Beauty Finds

The beautiful Dolores Moran primping for the camera

I've been obsessed with cosmetics for many years; I've always suspected this had something to do with my mother not allowing me to wear makeup until I was a teen. She and my sisters are beauty minimalists (and are quite beautiful in their natural state, I might add, and of course being brunettes they were blessed with eyebrows that need no help), but I've been a glamour girl for many years! For me, applying makeup is an enjoyable experience, one that makes me feel feminine and well, glamorous, and I am always searching for the latest and greatest product (I attribute this to my grandmother, who was always trying the newest magic potions--it's got to be an inherited trait!)

A vintage look by Kryolan

So, I thought I would share a couple of my newest finds with you today! The first is a fantastic foundation made by Kryolan, a cosmetics company that started in 1945. As someone with very pale skin, finding a color match has always been a challenge. Because of this, I much prefer pro “stage” makeup lines, as they offer much wider color ranges (and I think we can all benefit from a greater variety of shades). Though they have a rep for being thick, “pancake” heavy makeups, the finishes and textures are actually quite lovely when properly applied. One needs a much thinner layer of product due to the higher pigment-to-filler ratio, and the high pigment concentration also means that the products wear very well (they need to survive under hot stage lights, making them great for hot/humid days.) I tried Kryolan’s TV Paint Stick on a whim, and have been thoroughly impressed with it for the few months I’ve used it. The finish is fantastic; it has lovely, buildable coverage; and the color TV White is a perfect match for my skin tone (which is about a MAC NC/NW5-10, if MAC made that color.) You can’t beat the $11 price tag, either! I've strayed a couple of times, but I always come back to this foundation--and dare I say it *gasp* I've lost all interest in trying more foundations!

The second product that I’ve recently tried is Proclaim Foaming Wrap Lotion. I cold set my hair using perm rods, and on occasion use setting lotion for extra hold (though on the whole, I set my hair with water only.) In the past I’ve been very loyal to Lottabody, but I may now be a convert to Proclaim! My hair is thick and fairly straight, and though color treated, it's in very good condition and now more reluctant to take the curl than it has been in the past. Enter Proclaim Foaming Wrap Lotion--and bam, my hair is curling like a dream! And the set lasts even better and longer than before--I am very pleased with my new solution. A mere $4 at Sally's sets you up with a generously-sized bottle that is easy to use (3-4 pumps of product, no diluting required) and pleasantly scented. Call me hooked!

So there you have it--my two latest beauty "wins"! What beauty finds have you come across lately, dear readers?

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Hawaiian Dream

Last week I had a photo shoot with the amazing Matt Carson, and I had an opportunity to wear the Hawaiian dress I mentioned a few posts back. I had it made from a late 1930s pattern, and asked the seamstress to customize it with peek-a-boo cutouts at the midriff and back. She paired it with a matching bolero and scarf, and I was thrilled with the way it turned out!

xoxo,
Amanda Lee

Arthelia's Attic

I posted some time ago about the fab snood that Naomi of Arthelia’s Attic customized for me—I was very impressed with her workmanship and attention to detail, and have had lots of fun wearing her creation (snoods are perfect for hot or rainy days, or when your hair simply refuses to cooperate with your styling wishes!) When she asked me if I’d like to model one of her other designs, I jumped at the chance! Naomi sent me two of her classic snoods, in red and black, and I have to say I am just as thrilled with these as I am with the first snood! Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures photographed them for me—I’m wearing Able Grable’s "For the Boys" frock (a perfect match with the red version) and a 1940s red gab dress (which complemented the black snood nicely in these photos.) Be sure to stop by Arthelia's Attic and snap up a few of these for your wardrobe--you'll be glad you did!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Her Big Night

I'm working with Doug Monce of Atomic Age Pictures on a series of "Motion Pinup" videos, and this is our first one--I hope you enjoy "Her Big Night"!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Sunday Afternoon in Jerome

I wish this car was mine!

On Sunday, my Sweetie and I decided to take an impromptu drive up to Jerome, since we had never been there together (exploring Arizona is one of our favorite things to do, and taking road trips around the state is always a grand time for us) and we were in the mood for adventure. We spent a lazy afternoon walking up and down the streets and window shopping before having a drink at The Spirit Room, followed by a wonderful dinner at the Asylum Restaurant. The Asylum Resaturant is located at the Jerome Grand Hotel, a former hospital that is rumored to be rather haunted (though most of Jerome is believed to live up to its ghost town status.) Our visit was over all too soon, and we are itching to head up there again very soon!

xoxo,

Amanda Lee

Lipstick Vogue "Buckaroo" Dress

1940s Cream Fabric Belt

Rocket Originals "Georgia" Wedges

1940s Alumesh and Bakelite Purse

1940s Yellow Rose Earrings

We named our pony Buck--he proved to be a faithful steed.

You gotta take at least one Myspace shot.

My Sweetie is serious about his work.

We found a little waterfall--wouldn't you like to have this in your backyard?

Outfit of the Day--Summer Charmer

Feels like I haven't done a proper outfit of the day post in forever! Plus, I owe you a picture of the other peasant blouse i made, so here's what I'm wearing today :-)

Black Cotton Batiste Peasant Blouse made from a 1944 Pattern

1950s Circle Skirt in a Bright Pink and Black Rose Print on a White Background

Black Elastic and Patent Cinch Belt

Black Patent 40s-style Slingback Heels by Twolips

1940s Wood and Celluloid Heart and Flower Earrings

1950s Sapphire Ring and Grandmother's 1941 Class Ring

Lip Ink Lipstick--a Mix of Cherry and Hot Pink

Hair Styled in Triple Reverse Rolls with a Pink and White Peony Clip

Are You a Rosie?

The Phoenix Art Museum's wonderful "In the Mood" fashion exhibit ended last Sunday, and they offered a free hat and wig-making workshop called "Are You a Rosie?" a few days before it closed. My dear friend Rose and I went, and really enjoyed the class—the wig-making process turned out to be a very creative idea, as they use twisted paper cording to create deceptively simple “hair” pieces. She and I each worked on a hat, though we didn’t have much luck with the glue they provided :-)

Here’s a couple of pics from the evening—I’m wearing the aqua cotton eyelet peasant blouse I made (I’m working on the skirt right now), along with jeans and snood (from Arthelia’s Attic—stay tuned for more photos of her wonderful creations!)