Heel

Merry Christmas!

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Ann Miller, Anna May Wong

Bette Davis, Boris Karloff and Ginger Rogers

Buster Keaton, Carole Landis

Carole Lombard

Cary Grant, Claire Trevor

Cyd Charisse, Dean Martin

Deanna Durbin, F. Scott Fitzgerald

Fay Wray, Fred MacMurray

Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard, Jean Harlow

Grace Bradley

Jayne Mansfield

Jeanne Moreau, Marian Marsh

Norma Shearer, Lana Turner

Peter Lorre, Piper Laurie

Rita Hayworth, Sophia Loren

Talkie Terms

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Journey

At the Hollywood & Highland complex in the heart of Hollywood, the ground is inlaid with dozens of anonymous 'how I made it' quotes from film industry folks both past and present. Here I have highlighted 4 from the Golden Age of Hollywood that tell of their defining moment on their journey to success! The first is from Paramount's star designer, Edith Head. I've read some books on her and found that although she was ambitious enough to pull this stunt, she also knew she had the talent to back it up. Sometimes a gal's gotta do what a gal's gotta do!

MGM Stars

During the Golden Age of Hollywood, the great studio MGM boasted that it had "more stars than there are in heaven". Taken in 1943, this is a promotional photo of many of the actors under contract with MGM at the studio's 20th birthday party. Can you spot your favorites?!

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1st Row: James Stewart, Margaret Sullivan, Lucille Ball, Hedy Lamarr, Katharine Hepburn, Louis B Mayer, Greer Garson, Irene Dunne, Susan Peters, Ginny Simms, Lionel Barrymore

2nd Row: Harry James, Brian Donlevy, Red Skelton, Mickey Rooney, William Powell, Wallace Beery, Spencer Tracy, Walter Pidgeon, Robert Taylor, Pierre Aumont, Lewis Stone, Gene Kelly, Jackie Jenkins

3rd Row: Tommy Dorsey, George Murphy, Jean Rogers, James Craig, Donna Reed, Van Johnson, Fay Bainter, Marsha Hunt, Ruth Hussey, Marjorie Main, Robert Benchley

4th Row: Dame May Whitty, Reginald Owen, Keenan Wynn, Diana Lewis, Marilyn Maxwell, Esther Williams, Ann Richards, Marta Linden, Lee Bowman, Richard Carlson, Mary Astor

5th Row: Blanche Ring, Sara Haden, Fay Holden, Bert Lahr, Frances Gifford, June Allyson, Richard Whorf, Frances Rafferty, Spring Byington, Connie Gilchrist, Gladys Cooper

6th Row: Ben Blue, Chill Wills, Keye Luke, Barry Nelson, Desi Arnaz, Henry O'Neill, Bob Crosby, Rags Ragland

Makeup Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Miss Jan and BettieBoo~ You are the winners of the Make Up For Ever makeup sets giveaway!!

Miss Jan~ please email me at wink@katiecustermakeup.com sometime before New Years so I can get the treats out to you. BettieBoo~ I found your email on your blog, I'll drop you a line today. Hopefully it's still current.

I also want to thank those of you who gave me such a warm welcome back and kind words regarding my health. I hope you enjoyed this contest and will do more in the future! xoxo

Makeup Giveaway!

As an 'I've started blogging again' contest, I have two new cute sets of Make Up For Ever product available to two lucky readers! This contest is open to everyone worldwide. (If you are outside the U.S. please keep in mind longer shipping time and possible customs fees you may have to pay.)

If you would like to enter, please leave me a comment below and the 3rd and 7th commenter will each win one of the sets. I approve the comments before hand, and will publish the comments on Friday, so we won't know who is in what place!  (If less than 7 comments, we'll do the first two. If no one comments :(  we'll save it for another day!) I cannot guarantee which set you will receive, but you are more than welcome to request one! Also, please have an email to contact you- either in your profile or if you feel comfortable leaving it in the comments. If not, please keep an eye on the winner's announcement post. The contest ends Friday December 18th at 12noon EST. If you have any questions, please email me wink@katiecustermakeup.com GOOD LUCK!!! xoxoxox

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FEMME FATALE A super sexy red collection for the vamp in you!

Eyelash #101- a full, lush mix of black and brown synthetic hair

Blush #14- a rich deep plum great for all skin tones

Ink Liner- super black velvet texture liquid liner with sponge point applicator

Lipstick #44- deep red in a creamy satin finish

Plexi-Gloss #403- a bright pink-red gloss

PINUP GAL A cheeky pink collection for the flirt in you!

Eyelash #403- a cat eye flare with black synthetic hair

Blush #12- a soft plum-pink good for all skin tones

Ink Liner- super black velvet texture liquid liner with sponge point applicator

Lipstick #33- rich bubble gum pink in a creamy satin finish

Plexi-Gloss #209- a bright fuchsia pink gloss

Your Beauty Mark

I just picked up my copy of Dita Von Teese's Your Beauty Mark! Dita fans have been waiting for this beauty bible for years and it finally launched on December 1st. It's an eye catching coffee table book you will be proud to display in your home and reference it time and time again. It's full of the most insanely beautiful and provocative photos as well as stories, tips, inspirational motivators and step by step guides to achieve your most glamorous self. She also introduces us to some of her eccentric and dapper friends. I was actually surprised at how much text there is! It's literally wall to wall all things beauty.

It's $45 US dollars and worth every penny. At just under 400 pages, Dita steers the reader to maximize on what makes themselves stand out. To capitalize on our own beauty mark and be the best version of ourselves. There are many photos I've seen before, but many more that I have not. Even though she has had her own signature look for over 20 years, each photo opportunity still allows her a twist on her hallmark signature. Accentuate, practice, own it!!

The book's creative director is Rose Apodaca who also wrote the forward and contributing with delightful illustrations is Adele Mildred. Dita keeps good company as these ladies are not only chic and creative but have their own distinct beauty mark as well. I'm posting some photos to tempt those who have yet to get a copy! Thank you Dita for allowing us to sit at your vanity, pick your brain and start or continue our own beauty mark journey!

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Hedy Doodle

Google honors Hedy Lamarr today as this marks her 101st birthday. They've made her their doodle!

I'm blogging from my phone today so I'm not sure how to imbed a video, but check out this animated link of Hedy as a doodle!

http://youtu.be/Z0gu2QhV1dc

Hello Again

Happy Halloween!

I haven't blogged in a year and a half, and just now have gotten motivated again. If you've followed me from the beginning- way back in February 2007- you'll know that I only blog what and when I want for my own enjoyment about my passions- Old Hollywood and makeup.  Of course though, I'd like people to be reactive and enjoy as well!

I also plan to be a little more open and personal. During this hiatus I've been working and moved around a bit. I'm still a freelance makeup artist and am now focusing completely on the film industry and some production work, as opposed to doing a little bit of everything. I really want to learn more about my craft like spfx, facial hair application, character and fantasy work, that sort of thing. I've so much to learn! Why am I not a legendary Westmore brother?!! It's too bad The Westmore Academy is no longer in business.

This past June, I flew from my beloved Los Angeles back home to the Philadelphia area as I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. When I'm up and running again, I'll go back to LA. The past 6 months have been brutal and still more to deal with, but the fact I can see toward the end and am now excited about the future is a good turning point!

If you'd like to connect with me:

Email: wink@katiecustermakeup.com
Instagram: @katiecustermakeup
LinkedIn: Katie Custer
Periscope: katiecustermakeup 
My website: www.katiecustermakeup.com

I got rid of my Facebook 2 years ago, so these are my only social media accounts. Maybe I'll do a Facebook makeup page some day! STAY TUNNED!! I've got a lot of content to post like fun themes, Q & A's with some fantastic vintage/retro folks and giveaways! (You know I like a giveaway) Anyway, because it's Halloween, here is the Master Jack Pierce doing his thing on Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney Jr.