Well, technically, it isn’t summer yet. But with all the rain and chilly weather we’ve had, it’s more like March or October!
On second thought, maybe I should be happy it isn’t full-on summer yet! I don’t want to be shark food!
Perhaps I should be watching the movie “A Summer Place” to get into the mood of summer!
Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue as the young lovers of “A Summer Place”. The movie was greatness and bordered on camp. Summer Camp!
But, if you really want to get prepped for your summer place, start with the summer face! Heavy foundation—actually, foundation in general, can seem very heavy during the summer months. And when you’ve been out and about in the sun, your face is going get a shade or two darker—even with tons of sunscreen.
Since I don’t feel like spending money on a darker foundation, and as I like my face to breathe a bit when the heat and humidity roll in. I normally forgo foundation completely and rely on bronzer and a bit of blush to even out my blotchy skin.
Anyway, I rediscovered tinted moisturizer this morning while getting ready for work and it was an “aha” moment. There was an old tube of elf tinted moisturizer in my makeup cache so I figured what the heck. And decided to apply it.
As you can plainly see from the looks of the tube, this tube of tinted moisturizer has been around for a while!
I must say, I was pleased with the results. Coverage wasn’t something I was going after. Instead I just wanted to even out a few bits on the visage and it worked. At $3.00 a tube, I’ll make a purchase before we leave for France next week. In fact, I wrote about this tinted moisturizer last fall. For transitioning into cooler weather makeup, I wasn’t enthralled about this product. However, transitioning into hot weather, it’s much better!
Top right before I applied the tinted moisturizer. Bottom right gives you a good look before blending. It’s light and really doesn’t give great coverage. Photo left. The end result. It gives a nice finish for a warm-weather face!
Did I ever mention my love for drugstore mascara? I’ve purchased high-end brands and was always pleased but for the price, the right cheap mascara works just as well. My present favorite mascara is Maybelline’s “The Falsies”. However, in my supreme cheapness, I’ve noticed the price has risen—at Walmart no less!
My fave mascara on the right–Maybelline’s The Falsies. It made my “Best of 2016″ listing!
Ever the mascara cheapskate, I went on the prowl and discovered this mascara by Essence. Essence has great budget lipstick and glosses so I went for it and was very happy.
Forbidden Volume Mascara. I am liking this a lot!!1
Snapping these pics this morning almost made me late for work!! Left pic. Before the mascara. Middle Pic. First Coat. Right pic. Second Coat. Cannot complain about the result!
At $3.99, I’ll pick up a few more!
Ok. Let’s talk shoulders! The new trend, which sort of isn’t new at all, since Lucy stomped grapes with this look, of the off-the-shoulder look is going strong.
Well, it’s more of an Off-ONE-Shoulder. But do you see the leopard scarf around her head. Lucy was a trend-setter!
Here’s our Lucy in a more demure state and both shoulders are displayed. Thank you Tumblr!
The look is summeradorableness but not all off-the-shoulder looks are created equal. I’ve tried quite a few tops and many of them had shoulder roam. The off-shoulder didn’t stay off and crept up. Also, wearing the right bra can be challenging. Truth be told, I either just tuck my bra straps inside my bra or take the damned bra off and go braless.
Lets have a look-see, shall we?
I picked this shirt up at Marshall’s the other day. I am in love with it..
The shoulders are more angled which make the fit fantastic!
See the sleeves? just below 3/4 and the sleeves tie. It’s really a great look for summer.
And it buttons up the back!! Don’t pay attention to the unbuttoned one. Actually, the button fell off and now I have to sew another one one.
I really love this shirt. Notice the mess in the background. I still have to pack and the pile is only getting worse. BTW, I’m not wearing a bra and you can’t even tell!
My denim Off-the-shoulder dress from Primark. This dress is great! Comfy and pretty!
At $16.00 the quality is outstanding!
The ruffle isn’t overpowering…
It’s slightly A-Lined. Ever so slightly!
Oh dear God. Bonaparte is going to have a fit because of the mess behind me. He’s sure to be even more upset that I had the nerve to post a photo with a horrific pile of clothing to be packed! Believe me–the rest of our home is spotless (except my bathroom)
OK. Here’s where the Off-the-Shoulder look is just “meh”. This is the dress from J. Crew that I had to size down from a Medium to a Small. The ruffle is just overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong–the weight of this dress is super light and great for hot, hot days, but I like the Primark dress much better!! Luckily, I got this on sale for $35. I’ll still wear it though!
I’m waiting for the fashun experts to come out in force blabbing that women of a certain age shouldn’t be wearing this look. But you know what? This look was made for us. We get to show those beautiful shoulders of ours that have been hidden for years.
Although not a fan of smoking, take a look at that beautiful dress our Lucy is wearing. It’s a stunner. Note the neckace–it’s just a tad longer than a choker and doesn’t dangle. I love this look..
More proof this look isn’t a trend. It’s just been revived is all. Why can’t I find a top like the green plaid one?
It’s a great look—off-the-shoulder ruffles are their own accessory! You don’t need a scarf and I find you don’t even need necklaces—less is more!
What do you think? Have you tried this look? Thinkin’ about it? Do tell!
Naturally, there was only one song that could relate to “A Summer Face”—the theme song to “A Summer Place” Ladies—Percy Faith. Remember this goodie? I still get goosebumps listening to this because I was five years old when this movie/song came out and I can still remember my parents listening to it.
Hi Cathe,
Love your tinted summer face! I especially appreciated the “before, during, after” pics, because they made me realize that I don’t know how to “blend” to get the “after” look. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone from “before” to “during” and then quit and washed it all off! Can you tell us more about the blending part? PS – I’ll have to stop here before I run completely out of quotation marks… 😉 Oh – and I love you in the blue & white checked off-the-shoulder shirt – gorgeous!
Hi Kewlly!!!! Hey. I don’t mess around –I post ALL the pics…especially very “before” befores!!! Hmmm. I think you are onto something there when it comes to blending. This definitely could be another post!! Is that shirt not the greatest? And what makes me extra happy is that my daughter, Oona, bought the same shirt–and she lives States away from me!!! We think alike!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
love this post, as I do all your other posts. Just sayin’.
You rock the “off the shoulder” look; it really suits you. I can’t wear something like that, unfortunately, as it broadens my shoulders. Gives me sort of an Amazone look; with bow and arrow! 🙂 So, frills and wide patterns are off limits to me.
I prefer the Primark dress on you. It has a sleeker look. The other one has more material floating around your upper body, I also like the combo checkered shirt and cream pants. Très chic!
I use BB or CC creams by Estée Lauder to even out my skin tone; tinted moisturiser is also a good way to go. I know that brand is expensive but I have dry atypical skin and need to be very careful what I use. My mascara comes from Monoprix more often than not, generally by L’Oréal or Bourgeois.
Oh B. The Bourgeois mascara USED to be sold here around the time when Oona was in high school. That was the only mascara she wore and I loved it too. Then it wasn’t sold here anymore. I did purchase some at Monop a while back. I think it is time I took a little trip. I think it’s sold at the Geant Hypermarche too. But yeah, that other dress is definitely large in the fabric. I prefer the Primark dress too. It’s going to get a lot of wear!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I love the off the shoulder tops like this, they just never stay put on me! I don’t so much talk with my hands, as talk with my entire being.
Hi Q.D! LOL!!! Maybe you can use industrial glue??? I’m gonna have to get more sunscreen for my shoulders now!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hi! Off the shoulder tops are not for me but they look fab on you. Confession: I’ve never worn foundation…yet! BTW, my next blog post is going to be about M. Jean Dujardin, hahaha
xoxo
Hi June! I need to pop over to your blog. I saw that you wrote about his movie when I checked my phone before. I told Bonaparte that perhaps we will get lucky and see that film on the flight over! We saw a movie on Netflix the other day that he was in.He was much younger and the movie was pretty funny but the best was that one of the scenes was shot at our favorite beach L’Estagnol! I’m going over to your post now!!!
I love Essence mascara! I’m using one that’s for volume and curl and it’s awesome and cheap! You look great in off the shoulder. I would love to but I can’t go braless and I’ve never found a comfortable strapless bra.
Hi Lori. I freakin’ love Essense Lipgloss and the mascara–I bought it not expecting it to be as great as it is! I need to stock up. Oh. If I’m not at the office, I’m going braless in the shoulderless look. I’ve never had a strapless bra I liked!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You look lovely Cathe! In all of it!
I found you last saturday, i spent all afternoon and evening reading all of your blog, i feel i know you and i love the emails coming in with the updates so i cant miss them. Primark dress is a big winner, sadly i buggered my knee and now its bent, also i am on crutches so i have to waatch what i wear, but i still love my heels as its all i can walk in along with my old favs. my scholls i learnt to walk in as a kid after operations.
You are going to fit in lovely in France with your new look. 🙂 I bought 4 of the Falsies mascara on ebay yesterday, never used it before and hope its ok as i have been usng L’oreal Feline mascara, love it but it does not build so well and takes ages, great if you arent in a hurry.
Trusting the Falsies ones going to be good through if you are using it.
The other off the shoulder dress, maybe you could lob off a bit if your good with a needle?
J x
Hi J!! I’m so glad that you found me and also found a great group of women along with some men in this wonderful little circle! Oh..I must say that The Falsies dries nicely. I’m a fan!! I am very anxious–we leave next week and I’ve got but a few things packed. I just upgraded my phone so I can take better pics while I’m there. Oh..trust me, if I was a decent seamstress I would have really gone to town on that other ruffle dress!!! Thank you again and I’m glad that you are part of the family!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You’re looking marvelous in the Primark dress and the more fitted off the shoulder checked too. I purchased an off shoulder top in Black and white check..haven’t worn yet. Sometimes what I purchase I look back and say, “Am I too old to be wearing this”. At 63, my style is probably considered preppy, with lots of accessories , jewelry and scarves, to add some panache!
Aimee!! You are NOT too old to wear anything that you want to wear!!!!! I love me a little bit of the prepster–like my Lilly Pulitzer clothing and I’ll bet you rock all that preppy clothing and accessories!! Thank you so much!!! XXOXOXO!!!
My go-to moisturizer is Origins A Perfect World age defense moisturizer with white tea, spf 40. I can wear it year around – love it!
Gingham is trending and I couldn’t be happier. It is one fabric that can be worn by nearly everyone.
I haven’t worn off the shoulder but I think I could rock it. Love the retro pattern you posted ~
Hi Tami! Gingham has always been such a summertime favorite of mine and you are absolutely correct–everyone can wear it!! Isn’t that retro pattern beautiful? All I could think is why aren’t clothing companies looking at old patterns and acting on them. We would all be so nicely dressed!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Thanks for the tips. Like the off the shoulder blouse and dress.
Thank you so much!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I am pleased that some people such as yourself can beautifully wear off-the-shoulder blouses/dressed – as for me, I can think of nothing that would drive me crazy faster. It seems that I spend hours each day pulling up my bra straps (as soon as each bra settles into being truly comfortable, the straps abandon their obligation to stay on my shoulder). I also find myself tugging at anything with a sleeve attached below the shoulder. I am glad that my phobia is not yours!
Marsha. You have given me a good chuckle. My bra straps are always falling off–I think that’s why I am comfy with the off-the-shoulder look. However, I’m abandoning the bra while wearing that look!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Will have to try the Falsies mascara. Your Primark frock is lovely, perfect for your hols, ditto the gingham shirt!
Gingham and off the shoulder gypsy tops are everywhere this summer, it’s a good look….even for us oldies! I bought myself a yellow gingham gypsy top (also Primani) and left it in France…there’s more chance I’ll wear it there, UK summers are not to be relied upon!
Love that green check top in the illustration….SO elegant!xx
..
Fiona. Welcome to the summers in the Northeastern USA! We never know what to expect. IIt’s been cool and gray and rainy for sometime now but we are supposed to go right into a heatwave over the weekend! Definitely try The Falsies–I think you will be pleased! Oh god. Now I’ll have to go back to Primani and look for that yellow gingham top. We can go twinning in different countries!!! Isn’t that green checked top absolutely lovely???? XOxOXOXO!!!
Love those off the shoulder looks on you, especially the Primark dress. I also loved that movie and the theme was my favourite tune for many years. I still sing it occasionally. I LOVED Troy Donahue. Looking at the picture above though I think just how young they look – almost children! That’s what happens when you age. Everyone else looks like kids, even the policemen.
Hi Jenny. Oh I remember that song so clearly. It seemed to be everywhere during the summer when I was 5 or 6. The last time I saw A Summer Place was a few months back and it’s true. Dee and Donahue did look like kids. Actually wasn’t she around 18 when that movie came out. I loved her–the poor thing had such a tragic life. Have you ever seen her son? He is the spitting image of his dad, Bobby Darren!!! XOXOXOxO!!!
Cute tops! I’ve taken to wearing no foundation lately, just going for powder over the moisturizer. I haven’t done this in probably my entire adult life so I’m not sure why I’m going it now, LOL. Maybe I will go pick up a tinted moisturizer – great idea!
Hi Cynthia! I can’t wear powder for the life of me. It’s wayyyyy to drying!! Hey. If you pick up a tinted moisturizer–go with an inexpensive one first!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I have dry skin, but the humidity down here takes care of that 😉
I tried some cold shoulder tops, they’re just not comfy on me because they’re either too tight or too loose. They look great on you though!
Love that song, my parents played it on the Hi Fi all the time too and when I hear it now, it brings me right back to our little Bronx apartment. Thanks for the memory 😊
OMG. Margaret!!! You said “Hi-Fi”–growing up, that’s what we called our record player!!! Wasn’t that song iconic?? Thank you though. I’m glad that you are diggin’ those tops on me!! X”OXOXOXOXO!!!
I like the offshoulder trend, however i cannot wear it due to a big scar i got from my 4th shoulder replacement. It looks really good on you!
Hi Gina!! Hey. Scars are reminders. Who cares if you have a scar? But–I can understand if you don’t want to wear the off-the-shoulder look. We have to wear what we feel comfortable in. Thank you though. I’m glad you like the look on me!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I am loving the gingham – it is such a pretty shade of blue and looks perfect (but when do you ever not!) in fact the dress is rather lovely too. I have resurrected my blog and I blame you for the push to crack on and do it 🙂
Oh Juliet!! I’m so glad that you resurrected the blog. Link please?????? I gladly take the blame!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!
http://knitonlybutalso.typepad.com/ There I am 🙂
Loved the Primark and the gingham top. Have a wonderful time in the South of France. Look forward to hearing all about it.
Susan D
Thank you Susan!! I’ll be packing my journals and doing a ton of writing in hopes for some great material upon my return!!! XXOXOXOXOXO!!!