Flower Power

If there's one trend I know for sure that crops up on fashion runways every spring/summer is floral print. Though autumn is around the corner, don't discard your floral fantasies just yet because whether you like it or not, designers have taken a great liking towards floral print and the print is blooming in Dolce & Gabbana, Erdem and Temperley London Fall 2012 ready-to-wear collections. It has proven itself as a classic print that just never runs out of fashion and can be worn year round. The colour palette and designs of today's floral prints are modern - a little more graphic, abstract and carefully scattered - no longer only suitable for grandmothers' to wear for tea.

Don't just limit yourself to floral tops; be creative and wear it on the bottom. Floral shorts have made a comeback from the 80's and they're not only for the beach. So, make this an excuse to retire your good old jeans for a while and have some fun, sun and play in these cute floral shorts whilst showing off your gorgeous pins anytime, anywhere!

eBay; US$7.99/RM25; free worldwide delivery
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DIY Zakka; RM25
Photos courtesy of DIY Zakka

eBay; US$9.99/RM32; available in red and purple
Also available at Gold Apple;
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6th Sense; RM45 RM35; available in yellow and pink
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LuckyLucky FashionNet; RM35; available in orange and blue
Also available at Moo Moo Boutique;
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eBay; US$11.99/RM38; free worldwide delivery
Also available at LuckyLucky FashionNet
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Moo Moo Boutique; RM39
Also available at LuckyLucky FashionNet
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LIKE from Zalora; RM59 RM50.15; available in green and yellow
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Opt for longer and looser lengths if you're not one who fancy tight knicker shorts - they make your legs appear slimmer. They're perfect for picnics and barbecues when there are various activities involved as they do not restrict movements. These cute floral shorts add a splash of vibrant colours and a dose of cheerfulness to your activities. If you're feeling a little clueless on styling a pair of floral shorts, merely style it the same way you would a floral top. A trick I always use when in doubt that works every time is to pair it with a plain tee of any colour found on the floral shorts.

For you lot who simply can't get enough of floral print, there's one statement piece that is sure to rock your boat - a floral print blazer - which I've featured in my previous post on coloured blazer here.

What do you think?

What are your thoughts on the floral print trend? Would you wear floral shorts? Which is your favourite? How would you style it? If you know of other places to shop for affordable floral bottoms, do share with me.
Don't forget to leave a comment and tell me what you think!

Mattifying Blusher and Bronzer

Have you ever experienced walking into a drugstore knowing what you want to purchase but walked out of it in less than five minutes because you couldn't find what you were looking for?

Shopping for cosmetics in drugstores is an arduous and irritated task when it comes to products that are scarcely available at drugstores but boast extensive ranges at high-end stores like matte blushers and bronzers/contour powders.

I never understood why there are a galore of shimmer blushers and bronzers sold at drugstores but not matte. It's certainly understandable to add a little shimmer on our face to give live and glow to our sallow skin in the winter due to lack of sun exposure but we don't need that because we literally have summer all year round to give us skin cancer, let alone gives us a natural flush. Not forgetting the blazing sun melts our nicely done makeup like wax and gives us skin as shiny as polished silverware after mere four hours of wear. All that shimmer is only going to enhance our already huge pores and blemishes and make us look like disco balls in broad daylight. We are trying to conceal our facial flaws here, not celebrate them in all its glory (unless you are going for that look).

Out of frustration, it's easier to burn a hole in our pocket and get these beauty products at high-end stores than putting ourselves through what seems like an impossible feat. Well, you can save your penny and cash it on something else with these drugstore and discounted department store matte blushers and bronzers/contour powders for under RM50!

Blushers

NYX Powder Blush; RM27; available in 15 matte shades
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Sleek Makeup Blush; RM31.50; available in 8 matte shades
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Vincent Longo Spectralite Blush; RM57 RM32; available in 3 shades; free worldwide delivery
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Korres Botanically Coated Blush; RM76 RM35; available in 7 shades; free worldwide deliveryPhoto credits

Bronzers/Contour Powders

I'm well aware that the trend in Asia is to have whiter skin and not bronzed, tanned skin. But for those of you who are digging the Victoria's Secret bombshell look as I am, then this is your holy grail. In spite of that, all the Snow Whites shouldn't just shun the idea of a matte bronzer if you intend to achieve the noted Kim Kardashian's sculpted cheekbones, high nose bridge and slim face that is red carpet worthy. In fact, a matte bronzer serves well as a contour powder and should be in every woman's makeup kit. Remember to go easy on the bronzer - you don't want to look like you've baked yourself in the sun for a little too long or dived into a pool of mud.

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny; RM17.20
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BarryM Matt Bronzing Powder in Natural Dazzle; £5.99/RM30; free worldwide delivery
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Stila Sun Bronzing Powder; RM88.50 RM32; Available in Shade 1 & 2
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Bourjois Bronzing Powder in Bronze; £6.99/RM35
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NYX Matte Bronzer; RM40; available in light and mediumPhoto credits

Sleek MakeUP Face Contour Kit; RM46.10; available in light, medium and dark
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Not too sure how to choose the right shade of bronzer and how to apply? Watch one of my favourite professional makeup artistes, Lisa Eldridge's tutorials - Four Shades of Bronze and Contour and Highlight to learn more.

Tip: Use a matte warm brown eyeshadow or a pressed powder that is one to two shades darker than your skin tone as a contour powder if you can't find the perfect shade of bronzer/contour powder that complements your complexion.

What do you think?

What are your thoughts on blusher and bronzer/contour powder? Do you use them? Which formula do you prefer, matte or shimmer? How do you apply them? If you know of other brands and places to shop for affordable matte blusher and bronzer/contour powder, do share with me.
Don't forget to leave a comment below and tell me what you think!