We Didn't Realise Dark Lipstick Could Be So Low Maintenance

Dark lipstick has gotten something of a bad rap over the years. Yes, we'd all like to unleash our inner film noir actress or try a makeup look a little more vampy than usual every now and then, but so many lipstick formulas seem to lack the oomph to make any of that possible. Pigments you thought would be as rich as the colours on your HD TV look more like a wishy-washy watercolour painting IRL. And even if you find a bullet that delivers on pigment, you've then got the rest of the day—plus the multiple flat whites, bowls of pasta and general lip smacking that it brings with it—to contend with. And nobody wants to sit through an afternoon of meetings with the whole office staring at those cracked, blurred and smudged lips.

So yes, dark lipstick: We'd like to wear you. But it's going to take finding the most long-lasting, hard-wearing and highly-pigmented formulas to make it worth it. And that's what we've done. We've filtered through the Byrdie beauty cupboard (we were so rigorous that you would have thought we were panning for gold) to find the best dark lipsticks going. From rich berry tones to dark brooding violets, keep scrolling to discover the nine dark lipsticks that won't let you down.

Here's How to Work Out How Much of a Beauty Obsessive You Are

Considering you've found yourself here on Byrdie UK, it's safe to say you probably have at least a faint interest in the world of beauty. But just how obsessed are you? The more dedicated amongst us will be the types to get up at the crack of dawn to join a digital queue of hopefuls looking to get their hands on the latest celebrity beauty range. Their brain will hold an encyclopedia of the world's most iconic beauty products. A true addict will have Cult Beauty, Feel Unique and Look Fantastic bookmarked to the top of Google Chrome, and they'll have a bathroom cabinet to rival the aisles of Boots.

Sound like you? Well, we've devised a wholly scientific (not really) formula to work out just how obsessed with beauty you are. Click through to the gallery below of iconic beauty products every self-respecting beauty obsessive will have tried, keeping track of how many you've owned over your lifetime. Tot up your score and at the end, and we'll tell you just how much of a beauty obsessive you truly are.

How to remove makeup without hurting your skin

As festive time is around, attending festive celebrations and parties calls for new and interesting makeup to look your best. But, after the thrill is gone, you are exhausted and all you want to do is plonk on the bed as you reach home. But, remember, you have to remove that makeup. You cannot go to sleep without removing the makeup you have on your face.

No doubt, you can remove all that layers of cosmetics on your soft skin using a makeup remover. But most of us are unaware that they contain harmful chemicals that can damage the skin.

Makeup remover can be harsh on the skin even if they are of the best brands in the cosmetic world. If you have sensitive skin and love to pamper it with natural products, then here is a few do-it-yourself makeup removal tips

Remove makeup the easy way

Steaming: Steaming the face is the best way to get rid of makeup. Dip a hand towel in hot water. Let it cool for a few seconds. Place it on your face. The hot steam will open the pores and remove all your makeup thoroughly.

Baby oil: Baby oil can also be used to get rid of even hard makeup like mascaras. Apply this oil with a dry cotton ball on your face and wipe it off with a soft tissue or towel.

Vaseline: Put some vaseline on a cotton ball. Rub it gently to remove makeup. Especially the eye makeup can be cleared very effectively by using vaseline. Take vaseline in very less quantity because of its high stickiness and don't forget to wash your face with a face wash after applying vaseline.

Baby lotion: Baby lotion or your moisturiser can also help remove even the very hard makeup effectively, leaving your skin nourished.

Milk: Dip a cotton ball in milk and lightly squeeze it. Clean your face gently with it. All the makeup will disappear.

Honey drops: Take a wet cotton ball. Put some drops of honey on it. Add little baking soda. Wipe off your makeup. It will disappear easily.

Baby wipes: Baby wipes can also help remove makeup and clean your face gently, without irritating your skin.

Olive oil: Olive oil having strong hydrating power and is good to remove makeup. Give your face a light rubbing with a cloth or cotton ball containing olive oil. Its softening agents will leave your skin moisturised.

Keeping makeup on while sleeping is the worst thing you can do to your skin. Don't sleep without removing your makeup before going to bed. Let your skin breathe and renew while you sleep.

How to look gorgeous with matching eye makeup and attire

Dressing up for occasions is fun, but matching your eye makeup with your attire is a tricky business. Go too light and your dress will look washed out, too dark and you create an embarrassing line that just isn't cute. Now, finding the right match of clothes won't make you feel like searching for needle in a haystack. It's quite easy and interesting!

10 tips on how to match your eye makeup with your dress

1. To get an eye makeup that you feel may blend better with the dress you're wearing, test it first on your hand and not on your eyelid. Pick a shade that goes perfectly perfect with the hues and designs of your attire.

2. If your dress is designed with trends and attributes of recent past typically 15-20 years, for that retro look in minutes go for smoky eye makeup. Line the outer rim of your eyes with brown pencil and then smudge it out. Apply brow shadow, intensify your brow, line the waterline of your lower lid and coat your lashes with mascara.

3. Evening gowns demand for sexy candle-lit eyes. Create a lighter looking, yet equally sexy smoky look. Apply a light shimmery shadow over your entire eyelid as the base shade, add in some bronze eye shadow, intensify your eyes at the outer corners, line your eyes to complete the look.

4. You can master any casual dressing look like denims with a sexy cat eye makeup. You won't have to worry about effing up your winged liner to create dashes and connect the dots, draw a tiny – elongated triangle shape that connects the winged liner to the upper lash line.

5. Want a lighter cool look with your office wear? Smoky eyes don't always have to hail from the dark side. You can always create a subtle look, yet equally sexy smoky vibe by applying a light shimmery shadow over your entire eyelid as the base shade. Add in some bronze eye shadow, intensify your eye at the outer corners and line your eyes to give a sexy smoky look.

6. Sexy glided cat eyes go perfect with a gorgeous party wear dress. Switch your casual smoky eye for something super glittery. Press gold, silver or bronze pigments (whichever matches best with your dress) onto the centre of your eyelids and the inner corners of your eyes. Dust metallic shadow into the crease, add depth by subtly layering black eye shadow onto the outer corners and blend it. Sweep a glossy cream eye shadow over your brow bone and create a cat eye.

7. Go for a goddess look with nude prom dresses or dresses in nude hues. It's time to switch to a more bronzed bombshell vibe. Use three cream shadows – apply the darkest tone over the entire eyelid, the medium-coloured one in the crease and the lightest shade along your brow bone. Buff the shades, guard your skin and layer on some eye shadow of similar shades over each cream shadow and blend the powder eye shadows. Accentuate your lower lash line by running the mixed colours under your lower lash line, trace your upper lash line and inner rim with black liner, line the inner lower rim of your lashes, coat your upper and lower lashes with mascara.

8. With any rocker chic outfit, wear a sexy eye makeup to have sultry rocker eyes. Create a nude canvas using a blending brush and creamy concealer over the lids all the way to the brows, fake the wet look on the lids, line your eyes with creamy black pencil, coat your lids from lash line to crease using the same black creamy liner pencil, add some gun metal grey liner into the mix and then blend it with the black liner to create dimension.

9. Amp your traditional wear with some colourful shadow and make heads turn. Smoky eyes doesn't mean black always. You can flaunt them in any colour. You have to switch up your usual dark grey for a dramatic eye look. Magenta shadow with chic white liner on the lower inner rim, a bright blue hue, a Kelly green shade, an icy blue shade, a gorgeous gun metal hue, a glided bronzy look, a deep sultry plum shade, a rose gold smoke show, sunset orange on upper lid and yellow along your lower lash line, a gorgeous fuchsia with smoky orange, magical burgundy and hot plum orange are show stopper choices for eye makeup.

10. A unicorn look calls for a vibrant loud look. Add colours to your eye makeup mix. Cover your eyelid with a subtly shimmering brown shadow, apply a shimmering shade of a champagne-coloured shadow in the inner cover of your eyes and blend it in. Add a pop of colour to your lower lash line, fill in your brows using a brow powder shade that's lighter than your eyebrows to look as natural as possible.

Eye makeup that claims to match your dressing seems to be all the rage these days. Is there some sort of magic ingredient that senses what your needs are? Well, the answer is not as exciting as magic, but it's pretty cool chemistry between your outfit and eye makeup.

How to make your lip colour last

Lip colour can finish off your look, but keeping it on can be tricky. Here, our beauty blogger gives her tips for making sure yours stays put all day

Imagine what it would be like to have a lip colour that lasts all day. For some reason, I always lose colour pigment in the centre of my lips, but other people have other problem spots. The secret to a longer-lasting lip colour is very simple and, with just a few easy steps, you can ensure it stays on all day.

Step one
Just as you would prime your face before applying foundation to keep it in place, priming your lips is vital for longer lasting lip colour. I like to use the Inglot lip primer (Inglot, £10) which has a clear, matte finish. It helps prevent lip colour bleeding, although if you can't get hold of one using an ordinary face primer on your lips is better than nothing.

Step two
A lipliner is key. You can use a colour that is a close match to your lip colour, but I like to go for a deeper brown, as it blends the lighter lipstick shades to my skin tone. By outlining your lips, you can both define their shape and prevent the lip colour from bleeding out during the day. I like to use the Barry M Chocolate lipliner (Superdrug, £2.99), which is cheap and cheerful.

Step three
My go-to liquid lipstick is Buxom Cosmetics Wildly Whipped liquid lipstick (Debenhams, £15) which has a nice matte finish. But this time I wanted a cooler tone colour – on this occasion, the colour blends better with the rest of my makeup. Here, I used the Nip+Fab liquid lipstick in the colour Brownie (Superdrug, £7.95).

Step four
Matte finishes and stay-put lip colours rarely go hand in hand so it's worth thinking about a gloss finish. The way I see it, lipgloss is like a setting mist for your lipstick – it keeps the colour in place and stops it fading in some parts, while defining your lips. My favourite lipgloss is the Buxom “Full-On” Lip Polish in the colour Sarina (Debenhams, £15). This is a perfect light brown gloss with subtle shimmers to give you that more pouty finish.

Don't be afraid of getting foundation or powder on your lips during this process – before the gloss is applied – as it can help balance your natural lip colour by acting as a base. Be open to experimentation and try new products and colours – you never know, you might discover your next favourite look.

Everything you need to know about Rihanna's Fenty Beauty

Please pause focusing on L'Oreal (especially after they chose to fire their first transgender model for speaking up about racism) or hurriedly trying to buy Kylie Lip Kits.

Finally, Rihanna's makeup range, Fenty Beauty, is nearly here. That's the only beauty brand anyone should be talking about right now.

If you didn't know, it was announced back in April that Rihanna would be creating her own beauty line, in collaboration with the Kendo division of LVMH Moët Hennesy Louis Vuitton, after they secured a deal with her for an insane $10 million.

It's been a long wait, but we've finally had our first proper glimpse of Fenty Beauty in the form of a glorious campaign video.

Here's everything you need to know.

When is Fenty Beauty launching?

Fenty Beauty will officially launch online at midnight PT on 8 September, 2017. For us UK-ers, that'll mean 8am on 8 September.

It'll launch in stores on the same day, Friday 8 September.

Mark your calendars now, people.

Where can I buy it?

It'll also be sold through Sephora and Harvey Nichols.

The campaign is glorious

Yesterday Rihanna released the first look at Fenty Beauty in the form of a campaign video that showcases just one product: A creamy lipgloss.

There are also rumours that the video is also promoting a highlighter, as all the models seem to have glimmering cheeks, but that product is not shown on camera.

The campaign itself is great. It shouldn't be a rarity that a beauty campaign features a diverse range of models in terms of size and skintone, but, sadly, it is. The video feels refreshing because we're so used to the same restrictive pool of white models, used over and over again.

The models in the videos are plus-size model Paloma Elsesser, Slick Woods, Duckie Thot, Halima Aden, Selena Forrest, Indyamarie Jean, Leomie Anderson, Camila Costa, and, of course, Rihanna herself.

Rihanna's also launched standalone videos focusing on individual models talking through the different shades.

The shade names are brilliant

A sample: Yacht Life, Chili Mango, Chic Freak, Trippin', Hustler Baby, Wrong, Trophy, Wife, No Charge, Confetti, Hustler, Freestyle, Cinnamon, Starstruck and Fire Crystal.

These names are a window into Rihanna's being and we want them on our face, ASAP

What to expect from the range:

Well, we still don't really know what products Fenty Beauty will be made up of, other than the lipgloss.

Judging from the campaign videos, though, it looks like we'll be seeing lots of 90s-inspired nudes with touches of sparkle and shimmer. We're predicting highlighters, creamy eyeshadows, and a whole load of lip products to knock Kylie Jenner off her throne of lip kits.

How to keep up to date:

While the line is still fairly shrouded in mystery, there are ways you can keep an eye out for updates.

5 Under-the-Radar Swedish Beauty Labels to Know

Today marks the beginning of the Spring 2018 shows in Stockholm, and with it, a parade of editors, stylists, and models on the runways in elaborate ensembles. But before turning a blind eye to anything but the clothes, which, if anything like last season, will be minimal with a bit more funk and a bit more street, take a moment to consider that the Scandinavian city is already very well-established on the proverbial beauty map.

Following in the footsteps of industry titans like Byredo's glossy black-capped scents and Sachajuan's minimalist shampoos, conditioners, and styling products, there is a school of lesser-known labels who are also helping to establish Sweden as a bona fide purveyor of all things beauty. Just look to Verso, whose retinol-based Super Facial Serum is already beloved by in-the-know Americans, or Estelle & Thild, an organic skin-care line now sold on Net-a-Porter. From a stimulating seaweed bath treatment to a salt scrub containing flowers plucked from a garden in northern Sweden, here is a look at five Swedish beauty lines to buy now.

L:A Bruket
Born in the rugged seaside town of Varberg, where the wind whips and the waves lash, L:A Bruket's line of all-natural spa and body products are formulated to counteract even the harshest of elements. Take the jumbo-sized lip balm made of beeswax, almond, and coconut oils, or the wild rose hand cream that's as moisturizing as it is intoxicating. Also not to be missed is the dried seaweed. Fished by hand off the western coast of Sweden, the bath treatment stimulates blood circulation, relieves overworked muscles, and alleviates sunburnt skin.

Verso
Swedes like Elin Kling flock to Verso, a Stockholm-based label known for its high usage of rejuvenating Retinol 8. While the healing and strengthening Super Facial Serum is a fan favorite, come September, a new Lip Serum, which softens and simultaneously plumps, will surely be filling the bags of the fashion set the world around.

Björk & Berries
What began as a small project deep in the forests of northern Sweden has become one of the country's most beloved beauty lines. With a commitment to sustainability, Björk & Berries uses handpicked, natural ingredients for its skin care, body, bath, hair, hand, and perfume ranges. Local picks include the Botanical Firming Cream (also known as "botanical botox") and the From the Garden Bath Salt, which, true to its name, contains detoxifying birch leaves and soothing lavender and chamomile flowers plucked straight from the label's plot.

Estelle & Thild
When Pernilla Rönnberg discovered the shockingly high number of chemicals in her face products, she sought to create a skin-care range free from pesticides and toxic residue, and thus, Estelle & Thild (named after her two young daughters) was born. This past May, the 10-year-old, Ecocert-approved organic label expanded its range to include makeup, such as a sheer foundation packed with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, and a weightless Sun Powder that will deliver a healthy, believable glow well into winter.

Maria Akerberg
With more than 400 products (and 1400 variations)—all made from organic vegetable oils—Maria Akerberg's line is like the Holy Grail of skin care for Swedes. While a line that extensive (there's everything from strengthening eyebrow oil and deodorant salt to a softening scalp spray) makes it hard to pick favorites, there is something for everyone.

Why smart is in style this autumn

The fashionable position to take on fashion, these days, is that trends are dead and that individual style and self-expression are what matters. The old certainties – skirts are hereby decreed knee length for six months, only camel coats are to be worn for the foreseeable – belong to a different era. To a bygone world in which political insiders gave ballpark-accurate election predictions and the Oscar statuette didn't get handed to the wrong film in front of a global TV audience. Now the world is sick of experts, and that goes for fashion too.

Except in September. Because right now, the world needs fashion. The September issues of magazines, heavy as hymn books and immortalised by a glossy documentary, are testament to the power fashion has at this moment. Women who rely on their own style to steer their wardrobes the rest of the year are, at this point in the calendar as at no other, keen to be told which coat to buy and when to start wearing black tights. The system in which one consistent look could preside over a whole autumn and winter has been blown apart by an insatiable appetite for newness that demands we hit wardrobe-refresh every three weeks. September's back-to-school moment, when you pack away the sundresses and straw baskets and revamp your look, is the one fixed red-letter-day that remains.

Of course this is all about emotion, really, not clothes. Summer is fading, holidays are over, and after the second-gear lull of August in the office, the whip is being cracked. The best medicine for end-of-summer melancholy is to ring the changes with a new look that breaks us out of the doldrums. The shine of a new pair of boots, the springy plush of a bright new sweater, the swagger of a crisply tailored jacket. All of this is about putting an upbeat spin on the autumnal business of getting stuck into the gruelling next few months.

And in our age of optics, September's new look matters more than ever. Clothes are the channel on which much of modern life is broadcast. From the politics of the tie (Trump's long red one versus the no-tie axis that runs from Barack Obama to Sadiq Khan) to the visual semantics of pop (Taylor Swift's comeback video is punctuated with outfits that are just as deliberately controversial as the lyrics), we are all tuned in to the business of decoding what we wear.

Fashion isn't just about a look, it's about a message. Right now, that message is about clothes that are more high-energy, more outward-facing, than last year's cosy, Netflix-and-chill fashion. In 2016, it was de rigueur to wear a tracksuit on the fashion front row, and pyjamas to a cocktail party. If you want a quick snapshot of the season's new mood and how it has updated fashion, take a look at the Versace catwalk. All the recognisable hallmarks of Insta-friendly fashion are there, but the aesthetic is more serious-minded than playful, more ambitious than laid back. Gigi Hadid's abs are on display, but under a cropped double-breasted jacket rather than a sporty bra-top. Kendall Jenner has crazy yellow sunglasses on, but this time with a pencil skirt and a clutch bag.

The new look is not exactly power dressing. Let's call it empower dressing, instead. Elements of it – berets at Christian Dior, black leather at Calvin Klein, exaggerated shoulders at Balenciaga, bright red absolutely everywhere – signal a mood of direct action that is unusual in women's fashion. But while power dressing stands for individualistic, single-minded ambition; empower dressing is high-energy without the self-obsession blinkers. At Versace, tailored suits came emblazoned with sisterhood slogans: Unity, Loyalty, Power, Love.

This is not a season of po-faced get-ahead tailoring. Far from it. The most-viewed catwalk show on vogue.com for the season is Gucci. The label's aesthetic of technicolour, graffiti-scrawled, butterfly-decorated eclecticism is scarcely office appropriate. Prada, once the spiritual home of the A-line knee-length skirt and the useful bag, is all embroidered rainbow-hued knitwear and cheekily fluttering feathers. The latest Chanel tweed suits come accessorised with boots or headbands in escapist, space-age silver. These are not work clothes, but neither are they designed for staying home with a takeaway. Last year's athleisure fashion borrowed visuals from the yoga studio and the running track – fine jersey, sleek leggings – but 2017 has downed a protein shake and brought a high-intensity attitude to what we wear, instead.

For proof that this is a season of clothes for putting down the remote, getting out of your comfort zone and into the big wide world, consider the transparent raincoat. Both Raf Simons at Calvin Klein and Miuccia Prada at Miu Miu made this a key piece. Consider, also, what has happened to footwear. Those fur-lined loafers, which were essentially unfit for venturing outdoors, have ceded alpha-shoe status to Saint Laurent's bedazzled silver boots, which are most definitely fashion for going out. Not out to work, but out-out. Trends may well be dead. But every time September rolls around, fashion is alive and kicking, in brand new boots.

How to highlight and contour dark skin

Professional make up artists have been contouring for decades. But it wasn't until Kim Kardashian brought contouring to the attention of the Internet that the wider world caught on. Since then, contouring has become a beauty craze, with thousands of Youtube video tutorials advising on how to use various shades of concealer and powder to sculpt and add glow to the face. Very few of these videos offer much advice for us dark skinned girls, though, when so many contouring products create a grey, ashy effect. Here's how I do it.

Step 1

Cover your face with moisturiser and primer – this is a full-coverage look, so your skin needs prepping. Apply your foundation – use a stippling brush for precision – and blend with a beauty blender sponge to give a flawless finish. I like natural, dewy foundations such as Make Up For Ever Ultra HD in the shade Y505.

Step 2

Apply concealer to the areas of your face that you would like to emphasise. Depending on your face shape, this might be underneath your eyes in an upside-down triangle, above your lips, in between your eyebrows and the middle of your forehead, down the middle of your nose, on your chin or underneath your cheekbones connecting down to the corners of your mouth. My advice is to go a few shades lighter than your skin tone and to choose one with a warmer, yellow undertone. I like to use the Nars creamy concealer in the shade Amande.

Step 3

Blend the concealer and set it with translucent powder or banana powder: a yellow-tinged theatrical powder that really gives brightness; try Ben Nye.

Step 4

To add warmth back into your complexion, brush off the excess powder using a powder brush loaded with pressed powder in your skin shade. Then lightly apply a darker bronzer to contour. I use this under my cheekbones, on the sides of my nose, under my jawline and on the corners of my forehead. Finding the right shade can be tricky for those with a deeper complexion; you need to find a deep, rich brown.

Step 5

Add a touch of colour with blusher applied directly above the contour. For my skin, Fashion Fair Beauty Blush in Earth Red is perfect.

Step 6

Add a shimmery golden bronze to the highest points of your cheekbone, the middle of your nose and your cupids bow. Silvery-toned highlights can look a little dull and grey; I used the Makeup Revolution highlighter in the colour Golden Lights.

And that's it! But play around and see what works for you, because we can't all highlight and contour the same.

The problem with Kate and Wills’ royal family style

SHE'S one of the most stylish women in the world but the way the Duchess of Cambridge (and her family) have been dressing lately has left us confused.

Like Kim and Kanye, Kate and Wills seem to be taking couples dressing to a new level.

The royals have been colour co-ordinating their outfits with each other — and styling their young children, Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 2, in a similar fashion.

Britain's most-photographed family took their perfectly styled wardrobes to Hamburg last week, where they wore shades of purple, mauve and pink while on an official tour of Germany.

But why are they all increasingly dressing alike?

The Duchess of Camrbidge, 35, wore a sleeved violet-coloured frock by New Zealand-born British designer Emilia Wickstead, teamed with stone-coloured Gianvito Rossi stilettos.

Her frock was colour co-ordinated with Prince George, who sported a checked shirt in a similar tone. Princess Charlotte was dressed in a pink summer dress with white bobby socks and Mary Janes

Even Wills' attire tied-into the purple and pink theme, with a plum-coloured necktie.

The family's colour-coordination was again evident at another official engagement in Berlin, where they all wore shades of blue.

Neither Kate nor William has commented publicly about their family's theme-dressing trend.

Wearing similar colour tones and clothing shapes certainly makes the royal family perfectly styled for their many official photo shoots.

It was even obvious at Pippa Middleton's wedding in May, where Kate wore a silk blush-coloured gown made of the same material as Charlotte's sash.

And while it makes the royals perfectly styled for their flash-ready photo opportunities, is this family sartorial co-ordination becoming a bit ... odd?

Kate and Wills' outfits are also in synch even when they're making appearances without their children.

The Duchess is usually a conservative dresser known for her classic (and covered up) choices.

But she has turned heads lately with some more daring outfits, including at a garden party in Germany held in honour of the Queen, where she wore a dramatic scarlet gown.

The off-the-shoulder Alexander McQueen dress was actually on sale, priced at around $2379 on Net-A-Porter, which the Duchess teamed with a pair of strappy Prada heels.

Of course, her husband's look also tied-in to the red theme.

Rihanna wears jaw-dropping dress to Valerian premiere

ALL eyes were on Rihanna at her latest premiere in London, where the singer wore a scarlet red gown ... with a plunging neckline.

The Wild Thoughts singer stunned at the European premiere of her new movie Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets, wearing the jaw-dropping red dress.

The floor-length dress by Giambattista Valli featured an off-the-shoulder neckline and long train, from the Italian designer's autumn/winter ‘17 couture collection.

Even Rihanna made reference to her revealing neckline, writing "eyes up here" on a photo caption on Instagram.

Rihanna stars in the Luc Besson-directed sci-fi movie, alongside British supermodel Cara Delevingne, who also walked the blue carpet.

Meantime, Delevingne, 24, said she moved into acting because she "didn't like what being a model was turning her into".

She has taken a step back from the catwalk to focus on her acting career but insists she "isn't out of it (modelling)".

"I didn't like myself as a model. I didn't like what I stood for," Delevinge told Radio Times magazine.

"I didn't like what it was turning me into. Not that I was focused about how I looked all the time, but it is kind of about that.

"That is not me at all — you speak to all my oldest best friends and they know I'm not a model. I do not give a s*** about what I look like."

But Delevingne insisted she hadn't quit modelling entirely.

"I'm not out of it. I will still definitely do it.

"Now when I model, I get to style my own shoots and decide who I work with. Now it's become a creative outlet, instead of me being used as a pawn."

Valerian, which cost about $180 million, has so-far bombed at the box office, raking in $17 million, trailing behind Dunkirk ($50.5 million), according to the Daily Mail.

Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets opens in Australia next month.

Takla Lake boy part of fashion show

At only 10-years-old, Derrick Packer has already made a mark as a top designer at the inaugural Indigenous Fashion Week in Vancouver on July 22-29.

Wearing his design was his 15-year-old sister, Guadelupe, who proudly walked down the runway hand in hand with her brother.

It was a dream come true for the youngest designer at the show, originally from Takla Lake First Nation.

"I made the dress for my sister," Packer said. "I designed and sewed it myself," Packer said.

"My sister loved it. She got to model the dress at the show and she's a natural."

And as for his design, Packer could not be more happy with the result.

"I was a little nervous at first, but then I got the hang of it and was really easy," Packer said.

According to Packer's mother, Cindy, it was a challenge but one that her son, who has a passion for fashion, could not pass up.

"He started volunteering and Indigenous Fashion Week producer, Joleen Mitton asked if he has ever designed a dress. He had never done anything like that before except making Barbie dresses," Cindy said.

"She asked if he could make one and so we just jumped right in," Cindy said.

Mitton continues to raise awareness for local indigenous fashion by producing fashion shows.

She also works with a number of nonprofit organizations and is currently involved with the Aboriginal Urban Butterflies Day Camp for children in foster care and also for the Mentor Me Program which is for indigenous young women in care.

"There were about 40 girls modelling at the show who were from the program," Cindy said.

"It was really beautiful."

The first Indigenous Fashion Week was aimed at bringing global recognition to local indigenous fashion designers and artisans showcasing the power and beauty of authentic Indigenous art and design by creating safe havens for talent development according to the Indigenous Fashion Week website.

Today's Indigenous Fashion was expressed at the show and delivered identity, stories and creativity in many forms and textures using: leather, bone, feathers, skin, denim, silk, weave, brocade, wool, beads, graffiti, chain, stone and colour.

Indigenous Fashion Week was inspired by history, politics, the environment and the economy, reclaiming stories of strength from a past rekindled through energy and vibrant colour.

Indigenous Fashion Week also paid tribute to the missing and murdered First Nations women at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Atrium.

The "Red Dress Showcase" invited guests to wear a red piece of clothing to honour the missing and murdered women.

This tradition began in 2011, when Metis artist, Jaimie Black had red dresses hang from trees at the University of Manitoba in an effort to bring attention to the issue. The show had it's somber moments but Packer definitely brought new hope and excitement into the room as he made his way onto the runway.

"The whole place erupted when he came out with his design. This was invitation only and there he was along with some top designers like Bill Reid. It was such a big deal and a huge event for Derrick," Cindy said.

The master of ceremonies also said that it was so nice to see young indigenous men honouring their sisters.

"I'm so proud of Derrick. He worked so hard. To know that his dress made the mark along with the big designers, it's so amazing," Cindy said.

Packer now lives in Surrey with his family and he is gearing up for Grade 6 in September.

Originally from Takla Lake, Packer certainly knows where his roots are.

"That's where I am from. That's where my ancestors are from," Packer said.

Takla Lake Nation is a First Nation located around Takla lake, 400 km north of Prince George.

For Packer, the entire experience is only the beginning.

"This is what I want to do," Packer said. "I want to be a fashion designer and I'm going to keep doing it."

Blackfeet designer headed to Paris Fashion Week

Belinda Bullshoe is believed to be the first Native American designer to have her dresses shown during New York's Fashion Week.

Now she's got her sights set on Paris.

The designer is preparing her Montana Made dresses for the cream of the crop in the fashion world.

Bullshoe was shopping recently for fabric for her next line of dresses, which she'll showcase at Fashion Week in Paris.

"I can't even tell you how what feeling I'm feeling," said Bullshoe. "I thought New York was big, but Paris is just way beyond."

She may not know the feeling, but Bullshoe knows dress-making.

The designer already knows what she's going to do with the materials. And these fabrics aren't couture - she gets them in Great Falls at Jo-Ann Fabrics.

"It's not real high-price material but their material, I feel, is just as good," said Bullshoe.

Bullshoe is truly Montana made. Her grandmother taught her how to sew.

"She told us, ‘You know, you guys better watch my sewing, how I sew, because one day I'm not going to be here,'" said Bullshoe. "Well, after that, I started watching her."

Unlike many of the designers she'll see in Paris, Belinda doesn't have a fashion degree.

"If someone was to ask me to draw a design I'd probably be drawing them some stick men," said Bullshoe.

But she's proud that her dress-making education and passion for fashion didn't come from a book.

"I can't get any better of a teacher than my own grandmother," said Bullshoe. "My classroom was watching her at home and seeing how she sewed. So when people ask me if there's a degree paper, my degree paper is through my dresses."

Her grandmother passed away in 2009, so it was a special day when her dresses were shown in The Big Apple.

"The day I opened up the fashion show in New York was her birthday," said Bullshoe. "It was really emotional not only to see my clothing line getting to go on the runway, it was because if it wasn't for my grandma I wouldn't be there."

Bullshoe says it's difficult sometimes being a small-town girl from Browning, home of the Blackfeet Reservation.

"I want to get to the clique of the fashion world but I still want to be in my own belief," said Bullshoe.

So she stays modest in presentation but sophisticated in design. And that's because she believes in showcasing her heritage every step of the way.

"Not only to represent myself, my family, but represent the Blackfeet Blood Tribe and the state of Montana," said Bullshoe. "Dreams come true. A lot of patience. I always tell people never give up your dreams."

How to fix a bad eyebrow tint

Dyed your brows too dark? Try these tips to tame the tint.

Eyebrow tinting is a tricky task and achieving the right shade is crucial to avoid looking and feeling a little unlike yourself. We always like to start by saying: go to a professional — but even when you do, things can still go wrong.

1. Take five and breathe (five days that is).

The number one rule for a botched eyebrow tinting is to not stress about the immediate colour. Eyebrow dye always fades within the first week due to the skin's natural oils and regular showering/cleansing.

2. Is it your eyebrows or your skin?

The second point you should be aware of is the amount of dye pigment left on the skin under the eyebrow hairs.

To remove the excess dye on the underlying skin use an oily (or silicone based) makeup remover, and lightly wipe with a makeup pad. If the pad is left with a brown residue on it, you're on the right track. When dry this should calm the colour by at least one shade.

3. Clarifying shampoo

If you don't have a week to wait and need to fix your brows ASAP, the next step is using a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoo is used to strip off the residue build up on your hair caused by hair products and oils, so when you apply it on your eyebrows (with utter care for your eyes of course) it should do the same thing. Brush the product through with an eyebrow brush or old toothbrush and leave on for 60 seconds. Wash to remove.

4. Home recipe

If the dye still won't go or you've waited a little while and your eyebrows are still too dark there is a home-made remedy that some salons also use to remove hair dye. In a 1-to-1 ratio combine baking soda and your normal shampoo to create a thick paste.

Brush on with a foundation brush and leave the paste on your eyebrows for a few minutes, then rinse (the thicker the hair, the more baking soda). Keep in mind it may take a few goes.

5. Facial bleach

We don't really recommend doing this yourself but if you are game and the dark colour is being persistent, this could be a last result. Facial bleaches are generally a first aid strength hydrogen peroxide, which is quite safe, but of course you have to be extra cautious of your eyes by only

placing a few drops on a cotton pad and wiping your brows lightly. In saying that, we still don't recommend this and suggest an expert instead (just remember, we told you so).

6. Where to go

If your beauty salon gave you the brows that caused you all this drama, yet you still want to give it one more try, think about going to your hair salon. Hair stylists may be a better starting point due to their rich understanding of the different shades - even better ask them to liase with your beautician for the best result.

Your complete pregnancy skincare guide

If you were ever in doubt of the power hormones can have on your skin, you won't be when you're pregnant. Sure, you may well get the gorgeous glow that's synonymous with carrying a baby, but you might also be dealt adult acne, heightened sensitivity and a 'pregnancy mask' of pigmentation. And there you were worrying about the morning sickness (which doesn't discriminate to mere mornings, unfortunately). To help you navigate the beauty minefield that pregnancy presents you with, here's an overview of what happens to your skin – and how best to treat it.

The problem: The mask of pregnancy

Coupled with increased photosensitivity, you can experience a surge in pigment-stimulating hormones while pregnant and these can contribute to melasma – large patches of discolouration appearing on the face. It is usually genetic and often fades post-pregnancy.

The problem: Hormonal acne

With racing hormones, an increase in oil secretion and anxiety added into the mix, many woman breakout during pregnancy, especially around the chin, jawline and cheeks.

The problem: Heightened sensitivity

Hormonal changes in pregnancy can also increase any skin sensitivities and you might find yourself more sensitive to the sun and certain products that you previously tolerated. A-list facialist and author of beauty bible Love Your Skin, Abigail James, says "it's thought that this is our body's way of protecting itself and the foetus from infection and disease". As with acne, above, skin conditions like eczema may also get worse.

The problem: Increased redness

When pregnant, the volume of blood can almost double in your body, which can often mean that the 'healthy glow' tips over into redness. Claire Barret, skincare expert at mummy and baby range Bloom and Blossom says that "this really affects the tiny blood vessels in the face, so many women will experience hot flushes and increased redness in their skin". The heat plus heightened sensitivity can also exasperate rosacea if you're already a sufferer.

The problem: Drier skin

While some women's skin becomes oilier, for others dryness can occur. Barret explains, "all the hydration goes to the baby first, so many women experience dry skin."

Ingredients to avoid

There are various ingredients – both natural and synthetic – that are advised against in pregnancy:

-Vitamin A/retinol. Some studies have linked retinol-based products to birth and child defects and therefore they are best avoided in pregnancy and during breastfeeding. James says another reason to avoid vitamin A-based products is because as they speed up cell turnover, they "also make the skin much more prone to sun damage and developing pigmentation".

-Phthalates/formaldehyde/toluene. Look out for these chemicals in perfume and nail polishes. "Research is being carried out to assess a possible link with birth defects," James says. Look to nail polish brands such as Nailberry which are formulated to be "12 chemical free".

-Ammonia. Found in some hair dyes, James points out that "it has carcinogenic properties, so steer clear". Your colourist will be able to advise you on ammonia-free options and whether it's safe to colour your hair once you've passed the first trimester of pregnancy.

-Dihydroxyacetone. This is the (non-toxic) active ingredient in self-tanning products which doesn't travel beyond the outer layer of the skin and therefore isn't absorbed into the body, so you don't have to avoid it completely. However, the effects of inhalation are not known, so you may want to avoid spray tanning whilst pregnant.

-Certain essential oils. James lists basil, rosemary, juniper berry, jasmine, cypress and chamomile blue as essential oils to avoid given their potential to over-stimulate and encourage menstruation.

Quick guide to makeup tools to help perfect your look

They say, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, but hey, it also lies in the right beauty tools! One look at makeup tutorials on YouTube or Instagram, and you'd see a wide variety of brushes being used by makeup artists to achieve that flawless look. You, too, can master the beauty game, but first, you should know the right brush to get that on-point eyeliner, perfect contour or that highlight on fleek. So, here's your brush-essential guide:

Stippling brush: You can apply foundation, bronzer or even blush with it. The brush has two sets of bristles, white synthetic fibres at the top and black natural fibres at the bottom.

You can take foundation on the white bristles, pat them on your entire face and then to blend it in, swirl the brush in small circles.

Kabuki brush: This brush — defined by its distinctive stocky shape — is used for buffing-in foundation or powder. It basically polishes the look and helps create soft airbrushed, poreless-looking skin.

Fan brush: The brush fans out in a wide angle to cover maximum skin area made of soft bristles. It is used to apply highlighter smoothly and evenly.

Angular brush: This brush is perfect for applying contour or bronzer. Be it in powder form or cream based, draw a line with the product on your cheeks and jaw line first. Then, using the contour or angular face brush, blend the product in so that no lines are visible.

Blending brush: A must-have, this brush is used to blend eyeshadow and show the transition shade so no harsh lines are visible.

There are different types of blending brushes: fluffy, tapered, petite, large and dome shaped. The bristles are made of natural or synthetic material.

Crease brush: Made of synthetic material, this brush is used to precisely apply and blend shadow into the creases to add depth to eye makeup.

Shader brush: The brush is also made of synthetic bristles and used to pack on a lot of colour to apply on the lid.

A large shader brush can also be used to blend concealer under your eyes.

How to start a basic skincare routine

Make-up, skin, hair and body—these are the four basic pillars of beauty, which can be further categorised into innumerable sections and sub-sections. For the uninitiated, the extent of products available serving each of these categories can make it all seem a little overwhelming. So it's no wonder most people will stick to the most basic of routines, or even none at all. But all that's between you and the best skin of your life, is a little know-how.

Our new daily series, 'Beauty 101', will cover every single beauty query you may have ever had, right from which face wash is right for your skin type to how to pick the ideal haircut for your face shape. Today, in the first part of our series, we start by laying the groundwork—building a basic skincare routine.

SKINCARE FOR BEGINNERS
There is nothing more important than a good skincare routine that's tailor-made to your skin type; it's also the base that holds your make-up together. In fact, celebrity make-up artist Mickey Contractor believes good skincare is the best beauty investment a person can make. Start your beauty journey with a basic 'cleanse, tone and moisturise' routine and of course, the most important, sunscreen. Here are the basics to prepping your skin.

Cleanse: Keeping your skin clean is the most important step of any beauty routine; dirt and grime never do anyone good. Pick your cleanser based on your skin type—if you have normal skin, feel free to choose any basic face wash—one with fruit extracts will keep your skin glowing; for oily and combination skin (normal skin with oily patches on your forehead, nose, mouth and chin), always ensure you use a refreshing, gel-based one; and for dry skin, a moisturising, creamy one works best. Wet your face, massage your cleanser in and wash it off with cold water. Pat dry with a towel.

Tone: If you have dry skin, skip this step. For the rest of you, a toner will help rid your skin of excess oil and clear your pores. Make sure your toner is alcohol-free as that can over-dry your skin in the process. Take about a teaspoon of toner on a cotton ball and lightly run it all over your skin.

Moisturise: Even if your skin feels extremely greasy and it fits into the oily bracket, it's essential that you give it the right kind of hydration. PS: even if you drink enough water, not much of it reaches the surface level of your skin, so using a moisturiser is important. For normal skin, pick a light day cream—nothing too decadent—they work better for dry skin types. If you have combination or oily skin, gel-like moisturisers will settle into your skin without feeling too weighty or sticky. Keep the same textures in mind when selecting your sunscreen as well.

While your daily skincare routine can very well end here, if you're going to use make-up, there's another often-skipped step you should pay attention to. Primers are the real MVPs of make-up. A primer acts as a barrier between your final layer of skincare and your foundation. It preps the surface of your skin by blocking away any natural oils and ensuring that it holds all your make-up in place. It's the one investment that'll make sure all your other purchases work efficiently. More on them, soon.

The 10 Best Beauty Looks

Polished updos, crimson lips, and plenty of glitz imbued this week’s best above-neck looks with a feel of evening-ready opulence, offering a welcome counter to summer’s easy brand of beauty. In London, Rita Ora upped the ante on a sleek, beribboned tie-back with a series of barrettes positioned along the crown, with ear-level adornments, a red lip, an exaggerated wing of onyx liner, and an under-eye edging of pink pigment. It was a more-is-more cocktail that demanded a second glance.

Elsewhere, Alicia Vikander achieved a similar effect, though by way of bohemian beach waves; her nearly-naked face and radiant complexion played well with a collar of encrusted jewels. On Sunday, Miu Miu’s Cruise Collection show found attendees test-driving details fit for a modern princess. Fresh off the runway, Bella Hadid, Joan Smalls, and Kendall Jenner each pouted with lips painted fire-engine red, raising power brows and blinking past minimal eye makeup. Hadid and Jenner each supplemented wet-look updos with kinked curls that were refreshingly out of step with each model’s typical trademark looks. But leave it to Elle Fanning to elevate the brand’s characteristic whimsy to new heights: the ingenue crowned her blanched top knot with an embellished headband akin to a contemporary tiara, with rosy cheeks, pink lips, and a temporary branding (pressed cheekily into the back of her neck), ensuring she was every inch the Miu Miu woman.

Fashion tips for keeping cool

Summer fashion has its challenges as anyone who has experienced the transition from air-conditioned office to sweltering street knows. In addition, there are backyard parties, weddings, festivals, concerts and a host of other outdoor events that require some thought on what to wear.

Below, some tips and things to consider:

1. Think fabric. Linen. Seersucker. Lightweight cotton. These are summer favorites for many. They're absorbent. They allow air to circulate. They "breathe." Wrinkling may be an issue.

Women have a wide selection of clothing in such summery fabrics. Cropped breezy pants. Linen dresses. Embroidered cotton tunics. And not all are sleeveless. Even making the switch from fall denim to lightweight cotton chambray (or perhaps Tencel in a washed denim hue) gives you the look of denim without the weight.

Men have choices, too, including summer suits for business, of course, but also for parties and summer events.

"You can go cotton. You can go linen or lightweight wool," said Alan Kurtzman, of the New York Store in the Village of Lancaster.

And while seersucker suits scream summer, they don't have a place in every man's wardrobe. They're a bonus suit.

"Seersucker is extremely comfortable but unless you have a lot of clothes you're probably not going to have a seersucker suit. If you have just one or two suits, it's not going to be part of your wardrobe," Kurtzman said.

2. Think color. Color is another factor in keeping cool on a hot day, especially at an event like a wedding or outdoor affair that calls for a suit or jacket.

Kurtzman offered this tip for men: "If it's an afternoon wedding, wear a lighter color rather than black in the middle of summer with the sun beating down on you. There are tans, softer grays, a lot of mid-blues," he said.

As fashion columnist Elizabeth Wellington recently explained in the Philadelphia Inquirer: "Lighter colors – tan, ivory, white, pastels – reflect the sunlight and that will keep you cool. Darker hues like navy and black absorb the sun and will keep you sweating."

3. Brush up on synthetics. Synthetics have a place in the summer wardrobe as well, such as patented materials Dri-FIT (see Nike.com) and COOLMAX to name two.

And they're not just for athletes.

"Today, there are all kinds of synthetics that are high-performance fabrics," Kurtzman said. "They wick away moisture and they breathe. There is no reason why you should be uncomfortable in clothing today because there are enough choices. You can be cool – whether it's dressy or more casual."

In a 2015 article in USA Today on what to wear in extreme heat, Thomas M. Kostigen put it this way: "Seersucker, linen, and cotton are still acceptable lightweight materials for summer clothing as they allow air to circulate onto your skin. But 21st-century materials that have been lab tested and constructed specifically for high temperatures are far superior options. Some fabrics even feature ultraviolet blockers that protect us from the sun's radiation," wrote Kostigen, founder of the Climate Survivalist and a New York Times bestselling author and journalist.

BUFF USA's UV Multifunctional Headband, for example, "offers thermal efficiency, built-in sun protection, seamless construction and the moisture-wicking performance of COOLMAX® PRO fiber." It can be worn nine different ways everywhere from the garden and yoga studio to the bike path and hiking trail.

Lands' End also offers beach- and swimwear in fabrics that provide UPF 50 sun protection. Coolibar.com is another resource for finding sun protection clothing and accessories, including sun protection parasols.

4. Think long and loose. Longer silhouettes often are better than shorter ones, Wellington wrote in her article for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Think about it: Long and breezy or short and clingy? While you may have both options hanging in your closet, the former is the better choice.

Wellington recommends opting for "the breathable A-line, the ankle-grazing maxi, a pair of wide-legged trousers. You won't have to keep adjusting your clothing and you will feel cooler."

This season also serves up a staggering array of tops and dresses with off-the-shoulder styling, cut-out accents, etc. Just remember to apply sunscreen.

5. Don't forget accessories. A wide-brimmed hat will help protect your head and face from the sun's rays. (Tilley hats are popular for their built-in sun protection.) A switch to lightweight jewelry – if you wear any at all – will help keep you cool. And it's definitely time to rethink your shoes.

"For spring and summer, there are fabric, mesh and woven styles that allow air to circulate," said Sue Marfino, owner of ShoeFly on Elmwood Avenue.

There also is a lot of technology in things like antimicrobial foot beds to combat odor, she said.

"Some of the better technology in leather or suede insoles will also help absorb perspiration vs. choosing cheap synthetic shoes," she added.

Remember, too, that women's sandals are available in an array of styles – from casual to dressy.