July 08, 2021 at 06:00AM Between the excitement of nail salons reopening and the promise of summer to come (hopefully), there has been a noticeable shift in the types of manicures that I’ve spotted on Instagram lately. Gone are the neutral colours and basic shades that all the chicest women were stepping out in earlier this year and in their place, a riot of cute nail art and pastel hues. As someone that always has a saved folder that’s bursting with nail designs, I have to say that I’m thrilled with this shift to embrace colour and pattern for the season ahead. That being said, I’m well aware that checkerboard nails and rainbow manis aren’t for everyone, which is why I’m so excited about this emerging nail trend which I think even nail art cynics will adore: the colourful French-tip manicure.Embracing all of the fundamentals of the timeless French mani (glossy finishes, perfectly groomed nail beds and a…
July 08, 2021 at 06:00AM It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what it is about French girls that we Brits find so damn alluring. Perhaps it’s their ability to build a timeless capsule wardrobe that always looks stylish or their penchant for a basic makeup product that will stand the test of time. There’s definitely something about their fondness for “boring” basics that’s appealing to those of us who are maximalists at heart.Between classic trench coats and pharmacy moisturisers, there’s something else I always look to French girls for: hairstyle inspiration. Whether they’re stepping out with long locks or short strands, French women always lead the way when it comes to chic, simple hairstyles that look like they haven’t taken any time at all. In fact, a few of these styles only take 30 seconds to create.From messy buns topped with…
July 08, 2021 at 06:00AM There’s a good reason that anti-ageing is one of the most hotly contested terms in the beauty industry: While there are some potent antioxidants and scientifically-proven ingredients that can slow down things like fine lines and loss of elasticity, nothing that you apply to your face can totally stop ageing in its tracks. While wearing SPF will undoubtedly protect your skin and keep it healthy, and using a retinol can definitely improve the appearance of wrinkles and skin texture, a lot of skin ageing is simply down to genetics. I love beauty products, but I have always looked younger than my years. Would I still look young if I stopped using them? Possibly. But as the mother to an 18-month-old that likes to start his day at 5am, I’m simply not willing to take the risk. And although I’m asked for ID a lot less frequently than I was in my 20s, it…
July 08, 2021 at 06:00AM While the weather might be less than satisfactory here in the UK, it’s all about the sunshine when it comes to one of the key colour trends of the season. Both designer and high-street brands alike are drawing inspiration from the warming hues of the setting sun, starting at the palest yellow and reaching to the richest rust brown via zesty orange. This is a colour trend that has a shade to match every mood. For me, terracotta instantly transports me to sun-soaked holidays abroad and beachside cocktails, while pale yellow gives me a more polished city vibe, especially when worn head to toe.Starting out life on the spring 2021 runways, these sunset shades appeared in the collections of Rejina Pyo, ChloĂ© and ACNE, with everything from dresses to accessories imbued with an earthen appeal. On the high street, meanwhile, I’ve really noticed a surge in popularity for citrusy shades of orange, with & Other Stories,…
July 08, 2021 at 06:00AM Okay COS, you really need to stop delivering such enviable looks this summer, because it is really testing my shopping willpower. I’ve already caved when it comes to the brand’s versatile T-shirt dress which I bought in black (it’s a 10 of out 10 from me), but every week sees another perfect minimalist creation drop on-site, particularly within the dress category. From neutral midis and voluminous smocks, to loose T-shirt styles and layerable shirt dresses, there are so many fab styles to choose from right now. That being said, I know that many people are struggling with outfit inspiration this summer (learning to dress after a year of isolation is hard, I get it), so I decided to pick my 4 favourite styles from COS’ latest drop and style them-up for you. Whether you’re in need of a casual look for the weekend or a more formal offering,…
July 08, 2021 at 05:05AM You know this already—we have a thing for French style. This probably doesn’t come as a big surprise, as we’ve investigated everything from the pieces they fill their homes with to what Parisians wear to weddings. In other words, we’ve done our research narrowing in on how they achieve that je ne sais quoi, and now we’re diving into their summer wardrobes.French It girls like Jeanne Damas, Sabina Socol, and Anne-Laure Mais seem to line their closets (and suitcases) with many of the same items and follow a few of the same rules. The guidelines are pretty straightforward. First, keep your palette neutral. Stick to classic shades like navy, white, and red, as well as earthy tones like tan and rust. You’ll have a hard time finding French girls wearing anything too jarring like neon. Next, when wearing prints, go…
July 07, 2021 at 11:10AM I didn’t realise quite how much I had missed the high octane glamour of the red carpet until last night’s Cannes Film Festival arrivals. Bella Hadid wowed the masked crowd in her Haute Couture Jean Paul Gaultier look, a stunning monochrome gown that was absolute perfection from its tulle halterneck right down to its fringed tail—a real wow moment, and yet so refine and restrained too. You can see it from every angle below. Not only did the supermodel bring her A game but a line-up of actresses clearly enjoyed this opportunity to dress up once more. Jessica Chastain looked like a gothic beauty in black chiffon, Helen Mirren a vision in canary yellow (and she wasn’t the only star to choose this striking shade), Maggie Gyllenhaal was as understatedly glam as always in a series of chic Celine looks, while…
July 07, 2021 at 09:00AM I’ve written mainly about how to replicate Parisian style for Who What Wear over the past couple of years, but interiors and sourcing unique finds for my home also form a large part of my work and interests. I’m an avid interior design geek and often get asked for my tips, so much so that it’s one of the main reasons I decided to write my book, Practising Parisienne (available for pre-order now). It details everything I’ve learned since moving to Paris eight years ago that has a whole section dedicated to the subject. And it’s also why I started doing home tours with Parisian friends on my blog Rue Rodier. I’ve been interested in interiors, design and art since as long as I can remember, when I used to sketch out room plans as a child and decorate…
July 07, 2021 at 08:29AM Zara is known for having two major sales—summer and Boxing Day. The latter is always pretty clear when it starts, but the former can be a little trickier. I’ve got good news, then: The Zara summer sale has officially started. We always advise caution when it comes to shopping during this time of year, so you’ll find a few tips and tricks for shopping the Zara sale below. Firstly, have a look through your wardrobe and have a think about what you need and what works with your current pieces. Then, when browsing on the site, add pieces you love, but before you check out, it’s worth thinking about how much wear you’ll get out of them. A good rule is to know if you’ll wear it 30 times or more, which is a great way to ensure you’re shopping…