How do you create the perfect smoky eye without looking like you’ve been in a fight? Choosing the correct colour combinations and blending them to perfection is the key to achieving this look.

Eyeshadow should be a deeper shade of eyeliner with the darkest colour concentrated on the outer corner of the eye. Offset this with a “highlighter’” eyeshadow on the brow bone and lower rim. Create definition around the eye – think outwards and upwards – and blend away!

While make-up artists can afford to use black eye shadow, this is recommended only to “top up” your eyeliner. Invest in quality brushes such as The Smokey Eye Brush Set by Sephora and proceed with caution!

Stila’s Smoky Eye Talking Palette is a great starter kit and literally talks you through step by step.  The Grays is the original palette, but remember to match colours to skin tone. Using a combination of light and dark complementary colours will ensure that you seduce and smoulder with a timeless smoky eye look.

The Chancery Red Heart Bag is from next season’s collection and sure to win over style-conscious damsels. Made from sparkly perspex, the red hot accessory features a detachable shoulder strap and glittery Westwood orb.

For something a little edgier, pick up the Ebury Heart Bag. Inspired by an earlier Gold Label collection, this iconic tote features a digitally-imprinted floral motif and is made from 100% leather.

Die-hard fasionistas will fall head over heels for Vivienne Westwood’s unique accessories. Don’t be surprised if sparks fly — you have been warned.

For further information, visit www.viviennewestwood.com

Annoushka’s new jewellery collection fuses romance, sensuality and magical fairytales with fun and femininity.

The Mythology Collection is inspired by Russian fairytales from Anoushka’s childhood and includes exquisite bejeweled pieces each with their own story. The Mythology Bumblebee Amulet is inspired by a traditional story in which a prince is disguised as a bee in order to see his father. This intricately detailed amulet represents love, friendship and loyalty. Crafted from 18ct yellow gold, the bee’s body is decorated with black rhodium, whilst the 18ct white gold wings are embellished with hand-set micro-pavé white diamonds.

Suspended from a diamond set bale, the amulet may be worn alone, on a chain or a string of pearls for a touch of romance.

Visit www.annoushka-jewellery.com for more information.

From Alice bands to bejeweled barrettes, floral fascinators to sparkling clips, beautiful hair accessories instantly glam up an ordinarily drab outfit with minimum effort.

New York-based CandyBand has released its latest collection of innovative hair accessories epitomising grown-up glamour and elegance. Whether you’re channeling Carrie Bradshaw or Anna Piaggi, the diverse range of bridal accessories, hats, headbands and hair pins allows fashionistas the freedom to experiment for virtually any occassion.

Painstakingly handcrafted, CandyBand’s luxe accessories are coveted the world over and available through their online store. The next time you’re looking to put a fresh twist on an old outfit, accessorise your outfit to create a new look and instant pick-me-up.

Visit www.candybandaccessories.com for more information.

Take a cue from Alicia Keys and Gisele Bündchen and shine like a star this festive season with party-perfect curls thanks to the YOGI Hair Wand.

Lightweight and ergonomic, the YOGI Hair Wand incorporates rapid heat technology to create tumbling curls with maximum ease, a mission impossible with conventional irons and curlers. The cone-shaped, Teflon-coated ceramic barrel crafts the most natural long-lasting curls with minimum damage to the hair shaft.

Simply wrap your hair around the wand, hold for up to ten seconds and release, eliminating those unsightly stiff ends where other tongs clasp the hair. The extra-long 360º swivel cable makes it even easier to manoeuvre and the matching glove means you can wrap your locks without feeling the heat. From bouncy waves to defined ringlets, the YOGI Hair Wand tops our beauty hit list.

Just wave the YOGI Hair Wand and transform from Plain Jane to Party Princess!

Available in four designs: black, pink, purple and zebra print; For further details, visit www.yogiwand.com

It’s no secret that red is one of the hottest colour trends this season so turn things up a notch in a sizzling, yet classic scarf-embellished dress by Oscar de la Renta.

This figure-flattering dress has a buckle fastening belt that cinches the waist, gently accentuating every beautiful curve. And that’s not all! From the embellished scarf sewn directly on the neckline to a fringed finishing hem, careful detailing adds fabulous dashes of spice that heighten the elegance factor.

Whether you’re  talking shop or lunching with the ladies, this dress spells confidence and class. Not for the faint-hearted, the Lady in Red is guaranteed to stop traffic.

Every self-respecting trendsetter has a favourite pair of boots. But this Fall 2009, it’s time to try something new. If you normally like ankle-highs, zip up to your knees. Ditto if you always stick to neutrals – give purple suede a whirl! Fergie and Blake Lively put their best boot forward in these brights, while Cameron Diaz stopped traffic in quilted masterpieces!

If you have short legs but want to rock the ankle boots, pair deep coloured boots with similar leggings to create a slimming colour column. The right boots can work magic; knee-highs lengthen gams, while shorter boots balance out ladies with longer pins. Reflect a sensational space-age disco look with Thakoon’s mirror mosaic boots or Giuseppe Zanotti’s bold blue patent boots. Alternatively, combine two seasonal trends with animal print boots from Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent.

And if you need more inspiration, look to the runways. You can’t go wrong with Gaultier’s electric blue boots or Gareth Pugh‘s dramatic knee-highs. Positively bootylicious.

There are countless boot trends that are sure to have you tripping over your Jimmy Choos this season – the ankle boot, thigh-high boot and slouchy boot. But rather than stocking up on dozens of pairs to accommodate a variety of looks, maximise your spending by selecting an all-purpose boot from Mulberry.

Mix and match your favourite fall threads with these light grey, crocodile print, knee-high Mulberry Hala suede boots. Their mid-high heels and overall boot structure are guaranteed to complete just about any outfit, whether it be a chunky sweater dress or a pair of cigarette trousers.

So embrace the ‘quantity not quality’ mantra this season and dress your feet with this pair of versatile boots.

This fall is all about extremes, from the super sleek to billowing volume. Turn heads with bouffant texture by rocking fur, a style staple that earns double points for functionality. Unlike the pelts of previous seasons, designers such as Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, Emilio Pucci and Maurizio Pecoraro have teased and tousled pieces to increase the fur factor in fall fashion.

Ensure you’re on the cutting-edge of chic and choose real over replica. These days, faux fur is not so much fashion faux pas as fashion forward. Pull off the luxe look without a guilty conscience with Juicy Couture’s vintage-inspired fawn faux fur vest and Rebecca Taylor’s boho glam faux fur gilet. For more coverage, Diane von Furstenburg’s Indina Mongolian faux fur jacket will keep global nomads looking chic and feeling cozy.

A word of warning –  keep a leash on your primal instincts and choose key pieces to avoid looking like our furry friends. The only thing that should be roaring is your fierce fashion sense.

This season, luxurious purple stole the show on and off runways. Victoria Beckham showcased trendy magenta pieces while Carolina Herrera paired a violet blouse with an eggplant skirt, proving that you can never have too much of purple!

Jewel tones are hot for Fall 2009 and this versatile shade suits most skin tones. The regal colour breathes life into even the most demure fashionista, generating energy and confidence. Go all out like Eva Mendes and Michelle Monaghan or introduce an eye-catching accessory to spruce up a monochrome outfit. These Pedro Garcia peep-toes and Marc Jacobs boots are guaranteed to set your pulse racing. And when in doubt, opt for a Mulberry patent Daria tote in amethyst.

Purple goes gloriously with other brights and adds a luxe edge to neutrals. Indulge in a royal flush and be treated like the queen that you are!

As the chill factor rises, turn up the stylometer and invest in a foolproof fall staple – the cropped biker jacket.

Seen on the runways of designers such as  Alexander Wang, Phi and Blumarine, the cropped jacket is a trendy twist on last season’s biker jacket. Featuring a creative edge  and touch of femininity, the cropped biker jacket allows a chic transition into fall with versatility being its modus operandi.

Christopher Kane’s leather jacket trimmed with sheepskin will appeal to urban warriors waging war against the cold. Alternatively, pair Doma’s washed-leather jacket with a mini dress and boots for a killer femme fatale look. Want to add an industrial edge to a feminine ensemble? Phi’s wool and cashmere jacket is the ultimate on-trend piece.

Biker babes take note  – ride out the cold with a cropped jacket that will last for seasons to come.

Elise Daniels, hat by Paulette, Pré-Catalan, Paris, August 1948 © Richard Avedon. Courtesy of The Richard Avedon Foundation.

The word ‘chic’ is often used to describe fashion-forward individuals dressed head-to-toe in the latest runway gear. But what does it really mean to be ‘chic’? And why are people so obsessed with trying to live up to everyone else’s ‘chic’ ideals?

According to Webster’s dictionary, ‘chic’ means “smart elegance and sophistication, especially of dress or manner,” whilst the Oxford dictionary defines the word as “elegantly and stylishly fashionable”, indicating that ‘chic’ concerns more than mere appearance. Rather, the word points to a distinct, self-assured attitude which blossoms from within.

The question is, who ultimately decides the underlying essence of elegance and style? Quite simply, you do. Forget fashion magazines for a moment and ponder on the simplicity of the dictionary definitions. You will realize that they are incredibly broad, providing adequate creative space for an individual to explore, define, and exhibit their unique chicness. It is fundamental to remember that fashion is based first and foremost on personal choices of style.

Some may define a Stella McCartney cape paired with leggings and ankle boots as a chic ensemble. Others may sport a sweater dress with a leather biker jacket and red Louboutin shoes—and call that chic. Just flip through any fashion magazine and you’ll notice plenty of ‘chic’ disparities,  providing countless different interpretations of what a ‘chic look’ is. Mainstream trends are forever evolving, so do not use glossies to dictate your style–rather, use them to compile a personal style guide that will enable you to define your own chic suited to your own personality, body and lifestyle.

This doesn’t mean that fashion bibles are not a valuable resource–far from it. But wouldn’t it be far more inspiring if you could define what chic means with a simple incorporation of your own style, all whilst feeling totally confident doing it? Now that’s chic!

It’s time to realize that ‘chic’ is a malleable, versatile concept. Break the mould, and start learning to embrace the look and the attitude that best expresses your ‘chic’ style.