I've always been hypnotized by the enchantment of Glamour. From a young age I studied the nuances of Silver Screen era icons such as Elizabeth Taylor, Ava Gardner, and Marilyn Monroe. The graceful planes of their faces and hourglass figures enhanced by polished hair and makeup and glorious fashions of the day made them as iconic as Superheroes to me. In earlier times, femininity was elevated to an art-form, and I was captivated!
The bar was set high and women were expected to maintain a degree of formality while silmutaneously accomplishing our agendas. We used our mystical gifts to support our objectives and, rather than being offended, I've always found it utterly fascinating. The dichotomy between the mental strength we possess to support our families, pursue careers, accomplish our dreams, and live our lives in an increasingly complex and fast-paced world and the softness we biologically inherit is one that is only ours to possess. Rather than oppose it, I choose to celebrate that birthright. To have fun with it and to showcase my clients in the most feminine light.
To my delight, we've seen a "return to adornment" in the past 5-10 years. Due to the popularity of social media, both men and women have gotten inspired to the point of experimenting with different looks, procedures, and products, which comes down to self-expression. I can't imagine our love affair with exaggerated lashes and full brows going anywhere anytime soon.
I coined the term "Everyday Glamour" to describe my approach to beauty which embraces a nod to nostalgia with respect to reality. The aesthetic I'm known for is a highly feminized face with the emphasis on the eyes and/or lips. A subtle upturned winged liner or the right shade of complementary iris-enhancing eyeshadow/liner topped with two coats of mascara can be transformative. So can accenting the "high points" of the face with highlighter to emphasize bone structure and give it a visual lift. A groomed brow is another important detail to pay attention to, and I'm not talking about drawing on an "Instagram Brow," marked by a feathered front and a perfectly drawn-on darker tail. I'm talking about seeing an expert and getting the right shaped brow for your face and purchasing the necessary products to make them look their best, whether its clear/colored gel, pomade, or pencil. Pay attention to this area because it contributes a lot to your entire look.
Brows on fleek! I used Cose brow gel in Julia topped with Anastasia clear brow gel. Brush brows up for maximum impact.
Photo @isi.a.pix. Hair @kristinlmuller Makuep @dawnblissbeauty Model @sydneylouisecross
A little arsenal of knowledge can go a long way when making your "beauty mark" on the world. What are your favorite things about your face and style? Take inventory then push the limits there. Be a caricature of yourself! That's when you know you have "signature style." Taking a few minutes each day to add details to your look that excite you and give you more confidence and presence is Everyday Glamour. It can't be defined as one look or another because it's more about attitude and the intention behind the effort. Stand Out! Be Counted! Be Bold! Putting in the effort to add a little extra polish is how I emphasize the feminine, even if the end-result is intended to look a bit "undone." A groomed brow, cared for skin, an interesting lip, and a nice lash are my baseline and from there I change up the details. The standards of the bygone era from which I draw inspiration are unrealistic today for most women but the idea is to be inspired by the spirit of femininity and celebrate it in a way that appeals to you. That's Everyday Glamour!