Review - Hello Hair Hydrating Treatment

With my relentless determination to become a firey red head, it is safe to say that my hair quality isn't the best it has ever been. One of the many prices we have to pay for beauty. Naturally I have very fair hair, and recently it has been exceptionally dry and was constantly breaking every time I tried to put my hair up. My poor boyfriend wakes up every morning with hair all over his side of the bed. How it gets there I will never know. It is not exactly the most glam thing to wake up to in the morning. 

I had enough and (of course) begun some serious social media research. Cue 2 hours of reading before bed. That is when I remembered that a while a go I had come across Hello Hair Hydrating Treatment. Their Instagram profile was engaging and so informative that it made me like the product before I even identified it as a requirement of my lifestyle. 

100% natural Hello Hair hydration mask is a treatment which utilises Almond, Argan and Coconut Oils to strengthen, condition and provide nutrition to damage and weak locks. What really hooked me was their next statement:

"It is a great remedy for colour treated and bleached hair, chemically treated hair, and hair which is regularly affected by heat exposure from the sun, blow drying and straightening." (Hello Hair, 2014)

I mean which of us ladies doesn't over style or sun bathe, we are in Perth WA aren't we? Within 2 mins of being on their site their Hello Hair Hydrating Mask was purchased for only $15.00 BRILLIANT! 

4 days later and I came home to a very full post box. With a girly Saturday night in the cards it was the perfect time to treat my hair to exactly what it needed. I was not disappointed. My first impression was yum, the smell was incredible, I felt like I was on a tropical beach. 45 mins later and my hair was soft, shiny and smooth.  Even better there was enough left in that tube for 2 more applications (I am dancing up and down right now as I type this).

If you have similar problems to what I had give Hello Hair a go. I know you will love it as much as I did. 

Mount Lawley Saturdays

It is becoming a tradition that every Saturday whilst my brother is here that we explore new areas in Perth. Our aim is to get lost. If we know where we are we ain't trying hard enough. So yesterday we decided to tackle Mount Lawley. My look for the day was comfy casual and cool enough for the first warm spring day that we have had in a while. 

Skirt by River Island - 40.00 GBP approx.
Topshop Vest - 18.00 GBP
Cotton On Cardigan - $19.98 AUD

Back Drop is bold piece by Beastman, Numskull and Creepy in an alley way just of Beaufort street. Features punch colours and smooth lines, i am in love with this piece. For more photos of this Peice click on this link which will take you directly to City of Walls. 

Originally set up in 2011 City of walls was created with the aim to promote and inspire street art in WA. 

"City of Walls focuses on a range of creative practises in urban places including street and graffiti art, murals, paste-ups, stencils and stickers, temporary installations, lighting and projection projects, and other urban interventions.

City of Walls aims to connect artists, businesses and councils and has led to a number of unused and lacklustre wall spaces being transformed in Perth, Fremantle, Midland and the Pilbara." (City of Walls, 2014)

City of Walls - Dressing Down Under

Places visited in Mount Lawley:

Cantina 663 -  Further up Beaufort Street in Mount Lawley Cantina 663 is a popular and exciting spot serving seasonal food and smooth coffee, from breakfast all the way through to dinner. If you are going for breakfast I highly recommend the polenta porridge with apple Dulce DE Leche and cinnamon. If you are also a soy fiend like me, you have to try their latte. As I am writing this i am getting increasingly hungry.

Beaufort Street Merchant - I am a huge fan of this place and proud to admit it is a regular on my date night list, love all they have to offer on all of their menu's including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Only time I have been disappointed there is when they took polenta chips of the menu for a short time :(. I highly recommend the following: Breakfast - Green Scrambled Eggs. Lunch - The Smoked Salmon Salad or the Pulled Pork Bagel, this was deemed the best bagel my brother has ever had. Dinner - Butterfield Scotch Fillet with a side of baby potatoes, brussels sprouts, truffle mayo and capers. Wash it down with one of the best espresso martinis that I have ever had :)

I must confess I am a Lipstick Addict

If you are like me and you love the bold lipstick look then you know that not all of the time you get it right. In fact I'll admit I get it wrong more than I do right. Whether its pick the wrong brand, smudge it all over your face, choose the wrong colour or seem to get it more on your teeth then your lips, I think you would agree with me that lipstick is an art form.

 What do you find the most difficult about lipstick application?

My Lipstick Collection - Mac, Benefit, Topshop, Sportsgirl & More

With so many brands and colours out there it is hard to identify which are the best for you. It can seem over whelming and there is nothing worse than buying an expensive lipstick and finding out that upon application, it smudges to easily or dries out your lips.

So here is my 5 tops tips that I use when buying a lipstick:

• Take advice - Listen to your friends, family, colleagues or anyone that you know in the industry. Buying a product that they have tried, tested and loved saves you all the hard work :). If it works for them then it is more than likely going to work for you. Just make sure that the colour you chose suits your colour palette.
• Higher the price does not mean better quality - I will not name brand names here but I have been very disappointed in the past in paying more $$$ for a luxury brand lipstick. It turned out to be too oily, unwearable and after an hour left me extremely smudged and with a horrible uneven colour. My favourite products, and ones that I have found to be the most durable,  tend to be from everyday high street brands. Don't be fooled by the allure of a designer name for quality when it comes to lipstick there are some amazing high street lipsticks out there.
• Trial the product before you buy - Now this is my secret. So shhh! Often before a girlie night out on a Saturday I'll go and visit the makeup counter. There is a reason they have the utensils there and make up chairs, you are allowed to trial lipstick, just don't directly apply it use a cotton bud. Wear it out, drink with it on, eat with it on, take photos with it on. You will soon find out whether its what you want from a lippie. Do this before you buy and you wont be disappointed.
• Do your research - As I have said before there are so many varieties. I favour a matte lipstick which slightly stains my lips, but what do you like? What colours suit your skin tone? Whats your budget? Know the answers to these questions and it will narrow down the market place quite considerably.
• Stick to a brand YOU love - Found a lipstick that works every time? Good then stick to it, just try new colours. If it works every time why settle for anything less?

At Dressing Down Under I stick to 4 main brands, MAC, Maybelline, Topshop and Sportsgirl. All readily available on the high street and a variety of prices.

1) MAC - "Matte so Chaud"
2) MAC - "Viva Glam Nicki"
3) Maybelline - "338 Midnight Plum"
4) Sportsgirl - "Dark Angel"

In Cosmopolitan's September Issue 2014, "The Red Lip" is one of 3 Makeup Looks that everyone needs. Give it a go today :)

"Red symbolises power; passion and sensuality. Paint the classic shade on your pout and fingers, and then depending on your outfit, you'll be ready for a day in the office or a night on the town. Warm up the rest of your face with a cream bronzer and highlighter." (Cosmopolitan, 2014)

What is your fave lipstick and why? 

Dressing Down Under Finally Has a Facebook Page

Its taken a while, but I have finally gotten round to creating a little Facebook Page for Dressing Down Under. I think both my friends and family will finally thank them for not bombarding their news feeds with my posts. I am very excited for this step that we are taking, DDU is now available on 4 social media platforms and constantly looking for new avenues and channels.

If you are fans of Dressing Down Under like us on Facebook and you will receive frequent updates, photos and reviews as and when they happen. Simply follow the link below :)

Like Dressing Down Under Now

Metallic Spring Trend 2014 - My interpretation CLAREMONT

My Interpretation of Metallic - Dressing Down Under
Topshop Metallic Pleated Skirt - Sale 10.00 GBP
Sportsgirl Leather Biker - Sale $65.00 AUD

Evident on the Spring 2014 Catwalks Metallic was a heavy feature on runways including Givenchy, Altuzarra and Saint Laurent. Whether its making a bold statement from head to toe copper hues or a flash of light reflecting silver, metallic is a fun trend that any one can incorporate in numerous different ways. 

"Somewhere between the sky-high shoulder pads and bedazzled skirt suits of the eighties, metallics got a bad rap. Today, however, shiny clothing and accessories mean one thing: glamour. On the Spring 2014 runways, everyday outfits were injected with a shot of glitz thanks to some flashy, not trashy, twists on the metallic trend." (Fashion Magazine, 2014)

Givenchy Spring/Summer 2014 - (The Guardian 2013)

Christopher Kane Spring/Summer 2014 (Bychill.com 2014)

Designer Metallic Finds - I'm Dreaming
With this trend being every where on the runway its not hard to find many killer designer pieces which follow this to a tee. See my favourite pieces below. If you can afford these I am jealous and slightly hate you :).

Bottega Veneta Satin Clutch - $2,192.47

High Street Finds
If you are like me and your budget doesn't stretch to over the top two thousand dollar gorgeous clutches  then here are some picks from some of your favourite high street brands. Find the trend without the credit card maxing out. Both Witchery and ASOS have some of my favourite.

Metal Yarn Tank Witchery - $99.95

ASOS Halcyon Heeled Sandals - 38.00 GBP

New Label Alert - Correy & Lyon Contemporary Fine Jewellery

Correy & Lyon is a newly launched jewellery label that was conceived one snow filled winter in Berlin. Inspired by the effortlessly cool aura that the city emits and draped heavily in the lure of flea market gold digging that is synonymous with the culture and holds a nostalgic place in my heart. Focusing on fine costume jewellery made from sterling silver 925 and gold plated in 14k gold. Correy & Lyon have been very well received in the designer’s native country of Australia, with 2014 seeing the label expand into the international market.

Designer Kristy Correy has always been more than just a little obsessed with creativity, and looking back at her career the evidence is plain to see. Her journey through the world of fashion and design has taken her from humble beginnings in a small collective studio in the suburbs of Perth to the luxury retail market in Europe. After starting her own fashion label back in 2006 she went on to open a boutique as a platform for emerging Australian designers, co-founded a not-for-profit arts organisation aimed at bringing creative life back to a forgotten part of Perth and worked for a university nurturing creative talent. In 2010 Kristy moved overseas and into luxury retail, most recently residing in Berlin as the menswear buyer for a luxury retail concept store. Now dividing her time between Australia and Europe, Kristy has gone back to her design roots and is currently launching the jewellery label Correy & Lyon.

http://www.correyandlyon.com/ 

Holy Funk - Melbourne Based Furniture Brand with an edge

We stumbled across Holy Funk following our obsession with The Block Australia 2013. If you haven’t checked out The Block Shop you have too, it gives you a real insight into homewear designers and has links to their sites directly. Another two brands you have to check out are Ali McnabneyStevens, A Melbourne Based British artist, and Feliz an organic and ethical homeware brand.

Holy Funk describe themselves as:

“An online concept store specialising in a range of unique industrial, vintage & retro furniture. We continue to work tirelessly to develop a wide network of specialist suppliers, manufactures & designers.” (Holy Funk, 2014)

I describe them as one of the best priced, unique furniture brand that deliver excellent service and delivery even to Perth WA. The quality of the products will not let you down. We were so impressed with our first purchase, our bedside tables, that we were instantly on the lookout for our TV cabinet which arrived last week. A mixture of homewares and products are offered which feature different materials and concepts. Popular products usually feature a mixture of vintage and industrial inspiration such as their Two Tier Coffee Table $349.00. See our bedside tables and container TV stand below. Whats next do I hear you ask… a coffee table J.

Bedside Tables - Holy Funk

TV Cabinet - Holy Funk

In His Shoes

According to Wonder Mika this winter in Perth Australia there are two staples to any fashionistas wardrobe: 

"Two things you need to wear to look cool – structured coats and mannish shoes or loafers. Seriously, that easy! Whether you wear the structured coat with a dress or your rolled up BF jeans or simply throw it over your shoulders, you will look amazing. Manish shoes (loafers, brogues, creepers) all look fabulous with cropped pants, skinny pants and rolled up jeans. Go Jacko with white socks or go bare. Either ways, you are rocking an easy-to-wear and fail-safe look. Now, where did we put those school socks?" (Wonder Mika, 2014)

Man Style Shoes? Yes Yes Yes! Love this trend, re-phrase that I am obsessed with this trend and my collection is growing steadily every day.

Designers who featured "In His Shoes" on their Runway this season included Hermes, and Paul Smith.


Paul Smith Fall 2014-2014 Collection

Paul Smiths take on "In His Shoes" included cracked bronze, fringed loafers, high shine brogues, dip dyed leather, velvet and sequins. Detailing was the main focus, therefore the shoe stayed along the classic shapes that we know and love; lace up brogues, leather loafers and capped carter shoes. See my favourite from the collection below: 

Paul Smith Cracked Bronze Leather Fringe Costello Loafers - $620.00

"Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes. After that, who cares? ...He's a mile away and you've got his shoes." (Billy Connolly)

Haven't got $620.00 to drop on a pair of shoes? Just like me no matter how nice they are my bank balance doe not stretch quite that far. Instead I hunted down 2 (almost 3) pairs that pack a punch whilst not smashing my savings. First are a studded pair of loafers from Nine West and the second are a monochrome pair of loafers from Wittner. Yum Yum Yum. I also have my eye on a pair of turquoise brogues from Office. Oops! Check them out on my Instagram page : http://instagram.com/dressingdownunder 

Monochrome Loafers - Wittner

Pink Champagne - Guildford

Pink Champagne Guildford is one of my favourite vintage shops in Perth, full of hidden gems and designer fashion. It is best known for ball gowns, glamorous outfits and antique wedding dresses. Whether they are real or not is another question, but I have a pair of killer stud earrings from here, which I wear all the time and have already featured on my Instagram account @dressingdownunder. I loved them when I first saw them, over the top bling; rose gold and little Chanel symbols what more could you want?

Chanel Rose Gold Earrings – Pink Champagne - $59.90

At the moment Rose Gold is a slight obsession of mine, I already have my eye on Calvin Klein’s "Sumptuous Ring", hoping for it to be dropped into the sale, if not it will be added to the never ending Christmas list or, the list of things I promise myself I will save up for. Made from polished stainless steel and finished with a delicate tint of rose gold the Calvin Klein Sumptuous Ring is a killer addition to any wardrobe and can be easily mixed with other gold or silver accessories. Available from David Jones.

If like me, you’re not willing to pay the ridiculous $$$$$ for rose gold accessories, here is a couple of options for you. Tempting I know.

Witchery Woman  have a great selection this season from earrings and rings to statement necklaces, prices range from $9.95 to $79.95. My favourites from their collection are the Confetti Stone Necklace ($79.95) and their Tribal Ring ($24.95).