DITA VON TEESE - YOUR BEAUTY MARK : MISTRESS MANIFESTO BOOK REVIEW

Yes, there are a few nudie pictures of burlesque queen Dita in this book, but there are far more pin-up pictures of beautiful Dita, and lots of her without makeup or in the process of putting hers on, which is the point, because this is a book from her unique point of view about how to do your cosmetics.

Dita, it is revealed, has in recent years, paid more attention to natural and organic products, and since she coats all her skin with cosmetics when she is performing, she is also an aficionado of Korean bathhouses and scrubs later, so her pores can really breath.  She is also cautionary about getting any tan, especially not burns, and uses lots of sun screen.  The woman has world famous skin.

She has not been seen blonde (her natural color) or in jeans for many years.  She loves vintage and vintage inspired clothes and make-up, pointing out that her look comes from not one era, and believes that when you find your look (which she calls your "drag,") and your style, it will be so natural to you that you won't mind, say, coloring your hair every two weeks, keeping your fingernails immaculate, or always wearing red lipstick (she owns hundreds of shades of red).

Marilyn Manson, the musician, is referred to as her ex-husband a couple times (she's had only one) and there is one picture of the two of them together.  (I do wish I knew more about their marriage.)

She mentions that she didn't have sex for a year after their divorce, but for those of you hoping that she might tell all about her sexuality, or how many men have more than adored her from afar, this is not the book.

She wanted to be known as simply Dita, but was forced to pick a sur name, which she did with the help of an old fashioned telephone book. 

Her mom and sister are there for her.

She started stripping early, and is called a dancer, but she doesn't dance so much as she poses, and reveals all except the pasties or G-string.  She's famous for wearing crystals by Swarovski, has been a fashion designer muse, and has worked with many a famous photographer.  She works hard to keep her figure, especially Pilates, but also does wear corsets that can move her usual 24 inch waist to 18 inches... She's active in Mac Cosmetics and other fundraisers for people with HIV/AIDS.

Here are some favorite excerpts!

Page 52

"I enjoy life's roller coasters and nowhere does the ride turn wilder than when it comes to love.  Dear Reader, we might not share the same hair color or lipstick shade, but matters of the heart are universal.  Take solace in knowing that Betty Grable, Ava Gardner, and Lana Turner were women with adventurous love affairs and big heartaches.  Even in love there can be heartache.  But just as the road less traveled can be more challenging, it can also be gads more fun.  So live and love!"

(And among lots of information on vintage perfume collecting and her own four original scents)

"There's nothing like the whiff of primal attracti0on, no matter where the individual of interest hails from.  I have found, however, that it's true what they say; body odor as an aphrodisiac is not so embraced among American or Asian men or women as it is among those from other nations.  I've found that European men, on the other hand, always take delight in a little body smell, and I love them for it."

HOW MUCH OF A MAKEOVER DOES SHE REALLY NEED? HE LOVES HER AND HER (OLD) LOOK : ADVICE FROM MISSY

QUESTION FOR MISSY

Dear Missy,

I'm a mistress in New York City and a Classic Case.  The man I've loved for many years is always gone for the holidays so I'll see him again mid-January.  I know he loves me.  I'm fine with almost everything as is.  The other day I was looking in the mirror and I decided that I need a total makeover.  I feel like I'm trying to hard to look too young now.  The problem is that he loves my long hair and I'm so tired of the look and the upkeep.  He also loves my legs and so I always wear short skirts to show them off.  I wear them to work too, because he often meets me after.  My legs are still good, but I feel like I'm trying to be years younger than I am.  He takes me shopping and strongly suggests what we buy.

I'm afraid if I change my hair and my style he's going to hate it.  I think he likes looking at me and likes to be reminded of how I looked when we met close to 20 years ago.  I worry that the transition to looking older is not going to go well in this relationship but I want to age gracefully. I think it's time to make some changes.  Should I just make my changes and surprise him when I see him next ?

Allison

ANSWER FROM MISSY

Dear Allison,

We all age.  He has.  (Is he still wearing the same hair style and clothing he did all those years ago?)  But life isn't fair.  Lots of men who have let themselves go still expect their women to be in great shape. I've know some men who are slobs in their own appearance feel pride that their women are so neatly groomed.  And men seem to cherish that their woman be, or look, younger than they are.  (It's probably deep seated - biology.)

My suggestion would be that you do a make-over gradually.  I don't know how long your hair is, but let's say that if it's down to your bum, you could get maybe four inches taken off.  When he notices don't say anything apologetic or explaining or blaming such as claiming your hair dresser suggested it to get rid of the split ends.  Just say, lightly, "I thought I'd try it."  (Same thing for any color changes or covering the gray.  Don't shock him.  Go the same color or close to it.) 

Tell him things have changed at your work and people are dressing differently there and you want to fit in there rather than stand out.  I think you can start including items in your wardrobe, such as pants that might go with a suit jacket you already own. Just say, lightly, "These are so easy."

When he looks at you, he does notice your hair and your legs, and what you're wearing, but I suggest that when you look at him YOU ALWAYS LOOK HIM IN THE EYES.  Keep the eye contact, Allison.  And my feeling is that this may be the time to remember the romance and reignite it, for which you might also need some new purchases.

Missy

QUESTION FOR MISSY! COULD YOU COMMENT ON THE PRODUCTS YOU USE?

QUESTION FOR MISSY

Hi Missy!

You post on books about style and fashion and cosmetics and made some commentary on cosmetic surgery as well.  So I'm wondering if you could reveal more about your own personal tastes.  What's on your vanity table?  What should I go out and buy?

Roger


ANSWER FROM MISSY

For you or your boyfriend?

OK, Roger, I'll have some fun with your question.

I don't have a vanity table that I sit down at with a big mirror lined with light bulbs!  I try to apply my cosmetics with natural light streaming through the window. I know what you mean though.  Some magazines feature the products that a particular celebrity uses, so I'll pretend I'm one.

Most of the winter I wear the perfume Opium by YSL - YSL OPIUM which I love because of the warm spicy scent.  But for spring and summer, I prefer Flower Bomb by Viktor and Rolf - VIKTOR_ROLF FLOWER BOMB.  Once in a while I get in the mood to wear a perfume called Giorgio of Beverly Hills (not to be confused with Armani) - GIORGIO BEVERLY HILLS).  I think the scent  is just glorious, but it's a bit heavy for popular taste now.  Think high summer, white clothes.  Also I have a neroli oil spritz and a sandalwood oil spritz.  Overall, I don't like to announce my presence with too powerful a perfume. It can be rude when people are allergic or forced to smell a chaos of scents from too many people in a room or just one person with it piled on.

Men sometimes wear too much scent too, with their armpits screaming eucalyptus, their cheeks and neck something else...  I think a man should smell - clean - with just a little on his neck to inhale when you kiss him.  Frank Sinatra liked Ivory Soap. 

So, there are two philosophies about  buying scent:

1) You go out and buy what you like the smell of and wear it because after all, you have to smell it too.

2) You wear the scent that your lover bought for you because he or she likes the smell of  you wearing it.

A compromise?  Wear what he bought you on dates.

As you can tell from reading my posts, I advocate as natural look as possible for daytime, using cosmetics to enhance.  I haven't had cosmetic surgery but I read about it and look at the before and after pictures.  I always wonder how fabulously wealthy celebrities, or at least well connected ones who have so many friends who've had surgery, manage to get botched up jobs!  Can't they get good referrals and afford the best?

I've been giving myself clay based facials for years and think they do wonders for your skin, not just because they help you deep clean and buff the skin when you wash them off with a soft cloth, but because of what they do for your facial skin circulation.  I buy clay based facials from the Freeman line - none of them expensive.    Here is a link to FREEMAN FACIAL PRODUCTS ; I use several products on this page.

I see no reason why men shouldn't use clay facials.

After your skin has had nothing but air on it for a few hours after the "mud pack," particularly before you go to bed, you'll probably want to use a light moisturizing cream on it.

I'm a total fan of OPI AVOJUICE  I even use it on my face.  Their entire line of nail polishes and other products are aimed at hands and feet and manicures so I'D LOVE FOR THEM TO MAKE AVOJUICE UNSCENTED.  (Hey OPI, can you send me some free samples?)  I use natural polish on short nails.  I don't like talons or art galleries on my nails.

I use GARNIER BB CREAM.  Ditto.  (But men, be careful as it will rub off on your collar and inside your hat band!)

So many products have some sun screen in them, but I don't wear sun screen on a daily basis or try to get a tan.  I just get tan living life.  I only wear sun screen if I'm going to be outdoors in a pool.

My favorite lipsticks are from REVLON.  They have an amazing inventory of colors to choose from.  I choose colors that are close to my natural lip color, or just a bit darker.  I don't like the Vampire look.  Recently though I tried an inexpensive lip crayon from Wet and Wild, and for less than $3 it really did seem to last four hours.   - Missy

Image from Graphics Fairy

 

 

C 2015  Missy Rapport/ Mistress Manifesto BlogSpot  All Rights Reserved

TOSS THE GLOSS : MISTRESS MANIFESTO BOOK REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION

TOSS THE GLOSS - GOOD MAKE UP RECLAIMS YOU   Web site for Author Andrea Q. Robinson 

FROM THE BOOK

"Robinson, whose illustrious career has included positions such as the chief marketing officer of Estée Lauder, president of Tom Ford Beauty, beauty editor of Vogue, and president of Ralph Lauren Fragrances, is the ultimate industry insider."

*****

Missy Here!

Andrea is an advocate of natural beauty or the approximation of nature by cosmetics.  That means that you should not be wearing makeup meant for the darkness of a restaurant or a disco to work.

I loved this book.  I even took notes and headed to various drug stores, determined to find the least expensive but good to great products.  Sadly, I spent an entire day going to three of the giant drug store chains in my area, and then to Target, where either they didn't have the full collection by a manufacturer, or the very product in the color I needed was sold out.  Believe this!  I ran into two women - one much older than me and one much younger - while searching for correct colors and textures - and both claimed to be make-up artists for Hollywood stars who had things to say to me about what to purchase.  But when I looked at them, well, their own make up wasn't so great.  They both needed to read this book!

Andrea's recommendations are not based on price.  She manages to give a large range of best of products including the very expensive to good old Dove soap for the complexion.

Did you know that most cosmetic companies forget about women who are forty or over, not targeting their marketing to them, so if you are forty or over you very well may be wearing cosmetics that are all wrong for you - your skin - because they were never designed, created, or marketed for you in the first place?

How about this; there is maybe one eye shadow manufacturer in Europe - in Italy - and so the most expensive to the most inexpensive may just be made there?  (i.e.  why buy expensive shadow?)

How about those dark circles under your eyes?  Should you really even try to cover them up?

At what point should you give in and get an eye tuck or a face lift?

DECLARATION FOR MISTRESSES - Cosmetics

"I will not apply cosmetics in public, especially not at a dining table, and I will not comment on cosmetic surgery in public either."

Seeing a woman putting on mascara while in slow moving traffic the other day made me think that she was a hazard on the road, never mind being distracted by cell phones.  Who needs extra coats of mascara that much?  

Then I thought about those women who are at a dining table, be it a dinner party or in a restaurant, who lift up a knife and use it as a mirror to check their lipstick, the women who put on lipstick just to leave cheap looking smears on it on wine glasses and coffee mugs and cigarette butts, and those women who pull out a compact to check their makeup who seem so self absorbed when they do that.

So instead, go to the ladies room to blot your lipstick (even if it claims to be one of those that lasts 8, 12, 24 hours) before you dine and return there to reapply before you leave, if you feel the need.  Wear natural colors that smooth and moisturize your lips rather than dramatically color them.  Do a good job of putting on your cosmetics before you leave the house, and that means for day wear or casual wear not overdoing it. 

Finally, never comment on someone's cosmetic surgery in public, even if you mean to compliment them.  That is to call attention to them and their surgery when they may not feel like talking about it.  After all, some of them really think they can fool you into thinking those dramatic results came from a week at a spa or the latest expensive cream.

C 2015 Mistress Manifesto BlogSpot

START THE NEW YEAR OUT PITCHING OLD COSMETICS AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

HUFF POST - MAKEUP EXPIRATION DATES  link to full article.  "... it's pretty important to pay attention to makeup expiration dates since a bottle of too-old foundation can quickly turn into a jar of breakout-causing bacteria. Yikes."

Mascara has one of the shortest shelf lives out there, clocking in at around three months.

Anything cream-based (foundation, blush or shadows) last from about 12 to 18 months. Since they contain oil, they tend to break down faster than powder formulas, which can last about two years.

Lipstick expires after a year, while gloss will make it to the 18-month mark. Eye makeup has a decidedly shorter existence. While a pencil liner can last up to 2 years, since you're constantly sharpening it, you should only keep a pot of gel liner for about two months. These formulas break down fast and can contain lots of bacteria.

ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS :  I called my local pharmacy to ask about this.  When it comes to old over the counter drugs, I was told the idea is to throw them in the regular trash along with coffee grinds or old orange peels to deter garbage pickers from using them.  For prescription drugs it is no longer ecology minded to flush them down the toilet or throw them in the trash.  Some may last past the expiration date on the bottle, but call to ask.  Also ask if your local pharmacy collects old scripts for donation or if there are any special recycling events locally.

SHOULD SHE GET HER NOSE FIXED TO PLEASE HIM? : OPINION BY MISSY

QUESTION FOR MISSY

Hi Missy.  I'm in Texas.  I've been a mistress for a couple years and you guessed it, he has oil money.  I'll call him Jared.  Jared thinks I'm sexy and that I have a fantastic body.  He compliments me on my hair, my smile, and the way I dress.  He isn't married, he's divorced, and so he has introduced me to many of his friends and their wives and I don't get the feeling we're sneaking around.  I guess I fit the mistress type because I don't work and he supports me.  This way I'm free to go anywhere with him as he pleases. 

A few months ago Jared suggested that he have my nose fixed as a birthday present to me.  I thought he was joking and brushed the idea off.  Now he wants me to have my nose fixed as a Christmas present.  I'm comfortable with my looks.  My nose is a little big but kind of cute.  Well, that's what most people tell me.  My mom thinks his request is outrageous.  Any advice? 

Roxy

ANSWER FOM MISSY

I'm against it, Roxy, for a few reasons.  Mostly I've been thinking a lot about what Scott Thorson went through with Liberace (I gave Scott a month recently and you can read those posts on this blog.  Use the Google search feature to pull them up.)  I think maybe if you have your nose done Jared will next come up with something else about you he wants to redesign.  If he thinks you're sexy, have a fantastic body, loves your hair and  your smile - that is a lot that pleases him - so why pick on your nose?

Is he a bit controlling?

The other reason I'm against it is that I heard of someone's mistress who did get her nose fixed and her man hated the new nose and before it was all over ...  She stopped before she looked like Michael Jackson but in the end the nose she hated was all she got.  This persnickety man found other reasons to find fault with her and dumped her!  Now every time she looks in the mirror she thinks of what she did for him and hates herself and the way she looks.

I wonder if there is any cosmetic surgery you do want to have?  If so I would suggest to Jared that you want this other surgery.  Otherwise, I think you should tell him you want to end the discussion on this topic.

Missy