OOTD: That Last Summer Hoorah (And A Self Portrait Copy)

Despite my best efforts, so many cute summer dresses are hanging unworn (most still with labels on) in my wardrobe thanks to the fact that the season has been and gone. I’ve been more likely to have worn jeans and a tee than a sassy summery number – and I’m already in jackets and jumpers, whether I like it or not. During an especially treacherous day last week, I thought ‘screw it’ to myself and popped on one of the dresses I was saving for a special occasion anyway; it may have been chucking it down most of the day, but it didn’t stopping me from getting one last summer hoorah. It did, however, leave my hair looking like a mess and most of the waves limply hanging by the side of my ears wondering what on earth was going on. In the words of Monica from Friends: “It’s the humidity!” So please excuse the random shape my barnet is making… Sometimes a girl has just got to look for the rainbow and ignore the clouds.

THE SELF PORTRAIT TRIBUTE

Ever since I first saw the Self Portrait dresses pop up on Instagram, I was utterly in love. Way back before they became mainstream I wondered whether I could justify the price tag, and spent far to long theoretically picking out the one I wanted; when they all of a sudden became seen on every celebrity and every blogger, they lost their shine a little – you don’t want what everyone else has, you know? This lemon number from Joanie takes all the elements I love from Self Portrait (the lace-inspired material, elegant length, simple lines) but wraps them up in a £45.00 alternative that’s far easier to swallow! It’s really comfy, easy to dress up or down, and looks far more expensive than it is. The only downside is the fact it doesn’t accommodate big boobs very well, thanks to the random detail right across the breasticle area… But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do, i.e. put up with it. Unfortunately there was a lot of little threads popping out and random bits of lace that hadn’t been finished, so if you’re unlucky you may have to get happy with a pair of scissors and a needle, but because of the style you can’t even tell from a distance.

THE OVERSIZED TRENCH

When the weather is like it is (one minute super sunny and the next there’s a torrential downpour) there’s only one jacket that will do: a classic trench coat. I’ve had my trench coat for quite a few years, which I love popped over anything from a fancy dress to a jeans-and-tee combo, but I kept getting frustrated that I couldn’t really do it up as soon as I wanted to wear a big chunky jumper in the winter. Step in an oversized and almost full length number I picked up in Next during their latest sale, which is so roomy that I could comfortably wear two jumpers and a scarf and still get all the buttons done up! It almost goes round twice, which is just what you need when covering up from the wind and rain, and even has room in the arms for a chunky knit – something that I often struggle with, when the arms are so skinny I can barely fit a naked one down there. Hoorah for trench coats!


THE CLASSIC YSL BAG

Nearly a year later and I’m still utterly obsessed with my cream YSL bag. It’s the biggest amount of money I’ve ever spent on a singular item (car and wedding excluded!) but seeing as the price has already increased by nearly 20% since I bought it it’s definitely been a wise purchase. The classic shape, style and shade ensure it goes with everything and will never go out of style, while the chain detail allows you to wear it cross-body or doubled up on the shoulder. It’s super roomy but also quite lightweight considering, plus it takes a cracking photo. There’s something about carrying this that instantly makes me feel special, and I’ve no doubt I’ll love it until I’m old and grey.

THE ROSE GOLD ACCESSORIES

‘When will your thirst for rose gold ever end?’ I hear you ask… I really don’t know, but right now I still can’t get enough. Ballet flats should be a fundamental part of any wardrobe, and these rose gold slippers from Office have been such a handy pair of shoes to have over the summer and into autumn. They’re so blooming comfy and keep out the puddles (which seemed to be everywhere this day,) without looking too chunky or out of place with a delicate outfit. Paired with pinky toned shades from Quay Australia (seven pairs and counting!) and my usual rose gold jewellery, including a new ring and necklace from the Accessorize ‘Z’ range (every time I pop in for a look I come out with at least three things) and it’s a rose gold party for one! I finished the look off with my new fave pearl drop earrings from ASOS which make a statement without being too much, and an Olivia Burton watch that’s so pretty I’ve barely taken it off… And yes, those are little bees inside that move around with your arm movements! So unnecessary, but so cute.

Joanie Kezzy Lace Dress | £45.00 | LINK
Next Trench Coat | £48.00 | SIMILAR HERE
Office Rose Gold Ballerina Flats | (WERE £58.00) NOW £35.00 | LINK
ASOS Pearl Drop Earrings | £10.00 | LINK
Quay Pink Sunglasses | £40.00 | LINK
Pandora Rose Gold Bracelet & Charms | From £35.00 | LINK
Olivia Burton Busy Bees Grey & Rose Gold Watch | £200.00 | LINK
Saint Laurent Bag | £1495.00 | SIMILAR HERE
SHOP THE LOOK

Thanks to Kirsty from Fashion For Lunch for the photos!
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Thrifty Scent

affordable fragrances

Thrifty Scent. I know what you’re all thinking: has she really gone to the effort of compiling a whole feature based around an incredibly bad pun? The answer to that question is yes. Yes I have. And it’s not even my own bad pun, I nicked it from Mr AMR. If you’re at a loss to know what the pun is even about, then let me please direct you to the Wikipedia page of everyone’s favourite (a while ago) rapper, Fifty Cent.

(I told you it was an incredibly bad pun. Fifty Cent the man has nothing to do with scent at all – though how amazing would it be if he did actually bring out an aftershave and call it either Fifty Scent or Thrifty Scent?Hold on: he does have a scent! It’s called, disappointingly, Power. What an anticlimax. His most recent customer doesn’t seem too thrilled with it, either: “At first the fragrance is a strong manly one, but after 5mins of putting it on it dissapears [sic] into nothing!The title is the total opposite,should be called WEAK!Only paid £12 for it but its not worth that. 50CENT? MORE LIKE 50PENCE!!” Oh dear.)

Anyway, seeing as though I’m making the effort to craft a readable post out of nothing, using this meagre pun as my starting point, I’ll get serious: thrifty scents. Is it really possible to find great perfumes at low prices? Let’s take a look…

The Celebrity Smells

kim kardashian true reflection

Lots of the celebrity fragrance offerings seem to be a bit sweet or sickly for me but I found a few gems that would sit happily alongside my more expensive bottles. Firstly – and this has been the case for a few years, now – I am very partial to a bit of J-Lo. More specifically, Love & Glamour, which is on Amazon here for £7.99. It’s peachy and summery – nothing risqué, but pleasing all the same. It’s not pictured here because I’ve lost it, but at that price I won’t be tearing my hair out with worry…

Kim Kardashian’s True Reflection nearly passed me by because I’m not really too much of a Kardashian fan. I don’t have an actual dislike for any of them, it’s more a of a strong disinterest. Anyway, I’m glad I gave this a chance because it’s really rather dark and sexy. Fruity start, heady middle and a woody, almost-masculine base. True Reflection is £25.50 here. 

Lovely, by Sarah Jessica Parker. If you like soft, wearable and feminine scents then you’ll get on well with this one – it’s warm and comfortable, like a cashmere scarf. I don’t know whether I could get into hot water for saying this, but it smells very similar to Narciso Rodriguez For Her. Really – very similar. Not identical, of course, but similar enough that I’m sure someone in the Lovely board room must have had it in mind when they were throwing ideas around… Find it online here, £11.35 for 30ml.

The Age-Old Classic

4711

There are scents that have been around since the beginning of time (almost) and cost less per ml (nearly) than some sparkling mineral waters. 4711 is one such fragrance – the original cologne, made in Cologne. Oft copied, or at least used as inspiration, it has neroli, bergamot, lemon, lavender and rosemary notes and the smell is fresh, herby and zingy all at the same time. It’s incredibly popular the world over and its affordability means that you can sprinkle 4711 on your linen, freshen the air in your hotel room with 4711 and use 4711 to scent the air before you as you walk around the city, like some kind of visiting dignitary. Find it online here – you can get a 100ml “splash” bottle for £14.45.

The Price War

agent provocateur eau de parfum

If you’re ever about to buy a fragrance online it’s always worth doing a quick Google to see who’s stocking it at the best price. Take the fabulous La Petite Robe Noir by Guerlain; for 50ml it’s £68 at House of Fraser, £56 at FeelUnique, £41.95 at Amazon. Thirty seconds of computer time well spent.

All Beauty are a good place to check and they stock one of my first ever beauty indulgences – Agent Provocateur Eau de Parfum. A huge 200ml bottle, which looks great in the boudoir, costs £31.95 instead of £99. Find it All Beauty here.

The Unexpected Contender

fleur de figuier roger & gallet

I love finding a perfume that stands up to its bigger, more expensive competition, despite being from an unexpected source. Roger & Gallet’s Fleur de Figuier is part of a line of body products, which would usually make me take a fragrance less seriously, but it’s just absolutely gorgeous, so brilliantly put-together. (See full review here.)

Roger & Gallet’s Bois d’Orange is also amazing – heady and vibrant and fruity with a sensual, mysterious sort of undertone. Both scents offer excellent value for money, if you’re after a properly crafted perfume but don’t have oodles of cash to spare. Fleur de Figuier comes as a little 30ml bottle of Eau Fraiche, a snip at £11.33 hereBois d’Orange, with its sunny-exotic demeanour is £21 for 100ml here.

There you have it – an entire post borne from a bad pun. Do please leave your own Thrifty Scent suggestions and recommendations in the comments below, as well as bad puns if you can conjure any up…

The post Thrifty Scent appeared first on A Model Recommends.

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Makeup for a Red Dress

It is the holiday season, and I’m sure many of you will be wearing red for your holiday parties!  The number one email I get from all of you is “I’m wearing a red dress, what makeup do I wear?! HELP!!!”   So, here is a video showing what I do with my red outfits as well as a tutorial of a glamorous neutral look that is perfect for the Holidays!

Tips:

  • Wear neutral shades, brown, silver, gold and black or anything that falls into the neutral category.
  • Stay away from bright shades.
  • Make either the eyes or the lips the focal point.
  • If you go with a red lip keep the eyes almost bare with a winged or thick liner.

Face:

  • Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer in ”Tan” – (Makeup Geek Store)
  • Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation – (Amazon), (eBay)
  • Maybelline Fit Face Powder – (Amazon), (eBay)
  • Stila Convertible Cheek Color – “Lillium” – (Amazon), (eBay)

Eyes:

  • MAC Paint Pot in “Layin Low” – (Amazon), (eBay)
  • Makeup Geek Eyeshadow – Mocha – (Pan Version / Compact Version)
  • Makeup Geek Eyeshadow – Latte – (Pan Version / Compact Version)
  • Makeup Geek Eyeshadow – Creme Brule – (Pan Version / Compact Version)
  • LA Splash Glitter Glue – (Makeup Geek Store)
  • Makeup Geek Pigment – Nightlife – (Makeup Geek Store)
  • Ardell Demi Wispies Lashes – (Makeup Geek Store)
  • Duo Lash Adhesive – (Black / Clear)
  • Makeup Geek Gel Liner – Immortal – (Makeup Geek Store)

Lips:

  • MAC Lipstick – Flair for Finery – (Amazon), (eBay)
  • NARS Lipgloss – Striptease – (Amazon), (eBay)

There it is, the perfect makeup for all the red you will be wearing this holiday season! I hope this helps all of our and that your holiday is happy and blessed. 🙂

As always, I hope each and everyone of you are staying happy and healthy!!!

XOXO,

Marlena

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Oil Meets its Matte!

We’ve been on the mission for smoother-than-smooth skin with POREfessional for years now, and every time we think our skin can’t get any more #flawless, the makeup wizards at Beauty Central prove us wrong.

We recently became acquainted with POREfessional: license to blot, and it’s safe to say that we’re already besties. We LOVE the primer’s velvety-smooth finish & shine-resistant power, but we are one seriously sparkly Benebabe—we’ve got what we like to call the two o’clock curse. We look perfectly gorg all day long, and then we wander past a mirror around 2pm & BAM! Shinin’ bright like a diamond! Pretty sure this isn’t what Rihanna meant. :/

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Thankfully, our new bestie comes in the form of a six hour oil-blotting stick. One quick application over our makeup, and we can rest assured that we’ll be shine-free for the rest of the day! The best way to apply is in short, quick strokes all over oil hot spots—forehead, nose, chin & wherever else you find a little shine sneaking in. The triangle tip is easy to fit in hard to reach places, like the corners of your nose, and it’s super easy to clean—just wipe off on a tissue like you would with a concealer stick. One of the best things about license to blot? It’s anhydrous, meaning doesn’t have the capacity to grow bacteria!

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From the first time we used POREfessional pro-balm & experienced the sensation of our skin transforming into velvet right underneath our fingertips, we were totes hooked on PORE. Whether we’re wearing it alone or underneath our foundation, POREfessional primer is the cornerstone of our makeup routine. Then came agent zero shine, the purse-friendly anti-shine powder with a built-in brush, which totally changed the game again. Now with license to blot on our shine-fighting team, we never have to worry about shine sneaking its way onto our skin again! Oil has met its matte! 😉

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