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| UPDATE: The Velvet Goldmine Makeup Collection most recently became available at Sephora.com, who carries most of the original line.Girl Cosmetics introduced three more fabulous color sets: Tempest (bold blues), Orion (Loud Lavenders), and some gorgeous greens. All were available through Gloss.com, which is momentarily off-line, so keep checking. You might also ask your local beauty supply store if they can order the sets. Meanwhile, Girl Cosmetics features a complete line of bright glosses, glitters, and shadows that are worth checking out, as is the brief bio on founder Shawn Haynes, Todd's brother. |  |
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Many glittery visitors to the planet Venus have told us that, upon falling in love with VG, they have started wearing nailpolish for the first time since junior high.
A tip: |
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An interesting phenomenon appeared at the time of Velvet Goldmine's release: Maybelline came out with a promotional line of makeup called Cosmic Edge, which recalled the glittery, shiny looks that typified the glam rock asthetic. This particular line of makeup has since morphed into a psuedo-East Indian image, but at the time it heralded a return to glam in both makeup and fashion. The Body Shop's Sparticles, and Cover Girl's Galactic Glow followed quickly thereafter, although the coming of the new millineum may also have a hand in the trend. (Note: We do not recommend the purchase of Cover Girl cosmetics as this company still tests on animals. The products endorsed on this page are cruelty-free, and we urge you to pay attention to companies that do test and companies that don't.) |
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A well rounded glam paintbox would include:
Mascara: black and colored Cosmonaut Amy Swindle wants to pass along this luscious little makeup tip: "If you want colored eye-liner or want to draw designs on your body, go buy a package of water color pencils. The colors are really bright and stay on if you don't get them wet, but they come off really easily with soap and water. It's cool because you get a bunch of different colors to choose from." Many thanks, Amy! Our Favorite Products: Jerome Russell is hands down the best brand of glitter makeup you can buy. It comes in several different configurations: a light, colorful, holographic style called "Glitter Gloss" that comes in pots (some even contain little stars, and they even carry glow-in-the-dark glitter!) and bottles of heavier, bolder "Glitter Gel" that comes with an industrial brush. Both kinds go on thick and stay on forever, unlike so many other brands. Graftobian is an online theater makeup supply store that makes a wide range of body glitters (recommended to us by a visitor) in a dozen gorgeous colors. Manic Panic rushed the vegetable hair dye market in the late 80's, and their product is by far the best, with the widest palette of colors. They also market "Glitter Glow", a fine glitter dust that adds lovely sparkle, brightly colored fake lashes (you might like "electric lizard"), and paste-on eyebrows encrusted with rhinestones.
Sinful Nailpolish, in drugstores at $1.99 a bottle, has the most comprehensive color palette, and an array of holographic, two-tone, and classic glitter colors. Jane Cosmetics are a fun company that aims its products towards teenagers, which they probably find embarrassing. Nevertheless, I think they have the right attitude. Their motto: "Real beauty comes from within, the rest is for you to make up." Inexpensive, with a good selection of basics, some funky lip and nail colors, and a newly unveiled line of body glitters (that don't work too well, unfortunately). Check out their fun website, and look for their "how-to" booklets in your local drugstore for make-up tips. Revlon, Almay, Maybelline and L'Oreal (all subsidiaries of Cosmair Cosmetics) are a high quality, relatively inexpensive bet for such staples as mascara, foundation, and powder. Maybelline's newly revamped Cosmic Edge features a "shimmer Makeup" and "shimmer powder" that will turn you into a planetary wonder, and they too have a line of glitter called "Street Wear", which spreads on thinner than Jerome Robbins but has excellent staying power. True Colors makes beautiful, sparkling colors as well, and carry some products similar to those in the original Cosmic Edge line. Both of these brands are the kind you would find in an open-to-the public beauty store. If you have one in your area, check it out; you'll be surprised! | |
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Makeup Resources:
Amphigory sells a variety of beautiful cosmetics in many bright, silvery colors (including glitter) as well as gothic accessories, jewelry, and "magickal" items. The Beauty Store, San Francisco--where all of my best makeup comes from, featuring many of the brands listed on this page. GoodGoth.com sells outrageous hair dyes and gives a short (free) lesson in how to bleach. Bonne Bell's site proclaims proudly, "We are girls!" Well maybe THEY are...I would be willing to be that boys would have just as much fun with their cosmetic and body care products. |
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| Have you gotten it into your head to wear a frock? Satisfy your impulse. Glam is all about using image and glamour to make a statement. Although there are a few essentials to any glam wardrobe--the ubiquitous feather boa comes to mind--there really are no rules; even t-shirts and jeans can be configured to glamorous effect, especially if you are going for the NY trash-glam look. |
 photo from British Vogue Break the Rules issue, June 1971. "'It's in bad taste to dress extravagantly or showily when mingling with people who are all plainly dressed.' Satin shirt and shorts by Electric Fittings, shoes by Chelsea Cobbler, hair colour by Daniel and shape by Oliver of Leonard. Photograph by Peter Knapp." Courtesy of ChezBB. |
History of Glam Fashion 70's glam borrowed from the following genres:
Victorian Era, 1850-1900 Think Oscar Wilde, waistcoats, and ruffled shirts The only twentieth century periods conspicuously absent from the aesthetic are the turn-of the century Late Victorian (women in high-collared bustle dresses) and forties "swing" (characterized by shorter, tailored dresses and gentlemen in fedoras and smart, wide-cut suits; a very stylish period but perhaps too working-class for glam tastes. Interestingly, the swing era is the period most glam rockers' and their fans' parents were from...so the omission was probably intentional). The Dedicated Follower of Fashion features a fashion tribute to VG and groovy sixties duds. 1966 Man it was mean! Platform Diva chronicles the evolution of platform shoes. For photos from the SF airport's recent platform shoe exhibit, visit Mandy's Mirror. Know of any more fashion history sites? Send us a signal! |
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Where to Buy
Finding vintage glam-wear may be difficult to impossible, unless you are directly borrowing from a particular period. Because of this, an excellent way to create a glam wardrobe is to make it yourself! Fabric shops have begun carrying silvery, sparkly fabrics in anticipation of the millineum and its aesthetic. In many cases, ordinary items of clothing can be enhanced with patches made from this fabric, pieces of fake fur, rows of sequins, rhinestones and studs (you can purchase a stud gun at any good fabric shop), and maribou. Craft stores are an excellent resource, and for feathers, a better buy than a boutique. If you are adventurous and want to create garments for yourself, think satin, fake fur (in every color of the rainbow and animal print your heart desires), stretch cotton and spandex. Smashing Grandpa features t-shirts emblazoned with your favorite rock stars and glam icons. Serious Store Features many groovy glam threads. Lip Service Clothing Fashion for Fashion Freaks. A punk/goth/leather/glam online store.
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