Friday 19 April 2013

A Classic Eyeshadow Guide

Creating the perfect 1950's eye make up comes from a little more than a flick of eyeliner and mascara. I really do believe in the power of establishing a perfectly contoured base so that the eyeliner really pops and perfects the look.
 
Whilst Marilyn went for a very dramatic sweep of eyeshadow to create her iconic look, I want to show you how to create the basis of your eye make up that is good enough for your everyday vintage look. It can then be built up for a more glamorous or evening occasion.

L-R MAC Pro Longwear in Always Sunny, MAC Phloof!, MAC Sable and MAC Satin Taupe
My general go-to shades from these eyeshadows are MAC Phloof! and MAC Satin Taupe. This is a great combination for everyone to use as they are both rich, pigmented shades that can be built up to the intensity you want. As a green eyed girl, I use certain colours to enhance my eyes, for instance MAC Pro Longwear in Always Sunny and the slightly more copper shaded brown, MAC Sable.
 
I use Satin Taupe to define the eye socket and eye lid which adds definition and enhances your features. You can use whichever colour you like to define the socket, however darker shades are best. Browns, purples, berry and dark greens can all be used depending on your intended look and then we use a rich, pigmented, lighter shade to highlight and bring out your eyes.
 
I use the two brushes in the picture above. The bigger, angled MAC brush is actually one I got from Ebay believing it to be the MAC 275 medium angled shading brush. It turns out it's actually a fake but it does the job for me! The other smaller, purple brush is the Real Techniques Shading Brush.



 
I always begin with defining the browbone with the darker shade (satin taupe) in the position like above. I look straight ahead into the compact mirror and define exactly where the crease is. This acts as a marker and is the best way to tell where needs defining more.



 
By then looking down into your compact mirror, you are able to blend the original mark and add any extra definition to the crease. Going between these two positions enables you to make sure you have clearly defined all areas and really added some depth into the crease. I then take it slightly higher up the eye socket and over the lid, by simply using any excess left on the brush. This can be seen below.



 
The next step is adding the highlighting lighter shadow (phloof!) to the inner corner of the eye, like in the picture above. Simply begin at the tear duct and gently blend this into the darker eyeshadow, stopping around 1/3 of the way into the eyelid. I also add a small amount to just beneath the tear duct to really emphasize the eyes! I also add some extra of the darker shadow to the bottom eyelid on the outer corner. After a bit of practice, you can then use your angled brush to give a very subtle flicked out look, simply by using eyeshadow.
 
As with all make up looks, the best way to achieve a consistently fabulous look is practice, practice, practice! I squeeze in most of my practice by testing my technique for my work make up...after a while you look brilliant for work and have a failsafe method that will work every time.
 
I hope this is helpful!
 
Lots of love,
 
Hannah xxx

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Bombshells in Berets

A recent charity shop suitcase purchase exceeded all expectations when upon opening it, we discovered a beret was inside the suitcase! It is in good condition and appears to be French made. A quick online search revealed the different ways in which berets have been styled over some of my favourite eras. I was inspired and vowed to encorporate it into my wardrobe. Despite the summer supposedly being around the corner, a beret will be a trusty tool to keep my set in place when battling against Brighton's sea breeze.


 
I love this androgynous thirties look by Marlene Dietrich. You can only imagine just how different and forward thinking this must have looked compared to the trends of the thirties. The beret adds a hint of allure and sophistication.

Some beret looks from my favourite eras, the forties and fifties can be seen below...


Nina Foch- I would love to emulate this style with a loose set or just pin curls


Lorelei (Marilyn Monroe) and Dorothy (Jane Russel) work two different beret styles in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I love the jaunty, inoccence of Lorelei's beret but Dorothy's padded beret not only suits her hairline but gives a subtle clue towards the contrast in characters of Lorelei and Dorothy.


Some red lipstick, a pout and tilt of the beret gives a sultry stare just like that of Lauren Bacall. The beret really is that cherry of top to give a seductive stare from underneath.

Hannah xxx

Thursday 11 April 2013

Agnes and Norman

A quick flick through the latest edition of Vintage Explorer Magazine revealed a soon-to-be-launched reproduction vintage shoe brand!
 
 
That frustration found by us all when slipping a tootsie, all Cinderella esque, into a gorgeous pair of vintage shoes only to find they are all too small will soon be rectified by Agnes and Norman. Us girls can not only find out perfect vintage inspired shoes, but there are also men's designs available too. Many hints will be passed on to my boyfriend!
 
I for one cannot wait for the styles to be revealed sometime this month!
 
Hannah xxx

Tuesday 9 April 2013

A Brighton Belle on VintageBrighton.com

Just a quick post to let you all know that I have been lucky enough to be featured on VintageBrighton.com! A local go to guide for shop reviews, event listings or to find out about up and coming businesses, I highly recommend a look.
 
You can find the article about A Brighton Belle by clicking on this link VintageBrighton.com
 
Many thanks to the lovely Jo-Ann Fortune for asking me to take part, I am an avid reader of this feature and so super chuffed to be taking part!
 
Hannah xxx