The perfect trim at home.

Getting your hair cut professionally is always going to guarantee you a good hair cut but sometimes there’s no time to get to the hairdressers and when you just want a trim to loose those scruffy ends I can’t see the harm in doing it yourself. I have very long, brunette hair which comes to almost my waist at the back, my hair is extremely thick so I have a couple of layers put in to lift the weight and a few slightly sorter pieces around the front to frame my face. I like me hair to be easy to wear and style, I like not having to worry about my hair or what it is doing during that day. This may not be the best technique for you and your hair type but if your hair is long then I’d give this a go.

You should always cut your hair immediately after washing when it is still damp as this makes it easier to get a clean cut. First of all I separate out the top section of my hair (from just above my ears) and clip it in a bun on top of my head out of the way, leaving the bottom section down. I then divide the bottom section into two and bring all my hair round to the front. I brush through the lengths of the hair to ensure they are smooth. I then clamp my hair between my first two fingers and draw down to about an inch before the ends; using sharp scissors I cut about 2cm off the ends of my hair. Always cut parallel to the ends of the hair to keep it even and consistent. Do this on both sides until you are satisfied the hair is even. By bringing all your hair round to the front and cutting it straight across this will result in the back being slightly longer than the front this helps it fall more naturally and give it a slight V shape.

Next take down the bun and again brush through the hair. Divide the top section into two, the top back section (the crown) and the top front section. Take the back section and gather all the hair up vertically from the head. Again clamp the hair between the first and second finger and drag through to the ends maintaining the vertical of the hair. Again snip about 2cm off the ends of your hair. Let go of the hair and let it fall into place. Cutting it vertically gives your hair layers with out horrible staggered straight lines, this way will give it a feathered softer finish.

Repeat this with the front section. I like to ensure the front section is a little shorted than the back to give me the framing pieces around my face. Afterwards I let it fall again and ruffle it up to see how it looks. It’s good to gather the top section up vertically one more time to check the hair is even through out.

That’s it! It’s that simple. Cut away the dodgy edges from the bottom section of hair and then do the same with the top section but vertically from the head, cut to a straight line and let it fall.

Crisp White Sheets.

White sheets always remind me of hotels- an enormous comfy bed with freshly laundered crisp white sheets. I have always been a bit hesitant about putting white sheets on my bed at home -what if I spill my morning coffee on the sheets or what if my mascara smudges on to the pillow case. Well I have finally decided now is as good a time as any for those fresh white sheets to make an appearance. They make the room look so much brighter, bigger and more inviting.

White bedding can be expensive but I nabbed these up in the sale for only £7 for a king size set in B&Q -not the first place I would have thought to find bedding but these ones feels like good quality and are nice and soft.

White bedding goes with any decor and is modern and chic. I feel it looks best when it’s creased and a bit scrumpled on the bed, it’s very minimal and gives it a more living in cozy look. You can dress the bed with some soft accents to go with the colour scheme of the room, maybe a knitted grey throw, or a fluffy blush pillow, or anything that brings a touch of the colour to the plain canvas that ties in with the rest of the room.

Using different textures in a room can really add depth particularly when using a minimal colour palette. Contrast your cushions and throws against your plain white bedding for added coziness. From left to right we have George Home Purple chenille throw £7, George Home Hippo oxford edge cushion £4, Matalan Mongolian Cushion £8, George Home Smoked cushion in silver £5.

  Mongolian Cushion (48cm x 48cm)

Chartwell Easy Care White Plain Kingsize Bed cover Set from B&Q reduced to £7

The Blues kitchen Shoreditch.

Last night Zac and I went to The Blues kitchen in Shoreditch for date night. It’s a gorgeous quirky bar and restaurant that serves American style BBQ and grilled food with live Blues music and a great range of cocktails and drinks. We booked a table for 7:30pm and were met with a bustling atmosphere and lovely people. The food was delicious; we had the Deluxe BBQ Sharer for 2 which came with the best rib of beef I have ever tasted!! The place had such a good vibe – it was decked out in a rustic industrial hipster est style with chesterfield sofas and tiled ceilings. I would highly recommend it to anyone after some good food in Shoreditch.

blues kitchen

The food was a competitive price for the amount you got and for the Shoreditch area. Cocktails cost around £9 each so a little pricey but for a one off occasion it is a lovely place to go. The frozen margaritas were amazing; frozen tequila, raspberry, grapefruit and lime juice -I could have drunk them all night.

bbq platter

A perfect place to go for meat lovers and cocktail drinkers.

Dress Down Khaki.

Yesterday I had the afternoon off work and my boyfriend’s family where down from Manchester. It was so nice to see them again, we met them for lunch in Kensington after some london site seeing we then got the river boat down the Thames to Cutty Sark for some delicious ice cream from Black Vanilla. It was such a lovely afternoon and the perfect start to the weekend.

I wanted something comfy and casual to wear so I paired a simple khaki cami from Newlook with Black rolled up Topshop Jeans, Asos leather sling back sandals, Newlook sunnies and my Pulsar watch.

dress down khaki

I really love these sunglasses. I picked them up yesterday after my old ones cracked. I never buy expensive sunglasses because I am forever loosing them, sitting on them or dropping and cracking them. These cost £3 in the Newlook sale. They are a simple black frame with black lenses, with a quilted texture on the arms and a grey inner frame. A steel for the price.

Check out the Newlook sale here: http://www.newlook.com/shop/sale/womens-sale_30082?intcam=INT-2015-16-WK16-HOME-ZBck-0027

A link to my post on Black Vanilla  https://katielouisaclarke.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/black-vanilla-2/

Rich and Earthy.

I can’t quite describe my excitement over this seasons colour palette. Earthy tones are sweeping the streets and all the stores are stocking that rusty orange, easy khaki and soft tans to welcome in the autumn season. They are such gorgeous colours- so rich and warm they go perfectly against your summer skin.

natural

These colours are so easy to wear and look so effortless and chic on any skin tone. I am in love. Remember to also think textures, in these street snaps above we have a satin draping cami dress, suede A line dress and a ribbed bodycon racer back dress. So elegant, simple and bang on trend.

Complexion Perfection.

Everyone’s skin in different but I wanted to share with you how I like to achieve a glowing complexion. For me I believe it’s all about creating highlights and shadows with a slight dewiness to make your skin appear healthy and fresh. I like to start with Bourjois Radiance Reveal Healthy Mix foundation “for a healthy glow and flawless complexion” I apply this evenly and not to heavily across my whole face, this will act as a base for the other products so I like to keep it as light as possible whilst achieving full coverage, I also like to apply it with a medium foundation brush to ensure coverage. If you are in a hurry I like to pretty much leave it there as this foundation isn’t too masking your skin looks great just from this but for the true rich glow it’s time to contour and highlight.

So next I take Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Chestnut. it’s important to choose a concealer that is at least 3 shades darker than your skin tone because you are going to blend it into the natural shadows of your face to give it greater depth. So using the concealer draw a line following the hollow under your cheek bones and across your forehead close to your hair line and then using a beauty sponge blend it out, working the colour until it softens and blends into the foundation below. Subtly is the key.

Next you need to lift the highlights of your face; under your eyes, down your nose and into your T zone. For this I like to use a Light Foundation stick in the fairest shade. I draw a triangle under each eye and then a large T shape down my nose and up into my forehead. Then using my finger I like the blend and soften this colour into the foundation below. You have now created a complexion filled with highlights, mid tones and shadows that give structure to your face.

Finally I like to finish with Rimmel London’s Up and Glow highlighter, it’s a shimmer cream that sits perfectly when applied to the peak of the cheek bones and above the brow for that added glow.  I accompany my complexion with a lick of mascara and i’m ready to go for that fresh faced look.

Contouring can be extremely complex but I find this simplified technique works well and looks great for everyday makeup.

IMG_1421

Want to know how to keep that summer tan for longer, click here.

https://katielouisaclarke.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/glowing/

Want help finding the right foundation for your skin tone, click here.

https://katielouisaclarke.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/my-top-two-foundations/

Glowing.

Since getting back from holiday 2 weeks ago my tan is slowly fading but I’m determined to keep the glow for as long as possible.  The best thing you can do for your skin is keep it hydrated. Use a light weight body mosterisor so your skin stays plump but not caked in a greasy residue, I find it best to do this at night before bed so it has all night to seep in. Similarly your shower routine is very important I’m using Right Guard’s shower oil it’s rich in argon, almond and coconut oils -great for your skin and smells amazing. It’s good to buff your skin over with the palm of your hand as not to scrub your tan away.

And finally for finishing touches I use Body Shop’s bronzing dry oil on my arms and legs to add that extra glow especially now my natural colour is fading a little.

 

A post on the perfect glowing makeup to match your glowing tan is to come, so stay tuned! 😀

Work shoes.

You may have read in previous posts or seen on my Instagram https://instagram.com/katie_clarke94/ I have a new job; as a cover corporate receptionist, I travel around London filling in for leave and sickness at the large office buildings around London. I have to be well dressed and professional, in a black pencil skirt, jacket and blouse with a pearl necklace and earrings. The uniform is provided but I have to supply my own shoes. You don’t want to know how long I was looking and how many pairs of shoes I ordered and sent back until I found the right ones.

If you’re anything like me I wanted a comfortable pair of relatively high heels in black leather. Sounds standard but it was really hard to find what I was after. Turned out Newlook is the place to go for the widest range of shoes suitable for the office.

Here are my top three. Number one: Black Comfort Leather Platform Courts by Newlook originally £34.99 but reduced to £14 in the sale. The shoe is very comfortable with a padded sole, they fit true to size and being genuine leather they will soften and mold to your foot. The shoe has a rounded toe, small platform and an 11cm heel giving them a classic and sophisticated look.

Comfort courts

http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-shoes/black-comfort-leather-platform-court-shoes-_330611401

For the wider foot Newlook has come out on top again with their Wide Fit Black Court Shoes now £10 in the sale!! These shoes are perfect if you have a broader foot they again come with a rounded toe and discrete platform with a 10cm heel and have a elegant finish.

wide fit courts

http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-wide-fit/wide-fit-black-court-shoes-_342919401

Finally if you are tall or you really struggle in heels and are looking for a lower pair, why not consider these Black Comfort Leather Pointed court shoes again currently in the sale at £12 these have a lower 8cm heel in a soft leather again with a padded sole.

pointed courts

http://www.newlook.com/shop/shoe-gallery/view-all-shoes/black-comfort-leather-pointed-court-shoes-_330585701

So there we go Newlook has turned out on top when it comes to formal shoes for work. Obviously there are other places that sell black courts but I didn’t like the styles or shapes and they were no where near the price of these ones from Newlook especially as they are currently all in the sale. Happy shopping everyone.

Men in Sandals.

Men’s summer footwear can be slightly limiting. Most guys stick to their trainers and I am defiantly not saying there is nothing wrong with a good pair of chino shorts, white T, sunnies and a crisp pair of white converse or relaxed boat shoes. But when you are away on holiday and the weather is just too hot for shoes you have to turn to something lighter. So what are your options?

Fip flops- the classic beach shoe, really comfy and relaxed perfect for a warm day of doing nothing.

But what if you need something a little more sturdy but still light and airy. My solution; Birkenstocks. They are such a classic summer essential and round any outfit off. No blisters between your toes from flip flops, and a more supported sole an they are so durable being leather and cork. I know they ain’t every guys cup of tea but I think they’re great. You should defiantly give them a chance especially if flip flops are sore on your toes.

birks

A good mani.

A girl with a good manicure projects confidence and professionalism. You can’t hide your hands, we use them for everything from greeting someone to simply scrolling through our phones.

I like to paint my nails just as much as the next girl but I was struggling to find the point. I would always choose a nice shade and it would look great for the first day but after a while and after I’ve washed up a few dishes and tidied the house twice my nails would always be left chipped and broken. I would then struggle to find time to redo them so they just continue to slowing chip away till I’m left with that horrible little patch of colour in the centre of each nail.

nude nails

I have just started a new job and shabby nails were not an option. First impressions matter even down to the colour of your fingers and toes. So I decided to get my nails done. I’ve never thought it was worth it before but now seemed as good a time as any to give it a go.

shades of nude

I had my nails shellacked. Basically its the same as painting your natural nails like you would at home, but the special formula sets like rock under UV light leaving your nails feeling super strong and so glossy. The brand I used was CND Shellac -they come is a huge array of colours. I am wearing Field Fox its a gorgeous dusky nude pink shade. If I wasn’t at work I would probably try a darker mauve colour, or a striking red or black. CND claims it will last chip free for 14 days, It’s currently day 4 and so far it looks as fresh as the day I had it done -Yay Sucsess! Hav a found a polish that actully lasts? I will keep you posted on how it looks on day 14 and whether I feel it is worth spending the little extra money on it.

For inspiration and my favourite shades check out my nails board on Pintrest.

Thanks for reading everybody. A follow up post is to come shortly. Have you had any experience with Shellac? leave your comments and views below. Lots of love 🙂 xx