The 90s Lip: Swatches & Tips

So, I admit that I have a bit of a problem... in that I have obsession with all varieties of the quintessential 90's lip. Now, I will begrudgingly give Kylie Jenner some credit for re-introducing me to the glory of a lip-plumping browny-nude. And I say 're-introducing' because I was borderline obsessed with Kevyn Aucoin's 'Making Faces' book as a preteen and remember using a tube of medium red-brown Wet-n-Wild lipstick to the veritable bone in 1999. 

But now, older-wiser-smarter (?) Siobhan has learned a lot more about this enviable lip look and I have come bearing gifts (lip swatches) and tips! 

Tip 1: Before you do anything moisturize your lips with a lip balm. Do the rest of our makeup while your slugs absorb the moisture and then wipe off the excess lip balm. You don't want a thick base of lip balm because it will inhibit the pigmentation of the lipstick and cause lip liner to slide around. 

Denim Crushes

Reports that The Canadian Tux was the main inspiration for Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney and Kenzo remain unconfirmed

Denim as a trend seems like a bit of an oxymoron, as this fabric has come to be essential. I think that there are few wardrobes that are free from at least a few shades of blue, in fact I challenge any of you to get through a ratchet Sunday without a pair of jeans! Whist jeans are vital to cowboys and normos alike, the denim seen on catwalks for SS15 was more of the head to toe variety. Yet it wasn't just the volume of denim, which was remarkable, but the variety too. From the beautiful, minimal kimono-sleeved shirts at Kenzo, to the embellishment at Sonia Rykiel, the denim on show was a far cry from normcore's reign of boring terror - while the fabric itself can be considered a basic, what the designers have done with it was far from so. There was an over-arching 70s vibe and it is safe to say that, this season, denim has smartened up - repair those rips forthwith! But you know, fashion isn't totally dictatorial, feel free to choose your wash, as long as it's not bleach-splattered. Never bleach-splattered.

50 Shades of Grey - The RF Edition

So, there seems to be quite a lot of noise surrounding the film adaptation of a certain book; there has been as much excitement as there has outcry and in one way or another, people seem to be getting a bit hot under the collar. Well not us, we have either been blessed or cursed, depending on your perspective, with incredibly literal brains and with no intention of seeing said film, in case it dilutes our ardour for Jamie Doran even a smidge, we present to you what 50 Shades of Grey means to us.

Après-ski on Regent Street

One half of RF has mastered the art of snowboarding, the other one threw a really quite impressive tantrum - we're talking legs flailing and ski poles waving - at the top of a mountain when she attempted skiing for the first time. Suffice to say it was the wrong half who found herself at Napapijri's Après-ski Party. An Italian, premium, outerwear brand, which apparently has an affinity with Norway - fair enough though, who doesn't find themselves wishing they were at least a little bit Scandi - Napapijri, has opened it's first UK store on bustling Regent Street. 

To celebrate, they threw an in store event and I dragged along my long suffering friend Jemima , for a DJ set by Little Boots (confusingly, not my little sister), mulled cider and some embarrassing photo booth snaps. 

Style Icon: Bianca Jagger

Whenever the 70s are referenced sartorially, they can leave the occasionally misanthropic among us feeling incredibly uncomfortable; The thought of dippy, hippy style with all the peace and love that the style implies can feel a little fraudulent.  But the 70s trend doesn't have to mean tassels, beading and those god awful Pocahontas boots, instead shift your gaze from the fields of fringing to the glitz of the Studio 54 glitter ball.

Our spirit animal for this side of the 70s trend has to got to be Bianca Jagger, never has anyone managed to look so glamorous and carefree at the very same time. This is a woman who made riding a horse into a club seem casual.

Having given this more thought that we would care to admit, we have concluded that were Bianca Jagger's spirit to be distilled into a piece of clothing, it would be the jumpsuit. Despite the loo based difficulties that the jumpsuit presents, it somehow manages to be nonchalant in a way that a dress could never dream of being. If the jumpsuit were to have clunky tagline, it would be I look fabulous but I'm not even trying.

The 70s revival sees certain brands really coming into their own, major snaps go to Halston Heritage - who can be credited with reinventing the jumpsuit - for their Studio 54 inspired pieces. And Diane Von Furstenberg, whose Wrap Dresses had previously caused us all manner of convulsions - I mean honestly, the thought of wearing something purely because it's flattering, did you ever hear anything quite so ridiculous? - really shines when the silhouette is transferred to something with legs. The look becomes a lot less, just been spewed out of an episode of  What Not To Wear, and more relaxed, easy glamour. Now Dancing Queens, grab a jumpsuit, adopt a devil may care attitude and go forth to cut some serious shapes.

From left to right, because that seems sensible:

Black Wrap Jumpsuit: Diane Von Furstenberg

Long Colored Jumpsuit: Zara

Satin Trimmed Jumpsuit: Halston Heritage

Lori Jumpsuit: Diane Von Furtensburg

Crepe Jumpsuit with Bow Back: Zara