Author: Lauren Bravo
Style & Social Media Columnist Lauren is a professional tweeter, pop culture junkie and Netflix addict. She's written about fashion since she was in flared jeans, and barely a trend goes by that she doesn't have an opinion on. An early adopter, she can usually be found hunting for a bargain on the virtual high street and blasting the latest high-tech skincare claims.
Teach me, Zoella! Going back to school with the beauty vloggers
Age is a funny thing. I’m currently 26 and a half. The half never seemed important until this week, when I decided to initiate myself with the world of international YouTube darling Zoella – who is only two years, but apparently also a million light years, younger than me. ‘Over 25? Chances are you’ve never…
The week in hashtags: #DryJanuary, #UnitedWithIvy, #ShadesofRevlon, #RealLiveTransAdult
It's the first week of the year, and the internet's already been busy... #DryJanuary It's January, had you noticed? And because no month is ever just a month anymore, the arrival of 2015 has also brought with it Dry January, #Veganuary, #EatClean and a whole basketful of other opportunities for self-denial, self-improvement – and, let's…
CES 2015: HTC’s Desire 826 has an UltraPixel front camera to make your selfies better
If ever there was proof that selfies won't be going anywhere in a hurry, it's smartphones finally making sure their cameras are equal to our pouts. HTC hasn't used CES 2015 to show off a new super-phone, but the company has cast itself in a flattering light by unveiling its new Desire 826 – an…
CES 2015: Wearables aren’t ready for the big time yet, apparently
The geek with a Google Glass in your office might disagree (and yes, some of the Shiny Shiny team too), but according to one company boss at CES 2015 wearable tech still isn't quite ready for the mass market yet. At Qualcomm's press conference yesterday, president Derek Aberle admitted that it might still be a…
9 gadgets for beauty addicts
[nextpage title="Next"] You know they love beauty... but you've bought them every Benefit gift set there is and their bedroom is already a lipstick graveyard? Go for gadgetry instead. Just like pretty much every other industry, technology in the beauty world has come on a long way in recent years, and there are some seriously…
More replies, fewer photos of sky: my social media resolutions for 2015
Because these are slightly easier than giving up cheese. I will take one photo of the sky a week, maximum I daren't look it up for fear it's something ominous to do with climate change, but I SWEAR the sky is more beautiful these days than it used to be. Or perhaps I'm just more boring these…
10 hair and makeup tutorials for New Year’s Eve
It's the night your hair and face have been waiting for! Start 2015 as you mean to go on – coiffed and glittered, or just slumped in front of YouTube... [nextpage title="next"] 1. Kathleen Lights' gilded eyes Glitter on your eyes stops being sexy the moment it migrates to your chin, so take a few tips…
10 last-minute crowdpleasing gifts for the people you’ve inevitably forgotten
[nextpage title="Next"] You could be the sovereign monarch of organisation and do all your Christmas shopping in June, and there would still probably be one person who turns up with a gift you weren't expecting and sends you into a mad festive frenzy. But instead of panicking and wrapping up the nearest kitchen utensil to give whatshisname, try…
6 New Year’s Eve outfits inspired by classic films
Still looking for the perfect New Year's Eve frock? Take your lead from one of these classic movie party outfits, and guarantee your night a happy ending. Probably. [nextpage title="next"] Sally – When Harry Met Sally In 1989, while Taylor Swift was being born, Meg Ryan was giving us unrealistic expectations about New Year's Eve.…
The week in hashtags: #AskACop, #Bebo, #WorstDateIn5Words, #TheInterview
The good, the bad, the awful and the hilarious of the week's hashtags – in a few more than five words. #AskACop When CNN launched a Q&A ahead of its Cops Under Fire special on Tuesday using the hashtag #AskACop, the network certainly received questions. Some considered the torrent of angry tweets about racial profiling,…
