passionforoldfashioneng

Beauty is not about changing who you are, but enhancing and emphasizing what is beautiful with you. In this cute video  "planar jane" is  "highlighted" bythe iconic make-up artist Jeane Barrie. 

And girls, it's up to you!

After endless searching for something that makes your nails strong, I think I finally found something that actually works longterm. I was surfing around the net and came across a product called "Nail Magic". This product is the "original" nail strengthener, and has been around for over 50 years, and has the same formula that was used in the 1960's. It is used to strengthen nails that are thin, and cracks and breaks easily. It has a simple design, and is sold not because of the advertising, but because it actually works. It is therefore not so easy to find  but I have been able to find it  relatively cheap on ebay. 

I was first a little skeptical about it, and thought " is this actually going to work?" but also a bit apprehencive about it because they used the same formula as they did 50 years ago, and whether this could be harmful or not . However, in desperation I thought "what the heck", it can't hurt, and I have not regretted it. You should use it 2 times a week for 8 weeks, so that the weak nail grows out, and the stronger nail grows up. Once you apply the product you may notice a tingling sensation , but do not panic, it just means that it works. In the first period, I had to trim the nails often, the tears kept coming, but I really noticed a difference from day 1. The nails are also growing very fast. Now, after 5 months my nails really pretty, and very strong, and I have finally managed to get long nails! I really can not do anything but recommend this product strongly. 

I only applied nail polish quickly to show you, so it was not perfect, I did not take time to do a  half-moon manicure, because it makes the nails seem smaller. But it gives at least an impression of how healthy and strong they look. 

I found this video on youtoube, and it shows nicely how it works, and how effective it is! It's not my video.

When I go vintage shopping for dresses in 1940's style, I always end up drooling mostly over evening dresses. The temptation is severe, but there are more of everydays then special occasions(unfortunately). I love sequins, embroidery, patterns, fur, you name it! I always save the videos and pictures I find of beautiful dresses, I have a separate external harddrive with beautiful dresses in. I have hope that one day I can sew the all  myself, replicating every detail. 

Here are just a tiny percentage of what I've gathered, the pictures are taken from  here and there, mostly Etsy, and google. 

Let me know if you feel I have missused the copyright on any of the images.

And then,  some inspiration ....

Is it to early to wish for fall? All I can say about Lena Hoschek's collection is, WOW! I want to own every garment! I love the cut, the colors, the style is simply amazing!

More pictures here.

Winter is too long! I want spring now! I want to go out in a skirt suit without freezing to death. Sitoutside a cafe and enjoy life. I have already begun to plan my spring / summer wardrobe. I've tried to put together colors and shapes, so I can use all the garments togehter, also to fit to what I already have.

1. New skirt suit, in olive green. It's exciting to try new colors, not just black. I've certainly become better at using colors. 

2. New spring jacket, want it long so I can use it  for dresses, in chocolate brown.

3. Gloves in all colors!

I found these on ebay, and they are so incredibly cute, you can also get them made ​​to your measures! Perfect to use as an accessory when using my skirt suits. Link to them here.

3. A light blouse that goes for everything!

Love this blouse from Revamp Vintage , I  want it sooo bad! I think I probably want it in light brown, or maybe green.

4. 40's slingback shoes!

I want real slingback shoes with a platform. I will  probably end up buying black, but I want them in brown. I have not found any I have fallen completely for yet, but stores usually launches those type of shoes when spring approaches, so I just have to wait until spring and summer collections are out!

5. Summer / spring dress for warmer days. I think maybe in green tones, maybe I'll come across something good. I stick to green, it is perfect to use toghether with the brown long jacket. 

It's finally a new year! The last year has been both amazing and hard for me. I had to leave my whole life,friends, family, to leave for school, and a new life in Oslo. My school ended up bankrupt, so there was a waste of both money and time. It is strange how during life you seem to gain willpower, and not give up, even if things seem darkest, and I never did, give up that is. I pushed for the dream job, in a plus size store, and i got it, and i love working there. I must admit, it is hard work,  but I am finally getting the hang of it!  

Like most people, i always make New Years resolutions that I can't seem to stick to. You make a whole bunch of them, and you end up breaking them all, feeling incredibly guilty and frustrated, so my new year resolutions this year, won't be resolutions at all, more a wish list.  

 

Can there ever be enough? I love to surround myself with vintage items, read vintage books, trying out new vintage hairstyles, drinking fancy vintage drinks, in vintage glasses. And not to forget, that good old vintage tune.

Even if you try hard, one can never appreciate people enough. A simple compliment, or a gesture, is enough to make one person's day the best day of their lives, so if the opportunity to make a new friend comes along, never miss it. 

 

Planning an education in desing and sewing this fall!

I'd love to be more daring. Try new foods, diff rent activities like swing dancing, Live(roleplaying),go places and do things which is out of my comfort sone.  

Ohh, this is a tricky one, it all boils down to feeling confident and comfortable behind the camera, usually I am the one behind it. There really is some kind of awkwardness around hearing and seeing yourself. 

 

I have the most wonderful collection of vintage brooches, earrings, compact mirrors, handbags, but I want more! I'd like to collect vintage make up, perfume bottles, magazines, hats, hair accessories, therefore I must start visiting vintage shops as well, not just etsy and ebay. 

 

I'd like to experiment more with hair , make-up and clothing. Using different color palettes, adding different color rouges, lipsticks, nail polishes. Exploring the world of vintage hair, maby even go all the way back to the 1800. And ofcourse, finding inspiration in vintage clothing.

I love old videos! I can sit on youtube and look for several hours. I came across this video, it was recorded in a museum in Britain to give housewives tips on how to make something new out of something old, and how to use the resorces they had available. It was given many such tips during and after the war when things were tight. 

I also found a ton of information films and videos with tips for women and men during the war. I love history, so this is super interresting for me, at least!

I have always loved to play around with the different style epochs. I was better before, when I could have garments ranging from 1920 to 1960, now in the past, I've maybe been too intent on keeping the 1940s look, and the results of this is that you might not see how much beauty the other epochs has to offer! 

Around Christmas time, with lots of parties, and nicer events, it is a golden opportunity to explore a bit.  Maybe a little bit inspired by " Boardwalk Empire ", that  Kappahl has released a new" Vintage Stories "collection inspired by the 1920's. The collection has so many beautiful things, but they only go up to size 14, but there are other places where you can be inspired. 

Typical for 1920 was shorter dresses, the corset was cast out, and women liberated themselves. Women cut their hair in a "bob" style, wore pants, and clothing with straight shape. There where used a lot of beads, fringe and feathers.

Lips were painted dark, preferably in burgundy, red brown, deep red, and plum. The nails were painted so that they matched the lips, or green, turquoise, gray. 

Maybe I should get a 1920's hair and make-up tutorial up and going this week? I know I have one lying further back in the blog, but it is better to do it on my  "hair doll", or an actual person. 

If you want more inspiration for 1920's look, then you can check out these two pages: They have great dresses that are replicated. 

I am always looking for the perfect vintage lipstick (which I mention every time I test a new one). For me, this means an intense red matte lipstick, which replicates the 40's. I have tested so many brands that claim they are "super matte", but no sir! I can never find one that is matte enough. I had heard a lot about MAC's "Russian Red", so I ordered this, and "Ruby Woo". All I can say about MAC's "Ruby Woo" is fantastic!

The lipstick scores  high on the matte part, it is intens red, simply gorgeous. Ofcourse, since it is matte, it is also very drying, so if your lips dry easily, you should probably stear away.

Just a "heads up" to other girls out there who are looking for the perfect lipstick!

Achieving natural nails are not easy, I used fake nails so often that it destroyed the nail's natural shape and growth. I decided that it was cheaper and better to let your nails grow out naturally. It requires a lot of work to keep them nice, but it is so worth it!

♥ Tips and tricks ♥

1. Always carry a nail file in your bag, so that if you chip a nail, file the damage, so it does not get worse.

   
   

2. Use a good hand cream that strengthens the nails, makes cuticles soft and gives the skin nourishment and moisture.

   
   
   

3. You may want to file your nails every 3 days, preferably with a file that has two side. . Always start with the rough side and use the fine side in the end. ALWAYS file the nails one way!.

   
   

4. Buy a cuticle press tool, so that the cuticle does not grow far up the nail.

   

   
   

5. I use oil on my nails to strengthen them and avoid chipping. I apply the oil in the evening and sleep with it over night, so the nail gets air, and the oil gets the job done.

   
   
   (Soon to be empty, going to switch to OPI cuticle oil)

   
   

6. Use a nail serum that strengthens the nail, I use depend, it absorbs quickly into the nails, and strengthens well.

   
   
   

7. To peel the skin around the nails is a good idea, so that you do not get hard skin around the nails that could easily turn into  wounds. I use depend's peeling with small particles that take off dead skincells, but you can also use a soft toothbrush when you peel, also to clean under the nails. Or you can use a regular exfoliation.

   
   
   
   
   

8. Use a straight nailclipper when trimming nails.  Always cut nails straight across, so they do not become ingrown.

   
   

   
   
   
   

9. Use a vertical nail clipper to carefully clip the hard skin on the side of the nails, but do not cut too much, it can cause cuts.

   
   
   
   

10. The key to beautiful natural nails are a good base coat. There are many different types, but I swear by OPI's. I have two types, a matte, and a glossy one. For natural nails, I put on two layers of base coat, then a pink-toned nail polish, I let it dry one day. I put on a new layer of base coat on top of the pink nail polish, I repeat this approximately every 2 days, but usually I start the process over again about every 4 days. I give nails a full overhaul 2 times a week. If you want colored nails, it's the same procedure. For the half-moon manicure is a little different, I'll post a tutorial next week.

    
    OPI base coat and pink tinted nail polish. 
    
    

11. OPI has a base coats suitable for all types of nails, if you chip easily, if you have cracked nails, dry nails, weak nails. They also have many other great nail polishes and products, so they are definitely worth checking out. Their nail polish is also incredibly affordable, and you get a large bottle for little money.

♥ Links ♥

OPI

OPI eBay

Depend