Looks I am Loving: Marie Antoinette

Kirsten Dunst in Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette

So for awhile now, probably since I went back to a more natural blonde/"brond" colour of hair, I have been digging a somewhat more minimalist look. I don't find I need as much makeup, or as much eye makeup anyways than I did when I was super blond there for a bit. Also I have been really trying to go easier on my hair to grow it out so I have been working my my natural curl and using a lot of no-heat curl methods like the Japanese (Asian? does anyone know, seriously) foam rollers that I mentioned in my hair post. So I have been crushing on some historical-ish hair looks to pin my curly hair fantastically around my head, and basically I fantasize about something that looks like Marie Antoinette would have worn at Hameau de la Reine, her model farm (look it up, its awesome) or if she would have lived in 1975. Still completely glam, but in a casual way, if that's possible.

Looks I am Loving: Barbra Streisand in Hello Dolly

Dolly is Fab

Ok so I have been experiencing technical difficulties. I have started my first semester of grad school and life in crazy. Also if you hadn't noticed, all the pictures on the blog disappeared for no apparent reason. So, as tedious as it is, I have been slowly working to restore all the blogs back to their former glory. I said I wasn't going to write any more until all of the old ones are fixed, but its boring! Thank God I put everything in a Pintrest folder so it isnt a total pain. Any tips fellow Blogger users? So I am working towards total blog restoration, in the meantime, here is a blog....

So on to Dolly! Not exactly a cult classic, but still awesome, Hello Dolly is a musical with Barbra Streisand as the lead character Dolly Levi directed by Gene Kelly (Gene Kelly! 'nuff said). Anyway, it is suppose to be set in 1890, but clearly the makeup is all 1969. I am pretty sure eyeliner wasn't even invented yet let alone having a full on swoop of cat eye. Not exactly period appropriate, but I am sure they make concessions for Barbra.

How to: Survive Summer in New York (or any hot, humid place for that matter)

I want to look this hot in NYC... mostly I am trying to avoid sweating to death

So I have been on hiatus again... for good reason! I have been in NYC for the past five weeks attending a pre-course for grad school. And I am going to be moving there! which is incredibly exciting, Of course I go during a heat wave, at a time of year known for being unpleasant in New York and no Hamptons or whatever to escape to. And I wasn't just gallivanting around, I had to actually, like impress people and stuff. Attempting to make a good impression while drowning in your own sweat is not an easy feat. Keeping my skin nice, and not sunburnt was top priority because pretty much everything got sweated off. So here are the few things that actually worked (which were not many) in the extreme heat and humidity of the New York summer.

How to: Apply Foundation

Foundation, faking flawless skin (plus some photoshop I am sure)

So as a continuation from yesterday’s How to: Choose a Foundation post, I thought it would be important to explain how to apply it. You can customize the coverage of the foundation depending on the tool, from ultra glam perfection to naturally perfect. It also depends on your laziness level. So let me explain.

How to: Choose a Foundation

Swatch foundation more towards the jaw line, obviously neither colour is close

Foundation is one of the most difficult things to get right and one of the products we use the most and are the most loyal to. It is difficult to get right because not only does it have to perfectly match the skin (yes I said perfectly) it also has to work with the individuals skin type and lifestyle. And when the three pieces fall together? Perfection.

How to: Wash Your Face! 6 ways!

You need to wash your face!

So I feel like this is another forgotten category of skincare. Most people think I they can use whatever as long as their skin gets clean. Not true. I have even had people tell me they wash their faces with head and shoulders!  No wonder your face hates you (hint, it’s not your quality moisturiser. Washing your face gets all the pollution and dirt off your skin that can be aging and cause uneven skin. Think of proper cleansing as prepping the skin for all the great products you are going to put on after like your pricey serums and moisturisers.

Looks I am Loving: Coloured Eye Shadow SS 2013

Peter Som Spring 2013

So I feel like I have been talking about a lot of heavy stuff lately, and I still am getting a feel of what you guys do and don’t like so I thought I would talk about something fun and leave all the talk of moisturising  and exfoliating behind for a minute and talk about stuff that give us instant satisfaction- Pretty, sparkly eye shadow. I somewhat talked about spring being about natural face + bold something with my last looks I am loving post about the Jessa look. Looking at more pictures from SS 2013 I have discovered another thing I love; the amazing natural face + coloured shadow. Again super simple and you could actually walk down the street without feeling super weird. It has surpassed its junior high school roots and in this other picture from Peter Som, looks down right edgy:

Why Mask-ing is awesome

Doing the Mask

Today is going to be a quicky since I feel kind of yucky because of my epic trial of hot yoga (never again) and both my face and body are dehydrated. Because of this I am going to sit on my computer in my hydration mask and tell you about facial masks!

How to: Apply Bronzer

So Pretty! Diggin' the hair

So this time of year people seem to be sick of winter and want spring to come, even to their makeup. The Spring/Summer shows have come and we are seeing all the new things to come, the groundhog didn't see his shadow, so why isn’t it spring already? Well the first thing people seem to want to revive their wintry complexions with a bit of summer “colour”. Personally, I would like people to revive with good skincare (Maybe a little mask-ing) rather than a tan if you have read my stance on sunscreen you will know why. When apply properly, bronzer can give the bit of glow you want without compromising your skin.

How to: Look Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

Bright Eyed!

So this is my blog in devotion to eye care. Eyes being the windows to the soul and all, it is important to look after them. They are also the first thing to show signs of aging. Also the first thing to show when you are looking as sub-par as I currently do getting over a winter cold. So here are my tips to make it look like you have actually slept and looked after yourself (not that it is any substitution for that right?)

How to: Apply Highlighter

Anja Rubik as Hermes by Karl Lagerfeld for Pirelli- beautiful highlighting!

So mildly tricky, highlighter when done right can be fantastic. I prefer to highlight over contouring because it is a lot less tricky. Contouring should only be performed by professionals ie. Makeup artists- in my humble opinion. Or be forever asked (mostly by men) why you have brown stripes on your face. Highlighting allows you to subtly bring out your bone structure without looking strange.

Looks I am Loving: Dick Page for Michael Kors Fall 2012

Rosy prettiness!

So I am going to talk about this even though it’s a bit old. Gasp! It’s from last season! I do really like it and now that I have a blog I can talk about it. They showed it at a recent Shiseido school and I remembered how much I loved it. If you haven’t guessed yet Dick Page is my makeup artistry hero. And it feels appropriate now that the weather has gone frigid and our cheeks have taken on a naturally rosy glow. Nothing perks me up like a good dose of blush.