In HBO’s True Blood, the vampires have come out of the proverbial closet. In the show, which centers around the mortal and immortal residents of a town called Bon Temps, Louisiana, the generally law-abiding humans, vamps and other preternatural citizens live alongside each other, doing their best to abide by their natures while following the rules of Southern decorum.
Of course, drama ensues, and that’s what makes the show so fun to watch!
Lafayette Reynolds, the flamboyant cook/road crew worker/man of several questionable illegal pursuits, is one of my favorite residents of Bon Temps. How many guys can work lace and rhinestones and still look tough at the same time? Not many, I contend!
A sage of unique style, Lafayette has taught me so very many timeless makeup and beauty lessons like…
1. When in doubt, rock the cat eye
Dressed up or dressed down, they’re an unmistakably classic look.
2. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!
If you plan to show some skin (and sometimes you just gotta!), accentuate the positives with accessories, like this stylish cap and matching blinged-out belt buckle.
3. Say “YES!” to denim and lace
The juxtaposition of soft lace and rugged denim makes for great fashion.
4. Mesh tops are both practical AND pretty
Never let ’em see you sweat! Whether you’re working the kitchen or walking a catwalk, consider breathable mesh tops. Try one layered on top of your favorite tank.
5. Spaghetti straps look great with layered necklaces
Nothing screams “vampire bait!” like bare shoulders and bling. Consider a top with spaghetti straps, and attract your very own wealthy immortal benefactor with big, shiny baubles around your neck.
Thank you, Lafayette, for being you — a truly unique fashion and beauty icon.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Lego says
Can we talk about how Pam was totally using a NARS lipstick last episode? Or at least I think it was! Her makeup is awesomesauce.
Karen says
HA HA! I thought I was the only one who noticed that. It looked like a NARS Velvet Lip Pencil, fo’ sho!
Tiffany says
LOL – I was watching with the hubs and I was like – she’s using NARS! he looked at me like I was crazy!
Karen says
The same exact thing happened in our living room. 🙂
Brittany says
I noticed that too! I actually paused my dvr to double check 😛
marisol says
Thank you… I kept wondering what it was.
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Haulidays. . . =-.
Summer ♥♥ says
Love this Karen! I have been staying up till 3 in the morn the past 2 days, catching up on season 2- i started season 1 last week and I got hooked. I am at the part where the vampires come into the fellowship of the sun! I LOVE ERIC! He’s so cute! (dont tell me!) but hopefully eric and sookie will possibly get together 🙂 Bill freaks me out a lil bit~
Karen says
I have a soft spot for Vampire Bill. I love how devoted he is to Sookie (SOOO-KHAAAY!). 🙂
I just recently figured out that Eric was hot, LOL! The gray tank top totally does it for me…
Amy says
I totally lost myself in a giggling fit last episode when Sookie did an impression of how Bill says her name!
Jenna says
you should have entitled this post, “5 make up and beauty lessons I learned from Lafayette.”
He is my favorite character!
Karen says
I love him too!
Georgia says
Tabs probably likes the homage to cat eyes! Are you going to the IMATS??? It will be my first one! Yay!
Karen says
Have fun! I’ll live vicariously through you. 🙂
Georgia says
Just saw somewhere that you can’t go. :o( I’ll stock up on the MUFE 40% discounts for us all! :o)
Karen says
Be sure to grab some of the new HD blushes!
Shiny says
This is my favorite show… I am so hooked, and have already seen the last episode like 3 times. A good friend and I wait till we both see it and have a in depth rehashing session. Lafayette is so well cast, and every line out of his mouth is gold. Love how good he is to his cousin who never fails to find herself in the middle of some mess.
Karen says
Hi Shiny,
I usually watch the show twice! Lafayette really does have the best lines. They come out so quickly that I don’t always them the first time around!
It looks like the ass-kicking Lafayette is back this season. WOOT!
Katrina says
Haha nope, I notices Pam using Nars too! I took one look and went “Nars!” at which point everyone I was watching it with turned and looked at me like “Huh…?”
Karen says
Hi Katrina,
LOL… I would love to know what color she’s wearing!
shontay says
I’m mad you learned all of your beauty lessons from lafayette! LOL He’s so fabulous.
Karen says
Hi Shontay,
Isn’t he though? I want him to be my older cousin. Lucky Tara!
happybadfish says
I have never seen this show. All I can think is, where is his ghetto blaster – welcome to the 80’s.
Karen says
Hi Happybadfish,
Ha! It’s a really great show. I think the first season’s out on DVD; you should rent it!
Nina says
I love Lafayette – so sassy and fashion forward (for Bon Temps…) … 😛
This is an awesome post, Karen. You are a true TB addict! 😀
Karen says
Hi Nina,
Yes! He has true vision. I’ve been loving the bedazzled asymmetrical sports jersey/dress thingy that he’s been rocking in the last few episodes.
Nina says
Exactly … I want that dress too! 😛 Very American Apparel-ish!
And the makeup … awesome! 😛
Karen says
Don’t forget the single dangly feather earring!!
Nina says
I want those! I wont rock `em as much as Lafayette does but I want them earrings STAT! 😛
jeannie says
Oh Karen! I can always count on you to make me laugh.
Karen says
Hi Jeannie,
🙂 Hope you’re having a great day so far, hon!
Kat says
Seriously woman, you have THE funniest makeup blog! Keep it going!
Karen says
Hi Kat,
Thanks, babe!
How’s your Wednesday going, btw?
lexi says
vampire lady men? Wow – I’m missing out a lot by not watching this show. I’m just excited that Hung will be back for a 2nd season!
Karen says
My boy Lafayette is human! He’d probably be a kick ass vampire, too…
Nina says
Karen, now really, you gotta stop making me laugh so hard, because I can’t stand the aching of my ab muscles any more 😀
Karen says
🙂 Think of it as an ab workout!
Shealyn says
This is so funny Karen! And Pam has great makeup too! Nars lip pencil…she doesn’t take kindly to being called a ‘hookah’ though.
Lexi says
“I am not a hooker…that was a long, long time ago.”
🙂
are you pickin up what I’m puttin down?
she is maybe my #3 fave character.
Karen says
Pam certainly knows how to work it!
Loretta says
I absolutely LOVED Vampire Queen Sophie-Anne’s lipstick in Season 2 when Vampire Bill first went to see her, it was absolutely flawless.. I need to know what Brand/Colour it is ! do you have any idea? please say you do 🙂
Karen says
Hmm, I don’t! It was a dark jewel red lip, right?
Loretta says
yeh it was very matte, it sort of reminded me of MAC Russian Red, but i think it looks like a sightly different shade… oh well , still I love this post!
Lafayette says
You work it mama!
.-= Lafayette’s last blog post… LafayetteTB: Hookuhs, check out these 5 Lafayette make-up & beauty tips from @karenmbb http://ow.ly/22utn #trueblood =-.
Karen says
Haaay, boo! Thanks for popping by. Keep holding it down for all the glamour girls!!
Michelle (LipstickRules) says
OMG what a great post!! When I saw the title I expected to see Sookie! Always so creative Karen!!
.-= Michelle (LipstickRules)’s last blog post… MAC Sneak Peek: Dare to Wear ‘So Bad’ Lipglass and Alice & Olivia ‘Partylicious’ Pigment =-.
Karen says
Merci, Michelle!
Lexi says
thanks so much for writing this piece. Lafayette is my fave. Jessica is #2 🙂
I was DYIN this week during the scene where he’s talking to Tara just before they leave the nursing home.
Karen says
Me too! I wish his mother treated him better, though.
Lexi says
“is ya feelin me?”
– “Yeah, I feel you”
“we good?”
– “We good”
“we got it?”
– “alright, nah”
🙂
marisol says
This is great! Lafayette is so fierce! And so is Pam.
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Haulidays. . . =-.
Karen says
Pam is a total @ss kicker. I’d like to go makeup shopping with her… but only if she promised not to bite me, yikes!
DJ says
I think this is my favourite post here, ever. I couldn’t stop laughing. Well done, Karen!
Karen says
Thanks, DJ! 🙂
Lisanne says
lol, awesome article! I love True Blood and LaFayette is my favorite character!
.-= Lisanne’s last blog post… Essie herfstlakjes 2010 =-.
styleezta says
Karen you crack me up!! love when he says HOOKA!!
Sexy Sadie says
I adore that figure and the actor.
.-= Sexy Sadie’s last blog post… En tirsdagsformiddag =-.
Kasey says
OMG I’ve pee’d a little! Why did you learn all of your makeup and beauty lessons from Layfette HOOKAH? LOL love this post!
.-= Kasey’s last blog post… Shoe Find of the Week: Stella from H by Halston =-.
Karen says
LOL! You know Lafayette holds it down for the glam girls! 😉
Crystal says
I definitely smiled on last Sunday’s episode when he wore his neon jersey dress & blinged belt…he is so wonderful! 🙂
Kim says
Karen, I can’t find the words to describe the awesomeness of this post. I absolutely loved your vamp smiley face! No doubt that Lafayette makes everything work!
Kim says
Oh my goooosh. I die every time I watch True Blood. I friggin’ love Lafayette. He’s … amazingly awesome.
Liz says
ok…I loved the fact that Pam used a NARS product. Does anyone know which color she used? That is a must have… at least for me. :O)
Sara says
ok i am so behind on my blog reading due to my beach va-ca last week, but i am SO EXCITED about this post. my love for true blood is strong (but i’ve only made it through the middle of season 2, shhhh) and i’m having withdrawals. i’m almost done with the second book too and i have to say, they’re not as good as the show! maybe cause tara is my FAVORITE and so far she just owns some stupid clothing shop :/
and lala. come on. nice necklaces but you know about vampires and sliver!
Lizzie says
Pam’s NARS lip pencil was “Dammed.” I was searching for the shade as well and somewhere I saw a quote from Kristen Bauer saying that a lot of people had asked about it and that was the shade. I also agree with her that the shade’s name is just perfect when you think about it! I bought it yesterday, have already worn it, and love it.
lexi says
Thank God for DVR. I’ve re-played this week’s True Blood every day this week…it was SO good.
Half-nekkid Alcide? OK…I might be replaying it for this reason alone (insert sizzle sound here)
“Ring ring, Hooka, ring ring”?!
Sookie’s biker chick makeover?
and an awesome Massive Attack song playing in the background at the strip club?
Yep – good episode that shant be erased.
Ruby says
It’s NARS Matte Velvet Lip Pencil in Damned.
http://twitter.com/MrsvanStraten/status/17441340035
Tatiana says
I love this post!! Thank you 🙂
Brittany B says
When I saw this post I thought it was going to be about the makeup the artists use on set. I was especially interested in Jessica. Don’t get me wrong–I’d LOOOOOOVE a gay BF like Lafayette and I love his character but I was hoping for real makeup looks or maybe a product list of whats used on the show. Think they’ll be something like that in the future? I seriously love Jessica’s look. Her skin is amazing…better than flawless. Porceline and marble–probably what Twilighters keep trying to say is Edward’s skin type. Jessica’s is way better. We have similar coloring–red hair and pale skin. She always looks amazing, even when crying tears of blood down her face! I want her makeup so badly.
Mel says
you sincerely make me laugh and laugh, and laugh some more. i loved your pics. and the arrows were key. LOL.
I love Lafayette. He steals the show. Him and Pam ” Why do people think I’m nice. I must wear too much pink.” Or something to that effect.
love it.
Karen says
Hi Mel,
LOL… I love both Pam and Lafayette. If I could have a sketchy vampire friend, Pam would be IT. At least we could trade makeup tips while I feared for my life, ha ha.
Did you see the season finale? What the heck’s going on with Lafayette’s boyfriend? I was really hoping he could be a steadying influence Lafay’s life, but was I wrong!
Gerri says
I love True Blood and Lafayette is my absolute favorite character on the show, but it never occurred to me to look to him for fashion tips! Great post and thanks for the laugh…
Amber says
Looking forward to season 4!!!!
Frannie says
I thought you were going to do a post on all the ladies perfect and LOOOONG lashes on True Blood. This is a great surprise. You really nipped this one in the bud. His costume designer knows the what’s up. : D
lorrie says
Lafayette is my love,,i watch just to see him..got to love a DIVA queen
Inari says
Cat-eye for teh win for sure! 😀
Great post, cheers!