Keeping Skin Healthy

Concrete, 25th March 2014

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/keeping-skin-healthy-under-stress/

Having fresh and healthy skin may not be your number priority when you have dissertation deadlines and the only thing keeping you going is that Saturday night LCR – but having healthy skin should not be underrated. With a few simple tips and tricks you can keep blemishes at bay without drilling into those laborious library hours.

For the ladies among us, and we can’t stress this enough: remove your make-up! Sleeping in your post-LCR smokey eye will damage the fragile skin around your eyes. Furthermore, the longer you leave on the waterproof mascara, the harder it is to remove. Frantically scrubbing at your eyes the morning after will only lead to even more skin damage. Invest in a decent eye make-up remover rather than going for the cheap and cheerful make-up wipes; they may seem a lot quicker and easier, but the harsher chemicals and rough texture will dry out your skin and may lead to break outs.

The best way to remove face make-up, as well an ensuring healthy, clean skin is to get into a really simple routine: cleanse, tone and moisturise. Yes, this is for the guys too. Cleansing your skin with a decent cleanser will get rid of make-up as well as unclog pores. There’s no need to reach for a super expensive cleanser either; a mid-range one will be just as good. Using a toner after gets rid of even more dirt and closes your pores. Finally, and most importantly, moisturise; even if you are prone to oily skin. Moisturising is integral to having healthy skin and it will keep your skin in good condition for the years to come. Choose a moisturiser with an SPF in for the day time, so your skin is super protected. If this all sounds a bit technical, don’t worry! Picking up these products is super easy and shouldn’t cost over £10. They will last a good few months too.

Another way to ensure your skin is bright, healthy and looking good for the upcoming summer months is to eat and drink the right foods. We shouldn’t have to spell out that chocolate and greasy foods won’t do your skin any favours; but by adding a few key ingredients into your diet your skin will absolutely thank you. Stocking up on Vitamin C rich foods, such as oranges and sweet potatoes, will help heal any spots and blemishes. Nuts such as almonds and hazelnuts, as well as fruits like avocados, contain heaps of Vitamin E which promote cell growth; your skin will look brand new after just a few weeks. Try taking almonds or hazelnuts onto campus for healthy seminar snacks, or roast some sweet potatoes for dinner; adding these foods into your diet isn’t that hard.

Of course, we must mention to keep your skin, as well as your body, in great condition by drinking plenty of water. Replace that bottle of Ribena or Coke with a bottle of water and you’ll be on your way to great skin in no time!

Norwich Fashion Week - Fashion Excess

Concrete, 17th March 2014

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/norwich-fashion-week-fashion-excess/

Norwich Fashion Week ended on a high. On the 13 March in the Open clubroom we were treated to an incredible music and fashion extravaganza: Fashion Excess. Ladies in fabulous lingerie modelled alongside live bands. The fun juxtaposition of the two made the night a spectacle, and a brilliant way to end an incredible week.

Photo: OPEN

The show opened with local Norwich band Keep Up. Their indie pop sound was an excellent soundtrack to the first half of the show. Catfish opened with simple colours but it was the models and looks from lingerie store Proudlock and Harry that made the greatest impression. From daring red to sultry black, the looks were both incredibly sexy, but fun and flirty. The models were brave enough to interact with the band and their witty remarks made the awkward silences between songs in which the models kept walking feel like part of the show.

We then saw looks from Lazy Pussycat; with their sports luxe influence apparent in bodycon dresses. Dr Martens and Write Here both showed graphic print t-shirts in simple colours and monochrome. The guys really stole the show here with their fun but cocky attitude. We loved their cheeky interactions with the live band, even resulting in a rather intense kiss on the cheek for the guitarist!

Keep Up continued their set as the models strutted their stuff for the finale. However, seeing the same looks another five or so times as they repeatedly walked on and off stage was a little repetitive. Luckily, the band’s music was enough to keep audience energy high, and the models did their very best to dance along and gets us clapping to the music.

After a short interval, the second act of the night came on stage. Crystal Bats, a duo acclaimed for their 80’s video for song Falling in Love, were slightly more subdued, giving a more underground, edgy feeling to the evening. The Frock Spot opened with incredible evening gowns with a 50’s influence. Love Couture were next with more eye-opening dresses. From feathered details to a snake skin dress complete with attached toy snake, Love Couture stole the show.

The music and fashion mash up was a creative and fun end to a creative and fun week. Don’t under estimate Norwich’s quirky style and commitment to fashion; Norwich Fashion Week is getting bigger and better every year – don’t miss out next time.

Norwich Fashion Week - The Vintage Show

Concrete, 11th March 2014

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/norwich-fashion-week-vintage-show/

On Sunday 9 March, Norwich Puppet Theatre held host to the annual Norwich Fashion Week Vintage Show. From beehive hair to burlesque dancing, there was something for Vintage newbies to Vintage know-it-alls. Set over two short half hour sets, we were treated to a beautiful array of clothes, lingerie and incredibly detailed hats and masks.

Photo: Julia Holland

The first half opened with Fabulous Miss K showing us some 40s and 50s vintage inspired dresses. Her simple colour palette made of reds, blues and greens emphasised the fit and quality of the garments. With the models walking into the audience through the steps of the auditorium we got a 360 degree look at the dresses and wonderful models. It was a fantastic and classy opening to the show. Lulu Vintage then showed us some rather fabulous menswear. Dapper men in tail coats and bright green suit jackets graced the catwalk to thunderous applause. The audience loved the top hats and bowties, who doesn’t like a classy gent?

The show continued in much a similar manner with incredible dresses and sharp suits. Particular highlights included a pair of sparkly silver evening cloves from Back in Time and the cute and feminine Vintage Deli. Even with a troublesome parasol, the first half of the show was cute, flirty and fun.

During the interval, where we filled up on unbelievable cocktails and chocolates, organisers were scouting for the best dressed. This competition ensured nearly every member of the audience (Concrete Fashion included) dressed up to the nines in their finest Vintage apparel. With a make-up station and a pop up photo studio everyone was looking their best.

After the interval, and the announcement of the best dressed winners, the evening took a more sultry turn. Proudlock and Harry showed their vintage inspired lingerie. From overly feminine baby dolls, to a sleek leather slip, Proudlock and Harry was one of the highlights of the night. They showed both girly, feminine lingerie as well the more dominatrix inspired underwear. Wake Up Little Susie entertained with smoking jackets and dressing gowns in a multitude of colours, all styled with sunglasses, bright pattern socks and a devil may care attitude from the male models.

Following on from the steamy lingerie, we were treated to Betsy Hatter’s hats. With a focus on embellishment and natural images, butterflies and feathers adorned these vintage inspired head-pieces. Titiana Fisher Millinery went much more over the top with sparkly, almost crown like, details. With Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ in the background, Titiana Fisher Millinery won best soundtrack of the night!

Finally, Mystic Magic Masquerade showed some unbelievable detailed masks. Again, butterflies were a prominent theme in this collection. We also loved a pair of glasses adorned with pearls – a necklace and glasses in one, what’s not to love? And that’s what the whole show was about: finding the fun and extravagance in fashion. The Vintage Show perfectly exemplified how fashion should be about self-expression and fearlessness.

American Apparel: A statement we can agree on

Kettle Mag, 24th January 2014

http://www.kettlemag.co.uk/article/american-apparel-statement-we-can-agree

So often criticised, and rightly so, for over sexualising their ad campaigns, American Apparel have finally done something we can agree with. Fixing merkins (or pubic hair wigs, for those not in the know) to their lingerie mannequins, the store is attempting to ‘spark up curiosity and conversation about what we deem beautiful and sexy.’

With society all too keen to tell women they must be totally hairless, save for their head, this New York window display is getting people talking for all the right reasons.

In a recent survey it was revealed 51 per cent of women don’t groom their public hair, preferring to go natural. Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Cameron Diaz have also spoken about their acceptance of their lady gardens, with Paltrow claiming she ‘rocks a 70s vibe down there.’ 

So if this many women, celebrities included, are shunning the waxer, why is American Apparel’s recent window display such a big deal?

Mannequins: Good role models?

Since the invention of the bikini in the 1960s it has been much more commonplace to remove any unsightly hair that may make an appearance. But this trend has only grown in popularity in recent decades, and now to even have a ‘landing strip’ can be seen as taboo.

It has been reported girls as young as 10 are having waxes to stunt growth so they don’t have to suffer when they reach puberty. American Apparel is saying what we should all be saying—pubic hair is not a bad thing. We shouldn’t be teaching girls that their natural body is wrong or shameful in anyway.

Arguably, this trend for the bald vagina is being kept alive by the porn industry. With every girl on camera completely hairless, it has become the norm for everyone, porn star or not. Stupid really, when the only reason these girls are waxed to within an inch of their life is so the camera can see all the graphic details.

Twitter users have come out in force over this issue. Splitting almost completely down the middle, some hate it while others think it’s a brilliant step forward for feminism and body choice and acceptance.  

After all, that is really what it comes down to—personal choice. I think we can all agree that we should not be spreading the message that natural body hair is disgusting or unhygienic in anyway (despite what the ads may tell us) but we shouldn’t be chastising anyone for their own grooming habits. If you want to go au natural and rock a full bush, do it and don’t let the twitter trolls tell you wrong.

These mannequins are doing their job—looking fabulous in their rather interesting sheer lingerie and sparking a debate that shouldn’t really need to be debated in 2014. A woman, just like these mannequins can look beautiful, stylish and full of confidence with or without a full bush.

Rock your own style with confidence, whether you channel the 70s, go totally bare, or even, to hell with, get a funky pattern waxed into your pubes. It’s your vagina after all!

Being environmentally friendly at university

Concrete, 28th January 2014

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/eco-friendly-student/

Being environmentally friendly at university may not the top priority for you, as after all those LCR nights your reading list is now longer than your arm. But protecting the environment isn’t as challenging as you may think. Simple things like turning off a light when you leave the room will not only help keep your carbon footprint down, but your household bills down too.

The same goes for the central heating. It might be the best feeling in world to have that heating turned up to 20 on the thermostat, but just turning it down just slightly will go a long way, and you will hardly notice the temperature change. Huddle under blankets or in your pyjamas and the heating could even go off!

If you and your flatmates are cooking dinner at the same time, the heating from the stove or oven will keep your house toasty for longer than you can imagine. Joint meals are one of the best ways to both help the environment and save money. You will be creating far less waste and you can even take any leftovers for lunch the next day.

Although you probably spend long enough staring at computer screens, if your seminar leader has mentioned you don’t need to print this week’s reading: don’t! Printing off 20 pages of that boring essay you are pretty confident you won’t use again is a huge waste of resources. But if you really must print your reading, perhaps share with a course friend, each getting half a week with the essay. Not only are you doing your bit to save the trees but it will encourage you to actually do the reading, and if you’re lucky your friend might write helpful notes all over it.

Walking or cycling to campus is a brilliant way to save money and help the environment. Rather than sitting on a stale bus, forking out hundreds for an annual bus pass, cycling will help you clear your head before that three hour seminar and act as a free gym! If cycling isn’t your thing, re-live your school days and walk. Plug in your headphones or walk in with a course friend or flatmate, and what may seem like a half hour trek from Unthank will turn into a great way to socialise. However if you do live impossibly far for campus (Bowthorpe, we’re looking at you) then try to always get the bus rather than investing in a car.

Being environmentally friendly is a lot easier than you might assume. Separating your household rubbish is practically mandatory now, so putting a bit of extra effort in to ensure your recycling all the right things isn’t too hard. With small and simple acts, not only are you helping planet earth, but by controlling how much energy you use, you’re keeping your bills down too; in the end, everybody wins!

Make up advice

Concrete, 28th January 2014

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/beauty-tips-day-evening/

Day
Day time looks can be a little tired and plain. For a great twist, ditch the over-used black liner for a daring electric blue; try Superslick Liquid Eyeliner by MAC in ‘Signature Blue’. You could even go for a purple or green if you’re feeling adventurous. For a more soft approach, tease your lash line with a coloured eye shadow rather than liner. Go for a natural shimmery gold for a base over your eyelid, this will catch the light and add depth to your day look. Try the new Urban Decay Naked 3 pallette to find your perfect shade.

For your face, go for a matte foundation to even out the shimmer on your eyes, we love Clean Finish Matte Foundation by Rimmel. A light dusting of a light pink blusher on the apples of your cheeks will give you a clean and fresh look, perfect for any day!

Evening
For a bold evening look don’t be afraid to do both lips and eyes. Using black and brown shades across the lid and into the socket softens what would usually be considered a harsh look, and using a thin black liner in the lash line allows for impact without too much drama. Go for khol pencil for an even softer look, we love Rimmel Soft Khol Kajal Eye Pencil, try in black or brown. A soft dark eye means you can go big with false eyelashes, try Eylure Naturalites Natural Texture False Eyelashes for a dramatic yet more subtle look.

Photos: Moji Adegbile

For the foundation, embrace a shimmery look for evening, layer on both a pink blush and a bronzer just above the cheekbone to add some delicate contouring. A red lip is an evening staple – a pillar box red suits almost everyone but go a bit darker for a vampier vibe; we love MAC’s Ruby Woo for its matte finish.

What to wear on New Year's Eve

Concrete, 3rd December 2013

http://www.concrete-online.co.uk/new-years-eve-fashion/

Don’t let us frighten you, but New Year’s Eve is only a few weeks away. For those of you who have had a New Year plan since June, you should be set for an outfit. But if you’re like us and still have no idea whether you’ll be out partying, or tucked up in bed come midnight, have no fear! Venue has compiled the definitive list of what you should be wearing whether your plans involve drunken singing, or a night in with Sex and the City.

Dress to impress
Go all out and we mean it. If you’re headed for a big night out on the town your outfit should be screaming “IT’S NEW YEARS” from head to toe. We’re thinking sparkles, and a hell of a lot of them. There’s no such thing as too much sparkle on New Year’s Eve. Go for false lashes, 6-inch heels and a sequin dress. If you’ll be trawling from bar to club, a leather jack will be your new best friend. A clutch bag might seem a great idea, but a cute strappy bag will be a saving grace by 2am when you need assistance to walk. Remember that red lipstick, and if you know you’ll end up bare-foot by the end of the night, don’t forget to bring some foldaway flats to walk home in.

Smart casual
Perhaps a cute pub is more your scene but casual does not necessarily mean jeans and T-shirt. New Year’s is all about that special effort so smarten up that look. Boyfriend jeans rolled up at the bottom with some cute heels is perfect for casual chic. Skinny jeans and heeled boots also work if you want to keep covered up. If heels aren’t your thing (and we don’t blame you if they aren’t!) go for some glittery flats. If you don’t fancy making a huge effort with your wardrobe, why not try out some cute jewellery? A pair of dangly earrings will be just the right trick to add some New Year glamour without breaking the bank.

An Evening In
Grab some friends, or maybe your mum, and go for the cheap option and stay in. Avoid the freezing weather and overpriced drinks – order a pizza and watch the fireworks from the warmth of your front room. We all know this kind of New Year calls for a onesie. Yes, we said it. This New Year season will be the year of the onesie, so rather than being a Grinch about it, embrace the fad and buy the cosiest one you can find. Don the slippers, grab a blanket and, if you really want to, indulge in face masks and pedicures.

Rather than starting the New Year hungover, you’ll be facing your resolutions with beautiful skin – what more could you want from New Year style?