As the strange summer of 2020 winds down to a close, 2020’s overall weirdness has become a matter of course for most of us. We’re left wondering if this is the new normal or if things will return to how they were.

Update

Enhancing your eyelashes is an absolute must for those makeup savvy fashionistas out there, but did you know this trend dates back much further than you have thought? 

Flawless Lashes by Loreta have created an interactive site, appropriately named The Eyelash Archives. In this sponsored post we will look at what they found and check out their concise overview of how eye makeup has evolved over many centuries, you may discover those falsies you thought were inspired by Kim K are actually more Ancient Pompeii! 



Ancient Rome 753 B.C - 476 A.D

Even in Ancient Rome, long thick eyelashes were associated with femininity. Plinius the Elder stated that excessive sex would cause eyelashes to fall out. As a result, women would use kohl to darken and thicken lashes to ‘prove’ their chastity.

Medieval Era 1066 – 1485

At this point in history, cosmetic fashion completely turned around. Instead of accentuating lashes, women of this period would pluck them out. The forehead was considered the most alluring element of a woman. To give the appearance of a larger forehead, women would pluck their hairline and removed lashes and eyebrows.

Elizabethan Era 1533 – 1603

Queen Elizabeth I certainly shaped an entire new craze with her distinctive red hair. Women of high society were desperate to copy the monarch’s natural locks and would dye their hair and eyelashes the same shade. This was often done in secret as the use of dye was considered common and unacceptable to respectable ladies.

Victorian Era 1837 - 1901

It is common to relate Victorians to grizzly methods and eyelashes are certainly no exception. In Paris, the gruesome practice of sewing real human hair through the epidermis of the eyelids using needles was all the rage. In true Victorian fashion, cocaine was used as a numbing agent. Thankfully, the first non-toxic mascara was also invested within this era by Eugène Rimmel and this put an end to this horrific procedure. It was also the birth of the famous Rimmel brand we know today.

Hollywood Era 1902- 1916



In 1902, the first patent for false eyelashes in the UK was confirmed. In 1916, director D.W. Griffiths infamously requested Seena Owen to wear lashes so long they ‘brushed her cheeks’ in Intolerance. The glue used caused her eyes to swell so much that she could not see; Griffiths was not overly worried as all her scenes had been shot by this point. Women flocked to cosmetic stores to copy this silver-screen look, as we still do today.

Art Deco Inventions 1920s

Now that we are in the middle of August, the end of summer is nigh and it might be something you are looking forward to or that you are sad to see come to fruition. Summertime is always fleeting and it seems to pass much more swiftly than any other season. If you are looking towards the autumn and winter with excitement or anticipation, we are here to help you transition your fashion in preparation for the change.

Add some length



During the summer, a lot of us live in maxi dresses and long skirts with silky camisoles, and once the time comes for autumn to say hello, we can make the most of these styles. The beauty of maxi dresses and skirts is the fact that they cover the leg completely and this will keep you from getting a chill as the weather slowly starts to cool down for the winter.

Layer it up

One of the best ways you can make an outfit pop and add some fun to a boring dress is to layer up with something else. There are lots of different ways you can layer up an outfit and this includes adding a buttoned shirt around the waist or over the shoulders, breaking out the thin cardigan, or wearing a denim jacket to keep out the chill. You can layer any outfit with something extra to give that feel on transition and it will show that you are more than ready to prepare for the autumn.

Break out the tartan

Tartan is a pattern which is associated highly with autumn and winter and it is a pattern you will likely be starting to see back in the shops already. Tartan comes in many colours and styles and you can choose a style which works for you and your taste. Once you have your tartan ready, you can enjoy wearing a little piece of autumn with your summer outfits while we transition from August to September.

Add some leather



Leather is a diverse fashion item and you can wear it in many different ways. Add a leather jacket or skirt to your outfit, to make you look more autumn ready in seconds. Plus, you’ll stay nice and toasty and your look will always be timeless! 

Do you wish you had some more fashion inspiration? Do you look at your wardrobe and think I don't know what to wear? These are my new year resolutions for a stylish 2018 and I hope you take what you want from these and that they inspire you too.



1. Plan outfits in advance for the week

Think about your work situations, meals out with your partner or the girls, or that shopping day in the city and plan your clothes accordingly. If you do this then this will mean you won't be panicking last minute about what to wear or realising your favourite dress is in the wash. It will also, of course, save time when you are getting ready to go out, so try and add this to your routine every week.

2. Keep an eye out for new trends

Keep an eye out for new trends and take the best and go with it. Adding something new to your wardrobe can give it a whole different look. Keep an eye out for new trends from the catwalk and see how it filters down to the high street. Find your favourite trends such as checks, pastels, or Cinderella shoes and add them to your wardrobe to freshen it up.

3. Don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone

The new year is here and that means there’s a whole 12 months ahead of us full of new styles and a fresh approach to fashion. With many high street stores and fashion powerhouses already looking towards spring styles, perhaps it’s time you took a look at your own collection of clothes and accessories ready for the upcoming seasons.





No wardrobe is complete without a set of accessories, perfectly offsetting any outfit and adding some glamour to even the simplest of garments. A good pair of earrings or an eye-catching bracelet can completely transform your look and now is the perfect time for investing in those jewellery essentials and adding them to your 2018 wardrobe. So, if you’re hoping to kick off your jewellery collections with some of the most essential pieces in 2018, look no further. Here are just some of the jewellery essentials that should have a place in your wardrobe.

Charm Bracelet 




One of the easiest pieces of jewellery to wear, a charm bracelet can ensure your personality shines through while adding a perfect amount of arm candy to your outfit. Dainty but striking, wear your bracelet with as little as one charm or build them up; it’s a piece of jewellery that can tell a story. If your personal style is minimalistic, a charm bracelet can match your existing watch to create a carefully put-together look; if you’re a little more adventurous, choose a gold charm on a silver bracelet that stands out.

Charms can often symbolise different things; the shamrock for good luck, angel wings for protection or a heart for love. With this in mind, your charm bracelet can be a special piece that you wear daily as a reminder. Making it a staple part of your jewellery collection, charm bracelets are both versatile and beautiful.

Stacking Rings



Rings that can be worn every day have become increasingly popular; just as you’d put on your jeans every day, girls up and down the country are putting on a stack of rings to highlight their personality and add extra style to their outfits.

There are hundreds of designs to choose from and they are a very simple addition to your wardrobe. Whether you opt for simple gold or silver bands, or something a bit more ornate is down to your personal preference. Many choose to wear a plain band alongside a ring set with a gemstone or charm for extra effect, while others will wear a single ring on multiple fingers for a dazzling look.

Of course, there are also more traditional rings that you can wear every day, such as signet rings or even mood rings. For those interested in getting their own signet ring, you can explore a variety of options at oxfordsignetrings.co.uk.

Hoop Earrings



Accessorising is an important part of any outfit; look at award ceremonies and celebrities arriving on chat shows or photoshoots. It isn’t just about the clothes! Hoop earrings can offer a little something extra, and they’re great if you’ve got long hair that usually hides your smaller stud earrings.

From the smallest, most understated hoops to the biggest, they are an eye-catching accessory to add to your outfit and they go with everything. If you’re feeling particularly stylish, some hoops are designed with a small charm dangling off them for a unique look.

This week Stella McCartney and Ellen MacArthur have called for radical changes in the 'incredibly wasteful' fashion industry. The designer is backing a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation which claims half of High Street fashion is disposed of within a year.

The call for fashion sustainability highlights some important points, but what does fashion sustainability mean?

Sustainable fashion is about producing clothes, in environmentally and socio-economically sustainable manners. It is also about more sustainable patterns of consumption.

In today's 'throw away society', where clothes can be incredibly cheap, it's easy to change your fashion look almost instantly for a fraction of the cost in my parent's day, but is that a good thing? We could do with adopting their attitude to clothing, buying the best that you can afford, and mending clothing if holes appear. For example, who remembers patches on your jeans? I do! Rather than buying a new item of clothing, we could do with thinking of customizing it, adding beading, sequins or a trim can really give it a makeover.




Of course, this needs sewing skills, but with shows like The Great British Sewing Bee, it had become 'on trend' to go back to adult education classes and learn and update your sewing skills.

Manufacturers also need to take responsibility for the sustainability of fashion, breaking away from the disposal nature of clothes, improving the recycling of leftover materials and making effective use of resources and renewables. All this will help improve the environment. In a recent survey by consultants, Kantar Futures, the BBC reported that 80% of respondents said they would pay more for products that lasted longer. That's reassuring to know that consumers really want better quality sustainable clothing too.

To get an insiders view of the fashion industry, I spoke to Tom Lovelace, CEO of Hawthorn, a clothing manufacturer that helps fashion startups, about why sustainability is so important. Winner of the Drapers  'Fashion Supplier of the Year' award 2017 here is Tom's interview.




1) Tell us more about Hawthorn. What makes you unique?

Hawthorn is a clothing manufacturer based in the City of London. We specialise in helping new startups in the fashion industry create their collections of everything from casual wear to tailoring. One of the challenges that a lot of startups have is that manufacturers have high minimum order quantities which mean they spend a lot of money on creating just one or two lines, however, we are able to offer very low quantity, fully custom manufacturing meaning that without limitation we can help startups begin their journey in the industry with as many products as possible for their budget.

2) Why do you think sustainability is so important to the environment and to your business?

Sustainability is important to everyone not just in the fashion industry, but in the world. The fashion industry is, however, the second most polluting industry, behind the oil industry, and we believe that as manufacturers it is our responsibility to do as much as possible to help the environment in any way we can. Because we work with start-up businesses, we have developed sustainable fabrics which can be supplied at low order quantities, meaning that brands no longer have to make very large orders to be able to achieve their sustainability goals.

3) What are you as a company doing to help the advancement of sustainability in the fashion industry?

In developing new sustainable fabrics which can be produced in low quantities to help small businesses in the fashion industry, we are helping to bring new brands to the market who either deal in all sustainable or part sustainable clothing. Over the past year or so since we have been developing these new fabrics and offering them to our customers, we have seen the % of brands we work with who use sustainable clothing rise from around 5% to over 30%; These are brands who would have otherwise had no choice other than to use traditionally farmed fabrics, which can be harmful to the environment.

4) Are there any exciting new developments in fabric design to watch out for?

Fabrics are constantly developing, however sustainable activewear is something which we're starting to see a trend for. Traditional activewear brands are certainly on the rise in popularity, however, some brands are now incorporating sustainable elements. For example, Organic Cotton and Elastane blends are coming into the market, being chosen by brands who may have usually had no choice other than to use Polyester, a fabric that is not kind to the environment at all.

5) What can consumers do to help the sustainable cause?

Arguably, consumers are on the front line of sustainability because of supply and demand; brands will always strive to meet the demand of their customers and as trends start to show that more customers are switching to sustainable fabrics, the brands and manufacturers will be forced to change their ways also. When this happens there will only be a positive environmental impact.



Tell me, have you thought about sustainable fashion? Is the environment important to you?

It is hard staying at the height of fashion, as I’m sure we all know. What was ‘the look’ last year is now lying at the back of the wardrobe feeling sorry for itself. Fashion moves faster than Usain Bolt, so we all need a little bit of help keeping up with the pace from time to time.

And it is not just the clothes that dictate how good we look; accessories have a huge part to play as well. For a long time, accessories have been seen as something that women pay more attention to than men do but times are changing. With retailers now offering a much better selection of accessories than ever before, more men and women than ever are feeling inspired to use accessories to complete their look.

Here are my top 5 accessories to complete a look:

Earrings 

When it comes to buying clothes, I must admit there are certain times of the year when I get a bit naughty and splash the cash. Each new season, I browse the magazines for the 'What's Hot' section, devour the best fashion blogs, search online for the newest styles, and drive to Cardiff to go a bit mad with the debit card. I never spend what I can't afford but there is something intrinsically exciting about buying new clothes when the weather and seasons change. 

Recently I have been looking for new brands to follow and one of these is Simply Be. Simply Be clothes are made for ladies size 12 and above that love their curves and the woman they are  Clothes are always flattering, but also designed for the  latest trends. What I love about Simply Be is that the clothes appeal to ladies in the 20's as well as ladies into their 40's and 50's and even older. Delivery is free and next day if you order by 10pm so that is excellent to know. Brand lovers will also be happy as Simply B stock a variety from Ax Paris to Michael Kors, Skechers to Joe Browns.

These are some of my favourite fashion looks from Simply Be this Autumn/Winter 2016.



The On Trend Jacket £29





Bomber jackets are everywhere this season and this pretty floral print jacket are fab for layering. I'd pair this with skinny jeans and a simple t-shirt to go shopping in town or out for a drink with friends. Check out the coats and jackets here.

Johnny Loves Rosie is a fashion accessory brand that emerged from the London scene over 15 years ago. Love is at the heart of everything they do, from their cute fashion led products which are lovingly designed to the pretty heart motif that adorns many of their accessories.

When they offered me to review an item, I have to admit I took a while choosing as there are so many things I wanted from the website. After a while browsing the delights, I decided on the black strap gold midi dial watch.



When the watch arrived it came in this rather swish box below with simple understated lettering.




The watch mixes classic styling with a fashion edge and looks ever so pretty on my wrist.



This watch would make an excellent gift for someone you care about and the best part is, it is only £35. That is what makes Johnny Loves Rosie special, quality accessories at a reasonable price. It even has a 1 year warranty. You can buy Johnny Loves Rosie direct from their website or from a number of stockists such as River Island, Next and ASOS.


There are many more gorgeous items on the Johnny Loves Rosie website and I really can't believe how affordable this fashion led brand is to be honest. I usually have expensive tastes, but if I can get my fashion fix at prices like this I will be very happy! Here are some of my favourite bags from the website below, let me know what you think. 

If you love to stay in fashion but have a tight budget to work to, nothing beats splashing out on a few key accessories. Forget buying a whole new wardrobe to mark the changing of the seasons – all you need to do to is update your everyday look with shoes, bags and jewellery that reflect the latest trends. But how to choose the hottest looks for 2016? Check out our guide to the most stylish accessories of 2016.

Mismatched earrings

Copyright: Nadya Korobkova Shutterstock 

You know that drawer full of old, single earrings you’ve kept for years just in case the other one turns up? Now is their time to shine. One of the hottest trends on the catwalks this season was mismatched earrings – so get out your favourite pieces and wear them with pride. For bonus style points, use earrings that pick up different accents or elements in the rest of your outfit. For example, you could pair one fabric and one gold earring with a tasselled bag and a gold belt, or wear coloured earrings that match different parts of what you are wearing.

Bright colours

Copyright: Vitalii Tiagunov Shutterstock

Bright and beautiful will be a big trend this year, but going all out on some fluorescent orange trousers or pillar box red shirts might be too much for some people – which is why this is one fashion perfectly suited to accessories. You can add a colourful touch to any outfit with bags and shoes in bold primary colours, or add an even subtler touch with statement jewellery in your favourite bright shades. In the summer, colourful sunglasses are also a subtle yet stylish way to stay on-trend. You can find some of these chic accessories cheaper with a Debenhams voucher.

Chokers

Copyright: Vitalii Tiagunov Shutterstock

Last seen as a bargain-basement accessory that graced the necks of all teenage girls in the late 90s, the choker is enjoying a big comeback. For a soft, daytime look you can choose fabric chokers made out of velvet or lace, in monochromatic shades. Or, if you want to add some glitz to an evening outfit, why not accessorise with a choker in silver or gold? For real drama and added bling, choose ones with precious stones or beads set into them to make a real statement this season. Shops like Debenhams have a great selection for you to choose from.

Body jewellery

No, we don’t mean that belly button piercing you had done when you were 18. This season’s hottest body jewellery is all about full-body chains and pendants inspired by Asian wedding jewellery. Perfect for special occasions, they go great with a simple little black dress – or worn over a swimsuit or bikini for a super-luxe look when you’re away on your holidays. For a great range of accessories including a selection of body jewellery, you can check out the low prices you can get using TK Maxx discount.

Leather belts

As a direct contrast to the feminine edge of the majority of 2016 accessory trends, leather belts are also very in fashion this year. Think thick, often embossed belts, used to cinch in the waist and create an hourglass silhouette. They look great used to smarten up a casual outfit for a day at the office or used to dress down an evening look. Studs and even rhinestones also graced the leather belts at this year’s catwalk shows, so it’s time to channel your inner cowgirl!

What accessories make your look?

* sponsored post

One such design that has come back into fashion and is popular with Names 4 Ever is the name necklace like the 'Carrie' necklace. Made popular by the series Sex In The City, the 'Carrie' necklace was worn by Carrie Bradshaw who was played by Sarah Jessica Parker and was acquired when she went shopping with her best friends in the show. It symbolised being single and free.  The popularity of it grew and before long it became worn by women of all ages, single, in a relationship and married - women that adored the personalised scripted jewellery.

A design that is similar to the 'Carrie' necklace is the 'Petra' necklace. In a beautiful script, what makes this necklace stand out is the heart bottom right of the design. It is particularly popular as it is often gifted by a partner due to the symbol of love in the design.

Another popular necklace by Names 4 Ever is the 'Infinity' necklace. The 'Infinity 'sign is used for ultimate bonds, like love and friendships - heartfelt concepts of eternity. A lovely gift for your first love or perhaps for your partner on your wedding day, the unbroken bond of the 'Infinity' necklace is forever.
The 'Bar' necklace is a design made by Names 4 Ever, that is simple, chic and stylish. If you want a classic look that won't date consider this necklace with your choice of engraving. If you do not want names engraved, a heart felt message or words that you live your life by can be lovingly scripted on this beautiful necklace.
Today I am giving you the chance to win a name necklace in silver only. Entry is through the Gleam application below which picks the winner at random. It's easy to enter honestly, for a guide on how to enter check out this post by Super Lucky Di!

If you like the competition why don't you bookmark it as you can enter daily. If you enjoy entering competitions, I have more competitions running on my competition page here. Good luck!
Win a silver name necklace

UK competitions at ThePrizeFinder