Sunday Style Showdown | Black Boots

With the start of September, Summer is officially over *cue Just for Laughs ending theme*
This signals the start of the monsoon season in sunny Singapore. But fret not, these are what boots are made for: the rain. Get inspired with this week's Black Boots edit, our bid to welcome Autumn~

The BLACK BOOTS Showdown
El	Christine
Black boots are like the autumn/winter season version of sneakers-- easy to match and come in many different styles. This week's outfit I chose to wear a pair of chunky boots because this is the pair that I would wear frequently. I like the blend of feminine and masculine elements in the boots. The chunky heel and the sole of the shoes give them a strong masculine edge whereas the heels and cut of the boots make them look feminine and polished. To go with this idea of a feminine+masculine feel, I decided to go with a simple black cutout dress which has a feminine A-line low neck cut but in an edgy black colour. Going along with the style is the cropped jacket which shows off the feminine curves but has a boxy cut which contrasts against the curves of body.	I love my boots; in fact, I have several pairs of them. I'm a huge fan of black boots because they go with almost everything - but you still have to keep in mind your body shape to choose a cut that flatters you! For this week's theme, I chose these black ankle boots with a low stacked heel. This gives me a sorely-needed boost in height but yet, is comfortable enough for me to walk a whole day in them without breaking a sweat. And because they are plain black boots, I went for a graphic print dress to add character to the outfit. The end result? A chic city girl vibe.
Can you tell there's a triangle pattern going on in my outfit and accessories? Haha. I like geometric stuff so I've reflected it in my outfit too. My dress's cutout in front is actually a triangular shape. To continue with the trend, I wore my black geometric H&M earrings and my happy green socks with colourful triangle pattern. On my neck is a necklace with my name's initial (E) which I feel helps to make my neck feel less bare. **If you look very closely (>.<) at my eye makeup, you can see that I've added a turquoise wing tip on top of my usual black cat eyeliner to add a pop of colour for fun too.	This week, my chambray shirt holds a very important role in the making of this outfit - protecting my modesty. Hah. I love this dress, truly I do, however, it is a little on the short side (even for me). By tying the chambray shirt over it, I avoid any wardrobe mishaps and at the same time, add a little chic touch to the overall mood. Also, how unique are the sunglasses! Love the fact that it's in a matt green colour~
El's Outfit Details Boots: H&M Dress: H&M Jacket: H&M Triangle Earrings: H&M Socks: Hong Kong 'E' initial necklace: ASOS	Christine's outfit details Boots: H&M Dress: Cherish @ Far East Plaza Chambray: H&M Necklace: Forever 21 Giraffe Ring: Korea Sunglasses: Korea

What's your verdict on this week's Sunday Style Showdown? Whose look did you like best?

Do share your views with us :) Comment below, tweet us (@ChapalangGirls) or drop a line on our Facebook page!

We would love to see your take on black boots too! How would you style them? Instagram a photo of what you wore and use #SSS so we can find them (tagging us works too - Christine's and El's)

Autumn is by far our fave season but sadly, we only ever get rain or sun in Singapore. How is Autumn like in your country?

Till next time
Love,
El and Christine xoxo

Wedding Lunch OOTD

Hi everyone!

 How have you been? Recently, I attended a wedding lunch celebrating the union of my uncle and his wife at the Regent and had a great time! It was my first time attending a wedding lunch since usually couples host dinners at hotels/restaurants instead of lunches. Hence I was slightly unsure of what to wear. With dinners, I'd usually try to glam myself up and go all fancy. Lunch feels like a more casual affair since it's in the day time and after the lunch I probably will have other activities to do. Thus I feel that the dressing should be leaning towards casual formal but still have that "special" aura about it.

  After trying on various combinations and outfits, I decided on the combo below:

Outfit Details: White caped top: Taobao; Camisole(inside): H&M; Striped high waist skirt: Zara; Bag: Korea; Shoes: Tracce; Bracelet and rings: Lovisa.

  Personally, I adore this outfit. The white cape top is cropped and I like how the cape conceals a part of my arms, making them look slimmer while making my shoulders more structured simultaneously. Basically it's really flattering and chic top. I also felt like a superwoman with my "superhero cape" in this <3

  As it's cropped, I decided to pair it with a high-waisted skirt that I recently got from Zara during their sales. The light pink colour and the cut of it makes it ultra feminine yet chic as it hugs my curves. The two strips of cloth that are tied at the top of the skirt helps to hide a bit of my bulging stomach and also makes the skirt look more casual. The skirt looks amazing but it was a pain to walk in them because the hem restricts my movement.

  For some casual elegance, I wore my sandal heels that have quickly become a favourite since they're so chic and comfortable! They go with alot of outfits too thanks to the neutral colours. For accessories, I decided to go with gold coloured items because it flatters my skintone plus look expensive. For bags, I chose to bring my red purse with the gold chain sling which complements the chic look.

Here are some more pictures that I took at the wedding:

Me at Regent Singapore! It was a beautiful hotel with a simple elegance and lush decor that evokes memories of the old world's grandeur. 

  Makeup wise, I did a neutral eye and bright lip. I was also trying on this new pair of false lashes for the first time because 1- I wanted it to be special and 2- I like the idea of having long lashes without having to put mascara.

  It's a new brand of lashes I'm trying and I was blown away by how it felt like I was not wearing any falsies. Indeed spending the money to buy better quality lashes is worth it. I occassionally wear those cheapo 10 pairs of lashes for $10 and the lash bands of those lashes are stiff. I end up getting irritated when the bands poke at my inner eye corners.

Diamond Lash-Nudy Couture/ Elegant. That's the name of the lashes I got. I guess you're supposed to look very natural with it. Retails in Watsons for around $23.

The lashes have the slight flare at the edge which gives my eyes a more defined feline look. They're not overly dramatic looking despite the length of the lashes. The lashes are super soft and fine, making it possible to wear it for long periods and also to layer with other lashes.

Here's a quick look at all the makeup products used. Personally, I'd recommend a waterproof eyeliner like CLIO's Kill Black liner since there might be some waterworks happening. Like when I tear up looking at couples' montages (I get emotional easily).

Clockwise left to right: Benefit Brow-zings Palette (Medium); Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation (O40); Majolica Majorca Skin Remaker Compact (OC10); Diamond Lash False Lashes (Nudy Couture-Elegant); CLIO Kill Black Brush Liner; Revlon Colorstay concealer (03 Light Medium); Etude House Kissful Tint Choux (#1); Benefit Box Blush (Coralista)

If you're curious about what I ate for lunch, I've got a shot of the menu here:

The roast chicken dish and the broccoli dish were superb! I also loved the braised lobster soup, which is a great alternative to the highly popular but cruel shark's fin soup dish.

Some shots of the food:

Left: Steamed Black Garoupa. Right: Pan-Fried King Prawn.
Funnily, I only took photos of the two dishes that I was not impressed with. The seafood dishes were overcooked :(

I love the little gifts given at the wedding this time because I got chocolates and a brownie. Specifically because they're edible and yummy to boot!

This had heart shaped chocolates in them. I love the simple elegance of the packaging.

All in all, I had a great time at the wedding even though I was seated with a few people that I was unfamiliar with. I was super bloated from all the food I ate XD. I love weddings since they bring families together and I get to eat good food. Plus, I love it when I see people who are in love with each other get married. I hope you've enjoyed this post!

Till next time,
El   xoxo

Sunday Style Showdown | Plain White Tee

Happy Sunday everyone!

This week's #SSS features a classic, no-frills piece that is definitely a must have for everyone!

The PLAIN WHITE TEE Showdown
El	Christine
When it comes to plain white tee, my favourite thing to do is to wear something patterned. Personally, I enjoy the contrast of the plain shirt with patterned bottoms. The rolled up sleeves and half-tucked in shirt makes the outfit look effortless yet chic, thanks to the pants and heels. Plus, the mostly black and white outfit ups the style factor. For a pop of colour, I picked my coral heels with a slightly pointed toe so the outfit looks "sharper".	Sometimes, the classic plain white tee is all you need but I like my plain stuff to come with a twist - cue the cold shoulders ;) As many will attest, plain white tees and denim shorts are a fail-safe classic combo that will never go out of style. Here, I chose to don high-waisted denim shorts which helps to lengthen the legs visually (disclaimer: high-waisted anything, to me, are a farce as they somewhat hit me more mid-waist due to my longer body to legs ratio). This outfit is perfect for shopping, cafe-hopping with friends and even a day at the beach.
I decided to go for a bit of an edge with some leather and metal accessories, mostly brassy gold themed to go along with my pants' has zip details at the legs. As my hair is permed, it usually has the cute fluffy look. I want to ditch that cuteness for something slightly more edgy, thus I dutch braided one side of my hair so my face looks sharper with the asymmetrical parting.	When you're in a bind, colour match everything. To death. A white belt and a pair of white shoes to emphasize the "white" theme going on while the gold-toned accessories match the gold/brass details of the belt and denim shorts~ (Thumbs up for playing the matching game for the win)
El's Outfit Details Shirt: Giordano Pants: H&M Heels: Bata Bangles: Hong Kong	Christine's Outfit Details Tee: Nastygal Denim Shorts: New Look Shoes: Vanilla Suite Belt: ~ Necklace & Rings: H&M Watch: Fossil

So what do you think about the looks?

Who do you think wore it better?

Tweet us your response to @ChapalangGirls or comment in the comment box below!

What is your favorite way to style a white tee?

Share with us your look on Instagram and use the hashtag #tcwsss or #sundaystyleshowdown!

We hope you've enjoyed this week's style showdown! :D

Till next time.
Love,
El and Christine xoxo

Back to School! 5 Outfits from Forever 21

Hi everyone!

Here's a continuation of the Back to School outfits ideas, this time featuring Forever 21! I do apologise for the late posting due to some problems with the F21 pictures. Honestly, I was about to give up on using pictures on F21 since all the clothing items has people or parts of people in them. The pictures also show the way F21 styles the clothes which can be distracting. I tried editing those pictures but it didn't work, so I'm stuck with pictures of people in my outfit board. Anyway, let's get on with the post!

#1// For the Girl who wants the Laid back Edgy Vibe

Clockwise from Left to Right: Marled Knit Slit Top; Acid Wash Denim Jeggings; Art Deco Statement Necklace; Metal-Trim Sandals; Chain Link Bangle Set; Sophisticate Faux Leather Tote (Individual images of items are taken from Forever21.com)

 First outfit up is this grey ensemble that would have been too gloomy if not for the metallic elements brightening up the colour scheme. I like this outfit for the edgy vibe it channels, but still comfortable and has this laid back look. Love the grey top but it's probably more suitable for those apple-shaped girls and not those with a big butt like me. That's because the bottom part of the outfit will flare and make your bottom half look bigger if you've got a perky/ big butt. Channel some flair with a interesting design necklace, like the art deco necklace. I picked a pair of metal embellished sandals to go with the whole metallic element in the look, but feel free to sub that with a pair of combat boots.

#2// For those days when you need a dash of cuteness

Clockwise from Left to Right: Metal-Trim Sandals; Two Tone Faux Leather Tote; Layered Feather Pendant Necklace; Elephant Midi Ring Set; Pocket Skater Skirt; Knotted Elephant Print Tee (Individual images of items are taken from Forever21.com)

This one's dedicated for those days when you just need something to brighten up your day. You'd never go wrong with the red/white/blue combination when creating a fun look. A skater skirt is a girl's closet essential, and it's the best when it has pockets like this skirt! Up the playfulness of a red skater skirt with a quirky front tie elephant motif shirt! Elephants remind me of the time when my family called my ears elephant ears cos they jut out, thus elephants hold a special place in my heart. Match the elephant prints with a elephant ring to add on the fun. Plus, it'll make a great conversation starter :) Optional: Accessorise outfit with a layered feather necklace. Grab your book bag and wear a pair of simple cute shoes and you're ready to go! The brown sandals with the gold metal plate help to tie together the outfit making it casual, cute and chic!

#3// For the Minimalist Girl trying out Patterns

Clockwise from Left to Right: Tribal Print Pullover; Two-Toned Penny Loafers; Two Tone Faux Leather Tote; Slim Distressed Boyfriend Jeans (Individual images of items are taken from Forever21.com)

Here's an outfit that is both minimalist and cool. The toned down colour scheme of outfit creates a cool vibe which is further enhanced by the tribal print of the pullover. The outfit is quick to put together for those late days. Look as chill as this outfit for those days when you still want to turn up for class looking like you woke up extra early to prepare when you actually overslept and only managed to comb your hair and brush your teeth. Style your hair into a simple pony tail or braid it loosely to complement the look. 

#4// For the girl who wants to show some attitude

Clockwise from Left to Right: Killin It Crop Top; Woven Plaid Skirt; Faux Stone Ring Set Meow Canvas Tote; Buckled Lace Up Booties; Off-Duty Denim Jacket (Individual images of items are taken from Forever21.com)

This outfit is for girls who just want to be tough sometimes. Everyone needs a boost of encouragement and what better way to encourage yourself than wearing a shirt with a motivational message? "Killin' it all the time" just makes me feel like I'm ready to take on whatever the day may throw at me, so maybe it'll get you hyped up for the day too. Match with a plaid skirt and denim sweatshirt to give yourself a harder edge. The pair of boots with the metal buckle plus the black and gold rings add on to the girlish toughness that I want to emulate in this outfit board. To make your day better, carry a cute bag or tote like this "I Meow You" tote which will definitely brighten up your day should things still turn out less than ideal. We all have got those days where even if we try out best, things don't turn out as hoped for. That's when looking at cute things will help with cheering you and me up.

 #5// For the Glammed up Active Look

Clockwise from Left to Right: Sophisticate Faux Leather Tote;Box Chain Bib Necklace; Perforated Knit Tee; Embroidered Bead Hair Tie; Fresh High Tops; Posh Origami Skirt (Individual images of items are taken from Forever21.com)

Last look is a fun look inspired by the athletic style that has been trending for a while. Go bold by colourblocking bright colours such as lime and blue as seen here! The perforated texture of the shirt and clean sleek cut of the skirt makes the outfit seem a little tennis inspired but still really fashion forward. For accessories, tone down the colours with black coloured jewelry like the black box bib necklace. There's also this pretty beaded hair tie which you can double up as a bracelet in Forever 21 which I find useful. Lastly, finish off the look with a pair of clean white high tops to give the sports vibe!

That's all for the 5 outfits featuring items from Forever 21! I hope this has been useful and stimulating for your brain :) Is F21 your shop of choice for getting your clothes? Which outfit is your favourite? Tell me in the comments section below or tweet me @Chapalanggirls! I would love to hear from you!

Till next time!

Love,

El

Back To School 2014 | Outfit Ideas with Christine and El!

Hi everyone!

It's Back To School season! 

Have the same problem as Christine? 

HAVE NO FEAR! 

Here are some cute outfit ideas to help you get started on your new school year! :D

Read on to get school-inspired~

Styling | Boyfriend Jeans, 3 ways

A little late to the boyfriend party but better late than never, right? ;)

Yep, I'm terming it the boyfriend party.

The trend that is 'stealing your boyfriend's clothes' is probably a godsend to females (who are fashion/trend conscious). We have the Boyfriend Jeans, Boyfriend shirt, Boyfriend jacket and the list goes on, but probably not Boyfriend shoes. Imagine that. 

Personally, I love that boyfriend is in (although I don't have one haha). 

Now, all us females can slouch around in comfort in our boyfriend things and totally be justified in doing so fashion-wise -- it's on trend after all~

A word of caution though: you don't really want to wear boyfriend head-to-toe. It's just going to overwhelm you and you don't want that happening. 

I chanced upon my pair of boyfriend jeans at H&M and I've been lovin it.

It's probably the comfiest and softest pair of jeans I own.

Most importantly, it goes with almost everything.

So, here are 3 ways to wear le boyfriend jeans!

Read on for more deets! :)

Back to School! 5 Outfits From H&M

Hi everyone!

It's August and that means it's back to school season for some of us. Christine and I start our university semester usually in August, and it is pretty sad that I barely relaxed at all for the past few months. It feels weird that school is going to start soon and all I've been doing during my summer break is working. If you're feeling the blues that school's starting soon, a good way to distract yourself from reality is to think of an awesome back to school outfit to start of the new school term with a stylish bang! Thus from now till end of August, I'll be publishing posts with one-brand outfit boards featuring things from common high-street shops that most of you will have access to. This week, I'm featuring outfit from H&M which I've compiled together while browsing the site(online window shopping is my way of dealing with stress!). You'll notice there might be some items that are repeated in the various outfit boards, but hey! that means more ways of styling a single item in your closet! Let's get started!

#1//The Outfit for the Sporty Chic Girl

Clockwise from top left corner: Short Mesh Top, S$59.90; Platform Sneakers, S$39.90; Cotton Cap, S$19.90; 7 Piece Ring Pack, 14.90; Necklace with a Pendant, S$9.90; Imitation Leather Shorts, S$24.90. (Images are taken from H&M Singapore webpage)

The mesh sleeves and pleather shorts make the outfit stylish yet comfortable for the athletic girl (or atheletic wannabes out there). Keep the color palette simple by sticking to bold red and metal accessories.

#2// The Outfit for the Girl Who Wants her Extra Sleep

Clockwise from left: Jersey Dress, S$19.90; Patterned Bomber Jacket, S$59.90; Chained Sneakers, S$49.90; Necklace with a Pendant, S$9.90. (Images are taken from H&M Singapore webpage)

This is dedicated to those girls who has trouble waking up for those early morning classes and has 5 alarms set for her 8am class. A simple basic black dress paired with something bright/attention-grabbing like this bomber jacket here makes it seem like you've put some effort in dressing up(when in reality you woke up with just enough time to brush your teeth). To complete the look, match a metallic necklace and shoes with metal chain to look more put together.

#3// The Outfit for the Girl Who Loves Her Basics

Clockwise from Left: Superstretch Trousers in Light Blue, S$39.90; Striped Top, S$19.90; Grey Marled Cardigan, $39.90; Pink Loafers, S$39.90; 'Hyped' Beanie, S$14.90, (Images are taken from H&M Singapore webpage)

Here's an outfit focused on the basics. The basics exudes an air of  minimalist chic when done right and is a style that never goes out of trend. Here with have the classic blue jeans and striped shirt combination. Warm yourself up with a knitted beanie and long grey cardigan for those cold days. Add a pop of color with some pastel flats!

#4// The Outfit for the Preppy Girl

Clockwise from Left: Heart Patterned Blouse, S$19.90; Black Braces, S$14.90; White Sneakers, S$19.90; Ribbon Hair Elastic, S$5.90; Plaid Pleat Skirt, S$39.90. (Images are taken from H&M Singapore webpage)

Penultimately, here's an outfit that is super preppy and girly and cute without being too costume-like. First up is a sweet looking, short sleeve blouse with heart motifs. Pair it with a pleated plaid skirt that reminds one of those school uniform skirts seen in mangas. I chose this color because the blue in the skirt matches the blue of the blouse. Add in suspender straps and wear a pair of white sneakers. If you've got long hair, tie it into a high ponytail with a ribbon bow. For those colder days, add in a pair of black knee high socks

#5// The Outfit for the Girl Who Loves Her Colors

Clockwise from Left: Heart Patterned Blouse, S$19.90; Short Gold Chain Necklace, S$12.90; High Waist Stretch Trousers, S$24.90; Pink Loafers, S$39.90; Green Fine Knit Cardigan, S$19.90 (Images are taken from H&M Singapore webpage)

Lastly, here's a colorful outfit to chase those Monday blues away, featuring the same heart motif blouse as outfit #4 (more ways to wear the same thing yay!). For bottoms, I picked a pair of black high waisted pants for the contrast against the brighter colors. Add in some color blocking by layering the blue blouse with a green cardigan and pink flats! To accessorise, wear a simple necklace pendant or go loud with a thick gold chain necklace as shown.

I hope these 5 outfit boards helped stimulate your brain and gave you more ideas on new outfits that you can wear for school! Which one is your favourite? Tell me in the comment section below or via Twitter (@chapalanggirls) or on our Facebook page! My favourite item out of everything shown here is the bomber jacket!

Although everything is from H&M here, there's no need to get everything listed here to create the same look. I created the various looks mixing new items with clothes that most people probably already have in their current wardrobe in mind, such as jeans and striped shirts. Thus you need not spend much just to recreate a certain look. Moreover, H&M Singapore has this offer ongoing where you'll get a $10 voucher to use on your next purchase with every $60 spent (till August 3rd I think), plus there're great items on sale too. 

If you need more BTS outfit ideas, you can look back at our Back to School Outfit Ideas from last year here!

Look forward to next week where I'll be featuring Forever 21!

Till next time

Love,

El   xoxo

Styling | Denim Shorts 4 Ways

One summer essential that every female should have in their life?

Denim shorts.

Easy to wear, comfortable and most importantly, leave your legs cool in the blistering hot sun.

Here are 4 ways to style them! :)

Read on for my inspiration behind each look~

Christmas Outfits by El

Hello people!
So who's excited for Christmas? I hope you are! Unless you're like me. I'm actually starting to feel tired of waiting for Christmas, since I got all too excited waaaaaay too early(like in October). I started planning my gift list and singing Christmas carols in the shower in October because I knew my essays and exams will eat into my time later. It's starting to feel like Beckett's Waiting for Godot for me, where everyone just keeps waiting for Godot to appear but he never comes...

Seriously, 2 more days to Christmas and it feels so far away! I'm actually not doing anything special on Christmas day itself(but I do get to go out with friends the next day yay!). But this post is about what I'd wear for Christmas, so let's all pretend that my life is quite happening and I've got some great gathering to go to. I'm gonna show 2 outfits (one casual + one glamorous) that I think would be great outfits to wear for Christmas.

OUTFIT #1-Street style
First up, a more casual outfit that is on a bit of the cool side:

Outfit- Asymmetrical white tank: NA; Dark green skirt: Forever 21; Black buckles boots: taobao, brown sweater: Cotton On, Black bag: NA.

So I decided to have a skirt+boots combination because I like that it gives it a sense of edginess(I think my boots look like what I'd imagine knight boots to look like haha.) For contrast, I chose a white, flowing, asymmetrical blouse which is partially translucent( there's this shimmery translucent section at the side that is reveals my body). Asymmetrical tops also has a good slimming effect because it elongates the body. I thus have a bit of feminine elements to soften the hard edges of my knight boots. I put on 'tough' accessories like my yellow studded bracelet and black triangle earrings to round off the look. 

Yellow studded bracelet: Cotton On, Black triangle earrings:H&M.

In case you were wondering about my brown cardigan, I brought it along because I thought I'd be cold that day. It's one of those long, drape-y cardigans that I think is quite cosy.  I tied the cardigan around my waist to create a relaxed vibe and also to make my legs look more flattering.

Yay Kate Spade Saturday is coming!

As can be seen from the picture above, the cardigan will cover the outer edges of my thighs, giving the illusion that my legs are slimmer than they are. I chose brown because it goes well with the green of my skirt. Overall the look is quite cosy and comfortable. It's suitable for a day out of watching movies with friends or gobbling down cakes at cafes. 

OUTFIT #2-Decked in Lace

For a more glamorous look, one can always trust lace to up the wow level in your outfit.

Outfit- White chiffon top: Dorothy Perkins; Lace see-thru skirt: H&M; Red bag: Korea; Heels: Bata.

This is an ultra feminine look to me. Not only does the blouse has chiffon, it also has crochet details AND sequins. That is one huge amount of feminine details packed into it. The feminine air is further enhanced by the see-thru lace skirt I have on. I seriously adore this skirt for the lace details and the fact that it is see-thru. The lace details are really pretty and the lace skirt veils my legs, giving this air of mystery and-- (may I boldly suggest)-- sensuality to the outfit. The purplish grey colour also softens the look, making this outfit great for a fancy dinner party. I wore my coral red heels and took my red quilted bag for a pop of colour so that I will not look too washed out. I find that I neutrals always need pops of colour to brighten the look or else you'll fade into the background (and nobody wants that). A more comfortable shoe alternative would be a pair of ankle or chelsea boots, which will also create a chic look.

A quick look overall at my outfit. I pinned my hair with my favourite pearl clip that I also wore in my monochrome affair post. I also wore a gold bangle but I did not have a good close-up of it >.<. 

And here's a closeup of my top becaue I think all the lace and sequins deserve a picture on its own! 

Makeup

For makeup, I did a red lip with neutral/burgundy eyes and mascara. Red lips always scream festivity on its own, but is pretty high maintenance. Feel free to go with your favourite red tinted lip balm or lip tints that are more fuss-free.

My bareface! I'm actually pretty happy with my skin now since my pimples are clearing away. 

I actually used burgundy eyeshadow but it just did not show up in the camera. Anyway, it's mostly neutral eye makeup as you do not want to have anything else fighting for attention with those red lips! 

These are the makeup I used:

1. Revlon Colorstay Concealer (03 Light Medium). I use this everyday to cover blemishes. 

2. Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation SPF 15 (O40 Natural Fair Ochre). Awesome foundation that gives medium coverage even though it's liquid.

3. Bourjois Blush (16 Rose)

4. Essence All About Matt! Fixing Loose Powder

5. Catrice Cosmetics Re-Touch Light-Reflecting Concealer(010 Ivory). I use this to cover my undereye area

6. Benefit Browzings Brow shaping kit (medium)

7. Sleek i-Divine Eye shadow Palette(au Naturel 601). For my eyes, I used the colours Conker to line my eyes and a little Mineral Earth to blend the edges.

8. NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base. This is great as a primer.

9.NYX Single Eyeshadow (Rust)

10. Fasio Hyper-stay Mascara Magne-plus curl long. This has a comb brush with lash fibres that gives me long lashes that do not flake or smudge at all. 

11. NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick (Electra)

12. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (Pure Gold). I used this as the base colour.

13. NYX Loose Pearl Eyeshadow (Oro). I used this in the middle of my eyelid because it just pops out.

Products that aren't shown:

NYX Slim Lip Pencil (Deep Red). You definitely need to line your lips if you're gonna use red. 

Holika Holika Makeup setting spray. This is pretty good and affordable to use for setting makeup. 

To add an extra oomph to your makeup, add in a pair of false lashes if you're able to. I don't enjoy wearing false lashes so I didn't put on any. You can also swap the red lips with a pink shimmery gloss to add an extra sparkle to your face. 

Well I hope you enjoyed this post! Hopefully it gave you some inkling on what to wear for your Christmas this year! This will be my last post before Christmas so I'm gonna wish you all lovely people a blessed Christmas! Have a great time during this festive season and eat all you want :)

Merry Christmas!

Love,

El   xoxo

P.S If you're wondering about my hair, I permed and coloured it. I'll blog about my experience some other time :)

Christmas Outfits by Christine!

3 days to Christmas!

If you're a Doctor Who fan, then this means 3 days to the X'mas Special.

And saying goodbye to Matt Smith :(

Have a X'mas party to go but don't know what to wear?

Fret not!
Elle and I have come up with 2 outfits each - one for a chill and relax kinda party and one for a formal up-you-go kinda party.

But of course, with a few details here and there, the outfits can bring you from casual to formal and vice versa.
Now, on to what I have for you guys :)

 First up:

THE CASUAL GLAM

Outfit
Lace L/S Top: Chicwish
Red Velvet-like Skirt: Cotton On
Red flats: Rad Russel
Bag: Charles & Keith
Accessories: Bow Ring, Toy Outpost & Hako; Ribbon Hair Clip (Elle's)

Grab a pair of black stockings, slip on a pair of red heels, add a statement necklace and change the tote to a clutch to instantly "upgrade" the outfit.

~~

Next:

THE COSY FORMAL

Outfit
Green knit sweater: H&M
Navy dress pants: Mango
Heels: J-runway/Glifeed
Bag: Tangs Studio
Accesories: Snake Double Ring, Lovisa; Knuckle Ring, Dorothy Perkins, Necklace, gift.

Ditch the clutch and heels for a mini-crossbody and a pair of comfy loafers to transform this outfit for those under-the-radar parties.

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Get into the X'mas spirit, wear something red or green.
Or wear both colours at the same time.
It is X'mas, live it up!

I'm really psyched about X'mas although I am probably spending it at home.
Going to a X'mas party on X'mas eve though :)
Will you be attending any parties?
Comment below!

Warning - not for the faint hearted. 

Special reveal: MY BARE FACE
A close-up comparison of the before and after.

Warning - not for the faint hearted. 

Yeah, I have pretty bad dark circles and eye-bags.
So far, eye creams are not working for me.
Any recommendations? :)

Anyhow these are the products I used to transform myself :)

1.Wet 'n' Wild Ultimate Brow Kit in 963 Ash Brown

2. Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation in 52, Vanilla

3. Laura Mercier foundation primer

4. Revlon New Complexion Loose Face Powder in Translucent #2

5. Revlon Colourstay concealer in 03 Light Medium

6. Canmake Cream Cheek in CL01

7. Majolica Majorca Blush in RD 255 (Nars Orgasm dupe!)

8. Nyx Matte Lip Creme in Amsterdam

9. Urban Decay Naked Basics

10. Maybelline The Falsies - Volum' Express Waterproof

11. Nyx eyeshadow in ES160 Africa

12. Nyc Eyeshadow in ES41 Tropical

13. K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 1-Day Tattoo

14. Mac Kohl Eyeliner in Fascinating

15. Bourjois Contour Clubbing Waterproof Eyeliner in 51 Golden Dress

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Hope you guys are inspired by the outfits and makeup!
Instagram (mine and Elle's) or tweet us your versions.
We'd love to hear from you.

Look out for Elle's Christmas party outfits, coming up next :)

Till next time.
Love,

Christine xoxo

Back to School: Change Your Look Without Changing Your Wardrobe

Hey y’all! So, this post might be a bit late for those of you who have started school, but I believe that one can always do with more outfit ideas right? As you might have guessed from the title, we’re exploring back to school outfits for today's post. For Christine and I, it has already been 4 weeks since school has started. As usual, we’ve been experimenting with different outfits for school, just so we can bring new life to the same old clothes. We prepared this post with the aim of finding ways to wear the same piece of clothing differently (so no one knows you’re wearing the same thing all the time). In a way, it’s helpful for all those people who stay in their school dormitories/halls, since our ideas might help reduce the amount of laundry to clear each week. We'll show you how we have 3 different ways to wear the same piece of clothing each.

If you’re tired of wearing the same outfit again and again, keep reading to find out!

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Instead of wearing your usual jeans and t-shirt combo for class, how about changing the t-shirt for a cropped top? Pair that up with a bright coloured belt and you get a smart casual look that is both cute and fun. Accessorize with a statement necklace to add a bit of edginess to your outfit. Put on your favourite pair of shoes and you're ready for class!

On Christine: Skull Cropped Shirt (UK):Camden Market ~15 pounds; Black Jeans: H&M, $20(sale), Neon belt: H&M, $3.90 ; Shoes: Itti & Otto; $109.

Necklace: H&M, $17.90; Ring: Lovisa, $15.

If you're wondering about Christine's hairstyle, here's a closeup.  



It's a French braid done from the back of her right ear towards her left ear until no more hair can be added in. Just finish the braid and pin it up with some bobby pins to get this cute hairstyle. This took me about 3 minutes to do it on Christine and it's easy enough to do it by yourself. Changing the usual way you wear your hair can give you a refreshing new look!

For a change, wear the shirt with a skirt instead of pants.

Button down skirt(Japan): G.A.P, ~$25; Chambray shirt: River Island, $49.90 (sale).

 Match the loose cropped top with a nice fitted skirt for that contrast of loose+fitted look. Toss on a chambray shirt to protect yourself from the cold.

 Add a pair of red flats to give a pop of colour to brighten up the outfit. If you love wearing rings, wear a gold cocktail ring that ties in with the denim look.

 Ring: Dorothy Perkins, $6 (sale); Red flats: Rad Russel, $59.90 (sale). 

For Christine's last look, she's decided to wear the shirt over a basic black dress.

Black cotton dress: Cotton On, ~$15(sale); Colourful braided belt: Cache Cache, $5 (sale)

This method is also useful if you want to have a new way to wear your dresses. Just put a top over the dress and voila! you get a "new" skirt. The best way to do this is to match a plain dress with a fun graphic/patterned top or switch it around by matching a plain top if the dress is patterned. You can do what Christine has done here, matching the graphic cropped shirt with a simple black dress and tying it all in with a colourful braided belt to add some shape and colour

Bow ring: $4 from a box in Toy Outpost.

Accessorise with a sweet bow ring to add some girly charm to your outfit like Christine!

For those of you who are looking for ways to style the same dress, here're some ideas!



 

 Dress: Uniqlo, $16.90; Jacket: H&M(HK),~$38; Belt: from China; Bag and sandals(Thailand), ~$8 each.

Basics are the easiest things to style, as they are so versatile. You can go from casual to chic just by adding different stuff. Here, I'm wearing a navy cotton maxi dress, which I love as it is so comfortable to wear and fits me just right without showing my tummy. The good thing about plain maxi dresses is that they don't show my big thighs and make me look taller. To get a casual and chic look, I added a thick brown leather belt to hug in my waist to give me some shape. I chose a smart looking denim jacket to protect me from the cold during lectures and finished the look off with my favourite pair of sandals. It's hassle free and comfortable at the same time. For those of you who hate wearing sandals, you can substitute with other alternatives like sneakers for a more cool vibe or a pair of platforms/wedges to get some extra height.

For a softer look, pair with a lace top like so:

  White lace top: Forever 21; Yellow bangle:Diva

The lace top will add a touch of softness and femininity to the brooding blue dress. The butterfly lace sleeves will cover up the arm and also add an air of mystery since it's see through. I added a neon yellow bangle just to give the outfit a contrast so it won't be just boring white and blue. Besides looking good, it is also easy to move around in too.

It's so easy to move in that I couldn't help adding this photo in. Take a deep breath of fresh air when you're stressed with work!

The next outfit will show how to upgrade a casual cotton dress to something with a bit of glam.

 Gold necklace: Dorothy Perkins, $13

I used the same leather belt with the dress to give the dress a more 'fitted' look. A big gold statement necklace is added to give the outfit some glam. I love this necklace as it instantly makes the whole outfit look more sophisticated. The V-shape pattern is also flattering, as it enhances my face. This kind of necklaces is good to match with other basics like a plain shirt or tank top to give them an extra boost in style. Another option is to ditch the necklace and change the belt to something with a bit of bling. The navy colour will bring out the brightness of the bling belt even more so you can dazzle everyone. Wear a pair of heels or flats and go out and have fun!

Well that ends our Back to School outfits post and we hope you have been inspired by some of our ideas. We hope you have a great semester in school!

Till next time.

Love,

El and Christine xoxo