It's easy to feel like you are behind the eight ball when it comes to Women's fashion. Sometimes I just throw on the first thing that I see in the morning. Actually, no, that's most days. But sometimes I like to think about what goes into a look, how to accessorise, and all the other fun things that come with being a fashionista.




















Enter Stylecaster.com - The site features the most popular look of the day, featured trends in fashion, various types of colour combination for picking the best looks.

Create your own unique style and find out what inspiration keeps the future of style and fashion both updated and constantly changing. Personally, I like to shop, so I was pleased to note that you can shop by designer (just like my own sidebar feature!), or by category such as bags, shoes, accessories etc. I managed to find items such as bathing suits, sunglasses, and of course, my elusive "messenger bag". It will be mine. Oh yes...

The latest fashion industry news keeps us up to date with what is happening with the latest designers and new trends.

And of course, my favourite fashion accessory, funny t-shirts. A bit nerdy, a bit grungy. Just my kind of style...

Brought to you by Stylecaster.com

This is an airbrushed photograph for a Ralph Lauren campaign. The woman in the photograph is not really that skinny, as you can see in the contrasting photograph. The ad campaign apparently needed airbrushing because the model "wasn't skinny enough".

Airbrushing is a scary thing. It can create a bust, reduce a curvy bottom, get rid of a slightly protruding stomach or erase cellulite. Not only that, it can erase acne, crows feet, skin imperfections, remove freckles and shape eyebrows.

I'll tell you, finding out all this made my eyebrows raise a tad.

But, that's not all, it can also re-shape jawlines, add cheekbones, whiten teeth and the white of the eye, change nose shape, sculpt hair, slim the waistline and remove splotches, jowls, under eye bags and raise eyebrow height.
















After these "before" pictures were accidentally released untouched, there were gasps and disdain towards Kim Kardashian for what appeared to be... CELLULITE!!

Aaargh!!!!

Call out the National Guard!!!

Go to code red!!!

In response, Kim Kardashian said "So I have a little cellulite. What curvy girl doesn't?"

















Nowadays, people often see a picture in a magazine and take it on face value. Photographs are not what they appear, and are becoming more extravagantly airbrushed as time goes on.












For example, Faith Hill is a naturally beautiful woman. Why do they feel the need to give her the Barbie treatment?

So many times I have heard other women say "oh, I wish I looked like that" when they see a picture of a celebrity in a magazine.












Perhaps they don't realise that these celebrities don't exactly look like that either.

With professional hair, makeup teams, wardrobe consultants, skin technicians, personal trainers, professional photographers and the magic of airbrushing (or some might say, Photoshopping), you would probably look pretty amazing too.

This is not an exercise in cutting tall poppies down to earth. Actors, models, you name it, they have natural beauty and their own uniqueness.

The purpose of this article is actually the reverse - for ordinary women and men to realise that they don't have to be perfect to be attractive. Our expectations of how people should look have reached new heights.

Stars get cellulite, acne, bad hair days and baggy eye days just like everyone else. It's just that we can't see it under all the airbrushing. Some celebrities probably look at their own publicity photos and say "why can't I look like that" when they have just crawled out of bed in the morning.




















The debate about airbrushing has caused such a furore that French Elle Magazine has opted to grace their cover with stars without makeup and no airbrushing as a backlash against this worrying trend.

The women featured are shown as who they are.

Sans airbrush.

Perhaps one day we will be kind to ourselves and enjoy being who we are. Without expectations.
















Recommended reading:


The Beauty Myth
Succulent Wild Woman

technorati tags: airbrushed celebrity
stars without makeup, airbrush before after, the beauty myth, real beauty, Kim Kardashian,airbrush disaster, Faith Hill, Jessica Alba, Ralph Lauren, model

Special days have a way of creeping up on you. Before you know it, it is someone's Birthday, Valentine's Day or some other special occasion. And lets face it, not all of us have time to get to the shops to find gifts at the last minute. That's where Gift Cards can give us the unfair advantage. Gift cards give the recipient a wide range of items from which they can choose the perfect present for themselves.

The best part about shopping online is the convenience. You can buy gifts at any time, get special discounts and take delivery without even leaving your computer. No crowds, no traffic jams, no public transport and no headaches. Everybody wins.















Using GiftZip is surprisingly easy. Check out how the Gift Cards work for the complete rundown on how to use the site. You may have a gift in mind, say a Ralph Lauren gift card. Just search for the store logo and click - now you should see this box:

















It won't take you long to figure out how to use this feature. Just click on "GiftZip It!" and it will take you to Ralph Lauren's site to purchase the gift card.

Your gift card will then be sent to the email address of your recipient. It can be also sent to your own email address to print for your records.

This is the perfect solution to those last-minute gift panics. Just choose a brand and you can send a gift card in minutes. This is a great idea for the times where you just can't get to the shops or it is just too late to think about hunting around for the perfect gift. It works especially well if you happen to know the preferred brand of your nearest and dearest - they can find exactly what they want and you can provide them with the ultimate shopping experience.

You can also find Gift Certificates for unique gifts. In this section you can purchase gift cards for special, personalized items like t-shirts, baby items, custom printed artwork and charity gifts. I especially liked the Canvas on demand gifts - you can use your own photo and get it printed on a canvas. There is such a wide selection of gift ideas you should be able to find something for everyone. The site contains gift card ideas for him, for her, house, gourmet items and sporting goods.

Hmmm, methinks a golfing gift might be on the cards, if you pardon the pun...