And Now For Something Completely Different...

Now this post doesn’t really have anything to do with makeup at all – though I have a feeling it might tie in in the end since the Academy Award nominees were announced earlier this week and the fact that a certain movie failed to get a nod for Best Achievement in Makeup left me seriously pissed. 

Before you think I’ve lost it completely, I’m talking about the film Black Swan.

Out of everyone I've spoken to about it, this film was very much either a love or hate situation. Like opera. Yes, it was completely over-the-top and theatrical; yes, it was at times completely ridiculous. However it was in those same moments, for me at least, that it was also at its best. It lifts you outside of yourself and drops you into its world for an hour and a half, and elevated the ridiculous to the point of sublime. But then again, I love opera so perhaps that could be why I felt that way.

My point is coming, I swear. I’m not just type-babbling here.

I’m not a huge fan of the ballet. I tried to watch The Nutcracker one Christmas Eve and fell asleep about twenty minutes in. But by the end of Black Swan, I discovered that not only had I developed a hither-to unknown appreciation for the art form, but also a deep and all-consuming desire to see Swan Lake. Oh, and a sudden urge to take ballet lessons. Does that make me some sort of masochist? Or is that how the film is supposed to make you feel? Or, and this is far more likely, am I just reading way too much into the way I felt after walking out of the theatre? 

Anyway, so home I came to do what I do best - look things up on the Internet. And in looking up various forms of ballet-style exercise I discovered that the woman who trained Natalie Portman for her role, ten year New York City Ballet veteran Mary Helen Bowers, has set up a unique yet brilliantly simple method of ballet training. You can take ballet classes with her online. Through Skype. Genius! If I wasn't horrifically uncoordinated and resembled more of a smoked pork product than a ballerina in a leotard, I would be seriously tempted to try it. But I will spare myself and everyone else. However, if you feel like giving it a whirl, or grand jete as the case may be, the link can be found here: www.balletbeautiful.com

Oh well - at least Black Swan was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Makeup and Hair. And since Alice in Wonderland - another movie in which the makeup was beyond fantastic - also failed to make the Oscar list in that category I am left highly suspicious of the whole affair. I mean, Barney's Version? The Way Back? This is what beats out Swan and Alice for Best Makeup?!? What the hell kind of world is it that we're living in where something like that happens?  

I'm thinking that maybe I'll just skip the Oscars altogether this year. A virtual boycott based on principle alone. Who knows? I might have better things to do that night. Like ballet class. 

Natalie Portman is The Black Swan

Looking into a (Swarovski) Crystal Ball - More Spring 2011 Trends

Although my expertise lies more in the makeup department, since that is what I officially trained in and have built much of my career on, I also have a background in fashion and accessories. My first forays into this wonderful world were at boutiques located on a street that was once considered to be the cutting edge strip of fashion. These days, it resembles more of an outdoor mall, but in its heyday it was the place you wanted to be if you were young and - dare I say it - 'hip'.

Anyway, that brief history lesson notwithstanding, my point is that in addition to lipstick and eye shadows, I also like to keep an eye on what's new and exciting on the way in fashion accessories. The two often go hand in hand.

Looking ahead to spring, I've compiled a wee list of what we have to look forward to.

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011

1. Hats
Ohh, how I love a good hat. It is the kind of accessory that not only protects one from the elements, but also speaks volumes about that person's individual sense of style. Rarely is fashion ever that functional. It appeared that fashion was in agreement. Perhaps it was a subtle nod to the Seventies-style looks they were paired with or some subliminal acknowledgment of the thinning of the ozone layer, but hats were all over the spring runways in a variety of styles and sizes - the most popular of these being ones with a wider brim or a veil. 

Rodarte Spring 2011

 
2. Hair Barrettes
No longer reserved for those still in kindergarten, apparently hair barrettes are the new hair band. Do we have Blair Waldorf (hello? Gossip Girl!) to thank for that as well? Or maybe it's because we've all growing out that pixie cut left over from last summer and have run out of styling options. Whatever the reason might be, it looks like it's time to start trolling the schoolyards and seeing how the barrette pros do it. And it would seem that almost anything goes. You could go with an oversized floral clip to secure that artfully messy roll you spent all morning creating, some whimsical Victorian-looking pins for a vintage ladylike look, or proudly declare your predilection for punk rock with some tiny silver skull and crossbones.




3. Statement jewelry

Chanel Spring 2011

When it comes to jewelry, it is often a matter of personal taste. And while the past few seasons have been dominated by monster sized neckpieces, this spring has seen that particular trend move slightly north with the onslaught of some massive earrings marching down the runways. Color, as mentioned in my previous post about makeup, will continue to hold sway in the accessory department. Tassles and stones will also be key. But one thing to remember is that it's very easy to get excited and overdo it. I think it was Coco Chanel who said it best when she said that when a woman is dressing in the morning, it is always wise to check the mirror and take one thing off before leaving the house.

Somehow I don't think she was talking about underwear. 

Ode to Lipstick

Sometime last year, various news sources began to declare that lipstick was dead; Long Live Lip Gloss.

I'm not ashamed to admit that yes, I too became caught up in the sheer and shiny lure of gloss and at one point carried no less than four around in my bag at any given time. However, gloss could never fully eclipse the deep and abiding love I feel in my heart for lipstick. Centuries of women before me, from as far back as Cleopatra in Egypt, would know what I'm talking about.

Lipstick, the colour red in particular, has been worn by women for thousands of years. Often symbolically, for better or for worse. Queen Elizabeth I, at one point in history the most powerful woman in the world, painted her lips a vivid scarlet red. A couple of hundred years later another queen, Queen Victoria, would declare the wearing of lipstick unacceptable for polite society and banish it to either the stage or the street. In other words, only actresses and prostitutes were caught wearing colour on their lips in 19th century England. By the 1920's and 30's, women of all walks of life had begun to wear lipstick as a symbol of their own feminity, freedom and growing independence.

I can remember the first lipstick I ever bought as a teenager. L'Oreal British Red Coat, a classic true red. My teenaged self considered it the epitome of glamour before I even really knew the meaning of the word. I also recall the first MAC lipstick I got by name: Siren. The deep burgundy with a hint of shimmer appealed to my burgeoning Goth sensibilities. These days I am more of a pink lipstick kind of girl, often the brighter the better. Depends on the day. Put simply, the lipstick that you wear - or don't wear - says a lot about who you are.

Lipstick is a makeover in a tube. Hell, some days it's more than that. Some days, it can be more like an anti-depressant. There is nothing better than carefully applying your favourite shade of lipstick in the middle of a bad day. In that moment, everything changes. The world suddenly seems a little bit brighter, that day you'd been having a little more bearable. It's magical.

I often joke that it's makeup, not a magic wand. With lipstick, however, I think it might just be a little bit of both.

The Future of Beauty - Coming up in 2011

Considering that the temperature here in TO hasn't gotten above zero all week - and let's not even discuss the wind chill factor - it seems like the perfect time to start thinking about spring.

Spring is all about renewal, so all the more reason to throw out some of your old makeup and invest in some new shades! Here's a sneak peek of what will be on offer in the months ahead.

Giorgio Armani Spring 2011

1. Candy-coloured eye shadow
Now I know declaring that colour will be big for spring is a bit like saying 'boots are gonna be hot for fall' or 'the sky is blue'. Thank you, Captain Obvious. But I'm not talking about your usual barely there blues or the ubiquitous soft pinks typical of the season - I mean in-your-face acid bright shades such as lime green or chartreuse, turquoise or aqua blue, even... dare I say it... yellow?
The key to wearing these kinds of colours is to make a statement with it; lay it on thick but blend well with a brush - this is not the time to get sloppy - as a solid colour block on your eyelids, but keep the rest of your face quite bare and neutral.

BCBG/Max Azria Spring 2011

 2. The No-Makeup Makeup Look
I feel it's important to note that this isn't the same thing as getting up in the morning, splashing some water on your face and heading out for the day. There is a subtle art to this look, and the key lies in its strategic use of mascara, concealer and foundation. And don't forget the blush. I'm not kidding when I say that blush changes everything. Your focus should be on the skin and adding a hint of colour to the cheek, but not look like you've done anything at all. It's not as easy as it sounds, but once you get it down it's a skill you'll have for life. And this seems to be one look that will never die, so it's worth it.

Diane Von Furstenburg Spring 2011

 3. Hey Hot Lips
To paraphrase Vanessa Williams from her extremely brief pop music career, I've went and saved the best for last. My absolute favourite emerging trend for spring is pink lips. Not a demure baby pink lip gloss, no no... this is full-on fuchsia! If pink isn't exactly your thing, I suppose I can forgive you -- I mean, fear not, bright coral red and even orange were also making the rounds on the spring runways. Just bear in mind that the same rules apply for the strong lip as for the eyeshadow: make it the statement for your look, and remember to keep the rest of your face relatively makeup free.


Well, hopefully that has inspired you to add a little something new to your makeup bag, maybe a pop of colour for your eyes or your lips, in preparation for the year ahead.

And that spring will decide to come a little sooner this year.

Getting Ahead of Myself. As Usual

I'm always trying to walk before I can run.

It occurred to me, in re-reading my inaugural post, that I was so caught up in waxing philosophical and declaring my beauty independence that I failed to give any indication as to how I plan to go about achieving it. Basically it was no better than what you might see in the ad campaign of those companies I am looking to revolt against. Like a typical politician, it was all talk and no action.

Well, I'm done with talking. It's time now for some action.

That would be where you come in, dear if imaginary Reader. I need you to answer a relatively simple question.

If you could stage your own Beauty Coup, what would you do?

 

Not so much how you'd want to look, although that's certainly part of it, but more how you would want to go about getting the things you would need to put that look together. Would you prefer to buy at the drugstore or from a department store counter? Or do you enjoy the thrill of the chase, going from shop to shop until you have all the items on your list like it's a fashionista version of a scavenger hunt? And tell me, how does it make you feel to be looked down upon by a makeup 'professional' wearing more blush than Pat Benatar circa 1985, or when you find yourself jammed in with a thousand of the closest friends you've never met all trying to find that perfect black eyeliner at a certain black and white striped megastore?

I want to know what you think. I want to know how the whole experience would look if you had your way, from start to finish and in as much detail as you care to include in the comments below.

I realize it might take some time to come up with a response, so I'm prepared to be a little bit patient. I mean, how many times has anyone asked you that question and stuck around to hear the answer? 

 

2011: New Year's Revolution

No, that's not a typo.

New Year's is all about new beginnings; out with the old and in with the new, vowing to do all of those things that you never got round to last year like losing five pounds or start training for a triathlon or taking up knitting. You know, the usual.

Unfortunately for most of us, by March, life has gotten in the way and all of those grandiose plans to bring radical sweeping changes to our lives are gone like so much Christmas chocolate and silver tinsel. Packed away till this time next year, when the vicious cycle of making promises you can't possibly keep will start all over again.

But not this year. It's time for a revolution. 

Delacroix - Liberty Leading the People

 

Perhaps not quite as bloody as the French Revolution depicted here in this famous painting, nor the coups staged by America or Russia after it, but a critical shift in the way we think and do things is definitely in order. But let's start with something simple. Something a little easier to tackle than the current political regime.

I'm talking about a Beauty Revolution.

Here's how it works, based on my limited knowledge of revolutionary protocol:
It starts with a statement of intent - a declaration if you will - which details the what and why of what you're attempting to achieve. After that, you just need to get enough people to hop onboard your train of thought and let its momentum do the rest. Before you know it, your idea has taken on a life of its own and suddenly - voila. You've made a change. How it happens and where it could lead, well...you won't know that until you get there.

So here goes nothing. Here is my declaration of Beauty Independence:

When in the course of retail events it becomes necessary for a People to 

dissolve the chains which have bound them to the big beauty businesses;

Those stuck-up corporate suits whose sole purpose is to dictate 

what one should buy and how one should look. 

    To those who want nothing less than to keep us held hostage 

by their narrow and damaging viewpoints, we will stand together today and say 

No More.

No more empty promises.

No more ingredients that are either irresponsibly sourced, 

potentially harmful or entirely unnecessary.

 

No more shall we conform to their cookie cutter concept

of what it means to be beautiful.

We, the self-appointed Representatives of a new kind of Beauty ideal,
do solemnly pledge

our allegiance to a new way of shopping for makeup and accessories.

One that stays true to its word and delivers the results it claims.

One that will not further damage our environment, 

our community, or ourselves.

One that supports independent thought and creative small business

over corporate greed and cosmetic autocracy.

And for the support this Declaration, with a firm belief in the Divine power 

of the Internet and its ability to spread a message, 

we mutually pledge to each other 

this commitment to finding a better way to be beautiful.

 

Okay, so maybe I got a little carried away there. Maybe I got inspired by the founding fathers of our neighbour to the South, themselves no strangers to the revolutionary concept. And yes, maybe I did directly plagiarize some parts of a Declaration they once committed to and signed on a piece of parchment. Isn't imitation the sincerest form of flattery? 

Whatever. What I want to know now is, who's with me?