The Malta Independent on Sunday
The Midas touch
How much is too much lipstick? Mae West was clear on the matter – ‘too much makeup ruins kisses,’ – but everyone knows she was a lying cat, an arch seductress, a diamond-eater who spent up to six hours trowelling it on before her men friends arrived. On top of panstick went powder, on top of powder went eye shadow on top of eye shadow went lashes, on top of lashes went liner, then mascara, feathers, satin and finally a hard crust of glittering stones. The final touch was bright red lipstick.
Coco Chanel is all for using plenty of lipstick: ‘If you’re sad, add more lipstick and attack,’ is her advice. ***
Well, there were plenty of lipsticks to try on at the Catrice event at 57 Kingsway, Valletta, to launch their autumn-winter collection, hard as it is to think of winter in the middle of a sizzling August.
Angelique Skelnik came to Malta for the event and gave a presentation about the new collection which is made up of some innovative products in line with the latest catwalk looks.
Catrice has managed to unite beauty and fashion, inspired by international designs for the autumn-winter season. It has focused on the five key trends with numerous new musthaves. Catrice products allow a quick and flawless makeup ‘on the go.’ Some of the products can handle even the toughest sporting activity and now with so many going to keep-fit this is certainly a good initiative. ***
With social media now being widely used we can learn from the Pros and daily makeup has become more professional. In fact Catrice have created a Pro range. Innovation and performance are the prerequisites for creating contemporary looks that convince even the best make-up artists. ***
Nail polish has bridged the divide between fashion and beauty to the extent that consideration is now given to the colour and shape of the nails for a fashion show. Nails have become as important as deciding how the hair and makeup should look. They have become like fashion – an opportunity to express ourselves. We all know of those, locally, who are well known for their vampish talons.
On the nail front Catrice have produced a nail polish formula with a perfect gel shine finish and maximum durability.
I love the Peel-off nail polishes in fashionable shades, in colours we love, with a glitter effect. “Apply two coats, leave to dry and head into the weekend with a sparkle,” we were told. But best of all the polish can be peeled off quickly and easily without the need for nail polish remover. This really makes life so much easier.
It doesn’t look as if the manicure mania is going to end soon so let’s enjoy it while we can. ***
It was Revlon that launched the concept of matching lips and fingertips in 1937. However, it may not always be necessary to do so though it makes sense to avoid clashing colours.
Women are using nail enamel as a fashion accessory as they would a new bag or shoes. Nail bars, certainly, have helped put groomed nails on the map. A friend, who has a regular appointment with her manicurist, told me that there are now nail charms that clip on to the nails.
Even the irritating factor of a chipped nail has been sur- mounted by gel technology that delivers a permanent, highshine polish that simply can’t be damaged.
If there is a downside to the new nail frenzy, it’s that nail polish as a statement of rebellion no longer has quite the same impact. I remember my father forbidding us to paint our nails claiming that ‘only barmaids did that.’ When I finally got married, painting my nails red was one of the first things I did. Now, perhaps it is more a sign of rebellion to go around with nude nails than to paint them. ***
But then women have always been told they can’t wear makeup. In the 19th century only whores had red lips. Queen Victoria was horrified by lipstick; only silent films and the mass production of cosmetics challenged long-held views. Even now many men claim they don’t like too much makeup. But then Joan Collins who’s always worn too much makeup has had five husbands.
On the other hand I often say to myself ‘That girl is young why does she wear so much makeup?’ Too much, if not properly applied can do more harm than good. For those past their prime, too much makes us look older. ***
Loose powder is not always easily available. I love it perhaps because it reminds me of my mother who only wore the mysteriously named Pond’s Invisible Cream followed by loose powder on her face.
The latest complexion enhancer from Catrice is loose powder which, the presenter assured us, is as light as air. The ultra fine formula is enriched with yellow clay that mattifies and ensures a flawless finish. ***
We don’t have to see ourselves as a work of art, like, let us say Björk with her bright, bold and wonderfully bizarre face painting. Although the singer’s fearless use of colour is an inspiration for make-up enthusiasts, and a breath of fresh air, it is fine on the stage and catwalk but one cannot turn up at the office looking like that. *** A brave new world of makeup is emerging. It is all about maximum impact for minimum expense. For example we’ve always been told that mascaras last three months at most, so why always pay premium prices when you can get more or less the same effect for much cheaper? Beauty lacks the snobbery of the fashion label – once it’s on, who knows whether that hot pink on your toes cost 3 or 20 Euros? The cheaper brands like Catrice allow us to experiment. If you don’t quite like the lipstick you’ve just bought – you can happily discard it because what you paid for it did not destabilise your bank balance. ***
We may not be able to change our features (unless we resort to cosmetic surgery) but we can use products to enhance them.
“I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little –if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.” That’s good advice from Coco Chanel. mbenoit@independent.com.mt