Realize to Accessorize

This summer, it’s all about what you are accessorizing your clothes with rather than the clothes themselves. We’ve reached a point where it’s not so much the print or the cut of what we are wearing that are to stand out to those interested in what we are wearing, but the bags, jewellery, hairstyles and shoes that we are pairing with it. These things can make or break an outfit, and you need to ensure that you’re getting it right on point to make an impact during the warmer months.

Bags

Realistically speaking, you want to go for something that’s both practical and fashionable; something that will see you through a couple of summers rather than being wasted on just one. For this to happen, you will need to invest in something like Italian leather handbags - something that offers versatility as well as staying permanently in style. It generally goes that the simpler the handbag, the more likely it is to work with any and every outfit that you can think of. It’s a bag like this that you need to have on your side when the warmer weather hits and your outfits can vary dramatically from day to day.

Shoes

When summer comes, we’re looking for comfort and style mixed up in one. Sandals are good for this, as are low-level trainers - if you are looking further than these two options, then you’re going to be in a sweaty mess. Make sure that you go for breathable fabric, such as cotton, for the trainers, or a good hard-wearing material such as leather for the sandals. The last thing you want is for your shoes to fall apart before the season has even ended!

Hair

There are so many hairstyles which are just suited to the summer. Braiding and plaiting your hair hasn’t gone off trend since it first began, and won’t for a good long while yet. Studying some tutorials on YouTube and other video platform sites may help you to learn just what you need to do to put together an effortless look where your hair is concerned. Whether it goes in an updo or remains hanging around your head, most of the attention from your outfit can be diverted to your locks and what you have decided to do with them. This isn’t a bad thing - if you’re struggling with what to put on, simply drawing attention away from it and focusing on what you’ve done with your hair can be a great distraction.

Jewellery

This is something that can be styled to your heart’s content - as little or as much as you would like. Go all out with chunky fashion statements or keep it minimalistic … whichever one you decide to go for will work this summer. We have finally reached a point where shops are stocking tremendous amounts of both styles of jewellery and everything in between, so it’s not so much what is in style this summer, but what is in style in your own life - what you make work for you.

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Consider covering these costs for your bridesmaids

Becoming a bridesmaid is kind of an emotional roller coaster. It starts off with being super excited for your bestie, gushing over all the gorgeous details you'll help her plan, then a bit of a crushing sinking feeling when you realize that the cost of being a bridesmaid is more than you spend on rent. So to make your special day a little easier on your bridal party, here are a few costs that you should cover:

Dresses

The bridesmaid’s dresses are probably one of the main things that a bride will usually purchase. Since it’s unlikely that many bridesmaids will be wearing their dress again after the big day – unless, of course, you opt for a style of dress that they’ll be able to re-wear for a range of other occasions- it can often seem a little unfair to ask bridesmaids to buy their own dresses when you’ve asked them to be a part of your bridal party. If you’re hoping to save money on bridesmaid’s dresses, there are plenty of ways to do this, from dress rental to second-hand dresses or even choosing different styles for each girl.

Travel Expenses

If your wedding ceremony is being held some distance away from home or perhaps you are even getting married abroad, it’s often nice to pay all or at least some of the travel expenses for your bridesmaids. If you’re unable to afford to pay for plane tickets or other transportation for all of your bridesmaids, you may want to come to a compromise by giving all of them a set amount of cash to put towards their tickets, for example if you pay half for them. However, this isn’t an expense that you always have to cover – have a talk with your bridesmaids first, as you may find that they’re perfectly ok with getting themselves to your wedding.

Hair and Makeup

If you want your girls to look their best for the big day and want them to have their hair and makeup professionally done, it’s a good idea to pay for this yourself as some bridesmaids might think that it’s a little bit much to ask them to pay for it, especially if they wouldn’t have booked themselves in at a salon if you hadn’t requested it. If you don’t have enough in your budget to pay for your bridesmaids to visit a salon on the big day, you should make sure that they know that it’s optional. If you want UK wedding savings, online shopping and directories are a must to scoop the best deal.

Working out what and what not to pay for your bridesmaids can be tricky, but by talking with them, it can be easier than you think to figure it out.

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How to: Get easy effortless waves with a hair straightener

Having super thin hair, I like having a bit of volume to my hair without a lot of effort. Reading other tutorials, I don't know what their normal routine encompasses, but I don't consider mousse, hairspray, hair pins, and 10+ minutes to be "effortless". So, I came up with my own trick that only takes 2-5 minutes and no extra fuss.

My Irresistable Me professional flat iron instantly heats up, which really helps when I press snooze too many times. With diamond and tourmaline technology, I actually don't need to spray my hair before use because my hair is truly still smooth and not fried afterwards. 

How to get the look: Instead of wasting time sectioning off my hair, I just grab strands and start curling. To do this, clamp the strand of hair between the straightener and pull the hair while curling inwards, holding the straightening iron vertically. I like really loose waves, so curling from the mid-section of my hair to the end of each strand typically takes about 3 seconds at 370 degrees heat. 

The beauty about these messy waves is that it really doesn't matter if you're a little sloppy with the technique. Some waves bigger than others? Miss a few strands? No problem! Remember, effortless waves should actually be effortless. Just run your fingers through your hair a bit and you're good to go. I still have a few fly-aways in my finished photo below, but I kind of like it like that - it really adds to the "I woke up like this" polished messy look.

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Accidentally in love

 Eyelash lace skirt c/o Rosegal / Knit tank top from Mendocino / Silver collar necklace c/o Rosegal / White envelope clutch / Slingback wedge sandals from Winners

"You get what you pay for". Usually, people say this when they cheap out and regret buying something of ridiculously low quality. But I prefer to use this saying as a cautionary grain of salt. 

First off, I unintentionally chopped off my hair. I've complained about my barber before, and yes, I go to a barber to get my hair cut. But he's really nice and does a decent job for the price, so I went back. This time, I showed him a picture of the style I wanted and told him "2 inches off", which would leave my hair up well below my shoulders. The good news is that he did exactly the style that I showed him. The bad news is that he took 6 inches off my hair. I wanted so much to be mad, but all things considered, he did a really good job on a short hairdo.

And now we have Rosegal. I've bought from cheap online stores before, and with prices averaging between $5-$20, my expectations were super low. I was telling myself that for that price point, I should have low expectations. But I was absolutely pleasantly surprised. The lace skirt is opaque, the eyelash lash skirt is beautifully detailed and not frayed, and the silver necklace hasn't tarnished or broken. No, the material isn't super soft or anything, but for the price, it's no worse than anything you would get from Forever 21. 

I could pay premium prices for things like haircuts and clothes, but there's something oddly addictive about being uncertain on whether or not things are going to turn out as an expected shame or as a great surprise. I know online shopping can be a gamble sometimes, but I definitely recommend taking a change on Rosegal and all their items here!

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Hair inspiration and trends for 2015

Planning your hairstyles can be daunting. But, in 2015 there is going to be some fantastic alternative hair styles that everyone is going to love. Whether you have short hair or tumbling locks, you can achieve these amazing styles in an instant. In 2014, we all seemed to have overly complicated hairstyles and colours. Thank god for 2015. Now, hair is going to be much more laid back and chic. Perfect!

Casual Braids

Braids are the perfect laidback, ultra cool look. They are perfect for festival season and for hitting the mall with your friends. But, this year, over styling and complicated braids is a huge no-no. It’s all about adding simple braids to your hair. Keep your hair tousled and soft. Use a Remington curling wand for beach-inspired waves. Then, add a handful of skinny braids throughout your hair. It’s the ultimate way to style your hair in a no-nonsense way. It’s an amazing hair style. But, it's ultra-easy to achieve at home. Even hair novices can covet this rocking look.

Garlands

Please stop walking around with floral crowns like it's Coachella every day. If you want to remain chic and bang on trend for 2015, it’s all about using simple garlands and adornments to your hair. Accessorizing your hair is a simple and easy way to remain fashionable. What’s more, you don’t have to spend a fortune on accessories either. Add a simple flower to a low, messy bun. The key to keeping this look ‘indie’ is to make sure that your hair is not overly brushed and sleek. A messy side bun looks perfect with a simple silk scarf or flower adornment. It’s maximum chic without the fuss.



Crimping

Crimping has become something a hot trend this winter. It’s a great look too. But, the key to bringing this trend bang up to date is to crimp sections of the hair. Opt for a high ponytail and crimp every other section. Add salt spray and backcombing to keep this look fresh. It’s the perfect hairstyle for nights out with the girls.

The Half and Half

This low maintenance hairstyle is perfect for busy girls on the go. Simply take the upper half section of your hair and clip from your head. Leave the under section of your hair to flow freely. Keep the centre parting straight, so that this look can be maintained easily. Add a cute clip or some simple bobby pins. Simple, tousled curls can dress this hair style up for a night out.

The Bold and the Beautiful

Okay, so it's not all about calmer styles this year. Bold colours are perfect for those that want to unleash their inner rock chick. Pastel tones look fabulous on blonde hair. Lilacs, blues and greens are all funky. If you want a semi-permanent solution, hair chalks are perfect for achieving mermaid hair.

Images via Brit+Co, Fashion Face Place, Designs Next

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Rebellious

via Pinterest

Since high school, I've made sure that I dressed nicely and said things like "oh crackers" instead of swearing so I'd be fully prepared for the work world. But the place I work at now can best be described as anti-corporate. All sorts of language flows freely and I'm thinking about showing up in sweatpants (nicely styled, of course). Since I work somewhere that does't expect me to be in a pencil skirt with hair tied back everyday, I've been tempted to be rebellious since I never went through that stage during my teens. In keeping up with my previous post of subtle badassery, I've been contemplating wildly coloured hair. Except that my rebellious side takes a backseat to my laziness though because I can't be bothered to upkeep hair like this. Oh, and since I'm asian, I risk looking like an anime character. That's a big factor too.

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Cliphair extensions giveaway

Who's in the mood for some new hair?  You could win any hair extensions of your choice!

I did a blog post about my new hair extensions a little while ago, and now the folks at Cliphair are back with a really great offer. Want longer hair? Going for a more voluminous look? Feel like experimenting with bangs? Or a sleek ponytail? Yup, they've got it all. The best part of this is that it's so easy to experiment with extensions. Because of their use of Remy human hair, extensions can be dyed, cut, curled, and straightened.

 Giveaway is open internationally. Open until August 30 at 11:59 pm EST. Simply follow the Rafflecopter below to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Review: Hair extensions

I was bored last week and decided to cut two inches off my hair. It doesn't look like I got attacked by a lawn mower, but doing a DIY haircut really isn't the same as going to a professional.  Thankfully, I got some hair extensions that give me back the layers and length that I hacked away.

I'm using Cliphair's Double Weft extensions in darkest brown. After choosing the colour and length you want, each pack comes with extensions of multiple widths that are made with genuine human hair that can be cut, curled/straightened, and dyed. The extensions clip easily underneath the back of your hair for added length and volume.

Before

After

There's a noticeable difference in the length of my hair, but I'm more excited about how much extra hair and volume I get with the extensions. As someone with super thin hair (and not a lot of it), it's pretty great having enough hair to fall over my shoulders and onto my back at the same time. The extensions matched my hair colour perfectly, even giving me a bit of a highlight, and was soft and lightweight. Also, it's a bit weird getting used to extensions, but in a good way. Running my fingers through my hair, I was left wondering which bits were my own hair and which bits were the extensions.  It's definitely a good sign when even I have trouble telling them apart.

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Look at anything but the haircut

Oh look, a new bag! Yes, the focus of this post is solely for the purpose of showing off my new camera bag satchel. ...Okay fine, and the fact that my hair is almost a foot shorter.  Not that it's a bad haircut, but I just really miss my long hair.  I haven't had mid-length hair like this in 4 years, I think.  Don't quite feel like myself yet, but I know the feeling will pass.  For now, prepare for a slew of photos with my hair tied up.

Anyway, I'm really enjoying hunting around my neighbourhood for photo locations.  This little forest-like area with a small creek was found behind some industrial buildings.  It was quaint, hidden and lovely, but also protected by geese.  I tried to keep my distance since...well, geese are mean.  They hiss, they scowl, and they make a big mess.  I would've loved to go back to take more photos, but the fear of being attacked by a goose (and its flock!) trumps the blog.

What I'm wearing:
-Blue Polo Ralph Lauren blouse
-Tan shorts from Forever 21
-Camera bag satchel (yay eBay!)

Oh, and before you say that my haircut isn't that drastic, please have a look at the last photo I could find that shows how long my hair was (via Pop Champagne & Demu...and with them). 

It's a new year- go digital.

Looking back on my last post, I could've been a whole lot more thorough with my pictures and descriptions. So here it is, a full digital perm guide on what it is, what it looks like, and why it is for you.

Digital perms originated in Korea and its popularity has spread primarily to Japan, but is also popular in other countries as well. Digital perms are still fairly new, so prices are still relatively high. In general, they are more expensive than normal perms. Personally, my perm was for $350 CAD. I was told that the majority of costs covers the importation of the digital perm machine and the chemicals used in the hair since they are (apparently) not yet available in North America.

A digital perm does the same job as a normal perm- it curls your hair. The main difference in the process is that there are less chemicals- none of which are ammonia-based. Therefore, it is healthier for your hair. You will find that hair appears shinier, less dry, and less frizzy than with a normal perm. Another difference is the results that are achieved. Digital perms tend to offer curls that are softer and wavier. Also, instead of starting from the roots, curls begin around the ears. Unlike normal perms (aka. cold perms), digital perms (aka. hot perms) use a machine to emit heat directly to hair in curlers. If you note in the picture below, each curler is connected to a wire.

In general, the process takes longer than normal perms. My digital perm process took a total of 4 hours (including air drying and heat cooling).

Machine used in digital perming

Digital perms are very low maintenance. Air dry or blow dry- the results are easy to achieve consistently. Simply curl your hair with your fingers after washing or in the morning for instant results. Overall, digital perms last for about 6 months to a year.

Like normal perms, digital perms work best on hair that is neither thin nor coarse, but results would be seen on all hair types. Personally, I have very thin hair and long hair, so I would not be able to get large extravagant curls, but something more along the lines of gentle waves. Curls can be thin, medium, or large. You can also decide how tight you want the curls- hair type permitting.

Before

After

My hair may not be extremely curly, but at least it's noticeably more volumized. So far, it is very easy to maintain. My hair is naturally straight, but I suffer from terrible bedhead, so I would actually flat iron my hair every morning. That was definitely making my hair dry and unhealthy, so now I'm hoping to put away the flat iron and just let my hair be.

xo A Talentless Mess

Hair today...

I got myself a little Christmas gift. I got myself a digital perm.

So the difference between a normal perm and a digital perm is that a digital perm uses less chemicals and different heating techniques to curl hair. It is similar to Japanese straightening. It is still fairly new, but some salons (particularly Asian salons) do offer it in North America.

My hair is very thin, so the curls didn't end up too large or extravagant; more like gentle curls/a relaxed beach waves.

Before

After

More pictures will come in my future blogs since digital perms last for about a year.

xo A Talentless Mess