True Confessions

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Gigi in Beauty 2 Comments

Gigi Glam

I host a photography event called “Fresh & Fabulous”, 4-6 women come to my studio and do a beauty, boudoir or fashion inspired session. We have professional hair and makeup, a stylist, refreshments, a little bubbly and a lot of fun. The premise is a transformational experience where you allow yourself to tap into your inner goddess and let her reveal herself. Some of my clients have not been photographed since their wedding day or graduation, we do what I like to call “big girl” dress up, where you try something different, if you don’t do sequins normally do them today. My focus is tapping into that inner beauty that is tucked away waiting to come out, modern glamour.

So Saturday at my event I told the “glam squad” to do me, no restrictions. Those of you who know me, know that I have been a natural curly girl for a long time, before it was a trend. The last time I can remember having my hair straightened was at my 50th birthday party. So when the team decided to straighten my hair and add clip on extensions I was nervous. I have never wore added on hair, no reason per say, I’ve always been blessed with a lot of hair and just never explored that option.

OMG so about an hour later I had this loooooong waist length blond “Beyonce” 20 years in the future “do”. The color was perfect! I felt like cinderella. So I rock my new locks for the day feeling very “housewife of some sexy city USA” flipping and tossing this mane every which a way. So at the end of the day, Edwin our hair stylist, told me it is time to take the magic down, and of course I say let me keep it for the weekend “PLEASE?”.

working the hair for the rest of the weekend

So of course I had to question the “why”? After pondering that thought for a while it came to me…I was brought back to my childhood where I was the little girl who wanted really long hair, blond would have been a bonus. The little girl who took her mother’s old stockings and braided them together and attached them to my pony tails to make them butt length. So I dug a little deeper and remembered going to school in racist New Jersey where I was the only little black girl at the catholic school I attended, and the prejudice I experienced was so unbearable, from the nuns as well as the other students. It was so baaaaad that when my parents were divorcing I was secretly happy because it meant we would be moving from this racist place, I did not know what California was like, but I knew it had to be better than this situation. Somehow little 8 year-old me was convinced that if only I had long blond hair, everyone would like me…how sad was that?

Moving forward this 55 year-old was pretty happy with her “hair” it was fun to explore that option for a minute, I worked it for the weekend and became pretty comfortable. I may have to invest in a few clip ons for those moments when I want that “long hair don’t care” look. It is amazing how easily you can transform yourself into whatever…most days I’m a little makeup and my ponytail but it is always nice to change it up.

my straight hair sans the clip ons

Happy Monday

Xoxo,

GIGI

A few more shots of the transformation

under the dryer…old school wet set

They are “working” on me…

The “magic”

Fabulous glam squad–it takes a village

Natural Woman

ON Bodies and Other Things

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Gigi in Beauty, Well-Being Comments Off

Breaking the 55 speed limit, has its bumps in the road- not that I’m obsessed with my body, but yes I do want to be fit and healthy and if a side benefit is a toned physique I’ll take that. So I’m on top of my workout game, which is keeping me sore on most days. Working out in a high intensity class where you are the eldest in the room will take a toll on you, but I’m doing it. I just want to keep the middle age spread at a distance, I don’t want to come face to face with it, at least not at this point, I still like body conscious clothes and want to rock them for a bit more.

So as I’m limping around this weekend, I came across this photography project called 4th trimester bodies, which is a collection of images of women and their small babies showcasing their bodies. The images are so real and raw, these mothers and their post birth soft bodies are beautiful. I started thinking about the standard of “body beauty” that women are judged by and who sets that. Like why am working my butt off to have flat abs, some sort of waist and a tight ass…all of which may be mission impossible anyway.

In my own business, I photograph a lot of women and most no matter what size or age they are will immediately zoom in on their bodies and ask if something can be tweaked with a little photoshop. I remember when I was younger, a lot younger in my 20’s I thought I was the “bomb”, now I get 20 something year-old gorgeous girls that want images photoshopped, but I guess we are living in a world where celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian, and Bey are photoshopping instagram pics, so everyone has a warped sense of reality.

Then there are the diets, the juice cleanse, paleo diet, atkins, master cleanse, gluten free, HCG 500 calorie and countless others, all of which work if you follow them, it is when you go back to eating “normal” that all the weight returns sometimes even more than what you started with and now a jacked metabolism where you look at a cookie and gain weight. I personally love good food to much, which is my problem, and could never stick with any plan long term, especially the low calorie ones, where the weight comes off so fast and the consequence is a sunken in face, not good for my age demographic. So the trade off fat butt and full face or skinny butt and sunken face…I chose the first one.

So friends as difficult as it is, lets work toward acceptance and stop the self loathing–cause at the end of the day there is always going to be some one thinner, younger, tighter body etc. just be the best version of you. So I will work on loving my golden age body, and the bumps and lumps that I have earned over the half century it has been on the planet. I’ll do my workouts for my overall well being, BTW nothing feels better than a good sweaty workout- and I’ll take any cosmetic gains as well.

Happy Monday

Xoxo Gigi

Gigi @ 55

Gigi’s Meanderings around the Web #15

NATURAL WOMAN

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Gigi in Aging, Beauty 6 Comments

I’ve always loved make-up and glamour, as far back as I can remember, always trying to paint my face. My mom never painted her nails or wore much make-up and has never colored her hair, not sure where I got the glam gene from.

Gigi & Mom

Beauty is so personal and subjective, wearing makeup, is not an attempt to hold on to my youth, but it is something that makes me feel good, I like looking at my painted nails and batting my mascara-ed lashes. Of course I have days where I go out and about “bare-faced”, but that is not the norm. I genuinely like the process of putting on make up, shopping for it and experimenting with new looks and techniques, I’m the customer who will gladly try the new whatever.

True

There are some who feel women should be “natural” ie. no make-up, weave free, let hair grow wherever, let the lines and wrinkles reveal the life of the face, no nail polish, no surgical alterations, no filling, botoxing, or lash extending. There is even a movement in photography going toward non-photoshopped, no make-up images of women. While I don’t like overly photoshopped images ie. faces flattened all the character erased away, I love seeing clients transformed and their natural beauty enhanced.

makeup-no makeup

If a long weave makes you feel fabulous, rock on- same as if sporting a TWA, whatever makes you happy and feel good about yourself. Your beauty choices should reflect you and those that may be critical- oh well.

Rossano Ferretti 310 598-6780

A few days ago, I got my hair colored, I love highlights and have been sporting them for the past 10 or so years. Lisa Oliver, at Rossano Ferretti (345 N Canon Drive Beverly Hills 310 598-6780) has been highlighting my hair for a long time, at least ten years. My grays are starting to become a little more aggressive, but I can still get away with coloring my hair once every 8 months, one benefit of the way I wear my hair it is very “gray” friendly and forgiving.

hair color

Nov 18 1996 Gigi with dark tresses

fresh highlights

Perhaps one day, I will explore my grays in the future, but right now I’m digging this. My grandmother had dark tresses until she departed this earth in her early 90’s, so I will see what feels right for me when the time comes.

What are your thoughts on makeup? Hair color? Do you feel women are bombarded by images in the media, and are pressured to try and achieve a certain level of beauty as a result? For the grown and sexy, as you mature do you feel “glam-ing up is not as important? I’m curious…on what your thoughts are…

Happy Monday,

Xoxo,

Gigi

Gigi’s Hair routine # 2

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Gigi in Beauty, Hair Comments Off

I’ve been wanting to do an update on my hair routine, ie. photo shoot, video etc., but for whatever reason that has not happened, so I decided to do a quick iphone diary of my current routine.

this hair is a mess-

First I have to admit, between vacation, the beach, pool, and sun my hair is in need for some TLC- it is like a tumbleweed, so dry. I keep wetting it, which rejuvenates it enough to be presentable without starting from scratch. This is my “poof” first thing in the morning, normally I wet it, add some oil and smooth the fly aways and make this work again for another day…but enough is enough.

really bad…

See, I’m letting you see the real funky get down dirty “me”-these tresses are not falling down at my shoulders anytime soon. This hair needs to be done! So I don’t have a lot of time, I have an appointment in the city, so lets get this party started.

shampoo and detangle

Jump in the shower and shampoo with my “No Poo” 2x and detangle with lots of Tresseme conditioner. Today I’m going to deep condition with Bask Y.A.M conditioner , I should sit under the dryer, but I’m pressed for time today, so I will put a plastic cap on and do a few things around the house.

post wash

Y.A.M. conditioner by Bask

Rinse out the conditioner and “style” with these products:

love this product

I put a generous amount of this on my soaking wet hair in the shower. I then separate into 3 sections, one in the back and two in the front using big clips.

big clips

Today I am styling with these items. I change up a lot, just because I’m always searching for the mother lode product.

current cocktail

I start at the nape of my neck and quickly add products with my fingers, a little one condition, followed by Heaven in hair and a smidgen of b-leave in gel, I quickly apply in sections and then do the same to the front, separating my hair where I want it to fall in the front, ie. side part, enter part etc.

product applied

Next step is the hardest–don’t touch it anymore, I have to let it dry, if I am in a rush I use the diffuser, but I prefer for it to air dry. So I will leave it like this and go about my business. Once I get dressed I will use my special towel around my shoulders so my outfit does not get wet.

ready for the day

So I was out and about for about 4 hours, not completely dry the back it is still damp/wet and I am looking like a pilgrim. Not good.

Pilgrim hair

I’m going out tonight and cannot do the “pilgrim” look, so I will use the diffuser to encourage some volume. I really don’t like “first day” hair and I usually time my wash day a couple a days ahead of an event. Considering I did a rush job, it is okay and will work for tonight.

finished “do”

Finished “do

Happy Thursday!

Xoxo,

Gigi

Waxing the Thing…

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Gigi in Beauty 2 Comments

waxing

Hmmmm…To wax or not to wax? I’ve been waxing for over 10 years, perhaps I should have opted for laser hair removal, but something about the permanent nature, did not agree with me- and I’m a chicken. I can’t help but to think about peeps I see at the beach with faded droopy tats from yesteryear.

In one week I will celebrate my birthday, and like an old vintage car I like to get a complete overhaul done, so I can start my new “birth” year off fresh. So I went for my “wax” and I started thinking about is it time for a new look? I thought about how when I go to the wax salon I never see any “mature” ladies–where are they? Is there a point when you wake up one day and say “enough”? Do you go back to the full “monty”? What if “its” gray or salt and pepper? Crazy thoughts I know. Is there a cutoff year? If you are getting those AARP membership cards is that a sign?

Before I can put to much thought into this, Mirisa my “waxer” calls my name. Mirisa and I have become close over the years, even though I only see her every other month, we talk about everything in those 30 minutes. I thought about asking her “how old is your oldest client?” but I was to scared that it might be me. You can’t help but to get close to someone who yanks hair out of your lady parts with hot wax, you become close, and once you find someone, it is not the type of service you want to have a new person every time. Perhaps I’ll get the nerve to ask her next time.

I check out and exit by a few “30” somethings waiting and I smile.

So what do you think? Is there a cutoff for waxing? Does it fall in the category of the older woman whose skirts are a little to short to pull off, or the top that is to low cut for a crepey cleavage, we all know when we see the “trying to hard look”. Or since it is a “private” area does it matter? I’m curious of what your thoughts are…

WAX

Gigi’s Wax salon: Wax 7924 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90046 (323) 951-9616 Mirisa is amazing!!!

Happy Monday,

XOXO,

GIGI

MAKEUP- A COVER UP?

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Gigi in Beauty Comments Off

As far back as I can remember I have always loved makeup. Sneaking in my sisters makeup bag, opening the little Mary Quant compacts, and dabbing my finger into the brightly colored pigments was pure magic to a 7 year-old. A few years later to my delight my mother became a Mary Kay lady, and I was her assistant, happy to carry the pink suitcase full of creams and powders. As a teen that’s when I discovered the department store makeup counter, and I have been an addict ever since, routinely updating my “face” with a new lip or another mascara promising even longer lashes. I even offer a beauty photo session in my business, 54 Couture where we have a professional make up artist as part of the experience, so when I came across this piece yesterday it was certainly thought provoking.

Here is the image, that sparked the debate.

Before and After

Some comments were adamantly against makeup, feeling that it contributes to “normal” girls feeling ugly, and some felt it shows the power of makeup and the art of applying it skillfully to enhance ones features. Read the thread here.

For my work, professionally applied makeup, combined with beautiful lighting, the correct lens and of course the “eye” of the photographer can transform and give every woman that A-lister photo session experience, which at the end of the day is just plain fun, and so far the clients have loved the experience and have gone out after the shoot.

Personally I love it, especially for special occasions. I’m not the person that wakes up looking for my “face” before I go outside, nor do I wear makeup to the gym, but I do love glam-ing it up for an event or having a nice “day” look when I’m out and about. I find it no different than hair color, or shaving ones legs, it is just another part of the grooming process that is a personal choice.

gigi before & after

Love this…

True

What do you think about makeup? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Xoxo,

Gigi

Before & After

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Gigi in Beauty, photography 6 Comments

gigi before & after

As you all know, I am passionate about my craft, I love waking up each day and capturing images that move me or make me chuckle. Sometimes it is something silly like a sign that has a double meaning.

tj maxx

Or this guy “rock climbing” the wall at Starbucks…

rock climbing…

Although I love taking pictures, getting in front of the camera, now that’s a different story. Yes, I do take lots of pics of myself, but there are many you don’t see, you know the ones you “delete” right away. For the most part, I’m in control of most of the shots, I “pass” the camera to one of the Reggies, and tell them how to take the pic.

So a couple of weeks ago I decided to be the subject, so I could see what a client feels like when a big lens is staring in their face. First thing I realized, being photographed is humbling, your whole person is being viewed by another, and you can’t help but to think about all your perceived imperfections. At first I felt vulnerable, exposed in a way, I was worrying about my hair, thinking about was my mascara to clumpy or did my body look weird and a host of other silly thoughts. I’m sure it may be different for actors, and models who are always in front of the camera, but I am speaking for those of us that can count the times on one hand that we have had our portrait done, and I am not counting the family photo shoots. We all have our “stuff” when it comes to being photographed–“my butt is fat”, ” I don’t like my arms” or “my stomach” the list goes on and on.

So after about the first 15 shots, I began to relax and trust my friend and take her direction, and soon I was feeling as if I was on America’s Next Top “Old” Model, it was actually fun. I let go and quieted the little voice in my head, embraced “me” and accepted this was who I was at that moment and it was OK. We are bombarded by photoshopped images every day, so we can’t help but to develop a warped sense of what we “think” we should look like. We all want to feel BEAUTIFUL. Many of us don’t even take pictures at all, which is sad, because one day you will look back and there will be periods of your life where you have no images just a fleeting memory.

While I love photographing families, my heart is shooting women, I love finding that sparkle in women who have been on the planet for a while, and have lived a little, those that may not have a perfect, perky 22 year-old-body, but there is something that comes through those eyes, a connection, and when that happens I am delighted. Offering an experience for women, where for a couple hours they can feel like an A-lister, and I can capture something special, my work is done and I am happy. Stay tuned…

Gigi After

Happy Friday-Have a good weekend! And BE-YOU-TIFUL!

XOXO,

Gigi

At My Age…

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Gigi in Aging, Beauty, Fitness, Well-Being 2 Comments

I’m going to be honest here. We live is a youth obsessed society, everywhere you look there are images of celebrities in the news, on the TV, FB etc., whether an update on Bey’s comings and goings or some Kardashian story, we are bombarded by these images.

Celebs in the news

BEY

Our “norm” of what a person looks like is an overly photoshopped picture that leaves a little remnant of what the person actually looks like in person. Digital images once uploaded and magnified expose any sensitive areas you may have or shall I say did not know you had…

Madonna Before and After

Most days I feel like I am holding on pretty good, considering I’m 5’4″ and 54. I inherited my father’s hair color gene, just a sprinkling of grey strands, which allows me to color my hair about every 5-6 months and wearing a curly “do” hides a multitude of sins.

Photographer Gigi

The body however, is something that needs constant monitoring. No more of the magically tight 20’s, or the taunt 30’s or the firm fine 40’s this is the “betta find your a$$ in a gym 50’s” or else ease on down the middle age spread road. Is there anything really wrong with that? Passing on the baton and settling comfortably in to a pair of spanx and a good bra? No. Not at all-but of course there are other benefits to working out other than the “I don’t like the body that I glanced at in the mirror” reason.

Spanx

And don’t throw in the dreaded “M” work…That blanky-blank will jack a body up until you outsmart it…My theory is that menopause has a timer that tries to tell the world in subtle ways that this body is no longer available for reproducing. Let’s try and plump it up just enough to take away that youthful hourglass figure, just enough so somebody may slip and call you “Ma’am”.

menopause

My car is a 2007 model, which is old by California standards, the moment the service light comes on I am at the dealer, never ever missing an appointment, that is how you have to be with these bodies, diligent. I have to do yoga or I risk stiffening up like the tin man, strength training-a must do especially since I was diagnosed with osteoporosis a few years back. Cardio, cardio and more cardio if you want to have some memory of a waistline, and finally the most important one of all-drumroll THE DIET!

Gigi yoga

You have to fine tune what you put in your body and know what works for you. I’m not here to preach the vegan diet, vs raw vegan or vegetarian sermon, because even those can wreck havoc on a body if not followed properly ie. we all have met the obese vegetarian who lives on macaroni and cheese and pizza. The only rule I want to share is “GRREN UP” Saturate your body with as many anti-oxidants as you can stand, from fresh organic produce-you will notice the benefits inside and out especially in your skin. Everyday I have at least one big glass of fresh green juice.

Green Goddess Juice

Of course there are skin care advances and procedures available, but I want to do everything I can holistically before I investigate those options. I know I owe a lot to my diet and protecting myself from our beloved sun.

botox filler injections

So Gigi’s advice to all my pretties:

20’s Have fun, but set up a foundation of being active

Gigi @ 25

30’s “twerk” the diet if you had bad habits in the 20’s, especially if you are starting to have babies

Wedding Day july 23, 1989 1 week before 30

40’s if you don’ get your shit together here, this is like the last hooray-lots can happen in this era

Gigi @ 40

50’s you can still be FAB, but you have to do the work No get our of jail card here, you will go direct to “fifty and frumpy”

50’s Gigi

60’s and beyond KEEP it MOVING and watch the diet, it is a lifetime commintment

The good thing is our bodies are truly amazing, with a lot of effort and hard work you can still get results and reverse the aging clock. Will you ever look 22 again? No, but you can be a damn good looking 50 something year old

So start today by making good choices or bumping it up a notch if you already have a good routine. I’m always trying to do something, whether it is trying a new workout or training for an event, anything to keep my butt moving instead of drooping…

So let’s toast with a green juice and move your body today!

Xoxo,

GIGI

THE SCENT OF A WOMAN…

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Gigi in Beauty 3 Comments

My Scents

As far back as I can remember I have always loved perfume, my first memory is a big bottle of Jean Nate that sat on a shelf on the back of the toilet.

Jean Nate

My older sister loved Chanel #5, which had a special place on her dresser. I would sneak and a dab a little behind my ear, imitating the starlets in the movies.

CHANEL

Tinkerbell was my first fragrance, all I remember about it was a blond fairy on the label and how I kept the box on my dresser only wearing it on special occasions.

Tinkerbell

Fast forward to my teen years, at the time the popular fragrances were Charlie, Love’s Babysoft, Hypnotique and Lauren, of course I did not want any of those, I saved my money from my $3.00 per hour job and bought a bottle of Joy by Jean Patou, I think it cost me about $85.00. Why? Because I read somewhere that it was made of really rare flowers and was considered one the the best perfumes at that time. So silly me spent about a week of wages on this perfume, and then to make matters worse I rarely wore it and then it went “bad”.

JOY by Jean Patou

Moving on to my 20’s I wore Anais Anais, YSL Opium, Bijan and of course who can forget Georgio? Those were the days before text messages, email, or twitter, I would write letters to BF’s and scent them with perfume, so romantic. Does anyone write “old school” love letters any more? I even remember getting a letter from a fellow that was saturated with Grey Flannel. Those were the days.

On my wedding day I wore Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs l’ original, my matron of honor Blaine gifted me with this fragrance at my bridal shower.

Wedding Day Fragrance

Early in my marriage my husband not realizing that I was a fragrance snob gifted me with a few fragrances from our local drug store. I recall giving the “fake smile” and reminding myself that it is the thought that counts, until one day I just told him that the perfumes I like are not available at our local drug stores or in our little town. Sorry. So he decided he would take perfume off his gift list and move on to something else. I went through quite a few phases , Coco Mademoiselle, Fracas, Donna Karen Cashmere, Dior Poison, Prada, bvlgari to name a few of my favorites over the years. Always dousing myself with something, not feeling complete until dabbed or sprayed my body.

Now I have settled on a few signature scents, not really keeping up with new ones any more, almost like I have finally settled on a few signature scents that I am happy with. I switch up with the seasons to keep it interesting, and these are the ones that are in my current rotation.

WINTER : Tom Ford Black Orchid- a luxurious, alluring, sensual fragrance- a combination of black orchids and spices. Love this one.

Black Orchid

SPRING : Bond Noho Nuit- “unapologetic, contemporary, fruity-floral, skin scent sexy avant-garde” I love this scent, I always get compliments when I wear it.

Bond Noho Nuit

SUMMER : Creed Virgin Island Water -fresh, citrus, caribbean, coconut, lime, hibiscus,ginger, ylang-ylang, sugar cane & rum. This scent reminds me of the islands when I wear it.

Creed Virgin Island Water

FALL : Serge Lutens Nuit de cellophane- jasmine, carnation, lily, warmed by lush milky almond, sandalwood & sweet honey. I discovered this scent about 5 years ago and have been wearing it ever since.

Serge Lutens

“Another way to take up more space is with perfume. I really love wearing perfume.”

Andy Warhol

I concur…

Do you have a signature scent?

Xoxo,

GIGI

Like Fine Wine, Better With Age?

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Gigi in Aging, Beauty, Well-Being 2 Comments

Fabulous Tina Turner 73 years young

This jaw dropping image of 73 years young, Tina Turner popped up on my facebook news feed a few days ago on her birthday, November 26. I have always been a Tina Turner fan, gone to numerous live performances and always left the show in awe of her energy, beauty, attitude and of course her famous legs. Seeing this picture I thought “wow” Tina is 20 years older than me and she looks great! I don’t hide my age, all 53 years are posted all over the internet for the world to see. Aging can be all consuming in this youth worshipping society, but the fact is we cannot do anything to stop the process. My approach so far has been holistic, watching my diet, exercising as much as possible, having a glass a wine sometimes and even chocolate. I dabble in lots of creams for my skin, this habit started many years ago when my mom was a Mary Kay consultant and I was her assistant at the wise old age of 12. Some days though, I look in the mirror and I am reminded that yes, I am getting older, but with that I am more confident, wiser, and stronger. At this point I still rock heels that are probably 2 inches to high, wear dresses that more than skim my body, and have an ipod full of music that would impress some of the 20-somethings. It’s a state of mind that I think makes all the difference in how you navigate this road of aging, follow the signs, but don’t be afraid to go over the speed limit, make an illegal u turn here and there, and park in the red zone.

What’s your approach to aging?

Xoxo,

Gigi

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