Get The Classic Sexy Look of Veronica Lake

September 1941

Lately, I’ve been wanting Veronica Lake hair badly. This I can’t do, being that I have blunt bangs. The grass is always greener on the other side, right? And I need a “safer” look since I will be toting a sledgehammer and remodeling the new house But, I can get this classic look. Anybody can really. It is great for all hair colors, eye colors, and most complexions.

Face: First, even out complexion by applying concealer where needed. I like Clinique All About Eyes Concealer. Apply a matte powder foundation such as Lancome Dual Finish Powder Foundation. Cheeks are super nude. Apply a faint dusting of a natural looking bronzer such as Rimmel Natural Bronzer in a shade closest to your skintone.

Eyes: Brows are perfectly brushed into place and filled in. I love Lancome Le Crayon Poudre Powder Pencil. It has a soft texture and a spoolie on one end. Apply a beige shadow closest to your skintone all over the eye area. A little shimmer is nice. For me, I would use Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow in Buff. Line eyes with a black gel liner such as Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. Line top lashes only with a crisp line. Veronica has OTT false lashes and I love them. Apply false lashes for the “real deal” (something like Laura Mercier’s lashes) or just go for a lengthening mascara such as Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara. Apply mascara to bottom lashes also.

Lips: Veronica had an amazing and dramatic lip line. Pat concealer around the lips to give the illusion of plump lips and to keep lipstick from bleeding. If you want a dramatic lip line, apply Lipstick Queen Lip Liner in Rose. You can slightly go around your top lip line to exaggerate if you do not have a “natural” lip line like Veronica’s. Apply a full-coverage lipstick like Lipstick Queen Sinner Lipstick in Rose. Apply a dab of a hydrating lip balm such as Smith’s Minted Rose Lip Balm to the center of your bottom lip for a pouty and plump look.

I think a spritz of Badgley Mischka is appropriate for this look. It’s a modern fragrance but it definitely Old Hollywood.

 

Korres Natural Shower Gel in Basil Lemon Review

I like Korres products. I love their Jasmine showergel and their Fig is nice too. I thought that this Basil Lemon would be nice for summer, but I just don’t like it. It is strange and not “me”. It smells of soapy lemon, like that of a dish soap. Seriously, I would rather wash myself with a Mrs. Meyer’s Dish Soap because those smell less “dish soapy” than this shower gel. The fragrance is “green” too, like basil but not licoricey like Thai basil. It doesn’t smell very herbaceous either. It just smells like “green”. This really reminds me of a basil mojito. I don’t want to smell like a basil mojito with a dash of lemon Palmolive. It lathers OK, but seriously, there is nothing I like about this. I know somebody has to like it, that’s why it exists. I would love to say that the scent is refreshing but I just find it “off”. This retails for $13 for 8.45 ounces and it’s a unisex scent. You may like this if you like minty shower gels, lemon or lime scents, and you may like this if you like rosemary scents (maybe but rosemary gels typically smell a bit more like an herb garden than this does). Or if you are a fan of the basil mojito (recipe here and I recommend Meyer lemon instead of lime or maybe a Rangpur lime, because I’m on the West coast that’s why.)

 

CooKoo For Coconut: Some Coconut Scents For Summer

Even though it is a predictable scent for summer, I love coconut because it reminds me of the beach. It reminds me of frou-frou drinks and oily tanning lotion. It isn’t my favorite scent in the world and it is definitely low brow but it is so nice for that “instant” beach vacation. And it is rich and warm and delicious. You can’t say that about many other scents you can wear in summer. And you can find coconut scents and body products at a variety of price points. So if you just want the smell like a coconut sometimes, you can have it without feeling stupid for paying $60 for something you wear like 2 weeks out of the year. And if you are a coconut fanatic then you have so many choices!

Value Coconut Scents: I mention this brand all of the time but that is because they are cheap and high quality: L’Aromarine Coco. This is a fragrance oil that retails for under $10.  It is pure coconut: sweet and tropical.Yves Rocher has an EDT spray ranging in sizes but all are under $10: Le Plaisirs de Nature Noix de Coco. This is a “true” coconut as well in a convenient EDT spray. Urban Rituelle has a spicy coconut scent: Beachcomber Coconut and Ginger Perfume. It retails for $10 and a body line is available. Voluspa has a Victoria Collection (named after me of course, haha) in Malayan Coco. This is a sweet and exotic coconut that goes for $24. If you are looking for a sweet, gourmand coconut on a budget, try TokyoMilk Parfum in Let Them Eat Cake. It goes for $28 and is available at beautyhabit.com. A cheap EL Bronze Goddess substitute is Avon Tahitian Holiday. It retails for $15 for 1.7 ounces (watch out for specials, you can get it under $10). Bath and Body Works has an EDT, Ile de Tahiti Coconut Vanilla and it retails for $19.50 for 1.7 ounces. The Body Shop has a new Coconut line with body products and fragrance which retails for $16 for the fragrance oil. Demeter has a Kahala Coconut for $20 for 1 ounce and other sizes are available. This one is more like fresh coconut milk.

More Expensive Coconut Scents: LaVanila Vanilla Coconut is a sweet coconut scent that retails for $56 for 1.7 ounces. There is a also a body product line with this brand that includes deodorant. If you want a gourmand, dried coconut go for Laura Mercier Almond Coconut. It retails for $50 for 1.7 ounces and wonderful body products are available. One of my favorite scents ever is Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess. The EDT goes for $49.50 and the scent screams “beach” (more than it does coconut)! Comptoir Sud Pacifique has tons of “beach” scents. There is Vanille Coco and it is more of a coconut scent. It goes for $53. Susanne Lang has a Vanilla Coconut that goes for $50. French West Indies has a pure, light wearing coconut scent, Coco, and it retails for $42 for 4 ounces.

Coconut Body Products: If you want a “pure” and straight up coconut scented body product try Mountain Ocean Skin Trip Moisturizer and Soap. Both retail for under $7 each depending where you purchase them. These are my favorite coconut products ever, rich and creamy! Bath and Body Works have a few coconut lines: Creamy Coconut, Coconut Lime Verbena, and Exotic Coconut. And to be honest, I kind of like them all. The body sprays are nice for summer. Lush has some nice coconut products including: Coconut Deodorant Powder, Quinquereme of Nineveh Soap, and Creamed Coconut and Almond Shower Smoothie.

“Tropical” Coconut Blend Fragrances: This category is for those “based” on coconut scents. This is a fruity coconut scent: Ebba Miss Marisa Tropical Perfume Oil, retails for $62 and is long wearing. A nice “young” scent is Harajuku Lovers G fragrance it comes in a solid and spray and prices range from $18 to $45. Creed Virgin Island Water is a great “beach” scent and it goes for $210 for 2.5 ounces. If you can find a bottle of J.Lo Miami Glo get it if you want a rich coconut based scent. Also, Deseo is a nice “tropical” scent that isn’t as heavy on the coconut as Miami Glo.

Many of these products are available at their store (like Lush or Bath and Body Works), beautyhabit.com, b-glowing.com, Sephora, and even retailers like Wal-green’s.

 

More Stuff I Want: New Tokyomilk Parfums Travel Candles

Look more stuff that I want! What a surprise! ( I can’t wait to get this 1st house stuff settled so I can go back to purchasing my special little items). Tokyomilk Parfums now have 6 ounce travel candles in 18 wonderful fragrances. Each come in a cute tin with adorable packaging/graphics. I love travel candles because they have a lid and this makes me think that it is “trapping” the fragrance in when not in use. They are all in Tokyomilk perfume fragrances and I have been very pleased with the EDPs for their artistic blends. Since these are home fragrances I am sure I’ll be craving different scents than I would wear on my body. I am intrigued by them all but these are the top five that I am most interested for my home:

Ex Libris (vision chart image): Sound familiar? It should I wrote a raving fragrance review about this fragrance spray. It is a blend of fig and cardamom and I wouldn’t mind my body or my home smelling like this wonderful fragrance. I could seriously surround myself with the scent of fig.

Dead Sexy (poisonous skull image): This is an awesome fragrance for home or body as well and is perfect for chillier months because of its warm aroma. It is a rich vanilla and woods fragrance. And it is sexy as the name implies. (fragrance review coming soon)

Lapsung Su Chong (pagoda image): This is a great blend of moss, rose, and woods. It creates a wonderful atmosphere. But, I am a fan of a woodsy, mossy blend.

Honey And The Moon (insect collector bee image): This is a scent that I like for the skin but I would rarely wear it because I don’t “wear” honey scents very well, bummer. However, I admire them. I would love for my atmosphere to smell of sweet honey, sugared violets and sandalwood. This is a sweet scent but in a honey sweet way.

Waltz (society ladies and gents waltzing image, Belle Epoque? can’t tell): I love this as an EDP (review here). I believe everybody should have a super feminine fragrant candle in their collection for those bubble bath kind of days. This is a lovely blend of linden blossoms, rose, and wisteria. It’s so femme and springy.

Like I said, I am interested in all of the candles but I have to limit myself, you know? Too many candles and I’ve turned my home into a Prince video. Each retail for $12 and are available on beautyhabit.com. I hope in the future we will see gift sets by this brand pairing their fragrance, soap, and travel candles. That would be really special. I also want to add that the my image above is not so great due to my poor editing skills. They are all the same size in real life. I just wanted to display some of the cutest images.

 

More Jean Ranting: Levi’s Re-Issued Vintage Jeans

What do you know? I purchased jeans on-line again and I am disappointed. I am a huge fan of Levi’s. Many of their products have been of the highest quality and have a nice fit.  I have a few pairs and have sworn to only purchase Levi’s from now on because I love the pairs that I have so much. I was so super siked when I found the Re-Issued Vintage denim on Levi’s website. I am a huge fan of vintage. I’m a huge fan of Levi’s. And I’m a huge fan of vintage Levi’s. Match made in heaven? I purchased the 1966 Skinny Jeans pictured above and the 1974 Bell Bottoms pictured below. Both retail for $49.50. There were what I needed, I thought. I misunderstood somewhat. These are “based” on the Orange Tag denim of the 60’s and 70’s, so I got “based on a true story” ripped. But, they claim to be an “authentic reissue” based on the company website. No way, these are nothing like I’ve had before. In the past (and my super thin teen days), I had a pair of early 60’s jeans and a pair of early 50’s Levi’s. Amazing stuff, thick, sturdy, and went over my belly button. This is what I wanted again. I am a classy, vintage loving lady. No more low riding jeans, please! High waisted pants are much more flattering on me. Both of these jeans claim to be “hi-rise”, sounds good. Hi-rise is supposed to sit just below your natural waist, belly button I take it. Nope! The 1966 “model” sets 4.5 inches from my belly button and the 1974 bells set 3 inches. This isn’t very hi-rise. I mean my Levi’s 526 jeans are 2 inches from the belly button!

The washes are dark. I got the “Rachel” in both, made to look dark and like rigid denim, you know thick stuff. It is “Italian denim”, whatever that is. This stuff isn’t “rugged”. It is strangely shiny and super thin denim. It looks like “novelty” denim that you would get from somewhere like Forever 21. I imagine that instead of looking better with time through multiple washes that it would look worse, perhaps even piling. I was really disappointed by the poor feel of the denim. It did have some stretch if you like that. But, you could definitely tell it was “stretchy” because it looks a bit shiny and spandex-y.

Now on to my other complaints (as if the crappy denim and too low waist line wasn’t enough). The length is outrageous! I was going to have to pay like $50 to get these hemmed. Maybe I should disclose my size to you. I’m not too big, an 8 and 5 foot 9 inches. I’m tall. I wear heels on top of that. These were so long. They claim to be 34 inch inseam. When I measured both of the inseams, they are 36 inches! That is so long. I had the bells on with 4 inch Via Spiga wooden platforms and I was still stepping on about 2 inches of fabric. You may need a 36 inch inseam and that is fine but to have that as the only option is insane!

And the jeans do not have the Levi’s logo on the waist! And the pockets are stupid looking, too; large and make the butt look dumpy and pear like.

Also, my order did not come with an invoice or a RS label! Just a silly ad for Docker’s! That’s right, Docker’s. I had to call the company and it is going to cost me 7 bucks to return these. I knew that, that is their return policy but should I have really recieved a package without those essential items?

So, another lesson learned. These are not for me. The 1966 Skinny was not good looking on me. Nothing special about it all. Their other “skinny” jeans look much better. The 1974 was an OK cut if you could ignore the length. It did have a crease plus amble and roomy bells. I would imagine that if you were 6 feet tall and smaller than a 4 and all legs (no hips), then you could wear these. But, if that is you, then you’ll look good in anything!

 

Perfumeria Gal Madrid Violette Lip Balm Tin Review

I wanted to love this product so badly. The tin is adorable and I love the fragrance and flavor of violets and violet candies. Unfortantely, this is not what I wanted it to be. The tin is very cute in person, nouveau and adorable. However, I found it very difficult to open because it lacks a pronounced “lip”. The lip balm is more of a gloss and has the texture of Vaseline. This didn’t bother me. This makes it long lasting and perfect for “marninating” lips before applying a bold shade of lipstick. It feels nice on the lips. The violet fragrance really isn’t there. It doesn’t smell like fresh violets or like candied violets. I really don’t know what it is supposed to smell like, sweet? I don’t know what it is, but I dislike it. After sniffing other tins, I found that I like them better (such as red currant and vanilla) but the tin is still annoying. This retails for $6 and is availbale on beautyhabit.com. (If you are interested.)

 

Softsoap Moisturizing Body Wash in Honeysuckle & Orange Peel

Weekly Cheap Secret:

I am really happy with the fragrance of many Softsoap moisturizing body washes. I have already raved about their Mango Pomegranate. I have been in a real honeysuckle mood lately; it’s summertime. I’m also finding myself attracted to orange blossom scents and this is new for me. Once again, it’s summertime. It only makes sense to be attracted to these types of florals. I picked this up, unsniffed. It’s soap and it’s cheap and you can easily find it for $5.50 or under for 18 ounces. I figured if the scent was really gross I could use it hand wash undergarments or makeup brushes. Luckily, I like the strange honeysuckle and orange scent. Together it smells like a honeysuckle and an orange blossom mix. Think bitter honeysuckle. Not the best, but very nice for the money. My grandmother did hair and this scent takes me back. It is definitely a salon hair product via 1992 and I don’t know what it is but it is dead-on mystery salon scent. Of course, it foams nicely, makes a nice shaving cream and decent bubble bath. The scent does linger around once you are out of the shower. I don’t mind. It mixes nicely with some honeysuckle and orange blossom scents by Annick Goutal and Melissa Flagg. It’s fresh, summery, and very girly. Don’t purchase this if you dislike florals because you think it will be heavy on the citrus. It’s not. It’s much heavier on the floral than citrus. Don’t purchase this if you don’t like the odor of hairspray or if you don’t like honeysuckle or orange blossom. You’ll hate this. Do buy it if you want a cheap feminine fragrance or if you like any of the things listed above.

Oh, and have a great 4th of July!

 

Hot Pink: Get The Look of Tanya Roberts

Who doesn’t want a completely made up look every know and then? I love Tanya’s look here. This angel is all made up and it is all about product. Every feature features color. I love it.

FACE: Even out skintone with a foundation such as NARS Balanced Foundation in your shade. Apply concealer where needed. I like the creaminess of Prescriptives Flawless Skin Total Protection Concealer. I like to apply it with fingertips since the warmth of your body helps it to melt and look natural.  Apply a light dusting of Physician’s Formula Mineral Wear Loose Powder in your shade. This helps with shine and wear. Don’t be scared of the blush. You want a flush and the only way you can get it is with a bold blush. Try NARS Blush in Desire, a matte hot pink. This is one of my favorite shades ever. Take a large fluffy brush and swipe up the cheekbones. Layer as much as you need depending on your skintone.

EYES: Apply a brow powder such as Bare Escentuals Brow Color in your shade. For the eyes, use Estee Lauder Signature Eyeshadow Quad in Blue Smoke. Apply the lightest gray, blue shade from lashline to just above the crease. Apply the slightly deeper shade, the one next to the lightest in the compact from lashline to crease. Apply the carkest shade in the crease, blend well. Take the darkest shade and it apply it along the bottom lashline for a slightly smoky look. Line eyes (top and bottom) with Avon Glimmersticks Waterproof Eyeliner in Midnight Blue. Coat lashes with a mascara with extra volume. Something like Avon Supershock Mascara in Black. Apply a few coats to bottom and top lashes.

LIPS: Line lips with a pink lipliner such as L’Oreal Infalliable Never Fail Lipliner Pencil in Pink. Apply a blue based pink lipstick to lips, try a moisturizing formula such as Covergirl Continuous Color Lipstick in Pink Chic Shimmer. Apply a hot pink lip gloss over the lipstick. Try Lancome Color Fever Lip Gloss in Volcanic Pink.

This cool toned look works best with blue, green, and brown eyes (any eye color really). Those with “cooler” undertones, blondes, brunettes, and gray hair.

 

Carolina Herrera 212 EDT Fragrance Review

Carolina Herrera 212 (pronounced like 2-1-2, area code for NYC) is one of those “modern urban” fragrances, something along the lines of like CK One or CK Be. It’s a musky floral that isn’t overly feminine. I can smell “flowers” but they aren’t that strong or really identifiable, it something that resembles a lily. When I sniff this fragrance I pick up the “clean” notes of bergamot and lots and lots of musk. There is a faint hint of sandalwood, but a very modern sandalwood that isn’t so “perfumey”, nothing like a Serge Lutens play on sandalwood. This is just a clean fragrance but not soapy. Honestly, I could see it working for a guy and I really think it could of done better if it was advertised as a unisex fragrance like a CK One.This isn’t frou-frou and the floral is just a hint, very clean. That being said, it isn’t overly masculine, I just see it as a very gender neutral fragrance. No sweetness at all, which is good. This isn’t my favorite scent because it is well, boring in my opinion. But, I could see somebody really liking this, especially somebody that is “sensitive” too scent. This isn’t so complex and it is pretty mild.

It is an EDT and it wears for a few hours. It is a soft fragrance so it never comes on strong, even in the beginning. It wears closely. I think the bottle for the 212 is what is tops. Each end may be used, it is pretty cool, pretty industrial.

I would say to give this is a try if you are a gal that isn’t too wild about florals or sweet fragrances but still want something “modern” and “young”, if you like “clean” musk fragrances,if you like CK One, CK Be, CK Eternity, Philosophy Pure Grace, Issey Miyake, Bvlgari Blu or Black, Sarah Horowitz Peace Comes From Within Mind, Crazylibellule and the Poppies Les Divines Alcoves in Presque Neut, and maybe even D & G Light Blue.

The 1 ounce goes for $46, the 2 ounce for $63, the 3.4 ounce for $83. Sephora offers a .34 ounce roll-on for $18, this is a great way to give it a try.

 

Just Something Else I Want: Tom Ford Private Blend Coffret

I always find stuff when I am broke or well, buying my first house. How badly I want this little box of Tom Ford fragrances! It contains 12 private blend fragrances that Tom Ford describes as, ” My own scent laboratory; it’s where I have the ability to create very special, original fragrances that are unconstrained by the conventions of mainstream scent-making. Private Blend is designed with the true fragrance connoisseur in mind.” Haha. “This line isn’t about pleasing the mainstream to make tons of money but by marketing a few million fragrances as “original” so that I can sell them to fragrance whores for $180 to $450 a pop and since big department stores carry them as well I’ll get the people that like “mainstream” fragrance because I am a “mainstream” man!” Brilliant really, Mr. Ford. Anyways, I still want it. It wasn’t that I was or wasn’t blown away by any of the Private Blends when I played with them in store, it was just that I didn’t want to pay a minimum of $180 for something that I just liked or didn’t have the time to experience. I am a fragrance flirt so I want to have as many fragrances as possible. This kit contains 12 .05 fl.oz EDPs (I think that’s the size, I had to zoom in on the product and the number got blurry): Noir de Noir, Amber Absolute, Black Violet, Velvet Gardenia, Tobacco Vanilla, Oud Wood, Moss Breches, Bois Rouge, Purple Patchouli, Tuscan Leather, Neroli Portofino, and Japan Noir. Many of these are pretty nice blends since I have a thing for leather and mossy scents. And a few of them I really did want to spend more time with. They come in a little brown, almost cigar box. I love the entire vibe of this. It is very turn of the century Belle Epoque apothecary. (That is what Tom Ford’s Private Blend has done best, the whole antique apothecary vibe. Even thought the $180 range bottles are boring and all the same to save money, I like the apothecary look.) It’s a wardrobe of fragrance and something very fun to sniff when cuddled up in the chair by the window on a rainy, dreary day. I would so rather spend a few evenings doing this than anything else. And if I fall madly in love with one of the blends, then I will make the smallest available bottle my very own. I wish more companies would offer these kind of coffrets. It seems that everybody “niche” or not launches like a million fragrances at once, all in the same bottle, and it’s much too difficult to keep them separate. We addicts can’t afford to purchase them all and we forget about half of them because there are at least 30 launches a month and our lists keep expanding. Sometimes we simply forget. This coffret goes for $180 and is available at neimanmarcus.com.

What I really wish it was in.