Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Modern Pin-Up


Hello old friends and new!! Today's post is a long awaited pin-up makeup request from my friend Maria--her bday is coming up and she needs a look to match the theme--hence, I'm here to help! I'm excited to showcase my modernized version of this classic look and I'm making it really easy with a pictorial step-by-step tutorial, plus info on the pin-up style, as well as makeup tips, links to products, pictures galore, and other beauty blog goodies. So, stick around and read more if you've got the pin-up starlet in you... :)) WARNING: This is gonna be another lengthy post...




Gee... I wonder if he's thinking of me...
The term "Pin-up" came to the American pop culture around the time of WWII (the practice dates back to the 1900's), referring to a glamour model whose image is mass produced in photographs, posters, and drawings for the purpose of being displayed or "pinned up" on the wall. Most pin-ups were famous celebrities of the pre-war and post-war era, but the style gained great momentum in the 40's and 50's with sex symbols like Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis and Sophia Loren posing as pin-up girls. 

Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner pin-ups (both images from Google)
Some typical drawings and poses :)
The pin-up style is all about sensual femininity, often displayed by innocence, flirtation, playfulness, and child-like naïveté... Even when she's clumsy and spills the ink, she gracefully lifts her dress to avoid ink splatter, all the while "accidentally" flashing her undies... oops :) Yes, this was a time before pin-ups had brains rights... oops again.

Today, we can reminisce and relive the era through modern-day pin-ups like Dita Von Teese & Christina Aguilera... (images from Google)
 
and Miss Ooops herself, Britney Spears
 

SOOooooo, now that I've covered the background and given a damn-near history lesson in pin-up-try,  let me re-track to the reason for this post: MAKEUP. In my version of the pin-up look, I'm combining the history, the past, the present and the current to make this look appropriate for today and not any other day. In other words, we don't want to look outdated, we want to look modern, even when we're wearing a retro look :)
 
For this look, I used the following essentials (you can use the same or similar products):
       








        Pin-Up Pictorial Tutorial :)

        PREP: The most important step in pin-up makeup is the skin. Before applying any products, I exfoliated my face with a gentle scrub and a warm washcloth. My favorite scrub is Queen Helene Mint Julep Scrub, check out the product link above. Next, I applied my moisturizer, waited for it to dry and began my face makeup application. I primed my t-zone and applied a matte mineral foundation in a lighter shade than my skin to the t-zone area. I contoured the rest of my face with my regular matte mineral foundation (Golden Medium). I finished the skin with pressed powder on the t-zone only and this is what I looked like afterwards. Very different, right? As a beauty blogger, I think it's important to show the readers that there's actually a face underneath all that makeup. I know you guys appreciate :))



        STEP 1: I began by defining the eyebrows to help frame the eyes. The classic pin-up style eyebrow is very arched and defined, so I used a charcoal gray eyeshadow to fill in some sparse areas in my already arched eyebrows and brushed out the color with a spoolie (see pic). I typically don't like to see any harsh, drawn lines in my brows, but for a true pin-up look, such drawn-on eyebrows are acceptable and encouraged.








        STEP 2: After priming the entire eye area with a nude colored primer, I used a concealer on a flat brush to disguise sparse hairs under my eyebrow. My brows are a bit on the thick side, which wasn't the style of the 40's or the 50's, so I needed to thin them out without having to reach for the tweezers. This is how I do it when different looks call for it.









        STEP 3: Taking a shimmery pale pink eyeshadow on a fluffy dome shaped brush, I applied the shadow all over the lid and up to the brow bone, concentrating the color on the lid, close to my lash line and under the arch of my brow. I re-emphasized those areas with a shimmery white eyeshadow on top of the pale pink, under the arch of my brow and in the inner corner of the eye.









        STEP 4: Taking a light brown eyeshadow on a clean dome brush, I applied the color right above my crease using windshield wiper motions and blended it out towards the eyebrow. I added a bit more depth by layering a slightly darker brown eyeshadow to the outer "V" of my eye and blending it out towards the eyebrow.










        STEP 5: Next, I lined my eyes in a classic pin-up cat-eye style. I used a liquid liner instead of my beloved gel, only because I wanted to stay true to the era: there weren't any gel liners around. The trick to retro eyeliner is starting with a really fine line in the inner corner of the eye and building from the middle to the outer wing. Start lining where the lashes begin, by placing the liner tip on the actual lashes, so they barely touch your skin. Make a few dots, connect them and feel free to line heavy from the middle to the wing.






        STEP 6: After lining the eyes, I curled my lashes and applied mascara to the top and bottom lashes. I also lined the waterline with a white pencil to make my eyes stand out.












        STEP 7: Next, I applied my false lashes. Since this eye look is pretty bare in terms of eye shadows, I chose longer and fuller false lashes (Ardell Wispies) to balance out the overall appearance. Without these falsies, I would look more like a China Doll than a Pin-Up Doll, so this is how I customize the look to fit ethnic features :) Voila!! The eye look is done. To modernize the eye look, I later added some reflective glitter to the inner corner of my eye, the high point under my brow and the center of my lid.





        STEP 8: To finish the makeup, I applied my red lipstick using a lip brush and blotted away the shiny excess. If you have MAC Russian Red or any other matte red lip color, you don't need to blot, but since I don't (shame, shame, esp. with me being Russian and all) I had to resort to the tissue.

        A fun Marilyn Monroe trick: apply a shimmery white shadow to the center of your mouth and blend it out with your finger. I'm not sure what exactly this trick does, but it sure makes a difference in the size of your pout :))




        STEP 9: No pin-up vintage makeup look is complete without the essential beauty mark. I would say this step is optional, but it really isn't haha. Now... you don't have to go drawing new dots on your face, just pick a beauty mark you already have and emphasize it with a brown pencil liner. I have two beauty marks on the left side of my face, so I chose the one closest to the mouth area, dipped the liner into it and twisted it in place to exaggerate the size. Voila!! Now you're really done!!






        Crispy lines
         
        add some sparkle if you nasty

        or add a pearl earring

        Or a bright polka dot silk scarf (p. s. this one's my grandma's and it's from the 50's)

        or face the world chest first, more my style :)

        or strike a signature pose, send a kiss to your sailor and be swell :))
        bisous,

        Maryam Maquillage





        Join me on FACEBOOK / TWITTER / BLOGLOVIN



        Maryam Maquillage © 2012. www.maryammaquillage.com

        78 comments:

        1. Beautiful look. I absolutely love Ardel's Wispies, they are my go to lashes. It can be used for any time of the day or night!

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        2. You look great!!!! Love the eye makeup & lip color <3

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        3. I love you look. Your eye makeup is so beautiful *_*

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        4. This is soooo cute! ♥
          I love this look on you.
          Maybe I should try sth like this, haha

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        5. you're so cuute! you look really beautiful and hawt

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        6. Pin up is my all time FAVORITE look! looking gorgeous as usual <3

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        7. thanks for your comments :)) you look so cute , xx.

          Follow me My Beautyworld

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        8. Great pin up look!!! And awesome tutorial, thank you!!!

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        9. this looks so great on you! :)

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        10. This Modern Pin-Up look looks like it was made for you! I cant't get over how pretty you are and your skin is just amazing! You look completely airbrushed! Tips, please?
          Phlox

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          1. thanks love!! well, my skin isn't always amazing, trust you me hehe... I find that matte mineral foundation is best for my skin type and I always, always, always prime... what can i say, makeup is magic :)))

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        11. Super cute! You rock the modern retro look. ;)

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        12. oh my gosh you're so cute in this post!!! very retro and chic!!! thanks for all those tips now i just learned about the step 1 & 2..
          take care. gros bisous... xoxo, Haus of Gala

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        13. ah you are so beautiful. pin up look is my fav.
          http://cactusandcucumber.blogspot.com/

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        14. This is a great look on you. Love the lip color.

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        15. i adore this look on you ... Did you travel in time from the 50's?? Gorgeous! ;-)

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        16. ur gorgeous I loveee you!
          ur super pretty!
          i followed!

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        17. your eyes are so beautiful!! and that picture of Britney makes me die a little! I LOVE HER!!!

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        18. omg I love this look! you look great doll!

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        19. Gorgeous pin up look Hun! Looking like a modern day Bettie Page!

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        20. Omg this is soooo beautiful I love how you gave us the history too I had no idea what pin up meant love your version of it soo classy sexy all at the same time Love it!!!

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        21. I'm definitely a fan of the pin up style. It's sexy without being...I don't know...slutty? You look beautiful without makeup but you definitely know how to use it to accentuate your lovely features. And your grandma's scarf? Aweeeeeeeeeeeesome!!!

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        22. Red lips look amazing on you! And I love the gold glitter you added...it helps add the modernity to the look!

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        23. So pretty!!! :') You done me proud, woman!

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        24. So gorgeous! I love the red lips and your eyes look so pretty!
          Perfect tutorial! I must go out and buy Fire & Ice lipstick immediately! :)
          xo

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        25. Wow amazing look! Have a lovely weekend <3<3

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        26. GORGEOUS look, great post!

          kariekimberly.blogspot.com

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        27. BEAUTIFUL!! You have a lovely face shape too. x

          http://www.alyssaxsparklex.blogspot.com/

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        28. thank you so much for your lovely comments. actually there is a translation-bar ... it's not perfect - but quite funny for reading
          you look - as always - so beautiful (i don't know if there is any look which doesn't fit!)

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        29. thank you all so much for you wonderful comments!!! <3

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        30. Love it, you look like a bombshell!! I love how you didn't go extremely bright with the red lips, it's so easy to do that with a pinup look but this is so much more fresh!

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        31. Perfect make up!
          You have such great blog!
          Follow you!

          Kisses,
          Ana

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        32. I have missed so many of your lovely posts! OMG! The girl is right! You look like a Bombshell! Your makeup is always spot on! LOVE this look! <3 xx :)

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          1. Sara my beautiful!! You haven't missed anything, it's all here waiting for ya haha :))) thanks so much for you sweet words!!

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        33. Wow. I am breathless-give me oxygen ! Nice to see a clutch of beautiful pin up gals of the 40's & 50's. But guess who is the "oomph"est of them all - its you pretty Maryam Maquillage ! A stunning polka dot & hot outfit with a super sexy pout.

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          1. Dear Ram!! Thank you so much, your comments always make me smile :)) hope you're doing well on your side of the world :)))

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          2. Thanks Maryam. I am glad you like my comments. See my latest comment on your anniversary post. Have a great weekend.

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        34. You're so beautiful Maryam, you've a perfect face and skin!
          I will try the white pencil for sure =)
          XOXO
          Ylenia

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        35. you are soooo prettyy! Omg I loved your blog..I am following.. Follow me as well if you can :) xoxo

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        36. You look like an absolute babydoll!

          http://stylespotlighted.blogspot.com

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        37. I use that light shadow on the lip trick a lot, great look on you

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        38. Fabolous makeup! And the tutorial is very helpful! You have an amazing blog, now following you!

          http://blonde-rose.blogspot.com

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        39. This looks great! And I didnt know boydshop do polishes either until I saw it.. think it might have been a limited edition! xx

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        40. You're soo gorgeous!
          (Girl crushing)

          H x

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        41. Wow,Wow,Wow, FANTASTIC!!!!
          Have a wonderful weekend!

          Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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        42. Love itt!
          http://fafafoomfarah.blogspot.com/ xo

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        43. Love it ! You are just amazing at this !!! I want to be so talented as you are !
          ⓈⓈ ⒻⒶⓈⒽⒾⓄⓃ ⓌⓄⓇⓁⒹ

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        44. Fire and Ice is one of my favorite reds! Love this look and I can't get over your perfect eyebrows! I want to do winged liner looks but my eyes are so uneven it just won't work haha

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          1. thanks love!! btw, my eyes are totally uneven too, but isn't it what liner is for anyway lol

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        45. I love the pin-up look! And yours is so beautifully interpreted :)

          http://daphyin-makeupisart.blogspot.com

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        46. great post! and your lashes are so lovely!!! you also did such amazing brows! congratulations for having such skills! :D

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        47. I showed this post to my niece. She was thrilled.

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        48. amazing blog and so beautiful girl=)

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        49. i think that pin up style looks great onyou! you should do it more often!!!!!

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        50. OH I LOVE IT! AMAZING!

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        51. Thats such a great look! luv ur lashes!

          http://suraiyansiddiqa.blogspot.com/

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        52. My oh my, you look gorgeous! Look like a proper pin up the girl! The liner looks perfect :) x

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        53. Wow!! You are so beautiful. I love the look on you.

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        54. Your liner is perfect, the red lip looks stunning on you and I love your cheekbones!

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        55. Amazing blog & so beautiful,Fabolous makeup!This looks great! :)

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        56. Everything about you is so effing hot! I can't even describe.. your razor sharp cheekbones, red lips, eyeliner!

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        57. You are EXTREMELY talented with makeup. I miss this makeup look... I feel modern trends in cosmetics have lost their femininity. Your suite this look down to a T!

          x

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        58. Great post and tutorial! I love pinup makeup looks! I also love how your dress and scarf go so well with the theme! Too cute!

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        59. Seriously Maryam, you're stunning!!

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        60. That is one FABULOUS color on you! I can't wait to try it myself! I love that the rest of your look is so simple so the lippie really shines

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        61. Sweetie, I wonder why I didn't find your blog earlier! You are so talented and beautiful, and you're doing such an amazing makeup looks! I could comment on every single post you write and usually I'm not like that...
          And this look is really cool, love Pin Up (I just posted my version of it if you wish to see) - and you did great!

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