Fashionable Friday: Your Make-up Is Not Frivolous

Uugh, I am SCREAMING AND CLAPPING AND YELLING over here, because Anais Mathers, one of the best people I have ever found on the internet, has done it again - she's expressed Myself:

"For as long as I could remember, my guilty pleasure was beauty. Haircuts, hair products, moisturizers, eye cream, lipsticks and eye shadow and blush in every color, as far as the eye could see. I loved editorial hair and makeup and I loved the way a well made shirt hung and how a shirt you found thrifting could fit just as well* and the fact that I could put on characters and I could be more myself in looking different or just with mascara on. Even now, I still feel like I’m going to bore my husband by being excited about finding a new lipstick I’m obsessed with, that he’ll suddenly think I’m a vapid idiot, as if loving one thing negates everything else about you. It’s weird how society pushes you towards all these things you’re supposed to like and do as a woman but there’s a shame about it, you should do the things you need to do to be beautiful but you shouldn’t talk about it, you shouldn’t be excited about it, you shouldn’t have any control over it at all. Well, quite simply, no. I don’t do my hair and paint my nails and wear a variety of red lipstick (“but they all look the same,” says my husband when they obviously don’t) for anyone but me. I do it because I like to try things on and express myself and I like to play with the idea that I can be whoever I want on any day I choose. There’s nothing shallow or self-centered about exploring who you are, about feeling good and pretty, that’s just what they want you to think, that caring for yourself, whether that means a perfect cat eye or skipping makeup, is something you should feel guilty about. Fuck that and don’t let anyone make you feel bad for what you love and how you show it, especially all over your goddamn face. Femininity isn’t awful and vapid, society making us think that’s the case is."

*I mean, right?

Your assignment for this February Day: perform a phenomenal Act of Self-Care. Take a shower, get dressed-up, or drink a glass of water every hour on the hour - take your pick. Celebrate your body, because you are your greatest love affair (at least, you should be).

Fashionable Friday: Why You Should Wash Your Face With Olive Oil

It's Bath and Beauty Friday! Here's your background info:

• I used to have the oiliest skin of all time (foreshadowing: used to)
• I'm a bit of a dirty hippie

When I was a senior in college, Eva, my Best Friend In the World (my mostly companion of 26 years, the friend I have had since before I was born) experimented with a chemical-free beauty regimen. This included baking soda instead of toothpaste, corn starch instead of deodorant/antiperspirant, baking soda instead of shampoo, and olive oil instead of face wash.

I was so. jealous.

I'm fully integrated into the 21st century - I have an iPhone and a Kindle and a car with Bluetooth and I get checks direct deposited (when I remember to turn in my voided checks) but sometimes I'm afraid of all the Chemicals in my life. There are Chemicals in, like, EVERYTHING - not only will our phones give us brain cancer, they will eventually break down and seep chemicals directly into our soil and water and give us stomach cancer. And there are tons of Chemicals in the other things we use every day - cleaning solutions, foods, and beauty products. Do we really NEED all those extra preservatives and detergents hanging around our bodies like that?

This flower child wanted to see how much she could simplify her beauty routine. I tried to use baking soda as toothpaste (it tasted disgusting, but felt okay; mostly, it was a little complicated to do, so I stuck with regular toothpaste), corn starch instead of deodorant (left my pits BONE DRY, but didn't do a THING to combat stench - I have literally never smelled worse in my life), baking soda instead of shampoo (my curls laugh at this method, and refuse, as usual, to be tamed), and olive oil as face wash.

My face LOVES to be cleaned with olive oil. 

It sounds counter-intuitive, I know - why would oil help oily skin? But when you look at the *science*, it all comes together. The best, most succinct explanation I've read comes from Crunchy Betty:

"You know how your skin – all of it – secretes oil? Even if your face feels dry, it still has oil on it. Well, according to chemistry know-how, like dissolves like. So, effectively what you’re doing is dissolving and wiping away all the icky dirty oil from your face and replenishing it with clean, nourishing oil. There’s no harsh chemicals involved. No suds. Nothing to actually strip your skin of its oil. And this is good, because when you strip your skin of its sebum, it goes into overdrive, trying to create more. Which leads to clogged pores. Blackheads. Whiteheads. Just plain old irritation."

Don't you want to slather your face in oil?! I hope so, because I think if you try it you will fall. in. love.

There are a lot of different ways to cleanse with oil - a Google search will return a ton of options. Here's my method:

• I have a soap dispenser filled with equal parts olive* and grapeseed oil.
• I turn on my hot water and let it get really warm.
• While I wait, I pump a dime-sized amount into my hand and massage it all over my face (This is how I remove my makeup, by the way. Oil will lift the waterproof mascara straight from your lashes. Oh, and it's ridiculously gentle - if you poured the oil straight into your eye, it wouldn't hurt at all).
• I soak a washcloth in the hot water, lightly wring it out, and then lay it over my face for a minute. The steam opens my pores for maximum cleanliness.
• I wipe the oil off with the washcloth, rinse it out, and hang it to dry.

That's it! I do this at night, and in the morning I splash my face with cold water. If it's particularly dry outside, I'll put a few drops of oil on my whole face as a moisturizer. You can use the same stuff you wash with. 

I've been cleaning my face this way for four years, and I love it. My skin has never been softer, and it's not oily any more. Guys, science! 

Oh, and the OCM is insanely inexpensive. So chew on that.

I will say, this method doesn't always travel well. It's ever so slightly annoying to cart around a washcloth, and since it gets completely soaked, it's even more annoying to take home. When I was in Israel, I washed my face with a traditional cleanser (by First Aid - I got it as a deluxe sample from Sephora) and used maracuja oil (a gift from the aforementioned Eva) to moisturize at night and in the morning.

That's another thing - oils are really "in" right now. If you go to Sephora, Ulta, or even CVS, you'll see a lot of oils on the shelves. The maracuja oil is AMAZING stuff (I seriously adore it), but I urge you to save your money with this. Grapeseed, almond, avocado, safflower, olive, and castor oils can ALL work for cleansing and moisturizing, and you can get them for a fraction of the price.

So guys, don't you think it's about time to embrace your inner hippie, give your wallet and your face a break, and treat yo self to some oils?

*According to Crunchy Betty, I might be a freak, since olive oil works for me. You might want to try other oils, since it seems to cause trouble for most people.

Fashionable Friday: I Cut My Own Bangs

Last week, I decided I needed a change, so I cut my own bangs.

That's right, I'm a rebel! I cut my own hair! 

You've probably noticed that I'm a huge cheapskate. As much as I'd like to pay for fancy haircuts, I have to keep a pretty tight leash on my cash. Instead of dropping $60 every six weeks on haircuts, I paid $9 for a pair of shears three years ago, and I trim when the spirit moves me. 

I've been getting a lot of great response to my new 'do - and even better, I love what I see in the mirror. 

Fashionable Friday: How Marshall's Screwed Me Over

A couple months ago, I started searching for a pink dress to match a necklace my friend Caleigh made. I found a bunch of inspiration on Modcloth, and fell in love with a pink peplum one. Well wound't you know, I found a similar one at Marshall's.

I also found someone who wouldn't get out of frame.

But this one had a sexy lace back!

I was thrilled! I marched to the checkout line and waited patiently for my turn at the register, but when I glanced down I noticed something on the dress. To my horror, I realized it was the number 18 written in orange highlighter on the skirt. I flew into a desperate rage, then left it with the cashier. I wasn't about to spend $18 for a dress that might have been permanently damaged. 

So the search continues. If you see a sweet pink dress, could you pick it up for me?

Fashionable Friday: Flower Child

I'm wearing my new jeans in honor of my tribe of flower children. Nothing like reducing a social protest movement to a simple fashion statement, eh?

 

Along those lines, I made the bracelet in the summer of '08 at a store called Yucandu (think Color Me Mine, but not just for pottery). It's decoupaged with pictures of the Kent State Massacre, and Vietnam protesters standing in the Reflecting Pool in Washington. I wear it as a reminder to care, deeply, about the world around me. 

shirt: Marshall's /  jeans: Thrifted (Free People) /  sandals: Target /  earrings: Forever 21
bracelet: DIY

Attack of the five-foot hippie!

Fashionable Friday: The Jumpsuit Debut

I said I'd tell you when it has its coming-out party, didn't I?

I wore this outfit to the opening night party for Joseph, and I couldn't have been happier with it. The shoes (wedges) are really easy to walk in, the belts are a nice weight, and the jumpsuit itself is airy. I was so confortable all night - no small feat in the Georgia swelter. I can't wait to repeat this look again and again in the coming months.

Fashionable Friday: Easy Outfits for a Day in the Sun

My Lil' Sis, Devyn, is a fashionable lady in her own right. Last week, at a family outing, she sported this summery ensemble.

But it had a secret...

The top was actually a romper!

Doesn't she look great in these pictures? I'm so proud. I just wore one of my favorite sundresses - nothing groundbreaking.

We were in Canton, on a hillside overlooking a beautiful mountain vista. Naturally, I took advantage of the opportunity.

The Crawleys are a boisterous people.

Fashionable Friday: Resisting Temptation

Sometimes, I a able to exercise self-control. Not often enough, but at least sometimes. I'm gong to start bragging about those rare occurrences; maybe it'll inspire me to create more of them.

I tried-on this ensemble at Anthropologie. The shirt - so cute! The pants - SO GREEN! Green is my color - I just LOVE to wear it. These trousers were surprisingly bright; a lovely cross between emerald and forest. But you know what? They were seventy bucks.

Ladies and gents, I believe in quality fashion; I believe that certain wardrobe essentials are worth an investment. However, I also believe in exercising frugality, whenever possible. I loved these pants, but I think I can find something similar secondhand.

At least, that's the lie I'll tell myself.

Raise your hand if you're not a millionaire!

Fashionable Friday: The Student Becomes the Teacher

My tutoring students are wonderful - though they occasionally frustrate and befuddle me, they are (by and large) wonderful people. And a few of them are stylish as heck.

This gal always looks like a million bucks. Last week, she stunned me with this ensemble.

Yes, I asked her permission to post her likeness. I'm a responsible adult.

I am all OVER that look! She is so put-together, but not stuffy at all. Her shoes and glasses are a polite tip-of-the-hat to Hipsterdom, but the blouse, blazer, and pants are classy and chic. If her boots were heels, she wouldn't look out of place at a nice restaurant (perhaps Three Blind Mice??).

An outfit this great makes me want to go to Marshall's.

...does that make sense?

Fashionable Friday: Looking for a Dress to Match My Jewelry

As you know, I recently won an adorable lace collar necklace from YO! Lemonade.

Besides Jasmine, Giselle is my favorite princess (well, almost princess), and I love how dainty and soft this faux collar is. But I have one small problem: the necklace doesn't really match anything in my wardrobe. I tend to wear warm, bold colors and patterns. I don't really own anything pastel. Plus, the lace calls for a straight (or at least simple) neckline, and I tend to favor scooped- or V-necks with embellishments galore. I've been browsing ModCloth a lot for DressPiration. If I was the kind of crazy person who buys dresses to match her jewelry (a.k.a. if I had that much disposable income), I'd like to get one of these lovely frocks:

Poised in Turquoise Dress - Pebble Yell Dress - Laguna Speech Dress - Curtain Calm Dress - Colleague of Their Own Dress
Come to My Window Box Dress - A Good Vibrant Dress 
Profession My Love Dress - Blush Hour Dress - Beauty and the Beaks Dress - Tis a Shift to be Simple Dress - Round of Applause Dress

My favorite is probably the one on the bottom row all the way to the right - the Profession my Love Dress. I recently bought a black peplum dress at Marshall's, and I adore it. It's probably the most flattering piece of clothing I own. However, I'm drawn to the Come to My Window Dress, as well.

I have a ModCloth gift card from Christmas that's burning a hole in my pocket; do you think I should use it on one of these beauties?

If you want a necklace like the one I'm sporting above, make sure to enter the YO! Lemonade/Galen's Days giveaway. From now until May 13th, enter to win any piece from Yo! Lemonade's custom Disney jewelry line. Check out the selection on Etsy, then follow the steps below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fashionable Friday: What to Wear When You Meet Matthew Morrison

Brian, this one's for you.

Tomorrow night, I'm performing at the Human Rights Campaign Gala. Myself and a few other cast members from Hair are singing a medley just before dinner service begins. Matthew Morrison is the keynote speaker - that means he'll be in the audience, watching me belt G's. 

I don't know what to wear!

It has to be a formal, black dress. I have too many options! Which one should I choose?

(NOTE: I was not wearing make-up when these photos were taken, so I've covered my face.)

I adore this dress. I bought it in high school from the late, great Psycho Sisters. There's still a PS in Little Five Point, but back then there was also one in Lilburn near my parents' house. My mom and I used to go there about once a month, and we'd get lost in racks and racks of vintage clothing. The only problem is that this dress isn't fully black - it's hard to tell in the photos, but there's quite a bit of burgundy in the lace. Since we need to wear all black, I don't think this really fits the bill. 

This one is black and sparkly, but it makes me feel like a sack of potatoes. People tell me that it's cute, but I have a hard time believing them. I don't want to feel self-conscious when I'm licking Matt Morrison's face. 

Well, this ain't a sack, I'll tell you that. Unfortunately, I think it's also too silvery. 

This one is probably my favorite. It's definitely all-black, it fits well, and it has a cutout (in a strategic location). 

It's a black-tie event! This wouldn't be out of place!

What do you think? I need votes!

Fashionable Friday: Remixing my Sheer Dress

I wore last week's sheer dress to another event - opening night of Zorro at the Alliance Theatre.

dress: Marshall's /  blazer: Thrifted /  heels: Some store at the mall, like, 5 years ago /
  necklace: Temptations (another mall store) /  purse: Thrifted /  sunglasses: Thrifted

I love those shoes, but I walk incredibly slowly in them. They're a touch higher than I'm used to. Does that get easier? Tell me it does - even if it's not true. I feel like a failure of a woman when I have trouble with heels.

Luckily, we spent most of our night sitting.

It's a really fun show - I encourage all my Atlanta friends to see it. You'll love it if you're into silly comedies, melodramas, or catchy songs.

Very Excellent Boyfriend and I have seen a lot of theatre lately. Zorro, The Drowsy Chaperone at the Aurora, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at Stagedoor Players, Assistance at Pinch n' Ouch, ans Petite Rouge at Synchronicity. When I was in high school, I didn't think Atlanta had a strong theatre community - I thought the only place an actor could work was New York. Maaaaybe LA (but who moves to LA to do theatre?). I'm really glad I was wrong; returning back to my hometown has been a blessing on all fronts.

Fashionable Friday: Sheer Blouses - Yay or Nay?

I have a complicated relationship with sheer blouses. On the one hand, they're pretty revealing. On the other, so are bathing suits and shorts, and those are perfectly acceptable. Still, bras are a bit taboo. But most persuasively, it gets really hot in Georgia, and sheer = cool. 

I have a few sheer shirts, but I've never felt comfortable wearing them like this. Probably because I don't have swimsuit tops to match each of them. I wore this ensemble to the (disastrous) concert series in Centennial Olympic Park a couple weeks ago, and I felt great - despite how miserable the experience was.