Category Archives: lighten up it’s just fashion

What Men Really Think About Makeup

nina-leen-makeup

Makeup and the women who use it have had a long history of love and hate. Some women love experimenting with makeup and won’t leave the house without it; others hate it and would rather go barefaced as the day they were born. But what do men think about makeup, really? Do they like when we wear it? How much is too much? What do they think “natural makeup” is? I asked some men of varying ages to try to get some answers. Of course, every man is different. But if you’re curious about what men really think about makeup, this is for you.

Men in their 20’s.

“Do I like when women wear makeup? My gut response is no. I always tell my girlfriend she doesn’t need it and looks beautiful without it, which I really mean. That being said I did see the Mila Kunis picture without her wearing makeup and was blown away by how different she looked. I guess I’ve always underestimated the transformative powers of makeup.” — Nick, 26.

“Sure [I like when women wear makeup]. I’m a little old-fashioned. But that’s like asking, ‘Do you like it when women wear clothes?’ It’s all a question of what, and how much. It’s good when there’s a clear difference between everyday makeup and special occasion makeup. It’s a nice gesture to have a girl make for you, albeit not a hugely important one. That said, some girls can totally rock huge eyelashes and eyeshadow 24/7. I’d just avoid a full Dee Snider whenever possible. I feel like I’m failing a critical gender theory class just be answering these questions.” — Jesse, 29.

“I’m not a big fan of makeup. I think it takes away from a person’s natural beauty. I understand it’s practical at times, but I prefer the less-is-more approach. Caked-on foundation, no thank you. ‘Natural makeup’ would probably be things like lipstick and eyeliner. They accentuate features, but don’t necessarily cover up blemishes and what not. Blemishes are what make people attractive, at least in my opinion.” — Matt, 27.

“Certain girls look good with makeup, and some look good ‘natural’. Though I’m not too disappointed in a well done smokey eye. Now, ‘too much makeup’ is something that really depends on the occasion. Obviously costume parties and the like have to be excluded from this. Day-to-day, ‘too much’ makeup is hard to define, as it’s really about what’s comfortable for the person wearing it, and however they feel they look best. I suppose I would define ‘natural makeup’ as light, merely highlighting facial features as opposed to drawing attention to them particularly.” — Shaun, 23.

“I like when make up goes unnoticed. I dislike when it becomes the main character of the face. It gives me the creeps seeing baroque art imitation on girls faces. I think less is more with this kind of stuff.” — Ivan, 28.

“I really like the way a bit of eyeliner and mascara can accentuate a whole look. It serves as a spotlight on her beauty rather than a concealer of her ‘flaws’. I had a girlfriend that I knew for quite a while before I ever saw her completely devoid of any foundation or concealer. When I did finally see her face untouched by makeup, adorable freckles were revealed on the tops of her cheeks. She never looked more beautiful to me.” — James, 29.

“I don’t mind a little makeup if we’re going out, but if we’re just hanging in I don’t think any is necessary. You’re wearing too much makeup if I can’t kiss you or touch your face because it’ll smear. [I have] no clue what ‘natural makeup’ is. Ummmm, chapstick and moisturizing lotion?” — Cliff, 27.

Men in their 30’s.

“[Makeup] can certainly look nice, but it is not appealing in and of itself. Wearing makeup badly, meaning ‘too much’, is far worse than wearing none at all. Anything more than the faintest highlight can be too much.  I’m not sure [what ‘natural makeup’ is]. I guess if makeup smooths over blemishes but isn’t recognizable as makeup, then it’s ‘natural’.  That seems fine by me.” — “Nick”, 38.

“I’m not into the drag queen layers some girls wear. If you look like Mimi from the Drew Carey show, you’re doing it wrong. Makeup should enhance your good features, not create them.” — Doug, 31.

“[‘Too much’ makeup] is pretty much subjective. However, if a woman’s wearing so much foundation and concealer that I can’t see the texture of her skin, I’m left wondering what the hell she’s covering up. Frankly, there’s no such thing [as ‘natural makeup’].” — Allen, 36.

“I guess ‘too much’ makeup is when a woman literally is covered in a mask of makeup. Basically, I would like her to look essentially the same whether we’re at the gym or at a cocktail party. Some makeup is fine, but I’m partial to the ‘natural look’ of rouge and maybe mascara and eyeliner.” — Keith, 38.

Men in their 40’s.

“A little [makeup] is alright. A little blush, a little eyeshadow. Enhancement of your natural color, not something that will look like a watercolor painting in a rainstorm if you sweat or cry a little. If you look like Tammy Faye Bakker doing her impression of the Joker you’ve gone too far.” — Joe, 42.

“Although a natural look is great, makeup that accentuates a woman’s finer points can be very appealing and even seductive. That’s not to say it’s necessary, just a nice accompaniment. The ’70s disco scene or ’80s hair band or Boy George looks were examples of too much makeup. While red lipstick and nails can be very attractive and sexy some of the time, and other colorful applications can be terrific once in awhile as accents, painting oneself like a clown has never appealed to me. I’d rather see the real person than the mask. Sheryl Crow comes to mind as someone who, even when wearing a lot of makeup, usually appears relatively natural because of the makeup styles and colors that blend in with her look and accentuate her natural features rather than hiding them.” — Paul, 46.

“I like when women wear makeup for an occasion — like going out to dinner — when they dress up, so it’s part of the ensemble. Glamorous times! For just hanging out or whatever, I’m always baffled that women feel the need to put on makeup. If you have to ask ‘Is this too much makeup?’, the answer is yes. ‘Natural makeup’ to me is when it’s very similar to the woman’s real face — skin tone, eyelash and eyebrow color. It’s using makeup to just take care of a few imperfections and make things a little more even. If you do it right, most people won’t even be sure you have makeup on.” — “Scott”, 42

So what have we learned?

There’s been a lot of talk of covering “blemishes.” What do men consider “blemishes”? Some consider them “zits” while others think blemishes are exclusively something like “sun damage”. It seems the majority of men do not know what ‘natural makeup’ is. Nick, 26, asked if it was “subtle make up that is barely visible or is it makeup made from natural products?” Some men thought it meant no makeup at all while others thought it meant just chapstick and maybe some mascara. Basically, they all agreed that if your face is a different color from your neck, that’s not good, and if they can see foundation (“caked-on” was used a lot), that’s also not good.

 

Photo: Nina Leen via LIFE photo archives for Google. Originally posted from The Gaggle.

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Interview With Melissa Of Little Pancakes Jewelry + 20% Off Coupon Code!

photo (34)

Little Pancakes jewelry has been a favorite of mine for a very long time. Melissa is the fab lady behind the fun line that’s given me such joys as a necklace with a little harmonica attached (boy did that annoy the hell out of everyone on karaoke night) and my new favorite, a little “A” pendant (more on this later!). I’m talking with Melissa about her success and what other Etsy sellers and buyers can learn from her. ALSO, A COUPON CODE FOR 20% OFF ANYTHING IN HER SHOP (not including shipping)! WOW! Code is APOCALYPSTICK and it’s good until SATURDAY (10/140). Simply type in APOCALYPSTICK at checkout! Now onto the interview.

Tell me a little about Little Pancakes. You’ve been going since 2009, correct? How long does it take you to make each piece? Why the name Little Pancakes? Why Etsy?
Yes, in 2009 Little Pancakes was just a hobby to distract myself from a stressful day job. My friends liked what I made and people encouraged me to sell on Etsy because it was gaining popularity. Last year I started running Little Pancakes full time. It was kinda scary taking the plunge but it’s been great making my own schedule, being my own boss, and of course doing what I love.

It varies, but the stamped triangle necklaces take me the most time because i’m so much of a perfectionist. I sometimes have to re-do it a few times to get it right! It drives me crazy but people love them.

"Treat Yo Self" necklace, $38.

“Treat Yo Self” necklace, $38.

As for the name Little Pancakes, I just like pancakes! I never intended for it to be my business name but it ended up sticking and it’s a great attention getter.

Do you have any advice for an Etsy seller on how to grow their brand/business?
For those that are already on Etsy, my advice would be to grow your brand off the site, to not put all your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Do craft shows and try and get local shops to carry your stuff. You might get turned down on the first try, (I’ve gotten used to the rejections over the years but they still sting a bit) but eventually something will happen if you stick with it. It helps to have great packaging and business cards — and a good brand image in general so you’re recognizable. If you’re just getting started, I think it’s just best to take some photos, write really clear and enticing descriptions, and dive right in. Put up what you have and see what sells! There is some great advice on the Etsy forums about titles, tags, and photos. You just have to dig through the posts.

What about advice for Etsy buyers? How do they find the best stuff out there?
One thing I look for on Etsy is if something is too great of a deal, it may not be handmade. Sometimes it’s just a seller who hasn’t quite figured out their pricing but other times it’s mass produced. It can be hard to tell sometimes but look at their about page and sold items and use your best judgement — most handmade sellers can’t make 100 bracelets a day at $3 a pop. There is so much good handmade on Etsy that it’s worth sorting through everything! I find good stuff on the Etsy blog pretty often. I do buy frequently on Etsy but I love buying from my fellow artists at shows. The in-person connection is really special.

What (or who) inspires your designs?
I love the symmetry and repetitiveness of Art Deco. Lately i’ve been into moons and more curvy shapes. I get my best ideas from just playing around and making stuff I want to wear. Then I wear a sample around to test drive, to see how it hangs and what kind of responses I get.

What’s your favorite piece in your store?
My favorite piece lately is my moon earrings, I wear them all the time.

Little Pancakes

Brass Moon Earrings, $30

I love turning a sheet of metal  into something beautiful, it’s really exciting!

What/who are some of your favorite Etsy stores/sellers?
My friend Silke makes great cosmetic pouches/bags. I have a few for storing makeup and whatnot. The quality is great and they’re super reasonably priced! The fusion salts from Gneiss Spice are amazing, I put the habanero one on everything. I have a couple of glitter banners from Unicorn Parade that I use for my craft show display and I always get tons of compliments.

Thanks, Melissa! As I mentioned above, my current favorite of yours is the “A” pendant necklace:

Little Pancakes

Here I am modeling my fave necklace with my fave striped tee. Personalized Initial Necklace with Vintage Shield Charm, $25

Now everyone go crazy and do all your holiday shopping at Little Pancakes, using the coupon code APOCALYPSTICK for 20% off anything (shipping not included) till Saturday (10/14)!

 

~~lighten up it’s just faaaaaashion~~

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SHABBY APPLE DRESS WINNER!

Almie Rose

The winner of my first ever Shabby Apple dress giveaway is…

 

WREN!!! Congratulations, Wren! Please email me and I’ll send you a FABULOUS LIST OF DRESSES FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM!

Thanks to everyone who participated! (Sorry, Canadians. Sad face.) Winner was chosen at random, using a random list generator.

I’m having another giveaway coming up soon — jewelery this time! So keep an eye out. More chances to win stuff! Woohoo!

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Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway!

Almie Rose in Shabby Apple for Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway http://apocalypstick.com/shabby-apple-dress-giveaway/

Shabby Apple wants you to feel simply lovely and I want to help so we’re giving away one free dress! My birthday this this Thursday but I want to celebrate by giving YOU guys something. In the photo above I’m wearing the “Boogie Woogie” dress, courtesy of Shabby Apple. It has a Betty Drapertastic retro feel to it. It fits great, though I did have to get it hemmed, which was to be expected. I’m doing this giveaway because I love Shabby Apple’s dresses because of their perfect vintage, early 1960’s feel to them. While not genuine vintage clothing Shabby Apple is an inspired new take on old favorites, from Mad Men gowns to Bardot stripes. And the dress I’m giving away doesn’t have to be this one — you get to choose from a huge selection of Shabby Apple dresses.

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED, THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Here’s how to enter!

1. Like Shabby Apple on Facebook.

2. Follow Shabby Apple on Instagram.

3. Leave a comment with your first name.

Note: Giveaway is only available in the United States. Sorry!

I’m going to choose a winner at random. The giveaway starts today, 10/21 and will go until Friday, 10/25. If you’re the winner, I’ll have to verify that you liked Shabby Apple on Facebook and followed on Instagram and then you’ll get to choose a dress!

GO FOR IT! A MERRY BIRTHDAY TO ALL!

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ModCloth’s 24 Hour Sale JUMP ON IT!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you guys know that ModCloth is doing a special 24 hour sale for National Hot Dog Day. I’ve got 3 weddings to go to this summer. Well, I already went to one and one is in October, so that’s not technically summer although it WILL be hot. Anyway Uncle Almie needs some dresses and ModCloth has great wedding guest-y dresses. (I’m “Uncle Almie”, btw. I don’t know how the nickname started but it’s here. Oh it’s here, Jerry.)

They’re not paying me to share this, I just thought I’d pass it along. Here are the deets:

To celebrate the dog days of the sunny season, ModCloth is offering a 15% off coupon for the entire site before taxes and shipping, excluding gift certificates! The coupon has no limit on number of uses, but you gotta be quick!

This sale will only be for 24 hours between 7/23/13 7:00am (PST) to 7/24/13 10:00am (PST)

Once you reach your cart, just click “apply a discount”, enter the coupon code WOOF15, and all of those lovely items will be 15% off!

Quick pro tip: ModCloth offers free shipping for domestic orders over $50, so don’t be afraid to treat yourself. As always, their fabulous return and exchange policy will be in effect for all orders.

Interact With ModCloth!
In addition to their one-day sale, they want to see your HAUTE dog! Upload a picture of you and your canine bestie to their Style Gallery to show off how posh you and your pooch can be. Feel free to share it all over the interwebs, but don’t forget to tag it with #hautedog so all can see! Here’s some inspiration to get you started: Participate in ModCloth’s Haute Dog Fashion Gallery!

Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to upload to the Style Gallery to get this discount?
–Of course not! Go ahead and enjoy an extra 15% off, no strings attached. But we do encourage you to share your exquisite style with other fans by uploading your outfits to Style Gallery! Participate in ModCloth’s Haute Dog Fashion Gallery!

Do I get anything extra for uploading to the Style Gallery?
–No, but we encourage you to share your exquisite style with other fans by uploading your outfits to the ModCloth Style Gallery

modcloth nighttime pool party dress

ModCloth “Nighttime Pool Party Dress” on sale for $69.99. One of my picks.

P.S. Check out one of my fave posts, “Fashion and The Shining“, in which I recreate all of Shelley Duvall’s outfits from The Shining using clothes and accessories from ModCloth.

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Hpnotiq says Bling It On! Enter to win a year’s worth of getting your nails done. Seriously.

bling it on hpnotiq

Full disclaimer right here, holla. This post is sponsored by Hpnotiq, some very pretty liquor. All thoughts and opinions are mine. Come at me.

Nail art is not something I’m very good at. I love having nice looking nails. A bright color, or a red so dark it’s almost black, or shimmering white — those are glam nails to me. Because most of the time, I am biting them. I want to be like those nail wizards who can paint things on their nails like The Last Supper or Billy Joel’s entire discography. One, I got zebra striped nails. Proof. Here is a photo of me holding a cup of coffee in a hotel room in Vegas. Because why else would I have zebra stripes? I was honoring the fine city of Las Vegas. And you can tell those are my hands because of how stubby and childlike they are.

zebra striped nail art

There’s got to be a way to make money off of having a 10 year-old’s hands. And I don’t mean in a jar. That’s just terrible.

And here’s my confession: I didn’t do those myself. I would put a sad emoticon here, but it’s more powerful if I hang my head in shame. So picture that. Picture me doing that. Got it? Good.

So for those of you who can do nail art on your own, this is your time to get NAILED (I’m sorry, that was terrible. Not as terrible as jarring 10 year-olds hands) because Hpnotiq is giving you a chance to win some dizzying prizes. Or maybe makeup is more your thing. Maybe you could win with your GLAM MAKEUP!

bmakeup

This probably isn’t what they mean though. I would lose.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

DO THIS:

    • Love glam things? From now until July 28th 2013, Hpnotiq wants you to show them how you GLAM LOUDER to win fab prizes! During each 2-week challenge you can submit photos in different categories to win – including the glammest nails, makeup and overall look. Entries can be pictures you snap yourself or images you find online.
    • Ready to Bling It On!? Here are the glamorous prizes that are up for grabs: One year of manis/pedis worth up to $1,200, a $1,000 gift card to Sephora or Ulta, AND a chance to win the grand prize trip for you and three friends to go shopping with a celebrity in Los Angeles! Even better – the grand prize winner will star in a professional photo shoot for the chance to be in a real Hpnotiq Ad!
    • Want to enter? Hpnotiq’s Glammest Nails Challenge is going on RIGHT NOW – but hurry – the entry period for the glammest nails ends at 11:59:59 a.m. EST on June 30th! For this challenge Hpnotiq wants you to show them the glammest nails, nail art or nail finish that you’ve ever seen or done. Think you can nail it? You can enter as many times as you want! Snap a pic of your own, or find a pic online.  For this round, they’re choosing 4 lucky winners to receive free mani/pedis for a year valued up to $1,200!!!

GO FORTH. And then drink some of this:

blue bottle hpnotiq

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Fashion spirit.

almie rose terry richardson lion

This is my most stylish, spirited outfit. You were probably expecting something a little less glamorous. I know. But I’m not kidding when I say that when I don this lion onesie, it’s like I have a whole new outlook on life. I feel freer. I dance more. It has pockets. Pockets! I like to put my hands in the pockets, turn around, and stare at the wall. When someone asks me, “Hey Almie, what are you doing?” I turn around, shrug and say, “Oh nothing, just lion stuff.” I’m telling you, nothing says party spirit like this lion costume.

When I’m not wearing my lion costume, which is alarmingly less often than not, I stick to my classic little black dresses with red lipstick. This is, obviously, a different look than the head-to-toe Simba look, which is so hot right now. My favorite color is leopard print. My second favorite color is sequins. And all of those things go very well together.

It’s holiday party time really, really soon. I’ve gotten three invites already…all on the same blasted date. That’s just diabolical. I’m never this popular. So of course, when I finally am, it’s all at once. You bet your sweet bippy I am wearing my lion suit to at least one of these parties. And I’m not joking.

Because that’s the thing. We may not want to admit it, but if we’re going somewhere that isn’t something you can do in sweatpants (grocery shopping, going to the pharmacy, coffee run, shoving children down stairs) then we really take a few minutes (or hours!) to plan how we are going to look. Hair, shoes, clothes. Even guys do this, though maybe not to the extent that girls do.

So I’m suggesting that maybe we all just step back and go with what we really want to wear and not what we think we have to wear. Let me tell you, there are 3 stages in your entire life where you get to do this:

1. Baby to toddler stage.

2. Your twenties.

3. Your eighties + beyond.

And that’s it. I really don’t want to wait until my eighties to wear red eyeshadow at a party, like Daryl Hannah’s screaming-whatever-that-was-character in Blade Runner. And I don’t want to wear pants anymore. I’m just going to wear oversized sweaters with tights and ankle boots, and I don’t care if I look like Claudia Kishi. And I don’t care if people think I dress and look like a hipster. To quote Josh, “You’re not hipster – you’re hipster adjacent.” I think that’s fair.

People are going to think whatever they want no matter what you do or say or wear, so you may as well just take that whole part out of the equation and do your thing with the utmost dignity, pride, and awesomosity. Take your inner style spirit and let it guide you. Like how Pocahontas listened to that creepy, old, nightmarish tree. She didn’t have to, but she did. And she learned something.

And guys, wear suits more. We really, really like that. And I know a lot of you really want to dress like Don Draper or Patrick Bateman but are afraid of looking like a pompous cad. But that’s what it’s all about.

 

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