Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Blondes or Brunettes: Who Has More Fun?


Let's face it; the siren call of peroxide can be pretty overwhelming. A luscious mane of flaxen tresses is quite the coveted beauty trait, something that has been desirable in many cultures for centuries. The appeal of blonde hair in the modern age is unparalleled. It is undoubtedly the highest requested color process in most hair salons, and the old adages of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "Blondes Have More Fun" certainly have perpetuated this. But is it true? Not necessarily. Men will fuck anyone and there is enough fun to go round BUT that hasn't stopped many from trying out this alluring, pale hue. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Blonde can be a harsh mistress! Below are some examples of brunettes reachin' for the bleach AND blondes going to the dark side. What looks more flattering? Personally I think some of these ladies look smoldering while darkly lit, and others shine with brilliant blonde light.....but YOU be the judge.....

Brunettes picketing the 1953 premiere of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes!


                                             Dita Von Teese
While this sultry burlesque queen, with her pin-up/good girl art look pulls off both hair colors, I think she looks better as a brunette.

Julia Roberts 

This Pretty Woman was famous for her luscious cascade of dark curls in the early 90's. She shocked the world by appearing on the red carpet of the 1991 Academy Awards with a short, brassy blonde 'do! #FAIL


Cameron Diaz

Although usually known for her bubbly, sun-kissed look, this perky California blonde looks even more ravishing with a dark brown mane. Win/Win.


Beyoncé

This R &B/Pop sensation has been featuring blonde hair since her time in Destiny's Child. While the brunette hair works, I think it looks a bit too pedestrian. Blonde makes her glow!


Madonna

The Queen of Pop has shwerked every hair color but she should ONLY be blonde! Period. They all work for her, but she made being blonde an art form!


Victoria Beckham

Posh Spice is brunette. Sorry! I give her a A for effort, and that angled bob hairstyle sure did cause quite a sensation in 2006 BUT personally, I prefer her dark.


Jessica Alba
They cast her as the lead in Dark Angel for a reason; she is STUNNING with brunette hair. While she made the honey blonde thing work, there was always something a little off about it.....for me.

Lucy Lawless
 This Warrior Princess is a natural blonde, who dyed it dark brown for the role that made her famous. She's SO striking as a sultry brunette....I have to just say no to blonde. Mother Nature sometimes get's it wrong.

Christina Aguilera 

This 90's pop teen queen got Dirrty in 2002 and dyed her platinum hair black. Thankfully she soon saw the light....and returned to blonde. I think it's much more flattering.


Kat Von D

This rock star's girlfriend, tattoo artist and reality TV personality should ONLY be brunette. She felt the same way apparently...her blonde hair was gone in a matter of months.


Darian Darling

I was in a dark place....literally! Hahaha! While it was fun to experiment with some Joan Jett/Chrissie Hynde looks, it only lasted about a year. Blonde is where it's at for me.


Thursday, July 22, 2010

Lil' Blonde Darling: The Fall 2006 Gucci Bitch!


I'm wet all over again! I just stumbled upon this old Gucci ad campaign for their Fall/Winter 2006 collection. Did everyone else think this was a completely life changing moment when it came out....or was it just me? Part Helmut Newton shoot, part Michelle Pfeiffer in 1983's Scarface, this photo story really made me go for the gold and feature some SERIOUS rich bitch, 1979 high class prostitute looks throughout 2006/2007. The sleek platinum blonde bob, the ankle strap stiletto shoes, the flowing polyester disco dresses with matching hosiery, the oversize tinted sunglasses, the glitzy gold jewelry...it was all TOO fucking good. Even Gwen Stefani shwerked it on the album artwork for 2006's The Sweet Escape. Ugh, seeing this makes me want to go back to this look. Listen! Can you hear the disco calling....
 
Photographer: Craig Mcdean
Models: Iselin Steiro and Snejana Onopka.
Hair: Orlando Pita
Makeup: Peter Phillips














Darian Darling 2007. How did I do?

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Glamour Choice: The Little Black Beret!

Barbie doll

Ask any fashionista and she'll tell you that a Little Black Dress is a wardrobe staple. While I thoroughly agree, I also think a Little Black Beret is a fashion necessity! Stylistically it's completely diverse, conjuring up images of Parisienne ingenues, beatnik existentialists, soldiers in Special Military Forces or even downtown bohemian artists. It's also been a glaMOUR choice for many blondes throughout the years, and adds a touch of romance to any outfit. The most famous beret reference is of course Faye Dunaway, who wore one as 1930's outlaw Bonnie Parker in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. Luckily this little accessory never seems to go out of style and is always in vogue. I have featured a beret in my style arsenal for years and it's become an unofficial trademark of mine. The circular flat shape can be sporty and viva la résistance when worn facing forward or sassy when slouched and jauntily tipped to the side; when pulled down to cover all or part of the forehead, it's more dramatic. Whether you choose one in felt or mohair, sequined or studded....just get one! Oui oui.

Marilyn Monroe

Brigitte Bardot

Faye Dunaway

Candy Darling

Debbie Harry 

Jerrica Benton

Madonna

 Alicia Silverstone

 Kate Moss

 Darian Darling

Check out Berets.com for a quite large selection of styles and fabrics!

Monday, July 12, 2010

The Sweet Smell of Seduction: Bombshell Perfumes!


"There is no future for a woman who does not use perfume properly"- Paul Valéry

Nothing is more important than a grand entrance...especially for a glamorous blonde bombshell. A flash of platinum hair is a visual stimulant in it's own right but one should also dazzle the crowd with a signature aroma. An exclamation point to your appearance at a party or soirée, leaving behind a bevy of admirers to bask in your fragrant wake as you sashay past. A dreamy assault of delicious proportions on the senses of those around you. "I am here. I am blonde. I am delectable. You love me. Get into it". 


Seductive. Voluptuous. Extravagant. Intoxicating. Powerful. These adjectives best describe a perfume appropriate for a bombshell....or even to describe a blonde herself. A Bombshell prefers to wear heady, full-bodied, even old-fashioned perfumes, as to create a bold statement but is careful to use it sparingly, as to avoid being upstaged. Clean. Innocent. Fresh. Subtle. Polite. She would never dream of wearing something described as such....how utterly pedestrian. A bombshell's fragrance must also have a strong visual impact when sat upon her vanity or dresser; an ornate and beautiful bottle that functions as a gorgeous accessory or objet d'art. Spray and breath in the glaMOUR!

Tip: The same perfume will smell different on everyone. Make sure to test it on your skin and be sure to wait about 10 minutes to allow the fragrance to react to your body chemistry before buying it. Smell it after the first application and then smell it again after waiting. This will allow you to sample both the top and middle notes of the scent and give you a good sense of how the fragrance will linger throughout the day.


"The less clothing a Bombshell wears, the more perfume she dons"- Laren Stover, author of The Bombshell Manual of Style


 
Amanda by Amanda Lepore

Designed to evoke the glamorous image of champagne wishes, succulent red lips and lustrous blonde hair, Amanda was created for NYC nightlife legend Amanda Lepore by perfumer Christophe Laudamiel (originally as a birthday gift). Launched in 2008, this limited edition perfume perfectly captures Ms. Lepore's elegance, beauty, strength and larger than life persona. To summon up thoughts of nightclub glaMOUR, her signature fragrance is contained in a glittering disco ball, decorated with 1,000 Swarovski crystals, complete with a blush-colored satin atomizer.


 Notes: Red Lipstick, Strawberry, Yellow Mandarin Orange Blossoms, Bergamont, Steamed Rice, Cucumber, Violet, Tuberose Absolute, Orris Butter, Cristal® Champagne.

Order at Artware Editions 
(212) 463-7490 or info@artwareeditions.com


 Black Orchid by Tom Ford

Housed in a jet-black, art-deco inspired, ribbed glass bottle and appearing as though it was a prop from a retro film noir, Black Orchid is the debut fragrance from designer Tom Ford. Launched in 2006, this seductive elixir contains an exotic and trademarked breed of black orchid and was designed to evoke timeless luxury, worldly glamour and to wreck havoc with your desires. Delish!


Notes: Black Truffle, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, effervescent Citrus, Black Currant, Jasmine, Tom Ford's Black Orchid, Lotus Wood, Patchouli, Incense, Vetiver, Vanilla, Balsam and Sandalwood.

Buy at Sephora 


 Blue Amber by Montale

A mysterious, sultry and elegant fragrance dipped in golden hues of warm amber, boutique fragrance Blue Amber by Montale is a salute to timeless royalty and one of the most admired and coveted fragrance ingredients throughout time. Its aluminium bottle has been especially developed to guarantee that the perfume is preserved for a long time in a dark place, the light being the main enemy of perfumes and rare essences.

Notes: Italian Bergamot, Bourbon Geranium, Coriander, Patchouli, Vetiver, Amber, Vanilla

Order it at Aedes De Venustas 
1-888-AEDES15 or (212) 206-8674 


Butterfly by Hanae Mori 

 Delicate and sensual layers of aromas collide in Butterfly, a rare blend of ethereal elegance by Hanae Mori, the legendary grande dame of Japanese haute couture. Introduced in 1995,  the warm combination of notes was inspired by Japanese cherry trees in blossom, wild berries in the forest and the earthy richness of the undergrowth, while the distinctive frosted glass top represents the beauty and graceful shape of a butterfly with folded wings.

Notes: Strawberries, Bilberries, Black Currant, Bulgarian Rose, Blackberries, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Rosewood, Almond, Praline.

By at Sephora


 
CLASSIQUE Eau de Toilette by Jean Paul Gaultier

Inspired by the smell of the perfume bottles, jars of dusty loose powder and nail varnish vials on his beloved grandmother’s dresser, French fashion legend Jean Paul Gaultier's original fragrance CLASSIQUE is an ultra-feminine, voluptuous beauty tonic. Created in 1993, the curvaceous bottle celebrates his couture roots and originally paid homage to his iconic cone bras and corsets he created for Madonna's 1990 Blond Ambition Tour.


Notes: Orange Flower, Bulgarian Rose, Italian Mandarin, Star Aniseed, Orchid, Florentine Iris, Ylang-Ylang, Indian Ginger, Soft Vanilla, Woody Amber.

Buy at Sephora

Hypnotic Poison by Christian Dior

Like a red poisoned PVC apple, enchanted by a mysterious sorceress's bewitching spell, Christian Dior's Hypnotic Poison is a magic potion for modern times. Launched in 1998, this perfume is like a sweet nectar created from a dark, unusual bitter-metallic fruit and lies somewhere between fetish and fairy tales; and its aphrodisiacal magic works on men like a charm. I should know...it's been my signature scent for 10 years!


Notes: Bitter Almond, Caraway Spice, Sambac Jasmine, Cinnamon, Tuberose, Sandlewood, Vanilla, Musk, Tree Moss, Jucarunda Wood.

Buy at Sephora


 
N°5 Parfum by Chanel

Chic. Classic. Legendary. Unforgettable. These are only some of the words that can be used to describe Coco Chanel's groundbreaking original fragrance N°5. It was created in 1921 by perfumer Ernest Beaux, under the direction to formulate a completely man-made, artificial perfume; inspired by the scent of a woman rather than that of a flower bouquet. This was accomplished by the creation and use of a synthetic fragrance component; Aldehydes, which brighten yet icily distort the other ingredients. He created two series of perfume samples numbered 1-5 and 20-24 and asked Coco Chanel to choose one of them. She chose the sample N°5 and thus the perfume got its name. The first Chanel N°5 perfume bottle was a simple rectangular bottle with a top that resembled Place Vendome in Paris, and has remained virtually unchanged to this day. Originally, it was given as a Christmas gifts to her preferred clients at her boutique but was quickly released to the general public after high demand. Of course, the perfume will forever be associated with Marilyn Monroe, who famously said that she wore nothing else to bed.


Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Neroli, Aldehydes, Lemon, Grasse Jasmine, Iris, May Rose, Lilly of the Valley, Sandlewood, Amber, Vetiver, Patchouli, Vanilla

Buy at Sephora 


 
Passion by Elizabeth Taylor

Hidden inside a luxurious and opulent dark purple art deco bottle is Passion by Elizabeth Taylor, a sensual and alluring perfume created with lusty intensions.  Created in 1987, this rich and romantic fragrance has been a favorite of women around the world since its debut.

Notes: Coriander, Gardenia, Aldehydes, Artemisia, Jasmine, Bergamot, Tuberose, Orris Root, Cedar, Rose, Honey, Heliotrope, Musk, Patchouli, Leather, Coconut, Vanilla, Civet, Oakmoss, Incense

Buy at Target.com



 Tabac Blond by Caron
 
A deliberately androgynous and provocative parfume, Tabac Blond by Caron combines the leathery top notes usually found in men’s fragrances with an eternally feminine floral bouquet.  Having debuted in 1919, it was meant to blend with, and cover up the still-shocking smell of cigarettes: smoking for women was still thought to be a sign of loose morals! It was extremely difficult to find in the United States until 2000, when Caron opened their boutique in NYC.

Notes: Leather, Carnation, Blond Tobacco Leaves, Lime Blossom, Iris, Linden, Vetiver, Ylang-Ylang, Cedar, Patchouli, Vanilla, Ambergris, Musk.

Order it at Caron 
1-877-88Caron


perfumes Womanity for woman by Thierry Mugler. 
Womanity by Thierry Mugler

A delectable gourmet delight which combines both sweet and savory flavors, Thierry Mugler's latest fragrance Womanity is a feminine confection du jour. Launched in June 2010, this Umami rich creation was inspired by the Cyclades Island of Greece, where the sweet smell of fig trees is mixed with the salty sea breeze of the ocean. To compliment the juxtaposition of Womanity's contrasting notes, the perfume is showcased in a futuristic yet decidedly art-deco inspired bottle, topped with a modern and edgy Heavy Metal-esque frieze and chain.


Notes: Fig Fruit, Pink Grapefruit, Black Caviar, Fig Tree Wood and Leaf

Buy at ThierryMugler.com