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TBF Project:Blog
Posted by Dain, Friday, May 26, 2006 2:24 PM (Eastern)
I do a lot of reading, by nature and by profession (I wonder if being a student is considered a profession? I guess, technically, not.). My reading seems to fall into three categories: the obscure intellectual academic stuff I do for classes, fluffy escapist fantasy novels, and finally, fashion magazines. I particularly like Vogue and Lucky, but will probably add W to my subscriptions next year, if only for the photography alone.
I keep a portfolio full of articles that have interested me over the years. I just came across one of them, a single page titled, "in her bag", from a Seventeen magazine from long ago (August 1999). It features Katie Holmes, from her Dawson's Creek era, rather than the Tom-Cruise's-pet-girlfriend stage, and her favorite products, stuffed into a clear plastic mini backpack (very stylish). Her taste in cosmetics isn't very remarkable, mostly recommendations from makeup artists, but the sheer spartan minimalism of it! And without any fuss! Makes me wish I were as unthinking about cosmetics as she. As it is, I think way too much about makeup. ; )
So. Sometimes as an exercise, I try to do the same. Reduce it to a handful of essentials, nothing pretentious—sorta the exact opposite of what I normally do. It is a good idea, though, and in subsequent issues they had celebrity editors choosing their essential products too. Ms. Holmes' selections are eerily like my own in some ways. Ah, well, you know. The business does have its favored products (Dr. Hauschka, Bumble & Bumble, Kiehls). I've modeled mine on hers, just for whimsy's sake.
1, 2, & 3 Keep it simple, is my adage when it comes to skincare. Simple is best, particularly if you have sensitive skin like mine that doesn't handle chemicals well. I use a simple cleanser/toner/moisturizer routine, specifically Dr. Hauschka's Cleansing Milk, Facial Toner, and Moisturizing Day Cream—just the basics. 4 I couldn't live without mascara, and L'Oreal Voluminous, bar none, is just the best. 5 Phytologie Phyto 7 is a miracle product. It's not a styling product, but more like a moisturizing cream for hair. It's very light in texture, and somehow turns my thick, dry, long hair into silk. 6 Wet 'n' Wild #666 Lipliner is an industrial staple, and for good reason, it's perfect. On everyone. With everything. And it lasts. 7 Asking me to choose a single perfume is like... asking me to choose between limbs. So I'm just gonna take a leaf out of Ms. Holmes' book and choose something light and pretty: L'Occitane Eau de Miel, the scent of nectar and meadow flowers and pure sunshine. 8 & 9 I need a gentle shampoo and rich conditioner, ones that smell nice. Lo and behold, Bumble & Bumble has... Gentle Shampoo and Super Rich Conditioner. And they smell like creamed honey, delicious! 10 I am really quite pale, and can sometimes look sallow. Blush comes to my rescue. I favor bright pinks, like Becca Creme Blush in Wild Orchid. You need only a dab, but it lasts all day. 11, 12 & 13 It's impossible for me to choose a single eyeshadow, as I layer. My favorite eyeshadow is currently a lilac shimmer from my Clé de Peau palette, which brightens my eyes, banishes exhaustion, but has enough grey to make it neutral enough for everyday. Even more important, however, is eyeliner. I smudge MAC Teddy Eye Kohl, a rich russet shimmer. And the final touch, used sparingly, is the intense black and white shimmer of NARS Pandora duo. 14 YSL Touche Eclat is the best thing ever invented, hang the expense. 15 There are many body lotions out there, but I've never tried anything better than Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion. Nothing makes my skin so silky soft. Who knew?
That was really, really tough. In my mind, I think, I could never live like that! And yet, throw in a couple more lipsticks, a handful of perfumes, and I do honestly live like that. I think most of us are the same: we use the same products over and over again. I read a Seventeen again recently, at the dentist's office (root canal=fun). It was crap. I don't think it was that bad when I was 14. I wonder if the magazine's gone downhill?
Labels: beauty notes, minimalism
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