Best Dressed for Less No.6

I haven't done a best dressed for a while, so when I was flicking through the vogue gallery, I simply couldn't decide on one!

So, Who do you prefer? There is two outfits from Alexa Chung (always popular on the best dressed list) one casual oxblood outfit and a smarter pretty lace dress in pewter. Olivia Palermo in her day to day best, keeping it baggy with a jumper and shirt teamed with shiny black leggings and flat boots. 

And last of all there's Jade Williams sporting the turtle neck crop top trend with a pencil skirt in shades of grey, and some killer Jimmy Choos.

All of these have been replicated below for a fraction of their designer price. Theres something to suit you all! 

Best Dressed of the Week by emilyrodgers18 featuring fitted dresses

She Wore (blue) Velvet

I remember going into school to the Christmas party wearing my special black, velvet sequinned dress. 

It's a classic wintery fabric. (yes, winter!)

And this season is no exception.

Velvet is in abundance on the high street with the addition of the oxblood colour trend, their a perfect match, resulting in some beautiful fuzzy pieces!

Below are a few of my favourites. 

Velvet by emilyrodgers18 featuring a pleated bodice dress

The inspiration behind the title was the lovely Lana's song Blue Velvet. Featured in the new season H&M advert which she is currently endorsing. 

I am mad for this song, its so mesmerising, could listen to it all day.

How to wear a Leather Jacket

Sorry I haven't posted in a while! Its my last week at home before back to Uni so I'm quite busy packing!

When I was in Spain a couple of weeks ago, I bought a few goodies, and whilst in Zara, my mum bought me this gorgeous black leather biker jacket.

I absolutely love it! 

I've been lusting after a leather jacket for ages, and to get one from Zara is even better!

And before you all think I'm a spoilt brat, its part of my 21st birthday present next month, so I'm a happy gal! 

Black leather is everywhere on the catwalks for A/W '12, so I thought I'd do a Polyvore of different ways to wear the trend (below).

Of course there are loads! It practically goes with everything, but these are my faves.

How to Wear Black Leather by emilyrodgers18 featuring h&m

Here are looks for smart casual, a day out, and evening wear, all appropriate to add layers for the winter! I love the denim studded shorts and the mullet skirt personally.

I also bought these amazing studded suede flats (can you tell I'm obsessed with studs?). The compliments have been flooding in, and why wouldn't they be? good work zara. 

17 Lip Stain Review

The other day I bought some Lip Stain by 17 in Berry Crush. After having run out of my free sample of Posie tint by Benefit, I had to opt for a cheaper option, and this was the choice. This lip stain has two sides, one to stain the colour onto the lips using a brush, the other is a balm to give it a shiny glow. 

I picked what I thought was a light colour to suit my skin colour, however when I brought it home and tried it out, the colour was much darker than I anticipated and maybe me look a bit like a transvestite, never good!

I also thought the applicator looked good in the shop, but again when I got it home, and tried it, it felt like I was colouring in my lips with a felt tip pen. 

However, after applying evenly and putting the balm over the top, the product stains the lips for up to and including 3/4 hours, which if wearing for an occasion isn't bad, not having to constantly re-apply. 

However the cons out weigh the pro's in this case, and although it was reasonably price, I haven't yet found anything better than Posie tint! 

Wrinkle your way out

A couple of weeks ago, I bought my first pot of anti-wrinkle cream. I'm 20, and I don't have wrinkles, but according to the beauty pages, this is the time to start using it. My choice was No.7 Protect and Perfect Night Cream.

 When heading to the counter to purchase the £22.00 cream, all I was thinking was, 'this is going to do great things for my Boots points' however when I got to the till, the woman serving me said that out of the top range of anti-wrinkle creams tested, this was the only one found to work for wrinkle prevention and reduction. It turns out, she wasn't wrong, as an article in the Guardian stated that a trial done from the University of Manchester resulted in woman and men, seeing and feeling a difference to their skin within 6 months, using this cream. These type of results had not been seen from an over-the-counter solution, and the serum sold out in 2 days. 

There has been so much controversy and hoo-haa about young women using anti-wrinkle creams. Is it right? is it necessary? There are so many websites telling us its not, and for those who agree, here's where the science bit comes in. Wrinkles are caused by a loss of collagen, as this happens the skin starts loosing volume and starts to fold, causing a line or a wrinkle. This process is long, so even though nothing may seem to be happening, collagen is still decreasing in the skin. By using anti-wrinkle cream in your 20's, you're starting the re-production of the components needed (including collagen) to reduce the onset of wrinkles by 5 or 10 years.

Despite knowing that its already working to prevent wrinkles, every time I put it on at night, my skin feels revitalised, smoother and its done wonders for my blemishes. I was surprised at this, I didn't think I would see effects for weeks, or even years! But my skin feels refreshed in the morning and I look forward to putting it on at night. 

Your 20's are the most important time to be looking after your skin, a good regime and knowing what works best is going to save you in the future. This cream has finally given me a skin regime and as long as I keep at it, and drink lots of water, I'm hoping for a few extra youth years. 

Yes, it is pricy, but lets face it, your not going to use the whole pot in one night. With just a small dollop, this cream could last up to 6 months, this includes full face and neck coverage. That to me spells a good investment.