The Central Line

Seen across the SS13 catwalks, as well as a host of famous faces, including Olivia Palermo and Cara Delevigne, a centre parting is a classic style, that suits most faces, which will have you looking on trend in minutes.

For hair that is finer and flatter, it's a good idea to invest in a thickening spray to add some volume to your locks. Try using Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray on roots and then roughly drying hair with a dryer for extra texture.

But if you'd rather a more glam, sophisticated style, then keep hair striaght and wear it down or in a low ponytail or bun. I would recommend using a serum like Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax Smoothing Serum to keep frizz at bay and minimise flyaways.

Duck & Waffle

This Monday it was my 20th birthday (eek!) and I was a very lucky girl, being treated to a wonderful day out shopping with my mum, a Sanctuary Spa massage and a scrumptious meal at Duck & Waffle.

I have been wanting to try Duck & Waffle for quite some time now. I first heard about it in the run up to Christmas, when I saw many bloggers dubbing it the restaurant to visit. I also quickly became aware that if I ever wanted to give it a try, then I'd need to book way in advance, as getting a table at Duck & Waffle isn't easy!

The restaurant is situated on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, providing amazing views of London from almost every table. We were lucky enough to have a window booth with views of the Tower of London, Canary Wharf and the Olympic stadium. The atmosphere in D&W is perfectly relaxed and the staff were all extremely polite and friendly. But where Duck & Waffle stands apart from all the rest, is with its food, which is just so tasty and unusual that it doesn't compare to anywhere else I've been to or heard of before.

The menu is quite exotic, in that apart from the steak, I don't think I've ever tried anything on it before! I'll admit, I am a bit of a fussy eater, but am also open to trying new foods. My brother however, is the most stubborn eater ever and even he loved it there. We tried roasted octopus with chorizo, Pollock meatballs in lobster cream and bacon-wrapped dates to start, all of which were incredible - particularly the bacon-wrapped dates. I would never normally try something like that, but the waiters all said we would be crazy not to have them, so in the end we gave them a go and I'm so glad we did!

The idea is that you share your food, sort of like a British tapas. You can choose between smaller plates and plates for the table, all of which arrive as and when they are ready. They recommend that you order 3 or 4 small plates per person or 2 or 3 small and 1 or 2 plates for the table. We had 2 plates for the table and 3 smaller plates, as well as some rosemary bread and olives, between the four of us, but to be honest, we could've done with another big plate really.

For the bigger plates, we had the steak and the duck and waffle, both of which were ah-mazing! The steak was excellently cooked and really succulent, but the duck and waffle was just out of this world. I'd never have thought of putting duck, a fried egg, a waffle and some maple syrup together, but boy did it work! We scoffed it down straight away, not leaving a single scrap behind; it just tasted too good!

When it came to dessert, we all decided to try the crispy fried mars bar because, well, with that on the menu why on earth would you choose anything else?! I have to admit, I've always thought I didn't like mars bars, until recently when I discovered they were actually rather good, I just hadn't ever tried one that was all. However, although they do taste pretty good, once deep fried and served with a side of malted ice-cream, they taste a whole lot better! 

I'm sure you can tell by now that I highly recommend Duck & Waffle. The food is excellent, as are the drinks (you can pretty much order any cocktail you'd like - I got a lovely rose and lychee martini, yum) and it’s well worth the visit for the views alone. But, if you do want to give it a try, then be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment!

You can find out more about Duck & Waffle here

Spring Nail Report: In the Nude

It's Mani Monday again and this week is all about the nude manicure. Now I know what you're thinking, isn't beige just a bit... well, beige? But all it takes is a quick look at the catwalks, which were awash with nude nails, to know that this is a look set to be huge this season.

Think of it like a foundation for your fingers. Wearing skin-tone nail polish is extremely flattering, providing you choose the correct shade. It elongates your fingers, makes your hands look younger and is as versatile as a french manicure when it comes to matching your nails with your outfit.

There are plenty of choices around at the moment, but the best available, in my opinion, are the Mannequin Hands polishes by Revlon. This is not only because of their gel-like texture that helps prevent chipping, but also because they cater for a wider range of skin types with their 8 different shades.

Just like when it comes to choosing your foundation, getting the right shade is really important. You want to go for a shade that is like your own skin tone but better, which is why it's best to match it to your foundation. Luckily for me, Sandy Nude is a direct match to my foundation, making it the best shade for me.

Don't be tempted to give matte nude nails a try however, as that is when they really do become more drab than fab. It's all about high gloss when wearing neutral colours - you want your nails to stand out rather than blend into your skin.

Tempted? You can find the Revlon Mannequin Hands collection at Boots, Superdrug and Beautymart.co.uk for £7.99 each.

Wardrobe Essential: The Shift Dress

The Sixties is one of those decades that just keeps on giving and it looks set to be a big influence on Spring/Summer '13. Monochrome garments, chequered patterns and shift dresses were all spotted on the SS'13 catwalks and are key trends for this season.

The shift dress, which was spotted on many of the SS'13 catwalks, is a simple 60's shape (that should be worn above the knee) and is an excellent wardrobe essential. Choose a statement print or colour for a bold outfit choice or layer under a jumper for a more casual daytime look. Below are three of my favourites out now, all of which are available from ASOS.

If you're looking to try out monochrome chequers, as seen on the Louis Vuitton catwalk, then this statement ASOS dress is perfect and is a snip at only £40. For those of you that prefer a girlier look and love a bit of pink, head to Whistles to get your hands on this bright frock that's perfect for day-to-night dressing. Or if you're really into bold patterns, then this House of Hackney dress will be right up your street. The gorgeous palm tree pattern is great for summer and will also look great layered under a jumper if you want to start wearing it straight away!

Spring Nail Report: True Blues

Spring is (sort of) here and very soon the sun will hopefully show its face so we can forget our coats and embrace the pretty pastels and sherbet shades that are quintessentially spring. 

This season brings an assortment of nail trends, from fleshy nudes to neon brights, that have been seen not only on the catwalk, but also on many celebs. For the next few weeks, each Monday will become Mani Monday, where I will introduce you to the best polishes available for recreating these trends. 

I thought I'd start the first week with the 'True Blues' trend as it's my most favourite. If you've seen my previous post on the gorgeous 'Celestial' polish by Topshop, then you'll know how much of a fan I am of pastel/cornflour blue nails. 

Pastel shades are always popular for Spring and this season is no different. Aqua blue is the hottest hue for Spring and there are plenty of great polishes out there if you're wanting to get the look. My favourite is Chelsea Physic Garden by Nails Inc*, £11, because it is a brilliant, bright blue that will look fab with a tan. Nails Inc are one of my most trusted nail polish brands because their polishes are quick drying, longer-lasting and come in so many great shades. This particular polish is one of Nails Inc's new limited edition trend shades so you better move fast if you fancy getting your hands on a bottle.

Poolside Chic

With Summer on its way, it's finally acceptable to start thinking about your holiday wardrobe, yay! Here is our roundup of the best beachwear and accessories to help you achieve poolside chic.

This summer, three of the hottest trends in swimwear are stripes, brights and patterns. This 50's inspired highwaisted bikini by Norma Kamal is super flattering, giving the illusion of an hourglass figure, whilst those vertical stripes make you appear taller too, bonus! 

If you're looking for a bikini that will accentuate a tan, then opt for a bright bikini like this one by Norma Kamal. Bright yellow and pinks look just as great with a tan as white does without the worry of it getting grubby or discoloured. 

Patterned bikinis are great for curvier girls, so if you're looking to hide a few lumps and bumps then choose a bikini with a large pattern like this one by Mara Hoffman. You can also mix and match your patterned swimwear by wearing a patterned top with plain bottoms or vice versa. Wherever you wear the pattern is where the eye will be drawn to, taking away attention from your problem area.

And don't forget the accessories! This Wildfox sharing beach towel is perfect for catching some rays with your partner or best friend, or for just relaxing and making the most of the extra room yourself. Add a canvas beach bag, some statement sunglasses and a pair of glam flat sandals and you are all set. Prepare for lots of enviable stares whilst by the pool or beach this summer!

Put Spring in Your Step

Put Spring in your step with these pastel-hued beauties!

The weather may not be great right now, but technically it is Spring and soon enough it should start feeling like it. So get prepared for when the sun does eventually come out and make the most of it in some gorgeous pastel heels like these. 

Clockwise from top left:

Yellow Patent-leather and Raffia Pumps, £445, Miu Miu

Beatris Blue Peep-toe Heels, £225, Brian Atwood

Love Me Heart-Appliqued Leather and Suede Pumps, £990, Charlotte Olympia 

Kitty Heart Detail Heel,  £140, Kurt Geiger

Lya Patent High Heeled Sandals in Mint, £29.99, Missguided

Pierre Hardy LilacSuede Pumps, £560, Net-A-Porter

Brows Masterclass

It may seem odd, but I am often complimented on my eyebrows. I found this rather strange at first, but I have come to realise what a compliment it actually is. Not everyone knows just how important your eyebrows are, but it's time you did as it is your eyebrows that frame your face and make a huge difference in your appearance.

So, for those of you that have asked me for brow advice in the past and for those of you that haven't but are also looking for some useful tips, then here you are!

First Steps:

Even if you are used to tweezing your eyebrows at home, I would recommend getting a good basic shape from the professionals. I had always done mine myself, and still do, but in order to get a truly perfect shape, I went to my local Benefit Brow Bar and had them waxed. This is a largely inexpensive treatment (from what I remember it costs roughly £14) and only needs to be done once to start you off. After that, you can use your tweezers at home to maintain the shape they have created.

If you really need to save some money and want to do it all from home, then grab yourself a pencil and place it alongside your nose. Where the pencil meets your eyebrow is where your eyebrow should begin. Pluck away any hairs on the nose-side of the pencil. Then line your pencil up from the edge of your nose to the corner of your eye; this is where your eyebrow should end. Again, any hairs on the other side of the pencil should be plucked away.

Always remember that bushier, natural looking brows look best. Don't get tweezer-happy and pluck too much away. Yes you can use eyebrow pencil to fill them in, but it just isn't the same and isn't worth the time and effort! Instead remember to just pluck away stray hairs, remembering to never pluck from above the brow, as this is where your natural shape is and will never grow back the same.

The Right Tools:

I highly recommend investing in a good pair of tweezers. If you really want great brows then you will be using them very regularly, if not daily, so they are definitely worth the investment! I use Tweezerman tweezers as I have found them to be the best available. My set includes a slanted pair and a precision pair. Generally, you should use the slanted pair as they are a lot easier to catch hairs in. However, it can also be useful to have a precision pair at hand for some of those more stubborn hairs.

Tweezerman Red Glitter Petite Tweeze Set £33

Above is a red glitter version of the tweezers I use. This set is available at Harrods, but there are plenty of other versions available also.

Defining:

Whether you decide to opt for a pencil or shadow, remember that your brow colour should be about two shades deeper than your natural hair colour. I use Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown to match my naturally dark brown hair. Yes ok, so my hair isn't naturally light and highlighted, it's actually quite dark brown. If it were naturally as light as it is now, then I would be using the Hazel shade instead!

I find eyebrow pencils a lot easier to use - they aren't as messy, last longer and aren't as drying - and this one by Rimmel is inexpensive and does the job well. The important thing to remember when using an eyebrow pencil is that you aren't drawing on your eyebrows, you are simply defining them. This means that you shouldn't be trying to alter the shape of your brows, but should instead be filling any gaps.

Don't draw on using the tip of the pencil, as weird as that may sound. Use the side of the pencil so that you are drawing on in strokes, approximately 10-20 lines for each brow should be enough to define without going overboard. Remember too much is TOO MUCH!

Final Steps:

Most people would think that this is where defining your brows ends... and those people are wrong. After filling your brows, it's now time to comb them. Whilst a lot of pencils come with a brow brush, just like the one I use above, I would recommend steering clear of these. I prefer using disposable mascara wands instead. I know that may sound odd, but they really make a difference. You can pick up a pack very cheaply online and they'll last for ages. Use one every day after defining, just to comb and smooth your brows into shape so that they look all neat and tidy.

I know a lot of magazines etc recommend using a brow gel when combing, but I have to say I find this to be a messy and unnecessary step. If you have extremely unruly brows then it may be necessary to use a little gel, but otherwise, as long as they are well combed, they should be fine. If you do want to use a brow gel then I recommend The Body Shop Brow and Lash Gel, £10.

Again, this step isn't entirely necessary, but if you are looking to go all out, then you can dab some highlighter within the arch of your brow to show off your handiwork. YSL's Touche Eclat, £25 or similar is perfect for the job.

And there we go! That's all my top tips and tricks and hopefully some of those will prove useful for you. It may sound like a lot of effort, but honestly it isn't. Once you've initially sorted them out, then a little daily TLC is all they need and it'll quickly become a part of your beauty routine. And that's the real key to perfect brows, daily management. There isn't a day goes by now that I don't check for stray hairs or use my eyebrow pencil and comb. Ok, so maybe the odd day here and there, but I'm only human!