Tag Archives: old hollywood

MAC Runaway Red, I Love You.

Posted on by
Reply

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.”

-Gwyneth Paltrow

 


I’ve been using Instagram a lot lately–it’s kinda my new thing. You’ll see a lot more pictures with cool effects like the ones below.

Yesterday’s weather was VERY dreary. While I usually love weather like that, there’s one thing I can’t stand and that’s the humidity in the air–blah! It was horrid yesterday. When it’s muggy out, it’s impossible to find an outfit & hairstyle that’s going to work. I went simple–black plaid shirt (very Zacky V-*lol*), dark skinnies, knee high boots and a side swept bun. I thought this outfit was cute & casual but was lacking–so I paired it with a skinny belt. All would have been perfect if the hardware on the belt was silver, not gold. It drove me semi crazy because of the silver lining in my shirt.

For makeup, I went with a quick, effortless makeup, my version of Old Hollywood: Neutral Smoked Out Eye & a Bold Red Lip. I know the gals of yesteryear weren’t sporting smokey eyes back then but I like to add my own spin on things. For me, it’s hard to do “inspired” looks, I like to rock what works for me, my skin tone and eye shape.

These are the products I used (notice the vintage-esque filter a la Instagram?)


-UDPP
-MAC Bare Study
-Cover Girl Champagne (on lid & high light for the face)
-MAC Wedge
-MAC Coquette (ONE OF MY FAVE EYE SHADOWS-EVER!)
-MAC Carbon
-NYX Jumbo Pencil in Black Bean
-Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara (…and TONS of it!)

…and the star of the show….

…MAC Runaway Red. Love.

My gorgeous friend, Irene sent this lippy to me–I’m internally grateful. I’ve never been THIS excited about a lipstick (although Revlon Fire & Ice comes in at a close second!). Runaway Red is a medium blue based red that’s super dark. I think this shade would look flattering on most skintones. It doesn’t bleed, no mess on my teeth–I put it on and it stays put! I absolutely love the matte finish.

Hope you’re all having a fabulous Saturday night!! xo

My Iconic Actresses & March Beauty Faves

Posted on by

 

 

****To view the makeup part of this video, skip to about 10 mins.****

For all things fitness, fashion & beauty related, check out my website: www.nancyvalentino.com
Follow Me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/MsGlam710

Products Mentioned:
Books-
The Star Machine
Silent Stars
The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe
The Times We Had

Makeup-
Too Faced Natural Eye Palette
Stila Kitten Smudge Pot
Wet n’ Wild Envy Eye Shadow
Physicians Formula Happy Boosting Powder
MAC Underage Lipglass
MAC Feeling Dreamy Lipglass
L’Oreal Elnett Hairspray
Bath & Body Works Sheer Freesia Lotion & Body Spray

***All products mentioned in this video were purchased personally by myself, and I am in no way affiliated or sponsored by the makers of these products***

The Great Lionel Barrymore

Posted on by

Barrymore

In my opinion, Lionel Barrymore was a really talent actor. I would definitely  consider him to be one of my favorite Old Hollywood actors of all time. Lionel  was absolutely magnificent in “Grand Hotel”; he played Mr. Kringelein-a gentle, kindhearted  and modest man that goes to the “Grand Hotel” to finally enjoy himself for once. From what I have read about Lionel, he really did possess the same kindhearted gentleness as his character, Mr. Kringelein.

Lionel was born in Philadelphia on April 12th, 1878 and began his career around the 1890′s on Broadway and started his film career in 1911 with D.W. Griffith.  I haven’t had the opportunity to see many of his silent pictures but I would l love to. I hear many of them are lost though.

In 1926, Lionel was pretty much exclusively working for MGM studios and in 1928 he worked opposite Gloria Swanson ( I heart her!) in Sadie Thompson.  It’s an amazing movie; I thought it was a very different yet interesting subject matter for its time.  In 1931, he won an Academy Award for his performance in “A Free Soul”. Yet another amazing performance as an alcoholic defense attorney  who defends his daughter’s  ex boyfriend on murder charges.  He gave this outstanding 14 minute monologue and I’ve read that that speech is primarily the reason why he won the Academy Award.

Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore in "Grand Hotel"

Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore in "Grand Hotel"

“You Can’t Take It With You” is another favorite of mine- my goodness, I could really go on and on about all of the movies I have enjoyed him in. He usually played the “grouchy but sweet loveable old man” & I love that!  Probably one of his best known roles is when he played Mr. Potter in “It’s A Wonderful Life”. I didn’t even recognize him because he looked a lot older and played a really mean character.

Lionel Barrymore died in 1954 at the age of 76. I’m glad that I have gotten  familiar with his work because  he really was  a stunning actor.

The Great Anita Page

Posted on by

anitapage1

With pretty much every day being either cloudy or raining, I have found myself in the house more-watching old movies. There is just something so fitting about it; it makes me think about those who have been forgotten. It’s pretty crazy to think that Doug & Mary were the Brad & Angelina of the ‘20’s but it’s true!! Who are Doug & Mary you ask? See, that’s what I mean. How can a person who was so famous back then be totally forgotten today? My generation has no clue who Mary Pickford was, what the Ziegfeld Follies were or know who creative, misunderstood geniuses such as Erich Von Strohiem were.

Anita Page is another one of those stars that have sadly been forgotten about. Anita was born in 1910 and reached her stardom at the end of the silent film era. One of my personal favorites is when she played “Kentucky” in ‘Our Modern Maidens’ (opposite Joan Crawford, another idol of mine). In fact, I really enjoyed her in most of her films. She has that girly charm & innocence. I love Joan Crawford but there is no way Ms. Crawford could express that same vulnerability as Anita; especially in her early career-she was too much of a firecracker, in my opinion!

our-dancing-daughters-1Left to right: Dorothy Sebastian, Joan Crawford, and Anita Page

Anita was leading lady to actors such as: Clark Gable, Buster Keaton and my personal favorite, Robert Montgomery (*swoon*). Around this time it was said that she was receiving more mail than any other actress at MGM. Anita pretty much shocked everyone when in 1933, at the age of 23, she decided to retire from films. She disappeared from the screen for 60 years!!! In an interview conducted in 2004 (yes, 2004! you do the math), she said that what truly ended her career was her refusal to meet sexual demands by MGM’s head of production, Irving Thalberg. That actually comes as a surprise to me; I could totally see LB Mayer requesting sexual favors but Irving Thalberg?! LB pretty much threatened ruined her reputation after that so she walked away.

She married a Lieutenant and eventually became a Navy wife. They were married until his death in 1991. Anita returned to the screen in 1996 and did some work in low budget horror films. Around this time, Anita gave several interviews and was listed as one of the last silent stars. Although she didn’t work for 60+ years, I really do consider her the last great silent star. Many actresses gave sexual favors in order to further their careers (the infamous Blue movie, Miss Crawford??). Anita chose not to do this and I totally respect her for that. Anita was THE LAST SURVIVING attendee of the 1st Academy Awards show in 1929! How awesome is that?? She died at the age of 98 on September 6, 2008. She was a beautiful person and I’m glad her work can still be enjoyed Old Hollywood fans, like myself.

anitapage2