Author Archives: McKennaRishmawy

the Fashion stuff., the Hair stuff., the Magazine stuff., the Makeup stuff.

Fall 2014- The One Beauty Trend I’ll Be Trying

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Any day now, I’ll be receiving four giant September issues in my tiny little mailbox.  Well, a couple of them will be much larger than the others (because Lucky is still working its way back up the ladder, after all), but you all know how I feel about September.  It’s the biggest month of the year for fashion, and if you’re doing things right as a fashion publication, your September issue each new year is your biggest issue ever with all kinds of designers and other folks in the industry paying to have their advertisements in your magazine.

However, I have to admit that when I finally open my mailbox and see that behemoth set of pages clogging up space and squashing the rest of my mail, with my eyes practically dilating and the small rush of excitement flowing through my nerves, I get a bit anxious.  There’s just so much to look at, so much to take in, and knowing how I am, I tend to fall prey to whatever trends the editors dictate.  Sometimes I take on a trend just for fun, sometimes I do it because I really, genuinely like the look of it, and other times I do them, well, because I’ve been told I should.  Lame.

When it comes to beauty though, I’ve tried everything at this point.  I’ve done the bright eyeliners for spring, the sleek middle parts, the burgundy lips for fall, the rumpled texture, the metallic eyeshadow, the “natural” look, everything.  Well, everything but braids really, because I still can’t braid.

So I’m making it easy on myself this next season.  I’m trying one beauty trend from the Fall 2014 runways.  And it literally costs nothing, and takes no effort.

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Nope, it’s not putting your hands in your pockets!  And it isn’t leaving your mouth gracefully gaped open!  Nope, it’s quite simply just leaving your hair whimsically and artfully tucked in.

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Now I don’t know about you, but I can’t even say that this is a trend I’m going to try because this is something that I’ve actually been doing for years.  I love leaving my hair tucked in!  Leave it in leather jackets, turtlenecks, trench coats, anything.  There’s something so chic and, I don’t know, Scandinavian about tucking in your hair.  It feel mysterious and luxurious, haphazard and I-have-so-many-places-to-go-but-I-have-an-amazing-coat-and-sense-of-fashion-and-I-can’t-compromise-either kind of feel.  It sort of makes you want to ride a horse and race off to a castle and yet have a cup of coffee in a small, trendy cafe at the same time.

I don’t know why tucking in my hair makes me feel so many things, but I haven’t been this excited for a beauty trend since red lips made an official comeback in 2006 (and they really haven’t left ever since).  And like I said before, it costs nothing and takes zero effort.  Boom.

xo, MR

the Hair stuff., the Me stuff., the Skin stuff.

Old Reliables

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I’ve been wearing some ugly clothes lately.  Mom jeans (hear me, they were literally labeled as mom jeans), Birkenstocks (the originals), and tapered track pants with mules.  There’s something freeing about forcing yourself to try and make good out of something known as “ugly” by conventional standards.  It’s a good challenge in personal creativity, and you sort of give up on how others feel about what you’re wearing.

One trend I haven’t been dabbling in, however, would be the return of overalls.  And by gosh by golly, even Olivia Palermo’s been wearing those and Lord knows how I drool over her!  I don’t know, I think it has to do with the fact that they bring back old memories of the cool girls in middle school who would wear their overalls (which were nothing short of a staple back in the day) with … tube tops.  Yep.  Hot pink tube top, overalls from some place now deceased like Anchor blue, top it off with an Etnies skater jacket, and you’re good to go.  Did we want to be Fred Durst video girls or farmers?  We didn’t know, but we had to have the best of both worlds or God strike us dead!

So, I’ll try a trend here and there (or in my case, more like here, there, and everywhere), but I’d say I’ve now managed to round up my set of old wardrobe reliables that I’ll probably keep in rotation until I die or my then-20-year-old child tells me it’s time to stop.  Such items include leather jackets, striped tees, a lot of denim, and a pair of leopard print pumps.

Now what, may I ask, would be the beauty equivalent of these items?

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I’ve mentioned all of these items in previous posts, but if I’m buying them multiple times then they’re worth mentioning again.

I’ve used Bumble&bumble’s Prep Spray for years as a detangler once I hop out of the shower after washing my hair.  Speaking of washing my hair, it’s very likely that I’ve also just used Davines’ Momo conditioner for dry hair.  The scent (sort of gummy and cotton-y, yet addicting), the texture, and the long-term effectiveness of this balm have managed to give it a top space at an extremely long list of conditioners that I’ve tried.  I try to focus more on moisture with my wash as opposed to “damage repair” or protein (which I do every so often), because it can lead to more breakage as I’ve previously discussed.

So anyhow, after washing, I give a few sprays of Prep directly into my roots, sort of massage my scalp a bit, and then gently comb through with (only!) a wide-tooth comb.  I appreciate Prep for the vitamins and, again, the detangling qualities, but I don’t think it really serves a styling purpose.  That’s fine with me considering I tend to let me hair air-dry completely most of the time before laying any heat on it.

I keep a couple shampoos in rotation, but Rahua has been in my shower for two-and-a-half years now.  It is completely free of detergents and soap, is safe for color-treated hair, and has an almost wholly natural ingredients list.  It is not particularly cheap, but I love it so much.  My hair is noticeably less dry after using it, thanks to the lack of ingredients in drugstore shampoo that ironically do more harm than good for dry hair.  I love it, and it gives me an excuse to go to Bloomingdale’s.

Once my hair is dry and I decide to break out the hot tools, I spray a liberal amount of Sally Hershberger’s Hyper Hydration Super Keratin Spray on each section.  It works as a heat protectant, but also serves as an argan oil spray to smooth for blowouts.  The scent is phenomenal, and I love spraying it all over my hair once I’ve twisted it up in a bun at the beach, just to keep it hydrated.  The more concentrated versions of argan oil tend to be too heavy for me, unless I’m going for a pin-straight, shiney look.

And finally, once my hair is taken care of I move on to face and body.  I’ve often sung the praises of Desert Essence’s Tea Tree Oil Deodorant for the fact that it has no aluminum (which means it’s not an antiperspirant, and yes, your body can acclimate to this as all bodies once did a few decades ago), and it contains no propylene glycol.  Tom’s of Maine’s natural deodorant worked for a couple years before I found myself with red, peeling, burning rashes in both of my armpits that would not stop itching.  I discovered this to be the fault of propylene glycol.  Desert Essence is pretty much all oil, and yes, I do not go through my day sweat-free when I wear this stuff but you’re seriously not supposed to go through any day sweat-free.  Bad.

Once I’ve moisturized with some kind of somethin’ (still trying to nail down a favorite), I’ll move on to my precious BB cream from Boscia.  I loooooove this stuff like no other.  This will sound hilarious, but I cannot believe how good my skin looks after putting just a dab of this on!  I like to mix it with some kind of face lotion because it isn’t super spreadable, but I love how even and luminous it makes my skin.  There is a lighter version, a bronze version, and it contains SPF 27.  I recommend this one to anyone with a face.  Anyone.

Any mainstays in your own repertoire?  Holler at me; I’m always curious to know what others can’t live without, whether it’s a tube top or a good nail polish remover.  xo, MR

the Friends stuff., the Makeup stuff.

A High School Reunion With My Gorgeous Bride Mindy!

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Okay, okay- I’m back!  It’s been a crazy month of too much stress at work, too much good food, too little vacation, too many special occasions, not enough blogging, and a lot more working out than usual.  I barely know who I am these days!  But anyhow, what better way to bring things back than with my first wedding of the season?

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I’ve known my friend Mindy since high school, and I truly can’t tell you what joy and honor it brought to my heart when she contacted me to do her wedding makeup.  I’d considered Mindy one of my favorite buddies during our senior year; I couldn’t have done AP art history or government without her!  I hadn’t seen her much since our high school glory days (which looked something like fusing together Phantom of the Opera with the North American Free Trade Alliance to create a mini-musical to perform for our classmates … super glorious).  There’s honestly no occasion I’d rather reconnect with an old friend over than her beautiful wedding.  And it was also great to be back at the fantastic Red Horse Barn!

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My day with Mindy started out in the hotel room she’d been sharing with her bridesmaids at the Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach.  All the chaos of a bunch of girls getting ready together is one of my favorite things.  The twenty different curling irons out, the makeup kits spread across literally ever surface, and the music … you never know what you’ll get with a group of girls on a wedding day.  It could be Backstreet Boys, the Grease soundtrack, or Jason Derulo.  You really never know, but it’s always a good time.

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For Mindy, I’d chosen what could basically be identified as a smokey eye, but I wanted to keep it within shades of bronze and brown to bring out her gorgeous blue eyes.  The Stila Eye Shadow trio in Gold Glow (pictured in the first image) worked its magic for me.  Mindy wanted to keep her look very natural, but it wasn’t hard to make her features stand out.  NARS Bronzing Powder in Laguna and a little NARS blush in Orgasm on her cheeks basically sealed the deal, along with a light dab of Dior’s Addict Lipstick in Tulle.  She really is beautiful, isn’t she?!

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I so wish I could’ve been around for the bridal portraits; I admit that I love being the stalker makeup artist that lurks around insisting on touch-ups in between every shot!  It’s probably quite the nuisance for the photographers though, and Mindy clearly doesn’t need any help looking amazing.

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I loved this next shot because her eyes just pop so much, and her beautiful cheekbones too.  Major props to Tyler Branch Photo!

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I also had the opportunity to do makeup for one of Mindy’s awesome bridesmaids named Crystal.  She, too, had an incredible face and personality to match.  I only managed to get a close-up shot of Crystal on my own, and I’m sure glad I did because I was so pleased with how her look turned out!  I used one of my trusted Dior palettes – Earth Reflection – to create a classic look that focused on highlighting and a somewhat silvery finish.  For Crystal’s lips I used NARS’ Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien, a vibrant rosy pink.

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Like I’ve said in times before- with gorgeous faces like these, it’s hard to make ’em look bad.  The day just went so swimmingly between myself, the two girls, and the incredible team surrounding Mindy on her day.  I left Mindy as she was waiting patiently for guests to be seated so she could go out and meet her groom, and I felt a rush of energy as I left the room for the last time from all the thick anticipation in the air.  With a feeling like that, you know it’s been a good day.  xo, MR

the Hair stuff., the Skin stuff.

Six(ish) Foods To Consume For Better Hair And Skin

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Sometimes, when I’m wandering through the grocery store, I find myself thinking, ‘How ’bout I buy some expensive dark craft chocolate because apparently its chock-full of antioxidants’, or ‘Why not eat the whole tub of hummus because chickpeas are kind of like nuts and so hair growth of course’.  And then there are the times when I get to the supplement aisle and I end up throwing yet another bottle of biotin into my grocery cart because I decide I want my hair to grow by a foot.  By tomorrow.

You see, sometimes we aren’t always the most educated on what food can do for us in terms of what we call “beauty”.  If what we (righteously) consume is meant to strengthen and energize us on the inside, you’ve gotta figure there may be some benefits coming through on the outside, too.  However, we tend to rely more on drugstore moisturizers and four dollar shampoos loaded with detergent to provide us with lustrous hair and skin than the simple thing that our bodies really, truly need … good food!

And so, I bring to you a very simple, short list of food and beverage items that you can add to your weekly grocery list that will do your hair and skin nothing but favors (not to mention what these items all do for your immune system, nervous system, circulatory system, and beyond).

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Fennel or dandelion tea  These two herbal teas are particularly wonderful at decreasing bloat and inflammation. Do you find that your eyes are puffier than your croissant in the morning?  Try to cut out late-night salt intake (the culprit) and substitute it with a calming cup of herbal tea before bed.  Chilled caffeinated tea bags are also wonderful at quickly reducing puffiness by constricting the blood vessels around the eyes, if you find that you’ve eaten one too many Cheetos before hitting the sack.

Wild salmon  Three words: omega fatty acids.  Not only do such nutrients sustain proper nerve function and provide great defense against heart disease, but omega fatties are responsible for radiant skin and decreasing inflammation.  Salmon is a goldmine for omega fatties, and a simple way to up your everyday intake is to switch from cooking with butter to olive oil.

Berries  I literally eat berries every single day.  A coworker recently told me I probably keep the industry afloat single-handedly.  Besides being a great source of fiber, berries are loaded with vitamin C.  Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is essential for collagen production, which stimulates the growth of healthy, vibrant hair (as opposed to dull hair the breaks easily).  Vitamin C also assists the antiaging process through its ability to reduce free radical damage in the skin.  Any kind of citrus is also an excellent source of vitamin C.

Spinach and kale  As trendy as it is these days to be walking around with a cup full of blended spinach and kale leaves from Whole Foods, I have to say that the regular addition of such an item into one’s regular diet isn’t something to be discouraged.  Both leafy greens are powerhouses of vitamin K, an incredibly effective nutrient for combating dark undereye circles.  Vitamin K is responsible for strengthening blood vessel walls and is essential for healthy blood circulation.  It comes in both pill and cream form, but the extra dietary benefits of consuming it through leafy greens can’t be beat.

Lean meats and poultry  These are a quick and powerful source of iron, the mineral responsible for carrying oxygen into your bloodstream and throughout your entire body to places like your hair follicles to help stimulate healthy growth.  Vitamin C and zinc are two nutrients that aid in the body’s absorption of iron, so I recommend balancing your intake of each.  Additionally, lean meats and poultry provide amino acid-packed protein for hair and skin, which serves to replace and turnover dead cells.

Water  Oh, you think I’m an idiot for putting this here?  Well you’d be surprised to find that I am the champ that has managed to consume about one cup of water a day.  One cup.  Yeah, you know those eight cups that we’re supposed to guzzle down in twenty four hours?  I haven’t exactly been good at it.  So, I figured placing the beauty benefits here may motivate me to increase my intake.

Water makes the skin glisten and stay supple thanks to its moisturizing properties.  Water, whether in showers or in consumption, can calm nerves, reduce stress and anxiety, and tighten pores as a cold compress or rinse.  Going from hot water to a cold rinse is great for opening pores to release and then cleanse the skin of toxins and grime from the day.  As for the hair, cold water is incredible for constricting the hair cuticle and leaving it shiny and less frizzy.  Water also makes for a great styling product as you can “set” your hair while it’s wet and then reform the hydrogen bond in the hair to change its shape (hence waking up with kinky waves when you go to bed with your hair in wet braids).  Hair growth is also very connected to our hydration, and hair may even cease to grow if we’re not properly hydrated.  The moisture that water provides also helps to combat dandruff, dermatitis, and other dry skin conditions.

And so, just in time for summer and all those barbecues, let us not forget to grill the salmon, throw some spinach on our burgers, snack on in-season berries, and drink tons and tons and tons of water.  Cheers!  xo, MR

the Friends stuff., the Hair stuff.

On Not Getting Bored With My Long Hair: Braids and Blowouts

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For as long as I’ve lived, I’ve never, ever been able to produce an adequate French braid on myself or anyone else.  Standard braids are easy enough, and I’ve been able to turn out a single standard one on myself with fair results.  However, anything beyond this has been literally impossible.  I’ve practiced on my own hair and on others dozens of times, and I always end up feeling like I need three hands.  And of course, braids are so the thing these days that I’m all the more envious of those that can turn out those delicate little plaits just across the top of the head, or those gorgeous, messy fishtail looks a’la Blake Lively .

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So anyhow, last night I found myself in a, um, creative mood, and I happened to have a friend over at that moment with lots and lots of beautiful red hair.  I broke out my curling rod and got to waving her hair into medium-sized ringlets with beachy texture, but apparently I wasn’t quite satisfied with that, because I suddenly found myself grabbing pieces of her hair on both sides of her hair and almost haphazardly weaving them in and out of each other.  I know with French braids you’re supposed to grab a new strand to weave into the braid as you continue it, but I honestly had very little grid for what I was doing.  There was nearly no method.  I kept pulling out and weaving in new pieces, but sometimes I’d use the same strands over again.  I’d created two fishtail-like braids on each side of Stephanie’s head, and then I got to work trying to weave together everything into one.  The end result was something I never thought I’d be able to do without instruction:

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Not terribly shabby, eh??  I love how it seemed to take on a magical Elsa quality with almost no effort!  I couldn’t believe it.  It actually looked like a braid.

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I’ll work on neatening it later, but for now I’d love to keep practicing this on nearly anyone I can get my hands on.  I like the messier, more pulled apart look so I’m not too worried about attaining perfection.  I used Oribe’s Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray for extra texture, but Stephanie’s hair really didn’t need it that much.  I need almost no excuse to use it, though.  That stuff is the best, and it smells amazing.  I sometimes skip perfume when wearing it.

Finding some ways to mix up my own look lately has been a real necessity for me, because I’ve been dealing with a slight itch to chop it all off after finally growing it out to the length that I’ve wanted for years.  If I can start reaping the benefits of long hair with things like fishtail braids, I figure that’ll keep me from making the idiot move of getting rid of all my hard work in one moment of insanity and dissatisfaction.  In addition to adding things like braids and long, unkempt ponytails to my repertoire, I’ve been going for all kinds of texture when I wear it down: straight and smooth, round-brushed with volume, or waved and matted.

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I’ve made so little use of hairbrushes in the past few years, but the look on the left was a result of using a boar-bristled flat brush to smooth out and lengthen the bottom layers, and a ceramic round brush for volume and bend on the top layers.  My own blowout lasted a good four days, and a bit of dry shampoo on the crown added some extra mileage.  I covered my hair in Frederic Fekkai’s Coiff Controle Ironless Straightening Balm, and that stuff gives hair such good stretch and elasticity; I’ve long touted it as the best straightening product I’ve ever used.

The look on the right is my most frequent style.  I wrap random sections around a one-and-a-quarter inch iron (without using the clamp, ever) and I leave the ends free, sometimes finishing things off by straightening them just a bit.  I tend to spray a look like this all over with the Apres Beach, or these days I’ll use Bumble and Bumble’s CitySwept Finish for extra “chunk”, as Kristen Stewart calls it.  And of course, mussing it up as much as you can with your own hands before stepping out the door is a must.

Once I manage to get my own hair into some sort of dignified French braid, I’ll have to do a post on it.  But for now, a braid on a friend and a really good blowout on myself is about all we can ask for.  xo, MR

 

the Fashion stuff., the Hair stuff., the Makeup stuff.

How I want you to look, and what I’d wear to the Met Ball.

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So, wow.  It’s been a while.  And believe me- it’s not that there hasn’t been enough to discuss about beauty, but rather I’m finding that there’s just too much.  This past month I’ve tried new products (hello, Aveda Dry Remedy!), gotten blow-outs at a couple different salons (which always makes for an interesting experience), gone crazy over various celebrity things having to do with hair and makeup, and have started marching toward bridal makeup season.  Oh, and my nine-to-five is kuh-RAAAAAzy busy right now.  And I’ve been reading like a maniac.  I don’t know what’s come over me (oh wait … I do … it’s this), but lately I’ve been consuming books like a rabid animal consumes an unsuspecting person’s ankle.  There’s just no stopping it.  And that’s okay.  But does anyone have any book recommendations?  I tend to prefer narratives with psychosis, obsession, and personality disorders.  Got it?  Good.

What’s kind of sad is that this coming month is going to be even more ridiculous.  And the next.  But what’s been fun is that in all the chaos, I’ve managed to do some fun introspection (those two are typically mutually exclusive) on my style.  And for this post, it goes a bit beyond just hair and makeup but into the wardrobe as well.  I sorted out my closet the other day and I noticed that it was sort of a mish-mash of … good stuff, I suppose.  I love everything in my closet, but some of it just doesn’t get, well, worn.  Over the years I’ve had a tendency to purchase things that aren’t necessarily akin to my own, true aesthetic.  Well, I’ve been trying to sort that out lately.  I’ve tried to take an inventory on what pieces show up most in my closet (black, denim, leather, t-shirts), and where I could perhaps use a pop of color (because it turns out I’m not nearly as daring as I’d thought when it comes to things like yellow).

This same thought process has translated over to my love for makeup and hair, as well.   I’ve noticed similar themes in many of the looks I’ve created for friends lately.  If I do your hair or makeup within the next year or so (because who knows how I’ll change), here’s what I think I’ve nailed down:

1.  I want you to look natural.  Mostly.   This tendency of mine has just evolved out of doing lots of bridal makeup, but I’ve always had a dislike for makeup that looks makeup-y.  You know that look when the eyeshadow, the lipstick, the foundation, just seems to have a thick, done-up consistency to it?  I hate that.  Or when one wears the super glossy, hot pink lipstick for the lipstick, and not for how it looks on them?  Not about that either.  I want the makeup that I put on you to sort of look like it’s not even something that you really put on, like it could’ve come forth from your own pores.  The eyeshadow might be gunmetal grey, but I want the feel of it to seem like in another dimension, you might have been born with that eyeshadow on.  A lot of this also comes from studying celebrity makeup.  The blending, the precision, the products, the meticulous selection process of which shades- a lot of times, celebrity red carpet makeup is simply a study in what works best and what will enhance.  I tend to stick to a philosophy like that, one that sticks to what works best and what will enhance, as opposed to cover up.

2.  I want your hair to look sort of messy and haphazard.  I get that this is very much the trend of the times, but whenever I get hold of someone’s hair these days, they end up with messy, slightly gritty hair.  And you also end up with me flipping you over and spraying Oribe’s Après Beach all over your head while shaking my hands through your mane.  It’s a process I love.  I’ve tended to be more within the Kate Moss camp when it’s come to hair as opposed to Kate Middleton’s.  I like a bit of that day three look (notice I didn’t say day two), and I prefer a matte, almost shineless finish to a shimmering one.  I’ll never forget reading an article in Elle magazine about this new product from Bumble&bumble called “Texture”, and how we finally had come up with a product that gave that rough, shineless finish that stylists would have to use five products to create on models’ hair for runway shows.  That was in either January or February of 2011 … and I had the stuff used on my hair for my wedding day that following June.

3.  I want you to glow.  No, I did not say I want you to shimmer.  I said I want you to glow.  I have watched two makeup tutorial videos in my lifetime (yes, just two), one of which demonstrated how to cover up terrible, terrible acne, and the other which demonstrated how to emulate the carved-out cheekbones and plumped cheeks of the Renaissance era with just a bit of highlighting and contouring.  It was the easiest how-to ever (and everything is more exciting in a French accent).  I’ve been using pearly cream shadow to dab on the weirdest spots of the face along with matte, pinkish-grey blush to add that extra half-inch that just makes your face glow.  Again, I’m all about that “from within” thing; how your face looks after you’ve taken a post-workout shower.  The best.

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See?  Natural, messy, glowy!

But, it’s been difficult to translate all of this into how I feel about fashion.  Big fashion.  Like, Met Ball fashion.  What kind of red carpet look speaks to me?  Can I separate my affinity for a certain celebrity’s street style with their red carpet style?  Because sometimes, a good choice for the pavement does not guarantee a good choice for the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  For instance, I typically really like what Katie Holmes wears around town.  However, her red carpet choices post-Tom have tended to be quite ho-hum (though her makeup/hair is always fantastic).  On the flipside, Diane Kruger is usually the first person I look forward to seeing at events and premieres, but her street style is pretty meh.

Anyhow, here’s what spoke to me at last night’s Met Ball:

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Surprise!  But really.  I love this dress.  I love it.  Is it lavender?  Iridescent?  Silver?  Can’t really tell, but that’s what I love.  It’s Hugo Boss, and it’s working (along with that mother of pearl box clutch … swoon).  But you know what else is really working?  That fan bun.  I could barely find a shot of the back of it until I stumbled upon this, complete with a how-to!  Score!

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Her makeup, as always, is the greatest thing ever.  EVER.  Kristen Stewart, along with Keira Knightley, serves as a huge makeup inspiration of mine.  She may have shown up to the Ball in what appeared to be a too-playful-and-not-serious-enough Chanel frock, but Kristen’s makeup was ON POINT.

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Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte.  Or more specifically, Death Star Rodarte.  Because if you could secretly get on with your bad nerd self without reservations, you would walk down the aisle in this.  Don’t lie.

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Yeah, I guess she looks okay.  Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere blah blah blah stunning blah blah blah perfection blah blah blah Green Lantern sucked.

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Such good thinking here.  Such great editing.  See, it’s all about deciding not to go with a strong eye because of the headpiece, and not to go with a bright lip because of the mood of the look, and not to go with stand-out hair so as not to compete with the dress.  All of these looks have so, so much thought put into them that you would not believe, and that’s why they turn as out flawlessly as they do.  Beyonce’s makeup and hair styling have always been out of this world, and this is just another testament to that.  And I love the light shimmer on her neck and chest.  A good touch.  And finally …

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This, my friends, is what I would wear.  This dress is the most “me”.  It’s a little weird, and remember how in my Oscars post (I think) I said that I love gowns that are a little bit weird?  Well this one’s got that.  It looks like it’s got scales, it makes great use of sheer, and the color gradation is beautiful.  And of course, it’s Givenchy … the same house responsible for Zoe Saldana’s purple confection from the 2010 Academy Awards that I won’t ever, ever get over.  Bingo.

Any favorites of your own?  Or ones that you loved to hate?  Oh I know you’ve got ’em.  I know you do.  xo, MR

 

 

the Hair stuff., the Review stuff.

Now Trending: Luxury Hair Goods

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One thing I tend to tell people when I get into discussions over careers and such is that if I could “do it” all over again (meaning go back to school and choose another path of study), I’d major in journalism or communications and push for a career in fashion and beauty journalism.  I’d specifically pursue a career in writing for print magazines, but of course, digital magazines and blogs aren’t exactly inadequate these days either.  It’s funny, because most folks know that I love to do makeup and play with hair, but what I actually love most is just talking about it and researching it.  I have an incredibly talented hair stylist friend that recently returned from doing her first rounds at New York Fashion Week, and it sounded like it was as crazy as I’d imagined it would be.  But the thing is, she’s made for this kind of craft and can completely hack it in that kind of hectic environment that demands talent and skill.  Now, while it would be a dream of mine to attend any Fashion Week in any part of the globe, I can’t actually say that I’d want to do makeup or hair for it.  I love doing makeup, but I think what I’d rather do is get all the details on what the makeup artists did, take a couple photos, and then write about it.  I’ve been reading IntoTheGloss for years (way back when it was a well-kept secret of die-hards!), and Emily’s blog has perfectly captured my dream job- playing with beauty, with the ultimate goal of writing about it.

Now, a huge part of my love for beauty discussion revolves around product knowledge.  I tend to be known among friends as a sort of research guru that’s familiar with almost any product out there.  Like, any product.  Whether it’s hair, makeup, skin, perfume, or nails, I know about it.  I’d say it’s about a 98% guarantee.  Whether it’s from reading countless magazines, perusing countless reviews on MakeupAlley, or from one of my countless trips through a department store or drugstore beauty section, I have developed a vastly extensive comprehension of the stuff that’s out there.  I sometimes even know about products before salon stylists are familiar with them and then have to deal with the reality that I can’t buy them for at least another month or so.  The worst.

However, the downside of having this love for product is the inability to be satisfied with something that works.  I may manage to land on a blush that looks very pretty, but I can’t stick with just one.  Why would I ever do that?!  And hair conditioner has to be the worst- I don’t know when I’ve ever purchased the same conditioner twice, no matter how great the first bottle may have been.  I always seem to think that I might, just might be able to find one that works even better.  So, I’m terrible at being a brand loyalist, but I’m great at trying something new (for the most part).

So, here’s my latest batch of hair products that I’ve been giving a go.  Rest assured that I only paid full-price for one of these babies with my own money.  Each were purchased with giftcards or were given as swag!

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I’ll address the Bumble and bumble Cityswept Finish first.  This full-size bottle was given to me for free at a party that I recently attended as a reward for receiving 500 points at Sephora.  The party was held at Vogue Salon in Newport Beach, and each guest was given a dry hair consultation with one of the stylists.  I was in and out of the chair in probably less than seven minutes, but somehow she managed to get four products on to my locks and curl all of my hair with a flat iron.  You can imagine my split-end hypochondria kicking into overdrive; I was clinching the chair with white knuckles.  However, the results were quite fun albeit VOLUMINOUS.

cityswept

Now, the Cityswept is difficult to define.  It’s “a supple hold finishing spray to create lived-in “street-styled” looks with separation and sheen”.  Because Manrepeller is so in right now.  It’s true, though.  The shiny, voluminous, perfectly coiffed blowout isn’t really the trend these days.  Kate Middleton’s hair is timeless, but it isn’t “of the moment” (not that Princess Honeybadger Kate really needs to give a damn).  Things are looking a little more Kurt Cobain than Kate Beckinsale when it comes to current hair trends, and Cityswept is meant to accommodate that.  I haven’t played around with it much myself, but the stylist advised to spray it in your hands and sort of scrunch it into your hair for separation and “chunkiness”.  Just think second- or third-day hair and you get the idea.

On to the Fekkai, which I purchased with an Ulta giftcard.  Thanks to my hair hypochondria, I think that my hair is always damaged.  Not just dry, but damaged.  I’m constantly looking for quick sources of protein and moisture for my scalp (which is just sad because I hardly ever drink water).  The Frederic Fekkai PrX Reparatives Intensive Fortifying Mask is meant as a hard-core recovery mask with keratin and silk proteins, and it smells like vanilla and feel like the thickest, butteriest sludge you’d ever find at Bath and Body Works.  It leaves your hair feeling very slippery and moist, and I can run a comb right through it post-treatment, but I actually have detected a bit more breakage than usual in my hair lately.  It may be because I use the mask twice a week and, combined with another keratin spray and protein-rich treatment I’ve been using, I’ve actually got too much protein action going on with my hair.  Did you know such a thing could happen?!  My friend (and some extra research!) has informed me that you need the right balance of protein and moisture to keep locks healthy and growing, and too much protein can actually cause more breakage in the long run.  So, I may need to lay off the protein-rich mask and stick with just once a week, while focusing more on moisture replenishment for the next month.

The Serge Normant Meta Silk Shampoo was a fun find.  I found it at Costco!  I’ve mostly known Serge as Julia Roberts’ hairstylist, and his hair line is something I’ve only seen sold at NKSpace at Bloomingdale’s.  His products are typically over twenty bucks each, but I found his shampoo at Costco for something like fourteen!  It’s sulfate free, great for color, smells luxurious, and is loaded with all kinds of interesting, natural ingredients.  Unless I get antsy as usual with hair products, I hope to purchase this again.

As far as beauty splurges go, a fancy beach wave spray has to be the silliest for me.  Especially considering the fact that I have natural waves.  Dumb.  However, what has sold me on any Oribe product, including his Après Beach Wave and Shine Spray, is the scent.  Oribe’s stuff (and this being the man who regularly styles red carpet folk including Jennifer Lopez) smells like luxury.  It’s the scent of your night out to a fancy dinner in your best garb, wearing your priciest perfume (or cologne in you’re a dude, and guys- I think you should spray your hair with this stuff).  I seriously picture myself in leather pants with a cozy sweater, sipping a glass of Cabernet in a giant, buttery-soft leather chair with a cashmere blanket on an outdoor patio when my hair has been misted with Après Beach.  It’s just that kind of experience.  Oribe’s Dry Texturizing Spray also comes with a similarly magnificent scent.  I do a lot of hair flipping when I use these products because I just can’t stop smelling myself!  Oh, and the wave creation ain’t so bad either.  The product is truly amazing for those I’ve-got-bedhead-and-I-need-to-be-intentional-about-it days.  Le freak so chic.

Lastly, we come to what may be a culprit of my recent split-end resurgence.  I purchased Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Photo Age Defense at the suggestion of Maria Menounos and once I’d acquired a Sephora giftcard.  I’d been looking for a true treatment product that didn’t just temporarily smooth hair and “conceal” split ends.   I wanted something that actually defended and repaired.  While I have stretched out my time between hair trims enormously (one quick trim over the past six months) and was seeing a difference during the first couple months, I think the combination of a few protein-heavy products has backfired as I mentioned earlier.  One of the main ingredients in Caviar is hydrolyzed soy protein, and so I’m thinking I’ll use this after every other wash as opposed to every one.  On every other wash, I’m trying my best to just get out of the shower after conditioning and not put anything else in my hair.  I want it to rebuild on its own, naturally.

Now, seriously- I want to know what you use.  Really.  What have you splurged on?  What’s the one treatment (hair or skin, anything!) that you won’t compromise on?  You’ve had enough of me yammering on and on- I want to hear from you.  So I can write about it.  Oh, and for more fun bits on hair and the like, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest; the handle is mcrish.  xo, MR

 

the Friends stuff., the Makeup stuff.

Doing Makeup for Underprivileged Teens: Everything It Was, and Wasn’t

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Alright alright alright. I haven’t written in a while. March has been hella crazy, but with all kinds of good things. And what’s more is that a lot of that busyness has been specifically due to my preoccupation with hair, makeup, etc. Splendid.

For instance, let’s just go over this past Saturday.

On Saturday, March 22, I had the opportunity to attend the Orangewood Foundation’s Belle of the Ball event. What’s this? This is a day of beauty, self-esteem, and empowerment for around 400 teenage girls, many of whom are in the foster care system and the majority of whom are socioeconomically disadvantaged. The event is specifically oriented towards their senior Prom. Each girl participates in various seminars on topics like body image and stress, and they are given a formal dress (of their choosing), a pair of formal shoes (of their choosing), a purse, and a makeup and skincare consultation.

Just take a guess as to where I come in.

Two of my coworkers (the cheer coach for our 1st grade cheer squad and our performing arts teacher … surprise) headed off to Orange Coast College in the early morning to get ready for makeup consultations on approximately four girls each. We were given t-shirts to wear, and were escorted to orientation in a nearby classroom. There, myself and a couple hundred more makeup artists were given the run-down on what our job was for that day: to provide affirmation, easy tips on makeup and skincare that could be used forever, and a natural, customized makeup look. No photos were permitted as many of the girls in the foster system are put at risk when their photo is shared online. Done deal.

And so then we all headed off to our separate rooms where they split us up into groups of thirty or so. That’s when we all began pulling out our kits. Ohhhhhhh mama. Not only do you get insane kit envy when looking around at a room full of different makeup artists’ junk, but it’s also so interesting to see what different artists find important and essential to have with them. Many were prepared with a full range of eyeshadow colors (we’re talking canary yellow and such), whereas I limited myself to a mere two eyeshadow palettes so as not to overwhelm myself with options. There was a wide array of the various products I have read about over and over spread out among the long tables that filled our rooms, and some artists had brought their huge palettes from their cosmetology schools as students, while others brought an amateurish mish-mash of items that they just knew would work (and that would be me). The chatter of makeup talk filled the room (and I’m not sure how many times I heard OH GIRRRL said that day), and eventually the girls were escorted in by rounds for the next four or five hours.

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Just a smattering of the kits spread about the room, with parts of mine on the top right.

What was supposed to be just four girls at a rate of fifty minutes per girl eventually turned into what I believe was seven girls at a rate of about thirty minutes each. Now, let me tell you- that is fast. Very fast. I greeted each girl, chatted for a bit, gave them each a facial massage with sunscreen moisturizer after removing any traces of old makeup, matched foundation (and mixed a couple shades on the majority of the girls), and got to work on color. I relied on MAC’s Sheertone Shimmer blush in Plum Foolery, NARS’ blush in Exhibit A and Orgasm, Dior’s 5-Couleurs eyeshadow palette in Earth Reflection and Stila’s shadow trio in Baked Bronze, and a bunch of other stuff that I really can’t remember. Yep. Oh, and the foundations consisted of just three shades of CoverGirl TruMatch. That stuff’s good for drugstore range (and it’s also good to be able to refer the girls to less expensive brands).  For skincare consultations, I stuck with two rules for the girls: wear sunscreen everyday, and be sure to take off all makeup before you hit the sack.  Easy enough, but essential nonetheless.

I can’t really explain how great the whole experience was. I was so nervous before beginning because I was terrified that the girls would want a really difficult look, or wouldn’t give an easy smile, or that I wouldn’t be able to properly match their skin tone and then I’d look like an idiot (note: I have worked almost entirely on Caucasian girls. That’s just how it’s been. I fully admit that I just don’t know enough and have enough regular contact with non-white people. We were told in advance that the wide majority of the girls we’d be working with would be of Hispanic or non-white descent, and so I was excited and anxious to finally practice on non-pale skin. I’ve done enough pale. Soft neutrals, rosy cheeks, blah blah blah).

However, I’m pretty sure that a couple of the completed looks I worked out on about three of these girls ( and I was crushed that I couldn’t take pictures of a couple) was some of the best work I’ve ever done. One of the things this experience did for me personally was affirm my capabilities as a makeup artist. I know some of you may scoff at that, but up until this point I had really thought that I might just be a white girl’s makeup artist. I felt that, sure, I was competent enough, but possibly only up to a certain point. Give me a face that doesn’t look remotely like mine, and I’m screwed (and they are, too).

But nope! This day confirmed that I’ve done my work. I’ve done my studying of what works with what, and what rules are okay to stick with and which can be broken. I’m happy to say that all the girls looked great. My first girl would giggle literally every time I showed her the mirror after applying the next step to her face. We loved it. A couple girls had really never worn makeup before, and I think the whole thing was just a bit overwhelming for them and they couldn’t see past the fact that this stuff was on their face (which is understandable). I tried to just affirm that whatever they were feeling was perfectly okay, be it delight or discomfort. One girl insisted on not wearing any makeup but she asked more questions about it than any of the others! One girl took selfies for every step of the process. Another just sat quietly, and I found myself awkwardly chatting to fill the silence until I confessed to her, “You know, you don’t mind the quiet, do you? I think I keep talking because I want to be sure you’re okay and I’m a bit excited, but if you’re okay saying nothing, I am too.” She nodded and agreed, and I shut up and got to work.

My first four girls (because I’d only planned on doing four) got swag bags that I’d prepared with E.L.F. and Yes to Cucumbers products, and by mid-morning you could feel all the wonderful energy that was in the room. There was so much mutual blessing that was being exchanged between all of us and the girls, and I seriously can’t get over how genuinely giddy some of them were. It wasn’t cheesy and silly; it was real and it was deep. I had come to this event with this somewhat condescending idea that I was to be a FORCE OF TRANSFORMATION in these women’s lives, and yet at the end of our half hour some of them grabbed me and hugged me in a way that affirmed my deepest humanity, simply because it was one human genuinely and righteously loving another human. They were giving to me; they were transforming me.

That was one of the most incredible things I took away from all of this- the fact that that entire morning and noontime was an exercise in healthy, righteous, human touch. Upon the moment of meeting each of these girls, I shook their hand and immediately began touching their face. When does this happen?! We typically only touch someone’s face when we’ve earned their deep trust, or we too often think of touch immediately in an eroticway. However, in the case of my Belle of the Ball girls, physical touch was to be the very grounds of our relation with one another. Despite whatever experiences she’s had, and despite whatever ones I’ve had, here we go- the first and only thing I’m going to do is touch your face. I’m going to massage your face and observe the little details of it. I’m going to reach for that makeup brush behind you and I’m going to keep my hand firmly planted on your shoulder while I do it (as my intent was to always have a hand on the girls as a way of asserting my attention toward them) . I’m going to purposefully use physical touch to create beauty and impart affirmation unto you, and all in a way that is healthy and good. This wasn’t some patronizing matter of “giving back” or some meaningless “WELL YOU’RE PRETTY NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY” trope. No, this was a matter of two humans exchanging touch and affirmation in mutual blessing of one another. This was virtue and goodness; this was the kind of stuff that humanity was created for.

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My fellow artists, colleagues, and friends, Jenae and Samantha.

And it was makeup that brought it all together! A shared joy over makeup, and a shared joy over, well, joy was what made this day what it was. We all finished about an hour late, but after clean-up and a couple good-byes exchanged with other artists, my coworkers and I left feeling fulfilled. Not fulfilled because we had just “done the right thing” or earned our charity points for the year, but because we had just shared an experience with other humans that upheld the most profound of truths: that we are made to be part of a loving community. We need each other. I needed those girls as much as they may have needed me in that moment.

So, that was my Saturday.  And it was well spent to say the least.  If you’re interested in getting involved with  the Orange Foundation in any way, check out their site for opportunities at http://www.orangewoodfoundation.org/.  Oh, and I can’t say that this will be the tangible outcome of any other volunteer work I do, but this was the swag we were all given after the event-

laura mercier

Holy what the WHAT.

xo, MR

 

the Fashion stuff., the Hair stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Review stuff.

Best of the 2014 Academy Awards. And this year, I’m a satisfied customer!

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So, I’d say last night turned out well. I’ve never watched the Academy Awards from start to finish, red carpet to curtain closed, and I feel very satisfied with my experience. I first feel the need to give major props to Ellen DeGeneres as perhaps the only person having any business as an Oscar host ever again. Can she just do it every year? Please? I need to see Kevin Spacey handing out paper plates to the Hollywood elite again. Or can we at least compromise with a guarantee that Seth McFarlane will never, ever come back?

But let’s face it- The only reason that I really started watching the Academy Awards to begin with was for the styling. I can’t just say the gowns because there’s so much thought put into an entire look. Everything worn to the Oscars comes from a strategic plan: the jewels, the shade of lipstick, the dress, the tan or lack-of-tan, everything. And so when I choose my favorite looks, I’m choosing whole packages. Oh, and one thing that makes the Academy Awards personally exhausting for myself is the fact that the red carpet is honestly about one-third of all the show-stopping looks that will be seen throughout the night. It’s the Oscars after parties that have all the guests changing into something usually more playful, and that also bring out all the you’re-not-invited-to-the-main-thing-but-you’re-still-hip-enough-to-be-seen-here-people. The “Best Dressed” list can get a whole lot longer after the actual show is finished. Just sayin’.

Alright, so let’s get to it.

Best Overall

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Yeah. Duh. She can do no wrong. But seriously, Charlize just gets it right every time. It may be the fact that her FACE just gets it right every time, but there’s just no denying that Charlize carries the red carpet in gowns that are nothing short of magnificent. The sheer overlay on the skirt of this Christian Dior haute couture gown adds such an ethereal, fantasy-like element, and the neckline is feminine and powerful with just a single necklace (not that there’s anything shy about that rock she’s wearing!) accessorizing the whole picture. The makeup and hair are just elegant enough to look sleek on Charlize (not too much eyeliner!), but without competing with the gown. This was the look that had me squealing.

Best Details

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Naomi Watts’ gown by Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein Collection was good enough on its own with its modest neckline, alluring slit up the side, snow-like texture, and slightly bold shoulders, but again, it’s the whole picture that makes me fall in love. The extras of Naomi’s look include: a metallic, graphic Bulgari minaudiere clutch with a “Serpenti” closure (meaning the clasp looks like a snake!), strappy black sandals, sleek, modern hair, red lips and painted toes, and beautiful, bold jewel designs adorning her wrist and neckline. There are so many little details that make this single look a work of styling art, and I feel that if I had to choose one head-to-toe look to wear myself to the Oscars, I’d choose this one.

Best Fantasy Moment

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I’ve been following Lupita Nyong’O on Instagram for a couple months now, and she’d been on my radar since October when 12 Years A Slave premiered. I’m not one for trying to predict how other people feel, but I feel I could wager a guess that these past couple months have felt like something out of a dream for this girl. She’s worked hard for a career in acting and theatre (Yale School of Acting!), she’s emerged as a fashion and beauty darling with a front row seat at New York Fashion Week and designers clamoring to dress her, and the day before she was given an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her work … she celebrated her birthday. I mean, what a ride, right? And so, this beautiful baby blue Prada gown, reminiscent of Cinderella (and Nairobi, in her own words, where she grew up around a lot of blue), just seemed perfect for the moment. The way it twirls, the way it seemed youthful and princess-like, and the way she worn the dainty headband almost like a delicate crown … glorious. I also love that the makeup wasn’t anywhere near as bold as other looks she’s previously gone with; it wouldn’t have worked with this look. Some have felt this dress needed a necklace, or that the headband was a bit “twee”, but I found it unique and delightful that the obvious choice of a necklace (or diamonds at all) was forgone in favor of something different. Lupita’s face was able to take center-stage, and she got to walk around in a sparkly Nairobian waterfall all night. Bravo.

Best Makeup and Hair – TIE

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In case you hadn’t noticed, I have a thing for eyeliner. And Olivia was WEARING IT. Makeup like this is my very favorite: emphasis on the eyes, some great false lashes, a touch of peach on the cheeks, and a nude lip. And the up-do was so not-up-do-ish. It was soft with face-framing pieces, with just enough volume. Nothing crazy, with an illusion of effortlessness. But then there was this …

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Yes, I’m blogging about my obsession over Jared Leto’s hair without batting an eyelash. I’ll admit that I’d been hoping for a more polished man-bun for the Academy Awards, but the flowing, ombre’d locks of a caucasian Jesus are just alright with me. I’ve just got to find out what conditioner this guy uses. He literally has my dream hair. Well, perhaps my dream hair is a bit longer, but seriously, for about five months now Jared has been rocking THEE hair that I’ve wanted for years. But hey! I think I’m finally there!

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I hope he sees this. I really hope he does.

Best Dresses That You Didn’t See at the After Parties

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I’ve come to the conclusion that I love weird, lacey things. For instance, this. And this. And yes, I’m determined to see this happen on people other than Kristen Stewart, and so this lovely Valentino creation on Diane Kruger was exciting to behold along with Poppy Delevingne in Chanel. Dark and romantic, just perfect. I also love the length of Diane’s gown; it feels so breezy and un-stuffy. Black lace can veer into old lady territory, and the cut of her particular version keeps it from doing so.

And now, because I can’t bear to discuss them all in detail, enjoy some brief comments on the other looks that the internet is a-buzz about:

Jennifer Lawrence – The dress and jewels were stunning; the styling of the hair made her look much older than necessary. Her hair honestly ruined the whole look for me. Supremely frustrating.

Kate Hudson – Gorgeous, yes. But too reminiscent of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Tom Ford perfection from last year’s awards, for my taste.

Cate Blanchett – Beautiful, but honestly, just not exciting enough for me. I think I just wanted to see color on her really badly.

Kerry Washington – Pretty! By far her best look during this awards season. I haven’t been happy with how designers have dressed Kerry’s bump these past couple months, and if Jason Wu had to basically just take a plum bedsheet and drape it around her to one-up all the designers who’ve tried, then more power to him. Kerry’s hair, I will also add, was beautiful.

Amy Adams and Sandra Bullock – I was bored. Sorry.

Jessica Biel – Amazing, and that HAIR. SHEESH. But I feel like I always drool over her so I’m trying to give it a break.

Angelina Jolie – It’s hard to make her look bad, but the cut of her Elie Saab gown looked a bit matronly on her. That was one problem a few ladies seemed to have last night; some folks looked older than they should have.

And there it is! Of course, I’m always curious to hear your own thoughts and I would absolutely love to know how you felt about the red carpet (and the after carpet!), so please, leave a comment or two. Alright alright alright, that’s it for now. xo,MR

** Absolutely none of these photos belong to me or were taken by me, save for the one Instagram image (which contains an image that does not belong to me either).