CoonHound

This post today is inspired by someone who I didn't know of until she became the girl with the 'Coon eyes.

While I agree with the general public/fashion police that Taylor Momsens's attempt to pull of the look is classified as 'fail', I am highly in favor of the idea itself. This comes at an especially exciting time after shows have been a lot more focused on a fresh face with pared down makeup. I am a big fan of smokey eyes, and I think her fault was not in the goth look, but that ever important factor of location. She goes too far down on the bottom lash, yet doesn't use the full space she has to her eyebrow, which I think for her face is fair game. There's also the factor of gradient, which she could have taken advantage of instead of the solid black color, because it didn't give her depth or do her blue eyes any favors.

I'm also a firm believer that makeup is one of the most essential styling tricks and accessories that we have to work with, and I don't think that this makeup was appropriate for her getup. It became too costumey. One could also mention her obvious roots as a faux pas, but I like the look- it reminds me of Shakira and her Dirty Laundry days, but I digress...
  As Glamour magazine would say, Taylor Momsen's eye makeup is a DON'T, so let's take a look at a DO...especially now that it's the festive month of Halloween, in which it is necessary to take risks, go bold, and embrace your inner emo! Even if it's just for one night.

The DO is one that I've just happened upon, and that's at the Chanel Spring 2011 RTW. I love the clothes, but the beauty and accessories take the lead in this show for me. Check it out. What is not to love?? This girl (above) is beautiful and she utilizes both methods that Ms. Momsen did not: location and gradient. This model has a little bit more space than Taylor between her eye and eyebrow, but still works the shading all the way up to the brow effectively because she kept it most dramatic at the lash line. Like Taylor, she has light eyes, and the greater emphasis at the lash line is a lot more flattering. I also love, love, LOVE the earrings. I would wear these to work, seriously. This other model here (left) makes me want to chop off all my hair and bleach it blonde- something that doesn't happen often. I love her look, and the finishing touch of the black line on the part is great- and is almost a nod to those with black roots. The other ways that make the dark eyes work are that this bold angry eye is paired with feminine threads that have color. In each of the models, you can also see a hint of emerald, azure, and silver blended into the black smokey shadows.

I think this is a look that can be pulled of during the day (carefully) or a night out. Toning it down a little does help- like this

There's also the ability to take advantage of the 'new' neutrals of fall to use as a smokey eye, to mix with or use in place of black. Navy and cocoa are great alternatives. I've definitely done the navy on many nights out. A deep purple is also fun to do.  Now to figure out how to wear black lipstick...

Spring's favorite girl you've never heard of

Balmain Spring 2011 (style.com)

Freja Beha Erichsen  has a unique look that has definitely got me to take notice. I'm just surprised how she is not yet at 'Tao' (as in Okomoto) status. As I was going through the Spring 2011 RTW collections, I first thought, 'have I seen this girl before?', and then it evolved into 'there she is again!' until after the zilliionth time that I saw her, I finally made note of her name. Although I don't believe she's had the honor of opening any shows this season (maybe I'm wrong), she apparently opened for Miu Miu in the fall of 2005. This spring show you can find her walking the walk for Stella McCartney, Celine, Lanvin, Balenciaga, Balmain, Bottega Venetta, Versace, Prada, and Gucci among many others. See? It's no joke; this girl is everywhere. So what is it about this Dane that makes her so desirable in spite of her normal, wispy brown hair? (remember, high fashion and silly hair are nearly synonymous.) First of all, I think her look is defined by her jaw line. She has a very masculine
/androgynous lower jaw bone that creates a lovely little shadow while she's on the catwalk. Her look is very easily rough and calls to mind a late 80's/early 90's rocker chick- which isn't a huge leap considering her 16 tattoos and counting. She also looks like a model version of Sigourney Weaver, and anyone who's seen Alien knows she's badass.

At the same time, Freja can look very sleek and ladylike. Lastly, she's quite versatile: depending on the show, I'd guess she was Russian, Mongolian, Argentine or American. Either way, I think she is one of those 'acquired tastes' kinds that I was at first slightly annoyed by, like Georgina Stojilkovic, but one that I have grown to look forward to seeing in each show that comes out. One of these days I'll do a post of the models I think should be the it girls, which will definitely include Heloise Guerin and Tayane Leão.

Freja in Michael Kors and Diesel in Spring2011 (photos: style.com)