Our hair has to withstand a lot, from brushing and styling to the environment around us, there is so much that can damage it, normally things that are part of our everyday routine that we don’t often think about. Every time that you style your hair you damage it, especially when using your hairdryer, ghd hair straighteners and curling tongs, even just brushing your hair damages it.
The best way to start looking after your hair is to use the right shampoo and conditioners, your salon will offer a great line of shampoos and conditioners that you can use to improve the strength and condition of your hair. Although these may be more expensive than other brands found in your chemist or supermarket they are normally more concentrated so they do last a lot longer meaning you do get value for money, your stylist will also be able to tell you what you need for your hair type.
When it comes to styling you also need to make sure you have the right tools and that they are suitable for the job, as with shampoo and conditioner you should also make sure you use good quality styling products even if it means spending a little more on your curling irons, straightening irons and diffusers as it will help you create great looking styles without hurting your hair. Although using good quality shampoo and conditioner will help repair your hair if damaged it does not offer enough protection from heat of your styling tools, you should always use a protector spray such as ghd thermal protector before styling to give you hair protection from the heat.
Finally you also need to protect your hair from any damage caused by the environment such as harmful UV rays from the sun, pollution and weather conditions, you can get sprays that help keep your hair fresh and most of all protected, these are great to spray on before you go out and will normally need a boost during the day.
There are some great clothing styles available to buy this season that will take you right through into next year, some designer women’s clothing essentials that you should have for Autumn Winter include military jackets, fur, preferably faux fur, sheepskin, and high-waist jeans and trousers. If you pick out a few items from these styles you will be able to mix and match your way through the season.
Basics are an essential part of your wardrobe, and many of these basics are in year after year, little black dresses, never go out of style, and neither do straight legged jeans or trousers as well as plain women’s t-shirts, take a look at this seasons colours and tones and you can easily pick out some basics that will see you through. For example, plaid is a popular choice for autumn and has been with us for much of summer so you will probably have some in your wardrobe, so try a plaid jacket or dress for a tougher look than we saw over summer.
Although as I have mention a wardrobe essential is the LBD this season colour of choice for evening wear is fiery red, you can make a great impression in a stunning red dress, or if you’re not brave enough to wear a red dress opt for a bright red top pair with a black pencil skirt or a black pair of high waisted trousers for a good contrast.
Accessories this season are all about been warm, so lots of chunky knit scarves and woolly beanies in crochet designs as well as faux fur hats and sheepskin and leather gloves to keep you toasty as the winter sets in.
For those of us who have a budget that doesn’t stretch to designer clothes, the next best thing may be to opt for a selection of designer accessories instead. Items such as jewellery and handbags are a good way to improve the overall look of an outfit without having to completely break the bank.
Of course, even designer accessories can prove to be expensive, which is where the Internet becomes very useful. There are a number of online retailers offering designer items at a reduced price, although shopping around is recommended, as some will offer a better deal than others.
Some designers provide a list of approved retailers that you can check to ensure that you are buying the genuine item rather than a copy. It is always a good idea to buy from an established retailer, as this is the only way you can ensure that you will receive good customer service as well as having the assurance of buying from a secure shopping site. You are also much less likely to be sold a fake.
Purchasing such items from an Internet auction site is another option. It is often better to buy second-hand, as you will be able to find them cheaper and they are usually in very good condition. It is also important to double check what you are buying and get as much information in advance as possible in order to ensure that you really are getting a bargain. Some fake items do make their way onto these sites so buyers need to be wary.
Skirts come in all shapes and sizes and there is a style to suit every figure. Fashions change frequently, from the cut to the hemline and it is important to choose a style that works for you, regardless of the latest fashions. Most clothes shops offer a wide range of skirt styles, not just what’s in fashion now as well as in different sizes like tall and petite.
The ‘A Line’ skirt is so called because of its ‘A’ shape, being fairly well fitted on the waist, but much wider at the hemline. They come in all fabrics and are suitable for wearing to work as well as everyday wear. The ‘A Line’ skirt does go in and out of fashion, but if you choose one in a fairly neutral colour then it should work well during most seasons as it can be teamed with a range of other items.
Straight skirts are often worn by those who have heavier thighs, in order to disguise them. They are not flattering to all figures even though they tend not to go in and out of fashion as frequently as other styles. What’s more, they are ideal for work wear and can be teamed with matching jackets.
When clothes shopping you will notice that the ankle-length gypsy style skirt is back in fashion. They are often produced in patterned fabrics and are ideal for the summer months, although they can be teamed with boots during colder spells. This is a full skirt, which is usually made from light cotton, although for those who dislike ironing there is a range made from a crinkle fabric. This is a much more casual look, which is ideal for shopping or relaxing.
Last year saw the launch of Liam Gallagher’s clothing range Pretty Green and it seem that a year on thee brand is going from strength to strength because the label is now opening its first shop, from 11am on Friday 30 July you can visit London’s famous Carnaby Street where the stand alone store is.
The 2,000 sq. ft pop-up shop that covers two storeys with the basement area will offer items from the spring/summer 2010 range, which includes polo shirts, oversized parkas, knits and skinny scarves in the Mancunian’s signature style as well as a selection of exclusive Pretty Green pieces.
The store which is decorated with ‘60s Mod influences features a giant image of the former Oasis front man perched on a Lambretta scooter on Brighton beach. The brand which was after a song by The Jam, is available online via their website as well as been stocked in Selfridges department stores.
For an easy effortless everyday hairstyle, easy wear waves are ideal and straightforward to create with your ghd hair straighteners, it makes a change from poker straight locks and is less time consuming than full on curls. All you need to do is section your hair by placing your thumbs above your ears and drawing a line around your head until your thumbs meet, then gather up the hair above your thumbs and clip it out of the way.
Then you need to lightly mist the bottom section of your hair with ghd creation spray, this will help set your hair, then you need to separate your hair into two sections, in each section place your ghd straightener in at the roots, rotate it 180° and glide the straightener through the hair until reaching the end. As each section falls catch it and loosely twist it around your finger to define the curl, continue with the other section.
Now for the top section, you continue with the same technique, but instead to create softer curls at the ends of your hair simply straighten the hair and simply rotate 180° towards the end, then spray with hairspray for extra hold. Then to finish off this look apply some polishing serum to your hands and work it through your hair styling your hair away from your face for a fresher look.
Along with sheer fashion, lingerie as outerwear, jodhpurs and the sporty look, jumpsuits are one of the trends for 2010.
Jumpsuits and playsuits have become a must have item in woman’s clothing. They were originally one-piece suits that were worn by skydivers. A one-piece suit was a practical option when jumping out of a plane, because the air does not take hold of the clothes so much. Jumpsuits have also been worn by astronauts and aviators, but are now becoming the height of fashion.
One of the best features of this item of clothing is that it can be worn by anyone, regardless of their size. Jumpsuits come in a wide range of styles and lengths from short rompers to long flowing pant suits. If you want to flaunt your legs then go for a pair of designer rompers. If you are looking for something more sophisticated and chic then go for one of the full-length designer jumpsuits. If you are curvy try a halter jumpsuit belted at the waist or a one-shouldered sequin jumpsuit.
Jumpsuits are easy to get on and off and with the wide variety of styles in the stores this is a trend that everyone can copy. They can be loose or tight fitting, formal or sporty, so whichever one you choose jumpsuits have been a big hit in 2010.
Jumpsuits featured in many of the spring designer shows, from the sophisticated versions presented by Givenchy, to the one shouldered jumpsuits of Lanvin, to the sporty jumpsuits favoured by Julien MacDonald. It looks as if jumpsuits are one trend that will last for a while.
Modern utility wear in the form of chinos and cargo trousers has been a big trend in 2010 with many clothes shops picking up on this trend and is likely to be staying around for autumn/winter 2010.
Chinos and cargos are different, although the difference can be small. Chino is a fabric as well as a pair of trousers and is usually lighter in weight and more formal than the cargo trousers. Chinos date back to the twentieth century when they were originally worn by military personnel serving in China. Cargos became popular in the 1990s, first through Levi Strauss’s Dockers and then through designers such as Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren. Cargos are khakis with lots of pockets.
Cargo trousers are more casual whilst chinos occupy that grey area between smart and casual. Proper chinos are clean, simple and flat-fronted whilst cargo trousers are rougher and have multiple pockets for carrying whatever the inhabitants of the urban jungle like to have to hand.
In 2010, cargo pants or combat trousers include a multitude of designs that are comfortable to wear as well as stylish. They have also added a little military and utilitarian flair to the summer fashions. Celebrities were seen sporting them with some of the most chic sandals and even flats. Feminine looks and utilitarian chic were blended on the catwalks and designers succeeded in creating not only practical and comfortable trousers, but also some of the must-have trousers styles of the year.
In the past, cargo trousers have been considered to be essential pieces for the military look and not that fashionable. However, that has now changed and if you want to incorporate them into your wardrobe just remember that green, grey and brown tones go best with lighter tones such as nude, beige, white and light brown. If you want a more edgy look then try pink or yellow, simply decide which style is for you. If you want a sporty look wear the trousers with pumps or gladiator sandals. For a more feminine look, pair with wedges, ankle-cuff or cutout style sandals. There is a wide range of styles to choose from, including rolled-up, skinny, shorts and harem pants. Accessories are important for creating the latest fashion trends, so make sure that you have the bags, shoes, scarves and jewellery to create your urban chic look.
Chanel has increased its bag prices by 20%, as of July 1st the price for a small, classic black 2.55 has gone up from £1,600 to £2,045, which is a huge increase, with many of their prices even for smaller bag over £1,000. Meaning if you want one of these coveted handbags you will have to save for a lot longer now.
While some people see them as a good investment and something that can be passed down through the generations others find that paying so much for a bag is quite ridicules, however Chanel are not alone with their high prices, other designer bags such as Fendi, Lanvin, Chloe and YSL all sell for upwards of £1,500. Many of these normally sell out before they are launched with many people going on lists to purchase them.
For parents the summer holidays can seem to last for ages, trying to keep your children happy and busy during the break can be hard no matter what age they are, however for some kids these days the traditional creative activities can seem a bit ‘lame’ so what can you do to keep them entertained for a day at least?
One solution is to use modern technology to help them be creative, if you have a home computer and the internet, you can use t shirt printing to get your kids designing their own t shirt designs, using anything they want, well within reason! Family photos, pictures of pets, cartoons or art work, make great designs that they can do themselves on the computer.
You can then use an online printing company such as www.splashlogo.co.uk to print their final design onto a t-shirt and have it delivered right to your door, it’s a great way to get your kids creative by using odern technology and if they want they can expand to making t-shirts for family and friends this summer, as they make wonderful gifts.