How To Pinup; A Tongue in Cheek Guide on Becoming a Pinup

Greetings Darlings,

Nearly a year ago, I typed the phrase "How do I become a Pinup?" into Google and was overwhelmed by the gazillion and one search results that came rushing back to me. It was a scary yet exhilarating first step into the new chapter of my life, and all I wanted was a "To Do List" that I could check off and at the end of it all, wind up being the latest Kiwi version of the ever-stunning Dita Von Teese. But alas, it wasn't that simple, and the more I searched, the more I became disheartened. I quickly learned that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to adopting a vintage-inspired lifestyle. So, to honour my shaky first steps, and my initial wish for a checklist, I thought I'd put one together now. But be warned, this Pinup Checklist is more tongue in cheek than bona fide.

Rule Number One:

A Pinup ALWAYS wears red lipstick.

Betty Grable, Jayne Mansfield and Dita Von Teese all clearly wearing red lippy....

Do you own a red lipstick? If so, then good, you're on the right track to being a pinup. If not, just give up now. The rule clearly states that you MUST always be wearing a shade of red on your lips, because, well, that's just the rule ok?!

Queen Nefertiti (whose name translates to "the beautiful one has come").

So, where did red lippy even come from?
Just as with the winged eyeliner, so too does the red lipstick come from the ancient Egyptians. Mesopotamian women (and sometimes men) would wear crushed up semi-precious gemstones on their lips to give them a shade of red. Cleopatra is also famous for crushing up beetles and bugs to create the perfect scarlet colour for her lips. Early red lippys are often called "The Kiss of Death" because they were made from highly toxic ingredients such as fucus-algin (a form of seaweed) and bromine mannite (found in plants), which caused serious illnesses and even death.

Jump forward to the 1950's where lipsticks are now conveniently non-life-threatening, and with large thanks to cosmetic companies such as Estee Lauder and Max Factor, and celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner, lipstick has become so popular that 98% of American women use it. Gone are the wartime days of minimalism, makeup in the 50's is loud, proud and in your face, and women's lips are certainly no exception.

Does a vintage girl HAVE to wear red lipstick?
Short answer; NO! 
Did EVERY woman in the Forties, Fifties, Sixties, etc wear red lipstick? No. So why should you have to? Well, you don't. Wear what you like. Wear what suits you. Heck, don't wear anything at all (on your lips that is :P). As long as you feel comfortable and confident, you can do and wear anything you fancy.

Rule Number Two:

 

There is no such thing as a brunette Pinup.

 

Rita Hayworth, Bettie Page and Ava Gardner are three of the most famous blonde pinups...

Time to get that peroxide out brunette ladies, there is absolutely no such thing as a non-blonde pinup. You simply cannot be a pinup if your hair is any darker than platinum. It's just the way it is and there's nothing you can do about it.

Well, actually, there's just as many, if not more, brunette pinups than there are blonde pinups, so before you rush out to book in for a blonding at your hairdresser, take a minute to peruse over this collage of brunettes from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Still not convinced? Well perhaps we should take a little peek into the history of blonde. Blonde hair has only been around in the world for the past 11,000 years or so. Brought about through genetic mutation in Lithuania, it quickly spread throughout the lands, more so in the West. Scientists believe the blonde mutation occurred because lighter hair is able to manufacture Vitamin D more efficiently (which was particularly important during the dark Ice Age) and also, because of it's rarity, blonde females were more sought after by males. Throughout history blonde hair was hated and then loved and then hated again. However, in the 1930's, actress Jean Harlow made the lighter-coloured tresses something to be desired by the men of the world and wanted by the women. Jean reported used straight bleach on her head, which isn't exactly all that healthy, so because of it's risk, it made her snow white hair a bit of a commodity. This look was so hard to achieve, that Howard Hughes (yes the same Howard Hughes played by Leo in "The Aviator") even offered $10,000 (which was a heck of a lot of money in those days) to the beautician/stylist that could copy Miss Harlow's colour. He even penned the term "Platinum Blonde" to describe her. Jean Harlow's death has left a lot of speculation about the cause of it, with some conspiracies blaming her demise on the very hair that shot her to fame. In the 1950s, Clairol released the first ever at home permanent hair dye, and so women were able to replicate the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable, all from the comfort of their own home.

Jean Harlow began Hollywood's obsession with Blondes in the 1930's.

So, do you still HAVE to be blonde?
No. But then, choice is ultimately yours. Embrace whatever colour you desire, there are NO rules about what colour a Pinup's hair has to be. You could even be a Neon-Pink-Haired Pinup for all you like. The choices are only limited to your imagination.

Rule Number Three:

All Pinups HAVE to have a Beauty Spot.

 

Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and Dita Von Teese all became famous Pinups without Beauty Spots...

There is no Pinup alive that doesn't have a Beauty Spot. It's part of the Pinup selection process. If you don't have one, you can't be a Pinup sorry. Unless you're prepared to fake one.

Beauty Spots are somewhat synonymous with the Pinup image and were once the epitome of beauty, even though they're really just facial moles. Throughout history, moles have been used by women to enhance facial features, denote their relationship status, suggest their likes and dislikes, represent their dominant personality traits and some even used Beauty Spots to tell their lovers how to behave (mole by the right eye meant "keep your eyes only on me buddy, or else"). The humble face mole has risen to popularity throughout the ages more times than Britney Spears has arisen from vehicles without panties.

You do NOT have to enhance or show off your natural Beauty Spot if you have one, just as you do not have to create one if you're face is mole-barren. Do what works for you, and if that means putting on a strategic facial spot made from liquid liner, then so be it. And if you want to cover up or hide your natural Beauty Spot, your secret's safe with me and your concealer.

Rule Number Four:

Pinups have to ALWAYS be scantily-clad.

Lauren Bacall, Veronica Lake and Esther Williams are all proof that Pinups HAVE to be scantily-clad...

The very first Pinups were thought to be actresses and Burlesque performers who created advertisements of themselves and placed them throughout theatres in the hopes of getting work. The photos were not necessarily seductive, however even then women knew that sex sells, so the sexier the photograph, the more work a woman was thought to acquire. When the War came about in the Forties, the Pinup was given a makeover. Instead of just being the adornment of men's locker rooms, she became the adornment for fighter planes and was thought of by the men as inspiring and a female patriot that brought about good luck. Being a Pinup became more about being the idealised beautiful woman, rather than a sex object. Actresses such as Veronica Lake and Elizabeth Taylor were sexy, yet still classy, and allowed for a new breed of Pinup to begin. However, with the introduction of Betty Brosmer, Marilyn Monroe and the likes to the Pinup world, the focus quickly shifted back to being that of a sexy woman, rather than just a beautiful one.

Betty Brosmer, the highest paid model of the 1950's.

Some women are quite comfortable disrobing in front of the camera, and some women even make a living from it. However, just because it is somewhat the norm to be more sexy than classy in a Pinup styled photoshoot, it does not mean that you have to follow suit. Learn your boundaries, and do not let anyone or anything push you past them. And if you're finding it hard to decide what is right for you, think about this; one day your grandchildren might find your photos online, will you be embarrassed? If not, go ahead and get naked girl!

The Tried, the Tested and the Ugly. Product Review; Maybelline New York Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Liner

Greetings Darlings,

I was digging through my makeup box this morning and found a stack of makeup that hasn't even been opened yet. I sat there looking at it thinking "I wonder if this is going to be any good?" and it got me inspired to start reviewing some of the products on here. So here goes nothing...

One of the most iconic and important parts of a Pinup girl's arsenal is the Winged eyeliner. Also called the "Cat Eye", it was first worn by the Egyptians as they believed that it would ward off the "evil eye" and then it was made popular by Hollywood in the 1950's.

Elizabeth Taylor in 'Cleopatra'  1963.

Wings can be an especially hard skill to master, but having the right tools can definitely make a difference. Before I found the product I am going to review, I could spend a good half hour just trying to line and wing my eyes, and in almost every case, my two eyes lacked that all important symmetry. Finding this liner has given me time, confidence, ability, symmetry and my sanity back.

Maybelline Eye Studio® Master Precise™ Liquid Liner. 

"Exclusive felt tip. Never dries. Never drips. Master the redefined line. The next generation of liquid liner is here. Master Precise Ink Pen Liner's exclusive, ultra-thin 0.4mm brush tip supplies continuous flow for smooth, even perfect lines. No drying or skipping. No mess or excess. Ink technology keeps pigments super-saturated. Ophthalmologist tested. Safe for sensitive eyes. Contact lens safe."

My first impression about this product occurred before I had even opened it. Maybelline have cleverly packaged these pointing downwards so that usual liquid liner annoyance of having a dried-out tip wasn't even an issue. Kudos for the ingenuity there Maybelline! After ripping open the clever cookie packaging, I pulled the liner out to give it a good inspection, and actually found getting the lid off quite hard compared to other liners. It may sound like a disadvantage but I like to think of this more as a benefit, a tighter fitting lid means a tighter seal, which means better longevity for the product. After a couple sets of biceps curls, my arms were primed and ready to take on the big task of de-lidding the liner, which turned out to be a much easier task than I had exaggerated it to be in my imagination. Putting my dumbbells down, I popped the lid and was quite surprised and amused by how much it actually resembled a fine-point Sharpie marker pen. I held the tip to the inner top corner of my right eye (right eye seems to be the braver of the two) and slowly but surely began to draw a line. The color was bold, black and flowed freely and confidently, even over the top of shimmer eyeshadow which is quite notorious for drinking up liquid liners and turning them into lumps and bumps. I carried my line out to the outer corner of my eye, and after a few false starts due to the fear of a bad Wing, I finally ventured out into the space I like to call 'Dead Eye Land', where there are no other products to disguise or camouflage mistakes and mishaps. To my utter surprise, I managed an almost-perfect cat eye with little effort or confidence in my abilities. It's like the liner just knew what I wanted, and did it. I put this down to beginner's luck and decided to try out my left eye (also known as being the crazy, weeping ticking time-bomb eye) and again, the liner decided to show off. Another easy, even, dark wing appeared, and in perfect symmetry to the first wing. So either Maybelline has implanted a super smart microchip that creates perfectly even and simple winged lines, or this liner is just incredibly easy to use. I'll leave the conclusion up to you...

This is me wearing Maybelline's Master Precise liquid liner. This Wing only took me 30 seconds to create. Small miracle!

I would recommend this product to anyone wanting to begin or improve their Cat Eye lining skills, or just anyone wanting a liquid liner that's simple and quick to use. I haven't ventured into intricate designs or decorative patterns yet, but from my own experience with the product, and after reading several other reviews, I am quite confident that when I do, they will be just as stress-free and fun to create. Maybelline has put together a smart little liner, one that I am willing and happy to use on a daily basis.

Until next time,
Adios darlings xx

A Peek Into the Past; the revival and renovation of Fashion in the 1950's.

Greetings Darlings!

In my last blog entry, I touched on Vintage Fashion, mainly to do with the Forties, so today I am going to progress onto the Fifties.

 Fashion Through the Decades.

1950:

The fashion of the Fifties actually begun in the Forties, with Christian Dior's "New Look" collection which made its debut in 1947. Now that the war was over, women had either quit or were fired from the factories that they had manned while the men were away, and returned to their roles as housewives and homemakers. With this change of lifestyle, came a change of fashion. Dior encouraged women to rethink their wardrobes, and invited them to dress and live their lives just a little bit more elegantly. If the War was the inspiration for the masculine fashion of the Forties, then Dior was the inspiration for the feminine fashion of the Fifties. As popular as the "New Look" collection became throughout the Fifties, it was actually met with adversity and apprehension when first released in the Forties. Models were even physically assaulted at one show in Paris by spectators who were displeased with the extravagant amount of fabric being used in Dior's designs whilst there was a ration going on with fabric for everyone else. Dior called his show "La Ligne Corolle" roughly translating to "the line of a flower", which encompasses the overall look that he created, however the then editor-in-chief of 'Harper's Bazaar', Carmel Snow, dubbed Dior's collection "the New Look" and the name stuck. With cinched in waists, large billowing skirts that needed the support of petticoats and inbuilt taffeta and a pronounced bust line, Dior had women looking and feeling like just like living, breathing flowers.

Christian Dior with models wearing fashion from his show in 1950.

The militant and masculine looks of the 1940's were well and truly fading away. The austere and dull colors that were popular in the decade before were quickly replaced by big, bold and bright prints in the 50s. From stripes to floral to polka dots, prints were found in every woman's wardrobe, usually on skirts. As well as prints, embroidered and felt appliqués (such as the infamous felt poodle) also gained popularity.

Group of women wearing fun appliqued skirts.

 

The days of rationing in the 1940's almost became over-compensated by the excess in the 1950's. What once was simple was now extravagant, elegant and elaborate. Dresses were made from fabrics that were once unavailable, or unavailable in large amounts, and featured exuberant pleating, intricate detailing with several layers and linings of materials such as taffeta and rayon. Dress and skirt lengths returned to below the knee, and the simple A-line skirt was given a makeover with more volume and intricacies.

Due to the return of men after the war, women were encouraged to go back into their role of wife and mother. With the economic boom, Americans were encouraged to consume, consume, consume. Nearly all fashion advertising was aimed at women, and had less than subtle messages about the clothing being "pleasing" for their husbands, or if not married, then it would attract a husband. Women were expected to look and dress a certain way, with tiny waists, curvy hips and shapely, predominant busts. Underwear such as corsets, controllers, girdles and bustiers were a standard everyday-wear item, used to help achieve that sought-after hourglass look made popular by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and the first ever supermodel, Betty Brosmer.

Supermodel Betty Brosmer, who graced over 200 covers throughout the 1950's.

New materials such as Polyester (which was actually invented by two British scientists in 1941, who sold the rights for its production to American company DuPont in 1945, with the first factory manufacturing it in 1950) were introduced into the fashion world. Materials that were once needed for the War such as Nylon, were now being snapped up and used extensively in fashion. Although materials like Cotton were still popular, new materials meant for easier wear and/or less work, such as Rayon which needs much less ironing than Cotton. New technology meant that mass production was delivered at a greater speed in a greater quantity, which meant lower prices and therefore ease of accessibility to the fashion world for the everyday woman. Haute Couture was quickly and easily replicated by off-the-rack manufacturers, so the leading styles of the world could be brought at the local store for a fraction of the cost. The fashion world was booming, along with the babies and the economy of the Fifties.

Women's shorts begun to gain popularity, after the taste of the comfort and practicality that wearing pants brought to women during the Forties. Women wore short shorts with tucked in shirts and blouses whilst at the beach or at home, as well as Capri pants which ended at 3/4 length and Pedal Pushers which ended just below the knee. Although now a common women's wear item, it was still more socially acceptable for a woman to wear a dress or skirt when out and about.

Women wearing beachwear for a photo in Life magazine.

During the Fifties, teenagers started to separate from child and adult, and created their own styles, culture and consumerism. With part time jobs and pocket money from their parents, teenagers began to take charge of their own fashion, and manufacturers were quick to jump on board. In the second half of the 1950's, there was entire clothing catalogues were dedicated to the teenager. The rise of the Prom dress came about, and formal teenage attire gained new popularity. Rock n Roll music held a great influence on teenage fashion, as well as movies such as 'Rebel Without A Cause' which was released in 1955. Celebrities like Elvis Presley and James Dean were fashion icons, and a new wave of styles such as Rockabilly began to gain momentum. Although most women's wear in the Fifties were basically the same styles and silhouettes but in different colors, patterns and prints, teenagers were able and willing to experiment, with manufacturers more than happy to oblige.

Elvis Presley in 1957.

Shoes changed dramatically for woman between the 40s and the 50s. With the rise of the bombshells such as Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield, a new type of Pump was created, a more slender, sexy style labelled the Stiletto. Although women loved the Stiletto, due to its lack of comfort and the challenge presented whilst walking in them, other shoes became popular throughout the decade, such as the smaller heeled Kitten, as well as other styles such as the wedge, penny loafers, boots and moccasins. Due to the new technologies and faster manufacturing, shoes were not limited to a single conformity of color such as they were in the Forties, often being available in a vast variety of colors, prints and patterns. Women were easily able to match their shoes to their outfits, their handbags, their hats, or basically to anything they desired. Women tended to wear pumps throughout their everyday life, changing the style and height of pumps for different activities. For around the house or running errands, a style called the "Baby Doll" was popular, with its extremely rounded toe and low-mid height heel, they were comfortable yet still elegant. The Slingback made a comeback, however the Fifties version proved to be a lot sexier than those of the Forties with thinner straps and much more flesh being exposed. Ballet Flats or Flatties were a popular casual wear shoe, with the brand Capezio being the cream of the crop, if you could afford it that is. Other flats that were worn include Loafers and the Strapless Mules (which were one of the only types of shoe that a woman didn't have to wear stockings with).

A page from a 1950's Shoe Catalog.

The 50s became about prosperity, abundance and decadence. The economic boom gave Fashion a chance to be more important in women's lives, and became another form of self expression. Clothing became an accessory and a luxury, rather than just a necessity. Women were able to dress and feel more feminine again. Designers such as Balenciaga and Chanel regained popularity after Dior paved the way in the early 50s. Couture became accessible to those with the money or connections, and fashion became another way in which one showed their social and financial standing. It was all about Keeping up with the Jones' and a popular method of doing this was by matching your family's outfits. Mother and daughter dresses were extremely popular, as were, sister dresses. Many looks of the 1920's came back with a 1950's spin. Hollywood greatly influenced the current trends and celebrity style was followed and imitated. New technologies and factories meant for new styles, designs and colors all being manufactured at record speed. The Fifties was a time for revolution, recreation, revival and renovation. And the return of the housewife.

That's all for the Fifties, stay tuned for the Sixties.

Until next time,

Adios Darlings xx

A Peek into the Past; the rise and fall of Fashion in the 1940's.

Greetings Darlings,

I was reading through a book called "Dressing Up Vintage" by Tracy Tolkien, and was amazed at some of the fashion facts I had no idea about, like did you know that in 1943, billionaire eccentric Howard Hughes, most famous for his contributions to the Aviation industry, invented the Cantilever Underwire Bra? He designed it for his then girlfriend Jane Russell, to be used in the filming of the movie "The Outlaw", and it's sole purpose was to emphasise her already ample assets.

Whilst the book was rather limiting in its substance, it got me intrigued about what other fascinating styles and inventions that may have arisen during the mid part of 1900's. I wanted to completely focus on the Fifties but the more I researched, the more I became overwhelmed with things that occurred before and after the "Golden Era". I put some thought into it, and decided I didn't want this blog to be pigeon-holed into such a limited duration of time, especially as I live and breathe Vintage Fashion, and was shocked to learn that some of the most interesting trends and fashions popularised into being "50s Fashion" nowadays, are actually styles and creations from the Forties and Sixties. For example, a hairstyle that is almost always at any Vintage event or 50's themed party is the 'Victory Roll'. However, unbeknownst to many, this hairstyle is actually a product of the 1940's, and it is rumoured that the rolls were named after the barrel-shaped exhaust fumes left in the sky by the fighter planes during World War II. 

Dolores Moran sporting Victory Rolls in 1943.

Researching the different fashions of the different decades is actually a bit of a monumental task, so I will break my "Peek Into the Past" blog up into 3 different entries, starting with the 1940's in today's piece. Stay tuned for the 50s and 60s coming soon!

 Fashion Through the Decades.

1940:
Due to the start of the War, fabric rationing meant for shorter lengths in dresses and skirts, the 1930's fashion had hemlines hitting mid-calf but in the 1940's, they became knee-length. The war also inspired a more masculine and militant-look, which brought about the invention of shoulder pads that extended just past the edge of the shoulder. There was no cleavage shown, with the exception of evening wear. Silhouettes were hourglass yet boxy and manly.

The shortage on fabric also led to the rise of the Victory Suit, a two piece suit that was incredibly versatile, comfortable and yet still fashionable. Skirts were A-line and were teamed with blouses and jackets. During the early 40s, skirts did not have pleats and did not flare out as extravegantly as those seen in the next decade, however in the latter part of the 40s, skirts begun to see wider A-lines, some pleating and some even came with pockets. Jackets were made of the same material as the skirts, and hit just at the hip, with the usual wide shoulder padding and nipped in waist. Jackets could be mismatched to the skirts, depending on availability. Blouses worn under the jacket could be either long or short sleeved, with buttons running right down the front and a high neckline.

Women sporting the popular Victory Suits.

Because of the War, which took from home most of the able-bodied men at the time, women began to work in factories, and due to the new need for practicality, women started to wear pants, which before the War, were for men only, just as the workforce they were now entering. To begin with, women would just wear men's pants, however later on, manufacturers started to create women's pants yet they still looked uniquely masculine. Pants were high-waisted, with side zip or buttons and full legs that had wide, heavy bottom cuffs. Usually made from cotton, wool and denim blends, pants were only worn as an item of work wear to start with, however throughout the 1940's, they became a part of casual wear.

Women's work wear in the 40s.

Women's shoes were not elaborately detailed like those of the 30s, and due to the need of leather for the War, shoes were made from other materials such as Reptile skin, velvet, and even wood. Wedges became popular in this decade, and the soles of these were all one piece and only of a moderate height which made them safer for wearing than the likes of Pumps. The Peeptoe was popular however wedges came in different styles, including fun summer, strappy-styled sandals. More popular than wedges were the Saddle and Oxford shoes, which like women's clothing of the time, closely resembled menswear. They came in one or two tones with round toes, and were a favourite of teenagers due to their comfort and casual feel.

Saddle shoes of the 1940's.

After the War ended, women's clothing began to take on a more feminine and elegant feel again. Necklines became soft and rounded, skirts became fuller and more detailed, and button up fronts made way for softer wrap styles. Women were encouraged to return to their homes rather than working in the factories, and so fashion again, adapted to the needs of the everyday woman. In 1947, Christian Dior launched his infamous "New Look" fashion, which paved the way for the more decadent and extravagant styles of the 50s. The "Pinup" look also started to gain popularity, with clothing becoming more form-fitting and tighter.

Dior's "New Look" fashion, unveiled in 1947.

That's all for the Forties, I will be back tomorrow with the Fifties.

Until next time,
Adios darlings xx

Makeup Glorious Makeup

Greetings darlings,

Today I want to talk about makeup, especially my own personal history and application of pinup makeup.

No vintage girl is quite complete without it. Makeup has the power to completely transform and enhance a girl's natural beautiful features. It's all about learning what works best for you and as cliché as it is, perfection comes down to practice practice practice.

When I first started dabbling with pinup-inspired makeup, just wearing red lippy felt like a giant leap out of my comfort zone. It's incredibly intimidating to walk around with a bright red pout. I would receive so many comments about it, a majority of which were positive. So as my confidence grew, my curiosity and creativity grew too. I invested in a liquid eyeliner and begin practicing the infamous wings. My first attempts were almost failures and not too flattering, as you'll see in the photo below.

I think my face says it all.

As I practiced, my lines became steadier and more even, i began to realise what suited my face shape and colour tone and what i felt comfortable wearing where and when. Makeup started to become another accessory to my outfits, a confidante that kept my acne and sleepless nights a secret and another platform for self expression.

Practice at home meant more confidence in public. 

I work in a cafe throughout the week and so my makeup needs to be durable and a bit more subtle than I'd usually wear. I often follow the golden rule about enhancing only one of my features, so if i wear my signature red lipstick, my eyes usually only receive a coat of mascara. It's a balancing act when you're trying to keep to a more everyday-look. However, I believe it's very important to always have great eyebrows. They can change your entire face, either for the good or bad. My face just doesn't feel complete if I don't give my brows any attention. 

The difference between made up eyebrows and natural.

Eyebrows can be tricky and quite time-consuming as symmetry is essential. I use a brow gel and a tiny artist's paintbrush to create the outer lines and shape of my brows, and then use a powder to fill them in. If I'm going to be out and about, I often set my brows using a clear mascara. You have to make sure you brush the mascara into the hairs otherwise you'll end up with stringy looking brows which can ruin all of your hard work. If I'm really pushed for time, I'll just use my brow powder (eyeshadow works also) to fill my brows in.

Lipstick was quite tricky to begin with also, especially when using a dark or bold color. Any mistakes or imperfections become abundantly obvious. A little trick I use is starting inside my natural lip line and building out. I use small feathery strokes and blend them all together. As my top lip is on the thin side, I often enhance it by applying liner on the very outside edge of my natural line. When applying to the Cupid's bow, i create an X so ensure symmetry. I fill the entire lip in with liner before applying lipstick. To create a more lush look, I dab a little shimmer to the middle of my bottom lip and then coat my lips in clear gloss. if i make a mistake or apply too far out of my lip line, I use a little brush and apply concealer to remove and cover the errors. It also helps to create a more defined look. My favorite color to wear is of course red, however I've also started dabbling with even darker and bolder shades like chocolate brown. 

Chocolate brown lippy can be a scary color to start with but it creates such a beautifully dramatic look. 

Makeup can be quite daunting to begin with, but the more you play around with it, the more confident you'll feel in it. Start with baby steps, maybe just buy your own red lipstick and build from that just as I did. Never feel intimidated or ashamed to try new things. Life is all about showing the world who we are as individuals, so if your makeup makes you feel different to the world around you, celebrate that. Enjoy being the unique beautiful women that you are!

If you have any tips,tricks or photos you'd like to share, please by all means leave them in the comments. I'd love to see them. 

Until next time, 

Adios darlings xx