Nasassistic

By NASA MARIA ENTABAN
alltherage@thestar.com.my

LATER this year, Spice Girls fans will get to relive the prime years of the 90s pop group when the musical Viva Forever takes the stage.

Thinking about the British pop group that took the charts by storm years ago brings back memories of not just their catchy pop tunes, but the fashion trends that came along with them.

As with many things, pop stars have proven to be a great influence on fashion and image – there’s no denying they always have a hand in what’s popular.

Many have taken it a step further by collaborating with fashion designers on a clothing line named after them.

Just like Baby, Posh, Sporty, Scary and Ginger gave every young girl back then an idea about which ‘Spice’ they were and an image to call their own, so have many other pop stars before and after.

Let’s take a look at some prominent pop acts who shifted the face of fashion, even if it was just for a short while.

Punk rock princess

Sporting a necktie never really became a thing before Avril Lavigne burst out onto the scene, back in 2002. Eyes heavily rimmed with eyeliner? You have to admit that Lavigne boosted the popularity of this trend as well.

Baggy jeans, sneakers, studs, leather and anything slightly associated with punk-rock became hot property the moment Lavigne burst out into the music scene.

Avril Lavigne made ties cool

After goody-goody, clean-cut starlets like Britney Spears (before she went crazy, of course), Lavigne was just what little girls around the world needed at the time. She was different, representing a sort of rebellion that went beyond the make-up, neckties and spiked embellishments.

The entire Lavigne package fed a generation of girls who wanted to be more ‘I said see ya l8r boi’ than ‘I was born to make you happy’.

Queen of pop

At 53, Madonna has been going at it for over three decades and shows no signs of slowing down. Apart from constantly reinventing her sound, she’s never far behind in the fashion department.

In the early 80s, she almost single-handedly revolutionised women’s fashion with the ‘messy chic’ look which included lacy fingerless gloves, dirty bleach blonde hair and a jacket over layers of shirts.

'Messy chic' was a Madonna thing.

The oversized sweatshirts and shirts with cut-off sleeves over a bra or cropped top are a lasting image of the 80s, which Madonna helped solidify all those years ago.

All these trends are now trickling back onto runways and into stores, and although their revival is partly due to designers, fashion experts and current starlets, we have the Queen of Pop to thank for making them big in the first place.

The posh one

Even back in her Spice Girls days, Victoria Beckham’s (then Adams) style was the most practical, and (at least to me), the most appealing. With chic, almost corporate cuts and not over-the-top outfits (unlike the other girls), it seemed like an image built to last.

And lasted it has. Today, many look to the fashion powerhouse for inspiration and her designs are at the top of many a celebrity’s shopping list.

Victoria Beckham was, and still is, the posh one.

Everything about her image is chic, posh and not too difficult to achieve. Simple cuts and minimal embellishments are the way to go for young women who want to make a good impression, but still look stylish while doing it.

By NASA MARIA ENTABAN
alltherage@thestar.com.my

FASHION is always at an all-time high at the beginning of the year, when awards season comes around.

While the major awards events have all ended, there are still plenty of movie premieres, posh fund-raisers and less-publicised awards shows where our favourite stars can strut their style on the red carpet.

Spring/Summer fashion is still hot but there are heaps of Pre-Fall looks already making their way onto runways and red carpets everywhere.

Many are toning down their bright and bold hues and shifting into a cooler colour scheme but there are plenty of stars who are still out there rocking summer shades.

Let’s take a look at some red carpet trends that we can’t wait to see in our stores:

Turn on the flash

It’s never too early in the year to come out in a shiny ensemble like the one Ashley Rickards (above) wore at the 2nd Critics Choice Television Awards, especially if it’s for an awards show or swanky event.

Ashley Rickards

When going full metallic, gold or silver, be mindful of your make-up, accessories and shoes. Minimal accessories like a chunky ring or a simple cuff will complete the look, and throw on a pair of nude heels. Make-up should be subtle and avoid shimmery eyeshadow and lipstick because the overall combination of flashy make-up and a shiny dress will end up a bit too over-the-top.

Drop it like it’s hot

The easiest way to spruce up a simple outfit is to throw on some eye-catching accessories, and what’s better than a pair of fabulous earrings?

We all love our hoops and studs, but when it comes to a red carpet event or an important dinner, bring on the drop earrings.

Natalie Zea

Whether they’re an arrangement of stones or an unusual pair like the ones Natalie Zea wore at the Critics Choice Television Awards, these earrings are the way to go as they give your neck an elongated look. You can wear your hair any way you like, but an up-do is best to complement the earrings. After all, you don’t want them to get tangled in your hair.

Leg-out

Angelina Jolie sort of set this trend in motion earlier this year by stepping out on the 84th Annual Academy Awards red carpet in a thigh-high slit that showed off her gorgeous right leg.

Skin is always in, but it depends a lot on how you choose to flaunt your legs, and right now the way to go is slits.

Carly Rae Jepsen

The slit (or slits) is the perfect way to show some skin without looking too trashy. Carly Rae Jepsen’s black gown at the recent MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada, would have been pretty boring if not for the carefully crafted slits down the front. And thanks to the clever cut, it not only looks elegant but adds just the right amount of sex appeal to make the outfit work.

By NASA MARIA ENTABAN
alltherage@thestar.com.my

EVERYONE has that one make-up trick we’d love to try out but just haven’t yet because we’re not sure if we can pull it off.

It’s not just carrying the look that’s the challenge. For many, the application of it can also be a problem.

Common make-up issues like smudged lipstick, uneven eyeliner and “mascara goops” can be embarrassing, and it all boils down to proper application and careful upkeep throughout the day.

There are so many hot looks out there that are worth trying out and most of them are classics that are worth learning as they’ll be around for decades to come.

We’ve narrowed it down to a few must-try looks and here they are:

Bright red lips

This is a tricky one, as the slightest smudge can ruin the look, and it’s not a one-step process.

While it’s true that anyone can work this look, first of all you have to find a red that matches your skin tone. This involves a lot of trial and error, unfortunately, and plenty of research to determine which brand and shade are just right for your skin tone.

Before application, you must first exfoliate (mix a spoonful of water and sugar and rub on your lips in a circular motion) and then slab on some lip balm for hydration.

Achieving red lips like Rihanna will take some practice.

Apply a lip liner that matches your red lipstick and you’re set. To make sure none of the lipstick gets on your teeth use the “finger” trick – put your index finger into your mouth and pull it out to remove any lipstick on your inner lip.

This look is high maintenance, so you have no choice but to keep checking and re-applying your lipstick every few hours.

Black eyeliner

I went through more than 10 different eyeliner brands in various forms – pencil, liquid and gel before I found the perfect one.

This is an absolute must-try look and it’s so easy to achieve with enough practice. Heaps of celebrities like singer Beth Ditto adore this look and wear it often.

Beth Ditto loves her black eyeliner

Pencil eyeliner can be the easiest to apply but sometimes the colour doesn’t come out as dark as it should. Practice liquid eyeliner on bare eyelids and rest your elbows on a counter top for steadier hands.

It may help to line in sections (inner eye, mid-lid and outer lid) and to connect these sections after. The good thing about eyeliner is if you screw up, you can always cover up the mistake by adding on a layer.

Full lashes

Not everyone is fortunate enough to be born with luscious Elizabeth Taylor-type lashes, so most of us have to make do with mascara and eyelash curlers.

These are the easier ways out to achieve longer lashes but another hot trend right now is wearing fake lashes.

False lashes are a hot trend right now.

Of course, it’s not practical to struggle with “falsies” every single day (although I actually do know some women who do!) so it’s okay to save them for special occasions.

The first thing you need to do is measure the lash strip against your eyelid and cut it if it’s too long.

Before sticking your falsies on, curl your real lashes with an eyelash curler, and then apply lash glue to the lash strip before pressing them on as close to your lash roots as possible (the strip goes above your real lashes). Use a cotton swab to apply extra glue where needed, and remember to apply mascara only after you’ve put your falsies on, as this will then merge your real lashes with the fake ones.

By NASA MARIA ENTABAN

alltherage@thestar.com.my

IT’S the middle of the year, and refreshing spring trends are flying off runways and into stores.

Heaps of fresh and fun styles are everywhere you look, and there’s no time like the present to get in on these trends. Many store windows, websites and magazines have been all floral prints, bright colours and flowy skirts; but there is so much more to spring fashion that we have yet to explore.

There are heaps of other trends for girly-girls, retro enthusiasts and ladies with a more edgy style; and we’ve outlined a few that are flying off store racks all over the world.

Cropped tops

 This trend has been around for quite some time, but it’s back in a big way this spring – from tight, structured corsets to loose-fitting, assymetrical T-shirts, there’s no escaping this must-have item.

The combination of a cropped top with high-waisted shorts, pants or skirts along with some funky accessories is an absolute must-try this season. Cropped blazers and jackets are worth checking out as well.

Of course, not everyone has washboard abs they’re eager to show off but fear not, as wearing a cut-off top doesn’t mean you have to show your midriff. If you’re shy about showing skin, wear a thin camisole underneath your cropped top in a neutral colour, or something in a bright shade, depending on the look you’re going for.

Bare shoulders

Every few months, fashion shines a spotlight on a new body part to show off and right now, shoulders are all the rage. Whether you want to show off both or just one, baring your shoulders in chic evening gowns, casual tops and girly dresses is the way to go this season.

Baring your shoulders in tops and dresses is the in thing at the moment.

One way you can make the most of the bare shoulders look is to pair your top or dress with a statement necklace to really make your look stand out. There are plenty of necklines to choose from when it comes to shouder-baring, and the best thing about this trend is it goes with any body shape.

You’ve got your boatneck. scoop necklines, assymetrical, cowl neck, halter neck and many more; so head to your favourite store and bring one home!

Shorts

In a hot and humid country like Malaysia, shorts are a godsend, and luckily, they are everywhere this season. Walk into most stores and you’ll find various shorts in different shapes and sizes in almost every material imaginable.

Shorts are the way to go this spring

Ranging from the ever-popular long-slung, naval-bearing type to the high-waisted retro style, there has never been a better time to stock up on this irresistable trend (leather shorts are particularly popular right now). Shorts come in numerous lengths and range from baggy to skintight, and there are many ways to style up this simple design – throw on a pair of patterned tights for a more casual day out or a solid pair of leggings for a less-than-formal day at the office.