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"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing...kissing a lot. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls."
Audrey Hepburn


Thursday, July 28, 2016

Vintage Hair Problems: Rolling the Back of Your Head


I get a lot of Vintage Style questions via email and on social media and usually the questions are pretty easy to answer in writing, with just a few words. Occasionally however, one arises that I feel a video would better serve to answer. This one, for instance:

How do I roll the back of my head?

Because I tend to roll my hair without a back view at all, I sometimes take it for granted that it's something everyone does. I know there are some girls who firmly believe in precision in this regard, using a mirror and a rat-tail comb to delicately part and curl the back of their head to perfection. And certainly vintage styling books show very specific placement for the back of the head, being geared towards the professional crowd as they are. But I do think most people don't give it a lot of thought or effort. Or at least, I think most ladies would prefer not to have to take that much time setting their hair at night.

If you are that latter gal, this video is for you! This is how I set my hair in the back and yes, I show you the messy results as well as the actual style that comes from the process. It doesn't have to be a thoughtful procedure unless you want it to be...and if you do, I salute you. But if you don't...join me and the other ladies who enjoy sitting in a tv-lit room watching Stephen Colbert as we haphazardly throw our hair up for the night!

xoxo,
Ashley


Easy False Eyelashes for Doll and Cat Eyes!


For those of us with a vintage aesthetic, false lashes can make or break a look! No amount of wiggle dresses, high heels, seamed stockings, or bombshell waves will make up for a lash-less eye. While winged liner and lots of mascara can definitely add some thickness to your flutter, to really channel the broads of yore, you'll have to get used to applying some lashes-at least for special occasions.

The following video was made for YOU...you there, with your glue-problems and red eyes! You poked those tweezers in there one time too often, didn't you? I've got you.

Here is my failsafe, tweezer-less eyelash application tutorial! Enjoy!



Friday, July 15, 2016

The Country Broad & the City Broad- A YouTube Collaboration

I first ran across Lolita Haze quite a few years ago when I was a visitor of the forums called The Fedora Lounge. She had such a great attitude and such a handle on her own vintage style, that I began following her blog and youtube uploads with interest. Since then, we've both been super busy ladies and I actually lost track of her for a while.
I'm happy to see that she's back on youtube delivering more great platinum hairstyles with effortless rolls and plenty of pow!

When she approached me recently for a collaboration idea, I was stumped at first. It's hard to remain creative and vintage-authentic at the same time anyway, so adding someone else's style into the mix can be challenging. Then she mentioned a 'Country hairstyle/City Hairstyle' collab, and that really hit home...I loved the idea of doing a tongue-in-cheek revamp of the age-old 'Country Mouse & City Mouse' fable! I would be the Country broad, since I'm southern born and raise, and Lolita would do a vintage take on a City Broad.

For a few days I browsed the inter-webs in search of some photo-inspiration, and realized that I wanted to keep it simple...closer to what a typical country gal from the south might have actually done to her hair in the heat of summer. Usually there would have been a wet-set involved, to combat humidity, and flowers would have been plucked and perhaps woven into a chain for adornment. So the following look was born, and quite literally created 'on the fly'. It came out a little more bridal than I expected, which I didn't mind at all, and also even a little Petticoat Junction? I can see it with overalls and a gingham top but it would pair just as easily with an eyelet slip dress. I wore this with pride the day I did it though, because it felt completely organic to me. A bit sloppy maybe, but hey, who needs perfection?


I hope you enjoy the following tutorial as well..and please don't forget to check out Lolita's Video too, which will be linked in the info bar.


So Long, Dearies!!


Saturday, July 9, 2016

The Starlet Series Episode 4: 1923


So far, all of the movies I've paid homage to in this resurrected series of mine, are dramatic films. This time, I decided to use a look featured in one of the decade's most pivotal silent comedies: Safety Last!, starring Harold Lloyd and his real-life leading lady, Mildred Davis. I had only seen those famous iconic images of Lloyd dangling from a clock tower until now, so I was happy to see that the film is available on a variety of streaming options and in relatively good quality. I'm so glad I gave it a watch!


About the Film:

The story is very simple. Harold Lloyd portrays 'the boy', in this one. Names aren't needed, nor are they missed. The boy travels to the big city to seek his fortune, and thus procure the hand of his lady-love back at home. While he is highly ambitious, he doesn't quite manage to make said 'fortune', and instead lives hand to mouth, scraping together earnings from a thankless job at a local department store. Since he exaggerates his success in his letters to home, sending expensive gifts and making dishonest claims about his position at the store, the girl he loves decides to make a journey to the city as well, so they can go ahead and be married. Faced with her presence, the boy must decide how to quickly obtain the funds needed, and comes up with a publicity stunt that would result in a huge paycheck for him, as well as increased business for the store. Chaos and hilarity ensue.

In spite of the fact that the story is very basic, there are moments of comedic timing here that will rival anything ever filmed. The moments at the department store, during sale days, when the ladies ransack the dress goods for a good deal will still resonate with retail workers today. Both Lloyd and Davis shine on screen, separately and as a couple. While I still prefer the acrobatic charm of Buster Keaton, I can completely understand the appeal of Harold's 'every-man' persona. The tousled hair, black framed rims, and lanky frame all combine to create a presence that was much-needed during a time of dark and brooding screen heroes. Davis is a breath of fresh air as well, sacrificing glamour and icy sentimentality in favor of girl-next-door simplicity. Her expressions, fashions, and simple attire likely spoke to the ladies of that generation in a way that was attainable and identifiable for them. The climax of this film did not fail to impress, especially when one considers the amount of preparation and skillful stunt-work that would have been involved in such a feat. For what it is, it is hard to imagine it being improved upon even in light of today's technical advances.

My Rating: 10/10
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The Tutorial:

My inspiration for the look in this video was actually based on a head shot of Davis at the time. I liked the above photo because her curls are still very apparent, and the big beautiful white flower really sets off her hair length and texture.

The trick with this hairstyle is to mimic the look of natural curls, in spite of my stick-straight, fine hair. If you've already got curly hair, simply placing your hair in pin curls while damp and brushing through the newly structured curls until the frizz has abated will give you a similar look. For longer hair, just pin up the length into a faux bob.

I first set it overnight in the smallest foam rollers I had. I parted my hair on the side and sprayed each section with a diluted solution of Lottobody setting lotion before rolling it up.
End papers will also come in handy if you have layered ends. The results of this set are some serious frizzy curls and will be super intimidating at first. HAVE NO FEAR. You can brush past the frizz if you have a good brush and some patience. Forming the curls into waves will be a bit of a process (it actually took me about 20 minutes)but it will be worthwhile when you finish.

The makeup I did was the easiest option for 20's makeup yet. It's a wearable version more consistent with the every day look that makeup novices of the day would have done. After all, makeup was really new to the general public and folks like Mildred Davis made a natural, fresh look not only en vogue, but also highly attainable!

See the video for techniques and application tips, but below is a list of the actual products I used in this tutorial. Some are discontinued so I didn't include those. Just find something with the same general look.

Products Used:

Face:
Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch (primer) by Clarins
Beyond Perfecting Foundation by Clinique in the color 'Alabaster'

Brows:
Mac eyeshadow in Soft Brown

Eyes:
Napoleon Perdis Prismatic Eyeshadow Quad #4
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in 'Trooper'
Lancome Hypnose 'Doll Eyes' Mascara, black

Lips:
Rimmel Lip Liner in 'Spice'
Loreal Lipstick in Cinnamon Toast

Floral Hair Clip: Belle Blossoms



Sunday, July 3, 2016

Jane Jetson Gets the 'Animated Angels' Treatment...Again!


So not so long ago, in a comparatively kidless house, I did a Jane Jetson look for my Animated Angels series. The look was scatterbrained and bad quality, but I still dug it. However the powers-that-be in copyright-land, decided it could not stay on Youtube. The look now only exists in a few random photos from several several years ago.

Time has passed, hair has shortened, and I have decided to recreate a 'Jane' look for the series. The video quality is still not ideal when it comes to makeup, but this series is still one of my favorites because I feel so much more like I have 'free reign' when it comes to the look I want to achieve. My 'Bad Minnie' will have to be next!

That said, this week's video is for those of you who wish to channel the matriarch of the Jetson clan, without going full-on costume.


Starting with Makeup:

The makeup in this look is inspired by the early sixties, when bold opaque colors were used in high fashion all over the tear duct area, and fake bottom lashes were often drawn onto the model. Twiggy-lashes were all the rage and I decided to do them for this look, on a much more subdued scale. The top lashes are also big, long, sixties-inspired ones that flare out at the end. Mine are Ardells but dang it, if I didn't throw the box away! Anyway, any sort of spikey fluttery lash should work brilliantly. Otherwise, the application and techniques are pretty standard.


Foundation notes: I'm wearing my favorite Clarins True Radiance foundation in this video, with only Clinique Moisture Surge as a primer. Both can be pricey but the finish should be subtle and you can use whichever you prefer. The blush and highlighter I used is neither here nor there...but I do recommend in the video that you get the Nyx Strobing palette for highlighting since it's the BEST one I've tried!!

Eyeshadow notes: The eyeshadow palette I'm using is by Stila and it was in a purple cardboard packaging. The name of the palette was 'In the Moment', but it's since been discontinued. The colors are great though, so if you can find one anywhere, I highly recommend it. If not, no worries...you can use anything that you like. Just keep in mind that frosty eyeshadows do tend to be more reliable from the drugstore than matte ones. Just a sad fact.

Eyeliner notes: Okay, ya'll know that I'm not going to recommend you skimp when it comes to Eyeliner. The Pretty Easy Lining pen by Clinique is still my favorite since the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner...and it's cheaper! Draws thick and thin lines equally well and lasts FOREVER!

Lip Color Notes: The Soft Matte Lip Cream by Nyx in the color, 'London, is my all-time favorite nude shade, so get it! It's only 6.00 and it feels and smells great...sort of a no-brainer. The liner is also fantastic...hot mocha by Napoleon Perdis. It's not available in the US though, from what I understand, so find something similar that registers as a cool nude on your skin tone. The silvery lip gloss is by MAC and it's a discontinued shade called Flurry of Fun. Find anything with a bluish hieroglyphic glitter in it and you'll be golden...or...errr...silver-en?

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Hair Notes: As you know, I live in Memphis Tennessee...which is a LITERAL hot-bed of humid stickiness in the summer time. Although I used my Remington Tight Curls for the purpose of this tutorial, it's absolutely NOT recommended for my climate and I'm not sure why I did it. Laziness, I guess. That said, stick with your foam rollers or pin curls for humid climates and follow the same process. If you're in a low-humidity environment, use a curling iron, hot rollers, whatever...knock yourself out!

Hair Product notes: Always use a heat protectant without alcohol and a good hairspray. I'm loving my Sebastion Shaper Plus hairspray for helping fight humidity during our sticky late weather!

So that's about it....make sure to check the video link below for the full tutorial AND outfit suggestions from companies that I feel have options that perfectly encapsulate that whimsical space-age style!

So long, Dearies!