Pin-Up Make Up

I wanted my first proper post on this blog to be about vintage-style Pin-Up makeup. If it's a look you've never tried before, or you're struggling with winged-eyeliner or creating the perfect red lip, there's lots of examples to copy from and help to be found. For a start there are many vintage-inspired Youtubers that do amazing online tutorials. Just a few examples are:

Cherry Dollface: https://www.youtube.com/user/Thecherrydollface

MissButterflyDaisy: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuO116AsXju1cUkRimaemBQ

PinupDollAshleyMarie: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFePO_WlCZViwi-lz4qLulA

The classic Pin-Up Look consists of: Matte foundation, a red lip, winged-eyeliner, neutral eyeshadow, neatly filled in eyebrows (NO Scouse brows, please) and light blush. Celebrities I turn to for inspiration for this look are Marilyn Monroe (Obviously..) and the Burlesque Queen! Dita Von Teese.

Most people have difficulty with the eyeliner and lipstick. Winged eyeliner is tricky to those who haven't practiced it. My personal recommendation if you're a beginner is NOT to start with a liquid liner, because unless you've had a product recommendation you have to try dozens to find one that gives you the results you want, plus it's more difficult to control a liquid. The best type of liner that gives you a decent level of control (And a sharp pointy wing!) is a gel liner with a brush. Maybelline have a good one out at the moment that comes in black, brown and violet, which is around £7-9 in Boots/Superdrug. A decent gel liner doesn't fade/smudge during the day (you don't want panda eyes..). I'd recommend using this product until you're comfortable enough to try a liquid liner.

Another point I want to add to this is that although the classic look is a black coloured liner, you can make the look more wearable during the day by changing to a brown liner. This is what I do for days when I'm in university. It gives a softer, more natural effect, whilst still giving the same pin-up look.

 (*Little interesting fact: Despite popular belief, Marilyn Monroe wore a brown pencil liner, not a black liquid.)

One technique to get a straight, pointed winged eyeliner, is... as silly as it sounds...to use cellotape. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. If you place the edge of the tape to line up with your bottom lash line it gives you just the right angle you want for your wing.
If you make a mistake, I recommend using a baby wipe or cotton earbud. Both of these are easier and quicker to use than makeup remover (Too much faffing).

Right. Red Lipstick.

It's not as scary as it looks. And one thing we need to tackle right now is men's hatred of it. If your man doesn't like the way you look in red lipstick... Well that's just tough. He won't get any kisses.

There's a shade for everyone, but mostly it matters on your colouring, specifically your undertone. SO, to explain: I am very pale and I have a blue undertone. A good lipstick for people with a blue undertone is MAC's Ruby Woo. Your best bet is to ask at a cosmetics counter for their assistance in finding you the right shade (Don't be scared, that's what they're there for).

While you're buying your lipstick don't forget to get a matching pencil lipliner too. This is important. A lipliner will not only keep the lipstick on for longer, but it stops the colour bleeding out above and below your mouth (Clown Alert).

THEN: Sharpen the lip pencil, go around your lips and create an outline, lightly fill the lips in with the pencil, add a layer of lipstick (using a lip brush, this is important because it gives you a more precise result) blott with tissue paper, and then add another layer of lipstick... And you should be done.. But don't worry if it doesn't look right the first time, it takes practice. Believe me.
That's it I think..



Lots of Love
Jessicat X