XCEL Fashion Splendor Issue 9

Page 1

Fashion

Splendor ISSUE 9

...a true essence of fashion

7 Tips Men Need to Know About Wearing Color

Short and Sassy:

look super with fun dressy shorts

Cover Model: Mary - 08058863481

3 Anti-Aging Products You Do not Need PJ’S Craze: Everyone's wearing Pyjamas Men's Shorts The Do's & Don't's


By Maryann Adibe

F

rom Rihanna to Alexa, all the most sartoriallysavvy stars are lounging out in one of the season's hottest pieces: the pyjama suit. It seems designers are heralding the pyjamas as their Spring/Summer 2012 collections. Recently, pajama- inspired dressings have been making appearances in most runways. Designers have reinvented pajamas and they are no longer meant for at-home-wear. This fashion has the ability to accommodate many looks, from classic casual sophistication, to offbeat and sexy. From elastic waistbands to flowing fabrics, pajama dressing provides a softer and cosier alternative to denim. While designers such as Karen Walker and Thakoon executed this pajama-inspired trend with full on head-to- toe looks, other designers such as Michael Kors, Reed Krakoff, and Alexander Wang, show how this trend can easily be transferred to nightlife in an understated way. This simply means this comfortable look is just as versatile as it is wearable and just one of the many forgiving trends that offer comfort for fashion. Soft, silky and sexy are three words that sum up Thakoon's spring collection which include floral prints and delicate slip dresses. The ThaiAmerican fashion designer tried layering his collections with a camisole and a lightweight jacket for an alluring look that is

76

XL

Pjs Craze: Everyone's wearing... Pyjamas office appropriate. In Suno's spring ready-towear collection, wild vintage pajamas in prints were painted across the runway. The brand paired t h e p a n t s w i t h sophisticated tops that could be worn out to lunch, or a strapless top to show off well-toned shoulders. Although Band of Outsiders included full on pajamas in their collection, it would be wise for anyone who goes for their collection to keep the look in the bedroom or wear them as separates. Dolce & Gabbana unveiled a twist on the masculineinfluenced approach to women's fashion by taking the classic men's pajama and creating outfits women can wear to the office and even to formal gala event. Want to partake of this pajamas trend? Find pants, which look like pajamas and combine them with a silk shirt or a shirt with the same pattern. It's a fun look, but it is best you go with pajama pants only, because if you go for full on pajamas, people m i g h t misunderstand you. So play safe by: Thinking casual ease: Pair with a simple top with minimal detailing. You always want the focus to lay on the pajama clothing. Be

prim

and proper: To stay away from a literal pajama look, always ensure that you look prim and proper before heading out of the door. Meaning, make sure you look well-put together, and that you're mixing up your pajama with key pieces that don't look so pajama. Top it off with a blazer: A simple blazer is the easiest way to create a sophisticated edge to a pajama. B e c a u s e pajama is also loose and flowy, t h e structured blazer will help break up proportions. Be cautious: The pajama s t y l e ensemble offers a very casual look, so be careful where you wear it to.


3 W

FCounsel ASHION

Anti-Aging Products You Do not Need

ith the thousands of anti-aging products available in stores, online and even in vending machines at your local shopping malls, it is no surprise that consumers get overwhelmed when deciding what to buy. Some of us end up trying, over time, the entire drugstore, while others just play it safe with the same rotation of products that they are never completely happy with. My goal is to help those who want to look as young as they feel but do not want to spend their hard-earned cash on marketing gimmicks or experimental, yet-to-be-proven products. Cut through the clutter and make practical, scientifically sound choices with my advice on what you don't need in your anti-aging routine. 1. Cleansers with Botanical Extracts What they are: Botanical extracts are ingredients extracted from plants (flowers, roots, stems, trees, etc.) for use in skincare for everything from healing blemishes to reducing fine wrinkles. They have been used for centuries and have anecdotal purposes in just about, if not, all cultures. In anti-aging creams, toners, and serums, they work effectively. The issue: Botanical extracts need to remain on your skin in order to work. In cleansers, there is simply not enough contact time on your skin for any true anti-aging benefit to take place. Another issue: Most botanical extracts are water soluble, which means that the moment you wet your skin and begin to wash your face, they're watered down and rendered useless. How to solve it: You may love how your cleanser makes your skin feel, or how it evens out your skintone, but it's the effects of the balance of surfactants (cleansing agents) that you actually likenot the botanical extracts! To retain your cleanser, but still get the feel you love, find a formula containing similar surfactants matching

botanical ingredients does not matter. These are common surfactants used in cleansersfind what's making yours tick and look for a cheaper, equallyeffective alternative: Sodium or Ammonia Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco Betaine, Sodium C12-15 Pareth Sulfonate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Decyl Glutamate, Coco Glucoside, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. 2. Lip Exfoliators What they are: Dry, chapped lips are uncomfortable, but you don't need to purchase a special product to relieve them. Most lip exfoliators consist mainly of sugar and natural oils in a wax base to hold everything together. The issue: Lip exfoliators work, but they're pricy, ranging from $10 (N1550) to $25 (N3875). How to solve it: Spare yourself this unnecessary expense! Before going to bed, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your lips. The next morning, gently rub them with a washcloth, and the dead skin will peel right off. For a natural alternative, replace the petroleum jelly with olive oil and with a light hand, rub a toothbrush on your lips in a circular motion to get rid of the dry skin. This quick-and-easy exfoliation technique will leave your lips feeling smooth and soft. 3. Retinol and Acids in one product What they are: Retinol is one of the best anti-aging ingredients available. It can help reverse the visible signs of premature aging due to excessive sun exposure, help control acne and reduce wrinkles. Likewise, acids such as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid or Beta Hydroxy Acids (i.e. salicylic acid) are wonderful chemical exfoliants that breakdown the gunk holding dead skin cells together. The end result is silky smooth skin, a more even skintone and a reduction of fine lines. It's no wonder skin care manufacturers want the benefits of these ingredients in one power-packed anti-aging product

Anti-Aging Tips For Eyes

W

ant to shave a few years off your face? Focus on your eyes.

Forget all that talk about gray hair and sagging arms your eyes are commonly the first place to show signs of aging. Eyes are a hugely expressive part of your face they crinkle when you laugh and squint when you're stressed but all of those emotions take a toll on the delicate skin around your eyes. The wear and tear of constant movement leads to fine lines and wrinkles. We're not suggesting you stop smiling. Instead, focus on protecting your delicate eyes from environmental damage so the skin can better withstand movement. Protect your peepers with large, 100 percent UVprotective sunglasses to keep them as bright and youthful-looking as possible. The shades do a double anti-aging whammy: They keep you from squinting in bright light and screen damaging UV rays. A daily eye cream with SPF also helps. And when those inevitable wrinkles and droopy lids do strike? Some clever makeup tricks can save the day. The older we get, the better it looks to intensify the lash line. When using liner or shadow on your lids, get the line as close up to your lashes as possible. Another trick: Line inside on the inner rims of the eyes and use lots of mascara. Matte or satin shadows are ideal on an eyelid with texture because overly shimmery formulas accentuate crepe-y lids. Avoid overdoing concealer and powder around the eyes, he says. Those types of products settle into lines and the effect can be instantly aging.

XL

77



Short and Sassy: ...The Beauty File

look super with fun dressy shorts

A

ll of the fashion magazines and celebrity style magazines are showcasing this season's super fun dressy shorts. These are loose fitting longer style shorts that are worn with blouses, tailored jackets and sleeveless tops. Some top dressy shorts include, Laugh Cry Repeat Silk Short, Erdem Pippa Lace-Trim Shorts, River Island Belted Paperbag Waist Shorts, WiNK Farah Shorts, Vero Moda Long Chino Shorts. With opulent lace accents, Erdem Pippa shorts fit in at lunch or

A dressy night out. The precise tailoring and superb fit make the collection's pieces feminine and memorable. Black knit, pleated front, Side seam pockets, straight legs with s c a l l o p e d l a c e t r i m , Polyester/cotton/silk; the shorts would stand you out any day, anytime. The light brown Vero Moda Long chino style comes with turns, zip fly with button fastening, 98% cotton, 2 % elastane with belt included. Pull of this look by wearing dressy shorts with a feminine blouse or top and jacket, a clutch handbag and a pair of strappy sandals. Dressy shorts can be worn to work, dinner or even on a date. This is a great style to wear all spring and summer season long.



Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.