Adventures of Barbarella

Question: What are your favourite all-time skincare items?

FINALLY answering this question. I use very few products. I don't have a huge amount to say about them, other than, they are fantastic and they work. For reference my skin is sensitive normal to dry-ish and blemish prone.

- Estee Lauder Tinted Moisturizer: This is great for Summer, for going to the beach. It gives some color and has some SPF. The only thing I'd say about it is that it looks quite shiny and it doesn't have any coverage, it's just a tint. I wouldn't wear this out in the city with nothing else on.

- Garnier BB cream Miracle Skin Perfector. I have this in Light and Medium, I mix and match. It's the best moisturizer with some coverage and it makes skin feel amazing. I wear this by itself as a light foundation every day. My skin looks a lot better after starting using this, I don't know if it's because I'm no longer wearing foundation every day, or because this stuff is so good.

- Skinceuticals Retexturing Activator: This is the only "treatment" that I use on my skin. I use this twice a day. I couldn't say what it does, it just makes it brighter and gets rid of impurities. It's also moisturizing enough to skip moisturizer.

- Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish: This is my cleanser. Tried it once and never went back to anything else. It is that amazing. I've noticed a huge, visible improvement on my naked skin after using this a few times. I never thought a cleanser made any difference in the quality of your skin. I still can't figure out how it does it.

- Sisley Gel Express aux fleurs: This is a great express masque, when your skin is dehydrated and feels a bit rough after a night out, this smooths it out, gives luminosity, hydrates...I've used this for ever.

- Mario Badescu Drying lotion: I dot this on pimples and they go away within a few days without a trace

- Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion: This is meant to be used for cysts. Let's face it: there's no miracle for cysts except hard drugs and hormones, but this does help them heal without too much of a scar.

How to party: Pt.1

"Dear Diana, please could you do a post about Nightlife? I've just turned 18, and I don't know where to start. I would love to learn about it all. You are my inspiration. Love, Elizabeth x"

"what's the best way to let a guy know you like him without being obvious?"

Just talk to him, be his friend. You don't need to do anything else than become his friend, and he'll want more, because they do. Call him up, suggest doing things, meet up with other friends, stick around..be in touch.

"Do you have any idea what the fashion trends in summer 2011 will be? Xoxo "

For me it's gonna be:

- 70s disco everything, just like the last two seasons...flared jeans/ trousers, sparkly rich fabrics night dresses, maxi dresses..I'm definitely going for long dresses right now




(Chanel, Blumarine above)

Can't go wrong with references to Versace..it doesn't matter what year you look..I don't even know when these pictures were taken. It's just Versace:

Fur...






Slinky jewel-toned satin...






Wide-leg satin-like patterned pants, as seen in Miu Miu: (and shorts! yay)

- Drapey fabrics more than structural things. Cardigans better than blazers. Sheer little capes, like last season




- Cape dresses ! It's been going on for a while but they're mass-produced this season...super excited about this (not about the mass-produced part, but it does make them more accesible, I used to wear my mom's ones. I love cape dresses)



- i don't think the 60s are going anywhere for makeup and hair and general ladylike-ness




- patterned jumpsuits...predictable. And here is where my missoni jumpsuit comes in (can't find a picture of it)

- Lots of platforms and lots of low heels. I'm a fan of both

 




- Cropped tops I think will be back soon. I haven't really seen this anywhere, I just think they will

UPDATE: Blumarine did some cropping:




- Pijamas as outerwear, just like last year...I loove wearing silk pijamas out and about, big fan of that







- And finally all the typical summer things...lolita shorts + platform espadrilles, fluffy poetic dresses, blouses, white crotchet dresses






...and for me, ad lib dresses as always, because they're all I ever wanna wear!

"hi diana, would you buy this?"

(Schumacer) Yea! I have a very very similar one, identical colour and material, I can't remember who it's from I think it's McQueen. I used to wear it all the time. It's great for winter.

"do you like lush? have you or will you ever buy anything from there?"

No..I love the concept, but I find the smell of the shop horrid and each of the products I tried were not good.. I don't know anybody in real life who likes it!

Hi Diana, Can you name 10 products that you will always repurchase (cosmetics, clothes,jewelery) Love to know your opinions:) xx

I could write several volumes about this, but just quickly, let's say my house burnt down and I needed a couple of things to get my identity back, I would go for these:

Cosmetics

Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation, YSL Rouge Pur Couture #1, #10, Lancome Juicy Tubes Fraise, Giorgio Armani High Precision Retouch, Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer, Diorshow mascara, Benefit Hoola Bronzer








Clothes

Citizens of Humanity jeggings in almost-black, a lipsy black mini dress, a black turtleneck, a 70s-ish beaded blouse, a colourful bikini, a black leather biker jacket, some super tall platform heels and flat ballerinas from french sole, a missoni scarf, a black headband











Jewlery

A skull ring and bracelet (yea. I am that obsessed with it, already). And maybe a diamond ring if that was an option at all. Some large dangly earrings. A tiny faceted gemstone necklace. Maybe that's going too far




Then I'd buy a book and a microphone

Have I forgotten anything?

"What clothes/accesories have you gotten recently? Can you post some pictures on your blog?" xx

These Shu Uemura Tokyo Odyssey lashes, that I plan to use for pictures:

A cashmere tracksuit. I'm not a tracksuit girl but it's okay if it's cashmere. Marks & Spencer. Very warm and cozy and necessary for our cold, cold winter. Last year I regretted not getting one; it's freezing at home in February, so now I'm ready for it and won't have to spend the majority of the time inside the bath.

My baths are quite a legend; I've watched movies in the bath, answered emails, written songs, made most of my phonecalls from the bath, had dinner...



This sheepskin jacket from Muuba. I love my furry leather jackets, I'm sure I've posted pictures of my Preen one before: Black suede, curly sheepskin/reversible very rock&roll, I got it a couple of years ago, it's super warm and I love it. This one is completely different: still warm/super soft, but also very light and more wearable. I managed to find a UK6 which runs very small.



This BCBG by Max Azria dress. I just thought this one was so fun with the flowers and it's really tight on the waist. I'm a size0, and I did take it in at the waist.

Yes that's my wardrobe. One needs tutus and feathery things and snake leather belts and felt headpieces and EVERYTHING!



This!! Beyond excited about this, I finally got a skull bracelet that I've been wanting for years and years, because my boyfriends are such enablers and one after the other reminded me that I "had to go to the Great Frog and get one". So I did, and it is so much more beautiful than I expected:



And I did show my mini christmas tree before but here it is again! In all it's mini glory.




Decorations include: A christmas tree cookie, a bird, a 60s hippie volswagen car, a ballerina, a gingerbread house and a bottle of chardonney. It's gonna be an ecclectic christmas.

Can't wait for the Winter Wonderland preview night in Hyde Park today. I am such a child. I am going to ride the carrousel and go ice skating and have candy apples mmmm : )

"Hi Diana, What are you top 5 lipglosses of all time? x"

- Lancome Juicy Tubes in Fraise. Because it looks beautiful and tastes delicious.

- Dior Ultra Gloss (reflects?), several nude colours. It's no use of me saying names, they keep changing them but I think the one I have is Jersey Pink. These are great for when you need a gloss that's completely non-sticky.

- MAC Florabundance. Iconic. We all need a pornstar beige.

- Bobbi Brown Hot Pink. Actually there's a couple from BB I can't live without. Shiniest gloss ever. And I like my gloss to be shiny.

- Chanel Laser. Chanel glossimers are go-tos but when I try to think of one in particular I can only think of Laser...

"Can you recommend the best nude pinkish lipstick?"

Yes, I'm going to go directly to the YSL Rouge Pur Couture line and say n.6 Rose Bergamasque for yellow complexions, and n.10 Beige Tribute for pink ones. Basically, n.10 is a more mauvey nude while n.6 is more peachy, but still looks pinkish if you're very yellow.


YSL n.10 Rouge Pur Couture

If you're very pale or looking for something lighter a la concealer-lips-look, MAC Creme de Nude is a good option, as is MAC underage lipgloss and NARS Turkish delight.

" Im 1,78 and between a size 16-18 with big boobs and butt, i love well fitted dresses and also jeggings, and solid colours. Im not into colour alot...im just a classic girly girl What would you recomend? Your taste is amazing and i trust in you. "

I think dresses is a great idea, go for dresses fitted at the waist, mid-length jackets...Things with a bit of structure. Maybe a black fitted mid-length dress with a necklace..

Think about balance so don't wear dresses with small sleeves/small necklines/small details because then you'll look big in proportion. So wide necklines, nice lush sleeves, mid-length skirts, not-too-dainty shoes...Princess Beatrice comes to mind, she's very classic. She's not that tall in person but she's not a small girl either.






Other good (and varied) examples of tall, curvy, bigger-boned women: Sofia Loren, Liv Tyler, Kim Catrall, Blake Lively, Brooke Shields....

"What are your favorite lip balms/treatments? your lips seem to always be in such good shape :)"

Thank you : ) At the moment I'm really liking the Dior Lip Glow, it's the best thing I've tried. I also always wear lipstick and lipgloss to prevent them from drying out during the day, my grandma always used to urge me to do that and she still does it to this day. Lipstick as lipbalm.

"What do you think are the key pieces for starting a lingerie collection?"

I would get a set; it's infinitely more satisfying when your underwear matches. That could include knickers + bra + garter belt or bra + corselette + thong or just a bra and bottom, whatever it is that you use. If you're really OCD you might want to get a matching nightslip/nightgown too. It's fun to prance around the house in that.

Look for the bra first (and try it on) because finding a good fitting bra is harder than finding knickers, so once you've found it you can just get the matching bottom. A black or nude set is probably a good place to start. Black goes with everything, shows less wear than white does and it looks fine under sheer clothes, whereas nude is good to wear under white clothing and if it's lacy it can look quite pretty.
 

Double-check that it's comfortable, practical and that you can actually wear it under clothes (if that is what you're gonna do with it).

Once you have a set or two, I think every girl also needs a nude strapless bra (although I often don't wear anything under strapless dresses) and one that gives huge cleavage and is as exotic as possible!


 
 
  

"how can I look expensive without spending tons of money?"

Well "expensive" is not necessarily a good thing, looking "less expensive" is always a challenge for me because I'm so designer-happy if you leave me alone to my own means and I like that good-girl look.

Looking expensive is pretty easy in fact; some pointers:

- I tend to think that simple looks more expensive than overcrowded. Even if you're wearing all expensive things, if they're on top of one another and there's overcrowding of colours and patterns going on, it doesn't look luxurious (cue Courtney Love- who's style, by the way, i love and admire and I wish some of it would stick to me a little, but often if she didn't say what she's wearing, I wouldn't know it's all Rochas and Miu Miu)

- So to sum up: simple, classic things in simple, block colours. All the clichés apply here: black crewneck cashmere sweater (I'm thinking in winter terms right now), black straight jeans, a white shirt..all the basics that you can then adapt and funk up

- Careful with patterns! If they're cheap, they look cheap. Be very wary of them and select carefully. Or find a great versace blouse on sale

- I have become a believer of matching; it looks more expensive, fact. Not matchy-matchy in a cheesy way, but if the colour/texture of your shoes match with your bag, or top, or if your gloves/hat match, it looks better. 

- Grooming. Dita Von Teese always looks expensive. I love those older women you see around sometimes, with their perfectly coiffed lank grey hair and tailored clothes and polished leather shoes, that walk around poised with a certain extravagance.

- Which brings me to tailored clothes. Your clothes have to fit you, and structure is better than all that drape-y stretchy-shirt business.

- And posture is one other thing that those fabulous older women have so I'll throw that in there

- Copy posh people you love. Some of my favourites: Charlotte and Caroline of Monaco, Carla Bruni, some old hollywood starlets. Look for spreads in magazines (ITALIAN VOGUE). I wouldn't look too much on the internet unless you know what you're looking for, there's all sorts of vile taste and wrong ideas from people who don't know what they're talking about.(the irony :)

- For instant "expensiveness": designer shoes, a designer handbag (or a well-crafted one from an unknown leather artisan. Look for family boutiques, they usually have affordable, great quality things with more character than you'll find in topshop/zara. Of course you can buy high street, but you need to mix well: an all-zara wardrobe will look like just that)

Remember expensive doesn't mean fashion victim, tacky or ostentatious, so there's no need for overdoing the sparkly luxury couture items unless you wanna look like Eva Longoria or Mariah Carey.


 

"what in your opinion would be the must have or top 4 lipstick colours?"

I would need a bright red like Chanel Cambon, a great nude like YSL pur couture #10, a deeper nude like MAC Twig, and a pink like MAC Chatterbox. But that's just me. If I could choose one more I'd get a salmon like NARS Barbarella!

  


 
 
 
 
 Photos (c) makeupandbeautyblog.com, ysl.com, temptalia.com

"Which clothes and shoes did you purchase recently?? did you already buy a winter coat and winter shoes? could you please upload some pics on your blog? that would be great =)) besitos"

xx here are my favourite things that I've gotten recently that I love for autumn:

A moschino furry jacket

  Black tops/turtlenecks...can't live without them



These miu miu sandals:  

  
 

I haven't bought any proper winter coats, I have a few already and I'm gonna stick to those for now; it's not even that cold yet and I never buy things ahead of time. Same for shoes. We'll see when the weather gets worse.