Decade Of Glam: Dramatic 1930's

The dramatic look of the 30's wasn't very different from the neutral look. It was just changed up a bit for night time or special events. With the inspiration of movie starlets, glamour was the new trend.  Women mimicked the looks of May West, Marlene Dietrich, and Bette Davis.  

Women replaced their daytime light rose lipstick to a darker crimson red. They would round out the shape of their lips for a more sexy, kissable look without trying to seem made up. Eyebrows were drawn on quite thicker than the 20's and slicked down with petroluem jelly.  Mascara was mainly a date night/ special event beauty product. Women would layer coats and coats on for a dreamy eye effect.  Contouring was big in this time, face powders and rouge let alone were the main focus besides eye lashes. Women wanted a glowy rosy effect. With women no longer afraid of wearing makeup, this allowed so many women the abilitly to feel and look like a star. Completely glamourous.

For my look I stuck close to the neutral look, yet i darkened the crease with 3 different shades of brown. I used a light taupe, lighter brown, and a chocolate brown. I used the same skin toned eye shadow for my lid. For the lips, I used a dark crimson red.

Beauty Trick Of The Day: Determining Your Face Shape.

Knowing your face shape cane be very important. It can help you figure out what hair cuts suite your face, how to style your hair and even how to put on makeup correctly.

Choosing the perfect hair style starts way before you look at references or visiting the hair dresser. To select the perfect hair cut for you, you need to take a good, long, hard look in the mirror and determine your facial shape.  Knowing your face shape can help choose hair styles that compliment your good features and balance out your not so flattering features.

To determine your facial shape you'll need:

Measuring tape.

A piece of paper

And lastly a pencil.

Standing in front of your mirror, start measuring across the top of your cheek bones, Then measure just past the outer corner of your eyes. This will be your starting point. Carefully lay the tape measure in a straight line across the bridge of your nose just past the outer corner of your eye. Measure across the top of the apples of your cheeks then your jaw line, and from the top of your forehead to your chin. You should be writing down each measurement.

You have an oval face if: The length of your face equals on and a half time the width of your face. The face is pretty well balanced and proportionate.

You have a round face if: Your face is as wide as it is long. If even the measurements aren't exactly the same your face will be considered round.

You have a oblong face if: Your face is longer than it is wide.

You have a heart-shaped face if: You have a narrow jaw with wide cheekbones and/or forehead.

You have a square face if:  Your face is as wide as it is long yet with a more angular shape than rounded.

You have a diamond face if: your face is at it's widest at the cheekbones and narrow at the forehead and jaw line of amount exact widths.


Hair Styles For Your Face:
Oval face: An oval face can pretty much rock any hairstyle so you have the freedom to experiment!

Round Face: Try hairstyles with height at the crown to balance out the width of your face. Side swept bangs can counter act the roundness and make your face slimmer. Avoid very short, cropped hair cuts because it will make your face alot rounder.

Oblong face: Try hair cuts that are short to medium in length. Layers can soften the angles of your face especially around your face. Avoid very long hairstyles  because it will make your face look longer than it already is.

Heart-Shaped Face: A chin length bob is perfect for your face shape. It will make the jaw area appear wider and more balanced with the rest of your face. Longer hair styles work well too, but avoid cuts with height at the crown or slicked back, and pixie cuts.

Square Face: Short-to-medium length works well as do wavy or rounded outline styles. Wispy bangs also help even out the squareness of your face. A bob that sits either above or below the jaw line will look awesome- just make sure it doesn't sit exactly on the jaw line.Avoid long, straight bangs

Diamond Shape: Just like an oval face, the Diamond shape gives you lots of hair style options so experiment! Just make sure you show off your awesome cheekbones!

Decade Of Glam: Natural 1930's

 With the economic depression, women were falling back to marriage and to hopefully someone rich. The scary, independent woman of the 20's was supplanted in the 30's with one who was softer and more traditionally feminine. There were husbands to catch. Fashion themes softened and mellowed out which somewhat reflected the general mood of the Great Depression.

              In this grim time, the world of movies came to aid people and help forget their troubles. Five cent movies allowed nearly anyone to spend the day at the cinema. These movies were glamorous entertainment designed to uplift the spirits of the public to much happier places, even if it was for only one or two hours. These movie heros and starlets were never poor or hungry; they danced, drank expensive champagne, and wore only the absolute best costumes of gowns and furs. The 1930's buried the once deadly vamp look and gave birth to a softer more appealing style. 








             Complexions were still pale but had a faint kiss of pink or peach made it's way to the starlets cheeks. Dark colors were replaced with pink blush, rose or rasberry lips. Eyebrows were still high and long but smoothed and shiny with petroluem jelly. 



          There were two looks in the 30's- the elegant lady or the fresh faced girl next door. Women's makeup and hairstyles reflected both of the possiblities. It helped women who wanted to switch roles for the evening or even a new lifestyle. Max Factor was the man behind the makeup. His salon on Hollywood Boulevard brought in clients like Bette Davis, Lucille Ball, Marlene Dietrich, and Claudette Colbert. With being credited to inventing cosmetic necessities like pancake powder and mascara, it is said Max Factor also coined the term "Makeup."

In 1935 Max Factor and his son created his famous, breakthrough foundation 'Pan-Cake". This product was widely advertised by the glamourous film star Lana Turner, promising "it does everything you have always wanted a makeup to do." Factor also came out with two gimmick in the 30's, the 'Beauty Calibrator' was a torturous looking instrument which was used to measure beauty to an precise degree, and the 'Kissing Machine' that measured the pressure of lips leaving an imprint of the shape of one's mouth.  Revlon was created in the 30's and was the first to commericalize nail enamel. Original nail polishes just slid off the nails, until Revlon developed nail polish with the help of a chemist. The company produced seasonal fashinable colors and by the end of the 20's they sold matching lipsticks to each colors. Germaine Monteil introduced makeup and skin care products in 1935 targeting middle-class American women. Monteil taught "Beauty is not a gift, it is a habit." She introduced many women to a more modern beauty regime with her "Preview, Combination, Set" collection that included a day facial cream, a night facial cream, powder puffs and a gentle cleansing cream.  Hundreds of new products were being launched in all different price ranges in the 30's, leaving most all cosmetics available and affordable to most women. There was great competition between brands

  With movie stars made up unashamed, the cosmetic concept moved into mainstream society. Ordinary women were no longer afraid of using powder, lipstick, macara or blush. Makeup had another bonus for women during the Depression. The price of a tube of lipstick was fairly cheap so a woman could treat herself with something that would boost her confidence as well as improve her appearance. A woman's goal then was to marry or attempt the workforce. Women believed they needed every advantadge when it came to looking just as glamorous as those on the silver screen. With the easily accessible movie cinemas, people were influenced by the fads and fashions of Hollywood. This resulted in the sky rocketing of makeup cosmetics being widely used and spread all throughout the country. 




For my neutral look I decided to go with the fresh-faced girl next door look. I did a very neutral lid. During the 30's eye shadows were being advertised based on the color of your hair. They said blondes would prefer blue tones, brunettes preferred violet/purples hues, and redheads used more greens. Well I am a brunette so i used a eye shadow very close to my skin color on my lid and brow area and I mixed a light lavender shadow with very little bright bold purple color to create a dim, light purple which worked out wonderfully. Here's my look. 

Natural Remedies: Insomnia

It is quite common to have an occasional sleepless night, but for some people the lack of sleep is a regular occurence. There is a completely natural way to overcome insomina without sleep aids or pills, you could try herbal remedies and supplements. When combined with dietary changes, regular exercise, stress management and certain relaxation techniques. Herbs can be just as effective as OTC or prescription pills and there is no side effects.

Here is 10 things to try to help overcome your insomnia.:

1. Celery.
Celery has a calming effect on the central nervous system. Celery seed has been used for years as a remedy to treat nervousness, insomina and anxiety. It has an all natural substance to help calm you down as well as helping you find a peaceful rest.

2. Pecans.
Pecans are rich with B vitamins particulary B6 vitamin which help cure insomina. Vitamin B6 is a common key to calming an overactive nervous system. Pecans also contain Pyridoxine which produces serotonin that stimulates the production of melatonin, our bodies natural sleep aid. Melatonin is known as "the sleep hormone" and is in many commericalized sleeping pills.

3. Oats.
Eating oats is great for insominacs. It is high in protein that is said to help. Oats are also rich in minerals; calcium and magnesium which are said to help calm the nerves. It is believed that chomping on some oats can cause relaxation and induce peaceful slumber.

4. Milk.
Drinking milk, warm or cold before bed can help. Milk also contains calcuim which isnt just good for your bones but good for a calming effect. It also has Trytophan, a neurotransmitter for sleep and relaxing the muscles.

5. Bananas
Chowing down on bananas can be yummy but also very helpful. This "golden fruit" also contains trytophan, a natural precursor for serotonin a proven mood lifting hormone. Potassium, sodium and magnesium all have a calming effect on the system. Try having a bedtime snack of bananas.

6. Valerian.
Valerian is an herb that has been used for hundreds of years to help cure insomina. Today it is a over-the-counter remedy used commonly in Germany, France Belguim, Switzerland and Italy. Vlaerian has the alot of the same effects as convential sleep aids. It affects the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA. But Valerian does have some minor side effects such as dizziness, mild indegestion, and headaches.

7.Crackers.
Foods with slightly higher carbohydrates help promote sleep. So try munching on some crackers before bedtime.

8. Aromatherapy.
The scent of lavender is widely known for aiding sleep. It is even used in folk magic to induce sleep. Research has even proved lavender has sedative qualities. It helps lengthen the sleep time, increase deep sleep and helping you feel more refreshed when you awake. It appears to work better with women because they have a more acute sense of smell. You can buy lavender candles, lotions, or even make an lavender sachet as folk magic has shown us and placing it under your pillow.

9. Cutting out Caffeine.
Caffeine can have a significant effect on sleep that can cause insomina or restlessness. It will leave you feeling jittery and soon the crashing effect. Try avoiding coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, tea and even cough and could medicine 3 hours before bed. You will more than likely see a significant change.

10.Relaxation Techniques

These are the most common and if not effective ways to increase your sleep time. It can help you fall asleep faster and feel more rested when you wake. Most require atleast 20 minutes before you go to bed. I will list a couple of techniques.

* Visualization- All this involves is a nice comfy resting area away from distrubing people, pets or noises. Try imagining a peaceful and scenic place such as a mountain's view, deserted beach, or even somewhere you go just to think. Try blocking out any thoughts and just focus on your breathing.

* Meditation- Meditation is alot like visualization. You must be somewhere you wont be bothered. Find a comfortable position either sitting or laying down. With your eyes closed, try blocking out any thought and just completely focus on your breathing. Slowly breathing in and out. If you can indeed block out your thoughts and focus on breathing you will feel as if you are in a calming trance.

I hope this helps!

Review: Sheer Cover Cosmetics.

         I had recieved Sheer Cover as a Christmas present from my mother in law. I have to say I had never really heard of this cosmetic line, there isn't not much hype about this product unless it is on a late night infomerical. I was a little bit skeptical of this brand because of my foundation troubles in the past. If you could only see my foundation/skin care section of my vanity you would be surprised to see how many foundations and powders I have tried that left minimum to no results, some I have only used that one time. I have yet to find a good foundation or mineral powder that actually does what it is said to do. Most did not cover red or dark spots, blemishes or acne and the scars it can sometimes leave behind. So I was alittle curious how well Sheer Cover would work, but I have to say I was excited. Maybe this would be the one to finally work for me?

          So here is what I had recieved 2 different shades of mineral powders, 2 different shades of a gel like foundation, bronzer, mascara, a travel sized mineral powder brush, and a base protector.

         The base protector is very interesting to me. It is to be used after your moisturizer dries. It is said to smooth imperfections, and minimize the appears of pores and fine lines. You are supposed to apply a thin, even layer of this and let it dry. Yet when I use this it comes out of the tube like gel and instantly turns to a powder when I apply this. I dunno if it is supposed to feel like that or what. But it's instant powder so there is no need for a drying period.
　
       I have the light/medium gel foundation. I'm currently using the lighter one of the two. With a very thin layer it has covered the acne scars I have on my chin and any blemish I have. These 2 colors can easily be mixed to create your perfect shade for your skin. Below is a before and after.

I was starting to baby my last bronzer. Sheer Cover bronzer is very nice. very shimmery and light reflective. It has a great warm tone with a slight orange tint to help blend into the skin. For me personally, it comes across very dark to my color. When I do use it, I use it very sparingly because it is so easily blendable but because it is rather dark. I only really apply it to my cheek bones. Along my forehead and temples it appears as a almost rotten orange color. lol. But along the cheeks it is perfect.

The travel size brush is my new faves by far. It is designed very clever and it works great. The has a clear outer lid to overall protect the brushes, and it has an inner protector to slide up around the brushes to help keep them from being frayed out or falling out. It keeps them in tact and perfect shape. The bottom is a clear container to pour some of your mineral powder in or mix the two shades to create your perfect skin color. The powder falls down a tube and into your brush so you don't have to tip it into your powder with/without the sifter.
 The mascara that came with it did not impress me at all. This mascara does not volumize or length lashes. It only really darkens the lashes. Sheer Cover mascara would be a great gift for a young girl or woman begining to learn makeup. I would honestly give something like this to my 13 year old sister.

OVERALL RATING: A
I really enjoy Sheer Cover. It works for me. My blemishes are not nearly as noticeable. I have naturally really rosy cheeks and just a very thin layer of the gel like foundation and the mineral powder almost completely covered it and let alone stayed covered until I removed it.  Sheer Cover Mineral Face Makeup sells for 29.99 plus shipping costs. I did not recieve the entire kit so I personally dont know what my little kit costs. If you are interest in Sheer Cover here is their website:
http://www.sheercover.com/

Pic Dump.

Here is a couple ESOTD (eye shadow of the day) looks. The one directly below was the one I wore for New Year's Eve.

 

History of Glam: Natural 1920's

            


During the 20's cheek products were not referred to as "blush" but as rouge. The most common shades were those in the rose/berry shade family. By 1925 orange rouge was new and quickly became everyones favorite. Rouge came in a variety of textures just as they do today. The first layer was cream or liquid, then that would be covered with a thin layer of powder followed by powdered rouge. As for placement of this rouge, it was commonly applied to the apples of the cheeks, much as it is today, but the color wasn't ever blended into the skin. The circles were very visible to the naked eye.

                  Clara Bow was an American actress who rose to fame during the silent movie era of the 20's. Her role as a cheery girl who loved shopping in the film "It" brought her global stardom and was quickly nicknamed "The It Girl." Clara Bow was the leading sex symbol during the roaring twenties. She appeared in 46 silent films and 11 newer aged movies called "talkies.". Every woman during this time lusted after the dramatic shape of her lips. Her lips were her trademark. During this time, twist up lipstick was invented. Just before this popular twist up lipstick was invented, women were used a metal tube with a tiny lever on this side of the tube which they would use the edge of their finger nails to move the lipstick up or down.

Mascara wasn't enough for the women of the 1920's. They wanted their lashes to stick out and be incredibly noticeable. Some women would apply tiny drops of wax with a toothpick to each eyelash giving off the impression of a tiny row pearls. Foundation colors during this era changed several times. In the early 20's cream and ivory shades were very popular following closely behind were peachy shades. The middle of the decade makeup colors were still natural but just a tad bit lighter than the natural skin tone.

Eyebrows during this time were all about how small you could get them. Major plucking took place in order to rid as much of the brows as possible. The desired look was a thin line that curved downward toward the temple. A grease liner pencil was used to dramatically darken the strange line. There was nothing subtle nor natural about eyeliner in the 20's. Women weren't used to make lashes look thicker but instead they were used to thickly line every inch of the eyelid. Popular eyeliners were black grease liners or kohl pencils. Everything Eygptian was very popular during this decade. Eyeshadows were usually natural colors and dark coal or ashy colors.

For my look I kept it dark yet still subtle. I incorporated the dark smokey lids with the dreamy eyed look as well.  Here's my look.