OLD HOLLYWOOD

I think I've spoken of my love of "old Hollywood" here before... I just get all style-inspired whenever I see pictures like this...

To me, women of that era were some of the most beautiful to ever walk this earth. They looked absolutely flawless and best of all - classy.  For a recent photoshoot, I decided to recreate the look...

The makeup is relatively simple - if you own red lipstick and have mastered winged eyeliner, you're pretty set!  You'll want to make sure you have a matte, flawless face so I suggest a full coverage foundation and matte powder.  I've included instructions and the entire list of makeup products I used below.

• For me, the first step to a flawless face is Benefit's Porefessional balm all over my cheeks, forehead and any other problem areas.
• I applied Revlon Colorstay Whipped (my new favorite!) in Warm Golden all over my face using the Real Techniques Blending Brush.
• I applied dots of Maybelline Fit Me concealer under my eyes and on any blemishes or dark spots.  I blended it in, once again using the Real Techniques Blending Brush.
• I used Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in Silky Beige to set the foundation.  I focused on areas where I tend to get oily - my T-zone.
• Next, I did a little contouring with my Wet n Wild Color Icon bronzer in Ticket to Brazil.  I focused on my cheekbones and temples mostly.  I used a small kabuki brush from Bare Escentials to do this.
• I didn't want a lot of dramatic color on my cheeks, so I used my favorite, Avon Ideal Luminous in Heavenly Pink.  Using a brush blush, I applied a little to the apples of my cheeks and some along the area where I contoured.
• Onto eyes.  I covered my entire eyelid and brow bone with Bootycall from the Naked 2 palette.  This is a matte, flesh-tone color that I often use as my shadow base.  I used Tease from the same palette in my crease and blended well.
• Then I used wax from the elf Eyebrow Kit on my brows, and filled them in with the Blackout shadow shade from the Naked 2 palette.  I use an angled brow brush for this.
• I lined my top and bottom lash lines with Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in shade Zero (black).  It's a nice kohl liner, which I prefer, but I used Loreal's Lineur Intense Carbon Black felt-tip liner to create the "wing" on the outer corners of my eyes.  This method just works best for me.  
• On my bottom lash line, I used an angle brush to smudge the eyeliner just a bit.  
• Then I applied fake lashes - Ardell Wispies.  I used Loreal's Telescopic Carbon Black mascara on the bottom lashes.
• For lips, I mixed two shades together - first, Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Ruby, then went over it with Wet n Wild's Dark Wine.  I didn't use a lipliner because I didn't have a good red shade, but definitely use one if you have it.
• Almost done!  I applied just a little highlighter right above my cheek bones.  I used the golden shade from the elf Shimmer Palette.

The hairstyle was new for me.  It didn't turn out exactly as I envisioned it, but it was pretty close and looked great in the final photos I've seen.  Instructions and products are below :)

• I washed my hair and used a little Moroccan Argan Oil from Organix while it was still damp.  Just a squirt of oil in the palm of my hand, and worked it into my hair, mostly focusing on the ends.  Then blow-dried as normal.
• I combed my hair really well and put in clip-in extensions.
• Now, to get the old Hollywood look, you need a really far side-part - from the corner of your head (either side is fine - I always use part from the left side).
• Then I just sectioned my hair into 2-inch sections and started curling.  I used a 1-inch iron from Helen of Troy, Gold Series.  I would leave each section on the iron for about a minute, then I'd wiggle the clamp to release the hair, careful not to pull on it.  You want bouncy curls to start with.
• Once I had all of my hair curled, I sprayed a little Aussie Instant Freeze and waited about 15 minutes to let the hair fully cool.  (Instant freeze wasn't the best option, but it's all I had on-hand.  You're better off to use a spray that is more flexible.)
• When the hair was cooled down, I just used a paddle brush to gently brush the hair from top to bottom, all over.
• Then I just used my fingers to do a little styling and kind of pull the curls together and make it look more uniform.
• Then I applied a little more Moroccan Argan Oil to the curls, just to keep them shiny and smooth.
• On the left side of my head, I took the front pieces, smoothed them down really flat, and pinned them behind my ear with a bobby pin.
• One final mist of hairspray to set and ta-da!  1940's Hollywood starlet!

I only have a few pictures from the shoot to share so far, but as soon as the others are finished, I'll be sure to post! :)