The 60s Face

Some further scans from the March 1965 edition of US Vogue; these images (from photographer Bert Stern) illustrate a beauty story contrasting 'European' make-up (think Italian mid century films) and the 'new American-English' make-up (soft, illuminated transparency). There is no doubt though that, being the sixties, the eyes had it for both of these looks and that colour was the real trend on display here. Silver lashes! Luscious falsies! And blue eyeshadow (that freaks some people out, but which I've loved for years and years. My eyes are about the same colour as the model on the left of the top picture, and there is something about the contrast between baby blue and deep brown that appeals).

Anyway, these photos got me thinking about my favourite beauty trends across the decades. I've always been partial to the slick of black eyeliner so popular in the 1950s; the shiny, voluminous and effortless hair of the early supers; the vibrant, matte pink and red lips of the 40s and 50s; the strong full eyebrows of the late 70s and early 80s; the over sized lashes of the 1960s (but only on top please ... I have a paranoid fear of gluey mascara on the lower lashes) and, finally, the tanned skin from the real life sun of the 1970s (my bad, I know, but fake tan just doesn't cut it for me. I love alabaster skin too but I'm not someone who can wear it well).

What is your favourite beauty decade?

But what about my hair?

One of the most fabulous things about blogging is being able to elicit feedback from like minded people across the globe. Thanks so much to all who have commented and offered advice on yesterdays make-up trial. With only eight weeks to go until the wedding day and two weeks of holiday time left before I start my brand new job, I'm seriously in planning mode.
So while I'm sorted for drinks and photos and food, I still have absolutely no idea what to do with my hair. This weekend I'm toying with some kind of side sweep and perhaps a classic mother-of-pearl clip as per the above. My dress is cream and blue and I'm rather befuddled. Any thoughts?

Make-up so I won't break down

My bridesmaid Rebecca has talked me into hiring a professional make-up artist for my wedding. Today was the trial. Initially I wanted to do my own make-up, mainly as a cost saving measure but partly because of my fear of bronzing powder and lip liner. But Rebecca quite rightly pointed out that neither of us are beauty buffs and that the small cost of hiring Sheree will be worth the reduced stress levels on the day.
My wedding is 1950s themed and for my face I've been thinking of something with a 1950s/60s flavour but with a fresh and modern twist. I most definitely don't want to look overly made up or orange in any way (believe me, my summer tan is dangerously au naturel).

The cover-girl of the Jan/Feb issue of the always delightful Frankie magazine is my inspiration, and below is Sheree's handiwork. Ideally I want a lip that is a little less bright pink and a little more apricot pink than the cover girl, as Rebecca's dress is a light apricot pink. On me Sheree went with a nude gloss, but I'm not completely sold on it. Now that I'm in my 30s, I've been letting go of my gloss obsession in favour of lipstick, so I'm feeling like Rebecca and I might need to make a visit to the David Jones make-up counter soon.

But aside from the lips, what does everyone think of the eyes? The boy approves - shock, horror - and thus far no stray liquid liner has blinded me. I figure being able to see is pretty crucial for a long night of dancing.

Something Blue

My fellow vintage-loving friend Erin was married yesterday in a park in Sydney's East followed by a reception down at Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. The weather has been a bit unpredictable of late, so to avoid late-night chills, I opted to wear this blue wool dress I recently purchased from Map Vintage in Avalon. I really love the gold embroidery against the vibrant blue, and the circle skirt has plenty of swing in it, making it perfect for tearing up the dance floor. My orange floral jacket that I picked up from the Fifties Fair, along with matching dress, continues to get a work-out.

Jacket - vintage (1950's)
Dress - vintage (1960's)
Belt - vintage
Shoes - gold Robert Robert sandals
Clutch - thrifted

The bride and her groom, Ryan, made a ridiculously good-looking couple. Erin wore a strapless, pure white, empire line Lisa Ho gown which had lovely draping around the bust. Her hair looked gorgeous worn in a side pony held together with a diamante clip. Very, very elegant and the hair was inspirational. Every hairdresser I've spoken to has tried to talk me into wearing my hair up at my wedding (as they all seem to concur that my hair is hopeless for holding styles), but the betrothed says he much prefers me with my hair loose and down. I'm hopeless with my hair so help, style suggestions are most welcome.

Eyes Like Audrey

audrey hepburn
Originally uploaded by fred baby

For someone so enamoured of fashion, I am generally pretty hopeless when it comes to make-up and beauty. I loved experimenting when I was a teen, and I've always been addicted to nail polish (doing my nails is my way to unwind), but for the last decade I've basically worn the same face for work and evenings out: light foundation, some cream blush on the apples of my cheeks, some eye-shadow, mascara and a slick of lip gloss. On weekends and holidays I wear nothing at all.

I've never had a spray tan, manicure or pedicure in my life. I've never had my eyebrows professionally done and I recently gave up having any body-hair waxed as seriously ladies - for me - the pain just isn't worth it. Most alarming for the beauty addicts out there, though, will be the news that up until a couple of weeks ago, I had no idea how to apply eye-liner properly. Inspired by my friend Louisa - whose make-up is always impeccable - and buoyed by my approaching bridesmaid duties for my mate Lee (as well as my impending wedding), I decided it was about time I learnt.

An afternoon with the lovely ladies at the Bobbi Brown counter enlightened me on how to achieve Audrey Hepburn cat eye perfection, and so for Lee's wedding on Saturday I decided to up the ante and go the whole 60's eye look and wear some false eyelashes too.

I spent Saturday morning before the wedding watching You Tube videos on how to apply my "beginner" falsies and after a few attempts, I think I did okay. Ideally I want to do my own make-up at my wedding (because I must admit I've never been happy with my face when I've had it professionally done), so Saturday was good practice and a confidence booster too.

These pics were taken when I got back from Lee's super fun wedding. It was 3am, so that is why I look so tired, and so shiny! I danced non-top for hours ... it really was joyous.

I'm definitely still a less is more girl when it comes to beauty; I couldn't quite bring myself to apply liner under my eyes. But I plan to keep on playing until I master the face I want for my "big day".