HEEL OR NO HEEL?

Shoes - as magical as they are - happen to be the bane of my life. The perpetual debate between comfort and style constantly repeats itself in my mind. Frustratingly, the rarity of finding comfortable yet stylish footwear is scandalous- hence my love for last season's Birkenstock trend. Once in a blue moon comes a trend that is actually practical, so when birks became popular back in July you can imagine my content when purchasing the oh so easy sandal.

Just when you think you've survived outfit choosing, we are soon reminded that footwear is required in order to leave the house. And, even if you own 50 pairs of shoes, that certain outfit probably refuses to accommodate any of them. Hello again square one.

Marilyn Monroe once said "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world", and, whilst I agree that a beautiful pair of shoes can make you feel unstoppable, it sure is hard to conquer when the ball of your foot is numb with pain. However, all torture aside, thank God that that excruciating heel is always up for compromising. Although inside we may feel like chopping off our own feet, on the outside 10x more sophistication is being projected than if we'd gone for a simple trainer. Don't get me wrong, trainers can be just as stylish as heels; but when we are truly in need of a lift (literally and mentally), up is the most obvious way to go.


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***FLAWLESS (SKIN)

Foundation, as we know, is the key ingredient to a flawlessly made up face. It is the base that we count on; the small pot of sorcery that we trust to make us glow- particularly on a Monday morning. 

You cannot build a house without correct foundations, just as we cannot achieve effective looking makeup without a sufficient, skin complementing base. 

I think we all agree in saying that finding the perfect foundation for our skin is imperative. For most people this involves discovering where they are on the skin spectrum- slightly dry?or slightly oily? 

However, when your skin proves to be as indecisive as mine, this simple task can become quite the ordeal. 

Proudly falling into the category of stereotypical teenage girl, it's fair to say I've experimented with my fair share of products. So, after having a complete mind blank over what to blog about this month, I've decided to put a small list together of my current drugstore/higher end foundations...

• Nars sheer glow foundation- There's been huge amounts of hype over this foundation. And, whilst most people tend to obsess over it, I have to admit I was a little dissapointed. The coverage is light and fairly natural looking, however I believe it is better suited for a more oily skin type; mainly since it becomes very dry after a couple of hours. 

(Perfect for people with oily skin that want to achieve a natural looking finish) 

• Garnier BB cream- BB creams have become increasingly popular over recent years, and I have to say that this one is my definite favourite so far. This product seems to adapt itself to my skin tone whilst lasting throughout the day. It has a medium coverage but remains completely natural looking. I adore this product and have gone back to it many times. 

(For people with dry skin that want a quick, everyday look) 

• Bourjois healthy mix foundation- After the Chanel pro lumiere was discontinued this product became very popular as its duplicate. Its medium coverage is suited more for oily skin, yet in general I expect it would adapt to most skin types. It's easy to apply and lasts around 8 hours.

(A reliant foundation for people with slightly oily skin. Suited well for special occassions)

•MAC studio fix fluid- This foundation was actually a big dissapointment for me. Unfortunately on dry skin this product will only last an hour or so before cracking and maximising pores. I assume it is prodominantly used for photoshoots; I would not label it as a day to day foundation. 

(For people that have oily skin and want a thick, dry coverage)

• Rimmel match perfection- this is my ultimate go to foundation for a night out. The thick coverage stays put for around 12 hours and successfully hides blemishes and uneven skin tones. It can sometimes feel a little oily so I would recommend a powder which will also help to maintain that flawless complexion. 

(For normal/dry skin types that want a thick coverage. Usually best for a night out or a less natural look)

I am certainly not a proffessional and these are simply my own opinions, however I hope I've been helpful in some way and if you have any questions please feel free to comment! 

...(You can also tweet me @isobelvandyke)

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INSTANT LANGUAGE

"What you wear is how you present yourself to the world- especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language."

- Miuccia Prada 

With the captivating popularity of new technologies, and the incremental decrease in need for actual face to face communication, the fashion world becomes more significant than ever.

The way in which we choose to present ourselves triggers every person's first impression of you- vogue subscriber or bike fanatic father.

For strangers you are nothing but a glimpse, perhaps even a memory dependent on how right or wrong you get it. Another teenager, or another mannequin, unknowingly clothed in your own personality. When there is no communication, dress code is the way we let people in. The way in which we subconsciously suggest our age, our previous or future destination, and of course our emotions that morning- when the likely tedious challenge of outfit selecting began. 

As judgemental as it is, our material, colour and style choices fully determine the general public's first opinion of you. And that's the truth. 'Fashion is instant language', so recruit garments delicately, and keep in mind your eager spectators. 

You only get one chance to make a first impression.


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KARL+KRISTEN

I know this was officially revealed a few months ago now and might be slightly old news, however re-scanning this months vogue- before the release of the September issue- comfortably confirms my theories that Kristen Stewart is undoubtedly perfect as the new face of Chanel. For multiple reasons (including the whole R-Patz scandal) Kristen has subtly begun to morph our perception of her, leading us to see her as this edgy, raw, imperfect young woman that we all secretly admire. Yes she has her flaws, and perhaps isn't quite as glamorous as Keira Knightley for Coco Mademoiselle, but she certainly obtains attention; breezily exhibiting her intense nature across a three page spread in July's vogue. 

Her honest, gritty attitude coheres utterly with that of Karl's, making her ideal for Chanel's A/W 14 campaign, as well as ensuring her a new friend in the force behind the label. 

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ME, MYSELF AND WHY

For a few years now I've been eager to start blogging; craving the small yet respected title as official fashion blogger. Just like almost every other blogger, I am enthralled by the idea of communicating my personal opinions through language and social media. Although honestly, I'm not entirely sure what I should be writing right now- a self introduction perhaps? Or should I just leap straight into the uploading of differently angled OOTD photos?

Well, in true focus group tradition: I'm Izzy; I'm 16; and I'm fixated with trends, makeup, and the occasional slice of celeb gossip. Coming from a quaint yet completely uninteresting village in south-west England it can be tediously difficult for opportunities to come about, hence why I am constructing this blog. I hope I'm not alone in my opinions, and I promise to try my best in not being a complete bore.

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