This season, the catwalks were flooded with wearable looks that transfer well to everyday ‘dos. Now is most definitely the time to start playing with messy buns, low ponies and double knots. Make a summer statement by simply adding a captivating accessory. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, bring out your creative side with criss-cross braids and plaits or perhaps a retro up-do.

Low maintenance

Messy ‘dos in the form of loose buns and no-fuss ponies featured heavily at Christopher Kane, Jil Sander and Dior. Keep the hair glossy with an oil and tie low at the nape of the neck. For this look, loose strands and flyaways are a GOOD thing.

Grunge

If rock ‘n roll is more your thing, Stella McCartney and Roberto Cavalli sported just-got-out-of-bed hair. Embrace your natural waves or tong random sections of hair using a wand and backcomb a few strands to keep the messy texture.

The Wet Look was back at Giambattista Valli where gel was applied to the roots and combed back for a slick, modern finish.

Plaits and Braids

A summer classic, plaits and braids were a little more creative this year, with fishtail braids and interlocking twists as seen at Marchesa.

Retro Up-Do

The Sixties made a comeback at Moschino featuring the classic beehive. The up-do took on a more modern twist at Marc Jacobs, with volume at the roots and hair swept to one side.

Twists, Loops and Knots

An alternative to the traditional up-do, low ponytails and chignons were wrapped into a number of styles at Chanel and Marni. They were looped back on themselves at Chloe and twisted into round ballet buns and double knots elsewhere. Seal yours with an anti-frizz spray and accessorise with pearls!

Accessories

Chanel’s pearls, D&G’s headscarf’s, Balenciaga’s metal crowns and Louis Vuitton’s satin bows were amongst the beautiful array of hair decorations this season.

1. To achieve a shiny, bouncy style, start with a thorough shampoo using lightweight products that won’t weigh down your hair, such as John Frieda Full Repair Full Body Shampoo and Conditioner, and then towel dry the hair.

2. The key to getting a free-flowing style that also has body and romantic curls is blow-drying the hair with a product that provides both hold and body. John Frieda Protecting Root Lift Foam can help you achieve body near the root; it also acts as a dry hair treatment by protecting the ends of your hair from heat damage. Smooth over wet hair and then do an upside down blow out with a round brush.

3. Once you have shampooed, conditioned, and blown the hair dry, the only step left is to set your hair with a few large rollers to add a bit of drama. When you’re ready to remove them, remember to tousle the hair with your fingers (don’t use a brush) so that your style looks sexy and slightly messy.

After you’ve perfected this spring-ready style, try to prolong it by adding bobby pins or a flirty headband!

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?

Thankfully, we are here to lend a helping hand.Introducing our picks of the best ‘last minute party dresses’ from the high street:

If you desire glamorous AND sophisticated, Warehouse’s sequined, gold and black, ‘Chevron dress’ will create a sexy silhouette which simultaneously screams  lady and luxury.

For those hankering for a pop of colour look no further than Oasis’s ‘Dream Dress‘. This lace, claret hued number was created by Look magazine readers on the hunt for the perfect party dress. 50s inspired, it’s nipped in waist and full skirt, flatters every figure… including those encumbered with a mince pie induced muffin tops (that will be my choice then.)

The perfect party dress. Created by 'Look' magazine reader's for Oasis

This beautiful art-deco inspired dress will add a nostalgic edge to your look

Have you had your Xmas party yet?  If so, what did YOU choose to wear?

Annie Owen, Fashion Writer

Christmas is sparkle season and what better way to add sparkle than on your nails! There is a great range of ‘glitter’ nail polishes on the market at the moment, along with the crackle effect by Barry M and new magnetic effect by Filthy Gorgeous. Recently nail painting has become a major player in the fashion world and nail art is now big business. With celebs such as Jessie J, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry setting the trends of having crazy nails, it is no surprise that the rest of us have a great choice of nail art available to us on the highstreet.

There is a range of ‘do it yourself’ nail kits available, as well as solo nail varnishes that do all the work for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment and mix and match, currently the bolder the better! Here are some of my favourites currently on the market. Give it a go yourself and see what creations you can come up with.

This is the metallic range from Filthy Gorgeous London – currently all have 15% off. You paint you nails and then use the lid which has a magnetic inside to create the patter on your nails.

This is a brilliant sparkle nail polish from Models Own – you’d definitely have a ‘christmassy’ feel applying this to your nails! 

Opi have some great ‘shatter’ nail polishes available in a great range of colours, some matt some metallic. This would be a great choice for the Christmas party or festive drinks with friends.

Accessories are definitely an important part of your outfit. I mean, how can you pulled off your Little Black Dress without those high heels? Or that blazer without that necklace? Autumn is coming closer, so grab your credit card and log onto Net-a-Porter:Adidas by Stella McCartney: Cable-Knitted Wool-Blend Snood. This snood is like a scarf but not. And it would not blow into your face when it is very windy.

J.Crew: Waxed cotton Canvas  Tote. Canvas tote by J.Crew. In olive green with a leather handle, J.Crew’s tote looks positively chic.
BLOTCH: Patent Ballerina Flats. These flats brighten up your outfit but still looks casual.
NIXON: Time Teller P Watch. Bye, those watches with bright jewels and glitter on it. Hi, white NIXON watch.
DKNY: Niki Leather Wedge Sandals. From Donna Karan’s younger line, DKNY, you can still wear wedge sandals in early Autumn.
Marc by Marc Jacobs: Pearlie Quilted Leather Bag. It’s small but it is a carryall. You can either wear it by its top handle or across the body.

Victoria Jackson, Celebrity Columnist
www.iheartfashion2009.blogspot.com

If you have a question you’d like to put to our resident Stylist, why not email her at: victoriajackson1@hotmail.com and you might be lucky enough to get your question and answer posted on ESVIE.co.uk…

QUESTION:

Dear Victoria,

I’m not too sure on how to work this season’s pastel trend in my everyday look without looking like a reject from the playground. I’m a bit off a tomboy at heart but would love to add a bit of sugar and spice glamour to my wardrobe. Help!

Fashion Lover – Manchester

ANSWER:

Dear Fashion Lover,

Pastels were all over the catwalk this seasons from Chanel Couture, complete with love-heart manipulated hair and candy coloured suits, to Marc Jacobs and Luella. The key to wearing pastels is to choose a structured piece such as a origami folded skirt in a pastel blue, something that could be taken from, say, Burberry Prorsum’s Spring/Summer 2010 show. Graphic prints help keep the look modern and less ‘girlie and sweet’ so look for pieces that have digital prints or texture included. Try mixing pastel pieces with denim for a dressed down, casual look.

These are my top pastel pieces from the high street, with a little designer thrown in for good measure. Hope this helps your pastel infused dilemma Fashion Lover!

CREDITS:

Topshop Ruched Bandeau Dress £45

Warehouse Oversized Lace Tee £25

Boohoo Tassel Top £12

Faith Pink Cartini Shoes £70

Miu Miu Leather Tote £795

French Connection Lemon Bronte Knit Cardigan £60

ASOS Fabric Ring £8

Victoria Jackson, Celebrity Columnist
www.i-heart-fashion.co.uk

EMAIL Victoria: victoriajackson1@hotmail.com

Coming soon to Esvie is the much anticipated Ask the Stylist, bringing together a mixture of advice, trends, latest fashion news and looks pulled together from the high street for fashionistas that just don’t have time to shop!

If you have an up and coming date with a hottie yet don’t have a clue how to wow him, them drop Esvie a line and our resident stylist, Victoria Jackson, is on hand to not only give you hints on what to wear but will actually find the perfect outfit from the high street for you!

Trends coming fresh from the catwalk will be gathered and presented to Esvie readers, making it easy for you to be bang on trend all day, every day.

And lastly, Esvie would like give its readers the chance to showcase their unique and fabulous style. Send over your favourite Saturday night outfit and we will showcase the top five of the week. Have your five minutes of fame and remember, whatever the dilemma, whatever the wardrobe emergency, then Esvie is on hand to help…stay tuned and stay fabulous!

Maria Aloia, Beauty Treatment Specialist,
www.beautyofbedford.co.uk

I am so excited for the arrival of Leighton Denny’s latest collection of colours, officially due on 1^st April but they’re beginning to pop up in a few places.

The Iconic Collection, as featured in the March edition of Vogue, is perfect for this spring/summer season – a great range of soft shades, inspired by the famous femme fatales from movies in the 1940s. These colours ooze Hollywood and silver screen glamour with great names typical of Leighton Denny.

Hello Dolly: A soft chiffon pink with a hint of shimmer

Brief Encounter: A new take on taupe, beige with a sophisticated shimmer

Some Like It Hot: A sassy summer red with cool pink undertones

Talk Of The Town: A fun and flirty fuchsia

Notorious: A daring deep teal

The Heiress: A blue-belle purple

Quality polishes in fantastic colours, Leighton Denny fails to disappoint. I think my favourite for the summer will be Some Like It Hot, but I’m also looking forward to trying nearly all the others too! Get down to your nearest Leighton Denny Stockist, get a manicure and try one of these fab new colours!