Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Stay Dirty- and Look Great!



your dirty secret...


Something that draws me to retro inspired hairstyles is the versatility. When done well, a curl set can last days, be molded into different shapes and reworked. The last thing you need to get in your way is oily, flat roots. That's where dry shampoo comes in the picture!

I am excited to be teaming with Beauty & Pin-Ups for this hairstyle! As a frequent dry shampoo user, I was excited to try Stay Dirty, their new Dry Shampoo!*



Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Vintage Hair How-To + Beauty& Pin Ups

1940s inspired hair by Vintage Beauty Detective

1940s style & product review...


THE LOOK
I love 1940s hair. Seriously, its one of my all-time favorite decades when it comes to vintage hairstyles. My lovely model let me do a classic pageboy look.



HOW I DID IT

1. On clean hair, prep with Sway Blow Out spray and blow dry smooth. (I added a little bit of Luxe for some leave-in moisture)


2. Spritz evenly with Fever spray.


3. Starting at the nape, part a U shape from side to side. Begin by taking square sections no larger than 2x2 inches. Mist your section with Valor hairspray before you curl. Start the curl about 2-4 inches from the end.


4. Clip each curl into a roll to let them cool.


5. For the Front area, section out hair for your wave horizontally, then split that into 1x1 sections and after curling, clip like stand up curls.

6. After fully cooled, remove clips and brush out. Take caution not to flip out curls. Brush smoothing hair under.

7. For wave, smooth curls and shape wave with your fingers. Clip wave into place with duckbill clips if needed. Spray with Valor to hold. Feel free to use a bobby pin to keep wave from falling in your face. Tuck it behind your ear like I did, or wear it Veronica Lake style!


TIPS
*I can’t stress enough that a haircut can make styling sooo much easier! Cutting the hair into a U shape is essential for getting a flawless U shaped rolled hairstyle.

*To mimic this look, you can roll the sides like a bumper bang and pin it so the sides are shorter than the back length.

*Please ALWAYS USE thermal protection! Especially on colored hair, since heat is a huge color-killer. I have seen clients with virgin hair that is fried and dry just from weekly use of heated tools. Be careful not to use maximum heat, your hair will thank you!

REVIEW
I bought my first Beauty & Pin Ups product last winter and was really excited when they reached out to me and sent more products to try out! One thing that struck me was the variety of natural/botanical ingredients included in the styling range. I like the Valor hairspray because it really is “Super Fine”, it gives a workable hold and is easy to brush through, without leaving sticky residue. I will definitely keep using Fever thermal spray, it is a good general purpose spray and doesn’t leave buildup on the hair. So far the scents/perfumes have been light, which is good because heavy perfumes trigger my allergies/asthma. Happy to see UV protection as well-so important for keeping hair color vibrant and shiny. Can’t wait to play with the rest!

An added bonus is that all products are sulfate, paraben, and phthalate free!


The VBD,
Amanda

Sunday, January 31, 2016

FACEPAINT & Meeting Lisa Eldridge



If you don't know who Lisa Eldridge is, look her up. Seriously, do it now!
She is a well respected makeup artist who has an impressive list of celebrity clients and a beautiful collection of work. Her book Facepaint is an excellent resource for makeup artists and makeup enthusiasts alike. Besides being a lovely person, her video tutorials on YouTube are must-sees for anyone interested in makeup.
 
Check out this video inspired by the looks mentioned in her book!
 
I have been a watching her videos for 5 years now, and appreciate her approach and philosophy of makeup. She shares an interest in the history of makeup and continuously looks to vintage makeup styles for inspiration. You can credit her for introducing me to the world of Biba and makeup genius Mary Greenwell.
 

Early this month I had the opportunity to meet her at a book signing! My seemingly unrealistic dream was about to come true! Book in hand, I took my place in a half-mile long line to get my copy autographed. After an hour and a half, I made my way into the beautiful studio, Violet Grey. She was so lovely and had a contagious enthusiasm that I couldn't help but to reflect. Very down to earth and unassuming, she even complimented my makeup! It so happens, we share a liking for crisp white shirts with black shoestring ties! (WHAAAAT!?) Though our conversation was short, it was a pleasant one. This was definitely my highlight of the year!

Her book FACEPAINT is not a "How-to" instruction manual or a "Best of" portfolio, rather, it chronicles the journey of makeup, exploring different cultures and how makeup has come to be what it is today. Loaded with tons of research and glorious photos, it truly is an interesting read. It is clear this book was a labor of love for Lisa, and when we talked, she mentioned she desired to fill a long-held need for a book that has well-researched information and particular detail. Stay tuned for a book review!

See what Lisa has to say about it herself!

What are your favorite Lisa looks? Tell me in the comments!


-Amanda, Vintage Beauty Detective

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

The Truth About Sulfates||VBD Investigates



its time to come clean...


Sulfates have been getting publicly dissed for a few years now and people generally cringe when they find out that their beloved hair product contains-gasp-sulfates!! But let's stop for a second, what exactly are sulfates??

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

||July Beauty Buys||



a healthy face is a happy face...

As July came to a close, I realized that this month I mostly bought skin care items. Honestly, in the summer heat, I seldom want to wear makeup and would like to go makeup-free more often. That being said, I've recently been thinking seriously about my skin and how I take care of it. I was in a pinch and left with no face cleanser, toner, or moisturizer!

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Besame Beauty at Miss L Fire's

besame girls are glamorous girls...

Miss L Fire, a UK based vintage inspired footwear company, held a 1940s makeup demo at their store in Hollywood. I attended this event two months ago but still thought it was worth sharing with you all! It was a fun time--complete with snacks, fabulous goodie bags, and a chance to chat with the creators of Besame and Miss L Fire!

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

What's in my makeup bag?|June Edition|


it's in the bag...

I've never been one to hoard makeup, but I thought it was time to spotlight my bag and what products I'm currently using on a daily basis. Especially in the warmer months, I like to keep my coverage natural and the products to a minimum.