Stylish Thought

Long before Beyonce donned a Bettie Page wig and became Hunny B, beautiful women in contorted positions, curled hair and round hips were the epitome of sex appeal and fantasy. From Jane Mansfield to Dita Von Teese, the art of the Pin-Up is alive and seductively kicking and recently I got to experience the feminine power that is the pin-up girl.

My Day as a Pin-up

So what do I have in common with Marilyn and Betty (besides a sizeable rack and penchant for alcohol)? When I reached Celeste Giuliano’s Philadelphia studio I would soon find out. Vintage movie posters lined the walls opposite ceiling-high closets packed with polka dot and sailor inspired dresses, high waisted shorts and enough stacked heels to make any vintage lover swoon.  In the corner across from the makeup and hair stations was a retro 1940s salon hair dryer and a bubblegum pink stove sitting in the studio. Celeste spares no novelty in her retro wonderland where she transforms everyday women into beautiful, pin-ups. This isn’t just her business, it’s her way of life.

A dark-haired, petite and bubbly woman Celeste, who attended the University of the Arts, greeted me, introduced me her all girl (and highly experienced) team and showed me the outfits she chose based on our phone consultation.  A red polka dot halter dress, a navy sailor dress with a sweetheart neckline and the dress I ultimately wore, a cherry print halter dress with neon green straps were picked with the expertise of a professional with over 10 years experience. Garters clasped, hair coiffed in cascading victory rolls and my face  unrecognizably beautiful, I was ready for my close-up.

A bright red backdrop set with a white oval mirror, vintage hat boxes, gloves and a compact mirror awaited. My own personal dressing room. What I thought would be awkward and feel like extreme dress-up, felt natural and empowering. As I tucked my knees in and thrusts my hips out I felt womanly powers flowing through me. Walking in the footprints of some of the sexiest women alive and damn did it feel good. Before I knew it, Celeste said “You’re finished.” I walked away feeling euphoric and wishing I could live as a pin-up every day.

How to bring a little Pin-Up Sex Appeal in your life

Pin-ups will always be the mysterious vixens that stare seductively from a photo, whether it’s for war soldiers missing the comforts of home or a crowd of fans at a burlesque revue. In the brief time that I donned garters and a ruby red pout, I realized that any woman can bring a bit of pin-up sex appeal to her everyday life. Buy a pair of garters and wear them to the supermarket, opt for a devil red manicure instead of your usual pale pink or unbutton the top 3 buttons on your cardigan (be work-appropriate of course). Ultimately, the feminine power of the pin-up is in knowing that true sex appeal and beauty transcends time and that every woman can be a pin-up.

For more information or to book your own Pin-Up photoshoot visit Celeste Guiliano. See one of my pin up pictures.

And because who can resist Beyonce

As I much as I love and adore fashion, I am equally obsessed with hair and hairstyles. I recounted my hair-evolution and it seems a hairstyle can’t tie me down. I’ve recently (in the past year) been addicted to hair weaves, both as protective styling and convenience. So in this dire “R” world, the do-it-yourselfer in me, decided to chuck the salon and stylist and attempt to learn how to apply extensions.

Meet Sidnee! Everyone say hello! The newest addition to the Stylish Thought clan. Me and my gurl (mannequin head) are going to learn the techniques and try some new hairstyles on for size. This should be interesting.

This past weekend I did my first sew-in and after much trial & error, and stabbing myself with the needle (thank goodness for your plastic scalp Sidnee) I think I’m getting the hang of it. Eventually I’d love to do a HUGE CURLY FRO… a la these… (Oh luscious curls to drool over)  While my natural hair can achieve this it lacks the length, which explains my fondness for extensions.

Stay Tuned for the next installment of Hair Idol and catch the antics of Sidnee Stiletto and Ms. Thought…we’re the new Ryan Seacreast and Simon

Hair is a woman’s crowning glory and is often very telling. I’ve recently gone through a hair transformation and was contemplating my own hair journey. I get bored easily and change my hair quite often, one style is never sufficient. Currently I’m wearing long blunt bangs, but I’ve had everything under the sun and wonder if I’ll ever find a hairstyle that I love. Or maybe changing hairstyles is what I love. At the moment the bangs are perfect, but how will I feel in a month, 6 months, maybe a Mohawk will be in order. I’ve been going through my hair-story and am wondering what the next chapter has in store.

What has your hair been through? What’s your hair story?

Way before Jessica Simpon and Ken Paves got Hair U Can Wear and those horrible hairpiece stands in the malls, Black Girls, Latinas, Boliquas, Hoodrats in every hood and urban area, already knew the virtue of extensions, hair pieces, clip-ons and falls. We had it on lock. I like to think of this as a self-effacing blog, no way any kind of authority. I’m just a style lover who’s willing to try anything. And hair pieces don’t get exluded. Not does my need to share that with you.

My big curly top, had to go, at least for a little while (it will be back). In the meantime I needed something quick and easy. I’m not exactly a hair-nista and simplicity is key when it comes to my skill set and time management. So a hair piece is the easiest thing to tackle in the early morning while still looking good (which is imperative). This is what I came up with when I emerged from the BSS store.

As I explore wearing wigs and more hairpieces I promise to bring your many more self-revealing post. Ain’t no shame in my game! If you can stand it.

What are your thoughts on wearing wigs, hairpieces, etc?

Widely overlooked and vastly underutilized, hair is an essential aspect of one’s persona. The topper of all toppers, hair is a natural accessory that can enhance your style or deter from it (depending on what your aim is). Throughout my life hair has been an important part of my own persona and style. Growing up Sunni Muslim, wearing a head covering has clearly given me many a hang-up about the importance of hair. I mean it wasn’t until college that I actually began to wear my own hair in public and since a hair-raising (pardon the pun) search for the quintessential hairstyle has ensued.
Initial attempts at a hair-love experience were tempered with typical-ness. I wore my hair straight and flat, mostly. A curl here, a curl there, but nothing that screamed, “HAIR I AM!” Drama is essential in developing my taste level and style, whether it is simple or eccentric. Your fringe should add something to conversation and I have eventually discovered was my hair is shaking, rattling and rolling to be BIG!

Not for the scary or faint of heart, big hair is hair that makes an entrance before it’s actual owner (that’s the real definition, I looked it up). Big hair in the country music sense of the word alerts all that the owner is large and in charge and potentially pompous and royal (have you seen the wigs on those 18^th century cats?) Needless to say, all of this fits my bill to a tee, and while I may shy away from being pompous in attitude, pompous hair is quite fine with me (pompous hair, pompadour, coincidence I think not)

(Ridiculously big hair)

So all of this pomp and circumstance is to say, have you taken a good look at your hair today? What is it saying about you? My is Big…Big hair, Big spirit, Big personality… just look at Amy Winehouse, ok maybe not the best example but you get my drift.