Have I lost my makeup mojo?

Well, this feels a little strange, doesn't it?  I haven't done this in a while.  I wasn't sure if I was ever going to do it again, honestly.  I stopped painting my nails and wearing much makeup for awhile.  Grief can manifest itself in so many unexpected ways.

We moved about a year ago, and my 'Beauty Room' (really, the Disaster Room!) still hasn't been set up.  But, I think that may be about to change.

Not much that's beautiful in the 'beauty' room right now!

This past weekend, I had lunch with my friend Alison.  She runs 10amBeauty.  I met her at The Makeup Show Orlando a few years ago, but we didn't really connect until the following year at...yep, The Makeup Show Orlando!  We spent the day together, shopping, talking, going to speakers and demonstrations, and connecting with other industry folks.  And now, we're good friends.

At lunch, we talked about all kinds of things, but we came back around to makeup.  We talked about our favorites, what was working for us, and what wasn't.  And, it felt really good - like a favorite outfit that feels comfortable, looks good, and you can wear it anywhere. 

Me, with Alison of 10amBeauty

Makeup doesn't happen in a vacuum.  It intertwines with culture, art, politics, business, and people.  If you want to excel in your craft, you have to interact with the ideas and knowledge of your community - and what better way to do that than at a makeup trade show?

If you're in the Orlando area, you should check out The Makeup Show Orlando, September 15-16th at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.  There are so many wonderful makeup artists there doing everything from bridal to special effects.  There are demos, workshops, lectures, and, of course, shopping! Find out not only what is new and trendy, but better ways to do the bread and butter stuff, too.  Check out The Makeup Show webpage to get tickets, see what speakers and demos are scheduled, and even what vendors are going to be there.

Hope to see you there!

Makeup is More Than Just Paint and Product #TheMakeupShow

Hello, Fireflies!

It's getting on time for my favorite event of the year, The Makeup Show, Orlando!  There are five shows a year, in great places like NYC, LA, Chicago, and Dallas, and some pop-up shops all over the country, but the one in Orlando is where I go to recharge my makeup-loving batteries.

My Hip is Too Square

Hello, Fireflies!

Children of the '80's, you're welcome for the earworm.

New Year, Back To Me

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm not one for resolutions, or feeling some magical way about the turn of a calendar page... usually.

All Use, No Waste Serum! #Swissvita #AC-11®

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Sometimes, I want to super-customize what serums I use at what times.  And sometimes - especially when I'm traveling - I want one little tube that's going to do all the things I need.  So, on my last trip, I took with me my All-Use Skin Serum from SwissVita!

Vitamin See Your Skin Look Better! #Instanatural

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Vitamin C should be Vitamin See!  As in, I can see how much better my skin looks when I use it.

Mascara Makes the Moment #Bellimisa

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I keep most makeup much longer than the "rules" say to.  I'm not a germaphobe, and I'm not tossing anything until it no longer pleases me to keep it.  Or it smells funny.

...but, mascara is a little different.  My mom always harped on me to throw away my mascaras after 30 days, and sometimes I did, and sometimes I didn't.  But, they definitely have a shelf-life - old mascaras are teeming with bacteria, they dry out, get flaky or clumpy, and just look bad.  They are the one makeup product I will admit that needs to be replaced on a regular basis - which is why a mascara subscription like Bellimisa makes sense.