Personal Style: Photo Booth Fun and Beauty Tutorials

Did you notice the lip props in my Valentine decorating post? Last week, our salon participated in a fun event with a Candyland theme. I spent hours working on the props, and these lips were a fun part of the photo booth section. They work perfect for Valentine's Day too!

I did a slight smoky eye and a slight victory roll bang (more exaggerated tutorial here) or a suicide roll tutorial here), with a rather messy and lopsided, loose topknot. I do mine differently with no teasing and much faster than most tutorials, but this is a simple and short one. It took about 45 seconds to do my hair, but my husband gave me lots of compliments :)

She just turned 9 months and loves make-up and dressing up already!

 
 

smoky cat eye make tutorial via best makeup review

 

Another fun style to try is this pretty and easy and pretty Sweetheart Braid tutorial by Hairdresser on Fire. The braid is perfect for Valentine's Day! Add a jeweled hair comb or fresh flower for a little bit of romance. Let me know if you try any of these styles!

 

Personal Style: Retro Secretary

This outfit is mostly thrifted. I was planning on cutting this top up to refashion with a dress, but I just love it too much to cut. The fabric has a lovely raised texture, yet it's so silky too. I am usually against pairing silky blouses with cotton type skirts, but I felt that with the addition of the silky sash from my last dress that it would somehow work. Perhaps the bow and mega ascot ruffle is too much, but I sort of like semi-ugly fashion, and I don't have any belts that fit with this skirt.

For my hair, I'm trying to make a teeny 2 inch ponytail look styled, b/c there is no way I'm flat-ironing every time I go out. I let sections air dry in a slight fingerwave style and used maybe 4 pr 5 bobby pins on my ponytail in the back to muss up into a messy micro bun. I pulled out random sections on the sides and back as well for a soft effect.

I'm a tad lucky that my hair has a natural wave pattern. To get a similar look, Blythe Hopes Vintage has an incredibly easy youtube tutorial on a simple finger wave. Hers is a very subtle and modern wearable finger wave style that would even translate nicely into a updo for longer hair. The finger waves we had to perfect in cosmetology school had very distinct ridges and wrapped all around the head, a style that is more appropriate for formal events and period styling.

Autumn Rose Earrings: made by me, Jeweled Ambrosia
Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft, thrifted
Skirt: H&M, thrifted
Sash: from a Forever 21 dress, thrifted
Shoes: faux snake print, Target

*Linked to Clothed  Much's, Rule Breaking Monday post.

Personal Style: Clown to Beachy Waves in a Single Day

I changed about 100 times on Saturday. I had on a 'professional' outfit for a facepainting gig in the morning. Came home, changed to go to my son's soccer game. Came home, went through a billion steps to get into clown for another little party doing face painting and balloons. Came home. Got ready to go out to the movies with friends and the family. Came home. Put on my comfy work out clothes. Passed out after listening to The Gregory Brothers for like hours. (And I'm seeing them on my birthday this week... weee!)

I'm looking a little tired.

 
My hair was majorly kinky from pinning my hair up to wear under my wig. So, I decided to basically tease the junk out of it and loosely pin a small section back on one side. I suppose I could have put it in a bun or ponytail, but it feels like that's all I've been doing lately. So, for me, these beachy type waves worked in my schedule.

 

(No matter how hard I scrubbed, I couldn't get all the redness off from around my mouth. And even though cooking oil is suggested for cleaning off pro clown make-up... I just can't bring myself to do it. So, I just embraced the hot pinkness. I'm looking a bit like a crazy person here.)

Yes, this is the back of my head... I'm including it to illustrate those semi- loose knotted twists can turn into somewhat pretty kinky waves after a few hours of setting in dry hair... especially if you have embraced the asymmetrical mismatched layers like I have.

To do them, just twist your hair into sections, being careful to maintain your natural part, like I did in the photos. Twist and twist until they form little twisty balls and pin them against your head, criss crossing bobby pins help them hold. I don't even have them that tight. I had them in for about 4--5 hours, and got fairly loose kinky waves. If you do them very tight and leave them in all day, you will get a more crazy and pronounced wave.

For more classic curls, be sure you tuck the ends in and you do a snail shell like and uniform pattern while twisting. Mine are more haphazardly done, some are much smaller and tighter, while others are larger and looser than others. This helps create more movement and texture in the end wave. Now, I could go on and on about doing wet styling or classic old Hollywood glamour finger waves, or pin curls but that's a little advanced for this messy look I'm doing. You can see plenty of video tutorials online however.

Sometimes, they are cute worn alone too. If you decide to try these twists, I'd love to see how they turn out!

Personal Style: Denim Ballerina

 

  
I have been looking for the perfect denim jacket oh for about, five years now. I finally came across two contenders while thrifting the other day. An adorable Banana Republic one and this. I don't know why, but the lack of lapels really struck me, it seemed more effortless to wear and less 'jackety'. I also really love the faux epaulets look with the shoulder detail and the fact that the sleeves rolled easily had me sold. Once I got it home, I was worried it would be crazy hot, but I got lucky in that we had a cool morning!

You know, I'm going to be 30 in a few weeks. I can honestly say I didn't start to notice those 'fine lines' around my eyes/nose until about 6 months ago. I can tell you though, I honestly love them and am so happy to be aging. That said of course, I'm so glad I've been working out these past few months. I've noticed a spike in my energy level and am starting to lose a bit of the stomach pooch... still got a few inches to go! Hair was inspired by Sydney's Daybook bun tutorial and twisty belt knotting by Elaine of Clothed Much, (I did mine a wee different, but her tutorial is better). Not really digging the boots, can't decide if it's the cut or color... maybe both...

jacket: thrifted/ boots: candies/ cuff: thrifted/ earrings: jeweled ambrosia (handmade by me)

shirt: look for fiddleheads/ belt: calvin klein thrifted/ jeans: vanilla star/ bag: ralph lauren thrifted

 

 one of my little guys

my other little guy

*linked to Mom of Two Boys Fashion Fridays

How to Wear: Lovely, Casual Braids

Model and actress Farris Patton is certainly stunning. I don't know if it's due to her features, the clothing styling or her flaxen hair, but doesn't her ability to pull off a hint of a loose, non-constricting braid look stunning?

As a hairstylist, I would hope I had the ability to pull it off. Surely, I would look more like a Pippy Longstocking though. But today, I'm going to give it a shot. I think that keeping it low, slightly disheveled, yet smooth is the key point, while keeping the rest of your hair carefree.

For a top part braid like in the first pic, lots of ideas here and instructions here. The skinny tight braid is old news, keep it low and loose, work it into a smooth, but messy side bun. Tons of ideas online.

This is a fishtail braid. Fergie has one here with pretty good instructions on how to do it.

Remember to keep it somewhat tight when braiding, but pull pieces apart when done.

The hidden braid. You don't even need to tie it off for a natural look. Just add a hint of gel or wax to your hands when you braid and then twist a bit of wax over the braid once you are done. Happy experimenting!

Get the Look: Vintage Glamour Fashion... Casually

Nicola Roberts

A singer who embraces pale, ivory skin and beauty has a line of cosmetics called Dainty Doll. But it's her whole fashion sense here that I am enamored with. While her skirt is floor length with peach shoes as seen here, I thought something a little less formal would be fun. Now, I just need to go out on a date night so I can get a little bit, casually dressed up, Valentine's Day IS coming up after all, where can we go?...

 1984 Olympics vintage tshirt from dear prudence vintage

vintage grey jersey shirt from retroERA

 je taime womans organic cotton heart shirt by red brick wall

bikehearts on gray by heather jenny

vintage gold bow and rosary pearl necklace from silver lining decor

corabell glamour vintage rhinestone necklace by jeweledambrosia (that's me)

ivory swarovski pearls with bow rhinestone brooch necklace by divine jewel

vintage pink silk and chiffon skirt from born broke

 pins and needles tulle skirt from urban outfitters

hand dyed tea length tulle skirt by ouma

pas de trois skirt from mod cloth

vintage 50s stanley philipson leather heels with bow and rhinestone detail from born broke

vintage black t-strap rhinestone heels from honey comb vintage

vintage black patent leather pumps from oliver and alexa

You can't forget the 40's style glamour hair and make-up! 

I am a hairstylist after all so this is what pulls the look together.

another more thorough make-up tutorial video

Get some big curls with a barrel iron, or even use a straightener/flat iron if you don't have a barrel iron (tutorial)

Before you start, my tip is to round brush the top of your hair dry so that you have volume. 

Put the top part of your hair in large velcro rollers while doing make-up/dressing/curling 

the bottom half of your hair before you curl the top to get that volume.