Friday Fashion

First and foremost happy Friday! 

If you follow my instagram or my profile CharlotteJonsie on Today I'm Wearing you'll know I absolutely love fashion and am a self-proclaimed 'selfie' snapper. In honour of 'selfie' being 'word of the year' I'm going to dedicate my Friday's to fashion, hence the title of this blog post. 

From here on in unfortunately you're going to have to put up with my fashion 'selfies'. Apologies in advance. Here's the first one...

I'm wearing a mustard mini skirt with a black peplum top tucked in both from Primark, teamed with a gold statement necklace and chunky black loafers from New Look. 

I would love to see your fashion 'selfies' send me your blog and instagram links. 

MEN’S FIRST DATE FASHION

It’s no secret women judge a man by his shoes, so the attire that goes with them is just as important. Following on from the recent feature First Date Fashion it’s only fair the opposite sex should also be told what to wear on a first date. Undeniably some guys need a little more help than others.

“Women tend to find men the most appealing when they’re wearing the colour grey,” according to the Daily Mail.

The survey commissioned by vouchercodespro.co.uk found the top five colours worn by men in relationships on a first date are;

1. Grey
2. Black
3. Blue
4. Green
5. White

Taking the colours into consideration, I compiled two great date outfits. Take a look at my feature here

Take note guys! Here’s what to wear and what not to wear (hence the picture above.)

FIRST DATE FASHION

The first date was a success, conversation flowed pleasantly and the both of you laughed all night, but you never heard from him again? Well it could have been down to what you wore according to the Daily Mail.

The newspaper claims a recent study has revealed: “Men are most likely to form a relationship with a woman who wears red on the first date.”

Deciding what to wear on a first date is every woman’s dilemma, however it’s just got a lot easier because according to recent survey conducted by vouchercodes.co.uk all you have to wear is red to attract him. The psychology behind the colour red has long been known for its positive connotations such as passion, love and romance, thus possibly evoking these emotions on a first date.

However the survey concluded ladies are to steer clear of particular colours: “men voted yellow (39 per cent) and brown (28 per cent) as the colours most likely to put them off members of the opposite sex.” 

Ladies if you have a date it’s time to update your wardrobe! Click here for my pick of the best first dates outfits... 

(Let’s hope he picks you up in a red Ferrari!)

Loving Lilac

You may have noticed I'm slowly making my way through the Dulux colour chart, my hair has been platinum/white blonde, dark chocolate brown, (can't even believe I went there) baby, barbie & fuchsia pink, pink with purple dip-dye and now lilac!

And here it is - ta-da! 

Pardon the selfie 

I bought lavender and lilac Crazy Colour on a whim during a shopping trip Sunday. I got home and decided I didn't have the time or funds to go to the hairdresser, so I coloured it myself. Risky business!

The lavender is quite dark, so I mixed it with a candy floss pink. I used the candy floss to tone down the purple and create a tint of pink. I sectioned my hair and applied the colour liberally with clear gloves and a tint brush. Left the colour to work it's magic for around 10-15 minutes and washed it off. 

Now the question is... what colour next? 

Here's some celebrity inspiration....

Perrie Edwards 

Kelly Osbourne

Katy Perry

Lady Gaga

Snack attack

It's that time of day you can't function in the office anymore unless you have some cake or chocolate. Temptation takes over and the urge to eat anything containing an obscene amount of sugar becomes almost impossible to suppress.

Most days I experience the ‘afternoon slump’ and it’s usually between 3-5pm, a significant drop in my energy levels is apparent. This is the time I crave a sweet snack.

“Sugar cravings, as they are commonly referred to, can be defined as the physiological drive to eat sweet, carbohydrate-containing foods, as well as the psychological programming to seek out sweet foods when you feel tired, bored or unhappy.”

Undeniably our brains and bodies need a boost in the afternoon. However sugary foods are the worst option, because food containing refined sugar will spike your energy levels and you won't feel so energetic after. Don't give in, instead try my healthy suggestions below, trust me your body will thank you for it. 

Organic Cashew Nuts

Nuts are a great way to curb cravings. My favourite are organic cashews, they taste fairly sweet, are high in protein and aren't as high in fat as other nuts. 

Fruit

If you’re going to the gym after work opt for a banana to give you energy. It's also a great brain booster.

Blueberries and natural yogurt are a perfect combination for satisfying your sweet tooth. 

Peanut butter with Rice Cakes 

Peanut butter is high in protein and rice cakes are low in fat and high in fibre. Top with some fruit for a sweet kick.

Protein Shake 

I swear by protein shakes to help tone, feed and recover muscles. A chocolate or strawberry protein shake will curb your sweet craving and help you feel fuller for longer. I use Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Shake Powder because it only has 1 gram of Fat and only 1 gram of Sugar and 3 grams of total Carbohydrates per serving.

How do you get over a snack attack? I would love to know. 

Dip-dye Hair



"Feel the fear and do it anyway," said author Susan Jeffers. A quote from the book that has stayed with me ever since. Fear gets in the way of a lot of things. However when a bout of uncertainty or nervousness occurs I think of this quote and it allows me to get on with the task ahead. 

Fear attacked me last Saturday when my hairdresser dyed the ends of my hair purple. Of course it was my choice, however I feared I would look stupid, that It would look like I was trying too hard or completely over the top. Despite the negative thoughts, I felt the fear and did it anyway. The outcome is revealed below.

My hairdresser coloured my hair pink first with a mix of pinkissimo and candy floss from Crazy Color http://www.crazycolor.co.uk/ For the purple she mixed lavender & lilac together also from Crazy Color and applied it to the ends of my hair. 

  

Both colours were left to develop for around 20-30 minutes. It was washed off to reveal dip-dyed hair.

The crazy colours developing...

The end result!

Ready for a night out. Hair is out of heated rollers, you can see the colours blend in nicely.

I painted my nails to match my hair (very sad I know)

Would you consider dip-dying your hair? Have you ever regretted colouring your hair? I would love to know! Tweet me or comment below x

'The One'

We all search for 'the one' who will be there for us through thick and thin, hold on to us and make us shine and I've found it! 

 

Unfortunately I'm not referring to a man ladies but Label.m's hairspray. A product that can offer more strength than a guy and certainly won't argue back. It's a win-win!

Label.m Hairspray: "contains pro-vitamin B5 and naturally derived conditioners to protect, hold and gloss. Contains a sunscreen for UV protection and is excellent for re-application without causing build up," according to the website. http://labelm.com/uk/product/358/label.m-hairspray

I can clarify this hairspray certainly lives up to it's claims. Perks of working in the beauty industry meant I got to try this product before I bought it. Before this I continuously bought different hairsprays hoping to find one that is weather resistant, for British weather plays havoc with our hair. A hairspray that has a lasting hold and doesn't leave hair with a strong enough stench to make any smoker scared to light a cigarette near you. Brushes out easily and doesn't leave a sticky residue, and I have finally found it! Label.m hairspray does all of this and also adds a glossy shine to your hair.

 

Look no further ladies you've found 'the one'. Have you tried this hairspray, what do you use?

Monday's Miracle - Water

Water is by far the best beauty product on the market – it’s natural, cheap and already stored in the human body, there’s no beauty brand on the shelves that can compete.

Despite brands trying to contend by introducing water based products, irrefutably chemicals are used to create these products. Next time you reach for your ‘water-infused’ beauty product, grab a glass of water too. Not only is water good for your external appearance, but also vital for internal health and a functional brain.

Why is water the best beauty product?

1.        If you want clear skin water is the answer. Drinking water flushes out the toxins that sit inside your body, eliminating these encourage clear skin.

2.        Your body naturally fills cells with water to make them firm and tight. When the cells are filled with water they become bulged and push against your skin from the inside, and this can help to reduce cellulite and wrinkles, helping you look younger too.

3.        Drinking water hydrates hair. Yes really! Drink more water for naturally soft and silky locks.

4.        Rinsing your hair with cold water after washing your hair adds shine and locks in moisture.

5.        Did you know it helps you lose weight? Our brains confuses hunger with thirst sometimes. Drink a glass of water before a meal and it will stop you over consuming food. It also helps eradicate cravings, thus helping you to lose weight. Add a few slices of lemon for a detox drink and it will also boost your metabolism.

6.        Want a flat stomach? Water prevents fluid retention, because your body won't try to retain water if it's getting enough.

My daily routine consists of drinking at least two litres of water together with herbal teas. If I go a day without drinking my usual intake of water the texture, glow and appearance of my skin is noticeably different.

I’m lucky enough to have problem skin (sarcasm intended) I've been fighting a loosing battle with my skin for as long as I can remember. Spots, dry cheeks, oily t-zone and scars are just a few of the difficulties I (quite literally) face, thus my skin care routine is very important. I have trialed and tested many expensive and inexpensive brands to help my badly-behaved skin. Nothing had worked. 

Until now. All thanks to reading a magazine and a top beauty journalist said she only used water on her face at night. What…Water? Surely you need to do more than that to clean your face? Or is that what we have been lead to believe? This is when it occurred to me how many chemicals I was putting on my face daily. Twice a day I would use a cleanser, moisturiser and spot treatments as well as applying my daily makeup.

A few months ago I decided to use fewer products on my face and opt for water with a warm flannel at night and it’s worked! My skin has never been better and I have days when it looks fairly clear. I still use face wipes and a good moisturiser at night, however I've come to think if you drink enough water your skin should be hydrated, what you put inside your body is reflected on the outside.

The moral of the story... water works wonders! The fewer chemicals you slather on your face the better your skin will be. Call it an oxymoron but it’s the best beauty product out there. If there’s anything to start this Monday, it's drink more water. 

Love at first sight...

 Kia Rose Print Jumpsuit, £29.99

The moment you fall in love with an item of clothing, it's like love at first sight. Fashionistas will understand that no matter how hard you try to convince yourself you simply cannot afford it or you don't need it, the more you have to get it!

Despite my lacking bank balance, the moment I see this Kia Rose Print Jumpsuit from Misguided, I needed it immediately. Jumpsuits can be tricky to wear if you're a 'shorty' (like myself) Being 5'1 they usually look like i'm wearing an oversized babygrow. 

If you look on the Misguided website: http://www.missguided.co.uk/kia-rose-print-jumpsuit you can see the bottoms of the jumpsuit reach the models ankles, which is probably why it's the perfect length for me. It fits me so well I bought another one. Perfect jumpsuits for little people.   

I teamed it with black boots and minimal jewellery.

Do you have problems finding jumpsuits? I would love to know, comment below or tweet me @CharlotteJonsie

Sssh… it’s a beauty secret!

We’re all guilty of it – eating chocolate behind closed doors or hiding expensive shoes from your boyfriend, but something not quite so obvious is throwing out old mascara because it’s become a bit dry or has come to the end of its life. Automatically we throw it away and replace it with a brand new one.

Stop right there young lady! Before you throw out your old mascara think again, because it could be your answer to long lashes. I know you’re probably thinking I've written this blog post high on drugs (I have not!) honestly it’s a beauty secret I swear by and believe it creates lengthy eyelashes.  

Alike a primer for your face, I consider the last of your mascara like a primer for your eyelashes. One coat of your old mascara preps and separates the lashes. It gives lashes a base coat before applying the thick stuff, this also gives the new mascara something to grab onto.

I promise you it works! When I've applied fresh/new mascara without my first coat of the old my lashes look wet and clumpy.   

Please note it’s recommended you change your mascara every 6 months, so just keep swapping.

Are you guilty of throwing out your old mascara? What’s your best kept beauty secret? I would love to know!

Flower Power

Finding an outfit for both dining out and a bar can be tricky, you don't want to feel overdressed for the restaurant or underdressed for the bar. A smart/casual dress is perfect for this type of occasion. 

I came across this gorgeous flower ensemble in a small boutique called Dizzy in Romford, Essex... pot luck! I teamed it with blue floral print shoes from River Island and a white clutch from Primark. Jewellery was minimal with a flower necklace from Oasis and earrings and a Bracelet Tresor Paris. 

I usually wear my hair big and bouncy for a night out, however I didn't want the pink to be overpowering. Putting it up in a bun took away some of the attention from my hair. 

What would you wear for this type of occasion? I would love to know.

Monday's Miracle

bareMinerals Ready Bronzer, £24.00

Are you looking for a bronzer that offers a matte natural looking finish? bareMinerals Ready Bronzer could be the answer.


Having used Burberry Beauty Warm Glow Bronzer, £31.00, and Mac Bronzing Powder, £20.00, consistently for the past year. I decided it was time to broaden my horizons and discover a new bronzer. Little did I know I was going to find a new love - bareMinerals Ready Bronzer! 

With a vast range of bronzers on the market it was a little daunting to know where to start. My research consisted of flicking through magazines and looking at online beauty blogs for reviews. Before now I hadn't used the bareMinerals brand before. It's one thing trying a new product, another trying a completely new brand.   

It was when I read the bareMinerals bronzer contains: "antioxidants with cold-pressed carrot oil... and lasts for up to 8 hours" I had to try this! I was enticed in by the natural ingredients because my skin can be sensitive. It also claims: "this silky long-wearing formula delivers skin-nourishing benefits and firmer-looking skin."

Indeed it does live up to it's claims. It leaves my skin with a silky finish and a subtle warm glow. The longevity of this bronzer is amazing! The only time I have to reapply it is after a hardcore gym session. 

There are three shades available to choose from. I was recommended by the sales assistant to use the "skinny dip, light tan." As you can see above it looks very light on my finger, worried it was going to be too light, the sales assistant assured me it's a product that's buildable. Meaning the colour can be built up to the desired shade. So unless you spend ages applying coat after coat of bronzer, there's no chance this bronzer will ever leave you looking like an oompa loompa.

It comes with a handy mirror, perfect for carrying around in your handbag. It's £24.00 here: http://www.bareminerals.co.uk/bareMinerals-READY-Bronzer/Masterreadybronzer,default,pd.html  


If there's anything that will perk up your complexion on a Monday morning it's this bronzer!

Have you tried this bronzer? Do you rate it? I would love to know.

It’s not you...it’s your red trousers!



Attention men! Never dress like this for a date.

There’s always that one ‘thing’ – whether it’s his shoes, hair, jeans or moustache that turns you off, it can completely ruin the date before it’s even begun.

For me it was his bright RED trousers.

Groomed and preened he stood at the entrance of the station waiting for me to arrive. As I walked towards him the first thing that caught my attention was his bright RED trousers. Too late to turn around I greeted him with a wide smile. 

“You look lovely,” he said.

“Thank you,” I replied.

Call me vain and materialistic but I couldn't respond "so do you” because it would have been a lie. Admittedly he looked great from the waist up, but a tragedy on the bottom half.

I had met red trouser guy once before. Good looking, charming and very funny, I was ecstatic when he asked me on a date. But I didn’t fancy him the second time around. The red trousers had immediately put me off.

Honestly I consider myself an open-minded and down to earth person, so a pair of trousers should not have stopped me from fancying him. Cliché as it sounds; it’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? Plus the exterior can be changed.

During the date the conversation flowed satisfactorily. The spark wasn’t there and I knew I wasn’t going to see him again. The trousers killed the conversation, if you get what I mean?

During the course of our conversation bizarrely he asked: “What do you think of my outfit, do you like my trousers?” 

Was he psychic? Did he notice my eyes wondering to his legs more often than his face?

Ironically he said: “My sister (who works in fashion) told me not to wear these trousers, but I like them and wanted to wear them tonight.”

“THEY ARE BLOODY HIDEOUS! WHY WOULD YOU IGNORE YOUR FASHIONISTA SISTERS ADVICE?” I wanted to scream.

Unfortunately I’m not a mean person and replied: “It’s very brave of you to go against your sister’s advice, but they’re nice.” 

Sometimes lying is the only option.

The red trousers had completely put me off. What a bitch?

And In case you’re wondering? Indeed that was the last time I saw the red trousers.

I know I’m not alone on the subject of dating and that ‘one thing’. A friend of mine solely looks at guys shoes first before looking at his face. Has anyone else experienced a date like this? What puts you off? I would love to know and it would help confirm that I’m not a total cow!

Comment below or tweet me https://twitter.com/CharlotteJonsie

Is squatting the new selfie?

Hey guys and gals, I write for an online publication called LoveThat Mag: http://lovethatmag.com/

I have written a feature about squatting being the new selfie and would love to know you what you think? 

Forget the thigh gap and self-proclaimed ‘look at me’ selfies because a new trend is taking the nation by storm and it’s called ‘She Squats’. The new craze exhibits images of women’s toned buttocks, bottoms, buns, arses (however you wish to call the rear end) are posted on social media sites to be celebrated.

Shapely behinds were being showcased online long before Miley Cyrus’ MTV VMA’s twerking performance, and the trend seems to be continuously growing. Facebook page ‘Yeh, She Squats’ was born October 2012 and now has a phenomenal fan base of 618,570 likes...

Check out the full feature here: http://lovethatmag.com/be-healthy/is-squatting-the-new-selfie/

Monday’s Miracle!

 

“I don’t have time” is probably the most common excuse used not to workout. But surprisingly these people find time to sit on the sofa and watch Eastenders of an evening or socialise over a glass of wine. And I’m not suggesting for one minute you shouldn’t be able to do these things, but if you’re consistently doing them and avoiding exercise not only your waistline will suffer, your health will too.

The NHS recommend “at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week, and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days that work all major muscle groups.”

If you can’t possibly find the time to commit to this amount of exercise a week, an app called ‘Daily Workouts’ is perfect for busy people who don’t have the time. You can exercise in as little as five minutes, the first level is free and you can workout wherever you go. Try getting out of this one...

The app has six exercise options; Ab, Arm, Butt, Cardio, Leg and Full workout. You have the choice to workout for 5, 7.5 or 10 minutes. Alternatively if you wish to increase the length of your workout, I suggest doing each exercise option for 10 minutes giving you a total body workout.

There are three levels to choose from. Level one consists of basic moves and is perfect for beginners. However if like you’re a gym bunny like myself you will have to purchase level 2 and 3 for tougher exercises. If you’re already hitting the gym after work, this is a fab way to tone target areas and feel an immediate effect.

This app has been part of my daily morning routine. As much as I feel inclined to stay in bed for an extra 10 minutes, I decide against it and instead do 10 minutes of exercise. Thanks to this app I don’t feel like I’m dragging my arse up the tube escalators.

Everyone has a spare 5-10 minutes a day and I guarantee you it will lift your mood on a Monday morning. Start the week positive and download the app today!  

Do you use this app? How do you workout if you don't have time? Let me know below...

You can find out more about this app here: http://dailyworkoutapps.com/dailyworkoutapps/Daily_Workouts.html

Pretty Gets Gritty

As London Fashion Week kicks off, it can only mean one thing Autumn/Winter 2013 is here!Depressing as it is, we bid farewell to bright corals and rosy cheeks and say hello to punk purples and ‘Vunk’.

Fashion guru Donatella combined the spiky edge of punk and glamour of Versace for her A/W 13’ collection earlier this year, giving birth to a new trend ‘Vunk’. The colour palette black and red showcased gothicism, fetishism and danger with occasional bursts of yellow, white and deep purple.

It’s set to be the hottest trend this season. So be the first to rock the A/W 13’ ‘Vunk’ beauty look and here’s how to do it. Pretty gets gritty this A/W13'

Find out how to rock the A/W13' look here: http://lovethatmag.com/be-healthy/pretty-just-got-gritty/

Monday’s Miracle

Giorgio Armani Maestro Concealer

If the bags under your eyes this morning looked as if you’d done your weekly shop at Tesco, you could possibly benefit from using Armani’s Maestro Concealer.

A weekend of socialising and partying can leave eyes looking puffy and weary. This is the perfect pick me up on a Monday morning.  

Honestly it’s a god send!

Priced at £27.50 it’s not necessarily cheap, however I bought this in January and I use it every day, there are no signs of it running out. It’s definitely worth every penny in my opinion.

My eye before the Armani concealer is applied. Notice the blue/purple tone around my eye. 

Apply a small line under each eye (like above) and with a small brush or your finger, blend it in under your eye and over your eyelids. When blended the eye looks hydrated and brightened.

As you can see by the pictures, the concealer has corrected the purple tone and dark circle under my eye that can be seen in the first picture.  

The result - The under the eye area looks hydrated and revived. It moisturises tired eyes and fades any blue/purple tones. The longevity is it lasts all day.

The only problem I have with this product is the name. Although it has been labelled a concealer, I wouldn't necessarily call it this, rather a corrector, as it 'corrects' the eye. I also wouldn't recommend using this product anywhere else on the face other than under the eye, it wouldn't conceal a spot and would most probably cause breakouts because of the hydrating texture.

Hurrah - no more Monday morning baggage!

Have you tried this concealer? What's your Monday Miracle? I would love to know! 

Vaseline launches a third limited edition lip tint!

Vaseline Paint The Town Red Lip Tint, £3.49

Embrace your inner socialite with Vaseline’s NEW Limited Edition ‘Paint The Town Red’ Lip Therapy, available exclusively at Selfridges.

Apply the rouge petroleum jelly to your lips with your index finger. Wear alone for a subtle red tint or on top of your lipstick for a glamorous sheen.

Honestly it smells good enough to eat, with a gorgeous spiced red berry scent. Not only does it add gloss to your lips but moisturises them too. This is a must-have for inside your handbag.

Don’t forget red lips are hot this A/W 13’ and party season is just around the corner, this is perfect for creating kissable lips.

It’s £3.49 and available exclusively at Selfridges. http://www.selfridges.com/en/Beauty/Categories/Shop-Make-up-colour/Lips/Paint-The-Town-lip-therapy_277-73029548-96095089/