Perfect Pin-Up Lashes: Esqido 'Unforgettable' Mink False Eyelashes

Confession no. 1: I haven't worn false lashes in nearly three years. Confession no. 2: I also haven't worn (or featured) a pin-up inspired make-up look in roughly the same time span. Confession no. 3: I really don't know WHY, because when done right, not only do pin-up and falsies go together like peanut butter and jelly, but they're just as marvelous. Too marvelous for words. Like glorious, glamorous and... *breaks into a song*

Yes, pin-up and falsies make me sing Frank Sinatra, AND pull duck faces. You're welcome.

Myself & Kar Yi had the pleasure of visiting Esqido booth at IMATS and chatting with the super friendly Brenda and the rest of the crew (some selfie action ensued as well, which you can check out on my Instagram). I stroked their ridiculously fluttery offerings and eyed Kar Yi's purchase of their 'Little Black Lash' pair with envy, so when Brenda later offered to provide a pair for review, I was super excited!

If you haven't heard about Esqido False Eyelashes The Mink Collection, they're handcrafted, cruelty-free lashes made of mink hair. The benefit of mink is that the hairs are much wispier and also taper at the ends, much like our own lashes, which gives a more natural look. Esqido's mink lashes are also reusable up to 25 times, which somewhat justifies the higher price tag.

I decided on the 'Unforgettable' style* ($42.99 for a pair, currently on sale for $36 with free shipping in the US), which is my favorite kind of falsies: not overly dramatic and gradually increasing in length and thickness towards the outer corners for a slightly winged out effect. As you can see in the close-up, Esqido lashes have a fine cotton band that sits comfortably on the eyes, and the hairs have a beautiful curl to them. I did trim a very small section for a better fit, and applied the lashes using Duo lash adhesive and my Tweezerman slanted tweezers.

Let me tell you that after three years of not wearing any falsies, my application skills were, ekhm, a bit rusty. I can't fault the lashes though - the band wasn't stiff in the slightest, and I thought that with some black eyeliner, the Unforgettable lashes blended very well with my own, mascara-ed lashes for a subtly volumized look (mind you, Esqido recommends not applying any mascara or other products to the lashes themselves). I may however be allergic to something in my lash glue *sheds some allergy-provoked tears*, unfortunately.

Removing the lashes was pretty easy: I placed a cotton square soaked in some Avene micellar water on my eyes, waited a couple seconds, and the lashes slid right off. The brand actually recommends not washing or soaking the lashes at all - you're supposed to remove by running a cotton bud with some make-up remover along the band - but I forgot, and my pair was just fine. I did experience some shedding, which is natural, and I didn't notice it affecting the lashes in any way - they still look brand new. Esqido also suggests cleaning the remnants of lash glue from the band after every use (well, of course) and storing them in their pretty white leather and rose gold case.

All in all, it was a lot of fun to play with a pin-up inspired look and some falsies again after such a long break - I definitely need to do this more often! For my eye make-up, I used Inglot eyeshadows and a mix of black pencil and liquid pen eyeliners. My base is Face Atelier Ultra Foundation in Porcelain set with Make Up For Ever HD powder, and I used Stila Convertible Cream blush in Lillium on the cheeks. I'm also wearing a YSL Rouge Pur lipstick in Pink Grenadine on my lips (discontinued, sorry!).

Do you ever experiment with pin-up inspired make-up looks? How often do you wear false eyelashes?

Disclaimer: The product marked with an asterix (*) is a press sample I received from Esqido for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as free press samples. Thank you for reading!

Seattle's Urban Craft Uprising 2010

This past weekend, Seattle Center Exhibition Hall hosted another edition of Urban Craft Uprising, an indie craft show featuring lots of Etsy shops and other small businesses selling handmade items. It was a perfect opportunity to pick up great unique gifts for the upcoming Holiday season, so the hall was bustling with busy shoppers and enthusiastic sellers. Just take a look!

photo credit: Mr

I really liked The Victory Garden's Christmas tree ornaments and creative neckwear designs!

MeMe's 'Lush-like stuff', as Mr was eager to observe...

These Devout Dolls' two-headed dolls and little deer toys are absolutely amazing, if a tinsy bit creepy :)

Can you spot two busy beauty bloggers talking jewellery?

I picked up a pair of garnet earrings from ElisabethSpace for mum-in-law, an eyeglass case for my little sister-in-law, and this keyring for myself, both from Maluhia Designs. Magic mushrooms are the best! The little pocket mirror was a bonus, how cute?

Will you be gifting any handmade presents this Holiday season? When I was a teenager, I used to make all of my Christmas gifts, including stamping my own wrapping paper! This year however I'll stick to the above-pictured items, and maybe make some bead necklaces for both mums... How about you?

Eyes of Fashion: Irving Penn

"Sensitive people faced with the prospect of a camera portrait put on a face they think is one they would like to show the world. ...Very often what lies behind the facade is rare and more wonderful than the subject knows or dares to believe." —Irving Penn, 1975.

Irving Penn, New York, 1951

Irving Penn was born in 1917 and graduated from the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art in 1938. His career began with the publication of his drawings in Harper's Bazaar, but he became truly famous for his fashion photography in Vogue from 1943 onwards. His style was very calm and simple: he was one of the first photographers to pose his models against a grey or white backdrop. His models seemed as if isolated from the real world. Subjects portrayed in this manner included Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Ingmar Bergman, Simone de Beauvoir and Marcel Duchamp. This clarity and economy of technique earned him the admiration of not only the fashion lovers, but also art collectors. He died at the age of 92, leaving behind the numerous books featuring his work and documents of his working methods.

Marlene Dietrich, New York, 1948.

Girl in Bed on Telephone (Jean Patchett), New York, 1949

Girl Drinking (Mary Jane Russell), New York, 1949

Black and white Vogue cover, 1950

Mouth for L'Oreal, 1986

Kate Moss, 1996

Gisele, New York, April 1 1999

What is your favorite photograph by Irving Penn?

Eyes of Fashion: Richard Avedon

For the past couple of weeks, I've been increasingly interested in photography, both in theory and practice. Following your feedback to this post, I've decided to start a new series, Eyes of Fashion, featuring profiles of the best of the best in fashion photography, who created many of the most memorable and iconic images in the whole industry. Whether you're a fashionista, a vinatge lover, a shutterbug or simply like to admire beautiful photos, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do!


For the first installment, I've had to choose Richard Avedon's work. Avedon was born in 1923 in New York; his first photography job involved taking crewmen identification pictures for the American merchant fleet. in 1944, he began working for a department store, where he was discovered by Harper's Bazaar art director. He soon started working for this fashion magazine, and after setting up his own studio in 1946, also started taking pictures for Life and Vogue. His approach was very innovative at the time: he photographed his models in action, smiling, laughing, jumping. From then on, his career in fashion photography continually flourished, and Avedon also branched out to shoot major political events, music bands as well as ordinary working people. He was a master of portrait photography, seeking to capture his models' personality by evoking different emotions. He died of a brain hemorrhage in 2004 at the age of 81.

Famous examples of his work:

Dovima with elephants, evening dress by Dior, Cirque d'Hiver, 1955

Homage to Munkacsi. Carmen, coat by Cardin, Place François-Premier, Paris, August 1957

Marylin Monroe, actress, 1957

Audrey Hepburn, New York, January 1967

Twiggy, hair by Ara Gallant, Paris Studio, January 1968

Nastassja Kinski and the serpent, Los Angeles, California, June 1981

Kate Moss, January 1997

Which one is your personal favorite? I cannot decide between Homage to Munkacsi and Audrey Hepburn. Let me know if you have any suggestions for the series, my lovelies. Stay put for another installment next month!

Rocaille of the Day: 50's Inspired

This is what I wore to a dinner with Mr on Saturday. I have to admit, a full high waisted skirt with a fitted top is my favorite silhouette of all time, amazingly flattering for hourglass shapes. I'm lusting after a cupcake dress for Christmas...


I'm still struggling a bit with walking in these heels even despite all the advice my incredible husband has given me; and no, I have no idea how he knows how to walk in high heels! I love those laced booties though, simple but eye-catching. Any practical tips for a beginner heel-wearer like me, ladies?

Fitted top: Amisu for New Yorker
High waisted skirt: H&M, Divided
Black tights: ?
Laced up boots: Forever 21
Bag: H&M
Necklace: RE Reserved, last seen here

For those of you in the US, H&M are currently celebrating their 10th US birthday with some great sales - lots of items are either priced at $10, or are $10 off. I got my olive green skirt for just under 15 bucks! Check them out if you have a store near you!


Which vintage clothing decade inspires you the most? xxx