Kanye West X Adidas

Kanye West showcased his first collection with Adidas at New York Fashion Week this evening. The guest list was jam packed with A listers as you would expect! Everyone from Jay Z to Anna Wintour were in attendance with a few Kardashians thrown in for good measure!

The collection included oversize parkas and army sweaters for men and sheer body stockings for women. West's sister in law Kylie Jenner even modelled at the star studded event and she took to Instagram afterwards to thank West for believing in her.

Apparently the show started and hour late and many unimpressed fashionistas were forced to wait outside the dimly lit warehouse while dress rehearsals over ran.

This may be Kanye's first collection but we are sure it won't be his last and cannot wait to check out the pieces when they hit stores later this month.

Product Review Cocoa Brown Tough Stuff

Anyone who knows me will know that I LOVE fake tan! The miserable Irish weather really does me no favours and a golden glow makes me feel instantly happy! Tanning experts will know there is a lot more to the process than simply slapping on some product. There is stages! In my opinion, the most important part of the process is preparing your skin by exfoliating. This step is also useful post tanning to get rid of any patchiness!

Exfoliation is very important generally, as it helps to buff away any dead skin and ensures a smooth and glowing complexion. While you can get away with using a gentle scrub on the face you need something more substantial to use on the rough areas of the body. This is where Tough Stuff comes in! 

I was completely aware of the hype surrounding the Cocoa Brown brand yet I still hadn't actually tried it for myself! I am one of those extremely brand loyal girls and if I find something that works for me I usually stick with it. I was given a tube of the famous Tough Stuff exfoliating scrub to try at a blogger event last week and couldn't wait to get down to business! This product is absolutely fantastic! 

When I first squeezed it out of the bright pink tube I fell in love! The product is also a gorgeous pink colour and contains lots of fine grainy particles. It smells divine and was a real treat to use. 

I applied it using long, sweeping movements before rinsing. If you wanted an extra thorough scrub you could use with exfoliating gloves but to be honest with you I found the product alone to be sufficient. Tough Stuff is also kind enough on skin to be used 3 to 4 times a week so you no longer have any excuses for that rough skin and patchy tan! Cocoa Brown do not advise you to use this scrub on your face however. 

After my shower my skin was left feeling super smooth and glowing even before I applied my body lotion. I am highly impressed with this product and cannot wait to try the other products in the Cocoa  Brown range.

SS15 Hair Trends

While most of us love to keep up to date with the latest fashion trends and will also be intrigued by the newest beauty launch I think it is safe to say that our hair is slightly more neglected! It is just their on your head waiting for your next salon visit! Many of us neglect to pay attention to the catwalk for hair inspiration and instead just follow the masses. Do you remember when that Rihanna red trend took Ireland by storm? Or the time Cheryl experimented with a bottle of plum dye?! Exactly! More recently, the ombre trend has taken the female population by storm. This season I urge you to take your inspiration from the SS15 shows to make your look a little different. 

Sonia Rykiel

 

The nineties has been very much in for the last couple of seasons. Grunge garments and brown lippie were around well before Kylie Jenner was born! Those who have grown found of this throwback will be happy to hear that the nineties are back once again this season. I loved the simplicity of hair and makeup styling at the SS15 shows and I feel that any of these styles could be worn straight from the catwalk. A common trend among many of the shows was the centre parting. 

Saint Laurent

 

This style was worn with gently tousled tresses as seen at Sonia Rykiel and Pucci.. Also, I think it perfectly compliments the whole seventies vibe around for this season. The seventies look is slightly straighter and less bed head-y!

 

Emilio Pucci

 

I hope no one has thrown their Babyliss crimper in the bin! Yes, crimping is back in a big way! At Stella Mcartney hair was tied back and the top layers were crimped to add texture.

 

Stella Mcartney

Much to my dismay, wet look roots are also big for Summer 2015 and were heavily featured on the catwalks. Personally, I am not a fan as you will know if you frequent my blog! (see here!)

 

Versace

 

If you are brave enough to test this style out take the styling at Versace as a guideline. Keep your makeup quite minimal as well as your styling. 

Balmain

 

As far as colour for spring goes a natural looking balyage is the way to go. See Topshop Unique where models natural root colour was blended into a warmer shade.

          Topshop Unique

 

Anyone who dares to be a little different will be thrilled to hear that hair accessories are super chic! 

Dolce & Gabbanna

Dolce and Gabanna used flowers and ornate barrettes to embellish models hair. I also think these would make a cute addiction to any festival ensemble! 

     Dolce & Gabbanna

Beauty Trend: Berry Stained Lips

Welcome back to Beau Heaux Blog and to our latest post! I have been super busy lately and have a special announcement to make... We will be moving to a brand new, absolutely fabulous site very soon and so this has been taking up quite a bit of my blogging time! 

Any who...! Today I am bringing you all a sneaky look at one of the hottest beauty trends for SS15 and once again your lips will be doing the talking! Gone are the deep vampy purple hues of seasons' gone by and you can kiss goodbye to your overdrawn Kylie-esque lippie. This season it is all about the berry stained pout. The SS catwalk shows showed very subdued  makeup looks, most of them letting your natural beauty make the statement. This lip perfectly compliments a simple face and doesn't look out of place. It is also super easy to achieve and I think it would be perfect for any upcoming date nights or Valentine's celebrations!

                      Dolce & Gabbanna

 Firstly, make sure your lips are super soft by using a lip scrub such as this one by lush which I have previously reviewed. You should also get into the habit of applying a good lip balm going to bed at night or even a layer of Vaseline. This combined with drinking enough H2O will eliminate the need to invest in a pricey lip conditioner. The only product you really need to achieve this look is a good quality lipstick in a berry shade. Apply straight from the tube to the centre of your lips, top and bottom. Then using a lip brush or cotton bud, blend the colour out. 

                                    Missoni

Take your inspiration from Missoni and use and use a bright red shade, this is perfect if you're not used to wearing red as it is a more subtle way to wear the colour.

                                       Missoni

 Alternatively, use a gorgeous berry shade similar to the gorgeous models at Dolce & Gabanna. 

              Kendall Jenner at Dolce & Gabanna

Topshop unique had their own take on the trend. It isn't  supposed to look 100% perfect, it should look natural as if you've just eaten some berries or drank a glass of vino or kissed a boy!

                               Topshop Unique

 This trend seems very economical as you'll be using very little product when you apply! It also should be practical during the warmer months too as lining and filling your lips with product while your face is flushed and sweaty is hardly ideal! I can imagine this looking fantastic with a light tan too!

SS15 Trend: Utility Dressing

The new year is well and truely in full swing and it's hard to believe that in just a few weeks we will be entering into spring. We have long days, warmer weather (hopefully) and new trends to look forward to. I was appalled the other day when the new season stock began to arrive into work when Christmas was hardly behind us! However, I am now excited for the months ahead and to share with you all some of the big trends for SS15 which you should invest in as soon as they hit the shops. 

One theme which you can nearly guarantee to feature in spring fashion is the safari theme. Khaki palettes, city shorts and shirt dresses are nothing new. This emerging trend is sort of a nod to previous seasons but with a much cooler edge. The idea of utility clothing is nothing new, it has actually been around since world war 2 when a clothing rationing scheme was introduced by the British government. What we have is basic garments that are very functional (what with all their pockets!) and not in generally the most attractive colour palette. These clothes were designed as a response to shortages in material and were made according to very strict specifications regarding material usage and labour. What I find interesting is the way in which designers have taken these very basic, functional items and given them a luxe twist through the use of colour, luxury fabrics and embellishment. A stark contrast to their intended use and austere origination in the early 20th century.

When some of the biggest names in fashion showcased this trend in their collections I could tell how big this style would be. Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam, Rodarte and Ralph Lauren were just some of the designers who experimented  with the utility style. 

I love this trend because it is so wearable and many of us probably already posess the key piece required to achieve this look, the humble parka! Rodarte gave this festival staple a glitzy makeover and I'm sure this will inspire many glam festival goers in the months ahead. If you don't fancy forking out for a new parka consider customising an inexpensive one with brooches or chains, it's all about how you accessorise. If you are any way creative you could add a little mesh to the sleevs or a little tulle to the hem (also a huge trend for spring). This season it's about contrast. You have the practical, hard wearing parka and then you add your contrast with embellishment or softer fabrics to add femininity and ensure the look is softer.

Ralph Lauren incorporated khaki into 32 of the 50 looks at his show. There were khaki trousers styled under super bright yellow and orange trench coats and beautifully full satin skirts in the shade of the season. Again, it was all about contrast. This colour worked so well against the bright hues and actually makes them more wearable for the average person! I also loved the use of khaki in jewelled ball gowns and satin skirts, an unusual combination but it works so well.

I absolutely adore this trend and I'm sure once you see how easily you can achieve  it, you will too. Luckily, khaki clothing is readily available at the minute. Asos, missguided and prettylittlething all have plenty of options and that was just at first glance. I've selected a few of my favourite bits from asos here just to give you an idea of the different pieces you could choose to add to your wardrobe.  

As I invest in new pieces this season I will also show you how I styled them myself. My boyfriend kindly bought me a new camera for Christmas so there will be no stopping me!

Rest & Relaxation at Vanilla Browns

December has been a very hectic month between work, finishing up my course and just life in general. I decided I really needed a spa day Christmas week so I booked in to Vanilla Browns at The Absolute Hotel in Limerick. Just what the doctor ordered! I headed in on my day off  and was stressed up to my eyeballs as I was also handing up my final course assignment that day. The girls in Vanilla Browns somehow managed to get me to forget about life for a few hours. I left feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for Christmas! For my treatments I chose to have a hot stone back massage, a facial and also visited their hair salon where I was treated to a hair treatment and a curly blow dry.

Escape Spa @ Vanilla Browns

The spa is located on the first floor of The Absolute hotel which is situated in Limerick city centre. 

The Absolute Hotel, Limerick

Upon entering it is not like your typical day spa. Both the spa and the hair salon have a shared reception area so it is a bit more bustling then you would expect. I was seated while I filled out a form regarding my health, skin condition etc. I was also given a heated cloth to warm my hands which was a lovely touch on a chilly day! 

The spa manager Kelly introduced me to my therapist and I was guided to the treatment room. The spa itself is actually a lot bigger than I had expected and the treatment room was gorgeous. The therapist gave me a few minutes to settle in before returning for my hot stone massage. It was absolutely heavenly! I was able to completely zone out and enjoy the experience. I had some tenderness in my shoulders for a couple days after but I feel like a new woman now! Would definitely recommend this treatment for those who carry tension around their shoulders and also for pure relaxation. 

Hot stone massage

My second treatment of the day was a facial. Firstly my therapist assessed my skin and chose products accordingly. To be quite honest with you I am unsure what steps were to follow as I dozed off! My skin was glowing afterwards and felt so hydrated. 

After my beauty treatments I spent some time in the relaxation room. I was presented with a little dessert and fresh water while I continued to unwind in the candle lit suite. Just as I was on the verge of snoozing again my hair stylist for the day, Rachael, guided me to the salon. She first started by shampooing my hair before applying a treatment. I was then seated under a dryer for a few minutes while the solution got to work. She then worked her magic! My hair is quite dry and gets knotty quite easily but Rachael managed to give me a lovely soft and smooth finish with plenty of volume and bounce.

 This salon also has one of the best views in Limerick by far! You are literally suspended above the river while getting your blow dry and it definitely beats staring at a blank wall any day! The spa manager Kelly, informed me that the group were at the early stages of rebranding and were very excited for the coming months. I cannot wait for my next visit to Vanilla Browns and I'm sure that following their rebrand the spa and salon will be absolutely fabulous. If you are planning a girly break or perhaps a valentines getaway why not have a look at their website http://vanillabrowns.com Also, anyone planning a night out over the remainder of the festive period, Vanilla Browns are currently offering an up style and makeup application for just €35.

Vogue Gold Fashion Night Out

Those of you who follow me on social media will know that on my recent visit to London I had the opportunity of attending Vogue's Gold Fashion Night Out. Vogue run a few of these nights each year and it is pretty much a huge shopping party! The Gold event took place in The Village at Westfield, London City which is the designer wing of the shopping centre. I can honestly say the night was amazing! Even my boyfriend, who had been sceptical to begin with, really enjoyed himself. 

The event was due to kick off at 6.30 pm sharp. Despite arriving ahead of time and queuing for around half an hour I unfortunately didn't manage to get a goody bag but I still received my Vogue Gold Card which meant I could gain entry to the various events and avail of the fantastic discounts on offer. As soon as we entered The Village we were greeted by lots of very glamorous fashionistas waiting to register for the event. The registration desks were even set up beautifully and adorned with large vases of fresh flowers. A DJ was playing live in the centre of the mall and the atmosphere was fantastic, it really put me in the Christmas spirit! 

After registration we decided to check out the luxury goods on offer. Stores such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Ted Baker, House of Fraser and Kurt Geiger all participated. Our first port of call was Kurt Geiger. There was a waiter handing out complimentary Bellinis and little miniature cupcakes to all of the fashionistas in attendance. You could also have your footwear fortune told, yes really!!! There was also a manicurist on hand, see what I did there?! After a browse around I decided to pick up a Christmas gift and was delighted to receive my discount with my Vogue Gold Card. 

Our next stop was House of Fraser who also happened to be in the middle of a 3 day event, so the reductions here were fantastic. Absolut Vodka had a bar set up at the rear of the store and one of their mixologists prepared us a delicious cocktail, it tasted like those really sour cherry sweets from when you were a kid! There was also staff handing out oeurs d'oeuvres as the live dj set took place. You could also get your face on your very own Vogue cover here! Every store really participated and encouraged the customer to spend with them. Some of British Vogue's editors in beauty and fashion were also pressent on the night to pass on their knowledge to curious readers. The evening also marked the launch of Naomi Campbell's Fashion For Relief pop up shop. The shop was open for one week only and filled with goods from designers and celebrities. 100% of all profits were going towards fighting Ebola. The woman herself even attended on the night! After browsing the shops for a couple of hours we decided to have a little treat at Searcy's Champagne bar before returning to our hotel. 

The night itself was very well organised and appeared to run very smoothly. I will definitely be attending a Vogue event again but next time I'll be arriving super early to make sure I get a goodie bag!