Today is Day One of 2011.
I don't try to hold any illusions that somehow, magically, the passing of one day is going to make all the difference. "Oh let's shake off the dust of 2010"... Okay, but why not shake off the dust of Thursday on Friday or shake off the dust of November in December?
I do hope, however, to get myself back on track.
As I sit now, the road has been long with many a winding turn. And somewhere along the way, I forgot the declaration I made (and was then made fun of for) on my first day of beauty school 10 years ago:
"I want to specialise in vintage styles and work on movies about the past."
Yes, all the Jerseyliscious wannabes in my class laughed and scoffed that I would have such a specific desire... But I saw my desire as no more specific than "I want to work on Oprah's show" or "I want to own my own salon".
Of course, when it came time for fingerwaves and pincurls, I got laughed at even more because I didn't get it quickly. Once someone OVER the age of 30 taught me though, I got it and now I can fingerwave like a mo-fo.
So why, when I had such a dream for myself, am I now working in small town Indiana and praying daily that someone will want something more than "just a trim". How I hate those words!
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
"Just a trim."
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I have to remind myself that "just a trim" will put me right back to square one when I move again in 4 years. I know I won't be able to pay for rent in Toronto with trims, let alone the higher general costs that Americans associate with living abroad (someone from Toronto, please quash that belief!).
So as I come in to 2011, I'm feel like I've found the beginning of that trail I walked down for so long.
I am going to specialise in vintage hair.
2 nights ago, I had to cut my own hair because - after a year - I can't find anyone in this town that puts themselves out there as a vintage hairstylist. Goodness, I even got ahold of the Vintage Pattern Library which is based in Indianapolis for advice. Nobody.
So not only am I going to specialise in vintage hair, I am going to market myself as a vintage hair specialist.
Once I have such a reputation, I'm sure I can take my skills and portfolio to Toronto and not start at square one again. It will take work, but I can do work. In 2 years, I went from working at a front for Polish gangsters to teaching barbering to other stylists. It happened with work. I can do it again!
Showing posts with label vintage beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vintage beauty. Show all posts
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Revlon Fire and Ice 2010!
Finally I get around to purchasing the whole collection AND posting about it!
I feel like I'm always a little late to the game. I finished buying the rest of the colours on Christmas at CVS (the only place that was open) and then this week it's absent from the other CVS by my house. Is it already gone?
Anyway, Revlon's Fire and Ice is a redux of a classic 1952 collection. Joining the classic namesake shade is 3 other shade; Demure, Temptress, and Siren. Fire and Ice's companion nail polish is called All Fired Up. I keep feeling like everything is so very familiar, so the whole collection could just be a rebranding.
As you can see from Revlon's site, linked above, the collection includes the retro logo on both the lipstick and the nail polish. Even better, Fire and Ice lipstick was released in a special, "limited edition" (excuse me, could you roll those eyes back to me?) throwback tube. It really was a faithful reproduction of the ones my aunt had sitting on her dresser - except in plastic. I can't complain too much though... Even the throwback tube was the same price as the usual, inline products.
Onward to the colours!
Demure:
Demure is a very soft, peachy, feminine shade. I haven't seen a single episode of Mad Men (I know, I know... I don't have cable.) but I'm a fan of the Barbie dolls and this seems to be a very Betty Draper colour.
Temptress
Temptress is the pink cousin to Demure. This was the only polish I had any coverage problems on. It is a little sheerer. One of the big reasons I use nail wheels for polish swatches instead of my own nails is because of the constant staining from ink, dye, and paint under my nails. You can really see it here.
Siren
Siren is a very bold coloured coral. It really doesn't have enough pink in it to call it a coral. It is orange. Siren is orange and it is chic as hell! Notice the nail polish bottle says "NEW COLOUR". Will Siren be available year-round now?
Fire and Ice
Somehow I ended up without a nail polish bottle pic of All Fired Up. What a glam red cream! I really don't have anything else to say about that.
The entire Fire and Ice collection really is an accurate recall to the vintage glam of the 50's. I'm sure it was released right before the holidays in antici...pation of ladies wearing this to all their parties. But do the parties stop on January 1? NO WAY!
If you can find this at your local stores (Meijer and CVS had really nice displays for it, but I didn't see it at all at Walgreens), snap up the entire collection. It really is timeless and very flattering.
I feel like I'm always a little late to the game. I finished buying the rest of the colours on Christmas at CVS (the only place that was open) and then this week it's absent from the other CVS by my house. Is it already gone?
Anyway, Revlon's Fire and Ice is a redux of a classic 1952 collection. Joining the classic namesake shade is 3 other shade; Demure, Temptress, and Siren. Fire and Ice's companion nail polish is called All Fired Up. I keep feeling like everything is so very familiar, so the whole collection could just be a rebranding.
As you can see from Revlon's site, linked above, the collection includes the retro logo on both the lipstick and the nail polish. Even better, Fire and Ice lipstick was released in a special, "limited edition" (excuse me, could you roll those eyes back to me?) throwback tube. It really was a faithful reproduction of the ones my aunt had sitting on her dresser - except in plastic. I can't complain too much though... Even the throwback tube was the same price as the usual, inline products.
Onward to the colours!
Demure:
Temptress
 |
| This actually may be Demure, not Temptress... Will change pic and caption as soon as I pull my bottle out. |
Siren
Fire and Ice
The entire Fire and Ice collection really is an accurate recall to the vintage glam of the 50's. I'm sure it was released right before the holidays in antici...pation of ladies wearing this to all their parties. But do the parties stop on January 1? NO WAY!
If you can find this at your local stores (Meijer and CVS had really nice displays for it, but I didn't see it at all at Walgreens), snap up the entire collection. It really is timeless and very flattering.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
30's moon manicure
Felt like busting out my fave red, Finger Paints' "Expressionist Red". For Veterans Day, I thought I needed something to match the many paper poppies I'm sure I'll be picking up.
This was my first time doing the moons. I didn't have a brush to take the moons out so I used a little bit of cotton wrapped around an orange stick. I think using a brush would be a lot better.
I can't wait to try this again.
I can't wait to try this again.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
More of my fave polishes!
When it comes to nail colours, I like to think I'm quirky or a little different. In some ways I may be, but I haven't really changed much at all for years. I've always gotten the same colours - green, pink glitter, blue, and black.
This week's new purchases were no different. When I moved from Chicago to Indianapolis, very little stuff could come with me, but I was sure that my best nail polishes did. Here's what I had (with my new ones now added)
1) Absolutely Alice from OPI's Alice in Wonderland collection.
This is by far one of the best glitters OPI ever made. Once I moved all my stuff from Chicago to Indy (a year after I moved my body here), I found a box of nail polish dating from 8th grade to my beauty school 8 years later. In it, I found 4 or 5 different blue glitters. Not a single one is as good as Absolutely Alice is. Not a single one could have such nice coverage in only 2 coats. This polish is perfect. Absolutely perfect.
2) DS Divine from OPI's Designer Series
The Designer Series is everything it has ever said it is. It has amazing coverage, intense holographic sparkle, and long wear. Divine is 100% pure Barbie. I'd pair it with Stila's or MAC's Barbie cosmetics collections (more on Stila's later). When I wear this, I have trouble not looking at my nails. Now that I'm going to take a job back in a salon, this will have to be vacation polish. Yes, it's that distracting for me.
3-7) See yesterday's post.
8) Russian Navy from OPI's Russian Collection
I believe this is now in the normal stock. At least, we had it in line at Ulta last year. I remember when it came out everyone was ga ga for the fact that it was "off black". It really is deep. When the Russian Collection hit shelves, I was spending too much money on fine art supplies (though little of what I've ever made could be called "fine" art) so I got a knock off version. Too blue! The OPI version has this... something about it. It's blue, true, but it's not dark blue. It's something different.
9) "Summer French"
This was one of the new polishes I got this week too. I hate the way it looks on the wheel though. In actuality, it's a very sheer red shade. This is very like the polishes used in the 20's and 30's. I'm trying to get a more retro aesthetic to my fashion lately, so I figured I'd give this a go. The jury's still out on it. It seems to be a "private label" polish and I got it at the pro supply store but Orly's Beverly Hills Manicure is very much like it.
10) Miso Happy With This Colour from OPI's Japan collection
Sadly, I think this one is discontinued. I have always called it my "going to court" polish. On my skin tone, it is very natural but still finished. It can have a sheerer coverage, but I always do 2 coats - usually without base and top because it gets removed rather quickly... Not because it's a bad colour; because it's just not really "me".
11) Let Them Eat Rice Cake from OPI's Japan collection
I'm pretty sure this one is supposed to be a sheer coat. When done with only one, it doesn't get streaky like so many other sheers do. It's a little light for my tastes, but it was given to me at a beauty show so it went into the grandmother-approved collection. I've worn it several times to go do bridal trials or office job interviews. Sometimes, you have to play dress up.
12) Barefoot in Barcelona from Espana by OPI
Holy crap holy crap holy crap this is my FAVOURITE COLOUR!!!!!
I know I don't usually tend toward the neutrals, but this one is just so timeless and classic I don't think anyone can pass it up. In fact, the ENTIRE Spanish collection was perfection in a bottle. I call it my "rich lady" colour. My hands just look so refined and my nails look long and well formed when I wear this. It really goes well with any skin tone. I think everyone should own it. Even better - it comes in a no-chip gel polish form! Just be sure to see a professional to have it applied. OPI's UV gels are NOT for consumer use!
13) Can You Tapas This? from Espana by OPI
Lucky 13 - Can you Tapas This? NO YOU CAN'T!
If I had the money for the whole collection, I would have bought it. Can You Tapas This is a perfect deep burgundy with just a hint of brown to bring it neutral. It's another of my "rich lady" polishes. Very chic, very vintage! This is a wonderful colour for the 20's smokin vamp. I think this one has gone into the in-line collection as well.
Looks like I have a few more spots on the colour wheel. I can already think of a few that are missing. Lincoln Park After Dark, for one. Black Satin from OPI's Tuxedo Collection belongs on there too.
What do you think? What colours would you put on your wheel of favourites? As an inaugural blog contest, the first commenter to this post will receive a full-size OPI polish in my choice of colour. Perhaps one of my faves will become your new fave!
This week's new purchases were no different. When I moved from Chicago to Indianapolis, very little stuff could come with me, but I was sure that my best nail polishes did. Here's what I had (with my new ones now added)
This is by far one of the best glitters OPI ever made. Once I moved all my stuff from Chicago to Indy (a year after I moved my body here), I found a box of nail polish dating from 8th grade to my beauty school 8 years later. In it, I found 4 or 5 different blue glitters. Not a single one is as good as Absolutely Alice is. Not a single one could have such nice coverage in only 2 coats. This polish is perfect. Absolutely perfect.
2) DS Divine from OPI's Designer Series
The Designer Series is everything it has ever said it is. It has amazing coverage, intense holographic sparkle, and long wear. Divine is 100% pure Barbie. I'd pair it with Stila's or MAC's Barbie cosmetics collections (more on Stila's later). When I wear this, I have trouble not looking at my nails. Now that I'm going to take a job back in a salon, this will have to be vacation polish. Yes, it's that distracting for me.
3-7) See yesterday's post.
8) Russian Navy from OPI's Russian Collection
I believe this is now in the normal stock. At least, we had it in line at Ulta last year. I remember when it came out everyone was ga ga for the fact that it was "off black". It really is deep. When the Russian Collection hit shelves, I was spending too much money on fine art supplies (though little of what I've ever made could be called "fine" art) so I got a knock off version. Too blue! The OPI version has this... something about it. It's blue, true, but it's not dark blue. It's something different.
9) "Summer French"
This was one of the new polishes I got this week too. I hate the way it looks on the wheel though. In actuality, it's a very sheer red shade. This is very like the polishes used in the 20's and 30's. I'm trying to get a more retro aesthetic to my fashion lately, so I figured I'd give this a go. The jury's still out on it. It seems to be a "private label" polish and I got it at the pro supply store but Orly's Beverly Hills Manicure is very much like it.
10) Miso Happy With This Colour from OPI's Japan collection
Sadly, I think this one is discontinued. I have always called it my "going to court" polish. On my skin tone, it is very natural but still finished. It can have a sheerer coverage, but I always do 2 coats - usually without base and top because it gets removed rather quickly... Not because it's a bad colour; because it's just not really "me".
11) Let Them Eat Rice Cake from OPI's Japan collection
I'm pretty sure this one is supposed to be a sheer coat. When done with only one, it doesn't get streaky like so many other sheers do. It's a little light for my tastes, but it was given to me at a beauty show so it went into the grandmother-approved collection. I've worn it several times to go do bridal trials or office job interviews. Sometimes, you have to play dress up.
12) Barefoot in Barcelona from Espana by OPI
Holy crap holy crap holy crap this is my FAVOURITE COLOUR!!!!!
I know I don't usually tend toward the neutrals, but this one is just so timeless and classic I don't think anyone can pass it up. In fact, the ENTIRE Spanish collection was perfection in a bottle. I call it my "rich lady" colour. My hands just look so refined and my nails look long and well formed when I wear this. It really goes well with any skin tone. I think everyone should own it. Even better - it comes in a no-chip gel polish form! Just be sure to see a professional to have it applied. OPI's UV gels are NOT for consumer use!
13) Can You Tapas This? from Espana by OPI
Lucky 13 - Can you Tapas This? NO YOU CAN'T!
If I had the money for the whole collection, I would have bought it. Can You Tapas This is a perfect deep burgundy with just a hint of brown to bring it neutral. It's another of my "rich lady" polishes. Very chic, very vintage! This is a wonderful colour for the 20's smokin vamp. I think this one has gone into the in-line collection as well.
Looks like I have a few more spots on the colour wheel. I can already think of a few that are missing. Lincoln Park After Dark, for one. Black Satin from OPI's Tuxedo Collection belongs on there too.
What do you think? What colours would you put on your wheel of favourites? As an inaugural blog contest, the first commenter to this post will receive a full-size OPI polish in my choice of colour. Perhaps one of my faves will become your new fave!
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