Classic Beauties - Finding Your Inner Bombshell

I love to see photos of movie starlets from the 1950's & 1960's because of how their beauty stood out. Not to mention their feminine (and attainable) body shapes, which to many, are still considered sexy today, when size 6-12 was the norm, and not the exception. Beautiful clothes, hair and makeup really did "make" the woman and still holds true today.

You don't need a million bucks to look like a million.  Nor do you need to follow the trends to fit in. You just need motivation and inspiration to find your inner beauty bombshell and create the look that's right for you. Start your quest online and look up celebrities whose styles you admire to get a feel of what you want your new look to mirror. Even these classic beauties have style thats still seen in magazines today, with an updated look.

Whether you start with a new hair color/style or switch up your mini skirts for knee-length with more fabrics that flow rather than adhere. Kitten heels for 4.5" platform stilletos, or even forgoing the routine little-black-dress for this seasons hottest colors; the point is, you can pull it off. Confidence is most important, if nothing else, and I always say when you look good you will feel good. So ladies, find what makes you a star and shine!   

                                                         

  

Makeup Fit For a (future) Queen

Today, Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine Elizabeth, The Duchess of Cambridge, (as she is now to be known), married her Prince "Charming" (formerly Prince William of Wales), His Royal Highness, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in a wedding that held traditional customs with a modern flair. Wills & Kate looked blissfully happy and it showed.

Kate's dress, created by Sarah Burton, Creative Director of the late designer Alexander McQueen label, most certainly captured Kate's envious figure with modesty. Her hair was done up beautifully by London's Richard Ward salon in a "demi-chignon" and her already gorgeous face was aglow from bridal excitement, and a very elegant look that was subtle and flattering.

Kate's wedding day look was created by none other then the bride herself, and I have to say she did a wonderful job. Her beautiful skin, light lip, highlighted cheeks and stunning eyes were perfectly done up and I wouldn't have done anything differently. Congratulations to the Royal couple.

NEW Lipstick Terminology

I posted last year about lipstick types (glossy, matte, stain, etc..), Sept. - "What's In a Name", and although those lipsticks will always be relevant, a NEW batch of products (and terms) are here to give you even more options for the perfect pout.

"GEL" - A full coverage formula that is less waxy and more sexy than traditional full coverage.
"MIST" - A silky wash of color that lasts up to 3 hours.
"SHINE" - Equal parts high-shine gloss and creamy lipstick that goes on light but can be layered for more intensity.
"CANDY" - Just a pop of color that comes in a chapstick-like base, gives your lips more of a candy-stained look (think lollipop).

Have fun playing with the formula(s) to find what works best for you.

All You Need is Love...

....and lipstick! Valentines Day makeup should be all about your lips whether it's date night or Girls Nite, so be sure to make them look irresistable kissable!

A gorgeous pout is always a subtle way to draw attention to your mouth and create the desire in him to plant one on you. Whether you are single or spoken for, Valentines Day is about love and beauty, so glam it up and enjoy a few candied conversations.

Good Grooming & Friends

We all know who "Dear Abby" is...she dishes out advice in a daily column to those in need of guidance, assistance, direction or an answer to something that troubles them. Like any "dear" friend should, Abby offers an honest and straight-forward answer, but do some people who need to hear the truth, or ask to be told the truth, really want to KNOW the truth? Below was the post in todays column:

DEAR ABBY: Just how honest should you be with a friend? My friend "Frannie" did not receive a promotion in her department, and I think I know why -- her appearance. The promotion would have required more interaction with clients. Frannie is bright, hard-working, has Christian ethics, a beautiful, trim figure, a wide smile and dresses well. But -- she wears no makeup, doesn't pluck her huge unibrow and wears sandals that expose her very hairy toes and the hairy tops of her feet.

Many people have commented to me about her hairy feet and face, but I have not had the heart to tell her what they say. She has also been asking me why guys shy away from her. Do I say nothing, or should I offer helpful advice? -- FRANNIE'S FRIEND IN NORTH CAROLINA

DEAR FRIEND: What you need to ask yourself before raising a sensitive subject like this is: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it kind? From where I sit, telling Frannie what she needs to hear passes those tests. Because Frannie has been asking why men shy away from her, that's your opening to talk to her about her grooming. Many women have body-hair issues, but there are solutions for it. The poor woman needs the services of a cosmetologist

I giggled a little when I read this because I am sure we have ALL come across a friend who could use a reality check but we just don't have the heart to tell them for fear or hurting their feelings. Like "Frannie's Friend in NC" no one could muster up the nerve to suggest that some grooming might better Frannie's professional and personal situations. Two days ago I encountered a friend who seeked out my advice on "remaking" her look for the new year because she wanted a change. I asked her what she didn't like, and she said "everything", and then asked me where to start and to "be honest" with her.

 

Offering my advice/opinion isn't difficult when someone asks me, but finessing the words to not hurt feelings can be tricky sometimes since I can be a bit blunt. People who know (and love) me however know to expect this from me, and always comment on how they can count on me to be truthful. I knew my advice could only help my friend since the changes were within her control of grooming and appearance suggestions, but unfortunately the conversation didn't go so well. She was shocked to hear my advice because it obviously wasn't what she wanted to hear and got upset with me because I didn't say she was "perfect" the way she was.

 

I don't regret what I said to my friend since I wouldn't be doing her any favors by lying and saying her mustache was beautiful and her ill-fitting clothes complimented her figure, but I do now realize that when someone asks you to "be honest" with them (about their appearance), you should also be extra kind on your advice. Lesson learned.

Super Smokey Eye

You survived Christmas with the family and now it's almost time to put on your party dress for New Years Eve with your friends. Regardless of what you'll be wearing you can always dress it up with the right accessories and of course, makeup. Here are steps to a super smokey eye.

You will need shimmery chocolate brown, bronze, black and grey eye shadows, black pencil eyeliner and black mascara.

1. Apply foundation to your eyelids as a base and then put the chocolate brown shadow on your upper lid and below lower lash line.

2. Outline your eyes with black eyeliner.

3. Mix up the grey and black shadows and apply them lightly onto the top lids and below bottom lashes (don't worry about the mess, we will clean that up). I know it's covering the chocolate brown you just applied but it will "peak" through.

4. Apply the bronze shadow under your brows (full length).

5. Apply mascara and remove the excess shadow crumbs with a Q-tip and concealer to clean it up. You can also apply a little more chocolate brown shadow if you like (to lighten it up).

6. Let's party!





As usual, with such a dramatic eye you want to keep the rest of your face fairly simple and neutral. A light gold gloss would be the perfect final touch if you don't have nude lipstick. When you do a smokey eye you want it to look refined and not as though you woke up with this end-result, so be sure to clean up all messes and restrict the shadows to not "drip" down your cheeks.

I will admit a smokey eye is not maintenance free but it does look hot and is worth the effort. Have a fabulous New Years and may 2011 bring continued joy and happiness.

Golden Eyes

What woman doesn't love gold? It's rich, beautiful, sparkly and looks great on everyone. What better way to wear gold then on your eyes! Think about it...it's the perfect way to captivate attention when you have eyes that sparkle, and here are the easy steps to accomplish the look. You will need gold and dark brown shadow, gold eye pencil and black mascara. 

1. Prep your lids with foundation to help keep the shadow in place, and then apply a gold shimmer shadow on to your upper lid.

2. Next use a gold eye pencil to rim your inner lash line (not below your lashes).

3. Now apply a dark brown shade on the crease of your lids, with a little more shadow placed towards the outter edge as in the photo.

4. lastly, drag the same brown shadow below your lower lash line to complete this smokey look. Apply black mascara, brush off any loose shadow "crumbs" from around your eyes and face that may have fallen, apply a nude lipstick (matte, not shiny gloss) and.....

Ta-Da!

Super sexy look that will compliment any eye, skin, hair color. What I love most about smokey eyes is as the night goes on, the look evolves, and gets sexier and smokier.