Celebrity Hollywood hairstylist, Colleen LaBaff who served as the Assistant Head of Department along with two other top hairstylists, Frida Aradottir and Jas Kimble, helped create the overall looks for the sultry movie, BURLESQUE. According to Colleen, the inspiration behind the hairstyles included Period, Modern Day, and Edgy Looks. Together, with the movie’s director, head hair department and costume designer, along with archives of photos and research, they strategized and created looks for Christina Aguilera, Julianne Hough, Kristen Bell, and all of the dancers that performed with Christina and all of the cast members.

Christina Aguilera as Ali

Hairstylist Frida Aradottir achieved one of Christina’s many glamorous looks by spraying White Sands Liquid Texture Medium Hold Styling Spray onto damp hair and drying tresses with the IT&LY HAIRFASHION Italian Racing Red Ionic Blow Dryer (as seen in the movie at each dancer’s dressing table). Once hair was dry, she took small sections, utilizing a small barrel curling iron to curl the entire head. After these tight curls were created, she brushed it all out and massaged a small amount of IT&LY HAIRFASHION’S Pure Water Drops into the curls for a softer look full of volume. To finish, she misted with White Sands Infinity Hairspray for hold.

Tyne Stecklein as Jesse

To achieve this sexy blonde’s look, Colleen LaBaff created the foundation for long lasting curls using White Sands Liquid Texture Firm Hold Styling Spray evenly dispersing throughout the hair. After blow drying this product in with the IT&LY HAIRFASHION Blow Dryer, she applied IT&LY’s Pure Water Drops to add additional shine. Using small and medium sized curling irons, Colleen alternated both the direction and the size of the curls. To hold in place, she used IT&LY HAIRFASHION Pure Definition Hair Spray to provide movement and hold.

Chelsea Traille as Coco

For one of Chelsea’s looks, Jas Kimble curled the front with a curling iron and then braided the hair up in the back followed by attaching a fall. With working with hair pieces and wigs, the hair department pre-set most of these pieces so they were fresh and ready to go. This fall was one of the wigs that had already been wet set, so after she attached it, Jas brushed it out to complete the style.  Next, she created finger waves in the front section of the hair using her fingers and long clips to hold them in. When finished, Jas entwined them into the fall.  For hold, she used IT&LY HAIRFASHION Pure Definition Hair Spray.

For a second look, she applied several products from Kimble Hair Care Systems to Chelsea’s hair and then pulled her tresses up into a high, sleek ponytail.  She then attached a faux ponytail (which was sewn on because it was so long) and used White Sands Infinity Hair Spray and the IT&LY HAIRFASHION Blow Dryer as part of the attachment process.

I hope you all have not been too naughty this year

Here’s wishing all you nice readers out there

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

&

A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

How could I not feature my favourite designer handbag brand on my own fashion blog? I can’t believe it took me this long!

Louis Vuitton, at 150, is probably the oldest fashion brand in the world. It is also one of the globe’s most successful (and most counterfeited) labels, instantly recognizable by its iconic, intertwined LV monogram. Louis Vuitton created his first travel bags in 1858 and his signature design is still highly desirable today, standing as a symbol of style and elegance in travel luggage.

The fashion world always waits with bated breath for new creations from the Louis Vuitton team and the eagerly-anticipated Monogram Empriente line was launched at this year’s Paris spring collection. This became available to the rest of the fashion-conscious world this fall. The range comprises a collection of bags fashioned in sensuously supple calf-leather, which combine practicality with the sophistication and style we expect from this classic label.

The Lumineuse tote bag (available two sizes) features two long handles and a detachable shoulder strap, making it a versatile day bag which still oozes worldly appeal. Its zipped front pocket has a gold metal ring for charms, and the top zip includes a padlock for added security. The inside is lined with typical Louis Vuitton style fabric and contains a variety of pockets and pouches. Like most of the new collection, the Lumineuse is available in a choice of five colours: blue (Storm), Burgundy (Flame), taupe (Shadow), off-white (Snow) and navy (Infinite).

The monogrammed Artsy is a soft hobo-style bag with a single leather handle attached by gold metal hoops. Apart from a leather thong with two charm rings, the exterior remains elegantly uncluttered. The interior has the same striped fabric as the Lumineuse and a huge number of pockets.

The Empriente collection also includes the Inspiree, or bowling bag and the timeless Petillante clutch. This is a magnetically secured folding bag with zipped pockets front and back. When unfolded it reveals a patch pocket tucked inside the fold. The clutch has the same interior lining, a lipstick pouch and two patch pockets. The Inspiree is available in three colours and the Petillante in four. To complete this stunning collection there are also two separate wallets: the Portefeulle Secrete long and the compact coin purse, which make ideal accessories to any bag in this gorgeous range.

I have to admit, I love the clutch best of all because the bags would look huge on me as I’m on the petite side.  What would you get or have already gotten from this line?

Anya Hindmarch broke into the fashion world at the tender age of 18 when inspired by Italian bag fashions in the streets of Florence. She introduced these to the UK through Harpers and Queen magazine and became an overnight entrepreneur. Her interest in fashion bags never wavered and she began designing and producing her own bags, still influenced by Italian designs.

She opened her first store in London in 1993 and her earliest major success was the screen-printed ‘Be a Bag’ – a personalised tote bag. Her designs were soon being sought after by Hollywood’s A-list, international socialites and even royalty (Princess Diana was an early fan).

Going from strength to strength, she soon opened stores in New York and Los Angeles, as well as numerous other locations worldwide. Her handbags are now sold in over 19 countries and her turnover doubles every three years. Glamour Magazine gave her the Designer of the Year award two years running and in 2007 she received the British Fashion Awards Designer Brand of the Year; the same year she launched her controversial eco tote bag bearing the slogan “I’m Not a PlasticBag”. Last year she was honoured with an MBE for her contribution to the British Fashion Industry and Anya Hindmarch’s empire is now worth over $30 million.

Hindmarch was particularly interested in bespoke designs and in 2009 she launched her bespoke range at her new London Pont Street store. The 100 product strong range includes handbags, wallets, jewellery boxes, key sets, money clips, USB sticks, albums, diaries and luggage, all available in a variety of finishes and colours and ready to be personalised with embossed messages in the purchaser’s own handwriting.

This year Hindmarch created a capsule collection of four exclusive designs for Barbour’s 2010 Autumn/Winter collection. The quartet comprises a practical but stylish ‘Foxy’ wax cotton jacket and coat trimmed with velvet or fur and two ‘Minx’ quilted styles.

At the age of 42, and regularly consulted by British Prime Minister, David Cameron, the world seems to be Anya Hindmarch’s oyster. But bags are her passion and whatever her political ambitions, Anya Hindmarch seems set to retain her ‘queen of handbags’ crown for many years to come.

Most people who are short or near-sighted wear contact lenses. Some of the reasons for not being able to wear them include allergies to the lens materials or to the contact lens cleaning solutions, astigmatism that is too severe to correct or people who suffer from recurring infections. Dry eye conditions also prevent the wearing of contact lenses in some cases; however there are natural tear solutions available that could alleviate this issue.

Anyone with one of the above complications would have to wear spectacles. In this case, they would not be able to play contact sports like rugby, football, baseball or American football! Also some people who wear spectacles can develop little “irritation sores” around their nose when the spectacles rest. Others might not like the feeling of something clinging to one’s nose all day. It could drive one stark raving mad – then it would be advisable to investigate wearing contact lenses!

With contact lenses, the cost factor probably puts a lot of people off, however there is a choice of wearing daily disposable lenses, hard lenses or lenses that have to be removed every night. Some people simply do not want the hassle of digging into their eye twice a day to insert the contacts, but after a while that becomes second nature.

There is not much chance of spectacles damaging the eye or weakening the eyesight. In fact in some cases, they rectify problems with eyesight – as in children who are squint. In addition, nowadays, the spectacle frames from which to choose are so modern and attractive; people could have more than one pair. In addition, if sunglasses are needed, clip on sunshades are available for certain spectacle frames. Alternatively, a pair of prescription sun glasses also functions perfectly.

Both contact lenses and spectacles have pros and cons. It all comes down to personal choice and the kind of lifestyle involved. Some health schemes will help to pay for spectacle or contact lens costs, but opting for the corrective short-sighted operation is classed as “cosmetic surgery” so not too many health packages pay for that.

Introducing Kate Spade to the UK! Recently this well known American entrepreneur, designer, and accessory queen opened the doors to showcase her products in a townhouse in London’s Covent Gardens. Recognised and sought after world-wide as a fashion leader, she has specially designed an enamel bracelet engraved with the words “London Calling” to announce the Kate Spade store will be “calling” on London permanently next year!

Since 1993, Kate has been wowing Americans with her popular products. When she could not find a handbag that suited her for everyday use, she decided to design her own – and voila! The collection started with handbags and has since spread to include shoes, baby and home, stationery, glasses, handbags and clothing, laptops cases, jewellery, beauty products, pyjamas and now a range of short storey books where each storey is based on the line “she is quick and curious and playful and strong”. Magazine and newspaper fashion editors quickly recognised this hallmark newcomer to the fashion scene and Kate Spade was established. With stars like Sienna Miller and Sarah Jessica-Parker seen out and about in her designs – what more encouragement does one need?

Her style is fun-loving, as well as useful and shows a hint of cultured elegance. With popular spots and stripes in her designs, she takes one back to the nostalgic 1960′s combined with modern day appeal. The design of her shops alone has been described as a “visual shorthand” of her brand, being replicas of any young, fashion-conscious girl’s apartment! Kate’s husband Andy Spade introduced a men’s range called Jack Spade to complement the Kate Spade collection, which has been equally successful. Kate has ships worldwide, including the Philippines, Japan, and Hong Kong.

In the course of her career, Kate has accumulated many awards, the first one being when she won “America’s New Fashion Talent in Accessories’ from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Over the years, she has spread her wings and moved into home accessories, including bedding and linen. She was honoured for her New Home Collection when she received three design awards in 2004. It seems as if everything she touched turned to gold!

In 1999 Kate sold out to a well known group who then sold to Liz Claiborne for a record $127 in 2007. To end on a controversial note, there are those who criticise her handbag design as being so simple that it would be easy for fake manufacturer’s to copy – simple maybe, but oh so useful! A spokesman from Kate Spade replied that all their authentic products have a label sewn into the product and another branded on the outside of the product, so look out for those.

Celebrity hairdresser and recent award winning hairstylist from IT&LY HAIRFASHION Marcia Hamilton was the creative genius behind the multiple hair changes for the new tween pop star Willow Smith’s new music video.

The song titled, “Whip My Hair” gave Marcia the artistic edge to have hair transform into the main focus of the video. By creating ultra-long braids that were then dipped in paint, Willow’s song title instantly came to life, allowing her hair to become her very own brush to add color and zest. While creating these braids, Marcia applied White Sands Orchids Oil throughout Willow’s hair to add shine and ease braiding.

To create the “Heart Hawk” structure in the beginning of the video, Marcia wrapped the braids around a pre-made wire shaped heart and secured with lots of glue. To finish, she sprayed this funky one of a kind design with IT&LY HAIRFASHION’S Purity Design Pure Definition Hairspray.

For the faux-hawk variation, Marcia hand colored clip in hair extensions with bright colors using IT&LY’s Colorly Xtreme Colors. This is a quick and easy way to add rock star flair to any hairstyle without it being permanent.

Willow’s next look was the “Cotton Candy Dream” hand colored lightly with pinks and greens. To hold these poofs in place, Marcia added hues of pastel colors using IT&LY HAIRFASHIONS Colorly Xtreme and Colorly Hair Color to the pieces, then holding the shapes in place with White Sand’s Stuck Up Mega Hold Hairspray.

Celebrity hairdresser Marcia Hamilton definitely knows how to give Willow Smith hair she can whip!

For those who want their hair to be a comfortable and manageable length, mid length hairstyles can be perfect. With hair that’s of a medium length, many women find they’re able to enjoy the best of both worlds, as a lot of the most popular styles for long and short hair translate well to medium length hair. Mid length hairstyles are extremely versatile, and anyone can easily go from formal to very trendy with only a few minor adjustments.

Mid length hair extends from beyond the end of the nose to just beneath the chin, and anything beyond that’s considered long. Medium length hair does not come down to shoulder level, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be tied back. Many of the most elegant ponytail styles are available to women with mid length hair.

Some attractive mid length hairstyles involve curling. Curled, mid length hair can look stunning, especially if the curls are soft and fluffy and the overall effect is one of bounce and light.

Mid length hairstyles may or may not feature a fringe, and one of the beauties of having mid length hair is that you’re not tied down to one particular feel.

Some good mid length hairstyles include having a layered cut that features a split fringe covering part of the face. This is an excellent style if you want to look professional at the office but glamorous at night.

A bob is a great style to have if you want something practical that shows off your facial features well. Seemingly never out of style, mid length hair offers the perfect platform for a neat and sophisticated bob.

Mid length hair is versatile and has potential. Almost any look you’re trying to achieve can be attained through styling with mid length hair.

It’s always an agonizing process to buy that swimsuit for the summer or your overseas vacation. Looking at yourself in the mirror you’re already trying to visualize your body in a variety of suits. Unfortunately, none of them suit your taste and now you’re stuck for an answer. Here are a few tips to help you over this particular obstacle:

• Decide what kind of body shape you have.
• Decide whether you want a designer swimsuit or just a normal everyday swimsuit.
• How much do you want to spend on it? This would depend on how often you intend to wear it. If it’s just for the vacation then you may be better off buying a less expensive swimsuit. If you’re going to be wearing it regularly throughout the summer, it may be worth your while to invest in a more expensive suit.
• What type of suit you want will depend on whether you’re going to be using for both swimming and sunbathing or just sunbathing.

Once you’ve determined the answers to all these questions, you also need to consider where you’ll be wearing your swimsuit: Next to the pool or in the ocean? This will have a great influence on which type of swimsuit you buy. If you’re going to be braving the waves of the ocean, it will be advisable to get a suit that is sturdy and can hold up against the onslaught of the water. The last thing you want is to be undressed by the ocean. Poolside swimwear can be more flimsy and shouldn’t be too much of a problem when swimming. Either way the key is to feel comfortable and confident.

Choose your best looking swimsuit and have a ball in or out of the water. Have a great vacation!

Chanel unveiled their Spring 2011 collection at the Paris Fashion Week in an extravagant presentation at the Grand Palais on Tuesday. An array of traditional Chanel tweed jackets with black and white motifs, three-quarter-sleeve jackets, some trimmed in floral print and long skirts in various dark shades were among some of the look paraded by models. Stars who were spotted at the fashion show included Lily Allen , Rachel Bilson and Keira Knightly. Check out the video below for the latest fashion by Chanel.