She's A Betty

AmLactin

UPDATE: I bought more AmLactin , and this bottle doesn't smell at all. I'm excited.

Like half the population under 30, I have very mild keratosis pilaris on my upper arms. It's not something I think about, unless I'm told to by a magazine (or by a friend freaking out about her own bumps, bah).

If it does bother me, though, I spot treat the bumps with AmLactin, an over-the-counter substitute for prescription Lac-hydrin 12%. Many users swear it's the only drugstore product to improve KP (though you might try Lac-hydrin Five; scrubbing with loofahs, however, will just irritate the skin). 

The only problem? AmLactin stinks. I'm couldn't tell you what it stinks like (maybe old milk), but I would not put it on before a date. Also, if you use it 2X daily as indicated on the bottle, you'll spend a small fortune on moisturizer (8 oz costs $15). If you spot treat like I do, though, it's great option to have.

Neutrogena Clean Replenishing Shampoo

FYI, I've got my new computer and new work hours! Thanks for your patience these past few weeks.

I have thick, dry hair with oily roots. Keeping my roots clean without turning the rest of my hair into straw is difficult, and for the past few months, I settled for moisturized, flat hair. I recently picked up Neutrogena's Clean Replenishing Shampoo (right), hoping a clarifying shampoo would help.

Two weeks later, my hair looks lighter and I have more volume at the roots, to the extent that I've received comments on it. My hair also feels truly clean without feeling stripped, and I can go longer without shampooing (up to three days, although I don't).

That said, some people claim the shampoo is drying, and I wouldn't use it daily (wash your hair no more than every two days is the rule, isn't it, unless you work out every day?). It also isn't cheap at almost $5.00. For problem hair like mine, though, it's worth it.

Iced Tea = Funky Teeth

Sorry to drop out, but it's been a hectic week. First, my laptop died, and yesterday I had a dental appointment and started my new part-time job. Fun!

Actually, I did enjoy the dentist visit. A few months ago, I fixed my diet soda habit by switching to iced tea. It worked for awhile, but then I noticed brown stains on my lower front teeth. No amount of brushing removed the stains, and I started doing worst case scenario. I'll have to bleach them--but I can't afford it. But maybe they can't bleach them. What if it's not tea stains, what if it's decay. They'll have to shave down all my teeth like that girl in America's Next Top Model! It costs thousands of dollars, and Tyra's not paying for it, and I'll have tiny teeth. I don't want tiny teeth!, etc.

Well.

One dental cleaning later, and my teeth are snow white. No bleaching, no tooth shaving, just a lot of scraping and baking soda. So now I kinda love the dentist. And if I ever drink tea again, I'm doing it through a straw.

Here's One Vote for Cheap Razors

Faking Good Breeding did an interesting post on whether or not expensive razors were worth the money.

For me, razor blades are like mascara. Yes, higher end ones may work (slightly) better, but no matter what they cost, you have to replace them regularly (because of bacteria, dull blades, etc.). If you buy more expensive blades, then, you may unconsciously try to use them longer than you should--and an expensive dull blade is always worse than a cheap sharp one.

What's more, as long as shavers have at least two blades, I haven't noticed a difference in shaving quality (I like lubricating strips too, but they're not essential). For environmental reasons, it's better to use disposable blades instead of shavers, but that's no reason to buy the overpriced Venus, etc. blades--generic men's blades often work just as well, and cost less.

Interestingly, most of the commenters on FGB's post swear by the Venus razor. I used Venus for a short time, and thought it was a waste of money. That said, I only shave my legs once a week, if that, and my hair isn't particularly coarse. I only get nicks or razor burn with cheap razors if a) they're dull, b) I haven't lathered properly or waited until the water softens the skin, or c) I get impatient. All of which could happen with an expensive razor--so why pay more?

What do you guys think?

Finger Wave Instructions

I've always had a soft spot for 1920s fashion, ever since The Dagger of Amon Ra.  Now the Poiret revival, which started on SS07 runways and dominated FW07 shows, has made 1920s style cool again.  Flapper dresses, feathers & fringe, lace mitts, turbans, head wraps & cloches, long beaded necklaces, and high-necked capes--they're all back, and it's wonderful.

Another thing that's back: 1920s hair. Reem Acra's current ad campaign featured not only bobs, but finger waves.  If you want to try them out, grab a friend and check out Vivid Infinity's finger wave instructions, taken from a 1960s cosmetology book.  These are the instructions BUST traced over for their finger wave article (Feb/Mar 05, pgs 35-36), so you know they're good.

UPDATE: The models in Reem Acra's ads probably have marcel waves, which are similar to finger waves, but done with a curling iron.  A three-barrel waver would do the job.

Four Hair Ideas for Spring 2007

Here are my favorite hairstyles from the SS07 runways:

Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Chanel, YSL.  Images via Style.com; go to their site for many more photos of the styles.

The Louis Vuitton hair wreaths are striking, if impractical.  I also couldn't find affordable alternatives (according to WWD, Louis Vuitton's cost $250, and may be sold out, as I didn't find them for sale anywhere).  Still, it's a beautiful look.

More wearable: Valentino's double bands of red elastic (maybe with these Goody headbands?) & Chanel's ponytails with sheer black bows (DIY with extra wide sheer black organza ribbon).

Finally, I love the YSL curls.  Looking at all the backstage photos, it seems like a complicated do, and I'm sure it would melt in the summer heat.  Still, a stunning style.

Also: Capitol Hill Barbie also likes Louis Vuitton & Valentino, plus Burberry.

Zombie Trend: Black Nail Polish

Chanel's new nail polish, Black Satin #219, has taken the fashion world by storm.  Stores are sold out, and "authentic, NIB" bottles of the stuff are selling for upwards of $45 on eBay.  Requisite press mentions have popped up in The Times, New York Magazine, ETOnline, and now the New York Times.

To which I say: Ugh!  Not "ugh!" to black polish per se (although I don't love it), but "ugh!" to spending $45+ on a bottle of nail polish.  The thing about nail polish is there's not a great deal of difference between the $18 Chanel Le Vernis and the $1.09 drugstore stuff, other than brand caché and color selection.  It's black!  Fine, black with silver undertones instead of red or blue ones, but black!  Are silver undertones worth $44-$70 dollars?

If you're determined to try it, though, here's a thrifty alternative: Rimmel's new Lasting Finish Black Satin (399) polish (above left), $2.49.  Buy it from drugstores or on-line at Walgreens.com. 

UPDATE: Chanel will ship out more Black Satin #219 this coming Monday.

True Beauty: Photoshop Before & Afters

While I know that most print images of women are manipulated (photoshopping, filters, etc.), I've never really known to what extent.  Are the photoshop edits significant or minor?  Is the "it's all photoshopping" just an excuse made by less attractive, and therefore jealous women (as I've heard argued)?  The answer is no, and here's the proof: the Photoshop Before & After.com website.

Site owner Niva Kedem explains the purpose of the website, which compares original and retouched photos, thusly:

I dedicate[d] the website to all the women that look at the mirror and think that the girl in the poster is much nicer; I also dedicated the website to all the men that believe Pamela Anderson is more beautiful than their own wife or girl friend, or the girl next door.

Yay!  My favorite part of the site is probably the 12-step un-photoshopping of a cover model (I actually preferred the original photo).  I also like this photo set, which will make you feel better about your skin (click and you'll see why), and this one (Belly in!  Belly out!  Whee!)

Have fun!

::via Edward Champion's Return of the Reluctant.

Retro Fashion Guide: Complete The Look

As a complement to the Retro Fashion Guide: Clothing, here's a listing of retro make-up, hair, and accessory resources to complete the look.  Note: Although donning full retro garb, hair and make-up may be tempting, be sure to dilute the look with something modern.  Think Scarlett Johansson, Gwen Stefani, or Dita Von Teese on the red carpet--all retro-inspired looks that are still very today.

MAKE-UP

• Besame Cosmetics:  Started in 2004 by Gabriela Hernandez, Besame Cosmetics is a high-quality line inspired by the pigments and packaging of the 1930s and 40s.  The popular Enchanting Lipstick Set is pictured at left.
  
• ReVamp Vintage: Under Chapter VI (left side), find links to make-up guides for the 1920s & 1930s (no direct links).
• Short and sweet make-up guides to the 1920s, 1930s, & 1940s.
  
• Here's a vintage make-up thread on The Fedora Lounge.  Products from Besame, Benefit, and MAC received frequent mentions.

HAIR

Image at right courtesy of Paula Wirth, via Flickr.

Websites

• ReVamp Hair:  Under Chapter VI (left side), find links to hairstyling guides for the 1910s-1940s (no direct links).
  
• Vintage Hair: A giant, unwieldy monster of a web journal, it's the best on-line resource for retro hairstyles. UPDATE: currently deleted; the author has 30 days to decide whether or not to retrieve it.
  
• Hair Archives:  A good resource, although the most useful section for DIYers is The Archives. 
• Nocturne: The place for finger-wave and pin curl how-tos, among other things. 

Urban Decay Flavored Body Glitter

Be Lickable
Originally uploaded by sockage2.

"Sparkly, sweet body powder you can lick." When I first saw this in Sephora, I squealed. It smells and tastes like marshmallows, has a subtle shimmer, and comes with a leopard print puff. Pure genius.

At the time there was also a tasty cinnamon powder called Red Hot. Urban Decay, however, is in the obnoxious habit of discontinuing products, and now the only flavors are Honey, Cocoa, and Marshmallow (and Marshmallow's only available online).

Urban Decay still has some discontinued flavors available on its site--get them while you can.