Hair Color Giveth, Hair Cut Taketh Away..

Soo, those of you who follow me on Facebook know that I recently changed my hair color to red.

Before..

After

(I did not change my eye color..some weird lighting and the new hair color contribute to the fact that they look green in the second photo ;)

I love the color.  LOVE it.  However, if you look at the ends, they're kind of muddy looking and not as bright as the roots.  Truth is, it was VERY difficult for me to find a stylist willing to make the change from black to red for me.  It took 4 hours with a lot of bleach, a very patient woman (thanks, Karen!) and some fancy hair color mixing to get me to this shade, but the ends had so much black hair color on them she wasn't able to strip it completely.

I lived with this for about a day before I decided to go under the scissors and cut my hair into a bob again to get rid of most of the darker color.  The plan was, the more of the darker color I got rid of, the more vibrant the color would be as it grows back and I keep coloring it.

BIG mistake,

I've had bobs before and generally I like the freedom of shorter hair (though it's not as much fun to style), but my hair was always dark.  Somehow, it looks ENTIRELY different with red hair...and I don't like it.

I am fully aware that I'm being ridiculous about it, but somehow it makes me feel awkward, uncomfortable and mildly apologetic (like I should explain to people that it was a bad cut and I'm growing it out..)  Anywho, it puts a bit of a damper on the Pin up Plan for me.  I wanted Rita Hayworth and instead I'm feeling a bit more Jane Jetson.

Credit

 That being said, I know it will grow..at some point I will feel comfortable with it again and, as it turns out, I don't have to institute a deadline on the end of the Pin up Plan because a.) It's my project so I get to decide when it's over ;)  and b.) personal development and growth is a daily challenge, so I have material to write about this project and how it progresses for a good while yet.

How about you?  Have you ever had a bad hair experience that made you feel out of sorts?  What did you do to make yourself feel better?

I leave you with a long distance shot of the new hair cut (I'm not ready for a close up just yet) with the added distraction of cute Grandma (Alice) and my sweet youngest daughter Riley reading her a story.  (So darn adorable you're not even noticing the hair are you?  Maybe I should just travel with them as an entourage for a while..)

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Try It On For Size - A Week of Signature Style

We've finally reached the point in the Signature Style Project where it's time to try our new style out!  So far we've:

• Gathered information about our Signature Style preferences.
• Identified what Signature Women's styles appeal to us
• Incorporated our passions into our Signature Style
• Gone on a shopping safari to inspire us
• Cleaned out our closets
• and Learned to Accessorize

Now it's time to put some of that research to work for you!  If you've been keeping a binder of ideas or a Pinterest board (like this one for the Signature Style Project) you'll want to have it handy as you plan out a weeks worth of signature style!

Now, there are a few different ways of doing this.  Now that your closet has been edited down to items that you love, you could just choose to pick your outfits each morning based on your mood for the day.  There shouldn't be any wrong choices!  However, if you (like me) prefer to get those extra few minutes of sleep in the morning, I recommend planning your outfit at least a day in advance.  Here are a few things to consider when putting your look together.

• Pick a top and a bottom or a dress - I tend to lean towards dresses because I think they are the easiest thing in the world to wear!  However, if you plan to go with a top and pants or a skirt, that works too.  Just make sure you are considering the colors and textures as you plan your outfit.  Are you doing a print?  Will you be wearing a bold color (in which case you may want to tone down your accessories or choose items from the same color family or a complementing color family.  For great tips on color theories, head on over to Charlotte's blog at Tuppence Ha'Penny.  She did some wonderful blog posts on it.  Begin with the introduction and work your way through the series!)

Modcloth.com

•  Select a layering piece - This could be a sweater, cardigan, jacket, scarf, wrap, or even your coat!  It adds some visual interest and color to your outfit.

igigigeneralstore.com

•  Consider your accessories - Shoes, handbags, brooch, hair accessories, hats, jewelry, gloves.  Make sure they add visual interest to your outfit, but do not distract.  You want to make sure YOU are the focal point of your outfit!

irregularchoice.com

•   Finally, be sure to plan your hair and make up to suit your outfit.  Whether you are going for a retro look or a modern one, paying attention to the little details like a hairstyle that suits your look or the right color lipstick will add polish to your Signature Style!

4.bp.blogspot.com

Above all, have FUN!  If you'd like to share your signature look, please feel free to post a photo on the ConstantlyAlice facebook page :)  I'd love to see your style.

Hugs and Smooches,
D

60's Makeup Tutorial - Break out your GoGo Boots!

A little while ago, I posted this picture on my facebook page with the intent of recreating it:

Credit

Here are the steps I took:

Credit

• To begin, I used a small eyeshadow brush and the black shade from this Chanel eyeshadow quad in "Smoky Eyes" to draw an outline of the shape on my lid, lining across the crease, winging up on the corners to almost the corner of my brows and then back down to the outer corner of my eye.
• After I had the outline perfect, I used the same brush to fill in the outline and cover the top lid.  I used the remaining shadow on the brush to gently underline the bottom lid as well.
• Using the lightest shade, I then chose a slightly larger shadow brush and dusted it on my brow bone and in the inner corners of my eyes.
• Next, I used my new Maybelline Eyeliner in black and drew a fine line close to my eyelashes on the top lid.

Credit

Credit

• I followed this step with two coats of Maybelline Lash Extension Mascara and my eyes were done!

 The remaining steps were pretty minimal.  A little Nars Blush in Desire on the apples of my cheeks and some sheer pink Clinique gloss in Clearly Pink and VOILA!  Here is the before and after!

This was a fun discovery process for me (as I mentioned before, I typically do red lips and mascara).  I would probably try it again for an evening out with The Man, but I don't see making this my standard signature look.  I wear contacts and at any given point during the day, you can find me rubbing my eyes like a sleepy toddler, which I would imagine would take this look from 60's kitten to football player pretty quickly ;)

If you try it out for yourself, I'd love to see your end results!  Head on over to my facebook page and share your pics on my wall!

Hugs and Smooches,
D

Beauty Product Review - New Maybelline Cosmetics

Have I ever told you all that I am a product junkie?  It's true..for a gal who usually only wears red lipstick and mascara, I have TONS (and I mean that literally) of makeup.  I'll give just about anything a try.  My stash runs the gamut from Benefit, MAC and Chanel to Revlon, Maybelline and Cover Girl.  I'm always on the hunt for the following:

• Mascara that actually DOES make it look like I'm wearing false lashes (you know, as opposed to the ads where they put false lashes on the model..)
• The perfect, long wearing red lipstick
• A tinted moisturizer or foundation that actually matches my paper white skin tone

So imagine my delight when I discovered these new products from Maybelline when I strolled into my local CVS today!

The products are as follows:

• Maybelline Super Stay 14hr Lipstick in Ravishing Rouge
• Maybelline Color Tattoo by Eyestudio in Tough as Taupe
• Maybelline Master Precise by Eyestudio Ink Pen Liner in Black
• Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extension Waterproof Mascara in Very Black

So, lets start with what I LOVE.  The lipstick is perfection.  It's the holy grail of long lasting lipsticks.  It goes on smoothly, is true to the color on the package, doesn't have the usual problem of drying your lips out that most long lasting lipsticks have AND it lasted through lunch!  It also had a faint grape-ish smell (which I loved).  I plan on picking up a few other colors for the 30 Day Hair and Makeup Challenge.

The eyeliner was another big hit with me.  One of my pet peeves about felt tip liners is that they always run out of liner about half way across your lid and you have to go back and re-line.  Not this liner!  It managed well and has a great, really fine tip so you can master a winged liner or a cats eye.

The mascara was good, but not up to my false lash standards.  It gave some length to my lashes (after two coats) but didn't add much in the volume department.  I will probably layer it over a thickening mascara.

Finally, the eyeshadow.  With a name like "Color Tattoo" I anticipated a really saturated color and a long lasting hold.  Sadly, this did not deliver.  It was creamy, went on well (It doesn't come with an applicator, I used a shadow brush) and the color was a pretty neutral, but in order to really see it, I had to put on two layers.  After a few hours, it had started migrating into the crease of my eye and I ended up wiping most of it off.

All in all, though, a successful addition to my make up arsenal, and a few products I definitely will stock up on in the future!

Hugs and Smooches,
D

The ConstantlyAlice Manifesto

"Marilla, isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"
- Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables 

This is one of my all time favorite quotes and I think of it every time I'm looking at a brand new year stretching out in front of me.  Isn't it wonderful to think that we have a whole new year to expand our knowledge, push our boundaries and live to our fullest potential?  (Or, you know, even just another year we get to snuggle in on the couch with a good book and a cup of Chocolate Dream tea??)

I think it tends to have even more significance for me because I'm a January 1 baby.  That means when y'all are celebrating a new year, I get to celebrate another year of my life ;)  Pretty heady stuff, right?

With that in mind, I'd like to share with you some of the things I've been cooking up for the coming year!

1.  Who doesn't love a make over?  Or a whole LOT of make overs!  I'm planning for a 30 day challenge this year for both hair and make up.  I will test out a new hair style or make up look each day for a month and share the photos with you all as a part of my Signature Style Challenge (more on this to follow). {Picture Source}

2.  I will incorporate more vision boards and pinterest posts in an attempt to determine what styles I gravitate towards the most.  Some will be all about a specific decade, some will feature a particular shop or website, but hopefully all will help me to nail down the details that will help me to build my Signature Style. {Picture Source}

3.  The Home Ec posts will continue!  Some topics for this year;  Hat making, Repurposing worn or poorly constructed items to create new looks, Style on a budget (This will involve putting together an entire outfit at a local thrift store for $15 or under), Sew and Knit Alongs, Etiquette, Planning a Party and a few more I have to iron out the details on! {Picture by Gil Elvgren}

4.  *Gulp* Modelling.  That's right, I said it.  I am working on adding some more exercise to my routine so I can tone up a bit and maybe work up the gumption to model for the shop and for the "Style It" posts here on the site.  I'd like to have the shop pictures reminiscent of the pin up gals of the 40's.  I'll be sure to keep you in on the adventure as I dive into posing, photography and styling! {Picture by Vaughan Bass}

5.  My folks gifted us with a trip to Disney for Christmas this year (Thanks Mum and Dad!)  We're heading down for April vacation and I have plans to pick out several vintage dress/play suit and maybe even a bathing suit pattern to sew up and take along with me.  I will share the patterns with you, the progress and the end results.  (And of course, the pictures of Disney!)

6.  I also plan to add a "Go Ask Alice" feature.  This will be to cover any questions you all may have for me regarding vintage (how to date vintage items, what basics are needed for a wardrobe from each decade, etc.)  Feel free to start emailing me your ideas now! {Picture Source}

I can't wait to dive in and get started on these projects!  I'm so looking forward to a wonderfully productive 2012 :)

Hugs and Smooches,
D