Saturday, September 5, 2015

What is pin up?

     Tomorrow I'm heading out with my girls to do a little act for a fundraiser that is also holding a pin up contest. That got me thinking... What exactly is pin up? 
     I'm really picky when it comes to pin up. I know there are some really particular things that can really make or brake the look. Now since pin up has been around forever and has taken many forms I know anything from a girl on the side of an air plane to the centerfold in the newest playboy can be considered pin up. The definition is:
   •a poster showing a famous person or sex symbol, designed to be displayed on a wall. a person shown in a pinup 
     
     So I need to explain. I'm talking the 40's 50's woman. The housewife to the sex kitten. Victory roll, cat eye, red lipped pin up. Artists like Vargas and elvgren really took the women of their day and gave us ladies something to strive towards! The hair, the make up, the stockings!! 
          (Painting by Gil elvgren)

    I was one of the girls that finally took the pin up plunge during the last resurgence of the retro look. I, like most ladies, have always loved that classic look. I waited so long because I thought it would be impossible. I didn't have the classic face and I couldn't do my hair or make up to save my life. Even the simple cat eye eluded me.  When I got the courage to start buying cherry and leopard print things I also started attempting hair and make up. It took years and I still feel there's more I could do to actually look pin up. But enough of my rambling! Here's a few tips I hold dear when It comes to being a pin up. 

    •You must find YOUR kind of cat eye!! 
Each person has a different shaped eye. Some have more lid some have none. Some eyes are closer together and others are farther apart. Some are bigger some are smaller! All of this comes in play when it comes to finding your cat eye. Now I'm not a make up artist so j cannot tell you what would be best for you but for me (when I do my make up) I don't go to the very inside I start mid lid and normally I use a thicker line. I also don't put too much dark under my eyes because I have small eyes and it tends to make them smaller. 

     •Figure out what hairstyles work for you and your face shape. I know victory rolls look so lovely on some ladies but if you have a larger forehead it can result in making your face even longer. Also there are certain styles you need a certain hair length to do. I'm a huge fan of sponge rollers (wet to dry set overnight) then brushed and shaped to my preferred style. I also like to do some type to victory roll or front roll and then clip In some kind of ponytail. Both of these styles are easy for me. Also you shouldn't be able to see through your victory rolls.... It's a big pet peeve of mine since I have thinner hair so sometimes I can't help it. 

     •BLUSH! EYEBROWS! LIP LINER!!
 These three things are very important. VERY important. There is nothing worse then seeing a lady with no color in her cheeks, and lady with no eyebrows or makeup covered eyebrows. Or someone with a lovely makeup job but their lipstick is bleeding into their face. Take time on these things. Pink blush, thicker brow, red liner. *tip!- when lining your lips don't just line them. Fill in the entire lip. That way when your lipstick wears off (which it will) you won't be left with a ring of red on your lips and nothing else!

   •SHAPERS!
Shapers rule. I'm not one of those ladies with a perfect figure but with the Correct shapers anyone can have a curvy vintage style shape. One of the good things about them is you can pick them up at your local Walmart for fairly cheap. I live in a small town without any of the nice boutiques but all most shapers are already set to squeeze most at your natural wiast which is a big big part of the pin up look. No matter your size you still have a waist and show it! Also don't be ashamed to wear things to make you feel better about your body! 

There's tons of ways to pull off a pin up look! Just do your research and practice practice practice!! I still have problems with my hair, make up, and what to wear. You will eventually find what looks best on you and make you feel on top of the world!