Posts Tagged ‘beauty’

Liquid Lipstick

July 11, 2017

This morning, I put on makeup and applied lipstick at 8:30 am. It’s 5:30, and I have had lunch, a couple of cups of tea and a few meetings, and my lipstick is still on. Liquid lipstick, where have you been all my life?

I am pretty lazy when it comes to makeup. Most days, I workout and work from home, so I just wash and go. An occasional smear of tinted lip treatment keeps me from chewing on my lips when the hills get hard in spin class. When I go out in public, I apply makeup, and then pretty much forget about for the rest of the day. That perfected version of myself seems to be gone the next time I glance in a mirror, with my makeup being almost invisable, barring the unsightly smudge of mascara under my eyes from time to time.

Last summer, I got a goodie bag of samples at Sephora, and one of the items was a Kat Von D liquid lipstick in a very dark, goth looking burgundy. I pretty much ignored it, since I figured the shade was a bit intense for me, and would make my lips look even thinner than they are. One day, on a whim, I tried it on for kicks, and had a revelation; it was so bold that it actually highlighted my lips, and more importantly, it was almost impossible to get off! The color was in fact a bit too much for me, but the formulation was a keeper.

Liquid lipsticks are not exactly new, but they are new to me. Kylie Jenner certainly didn’t invent them, but her lip kits may have had a major role in introducing the idea to the masses. I hadn’t given them a minute’s thought, until I tried a sample, and I am now a convert.

I noticed it was hard to get a perfect application on my lips, and if I missed, there was no easy way to correct it. The key to liquid lipstick is to use a pencil to create an outline, and then use the lipstick wand to fill it in. Once you have it applied the way you want it, you need to wait a minute to let it dry. If you smear it, you might walk around looking like a crazy clown for the entire day. Oil based makeup remover on a Q-tip would take care of it, but it would also take everything around it off as well, requiring a complete do-over; something few of us have the time to deal with.  It is a bit dryer feeling than a regular lipstick, and if you like sheen, you need to add a little gloss on top.

I am currently using a very reasonably priced Sephora brand product, which is more pigmented than what I usually use, but way less intense in hue than the Kat Von D sample. All the major brands seem to have their own version, and color options range from nude to almost black.

Sometimes, I opt for a more natural look, but on the days that I am wearing makeup, and want it to last, long wearing liquid lipstick is my new go to.

Have you tried it yet?

 

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Emerald City

December 10, 2012

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Global color authority Pantone has revealed their choice of “Emerald Green” as the 2013 color of the year.

The rich, vivid green shade is often associated with the precious gemstone of the same name.

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According to Pantone’s press release, the color is a  “vivid verdant green, [that] enhances our sense of well-being further by inspiring insight as well as promoting balance and harmony.”

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Last year’s shade, a deep orange called “Tangerine Tango” appeared everywhere, from fashion and interiors to make-up.

Be on the lookout for green to start to infiltrate our lives as the coming year progresses.

leaf photo: Glasshouse Images

Middle Aged Barbie

July 6, 2012

I have posted quite a few things about Barbie on this site. I have writtin about Yoga Barbie, and life-sized Barbie, and even the profound influence that Barbie had on me and my career aspirations.

I had to laugh out loud when my mother sent me this photo today.

Barbie is currently 53 years old and in most circles in America, she probably would look a lot more like this one, than the perfect plastic doll that she is.
I haven’t given in to looking like this, and I’d like to think my BFF Barbie wouldn’t let herself go either.

What do you think of Middle Aged Barbie?

Fit to Be Tied

May 31, 2012

Four-year-old Marcella Marino asked her Daddy to make her look like a princess for her school photo.  Her father, a hairdresser in Kent, England created a Lady Gaga inspired bow for the occasion.

Unfortunately, the school has a strict policy against braids and hair bows and banned her from having her picture taken with her class.

Her father, Marcello was taken aback by the decision, saying:

“It isn’t a hair braid, it is quite simply a knot in the shape of a bow, and I should know because I’m a hairdresser”

The photo shoot has been rescheduled, after being cancelled due to a mix-up with the photographer.

Neon and On and On

May 17, 2012

Neon is a big trend for spring/summer, but wearing it can pose a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you navigate through the bright colors of the season:

A little goes a long way:

Neon worn with neon is a bit much. Mix one great intensely colored piece with something more subtle.

The 80’s are over:

Black can be harsh with strong neon colors and takes us back to the 80’s. To look completely modern, mix neon with white, grey, beige or denim, for a less jarring effect. Stripes can also be a great foil for all the strong color.

Softer is easier:

Head to toe neon can be overwhelming, but soft whitened versions of the same color family can work really well together. Try a soft pink with a neon pink, or a pale green with an acid green.

A little dab will do you:

Just a touch of neon in an accessory can be an instant update without making the whole outfit loud. Look for neon shoes, belts or bags as a great way to lift any outfit.

Neon nail polish is a short term commitment. Try a little on your fingers or toes for a fun, temporary trial on the trend.

Victoria’s Secret: Photoshop

April 12, 2012

Nobody’s perfect; not even the Victoria’s Secret Angels. Fashion Indie obtained pre-photoshopped images of the ladies on location in St.Barts this weekend, and  what we see is not exactly what they look like. Don’t get me wrong, they look great. But it’s important to note that they have flaws, just like the rest of us. Some get a little digital lipo, and others get their skeletal frames smoothed out to be a bit less extreme. Their skin gets airbrushed, and a false perfection is achieved.

These woman, even without photoshop are beautiful. It’s sad that the ideal we all aspire to, is a cyber fantasy not even achieved by top lingerie models.