Its A Boy Thing

I love the androgenous look, it can be ultra feminine and super cool. For me it is not about power dressing, just style. The ‘Its a boy thing’ idea evolved from my love of the 20s and 30s style and the brilliant images of Marlene Dietrich. The over sized suit jacket and shirt has also made a come back, which brings it right back to now. Fabulous!

There is a myth that Marlene Dietrich was arrested in Paris 1933 for wearing trousers in public. The image of Marlene was actually her surrounded by reporters not police. It was more that she caused a right hooha! with her chioce of masculine dress. It is also true that France did have a bizarre law that it was illegal for women to wear trousers. I do’t think much notice of this was taken as it was still illegal up to 2013. What the…! Eleanor Roosevelt openly wore trousers in public in 1933 a good year for the trouser.

The androgenous style created an ever lasting image for many Hollywood stars, Katherine Hepburn famously trouser suited and one of my absolute favourites not only for her style, but that she worked into later years. The cowgirl another style with a masculine tilt – thinking of the wonderful Jean Simmons in The Big Country and Barbara Stanwyck in its TV serialisation The Big Valley of course this was much later.

I think the TV series Peaky Blinders has also helped to bring the Gangster girl style back too.

Beauty Chat

I chatted with Mel 54 and this is what she had to say about our session together and how she feels about ageing

I loved having my make-up done and getting a completely different look. I didn’t watch the process as I was too busy enjoying the conversation and attention! I wish I had paid more attention so that I could do it for myself! When I caught sight of myself, I was amazed. The make-up was fabulous and I couldn’t believe the transformation.

I felt fantastic with the finished look. It really boosted my confidence and made me more relaxed for the photographs. Afterwards it made me feel that it is worth spending time on looking good. I am worth it!!

To describe the session I would say: The session was relaxed and chatty. Karen is very stylish herself and she put me completely at ease from the start. I had every confidence in her skills and expertise in choosing the right products for me and styling me perfectly. It was exciting to see the finished look, try different clothes and have my photograph taken when I knew the make-up had made me look good. I loved the whole process! It made me feel very special, thank you!

We women are amazing. We have life experience and it shows in our faces and bodies. We are strong and we are (mostly!) wise. I think it is important for us to be seen in the media. Some parts of the media may want to pretend we’re not still out there, that we can’t look good after a certain age, but that is their loss. It is vital that we are represented- we don’t just disappear. We are a strong section of society who have lived, loved, worked and contributed to the world, and continue to do so. In my opinion we get better with age! I hate all that twaddle about only men getting better looking with age! All that silver fox nonsense, as if it only applies to men! In my experience women do as well. We are amazing, we still look amazing and the media should be grabbing the opportunity to represent us!
Mel Gordan

Make up Used

Mel has a fabulous face for make up and fun personality so was happy with everything I suggested. The look I wanted was a natural look with a glowy skin and keeping Mels strong eyebrow as a feature. I knew I wanted some of the images to be in black and white so I worked on contour and highlighting the face so her features will stand out in a black and white photo, but soft enough to work in a colour image. Also definition on the eyes.

Face: Chanel Vitalumiere 10 /https://www.chanel.com/gb/makeup/p/161014/vitalumiere-radiant-moisture-rich-fluid-foundation/

Concealer: Look Fab Forever 01 https://www.lookfabulousforever.com/cover-to-cover-conceal

Highlight: Lokk Fab forever Instant bright https://www.lookfabulousforever.com/instant-bright-highlight

Contour: Benefit Hoola https://www.benefitcosmetics.com/en-gb/product/hoola-matte-bronzer?product=HOOLAIB74-FULL&sku=FM318

Eyes: MAC Shroom/Outre https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13835/64835/products/makeup/eyes/eye-palettes-kits/art-library-nude-model?shade=Nude_Model

Eyeliner: MAC gel blackhttps://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13838/341/products/makeup/eyes/eyeliner/liquid-eyeliner?shade=Boot_Black

Mascara: Violet Jordan black https://violetjordan.co.uk/collections/shop/products/the-volumizer

Individual Lashes: Eyelure mediumhttps://www.eylure.com/uk/lashes/naturals-no-031/

Lip pencil: MAC Oak https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/products/13852/products/makeup/lips/lip-pencil

Lipstick: Mocha https://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/13854/52597/products/makeup/lips/lipstick/satin-lipstick?shade=Mocha

Gloss: Charlotte Tilbury Blondie https://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/product/lip-lustre-blondie