TREND TALK: THE FLARES

Saba black vest // similar // similar 

C/meo Collective flared pants 

Zimmermann bikini top 

Tony Bianco heels // similar // similar

Daniel Wellington watch 

34.2 necklace 

Vintage earrings 

If there is any trend to talk about, it is most certainly the flares. They have taken the fashion world by storm and frankly, I am a little obsessed too.

They elevate your suiting and denim looks so easily and are flattering on almost all body types. I opted for investing in a simple black pant with a split in the flare to show off those heels. I complimented the shape with a sleeveless blazer with a slight taper. And honestly, I feel so damn sexy in this flares!

My advice is pretty much always to take into consideration your body type. If you're short like me then floor length flares are super flattering but so are cropped denim flares paired with boots. Like hunting for any pair of pants, they just have to be well fitted - the style will do the rest of the work for you!



Leanne xx

Photography by Jordan Lee

HOW TO: THE BODYCON DRESS

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Saba dress

Seed heels // similar 

Daniel Wellington watch

Kirstin Ash necklace

I admit that I am often deterred by the bodycon/bandage dress, because they always seem to lack creativity  and leaves nothing to the imagination. So your general short and tight combination tends to do the opposite of excite me.

For this particular bodycon dress though, it was the that immediately attracted me - shock horror but black would have probably bored me. The midi length also offers a little more coverage than your average bodycon dress and the non-neutral neutral deep green colour helps one step out of the box but not too far. Pairing with black heels seemed like a no brainer but if you're more into your athleisure (or comfort) then throw on your fav white sneakers.


Leanne xx

Photography by Jordan Lee

LONDON GIRL

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The Fifth dress

Daniel Wellington watch

Carpe Diem ring
Woolworths heels // similar

Nars lipstick in 'Red Lizard'

If there is any time to be inspired, it is during the bittersweet weeks of NYFW & LFW. With the constant influx of amazing photography, street style, it-girls and, of course, the upcoming trends, it's  the fashion girl's dream.

Taking a step towards the out-of-the-box mentality of fashion week, I picked up this jacket dress hybrid in the neutral of neutrals. What's fab though, is that it actually doubles up as a jacket, making it a great laying piece for when it gets chilly. The relaxed fit, means its super easy to style and you can wear it pretty much all year round.


Leanne xx

Photography by Jordan Lee

SEVENTIES

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The Fifth shirt

American Apparel Jeans 

Kurt Geiger wedges 

I finally made the chop! It was probably about time to cut that mane off, to be fair it was getting out of hand and quite unhealthy. I've been wanting to cut it for quite a while now and so far I have been loving it!

The 70's trend has been on fire this season but I have to say I didn't quite feel heat until coming across this shirt. The colour is a lot more subtle but those bell sleeves are definitely something. Paired it with some 90's mom jeans and my favourite black wedges you've got an outfit that isn't too 70's overbearing.


Leanne xx

Photography by Sahar Hamid 

GRWM: BALL EDITION

Get ready with me!

Who doesn't love getting dressed up? 

Keep reading for all my tips and tricks as well as all the products I used to achieve this look. 

MAKE UP

It's not everyday I get to do a look like this so I wanted to create a look that was vastly different to my everyday makeup and also do this statement of a dress justice! 

Face

1. Foundation

After moisturising my face, I applied Estee Lauder Double Wear Light in 'Intensity 03' with a Real Techniques buffing brush.

2. Concealer

For more coverage I then applied Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer in Medium to underneath my eyes & tops of the cheeks using a Real Techniques base shadow brush. Then using Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in 2.5 to brighten more right underneath the eyes. 

3. Contour & Blush 

To contour & bronze I used the Sleek Face Form palette  using a Real Techniques duo fibre contour brush. I also used the subtle blush in the same palette for some colour & not overpower the smokey eye. 

4. Highlight 

For highlight, I used my favourite MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle on the tops of my cheekbones & on my brow bone using the same brush. 

5. Powder 

I dusted the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light using a Real Techniques duo fibre powder brush to make it last all night! 

Eyes

1. Base

Used my finger to prime my eyes with the Urban Decay Primer Poison  on the top & bottom. Don't want all that hard work blending to go to waste!
Too Faced Shadow Insurance or NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base  are also great alternatives.

2. Eyeshadow
I started with Buck (a light brown a shade or two darker than my skin) from the Urban Decay Naked palette ABOVE the crease and winging out slightly as a transition colour as well as all the way underneath the eye - don't be scared to go quite far down as remember this is a transition colour and will help blending the darker colours using the the brush from the UD palette.  I also used Bellasima (a slightly darker taupe colour) from the NARS And God Created the Woman palette to deepen where I put Buck, above the crease and underneath the eye with the same brush.

I then used the Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Jungle, a gorgeous deep green colour, all over the lid up to the crease, not winging out too much. Then using a Real Techniques deluxe crease brush to slowly blend this out. It is best to do one eye at a time as this product does set! I also dotted it underneath the eye and blended it out.

Then using the other end of UD palette brush I took Night Clubbing from the Nars palette, a green black colour with slight glitter specs running through, and packed on the colour on the outer corner of my eyes creating a wing shape. Slowly adding colour and then blending with the deluxe crease brush. Be patient with your blending!! Also run this colour underneath the eyes to balance the look.
Repeat this until you are happy with the amount of colour! You can also use your transition colours to help with the blending out of this colour. 

3. Eyeliner
I then used Clarins Waterpoof Eye Pencil in black to tight line bottom and top. I also ran it on the top to add more definition to the top lash line and wing, and join the bottom to the wing, blending with a Real Techniques accent brush.

4. Mascara & Lashes 

Two coats of mascara with YSL Babydoll in black top and bottom. I wanted inbetween coats so I could really build up the volume.

What would a dramatic smokey eye without some lashes huh? Well that and I have poor excuses of eyelashes. I used four Ardell individual lashes on the outer half on each eye, and then a bit more mascara to blend the lashes to mine. 

Brows
1. I used a dark brown eyeshadow with an angled brush to fill and shape my brows.
2. I used Benefit Gimme Brow gel in dark medium to set them. 

Lips
Making sure my lips are moisturised beforehand, I chose Nars Satin Lip Pencils in the shade Descanso - which is sadly limited edition but, of course, any nude that suits your skin tone will do. 

HAIR

After envisioning an epic smokey eye, I felt the look needed a simple & no-fuss hair do. 

1. Using a comb make a very straight centre part. 

2. Section your hair and  starting from the bottom straighten small sections. A tip is to use small sections that way the heat can be easily applied and straightened. 

3. Apply small amounts of gel evenly everywhere except for the pony tail. 

4. Pull hair tight into a low pony tail using a comb to smooth the hair down. 

VO5 Styling Gel Mega Hold 

OUTFIT

Shona Joy dress 

Tony Bianco heels 

*Jewellery & bag are vintage 

Leanne xx

Photo credits: Jordan Lee 




*These images have not been retouched

HOW I DO BLACK PUMPS

Vintage polo neck 

Calvin Klein jeans 

Tony Bianco heels

Winterwear can often feel very effortful and repetitive for me with heavy pieces and lots of layering so I turned to a killer heel for a quick fix. Heels like these don't need feel a high maintenance outfit to go with them so I contrasted them with my most boyfriend-y Calvins and a plain polo (to not only keep warm) for a relaxed vibe. And I know you won't believe me but these babies are so comfortable, I could run miles. 

Leanne xx

Photo credits: Jordan Lee