Our heroine is no stranger to the plight of unrequited love.  You see, she’s got a penchant for falling for boys that reside exclusively in the pages of dusty old tomes. Boys she’ll never have. Between studying each note in every Nick Cave song and idealized romanticism, she found no time for the flesh and blood male. Until one found her. And wouldn’t go away. Thus she allowed him into her inner sanctum. Unsure how to proceed with such a creature, the flesh and blood boy did as all flesh and blood boys do.  He broke her heart.

At a loss, she retreated to her place of solace and plucked and single yellow lily.

He loves me…

He loves me not…

The last petal fell to the ground. She still didn’t know.

Emotion had led her astray, so she realized that rely on logic she must.

She slit his throat and buried him in a bed of flowers.

And where the blood once fell, yellow lilies grow.

Only the black garden knows all her secrets. But she prefers “Jardin Noir”. She thinks French words make her sound more sophisticated…

For an anything but “garden variety” look:

Start with a chic, versatile* blouse such as the Black Tales, White Lies What Comes Around Goes Around Long Sleeved Button Up Top in the black/white colorway for a touch of polished elegance. The circular black and white striped ruffle detail around the neckline makes the shirt stand on its own, so no need for additional accessories.  Save your gargantuan “statement necklace” for another time, s’il vous plait.

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Embrace the lace in Tomorrow’s Parties Yesterday Floor Length Skirt in a black/ivory colorway. It’s nearly impossible not to fall in lust with the lace overlay and ruffle finish. The sash ties into a decorative bow in the back, which draws attention to your posterior in a more refined way than having JUICY emblazoned across your ass.

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Ridiculously high platformed matte black Mary Janes save you from collecting various foliage in your skirt’s ruffles without distracting from the rest of your ensemble.

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The ever necessary black lace parasol shields you from carcinogenic rays AND doubles as a murder weapon. Since you’re apparently gother than thou, most people will dismiss the blood stains as mere decoration.

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PVC batwinged skull hair clips add a helping of sugary girlie gloom.

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For delicately dreamy waves:

-  Apply a small amount of volumizing mousse to slightly damp hair.

-  Blow dry with a diffuser until completely dry.

-  Separate into 1- 1 1/2 “ sections .

-  Curl with a medium barrel curling iron

-  Coil each curled section around your finger.

-  Slide the curl off your finger .

-  Insert a bobby pin to hold it in place.

-  Repeat the process until you have curled and pinned the remainder of your hair in an identical manner.

-  Spritz with hair spray to extend the life of your creation.

-  Unpin all the curls

-  Run fingers through all the curls to give them a looser, more natural appearance.

Chin length hair? Chelsea? Mohawk?

Just wig it , girls.

Alas stay clear of the Halloween section at Party City and visit a reputable wig shop in your area.

I scored this black piece at a Manhattan shop for $60. I’ve tricked it out with ultra cute gothy hair accessories for the club and kept it corporately cool in the office.

• Get more mileage out of your Blacklist favorites!

This Black Tales, White Lies What Comes Around Goes Around Long Sleeved Button Up

can also:

-Be paired with a matching black fitted blazer, a well tailored pencil skirt and round toe pumps for a sleek 9 to 5 approved corporate goth look.

-Dress up a pair of distressed denim jeans to add some “I look really hot without even having try” flair to your daily wardrobe.

Gilt Trip

Because black eyeliner was so “Fetish Aristocracy”.

Because you’ll outshine all the other girls…literally.

General Prep Work

You will need:

Moisturizer ,Primer , Concealer, Liquid Foundation, Foundation Brush, Translucent Powder, Powder brush

Wash your face with a cleanser formulated especially for your skin type. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth. Prep your skin with moisturizer before applying concealer in order to ensure a smoother, flake free application.  Before proceeding any further allow your skin to properly absorb the moisturizer. This should take about 10 minutes. Since foundation worn alone often has a nasty habit of settling in the fine lines around your mouth, near your eyes and on your forehead, I highly recommend using a primer after you’ve moisturized your face. Utilizing a small amount of primer helps to fill in unflattering expression lines, pores and scars, thus allowing foundation to actually do its job! Nix blemishes and skin discoloration by gently patting concealer over the trouble area. Follow by blending with your ring finger.

Apply a liquid foundation that best matches your skin tone to your face and neck with a foundation brush (A full dome shaped brush works beautifully). Start by applying small dots in the center of your face and then moving outward]. Set everything in place by finishing off with a thin coat of translucent powder.  Use a full, round shaped powder brush for optimal results.

Prep your lids with eyeshadow primer, whose job is to neutralize the colour of your lids which in turn makes for brighter more vibrant shadow. It also prevents said shadow from creasing.

Eyes:

You will need:

Eyeshadow primer, Black eyeliner, Shimmering bronze crème eye shadow pencil,  Rich sparkly loose copper pigment,Frosted gold eyeshadow, Pressed pearly white eyeshadow, Eyeshadow brush with a round/tapered edge, Blending brush, Eyelash curler, Black mascara

For sexy copper toned lids, color in your entire eyelid from lashline to crease  with a shimmering bronze crème eye shadow pencil. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

Grab a brush with a tapered/rounded edge and dip it into the sparkly loose copper pigment. Gently tap, DO NOT SWIPE, the pigment across your entire eyelid from lashline to crease. Tapping the pigment on results in much higher color payoff. Cover the entire area that you’ve previously filled in with your bronze crème eye shadow pencil. See Figure 2. This will double up on the copper shade and ensure that your lids are visible across the dancefloor in a dimly lit bar. After all you never know who you’ll need to bat them from a distance ;)

Figure 2

Using a blending brush add some metallic orange based copper eyeshadow to the outer crease of your eye and bring it down to your lashline on the outer corner of your eyelid. Your creation should be in the shape of the letter “V”. If you shave and draw your brows on you can extend the shadow past your crease and onto the lower part of your browbone, since you obviously have more room to work with. Clean the orange eyeshadow off your blending brush. Starting at the inner crease of your eye swipe some frosted gold eyeshadow outward toward where the metallic orange based copper eyeshadow sits. If you’re devoid of eyebrows, feel free to extend the shadow past your crease and onto the lower part of your browbone just. When you’re done, the outer part of your crease(and some of your browbone if you’re eyebrowless) should be a bold orangey copper shade, while the inner part should be a frosty gold color. Blend both shades into each other at their meeting point which should lie somewhere at the halfway point in the crease of your eye. Then blend both shades into the rich loose copper pigment that you added in Figure 2. Yet again clan your blending brush and after you’ve done so,  highlight your browbone with a healthy dose of pearly white eyeshadow, which should be placed directly under your eyebrows[regardless if they’re fake or natural]. Blend the pearly white eyeshadow into the two colors that you’ve blended into your crease, the orangey copper and the frosted gold. Light shimmery shadows placed directly under the eyebrow’s arch really help to bring your whole eye makeup together. Line your bottom lid starting from the outer corner of your eye , slowly making your way toward the inner corner. Most of the color should be concentrated in the outer corner. Curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler and top off with 2 coats of black mascara.

Face:

You will need:

Blush brush, Pink blush, Bronzer

Behold the power of cheekbone contouring! Swipe some pressed bronzer onto your blush brush. Starting mid-cheek, going towards your ear apply the bronzer into the hollows of your cheeks using short, up-and-down vertical strokes.  As I’ve previously explained, darker shades have the tendency to give you those coveted slightly gaunt cheekbones, since they give the illusion of the hollows of your cheeks receding. Using the same technique add pink blush to the apples of your cheeks, which will cause them to protrude. Make sure to blend it well in order to avoid harsh lines which can make you look like you got punched in the face.

Lips:

You will need:

Flesh toned lip liner, Shimmery copper lip gloss

Use a flesh toned lip liner to fill in your lips starting at the center of your natural lip line and moving toward the outer corners. This will keep migrating lipgloss at bay. Now let’s rock some shimmery copper lipgloss to continue the precious metal makeup theme. Beginning in the center of your upper lip, gently press the gloss wand into the flesh of your lip and then proceed to roll it over the entire top lip area, working toward the edges. See Figure 3.

Now go forth and execute your crimes of passion…

But never fashion.

<3

Vanity Kills

Credits:

Photography:

Fashion shots by:

Jennifer Link

http://jennifer-link.com

Makeup shots by:

Meagan Kyla

http://www.modelmayhem.com/1004843

Model:

Vanity Kills

http://www.modelmayhem.com/vanitykills

Location:

Buffalo Japanese Garden

The Duchess

Surrounded by fineries and enveloped in splendor the duchess politely smiles as she takes her afternoon tea.  All pleasantries and proper demeanor she savors the taste of Early Grey, drank pinky up, amongst her fellow well bred ladies of polite society. In her mind’s eye she pictures the looks of horror on their collective prudish faces had they discovered that she was indeed wearing vinyl knickers under her bustled mourning skirt .Such thoughts fill her heart with much glee.

click to view full size

Channel her libertine style in:

Blacklist Core Long Sleeved Ruffle Dress Shirt in the black colorway. The sleek timeless cut makes it the cornerstone of any elegant ensemble. Pair with a black underbust corset or waist cincher to create a flattering silhouette. I opted for a medically inspired cameo corset, but the #83-164 Waist Cincher from Lippy’s Blacklist collection would look simply exquisite paired with the Long Sleeved Ruffle Dress Shirt as well.

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Indulge in the drama and dark romance of Vice’s Duchess de Sade II Victorian Mourning Skirt in the Blood colorway.  Guaranteed to garner many a jealous stare at the next gala. For added oomph layer a crinoline or a hoop skirt under this show stopping garment.*

*I highly recommend doing so due to the length of the skirt. If your tallest boots happen to be stompy 8” platforms that otherwise clash horribly with your outfit, a floor length petticoat will help to camouflage them nicely.

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If Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette movie can substitute The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees and New Order for the usual classical and baroque compositions on its soundtrack , then you don’t need to worry about your headwear being an exact replica of a hat you spotted in a televised adaptation of a Charles Dickens novel. I’m not here to teach you history, I’m here to present you with the anatomy of a fabulous get up :)  I happen to think that black hats embellished with feathers, ribbons and fabric roses are fabulous indeed.

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Protect the skin you’re in from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays WHILE staying chic by toting a parasol around on all your daylight adventures about town. My preference lies in a black gothic Lolita inspired piece adorned with mini silver crosses, black lace and filigree medallions.

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To score some easy loosely wound romantic curls:

- Apply a small amount of volumizing mousse to your hair.

- Separate hair into 1”-2” sections.

-Starting at 2”-3” away from the scalp begin winding your hair around the barrel of a curling iron.

-Hold curl for 10 to 15 seconds.

-Release curling iron.

-Repeat until you have curled the rest of your hair.

-Spray with enough hair spray to make your hair an official fire hazard

-Resist touching!

The Dandyette

The dandyette wears what she pleases unrestrained by gender roles, societal norms or the opinion of envious naysayers who secretly wish they were her. Quoting Wilde and Bauldelaire in between sips of absinthe, she transforms the criticism of those with a most unfortunate fashion sense into pure poetry.  Arrogance suits her like a well tailored coat. To cross her is to commit social suicide.

Revel in the flavor of dandy candy in:

Menswear inspired elegance with a distinct feminine feel is the dandyette’s trademark look. Flirt with androgyny without the fear of looking like your Fourth Grade PE teacher by layering a Black Tales White Lies Tattle Tale Victorian Crop Jacket in the ivory/black colorway over the Dusk ‘Till Dawn Stretch Poplin Tuxedo Ruffle Top also in the ivory/black colorway. Both by Blacklist. Avoid any potential “matador” or “circus ringmaster” references by coupling with a plain black waist cincher of your choice. Yet again the #83-164 Waist Cincher from Blacklist would be most suiting.

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If the boobs weren’t a dead giveaway, combining the above mentioned top and jacket with statement making lace trimmed black PVC bloomers won’t let the boys forget that you’re still a girl under all their clothes. Not even for a second.

(Bloomers made with DIY love by my roommate Melanie)

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White socks like these would make the Dandy Highwayman himself, Adam Ant, very very proud. Simple black PVC platforms bring the whole ensemble home.

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Black top hats make everything fine and dandy.

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A sleek understated ponytail won’t upstage your fanciful attire.

The Magic is in the Makeup

General Prep Work

You will need:

Moisturizer ,Primer , Concealer, Liquid Foundation, Foundation Brush, Translucent Powder, Powder brush

Wash your face with a cleanser formulated especially for your skin type. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth. Prep your skin with moisturizer before applying concealer in order to ensure a smoother, flake free application.  Before proceeding any further allow your skin to properly absorb the moisturizer. This should take about 10 minutes. Since foundation worn alone often has a nasty habit of settling in the fine lines around your mouth, near your eyes and on your forehead, I highly recommend using a primer after you’ve moisturized your face. Utilizing a small amount of primer helps to fill in unflattering expression lines, pores and scars, thus allowing foundation to actually do its job! Nix blemishes and skin discoloration by gently patting concealer over the trouble area. Follow by blending with your ring finger.

Apply a liquid foundation that best matches your skin tone to your face and neck with a foundation brush (A full dome shaped brush works beautifully). Start by applying small dots in the center of your face and then moving outward]. Set everything in place by finishing off with a thin coat of translucent powder.  Use a full, round shaped powder brush for optimal results.

Prep your lids with eyeshadow primer, whose job is to neutralize the colour of your lids which in turn makes for brighter more vibrant shadow. It also prevents said shadow from creasing.

The Duchess

Smoky eyes for a blue blood girl

Eyes:

You will need:

Eyeshadow primer, Black eyeliner, Matte black eyeshadow,  Pressed brown eyeshadow,  Pressed steel gray eyeshadow, Pressed pearly white eyeshadow, Eyeshadow brush with a round/tapered edge, Blending brush, Eyelash curler, Black mascara

Using a brush with a round/tapered edge swipe some matte black eyeshadow starting at the inner corner of your eye all the way to your outer corner. This should form a semi thick solid black line. Try to keep the line as close to your lashes as possible. It need not be super precise. We shall blend our asses off later. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

Starting directly above the line of black eye shadow that you’ve just applied, add some pressed brown shadow. Fill in the entire surface of the lid with the brown shade right up to your crease. Blend some steel gray eyeshadow to the outer crease of your eye and bring it down to on the outer corner of your eyelid. The steel gray shadow you just added should be in the shape of the letter “V”. If you shave and draw your brows on you can extend the shadow past your crease and onto the lower part of your browbone, since you obviously have more room to work with. Clean that blending brush and after you’ve done so, highlight your browbone with a healthy dose of pearly white eyeshadow.

Blend, blend, blend and blend some more!

Grab your trusty black kohl and line your bottom lid starting from the outer corner of your eye, slowly making your way toward the inner corner. Most of the color should be concentrated in the outer corner. Personally, I prefer to put on eyeliner after eyeshadow and before mascara. Curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler and top off with 2 coats of black mascara.

Face:

You will need:

Blush brush, Peachy pink blush, Bronzer

Let’s make those cheekbones pop! Swipe some pressed bronzer  onto your blush brush. Starting mid-cheek, going towards your ear apply the bronzer into the hollows of your cheeks using short, up-and-down vertical strokes. Darker shades will give the illusion of the hollows of your cheeks receding. Now using the same technique add a peachy pink blush to the apples of your cheeks, which will cause them to protrude. Use translucent powder to blend between the two colors in order to avoid obvious lines.

Lips:

You will need:

Flesh toned lip liner, Shimmering light pink lip plumping gloss

Filling in your entire lip area prevents your lip color from fading and feathering throughout the course of your drunken debauchery filled nights. Use a flesh toned lip liner to fill in your lips starting at the center of your natural lip line and moving toward the outer corners. Shimmering light pink lips balance out the heaviness of the eyes. Beginning in the center of your upper lip, gently press the gloss wand into the flesh of your lip and then proceed to roll it over the entire top lip area, working toward the edges. See Figure 2.

Figure 2

Repeat the process on your bottom lip. To ensure that your gloss sticks to your mouth and not your teeth put your index finger in your mouth, then proceed to slide it out slowly with your mouth still closed. This will remove any excess lip color.

The Dandyette

Play up your eyes with “gender neutrals”.

Eyes:

You will need:

Espresso eyeshadow , Bronze eyeshadow, Frosty white (brow bone highlight)
Black eyeliner kohl (above lashes), Eyelash curler, Black mascara (lash), Eyeshadow brush with a round/tapered edge, Blending brush,

With the help of a black kohl eyeliner, line your entire upper lid stopping right at the outer corner. Stay as close to the lashline as you can and for the love of all things holy do not wing out said liner. You might be tempted to, but JUST DON’T DO IT! See Figure 3.

Figure 3

Fill in the entire surface of the lid with an espresso eyeshadow shade right up to your crease using an eyeshadow brush with a round/tapered edge.  Follow up with just a hint of bronze eyeshadow added to the outer crease of your eye with aid of a blending brush.  Clean your trusty blending brush. Add a small amount of a frosty white eyeshadow to your browbone.. Curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler and top off with 2 coats of black mascara. See Figure 4.

Figure 4

Lips:

You will need:

Nude lip gloss

Too cool for lipliner, our heroine chooses a nude lip. See Figure 5

Figure 5

And so the Duchess and the Dandyette spent their days strolling about the gardens as if they owned place.

Well, they sort of did.

After the arsenic lace tea party incident anyway…

You see the Duke did not think to make her sign a prenup.

Credits:

Photography:

Aaron Kondziela

http://aaronkondziela.com

Models:

The Duchess –Vanity Kills

http://www.modelmayhem.com/vanitykills

The Dandyette-Meagan Kyla

http://www.modelmayhem.com/1004843

Location:

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

http://www.buffalogardens.com

And to all a good night!

<3

Vanity Kills