One would think that hair that is frizzy or puffy and hair that is straight and a little lifeless are two completely separate misfortunes. Normally, this is true, but after a new haircut all of the regular rules go out the window.
My previously described wavy bob looked gorgeous until the time came to wash it myself. At this time, I made the tragic mistake of letting it dry naturally. A cross between straight and frizzy sounds perfect, right? It brings to mind soft and flowing waves. Which is what my hair used to do when it was long. Now, when left to its own devices, my hair forms a sort of bizarre triangle: no volume on top, but the ends expand to an alarming volume.
The initial lesson is therefore: never leave your hair to its own devices immediately after a new cut!
Now, as for the solution, it is relatively simple.
For the kind of soft waves sported by the 1920s flappers, simply twist sections of your hair into little bunches while your hair is still wet and secure them with bobby pins. Let it dry naturally, then take take the pins out and voilà! It is even possible to sleep with this rather ridiculous looking hair-do on your head. (Preferably when you are home alone without the possibility of mockery from friends and family or that of extinguishing a flame with a current lover.)
Otherwise, go for a straight look. Whether you use a blow-dryer, metal straightener, or the basic tie-it-back-while-it's-wet method (which you should remember only works on the portion of your hair above the ponytail and may create strange creases - but hey, it works for some people) you should smooth a little hair-wax or anti-frizz solution on with your hands to soften and secure the effect.
Both of these methods work on long hair as well as short, but short hair is slightly more difficult to deal with and therefore requires them more often. (Again, admitting those few women who seem to wake up in the morning fully styled, and those who regularly attend a private hairdresser. If you are not one of these women, you probably dislike them. And with good reason, but who am I to judge the unjustly lucky?)
Good luck out there, ladies.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
A response to some comments from the girls... and a little more for them to read
As far as hand washing is concerned, I have discovered the practicality of those little bottles of disinfecting lotion. Very handy and a lot more elegant than dashing off to the bathroom to wash the perfume off of your wrists with soap all the time!
A close friend of mine told me that haircuts are psychologically significant because they are good for your confidence and ability to do things because you feel like a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders. I would like to congratulate her for this insight as it made me feel even better about my new haircut than I already did. (And for those of you who are a little disappointed and have nothing to console yourselves with but the 'it will grow' philosophy, this might help you feel better.)
Also, big points to those who are stocking up on the tights/stockings. Embellished leg-wear is one of the bigger things of the new season. Very chic as well as original.
Though a pair of basic black suit-pants can go a long way (especially with a cute little jacket to match that you can fling over your shoulder with one finger) skirts and femininity are just as important.
Une autre chose:
Boots are très useful, and you will probably want to grab a couple of pairs fresh off of the shelves during September and October because (and this applies to clothes as well) the selection of sizes dwindles as November approaches. All kinds of boots are good: leather, rubber, ankle, knee, black, brown… Just today I found a pair of surprisingly chic black rubber boots that would make a very cute contrast to a slightly more dressy skirt but are also perfect for casual.
So remember that the most unexpected things can turn out to be fabulous and elegant, so try on whatever catches your eye, even if it isn’t precisely what you’re looking for.
But remember: though new things are delightful and considerably pick up our day, they are not all there is to life.
Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress. – Coco Chanel
Keeping it simple and not going over the top is important. And there is no shame in having non-authentic jewelry, as long as it’s nothing gaudy. A simple string of faux pearls (preferably good ones: what they call perles de couture) can be just the right touch. (I cannot take credit for this little inspiration: that must of course go to Chanel herself, for even after she had established her empire, she combined real jewelry with costume, not only in her designs but in her personal attire. So if it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for us. And to this day, pearls remain a very important characterizing feature of the Chanel line.)
A close friend of mine told me that haircuts are psychologically significant because they are good for your confidence and ability to do things because you feel like a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders. I would like to congratulate her for this insight as it made me feel even better about my new haircut than I already did. (And for those of you who are a little disappointed and have nothing to console yourselves with but the 'it will grow' philosophy, this might help you feel better.)
Also, big points to those who are stocking up on the tights/stockings. Embellished leg-wear is one of the bigger things of the new season. Very chic as well as original.
Though a pair of basic black suit-pants can go a long way (especially with a cute little jacket to match that you can fling over your shoulder with one finger) skirts and femininity are just as important.
Une autre chose:
Boots are très useful, and you will probably want to grab a couple of pairs fresh off of the shelves during September and October because (and this applies to clothes as well) the selection of sizes dwindles as November approaches. All kinds of boots are good: leather, rubber, ankle, knee, black, brown… Just today I found a pair of surprisingly chic black rubber boots that would make a very cute contrast to a slightly more dressy skirt but are also perfect for casual.
So remember that the most unexpected things can turn out to be fabulous and elegant, so try on whatever catches your eye, even if it isn’t precisely what you’re looking for.
But remember: though new things are delightful and considerably pick up our day, they are not all there is to life.
Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress. – Coco Chanel
Keeping it simple and not going over the top is important. And there is no shame in having non-authentic jewelry, as long as it’s nothing gaudy. A simple string of faux pearls (preferably good ones: what they call perles de couture) can be just the right touch. (I cannot take credit for this little inspiration: that must of course go to Chanel herself, for even after she had established her empire, she combined real jewelry with costume, not only in her designs but in her personal attire. So if it’s good enough for her, it’s good enough for us. And to this day, pearls remain a very important characterizing feature of the Chanel line.)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Ready for Autumn
Seeing as my illness turned out to be nothing more than something-in-the-throat-itis that will go away in a few days (with the help of several different kinds of medication) I can finally get to the point and tell you all about getting ready for the new season and welcoming it with open arms.
First thing on the agenda: re-stock your medicine cabinet. Granted, you don't really have a need for pills and cough syrup during the summer, but if my unpleasant experience has taught me one thing it's that it always pays off to have medication handy. (Especially aspirin!)
Extension of this idea: keep some essentials in your makeup case at all times. Personally I always keep the small type of aspirin that you swallow, as well as some cough drops and Vitamin C tablets. My close friends have laughingly reffered to me as a walking pharmacy, but when they have a headache, period cramps (the bain of every woman's existance), a sore throat or a bad case of fatigue, they stop complaining and thank me for being so practical.
Second task: get an actual agenda. If you have an old, faithful Filofax, by all means hold onto it. If you don't, then I would strongly advise purchasing something of the like. It always helps to get organized and have all of your tasks and appointments listed in one place and in an order that you can easily decipher when you're in a hurry. Otherwise you'll end up scribbling phone numbers and places that you have to be on little bits of paper and leaving them all over your desk. Imagine the scenario of you sifting through piles of paper on your desk trying to find just one piece while you still haven't brushed your teeth or hair and are already ten minutes late for work. Not a pretty picture. (Trust me, I've been there.)
Now that you've been briefed on the pre-starting essentials, we can go into more detail.
Hair
You're going to want something practical for the fall, but it has to be sexy at the same time. (This is for reasons purely concerning self-confidence. Or mostly, anyway.)
If you want to bother to do your hair every morning, more power to you. But if you want something with less fuss, I would advise snipping off a good amount.
Personally, I opted for a wavy, '20s-style bob modeled after a cross between Marilyn Monroe, Coco Chanel and Marion Cotillard. I can only just pull it back (which is useful for the admittedly not-so-frequent trips to the gym) but it's short enough that I don't actually have to.
And if you dye your hair or are planning on dying it, darken it a little for an air of mystery as well as an appropriate look for the season to come.
Skin-care, Makeup, & Co.
We all know that daily and/or nightly moisturizer runs out. Well, the next time it does, take something a little thicker. Your skin needs protection against the cold wind that will soon arrive, and starting a little in advance is not a bad thing. One could call it precautionary measures.
And remember that the face is not the only part of the body that has skin in need of love and care. You should eventually start to apply cream all over your body before going to sleep, but this can wait until the weather actually begins to turn.
Also, you might want to get a very complete wax sometime this month. During the winter, you don't really need anything except for (most painfully and unfortunately) the bikini wax, as you can shave your lower legs and under-arms and your upper legs are not that important. And remember that waxing takes off several layers of dead skin cells, so it will remove a tan - therefore if you can escape for a last minute romp on the beach, you will be prepared and can get a tan after your wax so that it will stay longer.
As far as makeup is concerned, I know that it's considered acceptable, if not mandatory, to skip the foundation and powder during the summer. I am personally not a fan of this tradition, even though it does provide a certain type of freedom.
But next time you're in the cosmetics store, buy some relatively covering powder. This makes the skin look smooth, giving a creamy-porcelain effect on lighter skin and lustrously rich effect on darker skin.
Otherwise, there is the matter of nail and toe-nail polish. The time for the deep red and other rich colors of polish on your fingernails is yet to come, but you can start applying these to your toes, and lighter colors to your fingers right about now.
Wardrobe
The theme of the new Fall Line is essentially back to the basics. The famous Style Chanel, meaning the classic black-and-white and the little suits, is de retour, and the eternal Burberry scarf prevails. In short, the essential colors of black, white and taupe are largely dominant.
I mentioned the 1920s before with regard to hair: the fashions from this time are also back. This is the most strongly pronounced with shoes: the relatively small-heeled leather pumps with a strap spanning the top of the foot is hugely popular, as are several other Models of Reminiscence (as I have personally nicknamed them).
But as far as practicality is concerned, I would suggest getting basic, thin coton shirts in a variety of colors somewhere reasonably priced like Petit Bateau, where you can find some with nice added details like buttons.
A cashmere sweater or two is also a staple for the coming season, as it's warm, flattering and flexible for different occasions.
For accessories, scarves are the most prominent piece for you now. Something resembling the classic Burberry I mentioned earlier is perfect for when the cold hits, but before that or for a slightly more dressy occasion, it's ideal to have a small variety of different-colored delicate silk scarves to choose from. These also help to protect your throat, an extremely sensitive area, from the danger of the elements and germs.
Handbags for during the day are being oversized quite a lot these days, which is very practical for all of the needs that a girl has. (Everyone knows that a woman's handbag is one of the sources of her power, and a larger one allows for more weapons.)
Finally, there is one key to maintaining the flair that comes with summer but should not have to leave with it: hang on to your sunglasses! I know that one is often tempted to use the space in your bag once occupied by a sunglasses case for a small, portable umbrella, but find a way to do both. That way when some rays of sun, however feeble, peek their way through the rainclouds, you can proudly whip out your sunglasses, fold up your umbrella, toss back your hair and waltz confidently through the rest of your day.
Remember: after the summer, tans fade, but attitude remains.
Also keep in mind more eternal words of Coco Chanel:
A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.
First thing on the agenda: re-stock your medicine cabinet. Granted, you don't really have a need for pills and cough syrup during the summer, but if my unpleasant experience has taught me one thing it's that it always pays off to have medication handy. (Especially aspirin!)
Extension of this idea: keep some essentials in your makeup case at all times. Personally I always keep the small type of aspirin that you swallow, as well as some cough drops and Vitamin C tablets. My close friends have laughingly reffered to me as a walking pharmacy, but when they have a headache, period cramps (the bain of every woman's existance), a sore throat or a bad case of fatigue, they stop complaining and thank me for being so practical.
Second task: get an actual agenda. If you have an old, faithful Filofax, by all means hold onto it. If you don't, then I would strongly advise purchasing something of the like. It always helps to get organized and have all of your tasks and appointments listed in one place and in an order that you can easily decipher when you're in a hurry. Otherwise you'll end up scribbling phone numbers and places that you have to be on little bits of paper and leaving them all over your desk. Imagine the scenario of you sifting through piles of paper on your desk trying to find just one piece while you still haven't brushed your teeth or hair and are already ten minutes late for work. Not a pretty picture. (Trust me, I've been there.)
Now that you've been briefed on the pre-starting essentials, we can go into more detail.
Hair
You're going to want something practical for the fall, but it has to be sexy at the same time. (This is for reasons purely concerning self-confidence. Or mostly, anyway.)
If you want to bother to do your hair every morning, more power to you. But if you want something with less fuss, I would advise snipping off a good amount.
Personally, I opted for a wavy, '20s-style bob modeled after a cross between Marilyn Monroe, Coco Chanel and Marion Cotillard. I can only just pull it back (which is useful for the admittedly not-so-frequent trips to the gym) but it's short enough that I don't actually have to.
And if you dye your hair or are planning on dying it, darken it a little for an air of mystery as well as an appropriate look for the season to come.
Skin-care, Makeup, & Co.
We all know that daily and/or nightly moisturizer runs out. Well, the next time it does, take something a little thicker. Your skin needs protection against the cold wind that will soon arrive, and starting a little in advance is not a bad thing. One could call it precautionary measures.
And remember that the face is not the only part of the body that has skin in need of love and care. You should eventually start to apply cream all over your body before going to sleep, but this can wait until the weather actually begins to turn.
Also, you might want to get a very complete wax sometime this month. During the winter, you don't really need anything except for (most painfully and unfortunately) the bikini wax, as you can shave your lower legs and under-arms and your upper legs are not that important. And remember that waxing takes off several layers of dead skin cells, so it will remove a tan - therefore if you can escape for a last minute romp on the beach, you will be prepared and can get a tan after your wax so that it will stay longer.
As far as makeup is concerned, I know that it's considered acceptable, if not mandatory, to skip the foundation and powder during the summer. I am personally not a fan of this tradition, even though it does provide a certain type of freedom.
But next time you're in the cosmetics store, buy some relatively covering powder. This makes the skin look smooth, giving a creamy-porcelain effect on lighter skin and lustrously rich effect on darker skin.
Otherwise, there is the matter of nail and toe-nail polish. The time for the deep red and other rich colors of polish on your fingernails is yet to come, but you can start applying these to your toes, and lighter colors to your fingers right about now.
Wardrobe
The theme of the new Fall Line is essentially back to the basics. The famous Style Chanel, meaning the classic black-and-white and the little suits, is de retour, and the eternal Burberry scarf prevails. In short, the essential colors of black, white and taupe are largely dominant.
I mentioned the 1920s before with regard to hair: the fashions from this time are also back. This is the most strongly pronounced with shoes: the relatively small-heeled leather pumps with a strap spanning the top of the foot is hugely popular, as are several other Models of Reminiscence (as I have personally nicknamed them).
But as far as practicality is concerned, I would suggest getting basic, thin coton shirts in a variety of colors somewhere reasonably priced like Petit Bateau, where you can find some with nice added details like buttons.
A cashmere sweater or two is also a staple for the coming season, as it's warm, flattering and flexible for different occasions.
For accessories, scarves are the most prominent piece for you now. Something resembling the classic Burberry I mentioned earlier is perfect for when the cold hits, but before that or for a slightly more dressy occasion, it's ideal to have a small variety of different-colored delicate silk scarves to choose from. These also help to protect your throat, an extremely sensitive area, from the danger of the elements and germs.
Handbags for during the day are being oversized quite a lot these days, which is very practical for all of the needs that a girl has. (Everyone knows that a woman's handbag is one of the sources of her power, and a larger one allows for more weapons.)
Finally, there is one key to maintaining the flair that comes with summer but should not have to leave with it: hang on to your sunglasses! I know that one is often tempted to use the space in your bag once occupied by a sunglasses case for a small, portable umbrella, but find a way to do both. That way when some rays of sun, however feeble, peek their way through the rainclouds, you can proudly whip out your sunglasses, fold up your umbrella, toss back your hair and waltz confidently through the rest of your day.
Remember: after the summer, tans fade, but attitude remains.
Also keep in mind more eternal words of Coco Chanel:
A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.
Summer's Last Revenge
Bonjour, mes amies! I would like to start by saying Happy September to everyone.
The thing is, I thought that I would be writing my first article this month (quite literally on the 1st) by writing about holding onto your summer sunglasses, the fabulous fall collections and what to do with your hair for the new season. But no such luck, because it appears that God sent me a sign that I should do something a tad less superficial.
What is this sign, you might ask? Well, I started off the infamous flu season by getting sick first thing. Last night (still in the final hours of August) I started to develop a sore throat. Nothing much was my naive thought.
Then this morning I woke up at 5h30 with a burning fever and an even worse pain in my throat. Naturally I panicked a little. With all of the unpleasantness about Flu going around the globe, it's only natural to feel unnerved when you stick a thermometer in your mouth and see the degrees shooting upwards.
So before I give my usual tips about living chic, I would like to remind you that in order to be perfectly elegant one should preferably be in good health. A runny nose is NOT a good accessory.
I will therefore tell you what do do in case of emergency middle-of-the-night illnesses like the one I just suffered through.
For a cough/sore throat
Urgence, urgence: you go to your medicine cabinet and there is no throat medicine whatsoever. No cough syrup, no lozenges, nada. What to do?
Well, we all have water in our house. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a teacup and then fill it up with boiling water. Add several large teaspoons of honey and voila. I admit, the taste is a bit strong, but you should alternate sips of this with water. (Do not by any means make the mistake of drinking ice water. Room temperature is best, even if you find it as unsatisfying as I do. Sacrifices must be made for the sake of health! Ah, but I feel a little like a hypocrite saying this. Sorry about that!)
For a fever
Say you wake up in the night and you feel strange and shivery, yet when you put a hand to your face, your skin feels hot. The first thing to do is of course to run for the thermometer. If it shows a number above normal, resist the urge to crawl under several blankets. This will make things worse.
A cold shower is a little brutal, not to mention risky if you're feeling dizzy (you don't want to slip and hit your head and lie there alone until your cleaning lady lets herself in near the end of the month!) but what I'm about to propose is also very unappealing. Lose the blanket - and the pajamas. Trust me, modesty is no question here. Your skin will scream in protest, you'll feel like you're going to freeze, but better to freeze in your own bed and of your own accord than in the hospital on the cute doctor's orders. (This can be extremely embarrassing, especially if he really is cute and ends up thinking that you are stupid.)
If you have some at hand (as you always should), take a couple of aspirin. Then get a bowl of ice-water (yes, I know, but try not to feel too horrified) and soak a washcloth in it. Wring out the washcloth and place it over your forehead and eyes for a while, turning it from time to time. Rinse it and repeat with the rest of your body. You will eventually fall asleep and then hopefully wake up with your fever gone. (But be sure to check before burrowing under your duvet again.)
(By the way, I applied this technique this morning and it worked perfectly. My throat is still sore and my nose is a little runny, but I feel much better.)
Taking advantage of the disadvantage
Nobody actually likes being sick. Some people say that they don't mind it, but that's only because people tend to wait on you and give you special treatment.
If you're feeling awful, then there are three things that you can do:
1. wallow in it - this actually makes the symptoms worse, believe me
2. ardently deny it and insist that you are fine - this makes you look absolutely ridiculous
3. milk it - whether it's playing hooky from work or asking people to do things for you
The answer is obviously 3. This can actually be fun, though stop when people start incessantly asking you if you're okay, and never go overboard with a pathetic act. (At least have the decency to put on proper clothes, makeup and perfume! Then say "I don't feel quite well at the moment, but don't worry, it's nothing serious." The brave face coupled with the occasional cough, sneeze and nose-blowing works like a charm without making you seem weak.)
Avoiding illness
It's not the middle of July anymore, mes amies. It's time to start using slippers, unfortunately. (Though my saying this is somewhat hypocritical seeing as I never do, not even in December. I should probably take my own advice to avoid being sick so often during the colder days.)
Otherwise, make sure that your body is full of Vitamin C. This can come in your daily dose of orange juice in the morning (if you have time, make it fresh, it's delicious - but store-bought is fine, too) or in tablets from the pharmacy (either made to suck on or to disolve in water) or, even better, both. (This last one is my preferred route. I usually drink my juice in the morning and carry the tablets in my handbag during the day. They're extremely good for giving you energy.)
So there you go. I will of course be writing another article about the usual wonderful things such as fashion, but I think that I can save that until after my doctor's appointment. (Which I have to leave for in aproximately ten minutes.) Hey, you can never be too careful.
A last piece of wisdom from Mademoiselle Chanel:
Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.
The thing is, I thought that I would be writing my first article this month (quite literally on the 1st) by writing about holding onto your summer sunglasses, the fabulous fall collections and what to do with your hair for the new season. But no such luck, because it appears that God sent me a sign that I should do something a tad less superficial.
What is this sign, you might ask? Well, I started off the infamous flu season by getting sick first thing. Last night (still in the final hours of August) I started to develop a sore throat. Nothing much was my naive thought.
Then this morning I woke up at 5h30 with a burning fever and an even worse pain in my throat. Naturally I panicked a little. With all of the unpleasantness about Flu going around the globe, it's only natural to feel unnerved when you stick a thermometer in your mouth and see the degrees shooting upwards.
So before I give my usual tips about living chic, I would like to remind you that in order to be perfectly elegant one should preferably be in good health. A runny nose is NOT a good accessory.
I will therefore tell you what do do in case of emergency middle-of-the-night illnesses like the one I just suffered through.
For a cough/sore throat
Urgence, urgence: you go to your medicine cabinet and there is no throat medicine whatsoever. No cough syrup, no lozenges, nada. What to do?
Well, we all have water in our house. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a teacup and then fill it up with boiling water. Add several large teaspoons of honey and voila. I admit, the taste is a bit strong, but you should alternate sips of this with water. (Do not by any means make the mistake of drinking ice water. Room temperature is best, even if you find it as unsatisfying as I do. Sacrifices must be made for the sake of health! Ah, but I feel a little like a hypocrite saying this. Sorry about that!)
For a fever
Say you wake up in the night and you feel strange and shivery, yet when you put a hand to your face, your skin feels hot. The first thing to do is of course to run for the thermometer. If it shows a number above normal, resist the urge to crawl under several blankets. This will make things worse.
A cold shower is a little brutal, not to mention risky if you're feeling dizzy (you don't want to slip and hit your head and lie there alone until your cleaning lady lets herself in near the end of the month!) but what I'm about to propose is also very unappealing. Lose the blanket - and the pajamas. Trust me, modesty is no question here. Your skin will scream in protest, you'll feel like you're going to freeze, but better to freeze in your own bed and of your own accord than in the hospital on the cute doctor's orders. (This can be extremely embarrassing, especially if he really is cute and ends up thinking that you are stupid.)
If you have some at hand (as you always should), take a couple of aspirin. Then get a bowl of ice-water (yes, I know, but try not to feel too horrified) and soak a washcloth in it. Wring out the washcloth and place it over your forehead and eyes for a while, turning it from time to time. Rinse it and repeat with the rest of your body. You will eventually fall asleep and then hopefully wake up with your fever gone. (But be sure to check before burrowing under your duvet again.)
(By the way, I applied this technique this morning and it worked perfectly. My throat is still sore and my nose is a little runny, but I feel much better.)
Taking advantage of the disadvantage
Nobody actually likes being sick. Some people say that they don't mind it, but that's only because people tend to wait on you and give you special treatment.
If you're feeling awful, then there are three things that you can do:
1. wallow in it - this actually makes the symptoms worse, believe me
2. ardently deny it and insist that you are fine - this makes you look absolutely ridiculous
3. milk it - whether it's playing hooky from work or asking people to do things for you
The answer is obviously 3. This can actually be fun, though stop when people start incessantly asking you if you're okay, and never go overboard with a pathetic act. (At least have the decency to put on proper clothes, makeup and perfume! Then say "I don't feel quite well at the moment, but don't worry, it's nothing serious." The brave face coupled with the occasional cough, sneeze and nose-blowing works like a charm without making you seem weak.)
Avoiding illness
It's not the middle of July anymore, mes amies. It's time to start using slippers, unfortunately. (Though my saying this is somewhat hypocritical seeing as I never do, not even in December. I should probably take my own advice to avoid being sick so often during the colder days.)
Otherwise, make sure that your body is full of Vitamin C. This can come in your daily dose of orange juice in the morning (if you have time, make it fresh, it's delicious - but store-bought is fine, too) or in tablets from the pharmacy (either made to suck on or to disolve in water) or, even better, both. (This last one is my preferred route. I usually drink my juice in the morning and carry the tablets in my handbag during the day. They're extremely good for giving you energy.)
So there you go. I will of course be writing another article about the usual wonderful things such as fashion, but I think that I can save that until after my doctor's appointment. (Which I have to leave for in aproximately ten minutes.) Hey, you can never be too careful.
A last piece of wisdom from Mademoiselle Chanel:
Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.
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