Obsessed with OCC’s Lip Tar
Bright, neon lips are undoubtedly a popular trend these days. Sephora has deemed tangerine their color of the year- walk into the store and you’ll find a selection of the best coral options for your lips, among nail polishes and eye shadows. Bright pink lips are a highly coveted look also; from Jessica Stam modeling for CoverGirl to a girl I shared an art history class with, who pulled the bold look off so casually that I wondered why more people weren’t sporting a bright lip on a daily basis.
Since I’ve discovered Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetic’s Lip Tar, I’ve been planning to ditch my red lipstick for a shade of purple. Then again, they also carry cyan blue, and even mango-orange. With 36 unique colors to choose from, it’s a decision that requires some consideration. Not only does OCC offer plenty of variety in their products, but all of their products are 100% vegan and cruelty free.
Even without the wide variety of colors, The Lip Tar is a unique product in itself. It applies like a lip gloss, but has a dry, satin finish and the durability of a lipstick and goes a long way. The Lip Tar is ultra-pigmented, so when applying it to your lips (you’ll need a lip brush!) you only need a very small amount; if too much is applied, the product will bleed. It will look exceptional all while doing good for your lips, as it contains hemp oil, peppermint oil and vitamin E. Should you ever need to adorn your body with brightly colored designs, you’re in luck because the Lip Tar can be used as body paint as well.
-Emily O’Neill
Alexander Selig’s Illusions Cosmetics Campaign is Stunning…
“Ever since I’ve been really young, I’ve had a knack for knowing fashion,” says Alex Selig.
Over the past three months, the Temple University graphic design major has created a faux makeup campaign for Illusions Cosmetics. The campaign was initially intended to simply serve as his senior project, but quickly transformed into a work of art itself.
“I knew I wanted to create a piece I was proud of, and something I could use after college. I also wanted to do something where I could incorporate photography and design skills,” Selig said. “A makeup company was the perfect match.”
Selig scoured the internet for a cosmetics line with the potential to be a staple in the makeup industry and found Illusions Cosmetics. “[The project] was about revamping [something],” Selig said. “I found the Illusions makeup website, and it was terrible. If I were a chick, I’d block that website.”
The next challenge involved finding the right face that can compliment a wide array of makeup styles, while complimenting the intricacies of each look.
“I wanted a fresh face,” Selig said. “Makeup is all about being youthful.”
After considering several models, the photographer decided to use his younger sister Zoe Selig. “She’s incredible at makeup so we collaborated really well,” Selig said.
Each partner in the dynamic duo brought a unique skill set. Zoe had the makeup expertise, and Alex had the vision for what the makeup line could be.
The photo series started out with a photo of Zoe wearing a modern take on ancient Egyptian queens. Someone mentioned to Selig that his sister resembled Egypt, and the time period piece came to life.
The time period theme allowed Selig to demonstrate the versatility of the makeup line in addition to his skill set, without having one overshadow the other. Being detail oriented, he drew inspiration from photos taken during the time period, created a color palate, and used makeup ideas from his sister to create eight makeup looks, each completely different from the next.
“I wanted to include bright colors to draw attention and any aspect that would pop off the shelves,” Selig said. The series is incredibly artistic, but his goal was to use his vision to remarket the makeup as a brand with a solid identity.
Using a simple colored background and a similar photo composition for each head-shot, Selig created eight very unique looks that compliment each other.
After devoting his life to the project for three months, Selig couldn’t pick a favorite photo. “There are little features I love about each one,” Selig said. “All the little touches make each one different from another, so that’s why it’s so hard to choose a favorite.”
After scrolling through the campaign, I was convinced that it was an actual product line he designed. After finding out it was his senior project, I was even more impressed that he used that level of detail, but Selig treated the project as if it were an actual re-branding campaign.
“People want perfection, and if they don’t see it in the campaign, they’ll question the quality of [your product],” Selig said.
Meet Supermodel and Make-Up Extraordinaire Cindy Joseph
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ford Classic supermodel and entrepreneur Cindy Joseph about her career, her new make-up line BOOM! By Cindy Joseph, and her perspective on how every age can be beautiful. The 61 year old silver fox will also be speaking at the new raw food and juice café, Jar Bar.
PWStyle: Hi Cindy! You are so beautiful! Please tell us how you were discovered as a model.
Cindy Joseph: In 1999, I was approached on the street by a casting agent who wanted to know if I could model for Dolce and Gabbana. I was 49 and had silver hair. I did the shoot and 6 months later, the campaign was launched. I went to Ford models and they signed me. I have been modeling every since.
PW: What do you think is the most beautiful age a woman can be?
CJ: Every age has its own unique beauty. Think of a newborn’s tiny hands and feet, reaching out for sensation and the absolute awe in their eyes from experiencing all the new sensations. Then think of the sweet cuddly beauty of a toddler’s tender smooth skin romping around in their diapers. From that age through teenage years, through puberty, and young adulthood, all the way through a woman’s
30s 40s 50s, past 100, there is a nuance and shift that reveals another kind of beauty. It is our choice to seek and find that beauty in every girl and woman.
PW: What is your favorite beauty secret?
CJ: Taking joy in life
PW: Do you believe women should change their make-up routine as they age?
CJ: Depends on what they were doing when they were younger. Best thing to remember is that your face attains more character and develops more features as you age; so less of everything is better. If you wear eyeshadows and contours and powders and heavy foundations you will be just be adding more texture to the fine lines and wrinkles, and end up looking older. Think moist, dewy, color and radiance. Softer eyebrows. No dark shadows or hard eyeliners etc. Keep it simple and relax with the changes instead of fighting them. It will only make you look strained and possibly older.
PW: Do you prefer the natural make up look or the made up (to go out) look?
CJ: I think it’s all great as long as the girl or woman is motivated to wear makeup for fun rather than feeling desperate and motivated by fear.
PW: Do you believe women should embrace their age or hide it?
CJ: Not only EMBRACE their age but celebrate it. Be proud to have earned each SILVER hair and wrinkle they have!!
PW: Please tell me a little bit about BOOM! By Cindy Joseph.
CJ: BOOM! By Cindy Joseph is the first pro-age cosmetic line ever to exist. The message is that women are just right the way they are. The right size, shape, features, coloring and age, just as they are. And when a woman is taking joy in her life, experiencing pleasure she is extra attractive. It is her smile and her joy that makes her compelling and attractive. Boomsticks are easy to use, applicator free and great for multitasking. Simple, easy, and affordable. They are designed to make every women look as she naturally does when she is experiencing pleasure. If she is laughing dancing or romancing, her circulation revs up and her lips, neck, cheeks, forehead become colorful and her skin becomes dewy and radiant. Boomstick and Boomsilk are all safe, paraben phthalate free cosmetics.
PW: Explain your take on the “Pro-age” movement!
CJ: I named BOOM! By Cindy Joseph because that is the sound of a revolution. BOOM is the Pro-Age revolution! Women and men, children and adults are ready. It is simply time. Our society has hit a screeching crescendo of anti aging attitudes and products. If we believe that the largest percentage of our lives is downhill, which is after we turn thirty, it is a sad story. Life is not a mountain with one peak. Life is a V, expanding and becoming more as time goes on. As you age, you become more self-aware, develop taste and wisdom. Women are going under the knife and are injecting Botox; 9-year-old girls are worried about their weight and becoming anorexic. Women of all ages feel unseen, unnoticed, unless they look younger than they are. It is time for women and our society to realize looking like we are in our childbearing years just to be valued is archaic thinking!! Not only that, it simply does not work. It only makes a woman look desperate and they cannot fool anyone. The whole idea that women are only valuable for bearing children, ended 100 years ago with suffrage!!! Remember Women’s Lib? That happened over 40 years ago! Everyone is waking up to reality. That is the Pro-Age movement. We are not accepting this anti-age attitude anymore. Women are free, powerful and attractive at every age and are valued on many levels for many reasons. Its time to wake up and smell the coffee!
PW: Is BOOM! By Cindy Joseph only for a certain age group?
CJ: BOOM! is for every female from new born to over 100 years old. Girls and women of all ages enjoy Boom!
To learn more about this captivating woman head to the Jar Bar on May 10th from 7-9 p.m. Cindy will be offering interesting make-up tips for every age and will be discussing how you can discover yourself and live a passionate, happy life!
~Michelle Mass
Seventeen Magazine vs. Teen Girls of America
Having grown up reading teen magazines, I’ve actually given a lot of thought to whether I’d want my hypothetical future daughter reading the selection of teen glossies out there today.
And by “selection” I mean Teen Vogue and Seventeen since, due to the demise of CosmoGirl!–a far more commendable publication, in my opinion–they completely dominate the market.
On one hand, both mags seem intent on training girls to become superficial pieces of shit, feeding them such vapid editorial content as “Flirty Text Messages!” and “Weird Boyfriend Behaviors!” (note: I didn’t add the exclamation points).
On the other hand, as much as they might prey on the all-consuming insecurities of teen girls, they definitely make an effort to ameliorate them with the health/sex Q&As and articles like “Make Peace With Your Body,” a slideshow of “Real Girls” in bikinis who have drawn peace signs on the body parts they’re most proud of (note: all the girls are attractive and skinny).
Either way, I’m all for the new online petition launched by a 14 year-old girl from Maine calling on Seventeen to print at least one unaltered photo spread each month.
“For the sake of all the struggling girls all over America, who read Seventeen and think these fake images are what they should be, I’m stepping up,” writes campaign leader, Julia Bluhm. “I know how hurtful these Photoshopped images can be. I’m a teenage girl, and I don’t like what I see.”
Bluhm is also a member of SPARK, a girl-led activist movement that works with organizations to put an end to the sexualization of women and girls in media.
So far, over 50
thousand people have signed the Change.org petition, which comes just days after the international editors of Vogue signed an agreement to portray models with healthy bodies and the pledge that Glamour made last month to no longer alter body size in photos they commission.
Unfortunately, after Bluhm and her friends staged a little protest outside of Seventeen’s headquarters last Thursday, the magazine’s editor-in-chief Ann Shoket sat down with her and proceeded to rejected the request while also refusing to comment on what exactly their Photoshopping practices are.
Seriously Seventeen? All this girl is asking for is ONE measly a month that doesn’t distort a girls appearance. As far as I’m concerned, for a publication that reaches 13 million young women each month, that’s the least you could fucking do. Perhaps it’s time someone started a petition against the entire magazine.
Anyway, in other news, I’ve officially decided that any hypothetical future daughter of mine will not be allowed to Seventeen. Guess she’ll just have to re-read The Feminine Mystique each month.
What To Do This Weekend
Finally a chance to out all your America’s Next Top Model fantasies! During this exclusive, two-hour Philly Dance Fitness workshop, instructor Beverly Holskin who has modeled and choreographed for hundreds of fashion shows around the area over the past two decades, will lead you through the three key components of modeling. First, you’ll learn to work the runway like a pro. Next, Beverly will show you some basic tips when posing for photos to ensure that you always get a flattering shot. Finally, you’ll get a hands-on makeup lesson, learning professional techniques for both day and night. The workshop is limited to only 20 women so be sure you to register ASAP. Sunday, 2:30-4:30pm. $20-$30. @ Major Movement Studio (1624 South St.)
With the forecast calling for summer-like temps, you can expect 2nd Street in Old City to be packed with vendors tonight selling their handmade creations. Once you’ve worked up a sweat, head a block over to Three Sirens Boutique for a refreshing margarita while perusing their new summer styles, including fun dresses from Press and Gracia. As always, the store will also be offering special in-store sales on clothing and accessories. Friday, 5-9pm. Free. @ Three Sirens Boutique (134 N. 3rd St.)
Once you’ve loaded up on margaritas at Three Sirens, head over to Smak Parlour for Smak-tinis and even more pretty spring dresses and accessories. Sultana Maria Jewelry will be hosting a pop-up shop with everything 20 percent off so be sure to keep your mother in mind before you go spending all your cash on yourself. Friday, 5-8pm. Free. @ Smak Parlour (219 Market St.)
The first of a slew of upcoming spring craft bazaars, Greensgrow Farms is inviting you to come and spend the afternoon appreciating nature and the great outdoors while perusing the handmade goods of more than 30 local artists and crafters. With the variety of items ranging from handmade soaps, candles and jewelry to prints, wood crafts and furniture, you should have no problem finding something your momma will like. Saturday, 9am-5pm. Free. @ Greensgrow Farms (2501 E. Cumberland St.)
SA VA Style Event
Join SA VA founder and CEO Sarah Van Aken for a super fancy cocktail party featuring a Style-It Fashion Show showcasing the brand’s signature “New Classics” collection, modeled by local celebs with jewelry provided by Bario-Neal. There will also be passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a chance to win one of two signature SA VA items. Following the event, shop at SA VA for the looks just shown, with 20 percent of all proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters. Space is limited and you can purchase tickets here. Sunday, 4-6pm. $59-$295. SA VA @ Sofitel Philadelphia (120 S. 17th St.)
Gifts For The Sophisticated Mom…
With May 13th now just around the corner, as always, we here at PW Style would like to lend a hand in helping you find the perfect gift for your mamma. Regardless of your price range, our Mother’s Day Gift Guide is chock full of unique and thoughtful treasures. And thanks to Polyvore, this year, we’ve lovingly compiled all of them onto collage boards, each with a different theme to suit your particular type of mom.
First up, if you’re mother is like a fine wine, here’s some gifts she might enjoy…
Exclusive Makeup Workshop with Aleksandra Ambrozy
Confession: I am a grown girl who, until Sunday, did not know how to properly put on makeup. What is primer? What is the difference between concealer and foundation? Which do I apply first? Umm…how many brushes do I really need? All seems to be basic makeup knowledge for a big girl. But for me, I had so much to learn.
Luckily for me, professional makeup artist Aleksandra Ambrozy taught me all that I need to know for flaw-free makeup application. I showed up to her exclusive makeup workshop looking completely disheveled and honestly,I was kind of embarrassed. My complete and utter lack of proper makeup knowledge was pretty obvious to the other women who attended this event. But no need to fear! Despite the fact that I’m a makeup newbie, Aleksandra was super sweet and gave me all the help I needed in order to get my makeup just right.
Aleksandra taught me and the other ladies three makeup looks: the super-quick but chic daytime look, the glamour look, and the “smokey eye” look. After watching the tutorials, we were off on our own to recreate the makeup looks ourselves. Aleksandra helped us individually step-by-step (in her adorable Polish accent, might I add), and gave us many useful tips for the best and easy application.
Now I feel more confident in getting dolled up without looking like a clown, and it couldn’t have been possible without Aleksandra’s expertise. Here are some of the tips that the makeup guru shared:
Photos: PW Style Blogger Turned Cheetah
So I went through a pretty dramatic series of transformations over the weekend.
First, my light auburn, almost shoulder-length locks were hacked off into an adorable pixie (a la Michelle Williams) before being dyed dark brown (with a few strategically placed highlights at the top). I then had long, bleach-blonde extensions glued into my bangs. Finally, the left side of my face, neck and shoulder were covered in cheetah spots.
As mentioned last week, I did it all for Signatures du Mei salon’s summer photo shoot and hair show on Sunday at PYT where I was joined by 20 other volunteer models sporting cute, practical summer-time dos as well as a few more creative “exotic” styles. It was during my consultation with the salon’s owner, Mary Chan a few weeks ago that she informed me I was going to be her “cheetah girl.” That’s right, whether it’s my piercing eyes or woefully unkempt eyebrows, apparently something about my face screams welcome to the jungle.
Despite having rocked almost every hair length between a bob and pixie and every shade from blonde to black, I was still incredibly nervous walking into the salon on Saturday knowing that I’d be leaving without the majority of my mane. Yet, four hours and three cups of sangria later, as I stood about a foot deep in a pile of dead hair, I realized how silly I had been.
The cut looked amazing.
If you’ve been thinking about revamping your look, I highly recommend leaving it up to Mary or one of the salon’s two other skilled stylists. From an ombre dye job and chic up-do to a Medusa-esque quaff with protruding rubber snakes—these ladies do it all. In fact, I watched them do all three in just a matter of hours.
By the time I found myself strutting through a restaurant the next day as part woman/part cheetah with my new wave, Flock of Seagulls bangs, the entire experience just felt like a wonderfully weird dream.
Anyway, having spent what felt like 30 hours in the salon, I had plenty of time to prepare for my professional photo shoot. So here’s some photos capturing the various stages of my makeover…
What To Do This Weekend
Exclusive Aleksandra Ambrozy Makeup Class
Whether you’d like to admit it or not, chances are you’re one of the millions of women who don’t apply their makeup correctly. I mean, I know mine definitely isn’t flawless. Fortunately, there’s professionals like Aleksandra Ambrozy. One of the most sought after makeup artists in the city, Ambrozy will be instructing women on the proper way top apply makeup as well as which products and tools to use and how to achieve that “professional makeup effect.” The class will be conducted in a very chill, all girl atmosphere with light food and mimosas served. Ambrozy has just knocked $15 off the ticket price so RSVP ASAP. Only ten women will be allowed to take part and you definitely don’t want to lose out on a spot. Sunday, 12-4pm. $60. @ Soiree Philadelphia (305 Cherry St.)
On the market for some beautiful, traffic-stopping designer jewelry? Well, Judith Ripka has plenty of it and today only, you’ll be able to score 50-70 percent off her 18K gold and silver collections. That includes this 18K yellow gold vertical Oasis ring with full cut diamonds, pink mother-of-pearl and pink sapphire which may be one of the most beautiful creations I’ve ever laid eyes on. Friday, 10am-5pm. Free. @The Rittenhouse Hotel (210 W. Rittenhouse Sq.)
Simon Fashion Now
All this weekend, a style extravaganza will be sweeping the King of Prussia Mall. It kicks off tonight with a “Trends & Friends Night,” during which you’ll have a chance to connect with your favorite retailers through interactive demonstrations like hand-graving stations at Tiffany & Co., “make-unders” from Bare Escentuals and mini spa sessions from Aveda. There will also be a fashion show. For day two, runway presentations will be held every hour showcasing seasonal styles from Coach, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and more along with “style shops,” offering shoppers in-depth beauty and style demos. Friday, 6-8:30pm. Saturday, 1-6pm. Free. @ King of Prussia Mall (160 N. Gulph Rd.)
Kembrel Designer Series: Philadelphia Designer Trunk Show
Enjoy art, music, food, drinks and lively conversation while checking out apparel and accessories from five emerging local brands: Kenneth Zane, Adorn by Sarah Lewis, Duke & Winston, Haight Ashbury and SPLURGHE. Kembrel will even be extending its 20 percent discount. They have several events lined-up at their Rittenhouse pop-up location so be sure to check back next week! Sunday, 5-9pm. Free. @ Kembrel (1822 Rittenhouse Sq.)
Just in time for Mother’s Day, TownHome is inviting Heather B. Moore to showcase her customizable and incredibly charming jewelry line. All of Moore’s designs feature hand-pressed engraving, which can include anything you want—monograms, mantras, names, dates, ect. If you have siblings, consider pooling your money together and having each of your birthdays engraved. Not only will that make it more affordable, but extra special. Saturday, 9am-7pm. Free. @ TownHome (1616 Walnut St.)
If you’re doing it right, shopping can be a pretty intense workout. With that in mind, Three Sirens Boutique is inviting you to come and shop their feminine fashions while checking out the boutique-style fitness studio, Nawrocki Fitness. New spring styles by Press, RD Style and Gracia will be showcased as well as handbags and accessories from Urban Expressions and their Hardtail workout gear collection. If you’re a student, bring your ID along and receive 10 percent off. As an extra incentive, 10 percent of the event’s proceeds will be donated to Moss Rehab. Sunday, 12-4pm. Free. @ Nawrocki Fitness (1500 Locust St., Suite 1419)
Come and watch as I attempt to walk down a runway sporting a bold new do given to me by the cutting-edge, award-winning stylists at Sigatures du Mei. I’ll be joined by 20 other amateur models showcasing the salon’s summer hair and makeup collection. The show will feature both an “exotic” and “summer” theme and models will be adorned with jewelry and accessories from SWAG Boutique. Should for some reason you want to meet a PW Style blogger in the flesh, just keep your eyes peeled for a half-woman/half-cheetah. PYT will be providing tents in case it rains so my spots should remain intact. Sunday, 3:30pm. Free. @ PYT (1050 N. Hancock St.)
Just Another Let Down in Fashion Advertising…
Portrayal of women in fashion advertising has always had its ups and downs; it can be empowering or downright demeaning. I’ve always been a fan of the medium for creative ideas and aesthetics, but that doesn’t mean certain things should slide just because they look good, while that is still highly subjective.
Of course, this isn’t brand new information. What sparked this certain backlash is Yves Saint Laurent’s latest beauty advertisement shot by Terry Richardson, who I could, but won’t discuss further (I think we all know how that goes by now.)
The model, Anais Pouliot, looks superb and glossy and I already want the blue eyeliner she’s showing off, however, what’s really going on in this photograph is highly upsetting. Lounging in the pool, she stares up towards the camera with a playful look, except she’s not looking at us- she’s looking at a man, whose shiny black shoes, placed by her hands, indicate that he’s been at work all day and has come home to be met by his beautiful wife.
We’ve seen the whole “sexy woman idly waiting around for her man to come home” thing before (which should really be retired by now, even if they are merely ”playing” with the idea), but for a brand like YSL to put this ad out really upsets me, as they have always encouraged women to be strong and in control of their sexuality. That encouragement and all around awareness that the woman inside the clothes is what’s special is one of the main reasons I have so much respect and admiration for YSL.
Whether it was Richardson’s direction or the original intent for the ad, it seems very alarming to me that YSL would put out an image like this. Together, Pouliot’s striking glare and the crystal blue pool water make a very pleasing and strong image; why even bother with the shoes? This is a question I cannot answer, for I don’t understand why anyone should find them necessary in this strange world we live in. Like Yves Saint Laurent once said, “It pains me physically to see a woman victimized, rendered pathetic, by fashion.”
Whatever this resurgence of 1950s gender norms is all about, I’d like for it to go away, very far away.
-Emily O’Neill