Fashionably Yours

I’ve always loved the dark, grungy smoky eyes and nude lips look but wasn’t sure if I could pull it off, until very recently. So I gratified my adventurous streak by playing up a grunge look for one of the events last week, taking inspiration from some of the gorgeous red carpet leading ladies.

Natalie Portman in smokey eyes

So step 1 is one of the most crucial elements- choosing your make-up! I picked the Mikyajy Black I box because it’s an all-you-need survival box (make up and tools) for the ultimate smokey eyes and any variations of it, that one might come up with. The box includes an eye pencil with a smudge tip, a black shadow, a black kohl crayon, a gel liner and a mascara for a fabulous and super easy smokey effect.

Mikyajy Black I Box: For the ultimate smokey eyes

Step 2 is cleasing the face thoroughly and applying make-up primer over the lids to secure long wearing color and ease of application. The next step 3, is blending black shadow over the lid (intense along the lash line and the crease below the browbone), along with some shimmery shadow in a lighter color (silver is a good cchoice) to highlight the brow-bone and the inner corners of the eye. ‘Blending’ is the key! Smudge the black shadow just a little bit outwards for a winged effect.

Mikyajy Black I Box: For the ultimate smokey eyes

The smokey eyes with Mikyajy Black I box

Step 4 is Lining the eye with the easy- to use gel liner, turning slightly upwards and thicker at the corner for a cat eye effect. Also line the lower lashline and kohl it up! Finish with a volumizing and curling mascara and Voila! You’re all ready!

Add some nude lip tint and gloss for a foxy night out!

Spring cleaning – Check.
Sweaters, cardis, jackets back in the trunk- Check.
Get beach ready- Double check!

While that sums up what I’ve been upto in the past couple of days, I’ve also managed to finally, finally find the bikini of my dreams. Trust me, It’s been easier finding the perfect man than the perfect bikini! I mean, given my ummm unique body shape, it’s been super tough for me to wear a two piece swim suit without looking ridiculously uncomfortable. But that was before last Thursday.

Beach weather in Dubai right now!

Last Thursday, I was on a mission to find the bikini that didn’t make me look like a pornstar reject. After years of trials and what can only be described as faux pas from hell, I’ve come to the conclusion that no matter what they say, there’s a bikini for everyone- Yup, everyone! BUT it takes a healthy amount of time and patience to find the perfect one.

Here’s a How To Guide to choosing the right beachwear for your bodytype:

1) Too skinny:
Most women would hardly consider this a problem but only skinny women know how tough it is to find things that fit well. Plus, you’d hate to look malnourished in beachwear. So here’s what you should look for:

You want: Something to enhance your curves like a monokini with cutouts or a stringy number. Also, choose lighter colors or a catchy prints.

Bikini from Bare Essentials, Dubai

Guess Leopard Print

Cobra print cutout monokini

Stay away from: Tankinis, Vertical stripes.

2) Big bustline

You Want: Good coverage and something that does not exaggerate the bustline because the aim is to look proportionate. Try a full or 3/4^th cup balconette bikini top supported with an underwire (crucial for this body type) You could also use smaller prints and scoop necks to minimize the effect. A frill or ruffle on top would also work. Also, choose an interesting or larger print towards the lower half to take the attention away from top.

Baressentials Dubai

Bare Essentials Dubai

Bare Essentials Dubai Swimwear

Stay Away from: Triangular, underwire- less bikinis- you don’t want any surprise pops or peeking toms!

3) Big hips

You want: Tankinis that lengthen your figure, Deep V neck one piece or eye catching detailing on top to take the attention away from the hips. A two tone swimsuit with the bottom half in a darker color will also work!

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Stay away from: High cuts in your bikini or string bikinis that show off more of your hips than what you want.

4) Big midriff- boxy figure

You want: Ruffled trims, rouched sides to give shape to the waist line or halter bikini tops.

Luxe Lisa Vogel

Luxe Lisa Vogel

Stay away from: Boy shorts, staples bandeau bikini tops that will exaggerate the boxy figure.

5) Short legs:

You want: A high cut tankini/ bikini, stringy numbers or one pieces on a single color to give the illusion of longer legs, one shoulder detailing to elongate the figure.

Luxe Lisa Vogel

H&M Swimwear 2012

Stay away from: Boy shorts, two tone swimsuits that break the figure in half or bandeau styles.

Happy beach time girls!

It’s the first post of 2012! Wish you all a fabulous, glittering year ahead!

Speaking of glittering, I’m sure I’m not the only one buried under the deluge of customary pictures from last night, on facebook- fireworks, shots, silly faces and ofcourse, some amusing fashion disasters. Talk about leopard print dresses on zebra print shoes…and sparkly, blinding apparitions!

So here’s a How-to Guide to Wearing Sequins (Without looking like a mobile Christmas Tree). Since sequins are pretty much here to stay the rest of winter and next season, let’s look at how a statement sequin skirt or dress can be styled with accessories for maximum effect with minimal effort (No more squinting from the bling!)

The gold sequin skirt:
Make sure you stay away from glittery accessories, if your statement piece is your sequin skirt- let it be the only thing to shine through! Choose your shoes, clutch and watch in pale hues so they don’t take the attention away from the statement piece, but complement it.

Seen in the pics below: The gold sequin skirt is paired with a pale, powder pink top for a hint of a contrast and lace-up high heels in the same hue. Top it off with a faux fur waistcoat or jacket and a sleek watch.

Gold sequin skirt and powder pink top with faux fur waistcoat

Philip Stein Watch

Steve Madden lace up shoes

Skirt: Forever 21
Faux Fur waistcoat: Splash
Powder pink top: Splash
Shoes: Steve Madden
Watch: Philip Stein

The little Black Bling Dress: All black is not always boring! But again, if the dress is the statement sequin piece, it’s not a great idea to wear matching black sequin shoes with it! However, since a dull pair of shoes might take away from the glam factor of the ensemble, you may play around with a high shine texture and some interesting heels. Also, if you’re going dancing, it might be a good idea to wear your clutch across and go handsfree!

The little black bling dress- accessorized!

Go Hands-free with a sling bag- Steve Madden

Pair it with some fun black pumps- Kurt Geiger

Black sequin dress with lace sleeves: Splash
Bag: Steve Madden
Shoes: Kurt Geiger

The blue sequin shorts: So you bought that sparkly pair of shorts at a sale and now you’re worried it doesn’t go with anything? Happens to the best of us! So far, we’ve been trying to highlight the statement piece but what if you want to take some attention away from it?

Simply pair it with a distracting element in colors that tone down the shine (Nope, that does not mean more sequins of accessories) . You may add an eye catching print on top- like the animal print faux fur waistcoat and you can take the attention away from the shorts to some super sexy heels in a contrasting color- Seen here in silver and grey.

Blue sequin shorts with fur fur, animal print waist coat

Wrap around watch from Philip Stein

Super sexy heels take the attention away from the sequin shorts

Blue sequin shorts: Splash
Faux fur animal print waist coat: Splash
Watch: Philip Stein
Shoes: Kurt Geiger

All photographs by Dhruti Shah Dsouza, shot at the amazing Mahiki Dubai, a Polynesian themed club which is now Dubai’s hottest new watering hole.

Mahiki Dubai

Mahiki, Dubai