Shimmer What Yo' Mama Gave Ya - Gold, Glowy, Gorgeous...

The best things in life are free,

but since we're living in a material world,

everything's better with some bling on it.

You know it's true. Glitter is one of 

your favorite colors, now isn't it?

This applies to skin too.

One of the great joys of the season is getting to show off some skin.

Let it breath a little. And flirt a little while you're at it.

May as well dress up the bare bits too, and what better way

than with a golden glow? 

Subtlety is fine and dandy. Put on the glitz with a 

gentle glimmer instead of a loud pop with 

Thymes Moonflower Body Lotion with Shimmer 

or 

Agent Provocateur's Body Glamour Sauce.
They both smell like heaven as an added bonus.

Then again, sometimes a gold explosion

causes a veritable riot... the good kind.

Did someone say loud pop?

Right, I did.

If you want to rival the fireworks,

what's stopping you? 

Take this lovely inspiration from visionary photographer 

Laura Palm and go bold with your gold! 

Kryolan's Gold G Iridescent Body Powder

Kryolan Shimmer Body Wash Gold

Kryolan Shimmer Body Wash Bronze

  

Use Kryolan's Gold Iridescent Body Powder to get a blend-able lasting glint all over.

For those who dare to work their skills
and flaunt their skin to the max,

I have a project for you:

These body wash paints from Kryolan deliver surreal metallics that are safe and easy to use.

Try applying with different sponges, like a raw sponge for tricky textures, or brush it on with a paint brush and rock it like a goddess in gold, bronze, or copper! 

For the face, follow these wise steps to perfection:

              

Save the bold statement for the eyes and lips,

and give one of these stellar looks a go:
           

             

A perfect look for summer,

Michelle Phan is on top of her game as usual.

                                                      

Similar to the sunset eye, but with stunning highlights and contours,
the look above is sultry and sensual.
But you gotta think quick...
the colors fly by in this fast (forward) feature.

             

This look is not for the tame. There's some serious 

big kitty energy happening in this smokey eye.

If the above still leaving you feeling like you haven't got enough,
like it's sparkled and popped, but the bang, smash, boom wasn't there,
prepare for the grand finale:

Nothing does it like the real thing!

Gold Sin Jewels puts living the charmed life at your fingertips

with temporary skin appliqués made of real gold.

How far you take your midas-esque artistry is up to you.

Does it get more luxe? Of couse. We're human. 

We'll always find new ways to sparkle things up.

But for now, these put you on top of the golden stairway.

 Enjoy your reign while it lasts, ladies.

Pink Hair Is Everywhere

I awoke this morning to the news that pink hair has officially become the "trend du jour" when I logged into my facebook today.

Thank you for the update, Mawi, my new fav jewelry designer

(who will soon be featured in another article).

I couldn't help but laugh ironically that pink hair has

escalated on the trend list.

Let me explain: I've had pink hair three times. Hot pink 12 years ago, 

coral 8 years ago, and baby pink layered with red three months ago (aka now).

That's it if you don't count the time 6 years ago when I died my armpit hair pink

as a somewhat stick-it-to-the-man, 

"I am Woman, hear me roar" kinda thing.

But of course now that I've finally come back to it, it's huge.

And for once, I'm extremely happy to be mere moments ahead of my time, 

because I have some super hot shares for you

when it comes to pink hair!!

Here's the quote that got my attention this morning from Mawi:

"Think Pink! Celebrities have been rocking pink hair for years 

but it has now become the hottest trend du jour."

I'm in! Care to join me?

If you want pink locks, there are two options in my book:

Real or fake?

For those of you with day jobs, you're in luck!

You don't have to go through multiple bleaching ('cause with pink, it pretty much has to be white)

or get a lecture from your boss. 

You'll still make it if you fake it.

Pretty Pink Wigs

Antoinette's Atelier

Fit for a queen, this is one of the simplest styles by this magnificent designer.

Want more modern than Marie?

The options are vast and various.

These three master works are from

MissVioletLace. 

Visit her shop for all things 

faux-&-fabulous hair related.

Good luck choosing just one item.

 I'm keeping it as homegrown as possible

and taking the opportunity to

show off the unique

works of some of my favorite

Etsy crafters of coif.  

Dirty Little Laundry

Creepshow Cuts

Also mega-modern and with mega-vavavoom-vivaciousness,

pale to power-packed color gets you the lime light without fail.

Split Lolita Wig by
Dirty Little Laundry

Pink Bob Wig by
 M&M Beauty

Harijuku Lovers by
CreepShow

Size doesn't matter in this department.

From a pretty little bob

to princess-long locks,

people will be talking

about your larger-than-life

look with longing.

Tra-la-la-la-la!

Pink makes your skin look more even, and compliments any eye color as well.

It's not only a great way to catch glances, but it improves all that fills the eye of the beholder.

If a whole head of pink seems intimidating, but the above concept seems intriguing,

you don't have to get immersed in a pink shroud to 

benefit from it's complexion-complimentary chroma.

Highlights of pink can do wonders while keeping you more down-to-earth approachable.

Pink an Blonde Ombre Extentions

These hair extensions keep things real without the hassle
and headache.
Fringe bangs frame your face in the shade of your
choice, bringing the focus to the front.

Pink Ice Fringe Bangs 

Purple and Pink Fringe Bangs

Dreads Extensions Kit

For those who favor punk over pretty,

or if you're a desert rose,

this dread kit will tie it all together nicely.

All four items above by Damnation Hair.

If you do choose to go real, make sure you get a good colorist who knows your hair or 

is willing to learn (the key here is willing).

If you're DIY-ing it, I gottcha covered.

Bleach

Let's talk for a sec about bleach. If you're doing a darker pink, this will be less important.

For paler shades, this is of utmost importance, unless you want sherbet hair.

I mentioned you have to get it white. I wasn't kidding.

Kaleidocolors by Clairol

Use Kaleidacolors to address your specific color needs. 

You may need to bleach your hair more than once. 

I just went from red to white, so it can be done.

DON'T OVER DO IT BY LEAVING IT ON LONGER THAN RECOMMENDED.

Do it in stages, following the instructions each time.

Test your hair strands after each bleaching. If they are stretchy, you're done for a few days.

Bad color is nothing compared to NO HAIR.

Follow the directions and everything will be fine. 

Start with the blue or neutral. 

Blue removes orange tones.

Natural hair bleachs much faster than previously dyed,

so your roots may end up white while the rest puts up the fight of a lifetime.
If you can't wait a day to get your hair lighter, at least deep condition before bleaching again.

If you still have orange after the first go 'round, then you may need to go with Blue again.

If you have only yellow left, switch to Violet.

Violet removes yellow tones.

Good stuff, right?

If you're platinum blonde after one go, curse your virgin locks,

you're ready to pick your pink!

Made in the Shade

I could go on for days about colors and shades, but I'd still be leaving stuff out.

If you need a default setting, go with Manic Panic.

They've been around the longest, and are known for not

dying the hell out of your 

skin, shower, and pillowcase. That's a big plus in the world of temporary dye.

I would still proceed with caution when wearing white.

I will be specific for those seeking the perfect baby pink, however.

My lastest, and possibly greatest, undertaking in the pink spectrum.

It's easy to get a vibrant hot pink, but pale pink can be tricky.

Cotton Candy Pink by Manic Panic

The best reviews for light pink go to Manic Panic's Cotton Candy Pink. 

It may come off strong at first, but fades down to a pretty pink.

After the initial fade, it's staying power is quite remarkable.

To avoid getting to bright a pink, leave it on for half the recommended time.

But if you want it to be around for awhile, it's worth the wait that it takes to fade.

Rose ColorBrilliance by Ion

 Brand new to the beauty world, Ion has recently launched a whole line of pastel colors.

I tried the rose, loved the color, but it faded pretty quickly. 

This is great if you want to switch back and forth from blond to pink,

or if you don't mind regular maintenance.

Possibly, weekly.

Pravana Hair Color Vivid Pink

Last but not least, I hope. Pravana also recently launched a line of pastels. The reviews are good.

I haven't had the pleasure of trying it yet, so girls, 

if you do, please do share.

Looks like a very yummy pink frosting, at a great price too.

Flower Power Pink

That just about covers all things pink hair related.

If you didn't like pink, you wouldn't be here.

But if you still absolutely can't see yourself getting aboard the pink hair train,

there is always the super subtle and safe route:

Petal Mix

Atelier Kanawa

JulVa

Atelier Kanawa

JulVa

A little flower never hurt anyone...

and these are certified gluten-free.

I can't help but feel like a vintage pin-up girl with a flower in my hair.

And that feeling by definition is just

plain and simple sexy.

Hope you enjoyed my post on more things to make pink.

This one particularly excites me because it's a sign of things to come in the style sphere.

The blossoming of pink hair to the forefront of fashion can only mean that we are on the verge of the resurgence of roccoco style. So make sure to check back for an update within the month on just that. 

I'll pull out the big guns on a fashion storm I've been anticipating for a good few years now.

And mark my words, I am relentlessly prepared for it.

A Día To Remember - Día De Los Muertos And Its Massive Influence

I love soundtracks, but this will get all your senses firing for what lies ahead:

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm preparing for the biggest move of my life,

so from now until New Year's (since I'm flying out on Xmas Eve),

I'll be taking some time to reload between rounds.

I'm renewing my license and passport (more on that later), getting my dog a puppy passport,

and liquidating almost all of my earthly possessions.

After all, you can't take it with you, can you?

On that note, I hope your hunger has been satiated with enough Halloween Eye-candy for now,

because I want to move on to a traditional holiday that's just as fun and festive,

with just enough frightening and freaky:

Photo and Info @ El Candil De Los Pensamientos

Día De Los Muertos

This holiday has been largely misunderstood as being a cult celebration of death, but the beautiful juxtaposition is that it's the celebration of the life of the people who have crossed over to the other side, and a day when they are honored by the living, who decorate their graves with marigolds, their favorite foods, and other gifts to the dead.

No matter how you look at it, the visual spectacle is undeniably vivacious!

One important point to take note of: Día De Los Muertos is not Mexican Halloween.

That would be el Día De Los Brujas, which you can check out too.

Día De Los Muertos is a traditional Aztec Holiday which was celebrated 

3000 years before the conquistadors invaded and tried to eradicate the holiday completely.

But the old Aztec spirits die hard, 

or hardly at all. 

This Holiday's scenes and symbolism have infiltrated the hearts of millions,

and it's no longer solely celebrated in Mexico, but within many states in the US, 

and its art is receiving worldwide recognition.

There are similar celebrations that have been observed in countries and continents

such as Spain and Brazil, and similarly themed celebrations take place in 

Asia, Europe and Africa as well.

Honoring the deceased is not so esoteric after all!

However, the symbolism of Mexico's Day of the Dead is as 

unique and individualized as it gets.

Not to mention indisputably colorful and fantastical!

For more info on the traditions and festivities, visit these sites:

www.azcentral.com - www.mexconnect.com - www.ladayofthedead.com

The Sugar Skull

Arguably the most recognizable symbol of the Holiday is the Sugar Skull. In ancient times, the aztecs kept skulls as trophies to symbolize death and rebirth.

The modern sugar skull is a mild and almost endearing representation of this ancient practice,

without the repercussions that would ensue in modern day society.

The skulls are a tremendous part of the tradition, with the name of the deceased inscribed on the forehead. 

They are then 

eaten by the 

relatives.

 Rebirth indeed, 

in the form 

of a sugar high.

True artisan sugar skull makers use 50 year-old molds for the competition at the Feria de Alfinique in Metepec, Mexico. These sugar sculptors have been making artisanal sugar skulls for generations.

It's common to find sculptures all over that can be displayed at home year round.

And why not? As a reminder that death isn't always gory or scary, it can be colorful and decorative, too.

 images and info @ mexicansugarskull.com

Shingo Shimizu

Shepard Fairey

 Modern artists have been inspired by these cute and creepy curios for quite some time. 

To the left, the notorious:

Shepard Fairey

To the Right, the incredible
graphic designer and illustrator:

Shingo Shimizu

"The Lady of the Dead" aka The Catrina

Another common visual that you will see in sculptures, painting and prayer flags is the Lady of the Dead, now known as the Catrina.

In the original Aztec ceremonies, which lasted for a month (not just November 1 and 2)

this was the Goddess Mictecacihuatl for whom the festival was dedicated. Also know as "Guardian of the Bones, "her role is to keep watch over the bones of the dead, and is said to be the spirit of a girl who was sacrificed as an infant. She is believed to preside over the ceremony to this day.

The Catrina has become the modern interpretation of the The Lady of the Dead,

and has become a subject of infatuation among many painters dating back to the turn of the 20th century to the present.

Jose Guadelupe Posada

One such artist is Jose Guadelupe Posada. His images dating back to the early 1900's have been engrained into the minds of many.

"La Catrina," the illustration of the high society woman is one of Posada's most highly regarded pieces. It's also one of the most recognizable image of the Día de los Muertos celebration.



Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history3.html#ixzz2AphVeqeW

Posada's best known works are his calaveras, which often assume various costumes, such as the Calavera de la Catrina, the "Calavera of the Female Dandy," which was meant to satirize the life of the upper classes during the reign of Porfirio Díaz. Most of his imagery was meant to make a religious or satirical point. Since his death, however, his images have become associated with the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, the "Day of the Dead".

Jose Posada @ artchive.com

Modern Artists

I'm a bit biased by this next "phenome" of paintings: One of my favorite artists has payed the Catrina quite the compliment with her enthralling masterpieces. 

Introducing the one and only: 

Sylvia Ji

and her many Catrinas.

This influential and talented temptress of art lovers everywhere has become world renowned for her masterful depictions of the Catrina, among other macabre masterpieces.

A word to the wise, here-in lies some killer makeup inspiration.

Taking it to the streets and straight to the public, marvel at the mural of Beth Emmerich:

Art is All Around You : Beth Emmerich

As permanent and public as this gorgeous street statement may seem,

there are other people destined to take their magnificent manifesto all the way to the grave:

Catrina Aztec Tattoo

Lock and Key Sugar Skull Tattoo

Sugar Skull Diamond Tattoos

By Adam @ Zulu Tattoo

Día De Los Muertos Body Tattoo

If you're not into "'Til death do us part" with your art,

some less permanent ways to display your creativity will still 

rock the boat over the River Styx:

Amy Feelings Makeup Design

Día De Los Muertos @ Juxtapost

A La Maquina

Idea from Pinterest

Purple Lady Makeup Design

This is still in-your-face, literally. But as bold as these transformations are, 

they can be easily

removed after 

the festivities.

 Want a step-by-step demonstration? Your last wish is granted:

and for los hombres, or the girl who has the cojones:

Enjoy yourself! 

For my last will and testament, if your listening, Spirits, please guide this gorgeous garb into my life:

Tatted Sugar Skull Mask

Diamante Skull Heels

Handmade Sugar Skull Party Dress

 However, making yourself the center of the celebration

is kinda missing the point. While playing the part is fashionably fabulous,

don't be frivolous. 

In light of the spiritual context of this holiday, remember to reminisce on the ones you've

loved and lost.

Included below are some amusing and appreciative ways to pay homage to your 

nearest and dearest deceased.

Regardless of communion and creed, a simple (or ornate) altar is a universal visual

representation of meaningful recognition.

Here are a few tips:

From the most simple to the most elaborate, these images will give you the basic gist. But check out the sites below 

for a full how-to:

www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/altar/

www.globalexchange.org/fairtrade

www.themijachronicles.com

And remember: There's always room for creativity, so make it your own manifestation of ethereal memories.

And if you speak Spanish, this will explain every last detail.

Even if you don't, it still stands as an inspirational view:

Now, as Luis Prima once sang,

"Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think.

Enjoy yourself, while you're still in the pink.

The years go by, as quickly as a wink,

so enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself,

It's later than you think." 

;)