This week on Lisa Freemont Street, the 1940's were king.

Tuesday's tutorial was in response to several requests I received to resurrect a series I started in 2010, for High Humidity hairstyles. Here in Memphis, humidity and heat can be mercilessly equal during the hottest part of the summer, making the weather very difficult to endure. So having a few structured hairstyles in your repertoire can be a life-saver on those days that even your pin curls won't work out.

A snood is a great option for high humidity environments and this style is a simple, wearable 1940's look that is flattering and practical. The snoods I used this week are courtesy of Bombshell Beth snoods, and are handmade in a variety of colors and densities. I love that the one I used has beading, so it will also work beautifully for evening, especially when paired with victory rolls:



In keeping with the 1940s theme, we also paid a visit to Heyday! Vintage Fashion. Shona's designs are so authentic to the eras from which she takes inspiration, and they're so flattering as well!


Finally, I did a product review for Wen Haircare, that conditioning shampoo treatment you see on all the infomercials. Since so many people seem to have a love/hate relationship with Chaz Dean, the product's creator, I chose to review the product with as unbiased an eye (and head) as possible. I guess you'll see my opinion when you click on the video below:


The week had actually opened with a belated Drugstore Dubstep, shot from my car, for Maybellines Dark circle Eraser and I hope to bang out a few more of these in the near future as well.


Thanks again for your continued views and support. Next week, I am hoping to create something a bit more modern and edgy as well as my first makeup tutorial with the new set up. I also plan a couple of product reviews, as usual.

xxoo,
Ashley

I keep seeing this statement on youtube, in the comments of vintage-loving gals who are sweet enough to post a little video outfit of the day or beauty tip for fellow retro enthusiasts. It's a pet peeve of mine and I'll tell you why:

For one thing, a simple click on the user name behind most of these comments will tell you all you need to know about them. Most of the girls who troll the vintage girls on Youtube are under 18 and have a very skewed notion of what is 'vintage'. They feel that it is either a: a badge of honor worn only by girls lucky enough to have an entirely authentic vintage wardrobe (and that this term applies only to pieces prior to 1960) or b: is somehow associated with Adele and Katy Perry, stars who are continually labeled as having a 'vintage' aesthetic by the media. Some of them have the idea that 'rockabilly' automatically means 'vintage' as well, which just baffles me. Rockabilly is a style of music...if someone calls themselves 'rockabilly', I seriously hope they are also fans of the music, whether they dress in retro styles or not. But that's beside the point; telling someone 'You're not vintage' (or most commonly among the uneducated troll-kingdom: 'Your not vintage') is not only based on ignorance but also preconceptions that are born of societies where labels are a means of gaining acceptance among our peers. It's sad, really.

Here are my thoughts about what constitutes 'vintage', some of which you've already seen me mention in videos: 'Vintage' is a broad term and is entirely subjective. Just like what someone deems to be 'Rock n Roll' will vary from one person to the next, what is 'vintage' in one person's eyes will be 'so not vintage' to someone else. Yes there are technical and official definitions of both terms but what they specifically means to someone is based on their own interests and desires. Telling someone that they're 'not vintage' is like saying 'that ain't rock n roll'. For every accusation, there will be hundreds of supporters willing to fight for what they feel deserves the label.

Which is why labels are such a ridiculous presence in pop culture. What possible good do they serve? Other than as a tag to help group together posts on social media networking, perhaps...I see no use for them. If you label YOURSELF, fine...knock yourself out. But don't impose your ideas on others as though somehow your adolescent word is law.

For those of you who frequent my blog, youtube, facebook or Instagram: Hopefully you know by now that I don't support labels or tolerate catty opinions from those who do. If I see a darling girl who wears J Crew dresses and a flower in her hair being bashed for using the term 'vintage' to describe her style, I'm likely to make a snarky comment in her defense. After all, who are YOU to tell that sweet girl what qualifies as vintage? If we were to rely on the media to label things for us, the following pictures all came up under a Google search of the word:


I actually think all of the above photos are representations of a thoroughly modern aesthetic. But it's also obvious to me that they're inspired by the past, as most fashion is, and therefore it doesn't bother me a bit that they're searchable under the word 'vintage'.

Now, if the above photos were listed as 'authentic 1940's or 1950's', I might have a problem...but they're not. And if they were...well that's a rant for another time.

Til then, please be nice to each other and let people call themselves and their style whatever they want to. It's not going to hurt you to simply stay silent.

Ashley

This month, I'm happy to bring your attention to a few amazing things from my sponsors. Make sure to click those links to the right so you can see what else they have to offer!


Belle Blossom:
I was blown away by the above hair accessory from our favorite flower clip company, Belle Blossoms! The 'Lady Day' is perfect as a wedding headpiece and I am thrilled by the gorgeous new look of the site. Make sure to check out the Spring Blossoms as well.
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You won't believe the hairstyles you can accomplish with the proper tools! The 'sculpture pin curler' from Vintage Hair is a great investment for those of you who love pin curling. And the international shipping rates have been greatly reduced!

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Spring is in the air at Heartbreaker Fashion! I love the lilac number below and have been lucky enough to obtain one for my very own:


I'll be doing a Dressing Room series video for you soon but until then, let me just say that Heartbreaker dresses are PERFECT for daily wear because they're cut in such a way that they are still flattering even without constrictive undergarments. They 'hug' in all the right places!

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SUCH a huge fan of this fabulous Lisa Fremont inspired piece by Kelly Grace! Don't miss out on all the great new installations to her 'getting ready' series as well!


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Next month look for more sponsors to join this list! If you are interested in having your product promoted on Lisa Freemont Street, don't hesitate to contact me at lisafreemontstreet@gmail.com

XOXO
Ashley

Hello Friends. :)
This week on Lisa Freemont Street I dealt with a few requests that I had received as well as started a new series for my film review channel.

On Tuesday, which is 'filming day' for me, I first filmed a Hot Sticks tutorial, showcasing not only an in depth how-to for these great curlers but also product suggestions and reasons why they work so well for curling straight hair in a Retro setting:


Also, I was able to film a review for Micheline Pitt's highly anticipated DVD: Modern PinUp Makeup and Hair. It's a great dvd, if a bit cumbersome, and worthy of your collection! I am always after new and exciting things to enter into my makeup arsenal and this set contains quite a few invaluable tips! I give it a solid 7/10.


This week, as I mentioned, I started a new series! I now have started the Hitchcock review series for my movie review channel. I'm so excited about this adventure and hope all of you enjoy the reviews, which I HOPE to keep to a watchable 5 minutes. I'm also hoping to involve a few youtubers in the NON beauty related world on Youtube. ;-)





Thanks again for all your support!

xoxo
Ashley

No, I'm not disrespectful enough to actually call a video series that, but the mental image it created made me smile so anyway...

A life-long film buff, some of you may know that I started a review channel on Youtube several months ago that has had only sporadic postings:


I have decided to take this channel a little further and begin posting weekly, starting with a doozy of series! I'll be reviewing all available Hitchcock movies, one a week, from The Lodger to Family Plot. While I intend to mostly review these in order of release, I will start with Rear Window, since Grace Kelly's character in that film inspired Lisa Freemont Street. I'm really looking forward to this so I hope you'll come along with me. Click 'Subscribe' and don't miss sharing your opinions and thoughts one each of my coming film reviews!



xoxo
Ashley

My VIVA video took a while this time, but I finally got it up for you! It was a great time and I already miss my friends that I only see at the event. :( But that said, I hope you enjoy the video, the coming feature in Vintage Life Magazine, and my as yet unmade videos that will definitely be in the works starting next week!

I don't have time to do a Viva play by play here (as I have in previous years), but hopefully I will have time to do that next time. It's tough getting caught up! I miss you all and will be back soon to resurrect this blog. :)
xoxo
Ashley

In preparation for Viva Las Vegas, I'm doing a series of videos dealing with a variety of things associated w/ the event. I hope you're all enjoying those! Last week, I did a tutorial for the line dance the ladies do at events like these: The Sex Kitten Stroll:


This week, I did a couple of videos that deal with packing and wardrobe ideas:



However this blog post is in association with another video I did last week, a short pin curled hair tutorial:


I've been meaning to do a blog post about short vintage hairstyles for a while now, and this seemed an appropriate occasion since last week's video only addresses one length and style. Many people feel that vintage hair stops at Victory Rolls and Rita Hayworth waves but in actuality, short hair was common during every decade. If a short 'do is your aesthetic choice, don't feel stifled by pictures in modern hair magazines that tell you what is acceptable. Adorable short haircuts can be found simply by browsing the 'interwebs' for photos of your favorite classic glamour girls. Below are some photos of great vintage short cuts that I felt deserved some attention:
1. The Hat-Girl:



Hats were MADE for short hair. If you are a hat wearer, never underestimate the added appeal the hat will automatically hold when coupled with a close crop.

2.The Siren


While Ava Gardner's shoulder brushing locks in The Killers definitely made a statement, most people remember her for the short hairstyle you popularized in the 50's. It was soft and alluring and devastatingly sexy. A shorter version of the Gene Tierney look from the tutorial. And it's ideal for thick wavy hair.



3.The Marilyn:
Worth mentioning because Monroe's short blonde hair remained her trademark for the duration of her career and proved that long lustrous tresses were not necessary for sex symbol status. Beware though: this style can easily become matronly if not paired with youthful fashion and glowing makeup. Just take a look at your local blue-hair beauty parlor. Octogenarians adore this style and have likely worn it since their hey-day.



4.The Sophia:
Another look that can potentially be matronly, this soft short style worn by young Sophia Loren is just darling on brunettes and looks ADORABLE on most girls. Just be careful not to overtease the top, which can bring to mind 80's hair instead.




5. The Sabrina:
Audrey Hepburn's short cut in Roman Holiday and Sabrina are proof positive that a lovely face can only benefit by a short face framing cut. If low maintenance is your thing, take a lesson from Miss Hepburn who showed off her beautiful neck and huge doe eyes to their best advantage when she took this plunge.



6. The Pixie:
Made famous by elfin faced girls like Mia Farrow and Leslie Caron in the 60's, the pixie cut is the most committed of all 'vintage hairstyles' and still remains popular today. If your features are petite, a pixie cut can be just the thing to give you that bold entrance with the most minimal amount of effort.



Lastly, if you do choose to go with a short cut, don't forget to stock up on accessories. Flower clips, scarves, headbands, fascinators, and the aforementioned hats can keep a short haircut fresh, interesting, and occasion appropriate. And if you made the cut before heading to Viva, we pin curling girls envy you the time you'll get to spend OUT of the room while we're still shaping a wave.

xoxo,
Ashley