Possibly the easiest to follow make up demo for Chinese Women

This is the 2nd video from the same make up artist, but this one is a more dramatic look; suitable for perhaps a evening do. Never knew it is this easy to achieve the look.

Love it. Enjoy.

Possibly the best make up demo for Chinese Women

I am totally clueless when it come to wearing makeup.

Besides the black eye liner and lipstick after sunscreen, I find myself doing nothing much to mask a tired face.

No matter how much concealer I dab on my dark eye circles still glare back at me and I get asked if I am getting enough sleep lol.

For those as clueless as me or just want to find out a quick way to look awake and stylish at the same time, I must say I found a video on youtube which I thought is really good.

The artist is quick on her model, and she uses products of her own brand, but I find the colours or product type are accessible in the shops, some we may even own already in the kit. So don't rush out to shop for products till you watch this.

It really (no pun intended) open my eyes.

Enjoy.

liselotte watkins

Another personal favourite of mine.

Liselotte Watkins was born in Nyköping in Sweden in 1971. She has worked as a fashion illustrator since she finished her education in the late 1990's at The Art Institute in Dallas, USA. 

Her unique style garnered immediate attention and she landed the prestigious assignment to illustrate Barney’s make-up advertising every Sunday in The New York Times. 


Today, Liselotte works with many of the biggest clients. Her editorial clients include The New Yorker, Vogue, Elle, Bon and Tush. 

Among the commercial clients, one finds H&M, Miu Miu, NK, Net-a-porter, Vagabond, KappAhl, MAC Cosmetics, Sephora, Anna Sui, and Rodebjer.

Liselotte is also a highly sought-after set designer. Among her clients in that field are JC, Volvo, Marabou, NK, Bon, Elle, Rodebjer and TV4.


Liselotte’s style is unmatchable, stunningly original. At the same time her strength is her never-ending restlessness. She never stays complacent, but ceaselessly refines and transforms her style. 
Now she has also started accepting styling and props assignments, and has thereby advanced her visual language.


Liselotte was based in New York for five years, but today she works out of Milan and Stockholm. She has published two books, ”Watkin’s Heroine” and ”Watkin’s Box of Pin-ups”, which will soon be followed by ”Watkin’s No 1”.  For her more up-to-date works, check out http://liselottewatkins.blogspot.com/

Here, I collected my favourites of her works to share, and I will keep doing it as soon as I chance upon any. 

Meanwhile, enjoy.

 

Skirt Issues for a Pear - Pleat or Jersey, Pleat or Plain, Maxi or Midi

Maxi Skirt has been around for a while now.

Tried&Tested: Asos 7/8 midi skirt, ends just above
ankles, the smallest part of the leg, very flattering with
flats or ankle boots. Cap sleeve fitted top widens the
shoulders visually, giving a long slim sillouette.
If tummy is a problem cinch a belt.

It started with the body conscious (bodycon, as the magazines like to call it) straight jersey plain maxi, then comes the flare, then the pleated then the full and then there comes the midi, which I find most flattering.

If you have read my old blogs, I am not one to follow trends. So I am not the quickest person to dash to the shops for latest togs, I am conscious of what is going on in the scene but I like to take my time to take it all in, then jump in when I think something suits me.

I am a busty Pear woman with strong legs (my hips are 2 inches wider than my shoulders). I don't like my legs at all so I tend to choose bottoms that end just below the knees or cover me all the way to ankles. With the maxi dresses covering from top to bottom, what could be better?

I chose Bodycon maxi styles that skims the body, as it hugs the bust and hips and falls straight from there. The Bodycon Maxi Dress look rubbish on skinny frames. The next time you look at women on the runway if you don't believe me. 

If you are a Pear shaped woman like me, you should try it as it can be very flattering because Pears has a waist and ample hips; wear a push up bra, cinch a belt at the smallest part of the waist; visually we become an Hourglass. For colder months, wear a jacket with shoulder details and immediately achieve perfect proportion, visually. 

Tried&Tested: Oasis Maxi Skirt - cuts straight
to ankles. Works with flat shoes or boots.
Works in the same way as the 7/8 Asos skirt;
for cold months, wear a light padded shoulder
jacket to bring proportion.

I love the fact that I can wear flat shoes in my maxis. Much as I love how my heels lengthen my legs visually but it makes my ankles scream  and I must admit it makes me tower over my husband (I am 5'8, with my usual 5" heels I would be 6'3), which makes him grimace every time we step out.

Last season, the pleated maxi skirts were everywhere. It started with the Whistles Carrie skirt, then it's everywhere: magazines, the fashion blogs and on the high street; hailing as the skirt that will suit all body types. Really? As usual, I took my time. Once in a while when I am in town I would try them on at the shops just so to see how it looks and makes me feel.

I experimented with different maxi styles since the skirts are still available in stores; thought I share my experience with you and perhaps help to bring some facts on the table.

If you have not bought yourself the right skirt yet, maybe I can be of reference; that is if you have the same body type as myself: the Pear.

First, is the Jersey Skirt.

It comes in different fabrics, some comes with a elastic waist band and others with zips. I favour the stretch skirt. I bought mine in black and navy from ASOS; keeping in mind to play down the problem area in dark colours. Machine washable and left to dry, hung over the radiator; it still looks as new after months. In Summer, I wear them with cap sleeve fitted t-shirts and flat shoes. Now that it is getting colder, I wear the same with leggings underneath and a cardigan or boyfriend jacket over. The colours goes well with almost every other colour so coordinating is a breeze.

My Jade Green Pleated Midi Skirt bought on ebay.

I recommend midi an maxi for Pears. The knee length is good but with thick calves, it is not flattering if I choose to wear flat shoes. I love jersey for versatility. You can layer over leggings in colder months or just worn alone in summer. New Look, BooHoo and ASOS do great jersey skirts so it's worth checking them out.

Second, the Pleated Skirt.

I love the look, how the softness of the fabric falls on the body makes me feel like a girl again. There is gazillion colours available out there, and they come in different pleats and fabrics; Pears must choose this carefully as the wrong pleated skirt in the wrong length can make us look even wider at the hip.

Knee Length Pleated Skirts will fall A-line, which is a plus for us Pears. I bought my first on ebay at a bargain. in Jade Green (not sure of make as tags were removed). I fell in love with the colour and had to have it. Not only is it an unusual colour but it flatters my skin (yellow undertone). I wore it multiple times with a simple t-shirt and a pair of patent leather flats from Marks and Spencer. I get compliments every time that I look perky and fresh and I felt good in it as it is comfortable and light

Midi pleated Skirt from American Apparel

What makes this skirt works is the cut and fit. The waistband cinch at slimmest part of the waist, just above the belly button, then drapes over the hips and ends at the knee. I can get away with flat shoes wearing it as it is an A-line.

A-line means that the skirt is shaped like a capital A; smallest at the top and a wide hem. It is good to keep in mind that A-line skirts are really versatile, it helps remove emphasis from the width of your hips. A-line skirts that fall just below the knee make the most of calves and ankles; giving an illusion of slimness in that area. The effect will be even more obvious if the legs are lengthened with heels.

I tried on the Pleated Maxi, and I must it is a real no-no for pears. Visually the bottom widens and looks heavy, no matter what top I wore it with. So let's leave the Pleated Maxi to the small hip ladies.

Chloe runway

I was tempted to buy the midi pleated skirt from American Apparel but decided against it, as the sheen on the fabric can bring unwanted attention to the bottom. Plus I don't like elastic waistband, for reasons as mentioned above. I do like the length of the skirt though, but I am sure I can find it in a matte fabric; just as seen on Chloe, if I look around. 

I have since bought a couple more Pleated Midi skirts from BooHoo and New Look in black and navy. If you want to buy them online, I suggest going by waist measurement. Careful with the choice of waistbands. Pleated Skirts comes in elastic waistband or zip. If you choose one with elastic waistband, go one size smaller and the elasticity wears out after a while. Personally I prefer the zip. Not only the shape will hold up well for longer, it is also more slimming on the hip. I hope my experience has helped you decide which type of skirt you will be shopping for when you are out in the shops. If you happen to see a Pleated Midi in the style seen on Chloe, do let me know! 

Let's talk Jeans. Are you a Pear too?

Just as many women, I am constantly looking for a perfect pair of jeans. Since I was in them most of the time, I had to find one that works, without me having to go hunt for another lest I bought the wrong one.
Took me a while before I finally accept my body type. Not that I was in denial, but the body changes. Be it lifestyle or age, the body reacts to how we eat and what we do.
I knew I could never be a size zero.
I am 5'8 for crying out loud, any size smaller than a UK10 would be anorexic. And I love my food too much to be one. Though I was at one point bulimic, but being conscious of what you are doing wrong can help to take you out of that situation, with commendable effort of course (by that I meant almost 7 years struggle). Anything that is psychological cannot be dealt with easily. Just keep in mind acknowledging the truth can be liberating.

Armani Jeans-
highwaist, slim long boot leg
Great for hiding tummies &
find the waist that you never
thought you had.

It does not help that I was involved in martial arts, liked sprinting and went to gym to make sure my legs are kept strong in my younger years. Building muscles was flattering when it was at its best, but as time goes, when I stop going to the gym the muscles just become mass.

Possibly the perfect pair for pears.
Dark indigo blue with minimal details.
Lee Jeans

With my muscles, I was more of an hourglass with strong legs.
And in the 80s, the in thing to own for jeans was the Levi's 501s. When they fit my legs they are loose on the hips, vice versa. And there was no stretch to Levi's then. So I wore my jeans loose and low on the hips, even though the rise (crotch to waistband) was high. So there was lots of fabric and unsightly ruching which makes me look like I have got extra something in front lol Not to mention I felt rather clumsy, much less sexy.


22 years after, I try to keep active to keep the tone but walking the dog or doing chores around the house is not going to bring my old physique back and I have to come to terms that now, I am a proper pear. Through trial and error I have attained denim nirvana and I would like to share that experience with you.

Lightwash at the hip area takes the eyes
to the problem area. AVOID.

Generally, pears have a smaller than average bust size, a well-defined waist, exaggerated hips, and a full rounded bottom. It is often difficult to purchase an outfit straight off the rack to fit this body type. If the bottom piece fits, the top is often way too big. On the flip side, if the top fits properly then the bottoms are generally far too tight. The only difference between me and a generic pear is I am a busty pear, so to take the attention off the hips I wear top in a lighter colour or wear a pair of oversized sunglasses (yes it works!); and get a pair of jeans for my body type in a dark shade.

Stretch denim is indeed a life-changing. With that extra pull, you can cinch in the extra bits and tuck it all in without having to catch your breath every few seconds. I tried jeans from all brands. The first was 7 for All Mankind, bought some 8 years ago.

Lee Rinse Jeans - Indigo dark blue
with washed knees; thins & lengthens
legs visually. Good option for
fashionable ladies

They were bootcut; mid rise, which means they fall between the belly button and crotch; and were in mid wash, darker from under the bum and lighter wash at the hip. The picture is the closest I can find to show you what I bought and how it looks when worn.

EVERYTING a Pear
should avoid. This by
Destroy.

Those in the know will tell you that 7 for All Mankind is designer jeans as they are worn by many well known actors and artistes. I was never one who bought into hype so I did not buy them because the brand was endorsed by celebs but more for the promise that it will make the derriere look perky. Good news for all pears really, I thought. At the time I bought them, they did cost me an arm I must say but it did a lot for my confidence. I did not just walk in those jeans, I literally swagger.

It fitted me in the area that I felt need 'holding in' and it felt so good. Of course there were people who see the red label on my rear pocket and cooed about them, but nothing beat that feeling I felt inside. But truth (came from an acquaintance in a party, who became a dear social friend after. I appreciate how upfront she was with what she saw, our friendship begun) was, people noticed that I have wide hips but never told me. 

Fancy. But a no for  Pear.

Light denim - a Pear no no.
This by South.

Pear Ladies should steer well away from light denim, or denim with details around the hips; be it studs or wash, it brings unwanted attention to the exact problem area. So, much as the 7 for All Mankind jeans did alot for my confidence, at the same time it made me realise my mistake. But because it cost so much I kept it for another 3 years more while I went on hunting for another pair of jeans to take it's place.

I am not partial to buying cheap jeans. But I wanted to invest in something I can use for years to come. I had the impression that cheap jeans may wear out and I would have to hunt for another. So I wanted something that has a label on them. However, as I was experimenting, I decided that the jeans from high street may be the answer to finding out what exactly suits me. So I went on a denim rampage and bought over 20 pairs of jeans in just a month; in different wash and different cuts.

Horizontal details are not for Pears.

Through over more than 30 pairs of jeans after, I came to realise there are 2 cuts that suit me, and remain so in my denim bible till now. I have included some pictures so you know what to look for visually. But always try them on if you are in the shops. Different brands boast different cuts so we will never really know till it is on our bodies. Bear in mind, I am not promoting any particular brand, but using them as reference.

The first is softly flared or boot cut jeans for a long, lean look. Look for the words 'slim' or opt for longer leg lengths. Leg hem that end at ankles can make you appear shorter, especially for bootcut.

If you favour low rise, make sure it fits properly and it can give a longer torso when worn with plain tshirt or white shirt, tucked in.

I tend to look for mid rise, which is especially useful during 'fat' days, when I feel bloated and heavy. Everything is held in from the belly button and I also don't need to keep pull the jeans up every time I get up from a chair or bend over to pick something up on the floor.

Avoid anything that is too tight as they will likely result in an ugly muffin top effect.

Avoid extra pockets or accents on the rear pockets, they will only highlight the negative. 

Avoid pleating of any kind.

Avoid horizontal detailing, particularly in the hip area, front nor back. 

Avoid embellishment on the whole.

Choose dark shades of denim in stretch fabrics that fit well.

Personally I got many of my jeans from NEXT, opting for XL (which means extra long, for tall women) which really flatters when worn with boots or heels.

Straight jeans on a curvy body.

The other cut that is great for Pears is Straight.
I got a fabulous pair from Gap. They skims through high to knee and falls straight to ankle, my chunky thighs is well hidden and because it goes straight, it gives illusion of long slim legs. I like that I can cuff the hems and wear with shoe or ankle boots and flat shoes, or leave the hems down with boots. With bootcuts, you cannot cuff the hems in a neat fashion. I would suggest getting them long leg to achieve the look. Anything that ends at the ankles, limits the kind of shoes you can wear (see Lee Straight Jeans).

Lee Straight Jeans

Gap Straight Jeans, cuffed. Perfect pair for me.

My Gap straight jeans comes mid rise; dark wash with minimal detail. I also bought a pair from Sainsbury's TU (super cheap but what a great find!), in the same wash and detail, but the rise goes high, which is great when my tummy is bloated and need tucking in. As the look is more streamlined, it looks best with slim top, and broad shoulder detailing to balance up. I wear my straight with fitted t-shirts with jackets and waist coats.

True Religion Straight Jeans

 The key words to look for on the tag is again, slim. Loose straight, as in Boyfriend jeans can makes us look shorter and even more bottom heavy. I would avoid at all costs, in fact I do not even own a pair as I know I would not wear them even on fat days.

I have a few favourite sites for jeans; check them out if you are too hunting for the right pair for your Pear. Personally I love GAP and Next, but I found a great pair of Vila Jeans on Asos site (great service and fab variety for all sorts). New Look sometimes has a good collection in her Tall range. But if you have yet to find the right fit, I strongly suggest going to the shops to try them out.

I am happy to say that I have hung on to the same pairs of jeans since I bought them and has not since felt the need to shop for more; till perhaps I wear them out which will be couple of years more.
Once you come to terms about your body type and get your size sorted, you realise the less need to shop. Nothing beats the satisfaction and contentment of knowing that you are spending wisely.