Our Lucky Stars

As we head into 2014 don't forget to be unstoppable, like my shining example, Shirley MacLaine. She never stops, seems to have fun along the way, and her movies still provide endless entertainment. In her publicity shots she never looked self-conscience or egotistical, she was always open, honest, fresh-faced, and has timeless good looks.

Be quietly spectacular, ever bright, and sparkle, no matter what you are doing:

Home For The Holidays

I am all set for my annual tradition of sitting down with my hot chocolate in a comfortable chair screening my favorite holiday movie, Home For The Holidays. Sadly we lost two of its female stars this year, Julie Harris and Eleanor Parker, with only two remaining of the leading ladies of this wonderful holiday movie. 

It is a TV movie, and won't be found at your local theaters, but still worth it to find it as we take shelter from all the busy bees buzzing around and getting nowhere for yet another holiday season. Don't be one of the hive next year, be the queen.

Don't Be A Turkey

Believe me, I wish I had listened to the wisdom of a few of the older folks in my life, many years ago. I was told to stop the over the counter medicines, stop or drastically minimize eating dairy products, stop eating meat, take vitamins, but did I listen? Nope, but now have tried to get on track and hope everyone reading this blog knows a person younger than them to pass along this advice. No, it's never too late, but the earlier you start the better off you will be in the long run. Yes, exercise, do a sport, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, limit carbs, and say no to meat and dairy, including that supposedly lean Turkey on xmas, oh brother, all the grease, fat and cartilage is awful and your body will look like a turkey in no time. Plus, I have never known any doctor to tell a person to start eating meat. Our horrible diets have led to all the health problems we suffer in mid-life, and your doctor most likely will tell you to stop eating all the animal products and transition to fresh fruit and vegetables, but no doctor will ever admit you need to stop when you are young, when your body will respond quickly and you will have a healthier mid life into your senior years where you can still ride your horse, take a drive in your sports car, enjoy your cabin in the ski country...but take heart readers, the new year is just around the corner and you don't want to waste it looking like this:

Just Say No: To Lip Liner

Sorry if you are doing this, but stop. Make that your New Year's resolution. It was invented by someone to get you to waste money on an extra product not one person needs, nor does it ever look good.

A good example below: Look how the beauty of Iman is marred by that lip liner, not forgetting, Iman markets her own cosmetics, bear that in mind. Skip it, folks, it's never a good thing. Iman should only highlight the natural color of her lips, as she is using a very clear gloss and neutral color because she is emphasizing her eyes, using very dark colors. The lip liner is simply not needed and distracting. And it will wear off and start to bleed onto the skin. Lip liner will not help keep your lipstick in place.  Lipsticks are not meant to last all day, unless you do not eat or drink or speak. There is nothing wrong with reapplying your lipstick during the day, keep your favorite everyday color tucked into a pocket or purse.

Tip: Use cover stick or concealer that matches your skin tone and blend it carefully around your mouth, blended into your normal foundation and setting powder. The lipstick will stay in place and only your lips will shine and be in focus, not that d*mn lip liner.

The Perfect Face?

I think why I love this face is that it is so natural-looking, without artifice, meaning, without tons of false eyelashes, or plastic surgery, no botox, fillers, nothing. You can learn from this face. Yes, it is the natural, expressive and beautiful face of Margaux Hemingway, one of the world's top models for many years. 

I love the focus on the eyes. You can copy this look with dark eyeliner and color on the lashes and close to the lashes getting lighter as you work towards your eyebrows. 

Notice the super clean skin, not a lot of blush, and, if you have perfect lips, go for the gorgeous red lipstick; otherwise tone it down, especially for everyday wear.

Are You A Guy?

...or just want to look like one? Don't wear ugly or cheap clothes or look ugly or cheap or look at something ugly or cheap:

 

You will never go wrong with Dolce & Gabbana:

Anyone Getting Married?

I can't tell you how much I hate the traditional white clown outfit called a wedding dress that women stuff themselves into. Show some style and do something different and unique, or just plain simple and pretty. I hate the lavish over done spectacle of a wedding ceremony, and loved the simplicity and beauty of the final scene in "Hello Dolly", when Barbra Streisand as Dolly Levi weds for the second time. Barbra was the focus, not the dress or a lavish ceremony. The dress didn't outshine the bride, it was wonderful.

More great examples:

Audrey Hepburn from "Funny Face"

Vivienne Westwood

Dolce and Gabbana

If you could turn back time: You'd keep your old nose

Well, maybe. Instead of racing to the nearest plastic surgeon in your health plan, think twice, get a good referral from someone who has had a nose job. Do not try and change your face, just smooth out the bumps and be happy. Some examples are posted here to make you think about reality, since most of us do not have access to the Hollywood doctors. Notice it's about sprucing up your entire "look" not just making major surgical changes. It isn't about having lots of dough but how you use the dough you have, kneading it, baking it, freezing it, and eating it, wait, now I'm hungry. 

La gorge et clivage

Never too early, never too late, start now. The neck and chest areas are the most vulnerable to age and everyone ignores them early in life. Always wear sunscreen even if you love to lay in the sun, do so in moderation. A few brands I like are Natura Bisse, Amore Pacific, Mario Badescu, and there are many more. Important thing is to just do it, don't think about it, do it.