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· August 7, 2007 4:36 AM by
Audrey_H
· August 7, 2007 7:13 AM by
Dain
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Beauty Notes: Sometimes, It's the Packaging That Suckers You In
Posted by Dain, Friday, August 17, 2007 12:36 AM (Eastern)
My curiousity is piqued, even though I've never tried any of these products in any way. But they're so pretty to look at, you know. I don't know why, but these are all from gothic romance, swirly patterns on dark...
Labels: beauty notes, benefit, juara, shiseido
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Style Icon: La Belle Dame Sans Merci
Posted by Dain, Monday, August 13, 2007 12:17 AM (Eastern)
I am hoping this "style icon" series is not to give the impression that we hanker after this or that celebrity. Far from it. It'll either be people worthy of admiration in a more than superficial sense, like Lauryn Hill, or what I want to wear myself at the moment, a reference that inspires me. I realize we are awash with cultural references at present, which gives the likes of Rachel Zoe and Karl Lagerfeld license for consumeristic vulgarity. Taste has become something pornographic. The only way to be different in the fashion chaos of today is to turn to classicism, because being an "individual" has no meaning when there are so many sartorial megalomaniacs running around.
This is perhaps why I am obsessed with French style right now, which is classic style itself in a lot of ways. Classics are reserved and impeccable, so the personality becomes something of a mystery, which is honestly the bloody point. All clothing sends a message, but classics are just more subtle about it: you need to pay attention to the quality of the material and construction, the way she wears her clothes, and above all, the internals—the mind and the heart. Above all, I think that is the true secret to style. The supreme self-confidence that comes only from knowing how to take advantage of one's assets and learning to be comfortable with one's flaws. The truly stylish have their own sense of what they want to wear, and never make the mistake of allowing their outfits to attract attention before they themselves do.
Gets off soapbox.
Anyway, The Cool French Girl is just a type, presumably downtown and low-maintenance. I favor the makeup look for fall, with some modifications (I need stronger blush, and would need the extra definition that a tightlining would provide), but for clothing, I prefer rive droit, as in truth, I am high maintenance.
FACE
red lips Perhaps there is nothing more classic, nor more glamorous, than red lipstick. I, of course, favor Giorgio Armani Armanisilk REDS #46 Bordeaux, but there is a perfect red for everyone. NARS makes the best ones, in my humble opinion, and the dry texture is actually ideal for strong color because it won't meander. Red Lizard is the perfect neutral cherry red, Gipsy is a soft rose-red for those fear strong color, Shanghai Express is a drop dead blood red touched with brown that is quite a fine universal, and for those who favor blue-reds, NARS, again, makes a fine one, Scarlet Empress. Once my GA runs out (it's limited edition), I will probably buy Scarlet Empress, the shade featured above.
sexy line The graphic look of black liquid liner (or the much easier to handle MAC Blacktrack Fluidline) seems the ideal counterpart to red lipstick. It's a strong statement, so it matches, but like an exclamation point, limited in its expressiveness, so it won't overwhelm. Me, I look too cute and precious in liquid liner, so I will merely tightline.
face powder A few decades past when women used to "powder their noses", a fine French face powder would have been a small luxury. These powders had coverage, and were usually "illuminating"; they would add light to the skin. Perhaps the most famous of these is T. LeClerc Banane, but I think Caron Poudre Peau Fine is far superior in quality—plus, it smells most decadently of roses.
highlight With strong lips, it's important not to choose too strong of a blush. A soft clear pink is appropriate, but I think for a radiant complexion I'd rather a fleshy shimmer instead: some on the lid, some on the cheekbones, everyone is happy. I prefer the silvered champagne of NARS All About Eve, and am hoping that Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in RSVP is a close match (it seems a waste to use only one shade in a duo).
CARE
scent It took me a while to understand the longstanding devotion that Guerlain L'Heure Bleue inspires from perfumers. It was released in 1912, so to a latter day nose, it can smell fusty. But in time, I have seen the light. This is a most aristocratic floral bouquet, with the classic Guerlinade fuzz like dust on an antique, rich with feminine mystery of days long gone. It is the scent of a lady, and thus can only be worn by one who knows the art of discretion, though I hear this is one of Kate Moss' favorites. How I long for a bottle of the parfum!
refine Decléor Baume Essentiel is a night treatment unlike any other: a beeswax-and-oil balm in which are suspended essential oils. It is a lush, silky balm that one melts in the hand before applying, but as it takes some time to absorb, it is strictly a night cream. Strangely enough, I find it balances and purifies the skin, refines and softens the skin's texture (it seems to be mildly, ever so mildly exfoliating, which is, again, odd, but perfect for those who can't use any exfoliants like me), and adds a definite glow. And it just smells lovely; all the French charm it can muster.
SHOP
cocktail Time to pull out the LBD (Alexander MCQueen in sublime black velvet), offset by the violet sparkle of amethyst earrings (Cathy Waterman). All that is additionally required is a pair of classic black pumps, and lo, an impeccable outfit.
casual What could be more classic or French than Repetto ballet flats, the queen of ballet shoes (made famous by Brigitte Bardot)? I've chosen a pair in nude suede, to take a page out of Coco Chanel's style tricks, whose own ballet flats originally came in tan to lengthen the leg. The best selections are at Dandelion Feet, Zoë, and Bird LA (where I ordered mine). It'll pair with practically everything, but nothing's simpler (or so instantly polished) to pull on than a dress, and this bright red knit dress from J. Crew pairs excellently with tan.
extras A trench coat. Gauloises Blondes. Pretty silk scarves for extra French flair.
Labels: alexander mcqueen, benefit, caron, cathy waterman, decleor, guerlain, j crew, mac cosmetics, nars, philosophy, repetto, style icon
Style Icon: Lauryn Hill
Posted by Dain, Friday, August 10, 2007 12:55 AM (Eastern)
Labels: benefit, chantecaille, dior, music, stila, style icon
Beauty Notes: The Minimalist Eye (wash)
Posted by Dain, Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:55 AM (Eastern)
To finish, the wash, which is usually a lighter shade, or at least a colorful one. It is the simplest technique of all, a "wash" of shadow on the lid, usually sheer, using a big, fluffy eyeshadow brush (I favor Shu Uemura 13G), but there are more precise variations which I include here because these are all techniques that add light and color, rather than shadows and depth. These are: highlighting the brow bone (this will make the arch of the brow more pronounced, and seem to "lift" the eye, which is useful if you are wearing deeper, more complicated eyeshadow downstairs), highlighting the inner corner (often done with liquid shadow or a pencil, this can be worn alone to brighten the eye, but also combined with a smoky eye to prevent the dark liner from "closing in" the eye).
When it comes to color, a wash usually has two purposes.
One, to brighten, adding light to open up the eye. This is best accomplished by fleshy color a shade lighter than your actual skin tone; ideally, you are aiming for an effect like candlelight on the skin, or even the slight sheen of oil on your skin. Consequently, much depends on your skin tone. I have light skin and look better in cooler shades, so I favor NARS All About Eve, which is a silvery champagne. But a pale, pale redhead might prefer a pearly moonstone, like Urban Decay Polyester Bride, while someone with chocolatey skin would look absolutely stunning in Shu Uemura ME Gold 390, and a blue-eyed or green-eyed blonde with medium skin might favor the classic that started it all, Stila Kitten. A matte shade will work here, but shimmer is better, because it attracts light. I think gold and silver are excellent choices here, but you want soft, soft shades so it doesn't look harsh (which would defeat the purpose), a dove grey instead of metallic silver, a gold tempered with beige. Gold and silver also look good mixed together. Everyone should own a fleshy highlight: not only will you use it often, it can also work as a general highlight on the face, as well as on the browbone and the inner corner.
Two, to contrast, either with your natural coloring (usually eye color, to emphasize it) or with some other eyecolor, either liner or crease or whatever. In this case, a you want color, from sky blue to lime to violet, whatever suits your fancy. The brightest shades, acid tones and jewel tones, can be used as liner or wash, even to create depth, but if you're the sort who wears bright shadows to begin with, you probably have little use for articles on minimalism in the first place. : ) Personally, I'm not a fan of exotic makeup, on the whole; it's easy to be flashy, once you've gotten a few basic techniques down, while it's actually much harder to do natural or sophisticated makeup. In any case, more muted shades are much more versatile. Personally, I favor the pastel iteration of purple, lilac, Chanel Lavande Soft Touch, because it works well with my blush and lipcolors and liner shades, and very much flatters my dark brown eyes. It doesn't look like too much, because it's got a touch of grey to it, which keeps it from looking too easter-egg-y. I think everyone should have at least one "contrast" wash, because it's sort of a festive element that's easy to do. In fact, if you're interested in minimalism, you probably have several, in which case, the advisable strategy is to find shades that work for you in a holistic way, i.e. like my lilac, above, which favors my eyes, my blush, my lips, etc.
PRODUCT COUNT: Three, Shu Uemura 13G Natural Brush, NARS All About Eve (the color is perfect, but I don't think I'll repurchase for the simple reason that I only use one color, so I'm hoping Benefit RSVP Creaseless Cream Shadow is good—cream shadows are easier to use anyway, especially when it comes to such an everday product as champagne, plus the packaging is cute), and Chanel Lavande Soft Touch.
Labels: beauty notes, benefit, chanel, eyes, minimalism, nars, shu uemura, stila, urban decay
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August 7, 2007 4:36 AM, Audrey_H said...
The makeup in the picture reminds me of the eighties - dark shadow all the way up to the eyebrows :) looks nice though. August 7, 2007 7:13 AM, Dain said...
I agree with you, though I hadn't noticed it before you pointed it out (I only chose it because it showed the technique visibly). It's very 80s. It reminds me of that pic Colleen posted a little ways back of Brooke Shields. |
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