How to Tie Gele

The Late Adenike Ogungbe shared a very helpful video on how to tie Gele. Every Nigerian woman has to tie one at least once a year to a wedding or church or other numerous events that take place. Every woman, whetherLagosians (eko oni baje..lol) or Igbo or South-South; knows how important it is for one to look exquisite with a perfectly tied headgear.

Thank you Ewar Makeover for this helpful video! I dedicate this post to the beautiful memories you left in our hearts.

How to Wear Stripes

Stripes are a huge trend this season so if you want to look your best wearing them either if you’d like to make your figure look slimmer or if you are underweight and always aim for a fuller look, there’s a very clever trick to play with outfits for this purpose. Everyone know how much the choice of clothes means when it comes to highlighting or concealing certain parts of our bodies. There’re different ways to make every imperfection become an advantage. In addition to the right combination of clothes that work for this purpose there’s also another point that plays a great hole in this aspect. That is the print on the clothes. In this case I’m going to focus on STRIPES.

Stripes are those oldest and most tricky ways to use for figure adjustment. They have always been in fashion and will certainly have a long life ahead. The only thing that changes is the colours of trendy stripes and their being either thick or thin. Stripes are, indeed, very simple, classical, and ladylike and fit almost everyone.

Horizontal and vertical stripes have different tendencies. Horizontal ones make your body slimmer, therefore you look thinner, and vertical ones widen our body adding a couple of kilos to you. So in order to learn more about each of them and know how to put outfits with stripes together, let’s have a look at these tips for wearing stripes.

HOW TO WEAR STRIPES

There’re different ways of wearing stripes. Let’s have a look at the basic outfit choices including tops with traditional horizontal black and white stripes.

• One of the easiest and maybe the basic forms of wearing stripes is simply pairing a striped blouse or any other top with a pair of jeans. A loose-fitting shirt will be a wise choice for a curvy body. If you are fat in the tummy area, better opt for loose striped tops rather than define it.
• It’s also a good idea to wear striped shirt or tee with a simple black bottom. Indeed, whenever wearing stripes the classical way is keeping to black or white. Since the stripes already become visual, you can break the tone down by choosing black or white. If you have a curvy midsection go for something with high-waist paired with a loose-fitting striped top.
• Accessorize the stripes. If you like striped tops and want to have a different look when wearing them, then either add a matching vest, a tie or a colourful scarf that will refresh the traditional black and white. Neutral colours are best for a medium look. For more emphasis go for brighter accessories but keep in mind that you should not define your bottom part in this case.
• Opt for stripes of other colours. Best combinations are: red and white, light brown and black, which resembles the leopard print, blue and white and so on.
• Pair stripes with a neutral colour if you want to feel safe. If you’re just starting to wear stripes, wear them with a block of colour on your other half. A striped skirt with a plain top can look fabulous, as can a striped top with a plain skirt or jeans. Emphasize only one part of you body.

Here are some looks I pulled out for you.

How To: Make Your Own Natural Exfoliating Face Scrub

Face and body exfoliators can set us back more money than we might like, and they’re often filled with laboratory-concocted ingredients. Making your own natural exfoliators is easy and can save you a ton of money. Here are four easy exfoliator “recipes” to try.
NATURAL AFFORDABLE FACE SCRUBS
Exfoliating is a very important part of any skin care regime. Not only does it slough away dead skin cells, but it also unclogs the oil and dirt that lives in your pores and can cause breakouts. Most store-bought exfoliants contain harsh chemicals and dozens of questionable ingredients that have unknown benefits. Instead of shelling out the money for a store-bought exfoliator, try concocting one of these four homemade exfoliators using ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
As with any other exfoliating treatments, these should be used two to three times a week, not every day. And keep in mind that when trying a new skin care product (or in this case, recipe), test it out before you go to bed. That way, if you have an adverse reaction, you can give your skin time to recover while you sleep.

Basic baking soda scrub
The range of what baking soda can do just seems to be getting wider and wider. It can freshen the air, remove stains, clean showers and sinks, and trigger explosions in science fair volcanoes. Oh yes, we can use it to bake, too. But there is one more non-food-related use to add to baking soda’s resume: face exfoliant. The grains in baking soda are just the right size to act as a gentle exfoliant, and many claim that it has helped clear up acne.

Method: Mix in a teaspoon of baking soda to your facial cleanser to make it an exfoliating cleanser. Or make a paste of just baking soda and water, gently rub it onto your skin and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing off

Nourishing sugar scrub
Granulated sugar is another wonderful, natural exfoliant — and with all these reports coming out that sugar may be toxic when ingested, I’m thinking we might be better served to use it on the body versus in the body. Mix it with honey, which contains powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and a little lemon for clarifying purposes, and you have a wonderfully nourishing and effective face scrub.

Method: Combine 1 teaspoon sugar with 1/2 teaspoon honey and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and mix well. If the mixture is a little loose, add a bit more sugar.

Invigorating coffee scrub
Coffee is another fantastic natural exfoliant. It contains caffeic acid, which has anti-inflammatory effects and can boost collagen production. Just as coffee stimulates our body in the morning, it can serve as a skin stimulant as well.

Method: To make the scrub, combine 1 tablespoon of ground coffee with 1 tablespoon of water or olive oil. To make this inexpensive face scrub even more economical, save the wet coffee grounds from your brewed morning coffee and use those. If you use olive oil, skip applying a moisturizer afterward, as olive oil will leave your skin super-moisturized. As a side note, since coffee grinds can clog drains, apply the scrub and buff off the grounds over a plugged sink so that you can wipe them out or use a mesh drain strainer to catch them before they go down your pipes

Soothing oatmeal scrub
People who use oatmeal as a natural face scrub swear by it, and now I know why. Ground oatmeal not only serves as a wonderful exfoliant, but it also absorbs and removes surface dirt and impurities while leaving your skin nourished and hydrated. It has been known to soothe and heal everything from acne to sunburn to dry, flaky skin. Given its gentle nature, it is also ideal for those with sensitive skin.

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Method: Combine 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, which boosts the face treatment’s exfoliating properties, and 1 teaspoon of water or olive oil to make it into a paste. Gently rub it onto you skin in circular motions, let sit for five to 10 minutes and rinse.

How to wear a printed suit.

The easiest way to try a printed suit is with a blazer. Start with a classic base: the black skinny jeans and white shirt you probably already have in your wardrobe. For fun, add some accessories like the the floral black necklace and finish the look with some more black like the bag and the boots that are perfect for the winter.

The second look is all about the pants. These pants are great because they really flatter. I’ve added a white blouse and a nude belt to draw your eyes to the waist. This look is great for work or dinner depending on the accessories. I’ve chosen a gold chain necklace (H&M) and I kept it simple with a pair of black heels and a black suede clutch.

 

 

DIY: Facial Steaming

Next time you’re thinking of booking a pricey facial because your pores a need a cleanin’ – think again.

No, not because your pores don’t need some serious cleansing, but rather because you can DIY a steam facial at home, easily with a pot of boiling water and some easy ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen
How To DIY A Facial Steam:
Bring a pot with 4 cups of water to a boil before reducing to a simmer.
Steep 2 chamomile tea bags for 5-7 minutes before removing from heat.
Remove tea bags and transfer water to a medium bowl. Add ¼ cup mint leaves.
Hold your clean face 10-12 inches from the bowl with a toweldraped over the back of your head to hold in the steam.
After 15 minutes, cleanse your skin and follow with skin-appropriate toner, serum or mask.
With your pores opened, your favorite facial products will penetrate more deeply and work more profoundly.

Zuhair Murad Fall Couture 2013

 

 

 

In view of his exquisite couture collections, it’s easy to see how Zuhair Murad has weaved a spell across Hollywood, with fans like Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Swift.

 

For Fall 2013, Murad takes us on a stroll through an ‘Enchanted Forest’, where luminosity directs the way in the form of glistening crystal beads, iridescent embroideries and lustrous metallics. Twinkling twigs and budding vine designs ascend across the array of fitted mermaid gowns, illusion tulle bodices and flaired out skirts.

 

Sumptuous velvets, satins, delicate guipure lace and liquid lamés are boldly tinted in rich blue hues from vibrant sapphire to indigo and a darker ultramarine. The collection varies from the faintest romantic nudes to sultry charcoal and a sip of bordeaux. Dark moss green gowns enhanced the woodland theme, garnished with a sequined maze of bare tree branches. This season Murad also experiments with interesting woven necklines, sculpted corsets, elegant peplum skirt suits and a flurry of feathers.

 

This is a glance into the entrancing Fall 2013-14 Couture Collection of Zuhair Murad.

 

Bibire Designs: Faconner Collection

Bibire’s  summer 2013 is termed Faconner’s Collection which means “shapes” in French. Busayo Salahdeen loves to use shapes in her creative designs and is thus expressed in her collection below.

Enjoy!

Didi Creations: Boubou

Know Your Body Type

It’s important to know and understand what looks good on your body. This implies knowing your body and what pieces can enhance or hide certain things. There are 6 primary body types: Triangle, Inverted Triangle, Rectangle, Hourglass, Diamond, and Oval. These types are defined by your body’s fat deposits above, below, and around the waist.

The Diamond and Oval body shape can both be referred to as the apple body shape. If you have the apple body shape, your waist is undefined and you carry most of your weight around your midsection. The difference between the two is that the diamond body shape is defined by a high stomach and the Oval body type can have a full bottom and thighs. Creating the illusion of a longer, leaner torso by drawing attention upwards is the key for this body type (draw attention away from the midsection).

The Rectangle body shape has been referred to as a relatively boyish build, but not all women have trademark flat chest that goes with it. The Rectangle shape visually displays a balanced width between shoulders and hips, both of which can be full. However, your waist may be slightly defined, if there is any definition at all. This body shape can look shorter and heavier than you actually are.

Arms and legs are typically slender. You’ll want to wear pieces that cinch in at the waist and add more curves to your figure.

The Triangle body type has a larger a lower body with a smaller upper body. Shoulders are generally narrower than the waist, hips and thighs. It’s all about drawing attention away from your problem areas. Therefore we need to draw the eyes up. Use bright tops, larger collars, lapels, and sleeves.

The Inverted Triangle is the exact opposite to the Triangle. A full bust line with a defined waist and narrow hips. This build is characterized by broad shoulders and is often associated with athletes. These are the people we refer to as “top heavy”. To balance this out, try bright coloured or patterned fabrics. Full skirts will add more body below the waist. Keep the top simple and focus on the bottom.

The Hourglass is the ideal figure. It’s associated with a perfectly proportionate bust line and hips and a well-defined waist with fat deposits in equal proportions above and below your waist. This is considered ideal because it is recognized as the sexiest of all body types. You don’t want to drown this in baggy clothing. A lot of women lose weight and attain this figure but they still wear the same clothes they had before the weight loss. Ladies, if you are an hourglass, please show it off!! Wear belts to emphasize your waist and wide-legged jeans to balance out your breasts and V-neck or cowl neck tees to show some cleavage – not necessarily all at once!

Peplum and I

Men don’t find it sexy and attractive and this is considered not to make you look thin. It’s a bit costumery, a detail that was hugely criticized in the past for being difficult to pull off, yet one thing is sure – peplums are fun, jolly and unique. And they are most certainly not a look that only slim girls can wear.

The peplum has come back to fashion with a modern twist and looks much simpler and more interesting now. It comes in various forms, both bolder and more demure shapes and is no longer considered to be a detail to be scared of. They appear on elegant dresses and jackets, skirts and tops, blouses and pants, shorts and even jumpsuits. And thanks to so many variations, there are numerous ways to wear them. However, if you want to look at your best in peplum, make sure to read through these style tips on how to wear peplum.

Start with shapewear and cinch

Peplum is amazing for creating a sexy hour-glass figure and if you want that glass to be flawless and flare out only where the shirt does, make sure to wear a high-waisted panty or one-piece slimmer. If that doesn’t help you much, you can always cinch the waist with a belt. If you are more self-conscious about your middle, you can use a skinny belt, and, on the contrary, if you feel you want to hide that part, a wide belt can always cover anything you don’t want to be much visible.

Keep it simple
Peplum is already an exaggerated detail, so try to keep things as simple as possible for the best results. Avoiding bold, eye-catching colors and prints is definitely a great trick. Certainly you can wear vibrant peplum, if you feel much self-confident. Besides, patterned and colorful peplum matched with a dark skirt or dark pants can make your body look smaller. And if you want to create the illusion of a slimmer upper body, go for a bottom featuring colored or patterned peplum. Also try to avoid designs with extra-large poofs on the area of the hips. Think more structured tops and dresses that don’t add a huge boxy layer around the hips.

What to wear with peplum
To make sure your figure looks ideal in peplum, it’s important to know with what item you are wearing it. The vintage trend is to wear peplum with a pencil skirt, as this way you’ll accentuate the overall silhouette. However, keep in mind that pencil skirts tend to shorten the legs, so this look is more appropriate for taller girls. And if you are shorter or curvier, a pair of skinnies worn with peplum is the best fit for you. This modern way of wearing the peplum streamlines the lower body and makes it look slimmer. You can even try wide-leg pants.

How to accessorize when rocking the peplum
Since peplum tends to make one look shorter and curvier, it’s advised to wear high heel shoes or platforms with it. Other than that, it’s advised to keep your accessories to a minimum. You can play with waist belts to create the effect you want to.

A few more things to consider when choosing a piece with a trendy peplum

Peplums can have both sliming and voluminous effects. To know how to cover your flaws and accentuate your best assets, it’s important to know these style tips and tricks:

• To accentuate your waist, go for a peplum on a jacket that is short and cute and that ends right above your hips. Use a belt.

• To add volume to the hips, think a skirt or a dress with puffy and fancy peplum that ends in the mid-section of your hips.

• To make the hips look narrower, try to find a sleek peplum with no volume. It should end after the widest part of your hips.

• To make your large bust look smaller, wear a skirt with darker color on peplum and a lighter color underneath.

• To get a slimming effect, opt for a total black outfit with a peplum.

• To balance your body proportions right, avoid A-line skirts with peplums. Only pencil skirts will be the trick.

• To make sure you don’t look short in the peplum, avoid long skirts or dresses with this detail. The hem of your skirt or dress should hit above the knee and just below it.

With these amazing peplum style tips, every girl is sure to look mesmerizing and sexy in clothes featuring peplums and prove men that peplums are actually stylish and attractive.