Bag lady

They say never to judge a book by its cover, but you can pretty much figure out the character of a woman from her handbag. House of Fraser has a huge range of bags to suit any budget, from designers like DKNY, Furla and Ralph Lauren to high street brands like Warehouse, Oasis and House of Fraser’s very own brand Therapy.

Skin deep

The winter weather wreaks havoc on our skin and as a result we need a little boost in the skincare department. Thankfully, all the major skincare brands put together gift packs at this time of year and you can make the most of these value-packed deals and get your friend a complete winter skincare regime. Clarins’ HydraQuench set or Lancome’s Primordial Skin Recharge set, are perfect winter skin rescues.

Make up and party

Just in time for the New Year celebrations you can indulge your BFF’s passion for beauty with a new make-up set. Urban Decay’s X11 Midnight Emergency Kit and Benefit’s I’m Glam, Therefore I Am gift set are both perfect Christmas gifts that fit in both handbags and beauty cases. These gorgeous sets include all manner of party-ready make-up like Urban Decay’s Lip Junkie lipgloss and Benefit’s BADgal Lash mascara.

Tea and a chinwag

We all love catching up with our best friends over a good brew, and with House of Fraser’s Afternoon Tea gift hamper you can make you next chit-chat extra special. This is the ideal present for domestic goddesses and those that like to entertain. It includes Mrs Bridges leaf tea, clotted cream fudge, stem ginger biscuits, Mrs Bridges Christmas marmalade, and Mrs Bridges Christmas preserve.

Dolce & Gabbana Ultra-Shine Lip Gloss $29 – Pat McGrath, Creative Advisor for Dolce&Gabbana The Make Up, offers her wise words about this ultra-luxurious gloss:  “The golden pearl and iridescent shades can be used to highlight the centre of lips for a fuller looking pout.”

From left: Oscar de la Renta Fall '11, DVF Fall '11 & Nina Ricci Spring '11

1. Start with an eye primer to create a perfect canvas. Eye shadow and liner can crease or stray after a few hours of wear. Apply a good primer all over your lid, from lash line to eyebrow, and underneath the eye before using concealer. My oily skin causes shadow to crease without fail, but Benefit Stay Don’t Stray keeps it looking fresh all day. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion is another great product and comes in an adorable genie bottle.

2. Line your eyes with a dark shade. Whether black, charcoal, eggplant or any other smoky hue, eyeliner creates the drama for this sultry look. Line your top lashes from the inner to outer corners, dot in between your bottom lashes and line the inner rim. Smudge with an eyeliner brush for more drama. I swear by Benefit BADgal Waterproof Liner because it stays put and is equipped with a blending tip. The M.A.C. Eye Pencil provides rich, consistent color and the Sephora Professional Smudge Brush #14 is both precise and a great value.

3. Apply a medium powder shadow from top lashes to crease. Blend the shadow from the lid to the crease, using upward and outward motions. The matte, dark grey hue of Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in Anthracite 40 is perfect for all complexions. If you want to try something funkier, Smashbox Eye Shadow in Cabernet is a deep wine shade with a touch of shimmer.

4. Dust a light neutral shadow along your brow bone. This will highlight your eyes and make them pop. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow in Champagne is great if you want a touch of sparkle, and Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Eyecolor in Vanilla Sugar is perfect for everyday wear.

5. Add a light pearly shadow to the inner corners of your eyes. Doing this makes eyes appear larger and brighter. It’s not a necessary step but creates a gorgeous illusion if you have the time. Too Faced Glamour Dust in Pink Fire can also be used on the cheekbones for added drama.

6. Apply two coats of the deepest, darkest mascara you can find. This is like the icing on the cake… it is an absolute must to finish the look. Wiggle the wand from bottom to top so each lash is coated completely. Dior DiorShow 360 Mascara features a spinning wand and the most gorgeous, intricate brush you’ve ever seen. I’m a huge fan of Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! which is clinically proven to increase the appearance of lash volume by 424 percent.

I hope you found our How To guide for smoky eyes helpful. Will you be rocking this look over the weekend?

1. Boudicca pleated dress $1,355 – matchesfashion.com

2. Lanvin Knitted cotton-blend dress $1,290 – net-a-porter.com

3. Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Graffiti $18 – urbandecay.com

4. Miu Miu Apple-embellished plexiglass bangle $265 – net-a-porter.com

5. Forever 21 Oval Stone Ring $4.80 – forever21.com

6. Proenza Schouler Bag $1,270 – colette.fr

7. Butter Women’s Swagger Mary Jane Pump $286 – endless.com

8. Marc by Marc Jacobs Large leather wallet $240 – net-a-porter.com

9. OPI Matte Gargantuan Green Grape Nail Lacquer $5.35 – amazon.com

10. Kate Spade palace of mirrors crystal earrings $145 – katespade.com

This glam and edgy look is filled with sparkles and spikes and everything nice:

1. Wanda Dress by Jones and Jones $150 – topshop.com

2. Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Psychedelic Sister $17 – urbandecay.com

3. Chanel Aqualumiere Gloss # 707 $33 – yesstyle.com

4. Pamela Love Three finger tribal spike ring $1,000 – brownsfashion.com

5. Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau de Parfum Natural Spray $100 – nordstrom.com

6. Alexandre Birman Platform python sandals $795 – net-a-porter.com

7. Kate Spade Swan Lake Scottie $425 – katespade.com

8. Max and Chloe Onyx Dangling Earrings $650 – maxandchloe.com

From turquoise eye liner to bronze and peachy cheeks check out Allure’s 10 make up shades for everyone on ENVY

Along with all the chaos that 2010 has brought the world of fashion like new trends such as Military, Prepsters, and my favorite grungy/rocker chic, the last thing you’d come up with is temporary tattoos. Normally the first thing that comes to mind when messing around with temporary tattoos could possibly be a five year old’s birthday party, but then again think again because there are higher power such as Chanel and the badass trends of tattoos that could maybe take over every inch of your body.

Chanel might have started this whole printed rocker chic trend but fashion businesses such as ASOS, and Topshop have hooked on quite fine:

PAMELA LOVE

SEPHORA, BETSEY JOHNSON, CHANEL

URBAN DECAY

These collections can totally inspire you want to start a tattoo collection all over your body… perhaps even a sleeve?

LINK LOVE: Allure

Urban Decay has launched a ‘Magical Book Of Shadows’ in honor of Alice in Wonderland. Inside there is a hidden drawer with 16 best-selling eyeshadows, with names like White Rabbit, Jabberwocky, and Oraculum. Also included are two 24/7 eye pencils and a travel-size Primer Potion. The best part, the top opens to reveal a pop-up scene of Alice in the mushroom forest. Available here for $52.

LINK LOVE: Sephora

Hautelook today has some great sales worth checking out, including Cosabella, Joe’s Jeans, and Urban Decay . If you’re not familiar with Hautelook, you’re definitely missing out! Hautelook provides its members with designer sales daily.

Cosabella lingerie is 40%, perfect for a little Holiday surprise.

Joe’s Jeans today are up to 65% off, this also includes skirts and outerwear.

Urban Decay, one of my fave cosmetics brands, is 50% off.

Kime Buzzelli is an artist based out of LA, she creates paintings, illustrations, and installations inhabited by fashionable women in amazing clothes…often with bright colors running down their cheeks.

Kime has taken her work to the beauty industry, to help design the newest eyeshadow box for Urban Decay. Kime’s vignettes adorn the new palette, which includes six shadows (four bestsellers and two new shades). Also included is a travel size Zero 24/7 Glide on Pencil, and a travel Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

$30 available at Sephora, Beauty.com, and UrbanDecay.com in October.

One of my favorite cosmetic lines, Urban Decay is on sale today on Hautelook.  If you’re not familiar with Hautelook, you’re definitely missing out! Hautelook provides its members with limited time designer sales daily. Today you can save 50% off on Urban Decay cosmetics, so for all of you alternatives out there, get the best smokey eyeshadows, glitter eyeliner, and perfect polish.  Get pencils for $7, eyeshadows at only $8, and liquid liners for $9..seriously. Go to Hautelook now and join to shop, before I buy everything.

Daisy Out. Cory In?

Seems like Daisy Lowe is getting dropped from her modeling gig with Doc Martins in exchange for internet it girl Cory Kennedy. Seems like Cory is the one to watch since her deals with Urban Decay, Sebastian and NYLONtv.

Sorry Lowe, but you just lost out to the new queen bee. (Sorry, too much Gossip Girl catchup last night.) 

Source WWD