New Look

No, I'm not talking about Dior's new look of 1947! ;) I'm curious to know how everyone feels about the new look of the blog. I think it looks more grown up and..."sophisticated" than the last template I had. What are your thoughts?

Talc-Free Curiosity, Part Two

As mentioned in one of my last posts, I'm thinking about going for talc-free face powder. (I don't use vintage-inspired make up brands, thought that would be neat! Usually I just go for Revlon.) I don't usually wear a lot of foundation and don't feel I need "coverage," just something to tone down shine so I can get that vintage matte face! I love Coty's Airspun, which contains talc, but I don't like how it feels after I have it on for a few hours. Here are some options I have come across:

Palladio Rice Powder, $4.99


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Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, $19


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Aubrey Organics Silken Earth, $23.95

I have not tried the Palladio Rice Powder, but I have tried the Bare Minerals and the Aubrey Organics powders. The Bare Minerals is mostly corn starch, which is fine, and it's $19. I kept it on for a few hours and I could feel it was there--though it was much, much lighter than any other powder I've used in a while. However, it did feel a little dry; not really like I needed moisturizer, but that's what made me realize it was on my face.

My favorite is the last one, the Aubrey Organics Silken Earth, in Porcelain Beige. I tried it last week, along with their mineral blush in Warmed Rose. This powder contains silk powder, vitamin E, and aloe! I felt I was putting something on my face that was actually beneficial, and I feel that makes it worth the few extra dollars in comparison to the Bare Minerals. Also, this was really light, and did not feel dry at all.

Throughout my life, I have loved talc. It feels soft. When I was a kid and baby powder still contained talc, I used to rub it all over my face! And Coty's Airspun powder seems so vintage and classic, and the smell reminds me of my grandmother. But I have concerns...For one thing, talc's molecular structure consists of sharp edges. What do those sharp edges do to my pores?

Has anyone any thoughts on this subject? Some say talc is bad, some say not. Some say it causes cancer, but the lab rats it has been tested on were exposed to ridiculous amounts, so of course it caused harm. I'm mostly concerned that many talc-based makeups contain mineral oil, which can clog up your skin because your skin can't absorb it. I like the idea of a makeup that will allow my skin to breathe. Also, some say talc can enlarge pores. I'm not really sure what my verdict is on all this, but I do know I have gone for at least two weeks without talc-based makeup, and my skin is the clearest it has been in months. I really would like the best powder for my skin!

Hands Up for Winter!

Winter is on its way and, in some areas, has already arrived. I thought this article would be very fitting to help you ladies keep your hands looking lovely through the season. This is one of the articles included in the book, What Every Woman Should Know: Lifestyle Lessons from the 1930s, by Christopher and Kirsty Hudson.

"Hands which during summer keep smooth and white without any trouble have a disconcerting way of developing all sorts of ailments when winter comes."

The article explains that some winter ailments are painful, while others are "just unbeautiful and annoying." Most of the problems hands suffer in winter, however, are due to "faulty circulation"! Here's how to prevent some issues.

"Much can be done by devoting a few moments daily to massage and exercise. The hands should be first generously coated with olive or almond oil, or with lanoline thinned out with one of these oils. 'Wash' the hands (I mean, use the action of washing the hands) with the cream, and then stroke the fingers vigorously as if you were pulling on and off a pair of tight gloves."

The fact that olive and almond oils are good for your skin is nothing new! :D

"Next, stretch the fingers sideways and longways, and open and close the hands, flexing the muscles strongly."

"After washing, a little hand jelly or an emollient should always be rubbed in. Some people use glycerine and wonder why it is not effective. Glycerine should always be applied while the hands are still damp."

"If you dread having red hands in winter, avoid extremes of hot and cold water...To whiten red hands, keep some toilet oatmeal near by, and rub the hands with it occasionally."

To avoid chilblains, "as far as possible keep the hands warm by natural means, and when coming in from the cold never in any circumstances warm them at the fire or on a radiator."

So, be sure to keep your hands warm and moisturized this winter, so they stay beautiful! As the last paragraph recommends:

"Before going out on a cold winter's morning, instead of bemoaning your lot, clap your hands and jump for joy for five minutes--even if you do feel depressed! Make that sluggish circulation get to work and keep you warm through the day."

What Every Woman Should Know

A few days ago I came home to a mysterious package from my lovely friend Heli. Inside, for my birthday, was this marvelous book!



I seriously felt like hollering and jumping up and down. I have always wanted a book like this! Unfortunately, I cannot ever seem to find such delightful books here in America. So many Americans seem too concerned with the up-and-coming to appreciate elegant looks of days gone by. Perhaps I should move to Europe. ;D

It makes me want to have another 1930s-themed party!

It is full of real newspaper clippings from a 1930s English newspaper, the Daily Mail. It has recipes, makeup and beauty advice, helpful household hints, and some exercises.

I'll have to include more about it in a later post, as this is all I have time for now!

Halloween and Talc-Free Curiosity

As mentioned in an earlier post, I had planned to go as Helen of Troy for Halloween. This is how it turned out!

As you can see, I paired a short dress with a long, pleated skirt. The belt somewhat hides that fact, apart from the fact that the sheer skirt reveals the dress! The dress and skirt were second hand, the scarf is from Ecuador (ha, but I bought it at a shop downtown), the belt, Target. And the magenta cape is just a scrap of old satin fabric.

I always figured Helen of Troy was probably a redhead, not a blonde as she is portrayed in the movies... ;)

My crown was homemade; I glued bay leaves to a piece of flexible plastic sheeting (the kind that some toy boxes have on them), and spray painted that gold! It was fun, and gave quite a feeling of accomplishment.

I tried to keep my make up natural, with a '40s twist, of course, of eyeliner on the top lid. :D I don't know if it stayed on very well...Anyway, a friend of mine accurately said that to be going as "the most beautiful woman", I would "have to sparkle. So, I wore gold glitter! I really wanted some that was obnoxiously sparkly, but couldn't find any.

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In other news, I am considering giving up talc-based face powder. I used to not think anything was wrong with talc, but I found out that it has a crystalline structure that could be harmful to the pores. I love my Coty's Airspun powder, but--! If there is something better for my skin out there, I would rather use it! I am considering Palladio rice powder.

The art on the box itself is enough to make me want to buy it!

Does anyone have any talc-free suggestions?