ritacardosohenriques

This post was scheduled to be up last week, but Alex and I spent the week driving around the UK saying our goodbyes to friends and family so I didn’t want to spend time blogging on my own when I could be seeing people instead.

This is the last post that will include Hendrix as we dropped him off at his new home by the sea before coming back to Bath.  It’s strange getting up and not being greated by him first thing in the morning and not having him snuggling under my desk.   Hendrix on the other hand, probably isn’t bothered in the slightest…

Dress from Zara (of course!) 1. Leather jacket from Topshop (years old), belt from Topshop, necklace from Tina Lillenthal, Ballet pups from Dune. 2. Cropped denim waistcoat from Topshop, Scarf from Miss Selfridge, Belt vintage, boots from Zara. 3. Scarf from TKMaxx, belt from French Connection, bangles a mix of vintage and Indian, boots from Zara.

I know I wax lyrical about how awesome lace is but I can’t stop myself!  It’s one of my favourite fabrics, is great for day or night and mixes so well with the other trends of the season. 

This is the dress that features in my next column for Folio magazine.  I normally buy the items I feature and take them back to the store when I’m finished, but this time I couldn’t part with it.   The shape works well on my pear shape and I love mixing cream lace with leather and studs - Courtney Love style. 

I love the shape of the dress, so I decided to keep it simple and use accessories to alter the look, but if you wanted to try something different you could swap the matching slip for another colour or layer a t-shirt over the top and tie it in a knot to pull it in at the waist.  It’s amazing how many looks you can get from one dress!

How would you wear it? Do you have a favourite dress that can be worn countless ways?

Human Fundamentalism is an explosion of your alter ego. It’s becoming who you are and not who you’re told to be. Beauty isn’t conformity, but the fundamental human desire to express your inner self on the outside. To rise above mainstream limitations and exist in a world where individuality is received with celebration not derision, and breaking the mould is a sign of strength not instability.



We stand for freedom of expression, embracing our glorious imperfections and showing the world we’re not ordinary but extraordinary, even if society refuses to accept it. We’re beyond conformity. Beyond control. Beyond hiding who we really are. We are not a religion, but the singular opposite. We are Illamasqua.







Fundamental Palette



The Fundamental Palette is a playground for self-expression. Experiment with contrasting textures, from glistening Liquid Metal in molten pewter to matt Cream Pigment in mint green, to express every inch of your alter ego. Coupled with two vibrant Powder Eye Shadows in Hype (Bold Yellow) and Inception (Rich Violet) this palette demands bold levels of nonconformity.




Neutral Palette
Create sculpted highlights and stark contours anywhere on your face and body with these four fundamental Powder Shadows. From new matt shades in Stealth (Creamy Buttermilk), Wolf (Chocolate Brown) and Vintage (Antiqued Gold) – a shade exclusive to this palette – to the glistening metallic accents of Obsidian (Rich Black), express your inner light and darkness in a rich riotous glamour.

Precision Ink


Precision Ink in pure white Scribe is the ultimate anti-liner. Subvert expectations and highlight the unconventional, creating white-lined eyes and white-out brows with Precision Ink’s super-fine tip. Waterproof and extremely long-lasting, Precision Ink also makes the perfect nail art pen. Simply apply then seal with Illamasqua Top Coat for nails that transcend conformity.