High Shine Metallics for Spring

IMG_4975-2

The festive season is already a long, distant memory but that doesn’t mean the shine and sparkle has to end too.  In fact, metallics and high shine fashion and beauty are in vogue for spring 2016.

From panels on your trainers and glittery sliders to irridescent tote bags, metallic jackets and high shine brogues – fashion has a sparkle.

IMG_5989

IMG_5990 Screen Shot 2016-01-26 at 16.04.07

Above: White City Plimsoles, £99 from CoCo Rose London, £99.  Tamaris Brogues, £44.99 from www.tamaris.eu and Topshop Barrel Metallic Luggage, £55.

It doesn’t stop there either since beauty is profiling the use of glitter along the hairline for a playful going-out look, glittery shadows across your lids and liner and a touch of two-tone shimmer in your lipstick.

Screen Shot 2016-01-26 at 14.46.54

Image

Screen Shot 2016-01-26 at 14.45.09

Of course, nails go all futuristic too and my latest gel manicure captures the look perfectly.  With a subtle sparkle, this mink-meets-metallic hue is ideal for everyday wear and offers grown up glamour.

IMG_4978

Are you going to dare to wear?

British Brand, delilah Now Available At Powder

Powder Beauty Boutique has some very exciting news that you’ll love too – they are now selling Cosmetic brand, delilah.  The brainchild of Rupert Kingston, Hannah Nicholson and Juliet White, a wealth of experience ranging make-up artistry and product development to beauty buying, imagery, graphics and design has gone into making Delilah what it is: an already much-loved, high-performance boutique British brand.

With the likes of Vogue, Glamour and Grazia all praising this brand, I had to check it out for myself…

delilah salon shots

The Influence

The Delilah team were inspired by quintessentially English influences, from Britannia Metal, a traditional semi precious, pewter coloured metal that inspired the design of the packaging, to the crown gold accents that run through the whole line. Even the Delilah symbol, a pale pink Delilah rose, is a true icon of British beauty.

First Impressions

Powder has a collection of essentials including eye powders and creams, cream blushes, mascara, brow pencils, lipstick and glosses, foundation and concealers.  The range is elegant and premium but inviting, with a good variety of shades for skin and variety enough for colours, taking you from nudes and classics to fashion-lead hues.

delilah product collage

What I Tried

I’m all about the eyes right now and disguising the dark circles due to sleepless nights from festive mayhem, pregnancy and a toddler!

I’m a big believer in defining your brows since doing this frames your entire eye area, opening up your eyes and improving your overall look.  I used the Brow Line Retractable Eye Brow Pencil with Brush, £20 in Ash, which is great for blondes.

Brow Line is a retractable eyebrow pencil with a narrow nib and a built-in brush at the other end.  This makes applying colour and in-filling sparse brows very easy.  It glides on and you can use the brush to feather in the crayon strokes for the most natural look.  I found the colour stayed put all day.

My next eye-improved was the Fade Away Future Resist Concealer, £26 in ivory.  Available in four shades, this fluid concealer incorporates light-diffusing agents that soften the appearance of fine lines and dark circles plus roseroot and sugar beet to help to reduce puffiness and darkness.

You apply it like a pen, which helps you to blend into the darkest areas such as the shadows next to you nose and to gently trace the shape of the dark circle beneath your eye.  

Bethanie x

Kiss

Inky Goth-Glam Blue – THE Colour to be seen in

Midnight / inky / deep / goth-glam-punk blue – call it what you want but one thing is for sure, it ‘s a colour that is at the top of the fashion and beauty pile when it comes to shades to be seen in.

Gracing the front cover of the latest Glamour magazine (December 2015), on the talons of Tanya Burr and as seen everywhere from on celebrities to the High Street, this deep shade of blue is hot.

Screen Shot 2015-11-18 at 12.41.18

It would be rude not to opt for the same blue on my own talons for my latest Powder mani then wouldn’t it?

The team used ‘Up All Night’ Gelaze finish and I can’t get enough. It goes with everything and makes me feel glamorous even if I have been Up All Night (but sadly not drinking cocktails, but instead due to my toddler)!

Screen Shot 2015-11-18 at 12.39.01

Image credit: Getty Images

Fashion Blogger, Chiara Ferragni looks fabulous in this bejeweled embellishment tunic dress and slouchy boots while Karlie Kloss takes the shade casual with a classic denim, jumper, coat and matching accessories combination.

Screen Shot 2015-11-18 at 12.40.11

Image credit: Splash News

I also have my eye on these Sam Edelman Dea Deep Blue Heeled Court Shoes, £145 that will go perfectly with anything from your skinny jeans to your Christmas party dress. A smart investment really 🙂

Screen Shot 2015-11-18 at 12.45.45

Speaking of parties, razzle dazzle them in these inky blue dresses and enjoy.

Bethanie x

warehouse blue

Warehouse Tinselsequin midnight blue dress, £55

Debenhams_5871690386768.jpg

Debenhams Debut maxi sparkling blue dress, £135

Grey Tonal Manicure – The Moody Hues of Autumn

If I had to choose my favourite season, it would be summer for sure but I love autumn and all its colours. From the vibrant yellows and burnt oranges of fallen leaves to the moody grey skies, beauty is everywhere. The latter inspired my latest creation of tonal greys – graduating from dark steely grey to an icy, frosty hue.

As ever, the beauty and fashion world collide and these gorgeous greys can be worn from head to toe, or head to perfectly manicured hands, in this case.

photo-2-23

One of my favourite ways to wear these shades for autumn / winter (apart from this amazing gel manicure by Powder!), is with a cosy winter coat. There are so many styles to choose from but the following top the fashion pack. Ombre faux fur resembles the Powder manicure with graduating colours and adds a playful sense of fun to your look. A classic waterfall trench wrap coat in grey brushed wool, belted at the waist is very versatile. It looks fabulous worn with white jeans for a casual look or over your festive party dress. For everyday wear, I love to match a grey winter coat with my sneakers. This combination is a laid back one but because of the grey tones, it looks elegant and sophisticated so you won’t be out of place in swanky bar either – should impulse grab you!

bhs_1838488460613940

mintvelvet_1331672037493833

yumi_164222643879400

Shop the Look (top to bottom):

BHS Grey Waterfall Front Coat With Wool £65,
Organic Suede Trench £399,
Delaware Distressed Jean £69,
Bonny Suede Lace Up Plimsolls £89,
Yumi 70s dip dye fur coat, £140

Marsala Tones for Spring / Summer 2015

Every spring we’re inundated with pretty pastels as baby blue, powder pink and delicate nudes take centre stage in our wardrobes and makeup palettes.  But what if you want more ‘oomph’?  If you prefer deeper shades and don’t want to stop wearing them for spring / summer, then this seasons Bordeaux shades like the 2015 pantone: marsala are for you.

Celebrities such as Miranda Kerr, Emma Stone and Blake Lively have all been spotted wearing marsala tones, boldly contrasting with the red carpet yet smouldering in this deeply vibrant shade.

marsala dress 2015

Image Credit

My latest manicure uses a marsala tone with metallic stripes on my ring fingers for an up-to-date look and more wearable take on the catwalk trends of the year.  A berry-meets-plum-meets-burgundy hue that changes with the light, it looks striking against pale skin tones while enhancing darker or tanned skin.  Because of the deeper, more elegant tone to it – you can wear marsala day or night.  I’m totally addicted.

marsala-toned manicure

marsala metallic manicure

I love this simple TOPSHOP maxi dress teamed with a leather fringed bag and gladiator sandals.  Who says springtime fashion and beauty has to be light and fluffy?  Dare to be different.

Screen Shot 2015-05-20 at 15.08.12

Keeping It Simple

If you’re an avid follower of this blog, you’ll know that I usually opt for nail art and manicures that are a little less ordinary. OK, a lot less ordinary. So this time, I favoured simplicity and opted for a simple pastel pink manicure.

pastel pink manicure

My nails are suffering at the moment, for a number of reasons. Being a mum, my hands are consistently in water – cleaning, mopping spills and ‘accidents’, germ paranoia…the list goes on. That and tapping at my laptop everyday, leave my talons looking tatty.

Powder therefore advised me to give my preferred gels a rest and let my natural nails breathe while restoring some much-needed nourishment. They advised using a cuticle oil every night. It needn’t be a chore, just pop it by your bedside or apply while watching the TV. I love coconut oil and olive oil which works just as well. Simply focus on the cuticle and gently massage in the oil to encourage healthy growth.

I’m trying to use a hand cream everyday throughout the day too so I’ve put a pot next to each sink in the house, next to my bed and in my handbag – no excuse!

pretty pink manicure

The shade I picked is Suzi Shops & Island Hops by OPI. You’ll see this shade in all the shops right now, it looks fantastic with this seasons navy and denim trends so I might have to go out and buy some new indigo denim flares to match my mani. What?? 🙂

Come and get some Hawaii!

Hawaii nail colours

Aloha!!

Powder beauty presents OPI Hawaii Collection, come and get a pop of colour to go with the sunshine with these new great colours! Why not try bright and fruity with ‘Pineapples Have Feelings Too!’ Or ‘Is Mai Tai Crooked?’ Add a feature nail with shimmery undertones with ‘My Gecko Does Tricks’, become an ocean goddess with ‘This Colour’s Making Waves’ or a fiery lava queen with ‘Go With The Lava Flow’. If none of those take your fancy there are great twists on the classics and more subtle, neutral and pastel colours to add some Hawaiian happiness onto your fingers or toes!

Treat yourself today at Powder Beauty Boutique

Mini Manicure/ Pedicure £15/£25

Powder Manicure/ Pedicure £22/£32

Gel Manicure/ Pedicure £27/£37

Manicure with nail art from £25

Making waves blue manicure
What’s yummier the donut or this delicious colour? (This Colour’s Making Waves’)
dotty nail art
Shimmery dots over ‘Suzi Shops & Island Hops’

Hawaii nail art

I’m Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

IMG_9297

Since it’s Christmas, I simply had to indulge in festive nail art.  There’s no other time of year when you can get away with so much glitter and novelty!
But instead of the usual Rudolph and Santa Clause, I steered away from those and the expected green and red colour-ways by opting for an on-trend pink gel mani with white and gold accent nails.

The middle finger sports a polka dot Christmas tree topped with a sparkling gem while the ring finer is painted with chunky gold glitter.  If you opt for regular nail polish over gels, you can simply wipe clear your festive designs to reveal a simple, long-lasting gel mani beneath, once Christmas is over.

To recreate this look at home, paint nails in your chosen colour then use a bobby pin or nail art tool to dot on the Christmas tree into a v-shape.  If you want to make it super slick, use washi tape to leave a v in which to paint inside then remove once dry.

Pink story

Pink is a surprising shade that has been leading the fashion charts this season and it is set to stat for spring summer 2015.  If you’re out and about in the sales, look out for sugary pinks, corals and fuchsia to take you into next season for less.
I love this TOPSHOP Lace Collar Top, £16 which looks great with skinny jeans and bejeweled pumps and I’ve already got my hands on this Matalan Pink Faux Fur Coat, £30 which has already gone into the sale, whoop!

image (1) image
Pop into Powder and have for a comforting cuppa and a spot of festive nail art while you’re out shopping.  It’s the only way to get through all the mayhem!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Bethanie x

A Nail Look with Cat-itude for Halloween

We love inspiring you and coming up with new and exciting ideas for nail art and nail design and recently came across Julep and their spooktacular Halloween nail art story.  You’ll find a step-by-step onward to help you create the look at home, complete with all the products you need or if you love the look but need a pro to recreate it for you – come in and see us.  Although we don’t yet stock Julep, you can find the best sellers at julep.com and in occasional pop-up shops so who knows – we may well have them up for grabs soon.

Get creating and Happy Halloween. xx

Julep_HalloweenNailLook (1)

LFW might be showing Spring but we’re getting excited for Winter…

photo 5

photo 2

Is it wrong of me to look forward to colder weather just so that I can wear gorgeous winter coats and cosy jumpers?  While the spring summer 2015 trends at London Fashion Week recently showed what  we’ll be wearing next season, I’m getting pretty excited about the new clothing creeping in for winter.

A luxurious winter coat is a key autumn/ winter staple that you shouldn’t be afraid to invest in.  Get it right and it can last you years but since there are so many styles to choose from, I’m taking inspiration from my latest nail art creation by Powder Beauty Boutique.

Championing two fashionable shades with a gunmetal grey base topped with a graduation of mink glitter, this look adds a touch of festivity and glamour while still being elegant enough for every day.

I normally opt for gels because I’m always using my hands as a busy mum and writer, meaning normal nail polish doesn’t even last a day however, I used CND VINYLUX® for the first time. This is a breakthrough nail polish where exposure to natural light activates the patent-pending ProLight Technology™ to deliver week-long wear.  That’s rich colour with no chips or peeling and more durable nails overall for a whole week.

I was skeptical at first but I needn’t have been since they still look fabulous a week later.  I have the tiniest of chips on one nail but that’s after a week and much use / clumsiness!

To match my talons to my coattails, naturally, I have my eye on this super luxe New Look Grey faux fur collarless coat £64.99 and this Wallis Gold/Brown Faux Fur Coat.  Both are versatile enough to take me from day to night.

wallis_82449210992091261 newlook_10935952051710524

Military trench coats nip you in at the waist and give an overall structured and tailored look making them ideal for the office and this JD Williams Military Coat, £90 highlights my mani perfectly.

jdwilliams_1101391563458002

For an everyday coat, I’m coveting this stunning House of Fraser Grey Textured Coat, £150.  Well, if you can’t decide on just one…

houseoffraser_63781550701647

So when you’re out shopping for your new coat(s), pop into Powder Beauty Boutique and get a new mani to match.

Bethanie x

photo 3