“girl next door” look
[ part one ]
Oh my, oh my, oh my! You all are so fantastic–I have spent a good chunk of time this morning going through all your lovely blogs you posted here! Do be sure to check them out, if you haven’t already. Links galore! Thank you for responding to my little request with such enthusiasm!. Now on to the purpose of this post…
I recently received an email from a lovely gal who had a question about creating a healthy vintage look. She explained that she does the “classic vintage” makeup: black eyeliner, red lips, neutral eye shadow, etc. While this look is very striking (and certainly the most recognizable of the vintage looks!), she said she that sometimes when she sported the look, it was too severe for her coloring: she felt that it pulled all the natural blush from her face!
Which got me thinking that it would be good to share some of the tips I emailed her, with you all! I definitely love the look that classic 1940s makeup tends towards, but like some, I’ve struggled with balancing the high contrast colors with my naturally pale skin. So here are a handful of tips that I hope will be helpful!
[ part 2 ]
- Powder: Like many fair gals, I tended towards using a light setting powder over my foundation–usually a translucent or similarly light shade. The downside is that over an already pale foundation (I am usually one of the first couple of lightest shades), it makes me look even paler–sometimes freakishly so! I have started using a setting powder that is a shade or two darker–usually somewhere in the medium range. It still sets my powder, doesn’t make my face unmatched to the rest of me, but keeps from washing my coloring out. I still keep a translucent powder on hand for things other than my face (like setting foundation/concealer over scars).
- Bronzer: Bronzer has become my BFF in the past six months! It sometimes has gotten a bad rap in the vintage community (for good reason: it tends to be very dark and looks too modern with many vintage looks), but I think if you find the correct shade for your skin tone and use it properly, it can add a lovely, healthy glow to your face! Currently, I’m using a generic bronzer I found at Ulta last year; it’s very light and has a bit of shimmer to it. I have also spied some fantastic shades in Wet ‘n Wild’s line up, and of course a trip to your favorite makeup counter (or a recon mission to Sephora!) would be a good bet too. It blends well with my natural color, but adds a sunkissed look. I apply it with an angled blush brush right underneath my check bones, contouring my face a bit, and blending up to the hairline. A smidgen applied to the temples and forehead with a fluffy blush brush, and a dab underneath my lower lip (for an added pouty-mouth look), usually does the job! The trick is applying it where the sun would naturally add some color to your face, and using a light touch.
- Blush: I always use blush when I use a medium to full coverage foundation, or a vintage look. Everyone needs a blush with a different undertone; I usually go for ones that are a light, peachy pink. Applied to the apples of the cheeks (and blended into the bronzer, if used), it adds another little bit of a “natural glow”.
- Eye Shadow: One of the most popular 1940s or 50s looks uses a pale base (white or slightly off whites seem to be the most used), a dark neutral (usually taupe or browns) in the crease, with a highlight color below the brow. I use this as a basic guideline for my daily look, but have found a few things that help warm the look up. For a base, I use a warm cream or a very pale pink matte; currently this is M.A.C.’s Yogurt shadow. Over that, I will use a bit of a medium pink, mauve, or rose in the crease before the taupe/brown. Layered underneath, this really looks quite like a natural, rosy blush to your eyes–very flattering! Then the darker crease color is applied and blended well with the pink/rose/mauve. For the highlight, I always use a cream or pale pink-based highlight. White just doesn’t work on me! My favorites are Rimmel’s Moonstone and M.A.C.’s Naked Lunch. These shadows have a bit more color to them, and thus don’t pull as much out of my face!
- Lips: You know I love a good, red lip! But some days–especially if I feel my makeup contrasts a bit too much to suit a strong lip. So I’ll tone it down a bit with a lighter red or dark pink pencil layered under red lipstick. This won’t work on every shade of red, but I’ve found with many of the blue-based lip colors, it is a great way to add some pink or soften the red.
I know many of these tips are probably old hat for some, but I hope they were helpful for others!
Posted on May 27th, 2009 to beauty, video.
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05.27.09 outfit »16 lovely thoughts to ““girl next door” look”
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Eunice says:
I think the best way to add color to the face is blush. and with the vintage look it doesnt change the look drastically. it’s a nice compromise. Of course you have to know how to apply it other wise you end up looking like a clown! What I do is I put blush on and then do a light layer of loose powder over the blush and it works every time.
Also the vintage look can be too dramatic for day time specailly the lipstick so what I do is wear a lipgloss in red instead of lipstick.
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Jenny-Rose says:
Since you are on a bronzer kick I’ll pop some samples (now there is a matte and a shimmery, both mineral powders) in the mail for you to try – I’d love your opinion! Anything else you want to try?
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Little Lovables says:
What color red lipstick do you use? I can never find a good one, always too orange/pink/blue ish undertones.
Also, I found the perfect under brow highlighter, it is a bit shimmery, but if you use it and then just a tad on the lower lid in the middle for highlight, it looks gorgeous.
It is CoverGirl Champagne. I have tried more expensive ones, but this is perfect for me (hides stray eyebrow hairs perfectly too!)
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stina says:
i just wanted to say that i really, really love your tutorial videos! you’re doing a great job! thank you.
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Chelito says:
I love your tutorials! Very informative and fun.
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Sal says:
I simply adore your makeup tutorials, Casey, but I’m SUCH a novice much of their content goes over my head. I’ll just have to come down to Florida and demand an in-person makeover.
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marjorie says:
Oh this was great Casey!
Your tutorials are really well done and inspired me to actually do something with my makeup instead of just keeping it in a basket and looking at it!! tee hee!! (I usually only wear a little concealer, cream blush and lip gloss)! Must go practice!! meeep! -
Alana says:
Great tutorial! Just wondering though– what foundation do you use? Thanks!
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Patti says:
I don’t usually comment but I love your blog and you are simply adorable!!!
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vintage_mck says:
Ok I am addicted to blushes, and would love to know what you wear, my colouring is similar to yours but I have yet to find a peachy colour that I like… please share:) Thank you and your makeup is amazing!
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Sherin says:
Great videos. I love the vintage look,and these tips are great.
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Holly says:
You are sooo pretty!
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Fran says:
Loved the video! Cool tips.
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Alice says:
I love your hair! And your tutorials are all very good, even though I’m not sure if I can follow your hair tutorials, as my hair is a lot shorter. But they are good anyway!
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Marie says:
This was really wonderful, Casey! Thanks for sharing it. You didn’t really ramble. It was all very helpful (and cute!).
I’m glad you’re having fun
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Peter says:
Casey, this is fantastic. (You look like Jeanne Crain in the make up — incredibly authentic Forties.) The video is superb and tremendously instructive. Thanks!
Thank you ever so much for taking time to share your comment! Although I try to answer questions, I am not always able to respond to each comment individually. But please know that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart every comment I receive!