That L.A Playlist that get’s you going all kinds of OoOoOo.

Kimevamay / / 3,342 Comments

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A good ass playlist to listen too, is probably just as important as water is in a dry desert full of slow moving tumble weeds. Alright, maybe that was a little far-fetched but you get the idea.

Ever been on holiday and listened to an Album back to back or maybe it was a song that kept coming on that droned into your head over and over and now it always reminds you of that one place or experience? For me, Moby’s 2004 Baby Monkey Album reminds me of Caravanning along the Rocky Mountains in Canada and now, whenever one of his tunes comes along, I’m planted in time right back to that moment.  I’d hate to admit it, but even Skatman by John Skatman takes me back to last year’s New York road trip with my best mate with burnt backs, legs, and pretty much lobster everything, fist pumping out the window singing SKI BA BOP BA DOP BOP in full, unapologetic blast.

My recent trip to L.A,  i say “recent”…i came back yesterday and i’m writing this now to try and get over my jet leg, determined to stay up. untill. the. bitter. bladdy. end.

The trip got me hearing all sorts of music and in pure me fashion, i can’t let those songs get away. So I thought I’d share a couple of songs that have now been added to my music playlist and have got me reminiscing on warm LA bliss.

Trace, Honey

                                              

Source; Youtube

I heard this in an Uber, yes, an Uber. The Driver had the longest dreadlocks i’d ever seen on a human, picked my mate and i up, after me stumbling in front of his car by a cactus in a trolley in my wooden platforms. We were off to Lake Balboa and I was actually really shocked at his music choice. Anyway, this song came on in his car and it’s melody really relaxed me. It’s not the most happy ‘feel good’ song, but i like its repetitive tender lyrics.  For that long drive to Balboa, it definitely got me into a chilled vibe before we ended up at a ranch in a two-seater bicycle…

 

Lykke Li, I follow Rivers.

  
Source; Youtube

This tune got my attention at Venice Beach and i met this amazing woman who was telling me about her life in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles where she overcame alot of prejudice being gay, whose now adopted two boys and is the happiest she’s ever been. This woman was a real hipster, with a fierce spirit and i really loved her “go get it attitude”. This song remained with me for most of the trip and gives me a bit of a kick up the ass when i hear it.

 

Disclosure Feat London Grammar, Help me Lose my mind.

                                         

Source; Youtube

What a sweet, sweet tune and for me, its a total beach song. Basking in Malibu’s heavy sun on a 99C stores beach towel’s finest babysitting a rucksack and beach ball, this sent me straight off into holiday mode and got me excited about the evenings Pineapple Mojito’s served in a pineapple itself with surfboards and a deep sunset as scenic ambiance.

 Beach House, Bluebird.

                                           

Source; Youtube

This is actually a flight song for me. Anyone who knows me, knows Aeroplanes are abit of a challenge for many reasons; the not being able to move much rule, freaky turbulence and long haul wonder. While most people are sat there watching movies on the plane, I’m flickering through all the music albums, getting a taste of as much as i can in the time i have. I think it’s really important to extend your choice and to listen to whatever’s out there, even if it’s not your “thing” because it will help you fine tune what your “thing” is. I was listening to the “Depression Cherry’s” album by Beach House for a good few hours on and off drifting in and out of sleep, which isn’t a surprise with its dreamy beats.

Youth Lagoon, Afternoon. 

                                            

Source; Youtube

Again, this song is super dreamy and really ethereal. I have absolutely no idea what they’re saying in these lyrics…but its a real neo-psychedelic band from San Diego. Is it obvious where i’m getting alot of my influences from?

 

Oh Wonder, Drive.

                                         

Source; Youtube

This is kinda a guilty pleasure, and as pop as i’ll get with this alt-pop duo band. They started off releasing songs on Soundcloud each month and progressed from there.  I really like the 70’s styling in the video and it reminds me of the LA desert. Can’t really go wrong.

Now, if my list didn’t get you going OoOoOoOo, what did?

 

 

 

 

 

All or Nothing.

Kimevamay / / 2,824 Comments

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Wearing Mac’s Blacktrack Fluidline and Neo-Orange Pigment. 

I’d hate to admit it, but my hand in that picture is pretty much how it looks day to day. It’s like wearing a semi-permanent tattoo that somehow transfers over all my clothes at the end of a long day. I wash them ALL the time and it still happens. In fact, this morning I woke to find some of my hair was red. I racked my brains to figure why and then it came to me….last nights neon red lipstick I smothered all over my chops. But you know what, when I do make-up I usually go ALL out…but what about those that feel a little intimated by huge draping and splatters of colour and want that “I’ve pretty much got nothing on but I’m deceiving you” look?

A L L

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Products Above: Ciate Nail Art pearls , Eyeshadow Pans in Coppering and Freshwater, Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick, Gold Glitter with Glue Bottom, Imitable Intense Mascara. 

For those “Allers”, yep, my new coined name for you folks. I hand on heart hail you for your incredible ability to express whatever you want externally and to play, play, playyyyyyy with products, colour and textures. You, my friends,  are pretty much the creators of all the trends for testing these out first-hand and giving people afraid to try a little variety and support in their make-up journey.

If you’ve read my posts before, you’ll know I was scared to try new things and embrace being different but it takes courage and a little inspiration to learn to embrace it. I pretty much spent a hell load of my pocket money as a kid on every magazine each month and was totally obsessed with Molly Ringwald in Pretty and Pink and Costume Designer Patricia Field that i wanted to take on my scoop on fashion via makeup.

So if you’re like me and you’re up for trying pretty much anything, i give you a few new products i’m dying to try and i think you Allers might vibe off too….

I don’t really know where to begin with this brand. I’m just in deep, non apologetic love with them. Firstly, they’re cruelty and Vegan Free and the colour options are beyond what you’d find in the high street. These Perlees Lipsticks are perfect for the metallic trend and are so long wearing you could bend down and kiss the floor for Lime Crime bringing them out. My personal favourite shades from this selection are; Beetle, Penny and Roswell

Not long ago my Instagram feed was bulked up with images of this brands lipsticks and I thought it was a joke. Ever wanted a Jelly formulated lipstick with flower petals inside? Not only is it probably the most beautiful lipstick I’ve ever glimpsed my eyes on in a feed scroll, but they’re in such high demand right now, they’re all out of stock! So get ordering now if you want a lipstick that’s ALL out there.

 

I’m sorry, was that Rainbow, i repeat, Rainbow highlighter i just read? Yeah you did! Highlighters hit the web once the strobing trend was going stronger than me struggling to lift the lightest weight at the Gym, but now they are selling them for you Unicorn Lovahs out there. They are taking pre-orders with a waiting list now because everyone wants to grab there hands on them! So for the meantime, feed your highlight addiction with some of Anatastia Beverly Hills Moonchild Glow kits in Pastels and warm sun-dripped tones.

 

N O T H I N G

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Products above: Filmstar Bronze & Glow, TenderTalk Balm, Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick, Dusty Rose Pallette x9, Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation.

I’ve always thought there is something deeply beautiful about that “non-makeup, makeup look”, that’s been worked on to face perfection. It’s a real science to find the right tones suitable to your skin and eye colouring and once you’ve nailed it, you can rock it so hard, people just think you’re born that way, regardless of Maybelline.

If you want, easy, ready to get out that door Makeup that makes you look like a more “i’ve had an amazing 9 hours of sleep in the tuscan sun” version of you, then i’ve got some gems for you guys…

If you’re someone struggling to find that “perfect” lip shade, Tender talk balm has got this problem solved to a T. The lipbalm is so moisturising and gives you a unique, personalised tint that subtly enhances your natural lip colour. I wear “Candy Wrapped” and every time I wear it, I am so amazed at the natural pink hues it really brings out of my own lip colour. Say bye, bye lip liner, and hello Tender Talk.

This palette is so perfect for playing around with neutrals that will suit ALL skin tones and eye colours. It’s such a universal palette that will see you right through the summer this season. It gives you a choice of shimmer and mattes with cool taupey greys and warm coopers that will lightly give you that enhancement you’re looking for.

This is just the perfect way of lightly adding a little enhancement on the lashes without going for a false lash look effect. Its pretty much a kit in one, where you’re provided with lash curlers, a Kohl pencil and the first launch of the CT Mascara range that will keep them looking real but a little thicker. This is great for a wiser woman, or someone that just wants to add on what they already have without looking over done. Her range also caters to those that do want a false or dolly lash look….so try out the fat lash first…and then work your way up to lash perfection.

So whether you’re an All or Nothing-(er), rock your look and swap it around from time to time. As someone once told me “it’s only make-up, it wipes off!”.

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Bored waiting to Board; A guide to Hawt Holiday Packin’.

Kimevamay / / 3,297 Comments

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I’m staring at my ASOS Basket which is a saved virtual “wannabe wardrobe” of everything I want to buy, but can’t. It’s depressing as hell at the realisation that my whole-i want/ i need pile is probably worth, well, a hell of a lot and i’m going to L.A soon and need new stuff. Pronto.

Yep. I am going to L TO THE A. Los to the Angeles. Alright, alright, i’ll stop shoving it in your faces, but my fourteen year old past self is jumping up and down about it.

The whole holiday has been pretty last minute and suffice to say, we don’t have anywhere to stay….yet. But for some reason, all I can think about is, what the hell am I gonna wear?

Summer fashion is probably the hardest for me. I like to layer, accessorise and play with different textures and with the heat, it’s pretty near impossible to do those things without either being restricted or boiling your oven body off. I’m also not one to have everything on display, ‘everything’ being my tits and arse basically. I totally give it to the people that can rock their arse and tits like it’s a Ricki Martin Livin’ La Vida Loca old school party with pride but I would be so out of my comfort zone it would look less vida loca more this is a joka.

So what do I do?

When it comes to holidays my packing ethos is pretty simple-shove it in and worry about it later. I’m pretty much a lad about it but with me, shoes take presidence. At 5 ft 7/8 i’m not exactly the shortest bean, but i’ll pretty much never wear flats or the ones I do wear are my Supercolour trainers that give the fake impression i’m sporty. I have a bit of a love affair with heeled boots and heeled sandals and trying to whittle down which pair to pack and which pairs to buy is near impossible for me without weighing down my suitcase. Working in Make-up you’d be right in guessing my makeup bag is pretty HHHHUUGGGEEEE and having to decide what to take and what to leave behind is near impossible. And slightly upsetting.

So for you ladies that need a little help with your holiday worries, i’m on hand to help. Except I won’t be on hand to close your suitcase. Tip: SIT ON IT. JUMP ON IT. Make. It. Close. With. Bladdy. Force. I promise you won’t be paying that extra luggage fare okay…?

One: Kimonos, Kimonos, Kimonos. And need i say, Kimonos? They are the best thing to take with you if you need a beach cover up, something to pop on during the cool evening or if you just fancy adding alittle quirkiness to your everyday outfit. There are so many options from print to length and I would highly suggest packing a couple of these gems to get you through. There’s been many times I’ve been away and hated what clothes i had on me, so i  threw on my kimono and wore it as a dress with a belt. Power to the Kimono i say.

Two: Block Heeled Sandals. Note, the word ‘block’ because this is gonna be your key word for these types of shoes. Especially when you’re walking a few blocks. (Sorry for that pun but it was too hard to resist).  A block heel is generally the most comfortable shoe because the width of the heel is wide and will support the foot a lot better than your narrow, near impossible not to wobble stiletto heel. It’s also very on trend for S/S 16′, so whether you fancy rocking a Mule heel, chunky platform, 70’s boot or gladiator block sandal, with these guys you’re onto a winner. For colour palettes, i would also opt for one neutral, one print/colour to mix it up depending on what outfit you’re wearing with it. Playing it safe is fine but not playing it safe is funner. So give yourself options!

Three: Denim. Denim has been with us since pretty much day one of existence-ish and is a firm favourite for most of the population. Denim fashion is forever changing in ways to style it and you’ll notice there’s a million ways to infuse it into your holiday wardrobe even in the heat. Denim short dungarees or pinafore dresses are great ways of layering, taking you from a casual day look with a tee to smart/cas, paired with a blouse or lace flared sleeve and those chunky platform boots. Denim Jackets or sleeveless waistcoats are also great ways of dressing your outfit down or for keeping warm when there’s a little breeze.

Four: Slits. Yes, Slits. As weird as it may sound, during the summer period i make it my mission to hunt for clothes that have slits in- such as, maxi dresses, harems or long tops because it’s a subtle way of showing skin while injecting a little “air” in your clothes when it gets super hot.

Five: Makeup wise I look for waterproof based liners and mascaras and usually choose matte textured lipsticks/liquid lipsticks in tones such as oranges, watermelons and chocolate beige’s, so it’s long wearing and i can focus on playing up my lips rather than doing a full smokey eye in the heat. In terms of foundation I will either take a build-able sheer/medium tinted moisturiser and a full coverage foundation. This enables me to have a day to night swap around, as well as mixing them both together for a lighter, not so full all over coverage. A lot of people worry about foundation when their skin changes colour during the heat and i would advise to mix a darker toned face instant tan into your current foundation or simply warm up your completion with an all over face powder in a tone deeper to your skin.

Six: Hair Accessories aren’t raved about enough because when it’s hot, do we really want our long locks, curly hair or thick fringe getting all up in our grill? A simple Bandanna can be worn around the head or can be worn as an improv neck choker. Wack out those 80’s scrunchies and pop your hair up in a high ponytail or why not inject a couple pom poms in there? Braids are pretty big as well as Miley Cyrus buns either side of the head-so play around with accessories and hair gems to add a little hair interest, especially if you’re not keen in wearing lots of metal jewellery.

Seven: BackPacks. I don’t care what anyone says, back packs are in and definitely don’t make you look five. These are absolutely golden for long walks, beach stops and general everyday carrying your shit. They’re big enough to pop in a dress change (should you choose) and you can wack in any necessities for the day. There are SO many different styles from Boho fringing, mini backpacks, embroidered numbers, snakeskin or crocodile print for a sophisticated edge or you’re standard clean line backpack. My black fluffy backpack got me through two months of New York Living and i am so grateful i stumbled across it in Topshop for £15. I call that a deal.

In fact, after writing all this, i’m kind of less stressed out about the whole, what will i wear situation. Though i will note one thing- Wear something that you’re comfortable with and feel emulates you, not just for a holiday. In the past i’d bought things for one purpose and ended up regretting it because it wasn’t really “me”, probably because it was abit titty and arsey and Livin La Vida Loca.

Source: YouTube

Take it all with a pinch of salt, wash it down with Tequila and just Roll with it.

Kimevamay / / 3,105 Comments

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(Wearing Mac’s Retro-Matte Liquid Lipstick in Bengal Tiger on the lashes and lids using the wand only.)

I’ve been holding back writing about this for a while, but I finally had a fuck it moment and decided to roll with it.

As you may or may not know, I work as a Make-Up Artist. It totally wasn’t in my “career plan”, though I should have read the signs the minute I was 18 and started drunkenly crying in a club toilet cubicle surrounded by smelly piss sobbing over the fact I lost my Chanel Lipstick (which I totally couldn’t afford) that had been discontinued. Forever….Suffice to say, I got over it, puked out the tragedy and started my search for my next perfect shade of lippy. The search turned into a bag full of make-up of all different shades and colours and I got really excited at this land of colour I never knew existed before. My mates would ask why it would take me so long to get ready, especially when they knew I never did it to try and impress or look conventionally “pretty” for those uni boys.

The older I  got, the more experimental I became with my make-up and soon followed my love affair with fashion and play with textures, prints and styles, that reverted to Canvas Mixed-media work along the way. Maybe it came from my background as a trained Actor that inspired my love of dress-up or maybe it was my years of being a suppressed teenager who wanted to fit in and wear that basic staple of a hoody, trainers, and simple cat eye-liner flick at school. I still don’t know-but something installed me to inspire other people to try different things and step outside their comfort zone, when I so craved a figure like that for myself when I  was a kid. When you see others rock outfits you never thought would work, or see the elderly with this level of swag that comes from confidence, it gives you permission to follow suit and find whatever it is you want to explore yourself.

For me, and as Cliché as it may sound Make up is ART. Infact, I think that the majority of what we do can be classified as Art in a way that means something to you personally. Go to a Museum and each piece you see is individually interpreted by something the Artist has been inspired by or felt at that moment in time and it’s relayed to you for you to read in your own way. Listen to a piece of Music and you’ll hear and take from it what you want and every moment you listen it will change to your ear. If you start to think of it like that and see this incredible multitude of people that have fought all there lives to express and to have the giant balls (not literal, some literal) to do so, in generations of change and differing cultures, is so inspiring and brings a total smile on my face of its revolution.

But more recently, I’d been starting to think. Wait, have I taken this too far? Was I trying to make a point using the visual as a guise to do it? Open up my wardrobe and you will see, what I’d probably call a jungle. Admittedly, I really need to chuck out some of my clothes that now feed no purpose but the majority of my stuff is eclectic and unafraid of colour and print (which is very much the opposite of how I used to be).

Working in the industry I work in now, a massive selling point of my work, is, well, myself. I need to believe and be honest in who I am, for the things that I do in my life to be as authentic as they can be. So with that, I explore shape, colour and come up with new ways of using products to keep myself interested and the people too. But. This all comes at a price and the price is that it won’t be everyone’s taste and you have to open yourself up to that possibility and the possibility of it being deemed unappealing or unattractive by others eyes of appreciation. And that’s really okay. Because you have to ask yourself, why do you do it? I mean, why do any of us do it? If you’re doing it to be accepted by others or to appeal to the masses, then maybe that’s not for the right reasons. But hey, we’re all guilty of it and I will be the first to admit that. I had the worst time at School and felt like the ugliest, blandest duckling alive and sadly tried to do everything I could to fit in; to wear the skirts I hated and grow my hair to appear like “The Hills” girls I used to watch on MTV with perfect tans and beach bodies that I never felt I possessed. But truly, that isn’t me and in hindsight it never interested or motivated me. I’m pale regardless of my European roots where my Dad’s side have annoying tans and I was blessed with boobs and a bum that won’t be shrinking down any time soon until I’m 80 years old and super saggy…oh god. Lets erase that thought. And then the more I thought about it (not about the saggy boob part) , the more I thought how long it took me to be where I am and for the people I’ve met and come across who have enabled me to have the authority of doing what I  want to do and admiring me for that. And that’s pretty bloody special and I’m really thankful, especially to those people who I look up to and yes, even the elderly with that undeniable swag. Like my Nana. She absolutely owns her 87 year old title with a swish of the hair and a fearless laugh that makes her captivating for her own reasons.

So if I’ve learnt anything and if I were to end this in anyway…I would ask you to just take it all with a pinch of salt and wash it down with a Tequila and just roll with it, because what else are you gonna do? Drink water? Now that’s just boring…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tis the Season for…Festival.

Kimevamay / / 10,697 Comments

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Summer is here! Well kinda. This is England after all…

But regardless of its philandering sunshine, summer can only mean one thing…FESTIVAL SEASON and I. Am. BUZZING about it.

When it comes to my personal style, a lot of people have described my dress sense as “Festival” (although I went on Urban Dictionary and it described it as an “unwashed Hippy”…so I think I’ll ignore that one).

Since the summer is my favourite season, minus the fact I become a year older, i figured it would be abit rude to not include some of my favourite looks and ideas to help get you through the tent, beer filled, music blazing treats heading your way with a tinker of a click.

So let us begin.

CATSUITS.

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No, I’m not telling you guys to dress up like Cats (although it wouldn’t be such a bad thing, would it?). Catsuits are the easiest way to install a little bit of festival into your wardrobes with little to no effort. If you’re gonna rock the Catsuit, be daring with it and don’t be shy to experiment with print.

My GO-TO for this kinda trend, is a brand called Jaded London that have a selection of weird and wonderful mix mashes of pattern to choose from. Team it with a Bum-Bag and some Doc Martins and you’re on your way…

 

 

KIMONO MEETS BOLERO

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^^^My little number is from a Brand called Reclaimed Vintage!^^^

Kimonos/ Boleros are a great way of subtly mixing up textures and installing some of the key trends without going the full hog if you’re not confident with rocking it head to toe.

The only real difference between the two, is that a Kimono is usually longer in length, perfect for teaming with swimwear and can even double-up as a dress if you wrap it around and synch it in with a chunky belt. Boleros are good little adds ons if you want to put some sparkle onto a simple dress or style with some straight legged cigarette trousers and a simple tee for a tom-boy vibe.

A list of my favourites at the moment:

–ASOS Striped Embellished Kimono 

–ASOS Festival Kimono with star embellishment

–ASOS Pretty iridescent embellished Cape

–Boohoo Mia Flute Sleeve wrap over Maxi Kimono

 

SUNNIES

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Dip-Dye Glasses modelled by my moody face (because I was waiting for Breakfast) from Last Years Topshop. 

Sunglasses are the easiest way of jazzing up that face in minutes, especially if you’re hanging out your arse after a few “too many” the night before or shall I say, morning.

A lot of the time people become too stressed out with the shape and whether the frame will suit your face. I get it if you’re not into the John Lennon small circular retro shades or embellished gemstone rims and you’re more keen on the purpose of the sunglasses to fulfil there function….but its summer, so who cares? Be abit more daring and pick something you usually wouldn’t. I promise you’ll be surprised what you find…

Some brands that have got the shade game right this season is….

SWATCH

QUAY AUSTRALIA

AND If you’re interested in one-off’s, then head to the markets for bargains you can grab for cheap and play around with, without caring if you sit on them in your drunken state that we know you’ll be in.

HEADWEAR

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Head Scarf compliments of the Nana circa the 1950s.

Boy am I glad to write about this. Anyone that knows me, knows that I’m super into and pretty over-passionate about my headpieces. It’s a bad obsession that’s slowly got out of hand and I could probably start selling them in a little pop up shop somewhere…but more on that later…

There’s so many different styles of Headwear to choose from, so I thought I’d whittle down the different choices:

-Flower Crowns

-Feather Crowns

-Embellished head pieces

-Pom Pom headbands

-Hats: Trilby’s, baker-boy hats, Caps, Fedoras, Bowler hats.

-Clip in jewels/coloured hair/tinsel

-90’s Scrunches

– Gem stick-ons.

-Turbans

-Bandanas/Silk Scarves

Yeah, I know that was probably a bit over-whelming but my favourite go-to is ASOS MARKETPLACE where you’ll find loads of unique pieces made by the seller themselves. You can also find lots of cool pieces in Vintage shops such as; Beyond Retro and Rokit.

 

DANCING FEET TRAINERS

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Image Source: AliExpress

Maybe it was Lily Allen who started it all those years ago, but Trainers have made it’s way back into our “Shoedrobe” (real proud of my pun) and they’re being worn as style pieces to go with dresses, boyfriend jeans and some include the Platform which is my personal preference of shoe. The cool thing about this trend, is that there is sooooo much more choice and expression with the design.

Some of my favourites are;

Keds Tina Trainers, where Topshop teamed up with Fashion Stylist and Writer Tina Leung to create these pastel, scallop sequin tie dye Champion style sneaks.

Admittedly I own three pairs of the Adidas Supercolour collection in Khaki, blue and yellow, but the new Pastel shades are just launching and I’m pretty happy about it. My favourite colours are the Bliss Coral, Blush Green and Solid Red.

My final current Trainer lust (if you can call them Trainers, because they’re more like platforms….) is Stella McCartney’s Lace up platform shoes that are To. Die. For. They’re also insanely priced and will be remaining on my “cry and buy” birthday list.

Although I’ve picked the Bronze version for myself, they do come in silver and gold or if you want to stay away from the sheen, check out the matte sand and black pair.

So that’s it Folks. I’ve shared some of my Festival Faves, so feel free to share some of yours.

K x