Vanity: Laura

Vanity: Lipsticking Vicariously Through Others

Laura, Blogger

Beauty has been an interest of mine since I was around 8 years old.  I grew up with twin sisters who were 10 years older than me, and they both used makeup, but each had their own style.  I remember playing in their makeup and my interest has snowballed from there. The only rule I follow is there are no rules.  Makeup is forever evolving and everyone interprets beauty differently.

On days that I actually DO have more than 5 minutes to get ready, I will spend hours getting ready.  Long showers, layering on skincare, perfecting my hair, and of COURSE applying my makeup.  You might think I'm a geisha on those days! My nighttime skincare routine consists of applying my TATCHA One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil and rinsing. I then use the Koh Gen Do Spa Water and a Q-tip to remove any excess eye makeup.  I apply whichever night time moisturizer I am wearing at that time, as well as my Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream. I also love facial masks of all varieties--sheet masks, clay masks, peel off masks--you name it.

Being as beauty obsessed as I am, it's hard to pick favorite products. I don’t judge beauty products by cost or brand. If something is good, I'll buy it. It doesn’t matter if it is a $2 Wet n Wild eyeshadow or a $100 serum. The TATCHA Deep Brightening Serum is a favorite; this product alone has made my skin something to be proud of. The Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous highlighter is the most gorgeous highlighter I have ever seen in my LIFE! And It Cosmetics Hello Lashes is my favorite mascara because it makes my lashes look RIDICULOUSLY long when I'm wearing it. The only things I've ever used up, or at least those that come to mind, are mascaras. None in particular; I use all of my mascaras up and have tried a large variety. But I have hit pan on a number of things. One product that I use daily is MAC Mystery eyeshadow. I use it to fill in my brows. I've had that eyeshadow for 3+ years and I only have the tiniest bit of pan showing.

  

Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite people because she always looked great and I find her style amazing.  Inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. I have been in month-long ruts, and a simple idea will pop in my head while walking around my neighborhood or talking to a friend.  

 This project is greatly indebted to the Top Shelf section of IntoTheGloss.com, which was my inspiration, and to every beautiful person who participates. This article has been slightly modified for clarity and length.

Vanity: Kayleigh

Vanity: Lipsticking Vicariously Through Others

Kayleigh, Student

 I've always had some interest in makeup and beauty. As a little girl, I obsessively collected Bonne Bell Lip Smackers and would sneak into my mom's makeup bag and put on her lipstick. My first "real makeup" was a Bobbi Brown gift set bought for me by my wonderful grandmother. When I was in college, I stumbled upon MakeupAlley.com, and my interest in makeup (and my collection) grew rapidly.

My favorite products change all the time, and I tend to fall in love with a brand, buy a ton of it, then discover a new brand to go wild over. But I also have a rule for myself when it comes to how much makeup I have: I only keep things that I truly love and will use. The rest I blog sale or give away. When I have too much, I just neglect it, and the clutter bothers me. I am constantly buying and editing my collection.

One philosophy I live by is "less is more". I find that a well-applied, simple face of makeup is always ten times more flattering than haphazardly piling it on. In general, I love products that create natural, "my face but better" looks. Some of my current favorites are from Becca: the Luminous Skin Color, Shimmering Skin Perfector, Beach Tints, and palettes. Becca products seem to create the most beautiful yet subtle looks. I've also been loving Dior lipsticks, Laura Mercier shadows, and Tarte blushes. I wear a "full face" of makeup maybe three times a month.

Lipsticks are probably my biggest addiction. I tend to prefer sheer to medium coverage lipsticks with a satin or slightly glossy finish. The majority of my lipstick collection is variations of natural colors, but with hints of rose, berry, and red. I also love neutral shadows. I gravitate towards bronzes, taupes, and nude shades. When I want to get a bit crazy, I'll use plum, navy, or forest green--that's colorful enough for me! Becca, Guerlain, and Laura Mercier are my favorites for shadows at the moment. All three of those brands have beautiful, complex neutrals.

Although I'm lazy when it comes to makeup, I am vigilant about my skin care routine. At night, I start by removing my makeup with Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil. It removes everything and helps to balance my skin. Sometimes I follow up with my Clarisonic and Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash--it just depends on my skin that day. I will then apply Alpha Hydrox 10% Enhanced Cream. This takes care of any flaky patches and keeps my pores really clean. As far as my morning skincare, I usually use a damp washcloth and apply my sunscreen (unless my skin is particularly oily, in which case I will cleanse). I also use Kate Somerville Exfolikate and Makeup Artist's Choice peels as needed.

I buy almost all mid-end and high-end products. I used to impulse buy drugstore products, end up hating them, and feel I wasted money, so I cut myself off. The exception is Maybelline Full n' Soft waterproof mascara, which I love to pieces and have gone through countless tubes of.

This project is greatly indebted to the Top Shelf section of IntoTheGloss.com, which was my inspiration, and to every beautiful person who participates. This article has been slightly modified for clarity and length.

Vanity: Becca

Vanity: Lipsticking Vicariously Through Others

Becca, Student/Teacher

I had a babysitter when I was probably 2 or 3 who wore a ton of makeup, very early nineties stuff, and because she looked so different from my mostly au-naturel mom, it was very interesting. She let me play with her brushes, and would (with mom’s permission, of course) slap some lipstick on me; then we would play “ladies.” Mom also got me the little Tinkerbell play makeup. My dresser at my mom’s house still has the pink peel-off nail polish soaked into the wood, and my favorite stuffed bunny has lipstick stains on its mouth 20 years later. And my older sisters got into makeup when I was about 5 or 6, and they thought it was hilarious to put makeup on me and take pictures with me. I got all of their mostly used-up lipsticks and eyeshadows.

I spend a lot of my money for "extras" on beauty products, but price-wise, I’m pretty firmly in the mid-end category. If I could buy all high-end, I’m not sure I would. Sure, I would splurge on some things, but my favorite brow pencil is Clinique, and a lot of my favorite skincare in the past has been drugstore. I am a pasty, pasty lady, so MAC Face & Body foundation is one of my favorite products because it comes in White. It’s also sits well on my dry skin. Bobbi Brown Skin foundation qualifies as well, shade-wise, but I’m not sure why I haven’t bought this yet. My inner Bobbi Brown aversion must be strong. The hunt for the perfect foundation consumes me. Some very evil people have shown me the lovely that is Rouge Bunny Rouge, and that’s gonna be an expensive endeavor. The Shiseido lash curler completely changed my opinion of lash curling. Now I can’t live without it, because it actually fits my eye shape and gives me a good curl. I also appreciate a good metal lash comb (I use Sephora’s) because I hate clumps, and MAC Strada blush, which will be replaced with Illamasqua Primal if I can find it. I contour every day. I’ve used up a couple of things, a foundation and mascaras. The simple reason I don’t hit pan on anything is ADD. I can’t wear the same thing all the time, it would be so boring!

My ideal nighttime skincare routine involves oil cleanser, rinse, toner, two or three serums, eye serum, night cream, and eye cream. (Luckily, I get a lot of stuff gratis; otherwise, I wouldn’t nearly use so much!) My usual nighttime routine is:

1. Put pack of makeup wipes on bedside table.
2. Climb into bed and remember I didn’t take my makeup off.
3. Try to find wipes in the dark.
4. Scrub.
5. Throw makeup wipe towards garbage can.
6. Fall asleep.

I’m ashamed.

 My big problem is collecting. As far as make-up goes, if I get part of a collection/brand/etc, I NEED the rest of it. See: Sleek palettes/blushes, Wet n Wild palettes, Revlon Lip Butters, Clinique Chubby Sticks... I love chasing things down and finally getting what I wanted. Apparently, I played Pokemon at an impressionable age. I also collect books, wine glasses, and jewelry. I begin student teaching in January, so I guess grading papers will become a hobby.

I love history and languages, even though I don’t speak any well. I’m a certified rescue scuba diver and I’m considering becoming an instructor or at least a divemaster. I’ll move to Aruba. I love taking pictures, but I wouldn’t say I’m a photographer. I’m obsessed with my dog!

 This project is greatly indebted to the Top Shelf section of IntoTheGloss.com, which was my inspiration, and to every beautiful person who participates. This article has been slightly modified for clarity and length.

Vanity: Sarah

Vanity: Lipsticking Vicariously Through Others

Sarah, Chemistry Ph.D Student

Makeup ended up becoming a way that I could feel good about myself when I was struggling with classes and exams in an environment that is made to make you realize that you are not as smart as you thought you were.  I found painting my face with all sorts of colors and textures to be relaxing and something in my life that I had control over.  In highschool, I was the stereotypical art student, but I gave it up in the pursuit of chemistry.  While I may no longer be covered in clay and paint on a daily bases, makeup allows me to create something every day.

    I love the transformation of both applying makeup as well as removing it.  When I come home from a long day in the lab, there is no better feeling than removing my makeup and washing my face.  (Tangent: I believe that everyone should remove their makeup every night, and just washing your face doesn’t cut it.)  I have a very minimal routine that works for my non-finicky skin.  I've been using the Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes for a few years now and they get the job done. Then I wash my face with Cetaphil Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin. Last, I moisturize with Olay Sensitive Skin Beauty Fluid, which I've been using since I was in middle school. It's really the only product I've repurchased over and over.

 
 I've never used up a makeup product...I guess I should be ashamed of that, but I'm not. I've only really been using makeup for the past 3 years and don’t use the same products everyday.  I do feel guilty about some of my purchases, like the Guerlain Rouge G lipstick I've returned twice.  It’s a great lipstick, but I guess I just don’t think I can justify any $50 lipsticks.  We all have our limits, and it would seem that's mine. But I have spent over $50 on an Urban Decay eyeshadow palette with out a second thought, as it just seems a better value.




Most of my stash is made up of mid-end products with an equal smattering of high-end, indie, and drugstore goods.  I have to admit, I love packaging, and most drugstore packaging just isn’t as nice as high-end. But if a cheap product really is just as good as a high-end product (ie, Maybelline Color Tattoo cream shadows), all the better! 

I love eyeshadow, and I love to depot my eyeshadows (with sufficiently not-pretty packaging)--it's like craft time for adults with fire! I feel the compulsion to have all of the eyeshadow colors and textures that exist. While others may be content with only one shade of a color, I want them all...and I'll use every single one of them. Iironically, most of my wardrobe is black. One of my favorite brands for bright eyeshadow colors is Sugarpill.  They make super bright and saturated eyeshadows that are such a pleasure to work with. I've also hit pan on another favorite, NYX Highlight. It’s the perfect matte yellow browbone highlight for me.  I also use it as an “eraser” if my crease color has gotten out of hand or if I've gone too far past the edge of my eye with a color.

Duochromes are some of my staples, eyeshadows like MAC Club, Urban Decay Fishnet, and my favorite, Fyrinnae Rapunzel Had Extensions. I've also discovered an amazing color shifting gloss, LORAC Vivid; it’s my favorite gloss in my stash.  It a smooth gloss that doesn’t get sticky or funny after you've worn it for a while.

I really dislike repeating myself.  I hate to do the same look every day; to me, that’s just boring.  There is nothing that I won't try at least once. I feel like people tend to forget that it’s only makeup and can be easily washed off.  Colored brows, mega-winged liner, strange shades of blush...why not? I love to search the internet for images of dramatic editorial and “un-wearable” looks and find ways to incorporate them into the everyday. I'm the type of person who likes to play, and playing takes time. If I had an hour to do my makeup every morning, I would somehow find a way to fill that entire hour.

Realistically, I tend to have about 20 minutes where I spread all of my colors and palettes out on my living room floor (where I do my makeup daily, as it has natural light) and try and put something together. Most days, I do try to paint my face in a manner that won't get me “spoken to” by my adviser. This doesn't mean "just taupe eyeshadow," more not coming into work with those purple eyebrows.
 

 
 
I also love to sew and to knit.  I've sewn everything from apparel to costumes, corsets to quilts. I like knowing that no one else has the exact same item I've made.  There's a lot of pride that goes into sewing and knitting items that are higher quality than what you can purchase in a store.  One of my favorite sewing quotes is: “pressing can be the difference between home-made and hand-made.” 

Also, I collect stuffed purple hippos. :D

This project is greatly indebted to the Top Shelf section of IntoTheGloss.com, which was my inspiration, and to every beautiful person who participates. This article has been slightly modified for clarity and length.

Vanity: Scarlet Fairweather

Vanity: Lipsticking Vicariously Through Others

.

Scarlet Estelle F. Fairweather, Drag Queen (otherwise unemployed--HIRE ME!)

When I was five years old, my older sister was videotaping a news project for bonus points. She had all her friends over, but needed another female to play the role of a 'bitter diet pill victim' who had lost much more weight than she wanted to. They put me in a red dress, coiffed my hair, and threw on some blue eyeshadow. I was the star, and this whole mess was set into motion. Since then, I've dabbled with flowing fabrics and wigs on and off until college, where I really started performing and getting my feet off of the ground.
.

.
The secret is to never be afraid to show yourself to people. A lot of my performances pull from real emotions and trials that I've gone through. Don't limit your experiences--you'll never know how much they'll come in handy. I have gone through a lot in my young queer life, but I can't regret any of it, especially since it's brought so much reality into my drag career.

 Personally, I find a lot of inspiration from video games and anime/comic books. Many of my favorite looks come from iconic characters like Poison Ivy and Majora's Mask. I'm a big time drag geek. I've also always been inspired by Amanda Palmer's face, vintage starlet's demeanors, and old cartoon characters for personality. I love exploring different cultures and cosmetic traditions. Plus, I do a mean Sarah Palin impersonation!
.

 .
Anything with an intense pigment gets me giddy in the ladyparts! I have a Kryolan red eyeshadow, which is a staple for when I do a basic face (I mean, my name IS Scarlet). I love NYX lipsticks, especially their reds and corals. It's shallow, but I really enjoy the names of their shades. And the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk' is something I could never be without. That stick gives me a lady-eye, and keeps me from looking too dude-y. I've used up a lot of panstick (Max Factor, Ben Nye, etc), and I'm running low on my eyebrow powder (Hard Candy Welcome Matte, my favorite turn of phrase). Other than that, I've been trained by the recession to use my product responsibly!
.

.
We all have our favorite kinds of makeup. I'd be lying if I said I didn't love MAC EVERYTHING. If I had the paycheck, I'd buy SO MUCH from their line. Overall, I like a mix of everything, from high-end to dollar store. Think of your budget before splurging, but don't be afraid to get yourself a treat once in a while. Also, anything in a unique shade or something that goes against the grain is fun. I like the challenge of creating a look with an electric blue lipstick, or a white mascara.
.

.

 I like to spend no more than an hour on my face. Impatience is a family habit with me, although I can take time on a more precise look. I start by blocking out my eyebrows--I usually tell those babies a bedtime story before tucking them under a layer of glue and foundation. Next, I conceal EVERYTHING (Ben Nye, my love, my darling). After that, it's time for contouring, especially my cheeks and forehead. I like to lay the lines of my eyeshadow with the contour; it helps me fill in more clearly later. When I'm done with my base, I take care of my eyes and eyebrows, add lashes, then blush. I used to forget blush and wound up looking like Skeletor. Then I line my lips, fill in with stick, and gloss that stuff baby! When that's all finished, I smile, put a wig on, and get dressed (important unless you want to look like a hussy, young lady), and I walk around to make sure I'm comfortable.
.

.
Sometimes, when I'm not in drag, I'll throw some Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse on my face and highlight with MAC Cream Color Base in Luna around my eyes. It's never a ton, and I believe I've gone too far if people notice it.

  My beauty philosophy is manifold:

1. Beauty outside only really comes from beauty inside. You can be a smoking hot fake-lady, but if you can't handle yourself in public, then you're just another tramp. 
2. Never be afraid to try something fun or different. Trends only really start from people experimenting with their own looks.
3. Have fun. No matter what. 

.

.

 This project is greatly indebted to the Top Shelf section of IntoTheGloss.com, which was my inspiration, and to every beautiful person who participates. This article has been slightly modified for clarity and length.

Vanity: Stella J

Vanity: Lipsticking Vicariously Through Others

Stella J, Carer

I've always been attracted to the transformative and creative aspects of makeup. When I was a child, I found a magazine of my mother's, and it showed how to recreate classic Hollywood looks. I got a bit obsessed with that magazine! I put it in a folder, tried all the looks over and over, and went to school for pretty much a whole year made up like Louise Brooks. I liked the way I could use makeup to take any feeling or mood I was experiencing and put it on the outside for others to see.

 I can spend a long time on makeup, but that's because I find it relaxing and want to enjoy doing it. It balances out, though, because I'm a complete fool when it comes to hair and clothes, and keep those really quick and simple!

Great makeup starts with healthy skin, so most of my holy grail products are skincare. In particular, I love Nufountain Vitamin C Lightening Serum, which worked wonders on taming my roasacea and breakouts; I also use Mandom Barrier Repair Serum for easing dryness and being soothing. I also use SPF50 daily.  I really enjoy my skincare. The second I get through the door, I head to the bathroom to take my makeup off. I oil cleanse with baby oil to remove my makeup, follow with Avene cleanser, put on the vitamin c serum and moisturizer, make a cup of tea, have a nap. Naps are an essential part of a beauty routine, in my opinion!

Makeup-wise, I'm a huge fan of Shiseido eyeshadow--the texture is just completely unique and the colour combinations are playful yet stylish. I'm totally addicted to eyeshadow! Basically, I want every colour I might ever need to create any look I can imagine.  Makeup really is art to me, and colour is the basic unit of creativity. I'm constantly on the hunt for the perfect deep, dark, vampy blood red, too. My favourite foundation is MAC Face and Body. It looks like perfect skin, not perfect foundation, and I can't be without it. (I've made it through an entire bottle!) In my teen years, I went though a couple of tubes of Boots No. 7 Plum Beautiful lipstick, and I've bought, used, and replaced many tubes of Max Factor Masterpiece Max mascara. I've never finished a blush, and frankly, I don't believe anyone else ever has either, despite what they claim...

As I try more products, I'm harder to please. Honestly, most of my favourite things are high end, but I have drugstore favourites, too. Catrice eyeshadows are some of my most-used products because they have such great colours and textures. I don't feel guilty about spending on high end, though. Why should I? I deserve occasional treats!

My personal philosophy is pretty simple: face first, always. Makeup needs to work for the individual face it's on--one size does NOT fit all--and the face should be what you notice first, not the makeup. I don't like flashy for the sake of flashy. Something can be both dramatic or interesting AND flattering. I love colour and unusual combinations, but I try to make them wearable. I love history and am fascinated by historical makeup. I have a particular love for the 20s and 30s, for the moody, dark glamour of that age, and I collect jewellery from that era, too. The natural world is a constant inspiration, too; I've done makeup looks based on everything from fruit and flowers to gemstones and storm clouds. Nature never gets the colour combinations wrong, so I try to take my lead from her.

I could read till my eyes fall out, and I've usually got dozens of books on the go at a time (I'm convinced my Kindle will bankrupt me). And I have a not-so-secret love of ugly and weird animals. Cute animals are well-represented, so I collect pics of the stupid and odd-looking ones. They need love, too!

This project is greatly indebted to the Top Shelf section of IntoTheGloss.com, which was my inspiration, and to every beautiful person who participates. This article has been slightly modified for clarity and length.