PerfectGrrl

Back to School

2008-08-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

Ebony magazine does the cutest spreads with kids on fashion. This back to school issue featured cute kids with natural hair in some off taste duds. Most of the clothes were boring and could be easily featured in a Sears catalog or a K-mart rack. Whoever is the fashion editor of Ebony needs to be fired.

Love and Relationship Advice through Celebs

2008-08-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

I always find that the relationship advice is best from people reared in a faith based life. Although many of these individuals themselves have failed relationships, the centuries of advice they have collected through religious texts designed to keep families together is certainly more substantial than the only decades worth of texts from the psychologist's standpoint. So to have both a psychologist and an ordained minister offer advice seems the perfect pairing.

Dr. Ronn Elmore, is featured in Ebony as a relationship columnist and he offered the advice below to start actively finding a good mate:

I thought it would be interesting to compare his advice and apply it to famous celebrities in the public eye.

Scenario One: Take the Risk of Letting Someone See Who You Really Are

When she finally came out to the public, she might have lost her show, but she gained a life partner, Portia de Rossi, who she recently wed this week.

Scenario Two: Take the Risk of Going After Your First Choice

We all saw her go through guys that no one could quite understand why she was with, when she finally met someone who is just at the same level as her, it's interesting how well it all turned out.

Scenario Three: Take the Risk of Being Yourself

When Rihanna started to change her image away from the Jay-Z influenced mold of Beyonce, she gained more attention, and perhaps even led her to her new squeeze Chris Brown.

Scenario Four: Take the Risk of Knowing Your Worth the Best

Halle Berry said goodbye to the women beaters and the cheating men, and hello to a baby, because she knew that no man was worth the hassles that she has been given.

Scenario Five: Take the Risk of Doing Baby Steps Toward Your Goal

Jen Aniston dumping John Mayer when her goal is to have a child was the right decision if she felt like he was not mature or truly the right person to raise a child with.

Celebrities lives becoming more public can be viewed as a way for everyone else to develop into more solid individuals through their mistakes or transgressions.

Prada reminds me of a great day in Paris

2008-08-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

I loved this Prada Campaign, Gemma Ward always looks like such a doll. The prints in this collection were beautiful and different. It looked very much like art nouveau.

I really do appreciate French-style art, such as this. I'm certainly excited about the prospect of going to France this October to see Hocus Pocus.

Imagine sitting in a small cafe listening to Hocus Pocus in this beautiful Prada number? Could anything be more perfect?

If fashion must use music and sex to sell today, why don't they hire musicians to promote their designs in their music videos? That way they could still have their own beautiful aesthetic without compromising Chanel like trangressions.

Fashion's Deterioration when Amy Winehouse becomes a Muse...

2008-08-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

Chanel's Ad campaign makes me snicker...

Sometimes I wish fashion was about beautiful women, it seems so deluded, I wonder what Coco Chanel would think if she saw what Chanel is today. But perhaps, the problem isn't fashion, but the rest of the world, who could care less about the aesthetic of chic, and more about the aesthetic of quick ass.

So now, the world is looking for hot, instead of the ageless beautiful, but I wish more fashion houses had the integrity to only display beautiful and not be destroyed by the hype. I was reading, "Fashion is Spinach" by Elizabeth Hawes, and she was describing how the best fashion houses never cared about trends, they knew women would buy their clothes because they were beautiful.

Why is everyone searching for something more from clothes? Sex or music? Why does that have to be involved. As much as I do like Calvin Klein's aesthetic of simplicity, I do wonder if his over sexualized images had something to do with the decline. I wonder if Prada's goal of blank models is needed, when models have translated into more than just mannequins.

I wonder a lot about all these seemingly unanswerable questions.

More Cheap Cosmetics Raving: Target Cover Girl's Queen Line

2008-07-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

This has probably been the worst ad for makeup I have ever seen, not that Queen Latifah isn't normally radiant, but her skin here looks terribly ashy. Do I want to look that?

Does anybody want to look that?

I'm tired of most of these cheap drugstore cosmetics, they try to dupe people into shilling their hard earned dollars on pure crap. I always end up spending more on makeup, than I would at Sephora, because I end up continually trying to buy the newest gimmick that doesn't work. Instead of trying to have customers who stride for brand loyalty, they want to fool customers into shopping for their drivel.

I'm simply fed up.

Hayden Panettiere shows how to do Summer Makeup

2008-07-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

I'm loving Hayden Panettiere's makeup at this event. Her shimmery golden bronze skin, lush lashes, full pink lips, all scream perfect summer look for me.

The most perfect summer shimmer I have found yet is most certainly NARS Body Glow. Smells wonderful, light enough to wear over SPF, and you can become a beautiful Golden Statuesque babe.

In her case, false eyelashes were probably used, but that doesn't seem quite right for an everyday girl to wear. Stick to your favorite Maybelline Mascara. I have yet to see any other brand, expensive or not, perfect what Maybelline has done for mascara.

Yet the key part to her look was her rather Matte lipstick, not a glossy or shimmery over-the-top pink affair, but a subdued look, do as to complement her skin, not overwhelm her face. NARS also features a perfect lipstick to complement their Body Glow.

The summer is certainly not over, so get out there and truly glow!

You can never be too concerned about your weight.

2008-07-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

In the modern age of obsession over weight, having me monitor every inch I gain, even if it is just the bloat, I love to be in the know of how to wear my weight outside of my body.

Newest Fads:

I thought all these things were useful tips, but seriously a lot of this is common sense. Go raw and tell me you gained weight for it.

Fashion is Spinach

2008-07-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Everyone should go out and read something by Elizabeth Hawes, if they are American and indeed obsessed with Fashion, Style, or the ever elusive Chic-ness.

To this blog, this will be the first Fashion is Spinach segment, where I just put up humourous little fashion tidbits to keep you smiling and remembering how unnecessary this really is.

Introducing Karl Lagerfeld for Grand Theft Auto. This has already been posted on numerous blogs, but just once for my own personal amusement.

Tailored Suit and Heels. Tastemaker Simon Doonan decides to go to a level not many men have tried before.

Asian Persuasion's Sunglass Challenge

2008-06-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Venessa Lau wrote a very interesting article on Asian faces and sunglasses for W magazine. I am not at all of the Asian persuasion, but I couldn't help but be offended by this article, her obsession over sunglasses to fit her facial features seemed entirely very creepy and vapid. She was chasing a "cool appeal" that was not designed for her, searching long and hard, for this elusive dream that would always escape her.

When she mentioned Margaret Cho, I shuddered, the quote so derogatory and offensive, I couldn't believe someone Asian would want the general public to believe that they believe themselves to have a "misshapen misadventure of a head."

Although, her perils do need to be mentioned, but with the undercurrent of self-hatred written with every line, I just wish that it was written after therapy not before.

Who is this well photographed person?

2008-06-23T09:50:00.000-07:00

Lisa Anastos Edition

Flipping through W Magazine, I came across gorgeous Lisa Anastos, who looked more spectacular than the model standing next to her. I soon decided that I wanted to learn more about this stunning brunette.

Doing barely any research, I have found out that she is Democrat, a lawyer, supporter of John Edwards, founder of the Whitney Contemporaries, but not much else.

She is briefly mentioned in the NY Times along with other people, but I would certainly not mind trying to arrange a full interview. People such as her, are certainly worth more mention than the draining Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian, why can't someone be noticed because they are the founder of the Whitney Contemporaries, rather than because they posted a sex video?

So this is the start of a hopefully new way of looking at noteworthy people.

Protecting Nails from Nail Polish and Nail Polish Remover

2008-06-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

Dr. Richard K. Scher, author of "Nails: Therapy, Diagnosis, Surgery", has mentioned that both typical nail polish and the remover of polish can damage your nails, causing breakage and a number of unwanted ailments. He points that in order to maintain healthy beautiful nails, it is best to use formaldehyde-free polish and non-acetone remover. Dr. Scher also stresses to keep nails polish free atleast one day a week, and on this off day moisturizing your nails with a lotion or cuticle oil is important. He mentions that moisturizing nails with nail polish is barely effective enough to practice this use. I like this hand and nails moisturizer from Caswell-Massey, because it comes in a pack of three, one for the purse, one for the bathroom, and one for the briefcase. Right now, it is on sale for only $5.

He also insists on wearing gloves when doing daily drudgery, such as cleaning or gardening. Gloveables, Inc. has the cutest ways to protect your nails and stay cute while house-cleaning. It also has cute aprons to match!

Small Note: My first posted style challenge is getting gloves to be a part of everyday daily wear.

Chris McMillan, his Salon and his new Bang Fetish

2008-06-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

Chris McMillan, who has been responsible for most of the chic cuts of Jennifer Aniston, during her hot days, has a new obsession: bangs. In Allure magazine, he was quoted as saying, "Bangs are sexy and provocative." Looking at new beauty ingenue, Camilla Belle, it certainly is obvious that bangs can play quite a role.

Camilla Belle, featured not so prominently in movies, but is the face of Vera Wang's latest fragrance, 'Princess' has an enviable way in her natural and youthful beauty. Her new asset of bangs, has certainly softened her strong brows, and made her full lips more noticeable through the perfection of her cut.

Chris McMillan for Art Mix the Salon, is located on 8944 Burton Way, in Beverly Hills. Although, he has styled hair for both Camilla Belle and Jennifer Aniston, the salon has a reputation for horrendous customer service, filled with brutally wicked celebrity gossip, elitist receptionists, and the old switch to chair to chair run around.

Going to the salon, should always be an experience in pampering as well as beauty, although McMillan has obvious mastery in creating innovative but simple styles, it might be better to simply take a picture of the cut you like, from a celebrity with a similar hair texture and face shape as your own, and simply go to another reputable stylist in a more friendly environment.

Creating Understated Elegance through Pearls

2008-06-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

Pearls, their beauty can never overpower a woman, but allow her to gracefully make an understated yet refined entrance. Pearls have been intricately designed and modernized for the everyday woman, allowing her to not to be dated by the jewelry, but to be updated with the new take on a woman's everyday staple.

Adding pearls to an ordinary basic dress transforms an outfit to extraordinary. Pearls can be worn to the office, to the park, or to the gala. The first piece of jewelry a woman should buy for herself, signaling to potential mates, that she is a woman of class who can handle herself. Yet also an indicator that she appreciates the finer things and to gift her you must be at the level she has already established for herself.

Pearls are gorgeous, although the pearls in the picture above are quite pricey, pearls are one of the most affordable jewels available. The Blue Nile features a range of more affordable pearl jewelry online, particularly noting this understated pearl pendant for only $55, a simple addition to start a wonderful jewelry collection for any young lady, who dares to one day rival Elizabeth Taylor or a Jennifer Lopez.

Allure's Green Hot List

2008-06-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

One of the most fascinating pieces by Allure magazine thus far, about beautiful women's pursuit for an earth friendly beauty, from models to activists, you can truly learn how to call yourself a natural beauty.

Red Lipstick be Weary with Plans of Intoxications

2008-06-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

I clearly favor the look of red lipstick, easy sophistication and grace, but I saw pictures of me while intoxicated this weekend, and I have to say I am ashamed. A beautiful girl ruined by a smear of red lipstick. The shots were gorgeous, with the exception of the smudge, and the friend who did not mention the lipstick smear! A friend that I will think twice about attending events with in the future!

Please be a friend and tell other's when their lipstick has smeared, or any other thing similar.

New Perfume for Tommy Hilfiger

2008-06-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

The ad is reminiscent of Old Hollywood and the scent smells of it too. This is for the girl dreaming of being a 1940's starlet in the modern age. She wants to be Marilyn Monroe without the illicit videos, and only the decadence of screen time and Andy Warhol worship.

For the girl with big insatiable dreams, she has found her ultimate fragrance.

Is Pierre Hardy being influential or trite?

2008-06-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

Putting aside my bottle of the Big House's The Slammer 2006, a very good Syrah wine, which I recommend you pick up and drink, I have to look in complete disdain for Pierre Hardy's attempt at making Gap relevant. The Gap brand is simply supposed to die and no attempt by any influential designer will ever be able to make it relevant. In today's economic marketplace buying luxury plain tees is simply ridiculous, gas is high, the middle class is dwindling, and the Gap brand is one of the commodities of middle class style that will inevitably have to gracefully disappear in a way Hilary Clinton wished she did, with class.

His shoes for Gap, simple and stylish, are no longer practical for working middle class girls, that have to walk instead of take their cars. His flats are simply too casual, when the middle class girls are trying to get ahead in the marketplace, and afford what is worth so much more, Botox.

Here are some of his designs for the Gap, where you can judge for yourself the relevance, of these $98 a pop shoes.

Marketing Luxury Items to a Childish Celebrity Obsessed Consumer

2008-04-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

Each time I look at Miu Miu's ad campaigns recently from Lindsay Lohan to Kirsten Dunst, they seem to be marketing to a teenage girl of wealth who is obsessed with celebrities, little did I know, but these people do exist, in numbers which can benefit a seller of luxury goods.

Would I want to sell to these people? No. I don't think they should be wasting their money on this, they certainly did not earn their incomes, and obviously have little education if they select to model their lives after these Hollywood Starlets. I think corporations such as this, do influence the making of a Paris Hilton or a Kim Karshadian, not that ladies of ill-repute wouldn't exist without the labels, but certainly wouldn't have the mainstream appeal, if mainstream companies stopped marketing the cheap young rich sex aspect.

If young girls could model something after what the Estee Lauder brand is trying to allude, it would certainly be a time for me to stop complaining and getting off of my own high horse.

I love how dewey and perfect this model looks, the right color to accent her features, but not trying to become someone else. She is no Angelina Jolie or Jessica Alba, but because she is a healthy woman, she exudes all the beauty a woman shall ever need.

Coach is always looking out for Label Whores

2008-04-14T17:30:00.001-07:00

These are the tacky sunglasses that I will look at shudder for the poor of heart who place them upon their face. To be a walking billboard for Coach, and for Coach to make their label look like a little price tag, all and all seem quite gaudy to me.

I don't think I'd actually mind seeing it so much on an older "cougar-type" woman, but only because I think they might need to hide behind labels because if they saw how ridiculous their lives were, they would certainly suffer from a terrible mid-life crisis. But for someone young, I just think they should have better things to spend their money on.

I respect the brand nevertheless, the bags are status symbols and attractive enough to claim that title, but the whole idea is very boring and white bread to me.

Revlon Introduces More Cheap Cosmetics for the Underage Girl Looking for Self-Esteem

2008-04-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

Really, why people buy cheap drugstore cosmetics is beyond me, they are better off looking for skin care products then buy these foundations that always look horrendous on the skin. You can always tell a girl who wears cheap foundation.

Not that it is a particularly crime or denigrates them as something less, but you want to see a woman's glow and not see makeup. If the first thing you see when you look at a girl is makeup, then it detracts from all the wonderful things a woman can be.

If you must cover-up, I recommend liquid or cream foundations from Bobbi Brown. I personally use powder from Iman Cosmetics, which is sold at drugstores, but somehow is just much better quality, in many of the ways I find important.

My new favorite powder from Iman Cosmetics is their Semi-Loose Powder. I really like how when you spin the wheel, just the right amount of powder comes out, truly ingenious! It's unfortunate that it isn't in everyone's shade, Iman's cosmetics used to be marketed toward a broader audience, but that has subsided. But the integrity of the overall brand has still remained the same. Very good products, vibrant beautiful colors, in beautiful and innovative packages!

Iman cosmetics is definitely a brand that other drugstore cosmetic companies should follow.