Dip into Ómbre

If someone approached you, asking your opinions on fashion being inspired by a hairstyle, your immediate thoughts would jump straight to “hairy”, “uncomfortable”, and just downright weird. However, this season, every catwalk and every designer has been taking a dip into the “ombré” trend. (See what I did there?)

What’s ombré you ask? Commonly referred to as the dip-dye look, the hairstyle has been sported by Drew Barrymore, Rachel Bilson, Lauren Conrad and so on. Generally, the ends of the hair is dyed a lighter shade than the original colour, giving a balayage effect.

The hairstyle first took off two years ago, yet has been consistently in the media since then. Yet, this season, the trend was taken to an entire new level, when it was introduced to the catwalks. High-street brands, such as Topshop and River Island, hopped on the bandwagon and incorporated the look into their autumn/winter lines.  Lately, we’ve been seeing ombré in every fashion magazine, every high street (Penneys, too, has caught on) and on every Tom, Dick and Harry too!

But just as we were beginning to worry about it becoming overdone, designers stepped it up a notch, bringing the trend into new places. From woolly knits and chunky cardigans, to glitzy dresses and old-style Hollywood maxis, it has even spread as far as ombré nail art.

While it does touch a teeny, tiny bit on the 60s tie-dye era, it’s more clean-cut and refined. I think the most fascinating aspect of it is that this one trend has opened a new genre of style: Modern Grunge. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the stereotypical Nirvana t-shirt wearing style. It’s a polished grunge, a clean and cool laidback, which epitomises effortless and coolness.

Who would have thought that a hair-dye malfunction could be the muse for not just a trend, but an entire style revolution?

College Essentials

Hey Guys, So I'm back after my weeks holiday and I've been sent flying back to full gear, trying to sort out myself for college! So stressful! But of course I managed to get in a bit of shopping! While I was over in Marbella, we headed into one of the shopping centres there, called La Canada. They have everything from Hollister to Sephora, obviously I was in my element! :D So I picked up a few things that I thought would see me through my first semester in college. A few staple pieces that are relaxed, but still on trend!

The Military Jacket

 The military trend is left, right and centre lately. Over sized jackets, combat pants and black military boots have been sprawled over every magazine and most celebrities. Stars like Cheryl Cole, Rihanna and Rita Ora have been further publicizing the trend, sending it into the number one spot for this season's fashion fix. I picked up this jacket in Topshop for €70. It's such a great item pair with a variety of options. Day dress, casual leggings or skinny jeans all work incredibly well with this piece. A great item to have in the wardrobe for the doom and gloom autumn, Irish weather! 

  The casual tee

 Finding a top/t-shirt that you just want to chuck on, no matter what your wearing, always seems to be such a difficulty with me. They're either unflattering, the wrong colour, or just impractical! However, I think I may have found the perfect top, to just throw on and go! Picture yourself early morning, hungover as hell and your lecture starts in about 10 mins. The effort of trying to find and co-ordinate an outfit seems like trying to find a needle in a haystack! All you want is something simple (yet decent and relatively nice!) that you can throw on with jeans or leggings with a cardi and get out of the house! For me, this top is just that! Easy, casual, but with a little bit of an edge! It could also double as a potential going-out outfit with disco pants and heels. Fashion recycling at its finest!

The Sweaters & The Shirts

 I already know that these are gonna be my most worn items in college, simply because they're super easy to wear! Ombré has also hit the fashion world majorly in recent months, and no, I'm not talking about the hairstyle rocked by Rachel Bilson, Caroline Flack and yours truly! No no, the trendy dip dye effect has become quite a big thing with High street brands like Topshop, River Island etc lately! And of course, studs have been running rampant throughout the high street, but that was a given! Every season we always see a bit of studding, but who's complaining? :D I picked up this shirt in Zara and it really caught my attention. Giving a standard, check shirt a bit of a make-over with a bit of studding on the pockets really works wonders for it! The other jumper also combines both trends, with Ombré and studding, (A+ for you, Zara ;)) they're unbelievably comfy too, which is also a big plus!

The shoes

I've ruled these down to my top three go-to shoes. My military boots are going to worn to death this year, not just because they are on trend at the mo, but because they're unbelievably comfy and can be worn with just about anything! I love wearing these with dresses to give it a bit of a grungy vibe or just throw on with jean or leggings! Black, simple, practical...whats not to love? I got these about 2 years ago in Oasis in Dundrum, I think they were about €60 at the time! Numero 2: My brogues. I. Love. These. Shoes. I would gladly live in these shoes if it wasn't so unhygienic! :P I know I'm beginning to sound repetitive, saying everything is simple and causal, but this applies here too. So, I'm gonna leave it at that. Love. Love. Love them. Finally, my topshop pumps. Super comfy, super stylish. I wear them to death, especially with my jeans. I found the light pink ones to work really well in spring/autumn, but they are a little too bright for the a/w months! I have these in black as well, so I'll be giving them a right lash this season too! They're in topshop now for around €25, I'm not sure if that's the exact price!!

The jewellery

I popped down to my local Topshop today, because I was in dire need of some new earrings. I purchased two things, one which was an ear-cuff. I've been dying to try one, but if truth is to be told, I've been too stingy to splurge on one! So when I saw this one on sale for €1.50, I skipped right up to the till! And I absolutely love it! :D I never thought I could picture myself wearing one, but it's so cool. It can really give a simple, drab outfit a lift and give it a much needed POP! :D I think I'll be purchasing a few more, well that is if I can get over the price of it! :P Secondly, I bought a set of earrings, I thought these were really cool and different. I like to wear two odd earrings (I know, it's strange), so I thought these would be perfect for mix and matching and pairing with ones I already have! They're just fun and bring out my personality! I think they racked up to around €10. 

That's all of my College bits and bobs for now! I'll be doing a College beauty essentials soon, so keep your eyes peeled. Thanks for reading!

-Orlaith x

Debutantes

 Some of you may already know, but debs season is upon us! (The prom or grad in other words!) It's the one night of the year, that all girls (and some boys) have the excuse to go completely over board and splash out on tan, make up and hair! Basically a night where we can sit back and completely relax, and not to mention have a sociable drink or four!
 I recently had my debs ball last week, yet I have another one again tomorrow night, so I've made a list of a few essentials that will make sure you survive the night, and obviously keep you looking your best :D

 The base

 If you're gonna be partying into the wee hour of the night, make sure your make up has a long lasting finish! The last thing you want is looking like the wreck of hasper in your photos, that will surely be sprawled across facebook the following morning. If you're getting your make up professionally done, ask for a full coverage, long lasting foundation. As long as you've got the foundation sorted, your make up is more than likely to last the night. Also, don't forget to get a good pressed powder that will set your make up and keep the shiny foreheads at bay! After my make up was finished I went home and applied Urban Decay's De-Slick make up setting spray. A.K.A my god. I have quite oily skin, but this product is a god send on a night out, or just even during the day. My make up doesn't budge, well unless I'm fist pumping in the middle of the dance floor! It's one of my staple items when I'm heading out.

Eyes, Lips & Cheeks

 Unfortunately, some girls do make the mistake of going a tad OTT with their make up. Best advice is to keep it simple and elegant. Not only will you look natural, but in 20 years time you won't look back and regret the black smokey eyes, bright pink cheeks and red lipstick that could be mistaken for war paint. Keep it classy. I chose quite bronzy colours for my eye make up, while I wore a Mac lipstick in Angel. I absolutely adore their lipsticks, especially angel. It's a very subtle pink shade and the pigmentation is incroyable!

Blinging it

 I chose quite discreet, but elegant jewellery for my debs. I wore simple River Island drop earrings, which I bought online. I think they were around £8, so that worked out around €10! I also picked up a single diamond ring online as well. I found a two finger silver bow ring from Topshop that was hiding in my room and left it at that. I didnt want anything to take away from my dress.

Staple pieces

 

 

And finally, to finish off my look, I applied Broadway's Fast French Nails in Deceptions. I much rather applying my own nails than paying a small fortune for someone else to do the exact same thing! I tried them before I went on holidays this summer and fell in love! They're super easy to apply and last for so long! A great cheap alternative! I also purchased a River Island clutch bag, which  totalled up to around 20 bob! Not too bad considering I'll get wear out of it when it comes to college! Once again, I just kept it low key and it did the job perfectly!

So that's all my little tips for the 2012 debutantes! Enjoy the night, it'll fly by!

Here's some of my photos from my debs!

-Orlaith x

The New Kid

      Well hello there guys! I've decided to start up a new, fresh blog with a different twist to my wordpress one. I'm heading into my first year in college to start journalism, so I thought I'd get a head start and try find my niche per say!
       I've always been interested in the beauty and fashion world. Following blogs and vlogs religiously, always looking out for new and exciting products. And come to think of it, Ireland does need a bit sparkle! I think it's time we embrace beauty and fashion head on and try work up the ranks next to our European counterparts!
      Basically, I'm gonna start a beauty/fashion/whatever-else-fits-into-this-bracket blog! Outfit of the days/nights, make up and clothes hauls, reviews and the lot! So stay tuned, and watch this space :D

-Orlaith x