X Factor Live Shows Week 5: Best Dressed Judge

Hey everyone, apologies for not posting last week - I had quite a lot of stuff to sort out regarding sixth form but I'm back now!

Last weekend, the theme of X Factor night was Michael Jackson vs Queen. 

Mel B wore a beautiful embroidered dress by Dolce and Gabanna. I really liked this look for her - the dress matched her purple heels nicely, and her hair looked lovely in a semi-bob type style.

I really like the detail on this dress, it looks very delicate and the colours are very autumnal/wintery, perfect for November! It's a very chic look that suited her. Well done Mel!

I'm still looking for an appropriate cheaper alternative for this dress, and will post it when I find it.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini donned a beautiful asymmetric violet embellished mini dress with a sheer train by Zuhair Murad, who she appears to love, and I must say I love his work too! This dress was my favourite because it looked so elegant and classy with its off shoulder and sheer train. I would absolutely love to wear a dress like this.

The dress was created as part of his 'Haute Couture 2014/2015' collection which was shown in Paris earlier this year. The dress was made to measure and unfortunately is therefore unable to be ordered online. 

If you want to recreate this look and still have some money left in your bank account, try this dress here. It retails at just £18 and is selling very quickly!

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini wore a bright lemon Matthew Wiliamson, said to be inspired by his trip to Cuba and is worth a whopping £1,295. 

In my opinion, this dress wasn't as amazing as everyone made it out to be. The style was nice, but my issue was with the colour.. it isn't typically associated with the season, but I guess she wanted to be different! The dress, surprisingly is still available to purchase directly from the website. Having looked at the other colours which the dress comes in, I must say I much prefer it in 'Jade'! 

If you don't have 'Cheryl Fernandez-Versini' money but still want to recreate her look, click here to purchase it from ASOS.

On Sunday night, Mel B said goodbye to yet another one of her boys - Paul Akister. 

But on the brighter side of things, she was wearing a dress which was by Paul Pilotto. He is one of the hottest labels in the game right now, and the dress is different and stands out from the rest and resembles an African print. I think the dress is cute, but I don't know if I really liked the little peplum flair at first though, but it has grown on me. 

The dress is able for purchase here but is selling incredibly fast, proving popular among the audience. If you wanted to get one similar, have a look at this one and this one.



To round up the analysis of the judges' outfits - for me, Cheryl won the style stakes on Saturday and Mel won the style stakes on Sunday! I wonder if there'll ever be a week where one judge wins both days? We can only wait and see! 

Comment your opinion below! See you next week.

Kenya xo

X Factor Live Shows Week 3: Best Dressed Judge

Hiya everyone, time for the weekly X Factor best dressed judge post.

Mel B and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini have both worn an incredible amount of designer names in the past couple of weeks on the X Factor, including Lanvin, Stella McCartney and Alexandra McQueen - but, believe it or not, this week, Mel B opted for a high street piece for Week 3!

This piece from ZARA retails at just £59.99 and is doing well in the style stakes, however, I found it too similar to the jumpsuit that Cheryl wore on week 1. Mel even went for matching shoes from Christian Louboutin. 

I liked this look for Mel, and I think it is really refreshing to see that she has gone for a high street piece. Follow the link above to purchase it whilst you still can!

On Saturday night, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini rocked another Zuhair Murad piece, the first being the red jumpsuit from Week 1, so Cheryl is definitely a fan of him! 

The dress, in my opinion, is gorgeous. I love its fishtail feature and strapless design, it really suited her and was perfect for the theme (Hollywood movie night) as she looked so glamorous! The jewellery which was matched to the outfit was amazing.

This Haute-Couture dress will set you back roughly £3,000, but it's totally worth it if you want to go for the same look as Cheryl. However, if you want to recreate Cheryl's look but you don't want to spend as much money - try this dress from Mango that is similar.

On Sunday night, Cheryl wore Ermanno Scervino - an Italian designer who was also rumoured to be designing Kim Kardashian's
wedding dress.

I didn't like this dress. It looked, in my opinion, like two different dresses in one. I'm not disputing the fact that it is a statement piece with it's oversized peplum feature - I normally love peplum dresses, but I just feel like it looked OTT. I much preferred her dress from Saturday night.

Shop the current collection here.

For a cheaper dress (that you won't trip over in!) try here.

Mel B definitely topped the style stakes on Sunday night, wearing a cut-out dress by Jason Wu. 

The stylists always seem to dress Mel a lot more casual than they dress Cheryl, but despite this, I still think she rocked this look - she looked stunning! Probably my second favourite outfit she's worn (the first being the Stella McCartney one from last week). 

I actually really want this dress! Unfortunately it's sold out from The Outnet - it would have retailed at £368.35 (Not like I could have afforded it anyway but you know) And sadly she had to wave goodbye to the first boy in her category, Jake Quickenden, who was my favourite, so I'm gutted about that. 

You can purchase a cheaper dress that looks basically the spitting image of the one that Mel wore, only it is slightly shorter than hers, here. And you also have a selection of three colours - blue, black and red. 


Without sitting on the fence, Cheryl won the style stakes on Saturday and Mel B won the style stakes on Sunday. 

Who won the style stakes for you?

Comment below, and keep your eyes peeled for my next post. Thanks a lot for reading!

Kenya xo

X Factor Live Shows Week 2: Best Dressed Judge

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Hey it's me again to share my favourite outfits from X Factor on Saturday and Sunday! Hope you enjoy my post.

On Saturday night, Cheryl stepped out in a green Lanvin frill gown, as you may have seen. I really wasn't a big fan of this dress. I was not a fan of the colour at all, and I think the huge frill is slightly excessive. I much preferred her outfit from last Saturday, so this was a bit of a let down.

The dress is only available for net-a-porter in a dove grey colour at £3,585. However, if you want a dress similar to Cheryl's that won't leave your bank account as hungry, try this one from House of Fraser. 

In my opinion, Mel B didn't disappoint. I loved this outfit and am seriously considering recreating it myself. She kept her look bright, kind of linking to the theme (80s night) wearing a side split maxi dress in fuchsia by Stella McCartney teamed with gold jewellery. It really suited her and her hair looked lovely as well! Probably my favourite outfit of the series this far.

The dress retails at £1,099 and is now unfortunately sold out, but this one from ASOS is basically it's twin and retails at just £18. 

On Sunday night, Mel B wore an Alessandra Rich dress which can be purchased here. Personally wasn't a fan of this dress - it kind of looked like it had been put on back to front and is arguably revealing for the family TV show. The Stella McCartney one she wore on Saturday was her best look of the weekend, so I was disappointed with her look for Sunday!

I thought Cheryl's look for Sunday was cute. Her hair resembled Ariana Grande's. Her dress is Haute Couture by Nicholas Jebran and can be purchased here. Embellishments are on trend this season and this dress is being rocked by Cheryl, even though she had to say goodbye to two contestants in her category, Stephanie Nala and Chloe Jasmine. I much preferred this look for Cheryl as opposed to her 'Kermit the Frog' one (as Simon Cowell branded!) from Saturday night.

To conclude, Mel B won the style stakes on Saturday and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini won the style stakes on Sunday, but who won the style stakes for you? Feel free to comment below and don't forget to follow me. Look out for my next post! 

Kenya xo

X Factor Live Shows Week 1: Best Dressed Judge

Hi everyone, apologies for my absence. I have had so much to do at sixth form - writing personal statements for university etc so that's why I've been unable to post! 

As you know, X Factor 2014 live shows began on Saturday. In the recent years, X Factor has become a fashion fiesta, where everyone is always intrigued to see what the judges are wearing. With an avid interest in fashion and beauty, I too was excited to see what Mel B and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini would be wearing.*

For opening night, Mel B wore a white column gown by Alexander McQueen. It is detailed with crystal-encrusted eyelets which are fastened with a satin black bow. The dress had a thigh-high split.
She matched the look with silver earrings.

I wasn't particularly a fan of this look for Mel to be honest. I just didn't feel as though it went well with her shorter hair.

Buy Mel's dress here.

Or try a similar look here.

Cheryl stepped out in a sleeveless black full-length dress by British designer Amanda Wakeley. The dress was embellished around the waist, allowing her to accentuate her figure. Teamed with a smokey-eye, the outfit did look stunning in my opinion. Cheryl's outfit was my favourite on Saturday because I felt that she looked elegant and the detail on the dress did not look fussy or busy.

View Amanda Wakeley's collection here.

Recreate Cheryl's look with an affordable alternative here and here.

The X Factor judges- (L-R) Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Melanie B and Louis Walsh

My photoshoot assistant experience

On the 16th of August I was given the privilege of assisting on a photoshoot with Jean Fernand - a make-up artist and stylist. I'd never assisted on a photoshoot before so I was looking forward to trying something new. I arrived at Epping station at 7.30am and met two girls from the beauty team - Tanya (she did the models' make-up) and Anna (she did the models' hair) and they seemed really nice and friendly, followed by some of the models.

On arrival at the venue, Copped Hall, Epping, I met with Jean, and I started to help her prepare for the shoot which begun around 10, but the photographers arrived earlier. I laid out accessories on display, such as hats, flowers, jewellery and earrings, and set up the food for lunch, along with other responsibilites. The models were Sophie Lonsdale-Ross, Chloe Jasmine Whichello (From this series of X Factor) Elle Beth, Raphaella Withlove and Jeniya Starkova. 

I was lucky enough to see the models in hair and makeup. I saw the makeup being done, and even managed to speak to Tanya about what products she likes the most and what brands she uses - (Mostly MAC and Urban Decay) She was telling me about a brush cleanser from No7 which I have purchased and used since, and I may post a review on it soon. 

The photoshoot was a workshop for photographers, and the industry recognised fashion and fine art photographer, Bruce Smith, attended as a tutor.  I was very pleased that I was able to see shoots from behind the camera, as I said, I've never actually helped on a photoshoot before -I'd only done photoshoots and was in front of the camera. For me it was interesting to learn a little bit about photography also, and be enlightened as to the importance of lighting and angles and how these things can make or break a picture!

Below I have inserted some images of the day. Enjoy!

Chloe Jasmine Whichello - (copyright of Jean Fernand)

Myself and Chloe Jasmine Whichello

Sophie Lonsdale-Ross - (Copyright of Jean Fernand)

Chloe Jasmine Whichello - (Copyright of Jean Fernand)

Preparing for the shoot - (Copyright of Jean Fernand)

I had a really great day! I would definitely do it again if I were asked, and definitely would recommend helping on a photoshoot - I found it so interesting!

Stay tuned for my next post guys!!

Kenya xo

MAC eyebrow pencil review 'Spiked' + brow tutorial

If you know me, you know I love MAC and am in there 75% of the time. I'm currently in love with their eyebrow pencil. Everyone knows that well-done brows can really enhance your facial features and is a huge contributing factor to having flawless make up. I am aware that it's not a brand new product of theirs or anything, but I started using it in April. Prior to buying this eyebrow pencil I'd always used drugstore ones, ie. Sleek and Rimmel. I do still use the Rimmel one occasionally, but I do prefer my mac. 

I hadn't planned to spend a great amount on a brow pencil, but after having it tried on me in the MAC, I knew I had to purchase it.

MAC describes the product as: 'Self-propelling, self-sharpening, brow defining. Confidently adds what you need: shape, colour, density in one streamlined tool. Like a pen, creates its own just-right point. Provides definition, shape, deepens/fills in colour. Creates striking arches. Easy to tote around. No sharpener needed.'

Let me share with you the pros and cons of this product for me.

Pros:

• You don't have to sharpen it - this means less hassle. The pencil is self-sharpening, which means you don't have to sit there in the morning whilst you get ready for school/work sharpening it, and have it break and waste product (and time!)
• It's staying power is second to none - it lasts all day, and it lasts in all weather! 
• The pencil is super thin, allowing you to create the perfect arches and defines your brows, and the product description was spot on - it is just like a pen. I found with the drugstore eyebrow pencils, they were thicker and hence, came out so much more creamier and you'd have a lot more tidying up underneath the brow to do with concealer, but with this one, as it is just like a pen, you have minimal tidying up underneath the brow to do.
• It very pigmented, you do not need to use a lot of this product to get a prominent colour.

Cons:

• For the amount you pay for this product (£13.00) it doesn't last as long as you'd probably anticipate. You may need a replacement up to 4 weeks later (if you're using the pencil everyday) I try to use as sparingly as I can. 
• Since it's a twist up pencil, you have no clue as to when it's going to be finished. You could be mid brow and it dies on you!

* How I fill in my brows *

1. Use a spoolie to brush your brows

2. Outline your brows the shape you want.

3. Conceal your brows above and underneath with a concealer either 2 shades lighter or your exact skin tone (I use Select cover up, MAC - NW40) 

4. Blend out the concealer using a brow brush. (I use the real techniques one)

5. Voila - you have the perfect brows!

Well, that's my review done! I hope you all enjoyed it, and please comment and follow my blog. Keep your eyes peeled for my next post!

Kenya xo

Ardell (107) False Eyelashes Review

Hey everyone, apologies for my absence. I've been really busy with school, promise I'll try to post weekly now. 
I've only ever tried Eylure's false lashes in the past-I like the Girls Aloud ones and the 'Naturalites'. But recently, I have been into Ardell ones. 

Ardell lashes can be purchased from eBay, but I purchase mine from my local beauty shop in my area, and they retailed at £2.99. There are many styles, but the ones I like at the moment are 107 'Fashion Lashes'. I bought 111 today so I'm yet to try those.  I never realised how significant eyelashes are and- they make your face look so different! My own lashes are medium length but I like wearing false lashes sometimes because I love to feel glamorous and enhance the appearance of what I naturally have. 

**NOT MY IMAGE**

I'm a big fan of these lashes. They are slightly dramatic but they look natural. The band is the same colour as the lashes, which makes application a lot easier. However, I do also like the invisible band lashes because I think they look a lot more natural, particularly when you look down!
Perfect to wear in the daytime and at nighttime!