Happy May! Here are this week's links.
– By far the biggest news of the week is that Dyson will be releasing a hair dryer. Beauty Geek answers your most pressing questions about it.
– "Non-touring" is the latest iteration of both contouring and the no-makeup look. Speaking of the latter, Sephora is now offering no-makeup makeup classes. Sigh.
– In men's grooming, the "dentist beard" is the latest trend, and this UK company's revenue shows that makeup for men is slowly inching its way towards the mainstream.
– Too lazy to give yourself a pedicure? These stockings have you covered.
– Mental Floss investigates the phenomenon known as "mascara face".
– Bet you didn't know your curling iron could do this.
– In case MAC's Vibe Tribe collection wasn't crappy enough for you, Urban Outfitters managed to make shampoo offensive. SMH.
"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful": here's a nice round-up of vintage beauty commercials.
The random:
– In '90s news, MTV is bringing back both Unplugged and Cribs. Alas, Loveline is no more.
– See, art history isn't totally useless. In other art news, John Tremblay is getting a solo show in Paris – you might remember him from this 2006 Shu Uemura collaboration.
– Eater explains the latest obsession with rainbow food.
– As you may know, mermaids are good friends with jellyfish, so I was delighted to see this newly discovered neon one swimming about 2.3 miles beneath the ocean's surface.
How are you? Are you as excited for summer as I am?
Links for the week.
– Like moths to a flame, beauty addicts are predictably going crazy over this rainbow highlighter. I must admit it does look really fun! But it's only a matter of time before a major beauty brand copies it – if I were that Etsy seller I'd patent/trademark my creation forthwith.
– Things I'm dubious about this week include glitter stretch marks and anti-aging gin. No amount of sparkle will make my stripes appealing, and I doubt the collagen in the gin will do anything to counteract the notoriously un-beautifying effects of alcohol.
– Speaking of dubious beauty, for once and for all: smearing any sort of placenta on your face does not have any proven benefits for your skin.
– Well, this is terrifying. For any beauty procedure, always make sure your esthetician is qualified!
– I'm throwing some confetti Essie's way in honor of their 1,000th nail polish shade.
– Lip fillers are quickly becoming the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure.
– Loved this piece on Louis Vuitton's kabuki cosmetics case.
– Some rather sad news this week: the world lost yet another gloriously eccentric, incredibly talented musician who could also rock some amazing makeup looks. Goodnight, sweet Prince. 🙁
The random:
– In museum news, this new app sounds so cool! Meanwhile, this guy uses a face swapping app in quite a novel and hilarious way. Also, a temporary Snoopy Museum has opened in Tokyo.
– In '90s nostalgia, New Kids on the Block and Paula Abdul are playing a show in August, along with Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees.
– Excited for Documentary Now to return.
– A bed fit for a mermaid princess!
What's new with you?
This week's links.
– In beauty history, we have a video that recreates Queen Elizabeth I's makeup, dangerous beauty ingredients, and a fascinating read on Louisa Adams' dabbles in makeup. Meanwhile, Byrdie provided a nice little history of nail polish.
– Speaking of which, #malepolish is the new guyliner.
– This is an excellent way to prevent people from bothering you on the subway, plus you'll have great skin to boot.
– Feline eyes are out. The latest trend is "puppy" eye liner.
– Exciting news! There was some buzz about the possibility of 3D printing of human skin as an alternative to animal testing. Now scientists have recreated skin not through 3D printing but successfully growing it in a lab.
– Mary Kay cosmetics: empowering or just another pyramid scheme? Maybe a little of both.
– Make it stop!!
The random:
– In '90s news, MadTV is coming back, and Rage Against the Machine's Evil Empire turned 20.
-Can you imagine how much makeup inspiration we'd get from Harvard's collection of rare pigments?
– This "Eye of the Collector" exhibition highlights pieces from the world's most unusual collections, ranging from Pez dispensers to antique duck decoys. I always love seeing what other people collect.
What's been catching your eye this week?
Another mega round-up of links.
– Some very fascinating snippets of the history of the hair dryer.
– When all else fails in your budget, buy lipstick.
– This new TV show sounds good.
– Stop with the ridiculous contouring already! Also, to the CIA: please don't spy on us via skincare.
– Here's an interesting piece on how social media is shaping the beauty industry, as well as one on the possible damage it does on body image. Fortunately, at least one designer is fighting back.
– There continues to be forward momentum for diversity in the beauty industry, but we're still not there yet.
– Never send a civilian to do a makeup addict's job. Also hilarious: Will Ferrell's sunscreen (yes, it's real – you can buy it!) and an honest makeup ad.
– Is anyone really surprised by this?
– Cuteness!
The random:
– Lots of '90s nostalgia! Hanson's "Mmmbop" turned 20, the Spice Girls may be reuniting, all your '90s favorites are going on tour, and Jonah Hill has a '90s-set movie in the works. As for the '80s, I'm wishing The Money Pit a very happy 30th anniversary.
– I thought this was an April Fool's joke but was sadly mistaken. Kids, if you're going to protest, please make sure it's about something worthwhile. I would have killed to have a Henry Moore sculpture on my college campus. Plus, it was a gift to the university, not anything their tuition dollars paid for. Quit whining, you spoiled brats. *shakes cane at young'uns*
What's new with you?
Happy spring!! I was really hoping to get the exhibition up this weekend, but realized 1. I wasn't going to have time and 2. one of the objects I ordered hasn't made it to Museum headquarters yet. Anyway, here are this week's links.
– The Museum's very own Stila paint can collection was featured at one of my favorite blogs!
– This sheet mask is the stuff of nightmares.
– Apply a full face of makeup while giving birth? Sure, why not.
– These guys readied their beards for spring, which I'd say was very successful. These guys tried contouring, which didn't work quite as well. To be fair, I find contouring to be pretty tricky and have never attempted it so I'd probably be no better.
– Spray-on nail polish is the newest craze. I want to try it since it seems quicker and easier than regular polish.
– LOL! I just hope the poor little thing didn't get sick.
The random:
– Vice Broadly gives us an interesting history of how pink became associated with femininity.
– Sleater-Kinney's Call the Doctor turned 20. Yay!
– Desperately wish these feminist art history emojis were real. In more art history fun, did you know that the Twitter logo is actually 35,000 years old?
What's been going on with you? Are you excited for spring?
I know, I know, two Curator's Corners back to back. But I will return to regular blogging tomorrow, and the spring exhibition will be here next weekend. 🙂 In the meantime, here are this week's links.
– Racked examines the not-so-great history of beauty pageants, while Refinery29 presents a fascinating interview with a cosmetic chemist.
– Loved Chanel's quilted eye shadow effect for their fall 2016 show.
– More beauty mosaics, this time with old nail polish bottles. Note to self: feature this in a Makeup as Muse post. 😉
– The latest trends include using a Beautyblender for "hair strobing" and a yet another new contouring technique known as "3D tanning".
– Congrats to the first cohort of women who were accepted into Sephora's Accelerate program – they have lots of innovative ideas! Now if only someone could solve the environmental damage that's being done by the big personal care companies.
– I breathed a big sigh of relief once I saw who Nars is collaborating with this holiday season – it's not Terry Richardson, which I had feared.
– I disagree with a lot of things in this piece on little girls wearing makeup.
– If I had a cat I would so get him/her Soft Paws!
– Haha.
The random:
– In '90s nostalgia, the classic Coen brothers film Fargo turns 20, and Garbage announced a new album and tour.
– The title and date for Amy Schumer's book have been announced. Woot!
– Finally, the husband alerted me to these socks at J. Crew. I know they're men's socks but I simply had to have them! Here's big Sailor Babo modeling them. He was the perfect model as he and the other sailor plushies have seen many a mermaid at sea.
How was your week?
Who's ready for a super huge mega catch-up edition of Curator's Corner?
– Latest hair trends include denim hair and funfetti hair. But if you think those are crazy, check out these fur, pom pom and stone manicures. I'm team fur nails all the way, since they remind me of plushies.
– In other nail news, some New York salons have been ordered to pay $1.1 million in back wages to workers.
– Refinery29 digs into Sophie Shab's controversial Instagram account.
– Spring isn't even here yet, but New York Fashion Week's tough beauty looks already have me excited for fall.
– At long last, some beauty innovations for women of color: a new hair care line inspired by Madam C.J. Walker will be launched at Sephora, and the new Cocoa Swatches app shows what makeup shades look like on a variety of skin tones. We still need a lot of work on diversity within the beauty industry, but these are a step in the right direction.
– On the cosmetic surgery front, butt lifts reigned supreme in 2015, while more men are getting breast reduction surgery.
– There was, unfortunately, some truly scary beauty news these past few weeks – ovarian cancer brought on by talc use and a "beauty parlor stroke", which is not as uncommon as one would think.
– On a lighter note, which of these are your greatest beauty fears? And do you remember these "terrifying" early aughts hair trends?
– Two words: bunny spa.
– Awwww!
The random:
– I'm excited for Abbi Jacobson's new book, which will be released in the fall. Not so excited about this Olsen twins exhibit though. Ugh.
– In '90s nostalgia, Sarah Michelle Gellar has gone brunette to reprise her role from the 1999 film Cruel Intentions, which is getting a TV reboot. For the early part of the decade, there was this piece on 1991's Silence of the Lambs.
– As much as I love the '90s, there were some good '80s memories to be had. Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Blue Velvet all celebrated their 30th anniversaries, and Pee Wee is back! (Also, I'm giving a shout-out to the person who photoshopped him into vintage postcards.)
– I had an idea for a new Tumblr called Bored Men at Sephora, but it looks like this Instagram account beat me to it, albeit on a broader scale.
– LOL.
Finally, here's a bonus pic of me in Disney World – my mom caught me mid-Tweet. It was a great trip but totally exhausting. I think the pink ears go well with the camo jacket, yes? (Just kidding, I know that combination looks especially ridiculous.)
More pics will be coming soon over at Postcards from Sailor Babo – our little scamp had quite the adventure!
How have you been?
Links for the week.
– Some very exciting news! If you've been reading my blog for a while you know what a huge fan I am of beauty writer Autumn Whitefield-Madrano and her fabulous blog The Beheld. Well, guess what?! Her first book is now available for pre-order! Face Value: The Hidden Ways Beauty Shapes Women's Lives sounds truly awesome. Be sure to check out her new website too.
– The Glamourologist explains how an ancient Egyptian cosmetic spoon worked.
– In bizarre beauty this week: glitter tears, unicorn horn braids, undercut "tattoos", neck contouring and hand makeup. Truth be told, I think that last one seems one step away from Señor Wences.
– I don't collect perfume bottles, but these Guerlain ones are amazing (and retail for $11,000 each!)
– This Canadian thief went berserk on beauty products. Obviously he was planning on reselling them…or was he?
– Genius.
The random:
– On the local front, Baltimore may be the "most eccentric" city in the U.S. (I must point out, however, that the item about the "Ouija 7-11" is complete and utter garbage…there are so many things wrong with that write-up. Just trust me.)
– Loved this profile of merfolk in the UK.
– Never trust a big butt and a smile: in '90s nostalgia, Justin Timberlake does a great cover of the 1990 hit "Poison." Also, classic '90s radio show Loveline gets revisited and TV show Saved By the Bell is getting its own restaurant.
– Only a few more days!!
What was catching your eye this week, beauty-related or otherwise?
Catching up on some links.
– Here's a fascinating, although too brief, article on ancient Roman beauty habits. I want to buy the author's book now! Also enjoyed this post at Collecting Vintage Compacts.
– Speaking of vintage compacts, see the original Estée Lauder gift-with-purchase compact.
– I should probably update my faux freckles post to include the new rainbow freckles trend and its offshoot, glitter freckles. I also wonder how long it'll take for the black light makeup fad to turn into glow-in-the-dark freckles.
– Hair trends include checkerboard hair and the delectable cinnamon swirl hair. Also, this stylist recreates art masterpieces using hair as a canvas.
– The average woman spends 22 and a half minutes getting ready every day. I take about the same amount of time…if you add an hour. 😛
– In stupid beauty inventions, we have a completely inefficient automatic lipstick machine and a rather unnecessary wearable nail polish holder. (Just put the bottle on a counter or the floor – I really don't know what the point of a special holder is.)
– Anti-grooming has made its debut as the men's equivalent of the no-makeup look.
– This is one '90s beauty technique I don't remember.
– The future of beauty marketing? No, not plastics. Makeover apps are the way to go. Case in point: Sephora's new lipstick try-on app.
– It's about time MAC came out with their own rewards program.
The random:
– I had always meant to write an essay on Riot Grrrl fashion/style as a followup to my thesis, but AnOther beat me to it.
– Murdering plushies just for a few seconds of entertainment is so cruel. :( Also cruel is the fact that no one likes my name anymore (although this wasn't exactly news to me, sigh).
– The season 3 Broad City trailer is way funnier than my smackdowns. Also funny (for Simpsons fans, anyway) is this truly magical website.
How have you been?
Links for the week, plus a bonus pic of the epic blizzard we had!
– Autumn discusses eyelash extensions and provides an excellent history of our efforts to make them longer and lusher.
– Hair trends for the week include color melting and glow in the dark hair, plus "man" braids (spoiler alert: they're no different than lady braids.)
– Sephora introduces its new Accelerate program, which helps female entrepreneurs get started in the beauty biz. Meanwhile, Shiseido proves it's one of the most progressive and innovative brands out there.
– Beauty fails this week: this poor woman misused a LUSH product (hey, at least her skin will go well with MAC's new Flamingo Park collection) and Cosmo rounds up a bunch of hair dye mishaps.
– Loved these very creative snack-inspired makeup looks!
– Couldn't stop laughing at this.
The random:
– I think "White Rabbit" was my favorite of all these S-K covers.
– Along those lines, Portlandia started its final season this week (sniff), so here's an interview with Carrie and Fred.
– Yesterday I posted about Manet's Olympia. This performance artist actually recreated it in the Musée d'Orsay (and was subsequently arrested).
– In '90s nostalgia, this past Friday marked the 18th anniversary of the premiere of Spice World, and Refinery29 presents an argument for Baby Spice being the best Spice Girl.
– Finally, Baltimore got 29 inches of snow! I think that's even more than we got in the big storm of 2010.
Sailor Babo and Yeti had a good time playing and enjoyed some hot chocolate.
How was your week? If you're on the East coast, what was your blizzard experience like?