July 19, 2009

Indian Wedding


When I met Sarah for her wedding hair and makeup trial, she told me about the Indian wedding she had planned and showed me the most gorgeous red embroidered dress and ornate jewelry she was going to wear. I was immediately excited and a little bit jealous (I want an Indian wedding! How cool!). She has straight hair that does not usually hold a curl so she had already ruled out her favorite styles and was ready to settle on a simple bun. I asked her what her dream hairstyle was and to let me decide whether or not it was doable. She wanted textured hair that was finger combed to the side into a subtly messy curly little chignon. I thought we should at least TRY for it - it is a trial after all. We were both pleasantly surprised with the result. We decided on a grey smoky eye but kept it very very light since she was not used to wearing so much makeup. Then came the element that we would both lose tons of sleep over: lip color. She normally wears pale pinks but they seemed washed out and did not match the dress. Warmer versions looked too warm. Sheer reds and darker colors looked too vampish. As a former bride myself (who obsessed over the day's lip color for ages), I decided we needed more time to shop for the perfect color. She would go to the makeup counter and find one that she liked and I would continue to search. It began to haunt me. Should I break my "red lips" rule? No red lips at a wedding unless it is part of her everyday makeup routine and people are used to seeing her that way. But this was an Indian wedding - certainly cause for a waiver. I consulted my colleagues and they all recommended a flesh tone. Yes. Something close to the natural color of her lips. When we met back up on her wedding day she showed me the results of three trips to various counters: glossy red, long lasting red, and exactly-matching-the-dress red. I showed her the two fleshy nudes I found (ones with enough color that she wouldn't looked washed out) and you cannot believe her reaction. Is there a word that means jubilant relief? We tried it on and she sighed so heavily I could see the weight on her shoulders instantly lifted. "I didn't want to wear red!" she confessed. "You don't have to" I said. And with that I was reminded of why I have the "red lips rule" in the first place. You can look more glamorous on your wedding day - it is a special occasion after all - but you still should look like you. Congratulations Sarah! You are a sweetheart! A special thanks to Lewis Studios for the beautiful photos.

Braids Are Back

Hollywood is crazy for braids. A few stars had been sporting the style but when Jennifer Aniston wore her hair in a braided headband to the Oscars, the floodgates were opened. Now I'm starting to see this look not only in the streets but at weddings. Here is one style I did recently for the sister of the bride. She wanted most of her hair down like Jennifer Aniston but the braid to come up the side more like Anne Hathaway. Isn't she cute?!

July 5, 2009

longwear lip options
















I often receive emails from friends and previous clients about product advice. As they know, I love to talk product! Here's an email I just received the other day: "Dearest Cassandra, When my mother was last visiting, she noted that my lipstick doesn't stay on very well, but that other brands would. I knew immediately who to ask. Which brands stay on the best? What are your recommendations? Please cover this on your blog and/or my Facebook Wall at your earliest convenience. All best, Lipstick-needing Lisa". Lisa: you know I'm partial to lipgloss for everyday wear. I just think it looks fresh and youthful. I think you would look absolutely lovely in a shimmery (not glittery) pale (not too pale) pink gloss. There are loads of long-wearing lipsticks out there. Many of them seem a bit dry or "serious" looking. The really moist ones do not last very long - perhaps this is the kind you are using now. Luckily there are some new solutions to get the look of a gloss without feeling super dried out AND they actually last a long time. Option 1: L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lipgloss, which allegedly lasts 6 hours. I was impressed with this product's longevity. It felt like a gloss, went on like a gloss, and lasted a very long time. After a while it only looks like a gloss but feels more like a moist lipstick but it certainly outlasted regular gloss. Option 2: Maybelline Superstay Gloss. This looks like a gloss but you need to apply it carefully and let it set (dry completely). The color makes a little film that bonds to your lips and stays on for allegedly 16 hours. You then apply clear gloss over the top as much or as little as you like throughout the day. They have a beautiful selection of colors - Beaming Blush is a gorgeous nude - and are available in drugstores everywhere. Covergirl also makes a version of this product. If the glossy feel is not for you, try Maybelline's Superstay Lipcolor which comes with a balm topcoat instead of a gloss. [Lisa, they have a pink one with gold shimmer that would look great on you]. The downside is that these can crack after several hours and leave teeny lines in your lips. Still they are quite impressive! Option 3: super hardcore stays on for 2 days...LipSense Liquid Lip Color. This product is perfect for occasions like weddings where you want the color to last all day with no touch-ups. Like the Maybelline, you apply the color and let it set. This stings a bit (briefly) as it stains the first few layers of your lips. Once it dries it's on there until you remove it (coat with vaselline and then scrub off with washcloth). Several of these are sheer colors that let your real lip color show through (try the ones with champagne in the name). You can also do two coats for a more intense color. You will need to choose a gloss or balm to go over it and the company sells several different finishes. Lisa, if you are interested I recommend the color Pink Champagne - a light shimmery wash of pink (more natural than bubblegummy). The company works like Avon so you have to order from a distributor. You can look them up on-line and order from their web page. Products are sent to you very quickly. I hope you find something that works for you. Let me know how it goes!