The Best of 2013!!!

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How does one introduce a post like this? I have a theory that you really shouldn’t even try, so I’ll just go with this- the following consists of my favorite and most significant beauty moments of 2013. Some involve me, some don’t. But this is what made the year fun, exciting, and especially peaceful when it came to beauty and all that it involves. Enioy!

#1 Hitting my hair stride.

Last year, as regular readers know, I cut my hair into a blunt long-ish bob and colored it a deep, ashier shade of brown. I did it as an inaugural celebration of autumn, but the problem is … autumn ends. And having dark, ashy hair during winter just did not suit my mood. In fact, I’m not entirely sure when it will suit me. I came to the conclusion in 2013 that I am a brunette with spackles of light, and my hair, at this point in my life, is meant to be long.

Growing it out has been a fun, exciting exercise in patience. There has been many a “good hair selfie” (at least according to my taste), but it’s just been too fun documenting the growth of it. I’ve used my favorite hydrating and restorative conditioners by Davines and Sachajuan along with my trusty Rahua shampoo just twice a week for extra health insurance. Little scalp massages, just enough protein, and plenty of moisture have allowed me to avoid the dreaded in-between phase of uncertainty, accompanied by a desperation to just cut it. It’s been a long journey, and I’m gunning for one to two more inches, but whew … I think we’re just about there. And you have to understand, I know the hair fixation has probably been a bit much for you readers, but this has been a long process of really choosing to like my own hair. I’ve always been okay with my skin, and I’m decently handy when it comes to makeup, but when it has come to hair, I had always wanted anyone’s but my own. I feel that within the past year or so, I can finally say that’s no longer the case (even if I’m crazy about everyone else’s hair, still).

#2 This person existing

I don’t know where this person came from, what she was doing before 2013, or how she managed to fly under the radar for this long, but Lupita Nyong’O is Thee. New. Thing. Her role in Steve McQueen’s Twelve Years A Slave managed to catapult her into the spotlight literally overnight, and once I laid eyes on her, all I could say was OHHHH MYYY GAWWWDDDD THE MAKEUPZZZZZZ!!! Whatever makeup artist that took hold of this girl before her first appearance (or who knows … maybe she did it all on her own?) seriously put their foot down and must’ve said, “GO BRIGHT OR GO HOME.” Lupita’s makeup has been nothing short of showstopping in nearly every picture I’ve seen of her (and I seriously pee my pants just thinking about awards season). You know those ridiculously obnoxious, acidic shades of NARS eyeshadow or MakeUpForEver lipsticks or Illamasqua blush that have made you wonder who could wear this and why is this here? Lupita Nyong’O, ladies and gentlemen. That’s who, and that’s why.

#3 Finally making peace with this haircut

You may recall that last year, I was somewhat traumatized by the amount of hair-choppage that had been occurring among celebrities. I felt frustration over seeing girls with long locks deciding to go the way of the pixie. Of course, this had much to do with the fact that I felt I could no longer identify with them, as I so strongly identify with longer hair. However, this year presented me with a few challenges involving liking and enjoying people that aren’t like me. What a bloody novel idea, right? So anyhow, the lessons and growth within these challenges trickled down to even the most seemingly meaningless things, like the acceptance of short haircuts on celebrities. So when Jennifer Lawrence chopped her locks this past November, I made the conscious decision to like it. Get over the fact that you’ll probably never do it yourself; a damned haircut on someone else doesn’t have anything to do with you. Lessening one’s focus on oneself enables you to actually enjoy others, to actually be happy for them. And so this is why I like Jennifer’s haircut. Because honestly, it looks good and I just need to shut up.

#4 Going luxe with these babies

This year was a year in which I chose to invest. It probably wasn’t always necessary, but Sephora gift cards and some celebrity makeup inspiration will do that to you. And honestly … I just love makeup. It’s fun. I’ll save on clothes, use the same laptop that I’ve had since 2007, but when it comes to beauty, I’m a sucker. So what’ll happen is this- I’m an introvert in the sense that I tend to recharge with alone time. On an afternoon where I’ll be feeling especially antsy, I’ll head off to Bloomingdale’s or some place like that and I’ll just wander through the beauty department (NK Space is particularly dangerous for me). I’ll mess around with the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, play around with the Kevyn Aucoin, put some Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Foundation at the YSL counter, and try on the most expensive moisturizer I can find. The SK-II “Try me” jars are especially exciting (at $250 per jar of “everyday” moisturizer). Of course, I buy very, very little of it, but sometimes I’ll splurge. These Dior 5-Couleurs Palettes are a couple of those splurges. For the record, “Earth Reflection” is my favorite. And they’re all seriously more fun than a box of kittens. And if you know me, you know how I feel about boxes of kittens.

#5 Discovering this picture

With all things being said about the acceptance of others’ hair, it’s still an admittedly good thing to find some true inspiration for your own. For the longest time, all I could think about in terms of hair was Olivia Palermo, Olivia Palermo, and more Olivia Palermo. Something about her hair seemed so wholly unattainable though, almost surreal. I imagine that she gets blowouts every week, as many New York socialites do, and that kind of thing is just discouraging to us layfolk. Comparing oneself with the privileged (or anyone, for that matter) can truly wreak havoc on your appreciation for what you have. And so, I tried for a good while to give up my Palermo obsession. I had to really fight to love my own hair, you know? And while on the road to recovery, I discovered this shot of Italian-French-Egyptian actress and model Elisa Sednaoui. What struck me was the fact that I didn’t want her hair, but instead I felt that I sort of already had it. Hers was just a little longer, but the texture, color, and thickness of it just seemed right on the spot. Suddenly, I didn’t want someone else’s hair, but instead I was even more excited for my own. Instead of comparison, this felt more like encouragement.

#6 Finally finding a home for my Hobbit feet

Fact: Mani-pedis give me anxiety. I’m not kidding. I can’t say I understand fully why, but there’s this- I have a fear of language barriers. Real talk. I get anxious when I fear that I won’t be able to understand someone, that the aesthetician won’t understand me, and that we’ll ultimately just have a shared, awkward experience full of silence and clinched teeth. This has happened before during a nail service experience (or at least, it’s what I perceived to be happening, but it may just have been in my head which is so frequently the case). When it comes to beauty services, be it massages, pedicures, or blowouts, I want the professional and I to feel comfortable. Coming from the service industry, I get that the most fun, worthwhile interactions with customers are ones where you feel like you’re both human. So consequently, I’ve avoided mani-pedis for fear of the awkward and for fear of looking like an idiot.

The problem, however, is that my feet get kind of, um, janky. See those remnants of polish? This photo was taken in December, and that polish is from … the beginning of August. Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh. And I know I could take care of it myself, but honestly, I let it get to the point where my feet literally need to be left to the hands of trained professionals. It’s bad. And that right big toenail is really as jagged as it looks. Like, Matterhorn kinds of jagged. I mean, it’s easy to let your feet go in the autumn seasons because you’re wearing close-toed shoes and all, but sometimes, around late November, I worry that I’ll take my boots off and my feet will have sprouted bushes or something. But the only place I’ve ever gone to have my nails taken care of is the place out by my parents’ home, just out of sheer fear of trying a new place. However, on the day I took this photo, I decided something needed to happen now.

So where did I take my little Hobbit feet? Oh, just the place right outside my apartment complex that’s literally steps away from my front door and that has awesome Yelp reviews. Hi-Tek Nails, folks. If I could slap a sticker on that place’s window that says “THE BRIGHT BLUSH SEAL OF APPROVAL!”, I would! But that sticker would probably look more like a piece of masking tape with my writing on it. Anyhow, the pro that helped me out that day is Christy (not sure how she spells it, so we’ll go with this). She was amazing. She was a human. And I acted like a human. We talked. We laughed. Like humans do. I saw so many regulars coming in and out of the place with Christmas gifts for all the ladies working there; you can tell Hi-Tek has a loyal clientele. And they were playing The Andy Griffith Show and Flipper on their TV! I mean, can you imagine watching an episode of The Twilight Zone and getting a pedicure at the same time?! That’s like, my heaven.

Thanks, Hi-Tek! I’ll be back, now that my Hobbit feet are out of their hole and on off on an extremely unexpected journey in some Birkenstocks. And properly painted a glittery black.

#7 Teal eyeliner EVERYWHERE

Talk about a fast and easy way to change up your look. I don’t know about you, but I saw teal eyeliner in every magazine, of seemingly every month, on almost every celebrity this past year. We were adding it to our upper lids, our lower lids, or all around our eyes. We were wearing it on more formal occasions, and on casual Saturdays. We wore it as an edgy statement, or as a haphazard, last-minute add-on to spice up an everyday look. And I loved it.

I especially love that this shade seems to work well on everyone. It’s so flattering, and it’s so unexpected. There’s a girl that I work with who wears teal eyeliner almost every day, and I love that it’s the first thing I notice about her. It’s like this extra little punch of personality in your look that feels so free-spirited.

Even just the slightest touch of a darker shade of blue can work magic. I love that the teal eyeliner is almost unnoticeable on Marion here, until you get a closeup look. It’s like a hidden secret that just adds that extra half-inch to the whole package. I can’t encourage you enough to give it a try, especially the next time you’re about to step out the door but still feeling blah.

#8 Reaching the end of my face makeup journey

This is it. This is the stuff. I don’t really care about finding anything else. I don’t wear all of this at once (obvi), and sometimes I only wear that little guy over there to the left (sunscreen/moisturizer), but mostly, I’m just happy with what you see here. When I want to go the extra mile and give myself a little brightening mask, I reach for Clarins Beauty Flash Balm for a tightening and cooling effect. I then immediately apply my loose BareMinerals if I’m going out and need a bit of coverage. Sometimes, if I’m feeling a bit dry or want an extra glow-y look, I’ll mix Weleda’s Skin Food with Boscia’s B.B. Cream and forget the Aubrey moisturizer altogether (as the B.B. has SPF in it). And typically I’ll apply my NARS Creamy Radiant concealer because my dark circles are pretty much Mordor kinds of dark (inherited from my dad’s side), but if I want something lighter in coverage and consistency I’ll go for the Yves Saint Laurent Touche’ Eclat, which I’ve also used as a highlighter.

And that’s it. I don’t want any more searching. I’m good. My only skincare goal for 2014 is to add a serum into my regimen so I can start taking those first baby steps into the world of aging prevention and damage recovery (which for me comes in the form of dark spots and scars from years of picking zits). But other than this, I’m done! Achievement unlocked.

#9 Remember this person? Yup. She showed up to the Cannes Film Festival this year. And you wanted to be her.

This, ladies and gents, is Aishwarya Rai. She’s an Indian Bollywood queen with a huge fan-base, a former Miss World, and once cited by 60 Minutes as the “world’s most beautiful woman”. Unless you’re a weirdo that’s only attracted to goldfish, it isn’t hard to see why. The buzz about Miss Rai seemed to reach a peak in the mid-2000’s (from what I remember in the States). But she then decided to go off and do the stupid, dum-dum thing called getting married and having a kid. Ugh. So not modern. And then she stated that she wanted to take some time off from work so she could “simply enjoy motherhood”. Um, excuse me? What tomfoolery is THIS?! You can’t take time off and ENJOY motherhood!! That is giving away your independence! You are MISS WORLD!!! You get yo’ butt back to WEEERRRRK, Miss WORLD!! No dumb baby should stop Miss WORLD from being Miss WORLD!!!!!

If you don’t sense the sarcasm here, I can’t help you with life. And I mean it.

So anyhow, post-baby Aishwayra chose to take some time off from Bollywood, and in the process of pregnancy and enjoying motherhood, proceeded to gain some weight. Like most child-bearing humans. But what happened then wasn’t so human- she received widespread criticism from her fans and the media for not losing her baby weight immediately and getting back to WERK. A commenter on the Daily Mail claimed, “She is a Bollywood actress, and it is her duty to look good and fit.” Another said, “She needs to learn from people like Victoria Beckham who are back to a size zero weeks after their delivery.”

Yup. That happened.

So fast forward to the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, a couple years later. Aishwayra had been invited to appear at the glitzed-out affair of international cinema royalty, and the pressure to show up in her former supermodel form was ON. So how would she look?! Like the skinny actress she was just BORN to be?! Would that baby weight be totally gone?!

Nope. Oh sure, the baby weight wasn’t gone, but instead, she showed up looking like a FREAKING GODDESS WITH A TOTALLY NORMAL PERSON’S BODY. BOOM.

See, this is what I’m talkin’ about. She isn’t nearly as thin as in her earlier days, but can you seriously even argue that it matters? I’ve never been so stunned by Ash as when I saw some of these photos of her at Cannes. She’s glowing; she’s regal. Her face, body, and hair are full, and it just looks divine. And I’m sorry, but that face is just unbelievable. I’m not comfortable with the word ‘exotic’ to describe a particular look, mostly because we can’t truly seem to define what exactly it means other than ‘you are a desirable, tan object hailing from the tropics’, and so to describe Ash’s beauty, I tend to favor the word ‘global’. She’s full Indian, but her features appear as if to be a mix of all kinds of ethnicity. She’s got that all-over-the-world look that’s so interesting and different. Pretty fitting for Miss World, no?

Yeah, that right there is seriously your quintessential HATERS GONNA HATE face. Eat your heart out, critics. And you enjoy that baby, Miss Ash. Treat yo’self 2013!

#10 Making peace with no makeup on weekdays.

I have no image for this because the last thing any of us needs is another selfie #nomakeup. So I’ll just use my words for this one. I used to whine and complain about not being able to get my fanny in gear to the point where I could put on a full face of makeup for work every morning. But I’ve finally arrived at the point where I’m okay with saying that that’s just me. Makeup is for weekends or when I have the time. Makeup is for when I can enjoy it. Makeup is not a necessity (though the concealer, eyebrows, and lip balm can’t really be compromised). Makeup doesn’t have to happen everyday, and that’s what makes it special. Nice, freshly-washed hair isn’t a necessity either. Sometimes a topknot and sunscreen is all you can ask of a Monday. Or Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Or Thursday. Or Friday before 5:00PM. And that’s okay. Just enjoy it for what it is, and don’t be a slave to it.

And these, my friends, are my favorite moments in beauty for 2013. It’s been a good, challenging year of acceptance and learning to enjoy the routines I have rather than ache and yearn for ones I don’t. I’m not even compiling a “worst of” list this year because there’s wasn’t anything that got me too irked anyhow! It’s been a great year, and let’s keep in up in the one to come. xo, MR

P.S. Oh, and a total bonus #11- Thanks to new editor in chief Eva Chen, Lucky Magazine is totally on the comeback trail. Remember how last year I wrote an entire post about how terrible it had become? A year-and-a-half later and I’m thinking just the opposite. Can’t wait to resubscribe and see Zoe Saldana on the February cover! Woohoo!

August 21, 2013the Hair stuff., the Magazine stuff.

That one time I asked Maria Menounos a question. And that one time she answered.

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So, I have a thing about healthy hair, right? And I’m a fanatic about checking for split ends and all that junk to keep it in good shape, right? And I always get fooled into thinking celebrity hair is otherworldly and somehow magically immune from all these problems, right? And I’m a sucker for almost any hair product recommendation, right?

Right. Mostly.

So, when given the opportunity to ask a celebrity any question related to beauty (with only the possibility that she may respond, not a guarantee), I figured what’s the harm in asking her what products she uses on her decently awesome hair?

The celebrity I’m referring to in this case would be T.V. personality Maria Menounos, who is most well-known for her role as a host on Extra and is the youngest person to ever host Entertainment Tonight. Am I positive that everyone reading this knows who she is? No. Do I really care? No. You see, I try not to worry myself with some kind of quest to ask the biggest celebrity out there about their hair, because really big names like Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, or Sarah Jessica Parker tend to be sort of, well, taken care of when it comes to appearances. Mega-watt celebrities commonly have endorsement deals, and are frequently serviced by hairstylists that offer them products and treatments sometimes at no cost. I mean, you know how it is: Jennifer Lopez has a deal with L’Oreal, so of course she’s going to claim that she uses their products (of which she probably has a lifetime supply), and because of how big-time her income is and how high-profile she is, she probably gets her hair blown out at least once a week and has an arsenal of stylists constantly at her disposal. That’s not someone I want “hair tips” from. Who can relate to that? Could she even keep up the condition of her hair without her gaggle of beauty slaves doing it for her? Does she know a life outside of a perfect weave? Perhaps I’d ask J.Lo’s stylist about what products are used on her, but you’ve gotta figure that with all the hands that have touched her head and all that L’Oreal running through her veins, it would be hard to get a straight answer.

So to summarize, all of this is why I find it more valuable to seek the product knowledge of a slightly lesser-known celebrity. Such information just stands a better chance of being more reliable and true to word. Sure, Maria might be what you call “medium profile” status, and I’m certain she has her hair done for the camera, but she has no current endorsement deals (though she … *gulp* … was the face of Pantene at one point long ago). She’s not on the pages of every magazine. So I figure, why not ask?

And so ask I did. I believe the exact phrasing of the question I submitted was something like, “Your hair always looks healthy. Outside of regular trims, what products do you use to keep it in good shape?” Of course, my question got majorly snipped down, but I’ll take whatever! And so, I received my email from People StyleWatch stating that they’d like to use my question, and to expect it in an upcoming issue.

Seen this one on stands lately? It’s the August issue, so it may not be too visible now what with September claiming its monstrous stake on newsstands. But here it is nonetheless! And so I believe if you turn to page 58 …

… you’ll stumble upon my question and Ms. Menounos’ answer! Letting it air-dry? CHECK. Wash just three times a week? I’LL ONE-UP YA, MARIA: I CLOCK IN AT TWO WASHES PER WEEK. CHECK. Varying products according to what your hair needs and not just obsessively using the same ones in all seasons? Smart girl! CHECK. And naturally, two suggestions from Maria for two very reputable products: Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging Overnight Hair Rescue treatment and Frederic Fekkai’s Brilliant Glossing Sheer Shine Mist. Not bad. This girl seems like she knows what she’s doing. Now, have I purchased either of the aforementioned products since reading Maria’s response? Nope. Will I ever? Maybe, but I’m good for now. You see, what’s fun about exchanging beauty advice and suggestions is that you get to a point where, hopefully, you’ve found what works for you and the rest is now just optional. It’s sort of fun just to know what folks use, right? You don’t have to hop on their train if yours is already heading in the right direction. But seriously, if I can ask someone like Maria what she does with her hair with the chance that she’ll respond back in a nationally-distributed publication, why not? xo, MR

July 13, 2013the Fashion stuff., the Hair stuff., the Magazine stuff., the Makeup stuff.

I’m over summer. Or, in which I discuss Fall 2013 beauty trends far too prematurely.

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January and July are the months where I get antsy. I start getting that mid-to-late season itch for something new, as in new trends, new ideas, and new fashion. And of course, the magazine industry doesn’t exactly help me out with this struggle.

As you may know, magazines roll out their issues about one month prior to their actual, designated months (Get it? Because everything is early in fashion.). So, right now it’s mid-July, which means that just about all of the August issues are out. Okay, so no big deal right? Well, here’s the problem with the August issues- they’re one big tease. All they seem to be is a preview for September (the official kick-off for the fall season in fashion). And when you have an entire month of nothing but fall previews to deal with, you begin to find yourself looking for … oh, I don’t know … fur vests in the middle of summer?

Yeah, it’s pathetic. I’ll admit that I’ve been looking for a felt fedora hat for over a week now (not much unlike Rosie’s Rag and Bone one seen here). I’ve even got a modest Fall 2013 shopping list going, complete with a white fisherman’s sweater. Try hunting one of those down in July. But regardless of how early I begin looking for signs of the coming season and how hopeless it may be until mid-August, I have to admit that it is really fun.

So what can we all look forward to as far as beauty trends for Fall 2013? We’ve got color blocking, heeled loafers, and tons of grey to look forward to in our wardrobes, but how about our faces? Here are just a couple things I dare you to try when the winds change:

1. Put some serious color on your lips. Any color, so long as it’s bold.

Of course, I don’t tend to favor pink during the autumn seasons simply because it doesn’t feel right against all my black, grey, and muted tones (though I am kind of done with cliche rules like that), but a deep oxblood or a fire engine red like the above look shown at Marc Jacobs will certainly do the trick. And texture doesn’t matter- glossy, matte, satin, stained, whatever. It’s all about color saturation in this case, so there’s no real formula so long as it’s committed to its hue.

2. Braid your hair. ANY way you want.

Fishtail braids, Heidi-style plaits across the crown, one long braid down the back, you name it. If there’s a single braid of the smallest size to be found in your hair, it’s a winner this coming season. And let it be known that I am a braid IDIOT that can hardly get her own hair into a classic three-section braid without feeling like she needs to Animorph into an octopus. While I still can’t seem to get my hair into a satisfactory braid that makes me happy, I did find this tutorial on the fishtail style to be extremely helpful, and I’m convinced that I could probably get the job done on someone else’s hair at this point, if not on my own. My favorite styles were the ones seen like the shot featured above from Viktor & Rolf.

3. But if you’re not going for a braid, go for something extra sleek and extra modern.

I tend to feel most confident in my hair when it’s down with loose body and light waves thanks to ten minutes with a curling rod … but next season, I’m planning to change that. A couple weeks ago, just as I was getting ready to head out the door to commune with some friends, I was fussing over the very flat-against-my-head state that my hair was in. I’d blown it out straight days prior, leaving me with no volume and quite a bit of oil on the scalp. I then decided to go for what will be one of Fall 2013’s bigger beauty trends: I took out my rattail comb and created a deep, severe side part, and I then brushed all of my hair back and set it with shine-imparting, light-hold gel for a sleek, almost wet look. I then tied my hair into a low ponytail and ran a flat iron over the length of it, just for good measure. I was left with a style that felt more face-flattering and fashion-forward than my typical soft waves.

Anything of this nature, whether employing the use of a side-part with a bun or ponytail or just slicking the hair back with relatively no part, was huge during February’s Fashion Week. I particularly love Liu Wen’s style shown above for Jason Wu. My most current inspiration for this look, however, has been coming from Kate Mara’s character on House of Cards, Zoe, though Kate wears this look quite well herself on the red carpet.

4. Try going without mascara(!) and let your brows do the talking. And let them do all the talking.

I know, I know. We’re AMERICANS! We’re OBSESSED with mascara! So fine. Let’s get over it. Makeup on the runways last February exhibited two kinds of extremes: a full focus on the eyes with heavy eyeliner and loud color, or a completely opposite approach that left the eyes completely bare. And when the makeup artists left the eyelids nekkid, they seemed to compensate for it in either the lip department orrrrrrr ………. the BROW department. The bold eyebrow is back with a vengeance these days thanks to models like Cara Delevingne, and I’ve gotta tell ya, I couldn’t be happier. I love this bold, minimalist look seen as a whole package in the image above from the Chloe show, combining both bare lashes and fashion-forward eyebrows.

Now, I myself have never plucked, tweezed, threaded, or waxed my eyebrows until this year. I am not kidding. But the whole brow craze just got me so excited about grooming my own that I started dabbling in a little shaping here and there (not without anxiously contemplating for about five minutes over which exact three brow-hairs to pluck). I started filling in little gaps with pencil a couple years ago, and my hand has just gotten heavier and heavier as models like Cara have grown more and more popular.

And then, about two weeks ago, this happened. Camilla Belle came out of hiding with two spectacularly perfect caterpillars on her face, and I FELL IN LOVE. Say no more! I’m hooked on the bold brow, and I’m ready to let the Liz Taylor in me shine! No no, not that Liz Taylor. THAT Liz Taylor. There we go. That’s more like it. NO! I said NOT THAT LIZ TAYLOR! Or THAT one! OR THAT ONE!

THAT ONE! Thank you! Gosh! xo, MR

April 21, 2013the Hair stuff., the Magazine stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Review stuff., the Skin stuff.

InStyle’s Best Beauty Buys of 2013 … and what I think of ’em.

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So, May is one of my absolute favorite months for fashion magazines (I think I say that every month, right?) because this month tends to see the widest amount of beauty features in such publications. People StyleWatch, Lucky, Marie Claire, and InStyle all proclaim their May issues as dedicated to beauty, and I’ll be honest- I’ll eye a magazine on the stand at a grocery store and I’ll quickly flip to the beauty section, and if it piques my interest in any way, I’ll buy it. The beauty sections are always my favorite, teeming with hair how-to’s, reviews of new products and the like. One close-up shot of Kerry Washington’s makeup at last month’s premiere complete with a break-down of what products were used, and I’m literally buying the magazine just for that one page.

My May issue of InStyle magazine came yesterday in the mail and sure enough- 2013’s Best Beauty Buys can be found on page 297! I like lists like these because I like comparing the magazines choices to what I already have and agree with, what I’m still curious about, and what products I hate. Additionally, I’ve begun to take these “best of” lists more and more seriously because I’ve become increasingly interested in curating the best kit possible, even if it means a little extra investment here and there. I trust InStyle for this and can tell that their choices are honest because a lot of the “winners” don’t change from year to year (whereas I feel some publication’s praises are simply based on what’s newest to hit the market). Now, I won’t be mentioning my thoughts on every product that InStyle lauds, but there are a few I found to be worth commenting on.

1. Best Inexpensive Lipstick- Cover Girl Lip Perfection Yes. The texture of these suckers does not feel cheap, despite the drugstore price (and the pigment lasts forever). What’s great about this line is that the color range feels expensive and a little more edgy as well, whereas drugstore lipstick in the past seemed to just offer cute variations on frosty pink for the most part. I still proudly proclaim their shade called Spellbound as the best shade of holy-crap-that-is-no-joke-magenta for under ten bucks.

2. Best Inexpensive Mascara- L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Is it just me or has this stuff sucked every time I’ve tried to give it another chance? I’ve probably purchased this formula a total of three or four times over the years, just on the basis of knowing it’s reputation and thinking that it’ll perhaps work out differently this time. But like Maybelline’s Great Lash (which I’ve consistently detested), this stuff is just goopy and can’t handle the pressure of a second coat (which is a bloody shame since I tend to cap things off at five coats).

3. Best Overall Mascara- Dior Diorshow I’ve purchased this stuff twice in my lifetime, which, in conjunction with my comments on the previous product, proves that I am certifiably insane in that I think if I do the same thing over and over I’ll somehow, at some point, land on different results. In my little library of thoughts, Diorshow is categorized as the most overrated beauty product in existence. The brush is too big to the point where you can’t control the product easily or put as many coats on without things getting into Shelob territory very quickly. And what’s more, there’s fragrance in it. For why?!

4. Best Powder Blush- NARS Always and forever, yes and yes. I have three shades of NARS powder blush, and they are just the happiest, most exciting colors to wear. Your mood just changes when you dot on one of the shades on to your cheeks. While I love wearing their cream version in Lokoum on a regular basis, I took a dare last year in purchasing their powder formula in Exhibit A, an absolutely terrifying shade of vermilion at first glance (and I’m pretty sure the bride I most recently used it on hyperventilated when I first showed it to her). But just a couple dots on the cheekbones and BAM! You look like you’re glowing from the inside-out.

5. Best Inexpensive Shampoo and Conditioner- Pantene Pro-V Classic Just deal with my rant for a moment: When you’re paying four bucks for a ginormous bottle of shampoo, this should tell you something- that apparently there’s nothing in that bottle worth any money to raise the price over four bucks. Seriously, read the label on the back of your Pantene shampoo or conditioner bottle and tell me if you can identify any of the ingredients other than water. The first ingredient of Pantene’s shampoo is water, the next two are detergents that strip your hair, the next is sodium chloride (table salt), and the next is dimethicone (which, while being toted as great for reducing frizz, also saps your hair of moisture). The list goes on, but nothing in these products can be considered nutritious for your hair. It’ll clean, but it’ll strip. If you’re going for a cheaper shampoo and conditioner, at least go for a sulfate-free brand. I also find shower products like these more worrisome too because we rinse a lot of this stuff down our drains and it gets swept up into our oceans and water systems, and I can’t see dumping gallons and gallons of synthetically-derived Pantene as ultimately good for our water supply and ecosystems.

6. Best Lipstick- Tom Ford I honestly wouldn’t know if I agree with this choice or not, because I’ve never tried Tom Ford’s lipsticks. My life just isn’t at the point yet where I can justify fifty dollars for one tube of lipstick. You read that right- fifty dollars. I feel like I could possibly justify such a price for face makeup (if you were to wear it everyday) or something that would last you a very long time, but I don’t wear lipstick everyday (rarely, actually) and lipstick isn’t even meant to last for an extremely long time. So I’d either feel compelled to use it every single day (which I wouldn’t) or make the tube last at least two years (at which point it would’ve expired anyhow). No win. And what’s more, I’m just convinced that there are too many quality lip colors out there for twenty and under.

7. Best Concealer- Cle’ de Peau Beaute’ See above. Seventy bucks for concealer? There’s no way. Well, then again, I at least know I probably would use this everyday, and just a little bit each time. I’d get my money’s worth! And it is supposed to be an absolute miracle worker on all flaws and blemishes, and … you know what … no … I can’t keep talking like this. Just slap me.

8. Best Curling Iron- Hot Tools Spring Iron Yep, this is the one. I have the 1.25″ and I love it. I just wrap sections of my hair around it (and I skip the clamp; I just wrap and hold) and nothing works better at creating easy waves. Don’t pay more than fifty bucks for a curling iron or curling rod. Save your biggest hunk of change for a high-tech flat iron.

9. Best Lip Balm- Smith’s Rosebud Salve Sure, the tin is chic in a French-apothecary-kind of way, but there’s a little too much petrolatum in this stuff for my taste. Petrolatum, derived from petrochemicals, is known for ultimately disabling your lips from being able to remain moist on their own (hence the legend of “ChapStick addiction”). Petrolatum merely acts as a barrier on your skin’s surface (not an actual moisturizer), and it simply traps whatever moisture is already on your lips in place. Your lips, over time, basically un-learn how to replenish their own moisture. Rub a petrolatum-based product all over your body and over time, this kind of barrier will prohibit toxins in the form of sweat and sebum from escaping the skin’s surface like they’re supposed to. This is why I try to stay away from most drugstore lotions and “moisturizers”, because they’re laden with petrochemicals that can, in a worst-case scenario, really mess up your endocrine system. I am forever loyal to Burt’s Bees Beeswax lip balm because I only find myself needing to apply it perhaps twice a day, and it is free of petrochemicals.

10. Best Eyeliner Pencil- MAC Eye Kohl Could the name “Smolder” be more appropriate? This stuff is black magic. Devilish, delicious, I-am-Jack-Sparrow’s-wickedly-awesome-pirate-girlfriend magic.

So seriously, let me know what you think. Pick up the magazine (with Emily Blunt on the cover), flip through their lists, and give me your thoughts. But I’m convinced there is no eyeliner better than my Jack Sparrow pirate eyeliner. xo, MR

April 13, 2013the Fragrance stuff., the Hair stuff., the Magazine stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff.

Spring Blahs: What’s exciting, what’s frustrating, and what Ben Affleck did for my beauty routine.

McKennaRishmawyArgo, Argo suspenseful, Avon, best spring fragrances, best summer fragrances, Coachella 2013, D&G 3 L'Imperatrice, easy hairstyles, gel hairstyle, Instagram awkward, Instagram selfie jokes, InStyle magazine, InStyle special hair edition 2013, InStyle Zoe Saldana, Jessica Alba Avon, Jessica Alba makeup Kid's Choice Awards 2013, Lancome La Vie Est Belle, Miranda Kerr, Miranda Kerr leaving Victoria's Secret, People StyleWatch, People StyleWatch magazine, slicked-back hairstyle, Spring 2013 beauty trends Leave a comment

It’s been a while since I posted last- over two weeks! It’s hard to write about something like beauty and hair and the latest trends when you’re not feeling particularly inspired, and I haven’t been so much lately. I’ve been dealing with a lot of what we’ll just call blah these days, and that’s okay. Beauty and fashion are constant and probably won’t ever really “go away” so to speak, but sometimes I peek into the lives of people in these industries and it’s like they try to rely on these things to keep calm, stay happy and escape from the reality that life deals them … and that’s called self-medicating. I don’t want to fall into that cycle, and so I’ve been allowing myself to accept the fact that there are times when I will feel “meh” about hairstyles, colored eyeliner, and CC creams. There will be times when the things I typically enjoy won’t bring me joy, and that’s okay. It’s a season, and the joy will come back.

This doesn’t mean, however, that I cannot practice joy in makeup, beauty, and hair. I still see the goodness in identifying something that I really, really like and expressing how much I like it, even if it feels functional and not as interesting as other times. And so here, in the midst of blah, I’m listing what I’m currently excited about (or perhaps what I’m not excited about) in beauty.

1. Early one morning before taking off for teaching, I attempted to do this seemingly easy slicked-back hairstyle. I thought I had the right product for it, and I had planned to wash my hair that afternoon so it seemed like a good chance to use plenty of gel. I ended up looking more like a wet Pekingese than anything, or like a cow got really friendly with me and decided to lick me and just not stop until the cow’s tongue turned to sand. I’ll try it again later when I’m not planning on standing in front of teenagers all day, susceptible to their scathing criticism and underappreciation for the avant-garde in the classroom. Such peasants, they are.

2. I’m excited for these.

Every year, InStyle comes out with an issue that’s just about hair (awesome) and People StyleWatch‘s May issue always features a big beauty section covering skin, makeup, hair, and the works (awesome). InStyle‘s main edition also features a “Best Beauty Buys” section in it’s May issue (more awesome). I think I just like pouring over up-close shots of celebrities with inspiring hairstyles and makeup shown in hi-def, and issues like these are loaded with them. I swear my hair gets healthier and prettier during the week after reading a new magazine like this. I also swear that the longer you stare at a picture of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s hair, the more likely you are to grab a curling rod and get to work on your own. It’s this thing I call “envy”.

3. I got through my whole bottle of Lancome’s La Vie Est Belle! It’s a miracle, I tell you! I never get through a whole bottle of perfume in just one season (because I frequently forget to put it on, in the first place), and I am so proud of myself for finally doing it. I can officially call that my Fall/Winter 2012/2013 scent and I can now move on to bona fide summer fragrances, like my beloved D&G 3 L’Imperatrice, so I can smell like an unmistakably rich juicebox.

4. I acquired the supposed shade of lipstick that was used on Jessica Alba in my post here (Avon’s Totally Kissable Lipstick in Lovey Dovey Pink, as my reputable resources tell me), but I proceeded to find that the shade was in fact a frosty pink that had me feeling more like this than anything. I’ll be needing to do a little more research on that shade of Jessica’s. I’m not convinced.

5. I’m not at Coachella looking so impressed with myself that my eyes are rolled into the back of my head.

6. But I WAS impressed enough with myself AND my hair one night to shamelessly Instagram this selfie.

But come on, cut me some slack. My hair was behaving like a voluptuous attention hog, I’d had an extra twenty minutes that evening to do a perfect smoky eye, and my bathroom lighting can get weird to the point where you can leave some photos unfiltered and they’ll still have a nice, flaw-concealing sheen to them. And lest you believe this is a common occurrence, here I am, as I exist, right now:

No filter, IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING. Now if you’d excuse me, IMG Models is calling and I’m replacing Miranda Kerr in the Victoria’s Secret Angels lineup. This is the face that will crush Gisele.

7. I had my hair color refreshed recently, and I’ve found that since then my hair texture has slightly changed. It dries much straighter, and each strand seems, I don’t know, perhaps a bit more wire-y or thick. My friend said she’s seen it happen particularly with dark shades, and so I’m not really worried. But I am prepping myself for going lighter in less than a month, I’d say. I have relatively no layers in my hair at this point (what I’ve wanted- mission accomplished). It’s weird though, I’ve had layers basically for the last ten years up until now. I’ve finally grown them all out (and had them cut to one length) and now I’m now sure how I feel about it.

8. I watched Argo the other night and proceeded to bite off all of my nails until each finger started to burn with pain. No nail polish now for nearly a month. Thanks, Ben Affleck. You and your movies make a crap manicurist.

Alright, I’m done. Time to go sleep on a satin pillowcase to keep my hair and skin smooth and to prevent split ends and breakage. Yes, I obsess over breakage even in my sleep. xo, MR

January 28, 2013the Hair stuff., the Magazine stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff.

Oh now THIS is the kind of thing I LIVE for!!

McKennaRishmawybad magazine article, beauty double standards, beauty stereotypes, Blake Lively fishtail braid, Blake Lively hair, dude-brah, female stereotypes, feminist critique of magazines, gender stereotypes, hair guys hate on women, hair guys like on women, Halle Berry hair, Jessica Biel hair, Jessica Biel ombre, lookism, Marion Cotillard, Marion Cotillard Christian Dior, Marion Cotillard dress, Marion Cotillard SAG Awards 2013, SAG Awards 2013, SAG Awards 2013 dresses, SAG Awards 2013 gowns, SELF magazine, sexist magazine article, short celebrity hair, short haircuts, what do guys think is beautiful, what do guys think is hot 4 Comments

Oh how thoroughly disappointing the SAG Awards were tonight. The Golden Globes had been somewhat of a bore for me as well, and so I’d truly been looking forward to tonight’s red carpet with the hopes that someone … anyone … would put on a dress to make my jaw drop. But alas, my jaw remains fully closed and in fact a little clenched in frustration. Nights like this kill me. I mean, yes, it’s great to look all boring kinds of sexy in a column dress so everyone can see that you can work your curves and blah blah blah, but let me tell you- I will continue to throw this at you until someone tops it. When you, as a celebrity, have access to literally every great designer’s atelier on this planet and each one of those designers would give their right leg to dress you, thou shalt NOT waste my time with another monochromatic mermaid gown on the red carpet. Grow a pair and actually take advantage of the fashion that’s at your over-privileged, perfectly manicured fingertips. I mean seriously! Do I have to rely on mah boo Marion for EVERYTHING?!

And so we’re moving on from this discussion to something else that’s fascinated me lately. Oh, and how! So, I purchased the latest issue of Self magazine for the purpose of motivating myself into a more regular gym routine. I’d initially inserted about a million jokes here when first writing this, but I have to admit this is a completely true desire, void of any irony. No, I’m not looking to Instagram pictures of my Fergie abs while I frolick around in a bikini at Stagecoach. But I am looking to take seriously the idea that man cannot live on Cheetos alone, and if one does, a price must be paid in copious amounts of running and veggie consumption.

But I stumbled upon something funny while perusing this latest issue of Self, and it did nothing short of fuel the fires of Mount Doom in my Fergie tummy.

Well, well, well, what have we here?! The kind of article I live for- the kind that asks what guys really think of the stuff we do with our hair, face, and body, and how we should take such opinions into account when we get ready to bring our ugly selves out of our Hobbit holes and into daylight for presentation! Excellent!

So, I guess the deal with these is that you’ve got some panel of highly qualified dudes (guys that know lots about the wiminfolks, cause they haz a Y-chromosome and eyeballz) that look at various celebrity photos and rate YEAH, BRAH! or NAH, BRAH! while throwing back a ~~can of mildly-flavored pee~~ Coors Light. Totes fersh, breh. And so above we have our first exhibit- Jessica Biel demonstrating nail color and ombre’d hair. The verdict on nails? Well Lord bless ’em, the lads say they don’t care! Sweet relief for us! “That’s something only girls notice”, dude-breh-number-one says. Oh, but notice that dude-breh says those nails had BETTER NOT be chipped, lest we be perceived as someone who ~~has a life~~ doesn’t have time to keep her nails perfectly manicured!

And the verdict on ombre’d hair? A resounding “Hell, no!” from dude-breh-number-two. His reasoning? “She looks like she didn’t make it to the salon for a year.” Right. Because like the dude-brehs always say, they definitely don’t want a girl who looks like she “tries too hard” or “wears makeup”, but we can’t be having a woman looking like she doesn’t try hard enough either. MAKES SENSE. I’m sorry Patrick Bateman, but it’s been hard trying to find that right balance between J. Lo and Jennifer Garner for you, or excuse me, that right balance between CAN’T and CAN’T for you. If Jessica Biel’s hair looks “un-maintained” to you, look forward to seeing me looking nothing short of BEAT next season when I get mine re-ombre’d. Consider it my gift to you.

Let’s see, the next victims- Blake Lively with her fishtail braid, short-haired girls, the how-much-makeup question, and a few others. Of course, that braid is a no from the dude-brehs because “it probably took three hours”. No, you dum-dum. It took three minutes because the thing’s probably a bloody extension. And even if it isn’t (considering Blake is known to have Rapunzel hair), bear this in mind the next time your girlfriend has nice, blown-out, shiny hair that’s left down and casual with soft, “effortless” waves- that probably took three hours.

Oh and take note- NO SHORT HAIR. DUDE-BREH WILL NOT APPROACH YOU AND OFFER YOU A JAGER BOMB FROM HIS ED HARDY-ADORNED SELF IF YOU’VE GOT THE SHORT HAIRS. But we are told, quite graciously, “If you look like Halle Berry, then you can go short”. Oh thanks man! I mean, I know that Halle spends literally thousands of dollars to maintain her looks each year alone and that if any of us did that you’d immediately judge us for being “too high maintenance”, but it’s a free pass for Halle and all her look-alikes! Oh wait, there are no Halle look-alikes? And even Halle doesn’t look like Halle without her Revlon to make her Photo-Ready? Woops.

Here are a few more. We’re given the green light for glossy lips because apparently they say “a girl wants to make out”, and we’re given a thumbs-down on sleek hair with this astute observation- “Bet she’s wearing really uncomfortable shoes”. But have hope! Here’s what we’re finally left with as a conclusion: We’re told in the Editor’s note on the right that “Confidence trumps all, and they want to sleep with you no matter what. Like what you see in the mirror.” Oh, I see, so back-track on this entire article because you know it’s the most misogynistic thing you may have ever published in your sorry magazine, but be SURE to validate us in the best, most helpful way possible- by reassuring us that every guy wants to sleep with us just because we’re … girls.

I can’t even begin to delve into the devastating moral and spiritual implications of this article, but I’ll attempt to be brief in my commentary. Magazines like Self claim to celebrate you as you, and yet they’re fraught with quiet-yet-somehow-explicit suggestions on how to make yourself better, more desirable, more worthy of that celebration. Some of these suggestions, as in ones pertaining to diet and health in general, are genuinely helpful and sometimes necessary in our lives. Others, however, are backwards and hypocritical to a degree that has the potential to lay waste to anything helpful a publication may previously have done. It is frustrating that this article was found in a magazine written for women, and by women, but features like this truly do a disservice to both sexes. Women are once again subjected to depthless, crude evaluation that leaves them insecure and anxious, and they’re fed the lie that the ultimate compliment a guy could possibly pay you is wanting you physically. Men, on the other hand, are portrayed as animalistic, thoughtless jackasses that could not care less about the content of one’s character because they’re solely interested in sex. It’s a bloody shame, it is.

Here’s what I’ll leave you with- Try the weird hair-do. Put on the red lipstick that may cause a couple guys to say you look like a clown (true story in my life). Wear no makeup. Wear too much makeup. Make “mistakes”. And extend the same grace to the dude-brehs when they wear too much Tim McGraw cologne, when they’ve got an awful case of the neck-beard, or when they think it’s cool to look like this. We’ll all keep up with our same weird beauty and grooming habits, and I’ll keep blogging about all of it. Do this for fun. Do this because you like it. And if it bothers you that I don’t like your sock-bun, just do it anyways. You know you love that hairy donut on top of your head. Don’t let me take that love from you. xo, MR

January 7, 2013the Magazine stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Review stuff.

Stop looking at me with your GIANT EYES! Or, a post on the right eyeshadow for your peepers.

McKennaRishmawyAlmay i-intense eyeshadow, best eyeshadow, best eyeshadow for blue eyes, best eyeshadow for brown eyes, best eyeshadow for green eyes, best eyeshadow for hazel eyes, color wheel, color wheel eyeshadow, People StyleWatch magazine, smoky eye makeup Leave a comment

I’ve often overlooked the fact that makeup, as a skill for many women, doesn’t come easily. I mean this not in a condescending way, but what I’m saying is that I take for granted the fact that I’ve been seriously messing around with the stuff since early middle school. And that I read all of Kevyn Aucoin’s books cover-to-cover as a freshman in high school, and have since read literally countless amounts of information on makeup through blogs, books, and magazines during college and beyond. I’ll sometimes have friends or acquaintances ask me a question or two on how to apply concealer, or what shade of lipstick they should look for, and in a moment of complete ignorance I’ll think to myself, “They … they don’t already know this?” Stupid, I know. I should also probably remember that people are busy with other things besides makeup, and I should be grateful that I’m even thought of as a source of helpful information at all.

One common area of interest that I’ve encountered in many of my friends or acquaintances is the question of what color eyeshadow to use on their eyes. Now, you may have seen those Almay i-intense eyeshadow kits at the drugstore tailored specifically for each eye color, but in my humble opinion I think they suck. I don’t find them user-friendly (as you have to understand how to apply the three colors for proper contrast, etc.), and I’m totally not into the color combinations offered. Blue eyeshadow is a tough sell to blue-eyed folks considering they’re typically told from day one to not wear blue eyeshadow, and who wants to be limited to three shades anyhow? Especially when they’re meant to be worn together?

So, I wanted to share an article with you that I’ve had saved in an issue of People StyleWatch from October of 2007. It’s a feature on the most flattering shadow shades for every eye color, and you only need to worry about wearing one at a time. There are even recommendations on specific shadows to buy and try. It’s by far one of the most useful articles I’ve ever encountered in a magazine. I realize I save every issue of People StyleWatch (and am running out of places to put them), but I have to encourage you that if you’re ever feeling you lack a certain degree of aptitude regarding makeup, browse through some magazines! I know you may not find an answer to your particular question immediately, but seriously- get off Pinterest and give print magazines a chance! This coming February issue of InStyle features a full how-to article on contouring. Contouring! That’s some advanced stuff there that even I’ve yet to get a good grip on! Don’t take the easy way out and Google it. Go the paper route! Anyhow, here’s our first page for brown eyes:

As someone who has brown eyes, I have to confess that I’ve loved their neutrality because it’s enabled me to use pretty much any shade of eyeshadow I like. PSW suggests using champagne and gold, intense greens and purples, and rich, smoky gray for the best results on brown eyes. These are, indeed, all extremely flattering choices. However, another great method for figuring out the best shadows to use on your eyes is checking out the color wheel and figuring out what the opposite of your eye color is (identify your eye color on the wheel and your opposite is whatever’s directly across from it). The opposite hue of your natural eye color is typically a very complimentary choice. Now, there isn’t exactly an opposite of brown, because it isn’t on the color wheel. But in most brown eyes there tends to be found quite a bit of yellow, and the opposite of yellow is purple. So, I often like to add my own recommendation for brown-eyed folks and suggest trying navy or even electric shades of blue, as they’re somewhat near the purple family. You’ll see these appear later as a good choice for hazel eyes.

Here’s our section for blue eyes. Now, you may notice the options tend to just range within different shades of brown, but this is because brown tends to have some yellow in it, which contrasts quite well with blue. Additionally, other colors tend to clash with blue eyes because they aren’t as neutral, but don’t get discouraged. The article suggests gunmetal gray, golden rose, and pretty much any shade of brown will look great. Again, most anyone can pull off any color if you consult a professional and find the right shade, but these will be the most flattering options for you. Additionally, if you’re feeling bold, try a subtle shade of orange shadow as orange is blue’s direct opposite.

I love doing makeup on green eyes because the opposite of green is violet-red, which tends to manifest as purple when it comes to eyeshadow. I love me a smoky eggplant-hued eye. PSW suggests golden beige, pale purple and smoky plum, and burgundy for your more dramatic occasions. There are a number of incredible shades of purple shadow that MAC features, including Sketch and Embark, which is more of a deep brown with plum undertones. Oh, and note the color suggestion made for everyone on the right- gold. And yes, I concur that this is true.

I love the options that hazel eyes have. I’ve often felt that too many people shy away from navy blue shadow (and if you’ve got brown eyes, you should be working it!), so please just know that if you’ve got hazel eyes it’ll look awesome. Tawny pink (think more of a warm shade as opposed to baby pink), dusty violet, and gray-blue and navy are all suggested for hazel eyes. If you’re going for a smoky look (and this is the case for most all eye colors), playing around with hues other than black can bring some amazing results. I’ve been forgoing my common black-brown shadows lately in favor of a deep navy, and I’ve been loving it.

Let me know of any other questions you may have regarding shadow, or any recommendations you may like on a color to purchase. I’ve got oodles of know-how for you! And I promise to not snap at you for not doing your own research. That would be far too Christian Bale of me. xo, MR

December 9, 2012the Magazine stuff., the Me stuff.

On how I once saw my face in a magazine.

McKennaRishmawyAdam Lambert eyeliner, Amanda Seyfried magazine cover, Aubrey Organics, beauty rest, beauty rituals, best black eyeliner, Clarins, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, face mask, hair mask, Inspired by InStyle, InStyle magazine InStyle magazine January 2013, MAC eye kohl, McKenna Rishmawy, meaning of beauty, natural body care, peace, rest, Sachajuan, smudgy eyeliner, Weleda, Weleda Wild Rose 3 Comments

Confession- it has been a gnarly week. I mean like, knots-and-glue-in-your-hair gnarly. Family in the ER, intense encounters with students dealing with mental disorders, nightmares about said students, friends dealing with scary situations, hostile customers at work, random disappointments here and there- enough to keep you feeling like painting your nails is pretty meaningless. But as I reflect on this past week, I’m reminded that small things like painting your nails are blessings that do have meaning. They’re rituals. They’re routines that we go through to jog our memories of what we love and how much we have to be thankful for. They’re routines that remind us of beauty and joy, and that we need to peace and order to function. Things like that center us and give us rest.

So, I came home on Friday from a long week in much need of that kind of rest. I was able to wash and blow out my hair (not two things I frequently do together), and draw on some serious Friday night eyeliner (MAC eye kohl in Smolder, and in case you’re wondering, Adam Lambert uses the same stuff so you get the picture). My husband and I went to a new restaurant in one of our favorite hoods (downtown Fullerton) that did not disappoint, spent time (laughing, belching, sometimes swearing) with a couple of our favorite people over dinner, and watched some It’s Always Sunny. I ate mac and cheese and played with a cat. It was good night and I was provided with the exact kind of rest I needed. But here’s a little somethin’-somethin’ that made coming home yesterday really good … I found this little gem in our mailbox:

Yes, it was the January 2013(!) issue of InStyle magazine with Amanda Seyfried looking the Grace Kelly kind of classy on the cover. My heart skipped a beat. And not only because finding new mags in my mailbox is definitely on my top five list of favorite things ever, but because I also knew that this was the issue that would, in fact, be featuring my face. And there I was, on page 20, victory rolls and all. Remember that post that I um … posted? I know I called them “liberty rolls”, and I suppose their true name, at least according the Andrews Sisters and every Rosie the Riveter out there who kissed a WWII vet, is actually “victory rolls”, but who cares when you’re wearing them in a magazine. Here I am wearing liberty, no, victory, I mean, here I am wearing WHATEVER ROLLS!

And so I have found my relaxation for the weekend. Even today, I was able to spend some time catching up with a friend wandering around my lovely neighborhood, and for me, relaxation naturally also comes in the form of stuff like this:

Face mask, hair mask, completely natural body wash that I (finally) found on sale, and Clarins’ uhhhhh-mazing brightening energy mask known as Beauty Flash Balm that has garnered a cult following of its own. That’s some ok-now-that-you’ve-rested-let’s-wake-you-the-frack-up beauty routine going on for a Saturday. And now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to paint my nails. Because it’s important. xo, MR

November 21, 2012the Magazine stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff.

IT’S SO SPARKLY!!!!!

McKennaRishmawyblue-based red lipstick, Christmas makeup, December magazine issue, glitter in makeup, glittery nails, Holiday makeup, MAC Ruby Woo, MAC Russia Red, Mila Kunis smokey eye makeup, NARS velvet matte lip pencil, People StyleWatch magazine, red lips, sparkly makeup Leave a comment

Every year, the issues I look forward to the most for almost every fashion magazine out there are the December issues. The September and March issues, while amazing, are just a little too overwhelming for me, and though I do really love the summer issues of June and July, I always love the December issues because they’re all about dressing up, dramatic party makeup, and trying something fancy with your hair. It’s glitter, sequins, lame’, metallics, brocade and jewel tones, and if there’s anything I love more than casual autumn style, it’s festive holiday style, because it’s … sparkly!!!

So, what do I do for makeup when it comes to holiday festivities? There are several options I tend to choose from- smokey metallic eyes, glittery nails, perfected skin, red lips, and shimmery gloss.

I know it’s been quite the year for nail art, but really psychedelic nails don’t seem appropriate to me until the party invitations start rolling out for Christmas. I haven’t done real honest-to-goodness statement nails yet, but I do love to indulge in a special, sparkly varnish around December that evokes nothing other than Christmas lights! Chanel’s Le Vernis in Black Pearl for their Spring 2011 line is kind of a bluish-greenish-silverish shade that I found mysterious and different. Butter London’s Wallis is a blackish-gold glittery polish that does a good job at giving my nails disco fever. I’ve often passed by some really cool shades by Deborah Lippmann at Nordstrom, and I’m contemplating picking one up in Let’s Go Crazy. We’ll see. I have to add here that my dear friend Hailey snuck a Christmas treat for me right under my nose while shopping together on Black Friday, in the form of Deborah Lippmann’s Forget You. I love it even more than Let’s Go Crazy because it has a black base color rather than purple! Perfect New Year’s polish! Thanks Hailey!

During the holiday season, I tend to make greater use of items like my MakeUpForever HD MicroFinish Powder because photo-taking is more frequent (though Instagramming your photos is kind of the sad, cheap cure for any skin imperfections now). I also like using shimmery highlighters on my face and chest more during this time, because it suits the festivities and stands out at night.

For lips, I know it could be easy to go the deep bordeaux route in honor of fall, but nothing seems to scream “HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS!” more than a classic red lip. I get that they’re kind of a year-round staple that are here to stay these day, but red lips just feel so right against a formal, decorative ensemble paired with that faux-fur vest and those killer boots. The key to a red lip is finding the right shade for you. I have to admit that it really, really bothers me when I see ladies wearing the wrong shade of red. If you have fair skin with cool, bluish undertones (check your veins), go for more blue-based reds. I hear that Revlon’s Fire and Ice is a good choice, along with MAC’s Ruby Woo. Whatever Dita Von Teese wears will work. My NARS Velvet Matte lip pencil in Cruella seems to fit the category for medium shades, and if you have warmer or more olive skin, try for something more orange or brownish-based, like a tomato red such as MAC’s You Say Tomato or Revlon’s Orange Flip. The shade that seems to get the most buzz for being universally flattering is MAC’s Russian Red, but I also hear plenty of good things about the NARS Velvet Matte lip pencil in Dragon Girl. Take the time speak to a cosmetics consultant about finding your best shade of red, or do some true online or magazine research. It’s worth it. And if you’re going without the red lip, at least go for glittery gloss a la’ Givenchy Gelee D’Interdit in Icy Peach. Yum.

And lastly, my favorite part- the eyes. I love a smokey eye any time of year, but making them a little more special with metallic shades of gunmetal or gold jazzes them up just enough. Sometimes I like to add a little color too, like with this Revlon palette in Sultry Smokes. I was drawn to it because of the deep navy blue shade it featured; it wasn’t just different shades of black. Or you could go for a plum smokey eye like Mila Kunis, or an all-over silver wash. And of course, don’t forget to line the inner rims in a black, inky kohl pencil.

With Thanksgiving just days away, I’m excited to begin adding in little bits of sparkle into my makeup routine here and there. It’ll have to come with my everyday look, because I honestly don’t have that many parties lined up for December. Cheers to glittery nails on work days! xo, MR

P.S. People StyleWatch magazine used my comments for their “Are You Loving …” feature … again. See what I had to say in the December ’12/January ’13 issue with Taylor Swift on the cover- it’s a whole six words long! Although I am disappointed they didn’t use my mention of the word ‘avant-garde’ … must’ve been too high-brow for the demographic. Whatevs.

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