make-up

Aquila

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

For those familiar with women’s “lifestyle” magazines, the call to be “sexy” in some way or another is not new. We women need to have “sexy” everything: attitude, legs, skin, armpits, you name it. So pervasive is this message that I’m surprised that no one has spontaneously combusted from sexual arousal at the sight of a women’s magazine devotee. And then we have the new Aquila magazine, whose key buzzwords are modesty and fabulousness.

As the “world’s first English fashion and lifestyle magazine for cosmopolitan Muslim women in Asia” that is based in Singapore, Aquila serves up the standard menu of any glossy: tips on make-up, shopping, book and film reviews, and some lightweight advice on career-building.

Aimed at readers from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, modesty and fabulousness are far from alien concepts: Muslim women of all ages, hijabis in particular, in Southeast Asia are intensely responsive to new faith-based sartorial trends, perhaps more so than women who do not cover their hair.

That said, Islamic consumerism, as cynical as it sounds, is a fairly new phenomenon in which women in the region form an active role. Aquila is an obvious byproduct of the purchasing power of Muslim women in Southeast Asia, but whether or not it aims to be representative of its target audience is quite another matter. So let us explore this issue by breaking it down to three parts, based on how well it’s doing for its intended readers thus far:

The good: The one thing I can generously say about Aquila is that there seems to be an intention that it offers something for everybody: from articles on face creams to an as yet developed page on “science,” which I hope will be a more informative take on scientific breakthroughs, instead of the science of eye creams and hair serum.

The bad: The beating heart of any self-respecting popular publication is the opinion piece. Often brief and pseudo-philosophical, the op-ed is, for me, what makes fashion magazines human and less banal. But that was what I thought before I came across the first opinion piece on Aquila. Entitled “Leap of Faith,” it reveals the thoughts of a Muslim man whose moral dilemma about his daughter dating a non-Muslim seems to completely eclipse his social drinking habits, at his favorite drinking hole no less! The piece ended on a cryptic note that suggested a sense hypocrisy that plagues the urban, middle-class and the selectively liberal Muslim communities in Southeast Asia, but lacked any insight or depth in what is a serious issue that very much concerns the intended reader.

The could-be-better: Though brand-spanking-new with the impressive accolade of being a kind of landmark magazine for Southeast Asian Muslim women, Aquila looks more like a half-built project with little pizazz. The graphics leave plenty to be desired, but then that wouldn’t be such an issue if it had more substantial content. I get the feeling that Aquila isn’t really targeted at parents, as it lists “kids” as a “lifestyle” issue that sits at the bottom of the drop down list. But I shouldn’t really be asking for the moon here, as most fashion and beauty magazines rarely figure parenthood as a particularly “trendy” subject.

In sum, Aquila is far from divinely inspired. It is a bland derivative of many beaten dead horses called women’s fashion magazines, except with less exposed flesh. It reminds me why I’ve stopped reading such things for good. I’m also not entirely convinced that it is trying hard to be representative of the young, upwardly mobile Muslim women who are taking Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia by storm. If the magazine’s not so modest vision of being “the world’s most trusted authority on the intelligence of affluent Muslims” is anything to go by, I would suggest Asian Muslim women to read elsewhere for fabulous inspiration.

Written by: Alicia Izharuddin, June 2nd 2010

Lessons of a Lipstick Queen: Finding and Developing the Great Idea That Can Change Your Life

admin — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:16:00 +0000

By Poppy King

Atria Books

Hello! This book is a call to your inner lipstick queen! Truthfully, I’m not much of a makeup person. At most my cosmetics collection includes lip balm for daytime and mascara for a night on the town. Yet, there was something about the provocative title that compelled me to read this book. Do we all have a lipstick queen deep inside us, just as we have inner children? If so, our inner lipstick queen deserves to come out and play on occasion.

Enter stage left: Poppy King's Lessons of a Lipstick Queen. King’s book is a delightful and animated guide on how to recognize and pursue your passions. The book itself brings the reader through King’s own amazing experiences as she follows the trail created while searching for the perfect shade of lipstick.

At seventeen, King was quite young when she first set out on her quest, but she was bold enough not to second guess herself (as I might have done at forty). While she notes it is important to release your inhibitions, King doesn’t over-emphasize the fact that she has a fearless spirit and highlights the importance of restraint. She points out the value to be had from times of trouble and loss, mostly sharing those moments as temporary experiences she learned from.

King shares the lessons she learned during the life cycles of her entrepreneurial pursuits in a user friendly way that inspires the reader to ponder the possibilities their own lives may hold. For example, Lesson two: Take very seriously any sentence starting with “I wish.” Sage advice, and I concur. Wishing isn’t only for Polly Anna or Dorothy. Wishing is good for your health, so to speak.

King reminds us to consider the possibilities that lie outside of our comfort zones and to recognize that everyone experiences pain and loss, but we also have the option to get back up. While she writes of her passion, she also notes the vital support of her family and friends. Even more importantly, she reminds us that it is only through one’s planning, preparation, and hard work that goals are ultimately accomplished.

Unlike many other how to guides this book does not offer a simple solution (like if you do A, B, and C, you will be a millionaire). On the contrary, King provides the reader with fifty-eight distinct yet interrelated lessons on how to pursue one’s passion, brave rough waters, and keep one’s chin up. Sounds like a tall order? Indeed, but if you’re game, this is the book to help guide you through the process.

Written by: Susan G. Reyes Vasquez, September 13th 2009

Aromaleigh Make-Up

admin — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:55:00 +0000

By Aromaleigh

When Bette Davis was entering her later years, she said something to the effect of, “I will not retire while I’ve still got my legs and my make-up box.” Bette, like a lot of us gals, knew the importance of quality make-up and what role it can play in our everyday lives. I savor my ten minute make-up sessions because it’s one of a few moments each day that I can actually be alone with my thoughts and prepare myself for what may come. Plus, experimenting with different looks and playing with bright colors and textures make me happy.

After receiving my sample package from Aromaleigh, I woke up every morning with a newfound sense of adventure and wonder because I not only got to have my alone time, but I also gained a chance to feel different everyday. They create, in essence, the make-up of my dreams because of their dedication to distinctive, desirable products. I’ve tried all kinds of make-up over the years, everything from the likes of Wet ‘n’ Wild to Estee Lauder, and I’ve never come across a company like Aromaleigh that speaks so directly to feminine creativity and expression. It’s honestly the best make-up I’ve ever put on my face.

Aromaleigh is a web-based, woman-run company from South Carolina. Their vast catalog consists of foundation, blush, lipstick, perfume, eyeliner, many different kinds of eye shadow, and more. As part of the mineral make-up revolution, Aromaleigh also knows how important it is to concoct their delightful delicacies with the finest, most eco-friendly ingredients available. None of their products are tested on animals, and you can read the ingredient lists online. Not only that, but their colorful baubles just feel good to wear. The “Divine Intervention” eye shadow sang symphonies off my face and never faded throughout my twelve-hour day.

I first discovered the company when a wonderful friend gave me samples of their vivacious silver frost “lily pad” eye shadow and rockin’ sonic coral “shadow of love.” Despite having very sensitive skin, all of Aromaleigh’s products work well with my complexion, and they don’t really fade or smudge. Thus far, I’ve tried items from their Bete Noir, Eyes Lustre, and Gothic Lolita collections. I honestly can’t articulate how many different colors, sparkles, and shades Aromaleigh boasts. They wield all the colors of the rainbow throughout their various collections and possess fun, frisky names like “Lush Memoir” (Gothic Lolita collection), “Darcelle” (Bete Noir collection), and “Space Oddity” (Sonic Cosmetic Collection). They mix and match colors like nobody’s business, and their new limited edition Orchid collection is practically mouth-watering. For eye shadows, they have mattes, frosts, sparkles, and all-encompassing combinations. The brightest of yellows and whites are at your disposal as are the darkest of blues, purples, and blacks. I’ve only tried lip products from the Gothic Lolita collection, but out of the four I tried (Melancholia, Pinafore, Wallflower, and Lollipop), none of them felt sticky or heavy and provided deep, lasting shades that “popped” off my fair skin.

At the risk of sounding like an infomercial, the best part about Aromaleigh is their reasonable prices. Most of their eye shadows range in price from $6-8, and you can buy samples (which last a long, long time) of many of their products for under $1.50. Like a lot of independent companies, Aromaleigh seems to rely on steady customers to keep their company afloat. Therefore, they offer weekly coupons and deals on select products. Plus, there’s free shipping for all sample orders, and they even throw in three random samples with every sale so you can try different things from different collections.

Above all, Aromaleigh truly cares about what they’re peddling. There’s a lot of craft, caress, and chutzpah placed in every treasured stroke of color and spark of glitter. You’ll get a lot for your money and feel marvelous while doing it. Whether you’re Bette Davis with blue eye shadow and brown mascara or someone like me who enjoys sparkling like a holiday with lilac purple and sea foam green, I’m sure Aromaleigh has a cosmetic soul mate in store for you.

Written by: Sara Freeman, May 3rd 2009

Picture Perfect Face Primer

admin — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:37:00 +0000

By Zana Cosmetics

Oily skin is often revered as one’s personal fountain of youth with an ability to slow down aging, but for those who were born with this physical trait, it’s a nightmare that stares at you right in the face. Instead of glowing and glistening, oil oozes from pores, causing pimples to make frequent visits, while rosy cheeks appear slippery and dirty. Not even the finest powders can combat the greasy mess, and at the end of the day, your many hours of carefully applying makeup for a fresh face results in a gloppy gunk. No matter how many times you scrub, wash, or tone, genetics can’t be defeated. Fortunately, you can now find an easier way to let your personality, not your face, shine through. Zana’s Picture Perfect Face Primer is the number one tool you need to look flawless and naturally gorgeous, all thanks to a little help from Mother Nature.

Zana Cosmetics is a new collection that provides promising results to women who want to enhance their features without looking overdone, a must for those who also have to battle oil just to feel fabulous. While they offer a basic line of lipsticks and eye shadows that create “sultry, sexy” looks, they aren’t your typical tubes of Revlon or Maybelline. All Zana products are mineral based and non-comedogenic, which means they don’t clog pores.

In addition, their formulas are created with vitamins and antioxidants, ensuring to be gentle on even the most sensitive skin types. Sure, it sounds like another product riding the eco-trend train, but if women must wear makeup to both look and feel amazing, at least they should use products that will heal their skin, not drown it in toxins. The Picture Perfect Face Primer is made with natural ingredients, such as avocado, rosemary, and hibiscus, which all hydrate and soothe. There’s no fragrance or color, just a transparent gel that comes out with a gentle squeeze from an easy to carry bottle. However, does The Picture Perfect Face Primer make you ready for your close-up, or like Mother Nature, is it unpredictable and even disastrous?

The Picture Perfect Face Primer is a brilliant product that will have you saying cheese in seconds. Unlike other primers made with thick silicone, this lightweight gel is silky smooth and immediately absorbed by skin without leaving a sticky residue. It’s so feathery soft that it feels like you’re wearing nothing, but all you need is a little drop to gently rub on your face before applying makeup. From morning until night, foundation stays in place, appearing as if it was just applied. Not only will you hear compliments for having radiant skin, but on lazy days, you could go all natural without concealer, blush, or mascara. You’ll feel like an earth mother with lustrous skin that requires little primping. Isn’t that the top beauty secret that both fashionistas and everyday women want to discover?

As with all the latest beauty fads, The Picture Perfect Face Primer does have a flaw. Like Avon, Zana cannot be purchased from a store, but instead from a Zana Cosmetics representative. However, since Zana is new, expect a hard time trying to find someone close to home that has even heard of the collection. You could become a rep and “be invited to VIP parties to showcase new product launches, makeup trends, and application demos,” but who really wants to go through all that for a face gel? Zana Cosmetics does provide an income to its reps, as well as scholarships, but those who prefer shopping online or in beauty boutiques may be turned off altogether. However, the look of perfect skin is priceless to many oily skinned girls, so the hunt may indeed be worth it.

For skin that‘s rarely slick, add The Picture Perfect Face Primer to your beauty regimen, and you’ll finally be able to enjoy standing out in a crowd.

Written by: Stephanie Nolasco, April 28th 2009

Gingerbread 1930s Waterproof Mascara

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:14:00 +0000

By Bésame Cosmetics

The Gingerbread 1930s Waterproof Mascara from Bésame Cosmetics is a great all natural make-up find, especially for those with make-up sensitivities. The gold-plated tube is gorgeous, and the mascara is soft, pliable stuff that smells like yummy gingerbread, hence its name.

Bésame Cosmetics is a cool, environmentally-friendly, luxury make-up line that appears to support and encourage women by providing products that are meant to help today’s busy working woman look and feel feminine without taking a lot of time and energy. The style of Bésame's products is a throwback to the Art Deco movement, a time when the look of a piece of make-up was just as important as how it appeared on your face. Considered a “responsible luxury brand,” Bésame Cosmetics only uses non-toxic, natural ingredients in their products and refuses to test on animals. Another awesome thing about Bésame products is that all of their make-up is created in small batches so that they remain fresh. It’s always nice to know that your make-up has not been sitting in a warehouse for who knows how long!

Allergy tested and paraben-free, this mascara actually doesn’t clump! Really! While it is not the best ‘thickening’ mascara I have ever used (it would take about ten minutes of application to get my desired ‘thick lashes’ look), it is definitely the best in terms of lengthening and separating; however, it is also a matter of taste. If you prefer to wear less mascara, this is absolutely the perfect product for you!

I really enjoyed the scent, which I could still smell after application! The “sweet, spicy gingerbread aroma” is from natural conditioning oils and food grade colorants, and apparently, this “special combination dates back to the 1930s!” The mascara remained soft as I continued to apply it and did not get stiff or brittle. My lashes looked totally fringy and soft!

Another great thing about this mascara is that, while it is waterproof, it is also easy to remove! I can always count on my other waterproof mascara staying put for the next three days, which is extremely annoying, but this mascara is easily removed with soap and water.

This latest addition to Bésame Cosmetics' “famous and classic era-style make-up line” will make a welcome addition to your make-up bag!

Written by: Kent Page McGroarty, July 9th 2008

Loose Mineral Foundation/Concealer

admin — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:18:00 +0000

Jenulence

I have a great deal of fun with makeup. Playing with different looks is a creative outlet for me, and I really enjoy trying different cosmetics. I like using foundation, but I have sensitive skin, so it can be hit or miss finding a brand that doesn't make my face burn. So I was excited to try this product by Jenulence, which is hypo-allergenic, all-natural and cruelty-free.

This loose powder foundation/concealer is very light and feels great; perfect for anyone with skin sensitivities. It also provides nice coverage while giving a very natural look. My face doesn't look buried under several orange layers, as I've found with many brands. It can be applied either wet or dry – I applied a wet layer first, to cover any inconsistencies, and then dusted on a final dry layer to finish it off. The result was very flattering – and didn't make my face burn at all!

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, July 2nd 2007

Mineral Eye Shadow

admin — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:12:00 +0000

By Jenulence

I have to admit that my taste far exceeds most paychecks I've brought in. There are certain things I have admired from afar, but never thought I would actually own. Mineral makeup is one of those things. Getting to try out Jenulence's mineral eye shadow in Dawn Matte was super fun. I went into the experience as the pleased owner of a mineral powder that decreases the redness in my face and is light, non-greasy and doesn't make me breakout. Who wouldn't love that?

When I first saw the color I was a little surprised. The Dawn Matte eye shadow looked pretty grey. I mean I guess I don't know what to expect when I hear the word "dawn," but I usually think of something more earthy, with browns. But when I put on the Jenulence eye shadow the grayness was diluted to a basic neutral, and I was more than pleased. I imagine the color would look good on anyone if it worked for someone as pale as me. Plus, the powder blends easily on the eyelids and lasts for hours. I know because I wore it before my big night on the town. I had an early dinner, went to a show and then went dancing afterward. Even after sweating for a couple hours, at 1 a.m. my eyes were still powdered, looking as good as they had when I first put the makeup on. I heart mineral makeup.

Written by: Logan Perkes, June 21st 2007

Color Me Pink

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 22:03:00 +0000

By Color Me Pink

The other day I was walking through a department store when a scent stopped me in my tracks: my mother’s makeup, a lá 1978. I recognized the smell as one-part foundation and one-part lipstick, two contraband goods I spent hours poring over in a locked bathroom, dazzled by the possibilities of a new and improved me. At the time I was only ten, forbidden to wear the barest hint of blush or even paint my nails, as some of my friends did. My mother’s puritanical ways only heightened my desire to reap the rewards I imagined came with womanhood: pantyhose draped in all four corners, a river of high-heels streaming from the closet; a collection of laughs, all different, depending on who was around to hear them.

Maybe Mom knew what she was doing. Ear piercings were also off-limits—until I turned eighteen—and I somehow never got around to poking my lobes with a twin pair of holes. Similarly, I’ve since ditched my lust for cosmetics, no longer willing or wanting to “cover” my true appearance. If men have to be accepted ‘as-is,’ shouldn’t women?

The irony of running into my mother’s made-up scent, however, is not lost on me. You see, it wasn’t slacks or a jacket I was in search of, but a garment whose sole purpose is to make invisible my ever-burgeoning potbelly. For all my alleged “liberation,” why all the shame over post-baby flab?

Thankfully, I’d thought ahead and left my daughter, Lucy, at home. What would she think, watching her mother prance around a dressing room, exalting in the perfected artifice of a sucked-in gut? The last thing I want is for my baby girl to see herself as anything less than acceptable, just the way she is. Right now her favorite activity is delivering herself big, fat smooches with the help of a full-length mirror. What would happen to that special—and necessary—brand of self-love if she then witnessed Mama’s self-loathing grimace as she squished runaway folds of fat into a pair of jeans?

I grew up in an era whose message was all-too clear: in our natural state, women are not good enough. We had Nair to rid ourselves of unwanted body hair - if we “dared” to wear (gasp!) a bathing suit. There was Secret deodorant - “strong enough for a man, but made for a woman” -to keep us sweat-free and smelling clean. If that didn’t work, Love’s Babysoft - “because innocence is sexier than you think” - would take our natural odors all the way back to a time when we were so helpless we peed ourselves.

Now that’s the woman I want!

But these days, the messages of the '70s seem almost amusing, now that more and more college-aged girls are opting for cosmetic surgery, dieting to the point of sickness and deciding, already, to forgo a long-lived career in order to stay home and raise a family. All of this makes me wonder: what kind of commercial soapbox has Lucy inherited? It’s thirty years later and more women than ever populate our public domain—from missions to the moon to the race for president.

But have we really come all that far?

As I chug up the escalator in search of life-altering panties, one glance down the Easter aisle tells me maybe not. Or rather, it tells me that marketing teams across America haven’t caught on that women are, in fact, making great strides everywhere. According to these shrink-wrapped, skyscraper-sized baskets, someone somewhere still expects Girls to be Girls and Boys to be, well, athletic, mechanical and completely out of touch with the merits of pink plastic cell phones, dangling earrings and red lipstick. As well they might, but does that make these things suitable for girls? Do young girls really want nothing more than marathon telephone sessions and an artificially made face? As someone who grew up scaling trees, playing baseball and building go-karts, I say 'no.'

But I’m also the same person who, of the two-from-a-hundred childhood souvenirs I’ve managed to hold onto over the years, one is a red plastic lipstick, the other a matching perfume bottle. Despite countless moves, I’ve never lost those two things. You’d think that fact alone would have dictated a different fate for me and makeup, but the fact remains: I didn’t learn how to apply lipstick until well into my thirties. And my boyfriend taught me how to blot!

Maybe, then, sometimes play really is just play, and real life is real life. How else to explain the huge schism between what the marketers are selling us while two channels over Nancy Pelosi takes up the Speaker’s gavel on CNN?

Or maybe the message is this: we can do what we want, as long as we do it and look a certain way. And if that’s the case, I’m going to toss my stomach-shaping tights in the trash right now. But unlike my sisters who came before, I’ll hold onto my bra. For that’s the crux of it, isn’t it? What makes sense to you is the only thing that needs to make sense—as long as you have the tools necessary to make your most well-informed choice.

And that is my intention with starting this column, to take a good hard look at that space where culture meets psyche, from the perspective a new mother trying to raise a 21st-century girl. I’ll be critiquing everything from pink raincoats to Peter Pan to the concept of “mother’s helper” in my quest to unravel the mysteries of the “three-steps forward, four-steps back” world of women’s rights that has us pounding gavels both in the boardroom and the kitchen, but for far less money and respect than our male counterparts.

I hope you’ll join me!

Written by: Janet Freeman, April 4th 2007

Velvet Facial Creme

admin — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:14:00 +0000

By Suki Pure Skin Care

I am on a constant quest for new and improved beauty products. To me, a new lipstick or hand lotion are one of life's little pleasures. Not only do I enjoy using them, but it's a small fantasy fulfillment as well. Realistically, I know that a new hair product will not make me a supermodel, but I humor myself anyway; and the end result is that I feel glamorous, so it's a moot point.

One frequently used tool in my beauty arsenal is facial moisturizer, so I was looking forward to testing out this product. “Velvet” is an apt word to describe it because I have never used such a smooth, lightweight moisturizer before. It glides on effortlessly. One problem I've had with other face products is that my finger ends up tugging on the skin when I attempt to smooth it across delicate areas, such as around the eye. This tugging and pulling always seemed counter-productive to me, since the main reason I use moisturizer is because I like to think that if I baby my skin enough, I won't get so many wrinkles later on (remember that fantasy fulfillment I mentioned?). This crème is not only great for delicate skin, but it also absorbs instantly – no need to rub in. This makes my other “lightweight” moisturizers look like lard. I'm so impressed with this stuff that I'll probably buy more when my sample runs out, although at $26.25 for 1.7 ounces, it's quite pricey; but such is the cost of fantasy fulfillment.

Written by: Beeb Ashcroft, February 19th 2007