New hires for Fox News?

Ann Romney, Anita Perry, and Callista Gingrich star in TV spots in advance of the January 3 Iowa caucus.

L to R: Ann Romney, Anita Perry, Callista Gingrich

Source: yahoo.com via STYLE on Pinterest

Fox News should hire these foxy blondes.  Else, their husbands can find work at Fox News: it's where washed-up Republican politicians go. :-)

Candles for the holidays

My husband and I spent a quiet Christmas at home.  The only decoration was the floral arrangement that he Photoshopped.  I pulled out my Christmas CDs for a listen.  I rarely burn candles, because of safety issues, but here are a couple that I burned on Christmas Eve:

Manuel Canovas Bois de Lune Candle

Source: images.auctionworks.com via STYLE on Pinterest

Manuel Canovas Bois de Lune Candle has a heady, smoky fragrance like burning wood.

What's even more fragrant than Manuel Canovas Bois de Lune Candle?

Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture by Young Living

Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture by Young Living

Source: youngliving.com via STYLE on Pinterest

I still have the Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture kit by Young Living that I purchased from a friend at church 4 years ago.  Since then, she's retired and relocated to Asheville, North Carolina.  I use the oils as inhalants (no, I don't get high!) and keep the kit in the night stand to enjoy the resinous fragrances wafting from the kit as I lie in bed.

Now comes news that frankincense could be on the verge of extinction, due to a number of factors.  All the more reason to cherish the bottle of essence of frankincense in the Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture kit.

Frankincense in The Bible:

Peace on Earth

Peace on Earth and goodwill to all from The Style Page.

Christmas floral arrangment

Source: Uploaded by user via Julie on Pinterest

My husband took this photo of a floral arrangement and enhanced it with Photoshop.

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hannukah to readers of The Style Page who celebrate the holiday:

Source: thestylepage.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

The Style Page is (belatedly) aware that Hanukkah began Tuesday, December 20; nonetheless, it didn't want the holiday go by without our greetings!

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Vatican certifies miracle ascribed to Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, who should be elevated to sainthood next year.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Source: normlev.net via Julie on Pinterest

Does this mean that Leonard Cohen will have to rewrite his novel Beautiful Losers :-)

The simplest solution for hiding bags and dark circles under the eyes

Source: sweetslyrics.com via Julie on Pinterest

Eye glasses!

Greek singer Nana Mouskouri made them her signature.

Sue Devitt Beauty Defining Eyeliner Pencil

Sue Devitt Beauty’s Eye Intensifier Pencil is one of the best products I’ve ever received. I've never had much luck with eyeliner pencils, but Sue Devitt Beauty’s Eye Intensifier Pencil doesn’t need “priming” and goes on smoothly and easily. With smudging, Sue Devitt Beauty’s Eye Intensifier Pencil in Pointe-Noire is great for recreating the sooty kajal-rimmed eye that I so admire on Indian women.

Now Sue Devitt Beauty has come out with the fine-tipped Defining Eyeliner pencil, which complements the jumbo Eye Intensifier Pencil. Like the Eye Intensifier pencil, the Defining Eyeliner pencil goes on very smoothly and easily. I received the Defining Eyeliner pencil in Hvita, a shiny silver that looks like Christmas tree tinsel. It is great for rimming the lower eyelids and illumining the inner corner of the eye. Sue Devitt Beauty Defining Eyeliner pencil in Hvita would be great applied over black eyeliner and smudged. For holiday parties, wear a simple LBD and complement the look with sparkly earrings and hair accessories.

Sue Devitt Beauty Defining Eyeliner Pencil in Hvita

Items in Sue Devitt Beauty’s holiday makeup look (her products, of course!) are:

In the deep midwinter #MusicMonday

This is one of the most poignant carols that I know.  The words are by poet Christina Rosetti, and were set to music by Gustav Holst.

Sadness

Sadness

Source: cubiclerefugee.tumblr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Did I repress grieving when my mother died?

More klassy than Kardashian

Have the Kardashians made animal prints déclassé?

Here are more elegant ways to wear animal prints:

Source: news.instyle.com via Julie on Pinterest

Pippa Middleton

He has the best eyebrows ...

and his latest hairstyle makes him look less effeminate.

Source: idolator.com via Julie on Pinterest

Justin Bieber pitching his celebrity fragrance

Is he finally getting pubes?

CoverFX NaturalFX Water-Based Foundation

Ever since I finished my bottle of MAC Satin Foundation and the MAC salesgirl tried to sell me on a peach-toned foundation (that was years ago), I've been on a quest for the perfect foundation: one that feels good on the skin, evens out my complexion, and matches my skin tone.

I went to Sephora to find a new foundation.  I was interested in MUFE’s HD Invisible Cover Foundation for its wide variety of shades and Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Foundation as I thought that a crème foundation would be good for my dry, maturing skin, but the salesgirl sold me on Cover FX Natural FX Water-Based Foundation.

Cover FX Natural FX Water-Based Foundation

Sephora’s website says that Cover FX Natural FX Water-Based Foundation provides “sheer to medium coverage” and “a natural-looking, satin finish.”   I had to spread it very thin to obtain sheer coverage, and it did not provide a satin finish.  Cover FX Natural FX Water-Based Foundation can double as a concealer: I wonder if the thickness has something to do with Cover FX founder Lee Graff’s background as a corrective MUA .    As I moisturize nightly, I have some sheen on my forehead, and the foundation’s finish did not match the finish of my forehead.

CoverFX Natural FX Water-Based Foundation is rated SPF 15, which suggests that you should apply it fairly thickly.  Its active sunscreen ingredients are octinoxate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone.

One good thing about Cover FX Natural FX Water-Based Foundation is the wide variety of shades for various skin tones:

• B Series: Golden brown to ebony undertones
• C Series: Primarily pink undertones
• E Series: Pink and yellow undertones 
• M Series: Yellow and olive undertones

The salesgirl selected E10 Warm Ivory for me, which seemed to be a good match for my skin tone.

To quote U2, I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.

CoverFX is available at Sephora stores and www.sephora.com.

The fine print: this article contains links for the Sephora affiliate program, through which I can earn nominal commissions.

Why you don't see my picture

Source: swaag-is-errthang.tumblr.com via Julie on Pinterest

Carmen fantasy #MusicMonday Carmen Jones

Another in my biweekly series on adaptations of Carmen.  This scene is from the 1954 film Carmen Jones, which resets the Carmen story in North Carolina during WWII.  Oscar Hammerstein II created a new book for Georges Bizet's music: brilliant.  It's darker than his work with Richard Rodgers.  Here Dorothy Dandridge sings "Dat's Love" (actually dubbed by Marilyn Horne) to the tune of Bizet's Habanera.

Elvis Costello: he's still sticking it to the powers that be

Elvis Costello

I'm definitely having my late 70s/80s moment.  Elvis Costello tells fans not to buy his $225 set.  He tried to get the recording company reduce the price, but was unsuccessful. He used to be disgusted, but now he's amused:

'"Unfortunately, we at www.elviscostello.com find ourselves unable to recommend this lovely item to you as the price appears to be either a misprint or a satire," Costello wrote on his website.'

HT Aly Walansky

This isn't the first time that Elvis Costello has stuck it to the powers that be.  Thirty years ago, when he performed in St. Louis, he gave a shoutout to the rival radio station of the one that sponsored his concert.

His aim is true.

The Twilight Gown

The Twilight gown

By now, readers should be familiar with the story about Bella's wedding gown for Breaking Dawn.  Carolina Herrera designed the gown, and a licensed adaptation is available for $799.

I've read comments praising the "modesty" of the gown (although the gown has a teasingly cut sweetheart neckline and plunging back) and welcoming it as a change of pace from the current fashion for strapless gowns.

There are some aspects of this gown that I find weird. Twilight is implausible, but it strains my imagination that a 19-year-old from Forks, WA would walk down the aisle in a Carolina Herrera gown. I also question Carolina Herrera's motivation.   Money and publicity, for sure, and maybe she had a genuine affinity for the romance and courtliness of Twilight.  Still, I am surprised that the patrician Ms. Herrera would do anything that might lessen her image.

Discuss.

I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll #MusicMonday

On Thanksgiving Day, I was listening to Fresh Air with Terry Gross on NPR.  The show was a re-broadcast of an interview with singer-songwriter Nick Lowe.   Nick Lowe??!!  I hadn't heard about him in years.

In the day (the 1980s), I found Nick Lowe's songs "Cruel to be Kind" and "I Knew The Bride" catchy, but that's about it.  For some reason, listening to Nick Lowe on Fresh Air filled me with nostalgia and happiness - as when I hear the opening riffs of The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand."

Although Nick Lowe is from England, his rockabilly is purely American.   Here's the goofy video for "I Knew The Bride" from MTV's music video heyday:




Enjoy, and rock out!

Nick Lowe today:

Hermes limited edition sari line

"Hermès admires India and has a lot to learn from India." So says Patrick Harris, chief executive of Hermès International.  Indeed.  The patterns and mix of colors (often colors that you think wouldn't work together) found in Indian saris would be an inspiration to the French luxury leather goods maker known for its "beyond classic" silk scarves.

Hermes limited edition sari

Now Hermes has launched a limited edition collection of saris for the Indian luxury market.  At $6000-8000 a sari, I can see only Bollywood stars (and some uber-rich) being able to afford it. While I think that this picture is intended for fashion spreads only, no self-respecting Indian woman would go without a blouse!

Source: google.com via Julie on Pinterest

Subtle blush

I hate obvious blush. The worst example was Lindsay Lohan at her court appearance for violating court orders (and I feel badly about her situation, as The Parent Trap remake is one of my favorite romcoms).

Perhaps it harkens back to the nude/naked makeup of the early 1990s, but I prefer subtle blushes, and Revlon fills the bill.  I alternate between the Revlon Powder Blush in Sandalwood Beige (a perennial) and Revlon Colorstay Mineral Blush in Honey.

Revlon Powder Blush in Sandalwood Beige

I use a dome-shaped blush brush and apply blush only to the apples of my cheeks.

Raiding the closet

The Style Page interview with Kirsten Kjaer Weis

Kirsten Kjaer (pronounced Ki-ar) Weis sought to marry organic cosmetics with glam packaging. To this end, she collaborated with designer Marc Atlan to create the packaging for her cosmetics line Kjaer Weis. The Kjaer Weis collection comprises crème blushes, lip tints, and eye shadows. The one of a kind packaging features red lacquered grain-textured boxes that encase refillable metal compacts that swing open and close with a click that sounds like “a classic Mercedes door closing,” as she says it.

Kirsten Kjaer Weis

The Style Page posed a few questions to Kirsten Kjaer Weis:

You grew up on a farm in Denmark, where the nearest “big city” had a population of 1,500. Since then, you’ve lived in Paris and California and now you’re settled in New York City. Did growing up in a relatively isolated location fuel your wanderlust?

Yes, I think it did, I have always known that I wanted to travel and eventually live abroad, it feels like it was in my blood, a desire for seeing the world, different cultures, ways of living, getting as much out of the “smorgasbord” of life as possible.

What brought you to New York City?

A great desire for working as a make-up artist in New York and it also fit my personal/relationship situation.

You wanted to marry organic cosmetics with glam packaging. Your packaging is one of a kind. What was the inspiration for the design? Denmark is famous for its modern design. Was Danish design an inspiration for the packaging?

For the design I give credit to Marc Atlan, hands down. When we first met I showed him my “mood board” of things that have meaning to me, everything from swaps of fabric to a beautiful hand writing I had seen to a painting ect, I explained my vision for a green product with a design/glamorous outside, yet sustainable. I also liked the idea of having a distinct color and left him with free hands and a feeling that we were very much on the same wavelength. He called me 2 month later and said he had come up with a great concept, he was right:)

Carmen fantasy redux #MusicMonday

For this week's #MusicMonday, I present this scene Tabacalera from Carlos Saura's film adaptation of the Carmen story, recast in a flamenco dance studio:





This scene is set in the tobacco factory where Carmen works (and gets into a tussle with another factory worker).

I love the ballet tops and whoosh of the skirts.

Carlos Saura's film was released in 1983, and complements Francesco Rosi's adaptation of Bizet's Carmen, which released in 1984.  In addition to featuring Georges Bizet's music, Carlos Saura's film also features flamenco music performed by renown flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia.

Mila Kunis - a class act

Kudos to Mila Kunis for accepting Sgt. Scott Moore's invitation to be his date at the Marine Corps Ball and honoring her promise.

Mila Kunis and Sgt. Scott Moore

She looks adorable with the bangs, updo, modest dress, and makeup (although I quibble with the obvious amount of blush), and Sgt. Moore looks like one very happy man!

Alek: My Life from Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel

Alek: My Life from Sudanese Refuge to International Supermodel

I had some time to spend before a meeting in DC, and decided to take a walk. It was then that I happened upon the clearance rack that was outside the World Bank bookstore. In the clearance rank, I found the book Alek: My Life from Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel. At $3.00, the book was a steal.

The fashion angle is what drew me to Alek: My Life from Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel initially. Alek Wek is a trailblazing model. Before her, there had been many models of color, but most of them had “acceptable” features, that is, European-like features, but with darker skin. Alek Wek is said to have an “African” look; however, she rightly notes that there is no typical African look. Appallingly, as you key in “Alek Wek” in Google, one of the top results is “Alek Wek is ugly.”

My fascination and curiosity about world cultures are what drew me into the book. Alek Wek is from southern Sudan, and is an ethnic Dinka. She relates many customs of her Dinka culture. The cow is central to Dinka culture: in this way, I was reminded how central the cow is to villagers in India. As an aside, she talks about what happens to the clothes that we dump into collection boxes.

The civil war between Arabs in northern Sudan and blacks in southern Sudan goes back decades, but never had the high visibility of the human rights catastrophe in Darfur. Alek Wek and her family fled their town to find shelter in a village where distant relatives lived, but had to trek to another village after learning through bush telegraph that fighting had spread to their original destination. She later bluffed her way to Khartoum, and from Khartoum, she went to London, where she was discovered in a London park.

Are pantyhose making a comeback?

Pantyhose sales have been declining for a long time: the Washington Post (WaPo) saw it fit to print an article about declining pantyhose sales on its front news page several years ago: was it that newsworthy?  On The View, Michelle Obama admitted to not wearing pantyhose.

Now pantyhose are making a resurgence, thanks to trendsetter Kate Middleton (royal protocol frowns on bare legs).  To capitalize on the resurgence, L'eggs has launched a catchy new ad for its pantyhose (HT Shine from Yahoo!):



I can understand why women have given up on pantyhose.  Nylons run easily, and I've taken pantyhose out of the package only to rip before I can put them on my legs.  Also, pantyhose can be seen as constricting.  It's hard to recall that pantyhose liberated women from garters and girdles.

La Cumbia de Mole #MusicMonday - Lila Downs

For #MusicMonday, I present Mexican singer Lila Downs performing La Cumbia de Mole:






"mi Querida Soledad me Va A Guisar Un Molito" - "My dear Soledad is going to cook a molito for me." Mole is a thick sauce usually cooked with chicken.  She then proceeds to list the ingredients in mole.

Doesn't Lila Downs remind you of Frida Kahlo?

I first heard La Cumbia de Mole on the Starbucks compilation CD Songs of the Siren.

Krigler Jazzy Riviera 2/10

I seldom do fragrance stories, and I certainly don’t cover the spate of celebrity fragrances! I have, however, done a few stories on boutique fragrances and will entertain more such stories. That’s why I was excited to learn about Krigler, a fragrance house based in New York and Monte Carlo that was founded in 1904.

Krigler’s Jazzy Riviera 2/10 fragrance is a tribute to the Jazz Age (1920s) in the Cap d’Antibes. This unisex fragrance was inspired by eminent personages of 1920s, including Picasso, F. Scott Fitzegerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Dorothy Parker. It resonated with me, as the last movie I saw was Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, in which Owen Wilson plays a writer who is transported back in time to the 1920s and meets with artists and eminent American expats of that era.

Krigler Jazzy Riviera 2/10

With its citrusy top notes (Bergamot, Lemon, and Mandarin), Krigler Jazzy Riviera 2/10 reminds me of Acqua di Parma’s Bergamotto di Calabria, another Mediterranean-inspired fragrance that I’ve covered. However, it doesn’t dry down to the same sort of warmth.

Olfactory notes for Krigler Jazzy Riviera 2/10:

Top notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin
Heart notes: coriander, freesia, cyclamen
Base notes: cedar, patchouli, musk, vetiver.

Krigler Jazzy Riviera 2/10 costs $215 for 1.7 fl.oz. and $365 for 3.4 fl.oz. Krigler’s U.S. boutique is located at The Plaza Hotel in NYC. You may purchase Krigler fragrances at krigler.com.

Other Krigler fragrances are:

Thank you Halifax

OK, after my bout of depression on Monday, I feel encouraged to keep this blog up.  I hope that I'm not seen as crying wolf.

Thank you Halifax of Sparkled Beauty for your kind words and encouragement.  I regard you as a longtime blogging friend, and hope that this shout-out will encourage others to visit your site.

Love,
Julie

Pissed

I woke up this morning hating this shitty little blog and I am on the verge of trashing it. Since no one's reading it, I might as well be writing a private diary.

Someone wrote on FB: "unloved, unrecognized, burned out?"

Unloved, unrecognized, for sure. When I compare my viewership, engagement, and opportunities for remuneration to what other blogs have, I am ready to throw in the towel. I have sunk 7 years into this blog, and while I thought I was doing good stuff, I woke up to the fact that I was deluding myself.

As far as burnout is concerned, I suppose that it's too soon to complain. I reactivated the blog only in mid-August after a year and a half absence in which I experienced severe stress in my life.

While I am sure that many in the world have gone through a lot worse, I have gone through a *long* rough patch in my life.  I don't think that I've seen the end of it.  Right when I am picking myself up, re-energizing my blog, and otherwise re-engaging myself in life, I am fearful of backsliding.  I have had a lot of financial problems and my mother died after a nearly a year of accelerating decline. I lost 30 pounds - not by design, but my weight loss was induced by stress. Eating was distasteful, I had to force myself to eat, and I lost 20 pounds in one month. I underwent a shocking change in appearance. In addition, I lost a lot of hair - I hated to wash my hair, as wads of hair would come out with every shampoo: enough to fill my hand. I lost interest in my appearance and would just throw clothes on. I didn't have income left to buy new clothes to accommodate my weight loss: my clothes just hanged on me and my tops got so stained that I wouldn't even give them to Goodwill. I'm still wearing them. Hardly the stuff of someone who is purported to be a style and beauty blogger.

Carmen #MusicMonday

Another one of my #MusicMonday features, higlighting my eclectic music tastes:



This is from the 1984 film adaptation of Bizet's Carmen, starring Julia Migenes and Placido Domingo.  This scene is from Act I.  Carmen has been adapted in numerous ways, and I hope to spotlight those adaptations in upcoming weeks.

Laura Geller Balance-N-Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation

Balance-N-Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation is yet another addition to Laura Geller’s collection of baked collection of products. It is marbleized with shades of tan, yellow, and white to correct redness and balance the complexion.

Laura Geller Balance-n-Brighten Baker Color Correcting Foundation

The QVC site says that you can use Balance-N-Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation instead of or top of your regular foundation. I use it alone, and find that applying it on top of my regular foundation to be overkill. I apply a face primer before applying Balance-N-Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation: for application, I use Mineral Optics by Beauty Strokes® Optic Allover 75 Brush, which diffuses the powder.

I was surprised by the matte finish of Balance-N-Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation, particularly since the main ingredient is mica. You can build up coverage by applying several layers, and it has a fair amount of opacity with repeated application.

I am always looking for solutions to neutralize a red spot on my cheek (although I have recently come to the conclusion that I’ve developed an unhealthy obsession about it). I’ve used Balance-N-Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation as a spot treatment using a flat lay-down brush, and it does the job satisfactorily.

You may buy Laura Geller Balance-N-Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation for $31.00 from QVC and QVC.com. Currently, only Tan is available. Mine came in Regular.

The Style Page wishes to acknowledge blue sky communications for sending me a sample of Laura Geller Balance-N-Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation for review.

The Style Page interview with Michael Marcus

Michael Marcus is the founder and CEO of an eponymous line michaelmarcus (yes, that’s all lower case). As with several makeup artists I’ve interviewed, he has a background in art, having studied art history and interior at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.  He started his career as a makeup artist at the Prescriptives counter at Neiman Marcus in Dallas and became national makeup artist for Estée Lauder. Through his travels, he learned that women, particularly those over age 35, were clamoring for brighter, clearer colors than those offered from brown-based makeup lines.

He founded michaelmarcus to fill that void in the cosmetics market. His largest account is Dillard’s, although his line is also carried by a number of boutiques. In addition, his line was picked up by Takashimaya New York (since closed), the U.S. outpost of the Japanese department store, where he had the distinction of being the only U.S. brand that its beauty department carried.

Michael Marcus

The Style Page posed a few questions to Michael Marcus:

Why a relaunch of michaelmarcus?

We are relaunching a fragrance I created originally for Takashimaya New York. It was called Takashimaya “t”. Since Takashimaya closed we have been inundated with upset people looking for the fragrance. It was their top-selling fragrance after all.

How are you promoting the relaunch? What is your near-term itinerary?

Interestingly, we have not done a lot of promotion on the relaunch. We posted on Facebook and sent out an e-mail blast. Even before the official release date we had over 50% of our production sold.

Your biggest account is with Dillard’s, which has a presence in most U.S. states. How did you land the account with Dillard’s?

Dillard’s was looking for new brands to energize their cosmetic department. There had been several big articles about me so the buyer contacted us.

Now that Takashimaya NY is closed, what are your plans to re-enter the NYC market?

We are exploring options. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of New York retailers that want unique independent brands.

You say that you got the same complaint, especially women over 35, about brown-based cosmetics lines and the lack of clear color. Yet I also wonder if the desire for color is driven by regional differences, for example, between Dallas and NYC. I also wonder if your older customers are still influenced by the seasonal color typing (Color Me Beautiful) of the 1980s. Could you comment on this?

Many of my bolder shades were first wildly successful in New York. Mainly because I have offered colors no one else does. As the baby boomers are aging they are finding that nudes and neutrals are no longer working, they simply wash a woman out.

That Old Black Magic #MusicMonday

It seems that you just can't avoid Marilyn Monroe.  Actress Michelle Williams channeled her on the cover of the October 2011 issue of Vogue.  At Sephora, we spotted a woman wearing a cardigan with panels of MM's pictures that she said that she bought at Betsey Johnson.  If things are crazy now, just imagine how they will be next year (2012), the 50th anniversary of MM's death.

As I said to my husband, let her rest in peace.  Or rather than ogling frozen images, let's watch her movies and remember her as a living, breathing person:





This is from Bus Stop, which was her favorite movie.  Sorry about the dubbing into French, but that's what I could find.

Meaningful Beauty Cindy Crawford Crème de Serum

Meaningful Beauty Creme de Serum

Meaningful Beauty Crème de Serum is a combination cream and gel with a double helix delivery system. According to the Meaningful Beauty FAQs,

The white portion contains anti-aging peptides, which help protect skin from wrinkles and fine lines. The clear layer of hyaluronic acid acts like a sponge on your skin, helping it grab and hold moisture. The melon shade is the [superoxide dismutase] SOD [anti-oxidant] complex, designed to protect skin from free radicals and harsh environmental elements.

I am not loyal to any brand or skin care regimen. I like to mix things up, and have been alternating use of the Meaningful Beauty Crème de Serum as a nighttime moisturizer with The Solution by Envision Beauty. It makes all the difference to apply moisturizer to skin that’s not yet dry.  I found that Meaningful Beauty Crème de Serum had a slightly unpleasant smell upon dispensing and felt tacky, not silky.

Meaningful Beauty Crème de Serum cannot be purchased separately: it must be purchased as part of the kit. You may purchase the Meaningful Beauty Cindy Crawford skin care kit through its web site or infomercial.

The fine print: Guthy-Renker sent The Style Page a sample of Meaningful Beauty Cindy Crawford Crème de Serum for review. It also sent me the Sheer Cover Sophisticate Face Palette: as with Meaningful Beauty Crème de Serum, it is not sold separately and must be purchased as part of the kit through the Sheer Cover website or infomercial.

Los Caprichos - Michael Colina #MusicMonday

For this week's #MusicMonday, I present "Los Caprichos," an orchestral work inspired by the prints of Francisco Goya, composed by Michael Colina.




Thank you Michelle of Samerjan Fine Arts and Moonglow Cafe jewelry for introducing me to the work of Michael Colina.

Beauty Blogazon Roundup October 9th -October 15th 2011

Beauty Blogazon Roundup October 9th - October 15th 2011

Red Hair and Black Nail Polish- Neon Crackle inspired by a Music Video

Bright Lights, Big Color- Get It On

Nails and Noms - 31 Day Challenge: Day 1 (Red Nails)

The Style Page- It works ... it really works! (Mask Hair Loss)

Cosmetically-Challenged.com- Fabulous Shoe Finds For Under $50.00!
Women Take Over the Oxford Style

Polish Pauper- What the?! Take Two! (Color Morphing)

Nailderella- Want a rainbow on your nails?

Polish insomniac- PSA! Too Faced to come out with Nail Polish???

Beauty.Mark Style & Fashion-My Visit to the Daphne Guinness Exhibit at the Museum Of FIT

Glitter.Gloss.Garbage- MAC Posh Paradise Mattene Swatches

The It Color- Swatch Series #4; Street Chic and Rose

Mally Skin Perfecting Tinted Liquid Face Defender

Mally Skin Perfecting Tinted Face Defender - from  Gouldylox Reviews

Mally Skin Perfecting Tinted Liquid Face Defender feels like a silicone-based face primer, but it isn’t advertised as such. QVC.com says that it can be worn under foundation, but “the magic comes after your makeup is on and you gently, with your fingertips, dab the product all over your face on top of your makeup! This product will not move your makeup, it will not cause it to disappear or look funky."

I tried Mally Skin Perfecting Tinted Liquid Face Defender both under and over my usual foundation. I did not see any “magic” when I applied the product over my usual foundation; besides, I like a little “makeup melt” to soften hard edges.

I like Mally Skin Perfecting Tinted Liquid Face Defender best worn alone, instead of my usual foundation. It helps even out the complexion and gives the skin a nice radiance. It is also soothing upon application, probably because tocopherol (related to Vitamin E) is one of the chief ingredients.

Because Mally Skin Perfecting Tinted Liquid Face Defender goes on sheer, I need extra help in minimizing spots of redness. I spot apply mineral foundation with a lay-down brush over Mally Skin Perfecting Tinted Liquid Face Defender to minimize the appearance of red spots. It might be overkill, but sometimes I spot apply LaurEss Neutralize Mineral Corrector before I apply skin-toned mineral foundation.

Mally Skin Perfecting Tinted Liquid Face Defender is expensive for what you get ($40 for 1 fl. oz.), as with some of Mally’s other products. While I would like to find a less expensive option, I am not aware of any similar product on the market.

You may shop Mally at qvc.com, mallybeauty.com, and Beauty.com. Mally Skin Perfecting Tinted Liquid Face Defender is available only on QVC.com.

The Style Page wishes to thank Tractenberg & Co. for providing me the sample of Mally Skin Perfecting Tinted Liquid Face Defender for review.

Jagjit Singh (February 8, 1941-October 10, 2011) #MusicMonday

Soon after I posted the video for last week's #MusicMonday, I learned of the death of Indian ghazal singer Jagjit Singh that day (October 10).  He was admitted to ICU after suffering a brain hemorrhage.  Fans knew that it was only a matter of time.

In commemoration of Jagjit Singh's life and career, I present this video for #MusicMonday:




This video is cross-posted on Mera Bharat Mahan.

The Style Page interview with Jemma Kidd

Jemma Kidd

1. Your book Jemma Kidd Make-up Masterclass: Beauty Bible of Professional Techniques and Wearable Looks discusses the founding of the Jemma Kidd Make-up School and your three make-up lines: The Jemma Kidd Make-up School, Jemma Kidd PRO, and most recently, JK Jemma Kidd for Target Beauty. What your book doesn’t tell us is how and why you became a make-up artist. What inspired you?

I grew up around modeling and had always been creative and found myself watching the make-up artists behind the scenes wanting to know their secrets. I felt at home backstage – the vibe, the buzz, the people – I just loved it!

2. How did you learn your craft?

I started out in the industry as a model, but I was never really comfortable in the limelight – unlike my little sister Jodie! When I discovered what it was like being on the other end of the make-up brush, I knew I'd found the right career. I was lucky to work as an assistant to make-up supremo Mary Greenwell for five years and was then spotted by Premier Hair and Make Up Agency and taken on their books in 1999. Since then I've worked with leading fashion designers, photographers and a host of prestigious magazines, including American and British Vogue, Vanity Fair and Elle. In 2003 I founded an academy in London to train professional make-up artists and to offer a range of make-up workshops for women of all ages. I have also created three distinctive make-up ranges – Jemma Kidd Make Up School (launched 2005), Jemma Kidd PRO (launched 2008) and JK Jemma Kidd (launched 2008) – which are sold throughout the UK and US as well as in Australia and Hong Kong .

3. Target has carried your JK Jemma Kidd line (along with Petra Strand’s Pixi and Napoleon Perdis’s NP Set) for over three years now. That is a testament to its popularity and longevity. How were you approached to start your JK Jemma Kidd line for Target Beauty in the first place?

My signature Jemma Kidd Make Up School range was retailing in Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus stores when I was first approached by Target to design an exciting new line for them. Target’s concept for the make-up line was “Design for All”; high quality make-up at affordable prices. The JK Jemma Kidd line was inspired by my love of fashion, runway style and colour. The collection fuses hi-fashion, statement colour and runway glamour with professional performance, bringing the catwalk to the sidewalk without breaking the bank. I loved the idea of creating designer products at high street prices and making on-trend beauty accessible to all. Having my brand stocked by a retail giant like Target is a dream come true.

4. JK Jemma Kidd is a departure from your two other make-up lines. It is characterized by “high fashion, statement color, and runway glamour.” How does JK Jemma Kidd complement Pixi and NP Set?

The JK Jemma Kidd line lets women experiment with color. There are always a lot of on-trend colors in the collection, such as Hi-Design Eye Color in Trend and Stylized; vibrant blues and greens are huge trends for fall 2011. We’re constantly adding new colors to the line.

JK Jemma Kidd Hi Design Eye Color for Target Beauty

It works ... it really works!

Toppik hair building fibers

Last year, I lost WADS of hair. I chalked it up to severe stress in my life, which also caused me to abandon this blog.

It was difficult to style my hair in such a way to cover the excessively thin spots on my head. I recall having read in Allure that Toppik works to cover thin or balding spots.

You might have seen Toppik advertised in the SkyMall catalogue that you find in airplane seat pockets. Given the dubious claims for other personal care products that are advertised in SkyMall, it’s easy to doubt the claims for Toppik.

Toppik consists of keratin fibers that bond with natural hair. It is as easy to use as it says – just shake it on. I find that only a light touch is necessary. I use a rattail comb to lift my hair, section by section, and shake Toppik on the thin spots on my head. It really masks the thin spots on my head and makes it look that I still have a full head of hair. I no longer feel self-conscious about my hair.  Now I take Toppik to the salon when I get my hair styled.

Toppik comes in nine shades. I chose dark brown – it blends perfectly with my colored hair. You may buy Toppik through its web site, SkyMall, and Sally Beauty Supply (where I got mine).  The regular size costs $20-25, and for me, it's worth every penny.

Article first published as It works ... it really works! on Technorati.

Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves #MusicMonday

For #MusicMonday, I present the feminist anthem “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves,” in tribute to the women who shared this year’s Nobel Peace Prize:





Clichéd and hackneyed lyrics, but there’s no denying the fierceness and energy of the performances.

Beauty Blogazon Roundup October 2-October 8 2011

Beauty and Fashion Tech-Choosing the Best Curling Iron

Girl Gloss- Blinc Kiss Me Mascara Review

Polish Insomniac- Dupe Search: Orly Fowl Play vs. OPI Merry Midnight

Nails and Noms- NYX

Girls Polish- Dreamy Glitter and Gilded Glitter Swatches and Review

Polish Pauper- What the !? (Color Morphing)

The Style Page- TouchBack- Allure Best Of Beauty Award Winner

Creatively Yours- Fresh Faced Beauty- Get The Look, Tika Sumpter

Nailfiled- The Face Shop BK901

Nailderella- Dark Purple Holo by Glitter Gal

Glitter.Gloss.Garbage- Three Custom Specialists: My Beauty Bunny Lipstick Swatches

Addicted To All Things Pretty- Beyonce

Countdown Video and Mod Style Breakdown

TouchBack - Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner

TouchBack by ColorMark

TouchBack by ColorMark received a Best of Beauty award from Allure. It is a marker that deposits temporary hair color to cover white roots.

I got my first gray hairs at 16. By the time I was 30, most of my hair was gray, but I was reluctant to take the plunge and completely cover my gray. I actually had reverse highlighting, in which strands of my hair were pulled through a perforated cap and dyed brown. Finally, my hairdresser persuaded me to get all over color.

My white roots become obvious 4 weeks after I get my hair colored. I decided to try out TouchBack to see how well it works. I color my hair dark brown. As the hair for the models with dark brown hair on the web site looked darker than mine, I tried TouchBack in Medium Brown. The web site recommends that if you are between colors, choose the lighter color. Maybe Dark Brown would have been the better choice: the changeover from TouchBack in Medium Brown to my permanent hair color was not seamless.

TouchBack comes with a fine-tooth comb that can be used as a skin shield at the temples and hairline; however, to make it work, you need to have significant regrowth. Given the small amount of regrowth (between 1/4" and 1/2") I had, it was difficult to cover the white hairs at the hairline without smudging. I used a rattail comb to lift a section of my hair (on the part) and apply TouchBack just shy of the scalp to prevent smudging. It minimized the appearance of white roots, and is a temporary fix until you apply permanent color.

TouchBack is easier to use than Joan Rivers Beauty Great Hair Day™, which I reviewed in 2009. A makeup artist at Soft Surroundings in St. Louis did an excellent job of applying Joan Rivers Beauty Great Hair Day™ to mask the white roots and thin spots on my head, but it is too much effort to do at home.

You may purchase TouchBack through its website, Sally Beauty Supply, or Beauty.com.

The fine print: The PR firm representing TouchBack provided me with a sample of  TouchBack in Medium Brown.

Lipstick tips

I have a couple of MAC lipsticks - Plum and Bourbon from the limited edition Beauty Icon 3 collection - Catherine Deneuve.  These lipsticks are demi-matte in their finish and have a tendency to "grab" and not apply smoothly.  I remedied this problem by applying face primer to my lips - it gives "glide" to the application.

When applying lipstick, I finish by swiping lipstick inside my lower lip for a polished look.  It also makes lips look fuller.

"Her name is Aphrodite ...

and she rides a crimson shell"

The myth of Aphrodite brought to mind the song Tales of Brave Ulysses:





The band is Cream.  It released its last album in 1969.  Cream consisted of Eric Clapton (who needs no introduction), Jack Bruce (bass and vocals), and Ginger Baker (drums).  Jack Bruce might be my favorite rock vocalist, but this video doesn't present his voice to best effect.  Interestingly, Clapton receives little face time, as the focus is on Jack Bruce and the somewhat crazed looking ("creepy but cool") Ginger Baker.

This performance is from a 1968 appearance on The Smother Brothers TV Hour.  The Smother Brothers TV Hour was the only show on TV, certainly in prime time, to feature bands such as The Who, Jim Morrison and The Doors, and Jefferson Airplane - the latter with Kate ("God Bless America") Smith!

Korres Wild Rose Mineral Illuminating Powder

Korres has its roots in the first homeopathic pharmacy in Athens, Greece.  It has since had broad distribution in the United States, particularly through Sephora retail stores and Sephora.com.

Korres Wild Rose Mineral Illuminating Powder contains burnished rose, ivory rose, and gold rose reflective minerals.  I use it as a highlighter on top of the cheekbones.  To apply:

• Shake a little powder onto the lid
• Fold the sponge that comes in the package in half, flocked side up
• Press the edge of the sponge into the powder
• Tap the sponge onto the top of the cheekbones
• Run a fluffy brush along the top of the cheekbones to diffuse the powder

According to the press materials,

... the rose used to be white until Aphrodite, hurrying to save the dying Adonis, injured herself on thorns and turned the white petals red with blood.  Since then, roses are thought to be Aphrodite's flowers, and they're symbolic of life, love, the heart and soul.

This is one myth that I didn't know.  I thought that myrtle was Aphrodite's flower.

The fine print:  The PR firm representing Korres provided me with a sample of Korres Wild Rose Mineral Illuminating Powder me.  It also provided me with a sample of Korres Colour Lip Butter in Mango, a tinted balm with shea butter and rice wax emollients.

Bare Escentuals' Be a Force of Beauty advertising campaign

The New York Times had a feature on Bare Escentuals' much ballyhooed "Be a Force of Beauty" advertising campaign: Beauty Might Not Be Blind, but the Casting Call Was.

According to the NYT:

To find models that represented the elusive notion of beauty, the company held a blind casting call for women ages 20 to 60. Representatives from Bare Escentuals did not see the women who applied until they were selected for the campaign. Instead, they asked more than 270 women to complete a questionnaire about who they were and what they were like.

“My agent wouldn’t even tell me who the company was,” said Keri Shahidi, 42, one of the women chosen for the campaign, because the agent did not want the knowledge to affect her answers. The list was then whittled to 78 women, who were chosen based on their answers to the survey and brought in for interviews with casting agents. That list was reduced to 26 women, and after an a additional round of interviews, five women made the final cut.

Not seeing the women before they were chosen, Ms. Blodgett said, was a bit nerve-racking. “Do you know what a huge risk that is? What if all five of them were blonde, blue-eyed and 30?”

The follow-up trailers suggest that the casting agents screened the women by answers to questionnaires and audio interviews alone - sight unseen.  I have a hard time believing that these attractive women were selected through answers to questionnaires and audio interviews alone.

Treat it, don't conceal it

Temptalia, who might be the foremost beauty blogger in the blogosphere, asked, How do you conceal acne?

My answer: treat it, don't conceal it.  I think that concealer only draws attention to pimples - or else I'm not that skilled in applying concealer.

Paula Begoun's 2% Exfoliating BHA Lotion

When I got pimples, I used Paula Begoun's Exfoliating 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid Lotion and applied a thin layer of mild 5% or less benzoyl peroxide lotion (less expensive store brands are available) to treat the pimple.  I would apply hot water compresses (soak a washcloth in steaming hot water, let cool slightly, wring out the washcloth, and press) to bring the pimple to a head.  I don't recommend that others follow my example, but I have been known to pop the pimple once it comes to a head.

Nuance Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek has made the transition from being a Mexican telenovela actress to being a force to reckon with in Hollywood - nominee for Best Actress Oscar for Frida and producer for Frida and Ugly Betty, which itself was based on a telenovela.

Now she’s rolled out Nuance Salma Hayek, a line of skin, hair, and body care products and cosmetics for CVS. The cover story for the September 2011 issue of Allure gave her an opportunity to promote her line (the line between editorial and advertising in beauty and fashion magazines is razor thin).

Salma Hayek on the cover of the September issue of Allure

Buy one get one 50% off specials, CVS ExtraCare rewards, and $5 rewards for $50 spent on beauty products at CVS provided incentives to buy Nuance Salma Hayek cosmetics.

I tried Color Vibrance Lipstick in My Favorite (a pinky shade) and Paprika.  While My Favorite went on smoothly, Paprika had poor color payoff (I seek color payoff when it comes to red lipstick), was uneven in its application, and the color wasn't true.  I returned Paprika to CVS.  My husband was surprised that CVS accepts returns on cosmetics.

I'm a sucker for standout packaging, and the Beautiful Blends Eye Quad and Perfect Lips Lip Quad are packaged in a unique pod in which you open the "petals":

Perfect Lips Lip Quad

Other interesting products are:

• Front and Center Concealer and Brightener, which looks a lot like LORAC's Double Feature Concealer/Highlighter (minus the rollerball)
• Lights, Camera, Action Eye Trio, a single wand that contains "creamy eyeshadow, shimmery highlighter and eyeliner"

The packaging is adorned with delicate long-stemmed flowers - certainly not the bold designs of her talented brother Sami!

Using eyebrow pencil as an eyeliner

I discovered another use for the YBF Automatic Eyebrow Pencil, but it could work with any taupe-colored pencil.  I use it to fill in gaps on my lower eyelashes - simple dot on the eyebrow pencil in the gaps of your eyelashes.

YBF Eyebrow Pencil

YBF Automatic Eyebrow Pencil

YBF Automatic Eyebrow Pencil is an automatic pencil (no need to sharpen) in a universal dark taupe color. It has a mascara-type brush on the other end.

Before using the YBF Automatic Eyebrow Pencil, groom your brows by brushing them. Start at the inner edge of the eyebrow and brush upwards and outwards following the shape of the eyebrow to the outer edge.  I prefer using an eyebrow brush to the brush on the YBF Automatic Eyebrow Pencil.  Then use short, feathery strokes to apply the YBF Automatic Eyebrow Pencil.  Again, apply upwards and outwards.

I have full eyebrows and don't like to tweeze or wax them. I do have my hairdresser dye my eyebrows when she colors my hair. I use the YBF Automatic Eyebrow Pencil only to fill in my eyebrows on the outer corners.

You may purchase the YBF Eyebrow Pencil, two for $20, from HSN.

Disclaimer: The YBF Eyebrow Pencil was supplied by the representative for YBF Beauty.

Surprising advice from L'Oreal

"Over-moisturizing can train skin to think it doesn't need to produce its own moisture. Moisturize when needed, but don’t overdo it." From Twitter.

Amazing.  I would have thought that it's L'Oreal's business to push the use of moisturizer - kinda like the advice to shampoo, rinse, and repeat.

Jackie of Belen Echandia wrote, "hahah they have a very good marketing team I'd say. That's exactly what they wanted you to think :)."

Today's makeup

What I'm wearing:

• Coral crinkled silk bracelet length jacket from Talbot's
• Ivory tank top
• Straw-colored linen blend trousers from Talbot's
• Bronze-metallic comfort sandals by NAOT

Paula's Choice Sheer Cream Lipstick SPF 15

My makeup:

• Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen
• Nuance Salma Hayek Length Extending Lash Serum
• L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara in black - thanks, Sam Fine, for this recommendation
• Nuance Salma Hayek Tinted Moisturizer in Light
• Paula's Choice Sheer Cream Lipstick SPF 15 - color discontinued

Fashion Fair appoints Sam Fine as Creative Makeup Director

Fashion Fair Cosmetics Appoints Celebrity Makeup Artist Sam Fine as Creative Makeup Director.

From wwd.com

This is welcome news.  Some while ago, I posted an link on Facebook to a news item about Fashion Fair's plans to make over its brand.  One person said, "About time!"

I had the pleasure of interviewing Sam Fine for this blog: see Part 1 and Part 2 of my interview.