Did I feel blue?

Howdy,

So I had this pout paint by Sleek sitting in my makeup box for two months. One day I came home and though what the dickens am I waiting for?! So obviously I wacked some on, no mixing or altering and now I know what people mean when they say love at first sight. Blue lips will forever be a part of my staple looks.

The paint is highly pigmented and you only need a very small amount to fully cover the lips (even with juicy ones like mine). All I needed was the size of one and a half grains of rice. The other thing I love about this is that it blends so well with anything. I mixed it with a purple and got the most gorgeous violet colour. The other colours in the rang will definetly be purchaced. I can't wait to get mixing!!

Hope you like and if you have any questions, comments or suggestions comment below.

Remember to always be the best you.

Rhianne xx

Rhianne the Trainee Fashion Stylist!

Hello there!

I have always loved clothes. I loved shopping and putting a nice outfit together so when the opportunity crossed my path to do a fashion styling course what do you think Rhianne said?

Yes!!!!

My course  is with 'The London School of Styling' founded by Carly Brook a top fashion and personal stylist who also lectures across the world. The course consists of one very intensive theory lesson around the fundamentals and history of fashion and from then on it is all hands on.

There are three photoshoots. The first is the personal styling shoot I had the privilege of going on this shoot a couple of weeks ago and it was a tough day. The fashion we see on television and in magazines never transmits the blood sweat and tears it takes to get to the finished product, nonetheless the day was amazing.

My beautiful friend Nush agreed to be my model for the day and we literally shopped till we dropped to get he kitted out with three outfits for the day.

Shoot number two is coming up, this time with some professional models and I am so excited. So watch this space for the next update on my fashion stylist journey and some more behind the scenes pictures.

Hope you enjoyed and remember to be the best you.

Rhianne xxx

The Vitality Show! Did you miss it?

Howdy to you all good people.

Sunday 24th March I toddled along down to Earl's Court to what I can only describe as the health frenzy aka the Vitality show. The excitement in the place was palpable as we entered and my friend and I prepared ourselves for more freebies than we could ever imagine.

I think at this point I will back track slightly and say that although, yes, freebies are always tempting they are not what drew me to the show. I had seen it advertised in basically every paper I had read since the beginning of January (slight hyperbole but fit for purpose), and I was curious. What was it? Who goes there? and so and and so forth. So to cut a long story short I hit the website and decided that I wanted to go and with tickets discounted to £10 how could I say no. It wasn't until my colleague mentioned the freebies that I got very excited.

 

So onward.

The building was busting at the seams with a health, fitness and nutrition section which accounted for most of the floor space there was also a large health and beauty section (obviously my favourite) and a holistic health area.

The health fitness and nutrition section yielded a variety of healthy snacking options and a lot of competing granola bars. There were countless types of exercise stalls including Pilate's and yoga complete with free demonstrations. A meditation area seemed to complete the area encouraging the whole healthy self, spirit, mind and body. The whole area was fascinating and what I got out of it was that being healthy is not boring and you do have options. It lit a little fire in me and got me thinking about my health.

Health and Beauty!!!!

 



Bomb Cosmetics and their super duper
bath bombs.

Sally Hanson nail clinic.

Hazaa!!! When we made it around to the health and beauty section I truly felt at home.  From hair demonstrations to a nail clinic I knew I was bound to come across something I loved. For anyone who has been to a large scale show or event you know how it is on the last day. Hoards of people scouting for the last freebie, elbows thrusting and toes being crushed. Yet, it was worth it. Bags full of testers and samples for £1, £2 and £3 and countless wellbeing talks. I felt truly in my element. I spotted the the Sally Hanson nail bar in the hopes of getting booked in for a manicure and was faced with the 'Fully Booked' sign although disappointed my spirit was not crushed and in the space of ten minutes I had accumulated eight bags of varying size and weight. Obviously the time had come for a condensing session. After eight bags became 2.5 and a handbag, I wandered along in to the holistic section full of personal coaches, psychics and (I was truly shocked) a Jesus corner. It was really great to see a group of Christians representing and fully in the mix.

There were a few things that stood out at the show for me. One of them was a product at the Amy Child's stand (Yes The Only Way is Essex star). She had a  range of products available for sale, including a hot pink hooded dryer. Yes I said it. A hooded dryer *swoons*.

My hooded dryer!

Just a tangent for those naturals who don't use heat on their hair, air drying can be irritating sometimes. You go to sleep with a semi- wet head of hair and dreams of how wonderful your hair will be in the morning. Sunrise rolls around and... your hair is still damp rendering your extravagant doo null and void. This is my experience and it is beyond frustrating. With that in mind I had been thinking of investing in a hooded dryer both for drying and steaming. When I saw this baby I knew I had to have her. It folds up neatly in to a little hot pink bag with drawstrings on the top. When fully extended you put your hair dryer into the spring nozzle section and away you go. I will give the dryer a full review very soon.

My magic brush!

The second item of note was a magical brush I got my hands on. Yes, it looks like a weapon of torture but it posses the ability to detangle hair without brushing conventionally. 'What are you talking about Rhianne?' I hear you cry, well that's exactly what I said to the woman doing the demonstration. She said ' You just roll the brush along the hair and Bob's your uncle.' With eyebrow raised (yes singular) and hand on hip I proclaimed  'Yes lady, that is all well and good with your straight flowing locks, bus as you can see I have very curly hair.' She insisted it would work and so I insisted that I try it. (Please note my hair
had just come out of perm rods and was just headed in to the frizzy stage). I was proved very wrong. The brush worked! For real real. So they were £10 each or four brushes for £20 and I bought the four so I could give three away!!!!!!  I will do a review of the brush and then I will have my first blog give away. Exiting right? Do not miss out! Watch this space.

So all in all the Vitality Show in my opinion was a success. I learned so much about my diet and health I discovered some beauty products and tips I will not live with out and I will certainly be buying a ticket for next years show.

I would encourage you if you can, next year, go have a look, and enjoy! It's worth it.

Hope you enjoyed this lengthy post and remember to always be the best you!

Rhianne xx

Best twist out ever! Coming to a head near you.

Best twist out of my life? But how Rhianne I hear you cry....

Well it was all thanks to the old faithful... coconut oil. Yes you heard it right. The one people cook with the one that is cheaper than most conditioners at £2.50 a tub.
I guess all that's left is the how and that is always the most exciting part *winks a lot*.

Threw in a length check for good measure!

So I started out with the trusty wash using my conditioner mix (post of products will follow shortly). I was going to just do my normal glycerin and water spray and Shea mix and let my hair air dry but I thought hey, haven't done a DC (deep condition) in a while, so, it had to happen. Next option was what to deep condition with? I'd heard rave reviews about people DCing with coconut oil and so I decided to give it a whirl. Sectioned my hair, applied coconut oil liberally, flat twisted the sections, slapped a plastic cap on, and then came the bit I really enjoyed, a movie and a nap. I left it in for about three hours. When I woke up and washed the oil out, with lukewarm water; my hair was unbelievably soft. Akin to the skin on a baby's bum soft and it was compliant *insert shocked face*.  I know my hair to be difficult and refuse to do what I want. However it did exactly what I told it so I decided to go all out.
My Shea mix and Cantu leave in were worked in to each of the sections and I proceeded to flat twist (medium twists) using Ecostyler gel (olive oil) for hold and my trusty Denman brush  modified for Afro hair) for smoothing those curls.

Result? As the title denotes, the best twist out of my entire life. This is not hyperbole I promise. It was springy, well shaped, and the definition was tip top. Now I am not one for rocking a twist out just as it is, no pins no bows, but this one was worth it and all thanks to my £2.50 tub of coconut oil!

People have been asking quite frequently (often stopping me in the street) what I use in my hair, what I do to it at night, how I make it curly ect. So watch out for the next posts which will be....(insert drum roll)....... products! From shampoo, sealant and everything in between!

If you have any questions post in the comments and I will surely get back to you. :)

Thanks for reading and remember to be the best you.

Rhianne xxx

Hi guys,

 

So I've been mulling over my life as one does and I realised that although I live in London I haven't done anything of note here! I haven't visited the museums or taken tours. And why?! What is my excuse?

 Quite simply, there isn't one. So I have decided that this year I am...

 

Living Life In London!

 

I'm doing all of this, and more!

 

 

I know exciting right (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). So my LLIL posts about where I'm going and what I'm doing will be up soon hope your ready for the realest London tour ever done!

 

Ciao and remember to be the best you

 

Rhianne xxx

 

 

Part two of an amazing Sunday:

 
 

 Fashion Weekend and a Gig!

After leaving London Fashion Weekend made my way to Byron Burger with my cousin and had the best Oreo milkshake and a darn good meal. It was my first time there and the service was amazing, atmosphere relaxed and the food hearty. What more could I have asked for?

So after my terrific meal at Byron Burger I made my way to Islington Town Hall. Why Islington I hear you ask. What did you do there I hear you cry. Well I'll tell you. I went to see Marsha Ambrosius. (Did you hear my cry of excitement from your screen?) Yes I said Marsha Ambrosius. One half of the Powerhouse duo formerly known as Floetry, a phenomenal song writer and vocalist and I implore you, if you have not already listened to any of her or Floetry's songs, do so. You really are missing out.

Sharon Rose

So I rushed to the venue just to make sure that I wouldn’t miss anything. My appreciation for the woman is so pure that it wasn't really an option. So 7pm on the dot I arrived and joined the queue. My first mistake of the night. Concerts notoriously start late. This concert followed suit and the supporting act Siilhouette appeared on stage. Siilhouette (yes it is spelt with two Is...) was what I would describe as an old school singer a lot of attitude and vibrato.

The second supporting act was phenomenal. She brought an energy to the stage which can only be found in a performer who loves their craft, Sharon Rose was on point. From her band to her backing vocalists to her outfit each element worked to create a truly excellent performance. I can say I am now a Sharon Rose fan and will be following her career. Can't wait for the next gig!

Marsha Ambrosius

On to Marsha! When the stage hands started to disassemble the live music equipment and it was not replaced I was terribly confused. What confused me even further was when a DJ began to set up on stage. My first thought was how can a singer like Marsha Ambrosius come anywhere with a DJ. However my silly notions were shut down when Ms Ambrosius took to the stage and stunned the crowd.

It was the first time I had heard her sing live and her voice is agile and flawless. The vocals were amazing but what, for me, made the show a true success was her frankness. Her ability to engage the crowd and be 'real' about her songs and life experiences. When the song far away was sung the emotion conveyed was enough to silence the venue.

The even started two hours late and there was no live band but the event was beyond phenomenal and Ms Ambrosius truly showed us why she is an internationally acclaimed talent.

 

I had the most amazing day and I can't wait for more days like this.

 

Ciao for now

Rhianne xxx

 

Hi guys,

Last week Sunday I did two incredible things.




The first was.... LONDON FASHION WEEKEND! Yes I was there. It happened. La di dah.

I went with my cousin, in the freezing cold London temperatures, to the lovely Somersetset house.

(Can I just note at this point the anticipation that had been eating me for the whole week prior to the event.) What was it going to be like? Who was going to be there? I looked on the websites and at all of the promotion material but nothing can ever prepare for the real deal.

Here I will just quickly mention the type of ticket we got. We opted for 'Shop and the lot' which basically meant you would be admitted to the shopping area, the catwalk and a tote bag filled with goodies.

So back to point.

We arrived at about 3pm tickets in hand and expectations extraordinarily high. We hit the booth to receive the goodie bag and Elle magazine we had paid for before entering. (The cloth tote bag designed by Radley is fun and good for holding my broccoli when I go shopping but nothing to scream about.)

We ambled around Somerset house being both disappointed and astounded by some of the designers. The area was so packed I was unable to get any really good pictures but there is a midi length A- line skirt leather look and multi coloured block jumper that I in all my years will never forget.

Diet Coke who were celebrating their 30th birthday were allowing some very excited ladies the opportunity to take a picture with the supremely chiselled and aptly named Diet Coke hunk (oioi, wolf whistle ect ect), and Canon were majorly over subscribed for their style spotting shoot. The shop element of the weekend was not what I expected and overwhelmed me a little BUT I am going back for A/W13 LFW with my walking shoes on and my hardcore shopper face on.

The Catwalk/ Trends for Spring/ Summer '13

I opted for the trend catwalk to try and get a clear and focused idea of what is coming this year especially because of the course I am going on( ... yes exciting I know. More info will follow ;-) )

The entire show was put together by the amazing Hilary Alexander!!!! who came and greeted us at the end of the show.

Fresh, exciting and flirty was the main feeling on the catwalk. The trends for Spring/ Summer were divided into four categories.

The first was 'Graphic Art'.

This look was incorporated structured dresses and tailoring in Monochrome with a pop of colour, mainly neon and pastels.

The most important thing with this look is to keep it simple and bring the excitement with that clutch bag, shoes or jewllery.

I am just a sucker for tailoring and colour pops so this look was one of my favourites and will certainly be something featuring in my wardrobe this season.

The second trend was 'Urban Lifestyle'.

The theme of sports luxe is clearly still a current running through this trend.

Urban Lifestyle

(I would just like to point out they had a Boris bicycle on the runway which was a tad awesome).

Bomber jackets will still be a key piece this Spring/ Summer. The catwalk featured dungarees/ rompers and denim as key pieces.

The third trend on the catwalk was 'Doll's house'.

Dolls House

This look was feminine and airy with a slight edge which was seen in the fabric choices. The pink PVC dress by Holly Fulton is a perfect example. Its classic 50s shape and floral appliqué detail created an aura of femininity whilst the PVC gave it feistiness. I absolutely loved it.

What really drew my attention were the extravagant head pieces, jewels, pearls, and floral details made them unforgettable. Headbands and headpieces will be big this season.

Eastern Promise

The last and by no means least trend to come down the catwalk was 'Eastern Promise'.

This look was dominated by beautiful fabric and textures. A matching silk top and trouser combo with elaborate embroidery by Topshop was one of the unforgettable looks. The host even joked that if you have a pair of silk pyjamas at home, all one would need to do this Summer is team them with a pair of heels and a Lou umbrella (traditional Oriental style umbrella) and you will be right on the money.

The colours featured on the runway were vivid and bold pinks, orange, blues and greens. The jewellery was large and ethnic a very prominent part of the trend.

I need to just rave about one piece from the collection. A stunning dress long dress by Charlotte Taylor which truly stole the show.

Just loved her outfit.

The final part of London Fashion Weekend I attended was Vodaphone Lounge talks. I caught the end of the Elizabeth Arden Makeup talk and was in attendance for the 'How to run a fashion business' segment. The talks were both informative and good but I hope that the Autumn/ Winter talks will be even better.

So that was my little in put on London fashion weekend. I will definitely be going to the next one and I encourage you, if you haven't been before go and try it. You might even like it!

Ciao for now and always be the best you

Rhianne xxx

P.S see the second part of my amazing Sunday in the next post (Hint: features an amazing intentionally acclaimed singer!)