If you’re looking for some amazing Christmas gifts, Selfridges have the best beauty exclusives that you won’t find anywhere else. Here is the perfect gift guide for the beauty addict in your life and if that beauty addict is you…slip this under someone’s nose!
With every make-up addict obsessed with contouring, a technique which is a favourite with any of the Kardashians! This mix of Illamasqua skin base shades is the perfect combination to flatter, highlight and add warmth with the exclusive Skin Base Amber. The Deluxe Guy Bourdin gift set by Nars uses the signature themes of hearts and seductive images. With an exclusive one of fifty books signed personally by François Nars, a larger than life lipgloss, a soft touch shadow pencil and the Gold Digger lipgloss this is a perfect gift for Nars lovers. Asprey and Crème de la Mer have joined forced to create only 111 bespoke vanity cases, made from calfskin leather and housing some luxury skincare products including the moisturising cream, the hand treatment and the eye concentrate but to name a few.
Get New Years Eve ready with this Mac Stroke of Midnight set, featuring the Soft Spoken lipglass, a blush brush, a mirror, Formal blush and the How Darling lipstick. They all come in a trendy little monochrome clutch with gold piping. Featured in the extravagant Selfridges windows displays this year, Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf is the scent of the season with its own little fairytale… She arrived home. The house smelt different. ‘Has he bought me flowers?’ she thought with a smile. But she saw no flowers. She walked upstairs; it smelled of lilies and freesias and roses… ‘Has he bought me perfume?’, she wondered. But there were no new perfume bottles in her bathroom. Then she felt a sudden gust of wind and turned around. Was she dreaming? A pink explosion clouded over the bed covering it in flowers. ‘I am Flowerbomb’, it whispered, ‘your perfect gift…’
Imagine a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a nail polish set created by you with three creative sessions at Illamasqua’s School of Make-up Art in London. The Illamasqua ‘Design By You’ nail polish gift box is a great exclusive for the nail addict in your life. The Nails inc, Message in a Manicure gift set contains 18 mini polishes including Baker Street, Queen Victoria Street and the best-seller Porchester Square nude. There are also 150 monogram letter transfers to create personalised messages. All presented in a retro airmail box.
The Riri Hearts collections have all been a sell-out and this holiday edition Pearlfusion eye-shadow palette is not going to be any different. Shimmering, glittering and a festive essential.
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This week has been about getting ready for Christmas in the home, lights are going up, trees are being decorated and baubles are hanging! This year, we have gone for a very traditional theme of red and white with a slightly rustic feel using pine cones and cinnamon sticks.
a Christmas they will never forget
John Lewis are all for giving someone a Christmas they will never forget this year and the decorations are truely unforgettable! There are various themes from Woodland Wonder to Forest Festival and Vintage Market to Rural Life. I have decided to incorporate a little bit of all the themes for our red and white rustic look at home. Here are my favourite John Lewis festive home decor picks ♥
For me, the first thing to do is pick out the tree. Although real trees are lovely to have, I personally think artificial trees look so much nicer and are so much more economical. This pre-lit glitter top tree is so lush, It brings the sense of Christmas outdoors into your home. Even though this tree is already pre-lit, for me the more lights the better! Outside, on the tree, gathered in a glass bowl, wherever they are let there be light! Next it’s decorating the tree, patterned baubles with swirls, spots and stripes add an element of fun, the felt Christmas shapes give that home-made feel and the hanging Santa decorations add even more excitement for the kids.
A Christmas wreath on your front door makes all the difference! I love this pre-lit wreath with delicate pine cones to add to the rustic look I am going for. I love these patterned red bells, great to add a slight jingle to your wreath for when the door shuts, add a few to your tree for pops of colour and I like to place a few random bells in a glass bowl with either lights or pine cones. There are so many cute Christmas stockings around but this white stocking is a timeless classic, it looks so chic and I love the fur trim. Finishing touches are so important and depending on the how much wall space you have this personalised wall sticker is so quirky and would make a great family gift. The final touch on top of the mantel piece or placed on a table is the laser cut ornate Christmas tree adding a pop of red to the entire room.
What Christmas theme are you going for this year? Look out for my festive home decor pictures on Instagram.
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Fur in every shape, colour and finish is a huge trend this season as seen on the catwalks of Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Roberto Cavalli and Valentino but to name a few.
‘The emblem of purity and of royalty,’ Christian Dior, 1954. Big fur coats in deep colours and blush shades, shaggy or fluffy and even fur accessories, this season anything goes as long as it’s fur. Here my 9 top picks of fall’s fur from some of the finest brands.
- Unreal Fur Jacket – the casual chic mix of winter white dip dyed in black.
- Fur Earmuffs – it takes a certain type of lady to pull off earmuffs, so why not make them fur for extra comfort and style, from Accessorize.
- Faux Fur Clutch – big enough for all your necessities on a night out, simple yet quirky to make a statement and cosy enough to snuggle, by B+AB I.T in Selfridges.
- Faux Fur Coat – I love this old Hollywood style coat by Warehouse, perfect to keep warm in the party season in a gorgeous shade of grey.
- Faux Fur Stole – transform any outfit instantly by adding a fur collar or stole like this one by Jigsaw. If you’re going for the all black everything look, this will add the right amount of texture.
- Fur Trim Gloves – Karen Millen have these timeless leather gloves with a fur trim which is just the perfect touch of fur.
- Faux Fur Collar – I love this fur collar in blush pink by ASOS, with deep pile for extra softness in true Saint Laurent style.
- Unreal Faux Fur Gilet – getting a bit daring with tonal printed fur but keeping the area small with a gilet rather than a full on coat. I love it!
- Phillip Lim Fur Clutch – if you’re feeling more daring than patterned fur but not daring enough for a bright coloured fur coat, this signature colour pop clutch if perfect. Keep your outfit simple and let this clutch do the talking.
What are your favourite fur picks and which of these will you be wearing?
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The White Company are feeling extremely generous this Christmas, I am sure you must have noticed on the offers page. Up to 30% off selected items has now been extended until the 11th of December, the only problem is there is so much to choose from and lust after for a cosy Christmas. As you know, I am a huge fan of The White Company, I love the natural look of crisp, clean white furnishings with every detail finished with a twist of either vintage or contemporary chic. This year I am going for a Cosy Christmas look so here are The White Company cosy Christmas gift ideas for children and your home ♥
As we are very girl focussed at Secret Style File I thought I would start with boys gift ideas first! I love the navy gingham pyjamas, perfectly warm and trendy for little boys who love a touch of classic. For more of a sports fan, these rugby striped pyjamas feature an appliqué number 10, made from the signature white company soft jersey. The hooded robe is perfect for Christmas morning when he is just too busy to put a jumper on! With soft towelling on the inside to double up as a bathrobe. The gorgeous seal face jumper literally cannot get any cuter! Made from the softest lambswool and cotton, finished with seal pup ears on the hood. No winter is complete without a chunky knit, this little number has a fairisle design and a knitted fox on each pocket. For the ideal stocking fillers the classic London bus, the funny faces pack of balloons and the cosy knitted hat are adorable!
Having a little girl makes The White Company all that more irresistible! I love the vintage rose bud prints with a hint of pink without being too pink. Little girls love pretty pyjamas, in fact I still do! Cosy cotton pyjamas with gypsy style detailing on the top and a flower fairy print would make any little girl’s perfect gift. This season gingham is two-tone with light and dark pink printed on brushed flannel cotton, giving the all important cosy to classic pyjamas. Keep little feet warm in these adorable chunky knitted slippers with faux fur lining for extra comfort. The perfect cover up for little princesses, this printed velour robe is just too pretty for bedtime… it’s pyjama party time! As you know, no festive season is complete without a tutu! Two layers of tulle and a big ruffle frill to give the ultimate twirl and swirl! Pair the tutu with this gorgeous chunky cable cardigan, a wardrobe staple. I have already bought Baby A’s Christmas present but I don’t think I can resist this precious printed pony! The finishing touch for a cosy bedroom. Keep heads and ears warm with this knitted pom pom hat in a neutral colour to match any outfit ♥
I think the reason I love The White Company homeware is because I love the idea of keeping base colours neutral such as walls, flooring and furniture and then adding texture such as luxury fur or cable throws and pops of colour for interest. Obviously with this time of year there is sparkle and lots of it! The easiest way to add sparkle and shimmer is by using candles, I love the idea of mixing various candle holders and lanterns in clusters on a table, mantel piece or shelf. This season there are some gorgeous metallic hues that will really shimmer in the candlelight. Christmas smells just like the warm spices in these scented rustic decorations which can be refreshed with the Winter home spray. Hang from the tree, scatter on a table or display them in an ornate bowl, they will bring the warmth of winter into your home. Fairylights aren’t just for the tree, I would simply place these antique baubles on a window ledge or on a plate at the centre of the dinner table. These are a classic White Company favourite! Finally, hang these honeycomb decorations around your home as well as gift them to your loved ones, Choose from timeless round balls in various sizes and pops of red or classic Christmas shapes in white. Obviously, I’d get all three sets but that’s just me!
With just a small selection of gift ideas from The White Company, I know it is definitely going to be a White Christmas ♥
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The 25th annual British Fashion Awards took place on Monday evening at The London Collesium, presented by Jack Whitehall. The red carpet was glittering with some of fashion’s biggest names and celebrities including Kate Moss, Kelly Brook, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Marc Jacobs. To celebrate their quarter century let’s take a look at the gossip and glamour from The British Fashion Awards 2013 ♥
This year the International Designer of the year award was introduced to recognise the increasing globalisation of the fashion industry, celebrating the international influence of designers worldwide. Miuccia Prada won this award for Prada for it’s first year.
Take a deep breath One Directions fans, Harry Styles won the British Style Award voted for by the public. He had tough competition from Cara Delevingne, Kate Moss, the Duchess of Cambridge, David Beckham and of course Alexa Chung who has won the award for the last three years. Living up to his name, Harry Styles wore Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane. This award ‘recognises an individual who most embodies the spirit of London and is an international ambassador for London as a leading creative fashion capital.’
Other awards went to Christopher Kane for Womenswear Designer of the Year, JW Anderson won the New Establishment Designer award, Erdem for the Red Carpet Award, Burberry won two awards for Designer Brand of the Year and the Menswear Designer of the Year. This year Edie Campbell won Model of the Year Award over Cara Delevingne and Sam Rollinson.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss and Lily Donaldson (Getty Images)
Gwyneth Paltrow kept her outfit simple in Prada, whilst Kate Moss wore a perforated Marc Jacobs leather dress with a pleated skirt. The style icon was one of the few to wear a coat on the red carpet, but this winter white fur coat definitely deserves a red carpet appearance! It was no wonder Kate Moss won the Special Recognition Award presented to her by Marc Jacobs, who said ‘Bold, dynamic and fearless – while England may have two Kates, in my heart there is only one.’ Another Marc Jacobs fan on the evening was Lily Donaldson, who opted for a gorgeous black floral lace gown.
Alexa Chung, Suki Waterhouse and Rita Ora (Getty Images)
Alexa Chung may not have won the British Style Award this year but she still looked the part wearing a super mini dress by Stella McCartney. Suki Waterhouse looked very Hollywood Red Carpet in an ice blue Burberry gown. Rita Ora also chose full on Hollywood glamour, wearing a glittering Vivienne Westwood gown and red pout.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley went for the ‘straight off the catwalk’ look, wearing the Antonio Berardi colour block suit. Her version was to go shirtless to give an even sexier edge, to complete the look she also opted for a red pout and slicked back hair.
Poppy Delevingne is a new style icon for me, I love the quirky shirt dress she wore by Emilia Wickstead, printed with black grand piano keys and music notes. Styled with nearly nude pink shoes and a glitzy gold clutch ♥
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Tis’ the season for long full lashes and dramatic eyes, mascara gives a lady instant glamour making her feel confident and ready to face the world. I am always getting asked what my favourite mascara is and which are the best ones in the market. The truth is, there are so many amazing mascaras and it’s about finding your perfect match, I will never be able to try out every single mascara that is out there to buy but here my my top five favourite mascaras of all time ♥
Just like lipstick, there should be a different mascara for different looks and occasions. I love the Clinique High Impact mascara as my everyday mascara, making my lashes look fuller and thicker but so natural. With this brush, my lashes never get stuck together. I especially love the mini versions you get with the Clinique bonus times gift sets! When I first saw the thin brush for the Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long-Wear mascara, I didn’t think it would be as great as it is. I always preferred big brushes for full impact and volume but this thinner brush gets in the small gaps and reaches those lashes in the inner corners. It’s a buildable product which is rare for mascaras and it doesn’t clump at all.
When one of my favourite of all time mascaras launched in a waterproof formula it was excitement all around! I use this mascara for special events, especially busy all day events as I know this mascara will last all day! The Mac False Lashes mascara along with the Dior Blackout mascara are the blackest of black mascaras. I adore the Diorshow Black Out mascara, the widely spread and large bristled brush gives the look of dramatic false lashes. Whenever I use this mascara I am always asked what I am using.
The final of the favourite five mascaras is the most recent to join my make-up bag and that is the No7 Stay Perfect mascara. As I mentioned in a recent review, this mascara is amazing and doesn’t break the bank balance even though the packaging is golden! If you have tried any of these mascaras, how do you feel about them? Please comment below and let us all know your favourite mascaras ♥
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The hype of the Urban Decay Naked and Naked 2 palette is still going (with Naked 2 still on my wishlist!) but the all new and shimmering Naked 3 palette is about to launch! Three years on from the Naked palette frenzy, Urban Decay is launching an unbelievably gorgeous Naked 3 palette, featuring 12 never seen before shades!
These 12 shades will not be available anywhere else, exclusive to the Naked 3 palette. With smooth matte, pearl and metallic finishes from pale shimmery pink to deep warm black and every neutral shade in between this palette is on the must-have list for every beauty guru! This palette explores the flush pinks and rose tones, with Buzz being the pinkest of all the shades. I predict one of my personal favourites will be Dust, which is a subtle pink metallic with iridescent glitter which also doubles up as a great highlight. We all know how highlighters and glitter are my rave right now! The Naked 3 palette’s warm shades will suit pretty much all skin tones and colourings.
The Urban Decay Naked 3 palette will cost £37 and launches on
16th December 2013. It will be stocked at
Debenhams,
House of Fraser, Beauty Bay, HQ Hair and Look Fantastic.
This palette is bound to sell out, it is now impossible to get in the US!
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The gorgeous kids jewellery brand, Jacques + Sienna will be launching in Selfridges this December! Designed for the savvy generation of cool kids with remarkable style.
Jacques + Sienna was established in 2011, the collections are designed by Jayna Lala and Meegan Rupe who both have a great background in the international fashion industry. The Jacques + Sienna collections offer a range of chic and quirky jewellery designs that determine a child’s individuality, encouraging them to shine bright. Each piece is hand-made in sterling silver, offering timeless charms and jewellery for little ones.
Keepsake necklaces with messages such as ‘young at heart,’ ’100% organic girl’ and ‘sweet’ make up quirky and stylist charms for cool kids. Baby A got her first Jacques + Sienna bracelet at a recent Circus PR London press day and she adores it!
The Autumn Winter 2013 collection is adorable, fun and affordable making great little Christmas gifts from savvy gift buyers, with cupcake charms, ice creams, stars, bunnies and so many more. It is the first collection by the New Zealand based brand to be available in the UK.
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You may have read my Boots Christmas wishlist post recently which was the start of all things festive. A couple of weeks ago I received a couple of the gift sets I mentioned (Christmas comes early in my household!) and I have been trying out some dazzling Boots Christmas Gifts. This particular set of products are perfect for the Christmas party season ♥
The French Connection Mini Hat Box Set
The whole French Connection Christmas gift collection is just amazing this year, the packaging looks so luxurious and in neutral tones for a classic touch. The mini hat box has all the best pampering essentials to nourish, polish and bathe your skin leaving it with the soft scent of vanilla, oriental wood and florals. Mini versions of the French Connection body butter, body spray, body polish, body wash and body polisher make up this perfect gift set.
Fearne Eye Collection
Fearne Cotton’s debut collection for Boots, is quirky with a vintage floral print, making up the rock-chic style of Fearne Cotton herself. With four shimmery metallic eye crayons in olive, mauve, bronze and dusky pink which doubles up as a great highlighter. Not forgetting the black felt eyeliner, to create the dramatic rock-chic flick. The eye crayons work great as chunky eye liner, all over the eyelid as eye-shadow and even make a great base for eye-shadow.
Seventeen Deconstructed Lash Laquer
Dramatic lashes at this time of year are a must! For blacker, fully loaded lashes paint this glossy lacquer over mascara as a top coat. The very fine brush is perfect for wrapping the lacquer around each eyelash. Follow me on instagram to see pictures of this very soon! Perfect for Christmas parties and festive nights out!
Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb in a Bottle - yes you’ve seen this in my June beauty favourites post but it is back again for the Christmas wishlist! This is the must-have product for big hair, simply spray into the area you want to backcomb then jujj! If you have quite thick hair try using a toothbrush to jujj your hair into a backcomb. For fine hair, a large paddle brush works wonders then tidy up fine hairs with a toothbrush. If you read my September favourites you’ll know what I’m talking about!
No7 High Shine Lip Crayon
For subtle hint of colour in a vibrant shade, this high shine lip crayon is perfect as it’s sheer when applied. This shade is called ‘daydreamer’ it’s moisturising and lightweight when I glide it on. It’s also great as a very subtle gloss over my usual lipstick.
No7 Instant Radiance Highlighter
As you know I love a bit of shimmery highlighter under the brow bone and above my cheekbones. It enhances the cheekbones, illuminating with a hint of shimmer. As it’s a stick, it fits in your clutch perfectly for nights out.
No7 Stay Perfect Mascara
This mascara is said to ‘last through whatever life throws at you!’ meaning it’s smudge proof, flake proof and even tear proof. It certainly lives up to what it is claimed to be! It does not budge, if I am honest I haven’t tried if it is tear proof yet but maybe during the excitement of Christmas there will be some happy tears! All these party favourites are now available on Boots 3 for 2 Mix & Match.
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The Reiss Spring Summer Press Preview was inspired by the glamour and Riviera lifestyle during the late 50s and early 60s. Taking key pieces from the ‘cafe culture’ society and bringing them into the modern day era with classic cuts.
‘Style – all who have it share one thing: originality.’ Diana Vreeland 1903-1989
Think sophistication, elegance, timeless pieces, style and cool, this is how the collection is summed up. There is a perfect modern day look with classic sophistication for every occasion life brings you in Spring Summer 2014.
‘The only thing that makes life worth living is the possibility of experiencing now and then a perfect moment. And perhaps even more than that, it’s having the ability to recall such moments in their totality, to contemplate them like jewels.’ Paul Bowles 1910-1999
Bringing glamour back into our lives but for the day and with a laid-back effortlessly cool vibe. Texture is key to the collection and wardrobe staples such as a white top worn with printed trousers or shorts.
There are many tones of white but each piece is unique, in terms of shape, cut, detailing, fabric and texture.Different ideas of lace are shown well in white and black, with hand drawn prints and light embellishment to create stripes and patterns.
For the forthcoming season, monochrome takes on a different era with hand drawn prints, delicate fabrics and with muted colour pops of green, powder blue and pastels. The focus is on classic separates as well as timeless dress shapes. Accessories compliemt the collection well, hardware is refined and subtle running cohesively throughout the collection to create timeless pieces. Bags are thought out well, with bigger shapes knowing how much women need to carry around with them!
Shoes are thought out on the wearability, therefore heel heights have come down. Reiss’ signature cut out wedge shape has been updated with a soft snakeskin print giving it a sculptural edge. The all important Arya court is back in the collection with exotic mixes such as pops of suede, print and sorbet colours. Evening shoes explore mixed materials and tonal embellishment, the black Hayden shoe is definitely a statement piece.
Soft leather pieces are still key in pastel hues, the idea of wearing leather shorts with a lace detailed crisp white shirt is an outfit I adore. The white shirt or blouse is the kind of wardrobe staple a girl can never have too many of! Evening-wear is simple but elegant, exploring even more textures and fabrics with darker tones and an elegant hint of shimmer.
My two favourite pieces from the evening wear collections have to be the feather skirt and the pony hair skirt. In simple a line silhouettes but the luxurious textures make these pieces the statement pieces in any wardrobe.
‘In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.’ Coco Chanel 1883 – 1971
The Reiss Spring Summer 2014 collection is the way to be different with all the modern trends and key catwalk ideas.
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