If you are one of the select few without a smartphone permanently glued to their palm then I suggest you take a look at the the likes of the samsung galaxy s4 (my latest obsession) and the iPhone and get purchasing, pronto. While I have a knack to obsess over any app that can make my life a bit more simple, I believe that as fashion and beauty lovers we have a app advantage once we are matched to the right mobile.

When it comes to our hair, technology has pretty much abolished the need for thumbing through magazines to find that perfect cut and colour (as we all did less than 10 years ago). Now, if you need a re-style on your next salon trip all you need is Bangstyle. This free app lets you browse live portfolios to help you find the right stylist for you. With instant access to the latest hairstyles straight from the salon and the ability to locate your nearest hairdressers you have access to much more than a pile of outdated hair magazines could ever offer.

Fortunately this type of app is not limited to hairstyles. When it comes to injecting some life into your wardrobe Stylebook is rated highly amongst the fashion community because it allows users to upload photos of all their clothes and organise their wardrobe (Cher in Clueless, anyone?). In addition to this you can track the trends of your favourite outfits so you can see how on fashionable you really are. A total wardrobe changer.

If you’re still in a fashion dilemma, previously web-based app Polyvore is the answer. You can instantly access the styles that are currently popular without spending hours searching personal fashion blogs with no luck; once you find what want you can mix and match clothes to produce your own shoppable outfit.

If your make-up is also in need of an overhaul, this last app has you covered. We all know the feeling of rediscovering make up at the bottom of a vanity case and being unsure whether to re-use it, so the smartypantsed team behind Check Your Cosmetics created an app to inform you whether it is still safe to use. With over 50 brands currently registered to the system, all it takes is the input of the batch code and you instantly receive the safety information you need.

Now you know what’s on offer and how easy it is to enhance your daily fashion and beauty experience, there really is no excuse to be the only one of your girlfriends with aesthetic stress. Enjoy, beauties.

Instagram (@lelalondon) – left to right, top to bottom:
1. Lelamobile.
2. Bestie beast mode.
3. Lusting over pillows this morning. As you do.
4. Food. Hunger Magazine. Bulgari florals for the win.
5. Vegan pork.
6. Micropig play date.
7. New Fash for Thought at Hunger TV. American Apparel’s bitchslap.
8. Manfriend’s bangin’ Northern crib.
9. I don’t usually Instagram these…but I am this squirrel.
10. Someone send me to braid rehab.

Instagram (@lelalondon) – left to right, top to bottom:
1. There are some real diamonds in this world.
2. Crown braid. Princess dress. Photo shoot with Coast.
3. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my.
4. Florals with friends at Bulgari.
5. Boy in Boxpark. Margaritas in mouths.
6. Last night’s dinner (aka cardiac arrest nom nom nom)
7. My new column, Fash for Thought, has just launched at HungerTV.com. Ch-ch-check it!
8. 3 countries in 3 days. Pooped.
9. Crown braid, I set you free.
10. Food For Thought at HungerTV.com. Prepare your belly for Assiette Anglaise.
11. Sometimes I brush my hair. Today is not one of those days.

If you think of yourself as a bit of a beauty trendsetter, it is no doubt that you’ve rocked one or two of the following hair colour trends over the past few months. You’ve at least pinned one or two of them. That’s right, babes, this is the rundown of the hottest hues of 2013 so far (plus lots of tips to help you keep that colour for longer!).

Dip-dye
Dying the tips of your hair may well have been a trend only sported by tweens and teens in the past, but it’s been making an appearance on some famous female heads in recent months; Christina Aguilera and Jessie J to name but a few. Pink is probably the most popular choice when it comes to dip-dye, but it is just as easy to go with whatever you fancy. Bright colours work well with platinum blonde and black, while softer tones and pastels look great with mousey blondes (more on that below) and brunettes.

Mousey blonde/brown
You know how people with curly hair always want straight hair and vice versa? Well, the same goes for those with a head full of mousey blonde locks. There’s only so many times a ‘mousey blonde’ can hear “well, it’s not quite blonde and not quite brown, sort of mousey” before thinking “great, I’m the same colour as a dirty animal”.

Until you realise Gisele Bundchen is about as mousey as it gets. Top trend created. Though her hair sent the tress-tamers into a spin in 2007, her mousey mane is making a heavily demanded comeback in 2013. If you’re not lucky enough to have a mousey hair colour, have no fear as there’s plenty of at-home hair dye kits to help you out.

Platinum blonde
I doubt that platinum blonde hair will ever be out of fashion, but it’s making a big impact in 2013. This is definitely not a shade that will suit everyone and takes a lot of effort/deep conditioner to keep it maintained, but is an ultimate statement maker when done right. (For this one, please head to a hairdresser before tango-ing your hair).

Balayage
For the best highlights in town us ladies are no longer heading for foils. We’re banging on about balayage. This popular technique simply means that the colour is swept onto thin strips of hair with a paddle, resulting in a youthful, purposefully ‘messy’ and natural looking finish. It’s a top favourite with blondes but also works well with brunettes and redheads as it is incredibly easy to maintain.

Ombré
If you want to latch onto the hottest trend for 2013, you will need to be willing to bare those roots for all to see.

Roots? Aaahhh. Yes, roots. This hair colour style takes its name from France (part of its appeal, non?) and simply translates to mean the shadow of a gradient. To rock this look you’ll need to be happy to sport dark roots with the hair becoming light from mid-way down to the tips. The end result will look a lot like natural surfer hair highlights – a look we all kill for.

Rhinoplasty has been popping up in conversation a lot recently. Though I’m thankfully to be happy with the nose the genetic lottery threw my way, many rhinoplasties are performed at cosmetic surgery clinics across the UK and can obviously change the size, shape and look of someone’s nose significantly. With quite a few friends considering going under the knife (why all at once? I have no idea!), I thought it would be a great time to look into the a few important things which some of my nearest and dearest (and many more of you out there) need to consider.

A little information can make you feel more confident and put your mind at ease when it comes to corrective surgery, so I enlisted the help of Transform surgeon Mr Pascal Lahoud to answer a few of his most frequently asked questions.

What should someone look for when choosing a surgeon?
Getting a nose job is a serious and often life-changing decision, so checking your surgeon’s qualifications and credentials is paramount. Registration with the General Medical Council is a must and it’s worth inquiring how many times they perform rhinoplasty surgery each year. View some before and after pictures if possible and don’t be afraid to ask a wide array of questions – a good surgeon won’t be afraid to answer them.

What are the different types of nose surgery?
Generally speaking there are two main nose surgery techniques; open or closed rhinoplasty. Open rhinoplasty tends to be used in more complex work such as reshaping the nose tip. With a closed rhinoplasty, any incisions tend to be made inside the nose. Your surgeon will help you achieve the results you want by discussing all options with you.

How long does rhinoplasty surgery take?
On the whole, most rhinoplasty procedures last between one and two hours – depending on the type and degree of shaping required. More complex operations may take slightly longer to perform, so it’s a good idea to discuss your individual circumstances with a highly-qualified surgeon.

Will you bruise and need time off work?
Rhinoplasty surgery can leave a certain amount of swelling and bruising, but the severity will differ from patient to patient. Bruising around the cheeks is most apparent during the three days following surgery and usually disappears within seven, so a week off work should be sufficient. In addition to bandages, a splint will also be put over the nose for seven to 10 days to assist with healing. Most people return to normal activity within a few days but it’s crucial that the nose is not hit or knocked in any way during the healing period.

How long will someone have to wait to see the final result?
Of course, one of the most exciting parts of surgery is seeing the results. The good news is, major changes will be immediately apparent and you will see the more subtle changes as your nose heals. The final result is usually visible around 12 months after surgery.

Could nose surgery really change the way someone feels about themselves? Surgery can have both physical and psychological effects. Many people report feeling more confident in their own skin, but patient testimonials give a deeper insight into why people choose to have work done and how it has changed their lives. Anna Wyeth, 31, from the Isle of Wight underwent nose surgery at a Transform clinic and here’s what she had to say:

‘It started during my teenage years’
I was becoming a woman and so naturally became more image conscious. Each time I looked at myself in the mirror my eyes were drawn to the hump on my nose. Being out in public was awful as it felt like people were talking to my nose – not me! My confidence was at an all-time low, but I was determined that one day I’d look in the mirror and be happy with the reflection.

‘I’d had enough of hating my nose’
After ten years, enough was enough. I visited Transform to talk about my concerns and then booked myself in for rhinoplasty. My nerves were wracked when my surgery day arrived, but I was so excited that the wait was over, I was finally getting my new nose. The nurses and staff at the hospital were amazing at every step – they were really friendly and helped put my mind at ease. My surgeon, Mr Nathan, was great. He was so lovely and professional. He understood my feelings and what I wanted to achieve from surgery – it was comforting to know he didn’t see the operation as a “one-job-fits-all”.

‘Looking in the mirror is now a habit’
Waking up I was tired and had some bruising, but the real thrill was to come when the bandages were removed a week later. I couldn’t contain my excitement and loved showing off my new nose to the clinic team. Now, at long last, I’m happy in my own skin. Where’s that mirror!?

Transform offers a wide range of surgical procedures, so visit their website for more information.