'WHY DO YOU WEAR MAKEUP?'

I as a makeup lover regularly get asked the questions, 'Why do you wear makeup?' and 'Why do you wear makeup to school?', questions I also ask myself quite frequently. 

Of course, I have no fear in answering back, informing the listener that I find it fun, or relaxing, or that it simply just begins my day. However, it saddens me that they do not believe me and continue to delve into the often personal half, demanding a 'real' answer. Yes, it's true, I do also wear makeup to enhance my features, to cover up and 'improve' the 'flaws' that I scrutinise myself on, and yeah I guess you could say that I feel more confident and beautiful with paint on my lashes, but why do you not believe me when I say it's for my own enjoyment?

My makeup routine would normally consist of a light BB cream base or no base at all, with a statement eye and a neutral lip. Naturally, it's the 'statement' eye look that causes the comments, but how can a rosy eyeshadow cause any harm? Those of you who know me, or have been around for a while understand my passion for dressing for yourself; using materials to express your personality, emotions, or creativity and feeling awesome through what you have chosen, whatever that might be. I choose to do the same with my makeup. I am not dressing to impress, I am dressing for my love of fashion and to feel amazing in my own skin.

BEYOND RETRO

Beyond Retro is a trend-led vintage fashion shop which using beautifully crafted reclaimed materials, produces a growing line of apparel and accessories. 

To emphasise their passion for original design, the company take inspiration from all eras and guess what? Through the process of reusing old charms, they manage to take care of the planet at the same time! Each item of clothing is boldly individual whether it's lace hemmed, chopped and cropped, or purely 90s. You will never be in fear of someone matching you in your silk, suede, or leather attire.

From my summer expedition to Brighton, the girls and I hunted down Beyond Retro. After at least an hour of searching through the masses of wavy garms, I came across a line of sport shirts where I picked out the top pictured above. The quality is very high for secondhand material and definitely has that funky edge which could be easily tucked into your favourite pair of jeans, paired with a thick leather belt.

I am definitely planning on heading back to continue my journey through the (sometimes blinding) padded shoulder shirts, and I always like to recommend a visit to anyone passing through. The only thing I would be wary of however, is the prices which have a tendency to range quite dramatically. Just be careful to not break your bank account which my lovely friend Daisy was very close to doing! You can find Beyond Retro in Brighton, Brick Lane, Dalston, and Soho in the U.K.

'UNDRESSED' V&A

Some of you may be aware that during August I took the opportunity to participate in a 'Fashion Journalism' course with the Vogue news-editor, Scarlett Conlon. During the day, not only did she give us a talk on her job sector, but also accompanied the group to the exhibition, 'Undressed' at the Victoria and Albert museum. 

Afterwards, we took our scandalous tinged ideas back to the group and typed up an individual piece about the exhibit. My idea for the piece was to describe the scene and then talk about the provocative (or not so) history of underwear and whether the display was perhaps too racy? Here is a section of my writing that I produced during the day.

'Undressed' delves into the history of underwear from the 18th Century pantaloons, to the present day pants, exploring the influential role fashion had on underwear. However, was the unseen past an assumed provocative one, or simply uncomfortable?

Fashion has shaped the world of underwear, forcing the sector to adapt the lacy layers in a way which would present the male and female body accordingly to fit the model standards of the time. Unfortunately, a Kim Kardashian hourglass does not come naturally to all of us and neither does a 70s flat chest and limited curves, but 'Undressed' comforts us in underwear that can offer such assistance, even it pains us. Beauty has in fact previously meant pain and not a practical one either. See corsets, or the current 'Waist-Trainers'.

Boxers, briefs, and bras were consistently presented with style, but was the exhibition a little too racy for the Victoria and Albert Museum? We are all familiar with the concept of undergarments however, some have suggested that a sugarcoat on the more sexy displays was necessary, or at least an age limit. Moreover, should it not be more important in culture to be knowledgeable in surprising topics, rather than take an immature approach. Though it may have been the alluring thongs that encouraged parents to guide their young children away from particular rooms, is it now not fashionable to see underwear styled as a surprising outerwear garment. Designers of this style include Antionio Berardi and his Close Trompe L'oeil corset monochrome dress from 2009, delicately worn by Gwyneth Paltrow. Therefore are the new generation already comfortable with lingerie through the assistance of media and fashion? 

Disclaimer: These are not my own photos.