Nothing screams nostalgia like Christmas, which is why this issue’s Indulge column pays homage to the classic era of 50’s Hollywood. Understated glamour, glitz, and a “Ho, Ho Ho” lot of festive fun!
Mother of two Rose Scott has been living in Beijing for three and a half years with her husband and super cool kids, four-year-old son Charlie and one-year-old daughter Hazel. When Scott is not on momtrepreneur ventures with either her Yoga classes at Taozi Tree Yoga or children’s classes at Blossom Montessori and Let’s Play, you will find her and the family biking around the city together.
Scott is a mom who likes to dress up for a night out on the tiles with husband Charlie or friends, but rarely has the time to don dresses and make-up with her growing family and work schedule. She told us about the first time in a long while she had the chance to put on glitter eyeshadow for her wedding anniversary. But Scott loves glitz and glam, and this was the perfect opportunity to remind her of why!
It’s Christmas season and with this festive period comes not only mulled wine, cocktails served in vintage glasses, and mince pies, but also parties galore. It’s a time to indulge in good food and good company, and ultimately a time to put on the glad rags and sport your favorite lipstick. There is no better era than the golden era of Hollywood to get one into the nostalgic celebratory mood, and indulge in all things glamorous.
Christmas is all about going back: back to visit and spend time with family and loved ones, revisiting your favorite recollections during cold winter nights in, and the partaking of dishes that open the floodgates of childhood memories. So we went back, way back, and left no glamor stone unturned.
Scott’s transformation into 50’s Hollywood goddess began with a golden, platinum blonde color treatment on the hair. The inspiration for her look of course began and ended with Marilyn Monroe; however, Scott brought her own unique edge to her styling and look. Her wonderful openness and kindness reflected in her smile and eyes, as stylist and color technician Ken from Catherine de France Salon worked his magic on her tresses. Ken is a seasoned professional at the salon, and knows his way around styling and color. Scott’s blonde was softened with a toner, blow-dried, and wrapped around medium sized curlers. The look was finished with backcombing and careful fixing with holding spray.
Monroe was known for her natural demure look, made to pop with her signature red lips, and eyes that laughed beneath bold lashes and the flick of black eyeliner. The salon’s in-house makeup artist was simply shown the look we were going for as inspiration and was able to help Scott embody the Monroe aesthetic.
The wow factor – the red cocktail gown kindly loaned to us by LOVA Weddings – added the glitz we were looking for, and handmade jewelry by Antonia Sampson the class. Award-winning jewelry designer Sampson chooses the best pearls for her discerning customers. Each pearl is hand selected and carefully picked out from some of the best suppliers in Asia. Scott beamed in pearls on the ears, wrist, and neck, and was Christmas cocktail party ready! Then we were off to a swanky, nearby cocktail bar named Herbal to take some glamour shots.
Hard-working moms need a respite from their daily obligations and responsibilities; a chance to transform from everyday mom to celebratory woman. This look was styled not only by way of paying homage to a never-forgotten era but to pay homage to moms all over the world who have hidden goddess vibes simmering under the surface.
Get This Look
Catherine de France Salon
East Avenue Building G/F 10 Xin Dong Lu, Chaoyang District. www.catherinedefrance.com. (8442 5120)
Antonia Sampson
Wechat: AntoSamp
LOVA Weddings
www.lovaweddings.com
Herbal
Shoukaibojun South District Building, 41-021, 12 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District
This article first appeared in the beijingkids December 2018 Charity and Goodwill issue.
Photos: Uni You