper's Bazaar

Cover Girl Lea Michele
Harper's Bazaar September 2011

The musical comedy series Glee has transformed Lea Michele from a little known Broadway actress into a TV superstar. She graces the September 2011 cover of Harper's Bazaar, with a stunning fashion pictorial inside. Lea is styled in fabulous designer gowns for the floral fantasy photo shoot, which is a far cry from the cute preppy style of her on-screen character, Rachel Berry.

 On the cover, Lea shows off the daring back of a white Yves Saint Laurent halter-neck gown with gold chain detail.

 Lea dreamily gazes off in a blush toned Valentino dress, adorned with floral appliqués.

 Her dramatic red gown with massive tulle skirt is by Giambattisa Valli.

Lea stands amidst a rose garden wearing a beautiful black and white floral print gown by Moschino Cheap & Chic. Love the addition of the large black fabric rose.

 The colourful floral backdrop does not distract from her gorgeous turquoise silk chiffon Gucci gown. It has a cross-over bodice, sheer skirt, tie-up halter neck and extravagant floral shrug. Her heels are by Fendi.

Everything's rosy: Lea wears a rose print dress, with black leather gloves and ankle-strap heels, all by Lanvin. Her winsome fascinator is by Louis Green Millinery.

Divas and Darlings - VH1 Do Something Awards 2011

Red Carpet Fashion
VH1 Do Something Awards 2011

The VH1 Do Something Awards were held in Los Angeles this weekend.  The awards show recognizes young inspirational people under the age of 25, who do their benevolent bit for the community. Finally, a red carpet event for a good cause. It also commends celebrities that have been involved in charitable work during the year. These are some of the stylish looks from the 'blue' carpet

Red Hot

The Vampire Diaries Malese Jow wears a scarlet draped dress with half-frilled skirt. Victoria Justice is ravishing in a crimson red ruffled dress by Jay Godfrey. She suitably paired it with leopard print ankle-strap heels by Giuseppe Zanotti.

Long and Strapless 

One Tree Hill's Sophia Bush chose a flowing strapless gown in a beautiful teal blue by Tibi. She carried a multicolored ethnic print clutch by Hands Up Not Handouts. A Iosselliani necklace and nude Jimmy Choo's finished her look. Glee's Jane Lynch wore a printed gown with a similar design to Sophia's. Her pony print black and white dress is by Alexander McQueen. I don't like the two-tone heels with it.

Colour Blocked

TV actress Kelli Goss wore a neon yellow midriff top with aqua mini skirt and chunky black tie-up books. Tyra Banks wore a tri-coloured jumpsuit with bright pink asymmetrical top that matched her nail polish, a green cummerbund and cobalt blue pants. Too much colour for the talk show host?

An Ivory Affair

Always one for glamorous gowns, Kim Kardashian wore Antonio Berardi. Her ivory dress had a wrap-twist bodice, padded shoulders and metallic gold belt. Demi Lovato stepped it up in an off-white dress with low v-neck and embellished middle panel. Matching peep toe heels complete her look.

In The Pink

Love this sweet pink Sue Wong dress on Bella Thorne. The beaded bodice with silk petal skirt is adorable on the 13-year-old. I'm glad she wore it with bronze ankle boots and not prissy heels. Charity Shea wears a neon pink dress with grey back panels, long tassel earrings and silver wedges. Ashley Benson in a hot pink halter dress by Zac Posen. Jojo poses in a vibrant little pink dress with nude heels.

A Little Bit of Black

Brittany Snow is in a grey animal print dress with flair skirt by Camilla and Marc. She added mustard pointy toe heels by Giuseppe Zanotti. Kristen Bell wore a printed Etro dress with silver Casadei pumps and Jimmy Choo fringed bag. I'm uninspired by her look. South African born Sasha Pieterse looked chic in a 3/4 sleeve black dress with double buckled leather belt and nude heels. I wish my hair would do that. Rose McGowan paired her star print Dolce & Gabbana bustier dress with red Brian Atwood pumps.

Tuesday Thrills - Thula Jewelry

Handmade Silver Jewelry

by Jess at Thula

Thula Jewelry specializes in the art of handmade silver jewelry. The creative entrepreneur behind the South African brand is Jess, who turned her passion for hand forging jewelry into a full time job. She single-handedly started a jewelry-making business from a workshop that she set up from home. She is involved in entire jewelry making process, from design inception, to metal melting, rolling, filling, sanding and everything in between.

While also appreciating fine design, Jess believes in the beauty of imperfection; that there is character in rustic, rough-around-the edges type of jewelry. No two pieces are alike, which makes them all the more unique and special. She finds inspiration from pieces that she would like to wear personally, crafting sterling silver into ornamental designs. She also loves creating tailor-made pieces that are suited to a client's individual taste. These are some of her lovely designs.

Jess has her own Etsy store, and plans to expand on her range by including gold, platinum and palladium. You can buy any one of these pieces and more from her online store at Etsy. Or, for something special, order your own custom-made piece by email. She blogs about her exciting journey in the world of jewelry on hellothula

All the best to Jess with her fantastic jewelry brand, may your future shine with success.

Which Kardashian Sister Wore It Better?

Who Wore The Myne Dress Better?
Kim or Khloe?

The Kardashian sisters share a lot of things; homes, friends, fame, an unabashed love of attention and the same taste in clothes. Kim and Khloe were seen in the same Myne silk dress but in two different colours. The $126 (R920) dress has a plunging surplice neckline, rope leather belt, gathered elasticated waist and draped skirt. 

Khloe wore the bubblegum pink version of the dress last week on the streets of Los Angeles. Kim's younger sister added black accessories to her look, including a black Hermés Birkin bag and black and leopard print fully strapped stilettos. The same pink dress was worn by Tika Sumpter (Raina from Gossip Girl) in July.

Kim wore the the cream toga-style dress to her wedding-fragrance photo shoot at the beginning of August. Her look was dressier, with a gold cuff, and collar necklace. She wore flat embellished Sam Edelman sandals with it.

I prefer Kim's look, she styled the dress in a way that brings out it's Grecian-like appeal. What do you think?

Celeb Style - Seeing Stripes

This week had me seeing stripes on the streets of Celebsville, with this navy and red nautical Express dress. This versatile piece looks comfy and suits just about everyone. It retails for $49.90 (R360), and can be bought here. 

At the end of July, a pregnant January Jones wore the t-shirt dress with embellished thong sandals, red-rimmed sunglasses and a Chanel bag.

In early August, Amanda Seyfried was spotted in the cotton dress, also paired with thong sandals and sunnies.

A week later, Olivia Munn wore the three quarter-sleeved dress to the 'Teen Choice Awards' after party in LA. I don't like it with the fawn suede boots.

I think Zoe Saldana wore it best this Tuesday, with a tan sling Coach bag, skinny tan belt and flat thong sandals.

Emmy Rossum was seen in the same dress on the same day, at the same time and at the same shopping venue as Zoe! She wore it with a straw hat and thong sandals too.

I can see many versions of this dress greeting us in stores this summer. How will you wear it?

Looks Of The Week

Who What Wear
My Favourite Fashion Picks

Annual InStyle Summer Soiree

Jaime King picked out a delicate cream lace dress with black neck tie by Jason Wu. Her vintage look was accessorized with a metallic bow belt, Chanel clutch bag and pointy black heels.
Jayma Mays was delightful in a blush pink mini with satin belt by Zuhair Murad. The sheer beaded bodice is covered in draped chiffon.
Diane Kruger had on a masculine chic outfit by Jason Wu. She carries off these unusual ensembles so well. Diane wears a navy blue tuxedo blazer with formal white shirt, black shorts and a bow tie. Turquoise and black sandals and a lemon python clutch bag complete her quirky look.
Jordana Brewster makes a stylish return to the red carpet after being absent for ages. She wears a mint green pleated dress by Oscar de la Renta, with nude scalloped Valentino heels and matching mint clutch bag. I love everything about this look.


Other Great Looks

Emma Stone brings her savvy style to New York, wearing a lovely grey Chloé Resort 2012 dress with ruched bodice. Her look is enlivened with hot pink pumps by Brian Atwood.

Eva Longoria looks like a Grecian statue in a white draped gown with asymmetrical straps by J.Mendel. 

Ashley Tisdale takes a simple grey strapless dress and enhances it with great accessories. She walks in tan Joie Leo cut-out sandals, carries a cream quilted Chanel bag and tops it off with a cute floppy hat.

Katie Holmes strolls the streets of New York in a white buttoned up blouse, coral H&M skirt, black bag and sandy suede Isabel Marant ankle boots.

Friday Frills

This is one of my all-time favourite quotes...