"Lemme Upgrade 'Ya!"

         Beyonce is truth. Besides singing about the joys of being a single lady and putting your cheating ex-man's stuff to the left, to the left (duh!), Queen B also croons about helping to upgrade her man's style. Not quite sure what I'm talking about? Let me refresh your memory:

         The holidays will soon be upon us, and what would be a better time to upgrade your better half, friend, family member, or other (friend with benefits, cat sitter, psychic healer, personal shopper...the list goes on) with newer, more glamorous beauty products? The bottom line is that people rarely buy ridiculously luxe beauty products for themselves, which make them the PERFECT gift/stocking stuffer/greasing the wheels present. I made sure this list was [basically] unisex to further ease your shopping woes.

Carmex ------> Dr. Harris & Co. Ltd. Lip Balm

Carmex is a classic. The waxy texture, camphor-y smell, and pot-style application are nostalgic for me, as I not only used it as lip balm, but to keep my chronic childhood bloody noses at bay, glamorous, I know. But the bottom line is that Carmex is like, a dollar. It would be offensive if you gave it to anyone as a gift, since you are basically implying that they have dry lips. So upgrade to this teeny pot of camphor-spiked balm from British mainstay Dr. Harris & Co. While it has that same tingling effect, it has a lovely violet scent that won't seem even slightly medicinal. And even though it is an upgrade, it's still totally affordable, so it is the perfect Secret Santa gift.

Head N' Shoulders  ------> Phillip Kingsley

Dandruff has never been, and will never be (at least I hope so), sexy. But at least Phillip Kingsley's powerful and beautifully-scented shampoos keep your shower from looking like that of a pityriasis capitis (yes, that is the scientific name for dandruff) sufferer. Head N' Shoulders is basically the showerside equivalent of wearing socks with Birkenstocks: just not cute. So help your ailing friend by giving them a bottle of shampoo that doesn't scream "I have dandruff" when you go into their bathroom and snoop on their grooming products (admit it, you totally check out the medicine cabinet too).

Irish Spring ------> Lush Shower Gels

Drugstore shower gels basically suck. Honestly, the men's selection is much better than the women's, at least the scents are somewhat classic. If you are a girl, your choices are as follows: Pretty Pretty Princess Bubblegum Candy Cane Crack shower gel, Sexy Hot Lady Spicy Fake Musky Vanilla shower gel, and my personal favorite, the knock-off Bath and Body Works selection that are even more false-scented than the original. Really, it is possible. Treat your pal to something that they actually want to use. Are they a chocolate lover? Gift them Sonic Death Monkey. Are they a chronic insomniac or an RPatz fan? Send Twilight. Sweet as the bee's knees? It's Raining Men (I'd recommend not giving this to a straight male unless it happens to be a gag gift). Pricey, but all perfect. Plus, you are encouraging them to be clean, which is like, a gift to all that come into contact with them.

Secret ------> Donna Karan Cashmere Mist

You are not the only person who ever wondered why in the world perfume companies make anti-perspirants of their scents. Yes, 99% of them fail to cover any sort of odor. But in that small 1% is a product that is especially beloved by the gay male population of New York: Donna Karan Cashmere Mist. This stuff seriously works. It keeps armpits from getting outrageously sweaty, prevents foul scents, and doesn't stain clothing. Waaaaay more fabulous than Dove or Secret, and I can basically guarantee that your friend does not already own it because really, who buys $20 deodorant for themselves.

Bath & Body Works Antibacterial Soap ------> Aesop

I'm pretty sure the only holiday gift that teachers receive is anti-bacterial handsoap from Bath & Body Works, and sometimes, if they are reaaaaaaaaaaaaaally lucky, a matching hand cream. Do people assume teachers have chronically dirty and simultaneously dry hands? Regardless, I think they've had enough of the "Pink Symphony" and "Poodles in Paradise" scents. In fact, they probably have a lifetime supply if they've been teaching for more than five minutes. Do them a favor and upgrade them to Aesop's sophisticated, simple, and regal-smelling hand soap. Men using your powder room will not by put-off by the graphic packaging or the lavender scent. Most importantly, those teachers will no longer suffer from filthy dry hands as it is supremely moisturizing and germ-eliminating.

Bonus Beyonce-inspired video (and one of my all-time favorite Youtube vids):

Carine Roitfeld for MAC

           I have a horrible secret to admit: I don’t buy makeup. Well, I haven’t for the past few years. Interning at magazines, I got to take home so many new and amazing products that weren’t shot, and obviously, at tarte, I get whatever I may need. My kit is fully stocked and my drawers are overflowing. So something has to REALLY catch my eye for me to go out and buy it. And what was that something? Carine Roitfeld for MAC.

          Oh, Carine Roitfeld. The fabled former editor of French Vogue, she now has her own magazine, CR Fashion Book (with Kate Upton [!!] onthe cover  “mothering” baby chicks), and basically is the authority on all things cool – not just breasts and cigarettes. Her partner, Christian Restoin, started Equipment (a SoHo boutique is coming within the next month), so essentially, everything this woman gets involved with has an air of understated, I’m-not-trying-at-all perfection.

Perfect hair, perfect coat

          While Roitfeld’s style is obviously flawless, her beauty look is also of  note. I’m actually contemplating copying her current hairstyle (a sharp, shoulder grazing style with subtle shading to the ends), and in the meantime, actually copying her makeup. Her eyes are always shaded with matte, warm shades and lined to smoldering perfection with liner, almost like she slept in the makeup, but better. The rest of her face is softly contoured and finished with a sheer nude lip.

          As a former MAC whore (I used to buy every item from every limited edition collection), I now barely keep up with their releases, but somehow stumbled upon news of Carine’s collection just last week. And on a walk through the West Village, at the world’s tiniest MAC store on Bleecker Street, I took the plunge, buying both the lipstick and the Desert Camouflage Palette.

The Verdict?

          Tropical Mist Lipstick looked like the typical “goes well with smokey eyes opaque nude” upon first glance – something I have iteration after iteration of in my kit…from MAC’s famous Myth to Revlon’s ColorBurst inSoft Nude (an AMAZING budget pick) to Lancome’s Color Design in Pale Lip. Upon swatching, however, I realized this one is different. With its luster texture, it is super sheer and just gives lips a hint of pale peach color and shine, instead of wiping out the lips a la [new mama] Snooki. It would pair beautifully with almost any look, especially those with a deeper eye.

          Desert Camouflage is the perfect palette to create a matte, warm smokey eye and contoured cheek, much like Carine’s go-to look. The colors – Sahara Dust, Cactus Thorn, Desert, and Carbon – are all super neutral, allowing you to create a subtle day time look that can be kicked up a notch for evening by smoking it out a little. I’m also loving the cremeblend blush that is on the bottom of the palette, Sand Storm, as an eyeshadow as well as a contour color, putting a little on the lower lids for dimension and some sexy mystery. It’s also essential to mention that the layout and look of the palette is subtle and minimalist, making it a super-chic addition to any bathroom counter.

        It is safe to say that I am utterly obsessed with this palette and will be using it until I run out of the colors. While in-store, I also picked up the Dark Side lipstick, an amplified crème that is ideal for that gothic-y beauty look I’m loving for fall. AND, I think I’m going back for the Azealia Banks lipstick in Yung Repunxel, a super-deep purple that you can sheer out to create a berry stain. So unfortunately, I may be a MAC addict, once again.

 

It Was All Done in Vain

          Behold the vanity – the heart and soul of every girl’s bedroom, bathroom, or closet. This is the place where us females (and some guys, too!) take themselves from tired to glam, from simple to stunning, or from ho-hum to ravishing. It’s not to say that we don’t look smashing without the addition of makeup, but there is something about the application of a little powder and rouge that makes you feel much more ready to face the big, beautiful world.

          Upon my arrival in the bay area in June, my mom surprised me with this fun vanity she won in an auction at the Alameda Antiques Faire and painted. The mirror is also from the auction, and you may remember the Virgin Mother pictures from my antiquing post back in January. The rest of the items have come together over the past few months. The lamps are from Target, the jewels on top are from my vintage collection, the silver box was part of a Godiva gift set, and the rest of the accessories are vintage from various little antique/flea markets all over.

          When seated upon the white, frilly stool, I get a rush of joy: it’s my favorite time of day – makeup time. I keep most of my cosmetics, hair accessories, and nail polishes in the drawers (the pulls are from Anthropologie) but allow my brushes and prettiest cosmetics to sit on top. It is a delight to have such a wonderful space for daily “beautification”, and I think it will become the site of filming for future Youtube tutorials.

          Oh, and sorry about the looooooong absence! Essentially, I had very little to blog about, as my life at the moment is quite a makeupless non-event. Thankfully, things are getting back in gear, and I will share some updates as soon as I can!

Cutie Beauty

The infamous Jill Stuart Cosmetics Line Spring 2012 campaign, sold only in Asia

          I spent the past week in Bangkok and I am officially in love with the city! The people are wonderfully kind, the food is absolutely amazing, and the shopping is right up my alley. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to visit South Asia, and I can say now that I will certainly be back, as seven days was nowhere near long enough to explore the city, and I didn’t even get to the pristine beaches!

          There are hoards of amazing Thai designers, with boutiques on the third floor of Siam Center Mall – I recommend checking it out. While the clothes were beautiful and unique – think the pastels of S/S Louis Vuitton mixed with the silhouettes of Miu Miu – my goodness, they are tiny! The women of Thailand don’t seem to buy clothes any larger than a US 4, and the lengths were far too short for me. Oh well, it was a pleasure to look.

          I was also in foodie heaven. It has been several months since I have had red meat, or sushi, so let’s just say that I had my fair share of both. My favorite sushi roll was one that I have never seen in the US – basically a California roll without rice, rolled in paper thin daikon, or radish. It was incredible. I even went back to the restaurant for dinner on my last night to experience it one more time. In terms of Thai food, which  has always been one of my favorite cuisines, I ate quite a bit of it, as well. My mainstay was the infamous Som Tam, or Papaya Salad with dried shrimp and peanuts. While it is spicier here, to cater to the Asian palette, that is no problem with my newly-acquired Indian taste buds. The street food here is also insanely delicious, pork and chicken satays grilled with just the right amount of flavor are available on every corner. And if you are a little adventurous, why not try the fried insects? Those also seem to be in great supply, although I did not get the chance to taste them. Finally, how could I fail to mention the young coconut water? It is absolutely a divine thirst-quencher. Sorry, Zico, you just are not the same.

         Something thing I did stock up on, when I wasn’t chowing down? Cosmetics, of course! Watson’s Chemist is a chain which carries all of the top Japanese drugstore brands, which I have followed for years. The days I spent browsing on StrawberryNet were finally made so much better in that I could look, touch, and try the products. Here are some of the goodies I picked up, which are not only adorably packaged, but beautifully formulated as well:

Canmake Cream Cheek #3 – Much loved on Makeup Alley, I knew I had to try this, as I think cream blush looks so much more natural in the summer than powder. Since my current favorite blush was stolen (Bobbi Brown’s Pale Pink), I have been in the need of a natural flush that perks up my complexion and doesn’t clash with my pale blonde locks. I found it in this! Creamy in consistency, it melds into cheeks for a natural fifnish. The shade I got is shimmer-free, which I prefer, as I usually add a bit of glistening on the tops of cheekbones with Benefit’s High-Beam. I will definently be packing this gem in my kit on a future shoot.

Lioele Water Drop BB – I’ve been trying every BB cream I can get my hands on since they first came to the US last spring. While Dr. Jart’s was formerly my favorite, as some of the others broke me out, this is my new pick. Not only does it match my skin tone perfectly, but it has SPF 27 sunblock, and gives perfect coverage for a day at the pool or beach, which for me, is essential. While I’d love to go totally natural, my skin has a bit too much redness. This is the cure, as it looks like you have on no makeup. Plus, the pale blue and silver packaging is adorable – the poorly translated text just makes it even better.

EttuSais Lip Essence – I purchased this top-selling Japanese lip balm at Zen Department Store, a fabulous central tenant at CentralWorld Mall. They have really unique items at all price points, if you find yourself in Bangkok, this is a must go! It is Thailand’s answer to Bloomingdale’s. Anywho, this lip balm certainly deserves it’s top-selling status.  My lips always get quite dry on planes, and on my way back to India, this totally remedied this common ailment. The peach scent is quite sweet. Also, who can resist the Sanrio characters on the packaging? Not I.

Canmake Jewelstar Eyes – New obsession. This creamy, metallic shadow is going to be put to hard work in my kit. I purchased #7, which is a silvery green (although described on the website as an "antique gold with silver, gold, and red pearl particles") that is absolutely unlike anything I’ve seen. While it would crease without a base for everyday wear (I recommend Urban Decay’s Primer Potion), it will be gorgeous on shoots for a unique smokey eye. I’m imagining blending it with my favorite Chanel Illusion D’Ombre shadows to get a smudgy, sexy slept-in look…

Majolica Majorca Puff de Cheek – Majorlica Majorca is made by Shiseido, and is a drugstore line targeted at teens and young women. Basically, I purchased this blush because it looked like a Macaroon, and I am a sucker for French desserts. However, it has awesome pigmentation, and the color I picked up, PK301, is a lovely coral-peach that is what Benefit’s Coralista should be.

Biore Cleansing Oil – Okay I’m not exactly sure as that is the official name, as it is in Japanese, but this product is fabulous. I am a huge fan of cleansing oils, my former top picks being Dermalogica’s Pre-Cleanse and the infamous Shu Uemura, but this comes close. It takes off all traces of mascara, sunscreen, and foundation, and doesn’t break me out. Plus, the scent is lovely. For those who don’t want to splurge on a cleansing oil, this is a must-buy.

          I can’t fail to mention that dressing up your iPhone is an absolutely necessity in Asia. In fact, one of Bangkok’s most popular malls, MBK, has an entire floor devoted to stalls selling iPhone cases, accessories, straps, stickers, and everything in between. Not one to resist fashion-izing (is that a word?) anything, I picked up this bejeweled bunny case to remind me of my time spent in Bangkok.

Back in Action, and This Time, I'm Adorned

          I apologize for the lack of updates! After Goa, I was back in Mumbai for two days before I headed to Delhi and Agra, to see the Taj Mahal, the Sikrhi Fort, and a few other cultural heritage sites. I also hit a bazaar in Delhi where I picked up a ton of gorgeous brocades, silks, and cottons to be sewn into bedding for my future apartment. Will elaborate more on this in a future post.

Gazing at the Taj

The Bahai'i Lotus Temple in New Delhi

       Since my return, Bombay has gotten hot. And when I say hot, I mean, a minimum of 95 degrees farenheit every day. The weather leaves everyone quite fatigued, as walking down the street leaves you drenched in sweat. All I have to say, is thank god for air conditioning. Although I do note that my skin loves humidity, I think the sweating clears the toxins out of the pores.

          On the beauty front, I’ve been going very minimal for day – almost everything melts off or just looks awful by the time you end up arriving at your destination after sweating like mad in a cab. A touch of moisturizing lip balm – my current favorite is Sara Happ Lip Slip – and I’m good to go. Anything else just looks silly.

          So, without makeup, how am I to bedazzle myself, you ask? Jewelry. India is obviously a haven for everything sparkly, and a walk in Bandra down Turner Road will reveal some of the most over-the-top diamonds you have ever seen. Since I don’t exactly have the champagne-and-caviar budget, I’ve had to settle for what is called “art jewelry”, sterling silver, handmade pieces dipped in 22k gold. I recently bought a pair of earrings that is just to-die-for, far more intricate than anything you would find in the U.S. for the same price.

          Another way I’ve bedazzled myself? Well, after seeing the awesome earrings all of the women here wear from their earlobes to their noses to their cartilidge, I thought it was time to take the plunge. I headed to a small shop in my neighborhood and got two more holes put into each ear, just beyond my typical earlobe piercing. The verdict? I love it! I think it gives me the right amount of Givenchy-esque edge, and also allows me to wear some of the gorgeous second-hole-only Indian earring designs. I don’t think I will get anymore piercings, but I can’t wait to check out the fabled New York Adorned when I return to the states to see what they can offer me on account of my new, punk-ified (OK, not really…) look.

Photo courtesy of my own Instagram account

Antioxidant Power

         In India, the selection of produce is incredible, and super affordable. Pomegranates, which typically sell for 2/$5 in the US (if there is an amazing sale) are 3 for $1. Unfortunately, due to the nature of germs and the fact that I have never been exposed to many of them before, I have to be very careful about the raw fruits and vegetables I meet. Gone are the daily, fresh, raw salads, much to my dismay. However, vegetables and fruits with peels are certainly allowed, and this week at the market, I bought practically every one in sight. My choices are all considered “superfruits”, with major antioxidant power and health benefits.

Papaya – With 313% of your daily vitamin C in a serving, this buttery fruit is sure to please your tastebuds and your doctor. Also present are Vitamins A & E, as well as papain, an enzyme that helps digestive health. Papayas have anti-inflammatory effects, provide immune support, and preserve lung health. They are especially delicious when spritzed with a touch of fresh lime juice and eaten like a melon.

Pomegranate – While cutting and peeling pomegranates is quite a bit of work, I’d say that enjoying this ancient fruit is well worth a little intensive labor. The antioxidants in pomegranates include polyphenols, such as tannins and anthocyanins, in higher amounts than in green tea and cranberry juice. There are even studies the delicious fruit may help prevent heart disease. Although I can’t promise any immediate benefit, I can personally guarantee that when put on top of plain frozen yogurt (especially Yogurtland’s http://www.yogurt-land.com/), they make a yummy treat.

Oranges – Everyone knows that oranges are chock full of vitamin C, but what else can they do for your health? Low in calories (when eaten alone, avoid orange juice unless it is fresh-squeezed – there is too much added sugar!), they are fiber-rich, and provide complex-B vitamins such as thiamin, pyriodoxine, and folates, which the body needs from outside sources. Citrus fruits have been found to be helpful in the reduction of risk for cancers, arthritis, obesity, and coronary heart disease.

Carrots – Whenever I’m craving something sweet, I grab some carrots and go hog-wild. Especially delicious dipped in almond butter (which unfortunately, I have yet to find in India), these root vegetables contain, quite obviously, beta-carotene, known to improve eyesight. Another great pick for your daily dose of Vitamin-C, a recent study in the Netherlands found that orange vegetables help to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. So, make like a rabbit, grab a peeler, and get crunching!

Watermelon – Ah, the fruit that brings back the memories of warm summer days, childhood, and sunburns. Thirst-quenching and inflammation-lessening, the pink fruit from “down by the bay” (anyone remember that camp song?) contains a high amount of the antioxidant lycopene, which helps to neutralize free radicals in the body, lessening cell damage. While watermelons are most delicious in the summer season, they are available year-round in warmer clients, so I got very lucky studying here in India, as they are one of my favorite fruits!

Source: http://www.whfoods.org

Hello There

View of the Brooklyn Bridge from Jay Street, Brooklyn; November 2011

“The future destiny of a child is always the work of the mother.”

- Napolean

          As cliché as it is to begin my first blog entry with a quote, the quote is something I find to be quite necessary: it’s the reason I have embarked on this little journey. I am quite the stubborn dreamer, and had I not been raised in the environment I was, I’m not quite sure if my dreams would have come true in the manner that they have.

My grandmother in the McCaller, May 1967

         Add grand to Napolean's quote. I owe my infatuation with the world of beauty to my grandmother, Marie Irvine.  An only-child of the Great Depression, she attended a one room schoolhouse in the tiny country town of Pawling, New York, enchanted with the beautiful surrounding Berkshire Mountains. With her parents unable to afford the tuition at Vassar, Marie had felt as if she had one choice after graduating from high school: New York City. The glistening “Big Apple”: a city where one could go from virtual unknown to celebrity overnight. Marie, a sensible, wise young lady did not, however, have aspirations to be a starlet. She longed for a comfortable life, and this was her motivator for entry into Katharine Gibbs Secretary School. Unfortunately, long hours of typing were much more tedious than she had initially thought. Feeling isolated and disheartened, Marie decided to take a job as a “treatment girl” at Elizabeth Arden’s famed Fifth Avenue Red Door Salon. Quickly rising the ranks at Arden with her natural talent and charm, she soon was applying makeup to dozens of New York City socialites and helping to formulate the makeup and skincare collection that has grown to be unanimous with the American idea of beauty. By the time she was thirty-five, Marie had limos taking her into Manhattan from her home in Queens to the sets of world-renowned photographers such as Richard Avedon and Irving Penn, creating looks for the likes of Marilyn Monroe and supermodel Verushka.

Two of the hundreds of magazine covers my grandmother did makeup for.
Left - Richard Avedon, January 1961. Right - Bill King,  November 1969.
Image Source

          To say that glitter runs in my veins would certainly be a fair assessment. From the time I was five years old, the portrait of my mother as a toddler sitting on Marilyn Monroe’s lap inspired me. As perhaps one of the clumsiest children my dance studio had ever seen, my only motivation to keep dancing was the hope that in the next recital, I would get to wear more mascara. In the fifth grade, I declared in the yearbook that my role model was Bobbi Brown. No, not Whitney Houston’s dysfunctional ex-husband, but the makeup artist who so successfully created an ubiquitous international brand.

My makeup work on the cover of Graphis Photography Annual 2009.
Photo by Kevin Reed
Styling by Ope
Hair by Linh Nguyen

          Fate has been quite kind to me. I began working as a freelance makeup artist in New York City when I was just shy of sixteen years old. In the past four and a half years, I have built up my portfolio with the help of many incredibly talented individuals I have met along the way. I also spent my sophomore year interning in the beauty department of Glamour Magazine, and I’m fortunate enough to have just completed a beauty & health internship at Teen Vogue. Sometimes, I need someone to pinch me and wake me up from these dreams, ideas I’ve had since I was awkwardly dancing in my sequin tutu, that are actually my reality.

My first published writing credit in Teen Vogue, December/January 2012

           I would love for you to join me on my journey wearing coats upon coats of mascara and fabulously fuchsia lipstick. Not only through my tests of the latest and greatest cosmetics available (although I’m delighted to share my findings), but also through what has created our modern idea of beauty, explored through photos, observations, and small anecdotes. Beyond the powder, paint, and rouge of my vivid imagination is a world that I’m dying to explore. Follow me on Twitter @cbentleymakeup and check out what inspires me on Pinterest. 

For the Love of Lipstick,

Charlotte