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.

Highlight Your Lips! #HighlightCosmetics

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Usually the last makeup item I put on before my look is done is my lipstick.  The perfect lippie can take a look a totally transform it - and my mood.  Bold, matte, glossy, nude - whatever the lipstick, if I feel good in it, it can put a smile on my face.  I've been testing out this new lipstick from Highlight, and it has definitely put a smile on my face!

A Wink and a Smile #PinkWink #BOGOForTheCure

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Brows. Big, full, brows.  That's been the beauty trend for a while now.  And full, long lashes are always in style.  But what if yours are sparse? Or, worse, you lost all of them because of chemotherapy? Wink is a natural oil blend that could help.

Retinol Revive #Valentia

Press Sample. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Does the word, 'Retinol' strike fear into your heart?  Do you immediately think of the harsh, doctor-prescribed formulas of yore that made your skin turn red and peel off before finally healing?  Skincare science has advanced, thank goodness, and now you can get the skin-clearing benefits of Retin-A, but in a non-prescription form of Retinol.  It takes longer, but is so much gentler, and it's become a staple, not only in my skincare, but that of my husband, as well.

Sniffy Saturday #brooklynbetter

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I don't know that aromatherapy can be the cure for all that ails me, but I sure do enjoy it.  A few drops of a perfectly scented oil in my diffuser can do wonders for my mood.  Essential oils mixed into massage carrier oils can ease my aches and pains, or transport me off to sleep.  I think I've found one of my new favorite oils for relieving stress and helping achieve a state of calm.

Twisty Black and Orange Stamping

Hello, Fireflies!

It's been awhile since I've posted a stamping nailart.. and while I'm working on one today, I figured I'd pull one up from the vault in the meantime. It was meant to be a bright, summer orange mani that I posted in a Facebook group sometime back, but it's giving me October Halloween vibes today!

Cleanliness is...now easier! #makeupbrushcleaner

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm pretty terrible at cleaning, well, anything.  I'm a messy housekeeper, my dogs all need baths, and my kitchen always looks like I just cooked for an army.  One thing I'm trying to make a habit, though, is washing my makeup brushes once a week, and it's tools like these scrubbers from ESARORA that make it a little bit easier!

Triple Buena, Triple C #BUENASKIN

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Have you noticed that as the seasons change, your skin's needs change a little bit, too?  I love changing up my skincare routine pretty often anyway, but there are times when I'm looking for a little more of this, or a little more of that, a little more help with blemishes, or a little lighter routine.  If you're looking for a little more Vitamin C, you might want to check out this Triple C serum from Buena Skin!

Serum? #Serment

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I've tried a lot of skincare, so it's only natural that eventually I'd try something from Korea.  If you haven't heard of K-beauty, it's all things Korean for beauty and skincare - and they are known for doing it right.

Lighten, Brighten, Glow! #Valentia

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Yesterday, I wrote about how I've been waking up with great skin, and today, I want to share with you one of the ways I keep that glow going all day long.

Strivectin Perfection #Strivectin

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Did anyone ever tell you to, 'sleep on it' when you had a problem or a difficult decision to make? Our body uses the down time to rest and rejuvinate, and often, things seem clearer after a good night's sleep.  With StriVectin's Overnight Resurfacing Concentrate, sleeping on it can mean waking up with great skin, too!

Skincare for the Ages #ARKSkincare

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello Fireflies!

Age is just a number, right?  Is it really, though?  I may act like a 12-year old, and my knees feel like they're 800 years old - and my skin?  Well, it looks good, but it's still been around for 44 years now.  I'd like it to feel good and look good for a long time to come!

Fill 'er Up Serum #Swissvita #antiwrikle #AC-11®

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I use skincare not only to protect and nourish my skin, but also to keep it looking as good as possible.  So, when I find a serum that not only has longer-term benefits, as well as immediate visual results, I'm pretty exited!

Looking #ForeverYoung

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

If you could stay forever young, would you?  I'm pretty sure my childish sense of humor will keep me *acting* forever young, but I wouldn't mind keeping my skin looking and feeling young, too!