Tag: movies

A look into the new Rom Com “Materialists”: the fashion, the make-up and beyond…

~ Emmie Reve ~ Leave a comment

My genre of choice is not the typical chick flick, rom com genre. It’s well known to be a formulaic critically panned genre. At most a guilty pleasure of smart, thinking people when they want a break from being feminists looking for depth in cinematic art. And here’s where I decided to give Materials a try. After reading a few review summaries about it being not the typical rom com, my interest was piqued. One quiet Tuesday night, I went to see this flick with my kid, and I’m glad I did. Here’s why:

The main character is flawed, but lovable because of these flaws. Dakota Johnson plays the lead heroine well. She plays Lucy, a no-nonsense numbers cruncher when it comes to her career as a matchmaker, living in New York City. She excels at the game of matching people up based on statistics and numeral dating “values”. Her flaws show heavily in that having been raised poor, Lucy now covets the flashy, cushy life that dating an affluent man can afford her. Enter Pablo Pascal as Harry, a handsome rich suitor. At the same time however, she still has feelings for her struggling actor ex boyfriend John, played by the hottie Chris Evans.

After developing the main characters, the film expertly directed by Celine Song, talks about real dating world problems, in a contemporary and realistic way…giving way to a more sober and serious rom com that the typical one. There are some funny scenes; Harry’s nod to male vanity, John’s absolutely horrible roommate situation, and Lucy’s experience listening to her client’s delusional dating expectations. But one of the more pressing topics addressed was that of the physical violence that can exist in a modern dating world where people desperate for love, are vulnerable to get victimized and abused.

Dating violence has always existed in any time period, but talking about it at length in a movie is contemporary. Not enough attention has been placed on the intense burden most single women face today because of the pressure to be married and to have children. It is still seen as the main way women are successful in life. That’s right. Being a woman in the top of her industry or earning a lot means nothing. And the status quo culture is still prioritizing getting a “ring on the finger”.Early in the movie, one of Lucy’s clients has cold feet on her own wedding day, having realized she was unsure WHY she was getting married. A reminder that getting a “ring on it” means more than fulfilling romantic destiny.

These stories in the movie Materialists, go on to illustrate how dating and love are not the same thing. Something that fairy tales and proper young ladies like myself and my upbringing were not allowed to explore. But in this day and age, it’s not a new message being expressed, it’s just a more truthful admission of this fact. In the not so distant past, marriages were politically designed unions to join the assets and reproductive values of two families or “corporations”. The smokescreen of the recent era is to erase that reality and place romantic and soulful completeness as the motive for dating. But the reality is “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”. You have to choose one or the other as Lucy did in this film.

And because this is a fashion and make up blog, let’s talk about it!!! The fashion and makeup was so on point in this movie. Dakota Johnson looked beautiful in almost every scene with hair and make-up that was fresh, feminine and smart. Her outfits matched every scene to the tee, and the male fashion was also on point. Both Pablo Pascal and Chris Evans looked amazing. Both male leads had presented themselves as if Dakota had chosen either one of them, it would have been a win win. Must mentions: Lucy’s thick but perfectly cut bangs, and her long flowing mane stole the show. Her sapphire coloured strapless dress in the first act looked expensive and tasteful, complementing her chestnut brown hair. And as she progressed into discovering her deeper romantic destiny, her frilly floral dress at the barn yard wedding visually showed her free spirited headspace and diversion from the past.

I absolutely love this look! The deep blue dress on light skin, the sleek dark hair and cute sandals. A nod to perfection!
Romantic, effortless and feminine. The quintessential get up for a country wedding, while looking modern and relaxed.
Wonderful hair and make up team on this production. Dakota’s complexion glows, her mauve lipstick so wonderfully compliments her dress, hair and eye make-up!

Are you going to give this unconventional rom com a try? please do! It will not disappoint!

Movie Make up Inspiration: The Love Witch (2016)

~ Emmie Reve ~ 1 Comment

I think almost everyone knows that I like horror movies quite a bit, but what I even like more are genre b movies mixed with art house, such as Anna Biller’s 2016 feature film The Love Witch that is half satire and half homage to the campy melodramas of the 60’s.  Visually, you almost can’t tell it was made a few years ago, with its rich popping colours that compete so much with the a sharp dialogue to tell the story of love, attraction, revenge, and “magick”.  The movie centers around a young woman named Elaine, who was jilted in love by her former lovers and husband. Elain is on a mission to take control of her life by means of joining a witches coven that teaches her to use potions, rituals and magick to get rid of her abusive husband.  After that, Elaine moves to a small idyllic town to get a fresh start, and to also find “love” by any means, including seducing and casting spells on the local men.

Spellwork and bold colours make this film a magical delight to look at.

I adore how the movie is so female centered and encourages that we sympathize and root for the femme fatale protagonist who is also over whelming her victims, um, I mean “dates” with her powerful magic–to the point to death sometimes…But is it her magick at work, or just the craziness of love in general?  Treat your senses to the richness of it’s look, and then decide for yourself.  Is it inherently feminist, since it is about a women deciding to control her love destiny, by any means? Or sexist since she uses her foxy looks to get what she wants?  It’s all up for debate, but one thing is for sure, The Love Witch can also stand alone for a piece of visual art.  And I am just digging the fashion and the make-up!  That retro/vixen/glam/goth look is soooo gorgeous.

Samantha Robinson plays a young witch, the love seeking Elaine. I have a crush on the hair, make-up and fashion she dons in this movie.

How to get this retro glam make-up:

Step 1: Prep the face:

This look requires smooth, creamy even pale skin.  Almost porcelain like.  I find bb creams to do the trick since they often lighten your skin tone and give you a really matte finish. (most do at least, don’t get the “dewy” kind).  Set bb/foundation with a light powder.

Step two: Define eyebrows:

They should be as dark as your hair, slightly defined, with medium thickness, softly blurred with a eyebrow comb. Draw them with a slight arch, to give a bit of retro drama!

After prepping face, I drew in my eyebrows with a soft brow pencil. make sure you comb it to get it even as possible.

Step three: Find a pretty turquoise eye pencil or high pigment eye colour

Powder eye shadows will not work, because they are too subtle.  You wont be able to see a turquoise coloured powder on your lids, since your skin tone also kills some of the blue/green colour. Instead of using heavy primers and shadow bases on your lid, simplify by finding a soft eye pencil in the right colour.

This is the pencil I found and it’s a gorgeous celedon colour, slightly lighter than the torquoise that the love witch uses…the shadow is to set it.

Fill in the upper lid in turquoise until almost to the brow bone,  then smudge the harsh edge lines of the colour with your finger, and set it with either translucent power, or a blue/green shadow on top.

See how pencil liners show up, even when it’s a light colour?

Because it is a pencil, you want to smooth the edges and pat with your fingers to make it less harsh. don’t forget to set lids with powder.

Step four: Black lining your eyes, Cat eye make-up:

You need three products for this!  I know, this is crazy, but the reason you need three is for colour intensity, precision, and setting of the black line. So first off to use is black pencil as close to the upper lash line as possible.  The second step is setting it with a thin layer of black eye shadow with a thin brush.  Third step to making the black line into the defined shape of a dramatice cat eye with liquid liner/pen.  Also fill in any light/uneven areas in the black line with pen for maximum drama.

This is before I put on fake lashes. Using 3 products: liner, shadow and liquid/pen gives the pigmentation and drama needed for a retro cat eye line.

Step Five: Mascara and False Lashes…

Mascara and fake lashes are key to the look.  Nothing says vampy witchy gal more than a cat eye with fake long lashes the reach for the skies!  I like to do two coats of mascara and then add some demi lashes, since my eyes are small, but if you can, go for full lashes to complete the look.

Let me read your future! Add anything victorian looking and glamourous to your outfit and now you are a love witch!

Okay, thoust ready to go out into the world casting spells on unsuspecting lovers wherever you go…Just be careful wielding that feminine power of yours and I hope no casualties are a result.  I cannot be held responsible. 🙂

The Babes of Horror Movies: Make-up Inspiration

~ Emmie Reve ~ Leave a comment

People who know me, knows that I likes me them horror movies! My boyfriend is stuck with the tedious duty of watching them with me and letting me squeeze his hand and burrow my face into his shoulder all the way through every jump scare, freaky monster, and demonic possession out there in this high energy genre of film that is often underrated artistically. Pulling off what is called a “B movie” takes a lot of talent… And I am grateful for this genre for scaring the bejebers out of me. It makes my life seem less scary…

But did you ever notice that horror is loaded with foxy ladies? Let’s dissect my favourite leading ladies of horror and how to possibly achieve some of their gorgeous, babe-alicious make-up and hair looks:

#4 Ana de Armas in Knock Knock

Ana de Armes is a Spanish actress that is just gorgeous, with her big innocent eyes, and cute baby face. Most recently seen in the thriller Knock Knock with Keanu Reeves, I thought she stole the show in her skimpy out fits and cute blondie ways.

Here she is stealing the show in a glamourous sparking body con dress. I love her short blonde hair and black lined eyes.
Here she is stealing the show in a glamourous sparking body con dress. I love her short blonde hair and black lined eyes.

she looks great with less make-up, more than anything else. Recreate by doing neutral eyes paired with a dark magenta lip.
She looks great with neutral eyes.  Recreate by doing neutral eye shadow,paired with a dark magenta lip. Heavy mascacra and false lashes add drama to already big eyes.

#3 Emma Stone in Zombieland

Emma Stone is known for being a Hollywood glamour queen, but before she made it big, she was in a small little horror comedy called Zombieland.  It was so funny, and so fun, and quite scary at times, I loved this movie.  Emma stone was so cute in it, because she really knew how to rock a darker brunette hairstyle that was both edgy and soft at the same time.

I loved Emma Stone's hair in this movie. The side swept bangs and bouncy wavy hair made her darkly lined eyes that much more feminine!
I loved Emma Stone’s hair in this movie. The side swept bangs and bouncy wavy hair made her edgy black lined eyes that much more feminine!

#2 Katrina Bowden in Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil

I loved Katrina’s performance as the damsel in distress and romantic lead in this hilarious horror comedy about college kids going to the backwoods, and learning that hillbillies are not as scary as them preppy young selves.  So funny.  And Katrina was so foxy with her tousled wavy hair, and minimal make up.  I think she is following that trend in South Korea of just rocking really nice dewy skin.

You can't have a B movie without a hot babe of some sort. And Katrina Bowden fits this bill. But her performance was also super funny.
You can’t have a B movie without a hot babe in her knickers. And Katrina Bowden is up to task! But her performance was also super funny.

Nice wavy hair like this can be achieved with a curling iron and rollers. Pair it with little to no make up for Katrina's look.
Nice wavy hair like this can be achieved with a curling iron and rollers. Pair it with little to no make up if you dare for Katrina’s look.

#1 Amber Heard in The Ward

And my number 1 pic has to be Amber Heard who is no stranger to being a siren in horror movies.  She was Mandy Lane in the slasher All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, but I want to focus on her make-up and hair in her lesser known movie The Ward.  This movie has great twists and turns, I do recommend checking it out.  If not for Amber’s strikingly gorgeous look and portrayal of a disheveled young blonde, then for the mysterious intrigue that happens in it, as it is set in a psych ward full of disturb young women.

Amber Heard's character does a lot of worrying in this movie, but look and the simple pastel palette that is used on her eyes and mouth.
Amber Heard’s character does a lot of worrying in this movie, but look at the simple pastel palette that is used on her eyes and mouth, and accentuated eye lashes.  It is a pale, ghostly and drained palette that mirror her state.

It doesn't look like a lot of make-up, but it is. To get this look, you need disheveled hair, dark lined brows, and a neutral lip. I think it is a youthful make-up.
It doesn’t look like a lot of make-up, but it is. To get this look, you need disheveled hair, dark lined brows, and a neutral lip. I think it is a youthful looking make-up.

My attempt at achieving the same look. Pastel eye shadow, with darker lined brows, shadow lined eyes, and fake lashes. finish with pastel lip colour/nude.
My attempt at achieving the same look. Pastel eye shadow, with darker lined brows, softly lined eyes, and fake lashes. finish with pastel lip colour/nude.  Hey I’m not Amber Heard, but I tried!  🙂