Cosmetic

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

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…