The Nation Newspaper

Category: Fashion

  • Let your hair glow this season

    AS a saying goes, a woman’s hair is her glory. And of all body features, nothing guarantees you that special outstanding look than a well-nourished and perfectly styled hair. With the help of the right hairstylist and good hair products you can move from looking ordinary to looking very fabulous. Lustrous hair tips:

    Do not expose your hair to too much blow dryer and thong machine; these can actually dry your hair out, if you are not conditioning it properly.

    Poor conditioning – Conditioned to cut down on split-ends and breakage, have it trimmed on a regular basis and moisture your hair with conditioner to keep it in good shape. That is, trim hair after every chemical application.

    Eat protein-rich foods like fish, meat, milk and cereals. Proteins will give your hair more strength and will prevent it from breaking and splitting.

    Your hair needs Vitamin E for shine and you can get this much-needed vitamin by incorporating brown rice, nuts, wheat germ and leafy green vegetables into your diet.

    Wash with cold water -A cold-water rinse is a great way to make dull hair shine; the cold water will close and smooth the cuticle, making hair appear shinier.

    Apply hot-oil treatment once a week, too much of it can cause hair to become dull and lifeless.

    Hair mask – Apply shine increasing hairs mask once a week in order to condition and add gloss to dull ends.

    Avoid weighing down your hair with numerous setting and styling products, these can dry out your hair and take away the shine.

    Home-made hair mask with eggs – Bring instant shine to your hair by evenly beating two eggs in milk. Apply the fusion to your damp hair, massaging in well, then leave for 10 15 minutes and then rinse with mild shampoo.

    Honey for sleek effect – this is good for hair. Mix four cups of warm water and one teaspoon of honey thoroughly, gently massage and wash your hair with the solute, do not rinse out, allow it to dry.

    Mix three tablespoon of olive oil with a half cup of honey, coat your hair with the mixture and cover with a shower cap; leave on for thirty to forty minutes and rinse with cool water.

  • Ankara hot!

    Ankara hot!

    ANKARA garb now comes in several natty designs, and the good thing is that you don’t have to empty your account before you are able to get one.

    The popularity of Ankara fabric is as a result of the pride with which many Nigerians are now wearing them. This is the reason why they are still hot at socials and on the runway.

    Also Africans in the Diaspora are showing a unique sense of fashion and their connection to Africa by wearing these beautiful attires. Nowadays, when it comes to fabric, it seems to be either Ankara or nothing, whether we are talking about gowns, skirts or blouses. Tops, trousers, camisoles and any item you can think of are from Ankara fabric. Thanks to our designers, Ankara has come to stay. This is because they keep making remarkable creations with Ankara and the results are fabulous! In addition to their use in outfits, these African prints are used for interior decorations like window blinds, door curtain, wall décor etc.

  • Pencil skirts: Trendy and simple

    Pencil skirts: Trendy and simple

    JUST because you aren’t going to the office doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider wearing a pencil skirt. What I really love about this type of skirt is that it’s flexible enough to team up with most types of tops and shoes. Especially a simple black pencil skirt which can be worn as part of a conservative office work outfit or for parties – or with your casual denim shirt!

    You can dress it up for work or parties, or dress it down for casual everyday wear. Just put on your sophisticated dress shirt at daytime and take it off and put on a slouchy tee later that evening. It has (almost) everything you can ever wish in a skirt, and that’s why I consider a pencil skirt to be one of your most important wardrobe essentials.

    It suits most body shapes. However, if you have a pear or hourglass shape you must be careful with how you style it for formal occasions because of the tapered hemline. No matter how luscious your curves are it might not be appropriate for the occasion. My tip is to try to balance it out by adding more volume to your upper part with a bright or light-coloured blouse and add an extra inch to your shoe wear. It can really accentuate your curves.

    *If you want your hips and legs to appear leaner, go for a pencil skirt with two darts in the front.

    *If you’re wearing a high waist skirt or a skirt with a thick waistband, then you should tuck it in as it complements the look a lot better than wearing it that way.

    *If you want to conceal your tummy – look for skirts with a wide waistband to help tuck in a larger part of your stomach. If you wear the top like that, it will give a completely different feel to your skirt outfit.

  • Fur is hot!

    Fur is hot!

    LIKE it or not, fur is hot! With style icons like Eunice Efole photographed in neckline fur-clad jacket and purse, its trend for the incoming year fashion culture seems secure.

    Nothing brings out the best in your tailored designed dresses these days than a stylishly mixed fur design.

    Fur jacket is an essential piece for any woman’s wardrobe; it is an ideal shoulder cover of choice. It’s back with a bang; it was the rave several years ago, but if you think it’s gone, you are wrong. Believe it, there is no trendier cover for that exposed shoulder, chest and back than a beautiful fur jacket or shawl. Apart from the fact that it keeps you covered, it also keeps you warm. And the good thing about it is that it can be combined with a variety of attires.

    Fur has grown so important to the point that many of our fashionistas cannot ignore it. But this may not be just because of fashion; the truth is that fur is light to wear. It can be worn during the day or when you are dressed up for an evening event.

  • Bhaira’s top 10

    Bhaira’s top 10

    Bhaira Mcwizu, actress and AMBO Season 3 winner, speaks to Kehinde Falode about her favourite things. 

    Favourite shoe designer

    Sals Peters by

    Salome Peters

    Favourite bag designer

    BM byBhaira Mcwizu

    Favourite wrist watch

    Peridot

    favourite Nigerian designer

    Deola Sagoe

    Favourite perfum

    Vera Wang

    Favourite pet

    Dogs

    Favourite skirt

    High waist

    pencil skirt

    Favourite car

    Aston Martins

    Favourite holiday spot

    Tinapa Resort and

    Obudu Cattle Ranch

  • Spice up With tunics

    Spice up With tunics

    SEASON after season, fashion designers have abundance of tunic dresses. That’s because a tunic is a lady’s best friend, and for good reason tunics are easy to wear. Keep it casual and cute during the weekend or while shopping or taking a stroll. Then jazz it up with a great pair of heels, trendy handbag and a jacket, and before you know it, you will be the centre of attraction.

    Don’t forget that some of your basic ready-to-go tunics can be revamped and revived into fresh new stunners. Whether it’s through a little layering, adding a fun new belt around the waist of your blouse, or draping on the jewels, it’s easy to spice up with tunics!

     

    •Pair them with the right shoes
    Classic pumps may work great with a pencil skirt, but when it comes to tunics, your best options are flats under any form and shape and platform wedges for that retro look.

    •Think about the proportions
    A tunic is generally loose, not tight and, therefore, it brings some volume to your look. So, pair it with tighter bottom pieces to create a pleasing balance. For instance, skinny jeans, leggings or a tight miniskirt that barely shows under your tunic.

    •Avoid overly elegant bags and accessories
    Tunics originate in the medieval times, so anything too contemporary, glossy and ultra sleek could be saved for another outfit. Opt for casual chain bags, neutral tones and soft leathers instead!

  • Basic wardrobe essentials

    Basic wardrobe essentials

    COCKTAIL Dress: – A cocktail dress is ideal to have on call for evening weddings or celebratory reception dinners.

    Belts: – Belts are no longer just for the sake of holding pants up; they are now the accessory of choice that gives an extra style flare to a gown or jacket.

    Black Dress: – The black dress is the “go to” dress for all occasions that can never stir you wrong. Whether worn with a cardigan, or by itself or with simple jewellery or statement jewellery, the black dress can go into any direction you want and need it to go.

    Neutral Tone Pants: – For more relaxed personal days a neutral pant is a great wardrobe canvas to own and can be paired with the trendy shirts you desire, tank tops, t-shirts or cardigans.

    Skirt:- The pencil skirt and high waist skirt are the new power skirts. These style skirts are style that complements a range of figures, especially a woman with curves.

    Jeans:- Jeans are now available in every wash and every style, a straight leg jean or a trouser jean are the sleek styles that allow you to dress your jeans up or down, to accommodate any part of your lifestyle.

    Collection of tank tops and t-Shirts – Tank tops are great layering pieces that can be worn with more casual looks in your wardrobe. Beyond the casual personal days, some less conservative offices also allow them to be worn with suits and sleek sandals on casual Fridays.

    White Shirt:- The White shirt is a wardrobe staple that can just be worn with everything in your closet. It can be dressed up with a suit or dressed down with a pair of jeans!

  • Stay gorgeous despite the cold weather

    MAINTAIN all the signature elements of your outfit by rocking the transition from the wet season to the dry season. All you have to do is simply include some of the must-have pieces that are oh-so-popular this season. Sport stylish top as the weather might still be cold especially in the morning and pair it with stylish pants (trousers) or skirt and jacket that look cool on the same ensemble.

    Moreover, make sure you have those practical and chic shoes at hand in various hues to complete your wardrobe. In order to stay warm at all times make sure that you choose an A-list jacket and cashmere/ morfla design that cheers up your mood as well as outfit. The market offers an infinite selection of these in a wide colour and print. Plaid is one of the most inspiring patterns that managed to fight its way through the various seasons and still remain voguish; but you can go for red or wine to complement the season’s mood!

    For dinner or night events, go for stylish clothes that cover up almost 75% part of the body. The hot and cold day’s ideal outfits below come to your rescue and help you organise your wardrobe as well as apparel in order to preserve the flawless and voguish allure of your look in spite of the unstable weather.

  • Bask in blue

    Bask in blue

    WHAT’S hot this season on the fashion scene? The year began with colour-blocking inspired dresses, but this was soon replaced on the runways with the trend of the monochrome and later single colour clothing. And spirited blue in diverse shades provides the energy boost needed to revamp your look. It’s the 2012 hot colour of the year! It’s exotic, but in a friendly, non-threatening way. Worn by celebrities like Alali Hart, Rita Dominic, Tara-Fela-Durotoye, Funke-Buknor and several other Nollywood A-listers over the months; wear them with flats or wedges and chunky jewellery pieces for a top-of-the-world look.

    Be the centre of attention with a feminine and elegant blue dress!

  • Classy heels

    Classy heels

    HIGH heel shoes have captured the imagination of fashion buffs this season. And nothing guarantees you that special outstanding look than a stylishly and perfectly cut shoes. With the help of the right footwear, you can move from looking ordinary to looking very fabulous.

    Today’s high heel shoes are more stylish and are usually worn over all kind of dresses. They are everything you could want in a pair of sexy shoes, from strap sandals, peep toe to covered shoes with sexy heel shoes. Stilettos shoes, after the 80s disappeared, and it then reappeared again; they are the most elegant shoes of the season. They are a must-have for women of style, who need to look classy and different.

    The pattern and style may vary per season, but the high heel shoes will forever remain in fashion.