So Chanel unveiled their beauty look for the catwalk as designed and by Creative Director of Chanel Beauty, Peter Philips.

With such statement hair, it’s no wonder the makeup was kept simple and contemporary. Philips was given a simple brief by the big boss Lagerfeld, “Blue” and “Make sure they don’t look like stewardesses“… this instruction was because the collection itself was airline inspired. And so didn’t want to take the inspiration literally by throwing models out there looking like Britney Spears in the Toxic video!

While the models hair was pinned up in a funky “do”, the eyes were rimmed with a soft kohl look using some of Philips’ own shades of shadow, while the rest of the face was kept simply flawless.

Philips created a collection of new blue shades, named “Blue Illusion” to work with that will be available in July 2012 from selected retailers, so watch this space for more on that!

To see the full runway collection, visit: www.vogue.com

Marcus Collins has done what most X-Factor alumni wait a fair few months to do- his new single, Seven Nation Army, has been unveiled today, along with the news that his album will be available not long after it’s release on March 12th.

There are many sceptics out there saying his album is being released way to soon; the successes of Leana Lewis and One Direction are certainly examples of how waiting to release new material has worked to the advantage of talent show contestants.

Speaking to Radio 1 this afternoon, Collins was adamant his decision would be for the best; he wanted to ‘strike while the iron was hot’ and couldn’t wait to get into the studio to record his album, which will be a mixture of covers and his own music.

Contrary to a lot of critics, I applaud Marcus for sticking to his guns and getting his music out there as soon as possible. Waiting months after the show has finished has worked in some cases, but for Marcus, I think the quicker he gets his music released the better. Not only because I am dying to hear what he’s produced, but also because viewers of the X Factor are fickle creatures. Poor Matt Cardle is proof enough of that. With competition in the form of BBC’s ‘The Voice’ gracing our screens in only a few short weeks, Collins would have been left behind in obscurity had he not focused on his new album.

Critics are also very keen to find fault with the song choice. Seven Nation Army, originally released by The White Stripes in 2003, is one of those songs that has come to define the band that produced it. It is a classic, and a risky choice for a first single, but I think Marcus has chosen a winner. It’s not a cover, but more a re imagining of the song. It’s bold but understated, and focuses solely on the vocals. And so it should, because Marcus’s voice is beautiful.

Marcus Collins’s new album has been co-written and produced by his X Factor mentor, Gary Barlow. This can only be a good sign in my opinion!

Have a listen now and let us know what you think…

Rosita Shore Breen, Fashion & Beauty Writer

It used to be our designer bags that defined us. Then it was our shoes. And now, it’s our nails. Suddenly it is of the up most importance to keep your nails bang on, if not ahead of trends.

When autumn reared its chilly head, we lusted after dark polish’s like Chanel’s green-blue ‘Peridot’  to pair with our increasingly heavy layers and pale pallor. December brought f -f-f-freezing frost, along with festivities and a desire for sparkling nails to rival the fairy lights on our tree’s. For this look we turned to OPI’s fabulous glitter polishes.

But now that our evenings are getting a little longer and our fake fur  is getting less than a daily outing, we seek shades which will bring us closer to spring without screaming ‘summer colour’. Shades for the in-between season. Step forward neutral nudes and toffees.

For almost edible, soft toffee and caramel hints, try ‘ Lower Sloane Street’ by Nails Inc or ‘Barefoot in Barcelona’ by Opi. Or to add instant chic, we suggest a creamy, flesh coloured nude like ‘Brooch The Subject’ by Essie (above image).

Find neutral shades drab? Look down at your hands when wearing them. Notice how long, slender and sophisticated your fingers look?

Suddenly they are much more brilliant than boring!

What nail colour are you wearing during this ‘in-between’ season?

Sabina Ventriglia, Editor of ESVIE & Professional Makeup Artist

When I look at the Zara Taylor collection, I can’t help but feel as though I have been thrown back into the world of Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, a simple time where mystical stories are told to children and are believed for years.

These creations are simply beautiful and so different to your usual fashion jewellery. Here you will find pieces made from both vintage and vintage effect materials, with quirky little gadgets attached that actually work! Not sure what I mean by that? Well for instance, they have a number of long necklaces with pendants such as a magnifying glass, harmonica, egg timer, or even a compass. Random as they may sound, when you see the finish of these pieces, you’ll want one of everything!

For me, it’s about “talking points”. Anyone that sees you wearing Zara Taylor, will definitely be impressed and want to know where such a cool piece of jewellery has come from!

Not to mention the number of celebrities that have discovered Taylor’s collection and are constantly spotted wearing them with pride! So with that… off you pop to check out what treats you can grab for yourself! www.zarataylor.co.uk

Last night the gorgeous Lisa Snowden celebrated her 40th birthday in true glamorous style! Sporting a stunning red dress with a split as high as her thigh,  she looked every bit the brunette Jessica Rabbit as she made her way to Portland Place in London late last night.

Celebrating with the likes of Matt Damon, this party was clearly the place to be. But one thing is for sure, our very own Miss Lisa clearly wasn’t going to be upstaged with that fabulous outfit, teamed with black kohl eyes and soft waves… and those legs! #TotesJel

Since hitting the fashion scene Virgos Lounge have been making a name for themselves with their gorgeously made statement pieces that combine contemporary silhouettes, recent must have trends and classic vintage styles like you’ve never seen before. What isn’t there to love!?

The London based womenswear brand was established in 2008 and since then, have been providing women with statement wardrobe pieces galore, as well as featuring in some of the biggest selling magazines in the UK such as Look, OK! and Cosmopolitan just to name a few.

We were lucky enough to get to speak to the Virgo Lounge ladies and get their take on all things Virgo related.

So, Virgo’s Lounge look is really unique. What inspired the designs?

We are a vintage inspired brand, so that’s the basis for most of our designs though each of our collections is inspired by something a bit different. Our last collection was inspired by carnival in terms of the beading and colours used in the designs.

What about the creators? Tell us a little more about them..

We are three vintage loving, Zodiac sign sharing, Virgos. Fi and Oye are sisters and Nike is a very close friend.

What are Virgos Lounge fashion loves and lothes?

We love embellishments, maxi dresses and anything that looks or is vintage. We loathe kitten heels with a passion.

Since the Virgos Lounge website launch, which of the designs have been the most sought after?

The Amber blouse, Raina dress and Jen top have been very much sought after! So much so that we are bringing them back out this month.

If any famous faces could be styled in your designs who would you choose?

Rihanna!

Whats to come for Virgos Lounge in the new year and what can we Virgos Lounge lovers look forward to in 2012?

We plan to bring out new designs on a monthly basis, so you can look forward to being spoilt for choice in 2012.

And if you haven’t already been spoiled enough already by the previous collection check out Virgos Lounge latest collection ‘Glam Grunge’ out this month: www.virgoslounge.com

Article features designs from the Jan 2012 Grunge Glam Collection

Becky Harris

“Sports-luxe” has been a continuously developing trend over the past few years, what with Stella doing her thing for Adidas, Alexander Wang trend-setting, Isabel Marant’s uber-popular plimsolls and now even Louis Vuitton and Elie Tahiri adding more sport-friendly wear to their lines. It’s no surprise when you think of how health conscious we now all are, the gym being a regularly visited spot for the majority and consumers spending more time (and money) on leisurely activities.

The tricky thing is though, nailing a fabulously fashionable look, whilst combining the sportswear elements. This is where Lacoste’s L!VE collection and their new S/S 12 pastel-pretty plimsolls lend a hand. After a year of what seemed like every young adult wearing Vans, and their sales increasing by 8% in a year, the Lacoste Barbados Mid range is a refreshing step forward for Spring. Be your pair a beautiful mint green, muted pale pink or a fresh canary yellow, these sporty kicks nail not only sports-luxe, but the colour pop trend which will be fully re-embraced this coming season. Just imagining a pair of these with some cute cropped floral skinnies or even a simple grey tee and jeans… I want a pair. Now.

Staying up all night to watch the Golden Globes is no easy task, especially when E! repeatedly cut acceptance speeches and the reading of nominations for adverts for the new Kardashian series. But by braving these ad breaks, I watched as the best dresses in many years walked down the red carpet into the Beverley Hilton hotel for the 2012 ceremony.

There were far more gowns being styled that made me gasp in delight than wince in horror this year. All eyes were well and truly on Angelina Jolie after the 2011 awards, where she styled a 1950′s diamond encrusted emerald Versace dress. I’m unsure as to whether she completely repeated last years blow away success, but she did look beautiful.

Before the show began, I noted down the 5 ladies to look out for- and here they are:

1. Emma Stone

Wearing a Lanvin gown in raspberry, with detail on the shoulders and an eagle belt cinching the waist, Stone was, for me, the big hit of the night. She looked effortlessly cool and comfortable, which was a refreshing change after watching countless other celebrities struggling with fish tail gowns.

2. Lea Michelle

Metallics were all over the red carpet last night, and Lea Michele beat the lot with this daring antique dress by Marchesa. The illusion detailing is amazing, especially teamed with her chic up do.

3. Michelle Williams

The ‘it’ colour of the night was deep sapphire blue, and Michelle Williams looked ravishing in her long sleeved velvet number for Jason Wu. Some people may say it’s a safe choice, but it’s classic and looks amazing on Michelle, so I had no complaints. She won the award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role as Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn: an award highly deserved, but it is a little perplexing such a raw film was placed in such a light hearted category.

4. Natalie Portman

Looking very ‘Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend’ Natalie Portman didn’t push any boundaries with her pink prom dress. Honestly, I was left a little underwhelmed.

5. Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale always manages to look good at award shows- and last night was no different. Sporting a softer shade than other dresses of the night, she floated in Cavalli, finishing off the look with the biggest diamond earrings I have ever seen!

Now the important stuff is out of the way, it’s on to the winners!! George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams and Jean Dujardin took away the Best Actor and Actress awards. The Artist and The Descendants were the big winners of the night, and there were surprises too, with Octavia Spencer winning the Supporting Actress gong for her role in The Help. Madonna also took an award for best original song, and Downton Abbey brought one back for the Brits with best Mini Series.

All I can say now is….bring on the Academy Awards!

The moment I realised I had the most fantastic of friends was the moment Big left Carrie on their wedding day. Not a great time for Miss Bradshaw but a defining one for me. Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte swooped in dealt with the situation just as it needed to be dealt with – kindly and efficiently with the perfect amount of sensitivity and I knew, if I was ever in the same situation, my best friends would do exactly the same for me. As I would for them. I found such pleasure and reassurance in a devastatingly sad situation that it occurred to me how genuinely lucky I am.

Friends fight. They bitch. And they don’t always agree. But they tell you the truth and they’ve got your back even in times when it seems they can’t possibly. The journalist and author Edna Buchanan once said:

“Friends are family we chose for ourselves”

which leads me to believe there is and can be genuine love between companions. They don’t have to stick around due to family ties, they stick around because they want to for reasons that could go on forever.

We make mistakes, say things we shouldn’t that can’t be taken back and sometimes we’re the worst person in the world. But by surrounding ourselves with the finest of like minded people we’re forgiven even though we don’t deserve it. They make us who we are. Without each friend of mine I would be both a different girl and a worse off one. We can tell to our soul mates things we wouldn’t dare speak of to our biological family all the while safe in the knowledge we won’t be judged (too much) and realistic help and advice on its way.

Despite the sex, the city, (the couture and the money) those four beauties have what we all want and what we all need to live a full and deserving life; a deep rooted friendship, respect and love for one another, encouragement and support in abundance. And lots and lots of hot, hotter and the hottest of men.