This is a skin-care post but let me just start like this:

I am what you may call a hair fetishist.

Yes it is true, I love hair. I love talking about hairstyles and hair colors, I love watching films that include amazing hairstyles over and over, I tend to swoon over boys with beautiful hair (hair is key), and I have pinterest boards only dedicated to hair.

I literally remember my life in hairstyles and colors, not that they were all good - going from light blonde, to pink and blue black (during my “rebellious” teenage years) and everything in between - but you get the idea of how much I’m interested in hair.

However after graduating from University I decided to become a makeup artist. Isn’t that shocking?!

Yes, ok I do style hair every now and then when I’m doing makeup but I’m actually not that interested in it. As a makeup artist I’m all in for the skin.

I love skin. Healthy, glowy, gorgeous skin.

And this got me thinking.

You can learn how to apply the perfect winged eyeliner or red lips but getting a beautiful skin is so much more. It doesn’t just depend on good genes and effective products. It’s not only about what you apply on your skin but also about what you put in your mouth.

It’s an overall package. And this is just the same with hair.

Since this is an honest post about my skin care I only included non-edited pictures of myself with no makeup on.

Skin-care = Self-care

There are the obvious things I do like washing my face in the morning when I get up and washing it again in the evening before I go to bed.

This might sound ridiculous now but I knownthere are many girls who go to bed with their makeup still on.

For me this is a big no-no. The thing is I don’t want my sheets to get makeup stains, I like to rub my eyes every now and then and it’s just an overall bad idea if you want to get a nice skin.

I’d rather not brush my teeth before going to bed than not wash my face to give you an idea how strict I am with myself.

Healthy diet

Hydrating for better skin makes sense, not only if you have dry skin like I do.

But there is so much more. For example if you crash diet or eat highly processed food, you’re skin hardly won’t be the best it can be.

I guess most of you already know that I’m vegan. Most people tend to be interested in the reason why someone went vegan. (There are three major reasons which are health, animals and the environment.) All three reasons are very important to me now but when I first started to go vegan (over night like the aries I am btw) it was mainly because of the environment and it still is the biggest thing for me to this day. Sure, animal cruelty makes me sick to the bone and living a healthier lifestyle is great but if we don’t take care for our environment, there won’t be any life left on this planet anyhow.

What I’m trying to say here is that I wouldn’t have made the change just for my personal health (nicer skin) and I’m so glad there were other reasons for me to do it nonetheless.

I’m feeling so much better today than before going vegan. Cutting off all animal products has been the best decision I have ever made. I never get sick nowadays and I’m fitter and way less tired than I was before.

And yes, you might have guessed it: Obviously this is reflected in my hair and skin.

Stress and hormones

Dear Santa, I’ve been good all year and my skin still sucks.

Yes, sometimes there isn’t that much you can do and it’s absolutely frustrating.

Stress leads to many health problems and it often shows in your skin and hair.

During Uni stress I used to have massive hair loss or even break outs which was a real bummer since I was already having a hard time doing an acceptable job in my exams. I'm pretty sure a lot of you are familiar with this.

In times like these it’s especially important to take care of yourself. Meditation and resting periods definitely help.

I’ve already mentioned my dry skin before. I have dry skin all year round but during winter it can get really bad. During the last past years I started to get Neurodermatitis on my eye lids whenever I get stressed in winter. As I’m trying to stay chilled I do stress out a lot unfortunately.

If you’ve never been in contact with Neurodermatitis - you’re truly lucky. I “only” get it on my eye lids but it gets absolutely awful to the point where I look like a mixture of a dying vampire and the Hunchback of Notre Dame and want to take my eyeballs out because the itching and burning is driving me nuts.

Another thing that is going on in my life lately is the hormone nightmare I got since I went off birth control four months ago.

Coming off the pill has been some sort of “trend” during the last years, pretty similar to the “trend” of taking the pill in the first place, I guess.

This is still a skin-care post and not an essay about the pill so let me just say this:

I’m not going to tell anyone to stop using it or start taking it or whatever. This is just my personal story and since it has a huge impact on my skin and hair I’m gonna talk about it here.

I started taking the pill in my teens like every other girl in my school. It was totally "normal", everyone was taking the birth control pill. A lot of times it wasn’t even taken because of birth control but more because of period cramps or simply for better hair or skin. Yes, the pill was and still is a lifestyle product.

I’m not saying I feel like I’ve been tricked into it, I loved taking it at first. My cycle was always reliable and repressed in some way but that didn’t really bother me.

I just wished the doctor that first gave it to me would have taken the time to explain me what kind of drug I was really about to get and what it will do to my body.

After taking it for years and years I somehow started to hate it but didn't stop until four months ago. Again I decided over night to stop, so I went off birth control and all I can say is I’m never going back.

I feel so much better, it’s like I’m suddenly connected with my body again although I’ve never noticed that we drifted apart. Pretty scary somehow.

I know that most girls get various symptoms after coming off the pill simply because it takes your body some time to detox and get your hormones back on track. And that might take a while.

As I’ve said I quit four months ago and it started right after three weeks that I noticed some major changes. Also with my skin.

Yes I have dry skin but I found some products that worked just fine for me over the years. My skin used to be pretty perfect. I never had any blemishes and due to my moisturizers my skin looked dewy and fresh without any makeup.

You could say life was great.

Now, four months later I’m far from having perfect skin. The one good thing is that my skin isn’t that dry anymore, which is great. However blemishes are something I got used to live with. Some weeks are better, some are worse. Sometimes I think/hope I finally made it and it won’t get any worse and then - it gets worse.

Yes, it bothers me that I can’t leave the house looking “fresh and healthy” without wearing any makeup but well, at least I know how to cover my blemishes with minimal effort so that it’s still somehow a “no makeup” feel.

My favourite product is my “Dermacolor Camouflage Mini Palette No. 16”. It’s a professional product I also have in my makeup kit for clients. For my skin tone shade D1 and D1 ½ are perfect for covering blemishes.

Another thing that is happening right now is me losing hair like crazy. I already knew that this is something that happens to a lot of girls after coming off the pill so I was kind of prepared. I do have a lot of hair but it still isn’t something you wish for.

Well since I’m not going back taking the pill I’m just drinking a lot of mugwort tea and wait until it’s over and I'm all grooved in again.

However here are some of the skin care products I use that turned out to be great in these weird times, maybe some of you might find them helpful, too:

Lush - Mask of Magnaminty (the one I'm wearing in the picture)

Lush – The Birth of Venus

Tea Tree Oil

Lush- Herbalism Facial Cleanser

Cattier – Solution Micellaire Démaquillante Toner

Lush - Eau Roma Water Toner

Lush - Cosmetic Lad Moisturizer

These were some other products I always used when I “only” had dry skin:

Lush – Skin Drink

Alverde – Intensive Repair Avocado Moisturizer (might be only available in Germany but this moisturizer saved my very dry face from falling apart)

Anti aging

This is a big thing, isn’t it? No one wants to look old and it’s certainly never too early to think about that.

Considering this is a post from a girl living in Europe (Germany) I’m not going to talk about Botox and stuff like that on my post. Yes, sure we obviously have it, too but it’s not such a big thing here than it is for example in the US. Especially for younger women. I can totally see that changing but right now, anti-aging is more about putting stuff on your skin rather than under.

Well how do I start? I don’t want to get wrinkles all over my face but I never went into a store and bought an anti-aging product. There might be some nice products, I don’t know I just don’t trust them.

You can say all you want but the sun is definitely the biggest thread out there when it comes to aging. Every makeup artist can tell you about that.

I have been passionately using sun block ever since I can remember, hiding under hats and jumping from one shadow to another. I’m definitely a real life shadowhunter and I know that it pays off. I don’t need a beauty company to say so, which is great.

Btw, don’t forget your sunglasses cause wrinkly eyes aren’t that attractive either.

A healthy diet also comes in handy when you think about aging. Smoking for example is the last thing you want to do while trying to stay fresh. Smoking is a big thing in the fashion industry, especially fashion models tend to smoke a lot. It might keep you skinny but as a makeup artist I have worked on more than one 17 year old girl that looked like 26. Sure, they are all very beautiful but it might not be that pretty once you’re 40 or 50.

Products I like:

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+

Jean & Len Wasserfestes Sonnenspray SPF 50

Lush – Enchanted Eye Cream

Hair

Last but not least I just want to say a view things about my hair care.

And since I started this post talking about my never ending love story with hair, why not end it with that topic?

I am blessed with a lot of thick, healthy hair, that’s why it survived some major damage. Let’s not forget I once got a perm during my 1940’s phase (yes a perm).

After that I decided to just let it grow out which ended in my 1970’s phase. My hair is pretty long right now and before having a long-awaited trim after my recent Pre-Raphaelite shooting I didn't do anything. For years. It wasn’t really what you would call healthy, especially not in the ends. Not really a surprise though. Somehow when styled you wouldn’t notice that too much, so I didn’t really bother. I just wanted it to grow.

I don’t have any "secret" products I use on my hair. You might have noticed my love for Lush when it comes to skin care and it just is the same with their hair products.

I love that I can buy my shampoos and hair oils naked, without packaging, which is great for the environment and great for traveling (which sadly isn’t too great for the environment). Besides Lush simply has some amazing products that work great for me.

Here are some of my favs:

Lush - Soak and Float Solid Shampoo

Lush – Copperhead Solid Shampoo

Lush – Damaged (Hot Oil Treatment)

Glynt – Revital Regain Milk

Glynt – Trijuven (Salon only – when your hair is really needy)

Lush – Roots hair treatment

Revlon – Uniq One (this is a product I want to exchange for another vegan/cruelty free UV filter and heat protection product, please let me know if you have some recommendations)

Every face tells a story.

The details I told you during my skincare post definitely feel like a little life story about me. I hope there was something interesting in it for some of you and maybe something that will help you get an even healthier skin.

Lots of love,

Vanessa

I wanted to do this since... forever.

Finally here it is: A post about my favorite makeup products for pale girls and redheads.

Let's start with products for pale girls in general.

It can be tricky finding nice foundation shades and powders for pale skin, I managed to find some products throughout the years that I love. I'm ready to share them with my follow pale babes.

Foundation (no ranking)

Makeup Forever HD Foundation (Shade 110 - For porcelain skin with pink undertones)

I regulary use this foundation in 110 (I have cool undertones) for myself during shootings (see both pictures above) because it looks gorgeous in front of the camera. It has a nice medium coverage and looks very natural.

Since I'm a Make up Artist I have this foundation in various shades and love using it on models, too.

Each shade comes in yellow, pink and neutral undertones which is amazing. There definitely is a shade for everyone.

I also used Makeup Forever's HD Foundation on the two beauties below.

Missha M Full Coverage BB Cream SPF 42/PA (Shade 13)

Okay yes, this is no foundation. It's a BB Cream. But who cares? It's fabulous!

Basically I am wearing this BB cream throughout the whole spring/summer season because of its SPF 42. I haven't had a sunburn since I'm using this product. The protection is really amazing.

Although it says "full coverage" I'd say it is a medium coverage. It has a lightweight texture and smells like moisturizer. Very nice.

Powder

Besamé Brightening Vanilla Rose Powder / Brightening Violet Powder

I haven't looked back since I found these two amazing powders. I have the loose and pressed versions and both are just amazing.

My personal favorite is the Vanilla Rose version because I tend to appear green/blueish due to my cool undertones and all those visible veins everywhere (argh!). The pink powder helps to correct these green and blue tones. Also it smells like roses. So good.

I'm actually wearing the Vanilla Rose powder in every picture I'm wearing make up.

The violet version is amazing for all of you pale girls searching for a product that corrects yellow and red tones.

Protection

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 100+

Okay let's face it. Shadow-hopping is a thing for pale girls and redheads during summer.

I really dislike sticky sunscreen that's why I only use Neutrogena's Sry Touch SPF 100+. It's actually matte so you can easily wear it underneath your foundation and on the rest of your body.

The only thing that is kind of annoying with this sunscreen is that you're easily leaving white finger prints everywhere around the house. Washing your hands definitely helps though ;)

Highlighter

Lime Crime Venus Palette - "Aura"

My absolute favorite product to highlight is Lime Crime's eyeshadow Aura that comes in their Venus palette. Although I'm a fan of the whole palette I really wish they would produce Aura seperate. It's fabulous. I've used it many many times not only on my face but also on pale models like the beautiful Julia on the following picture.

The Balm Cindy Lou Manizer

Mary-Lou's ginger friend, Since it's quite pinkish it's great for cooler skintones.

To be honest... Most of my favorite highlighters are just pearly light pinky eyeshadows. Just try and find your perfect one.

A Redhead's Favorites

Eyebrows

MAC Cosmetics Swiss Chocolate

I've been using Swiss Chocolate eyeshadow on my brows since forever. It's the perfect shade for my haircolor. I even hand it to other Make Up Artist when I'm not doing my own make up for a shooting.

I'm not using a pencil or any other colored products with that eyeshadow. Just Swiss Chocolate and Anastasia Beverly Hills' transparent brow gel.

Lipstick

Besamé Chocolate Kiss

This one looks gorgeous with red hair especially when you're applying it with your finger. That way if looks very natural.

Lime Crime Velvetine in Salem

The perfect 90's brown that will make you look super pale and stays on forever.

Red Lipsticks

Besamé Red Hot Red (Technicolor Red)

Dior Dolce Vita Red (Ferrari Red)

Follow this link to see my review of these two

Mac Cosmetics Chili (warm brick red)

Eyeshadow

This is just a suggestion since finding the right eyeshadow shades depend on various things like eye color, eye shape and so on.

Anyway I think the following shades compliment any redhead out there and enhance the natural beauty.

My favorite looks for that natural redhead beauty look are Warm Reds, Warm Browns and Coppershades.

You can find these kind of eyeshadow shades everywhere. Just go with a brand you like.

My current favorites are for example

Anastasia Beverly Hills "Bengal" (Tamanna Palette)

Anastasia Beverly Hills "Morocco" and "Fudge" (World Taveler Palette)

Mac "Woodwinked"

Mac "Mulch"

Lime Crime "Creation" and "Icon" (Venus Palette)

What are your favorite products for pale skin tones?

Do you have some more Redhead-friendly advices?

I'm curious!

Oh and don't forget... Sunscreen it is! :)

Vanessa

When it comes to retro lipsticks it's usually all about red.

Yes, red lipstick is a classic and looks amazing with nearly everything you can possibly take out of your wadrobe. However especially during spring and summertime we shouldn't forget red's cheeky little sister pink!

"Pink, it's like red but not quite"(Aerosmith) Isn't that true? It's quite the same but so much different!

Red makes you look grown-up whereas pink does certainly not but you really don't have to be 20 to wear it. It's not a matter of age, it's a matter of lifestyle. Pink never takes itself too serious. It is fresh, fun and incredibly sexy.

Pink was definitely a thing during the 1960's. Those girls really knew how to pull off a playful and sexy look.

Luckily Bésame cosmetics who are known for their authentic retro make up offer some amazing 1960's inspired pink lipsticks I want to talk about here. I'm also adding their new Vanilla Rose Powder because - yes! - it's pink!

Saying it with Steven Tyler's words:

"Pink, it's my new obsession Pink, it's not even a question, Pink, on the lips of your lover 'Cause Pink is the love you discover."

Described as "pastel baby pink without shimmer, ideal for paler skin tones."

Portrait Pink is a cute innocent shade of pink which is perfect for most of my sixties inspired looks because it has that muted lip look. Besides it's a great nude kind of shade for every day. It's a light pink but not too light, so there's no way of getting a "washed out" look with this one. However I think it really works best on paler skin tones.

Like any other Bésame lipstick I've tried so far this one (and the following) is highly pigmented and gives full coverage with just one coat.

It's definitely one of my favorite lipsticks and the favorite among the three Bésame pinks.

Described as "natural rose for every day wear. Best on light-to-medium skin tones."

Dusty Rose is a mauvey-pink that is a little bit on the dark side on my lips. It reminds me of wild roses and is far from being a Barbie pink. Out of these three it's definitely the one that is the least "really pink" one. Despite of being darker it appears to be the most "natural" shade to me because it's so soft and muted. It's a very romantic shade and will definitely look amazing on medium skin tones.

Described as "a bright bold flamingo pink."

A lot of modern pinks are cool toned which can be nice with modern clothing. Exotic Pink is definitely more neutral toned than any other bold pink I own which I love. It won't make your teeth look yellow and still compliment warmer skin tones. This one is definitely my go-to bold pink for any occasion.

Described as "velvety soft powder with pink tint that helps control green and blue tones in the skin and has a delicate rose scent. Perfect for light to medium skin."

I'm a big fan of the Bésame brightening powders. I have the Vanilla one that I love using on any one with medium skin tone. I've been using the Violet one on my self since I've got it last year and love it.

I must say the Rose one even beats the Violet. I have a cool skin tone and tend to look a bit green or even blue thanks to the "pretty" veins that are shining through everywhere...

For shootings I'm regulary using a pink-toned primer by Make Up Forever that works pretty well. However this primer does not smell like roses like the Bésame powder does!

I have a pretty dry skin so I usually don't use a lot of powder. The Vanilla Rose Powder is a very light powder that leaves you with a rosy and soft finish. So gorgeous! I even love to use it underneath my eyes.

I'm wearing it on all of the pictures above.

To see all of my Bésame reviews including the other powders, mascaras, brushes and lots of lipsticks click here.

I do believe everybody has a holy grail. That one thing that you're passionately striving or searching for.

The one.

The perfect one.

I'm not talking about this 1959 62 Convertible Cadillac, although it sure is a pretty one.

I'm not talking about that rare vintage handbag or that mid-century designer sideboard.

What I'm talking about is red lipstick.

Of course not just any red lipstick. I mean the real deal.

A bold and vibrant one that is not orange or pinkish. Think Ferrari and red latex. A true sassy red.

I like to call it the "Hooker Red".

You sure don't have to be a make-up artist to have a wide range of lipstick shades at home. There so so many red shades out there and I can proudly say that I've tested lots of them during my never ending search for the perfect "hooker lipstick".

I just created a Top 3 List of my favorite lipsticks that are the definite winners in my search so far.

All three of them are lipsticks I use on a daily basis throughout months or even years.

Now just some things to consider before moving on:

-Within my list there is no ranking.

-The following lipsticks will all give you a full coverage with just one coat - I won't mention that on each lipstick. It's kind of a base requirement to be part of the list

-Since the lightning is different in all of my selfies the lipsticks will appear more cooler or warmer than they actually are. I've attached daylight swatches to solve that problem.

Bésame - 1959 Red Hot Red

Bésame describes this lipstick as a "bold and brazen warm red. A semi-matte finish with one coat full coverage".

This is a fun, friendly red with all the sunny sexiness of the 1950's. A Technicolor dream come true.

It's not overly warm or overly cool, but it definitely leans warm. However it works amazing with my pink undertoned skin. I don't know why but it just happens to work on every skin tone.

It's definitely the really "true" red out of my favorites.

Red Hot Red is avaiable at Bésame's online shop (international shipping) or at Sephora for $22 or Top Vintage (Europe) for €29,95.

Dior - Diorific Dolce Vita Red

The Diorific lipsticks are described to have "a luminous, long-lasting matte finish". There is no describtion of the color itself.

I'd say "Dolve Vita" is a vibrant red, A tomato red. The type of red you think about when someone says Ferrari.

Out of my top 3 this is the one that is most moisturizing. It doesn't dry the lips at all although it's kind of matte.

This lipstick is indeed long-lasting but not smudge proof or something that sets all day. It never bleeded on my lips (and I've been using it for years) but you sure have to reaply it after eating.

Shouldn't be too dramatic though because this red is the real deal! Only speaking about the color, this one is my favorite.

Dolce Vita is available everywhere around the globe where you can get Dior Cosmetics (a lot of places!) for ca. £28, $36 or €39,99.

Anastasia Beverly Hills - American Doll

American Doll is the only liquid lipstick in my top 3.

On their website they describe it as "full coverage, intense pigment, and a matte finish in an easy-to-apply liquid formula". The color is just described as "classic retro red" and it sure is.

It definitely has a pink undertone when you compare it to the other two lipsticks (see swatches below).

American Doll is so easy to apply and it will give you that sexy Wanda Woodward pout.

Since it's a matte liquid lipstick it's a bit on the dry side.

Also it is really matte, not semi-matte, there's not even a hint of glow. It's just matte.

But never mind - this lipstick will keep your lips look sexy even after eating that slice of pizza, jumping into the sea or kissing that guy.

American Doll is available (for example) at Anastasia Beverly Hills (international shipping) or Sephora for $20.

Swatches

Left to right: Red Hot Red, Dolce Vita, American Doll

Last but not least a few honorable mentions:

Mac - Russian Red:

Amazing color pay off and longevity (actually the best that comes out of a bullet lipstick) but a bit too dark to be a real "hooker".

Anastasia Beverly Hills - Sarafine:

Like "American Doll" this is a liquid lipstick.

Gorgeous deep pinkish red that makes you look like a real Spanish Carmen.

Lime Crime - Red Velvet:

Also a liquid lipstick.

Not a "dangerous" red but a deep red romantic "velvet rose" look that is just to die for.

Julie Hewett - Belle (Noir Collection):

I love this lipstick for it's real life Technicolor quality. It's too much of a coral red to be part of the list but it's definitely bright, vibrant and has a fantastic long-lasting power.

What are your favorite red shades? Or your haily grails?

Let me know, I'm curious!

Archie’s girls have it - Wanda Woodward has it – Yes, it even made its way to fashion shows around the globe!

I’m talking about the most dangerous 1950’s hairstyle (named after the “Queen of Pin ups” herself): The Bettie Page Bangs!

This hairstyle will sure make you look sassy and spicy and can even look sweet and innocence when worn with a ponytail. It’s the typical juvenile delinquent hairstyle that will still work great when your teenage days are definitely over.

Some "fake" Bettie Bang inspirations from Fashion Week:

Traci Lords as Wanda Woodward in John Water's "Cry Baby"

I personally love this style because it makes you look younger, fresh and sexy at the same time. That's probably why I can't help to get back to it every now and then.

Although it might be one of the easiest retro hairstyles to style, it’s hard to go for other styles as long as your bangs are cut short.

I’ve been wearing Bettie bangs a lot throughout the years and I’m definitely familiar with the urge of growing them out or getting them back again. It’s ridiculous, but of course…

We always want what we don’t have!

That’s the reason I decided to go for a clip-in bang in 2013.

Even if my hairstyle is completely different I’m able to wear these cute bangs without visiting the hairdresser.

I went to a hair-shop that’s not too far from where I lived back then and bought a clip-in bang with three clips on it in a light blonde shade.

If you’re interested in getting one for yourself make sure you buy a real human hair one. This will make the whole look so much more natural plus you can dye it into the shade you need. That’s actually what I did. I just used the hair dye I use for my own hair and voila – It just turned out perfectly!

All you need to do after that is getting it in the right shape. I know there are bangs that already come in the "Bettie shape" but that was not the case when I bought mine. (I haven't used one of those so I can't say anything about their quality.)

If you're going for a "normal one" it's best when you clip the bangs in and get it cut by a hairdresser (or if you're brave and good with hair by yourself). By that you can easily decide how short and curved you want your bangs to be.

Me wearing my clip-in Bettie Bangs lately:

I usually wear it with a headscarf to make sure it doesn't look fake (see left picture above). Most of my scarfes are vintage ones, either nylon scarfes in all colors (like this black one) or non-transparet ones in all sorts of prints.

If you're having trouble finding true vintage nylon scarfes, Pinup Girl Clothing are selling some great reproduction ones. I have their baby pink one and I'm quite pleased with it.

Although clip- in bangs won't rescue me from the urge of getting the "real deal" every now and then I find them quite helpfull. They sure can get you the right feeling for just one day.

How do you feel about Bettie Bangs? Yes or no, fake or real - What do you prefer?

During the last couple of weeks I tested some new products of my favorite make up brand Besamé Cosmetics. I’m already a lover of their lipsticks as well as their blushes but I’ve never tried their powders or glazes before.

The first product I need to talk about is my personal favorite – the Brightening Violet Powder.

The first thing you see when receiving it is the packaging. I know I’ve talked about this before but just to get this straight one last time: all the Besamé packaging is simply divine! Imagine a packaging that says “Get ready to be admired” when you open it. Pure magic!

Everything is made with so much love and taste to make you feel absolutely special.

The small art deco style compact powder comes in a velvet pouch and is absolutely beautiful. Because of the size I can take it with me every day, even in my tiny vintage evening bags. I need to do that because I truly wear it every day. My skin is already very pale and has a cool undertone so I find it quite hard to find something that actually brightens it. This translucent violet powder however works so so well!It makes the skin look like porcelain.

You can see me wearing it on all of the pictures in this post (on top of my BB cream). No filters or photoshop used!

I'm wearing Red Velvet Lipstick

Another powder I tested is the French Vanilla Brightening Powder. This one is a loose powder that has an absolutely amazing vanilla scent.

I used this one during my Vintage Make Up Class in October in London and you can see it here worn by my beautiful model Nikki (Pictures by Sally Rose).

I love it because it has a very velvety and soft finish. T

his one is actually the perfect brightening powder for all the girls out there with medium or darker skin. However if you have fair skin with warm undertones this will also work for you. As you can see, I used it on Nikki (she is definitely on the pale side!) and it looks beautiful on her.

Nikki wears Red Hot Red Lipstick

I wear lipsticks almost every day because I think it makes me look fresh and pretty. However there are days I don’t wear any lipstick at all.

I have very dry lips so on my no-lipstick days I have to keep any sort of lip care close. Because of that and the fact that I like to wear a hint of color on my lips even on my no-lipstick days I was very excited to test the new Besamé glazes.

They come in four different shades – Cherry Sweatheart (cherry red), Grape Sweetheart (burgundy/plum), Rose Sweetheart (very soft pink) and Tangerine Sweetheart (orange).

They all have a thick, rich and sticky formula which I like because it stays on very well and reduces the flakiness of my lips.

Each one of them has a lovely smell which underlines their names and shades. I have to say my favorite one is the Grape Sweetheart Glaze because it smells just like Arizona Iced Tea Grapeade which I love!

You can see every shade on the pictures below.

I tested them with no lipstick underneath so you can see the colors.

However I can’t wait to wear them on top of my lipsticks for that glamorous extra shine. I recently saw this new campaign by Bottega Veneta in which Anna Cleveland rocks this amazing vibrant and shiny red lip.

I need to try that using Besamé’s Red Hot Red Lipstick and the Cherry Sweethear Glaze.

Cherry Sweetheart

Grape Sweetheart

Rose Sweetheart

Tangerine Sweetheart

(Update: Me wearing Red Hot Red and Cherry Sweetheart)

The Black Cake Mascara is my first black one and I have to say this is a classic product. I love the size of it. There is so much product in it! Honestly – I think I can use this cake mascara for the rest of my life!

With cake mascara I love that you can vary the amount of product you want to use. I just put my applicator under a little bit of water (no too much!) and rub it onto the cake mascara. No clumping on my lashes and I can clean my applicator right away.

I’m wearing it on all of the pictures here (on my upper lash).

Last but not least the Short Hair Contour Brush. This brush is so glamorous. I. Just. Can’t.

I already talked about the Long Hair Finishing Powder Brush on a previous post (click here) but the Short Hair Brush is very different. The hair is much tighter so it’s perfect even for cream products like blush or contouré. Nevertheless the brush is wonderfully soft and a dream to use.

Just like my lipsticks or compact powder in my handbag make me feel glamorous, this brush makes me feel like a diva while sitting at home and applying my makeup.

Thank you Besamé for making the world a little bit more glamorous every day.

Lots of love,

Vanessa

If you’re following me for a little while you might know that I'’m always seeking for the authentic vintage look. That’s why I love to buy vintage clothes and accessories of course.

However it’s always good to have modern made clothes in your wardrobe, too. Obviously there are a few things that make reproduction or vintage inspired clothes so much easier to buy and wear.

1. They come in all sizes. Found the perfect vintage piece but it’s not your size? Yeah, that hurts.

2. They come in different colors. “Oh this vintage dress is divine but somehow its color makes my skin tone look greenish/greyish/unhealthy”. Ugh, what a shame!

3. They mostly come with stretch. Personally I’m not a fan of stretch but if you’re having a huge family dinner you’re a happy girl.

Despite the fact that vintage inspired clothing is really easy to wear it is still mostly too “modern” for my taste. That’s why I’m especially interested in brands that go for an authentic look so that I can mix and match them with my true vintage pieces.

I discovered the Swedish brand Emmy last year during my first TV commercial shoot with Top Vintage in which I was lucky enough to wear one of Emmy’s beach playsuits. However it took me a while to really find my way to this brand.

This summer I got my first Emmy Cardigan (the Susie Q Cardigan in navy) and I was instantly in love.

Emmy offers a range of (authentic looking) 1940’s knitwear throughout the whole year that gives me thrills. If you’re a 40’s girl you’ll understand my passion for these kinds of pieces.

I loved their summer cardigan so much that I needed to have one for the winter, too (which is the Ice Skater Cardigan in mustard).

All cardigans come in a range of colors which I think is perfect. I wear them with my true vintage forties dresses, my slacks or my Freddies and always look and feel fabulous and warm. I’m aware that the cardigans are not really what you call cheap but they are so worth it. The quality is lovely and they go with almost every outfit.

Of course Emmy does not only offer vintage inspired knitwear but also anything else a retro girl needs to build her wardrobe.

In an editorial spread shot by Mia Scarcello that was featured in Powder Room Magazine this August I’m wearing the Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Bikini in green.

I love the puffy look of it and the material that feels just like the swimsuit materials from the 1940s to the 1960s. I often wore it during my summer holiday and loved it!

Brand new to my collection is a 1940s inspired dress called The same old favorite Dress in acorns navy. I love how it fits because it reminds me so much of my vintage dresses. You could definitely use this dress for a film set in the 1940s because of its authentic look.

For me this is a charming everyday dress that also goes great with their cardigans. Comfortable and chic at the same time.

What are your favorite authentic look-a-like brands?

Much love,

Vanessa

On Tuesday I attended Lena Hoschek’s Spring/Summer 2016 runway show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin. I was lucky enough to be invited by Lena and seated in the front row. So there was absolutely no way to miss one of the amazing details of her new “En Provence” themed collection.

Arriving at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin in my "Jambo" dress by Lena Hoschek (Hot Mama Africa Collection) and my "Lovestruck" Heels by Miss L Fire I got from Top Vintage Boutique.

Me between all the guests during the fashion show.

I love France and spend some of my best holidays there. Of course I had to love everything about Lena’s new collection.

I instantly fell in love with the natural romantic attitude of the looks. Most of the pieces had innocent flower prints and soft pastel colors but still looked really sexy. Especially the long dresses made me dream of Marie Antoinette and the beautiful French countryside.

The matching floral headpieces were made by Miss Lily’s Hatsand the straw hats by Mühlbauer. I also loved the music which was (of course) very retro and French.

You can find better pictures of the show right here.

In the late evening I went to Ballhaus Berlin to celebrate Lena at her Aftershow Party.

Lena and me.

I’m so lucky to finally met her. She is an incredible talented, funny and beautiful person.

Thank you for having me and being just wonderful Lena!

Vintage fashion is not only a big thing within a subculture like the rockabilly scene. In a time of mass production and “Primark” culture people all over the world appreciate the quality and timeless designs of vintage fashion. Buying something just for or a couple of weeks or months just to throw it away is just not the point. Of course there’s still good quality on today’s market but all in all it’s definitely more about quantity than quality.

Dressing in vintage clothing is about individuality but also stands for a conscious way to stay stylish throughout the year. Also, isn’t it just glamorous to slip into a piece of clothing that actually tells us a lot about or history?

My dear friend Jade Stavri owns Scarlet Rage Vintage, an award winning vintage shop in London, and keeps travelling around the world to find the most amazing pieces. I talked to her about the vintage scene, her favorite decades and tips for vintage newbies.

Jade with her dog Frank in her shop in Croch End, London.

How did you get into selling vintage? Did you planned to become a vintage seller?

Jade: What got me started in vintage was my parents. They were a very well known antique dealers. Also my mother was a vintage dealer in Camden back in the 70's. So you could say that I was born into the trade. So from the day I was born I was at antique fairs and auctions. I was fluent french by the age of 5 as my parents were buying alot in France. Sadly I'm not fluent any more which is a shame. I didn't at all think I was going to be a vintage seller at all. It actually came as a surprise as I was at university and was super poor!! So I called up my mum and we had a brainstorm and she said well what about selling vintage? Then that was it my first stall was in my university bar and I managed to make more money then people working in a pub.

Scarlet Rage Vintage offers clothes, shoes and accessories from the 1920s to the 1960s. What makes the early 20th century so fascinating to you?

Jade: Well when I was buying in the early days I realised there wasn't alot of shops offering what I call "true vintage". Also when you just look at the pieces from this time period is like none other. The cuts of the pieces, the fabric it just makes me dream of women doing the charleston to women being a little rebellious and jiving. The time period wasn't the best for women's rights. But my gosh they did dress to impress eachother and potentially a husband.

Jade, me and Melanie (Incendiaryblonde) at the Rockabilly Rave 2015. Jade is wearing a 1940s/1950s Kamehameha dress, I am wearing a 1940s cotton Hawaii dress both from Scarlet Rage Vintage.

How “vintage” are you at home? Do you wear modern clothes at all?

Jade: Well funnily you should say that, I've just bought my ultimate prize that I've been on the hunt for, FOR YEARS!! I've recently aquired a harlequin detail pair of 1951 dancing figurine lamps that are signed. My eyes literally fell out of my eye sockets when I saw them at a flea market. Other then my lamps, I do have a wall full of vintage photographs of couples and ladies who aren't related to me, as I couldn't bare people throwing away family photographs so I decided to give them all a home and frames. The photos range from people in 1920's to 1950's. My house is a mixture of old and new, I do have another 1930's film light also, but then it's integrated with more modern pieces. So I've kept it a healthy mix of both. Plus I have a rather large collection of artist and tattooer Angelique Houtkamp signed prints. I've had to stop myself going to Columbia Row as there is a shop that sells her pieces and I just walk into that shop and money has already left my bank account without knowing it.

Scarlet Rage Vintage

As a vintage seller you are surrounded by amazing clothes from by-gone eras all the time. What are the most amazing pieces from your private collection?

Jade: Oh gosh! My friends and family would call me a hamster as I hoard pieces. I've got an amazing 1920's cream with silver fringing flapper dress, then I have wacky 1940's novelty (bowling print) mens pj trousers. Then I have 1940's Hawaiian print dresses in real unusual prints. Then I have an original 1940's spider web dress by designer Jack Herzog which was actually photographed for Liz Tregenza's recent book. It's one of my favorite pieces. But as I said I'm bit of a hoarder.

Liz Tragenza wearing the original 1940's spider web dress by Jack Herzog in her recent book "Style Me Vintage - 1940's"

What is your favorite decade and why?

Jade: Well my favorite decade are the ones you can see in my store. I think that's what makes me work harder then anyone I know sourcing pieces from the 1920's to early 1960's as I cannot say which period is my favourite. But the two I tend to wear the most personally is 1940's and 1950's. My personal favorite piece in my personal clothing collection would have to be my 1950's leopard print jumpsuit. It just makes me very happy and it's SUPER comfortable.

What is the best-selling decade? What is the most expensive?

Jade: The best selling decade within SRV ranges from the 1930's and 1950's. Ladies love a good gown and novelty print that is for sure. The most expensive period has to be 1920's, it's just super rare to find.

Me at the beach wearing a 1940's dress with matching bolero from SRV.

What makes vintage clothes special? Why are people willing to pay a lot of money to dress in old-fashioned clothes?

Jade: I think it's the ability to be original and to show their own personality within the clothes. I also think it gives a lot of people joy knowing there wearing pieces that have their own stories and history. Plus they're investment pieces, they will never lose their value. As true vintage is becoming harder to find. So it can only go up.

Me wearing a 1940's paisley gown with padded shoulders from SRV.

What do you think will the vintage scene be like in 20 years?

Jade: Oh wow, thats a hard question. I think the period that I sell will be extremely rare. I think 70's will be hitting its stride. I think there will still be a "vintage scene"..But what type of scene that would be I couldn't comprehend. I hope there will still be 1950's weekenders going. So I can go shake my tail feather at. ha ha..

You usually travel around the world to find all the amazing vintage pieces you offer in your shops. Is there a difference between the US and the European vintage scene?

Jade: I think european vintage scene is less peacocking. Then American. When I say this, I mean alot more women in America wear true vintage and love to flaunt their pieces. I think european women wear alot more reproduction as it's easier to wear and still pulls the same effect plus in some cases it is cheaper (but having said that some repro companies are the same price as vintage). But I do see a resurgence in women especially within the UK giving the ladies in America a run for their money buying beautiful and rare pieces. Which I love, I love women who dress for themselves and it makes them happy. Which in turn makes me happy. I always give women a compliment if they have taken a risk or just taken time and effort in an outfit. They don't have to be wearing head to vintage, but have just put it together so effortlessly. I have a massive lady crush obviously on yourself Vanessa and also Hadley Smythe you ladies make my mouth drop CONSTANTLY..b*tches!!

DJ and luxury swimwear designer Hadley Smythe in SRV

Is there a “typical” SRV customer? To what kind of people you sell most to?

Jade: A typical SRV customer.. Do you know what, I don't think so. We obviously have alot of ladies and gentlemen from the vintage scene. But then I have actresses and stylists then general public ladies who are going to a wedding. I even have mothers bringing in there daughters encourging them to start a vintage collection. But I think variety is the spice of life.

What kind of vintage pieces are must haves?

Jade: Must haves, your asking a vintage shop owner, what are vintage must haves..how about ALL OF IT!! ha ha!! Well if your handbag collector 1950's lucite, the rare the better (by that I mean black or confetti pink - thats my white whale). Clothing wise probably 1950's Christian Dior which I actually currently have in my shop. Thats a real collectors item and I hear Dita VonTeese's favorite vintage designer. But then I think it's all on personal preference and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So what ever makes you happy and smile and proud to wear is a must have.

Jade at the Rockabilly Rave wearing SRV

Do you have any buying tips for vintage newbies?

Jade: To vintage newbies hello welcome to the vintage family fold. Figure out your shape (body), go to a reputable shop like SRV (wink,wink). Try things that aren't within your normal comfort zone. Buy a couple of books so you can start to understand the clothes a little bit better and just enjoy the journey. You never know where it may lead you and that's the amazing thing with vintage.

Me wearing a 1950's dress from SRV. Photo by Elliott Morgan

You can find Scarlet Rage Vintage at

I must confess that I have never tried Bésame products until now. Actually I have no idea why. It’s a well-known brand among retro and vintage fans which means that it’s not new to me either.

I’m a makeup artist so I’m testing new makeup products all the time. Of course most of them are true modern products from companies that go for the latest trends. That’s why I only use 95% of the products for work and not for myself even if they are really good.

The more authentic a makeup/hair/fashion look is, the more I love it. Bésame is a company that harkens back to the glamourous years of Old Hollywood and you can see and feel it immediately. The products come in classic vintage inspired art-deco containers (think of the creme rouge or powders) or gold bullet-shaped cases (Lipsticks, 1030’s Mascara). Before you even used it, you’re in love. Even if the quality of the products were poor, you could use them as a decoration for your dressing table.

Well, you will probably understand that I wouldn’t talk about a company that only has beautiful packaging.

In this post I’m talking about four lipsticks (1930 Noir Red, 1931 Carmine, 1946 Red Velvet, 1959 Red Hot Red), two mascaras (1932 Brown Cake Mascara, 1940’s Crème Mascara) the 1938 Crème Rouge in Apricot and the Long Hair Finishing Powder Brush.

If you’re testing various lipsticks of one company you will probably notice that they feel different. Maybe one is dryer, or not that long-lasting as the other even if they have the same finish. Bésame’s lipsticks have a semi-matte finish with one coat full coverage. Although Noir Red is a deep plum shade and Carmine a (much lighter) neutral orange red, I didn’t recognize any differences while wearing them.

All four lipsticks are long lasting on my lips. I was wearing them from early morning to late evening and only needed a little touch up after eating. I wear lipstick every day so this is very important to me. Bésame says that their lipsticks are “enriched with squalene, vitamin C and aloe”. My lips are dry and get flaky easily but they actually feel really good with these lipsticks on. They still looked healthy in the evening which I think is absolutely fantastic.

Since I got them I haven’t used one of my other lipsticks. In fact there are only two that can keep up with them when it comes to quality and packaging which are Julie Hewett’s Noir lipsticks and Dior’s Diorific lipsticks (both also gold cases). However I really love the fact that Bésame actually recreates lipsticks of the past. They even have a year for each product which is a little dream come true. I mean you can go like “Ah, I’m feeling quite 1931 today, so I’ll go for Carmine”.

The only thing that remains tricky to me is the shape of the Bésame lipsticks. I can’t use them without a brush. Really. I look like a four year old trying lipstick for the first time. It’s just not possible for me. Haha. Well, I’d use a brush anyway.

1930 - Noir Red

(A deep plum, originally part of the Gatsby Collection)

1931 Carmine

(Neutral orange-red, perfect for golden and olive skin tones. -

I have a slightly light pink skin tone and I like it)

1946 Red Velvet

(A deeper red suitable for everyday wear. -

Hayley Atwell wears it in Marvel's Agent Carter!)

1959 Red Hot Red

(Marilyn Monroe's favorite. A bold and brazen warm red.

1938 Apricot Creme Rouge

My skin is quite dry so I’m always interested in crème products. The 1938 Crème Rouge in Apricot is a lovely shade and looks great with every lipstick. I’m wearing it on every picture. I’m using it every day since I received it. It is so easy to use. You don’t need a brush or anything. A apply it straight from the tin with my finger. It’s buildable, so you can easily go from a soft blush to a heavy blush. I even used it on my lips for a natural look. I’m pretty sure Crimson is lovely, too. I’ll have to try it someday.

1932 Brown Cake Mascara

1940's Creme Mascara

Actually I can’t say which of the two Mascaras I like more. Well, of course one is black and one is brown but that’s just a matter of taste.

I really like the fact that the 1932 Brown Cake Mascara can be used for brows and eyeliner also. You have one product for three different things. It needs a bit practice in the beginning. For me it works best with only a little water when using it as a mascara. If the brush is too wet, your lashes won’t stay in shape and your eyes might look a bit sad. With only a little bit of water however, the mascara works great. The lashes look very natural and get a lovely shape.

I don’t wear a classic cat eyeliner but I’m using it as a very subtle eyeliner to enhance my upper eyelid (here you need some more water). I’m a fan of cake eyeliners (at work, too) and I really think this is a great one.

I also tried to use the 1932 Brown Cake Mascara for my eyebrows but this doesn’t work for me unfortunately. It is easy to apply and looks nice but it’s not the right color. Life can be tough when you have red hair. If you have dark blonde to black hair this will sure work great for you.

The 1940’s Creme Mascara is super easy to use. It’s like applying toothpaste on your toothbrush. What I like to do is putting the mascara on one side of the brush, applying it to my lashes and the turn the brush around and go through the lashes again. By that the lashes are separated and look very nice.

I’m wearing the 1932 Brown Cake Mascara on all the pictures

except the ones with the Noir Red lipstick. On these pictures I’m wearing the 1940’s Creme Mascara.

Long Hair Finishing Powder Brush

Last but not least I tried the Long Hair Finishing Powder Brush. This one is just beautiful. I’m using it after applying powder or conturé. It works amazing for blending. It is super soft and easy to clean and it gives you the most amazing vintage vibes while using it.

What are your favorite retro makeup products?

Much love,

Vanessa

There are times in life when you finally realize that your hair has become too long and you’re kind of shocked that you haven’t noticed it before. This is what happened to me lately.

I’m a lover of the authentic vintage look so I wanted to make sure that my new hairstyle would work for all kinds of vintage hairstyles. I’ve heard a lot about the “Middy Haircut” before but I never thought about getting one myself. I actually don’t know why but it was a huge mistake.

What I first did was thinking about what kind of hairstyles I like to find out what I really wanted. I love the 1940’s and one of my favorite actresses is Lana Turner. I just can’t get over her performance in “The Postman always rings twice” (1946). One reason is I’m a fan of Film Noir and the other reason is that she just looks fabulous in this one. She’s dressed up in the most amazing (all white) outfits and her hair and makeup is divine.

My natural hair is thick, heavy and quite straight. I wanted to go for a shorter hairstyle because it got really annoying to set my hair lately. I normally do a wet set using soft rollers and/or pin curls because this works best for me. I set my hair in the evening and brush it out in the morning. This way I’m super quick in the morning which is very important to me. With the long hair, my set wouldn’t look good more than one day AND it took me forever to set it in the evenings. Forever means more than one hour. Just think about it. It’s frustrating.

I realized that what I needed was much shorter hair and a hairstyle that would on one hand make the setting of my hair easier and on the other hand help to make my hairstyle look great for more than just one day. Basically what I wanted was a 1940’s hairstyle similar to Lana Turner’s in 1946.

I took the “Long Middy – Femme Fatale” diagram to my hairstylist (which luckily is my Mom). The length of the “Long Middy” cut is 6 inches (15cm) which isn’t really “long” from today’s point of view. It looks very long on the illustration for the side part which can be a bit confusing.

What I got in the end is a Middy-inspired haircut. Yes, it is layered and cut in a U-shape but my front section is still longer and the layers in the back don’t go all the way up.

I know my hair and I know the kind of hairstyles I like so I decided to alter it a bit and I couldn’t be happier.

My hair looks cute even three days after setting it.

I'ts no even a week since I got it and I'm still testing different ways to set it.However this is the best hairstyle I ever had and I get think of changing it ever.

Are you also thinking about getting a Middy hairstyle?

I’d recommend a Middy hairstyle if…

… you’re into true vintage hairstyles.

… you wear your hair in retro-style every day.

… you’re searching for a hairstyle that’ll actually make your curls last longer.

I don’t recommend a Middy hairstyle if…

… you’re into modern Rockabilly/Psychobilly hairstyles.

… you only occasionally wear your hair in retro style.

Much love,

Vanessa

I know it’s been quite a long time since my blog went offline last September. I redesigned it into an official website of my work as a Pin Up Model. Sadly this took me quite a while.

However I still wanted to share different things with all of my beloved readers that supported my old blog and everybody who just found me and my website and is also interested in what I do.

I’m so happy this is finally happening!

Right here I will be sharing a lot about my work as a pinup model as well as my favorite products, brands, vintage stores, inspirations and everything else that comes to my mind.

I had some amazing jobs during the last months including a shooting with talented Mia Scarcello (some of the pictures are recently featured in Pink Bow City Magazine (US) Issue 16) and jobs for Top Vintage Retro Boutique.

Top Vintage recently won the Thuiswinkel Awards Publieksprijzen XL Award for Best Webshop Fashion in the Netherlands which I think is absolutely fantastic and well deserved. You can find me on their website and in their new summer 2015 TV commercial which will be in television in various European countries and online from mid-April.

Next week I’ll be shooting with Mia Scarcello again and I’m going to meet lovely Bosnian Pinup Girl Idda van Munster. I’m pretty sure you are familiar with this lady. Also I will be going back to do some more shootings with Top Vintage in May.

In June I’ll be visiting the Rockabilly Rave Weekender (UK) for the first time which I’m absolutely excited about! Are some of you going too? I’d love to meet some of my adorable followers!

If you’re following me on my Instagram you might have noticed that I’m cheating on the 1950’s right now because I’m madly in love with the 1940’s.

Also I’ve started trying to invest more in vintage clothes than vintage inspired or reproduction. For me the feeling of slipping into a true vintage piece is simply unsurpassable. I’ll never know what kind of life my vintage dress has lived long before I was born. What could be more mysterious?

As you can see there are some interesting things coming up and I’ll sure keep you updated here.

Much love to you all,

Vanessa