Graciegriffin's Blog about Women Style

The only thing worse than a hangover from too many happy hour margs is a hangover from too many happy hour tacos. Not one to go the alka-seltzer route, I have stood by a trick my mother used when I would get a tummy ache (mostly from sneaking food into my room after dinner): A teaspoon of sugar and cinnamon and BOOM — instant relief. This is definitely the spice I monitor the most in my spice rack; I never want to be en-route to work and realize that I’m going to be plagued with eery stomach noises all day, while I pretend to cough over the embarrassing sound.

Last year, I tried cinnamon in a DIY face mask for the first time. It wasn’t long before my trusty stomach reliever made its way from the kitchen to the bathroom. Cinnamon became my mom away from home, curing tummy aches, gaishing my French Toast, and swiftly healing my acne.

For centuries, South Asian natives have used the bark of this evergreen to cure infection and disease, harvesting only twice a year. The main chemical found in the cinnamomom tree is cinnamaldahyde which has unique antimicrobial properties that your pores will want to sip on for days, because it helps kill microorganisms that often live under our skin.

Packed with fiber, calcium, and iron, cinnamon has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties; the antiseptic elements will clean and heal those blemishes fast without drying out your skin. The combination of all these components make this ideal for skin and hair care. Now that’s what’s up!

Ready to start purchasing cinnamon in bulk for a multitude of health benefits? These are just a few reasons why I gots to have my cinnamon.

Lip Plumper

I may have lucked out with some beauty genes, but it was my sister who got the plump beautiful lips. If you live in constant envy of Kerry Washington’s supple pout and guiltily shell out cash for failed lip plumping products, this recipe will have you smooching confidently this summer. Dilute your cinnamon in castor oil and apply directly onto your lips. Allow the mixture to settle for up to 2 minutes and add another layer of castor oil. Bonus: Castor is an amazing moisturizer, so you’re likely to have soft plump lips that last throughout the day.

Acne Spot Treatment

This is one of my favorite recipes to zap zits. When it’s time for my monthly visitor and I’ve got mood swings like whoa, the last thing I need to be dealing with are these new pimples that are all up in my T-Zone. In a small container, add a teaspoon of both nutmeg and cinnamon to raw honey and watch your blemishes decrease oveight. Raw honey and nutmeg both have natural anti-inflammatory properties that will decrease the swelling of your pimple. You’ll also cash in on the benefits of raw honey by balancing your skins pH level! No fretting for those allergic to nuts, nutmeg is a seed with a misleading name.

Cinnamon Foot Scrub

Nothing feels better than prancing around barefoot at the beach or at the park during the summer time. It’s definitely the best reward for keeping our feet cramped up in snug boots all winter. Whether you had a hard day at the beach or at work, treat yourself to a foot scrub! Here’s my favorite recipe for a nice cinnamon foot scrub:

1/2 cup of shea butter

1 tablespoon of cinnamon

1 tablespoon of raw unbleached sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (or an essential oil of your choice)

Start by heating your raw shea butter for additional healing and moisture, without bringing to a boil. Once your shea butter has hardened slightly, add the essential oil and equal parts of cinnamon and raw unbleached sugar. Whip this bad boy up nicely, and if you want a grainier content, feel free to add more cinnamon and sugar! Once you’ve resisted the urge to devour your new foot scrub, apply directly onto your feet and chill for about 15 minutes. Rinse well and enjoy those soft feet!

Curious about purchasing cinnamon as an essential oil? Check out some additional health benefits on Organic Fact’s website. They seriously know their stuff!

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Finally, the time to bare a little more sole is upon us, as blue skies tempt us into summer sandals. This season, there is, perhaps, more choice than ever before, thanks to the resurgence of the “fugly” designs, that we never thought would see the light of day again, yet now plan on buying in all available colours.

Ida Petersson, senior footwear buyer at Net-a-Porter, says: “Whereas high and mid-heel sandals have long ruled the runways, it was evident that with the move away from the platform and very high-heeled pumps, the same would happen on the sandal front.” And so it has. From pool slides to Birkenstocks, flip-flops to espadrilles, all flat, and all boasting comfort and practicality, this summer there is a sandal for every occasion.

. . .

Slides

What? Flat sandals featuring just one wide band, or two crossed, that you simply slide your foot into.

Who? Christopher Kane was the first to bring pool slides to the runway with his spring/summer collection in 2012.

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Where? Everywhere. Marc Jacobs has the simplest design, even if it is metallic, Newbark offers exotic skins and Adidas’s version in rubber features its signature trio of stripes.

How? The simple shape lends itself to endless looks, complementing a mannish trouser shape as well as a short dress. Embellished or in gold, they also lend themselves to evening wear as a welcome alteative to a strappy heel.

. . .

Deluxe Birkenstocks

What? These have been inspired by the resurgence of Birkenstocks, a once ridiculed brand, formerly the choice of global travellers, the more mature, and those with orthopaedic issues. Though the flats with a moulded sole and buckles are still not conventionally pretty, they are cool, and would arguably win sandal of the season.

Who? Céline’s Phoebe Philo paid luxury homage to Birkenstocks last year, and this season Givenchy offers a flattering tribute with floral or metallic designs that have been strong sellers.

Where? While the original is best, every high street store has suitably inspired versions.

How? They must always look box fresh as anything less takes them too close to their hippie roots. Perfect with a cropped boyfriend jean or trouser, to flatter ankles.

. . .

Artisan espadrilles

What? The espadrille has risen from its origins as peasant footwear and crossed into the luxury market. This is not about the yummy mummy wedged espadrille but the flat, which is far more contemporary.

Who? This is a shoe with soul, thanks to Toms, which, for every pair of simple gap-year friendly espadrilles it sells, donates a pair of shoes to a child in need.

Where? Footwear designer Tabitha Simmons has collaborated with Toms on a collection, and has also launched her own colourful artisan version. Meanwhile, Chanel’s logoed pairs have been consistently selling out since they were introduced, and now go for up to £650 on eBay.

How? While drawstring linen pants are an obvious teammate, be more adventurous and wear with soft slouchy tailoring in an ode to the English countryside as seen through the eyes of designer Margaret Howell.

. . .

Hiking sandals

What? With all those straps, Velcro and thick rubber soles, these are not the daintiest summer shoes. However, just like their practical but unfashionable cousin, the Teva, they promise to be the comfiest, and they can deal with tough terrains, though an actual hike might be pushing it.

Who? Marc Jacobs and Prada have both made them an unlikely must-have, by recreating them in velvet or covering them in crystals.

Where? This is a sandal of extremes. You can opt for Balenciaga’s hiking-friendly version or choose Nicholas Kirkwood’s embroidered creations.

How? As the sportier style of the season, it is the perfect playful punctuation to casual day separates.

. . .

Jellies

What? When we were children, these brightly coloured plastic shoes were ideal for racing around on beaches, without a care for what lay beneath. We grew out of them and they were forgotten, until this season . . . 

Who? They have made a number of appearances on the catwalk and high street but it’s shoe designer Sophia Webster who has made us love them all over again with her styles in sugary shades.

Where? Topshop and Asos have an array of jellies but grown-ups should head for Valentino. Its Rockstud collection features “jellies”, though they may not be so beach friendly.

How? Avoid dressing like a child, so steer clear of Peter Pan collars, bows and polka dots.

. . .

Flip-flops

What? The flip-flop needs little introduction but they do need a little bit of loving. Considered a beach holiday essential but often only picked up as a panic purchase at the airport.

Who? The traditional design is as popular as ever but this season they have been upgraded to delicate evening accessory, complete with beading, chains, studding and crystals.

Where? Havaianas, the original flip-flop brand, is the place to go for a daytime choice but Proenza Schouler, Giuseppe Zanotti and Aquazzurra all have fancy after dark alteatives.

How? Take your lead from the flip-flops; if they are simple, then let your outfit mirror that. If they are a little more special, feel free to create a look that matches them.

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Staying out in the sun for too long without the adequate protections often leads to sunbu and your dried out skin may even begin to peel. If you plan on keeping your skin intact, find out how to care for it in order to prevent the peeling process, which can sometimes leave ugly scars behind.

Stop wondering how to prevent sunbu from peeling and discover the right type of products for your skin and the natural remedies that can help you out.

1. Don’t Scratch or Pick

The best advice ever given regarding peeling skin is to make a focused effort to avoid scratching it or picking at it. That sounds simple, but you really need to do your best in order to avoid damaging your skin further with your fingeails.

Leave your skin alone to help it heal faster and avoid scarring.

2. Cool Your Skin

Making sure that your skin isn’t itchy and inflamed is the next step. There are plenty of ways to cooling your skin to prevent sunbu from peeling. You can take a cold shower or bath, or even apply ice packs. Forget about rubbing your skin with towels, and find the softest one you can before gently patting it dry after a cool soak.

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3. Moisturize Well

Using your summer moisturizer on sunbued skin or even your rich one for cold weather is a bad idea. What you need is a special lotion for sunbu. Most of them contain aloe vera that gives a cooling sensation when applied to the skin and it also prevent itching, which leads to scratching and more peeling.

4. Apply Aloe Vera Gel

Using aloe vera gel directly is an even better solution when you’re looking for answers on how to prevent sunbu from peeling. Its anti-inflammatory properties may not help your skin heal faster, but they will relieve most symptoms on sunbu and leave your skin feeling colder, while also preventing any infections.

5. Take Antioxidant Supplements

Another way to prevent sunbu from peeling is to load up on antioxidants. Even if your diet includes plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, you should also start taking oral supplements, vitamin C and vitamin E when you plan on sun bathing or simply being out in the sun. Vitamin E also helps in the form of topical ointments when you’ve got sunbu and peeling is just around the coer.

6. Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Whether you’re pouring a cup of apple cider vinegar into your bath or making a 50-50 solution with water and spraying directly on your skin, this natural remedy always helps. Restoring the skin’s natural pH balance is a good answer to the question of how to prevent sunbu from peeling and that’s just what apple cider vinegar does.

7. Try An Oatmeal Bath

An even more moisturizing and soothing bath includes oatmeal, lavender (dried buds or a few drops of essential oil) and Epsom salts. Put the plain natural oatmeal into a big coffee filter or a piece of muslin, and drop it in the hot bathwater. Wait for it to cool down before soaking.

8. Aspirin

A good way to fight sunbu symptoms, aspirin can also prevent sunbu from peeling. Take it three times a day when you’re out in the sun for an even better preventive effect.

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9. Try a Baking Soda Bath

Another way to help your skin avoid the ugly peeling process is to use baking soda in your bathwater. Dissolve 3/4 cup of baking soda into warm water, then step in when it’s cooled off a bit and enjoy it’s beneficial effect on your skin.

10. Stay Hydrated

Making sure you’re never dehydrated is another useful tip on how to prevent sunbu from peeling. That doesn’t mean all liquids help. Water, along with fruits and vegetables with a high water content, are the right way to go, while caffeinated, carbonated and sugary drinks are best lest for later.

11. Avoid Rough Fabrics

Use your softest sheets, towels and clothes when your skin looks like it might start peeling. With rough fabrics touching your skin, the risk of peeling and scratching is much higher.

12. Cut Peeling Skin

If you didn’t know how to prevent sunbu from peeling in time and your skin is already flaky, do not peel it off. Instead, use scissors to cut off just the detached sections, without peeling further. Use an antibacterial ointment on any area where you forcefully peeled your skin off.

A long stairway sweeps up to an imposing minimalist chapel with the word "Balenciaga" lit up above the entrance. After the audience sits down inside, a bevy of the industry's leading models walk the runway in a revised spring-summer 2014 showcase, featuring pieces from the Paris show as well as a capsule collection of 13 new designs for this Balenciaga China Edition event at the Chinese Academy of Oil Painting in Beijing.

The new pieces, by creative director Alexander Wang, include mesh cropped tops with a lacquered effect paired with basque-style shorts embroidered with foliage motifs. Six new black-and-white cocktail outfits were added, the dress that morphed into a cape, a baby doll robe and a skirt and top combination - all reflecting the strictness, purity and volume play of Cristóbal Balenciaga's original aesthetic but injected with Wang's signature sportiness and easy, urban chic.

The show, held on May 15, was short but contained a specific mash-up of commercially appealing looks from the season, with fresh ideas inspired by the original principles of the house interpreted by the talented young designer.

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"It's the first time the brand has done an event in China, so I felt it was important to tell the story in chapters … and highlight and select the most significant parts of the story," says a smiling Wang from a suite in the Opposite House hotel in Sanlitun.

Staged on the grounds of the academy and curated by Wang, the China Edition Exhibition comprised more than 40 seminal archival pieces - Cristóbal Balenciaga's own designs - that marked the invention of several foundation ready-to-wear shapes, such as the designer's famous cocoon coat, the first high fashion trapeze baby doll dress, his tunic dress and deconstructed suiting.

"When people first look at what I've previously done and his [Balenciaga's] work, the parallels aren't obvious," says Wang. Although some critics lauded his first three collections for the label, others are still unsure. Much has been made of Wang's youth (he is only 30 years old), his Americanism and own label, which is rooted in a mode, androgynous, urban and, at times sporty, aesthetic. But dig deeper and there are unexpected links.

"What you have to look beyond is that, although Cristóbal's designs were so radical and directional, he was always interested in dressing women around him and on the street," says Wang.

"He was interested in giving women that liberty. Look at the way the body interacted with the clothes. His clothes weren't just meant to be in a museum, they were really meant to be wo. And when you think about the period and the way women dressed then, he really reflected their lifestyle."

For Wang, despite not having a haute couture background, Cristóbal Balenciaga's idea of wearability and freedom is "something that I relate to". Wang was surprised when he was tapped to take over the label after Nicholas Ghesquière's tenure ended. .

"I was quite satisfied with what I was doing, and so immersed in my own label. I said that if I was to do something else, it would have to be something completely different … and this was that. Balenciaga really opened up a mind space for me that was very liberating."

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"The brand existed before me and will exist after me and the name on the door is Balenciaga - I'm here to tell another story and to evolve it."

Fronting a couture house, founded by "the king of couturiers", is no easy task for a mode designer. For Wang, being able to work with "an archive, a history and heritage" was very appealing. He delved into the rich back catalogue of the founder's designs, but has added his own distinctive take to it.

His first season for the label (autumn-winter 2013) paid homage to the fundamentals of Cristóbal Balenciaga.

"We wanted to take the essence and filter it through the idea of creating a wardrobe," he says, "the form, the silhouette and certain ideas of austerity and purity."

The second season, spring-summer 2014, which he showed in Beijing "was about bringing about more fluidity and lightness" to the established principles of the house.

"There were sports references, of course," he quips, "but done in a Balenciaga way, all hand-braided leather, circle skirts, these sheer whispering silhouettes of a sack dress with hand-pleated embroidered bodices undeeath."

At the latest (autumn-winter 2014) womenswear show, Wang wanted to find a neat parallel between his own start in design, which was knitwear, and what he felt was absent in Balenciaga. The result: "innovative knitwear done in a very sculptural way with a lot of emphasis on silhouette and form".

There might be more similarities between Wang and Cristóbal Balenciaga than are initially apparent. Both designers focus heavily on the exploration of new fabrications and technical innovations. Balenciaga famously invented many of his own fabrics, and Wang has been at the forefront in this respect.

"In a certain sense everything has been done in terms of design … a silhouette is a silhouette, and where the newness comes from is the technology behind the textiles and fabrication. Its something that I've always enjoyed but might not have had the opportunity to do to the highest level of luxury."

Efforts to get Wang to define the identity of this new Balenciaga woman in a sound bite are likely to fail.

"I have to say though, I hate answering questions about 'who is this [Balenciaga] woman?' because the great thing about telling the story in Beijing today versus doing the show in Paris is that there isn't one type of woman," he says.

Wang does not design around a particular fictional muse, rather allowing the process and ideas to drive the evolution of a collection. The way people dress today is much more mixed, where high and low fashions are frequently found in the same outfit. And Wang celebrates this versatility in fashion, finding inspiration in the women around him who dress with fewer boundaries.

"It isn't just black and white. There are days when they want to wear T-shirts, others when they dress up - it is about that versatility and freedom. And that's part of our culture and society now … This idea of hierarchy and a class system is dated and that way of dressing is dated, to wear one brand or price point head-to-toe."

It's this fresh perspective that Wang is keen to bring to French high fashion. Of course, there may be some resistance, but there is no denying fashion is moving in this direction.

Although challenges are inevitable, Wang is in a highly enviable position. Apart from the Balenciaga role, he is one of America's leading names in fashion, front and centre in the band of New York designers making waves in the marketplace. His own lines (Alexander Wang and casual label T by Alexander Wang) and his accessories label are booming; and all this at the age of 30. How does he manage to do it all, especially working between Paris and New York, with additional shows, interviews and events in places like Beijing and Tokyo?

"Logistically, yes, it is hard to balance," he says. "I mean, with men's, women's, pre-collections and accessories, it is a lot and I think it's taught me so much about discipline and focus."

Being a hands-on designer and heavily involved in the entire brand experience, it can be hard for Wang to let some things go. "What I've leaed and enjoyed about the whole process is that you can't just be isolated in the creative process. In today's industry and business - because it is a business at the end of the day - you have to interact, delegate and collaborate."

It may require a tad more attention to detail, but with care just about anybody can wear white at just about any time of the day or year.

We asked celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe to weigh in on white, with an eye toward women not convinced it can be a wardrobe staple:

AP: We all have a Little Black Dress, but can the Little White Dress or outfit be just as versatile?

ZOE: Absolutely! I treat white the same way I treat black, unless I'm with my children. I would so much rather see a pop of white. It's so much happier. I love it all year round.

AP: Are some women afraid of wearing white? Should they be? Is it perceived as too bridal for every day?

ZOE: I wouldn't recommend necessarily wearing a long white flowy dress to a wedding. But on a daily basis, a white sundress, or white denim. I love white denim. I love a crisp pair of high-waisted white trousers with a T-shirt or just a button up. It's so chic. I love a white suit. By day it's not bridal at all.

AP: Is it just as easy to go from day to evening in white as it is in black?

ZOE: Yes, absolutely. I think it's as easy wearing a white dress in the evening. It's amazing. I love it with a messy top knot and a bright lip. It's great.

AP: Can all body types and ages wear white?

ZOE: It certainly goes across all age groups, so the answer is definitely yes for that. For body types, there's no doubt that black is more slimming than white, but I don't think you should shy away from white because of your body type. There's ways to wear it. There's a lot of variables. There's different silhouettes.

AP: How do you figure out which shade of white works best?

ZOE: You choose your white based on skin tone. Optic white is much brighter and it sometimes has like a pink undertone or a blue undertone or a gray undertone. But then there's also creamy white and eggshell and winter white. Those whites tend to be a bit warmer. I think we don't get sick of white. It's not a trendy color.

AP: Where do you stand on wearing white after Labor Day? It seems many women still adhere to that taboo.

ZOE: I go the other way. I wear white all year. I wear it in the dead of winter, all shades of white.

AP: What is your best advice for wearing white, for women who might be intimidated by the color?

ZOE: You have to try. You have to experiment and see what works best for you. It's always about what's your favorite part of your body and always accentuate that part. Obviously white is much less forgiving and typically white shows more. People are scared their skin is too pale, you know, white is not good on their skin, but there IS a white for everybody.

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It’s a sad truth: the more product you add into your hair in attempts to get it looking perfect, the more often you’ll be tasked with washing it and risk damaging your mane that keeps you looking so fabulous. Throughout my years, I’ve tried to avoid most styling products and gels, fearful of getting white, goop-y build-up in my hair. Eventually, the humidity gets to me and I start longing for something that can give my curls a natural boost without slopping chemicals onto my strands. After all, most pricey styling agents have more ingredients than the indestructable Twinkie.

So, aloe vera has become my ultimate summertime hair-saver. Aloe has been used for ages, becoming more popular in 17th century Europe to treat wounds. Easily grown in most climates, the aloe plant stores water in its peculiar spike-shaped leaves, which makes it an awesome natural moisturizer. Regardless of how oily or dry your hair usually feels, I can guarantee you that your locks love water, making aloe an ideal addition to your hair-care regimen.

Rich in protein lectin, amino acids, iron, calcium and potassium, aloe vera has a natural pH level of 4.5-5.5 — and having a neutralized pH level in your scalp enhances cellular regeneration which is key to keeping your locks flowing nice and long. Because aloe is anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial, it also has amazing healing properties that are help restore the scalp to its natural, flake-free condition. As a bonus, aloe is well known as being an anti-cancer agent.

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This “plant of mortality” gives astounding results in skin, injuries, cancer, and hair treatment. Aloe is amazing for decreasing fizz (and we need it, because the humidity is a comin’!), improves detangling and exfoliates dead skin cells. If you’re looking for a natural product that you can utilize from head to toe — this is it!

Lemon and Aloe Treatment to Prevent Oily Hair

I definitely write a lot about restoring moisture into the scalp and hair follicles but let’s not forget about the oily build-up from products, rogue hair-treatments gone wrong, and over-active sebum producers in your scalp. Aloe, when combined with the right partner, can prevent your tresses from appearing oily and limp. Try mixing one part lemon juice to two parts aloe vera together in bowl. Leave this calming potion on your hair for about ten minutes before you shower, then rinse thoroughly when you hop in. You’ll start to notice you can go longer in between shampoos.

Coconut and Aloe Conditioner to Promote Hair Growth

Aloe has the ability to get rid of dead skin cells and restore pH levels so, when paired with coconut oil, which also has a ton of healthy elements that support healthy hair, this conditioner will be like a godsend for your strands. Using equal parts liquefied coconut and aloe, mix together to form a mask, then massage onto freshly washed hair and scalp. If you are looking for natural hair growing remedies after radiation and chemotherapy, this has definitely been proven to help, but be sure to speak to your doctor first: aloe contains various vitamin Bs that may not work for everyone’s current medical treatment.

Styling Agent

When using aloe as a styling product, you’ll get great control over crazy-curly tresses, plus be giving your hair some seriously needed TLC. For best results, get a spray bottle and filled it up with equal portions of aloe juice and water to spritz whenever your strands are looking a little fried. For even more control over fly-aways and frizz, adjust the proportions by adding more aloe until you get your perfect formula. This is a recipe you can play around with based on your hair type and how much protein your locks can tolerate.

About that aloe life? Save some serious dough and ensure you get the highest quality of aloe by growing your own!

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The opening ceremony of Cannes Film festival 2014 was a less glamorous event than usual. Every year, most of the celebrities expected to attend Cannes are present at the opening ceremony. However, we have the celebrities trooping in leisurely on their own time this year. The Day 2 of Cannes 2014 was a very glamorous one considering Cate Blanchett made her appearance today. As usual, the Oscar winner for this year pulled a stellar gown out of her wardrobe for the occasion.

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Cate Blanchett was at the Cannes 2014 Chopard party in a stunning Valentino gown. Needless to say that Cate Blanchett looked out of the world in this amazing gown that is certainly a Valentino Pre Fall 2014. The sheer gown gave have the tall and slender Australian beauty a majestic quality. The grey gown had intricate silver work and embellishments.

Cate Blanchett's Cannes 2014 gown had floral pattes embroidered in silver throughout. The short sleeves and raised collar gave a statuesque look to the outfit. Cate Blanchett pulled her hair up for a simple but classic hair do that went perfectly with her metallic gown. As it was a Chopard party for Cannes Film festival 2014, Cate Blanchett wore Chopard diamond jewels while giving away the trophies. Cate Blanchett has had a long history of wearing awesome gowns from Valentino. In fact, the year she won her first Oscar way back in 2005, Cate Blanchett had wo a yellow silk gown from the Italian designer that was described as 'one of the best gown ever wo on the red carpet'. That gown is still among the most iconic Valentino gowns till date. So Cate Blanchett's Cannes 2014 is right up there with the best she has given us. Let us hope some more of these gorgeous looks from her as Cannes Film festival 2014 spans out over the next 2 weeks.

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Times are hard. Taxes (or levies, in Abbott-speak) and bills are going up. It's time to tighten our belts and look for ways to save.

What can you do? Putting pre-tax dollars into super is smart, though a bit boring, as is taking a flask of coffee to work each day and quitting expensive vices (like buying coffees). What else? Well, how about cutting your own hair?

It makes sense – it can't be too tricky, surely? You might miss the free drinks and chit-chat that goes with a regular trip to the barber's, but think of the expense. It all adds up. And there are lots of fancy clippers out there that look like they could cut your hair and make you a decent latte into the bargain.

But maybe haircuts, along with the rest of the way you present yourself, are something we should be spending more on, not less. No one wants to look like dead wood when the next round of corporate tree trimming begins.

As one hair expert put it, “Sewing machines are cheap enough, too … why don't you buy yourself one of those and make yourself some nice shirts for work?” Good point.

But just how hard can it be to do your own hair? Not very, say some. Mrs Man Scape was admiring the very on-trend side-swept style of a friend's 12-year-old son, which had superseded a longish flick.

“I did it last night,” confessed the lad's mum. “Neither of us could be bothered going to a hairdresser. I just kept chopping and trimming till it looked right. There was plenty of hair so there was room for mistakes. And actually, it wasn't difficult.”

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So it can be done and, the people at electrical goods maker Philips tell me, you can do it yourself. They proclaim their most advanced clipper provides “even more styling choices and control for the mode man” with titanium blades that cut hair twice as fast as regular clippers.

More to the point, the HairClipper Series 7000 is $130 and comes with a five-year guarantee. If you got yourself one (or one of many similar devices), a comb and some scissors, you could wave goodbye to barbering expenses for the rest of the decade.

But the hair professionals of Australia tell me it's not that simple. One top barber was, his people told me, “not comfortable encouraging people to cut their hair at home”.

They've obviously got their livelihoods to think of. But it's not just business talking - they just don't think you'll end up looking as good.

American Crew's education manager, Phoenix Thomson, doesn't pull any punches when I ask her about DIY cuts.

“I don't think any man should cut their hair at home,” she says, bluntly.

“Clipper technology is definitely advanced. But unfortunately they haven't created a clipper that can actually create a lean, tall and masculine shape on your head for you.

“A professional knows what they are doing, and that is the difference. A good barber is skilled enough to blend and tweak the problem areas of your hair and give you a long-lasting, sharp-looking finish.”

Surely there are some styles that lend themselves to a DIY approach? Bald all over, obviously, but are there any other cuts that can be pulled off by a gifted amateur? “A buzz cut, maybe? That really is all,” Thomson says.

“DIY haircuts are never going to exaggerate your cheek bones and jawline. And you can't get to the bottom of your neck to create a tapered hairline, or shave your own neck with a cutthroat razor to create a nice, clean hairline.”

She concedes clippers can be used in other hairy areas – the chin, for instance. “A good barber and hairdresser can give you some strong pointers to help guide you through your DIY beard trim at home.”

So get some clippers if you like and use them on any of your wiry hair areas. But when it comes to your crowning glory, it might be best to stick with the experts and hang the expense.

As a Korean-American growing up in North Texas, Sally Oh soaked up the culture and southe hospitality of the Lone Star State.

So much so that the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) apparel design student based her senior thesis, a clothing collection called Oyerin, on the blend between her Korean and Texan heritages.

“I really enjoy designing women’s wear,” Oh said. “Something that sets myself apart from other designers is [the] woman [I design for] is real. … My customer is just like me. I really enjoy wearing athletic wear and comfortable, nice clothing. That ties into what my senior thesis is about – being a Korean-American, or Korean-Texan actually, and combining elements of luxury and comfort.”

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On Saturday, Oh’s hard work will pay off as her collection comes to life in Collection 14, RISD’s annual runway fashion show. The event is judged by a panel of notable industry critics, including Nicole Miller, Peter Som, Robert Geller and Laird Borrelli.

“Sally is working on a hybrid sportswear-come-evening arrangement,” said Antonio Ciutto, associate professor at RISD. “It’s very edgy and street, and made of rich silks and luxury special fabrics. They’re very wearable. They’re very Sally. She seems to be working with a similar person in mind as herself. There’s an Asian and an American influence.”

Bo in Seoul, Korea, Oh’s family immigrated to the Dallas area when she was a baby. When she’s not at school, Oh makes her home in Plano, often frequenting the Shops at Legacy and NorthPark Center.

“I think Texas culture is very specific,” Oh said. “My brother actually played football in high school and at Dartmouth, so I was very much into that Texas lifestyle and loving football. I went to Dallas Art Studio since I was 3 years old, and art is just something I’ve always had a passion for.

“I think this year what really helped me discover what kind of designer I want to be was thinking about what kind of woman I want to design for. My customer is a really sophisticated, classy woman who enjoys luxury but always wants to be comfortable.”

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Oh said she plans on landing a job in New York after graduation, but her dream is to work for Céline or Stella McCartney, her fashion idols, in Europe.

“My favorite designer is definitely Céline,” she said. “I love how it’s so feminine, but has so many masculine elements too. It’s mode, elegant and form-flattering as well. I also love Stella McCartney. She’s eco-friendly and beautiful.”

Many of the outfits from the Oyerin collection, which is Oh’s Korean name, are based on the hanbok, a traditional Korean dress similar to the Japanese kimono.

“A lot of the colors and lines that are specific to that particular dress are in my senior thesis,” she said. “If you pull up pictures of the hanbok and my collection, you’ll see it in the neckline. It’s very loose, and the purpose of that is to make the woman look very modest. It covers the curves and parallels to athletic wear, because athletes and girls enjoy wearing oversized shirts and shorts because they’re comfortable. In Texas, I always walk around in shorts and big shirts, but I still want to be comfortable and luxurious.”

Ciutto said 30 graduating seniors will have collections in Saturday’s runway show. Most have been working on their thesis since October, but Ciutto said Oh’s style took a new tu in January.

“She’s a hard worker and a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s been a pleasure to teach her. She’s been kind of one of the rocks in the class. It’s been a good, positive energy the entire time.”

Less than a year after graduating from design school, Miriam Baker has sewn up a victory at the TFI New Labels contest, eaing a $25,000 cash prize.

The 27-year-old was awarded the top honour Monday night for her AliceAzur line at the annual competition for emerging designers organized by the Toronto Fashion Incubator.

Toronto-based contemporary dress and separates brand Christopher Paunil, swimwear designer Ashley Boutcher of Nomad of the Sun and ethically conscious designer Laura Siegel rounded out the list of New Labels finalists.

TFI is a non-profit, small business centre that offers support and mentorship to budding Canadian fashion designers and entrepreneurs. The organization’s concept has been adopted by cities worldwide, including New York, London, Paris, Milan, Melboue, Auckland and Amsterdam

In addition to the $25,000 cash award from TFI supporter and philanthropist Suzanne Rogers, Baker will also receive a full-page editorial feature in Flare Magazine and a lookbook of their collection provided by partners CoverGirl and Pantene.

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Baker’s line feature a slickly tailored range of ladylike looks showcasing black, white and cream with vibrant pops of pink. The collection included sleek sheaths, lush coats and a long, elegant black cape adoed with a pink lining, while circle skirts in tweed, grey check and textured organza offered a mode twist on retro styles. Eyelets added richness and texture to ultrafeminine dresses in shorter mini styles and longer tea-length hemlines.

Baker said she drew inspiration from a friend’s wedding held last summer on an estate in Hampshire, England.

“It was just the memories and the nostalgia and the colours and the flowers. It was just all so beautiful and vintage,” said Baker. “But what I was really trying to do was tailored womenswear, specifically to accommodate a larger bust.

“I find that the clothes on the market right now, they’re not suitable for women who are larger than a C (cup) and I really wanted to make things that would fit more women, and that’s really what AliceAzur is about.

Baker pulled together her winning collection while working full-time in retail. She operated out of the labs at Ryerson University in Toronto where she graduated last June. She is hoping to use her new windfall to start production on her line and to develop a full size range, which includes creating clothes to accommodate women with larger busts.

Baker said her favourite label is Escada for their embrace of femininity and use of colour — something she wants to inject in her own line.

“I think in general people don’t use enough colour,” she said. “(I’d like to see) more colour, more feminine cuts, more things that really flatter curves and help women feel great about their bodies.”

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