Style It Thrice: Glitter Ballerina

“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” Marilyn Monroe

Once a friend jokingly said, “All that glitters has Amena written all over it!”
Even though she was joking we both knew that was not far from the truth. For the longest time ever, I have had a thing for all things glitter, baubles, bling and metallic. I love them in all shapes, sizes and styles.

As much as I love all things glitter, I know for a fact how very easy it is to make glitter go from eye catching to tacky and God forbid, trashy! This is one of those trends that can swing either way.

To make this trend work, you need to invest in a piece that is apt for your body type.
Since glitter has a statement making quality, make sure it is adorned on that part of your body that you consider an asset.

Since I am not blessed with a glitter flaunting kind of body, I decided to deck my feet out in all its bling glory.

I have always dabbled with glitter, however, this is the first time in my life I have invested in a full-fledged glitter piece.

For my first ever glitter piece I treated myself to these stunning colourful ballet flats from Catwalk. 

I got this pair for- wait for it- just Rs. 600/-from Shoppers Stop in Hyderabad. The only think I shopped this sale season! (You can buy the exact same Catwalk glitter ballerina from Myntra.com and Jabong.com)

Other than being my first glitter piece, these ballerinas are my first pair of closed shoes in 12 years! 

When I bought them I really did not think styling them would be a task, until someone asked me are these shoes a practical purchase? She further added, the fact that they are multi-colour glitter itself makes them unmatchable with many things.

Where a season mix and matcher like me saw truckload of styling potentials, for someone with an untrained eye these ballerinas could have looked like an outlandish purchase.

For this week’s ‘Style It Thrice’ segment I decided to feature what I like to call my version of the ‘Ruby Slippers’ 

Not only are the ballerinas comfortable, they can easily be styled with a number of different pieces for different occasion.

Keeping the latest trends as well classic styles in mind, here are few of my glitter ballerina styling options.

Working Girl: The first time I wore my glitter ballerina; it was during Lakmé Fashion Week. In fact, this entire outfit is inspired by my LFW Day 3 look. 

For trendy work wear look pair the ballerina with simple cobalt blue blouse, classic black jeans, colourful necklace and oversized tote. The overall look is a blend of classic style with elements of colour pop. 

For a more corporate look, trade the colourful necklace/bag with a subtle metallic/neutral one. 

[DIANE VON FURSTENBERG  Blouse, MANGO Jeans, DAVID AUBREY Necklace, CALVIN KLEIN JEANS Tote, MARC by MARC JACOBS Watch, YVES SAINT LAURENT Blush]

Fashion Week: Fashion Week is that time of the year when fashion industry's best creations are seen on as well as off the runway.
To make a significant statement, style a monochrome print mix ensemble. Pair the glitter ballerina with a black and white printed halter top and printed full skirt. To up the chic quotient, polish the look off with nude pink blazer, black and gold hardware belt,  plum clutch and cuff bracelet.

[JANE NORMAN Top, JIL SANDER Skirt, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Blazer, REBECCA MINKOFF Clutch, BALMAIN Belt, VINCE CAMUTO Earrings, OSCAR DE LA RENTA Cuff, BOBBI BROWN Lip Gloss]

Date Night: Bored of wearing the uniform LBD or LWD to your date nights? Spice up your look and mix and match the ballerina with a fluro green lace shift dress and black and white patterned minaudiére. Polish the look off with a cuff bracelet, bright lipstick and dangling stone earrings.

[TOPSHOP Dress, ZARA Minaudiére, KATE SPADE Earrings, BACCARAT Cuff Bracelet, NARS Eye Liner Pencil, L'OREAL Lipstick]

What I really like about this pair of glitter ballerina is, that they can easily be styled with Western, Indo-Western and Indian attire. Ideal for the upcoming festive season.

Once in a while it's fun to trade you regular shoes for a pair of glittery statement making ones. Don't you agree? Share your views with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,

 Amena!!

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New Brand On The Block: Bottega di Lungavita

Every time I crib about my oily skin issues to my dermatologist, his standard reply is, that I don’t have to worry about wrinkles for a long time. “Oily skin is God’s own way of delaying wrinkles”

While the long-term benefits sound very promising, the current problems outshine that promise. Like, literally!

Take it from someone who has dealt with oily, sensitive skin half her life, we think 5000 times before trying out a new skincare/beauty brand or product. One bad reaction and the side effects can be felt for months to come.
I very rarely take anyone’s recommendation in matters of skin care. But when a fellow oily skin friend of mine highly recommended a newly launched brand, Bottega di Lungavita products, I was quite keen on trying out their products.

When it comes to skincare I never try a new brand products that are heavy or cream based.
For my first time trying out Bottega di Lungavita products, I decided to sample their make-up remover, cleansing pads and lip balm. Safe, yet something that will give me an understanding of the brand and its products.

[Image courtesy Twinkle Dalal]

Review of Bottega di Lungavita Acqua Micellare (Make-up remover)
Make-up remover is one product where I do not mind spending. My main criteria is that the remover should gives a clean finish and removes all traces of make-up as well as suit my sensitive skin.

Before I tried out Bottega di Lungavita Acqua Micellare, I had only used cream based make-up remover. I was not too sure if a water based make-up remover would be able to give a clean finish as a cream based one.
However, after trying it out, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and very impressed with the product.

Verdict & Recommendation:

A great alternative to cream based makeup remover. It removes the most stubborn makeup with ease and gives a clean finish. Ideal for oily skin type as it does not leave a sticky residue.

Even though it is ophthalmologically tested, the remover does sting the eyes. If you are someone with sensitive eyes, it is best to avoid using the remover in that region.

Price: Rs.1350/- for a bottle of 250 ml.

Review of Bottega di Lungavita Lip Balm
Just as I have an unhealthy obsession with lipsticks, I have a one with lip balms too.
 I have to be honest, while I have tried all kinds of fruit and berry flavoured lip balms; this was my first time trying out an apple flavour one. 

Verdict & Recommendation:

Even before trying out the product I was in love with the flavour  and after trying it out, I must say this lip balm has made it to my top three all time fave lip balm list.

Lack of SPF is the only drawback of this lip balm. Otherwise, on every other counts it is perfect.

Price: Rs. 399/-

Review of Bottega di Lungavita Refreshing Cleaning Pads

It has been a while since I have used cleaning pads. One of the reasons being instead of cleaning, most of them would leave a sticky residue. I am so glad that after ages when I finally decide to try out a new cleanings pads it is this one.

Verdict & Recommendation:

These cleaning pads are idea for all skin types as they provide instant clean up. For someone with an oily skin type these cleansing pads are a boon. They clean as well as soak up the excessive oil, giving the face a clean, non-greasy and smooth finish. 

If you are someone who is always on the go and has to travel a lot, I recommend you carry a box of these cleansing pads with you at all times. 

One box contains 30 cleansing pads.
Price Rs.1690/-

After using these amazing Bottega di Lungavita products for almost a month, I can confidently say that Bottega di Lungavita make- up remover, cleansing pads and lip balm have officially become my must have skin and lip care product.

You can buy Bottega di Lungavita from www.fabulloso.com

Please Note: These recommendations are based solely on my personal experience. Before using any of these products please make sure they are compatible with your individual skin type.
Before writing the review all the above products have been tried and tested by me for over a period of 2 weeks.

Till then, tra-la,

 Amena!!

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TONI&GUY HairMeetWardrobe India Launch

“Hair style is the final tip-off whether or not a woman really knows herself.” ~ Hubert de Givenchy

As someone who has been a part of the fashion world for most of my adult life, I have seen way more fashionable women than stars in the sky. While most women on some level are fashionable, very few are impeccably well styled and groomed.To transcend from being just fashionable to being overall well styled ever aspect has to be taken into account: Clothes, accessories, makeup and hair.

While most of us give utmost attention to our clothes, accessories and makeup; our hairstyle on the other hand is never a priority.
 However all that is about to change thanks to Toni&Guy's HairMeetWardrobe.

When Britain’s most celebrated hair-styling brand, Toni&Guy decided to launch in India they choose to combine the twin worlds of high fashion and hair styling. TONI&GUY HairMeetWardrobe coherently defines everything that lies in between. The brand’s debut launch emphasises their philosophy of ‘HairMeetWardrobe', showcasing the revolutionary concept of how hair can be worn as an accessory. Aptly put ‘Dress From The Head’ 

The much anticipated India launch witnessed a fashion forward evening with spectacular musical performance. Toni&Guy’s HairMeetWardrobe Global Hair Ambassador Mark Hampton and official fashion stylist, king of kitsch, Manish Arora together brought to life the brand’s HairMeetWardrobe philosophy by lending their creative sensibilities to hair styling and wardrobe, respectively.The effervescent Anusha Dandekar, elegant Soha Ali Khan and the dazzling Malaika Arora Khan, each of these fashionistas represented the theme of a Toni&Guy’s HairMeetWardrobe range, namely – Casual,Classic and Glamour.  Themed on the concept of ‘HairMeetWardrobe’ and the three timeless looks – Casual, Classic and Glamour - ace choreographer Shiamak Dhawar, beautifully brought to life the brand’s philosophy through a themed musical performance. At the musical, Anusha, Soha and Malaika performed as showstoppers for their respective themes.

While Manish hypnotised us with his brilliant fashion aesthetics, Mark's captured our attention with trendy, yet easy-to-create, hair styles. Combined together, the three looks created were par excellence.

CASUAL
Mark highlighted Anusha’s naturally casual and chic personality with a trendy top-knot bun using TONI&GUY HairMeetWardrobe Sea-salt texturing spray from the Casual collection. 

Inspired by Manish’s casual rock chic look created for Anusha, here is how you too can rock a look similar to hers.

[More information on the products here]

CLASSIC

Mark highlighted Soha’s innate elegance and accentuated her classic Indian beauty by giving her vintage side-swept waves. He used TONI&GUY HairMeetWardrobe shine-gloss serum, a lightweight formula, from the Classic collection to seal her flawless look.

Inspired by in Manish Arora’s ‘scarlet princess dress’ and overall look created for Soha, here is how you too can style a look similar to hers.
[More information on the products here]

GLAMOUR

Mark enhanced Malaika’s glamorous personality by emphasising her beautiful diva like tresses into a high-glamour waves. A Moisturizing Shine Spray from the TONI&GUY HairMeetWardrobe Glamour collection was used to give her hair a weightless shine. 

Inspired by in Manish Arora’s ‘Glam black baroque dress’ and overall look created for Malaika, here is how you too can style a look similar to hers.

[More information on the products here]

For someone who has been an ardent fan and follower of Manish Arora, meeting the maestro himself was the highlight of the evening. To make the night even more special, Mr Arora complimented the necklace I was wearing. His exact words, “I love your necklace. It is stunning.”

[Outfit Details: Top- AND, Jeans- Marks & Spencer, Bag- French Connection, Necklace- Accessorize]

And just when I thought the night could not get any better, I was charmed away by the adorable Mark Hampton. 

[Image courtesy Shanaya]
While most of us from the fashion fraternity are familiar with TONI&GUY HairMeetWardrobe brand, I am very happy that it has officially been launched in India. After a memorable launch event one can't help but look forward to trying out their fabulous products.

Till then, tra-la,

 Amena!!
 Connect With Fashionopolis on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin' & Subscribe

Instagram: @a_fashionopolis
email me- a.fashionopolis@gmail.com

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