Nobody does bold, daring nails like SZA. The singer rocked an eye-catching manicure while performing on Saturday night live earlier this month, and we are obsessed. Performing her brand-new single, “Shirt” and debut album S.O.S which was released last week, you couldn’t help but look at those extravagant nails that she was styling so well.  

The manicure consisted of a bejewelled collection of different gems and decorations placed on her nails with a dark blue backdrop. The nails demanded attention and attention is what they got, as the rubies were impossible not to stare at. It got us thinking about how we can glam up and bejewel our nails this Christmas season, to add a little sparkle to our manicures and make them just as eye-catching as SZA’s.  

Acrylics

First things first, you’ve got to decide what sort of nail shape and style you are after. Acrylic nails like the ones rocked by SZA are ideal if you’re looking for extravagant designs and lots of jewellery on the nail. Amazon sells amazing acrylic home DIY sets that include all the tools needed to create and design your own acrylic nails. These nail kits give you the freedom to let your creative juices flow and draw inspiration from SZA and other celebs whose nails have caught your eye.  

£ 26.99

Acrylic Nail Kit Acrylic Powder and Liquid Set

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The amazing thing about doing your own acrylic nails is that it gives you the opportunity to learn how the nails are created and you can leisurely come up with designs and ideas at your own pace, while giving yourself a creative platform to explore – and let’s be honest, it’s a lot cheaper!  

PolyGel

Poly Gel nail kits are also amazing and affordable alternatives to heading to the salon to recreate extravagant nail looks as they are easily applicable and allow you to be creative with your designs and add features that manicurists may overcharge you for or not be able to offer. By using acrylic and poly gel nails, you can have them longer than your natural nails and therefore you can explore more choices when it comes to the gems you use and how many you can put on.  

BIAB

However, if you like a shorter nail shape or want to protect your nails but still want a glamorous SZA-inspired nail look, at-home Biab gel is the way to go. Biab is a builder nail gel and can be used alone or applied alongside gel nails to improve the strength of your natural nail and protect them from the damage artificial nails can cause. Biab is a great way to create the glossy look you get when you have gels or acrylic, so if your nails are already at a length you would want them at, biab is the way to go. You can still bejewel your nails when using biab as the nail itself will be strong enough thanks to the buildable gel to withstand the gems on top. Sold at ASOS, the Mylee 5-in-1 Builder Gel is one of the most thought-after builder gel products and luckily won’t break the bank. Biab can be used with gel and acrylic if you wish so it is a handy little product to try out this winter when experimenting at home with your nail techniques and designs.  

£ 13.00

ASOS Mylee 5 in 1 Builder Gel

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Gems

Regardless of what nail base you use, the main product needed for these show-stopping nails is gems. Amazon is going to become your best friend when it comes to getting supplies for these nail designs, as it has an infinite number of affordable gems and decorations that you can apply to your nails.

Using acrylic or poly gel nails is the best format if you are looking for long extravagant nails that you’ll be able to do lots of nail art on and include multiple diamonds or decorations. But biab and natural nail lengths can still mirror the looks inspired by SZA’s nails by using nail pens such as the Empire Nail Collection Art pens or smaller diamonds to help recreate looks such as SZA’s this winter.   

£ 3.99

Flat Back AB Crystal Nail Art Rhinestones

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£ 8.99

Empire Collection Nail Art Pens

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Words By: Sophia-Fai Roche

_{Header Image: Courtesy of SNL}

The post We All Want SZA’s SNL Show Nails: Here’s How  appeared first on Voir Fashion.

This one-shoulder collar piece is enough to catch anybody’s eye scrolling through social media. This crocheted collar piece from @fdesbml is a stunningly hand-crafted piece of artwork. Combining the upcoming Spring/Summer trend of crochet with the Bridgerton style collars that we’re loving; this is a beautiful statement piece. It wouldn’t look out of place atop a Simone Rocha skirt, but this piece is so intricate and unique that we’d add to our wardrobes in a heartbeat. 

Looking like it belongs on the carpets of the Met Gala, @anikaleila ‘s hand-sewn corset is a beautifully intricate piece. The corset’s gold hues and perfectly executed folds put you in mind of a rococo style backdrop, yet its surrealist undertones with a subtly incorporated face almost resemble something of a Schiaparelli piece and add a sense of a modern, futuristic twist on a beautiful renaissance style piece. One thing is certain, the attention to detail is impeccable.

Another piece we’re obsessed with is this dress by Jesse Hansen. Made with Ariana Grande in mind, this latex mini dress with chain details and corseted panelling is enviable. It captures the feel of Ariana’s latest album Positions, and it maintains that fun, effeminate look that Ariana is so well known for. We’re obsessed with the matching choker and the daring vibes that the eyelet details provide. 

This reversible corset from @uzairshoid is another piece we’re coveting. In neon colours with embroidered patterns spanning over each panel, it’s the perfect colour palette (both ways) for Spring/Summer and its silhouette looks incredibly flattering. 

Inspired by the hot pink Roberto Cavalli feathered dress from 2003 that Christina Aguilera wore for the VMA’s, @Baddie_Bi created their own birthday dress which had all the same allure. The colour palette and the train length were both perfectly in keeping and the experimentation with the placement of the feathers on @Baddie_Bi ‘s creation made for a flattering silhouette.

We have a bit of outfit jealousy when it comes to @Thobymbhele ‘s handmade dress. This piece was inspired by a movie they’d seen, but now it’s inspired many followers to be on the hunt for such a striking piece. The cut-out details are perfectly on-trend and they’re a perfect match with the bright purple tones. We’re a huge fan of the sleeve meets opera glove style which polishes the look off perfectly. 

Words By Megan Selway

The post Handmade Fashion: The Trend That’s Taking Over Twitter appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Unleash your inner home-hair-colourist with BLEACH LONDON’s ultimate guide to colouring your hair at home.

Hair-wise, there are two types of people in the world. Those who would only consider a colour change under the reassuring conditions and safety blanket of a Hair Salon’s roof. And the fearless, brave home hair dye-ers. Myself? Partially due to my impulsiveness, and partially due to my habit of always thinking I know best- I fall into the latter category.

Upon deciding one morning that there was no way I could possibly live another day with the hair colour I was born with and that I’d lived with for 14 years, by lunchtime, me and my best friend were stood in the home-hair-dye isle of Superdrug. And low and behold, by dinner time, I was sneaking around the back of my house. Drawstrings of my hood tied suffocatingly tight in an effort to conceal the patchy brown, white and weirdly luminous orange travesty that was hiding underneath- in a self-less effort not to give my mother a heart attack.

From this point to the present day has given me 9 years of home-dye expertise under my belt. Giving me the knowledge, that this hideous, mottled disaster was inevitable with the £3 ‘20 vol’ bleach kit my friend smothered over my head with no particular method.

With age, comes wisdom, and if I fancy a colour change now, I am a little less inclined to run to Superdrug, pick up the cheapest dye I see and get my friend to slap it on my scalp. Nevertheless, (clearly) I’m no stranger to my home salon- AKA the bathroom. If you try to look on the bright side of isolation, we currently don’t even have the worry of having to fix any disasters before having to go into the office.

There has literally never been a better time to experiment with your hair.

But what about those of you out there who are now in the irritating predicament of craving a colour change but are stuck in isolation without having ever braved a home hair dye in your life? In these times where the salon seems like a distant memory, Voir has teamed up with the elite of home hair dying- Bleach London. To give you the confidence to dare to be different and unleash the home-hair colourist we know you all have in you!

“Colouring your hair at home is much easier than you think and we’ve developed a new digital salon appointment feature, the ‘Bleach London Hair Party’ series, on our website to make dying, maintaining and caring for your hair at home foolproof.

If you head to chat.bleachlondon.com, you’ll have a virtual consultation to talk about your current hair condition and colour, and the final look you want to achieve. From there, we’ll put together a ‘Party Pack’ of all the products you need to create your hair colour. Order these online, stay home and we’ll deliver your pack and send a link to join the Hair Party.

You’ll be joined by one of our Bleach London Colour Experts by a video call, who will talk you through each stage of the process from the comfort of your own bathroom. They’ll give you all the tips you need and answer any questions you have along the way.”

1. How would you recommend to dye your Pink / Blue/ pastel at home and avoid a disaster?

“To create pastel hair, your base needs to be bleached as light as possible or the colour won’t show. Use our Plex Bleach Kit to lift the hair to a very light, creamy yellow. You want to achieve a similar colour to the inside of a banana skin.

“Then, to neutralise any brassy or yellow tones, use our White Toner Kit to colour correct and create a blank canvas. If you apply pastel pink to a yellow-toned blonde, it will create a warm peachy colour, or if you dye your hair blue before toning the brassy tones out, it will create a green hue.

“Follow with your pastel colour of choice, and use our virtual consultation tool to figure out which colours and maintenance products you’ll need. For pastel pink use our Pinkcess Party Pack or for pastel peach use our Juicy Party Pack. Our Violet Femme Party Pack is great for a pastel lavender look or if you want a more subtle lilac, our Pearlescent-ville Party Pack creates a really soft, opalescent effect.”

Bleach London’s How To Guide: Rose Gold

2. Do you have any tips on how to highlight your hair at home?

“I’d suggest trying balayage at home rather than highlights as it’s not quite as fiddly. Balayage is less meticulous and uses a freehand painting technique which looks really natural and grows out beautifully without having to maintain your roots.

Use our Plex Bleach Kit to lift your hair to your desired level of blonde while minimising damage. You might need a friend to help out with the application, especially around the back of the hair, but if not set up two mirrors so you have full visibility. We have a balayage guide on YouTube here – the steps are as follows:

● Step 1 – Prepare dry hair by brushing and sectioning into thirds: one large section at the bottom of your hair from the top of the ears down to the nape of your neck, then two on top of the head, from the ears up and parted in the middle.

● Step 2 – Work through each third at a time, starting from the bottom. Use a tint brush to weave through the hair and create smaller, thin sections. Gently backcomb to secure the weave before applying the bleach. This prevents the bleach applying in a thick block and creating a chunky effect.

● Step 3 – Use a tint brush and your hands to ‘smoosh’ the bleach into the weaved section and softly smooth it up to meet where the backcombed hair sits.

● Step 4 – Place the bleached section into a piece of tin foil to separate from the hair you don’t want to lighten, folding the edges to secure.

● Step 5 – Continue with the same sectioning pattern until the back is complete.

● Step 6 – Carry on with the front sections, this time taking the bleach slightly higher up on the pieces around the face for a framing effect.

● Step 7 – Develop for up to 45 minutes, checking the progress every 10 minutes. Once it is ready, rinse thoroughly, shampoo, condition and towel dry.

● Step 8 – tone and colour as desired”

3. Any tips on shampoos to use to maintain the colour?

“You can prolong your colour using our Toning Shampoo and Conditioners for a 5 minute, in shower top-up. If you need to boost a vibrant colour, you can make your own colour toner by mixing your Super Cool Colour in with a conditioner and wearing the mixture like a mask for 5-10 minutes. Keeping the hair nourished also helps prolong colour, as healthy hair holds on to the pigment better than dry hair. Use a rich mask to keep the hair hydrated, my favourite is our sell-out Reincarnation Mask (£15) for an intensely moisturising treatment once a week.”

4. Are there any other products/ tools we need to dye our hair at home other than the box dye?

“If you purchase a Bleach Party Pack through chat.bleachlondon.com you’ll receive our reusable Eco-Conut Mixing bowl and brush. I’d also recommend having an old t-shirt or towel to hand to avoid staining your favourite clothes, and a shower cap to wear whilst the bleach or dye processes. If you don’t have a shower cap, cling film works perfectly too. If you’re creating a bleach bit or balayage and need to keep sections of hair separate from the bleach, you cause strips of kitchen foil.”

All quotes by Alex Brownsell, co-founder and creative director of Bleach London. www.bleachlondon.com

To join the hair party, discover your look at chat.bleachlondon.com

Words by Ella Winfield

Graphics by Katie Janes

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The post Bleach London’s Creative Director Alex Brownsell’s Ultimate Guide on How to Colour Your Hair at Home appeared first on Voir Fashion.

As we all adjust to our new normal of life indoors. Voir brings you the perfect home skin guide to get your indoor quarantine glow. Luckily, many cupboard essentials make for great skin treatments. Many everyday ingredients have natural benefits and can be used in homemade masks and creams. Here are a few recipes that you recreate from the comfort of your own home.

Honey

Raw honey is full of antioxidants which help fight wrinkles and fine lines, as well as helping to fade scars. It’s also a natural antibacterial so will help prevent spots popping up, whilst leaving the skin super soft. It can be used on its own, covering your face with a layer of it for a few minutes and then rinsing off, or combined with other ingredients for a face mask.

Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 2 tablespoons of plain yoghurt, apply to face and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before wiping off with a warm facecloth. You can also substitute the yoghurt for half a ripe avocado for the same effect (save the other half for some avocado toast). If you want a more exfoliating wash, mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 tablespoon of uncooked oats and gently rub into the skin and leave for 15 minutes.

To get the most out of your honey mask, use it to boost moisture levels and keep your skin glowing. For tackling fine lines, think about adding Beverly Hills MD Deep Wrinkle Filler to your daily routine. This combo helps keep your skin hydrated while also addressing deeper wrinkles for a smoother, more youthful look.

Coffee

Coffee isn’t just beneficial in perking you up after a sleepless night, it also helps with your skin as it is packed full of antioxidants. From helping reduce the appearance of cellulite and fine lines to reducing inflammation and dark circles, coffee can be used in scrubs and masks to help keep your skin in top form.

Combine 1 tablespoon of ground/instant coffee with a tablespoon of milk to create a spreadable paste, apply to a clean face, massaging the mask gently and then leave for 15 minutes before rinsing off while massaging the face again. This will help reduce puffy eyes and clears the skin from dirt and dead skin cells, while the milk softens the skin.

Sugar

Sugar is something that is always stocked in our cupboards, and when it comes to skincare, sugar is a great ingredient. It’s great for exfoliating the skin, dissolving dead skin cells and cleansing, while not stripping the skin of natural oils. Brown sugar is the best choice for sensitive skin as it is the least abrasive and can be used as a scrub more often. Mix 1 cup of sugar with 3-5 tablespoons of olive or coconut oil (perfect for moisturising the skin) to get a sandy consistency, not too wet. Rub the mixture into the face and lips in circular motions after a shower/bath to get rid of dead, dry skin and rinse to leave you soft and glowing. The scrub is safe for lips as it’s edible and can also be used all over the body.

Teabags

Not only does a cup of tea soothe a tired person but it can also help tired eyes. Soak green tea bags in warm water then place on your eyes and it will help reduce puffiness or use cold tea bags to help with swelling and dark circles. Rubbing warm green tea bags in circular motions on clean skin where you are prone to acne will help clear the skin and reduce acne scarring.

Words by Camila Karalyte

Graphics by Katie Janes

The post From Cupboard to Skin: Homemade Skin Remedies appeared first on Voir Fashion.