Feel Good Fashion & Beauty Tips
Brrrr!! It's chilly here in beautiful frosty Hampshire - I'm currently packing for NYC next week where the temperature is in the minuses! I have been sharing my favourite styling tips to keep you warm and cosy this week, as well as Royal style updates and very exciting announcements.
I’m rounding up this week’s Feel Good Fashion & Beauty favourites from my content on Instagram!
Are You An Impulse Buyer?
You are not alone! 💫
We all love a Black Friday bargain, but does the quick high of buying something just because it's got a good discount really make you feel great? 🛍️
Not if you answered yes to the questions above….
This is the most common issue that my clients come to me with, no matter who they are, how much money they have and what they do. Either they just repeatedly purchase the same types of clothes because they have worked before… but get stuck in a style trap that may no longer suit them, or the garment looked fabulous in the store but isn’t actually right for them, leaving them deflated and confused when they bring their purchase home and end up not wearing it 🙅♀️
Help is at hand ✨
If you feel the ‘urge to splurge’ this Black Friday weekend, run through the following checklist to be a more strategic shopper.
Tip - Save this post and refer to it regularly! 📱
✔️ How do you feel in it?
Does it make you stand taller, smile wider, glow better?
If it’s not love at first sight, walk away….
✔️ Does the colour suit? Check in natural daylight - if it makes your eyes sparkle and gives your complexion a lift, it’s a keeper, if all you see is redness, dark circles or fine lines, walk away.
✔️ What about the cut? Does it balance your proportions? Is it right for your body type? Is it flattering?
✔️ How many outfits can you create with this? 3 is the absolute minimum to aim for. You want your garments to work hard, earning their space in your home.
✔️ How sustainable is the item? Is it made of natural fabrics? Is the brand ethical? Will it ultimately end up in landfill?
✔️ Is it easy to care for? Or will the maintenance and upkeep put me off wearing it regularly?
✔️ Does it fit in with your lifestyle? Be realistic here - what do you actually spend your time doing?
✔️ Will I still be wearing this in 5 years time? Or is it a trend led piece which you’ll discard as soon as the season changes?
✔️ Can you genuinely afford this? Does it fit in with your budget, or are you just being seduced by the sale price?
✔️ And ultimately…does it bring you joy?!
View the Feel Good Fashion post here:
Do your makeup with me - eyeshadow tutorial 💛
By popular demand, here is a little eyeshadow tutorial of sorts for you, I’m always being asked how I do my makeup, and to be honest, usually, the minute I’ve done it I totally forget what I did!! So I made a point of filming this for you, using one of beloved Huda Beauty palettes. Who else loves this brand?! I don’t think you can beat it for eyeshadow! Great colours, brilliant depth of pigment, superb blendability... 💫
Please note I used the It Cosmetics concealer followed by powder as a base before I started.
Here are the steps ✨
Palette: Empowered by Huda Beauty
1 - Copper ‘Manifest’ all over mobile lid
2 - ‘Limitless’ glitter on inner corners to highlight
3 - ‘Do it’ a darker shade on outer third of mobile lid
4 - ‘Legacy’ in crease to add depth
5 - Blend, pulling out and up in small circular motions
6 - ‘Confident’ on outer corner pulling out to create a soft wing
7 - Blend again
8 - Tightlight upper lids with Eye of Horus Goddess eyeliner in Nubian Brown (available from @beautyandtheboutique) also smudging into the lashline
9 - Blend with a flatter brush, building out flick
10 - Dab ‘Courageous’ along lower lashline and up to join the flick
11 - Clean up with a cotton bud if necessary
12 - Mascara and done!
View the Feel Good Beauty reel here:
How to wear sequins... and any kind of sparkle for that matter! 💫
Hands up who’s got their decs up already?!! We went for it over the weekend and are now living in Santa’s Grotto for the foreseeable (I’ve never been one to underdo things.... those twinkling lights just help to bring a little extra magic to this time of year and I for one am totally here for it... although for the first time ever, I still haven’t bought a single present, neither has a morsel of a mince pie yet passed my lips....Who. Even. Am. I?!! 🫢
Sequins and sparkles are also rather nifty, for not only lifting your spirits but also your complexions on these grey winter days, so here are some ideas of how to style them... helping you feel fabulous for the Christmas party season!
View the Feel Good Fashion reel here:
Celebrating……!! 💫
Because if you don’t take a moment to celebrate it, did it even happen?!
Taking a moment to pause and smell the proverbial roses with you all, my dear friends, as I CELEBRATE another fashion column in the national press! Whoop!!!! 🥳
Yes, first we have the fabulous Femail in the Daily Mail and now we have the wonderful Daily Express! Yes, every single Sunday I share my favourite fashion tips, simple style tricks and life lessons in this wonderful publication which is somewhat an institution in good old Blighty ⭐️
12 years or so ago, when I was sitting in my bed, addicted to a cocktail of meds, surrounded by mobility equipment, facing an amputation, being angry and resentful to my nearest and dearest when they were just trying to look after me, I would have never believed that I had the career of my dreams lying in wait… who knew?!! One day I caught sight of myself in the mirror and promised myself that if I tried to get myself out of this mess and recovered, I would at least give my lifelong yearning to work in fashion a go… and the rest, as they say, is history!
The moral of the story? Never, ever give up, as you never know what is around the corner, there is opportunity in every situation, no matter how shit it feels at the time, and that we are way stronger and more capable than we think… so STOP underestimating yourself, SHOW UP for yourself, start taking more risks, putting your neck on the line…. If you don’t try you will never ever know, and you deserve to be truly happy 💛
View the Feel Good Post here:
Instant winter comfy shoe hack! ❄️
💫Use code MIRANDA for 20% off!
A little insider styling secret you’ll thank me for.... introducing these fabulous @alicebowstore shearling insoles, transferable from shoe to shoe, no socks requited, turning all of your footwear into a comfy sheepskin slipper, being sheepskin they regulate temperature, reduce perspiration and don’t require socks 😍
For the ultimate in comfort, warmth and luxury, treat yourselves to a pair today - they would make a brilliant Christmas gift for the woman who has everything.
Top tip! These fit best if your shoes are half a size larger than your usual size - so there’s enough room for that fluffy shearling, so if you normally wear thick socks with a pair they would be perfect, welly boots too... the possibilities are endless!
Did you know that this brand are also Royally approved? They are none other than Kate Middleton’s insole of choice! 👑
Give them a go and let me know how you get on.
View the Feel Good Fashion reel here:
All about me...💛
Yes, I’m jumping on this trend but I thought it was a bit of fun - here’s a brutally honest but light-hearted bit of blurb about me that you might not know.... hope I raised a smile!
In other news, I popped my Christmas shopping cherry (finally) yesterday, but still haven’t eaten a mince pie - this is major self control btw - I have usually consumed about 50 by now, I have a bizarre addiction which gets totally out of control at this time of year, I’ll call it ‘nostalgic eating’!! 🤣
Back to the shopping - all I will say is that teens are impossible to buy for and they have ideas of grandeur waaaaay beyond reality, in the good old days I was delighted with anything from Debenhams or Marks & Sparks, these days I am presented with a list of designer goods, many of which reside in Bond Street! I blame TikTok! Not sure a Terry’s chocolate orange is going to cut it this year.... and don’t even get me started on stockings!! Hey ho... 🎄
I promise I’m not bah humbug, I actually adore Christmas, but maturing kids are definitely keeping me on my gifting toes!! 🎁
Another shout out for the fabulous Calm Christmas audiobook and Podcast by the gorgeous Beth Kempton - they really are the loveliest listen whilst lounging in the bath or going for a walk, and are full of lovely ideas, plus oodles of reminders to take care of ourselves at this time of year and appreciate the simple things - not an Ad, just really really good! 👌🏼
Hang in there my friends, stay well, take care of you, and throw perfectionism right out of that frosty window... the spirit of the season is in the magic of the little things, so make sure you allow yourself the time you deserve to enjoy them.
View the Feel Good post here:
Surprising secret winter wardrobe weapons to keep you warm and stylish! ⭐️
Brrrr!! It's chilly all of a sudden - plus I'm currently packing for NYC next week where the temperature is in the minuses, so it's all about how to keep warm whilst still staying stylish. Here are the secret, and surprising winter wardrobe weapons you need!!
❄️ Fingerless gloves and matching beanie - ok, this one isn't particularly surprising, but stylists LOVE to layer, and I love the extra options that winter provides, such as wearing a matching set like these, my preference would be Somerville Scarves in leopard (of course). Sass and Edge also do some colourful sets, I collect these, and they really finish off an outfit.
❄️ A blanket scarf. Not just a chunky neck scarf but a full on blanket scarf worn flat against the body over a coat and belted around the waist. Not only is this stylish but it provides an extra knitwear layer and gives you back your waist!
❄️ Sparkly socks. This is definitely time NOT to have bare ankles! Sparkly socks are a great way of giving your look a little festive lift but staying warm, I love them - you can go tonal to match your look or provide some contrast. & Other Stories and Mango have lots!
❄️ Shearling insoles. I shared these earlier this week. The Alice Bow ones are brilliant and you can get 20% off with code MIRANDA - they transfer from shoe to shoe, are super comfy, and prevent frostbitten toes!
❄️ Fleece-lined leggings or tights. You can layer these under dressed or even a pair of trousers if you need to. You can get faux leather versions too! Try Amazon or M&S
❄️ Thermal vests - I buy lots of fine ones and layer several for maximum effect. Uniqlo and M&S have the monopoloy on the market, but Lavender Hill have brilliant layering pieces too.
❄️ Slimline puffa gilet - super warm and streamlined, wear these under your coat for an extra layer of protection. Uniqlo have a rainbow of colours!
❄️ Handwarmers - a red carpet staple for my clients - I can safely say there is probably nowhere I haven't stuffed a hand warmer! 🤣 Absolutely useful in all sorts of conditions - I'll leave the rest to your imaginations!!
View the Feel Good Fashion post here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0RxdORMhRk/?img_index=1
Have a brilliant weekend!
Love
Mx
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