georgia

Up for Transformation

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Michelangelo’s “Hall of Prisoners” were some of my favorite pieces of art in Europe. Commissioned by Pope Julius in 1505 for his tomb. However he died shortly after and due to funding and other projects it was never completed. Michelangelo was known for saying that he, “worked to liberate the forms imprisoned in the marble.”

I thought of this artwork recently because a client said to me after we did her hair and makeup for an event, “you love transformation.” And I would agree to some point yes, but I love to see the beauty of a person revealed.

Michel-Ange Michelangelo Buonarroti, unfinished statue (Atlas Slave), 1527-1528.

We all have a little rebel in us…

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I just watched a movie about Christian Dior. In it he was quoted as saying he was a reactionary. Dior’s big flowery dresses were in reaction to the boxy and masculine clothes during wartime. I often feel like this in hair and makeup now even though I appreciate art, I keep thinking, “the return to pretty.”
"My dream? To make women more happier and more beautiful."
Christian Dior
Designer
Allure May issue online
Allure May issue online
New York Fashion Week 2018

Take this Poll

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Question:
 

This is a quote by Lena Dunham, 31, actress and pop culture activist: “Let’s get something straight: I didn’t hate what I looked like—I hated the culture that was telling me to hate it.” —Glamour, January 2017

What is your opinion of the the current view of women and their body image?

Blue Eyes

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I really liked the suggestions of celebrity makeup artist, Aliana Lopez.

Hazel Eyes

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I have Hazel eyes and so do many people.  When choosing shadows, go by the primary color, and the flecks inside.

The Most Commonly Asked Eye Makeup Question …

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Which eye shadow colors are good for BROWN EYES? Today, we are taking a look at brown eyes.  Check back later for posts for an answer to the same question for hazel and blue eyes.

Notice how the model’s eyes are brighter on the inner and outer corner and just below the arch of the eyebrow? Use a highlighter after you apply your shadow for a more dimensional and brighter look

Brown Eyes

For an evening or glamour look, use a dark brown or dark purple shade in the waterline, the inside line above the lower lashes. They apply a soft shadow underneath as in the picture.

JEWEL TONES — borrowing from my blog on sparkly eyes and this article, colors like emerald, sapphire and here in the pic, burnt orange are fun. Debora’s tip: I would use these as special event colors as the model is. And unless you are comfortable with contouring, use them as accent colors.

PURPLES — lighter skin, lavender and mauve; darker skin, eggplant and plum. Debora’s tip: Some purples are warm and some are cool. If you have more hazel in your eye, warmer tones are better and if they are a solid color brown you are more likely to use the cooler shades.

GREYS — Some artists recommend grey shadows; but I must be honest … these are shades for younger women. We women who adorn laughter lines are also losing warm pigments in our hair and skin and this makes gray shades look harsh.

Bobs and Bangs

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Youth Inspired Trends for Spring 2018

Sometimes staying current when you are a boomer is just KNOWING what is current. For instance saying to a  younger co-worker or relative, “I think that Bob that Lucy Hale has is adorable.”Even though you are thinking, “Who is Lucy Hale?”
I am a fringe, a.k.a., bangs, person (hairdressers trained by those from England do not say “bang” as it is a not-so-nice slang across the pond).  Notice how the above fringes accentuate the eyes and cheeks. This row of beauties contrasts with the top row of women who are younger and still do not mind focus on the jaw.

A Sparkly Tip for Ageless Eyes

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Create a look of Ageless Beauty: add a pop of bold color above and/or below the lash line. Place colors sparingly where there are fewer wrinkles. Add bold lip and eye pigment for a stunning look when preparing for special events or big weekends.

The secret to Ageless Beauty is to accentuate your best features while detracting from areas you do not want to draw attention to or that you simply dislike.

Remember, lighter hues are perfect highlighters. See the example below from  Bodyography—sold at OTP. If you are not a fan of glitter, try matte Olive, Plum or Grey shades in the corner of the eye.

Jada (below) applied an “attraction color” under  the eye, and a neutral liner and shadow on top. To avoid a heavy look to the eyes, always use a neutral shade in the contour area. More on that later.

The New Standard for Aging, Older, Mature, ???, Tested and Tried Women!

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The trend today is we—whether, millennial, boomer, senior, other people group or considerate friend—must avoid looking like our grandparents. Vivian Diller, Ph.D. writes from her book, Face it: What Women Really Feel as Their Looks Change.

“This (the fact that we are living longer) would be good news except that women are bombarded by the message that a youthful appearance is what will keep them from becoming invisible (in a youth-obsessed culture).” “This (the fact that we are living longer) would be good news except that women are bombarded by the message that a youthful appearance is what will keep them from becoming invisible (in a youth-obsessed culture).”
Vivian Diller, Ph.D
Author

Vivian speaks a lot about the generational differences—millennial vs. boomer—and their opposing attitudes on beauty. According to current media—of which this writer is in full agreement—equal expectations fall on both the baby boomer as well as the millenarian. Below are two photos from Closer magazine of Jane Seymour and Maye Musk (Elon’s mother): Jane commented recently, “I feel sexier now than when I was younger.”

P.S. This blogger feels that what is happening for boomer women can easily be applied to boomer men. Sporting the young wife and a luxurious lifestyle is no longer enough; he must  also look amazing—think George Clooney—more on him later!

Maye Musk

Maye, mother to Elon Musk, radiates confidence amidst bold but modern style.

otp maye musk 001
otp maye musk 002
otp jane seymour 001
otp jane seymour 002

Inspiration for Trending Anti-Aging Techniques

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Here, Elena wears softened eyebrows and eye shadow. Contoured cheeks and highlights above and below eye create more softness. Dewy skin and glossy lips complete her ageless look. Call OTP for your personalized consult today.
OTP Salon
678-735-1760

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

My grandmother was in her 40’s when I was a toddler. Several years ago,  I recognized her face reflecting in my mirror—not even my mother’s features anymore— FEAR gripped me! Wanting to stop and even reverse this process, I began the search for the fountain of youth and made a few discoveries. In this blog, I will slowly reveal what I learned and how you can apply the same techniques, tips and tricks to your routine. Check back here often and follow me as I share my beauty secrets.

Have you pondered why older women are called handsome? It is because women tend to look more masculine as they age—cruel! I remember my 40th birthday, I was more concerned about the age than noticing my face was falling! My wake up call happened by year 50. One day I noticed my eyes a little heavier, then my nose began to grow bigger—glancing back at earlier photos, the slow fading of features cannot be overlooked—as in REAL photos, not digital. Yes, slowly it happened to me; I decided to pour all my time into training to be a hairstylist and makeup artist and to share what I was learning about myself, makeup, and hair, and staying “On Trend” in a youth-oriented society with … you!

Let’s begin with Elena, she was 50 at the time of this shoot. These 6 points above are key and I will expound on each detail during the next 30 posts. These principles are foundational for any age; less harsh color and more contour creates a softer and less masculine look at this stage of life and beyond.