Lulus Fashion Lounge - Blog - A La Mode

  • Style Do or Don't: Bettie Page Bangs

    Posted by: Kathleen McHatton

    March
    18
    2010

    I've always loved the iconic hair of retro pin-up model: Bettie Page. Known for her short pixie bangs and curvy brown locks, Bettie's hair became her unique and edgy style accessory. 

    In short, Bettie Page bangs are cut to hit at about mid-forehead and curve up towards the temples of your head.

    I've noticed this style of bang becoming increasingly popular among hip, fashion forward women. To me, the look carries cool, rockabilly vibes and can really make a girl stand out. At the same time, I would never make the cut myself.

    Just a smidge above eyebrow length is about as short as I will go. I just know that a super short bang wouldn't flatter my face shape. While I admire the cut on a lot of women, it's still a daring look to pull off.

    (Above: Actress Gretchen Mol pictured left in The Notorious Bettie Page. Below: Bettie Page)

    That being said: I've noticed that certain styles manage to capture the essence of the original Bettie Page cut while toning down the extremes to make it more flattering on different face shapes.

    Above, I love how Katy Perry's bangs sit just above the eyebrow and curve just slightly up the sides, not sharply. Designer Maya Luz from this season's Project Runway sports the same style, keeping the bangs semi-short and mostly strait towards the sides of the head. I've been drooling over her hair all season (and rooting her on to win!) For both Katy and Maya, dark straightened locks and bold lipstick give the look a little extra retro boost.

    What do you think? Would you make the cut?

  • Trend: Bold Brows, Lashes and Lips

    Posted by: Kathleen McHatton

    February
    24
    2010

    Nothing gets more dramatic or eye-catching than a bold red lip. I'm all for sporting the look in day-to-day wear, and I found my new favorite way to work it. Instead of a retro cat-eye, I've been loving the look of a shaped and defined brow with bold, almost doll-like lashes. This look is fairly easy, gorgeous and yet appropriate for a day at the office without feeling overdone. Use whatever brow product gives you the best shape. I prefer a pencil, comb and some Anastasia Brow Gel. For the lashes, nothing works like Rimmel's Sexy Curves Mascara. You can put coat after coat of this on and get nice and separated "Twiggy" lashes. For a red lip, go for a fun color like Mac's Ruby Woo.

    For a little visual help, the expertise of UK-based Pixiwoo will show you how to master this look. 

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  • Behind the Scenes: Being Beautyilicious @ CHIKOKO

    Posted by: Siobhan Barrett

    February
    22
    2010

    I recently went to a local (Chico, California) fashion show by a fashion collective named Chikoko. Despite my snobbish fashion thoughts, engrained from a few years in a snobby art school and shaped by extreme fashionista mentors, I came away with a newly founded respect for small town fashion ventures and the women who put them on. I got Josh Mills, one of the photographers at the event, to send me his flickr link and found these backstage pictures which captured a certain fresh beauty and brought out intriguing detail in the clothes that I missed in the chaos and energy of the runway. Here are some of the gorgeous gals and intricate clothes backstage and before the show.

    I love the clean face and big hair! Her distressed boyfriend jeans with the relaxed worn leather handbag and booties are just too cute.

    The hair stylists created long braids that wrapped around the models heads. The big hair with braids added a lot of romance and texture to the look of the night.

    I loved this little mini dress with its soft pink, pieced, and layered look.The model's tattoos and makeup added a lot of edge to the sweetness of the look.

    Here the ever sooooo popular PINK is utilized in both their makeup and clothes. The texture in both outfits is intriguing. On the left, the bright makeup works well to accent the colors of the outfit and of the model's red hair! On the right, the pieced crocheted dress is dainty and demure without being an understatement.

    Keep posted for pictures of the event to come!

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  • A Very Vintage Style Manicure

    Posted by: Kathleen McHatton

    February
    9
    2010

    For the retro gal who has already mastered the hair and makeup, a vintage-style manicure is your next best accessory.

    Sported by the bold and stylish Dita Von Teese, retro nails of the 30's and 40's have a very distinct and glamorous look. Each nail is grown long in an oval shape that is filed to a point at the tip. Traditionally the moons and tips of the nail were left uncolored, but I like how Dita sports it with the moons filled in with contrasting white lacquer.

    Try out the look at home. I love this tutorial from MsFaintlyMacabre's YouTube channel. Her nails look stunning at the finish! 

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  • Red Heads Have More Fun

    Posted by: Kathleen McHatton

    January
    29
    2010

    Red hair is as rare as it is beautiful. A vibrant color that always catches the eye, it's as equally breathtaking in its natural shade as in its artificial versions. Christina Hendricks, who plays Joan on the hit series Mad Men is almost single handedly responsible for making me want to dye my dark brunette looks a vibrant shade of red.

    A hair color that requires a lot of upkeep, going red and staying red is a quite a commitment. It's also crucial to capture the right shade of red for your skin tone, whether it be warm-toned and coppery or on the cool side of the spectrum with purple undertones, etc.

    Have any of you lovely ladies gone a daring shade of red? If so, any tips for making it last? Also, please share what you love about being a red head! 

  • Hair Inspiration: Dita Von Teese

    Posted by: Kathleen McHatton

    January
    25
    2010

    I am in love with the seemingly effortless glamour and flirty waves of Dita Von Teese's hair style in the above pic. Inspired by hair of the 1940's, Dita has perfected this look on her own, which in turn, inspired me to give it a try.

    Dita recently tweeted on her Twitter page that she uses "Hot rollers in small+med sizes," and sometimes "iron+clips" in order to set her hair into retro glam waves. I found the perfect YouTube tutorial which goes over how to style and set the rollers to achieve a similar look.

    Now all I need are some good hot rollers. Any suggestions?

  • Fast and Glamorous: The Simple Chignon

    Posted by: Kathleen McHatton

    January
    20
    2010

     

    If you're like me, rainy weather has you neglecting any attempts at hair styling and sporting a variety of caps all week instead. Now, while hats can be fun, it's nice to change up your look every now and then. But while there's so much moisture in the air, I find it pointless to spend time blow-drying and straightening when it's all going to end up a frizzy mess.

    That's where the classic chignon comes in extremely handy.

    A low bun pulled to the side of the head, a chignon is a simple style that can be as glammed up or as casual as you wish. I prefer it loosely gathered and pulled slightly off center. Add any clips or accessories, red lipstick, and those rainy days won't look so daunting after all.

  • Facial Cleanser: What Do You Use?

    Posted by: Sienna Orlando

    January
    13
    2010

    What to use, what to use ...

    Today's product lines can be daunting in the amount of choices out there. What I want to know is what the average woman does for her basic face washing rituals? Expensive, inexpensive, medicated, herbal, or nothing it all!

    I asked the girls in the warehouse what they use on their faces every day, and why they like them so much. Here were some of their responses:

    Kathleen: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.  "It takes off all of my make-up, and is really good for sensitive skin."

    Brittani: Garnier Skin Renew.  "I use a light soap in the shower, and this face lotion. I think it's amazing. This lotion is the best. It makes my skin feel so soft, it's ridiculous!"



    Rachel: ProActiv.  "I usually go back to ProActiv every couple of months."

    Lindsay H.: Aveeno.

    Indya: Alba Coconut Milk.  "It's all-natural, organic, creamy, and it's gentle, exfoliates and moisturizing. It's also Earth-friendly, and I can get it at my favorite co-op."


    Siobahn: Aveeno.  "I don't really pay that much attention."

    Val:  "I don't use facial cleanser because it dries my skin out. Just water."

    Me? I'm simple. I love St. Ive's Apricot Scrub. It's inexpensive and exfoliating.


    What do you use?

     

  • Weezer Muse

    Posted by: Kathleen McHatton

    December
    28
    2009

    I wanted to share with you guys a fun music video by Weezer for their song, "If You're Wondering If I Want You To." It features the Weezer gang in a Pleasantville type of town called ... what else? Weezerville. They're four best friends, and life is sweet in Weezerville.

    Enter the femme fatale, played by the gorgeous and charming actress, Odette Yustman. Her character is what inspired this blog and a couple YouTube hair tutorials on the web. Check out her awesome costuming, makeup and hair!! I love the soft feminine look of the dress combined with the flawlessly crafted, 40's-inspired victory rolls.

    Check out the video below to see what an impact her looks make on Weezerville and the surprising ending!

    And if you're inspired by her look like I was, give the hair tutorial by the talented LisaFreemontStreet a try. It shows a quick and easy way to get a similar effect.

    Now, if I could only get my hands on that darling yellow dress ...

  • YouTube MakeUp Guru: Hollywood Noir Makeup

    Posted by: Kathleen McHatton

    December
    17
    2009

    On a typical Wednesday night, I found myself once again searching on YouTube for a cool vintage makeup tutorial. My goal was to find just the right retro look for those upcoming holiday parties.

    It was then that I came across one of the best Dita Von Teese inspired tutorials I have ever seen by makeup artist and writer, Ashley, known on YouTube as HollywoodNoirMakeup.

    Ashley's vids are so wonderful because you know you're seeing professional quality work brought to you in an everyday, understandable language. Ashley uses her creativity and makeup artistry experience to teach her viewers anything from how to get the perfect red lip, to how to shape your brows, to more artistic and edgy makeup looks for those looking for a little something different. She is truly a makeup wizard with a MAC brush as her wand.

    Here is the Dita Von Teese look I found. Give it a view, and watch the glamorous transformation begin!

    Don't forget to subscripe to HollywoodNoirMakeup for more great tutorials!!


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