Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Having Fun With The Film Noir Look


As an amateur makeup artist, I like to experiment with different vintage looks. For my normal day to day look, I simply do nude shadows on eyes and place color emphasis on cheeks, brows, lashes, and lips.

I have loved film noir for years. I love "Double Indemnity" (1944) featuring Barbara Stanwyck as Phyllis, a housewife involved in a murder-for-hire scheme! 

Today I decided to try out a femme fatale look. I did a thick cat wing eye liner effect on my eyes and I overlined my lips to make them look more bold. I then put on a 1950s vintage black velvet hat with net, a black dress, and a faux leopard and black knit bolero from Heartbreaker fashion.

I know the last picture is a bit much! My black dress has a low, fitted bodice that has a merrywidow look. I only wear it with a cardigan or jacket when I go out to a club! I am too chicken to wear it on its own! 

After my pictures, I washed my face and changed into my workout clothes so I could do my morning run. Back to reality!
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19 comments:

  1. LisaFebruary 16, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Oh, I really like the makeup and styling of this look! Seriously, so time period perfect, down to the earrings and hat! I'll have to take your look out for a spin some time-- the sincerest form of flattery! :)

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  2. TaraFebruary 16, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Lisa,

    Thank you for the kind comments! The hat, earrings, and necklace are vintage. The earrings/necklace set belonged to my husband's bubbe. My mother-in-law told me her dad gave the set to her mom in the late 40s.

    The face and eye makeup are MAC and the lipstick is Besame Red by Besame Cosmetics. I used to wear MAC reds but once I started wearing Besame and Julie Hewett lipstick, I realized MAC kind of misses the mark when it comes to period-correct lip color.

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  3. Miss EmmiFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Va-va-voom indeed! The dress is a bit risque but you really do pull it off so well! I love your makeup posts :)

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  4. TaraFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    LOL, Emma! The black dress is just a 'stay-in-the-closet' piece for the most part! Like I said, I am too afraid to wear alone it for nights out! I have worn it in the past maybe once or twice but I had a cardi buttoned over it! When I go out, I usually keep it vintage and covered up!

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  5. Living VintageFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    Beautiful pictures and you look so fabulous darling.;)

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  6. doradadamaFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Your leathely dangerous in that outfit.. Que peligrosa.you needed a knife or gun. Keep these kinds of pics coming amor..no not too much.. Work with what your mama gave you.

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  7. Crafty DollFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    What a sexy siren you are! Your makeup looks fantastic. I love the femme fatale look also, and I think you pull it off really well! Beautiful pictures.

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  8. TaraFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    Thank you kindly, Living Vintage! It was fun being a femme fatale for a bit!

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  9. TaraFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    La Dama,

    Muchas gracias! I was also thinking that if I had a small silver prop gun, it would have been perfeccion! I embrace mi cuerpo but yo se that my curve-hugging, low-cut black vestido could be a bit over the top! lol

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  10. TaraFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Thanks for the comments, Crafty Doll! MAC makeup and Besame lipsticks are two of my must-have brands! I sometimes do a cat eye look for nights out but most the time, I just keep the focus on red lips and strong brows. I had fun today for sure!

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  11. Straight Talking Mama!February 17, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    Love the pics, I would certainly wear that dress out, but then I prefer the sassy vintage look to the covered up vintage look. I do understand if you don't feel comfortable in it, it's not for everyone!

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  12. Dolly Cool ClareFebruary 17, 2011 at 1:52 AM

    Fabulous look - you really carry it off! I am the same as you, I never go out with cleavage, ever! I would feel too self conscious. You do totally carry it off though!

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  13. SuzanneFebruary 17, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    wow you look so hot! i wear this look to Harris Teater as often as possible. i get the bag boys clamoring to bring groceries to the car!!!

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  14. SarsaparillaFebruary 17, 2011 at 5:22 AM

    Sexy you! You definitely give Barbara Stanwyck some wicked competition...

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  15. TaraFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Fiona,

    I am usually very low key but when I bought that dress a few years ago, I was feeling "brave!" I have only worn it with a cardigan but maybe one day, I will be bold enough to wear it by itself!

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  16. TaraFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Thanks, Clare! I can't bring myself to wearing that dress by itself! I would feel like everyone would be gawking! lol

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  17. TaraFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:56 PM

    Psycho Sue,

    Thanks for the compliment! Your comment is a riot! If I ever wore my dress in a Trader Joe's or a Harris Teeter, the suburbanites would freak out! lol

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  18. TaraFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:57 PM

    Aw, thank you, Susan!

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  19. UnknownFebruary 10, 2013 at 6:52 PM

    You look absolutely fantastic! This is one of the most authentic looking photos I have seen. Very fatale!

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