Although Lady GaGa has a pretty outrageous reputation her make-up is, in some ways, quite minimalist as she tends to put all of the attention on her eyes. Achieving her look is surprisingly simple and you can tone it up or down accordingly by using different amounts of eye make-up.

The Base: Start by sweeping your whole eye area in a white shimmering shadow. You don’t have to put a lot on if this is for a day look, but if it’s for a night out feel free to be a bit liberal. Make sure you blend in the shadow at the corners of the eye to avoid a patchy look.

A Darker Shade of Pale: Next take a silver colour and blend this across your eye sockets to create a contrast with the white shimmer. Blending is definitely the key to this look so make sure you take the time to really work the powder in.

Charcoal: The third step with the eye shadow is to darken the outer corners of the eye. Take a dark charcoal eye shadow and blend it into the corners of your eye starting right in the outer crease. Smooth it over with an applicator for a flawless finish.

Bright Eyes: Finish off your shadow by applying a little bit of the white shimmer to the inner corners of your eyes and on the lower lash line. This will brighten the look up a bit and gives it more of a dramatic edge.

Finish your eyes with a black eyeliner across the top of the lashes and either lashings of black mascara or false eye lashes for true GaGa style. To keep the focus all on your eyes smother your lips in a clear gloss and ensure that your foundation is flawlessly applied.

If you have watched even a few minutes of any Gok Wan programme will be familiar with the term ‘silhouette’ and just how important it is to making yourself look and feel fantastic. Below are my top tips to creating the perfect silhouette with a bit of craftiness rather than slogging it out at the gym. Call me lazy, but when the sun is shining like it has been this week I’d much rather be in the beer garden than on the treadmill!

Tip 1: Measure Up. The media frequently publish all sorts of crazy statistics about how many women are wearing the wrong bra size but I would say it goes for all forms of underwear. How many of us try to squeeze into a size 12 pair of French knickers when we know that 14 is much closer to the mark. Get measured and make sure all of your underwear fits you properly. Whatever size you are, you should make the best of yourself and not hide behind the hope of being smaller or in some cases bustier.

Tip 2: Control. Contour control lingerie can make an amazing difference to every size and shape. Granted it’s not the most sexy thing in the world but it will be when you put a killer dress over the top of it! Marks and Spencers, Primark and Debenhams are just a few of the stockists that carry contour control underwear so go on a girly shopping spree and see just how smooth you can get those curves.

Tip 3: Water it Down. Drink at least two litres of water a day and you will improve the quality and spring of your skin all over your body. It sounds simple but hydrating your system makes a big difference to how your body looks and how you feel.

Tip 4: Heel Yourself. Heels are fantastic for elongating the leg which can completely alter the look of your pins. They don’t have to be sky high to make a difference, a nice pair of chunk-heeled court shoes can have exactly the same effect and you won’t cripple yourself trying to walk on them.

Tip 5: Belt Up. No matter how wide your waist is you will have a thinnest point and this is where the belt should go on every outfit you wear. Corset belts are ideal for pulling in a bit of a tummy and adding emphasis just where you want it so have some fun experimenting with different sizes, thicknesses and designs.

With summer around the corner it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to protect your skin and keep it as youthful looking as possible. Regardless of how old you are, it’s never too early to start thinking about anti-aging products. It’s much easier to prevent the signs of aging than it is to fix them after they appear so you need to use a good range of quality products that cover a variety of skin needs.

My first recommendation is Dermalogica AGE Smart Skin Resurfacing Cleanser. This super-intensive cleanser does exactly what it says on the tin by retexturing skin and accelerating skin cell renewal. This product would work well for anyone who is a bit late jumping on the anti-aging bandwagon as it continuously improves the look and softness of skin.

Next up in the anti-aging wish list is Dermalogica AGE Smart Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque. This powerful masque enriched with vitamins A, C, E and F is fantastic for promoting healthy tissue regeneration. If you’re quite lazy when it comes to skin care using this masque once a week will help you seriously diminish and deter the signs of aging as well as increase the elasticity of your features.

Lastly, special attention needs to be given to the eye area which is probably the most noticeable area on the face when it comes to aging. Dermalogica AGE Smart Multivitamin Power Firm will noticeably firm up the skin around the eyes and reduce the appearance of lines. With ingredients such as Red Seaweed and Green Tea you can also be sure you’re not putting any nasty chemicals near your eyes!

Aging happens to everyone but with products like these on the market, there’s no reason why every woman shouldn’t make the best of what she has. And as someone swiftly approaching her thirties I think it’s fair to say that there is no better feeling on this planet than when somebody guesses your age a good ten years too low!

As mentioned in my recent post “2009 The Summer of Love: Fashion Goes Far Out” hippy style is going to be massive this summer. Rather than teaming your vintage hippy look with traditional pigtails however you can completely update the look by giving your braids a 2009 twist.

The plaited ‘up do’ works best the day after washing when the hair is a bit more pliable. Start by parting your hair dead centre down the middle. Then take a small section of hair from your bottom layer where the hair is longest and straighten it for a smooth finish.

MTV VJ Vanessa Minnillo was on hand to celebrate the launch of A|X Watches this week, and Napoleon Perdis put together her polished red carpet makeup look. Having been lucky enough to have a Napoleon Perdis makeup artist do my own makeup at New York Fashion Week, I’ve got the inside scoop on how they created her fabulous face.

“Not to prime is a crime!” says Perdis, and I’ve got to agree. For special occasions a primer helps prep your skin for foundation and make all your makeup last longer. Perdis has one of the best primers on the market with their Auto Pilot Primer, but you could also try I-Prime Skin Perfecting Serum for a more affordable option.

Perdis contoured the cheeks with a barely there blush and dusted a champagne powder on the cheeks for a luminous glow. For Vanessa’s sultry eye, charcoal pearly eye shadows were used with black eyeliner and lengthening mascara. On lips, a sand-colored lip pencil was used and a golden, high-shine lip gloss like Bed Head Adult Glitter Lip Gloss.

[Shadow PR]

Poker straight hair may be office-appropriate but nights out are an opportunity to get wavy and wild with your mane. Carrie Bradshaw is possibly the ultimate role model when it comes to the grunge scrunch look and thankfully recreating her unique bouffant is surprisingly simple.

First wash your hair with moisture rich products like Redken Extreme Shampoo and Conditioner. Curly styles can often look quite frizzy so it’s important to lay down the ground work and treat your hair before you style it.

Next towel off most of the moisture and apply a curl enhancer like KMS California Curl Up Curling balm through the roots all the way to the tips of your hair. Not only will this product add extra shine to your hair it will boost any natural waves, kinks and curls for an ultra-textured look.

Once you’ve applied your curl enhancer tip your head upside down and blow dry. Use your hands to scrunch your hair under the heat to create a messy, textured style. Once your hair is dry apply a smoothing serum such as GHD Polishing Serum. Run your fingers through your hair to separate curls and get a more defined finish.

If you want a slightly neater look use your straightening irons at the roots and tip to give a softer Jennifer Aniston-Style tousled look and you’ll be ready to go. Since everyone else will have spent hours in front of the mirror straightening their hair to the n^th degree you are sure to stand out for all the right reasons with your rebellious, wild child locks.

No matter how much time you spend getting ready on a morning it’s unrealistic to expect your hair and make-up to stay pristine all day long. To aid you in your quest to feeling fresh I’ve put together a list of the top 5 beauty must-haves no handbag should be without.

Must-Have 1: The Hair Brush. It sounds like a basic thing to carry but you’d be surprised how many women don’t bother with a brush to keep their main tamed all day long. I recommend the GHD Air Brush as it doesn’t create static regardless of how many times you run it through your hair.

Must-Have 2: Concealer. Blemishes don’t stop developing just because you’ve finished your make up routine so keep a concealer like Bed Head Wipe Out Fixx-it Stick handy to cover up dark circles and spots the moment they rear their unwelcome heads.

Must-Have 3: Lip Gloss. Carrying a pot of Vaseline in your bag simply isn’t good enough. It may give you a nice gloss but it doesn’t do anything to moisturise. Trade in your lip salve for a moisturising gloss like Bed Head Shine Junkie Lip Gloss that offers colour and a soothing treatment for a totally pucker pout!

Must-Have 4: Serum. Pollution and the elements can dry out hair in a flash so keep an end-quenching serum like Mop Organic Glisten Shine Drops in your handbag to keep your locks looking luscious all day long.

Must-Have 5: Hand Cream. I’ve said it before and I’ve said it again, hands are one of the most obvious give-aways about your age so use a rich hand cream like SkinTruth Hand Treatment Cream to keep your digits looking like a million dollars.

Treats for Feet by BradshawsCloset on Polyvore.com

Usually when we feel down or even if we just want to reward ourselves for a hard week’s work, us girls love to take solace in shoe shops…or at least I do. As the papers keep telling us however there is an economic downturn going on and although I hate to admit it the time has come to seek out a more purse-friendly reward scheme. And here they are in all their glory, the top 5 low budget treats for your feet!

Treat 1: The DIY Foot Rub. Get your toes tingling with a revitalizing foot massage. Smooth a few drops of Skin Truth Massage Oil onto your fingertips and work your hands in small circles from heel to toe paying particular attention to the balls of your feet which are constantly under pressure.

Treat 2: Replenish Your Sole(s). The average woman walks just over 5000 steps a day. I’m not great with maths but over a lifetime that’s going to add up so to cushion the blow why not invest in some new soles for your shoes? Not only will it make walking much more comfortable in those killer heels but without the constant strain your feet will look and feel much better.

Treat 3: Soak It Up. If you want to relax tired or sore feet, try Skin Truth Pedicure Foot Soak. This product is made with plant extracts and essential oils that are perfect for improving skin texture and tone.

Treat 4: Tip-Top Toe Condition. Keep your toes in tip-top condition by using a product like Skin Truth Pedicure Foot & Leg Lotion on a daily basis. The moisturising agents will protect against damage from the elements and the unique cooling effect this product has on your skin makes it the perfect holiday take-away.

Treat 5: Polish It Off. You may not be able to afford a new shade of shoe but nail polishes are traditionally much less expensive. First round off the nail using a file and then apply two coats of an on-trend nail shade such as coral or electric blue. All you have to do then is team your new nails with your favourite pair of strappy sandals to show off your handy-work and your dedication to the Recessionista charge!