You've Got Mail: Kathleen Kelly in The Shop Around the Corner

                                                             

                                                               

You've Got Mail is on my fall movie list, and it's one of the only successful remakes in movie history. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks were magical together in the 90's, and You've Got Mail was their second best movie after Sleepless in Seattle.  Besides a beautiful NYC in autumn, I'm kind of obsessed with Kathleen and Christina's wardrobe of tights, chunky heels, cardigans, and turtleneck sweaters throughout the movie. It's much easier to recreate the makeup than raid your closet for 90's throwback clothing, so here is how to do just that.


First, I've lit an oud and moss candle, so my home is smelling moss-y.

                                                                     

Start with your beautiful skin that's clean and soft. This time of year you want moisturized skin before applying makeup.

1. Kathleen and Christina both have natural foundation. My three favorites to achieve that are Bourjois Healthy Mix, Guerlain Lingerie de Peau, or Rimmel Wake Me Up. Just use your hands, or any way that you like best. The goal is that it looks like good skin. Conceal with Maybelline Fit Me. Then add some powder where you need it. I think people often go overboard on powder thinking it will stop shine during the day. That's what blotting papers are for, or a handkerchief.

2. Do what you will with your brows, but does anyone want 90's brows back? I personally do not. Use a soft brow powder to fill in any gaps, or a pencil to fix the shape. On to the eyes... I had to use my trusty Viseart 01 matte for this look, but Sonia Kashuk's Eye on Neutral Matte Palette works too. You need a skin tone shade to sweep all over your lid, a very natural crease shade, and a dark espresso one for the liner. In that order. Then curl your lashes and sweep on some mascara.

3. Apply a tawny blush (we loved tawny in the 90's, and still do), like Clinique Soft Pressed in Totally Tawny.

4. There are so many lip options. Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, Revlon Super Lustrous in Rum Raisin, Revlon Toast of New York, MAC Spice It Up, MAC Capricious, or Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Cassis.  Kathleen's lipsticks ranged from pinky nudes to spice, and Christina's were bolder berries and reds.

Now go buy some pencils and sharpen them! That's the smell of fall in NY.

Inspired by literature: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

"For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in town."

Practical Magic tells the story of two sisters in New England who happen to be witches. It's a family trait, and staying that way--despite Sally's wish to be "normal" and not cursed. They live in a big Victorian house with two eccentric aunts, eat chocolate cake for breakfast, and rules don't exist. The townspeople are classic "torch and pitchfork" people who bully them and throw rocks, so naturally they grow up feeling ostracized and different from everyone they meet. 

Clockwise: Revlon Spicy Cinnamon Super Lustrous Lipstick, L'Oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner in Black (also comes in brown), Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Rich Nude, Cover Girl Gloss Balm in Jam Twist, Face Stockholm Cranberry Veil, L'Oreal True Match Blush in Spiced Plum, MAC Tenderling Blush, and Bobbi Brown Shimmerwash Eyeshadow in Stone. 

Sally's makeup is incredibly simple. Pamela Westmore gave Sandra Bullock a range of pink, nude, and peach tones. It's not dated at all considering this movie was made in 1998. Her skin is natural and demi matte. I chose MAC Tenderling Blush because it's very natural on most skin tones. This is a dusty nude pink. Bobbi Brown Stone Eyeshadow gives the perfect taupe wash of color, and L'Oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner in Brown gives the lash line definition. I'm sure she's wearing at least one coat of mascara, so use your favorite.  Revlon Spicy Cinnamon or Bobbi Brown Rich Nude  match her lip colors throughout the movie and the promotional shots. 

Wild Gillian was played by Nicole Kidman, and the artist gave her a lot more variety with her makeup. I wouldn't call it grunge, but it fit her character's restless ways . One minute it was soft red lipstick, and the next her eyeliner was pitch black, smudged, and paired with a glossy jam lip color. Her look focuses on liner, cheeks, and lips. Since most of the movie takes place in the fall, I chose L'Oreal Spiced Plum Blush for a flushed cheek. L'Oreal Voluminous Smoldering liner in Black gives that "black as pitch" eye kohl. Face Stockholm Cranberry Veil is a soft red that won't overwhelm, and Cover Girl Jam Twist is one of the most comfortable lip products I've come across. 

What products would you use for a Sally or Gillian look? Is Practical Magic on your list of movies to watch this fall? 

—  Kristi Marie from Modern Grace

Cate Blanchett's makeup in Carol

Cate is wearing Chanel Rouge Allure #96 in Excentrique, mixed with #97 Incandescente and #98 Coromandel (depending on the scene). The lip liner used in some scenes was MAC Red Enriched. 

Start with a good skin care routine so your skin is prepped. 

I am using products from my own collection and many that were used on the set. 

Base:

1. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer for a flawless base. 

2. Estee Lauder Double Wear or Make Up For Ever Ultra HD, depending on the coverage you need. Spend extra time on the base to make sure it is blended well. 

3. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage for any spots, and Nars Creamy Concealer under the eyes. 

4. Shu Uemura Sheer Face Powder to set. 

5. Dust a little MAC Pink Swoon or Benefit Sugarbomb onto your cheeks. 

6. Cate's makeup artist Morag Ross did contour and highlight, but I feel like that might be too much in real life for my skin. On camera it looks fantastic. That's up to you. LeMaqPro Fard Creme in 117 was the contour and C1 was the highlight. 

Eyes:

There are two options for the eyes. The liner and mascara remain the same. 

1. Prime your eyelids and sweep Bobbi Brown Bone Eyeshadow from lid to brow, blend well. 

Define the crease with a light touch of Bobbi Brown Taupe Eyeshadow.

2. Laura Mercier Sheer Eye Colour in Blue Suede across the lids. Kate Super Sharp Liner A in BK 1. 

3. L'Oreal Voluminous Black Brown mascara

Lips:

1. Apply Chanel Excentrique, Incandescente, or Coromandel with a lip brush in light layers until you achieve the depth of color you desire. Define the edge and slightly fill in with MAC Red Enriched lip liner. You can mix a few or all of these, but just one is enough to pull off the look. 

Nails:

Chanel Lilis #647

All makeup by Morag Ross. A complete list of the makeup is here. 

Christmas specials of years past.

                                                               

1. The X Files- How the Ghosts Stole Christmas
2. The Simpsons- Roasting on an Open Fire
3. Alf's Christmas Special - Long forgotten, but one of the best of the 80's. I've seen it on Dailymotion. 
4. Growing Pains- The Kid
5. Parks and Recreation- Ron & Diane- Jerry's Christmas party is as festive as Pawnee gets. 
6. My So Called Life- So Called Angels
7. 30 Rock- Ludachristmas
8. Laverne and Shirley- Christmas at the Booby Hatch
9. The Office- Dwight Christmas- Who wants to break the pig rib with me? 
10. Prancer- My favorite. 
11. Amazing Stories- Santa 85'
12. Meet Me in St. Louis
13. The Shop Around the Corner
14. The Christmas List- 1997- A little gem about a girl at a perfume counter. 
15. A Smokey Mountain Christmas and Unlikely Angel- Classic Dolly Parton. 
16. Yes, Virginia
17. Twas the Night Before Christmas- 1974
18. Ebbie- Susan Lucci tv movie
19. Little Women- 1933, 1949, and 1994.
20. Ally McBeal- Boy to the World
21. Cheers- Christmas Cheers
22. Friends- The One with the Holiday Armadillo
23. All of the claymation cartoons from Rudolph to The Little Drummer Boy.
24. Scrooged
25. A Muppet Christmas Carol