Sneak into Sneakers

Sneakers were once only for the gym, basketball players and anyone under the age of 12 — but not anymore.

The sneaker has taken on a new avatar and is a great way to make a fashion statement. Look how fashion designer Sidney has taken on life outside the gym in the right pair of sneaker.


Go classic
Classic sneakers are the kind of shoes that can be worn with anything. And by classic, we are talking about the basic, low-cut lace-up without any glitz. One simple colour goes with everything from jeans to a tailored trouser. You can dress it up with a blazer or keep it totally easy with a pair of shorts to beat the summer heat.

Skip the socks
Socks and sneakers seem like a match made in heaven. Shoving your foot into a sneaker without socks can turn things into a sweaty mess. However, visible ankle socks, or even worse, a tube sock, can turn a mature, cohesive look into a kindergarten style. Low-cut socks that are not seen is the way out.


Roll it up
Once you have mastered the art of wearing unnoticeable socks, feel free to go for a pair of cropped trousers or roll up your denim jeans. Create a hem that ends slightly above the edge of the shoe to reveal a tiny bit of ankle. It creates a tailored silhouette that focuses attention on your shoes.


All that glitters isn't gold
Perhaps the worst culprit of all is the over-designed sneaker. Avoid sneakers with colour combinations bright and awkward enough to compete with the deadliest of poison dart frogs.

Lazy style

A meeting beckons and you're in no mood to make an effort to tog up. These stylish ladies come to your rescue
Dressing up can be a chore at times. Especially when you are compelled to look your sparkling best even as you rush from one deadline to another and you don't have the luxury of a stylist to coordinate your every stylish move. Here's where you need to have some simple tricks up your sleeve. A saviour outfit in your closet, a careless accessory here, a bit of touch up there...and you are ready to take on the world.

A multitude of thin link chains that don't look as obvious as a statement piece is my go-to piece of accessory.

It's bright, but neutral enough to go with most other clothes in my wardrobe. My most important trick is to dab the inside corners of my eyes with a little silver shadow that immediately brightens tired eyes.

I just slip into a jumpsuit! It could be a classic white one, which I would embellish with beads and accessories, or even one in a nice print. They are loose and flowy, hence very comfortable and stylish at the same time. I am tall so they add to my frame and I always receive compliments when I wear them.

I just head to a parlour for a quick blow-dry or iron which immediately makes me feel smart. Then I put on heels which make me feel professional and a good watch, which gives me the confidence I need, even if I'm not feeling so great. I've recently bought a Guess watch which arms me well to face the world.

 

I rely on a pair of dark blue or black skinny jeans, which make me look slim and tall, and a shrug. A shrug always looks co-ordinated and gives a semi-formal look. I team it with any old tank or spaghetti and I don't really have to worry about co-ordinating.

Tips on Bridal makeup

IT'S A cliche but it's true, every girl has dreamt of being a blushing bride on her wedding day. Unfortunately, more often than not girls tend to go overboard on their wedding; whether it's the make-up or the outfit, sadly turning the dream into a garish nightmare. Loud make-up, flashy jewellery, gaudy ensembles and tasteless accessories often leave the bride resembling a vulgar and ostentatious tent, even more so when both have been colour coordinated to suit the 'theme'. If pristine innocence and beauty is the ultimate goal, then it's better to go au naturel rather than shamelessly done up. Let us not forget the groom is making a lifelong commitment to love and protect YOU, not some random girl at the altar that he can hardly recognise.

It's hard to control the excitement, the jitters and that overwhelming knot in the stomach on your D-day, and by all means enjoy that, if you're lucky it's a once in a lifetime experience. However some things, like the way one looks can be controlled so please exercise that right and take charge.

Doll up to woo the love of your life, play Barbie if you have to but stay away from playing gremlin. It's bad enough your friends can't sue you for being bridezilla, you don't want your groom to sue you for deception or give you the third degree on your honeymoon.

"Care is better than cure, the natural look is really in and thus skin care and a healthy complexion is very important."

1. Follow the "Five golden rules": Cleansing, toning, moisturising, sunscreen and weekly facepack. The face pack should be applied in a professional salon according to skin type, as normal face packs can cause dehydration, breakouts and dryness.

2. Monthly facial by a professional is important to remove dry and dead skin and keep the skin glowing. Face massage is a must, as it makes the skin plump, removing stress and stress lines.

3. Professional guidance is better than home remedies. Use tried and tested products. Drink lots of water and eat fruit, including fruit and vegetables rich in vitamin C and E.

4. Eyes: Bold eyebrows create a frame, use a brown pencil instead of black for a soft effect. White liner applied inside the eye makes small eyes look bigger. Bright shadow on the inner corner of eyelids widens out close set eyes. Use shadows like lilac and purple that are soft. Avoid coloured contact lenses.

5. Lips: Apply lots of balm to keep lips moist and plump. Juicy colours are a big hit this season, use colours like orange, citrus and peaches.

6. Face: Use a base that matches your skin tone and that blends well with your skin type. Compact is important to keep the skin non greasy. Foundation should be well blended. Lastly use blush to enhance your bone structure and get that natural flush.

7. Hair: For hair care one should regularly apply oil and conditioners. Also avoid excessive hair treatments. Stick with natural hair colour and don't make any drastic changes like cuts, perm or colour, stick to simple styling.

8. Brides-to-be should ideally opt for trial make-up sessions, so that they can see what suits them and there are no last minute blunders. The complete look should be planned ahead of time, including coordinating the make-up, hair and ensembles. Dress in outfits that are flattering and complimenting, there's no point being skinny and then adding pounds in a thirty kilo lehenga or turning glowing skin into pancake.

Choose the perfect pair of sunglasses

We share tips on how to choose the perfect pair of sunglasses .

Sunglasses aren't just fashion accessories anymore and most consumers today are aware about the dangers of sun exposure to eyes. The Ultra Violet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage not only the skin of your eyelids, but also the clear outer parts of the eye — the cornea and conjunctiva. UV exposure also contributes to the development of certain types of cataracts. Individuals can protect their eyes by simply wearing sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 per cent of UV. Such glasses protect the eye from both UVA-and the more harmful-UVB rays.

However, not all sunglasses block UV rays. According to a research conducted at Harvard University, "Tinted glasses without UV protection cause more harm than wearing no glasses at all. It is important to look for sun shades with the clear protector which blocks harmful ultraviolet light." And though sunglasses do make for interesting style accessories, it's the quality of the glasses that should actually catch your eye. Here are some tips to help you pick out the perfect pair of sunglasses...

Look for UV protection:
Don't be deceived by colour or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the darkness of the lens or the price tag. Always choose sunglasses that are labelled as blocking 99 to 100 per cent of UV rays. Some manufacturers' labels read: 'UV absorption up to 400nm'. This is indicates 100 per cent UV absorption.

Shape matters:
Wrap-around sunglasses offer added protection. Sunglasses that wrap around the temples prevent the sun's rays from entering from the sides. Some studies have shown that enough UV rays enter around standard sunglass frames to reduce the protective benefits of the lenses.

Price tag:
Always purchase a pair of sunglasses from a reputed optician and not from roadside vendors. Opt for a good quality pair, even if it means shelling out more bucks. At the same time, don't be misguided by price. Inspite of the high prices, check for all the above.

Check lenses for quality:
Look for a uniform tint, not darker in one area than in another. To check for imperfections in the lenses, hold the glasses at arm's length and then look through them at a straight line in the distance, such as the edge of door. Slowly move the lens across the line. If the straight edge distorts, sways, curves or moves, the lens is flawed. Also UV-absorbing contact lenses should not be used as substitutes for sunglasses.

Style for Summers

The heat is on and it's in full blast. Yes, summer is here and it's time to rev up your wardrobe in styles that will help you stay cool despite the escalating temperatures.

One of the best ways to achieve this is by using loose and flowy silhouettes, ones that don't cling to your body. Among the top favourites this season are kaftans and tunic tops.

As for the colours, light and pastel shades, rich jewel tones and summer favourites like white, cream and beige are ideal. Also, ensure that you opt for cooling fabrics like cottons, linens, georgettes, stretch jersey and chiffons.

For a dressy evening, accessorise well with matching jewellery, a stylish clutch or handbag and some sexy footwear. We promise you, that you will feel 'oh so cool' while looking sizzling hot.

 

Tweezer and eyebrows

Nothing makes you appear more groomed than well-plucked eyebrows.

Many women have their eyebrows tweezed or threaded professionally, but doing it at home regularly ensures that you always have the perfect eyebrows giving you that clean look.



The biggest mistake is to tweeze too much. Avoid over-plucking as it can take months for brows to grow back. The space between your brows should be equal to, or a little wider than, your eyes. Take an eyeshadow brush or pencil and hold it parallel to the side of your nose. Where the brush meets your brow is where your brow should begin. The best brows have a slight arch. To find yours, hold the brush parallel to the outside edge of the coloured part of your eye. Where the brush meets the brow is where the highest part of your brow should be.

- Invest in a good pair of tweezers with a slanted edge.

- Stand near a window with light pouring in or under a bright light with a good mirror.

- Pluck hairs in the direction they grow. Don't grab too many hairs at a time. It's a myth that brows should never be tweezed from above.


- You want both the bottoms and tops to be smooth. Stop regularly to step back and look at what you're doing. If you over-pluck, you're stuck. Unlike most hair on your body, your brows won't always grow back once they're yanked out.

- Once you're done plucking, apply aloe vera gel to calm the redness right away.


Any questions?

Chappals in Style

It's nice to spend money on footwear and flaunt your formal shoes and stilettos. But, how about wearing chappals to your college or for that matter while dining out?


Indeed, you will be surprised to know that chappals are making cool fashion statements amongst the teenagers . Hawaii chappals, rubber flip flops, or for that matter, open-toed bathroom slippers: don't be shocked if you see teenagers decked up in formals with their rubber flip- flops on.

We see collegians who are not picky about the kind of clothes they want to wear to college. But indeed they carefully decide on the colour of his rubber Hawaiis. It's no longer embarrassing to wear chappals. It is a cool thing to wear, and they are the best in monsoon and summers.


When we spoke to a college student she said she may only wear the high end international brands as far as her clothing is concerned. But she prefers her bathroom slippers while she is on a shopping spree." I have a big collection of low cost chappals in an assortment of colours bought from streets. They cost anywhere between Rs 80-400. But the important thing here is the comfort. Nothing can match that," she smartly says.


Another PR student is very faithful to her green branded chappals. She says, "For those who prefer the branded route, a lot of companies have a range of slippers both for men and women, which are feather light and match almost everything. I adore them completely and wear them to parties too".

In another interview a freelance photographer, makes it a point to get noticed through his unisex transparent slippers. He says, "I enjoy being barefoot. These slippers allow the foot to be out in the open, and can be quickly and easily removed." some others, prefer the beach slippers made of rubber, which comes in cheerful orange, mint green, yellow with little flowers here and there. She says, "They are perfect for both indoor and outdoor wear." Thanks to globalisation, these funky chappals manufactured around the world are widely available on the streets .

How many do you own?