Flowers, Flowers, Flowers...

I recently carried out a photo shoot inspired by research findings from a university project entitled 'Research and Innovation'. My concept was to produce a cultural flower market in Seven Dials, Covent Garden, involving seven different cultures and the area's diverse retailers. I found it intriguing looking into how different cultures worldwide use flowers for markets, celebrations and festivals and so I wanted to incorporate these different aspects into a colourful, beautiful photo shoot.  

Creative Direction - Layla Abounour

Photography - Paul Astley

Model - Emanuela Isufi

Hair and Makeup - Robyn Wilson

Lana Del Rey for H&M Autumn Collection - Get The Look!

The gorgeous Miss Del Rey will front the Autumn ad campaigns for the Swedish high street retailer H&M. This beautiful image taken by the photography duo Inez and Vindoodh is a taste of what will be hitting the stores very soon. I will be expecting more 60's style hair and make-up, along with a variety of vintage pastel shades and soft textures. Donald Schneider, H&M's Creative Director, told WWD: 'The mood is very LA noir. It’s inspired by our fall collection.' 

Below I've shown how to get Lana's sultry sixties look:

Click to buy from nails inc, Barry M and Elnett. Bumpits are sold at the 99p store - Bargain!

Layla x

NAIL HART

A few months ago Nail Hart was born through an open university blog project, and my sheer love and admiration for innovative nail art designs. I wanted to make the blog approachable and helpful, so when adding new nail art projects I had taken out, I would also show my fashion inspiration and add an in depth DIY how to so the readers could create the same looks all at their own finger tips! I will be carrying the blog on over the summer, keep your eyes pealed for festival and summer holiday nails!

Layla x

Cus, my bodies too fruitilicious for ya babe...

Fruity, colourful nails for when the weather's pretty grey! x

Easter Leopard Nailage

Spent a quick five minites making the nails look pretty for easter! x

Make up at Vivienne Westwood Gold label SS12

How did I miss out on these beautiful looks from SS12? I wish I had the skills 

(and the excuse) to wear make up like this every day!

Layla x

More Nailage!

Now that I have broken up for Easter for two weeks, i've been able to start doing some of the things I love doing again YAY! This includes drinking alcohol and making my nails look pretty. The strawberry slices on my ring finger are what I bought as part of a pack off of Ebay. They come in all different designs such as animals, flowers etc and are perfect for making your nails look fun and colourful! Just search for fruit fimo slices! Chou!

Layla x

i-D Hair Tips

I wish that I had long hair so that I could do this...

...and then try my best at looking like the gorgeous Lana Del Ray by doing this...

How long does it take to grow my stupid hair!

Layla x

WAH Inspired Nail Art

I absolutely LOVE nail art! When I was a younger I used to decorate my nails in all sorts of embarrassing cool patterns. As I got the new nail art pens for Christmas, and some new nail colours for my birthday, I decided to do some experimenting...

The Equipment

Top coat, Topshop in Beyond the sea, Topshop in Daredevil, 

Barry M in Cobalt Blue, and Rio nail pen in White and Black 

The Results

I decided to have a go at some leopard nails, inspired by WAH. Using multiple, unpredictable colours. I am really pleased with the results, and it was a lot more simpler than it seems! Here are the steps I took to achieve these nails;

1 Use a clear basecoat

2 Paint every other nail a different colour, starting from the little finger.

3 Paint the four nails left white.

4 Then paint half of the coloured thumbs white, and also paint the small top sections of the other coloured nails white, but this time at a slight angle.

5 Then on the white part of the nails add small blobs of colour.

6 Then go around these with the nib of the black pen. Also add in some random blobs and semi circles, to create the finished WAH style, multicoloured, funky nails. Et Voila!

Enjoy! Layla x