Trending Cloud Wash and Tie & Dye Denim

Come summer, come comfort. Denim is among the top fashion synonyms for comfort. It may not be a favorite among the highest echelons of fashion but has support in the masses, left wing (pop culture) and stylistas. The obsession over vintage looking denim with starry feel continues with celebrities embracing distressed and grunge denims.

(1.  7 For All Mankind 2. Forever 21 3. Danielle Scutt 4. Juicy Couture)

Cloud wash denims have been around and pop stars have been sporting them forever. Cloud wash gives an impression of cloud break on denim, in form of white patches. Think an explosion of cloud on your denim. Tie & Dye denim are everywhere this season, catered by many niche and mass market brands. Owing to the graphic print and op art trend on runways, tie & dye has caught up big.
Happily spotted on Rihanna, Jessica Alba and Gwen Stefani.

(left to right: Rihanna in Current/Elliott 1968 Destroyed Jeans, Georgia May Jagger in H&M RocknRoll, Jessica Alba in  Earnest Sewn Green TieDye Jeans)

(Rihanna in JBrand TieDye Jeans, Gwen Stefani in Current/Elliott Dark Cloud Wash Jeans)

The key to dress up this denim is to keep the rest of look basic, go solid or black-white on upper body color and add metal to your accessories. From the regular blue jean and indigo, these washes are also available in pastels, black and ink. Scourge the fashion retailers like ZARA and H&M; also one can splurge on the connoisseur of these washes - Current/Elliott, JBrand, 7 For All Mankind, Black Orchid.

A cloud wash / tie & dye jeans can be teamed up with solid color shirt or tee. this style is worn best with white tees but to take a cue, see the dominating color in the jeans. If white is showing majorly then a long sleeveless white shirt would go well. If blue, black or other color is dominating then pair it up with black / grey tees. The rule is to keep the pairing color solid, a bit of fringe or peek-a-boo adds up to the style.

For outerwear, like a vest or jacket, cloud wash / tie & dye can be layered upon feminine dress, subtle print like polka dots, soft almost powdery colors and thin fabrics comprising cotton / silk chiffon. The theme is white clouds, which sometimes appear like powder and cotton balls.

(1. Bella Dahl Pocket Button Down in Cloud Wash 2. Onano77 3. Scotch & Soda) 

(1. Isabel Marant Embellished TieDye Jacket 2. Current/Elliott Cloud Wash Destroy 'JJ' Denim Jacket)

For accessories, embrace gold finish and leather bracelets. Studded textures team well with these denims and since denim fabric is all about comfort, go for sneakers or flat sandals for footwear. Keeping the rest of look almost monochrome, you can opt for a juicy color flat.

Recommendation - Look for skinny and tapered fit jeans, a bit of stretch will do good and bring out the wash.

images courtesy - denimology.com, denimblog.com, asos.com, zara.com, chictopia, hm.com,harpersbazaar,onano77.com

Shiseido Multi Defense UV Protector SPF 50 PA+++ review

The sun has already started playing itself harsh and the ravage continues every summer. SPF is essential for everyone to protect your skin from the damages of tanning, sunburns and what not. Shiseido Multi-Defense UV Protector armed with SPF 50 PA+++ is my skin savior for outdoors and is an anti-aging UV care product.

Quantity - 30 ml
Price  - INR 2100

 Shiseido Multi-Defense UV Protector is a water and sweat resistant, thin white fluid sunscreen which applies matte on skin. Here is some information on the packaging:

Multi-environment Defense. Comprehensive Skin Protection.
Feather-light to the touch, this highly effective lotion-type UV protector is resistant to perspiration and sebum, providing ample protection against external aggressors such as UV rays, for the maintenance of beautiful, healthy-looking skin.
Exclusive Optiveil UV technology provides advanced protection from UVA/UVB rays that may cause photo aging.
Scutellaria Baicalensis helps prevent UV damage to essential fibroblasts which produce collagen and elastin, the key elements resilient, youthful looking skin.
Rose Apple Leaf Extract helps prevent DNA damage caused by harmful UV rays.
Hydro-Restoring Complex contains moisturizing amino acids that naturally exist in skin. Provides sufficient moisture for skin that is smooth to the touch.
Thiotaurine combined with Rose Apple Leaf Extract counteracts oxidation  the damaging process which accelerates skin aging.
Free of any sticky residue, doubles as the ideal base for a long-lasting, beautiful foundation finish. Is easily removed with a daily cleanser.

The sunscreen is very light in texture and has a faint scent which I like. The scent is not detectable after some minutes and once you apply other products. The lotion is a bit runny and gives soft matte finish, not like a dry matte. Although my skin is dry, but I prefer this sunscreen as staying outside skin produces a little oil in summers which is taken care by this lotion, the skin remains matte all day.It really doesn't give any sticky residue or white cast on skin. The lotion has micro shimmer which can pass undetected by many, but sometimes you may see it in light. The shimmer is so fine and non-gritty that one does not know its there.

(before and after application)

Shiseido Multi-Defense UV Protector is aptly made for face with high SPF. Compared to sunscreens with SPF 15 which even if applied daily do not protect from tanning, I find that SPF 50 works far better.

It's matte lotion formula and resistance to sweat / water makes it a great product for outdoor activities and makeup base. While other sunscreens give you the greasy or ghostly face after the product melts in heat, this lotion keeps such worries at bay. The downside to this sunscreen is that it cannot be paired with oil free products, due to its dry formula. I would suggest to try this product at store or get a sample, so as to test its suitability for skin. The packaging is travel friendly in white pearlescent bottle and the nozzle tip controls the product. The bottle has to be shaken before use. In my opinion, Shiseido Multi-Defense UV Protector works very well in sweaty and dusty weather.

Recommendation - For dry skin, apply a light moisture before this sunscreen and then follow it up with your foundation. For oily and combination skin, this lotion alone might do as perfect base.

The HIP list: Trending Coachella Festival + Summer 2013 fashion

Soaring temperatures are never a deterrent to music lovers and Coachella festival is bursting with activity in desert heat. Are you too heading onto a music festival with your pals or a serene beach vacation is on mind ? Take a cue from this HIP list.

1. Daydress or Sundress: Bask in the sun while upping your oomph factor in knee length dresses. Enjoy the day, give a shout out and remember to sneak in a bikini in your bag.

(1. Freepeople 2. H&M 3. Macy's)

(1. Shift by Nimish Shah 2. Freepeople 3. Serena in Gossip Girl)

2. Makeup: Bright lips, shimmery eyes and glittery nails, here is my pick on the must haves.

(1. Guerlain Coup de Foudre 2. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet L'Exuberante 3. Hare Polish Hooky At The Hamlet 4. Hare Polish Party Palace)

3. Evening wear: The inspiration for evening is Carrie Bradshaw on the beach in Sex and The City 2 wearing coral Halston dress. The style is laidback, relaxed and a bit vintage.

 

(1. Erdem 2. Asos.com Frock and Frill 3. Dolce & Gabbana)

(1. Freepeople 2. Warehouse 3. Urban Outfitters Ecote Jemma Maxi dress)

4. Shoes: Wedges and Espadrilles are the go-getters for summer active fashion. Comfortable, supportive and protective, would be my adjectives for these.

(1. Dillard's Vince Camuto Tovia Espadrille Wedges 2.  Dillard's Jessica Simpson Cosset Espadrille Wedges 3. Zara 4. Soludos Ikat Espadrilles 5. Soludos Aztec Espadrilles)

5. Serena Jackets: Embellished,studded,sequinned,leather, you name it she has it. I am talking about the uber stylish embellished jackets worn by Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, so the given name Serena Jackets. These are cropped and sleeveless, and can be worn over anything from vests to dresses.

Images courtesy: Freepeople, H&M, Macy's, Vogue India, Guerlain, Chanel, Temptalia, JustJared, Asos, Apunkabollywood, Urbanoutfitters, Dillard's, Zara, Soludos)

Graphic Print Trend: Spring Summer 2013 Fashion

SS13 runway shows were booming with graphic and ethnic prints in shocking neon colors, tie-dyes, bleeds and monochromes. Bold shapes in bolder colors, landscaped visions, ethnic patterns, layered florals and brushstrokes. Mary Katrantzou's chose currency notes and postage stamps as muses in larger than life prints with laid back silhouettes. Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos's inspiration came from religion, places of worship, Florentine frecoes transformed into Art Deco-ish and Optical Illusion prints, with major focus on flared hems and peplum. Alice Temperley went into detailed prints never leaving the feminine qualityand softness of their design principle. With colors as bright as pink, tomato red, lime, ocean blue and oranges, graphic print fashion is taking on the fashion conscious with storm. There were times when ethnic and tribal prints used to be the signature of boho styling and were considered more suitable for layering, but this season high end designers have brought this style to the forefront. The good side to these humongous but detailed prints is that they flatter all body types and the trend has seeped into accessories too, so once can have any graphic beauty in their wardrobe, be it dress, shoes, scarf or bags.

MARY KATRANTZOU SS13

(images: fashionising.com)


PETER PILOTTO SS13

(images: net-a-porter)

ALICE TEMPERLEY SS13

(images: fashionising.com)

(left: Blake Lively in Marchesa tribal print dress, right: Moschino dress)

(1. H&M top 2. ZARA shoes 3. Stradivarius clutch 4. Stradivarius skirt
5. ZARA flat sandals 6. ZARA bag 7. H&M shopper)

Chloe Eau De Parfum review: Rose of parfumerie, lily of my heart

Chloe Eau De Parfum had me lovestruck at the first whiff and I still am. The scent is a charming rose with fresh floral and fruity notes. It reminds me of innocent summer romance, cool breeze and shade in gardens, smelling fresh roses and watching twilight.

The glass bottle housed in nude beige box opens with an oval cap, has silver accents and a blush colored ribbon tied on the neck. I am not a fan of the packaging as it is an expensive perfume but the gorgeous scent compensates for it. As mentioned by the design house this sublime rose scent is accompanied by hints of peony, lychee, freesia, magnolia, lily of the valley, warm amber and cedar wood. Chloe accentuates the feminine and free spirit of woman. I feel it captures the emotion of falling in love.

(image courtesy: pinterest)

The fragrance wears for all day long, starting with clean rose and floral scent and fading with powdery hints. The scent lingers and grows on you, loving it more and more. While wearing this perfume I could think of a blushing bride holding lily of valley flowers and looking at her groom. Chloe is a signature scent for me, it has that quality to be unique and everyday perfume. It is a very soft perfume, very feminine but confidence of its own (think Blair Waldorf).

Recommendation - Head out wearing this perfume everyday, but still won't get enough of it. Wear this on romantic date on your favourite silk-chiffon gowns and dresses.