Mad Men inspired makeup look

I'm actually totally behind on Mad Men, but I was enjoying it on and off for a while. I have to admit I have no idea what's going on now, but the fashion in the show has drawn a lot of attention. (Banana Republic even did a Mad Men line!)

I think most of us have a character whose wardrobe we covet. I'm a Betty girl all the way! How about you?

Getting on to my Mad Men inspired makeup look. Okay, it was partially Mad Men inspired but really it was supposed to be a 1950s look for my work Christmas party. The theme obviously, was 1950s.

So yes, this is a look I wore out of the house! Apologies for the pics, I tried my best, but I was also trying to get dressed and out the door to the party.

It almost looks like I blurred this on purpose, doesn't it? Oh well, it reminds me of those old style photos. 

My inspiration for this look was simple face, simple eye, with all the focus on red full lips. 

There's a trick to the lips, I applied foundation over my lips as a primer, then drew red lips. That's right, I drew the lips that mother nature didn't give me. This was how they did it back in the day.

Apparently in the 1950s good girls didn't wear eyeliner or eye shadow, but I needed to define my eyes a bit!

Products used:

• foundation: Lunasol Water Cream Foundation in OC01
• blush: Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact in 07 Lovely Tulip 
• lips: MAC lipstick in Chili
• eye shadow: Visée Blackish Forming Eyes in B-1 Brown-variation
• eye liner: MAC Fluidline Cream Eyeliner in Blacktrack
• mascara: MAC Studio Fix Boldlash 

Okay, I did manage to take one non-blurry pic, but I think it's not the most flattering, but I'll share it with you guys cos I'm such a nice person :P

This post wouldn't be complete without a song from the !950s, so here is Why Do Fools Fall in Love? by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers.

Pannier and Revolutionary Ball from Victorian Disco Cosmetics

From my latest haul from Victorian Disco Cosmetics, I have two colours from the Rococo Roller Rink series.

When I hear Rococo I can't help think of Momoko's explanation of the Rococo period in European history from the film Kamikaze Girls (also known as 下妻物語, which is based on a book by the same titles). I really love this film and book, but for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, I've dug up a clip below.

I think Momoko would approve of Pannier and Revolutionary Ball.  

Pannier

Revolutionary Ball

Both of these were taken with flash, and you can see some of the colour as it has come off on the lids (international shipping, these things happen!) 

swatches: (left) Pannier and (right) Revolutionary Ball

VDC describe Pannier as deep brownish taupe with violet and gold flecks and Revolutionary Ball as dark black with a deep blue sheen. 

I think those are pretty spot on descriptions, altho I thought Pannier's shimmer almost looks like there's a light green, but I think this might be the gold colour playing off the taupe. Either way, they're both lovely and not bad at $4.50 USD for 2 grams of pigment. 

Speaking of Kamikaze Girls... 

makes me think of Anna Tsuchiya, who played Ichigo, the Yanki (think street punk) best friend of Momoko in Kamikaze Girls. Anna Tsuchiya is also pretty badass in real life as well. She's known for her outspoken opinions, and has an amazing career so far which includes modelling and singing as well as acting. 

I hope it's true, but Wikipedia quotes her in reference to her difficult modelling days as saying: 

"We were all teens at that time. I guess you guys expect some epic stories like — Anna did it, and those who laughed at Anna are now flipping burgers at McDonald's or distributing handbills at Jusco or especially, getting f***ed in porn videos — but sorry, y'all know God is such a balless mofo, now some of those who laughed at me have got bigger successes than me and are super rich... I sometimes feel frustrated with it, but yeah, they made me better."

That just cracks me up! Love Anna Tsuchiya, how could you not!? This girl rocks!

Here's a song from the anime NANA performed by her. 

Harry Potter and Final Fantasy inspired cosmetics

I can't wait until my next 20 parcels arrive from Victorian Disco Cosmetics! You think I'm exaggerating, ok, I am, but only just!  I couldn't wait for them to arrive because I wanted to share with you before they're sold out. Btw, these are limited editions! Once they're gone, they're gone! eeeep!

I ordered several colours from the Sailor Moon inspired collection, Sailor Scouts collection, which is a permanent part of the range. I had ordered samples of all the colours in the collection and swatched them here if you're interested.

Today I want to share some of what I've got coming (don't worry, I will be swatching), but I couldn't wait and didn't want anyone to miss out on these amazing collections!

House Points 

The first collection is the newest - just unveiled on Friday 27th Jan 2012. Not to sound smug, but I *knew* this was coming. Okay, well I knew something Harry Potter-related was on its way. There were a few hints on twitter, and okay some begging too, but Smashley made it happen!

Hogwarts Founders Fan Art from EvaAngel at DeviantArt

That's right. House Points is a collection named after the Hogwarts Founders!

There are 4 gorgeous colours available:

Godric - Rust red with a golden sheen and shimmer.

Helga - Deep rose golden color with golden sheen.

Rowena - Bright slate blue with silver sparkles and shimmer.

Salazar - Shamrock green with bright silver shimmers.

Colour descriptions are from VDC. Aren't they lovely?! I've already ordered all 4, and cannot wait to try them out!

Here's a swatch from VDC for you to gush over!

These are available full size for $4.50 USD each, or get all 4 for $15.00 USD. There is also a small jar set available as well.



Crystalline Affections

The other limited edition is a special for Valentine's Day, inspired by Final Fantasy. These colours come in couples inspired by characters from various Final Fantasy video games.

Cloud x Tifa from FFVII

(left) Tifa - Reddish brown with golden glitter and red flecks

(right) Cloud - Deep blue with golden flecks

Cloud x Aeris from FFVII

(left) Aeris - Light pink with red and rose colored glitter

(right) Cloud - Deep blue with golden flecks

Squall x Rinoa from FFVIII

(left) Rinoa - Cornflower blue with blue flecks and blue sheen

(right) Squall - Deep brown with golden brown flecks and gold glitter

Zidane x Princess Garnet from FFIX

(left) Garnet - Reddish rust color with orange flecks and red glitter

(right) Zidane - Golden beige with golden flecks

Tidus x Yuna from FFX and FFX-2

(left) Yuna - Very light lavender with pink flecks

(right) Tidus - Yellowish gold with golden flecks

Wakka x Lulu Garnet from FFX and FFX-2

(left) Lulu - Blackish purple with purple sheen and purple glitter

(right) Wakka - Golden orangey rust color with orange flecks and copper glitter

These pigments are available only as couples, for $8.00 each. There was also a 3-some of CloudxTifaxAeris, but that's already sold out.

I didn't buy all of these, and I have to confess that I've never even played FF, but I have watched some of it over the years. So I really picked based on colours.

My picks? You'll have to wait and see! Hit me up in the comments on your picks!

NB: All photos in this post courtesy of Victorian Disco Cosmetics

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils Review

I was recently asked if I had any eye liner pencils which prompted me to actually go through my collection to see what I have. I have to say that I'm not that keen on eye liner pencils. I usually prefer powder, cream, or liquid liner because I find pencil difficult to glide onto my eye lids. It's also a sensitive area that I don't want to irritate. Of course, having said that, I do have a preferred eye liner pencil, which is Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil. 

24/7 Glide On Eye Pencils are currently available in 22 shades and retail for $18 USD or £13.00 UK. I have 5 in my stash at the moment (colour descriptions are from Urban Decay's website):

• Lucky (brilliant deep copper)
• Bourbon (brown with teeny gold glitter)
• Lust (deep purple with subtle silver sparkle)
• Deviant (bold blue)
• Covet (peacock green)

From left to right: Lucky, Bourbon, Lust, Deviant, and Covet

There's lots to love about these eye pencils. They are soft and smooth, you can smudge them if you need to, but once they're set they're waterproof. They are also cruelty-free (not tested on animals). It's hard to find any negatives about these eye liners. 

Since I tend to go for the bold colours before the basics, yep, I'm just weird like that, I am still lusting after Zero (zealous black), but as I already have MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack (cream) and Lunasol Noble Shade Liner in 01 Noble Black (liquid), I haven't really felt the need for another black. 

My favourite of the bunch? Lucky, hands down. It's perfect for a natural look. 

MAC Fluidline Cream Eyeliner in Blacktrack and Dipdown Review and Swatch

This summer I booked myself a makeup lesson at my local MAC counter. The booking cost £25 but was refundable against purchases, and I picked up my first Fluidline Cream Eyeliner in Blacktrack (on left above). The MAC makeup artist was very helpful and taught me how to do a wonderful smokey eye and of course, introduced me to Fluidline in Blacktrack. As it comes in a little pot, you need an eye liner brush (such as MAC 209), dip in the pot and then just glide on.

I loved Blacktrack (black) so much, I have since picked up Dipdown (on right above, brown). Here are swatches of both: Blacktrack on the left and Dipdown on the right.

They are so opaque and creamy and have staying power. I really do love them. They're really good for doing a thin line or a thick 60s style eye. I don't have any complaints about these. They are so pigmented and lovely, I recommend you try them out if you haven't yet.

Fluidline is available from MAC and retails for £13.50 or $15.00 US. I'm  currently tempted to add Ash Violet to my collection!

Just felt like sharing the manga (Japanese comic) I'm currently reading: Tsumi ni Nureta Futari 罪に濡れたふたり. I picked up the series used from BookOff in Paris. It's about a brother and sister separated as children end up hooking up as young adults without realizing they're related. Eep!  It's an interesting read so far! The first cover is pretty racy, isn't it?

Are you reading anything interesting? Have you tried MAC Fluidline?