I have to say, I am so on board with Spring 2011.
Denim, Maxi, Stripes, PLATFORMS!!! oh, 1974, I’ve been waiting for you to come back in full force.
BUT!
What is the deal with the pearl-y lipstick????????
This is one trend I can not jump on.
With the upcoming release of MAC’s Jeanious collection in March, I’m fairly certain the fashion conscious (or not so…) masses will flock to all three (THREE!!!) of their light, pearlized lipsticks. Not to mention Revlon and Maybelline have entire pearl collections.
Now, don’t get me wrong, on a certain people pearly lips can look great (drag queens). I’m just having a flashback to fuchsia pearl lips, long chartreuse nails, leopard print swishy jackets, and dyed black hair that defies gravity. Trust me, you’ve seen them.
Is this yet another fashion choice brought to light by the whole fascination with overly tan, big boobed, scantily clad ladies that are from a certain state and pepper their sentences with “friggin’”?
I think it is. I love ‘em, personally. This does not mean I want to emulate them. It certainly doesn’t mean I think the rest of the country should, either. I’m terrified this newfound popularity pearly lipstick is finding is the straw that will break the very weak camel’s back and bring upon us a full-on Jerseytastic apocalypse.
I am a huge nerd.
Cosmetics-1595–1605; < Gk kosmētikós relating to adornment, equiv. tokosmēt(ós) adorned, arranged (verbid of kosmeîn, deriv. of kósmosorder, arrangement) + -ikos -ic
The earliest archaeological evidence of cosmetics is from around 4,000 B.C., that’s over 6,000 years of artificially beautifying one’s self.
The ancient Egyptians were the pioneers of early cosmetics. When you think of ancient people all dolled up, they’re most likely the ones to pop into your mind first after all!! Egyptian men and women, young and old all wore cosmetics. They used a green paste made of copper minerals to add color and definition to their faces, in addition to a cream made of sheep’s fat, lead and soot to paint on their eyebrows. Sometimes, they used a mixture of red ochre mixed with water or henna to dye their lips, cheeks and nails. What I think of most when the topic of ancient Egyptian makeup comes up (which obviously it does all the time?) is Kohl.
Kohl deserves it’s own paragraph. Kohl is a dark colored powder made of crushed antimony, burnt almonds, lead, oxidized copper, ochre, ash, malachite, and chrysocolla. It was applied with a small stick to create an almond-shaped eye. Its really interesting because given all of the things in it that we know now to be awful to put around your eyes, it was used for purposes other than just making those ancient Egyptians look beautiful. It was used to reduce sun glare (ancient sun glasses!!) and as an infection fighter. The Nile was a breeding ground for all kinds of infectious diseases in the ancient world, and the eye makeup acted as an antiseptic! Now, the Egyptians had no idea what elements had antiseptic properties, what antiseptic was, or even any sort of basic knowledge of bacteria! Bacteria wasn’t even observed until nearly 5,000 years later! How, you ask, did the Egyptians happen to come to understand that Kohl kept them from getting all sorts of awful diseases? It was given to them by the gods! Kohl, according to them, had magical properties which would call on Horus and Ra to protect them from potential illness.
On to the Chinese and Japanese, in 1,500 B.C., the vogue look was pasty white skin. To achieve this look, rice powder was used (rice has long been used in Asian cultures as a beauty aid mostly for it’s anti-ageing properties) Women also shaved or plucked their eyebrows completely off, painted their teeth black or gold and used henna dyes to stain their hair and faces. Apparently, the ancient Asian cultures’ idea of beauty was the exact opposite of what ours is!
Last but certainly not least are the Greeks and Romans. A saying in ancient Rome was, “A woman without paint, is like food without salt.” The Greek’s beautifying rituals were used more as cover-ups to their unusual bathing habits than as accents to natural beauty. Both genders used wigs made often of sheep’s wool or actual human hair to hide their natural (dirty) hair. Greek women also favored the pasty white look, the idea being that high society women basked in beautiful shaded gardens and remained indoors most of the time avoiding the sun. To achieve this look, they used white lead or chalk as a facial powder. They used ground charcoal mixed with olive oil for eye shadow, powdered iron oxide for rouge and clays mixed with beeswax and olive oil as a sort of lip balm. Romans by far had the more interesting beautifying rituals. They had slaves specifically for the application of perfumes and cosmetics (ancient makeup artists!). Barley flour and butter were used as an aid for pimples, which is interesting because we now know the absolute last thing you would want on a pimple is something occlusive like butter!!! They used sheep’s fat and blood as a makeshift nail polish and took mud baths with crocodile poop!!
The ancients were certainly invested in their beauty, much like we are today. Through out the next 3,000 years, cosmetics took a back seat. With the rise of non-pagan religion, cosmetics were seen as superfluous and vulgar. Such a shame, because a little rouge would probably do all that royal inbreeding a little good!
Links from which I got all of this wonderful info:
http://www.fragrancewholesale.com/somhisandbac.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100111112845.htm
http://www.elisabethmorrow.org/classroomnews/lp6makeu.htm
I found this article on Webmd and i thought it was a really quick, comprehensive history of the shit us woman have gone through to be beautiful.
And without further ado:
From the copper and lead ore that the ancient Egyptians used to create the world’s first cosmetics to the scientifically advanced products of today that can do everything from hide pores, smooth complexions, and turn the pale green of your eyes a vivid shade of emerald, makeup has been an integral part of humankind for thousands of years. Over the centuries, women used burnt matches to darken their eyes, berries to stain their lips and young boys’ urine to fade their freckles. They even swallowed ox blood in some misguided attempt to improve their complexions.
Women throughout history put their health at risk with many of their homemade cosmetics. In some cultures, for example, women used arsenic, lead, mercury, and even leeches to give themselves the pale appearance deemed beautiful in the old days. Thankfully, we’ve come a long way from the days of using toxic and deadly mixtures to enhance our looks.
Today’s multibillion dollar cosmetic industry must meet strict government regulations about what it can and cannot include in products and must follow safe manufacturing guidelines. Today, the most serious injury you’re likely to receive from your cosmetics is an irritation or a rash from using a product that’s too harsh for your skin. Yet, despite decades of safety testing and a safety record unparalleled in many industries, there are many myths circulating about the dangers of cosmetic ingredients.
O.K. sorry about not posting for a while- I kind of forgot I even had this.
BUT i have literally tried what feels like a million products. So if you wish to know my opinion on a few, please read on.
Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips Lipgloss- $18
I absolutely am obsessed with this product. I have it in April (a retty, very sparkly light pink) and Tempest (a sort of nude-y coral-y with gold in it). The color payoff is amazing and it stays on for what seems like 2,143,908 hours. Its sort of minty, but a weird mint that makes your lips feel like you put an icecube on them for a second, but the feeling lasts for a while.
What else…
Oh!
MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Eyes Eyeliner- $17
Let me tell you, these liners do not quit. They stay on forever and they are just creamy enough to blend, but they wont slide off oily lids. My favorite is White 14L. Its a little pearly, which when you put it on the water line of your eye, makes your eyes look deer in the headlights kind of huge. I wear it almost every day.
Korres Multivitamin Compact Powder-$28
First off, let me say that I think Korres is a really great company. Their products are always top quality and really do what they say they will. Its also really awesome that this product (and almost every other) is without Parabens, Sulfates, Mineral Oils, Petro-chemicals, Propylene Glycols, Ethanolomines, GMOs and Synthetic Dyes. Thats pretty good for a product that is not only a powder that is moisturizing but also keeps your skin from being an oily mess. I find the product is perfect for my everything but normal skin. BUT!! The color, oh the color. They don’t have a powder light enough for us girls who happen to be less than tan! The lightest color comes up awfully yellow on my light ivory skin tone. Maybe its because the company is greek and they don’t have pasty girls there? I don’t know… but its a shame. :(
In other news, I really really feel the need to try the new Chanel Jade Nail Laquer. Its so beautiful!!!!!!
Have an awesome weekend!
NARS.
This collection is sooo beautiful.
I went to my local NARS counter last night to buy the Hungry Heart Blush Duo
Which is unbelievable beautiful, by the way…
And I wound up buying their new spring eyeshadow Grenadines
Its a wonderful wonderful matte reddish tone described by NARS as “matte garnette” which is totally the only way to describe it. I love it. I’m really apprehensive when it comes to using reds and pinks, but this color is soooo complimentary. yay!!!!!
Congrats, NARS for another amazing collection.
Ok. so here are some products I find to be absolutely amazing.
Dior Eyeshow in Undressed Beige has to be one of my favorite things i’ve picked up in a while.
It is perfect for wearing alone, as a base, or using as a highlighter (even on cheeks!!)
Its got an amazing shimmer to it that opens up the eyes immediately, but its still subtle enough that you can use it on someone with ageing skin. I love it so much.
Next:
Tarte cheek stain is a lifesaver. I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about it such as it doesnt blend well or that its a little sticky. For me, it is nothing short of amazing. It blends perfectly when i use it over bare minerals foundation and I put the mineral veil over it. The color is so sheer and buildable. Love it.
Also:
Covergirl Lash Blast Waterproof.. where do I start? This mascara is awesome. Especally because it costs about as much as a cup of coffee. I work around water allllll day and this beauty never runs or smudges and holds the curl in my super straight lashes all day. There is only one negative to this product: it tends to dry out a little too quickly. But serously, for the price… I could care less.
Now, some say that the brush is a little thick. I get that, but, with a little practice, it has to be the best brush on a mascara wand ever.
ok have a great day!!!!
This is some makeup I did on my little sister, Julie. I tried to do a very late 40’s feel. Matte skin and thick brows are the main points I tried to achieve. The lipstick bled a little bit. Oh well.
