Beauty: The Power of a Bold Lip

Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: The Power of a Bold LipTHAT’S IT, THAT’S ALL.

Ah! A bold red lip. We all know by now that is my go to lip colour. So, what if that was it? What if a red lip was all we needed to create a striking look? But, I’m looking at this from the perspective of a very pale, white-skinned female where punchy reds are generally striking against such a skin tone, I hear you cry. Yes, but I think this look would be just as breathtaking with a darker lip, something in a berry shade, perhaps, against any skin tone, really. You see, it’s not in the skin tone or whatever family you choose your red from, but rather the lack of any eye makeup and a bit of colour (by way of lip) brought to the face. It’s strange how a lack of eye makeup and a bold lip can actually make your eyes pop more than if they were painted in mascara and liner. I’m not going to try to figure out the how and why of it, it is what it is. Let. It. Be.
I first came across and fell in love with this look because of the endless inspiration that is Pinterest. I often look through my beauty board and try to find a common denominator to the images I have pinned (if there is one). Why do I like this look? And how is it similar to others I have pinned? I found many images I pinned featured an almost makeup-less female with a deep lip colour. So simple and yet so powerful. So I had to recreate it, of course, and share it with you. So what is on my face? Well, if I was completely blemish free I probably would have featured my naked skin, but these days have not been kind to my skin, so I’ve got a bit of foundation and powder, a swipe of blush, filled in my brows, the tiniest lick of a neutral eye shadow and of course, a red lip. The red lip.

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What do you think? Are you as enamored by this look as I am? Think you can’t pull it off? Give it a go before jumping to any conclusions, I think you may be surprised.
Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: The Power of a Bold Lip

Beauty: New Years Look

Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: New Years LookIt’s New Years Eve, and for those last minute peeps (much like myself) who aren’t quite ready, I thought I’d offer a simple look, easily achieved, but quite suitable for a night of ringing in the New Year right proper.

EYES: We want em real smoky; I used Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette, but honestly, any darker shadows you have should work just fine…getting the smoky eye is all about blend blend blending.

CHEEKS: We want em rosy and shiny; I used Revlon classy coral blusher and added Revlon Skinlights Illuminator in pink light along the cheek bones to give that extra bit of sparkle.

LIPS: We want em pink and glossy; I used Bourjois Fraise Remix and added a bit of Burt’s Bees summer twilight lipgloss on top to punch them up.

HAIR: We want it simple; I left my hair to do it’s natural wave and adorablified (not a word, now is) the look up by adding an oversized black bow.

DRESS: We want it cute; Find that party dress that has been sitting in your closet waiting for this moment (in my case it’s this UV dress), put it on, get your butt out of the house and start sippin.

Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: New Years Look Dress c/o Unique Vintage
Hair bow: handmade

Beauty: 4 Ways To Style A Grown Out Fringe

Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: 4 Ways To Style A Grown Out FringeAs you can see, my fringe is a little out of control these days. It’s been about 4 months since I had a trim, and I’ve been pretty lazy about booking a hair appointment or trimming it myself (which I usually do). I figured I was likely not the only one this happens to regularly, so I thought it made sense to show you some ways to style your fringe when you’re in-between haircuts or trying to grow out them bangs, so that our eyeballs may see and not be poked by strands of hair all day long.
Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: 4 Ways To Style A Grown Out FringeThe Bette Middler: This is a style I sport most often when my bangs are too long to sit straight across my forehead; it’s pretty simple as you can see…just part your bangs down the middle, following your natural part (if you have one). If you find your fringe is not staying in it’s desired place, try bobby pinning each side for a little before leaving the house – that should help to keep them in place, and when in doubt, a little hairspray goes a long way.
Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: 4 Ways To Style A Grown Out FringeThe Twister: This style can be a bit scary if you don a straight-across fringe religiously, like myself – I mean, our fringe is what hides our forehead, and now we are exposing it! But you know what, lets live without fear! To achieve this style, just start twisting your fringe at the root and continue down until our entire fringe is twisted and then fasten with a bobby pin; you can hide that pin by placing some hair over-top or you could also use a fun hair clip to hold in place.
Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: 4 Ways To Style A Grown Out FringeThe Wave: This one is a teeny bit more time consuming, but well worth it. Parting your fringe to one side, use a curling iron (a flat iron might work as well), and wrap parts of your fringe – starting from the root and working downward – in an ‘under and over motion’ around your iron, so that your waves (or curls) are held upwards, a la Farrah Fawcett styles. Continue this until you’ve got your desired wave going on.
Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: 4 Ways To Style A Grown Out FringeThe Side Bitch: Another style I sport most often is a simple side bang. In my case, naturally, my hair likes to part this way, so it’s quite easy for it to stay in place, but if you are finding it is moving about, again, a bobby pin to hold it in place will do, either all day if you have a cute pin, or just for a little while before leaving the house so your hair knows it’s place (she just a side bitch, after-all).

Blouse c/o Larmoni (similar)

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Beauty: Three Easy Hat Hairstyles

Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: Three Easy Hat HairstylesNow that the colder weather is creeping in on us in the Northern Hemisphere, hats, I’m sure for most, are a sartorial staple for keeping the noggin’ warm. I usually rotate between toques and berets during these chilly times, but I have a tendency to ignore my hairs and just wear it down. However, there is nothing more annoying than a hat and a scarf and hair sticking to your neck, or worse, having those winter winds blowing it into your face. So, I decided to share with you three super easy and quick hairstyles that look great with a hat on your head and shows that wind whose boss.
Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: Three Easy Hat HairstylesTwisted side pony: gather your hair to one side of your neck and braid your hair into one loose braid that will resemble more of a twist, and tie with a clear elastic. if your braid is looking a little too tame, pull it apart a bit, loosening some pieces; the amount you braid will vary on the length of your hair, of course.Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: Three Easy Hat HairstylesMessy buns: part your hair down the middle and gather each section to either side of your head. starting behind the ear, twist each section of hair into a lil’ bun and fasten with a clear elastic; we want this look to be messy, so don’t worry if any pieces are being unruly (although, if anything is really bothering you, a few bobby pins will fix that right quick)Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: Three Easy Hat HairstylesLoose braided pigtails: part your hair down the middle and gather each section to either side of your head. braid each section of hair and fasten with a clear elastic. pull the braid apart a bit to achieve that loose “oh, this? took me no time at all” look

Do you think you’ll be trying any of these styles this winter? Do you have a go-to hat hairstyle? Let me know in the comments below ❤

*see more of my beauty posts here.

Beauty: My (updated) Skincare Routine

Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: My Skincare RoutineQuite awhile ago I shared with you my daily skincare routine, but since that time I have really done a lot of searching and product testing and have now found what I really think is my go-to routine. I thought it only made sense to give you an update, show you all the products I’m loving of late and hopefully be able to show you some products that maybe you’ve never heard of, or have been wondering about.

I guess I should give you a lil update on what my skin has been like to start with. It seems my chin has been having a breakout for what feels like months now. I’ve never had the most blemish-free skin, but lately it feels like a lot more than usual. I have not been able to pinpoint why, but I added some products into my routine that help with blemishes (or acne rather). The zits I seem to get are almost cystic (in my opinion) and last for weeks on end, so some of these products have been a real help with reducing redness, pain and size of those little demons.

MORNING
Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: My Skincare Routine1. In the morning I like to give my skin a good wash and hydrate as much as possible. I have fairly dry skin and even more so in the winter, so Mario Badescu’s Cleansing Milk with Carnation and Rice Oil is a true god-send when my skin is being a flakey monster.
2. After cleansing, I use Wildcraft Care Bergamost and Rose Toner to tighten up my skin while leaving it with a cool, refreshing feeling. I like that this toner is in a spray bottle – the application is much easier and I don’t have to worry about having cotton balls on hand (although I always do so what am I saying).Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: My Skincare Routine3. The moisturizer I have been using is by an Australian natural skincare brand called Sukin. I had never even heard of this brand before, but I quickly became a fan after using the Facial Moisturizer only a few times. The moisturizer is lightweight, but deeply penetrating and boasts an infusion of aloe vera, rose hip oil, avocado and sesame seed oil. Needless to say, it smells great, but it is also an awesome product for us dry skinned folk who do not want a thick moisturizer coating our face every morning (not good for the zitties, you know that I mean)
2. I have shared Kiehl’s Creamy Avocado Eye Treatment before, but it has remained a staple in my skincare routine for a long while now. To be honest, I don’t actually have dry under-eyes, but I do have some puffyness in the morning and I find the cooling sensation of the cream helps to wake my eyes up, which I feel both mentally and physically. It’s on the pricier side considering how small the tub is, but to be honest, a little goes a long way with this guy.

EVENING
Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: My Skincare Routine1. Here is where I start talking about combating those god-awful blemishes. I have been using Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash with grapefruit for a ridiculous amount of years. It feels like the only product that has ever kept those blemish demons at bay. I wash my face with this every evening and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed, totally makeup free and I know it’s working it’s zit fighting magic at the same time. I know not every product works for everyone, but if you have blemish prone skin, I suggest trying this gal.
2. Simple’s Micellar Water is a newer product for me, but an instant favourite. I poor a bit of it onto some cotton balls and wipe all over my face, which removes any remaining makeup and leaves the skin hydrated. I much prefer this product to remove eye makeup than a designated eye-makeup remover – I find it doesn’t leave that odd oily feeling or make my eyes feel cloudy for a few minutes after.Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: My Skincare Routine3. Clearasil Deep Pore Cleasing Pads is my true savior when my skin is at it’s worst. This product is not for those who really dislike a burning/tingly sensation on the skin. For me, I kind of like it because I feel as though it’s doing it’s job, but it is definitely not for everyone. However, in it’s defense, it noticeably reduces the redness and size of my zits over night, quite literally.
4. To finish off my night-time routine and give my skin an extra bit of love after all that acne treatment business, I use a combination of Notre Dame Apothecary Balancing Facial Serum and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate. Originally I had just been using the NDA serum, but I got a tester of the Kiehl’s oil and thought why not put them together. Both these products leave my skin feeling nourished and hydrated for ultimate smooth skin dreaminess in the morning. The Kiehl’s recovery replenishes the skin, while I find the NDA oil helps reduce any redness and combats my zitty friends.

I hope some of you found this helpful. Let me know if you use any of these products and tell me about your favs!

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