Fashion Show with a Retro 1940’s Look

This past weekend, I had the good fortune to be involved in a fashion show for one of my favorite stores, Christopher and Banks. If any of you have not been in this store you should really check it out. They have a lot of cute clothing with fun colors and the store is known for their blue jeans that slim your body 2 sizes down. My own mother actually had to go down 4 sizes and the jeans looked great on her. The prices are extremely affordable too, which adds to its allure. The dress I wore was a black and white floral that I decided to give a retro 1940’s flair complete with vintage ‘40’s makeup. Here is how I achieved the makeup look.

First, since my skin is fair I like to apply either “Yellow Cameo” by Besame Cosmetics which is a heavier foundation in a pot, slightly tinted yellow or “Garbo” by Julie Hewett Cosmetics which is a light ivory cream foundation in a compact. Both make the skin look very smooth and soft. Apply concealer where needed. Use powder sparingly over foundation, enough just to set. Make sure your eyebrows are a bit thinned out and have a slightly higher arch. For this I applied Paula Dorf eyebrow powder in ‘Brunette’ to darken and shape.

As for eye shadow, I kept it simple using “Shimmer Beige” all over the lid and “Socialite Brown” in the crease, both from Besame Cosmetics. Next, I applied a very stiff black line across the top eyelid across the lash line with “Caviar” cream liner by Smashbox. I used just a bit of liner on the lower lash line in “Steely” by Mary Kay and of course lastly apply lots of black mascara. On the cheeks, just a smithering of “Rasberry” blush by Besame Cosmetics was applied to the apples using a light hand.

Here is where the main focus comes in, the lips. This is what sets the whole ‘40’s face aglow, red, red, red, lipstick. I first lined lips with a MAC pencil in “Red” and then applied Julie Hewett’s lipstick in “Femme Noir” which is an astounding red for this period look. On some skin it can appear brighter than others. It is definitely not her brightest red. ‘Rouge’ and ‘Belle’ are even brighter.

I’ve modeled for this store before and it’s always a delight because women of all sizes, ages, and heights are profiled. I always meet many nice people each time I go, and never leave without making a new acquaintance. This time I met a girl named Christine who visits Israel and we shared our thoughts and feelings on many subjects regarding the Holy Land. Hopefully, we’ll meet again.