Where it all began: Kevyn Aucoin

I’m so excited to have found this!  When I was in middle school, Kevyn Aucoin played a major transformative role in my life.  I found his book, The Art of Makeup at the library and my minor interest in makeup turned into a full fledged love affair.  I had been a grungy tomboy up to that point, but I’d always loved art and I hadn’t realized the full potential of using your face as a canvas.  After reading this book, I suddenly cared about being a girl and developing my personal style and I wanted to play with as much makeup as possible.  I checked the book out time and time again and by the time Making Faces came out, Kevyn was one of my idols.

I attended his book signing for Making Faces in the Buckhead Barnes and Noble and was the only kid there, among a crowd of makeup artists.  I was nervous and wish I’d gotten to talk to him more, but it still stands out as one of my favorite adolescent memories.  I took my copy of the book home and over time recreated every. single. look.  While The Art of Makeup had gorgeous pictures, this one had actual instructions and tips, so I could mimic the looks properly and figure out the secrets I’d been missing in the past.  That book was the foundation to my understanding of how makeup transforms your features rather than just serving as a flat mask.  Now I’ve stumbled across it again online.  The link below highlights of some of the greatest makeovers from The Art of Makeup that have been lovingly scanned for makeup nerds like me.  I don’t know the person who put this online, but seeing this again has really made my night.

Scans are here:
http://ana-lee.livejournal.com/222527.html

Rest in peace, Kevyn!  I miss you.

90’s Matte Wine Red Lips

I’ve been really obsessing over all things 90’s this year (remember my ultra matte skin and goth eyes from February?).  The nostalgia has been overwhelming and I’m thinking it may have to do with the 10 year high school reunion I recently attended and reflections on my fading youth.  Whatever the cause, I was delighted to find that I’m not alone in this, if my favorite fashion blog is any indication (SEE?).  Lately too many No Doubt music videos (I didn’t really like them when they were popular!  Why do I love them so much now?) has set me on the path to finding the perfect mid-90’s shade of dark red lipstick.  I’ve been into red lipstick a lot in the past few months that I haven’t been posting, but I’m surprised by how difficult this shade is to come by.  I have a few colors that are close, but today I decided to make my own.

 

I used the bright red Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Monte Carlo ($6.00) as a base and layered a light coat of dark burgundy Nyx Round Lipstick in Pluto ($4.00) to get a shade that’s somewhere in between.  The matte Lip Cream is awesome, it’s sort of like a whipped mousse gloss, although it feels kind of dry once it sets.  It’s super long lasting, though, and layering a more moisturizing product over it made it feel a lot more comfortable without affecting the wearability.  Since the 90’s were all about stark contrasts and matte finishes, I swiped on a greyish-plum shade and a ever-so-slightly shimmery cream shade from my BH Cosmetics 28  Neutral Color Palette  ($14-$18.95 depending on the frequent sales) and a coat of Smasbox Hyperlash Mascara ($22).  I skipped the eyeliner for an authentic 90’s look and used a rose shade from the BH palette as a blush.  I skipped the heavy powder this time, although that would definitely fit the era.

So simple and surprisingly wearable.  I hope this retro thing  stays hip for a little while because I’m really having fun doing my makeup this way.  All I need is a Delia’s catalog and it’s like being in middle/high school all over again!