Posts in category "boudoir"

Paris Lingerie Adventures – Fifi Chachnil and Cadolle Boutique Reviews

Inside Fifi Chachnil on Rue St Honoré

Mid-January saw me travelling to Paris for the Salon de la Lingerie trade show.  Although I was only there for the weekend, I simply had to make the time to see some of the great Parisian lingerie sights. My last day in the city saw me making a mad dash from shop to shop (suitcase in tow!), trying to find the perfect souvenir.

The stunning interior of Galeries Lafayette

My first destination was the Galeries Lafayette, a wonderful department store with beautiful architecture. Whilst offering a great selection of brands (Chantal Thomass, Aubade, Eres, Huit, Princesse Tam Tam, Implicite and Lejaby to name a few) I left the shop a little disheartened. There were some fantastic sales bargains, there just wasn’t anything special enough or that fit well enough.  I was also a little disappointed to discover how ambivalent the staff was – in the fitting rooms I literally had to stick my head out of the booth and shout despite there being call buttons inside! Not exactly the most glamorous experience when you’re trying not to let anyone see you in your knickers.

Inside the Fifi Chachnil boutique

Nevertheless, my quest for lingerie went on. I headed onwards to the Rue St Honoré to visit the fabulous Fifi Chachnil boutique. As soon as I walked through the plate glass doors, I was in a girly paradise.  The plush décor, with its soft lighting and sumptuous furnishings gave the boutique more of a boudoir feel than simply a shop.

And then there’s the lingerie – each piece is a beautifully girly piece of art. Exquisite colour combinations, fabrics and trimmings on each garment made me feel like I’d landed in heaven.  The sales assistant was also perfectly lovely and incredibly helpful – as soon as she’d finished with another customer, she came over to welcome me to the shop and explained the layout, pointing out the sale rail tucked away discreetly at the back of the shop. I must admit that this was a feature that was particularly refreshing – there were no brash signs or stickers anywhere to interrupt the beautiful décor.

Outerwear in the Fifi Chachnil boutique

Soon enough, I was making my way to the changing room with an armful of pretty underthings to try on. My initial observation was that the sizing comes up incredibly small – my usual size Medium came up far too tight, with the knicker elastic actually cutting into my legs.  This meant I had to try a size Large – the largest size they stocked, which was certainly a novel experience for me.

I had a similar problem with the bras.  I am usually a 30D, yet the 32C I tried (which should have technically been too large for me) came up so small that I was getting the dreaded ‘double boob’ and the CF wasn’t anywhere near to sitting flat. I tried a size up and whilst my breasts could fit a little better in the cups, the underwires still wouldn’t sit flat in a single one of the styles that I tried on.  Although I often put fashion above fit when it comes to lingerie, there was simply no way that I could justify spending so much money on garments that wouldn’t fit.

My new Fifi Chachnil slip

By this stage in time, I was beginning to feel more than a little sorry for the sales assistant. She had tirelessly been bringing me new sizes and styles only for me to reject everything. But then I was brought one of the slips from the sale – a delightful concoction of delicate Chantilly leavers lace and sheer mesh. As soon as I tried it on I was in love – and to my great delight it was a perfect fit! The flattering vintage shape and delightful details (from the sumptuous satin bows to the contrast stitching) made it a must-have.

Beautiful packaging

Even after having paid I was still delighted by the amount of detail that goes into Fifi Chachnil’s designs and branding – my purchase had been beautifully wrapped  in a gorgeous branded box with tissue paper and a satin bow.  These little details certainly don’t go unmissed and made the entire experience so much more luxurious!

However, my trip to Cadolle was a massive contrast. Cadolle is a heritage brand renowned for its corsets (they claim that their founder Hemione Cadolle created the first bra).  The boutique was located on the equally prestigious Rue Cambon, just down the road from Chanel.  As it was the Sales season, it was understandable to see the shop in slight chaos.  Trays strewn with bras and knickers were laid out on one side of the shop whilst bins of corsets stood on the other.  It was a little overwhelming to see so many styles thrown together.  I briefly picked through each of the bins but nothing particularly caught me eye – styles seemed a little dated and there wasn’t anything that stood out as exceptional design.  The corset silhouettes didn’t come across as anything special , which was disappointing considering that Cadolle are renowned for their corsets.

My new Cadolle knickers – unfortunately one of the few designs in the shop that I actually liked!

The service was also a little disappointing – a lady came out from the back of the shop only to say that there was a sale on and later to take payment. I ended up picking out a cute pair of chiffon knickers, feeling that I had to leave with something.  Overall I was a little disappointed – with the brands history and pricepoint, I genuinely expected something a little more special from the boutique.

Nevertheless, I left Paris very pleased with my lingerie purchases, especially considering that I only had an afternoon to shop! I’m sure that the city has plenty more lingerie adventures to offer and I can’t wait to go back to explore.

 Readers – have you ever visited these shops? What are your favourite Parisian lingerie haunts?

Karolina

Karolina

Student at De Montfort University's world-renowned Contour Fashion course. Makes many knickers in her spare time.

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How to Apply Photo-Ready Makeup for Your Boudoir Shoot: 10 Easy Steps

Model: Victoria Dagger
Makeup: Victoria Dagger
Photo: Joel Aron
Corset by Dark Garden

For a “fashion industry” type person, of sorts, I can actually be kind of clueless about beauty stuff.  I have about three products plus a razor in my shower, am 25 and only started wearing makeup regularly within the past couple years, and despite having about a yard of hair, I can only do a few things with it.  But I’ve been modeling for over three years now, and a makeup artist isn’t a luxury I get every time.  The following is a step-by-step of a very simple, clean, basic look, which will ensure that your skin and eyes read well on-camera.  This look is very low-maintenance and will transition easily from a boudoir studio to most daily occasions.  I’ve also included some of my favorite products for each step, all of which were affordable even on my old grad student budget (roughly $10-$20 each), though I didn’t buy them all in a single shopping spree.  Professional makeup artists, please forgive my simplification of your process!

Model: Victoria Dagger
Makeup: Victoria Dagger
Photo: Joel Aron
Fascinator by Pop Antique

1. Brow shaping
If you read my first How to Have a Boudoir Photoshoot piece, you may remember that I mention to do your hair removing ritual the day of or day before your shoot.  This is particularly important for your face.  Even if you are going for a natural looking brow, tweeze the strays around the main brow shape.  For a more dramatic style, you can get your brows done at a salon, but I like the control of doing them at home: just go slowly so that you don’t overtweeze or create an inadvertent asymmetry.  Make sure you have a good light source, and a magnified mirror is your friend.  You can also use small scissors to trim the brow hairs for a cleaner shape.
There are guidelines that say that your brows “should” be a certain distance apart or length or arch in a specific place relative to your eye.  Ignore them.  Find the proportion and shape that works for your face and style.  Research different periods of the 20th century and see if any decades had a brow shape similar to yours, then run with it.

Model: Victoria Dagger
Makeup: Victoria Dagger
Photo: Joel Aron
Fascinator by Kalico Delafey

2. Start with a clean face
Make sure all traces of your previous makeup are gone.  If you’re going to use a pore-cleaning strip, this is another step that should be done the day before, otherwise makeup will get caught in and accentuate your newly cleansed pores.  Don’t forget to exfoliate!  I just tried a CVS brand “Deep Action Power Cleanser” (a vibrating exfoliation device) and noticed an instant change in my skin’s texture, from merely “soft” to “silky smooth.”

3. Moisturizer
The day of your shoot, use a lightweight moisturizer over a freshly washed face to help anchor your makeup.  I like Clinique’s “Dramatically Different” moisturizer, which is weightless and has never given my complexion any problems.  If you need something stronger (if your makeup slides a lot on its own or due to oily skin), try a primer.  I like Too Faced’s “Shadow Insurance” for all-day shadow coverage; they also make a face primer.

Model: Victoria Dagger
Makeup: Victoria Dagger
Photo: Mask Photo

4. Concealer
Next up, I brighten my eyes and even my complexion by adding concealer to spots where my skin is more translucent or a different tone.  I’ll blend my Clinique “line smoothing concealer” from the sides of my bridge of my nose (right between my eyes) to underneath my eyes, dabbing a few little dots then blending with my fingertips.  Then I’ll get the sides of my nose (around my nostrils), even the tip if I’ve perhaps gotten a bit too much sun recently.  Again, just dab a bit and then gently spread it, so you don’t get too cake-like of a look.  Lastly, hit any other small blemishes you might have.  However, if you’re looking to conceal any scars, leave them be: concealer will actually make them more conspicuous, not less, and they should be an easy fix for your photographer in post-production.

5. Powder
To finish smoothing out skin tone, add a layer of powder on top.  If you prefer foundation over moisturizer and powder, that’s also viable, but I like the lightness and ease of a translucent powder, such as Clinique’s “Stay-Matte Sheer Pressed Powder.“  (Base or foundation also often has to be applied to the neck and ears, whereas with the powder I can just blend to the edges of my face.)

Model: Victoria Dagger
Makeup: Victoria Dagger
Photo: Joel Aron

6. Shaded brows
The single step that I have found makes the most apparent difference, both on- and off-camera, is shading my brows.  They add a lot of expressionality and distinction to a face, and without shading, light will go straight through your brows and make them look patchy.  Select a matte eyeshadow that matches your hair – you may even want to blend a couple of shades together – and apply with an angled brush.  I use a simple Sephora brand eyeshadow, which seems to last forever when applied in the quantity it takes for even my dramatic brows, and the angled brush from Sephora’s “Face & Eye Travel Tool Kit” is a very convenient shape and proportion for the job.  Check for symmetry again at this step and cheat your coverage accordingly.

7. Eyeliner
With dramatic brows, you’ll find your lashline looking a bit naked.  How heavily you line your top and bottom lid will be determined by your eye shape and personal style.  Wingtips or a cat-eye are always classic, but if you’ve never done them before it takes a lot of practice to apply symmetrically.  I recommend placing a dot at the point where you’d like the wingtip line to end and then connecting down to your lash line.  Regardless of your liner shape and weight, lining the inside of your upper lid will add (the illusion of) length to your lashes.  Sephora’s “Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner” has a nice balance between smudgeability and staying power, and it’s great to not have to deal with a sharpener.  Just be careful that you don’t lose the cap, or your liner will dry out and become hard.  I also love their Waterproof Smoky Liner in matte black, applied with the same angled brush I use on my brows.

Model: Victoria Dagger
Makeup: Victoria Dagger
Photo: Mariah Carle
Hair: Danielle Blanchet
Corset by Dark Garden

8. Lash Curling
I’ve always thought eyelash curlers looked like arcane torture devices, but they do have their use!  Make sure you curl your lashes before applying mascara, lest the mascara cause your lashes to stick to your curler as if they were glued (ouch.)

9. Mascara
I actually really hate the feeling of most mascaras – they make me want to pull my eyelashes out, which is sort of the opposite of the desired effect.  Lately I’ve been using Buxom Lash, which is comfortably lightweight and non-clumpy, but still definitely has a lengthening and thickening effect.  I end the day with as many lashes as I started because it’s so comfortable to wear that I forget it’s on.

10. Lips
Lip color is not a mandatory part of the process – the pink of your lips will read on camera with or without pigment.  But I wanted to share my favorite drug store lip colors, both of which are good for hours of wear with no bleeding (a hazard with cheaper colors).  Revlon ColorStay Overtime is a combination color plus sealing gloss: Nonstop Cherry and Infinite Raspberry are two of my favorite shades.  Covergirl Outlast Lipstain is a single-layer stain; it doesn’t stay in place quite as long but has a lighter feel on the mouth.  I like Wild Berry Wink (440) for a perfect red (approved by my favorite, “redorexic” makeup artist), or Saucy Plum (450) for a deeper, richer crimson.

Model: Victoria Dagger
Makeup: Victoria Dagger
Photo: Joel Aron
Fascinator by Kalico Delafey

PS: When it’s makeup remover time, I once again turn to Clinique, with “Take the Day Off Makeup Remover”, but you can also get by with any oil (such as the extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil you may use for cooking, both of which can actually be good for your skin).

PPS: You might also be interested in last month’s How to Style Your Boudoir Shoot for tips and a checklist for wardrobe selection, or my How to Book a Boudoir Photoshoot interview with boudoir photographer Mariah Carle.

What are your favorite makeup tips and brands?  Share in the comments below!

Marianne

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How to Style Your Boudoir Shoot: Head to Toe Styling Tips

Pin up fun, placing a hat in a mirror.
Model: Victoria Dagger; photo: Lydia Chen; makeup: Terry Alabata; hat: Kalico Delafey.

A boudoir photoshoot makes an amazing holiday gift for yourself or your special someone. Last year around this time, I ran a two-part segment on How to Have an Amazing Boudoir Photoshoot, and How to Book a Boudoir Photoshoot. Continuing the tradition, I’ve got more tips for you: this week, I’ll discuss styling and how to select wardrobe, and in my next piece, a step by step for basic photo-ready makeup, at home, without a makeup artist.

A Christmas pinup themed set and styling.
Model: Victoria Dagger; photo: Paolo Diavolo; MUA: Nikki F.

Location, Location, Location
The first step is knowing where you’re shooting. Does the location or studio have a special theme or mood with which you should coordinate? What colors are prevalent? Make sure you’re not choosing any wardrobe that will cause you to blend in, chameleon-like, with the backdrop or furniture. Select colors that will pleasingly contrast rather than exactly match your location.

A moody burlesque shoot with victory rolls and rhinestones.
Model: Victoria Dagger; photo: Charles Chan Casela; hair: Danielle Blanchet; MUA: Camille Ivy

Head & Face
There’s a lot of stuff going on above your shoulders, and I don’t just mean the excitement of processing your shoot. You have to plan your makeup, hair, headpiece, and jewelry. Your makeup will depend a lot on the mood or theme you’re going for, especially if you’re trying to recreate the look of an era, but remember that you can “get away with” a much more dramatic look on-camera (but don’t try to emphasize EVERY feature). Plumed feathers or veiled fascinators can add a sexy can-can or pinup touch; place the headpiece on your face’s “good” side, which you should try to cheat towards the camera.
With hair, make sure your cut and color are maintained, but don’t try something completely new unless you really trust your stylist.Hair up vs hair down may depend on your face shape, but think about the environment in which you’ll be shooting. On outdoor location shoots, it can be hard to keep your hair out of your face with even a slight breeze. Sometimes a halo of flyaways is more conspicuous with an updo, so consider your hair’s texture as well. If you’re like me and only know how to do a couple things with your hair, play with variations of those styles to take you a little out of your comfort zone. Ask your hair stylist for tips on working with your particular hair type: for example, my super long, pin straight hair won’t hold a curl unless sprayed liberally both before and after curling.

Note the matching earrings for this tiki shoot.
Model: Victoria Dagger; photo: Mariah Carle; hair: Danielle Blanchet; corset: Dark Garden.

I always feel a little naked if I forget to grab a pair of earrings to go with the rest of my ensemble: don’t forget to put the small things on your checklist. If you’re shooting several looks, you can try bringing jewelry to match each one, but it’s probably simpler to just choose a classic set that’ll go with everything you brought – it’s really frustrating to be halfway into a look and realize you forgot to change your jewelry!

Lounging playfully on Victorian loveseat.
Model: Victoria Dagger; photo: Chris Mackessy; MUA: Marina Petrenko

Main Wardrobe
This is the obvious one, of course. In my previous article, I advised bringing as many clothing options as you can reasonably carry, and bringing sets that coordinate even if they weren’t actually purchased as a set. While I still maintain that options are a good thing, you definitely shouldn’t just grab blindly. As far as color goes, cross-reference colors that will go well with your location (coordinating, not matching), with those that you like, and those that look best on you. Choose styles that aren’t just “sexy” looking (your opinion of sexy, that is), but also those pieces that fit you best, and that make you feel the most confident.Anything prone to malfunction – the bra with straps that keeps slipping, the pair of stockings that wants to roll down, and that thong that wants to, well, ride up – shouldn’t be at the top of your list. At best they may simply ruin an otherwise great shot, and at worst they may unnerve and distract you. Have an idea of which sets are your favorites and prioritize in advance which looks you’d most like to shoot.

A classic red and black boudoir look styled with ribbon accents.
Model: Victoria Dagger; photo: Light & Shadow; corset: Dark Garden.

Corsets
If you’re wearing a corset for a photoshoot, it’s a bit different than wearing it for an event or waist training. Definitely don’t forget your back panel to hide the back skin crease. You’ll probably be inclined to lace somewhat tighter than usual, but make sure you can still move and pose easily. If you’re wearing an underbust, I recommend fastening your bra hook on a looser setting and pulling the band down (preferably just overlapped by the top of the corset) to help prevent creating a fleshy roll between bra and corset edges. Likewise, wear panties that underlap your corset even a little bit so you don’t have awkward patches of skin showing, or worse, bulging, through. Split the bow from your laces in half and tuck it to either side at the bottom of your corset, creating a V shape arrowing towards your waist. This looks tidier and will keep your laces from becoming untied.

Lace and ribbons accent the styling of this look.
Model: Victoria Dagger; photo: Light & Shadow; corset: Dark Garden.

Stockings
Stockings are so special they get their own paragraph. I previously mentioned dancer tights as being great for smoothing skin tone and texture: you can wear them alone or layer them with thigh-highs. If you wear any kind of patterned tights, make sure you pull the legs on straight so the pattern doesn’t twist around your leg (I notice this a lot with lace tights, where the pattern isn’t as conspicuous as a simple backseam, but there’s still a linear flow). Think through how your stockings will stay up: do you have a good garter belt? Does it match the color scheme of the rest of your outfit? Are you wearing a corset with garters? (If they’re detachable, count to make sure they’re all there.) Are your stockings stay ups? You can get a couple sexy shots of pulling on a stocking, but it’ll get annoying very quickly if fallen stockings interrupt the flow of shooting.

Accessories really add dimension to your look. This fox mask is more geared for an art shoot than boudoir, but you could play with a simpler style such as the lace mask above.
Model: Victoria Dagger; photo: Lauren Luck

Accessories
Aside from the classic bra and panty sets, and the other things I’ve already discussed, you can bring layers and accessories to help layer your ensembles. Gloves are a classic touch – it’s hard to go wrong with lace fingerless mits. Regular fingered gloves can be very classy, but make sure they actually fit the proportions of your hands and don’t make your fingers look chunky. Boleros are the perfect partner for corsets, as they hide the trouble spots at the top of the corset where flesh tends to crease or spill over. A simple piece of ribbon around your throat or wrist can serve in place of metal jewelry. I personally love chokers; some variations to consider include: collars (lace band, corset back, or beaded), cameos, or multi-strand pearls. Consider a mask (lace or masquerade style) to add a bit of intrigue to a few shots.

Don’t forget the shoes! Shooting is a great excuse to wear your less practical heels, but make sure you can still balance in those exaggerated poses.   The placement of the strap and bow on these heels extends the legline flatteringly.
Model: Victoria Dagger; photo: Max Johnson.

Shoes
I definitely have a single pair of heels that is my go-to for shoots and fashion shows (the Betsey Johnson “Dita” laced-back heel in black), but I also try to bring a couple pairs specific to the looks I’ll be shooting. On the one hand, I have a lot of shoes that I pretty much only wear for shoots, but you also don’t want shoes that are so extreme that you’re thinking more about your pinched toes or keeping your balance than feeling good about yourself. Style wise, matching your shoes to your stockings can make your legs look longer. Same goes for an ankle strap that hits below the ankle line.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and just have fun!
Model: Victoria Dagger; photo: Lauren Luck

Did this piece help you sort through your styling ideas?  Got any specific styling questions?  What are your favorite styling tips?  Feel free to chime in, below in the comments!  By the way, I will be styling for Dark Garden’s corset boudoir photobooth at the San Francisco Dickens Fair again this year if you want to stop in and say hello or have your portrait done.

As per a suggestion by The Lingerie Lesbian, here’s a checklist for you!  Open the image in a new tab and print it out as you fill up your “shoot bag.”

Boudoir Shoot Styling Checklist

Marianne

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How to Star in Your Own Boudoir Shoot: Tips From the Pros

The Philantropy Babydoll from the Lola Haze Spring 2013 shoot

Recently, I called in the troops for our semi-annual battle-against-the-clock party: the lingerie photo shoot.  The shoot punctuates the end of the design process–once an item has been shot, it cannot be changed–and begins the great coming-out party for the collection.  I had finally stopped redesigning and fiddling with my Spring/Summer 2012 collection for Lola Haze™  and was ready to send her off into the world.

It was great fun.  This time there were eight of us squeezed into a New York City studio, madly trying to get through all the looks in the collection within the day, before heading out to shoot on location.

Maria, our makeup artist, referred to adjectives about mood and images I provided, as well as the garments themselves, to come up with a playful, bright-lipped look.  After she created her look, her job was to vigilantly watch the shoot and run in to fix lipsticked teeth or flattened hair.  The photographer, Dan, set up lights and kept the model framed, lit, and focused.  Tanya, our gorgeous model, is a pro.  She somehow survived standing for eight hours in heels and rotating through an endless variety of poses while looking incredible and poised.  The assistants, Alyssa, Andi, Guylene, and Isabel scurried around managing the garments, preparing accessories, holding reflectors, and generally being indispensable.  I kept the show on the road.

Lola Haze photoshoot Spring 2013, Brooklyn

Working with pros, when everything runs in smooth harmony, it’s easy to get thousands of beautiful shots in a day.  Seeing my creations come to life on Tanya, gussied up by all the talented people around, is always exciting.  This time it got me thinking about how other women can create sexy boudoir photoshoots.   No, we’re not all 5’10″ 120-pound fashion models, but we all have something hot to show off, and there’s nothing more fun that showing it off in front of a camera!

Since we can’t all assemble a professional team to beautify and retouch us, I asked my team for tips to help everyone stage the perfect home boudoir shoot.

MODEL: Tatjana Sinkevica
A NYC model who has appeared in Project Runway All Stars

Q: How did you learn to pose?
A: I’ve learned to pose just by watching others: dancers, ballerinas, models, magazines, commercials and adding my personality and my own twist into it.  The same comes with the facial expressions– I try a few so clients have a variety to choose from.

Q: What do you think about when you’re posing?
A: When I’m posing I’m thinking about all kinds of things, usually not modeling at all!  Far from it, since posing comes automatically, especially if it’s a catalog shoot [instead of editorial].

Q: What are some tips you can give to regular women to feel and look sexy in front of the camera?
A: Every woman can look great in pictures–it’s all about confidence!!!  Flirtation also helps a lot, so play with the camera, tease it!  Imagine that it’s your boyfriend/husband and fantasize!

Q: Can you tell a story of your most interesting or challenging job?
A: One time I was in China shooting for a cover of a Chinese magazine.  I was shooting in a swimming pool and none of the crew members spoke English so when he wanted me to smile, the photographer leaned over the pool and just squeezed my cheeks.  That was so funny!  I take these situations with humor and as adventures.

Maria unlipsticks Tanya’s teeth, Lola Haze Spring 2013 photoshoot

MAKEUP ARTIST: Maria Ortega
Website: www.mariaortegamakeup.carbonmade.com
Maria Ortega is a self taught, freelance makeup artist based in NYC. Some of her notable past clients are: Project Runway designer Viktor Luna, Snoop Dogg, NBA Championship player Kevin Willis, celebrity stylist Nole Marin and Miss Jessie’s hair care products. Maria Ortega has also done makeup for NYFW runway shows and presentations. Some makeup companies she has worked events for are: Lo’Real, Covergirl, Physician’s Formula, Almay, Maybelline and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.

Q: What’s the difference between everyday makeup and boudoir shoot makeup looks?
A:  Everyday makeup and daytime makeup is subtle and enhances a woman’s natural beauty and best facial features. Boudoir makeup brings out the sexy in all women independent of age, size and shape. It releases the inner vixen and provides a sultry look. Usually Boudoir makeup involves a smoky eye, false lashes, cat eye liner and a bold lip.

Q: What are some tips you can give everyday women as they prepare for a boudoir shoot?
A: When a woman is planning a Boudoir shoot it is of the essence to prepare by properly hydrating the skin and having a good skin care routine both for face and body. Eye cream is a must to keep hydration and prevent/repair early signs of aging. Day and night cream on both face and body is of ultra importance. I also recommend and suggest a good facial exfoliator and body polish. Supple skin makes every woman feel beautiful. A Boudoir shoot is an intimate shoot celebrating the beauty of a woman; accepting your shape and size and loving yourself is the best preparation. Confidence is the best accessory.

Q: What products are essential?
A: My favorite makeup products to achieve a boudoir makeup look are: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation, Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette, Stile Smudge Pot gel liner, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in “NSFW” for that ultra seductive red lip.

Q: What are some sexy makeup trends right now?
A: This Fall will be all about dramatic and bold liner. By adding a cat eye, double wing tip or dramatic gel liner not only will you be making a fashion statement but you will also display strength and a bold feminine expression. As always, a bold lip in a statement color always is trendy. My favorite trend to follow is what looks good on you. If you like your cheekbones…play them up, if you love your eyes, then play them up. Knowing your best facial features and playing them up never goes out of style.

Q: What do you love about being a makeup artist?
A: My favorite thing about being a makeup artist is being able to enhance beauty, transform, innovate and create beauty with cosmetics.  I love editorial and working with talent and models. However, there is an incomparable feeling to working with the everyday woman and transforming not only her face with makeup but also her self esteem. That feeling is one like no other. The smiles my clients have when they look at themselves cannot be compared to any other type of joy. I feel pretty when I do makeup on others.

Maria’s makeup table!

RECENT HOME BOUDOIR SHOOT STAR: Andrea Conti
Lola Haze™ Intern extaordinaire

Q: What were some challenges you faced when doing your boudoir photo shoot?
A: Lacking the right equipment!  Luckily for me, I’m good at photoshop, so even though we were using an iphone, I was able to tweak lighting.  I recommend taking a few test shots and seeing which angles/parts of the room give the best lighting.

Q: What did you wear?
A: Everything from panty hose and heels to a silk robe.  My favorite shots were the ones of me wearing Lola Haze™ lingerie–notably the Liquid Lace Romper and Be My Valentine Chemise.  Having colorful pieces gave the shoot a lot of character.

Q: Do you have any tips for readers who want to do their own boudoir photo shoot?
A: Test lighting! If you have someone to take photos for you at different times of day-this would probably add a lot of variety to the shoot. Also, get creative.  Use a mirror, heels, props-anything! It also helps to have someone you are comfortable with taking the pictures.

Q: Anything else you want to add?
A: Make an afternoon of it-plus cocktails.  I was thankful to have a roommate that is good at hair, makeup AND photography. It ended up being a blast!

I regard Alyssa’s thong styling work, Lola Haze Spring 2013 shoot

DESIGNER: Myself, Laura Mehlinger
Owner/Designer Lola Haze (and someone who has directed a lot of photo shoots)

Q: What kind of lingerie should women choose for a boudoir shoot?
A: Aside from the clear answer that you should find something you feel comfortable and sexy in, there are a few tips for ultimate flattery.  Know your best body part and find lingerie that displays it.  Some near-universally flattering garments are stockings and garter belts (you may worry about the upper thigh show, but there’s nothing sexier), corsets, balconette bras, diaphanous robes, dark colored teddies.

Q: What about color?
A: For color, I would generally avoid white, which can often catch light on body parts you would rather recede, and can appear transparent when you don’t want it to.  Black is always sexy, but can also blend into the background and not define your body if the lighting isn’t great.  I would choose a color.

Q: Other tips?
A: Practice beforehand!  Models aren’t perfect, but look amazing in photos because they already know their best angles. Get out a mirror and flirt with it.  This is especially true for facial expressions, which can convey discomfort or stiffness if that’s how you feel.  If your poses are already figured out, you can just relax when it’s time for the shoot and put your best…something forward!

Please share your boudoir shoot stories and tips with us!

Laura a.k.a. Lola Haze

I’ve loved lingerie since before that was reasonable. I taught myself drawing, designing, and sewing, and after graduating from Harvard with an English degree, immediately went to work disregarding it and following my passion for fashion. After a few years designing for a big company, I went off on my own and started Lola Haze TM, (named after the title character in “Lolita,” my favorite book). Lola Haze is playwear for the bold woman who loves fun and dresses for herself! I feel happy and lucky that I get to love my job so much, and am thrilled to share my lingerie enthusiasm with The Lingerie Addict!

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Lingerie Crush: 6 Young Brands Worth Pining Over

Lost In Wonderland’s bespoke corset wedding dress

It’s been a wild summer this year filled with trade shows, industry events & exciting new launches all revolving around my favorite category of clothing. My eyes have feasted on a plethora of exquisite fabrics, fine craftsmanship and luxurious details all the while mentally procuring my Christmas lingerie list for 2012 – a bit premature, yes but completely necessary when faced with so much gorgeousness in just a short period of time!

Now that I’ve had a moment to decompress and rehash the past few weeks I am excited to share with you those special collections who have caught my eye and smitten me to the point of obsession. Each with its own unique vision & story it would be impossible for me to choose just one, so I have highlighted my top 6 from this season’s escapades and can’t wait to see what each of them has in store for us going forward.

Here are my new noteworthy lingerie crushes and why:

Crush #1: Lost In Wonderland for their breathtaking use of lace & corsetry exclusively made with luxury vegan fabrics.

Lost in Wonderland is a lingerie & corset company launched in 2011 out of Berlin. Though still relatively new, LIW has received their share of press due to their sexy yet playful use of luxury fabrics and offbeat body skimming silhouettes. Their look is romantic and unconventional with hints of sensual boudoir stylings and I’m especially in love with their beautiful bespoke, corset inspired, wedding dress in ivory and red!
Available at www.lostinwonderland.de.
See more styles at www.facebook.com/wonderland.berlin.

Crush #2: Maude and Marjorie for their sexy yet wearable pieces and their opulent Victorian inspired accessories.

Maude and Marjorie are a French duo specializing in feminine lingerie with ornamental elements and a soft, Parisian aesthetic. Both fashionable and functional, their designs are meant to appeal to a wide range of women looking to feel ladylike yet comfortable and free. While their romantic accessories collection is darker and more mysterious, crafted with high-quality detailing, the beachwear collection is also worth a look for their ultra feminine components in easy to wear shapes.
Available at www.maudandmarjorie.com.
See the photo shoot at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQG_Hjel1pg.

Crush #3: Naked Princess for their multi category offerings and artisanal take on an all-natural lifestyle brand.

You may have heard of new luxury lifestyle brand Naked Princess by now as they have been garnering much attention since their launch early in 2012. While NP offers expertly curated and crafted lingerie pieces with an air of femininity and delicate elegance, their all-natural beauty line cannot be ignored. Their chemical free scents, lotions & makeup are also free of animal byproducts and testing and offer the perfect sensual compliment to their soft & tactile lingerie pieces. And all of their products are hand made in the USA making this socially & ecologically conscious new brand a validating go-to for all your beauty needs.
Available at www.nakedprincess.com.

Crush #4: Tallulah Love for their romantic glamorous offerings with hints of vintage charm.

UK based Tallulah Love was founded in 2010 and has been moving full speed ever since. The enchanted romance of each collection emulates the glamorous styling of the 1940’s Hollywood starlet with sensual combinations of satin and lace paired with cheeky silhouettes and ruffles galore. The diverse color palette compliments these vintage silhouettes lending the collection a fresh & updated ambiance and exciting viewers with their captivating & provocative photo shoots.
Available at www.tallulahlove.com.

Crush #5: Amulette for their sentimental lingerie & loungewear meant to inspire love, magic & happiness.

Amulette has been charming women since 2008 when it began as a French inspired brand out of Columbia. The soft, non-structured pieces evoke an emotional response with their quirky styling, peaceful colors & cozy sensibility. Each piece is manufactured with love and comes with an amulet charm to bring prosperity, happiness & love to the wearer. But in my opinion Amulette doesn’t need a lucky charm to lure in fans, as their sweet & sophisticated designs are charming enough!
Available at www.amulettelingerie.com or www.anthropologie.com.

Crush #6: Lazy Eight for their prominent blend of form vs. function using innovative structured lines mixed with bold, vibrant colors.

Lazy Eight has wowed me with their unique take on functional lingerie. Launched in 2010 out of Kazakhstan the label’s roots are visible in its foundation and aesthetic. Fabrics are rich in satin & chiffon while the use of pleats & fabric manipulation creates clean yet delicate lines. The Lazy Eight signature underband is a distinctive technological concept in itself utilizing elastic bands to create the uplift and support of conventional foundation bras. Perfect for anyone looking for that much needed support while still maintaining a sexy sensibility.
Available at www.lazyeightlingerie.com.

Do you have any new lingerie crushes this season? What are some of your favorites and whom do you hope will stick around in the long run?

Kristina

Kristina

Lingerie Designer specializing in fashion & trend.

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