Baltimore Beauty Examiner

Ch-Ch-Cherry Bomb

I love The Girls Next Door. From the opening theme ("Come On-A My House" by Rosemary Clooney, re-
mixed) I am transported into the Barbie's Dream House life Hef's ladies are leading, all the while feeling a bit concerned that I am turning into a Camille Paglia-ophyte because I don't really see anything wrong with it.

These lovelies are modern archetypes; living, breathing dolls who personify a very specific image: Lots of platinum blonde hair, deeply tanned skin, and cleavage aplenty. There is a distinctive porno-chic about the Girls' beauty personae, and it's not for me, but it sure works for them. I can understand how this image of extreme artifice is off-putting to some, but you can still see how naturally pretty these genetically blessed young ladies are.



A few times, I have tried to rock the GND signature makeup look, which is about pale, glossy nude lips
paired with lots of dark, smoky but extremely precise eye makeup. I love how it looks on other people, but
I am and always have been a red-lips and defined-brows kind of gal. The general idea is balancing the features,
 or exaggerating the ones you like best, I suppose, and probably instead of emphasizing my (literally and
figuratively) big mouth, it would level my face's playing field to downplay prominent features.

The thing is, that all works on paper, but a woman's essence, her personality and sense of style are much more influential on how she rocks makeup. All the rules of symmetry and shading go right out the window when a woman obviously feels relaxed and confident in her chosen self-presentation. 

Since I am all about cherry-stained lips, I own approximately one hundred million red lip colors. I am convinced that the next one I buy might be the illusive Perfect One (there's that pesky product-addict thought process rearing its glossy head) in texture, color and durability.

I have a very specific method of layering the color, always beginning with a stain, followed by a moist lipstick, then liner, more lipstick dabbed on with a finger, blot blot, done. The stain part is by far the most important,
being the foundation of the whole elaborate operation. The best ones, and believe me, I have tried ALL of them, were the Yves Saint-Laurent and Sephora Lip Markers which, sadly, have both been discontinued.
Photo. Liptini.com
In my continual search for a replacement, the next best thing so far is the unique formula of
Liptini Lip Liqueur in Maraschino. This baby is totally unlike my dearly departed Sephora version, but you use it the same way,
on perfectly dry lips. This one is meant to be layered but is not drying the way my ex-stain was. Make sure you don't have anything at all on your pucker before you apply it, and top with balm or gloss. If you tend to be a chatterbox like me, your soft cherry mouth remains, even long after the balm has been talked off.
Topics: lips , stain , red

White Lies

By now, everyone knows that the No Wearing White After Labor Day Rule is  way outmoded, right?Right?Yes. For fall and winter, white clothes in seasonal fabrics and cuts look cozy and crisp at once, and are absolutely acceptable. The white winter... Read More
Topics: shimmer , Kevyn Aucoin , White Highlighter

Bananrama

.floatright { float:right}.floatleft { float:left} Yellow has been steadily gaining momentum in the collective fashion consciousness since last spring. It's a tricky color, and most women think that everyone but they can pull it off. I have a perfectly... Read More
Topics: yellow trend , t.leclerc. concealer

Bien fait, Target

.floatright { float:right}.floatleft { float:left} How much do I love Target? My idea of a perfect afternoon is  a few solid hours of unfettered Browsing with a capital B.There truly exists an American love affair with this gargantuan retail... Read More
Topics: no children , High-Low makeup , Target cosmetics , JK Jemma Kidd

Body On Tap

.floatright { float:right}.floatleft { float:left} Your skin is a marvelous, miraculous organ. It works 24-7, protecting you from pathogens and bacteria, regenerating itself and constantly adjusting to your needs. Healthy skin will rise to almost any... Read More
Topics: anti-frizz , body breakouts , body wash , Peter Thomas Roth

Little Darlings

Women of Baltimore, hear my cry. Mine is a plea that, I guarantee you, is echoed all over America by thousands of frustrated spa employees, massage therapists and aestheticians. Please, we beseech you. Do not bring your children to your spa appointment.Why... Read More
Topics: beauty salon , etiquette , no children , spa etiquette

Eureka

I am watching a brain-eroding amount of television during my convalescence, and my new fave distraction is the History Channel. I love the shows about the Barbarians, the Dark Ages and Medieval torture techniques and devices. Yes, I am clearly a sicko,... Read More
Topics: mascara , givenchy

Candy, I Can't Let You Go

Many moons ago, the two blocks leading from St, Paul street to Lexington Market were lined with glorious beauty supply shops. We're not talking about some watered-down, overpriced chain like the ones we have now; these places were stocked with hard-to-find,... Read More
Topics: lip balm , budget beauty

Little Luxuries

.floatright { float:right}.floatleft { float:left} Thank you for your patience, dear reader. Sitting up is still the most difficult move since the back surgery, hence the long wait between posts. I assure you I am mending rapidly, though, and have loads... Read More
Topics: shimmer , beauty events , korres

Can't Hardly Wait

Hello, Gorgeous. Please forgive the lengthy lapse in entries, dear reader. Much to my dismay, your Beauty Examiner had to have emergency back surgery. Hence, I have been unable to answer your e-mails until now, but rest assured I am working on it and... Read More
Topics: bath oil , algae