So, I had myself a much-needed and much-deserved hair cut the other day.
Although the cut was questionable, the shampoo and conditioning was like icing on my carrot top.
My hair was smoother than Obama.
And my head smelled so wonderful that I actually considered grabbing the ends and patching them under my nose like a fake mustache so I could continually smell it all day.
Use it:
The new television adaptation of Grey Gardens may be getting rave reviews, but it’s the premiere wardrobes that are getting me excited!
Check out the flawless fashion seen at last night’s premiere in New York. Every guest seemed to hit it out of the park.
Drew Barrymore, especially.
She seems to get it really right or really wrong. Now, it appears as though she’s growing into her own.
Always seeming down-to-earth and casual with her style, the actress is now playing up a true classic Hollywood glamour look with this Alberta Ferretti number. Top it off with the crimson stained lips and dramatic ivory veil…A+!
What’s acceptable and unacceptable when it comes to airbrushing has long plagued the magazine world.
Celebrities, already beautiful, are made to look younger, thinner, almost alien-like in their perfection on the covers of fashion magazines.
Now, in a brave move by the mainstream and highly influential fashion mag French ELLE, April cover girls Eva Herzigova, Monica Bellucci, Sophie Marceau, and Charlotte Rampling will appear not only without their professionally done make-up, but also without the assistance of any photoshopping or retouching whatsoever.
I think it’s about time we started seeing real women on the covers and start celebrating natural beauty. These women still look amazing. They also, still all look human.
Another recent mag cover has been receiving a storm of photoshop controversy. The latest edition of Harper’s Bazaar features Halle Berry looking ever so slightly re-touched (and by ’slightly re-touched’ i mean almost unrecognizable).
Dubbed the “Age Issue”, the person holding the photoshop mouse on this one kindly left in a slight shadow under the eye, but that doesn’t distract from her near-white skin and perfectly smooth, wrinkle-less face.
The 42-year-old actress looks younger than me!
This sort of thing happens ALL THE TIME. Just look at Britney Spears recent Candie’s ads. Sienna Miller’s September cover of American Vogue was so airbrushed that UK journalists were quoted as saying she was photoshopped “within an inch of her life”.
Don’t get me wrong, I love looking at gorgeous pictures of gorgeous women. But when the standards are set that high, how can any of us normal people ever possibly imagine of living up? It’s crazy and dangerous.
Perhaps the most shocking case of photoshopping came last year when Dove’s “Real Beauty” campaign was found to be a farse.
“Real” women, dressed in nothing but their underwear were released to show that true beauty comes in all different shapes and sizes. Females rejoiced!
That was until photo retoucher Pascal Dangin blew the lid off the whole ugly operation, claiming he kept everyone’s face and skin looking fresher, younger and more beautiful. Dove denied the claim, but who are they fooling?
That whole campaign got under my freckled skin a little.
I remember driving down the Gardiner Expressway in downtown Toronto and seeing a larger-than-life digital billboard that had a picture of a gorgeous, curvy woman. The question posed on the board said “Fat or Fabulous?”.
People could log on to a web site and vote whether they thought the model was fierce or just plain fat.
The counted vote would then appear on the billboard much like a score at a baseball game. And, when I saw the shocking ad, it wasn’t looking good for the fabulous vote.
It’s no surprise that those for a little, or a lot, of retouching are those that make their livings selling said magazines and ads. I’m sure Anna Wintour wouldn’t turn her nose up to a little technological nip and tuck if she were featured on the cover of Vogue.
And maybe that’s where the problem lies. Actresses, singers, models demand their photographs be retouched before appearing on the cover of magazines.
We are what we eat. And right about now, we’re consuming unattainable perfection ’till we’re blue in the face.
Although thanks to photoshop, the blue comes off as a youthful pinkish hue.
x
Hi everyone
I think there is a lot of interest in what Mr. Fong’s final collection actually looked like. Or, maybe people just want/need to relive the magic again.
Any case, watch his final runway show again here:
Hooray!
My favourite designer on Project Runway Canada has officially taken the competition. Was there ever any doubt?
I really enjoyed this second season of the reality series (although enough with the blatant ad placements already! We get it - you use L’Oreal products).
I must say, Jessica Biffi sure gave a great performance as well. Bravo to you as well, Ms. B.
But it was Fong, the 32-year-old Torontonian, whose daring final collection (a clever take on Alexander the Great) emerged victorious during Toronto’s Fashion Week. And so it should have.
Absolutely, 100 per cent, perfection.
Along with this huge fashion coo, Fong also claims a $100,000 to start his own fashion line (Vawk), a business mentorship from Winners, a L’Oreal Paris professional portfolio photo shoot and a cover and feature spread in an upcoming issue of ELLE Canada. Not too shabby. Pretty darn chic.
During the judging panel, Fong said he wanted women to look at his collection and say ‘I want that!’. Mission accomplished!
I was salivating over it. Every new design was a step above the rest. I was practically licking the screen. Ok, no, that was my dog. But Fong would have loved her black fur.
I was hunting around the web for a little Fongness and I did happen to stumble upon some interesting things. Does anyone know if Fong tried out writing? Maybe dabbled in some freelance journalism?
Maybe this isn’t him? Regardless, it’s a pretty edgy and interesting read. Check it out:
http://www.koi-magazine.com/archive_summer04/noserockets.html
Check out his official Facebook fan page as well. You’ve made it now Sun!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43932953306
x
It takes a lot for a celebrity to shock the masses these days.
And it definitely takes a lot for a B-list celebrity to cause a stir.
Cassie, the very hot singer known for her hit single Me & U, has changed her look. Not unusual for a celeb to do, right?
Check out her twitter page to see the makeover. Then, let me know what you think. Thousands are weighing in:
Before:
After:
It’s no secret that I love all things French.
But there is one thing that trumps it all (and it’s not the champagne).
The site screams Parisian chic and carries all the lush brands to legitimize the look.
Right now they are featuring Belgium designer Ann Demeulemeester. The extroadinarily talented woman known for her Paris Fashion Week showcases.
Now, Dep Fem is showing off her latest creations - black and white and cool all over. Draped dresses, sleek lambskin bags, I’m giddy from it all (and it’s not from the champagne).
Browse the site, you won’t be sorry. Also, don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter to keep in-the-know.
x
As a natural redhead who has stayed true to her ginger roots since birth, I was shocked to learn of a new form of sunscreen.
How could I have not heard about this sooner?
Sunscreen without the cream.
That’s right all my freckled friends. Now you can buy your sunscreen in the form of a powder. Brush it on as you would make-up and voila, melanoma free!
This new item in skin-care technology claims to be just as powerful as the creamy stuff BUT won’t clog your pores. Also, can avoid that dreaded forgot-to-rub-in-the-nose look. Who still finds that funny, anyway?
I checked Sephora’s site and found this: Bare Escentuals Natural sunscreen - all natural, mineral-based SPF powder. More expensive than your average bottle of coppertone, but seems to come in various skin shades, so can act as a concealer as well.
Summer, hurry up!
The new Chanel movie Coco avant Chanel is making waves across the pond. My palms are sweating in anticipation.
The film premiered earlier this month in Paris with star Audrey Tautou looking every bit the part. The adorable actress took a cue from the legendary Karl Lagerfeld (who also has held the reigns behind the iconic Chanel brand for the past 25 years and oversaw costume designs throughout filming).
I must tout Tautou’s premiere look.
The stunning actress arrived in Lagerfeld’s gorgeous black and white floral dress from his Spring couture collection and teamed it with an edgy, cropped and tightly fitting leather jacket. She finished the look off with Rossi gladiator heels and an emerald cocktail ring. J’adore.
Black and white is quickly becoming my uniform.
Her simple make-up and perfectly polished cropped hair was synonymous with the Chanel look, while still looking effortless. The director was right on the double-C button for this casting choice.
The role of Ms. Chanel was originally rumoured to be going to the likes of British actress Keira Knightley. Even though Knightley has starred in several Chanel perfume ads, I still think Tautou was the better and right choice (I’ve heard rumours Tautou will be the next to star in those ads, taking over from Nicole Kidman).
It’s true the brand has gained a reputation of being rather stuffy over the years. When I used to think of Chanel I pictured much (MUCH) older ladies in pale pink tailored suits. Coffins are not a cool accessory.
But, I feel this film will help bring relevance and mainstream popularity back to the fantastic label.
Who doesn’t feel like the epitome of a sophisticated woman while wearing Chanel? Now the brand can be introduced to a whole new (but still extremely wealthy) generation.
I hope there isn’t a backlash when this film opens in North America. With the deep recession, many people are shying away from anything extravagant… hiding their DvF shopping bags and carrying their Jimmy Choo’s in target bags, for example.
Maybe this is just a film, but I’ve heard rumours even the Sex and the City sequel will tame the label flashing in true recessionary respect (*shock* horror*)
But the story of Coco is a true rags to riches tale and is sure to warm the hearts of every recessionista/fashionista this side of the hemisphere.
A North American release date has yet to be confirmed but I will keep all you lovelies posted.
x
His name is George.
We’ve only been seeing one another for a couple days, but last night I let him massage me all over before bed.
Wanna know more?