Of all the eighties trends I can't see coming back, perms has to be top of the list. But only a year ago, many people were saying the same thing of shoulder pads.
But then I think back to my schooldays, when walking into class with a perm was tantamount to arriving in the world. Spurred on by Kylie and a million 'brosettes', only the cool kids got them, and once you had one you were instantly uplifted to demigod status. I'll never forget the looks I was given (or indeed the subsequent insults) when I mistakenly asked such a being if she'd had her hair 'crimped' as she sailed into the biology lab, proudly displaying her new barnet...
Needless to say, I was never allowed a perm. You can probably still sense the bitterness in my tone.
So...If a trend can have that effect on young women in one decade, I believe it has the power to do so in another. And let's face it - the ironed-straight GHD look is on its way out. But what do you think: are we quite ready to re-instate the perm just yet? Would you think about getting one?
A few years ago, piercings that had once been considered extreme became almost mainstream. It all started with the nose ring (yes, that really was a rebellious act once) followed by the grungey eyebrow ring back in the 90s, then a decade later the labret became so commonplace among both women and men that snogging turned into something of a challenge. This trend was soon followed up by the popularity of Monroe, Medusa or Madonna piercings.
As we approach a new decade, however, I wonder if the trend for visible piercings will start to level out. Even the most hardcore bodymods enthusiasts I know are now 'retiring' their facial piercings: some claiming practical reasons, others simply going off the look.
Having worn a labret myself for a few years I soon discovered the unglamorous practical downsides of many, inclding tooth erosion and painful infections (I also got sick of idiots in the street asking me why I 'wanted to look different'l an irony when I was aiming squarely at a particular 'look' I'd seen on a thousand other people). I took it out three years ago and haven't looked back.
So what do you think. Has the age of the facial piercing past, or do we just need to identifiy new bits of skin to skewer?
I spotted this rather lovely sign from the Japanese subway system over on the Going Underground blog, and it got me thinking. We've all applied makeup on the go at some point or other (right?) and while it can be a tricky and fiddly business with varied results, I'd never seen it as being rude.
However, some people clearly want the beauty regime banned from public transport (hence the sign) and adding weight to this argument were 2PeasinaPodcast, who recently had a discussion about our tendency to forget that we're in public when travelling on the train, leading to all sorts of behaviour that they think should be 'private' - including the act of applying makeup.
I was a bit surprised to learn that my slightly odd behaviour might be seen as rude, and wondered what you guys think. Assuming we're only talking about applying lipstick, mascara and nail varnish (not clipping nails - now that would be gross!) do you think these are 'inappropriate' actitivies to indulge in while in public?
On Tuesday night Lily Allen rocked a blonde wig and to our surprise it actually looked quite good on her! Although she is no stranger to changing her look (who can forget her stint as a pink lady?) when the pics landed on our desk we had to take a double take - Lily looks unrecognisable with her glowing skin and platinum locks.
Last Summer we came to the conclusive conclusion that blonde hair did NOT suit Lily after her dark hair lightened into a trashy shade of yellow. But we have to give it her this wig looks far prettier on her than her previous peroxide efforts. As she left Nobu it seemed her dramatic hair-over was turning heads for all the right reasons.
Read on to find out where you can get a copy of Lily's wig!
I must admit to being slightly biased about this as I think that everyone should try blonde a least once, but why did she have to add the not so ghetto-chic hoop earrings and ripped jeans combo? Currently she looks like a peroxide walk on from Eastenders (and I'm pretty sure that's not a compliment). But maybe I'm being unfair and you think she resembles an early Diane Dors or Marilyn Monroe? Tell me what you think- the best argument for or against her hair colour wins *something* from the beauty cupboard!
I ran across these uber bling cosmetic brushes and am still undecided over whether or not I like them. Ok, I have shown you the most inoffensive of the lot, but just cos these are Swarovski ridden ultra girly glittery things does that necessarily make them bad? I'm a big advocate of using brushes in application t produce really defined results and though these look cheap n cheerful they're actually made with quality materials. The brushes are a mix of synthetic and goat hair and come in a handy stand, and if price (of which there is worryingly no inf as yet) were not an option, would you want these?
If you go by the catwalk, the quiff is back. It was seen in various incarnations in the spring/summer shows - some SFEL (Suitable For Everyday Life), some really not. What do you reckon? Will you be incorporating the quiff into your new hairstyle rotation? Personally I find a little bit of a quiff really suits my face shape, so I'll definitely be bringing it back. What about you?
Of all the eighties trends I can't see coming back, perms has to be top of the list. But only a year ago, many people were saying the same thing of shoulder pads. 
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