FIA

The Quest To Find The Perfect Perfume

2012-12-12T04:08:00.001-08:00

Perfume.Just one spritz can make us feel sexy, sophisticated, comforted or cherished. It is life-enriching and often mood-eleveting. We all know a chic, grown-up scent is as effective as a perfectly tailored jacket in bolstering confidence at a job interview. Ditto a soft, powdery fragrance can seduce as easily as slightly ruffled, sexy, 'just out of bed' hair.
Perfume reveals so much about us. Fresh and citrusy says sporting and effervescent, pretty florals suggest a feminine side, while deeper, woody perfumes hint at an inner siren.And they are powerful! Who hasn't caught the weakest trail of an ex's aftershave in a busy street and been instantly propelled back in time to heartache or happiness?

5 TIPS You Need to Know
1. Where to wear
Your pulse points are naturally warmer than other areas on your body and heat intensifies the scent, so apply perfume to wrists, neck and the inside of elbows. Feel daring? Try spritzing scent behind your knees, above your hip bones and on the small of your back.

2. Settle in
Rubbing your wrists together after spraying your signature perfume will bruise the scent. Instead, spray and ket it settle- the smell will last longer.

3. Seasoned Scents
Just like you have clothes for different seasons, some scents suit the warmer weather, while others smell like a cosy winter night in. Choose citrus, fruity, aquatic and floral scents for summer and spring: or oriental, spicy and woody fir winter and autumn.

4. Layer by Layer
Using the body wash and lotion versions of your favourite scent before spritzing your perfume on your pulse points will help make the scent last longer on your skin.

5. Makes Scents
Store your perfume bottles in a cool, dark place and keep them out of direct sunlight to make sure they retain their lush scent

A SCENT GLOSSARY

NOTES
The top, middle and base notes are different part of the scent journey. Top is the first scent your nose experiences followed by the smell of the middle and base notes as the perfume dries on your skin.
Top Notes: The first impression of the scent when sniffed or applied to the skin. Usually the most volatile of ingredient.
Middle(Heart) Notes: The core of a perfume that gives the scent its character , the middle notes tend to dictate the family group.
Base Notes: These are the final notes that mingle with the heart notes to create the body of the scent. They linger longest after the other notes evaporate.

STRENGTH
The concentration of a scent i determined by its ratio of base. The higher the concentration, the more long lasting and intense it will be.
Perfume: It is highly concentrated and contains the highest percentage of base, so just a dab or two will do.
Eau De Parfum: this can be applied more than just perfume. It gives more depth and will las longer on the skin than an EDT.
Eau De Toilette: this is a lighter scent. It can be spritzed throughout the day to add to the intensity.
Aftershave: for use after shaving. They generally have antiseptic properties

FAMILIES
Scents are grouped into families according to the major characteristics they exhibit. Sub-families are the blending of two families.
Citrus: Scent that are characterised by the fresh elements of lemon, orange, grapefruit, bergamot or pomelo.
Floral: Has the characteristic of a specific flower or a blend of several flower noes such as jasmine, lily and rose.
Fruity: where the scent has a noticeably fruity element linked to berries, apple blossom, lychee or others.
Oriental: often using spices associated with the Orient, they are scents associated with evening or winter wear.
Woody: an odour that is linked to the aroma of freshly cut, dry wood or fibroid roots, such as sandalwood or vetiver.

Nail Your Party Look

2012-12-12T04:07:00.003-08:00

Glam hair:check.LBD:check.All you need now is an on-trend festive manicure...

This Christmas no outfit is complete without super-glam fingers to match. So whether you are a seasoned nail-art aficionado or just keen to try a new trend,FIA has got the know-how to get the party started...

GOLDEN DAZZLE
Sparkles and gold are a must-have party combo. Start with a base coat,then apply two layers of gold polish.Next, paint on a glittery blue near the cuticle, taking it only a third of the way up the nail. Wipe the brush clean, then use it to drag some of the glitter up the nail. Dot on the last coat of blue around the cuticle, then finish with a top coat.
HANDY HINT:
Gold nails are perfect with a little black dress. If you are fair, opt for a bright, yellow gold or pick a deeper bronze gold if you have more olive skin.

Ace Your BASE

2012-12-12T04:07:00.001-08:00

Still looking for the perfect cover-up? Your search is over...
HIGH impact coverage
You want serious coverage that acts as sturdy base for your make-up? You need... A Foundation Base

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK FIT ME! The one that matches your skin tone
Yes, matches! Simply choose from the family of three products, then one of the twelve shades within that family. The micro- fine pigment does not contain oil or wax, so it totally blends into skin

NYC SMOOTH & NATURAL MATTE POWDER FOUNDATION: The one that stops shine
Oily skin makes foundation slip off. Fact. And that means needing to retouch during the day. This clever little powder has a matte finish so you will stay shinefree until bedtime.

MAX FACTOR FACEFINITY ALL DAY flAWLESS 3 in 1 FOUNDATION: The one that's multitasking
Not enough space in your make-up bag (or life) for a primer, foundation and concealer? This foundation combines all three, has an SPF and guarantees an all-day non-slip wear. Clever stuff!

LIGHT impact coverage
You want light coverage that hydrates and heals without masking your natural skin tone. You need... A BB cream

SLEEK BE BEAUTIFUL BLEMISH BALM
The one for all skin types
Struggling to find a BB that matches your skin tone? Look no further. This range caters for both fair and dark skin, so there really is a shade for everyone. With jojoba oil, vitamins E and C, and red algae extract, you can expect a glowing and brightened finish.

WITCH NATURALLY CLEAR ANTI-BLEMISH BEAUTY BALM
The one that sorts out spots
This naturally medicated BB contains witch hazel, a natural astringent with anti- bacterial properties, to soothe skin and reduce the appearance of pores. It is fab for oily skins and anyone worrying about breakouts.

GOSH BB CREAM
The one that smooths lines
Wouldn't it be great if your BB could reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? Well that is exactly what this one does with a special ingredient called Phytosan. It magically works to increase the firmness of your skin, so you will notice a much smoother complexion.

Stay Warm yet Fashionable this Winter

2012-12-10T05:07:00.001-08:00

You think you can't look chic during winter? You hate wearing bulky winter jackets? It is super cold outside, but when you get to your destination, you feel like you are in the sauna? If you answered yes to at least one of those questions, layering is the answer for you. It is an absolute winter essential.

The key to layering is to start with thin pieces and build up with thicker pieces. There are different looks you can create when layering.
Last but not least, for the casual look, you can simply wear your basic t-shirt with your favorite cozy sweater or cardigan. Top it off with a parka as the thickest layer. Voila! You are ready for your casual weekend.

Don't forget to add a scarf and boots to complete the look. When you reach your destination, you can take off some of the layers and if you feel cold again, simply put them back on without feeling too warm.

Bar Refaeli Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition 2012

2012-07-14T11:33:00.002-07:00

TOP 20 HOTTEST WOMEN IN THE WORLD

2012-07-14T11:10:00.004-07:00

1. Jessica Alba

2. Angelina Jolie

3. Adriana Lima

4. Monica Bellucci

5. Olga Kurylenko

6. Charlize Theron

7. Megan Fox

8. Eva Longoria

9. Eva Mendes

10. Kate Beckinsale

11. Scarlett Johansson

12. Jennifer Lopez

13. Alessandra Ambrosio

14. Halle Berry

15. Lindsay Lohan

16. Gisele Bündchen

17. Natalia Vodianova

18. Rihanna

19. Penélope Cruz

20. Keira Knightley

Trend Word: Blue on Blue Picks

2012-07-14T04:45:00.001-07:00

Pairing different shades of red can be very difficult, but pairing 2 or more tones of blue has never been easier and more in trend. From turquoise to cobalt and from seablue to navy, these shades look perfect together – whether in the same jewelry piece, dress or hot pair of heels.

If you’re a big fan of blue, then you’ll definitely love these picks that include more that one shade of your favorite color.

1. Lipsy Colour Block Gold Belted Dress From
2. Poppy Sailor Dress
3. Jessica Simpson Weema – Patriot Blue
4. Navy colour block peep toes
5. Stretch Bracelet everyday
6. Dabby Reid Ltd. Crystal Drop Earrings
7. Ella Crown Jewel Ring

Cheryl Cole Style Guide

2012-07-14T04:39:00.002-07:00

Cheryl Cole has turned into a fashion and style icon. The twenty-eight year old is no longer a judge again in the new season of X Factor, and we will miss tuning in to see what she is wearing. However, we shall all still be following what she is wearing!

Cheryl Cole looks simply chic in this black, white and grey ensemble!

Cheryl Cole has been putting it about lately. Not in that sense, but with the promotion of her newly released album and single Call My Name, which hit the number one spot on iTunes only hours after it was released, she's been making sure everyone takes note whether it's for her fabulous fashion selections, slick dance moves or nasty jibes at Simon Cowell. Cheryl opted for a Hakaan Arussi satin-trimmed crepe dress paired with towering Charlotte Olympia heels.

Selena Gomez Style Guide

2012-07-01T13:31:00.001-07:00

Selena Gomez has captured the hearts of many teenagers through her beauty and fashion styles.Selena Gomez became famous for her acting talent as well as lovely fashion style reason why many teenagers are trying to adopt her style.
Selena Gomez fashion style leans towards very feminine, every outfit she wear emphasizes her beauty. Selena has a very clean fashion style, she has never been seen wearing outfits that are inappropriate for her age.

For casual wear Selena loves her jeans. Jeans not only offer the comfort every woman yearns for but they also offer a stylish look, which appeals to everyone. There are a variety of jeans styles suitable for all body types, and Selena seems to be attracted by skinny jeans. This type of jeans work beautifully with her slim body and can be worn casually with sneakers or more formally, with high heels. Jeans, printed T-shirts, feminine blouses, tunics and strapless tops are all a part of Selena’s wardrobe. She combines baggy shirts with beautiful feminine blouses and she looks spectacular.For more formal occasions Selena Gomez fashion style transforms and leans towards elegant. Elegant short or long dresses, skirts and vaporous elegant blouses help Selena Gomez fashion style stand out. She is a young woman who looks outstanding in elegant outfits and you can see why. She always makes sure her hairstyle and make-up suit her outfit, and that is worthy of admiration.

Selena Gomez has a cute and lovable fashion style so don’t hesitate to copy her style if you think it would suit you perfectly.

SAFELY SUNKISSED

2012-06-29T15:55:00.012-07:00

Your passport to a safer tan is right here!

FIA gives us the lowdown on achieving a glowing tan while staying safe in the sun.

Re-apply your sun protection every two hours, or more if you are frequently in and out of the water.

You need to use at least a shot-glass-sized amount of lotion (around 30ml) to adequately cover an average-sized adult. So, be generous and slather it on!

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on the scalp, along the hairline and behind the ears.

If you want to sunbathe at the safest time of the day, avoid sun exposure when your shadow is shorter than you are. The strongest hours of sun exposure are between 11am and 3pm.

FAKE IT! Your fail-proof glow

Tanning DO's and DONT's

DO...exfoliate

Applying fake tan to dry, uneven skin will give you a a patchy-looking result. Gently scrub your body with exfoliating body scrub to lift dead skin cells and reveal a smooth surface.

DON'T... wear deodorant
any lingering traces, as it can react with the tanner and turn your pits green!

DO... prep dry pits
Apply moisturiser over eyebrows and on dry areas of skin such as knees and ankles.

DON'T... wake up with stained palms
Orange-tinted hands are a big tanning faux-pax. Use a mitt or Latex gloves to prevent staining your skin, then use cotton wool pads to apply a tiny amount of tan to the back of each hand.

DO... start from your feet up
Begin on the lower half of your body to avoid funny tan lines from bending over. Apply sparingly on the skin between your breasts, then do your arms, going easy on your pits where a tan would be naturally lighter.

DON'T... get dressed straight away
Ideally we'd stay in the buff post-fake tan until skin is dry to the touch, but it's not always realistic. So wear dark, loose clothing to avoid staining any favourite wardrobe items.

Self Tans For glowing summer skin.

Clinique Self Sun Body Tinted Lotion light/medium

Garnier Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer Natural Dry Body Mist, medium

Joico Skin Luxe - Golden Shimmer Gradual Self Tanner

Xen-Tan Deep Bronze Luxe Once a Week Self-Tan

Piz Buin Self Tanning Lotion + Colour Dial

No7 Quick Dry Body Spray

Self tans - Dove Summer Glow

St Tropez Perfect Legs

Victoria Beckham style guide

2012-06-27T06:57:00.005-07:00

Everyone has an opinion about this lady. To me, she really is a great fashionista and even if you don’t like what she’s wearing and how, there is a lot we can learn from Victoria Beckham’s way of dressing. Here are some pointers:

She always looks confident

She is very feminine and stylish

She looks on top of things and powerful

All of these are great personality traits, and Victoria Beckham portrays these through her style. She is a mom of three, a fashion designer, ex-Spice Girl superstar and the wife of one of world’s most handsome men and best footballers. Looking feminine and sophisticated is her trademark and we mostly see her in feminine items like skirts and dresses, rather than pants. To achieve that focus on these particular items:

Dresses – Victoria loves short dresses

Skirts – Pencil skirts are often seen on Victoria

Skinny jeans – When it comes to pants, Victoria prefers skinny jeans

Oversized handbags – Birkin-style, luxury goods are often hanging on Victoria’s arm

great fashioni

Pixie Lott Style Guide

2012-06-27T06:43:00.004-07:00

Pixie Lott is everywhere at the moment, at just 18 years old she is making her way up the charts. But something she is already excelling at is looking fab! From hotpants to pretty dresses, she embraces all the current trends and manages to pull ALL of them off! Jealous? Well not for long, as we’ve given you a run down of her statement fashion pieces!

Sequin Hot Pants
In both of her music videos she is sporting tiny high-waisted sequin hot pants, in both black and animal print. Both can be found in Topshop, yayy, and they’re affordable too at a mere £25! Here are the black ones which can be worn with leggings, tights, or like Pixie, bare legged if you can brave it!

Blazer
Blazers used to be a thing of school times and uniforms, but these days they are a must-have in any fashionista’s wardrobe! Pixie has been spotted wearing a variety of blazers, from oversized boyfriend grey to chic blue. They can be worn with pretty much everything – from pretty dresses, to casual skinny jeans. You can get blue, black, pinstripe, grey and beige fitted blazers from New Look for £30! Even better than that, we’ve found a cool double breasted black blazer on sale from £30 to £20! Get it now before it’s gone!

Bangles
Pixie never seems to be without her array of chunky bangles, making their way up her arm! She always has a random combination of bangles put together, but by far the best ones are the chunky resin ones, such as the ivory one she’s always wearing, with “l’amour” carved into it. Despite pricey appearances, this beauty can actually be found on the high street for £10 in Aldo! Unfortunately they aren’t on the website but just pop into the shop and they can be found, waiting for you to snap them up!

White Vest
Not only in her music videos, but in her real life style too, Pixie seems to sport a simple white vest more often than not. Perfect for tucking into her high waisted shorts or wearing with leggings, a white vest is versatile and perfect for finishing an outfit! Get a nice basic white vest from Topshop, as they have a vast range of styles; from long lycra to v-necked, ribbed to crop – the choice is endless!

How to get smokey eyes?

2012-06-27T06:34:00.002-07:00

Smokey eyes have become a classic party eye makeup look. You will need one black eye pencil, at least two colours of powder eye shadow and dark mascara to produce a fantastic smokey eyes effect.

Beau Nelson, Creative Director of Beauté Cosmetics, takes on Smokey Eyes and shows how easy it can be to achieve that smouldering look.

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Outline your eye contour with a black eye pencil, all the way around. Make the line thicker along the up
With a brush or a sponge applicator, apply your base colour eyeshadow on the mobile eyelid and above the crease, about halfway to the eyebrows, blending slightly.per lashes.
With a pointy sponge applicator, apply contour color eye shadow all the way around your eyes, blending it well with the pencil line.
You will now need to define the outside corners of your eyes using a horizontal “V” shape. The position of the pointy end of the “V” will control the apparent shape of your eyes.
With a medium-sized soft round brush (you can also use a flat one, holding it sideways), blend the eyeshadows on the upper eyelid. With a flat brush, blend the eye shadows on the lower eyelid.

Celebs with smokey eyes: