M.U.A. (Make-Up Anxiety) Relief

Like so many women, I love makeup but my love and indulgence is not proportioned to my level of skill in applying or to my frequency of use. I basically have an obsession with cutely packaged lipstick and pretty eyeshadow palettes.

To be honest, I usually have no idea what I’m doing when applying my makeup. There is no game plan, no strategy or strong skill set to guarantee that the end result will look amazing. There’s even been some 9th inning horror stories with lashes and that stupid glue. The only thing that’s certain about the look I want to achieve is what lip color I plan to wear.

With that said, I had a moment this week. After a technology blip and several attempts to send content I created to a well-known brand in the fashion industry, I had to create this look in minutes, in fear of missing the deadline. And that was not an option!  I pulled it together like a champ and gave it my all, despite the technical issues in the days prior to.

Isn’t it funny how pressure can push us to do more (or even better) than we expected of ourselves?  I was super anxious about having to do my own makeup for professional content.  But stepping outside my comfort zone yielded success and I had fun in the process.

Here are a few of my favorite makeup products that I used to pull off this no-fuss, natural look … while the clock was ticking!

Foundation

When it comes to foundation makeup, I’ve always been one to opt for weightless coverage that looks natural.  Maybelline’s FIT Me! Matte + Poreless foundation for normal to oily skin tones, has been my champion coverage for several years. Perfect for normal to oily skin, this “matte foundation formula features micro-powders to control shine, blur, mattify, refine and minimize pores” while leaving a natural, seamless finish.

Contour & Highlight

Once my foundation has set, I use Fenty Beauty’s Match Stix Trio in the color combo “Tan 300 – Caramel, Truffle, Rum” to define the face.  All cream-to-powder formulas, this trio set includes “two Match Stix Matte Skinsticks to conceal and contour, and one Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick to highlight.”  I find myself toting all three everyday for on-the-go coverage and glam.  I especially love that they click, stick and magnetize together, so they’re always easy to find in my makeup pouch or my purse.  An added bonus … they come in a range of combos that illuminate all skin tones.  In the words of Rihanna (Fenty Beauty brand founder) with makeup “there are three steps and they’re all in here.”

Eyes & Brows 

Maybelline again for the win!

I love the rich variety of neutrals packed into these twelve-color palettes.  “From bold beiges and sultry sands to brazen bronzes and tempting taupes, this makeup palette is perfect for creating versatile eye makeup looks.”  Even more exciting, is that the browns and blacks hues that work extremely well as a brow filler and a powder liner.  I just can’t get enough!

Lashes

Oh the horror stories I could share about applying lashes. Ha!  I’ll save those for another time.  I’m more confident with lash application these days and I have to attribute it to DUO’s Quick-Set Striplash Adhesive Glue.  This new formula offers perfect hold and sticks well with just a dab of glue.  I also love the flat applicator which yields for easier application and no mess.

So it seems that I have a thing for Maybelline.  But can you blame me?

When it comes to the beauty award-winning, Maybelline Great Lash mascara, not too many other mascaras can compare for me.  I even have Tracee Ellis Ross (who also uses this classic mascara) to back me up. Conditioning as it thicken lashes, “the lash-doubling formula glides on to build great-looking lashes while the lash-building brush makes it easy to get a full lash look.”  I always get the volumous, glamorous look whether I use it on my natural or false lashes.  It will be a forever a favorite in my makeup bag.

Lips

I was first introduced to The Lip Bar brand on the popular TV show, “Shark Tank.”  I admired the passion and excitement shared between Founder, Melissa Butler and her business partner, and continued to follow their story.  Flashforward, the Lip Bar, a vegan based, cruelty free lipstick brand is an major online retailer now in Target stores.

But the colors, products names and clever branding continue to woo me!  Featured here, is one of my favorites, “Curlfriend,” especially since I’ve been rocking my hair short and natural.  Get it?

Simply put, confidence is key and fearlessness is paramount!!! This year, I committed to stepping outside my comfort zone MORE, with confidence. My 2018 word was #fearlessness and while it’s been a hella swift, bumpy, yet fun ride … I can definitely recall the exact moments where I pushed past my fear and just did it. No over analyzing, no second-guessing … I just leaped.

Here’s to carrying that same energy into 2019, laughing at our comfort zones and stepping out, trying new things, honing our crafts, feeding our creativity, creating new opportunities (and streams of income) and just getting it done!

A dose of style and inspiration for living!™

Love and light,

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