Playing with Make-Up

As a kid, I loved playing with make-up and I've never grown out of it. My mom didn't like to wear make-up, but my aunt loved it and would often pass along her extras and cosmetic counter samples to me. In addition to the "Real Make-up", I amassed a sizable collection of Hello Kitty and Bonne Bell products designed for little girls. My interest expanded into skin care and hair products, including a very unfortunate pre-teen experiment with Sun-In hair lightener. I used three bottles in a week while with my grandparents, ruining my hair and necessitating a professional cut and color. Mom was not thrilled.

In high school, my interest spread to theatrical make-up. I took several classes and did make-up for several of our school productions. I even worked on a professional show at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater. I enjoyed it so much, that several times I thought that make-up artistry might be a good career move for me, but I've never acted on it.

Today, I did something that I have not done for years, I helped a friend with her make-up. My beautiful friend, does not wear make-up often, but had purchased some products from a Bobbi Brown counter at Nordstrom and wasn't sure how to use them. She admired my style of make-up application, a muted, natural look.

I love Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. The brand has an emphasis on natural beauty and the make-up wears well. It can be a bit pricy, but it lasts forever and is high quality. It's worth the price. Usually, the make-up artists at the counter are really helpful in showcasing the products and helping the customer choose the best fit for them as an individual. That being said, for someone who does not often wear make-up, it can be intimidating and requires a bit of practice. I had a lot of fun playing with make-up this afternoon, so I thought that I would share some tips that I shared with my friend.

I think the most important thing is having the right tools. You can have the best make-up in the world, but if you don't use the correct brushes, it won't look right. You can sometimes get away with using your fingers, but really brushes are essential. I always throw out the crappy little brushes that come with the set, especially the sponge applicators that come with some eye-shadows.

We focused on eye make-up today. I am not sure if this is the same advice that a professional would give, but this is what I passed on to my friend.

Always start with the eyes. as the first part of make-up application.

1. I curl my lashes first.

2. Eye primer next. I am currently using Bobbi Brown Long-wear cream Shadow in Bone. I use it to cover my entire lid and a little above. This really sets the shadow and keeps it from creasing. This is the only thing that I use my finger to apply.

3. I have small eyes, very small eyes and to combat this, I take my Bobbi Brown Champagne Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow and use an eye-shadow brush to sweep it from the inside corner of my eye, up to my brows. It acts as a highlighter.

4. I use Bobbi Brown Velvet Plus Metallic Eye Shadow for my lid, going extra heavy in the creases. I only use two shadows for every day use, but if I were going out, I might add a third contrast in the mix. I blend the shadows with an eye-shader brush.

5. Next is eye-liner. Due to my small eyes, I only use the liner on the top, making a line as close to my eyelashes as possible, avoiding a gap. I use an eyeliner brush with Bobbi Brown long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Espresso Ink. The gel eyeliner is the best I've used, as the color is vivid and it really stays on all day. Gel is a bit hard to work with and takes some practice. I don't work in a straight line, I dab it on thick and even out the line with the brush.

6. Mascara is last. I use Bobbi Brown Ultimate Party mascara in black. A tip that I learned at the make-up counter is to slightly close your eyes around the brush and twist as you lift the brush up. This gets the mascara further down on your lashes, making them appear fuller. This is the single most important tip to make eyes pop.

Long-wear cream shadow and gel liner, two indespensible products from Bobbi Brown.

I've had this shadow over a year and use it nearly every day, I still have a ton left.

I always make a huge mess with the eye make-up and use Neutrogena Make-up Removal wipes to clean up prior to putting on foundation. This is the main reason to do foundation after eye make-up.

One big tip that I have is to stand firm when visiting a make-up counter. I feel that going to a make-up counter is key to buying the right product. You can get some great advice and play with the products, figuring out what is best for you. However, sometimes the salesperson can be pushy or maybe they are not great at their job. I spent four months selling clothes and I can admit that I am not a person that you want to seek out for fashion advice. I can't pull together an outfit to save my life, especially with current trends. So sometimes, you get this person at the make-up counter. Just because a person has a particular job, it doesn't mean that they know best.

I learned this lesson last August, at the Bobbi Brown counter in the Nordstrom at Glendale. I went in for lighter eyeshadow colors for summer and was convinced to buy a Shimmer Brick compact.

The sales person told me that this was the trend for summer, doubling bronzer on the cheeks and eyes. I wasn't in love with it, but she was so insistent that it looked good, so I bought it. I used it a few times and it found a home in the back of my drawer. It wasn't make-up that I was comfortable wearing, it didn't fit my personal style or make me feel my best.

My friend ended up with colors that she felt uncomfortable wearing. They were darker and heavier than she liked. It's not always easy, but when going to the counter, it's important to not buy something unless you are 100% sure. It's okay to say no to the salesperson and they do not automatically know what is best. It's important to go in with an open mind and willingness to try new things, but ultimately go with your gut.

The Year of Organized Living- Family Edition

My organization in 2013 kick has now extended beyond our home and into my aunt's house. My aunt and uncle have lived in their home for thirty-five years and the junk has accumulated. My uncle is a complete pack-rat who used to love to hit garage sales and their house is a reflection of years of mild hoarding (lots and lots of books).

My uncle's health has declined and my aunt is getting older, so in the last year, she has been slowly donating and trashing unnecessary stuff. Really, my uncle's poor health is the only way that she has been able to get any of this done, as she secrets it out during his naps. If he realized how much she has cleared out of their house, he would not be pleased. Of course, the house is greatly improved by her actions.

On Tuesday, my aunt and I tackled the top half of her hall linen closet. The top three shelves have been a catch-all for junk. It's one of those that you don't open, unless you are prepared to catch everything that it about to tumble out. We had a rouge lightbulb fall and smash on the wood floor. Not a good situation.

As with all organization tasks, we started by removing everything and sorting it into appropriate piles. My aunt had tons of expired medicine, dating back to 2002, tons. There were loose light bulbs everywhere and a lifetime supply of hair spray. As we went through the cupboard, she lamented on all of the wasted money with unused prescriptions and items that she bought not realizing that she already had a ton. Organization is good for your wallet!

This had been in the cupboard for decades!

Sorting piles in the hall. We also used the guest bedroom (my room) and the office for piles.

I do have a bit of an ulterior motive, that my aunt was quick to point out. One day, I will either inherit the house or have to help my family move out of it. One way or the other, I will have to clean it and it's just easier to chip away at it a little each time I visit. Plus, it makes it easier for them living in it now. I would urge anyone in a similar situation to do the same.

Having lost my mom, I can assure you that cleaning out a relatives house is far more difficult when under stress. Do it while they are alive and can help. Plus, it's a great idea if they can tell you about important mementos, it's a bonding experience. My mom went through her jewelry box with me and then took it a step further and labeled all of the important pieces. I would never have known which ones were my Grandparent's Wedding rings or sentimental pieces that my father gave to her. It means a lot now.

I went to the adult toy store (Bed, Bath and Beyond) with my coupon and spent twelve dollars on three plastic storage containers. One container has all of the floating light bulbs, safe where they won't break. Another has travel sized items and the third contains first aid items. The boxes are labeled and clear for easy access. I may go back and get a few more to further organize the space, but at this point it's a million times better than it was before.

Please don't tell my uncle that we got rid of about 80% of the stuff! I really scored with a find that was hidden deep back in the cupboard.

I have used this style Bobbi Brown make-up case for years and my current one wore out last summer. I wanted to ask for a new one for Christmas, but found out that it had be discontinued, which is crazy, since it's so perfect. My aunt had this and it had never been used, so she gave it to me. A huge score. Cleaning can lead to hidden treasures.

Forgivness Via Facebook

Forgiveness is never easy, but then again, neither is luging around anger and resentment. Last night, I was at a fork in the road and decided that it would be easier to lighten my load.

Several years ago, I was very hurt by someone whom I considered a close friend. I was left confused, angry and I felt like I had been terribly mistreated. I'm an optimistic person and like to give people second chances, however sometimes a friend needs to be let go for self-preservation. The older I get, the better I am at discerning true friends from toxic people that are not worth the trouble and I cut off contact. I have a lot of truly amazing friends and am blessed, there is no reason to waste time on people that don't fit the bill.

This particular friend reached out a few years ago with a half-hearted text message apology. I blew him off and clung to the resentment.

A few days ago, he sent me a Facebook Friends request. At first, I was thinking that it was some kind of joke. Didn't he know that I was not his friend? I was irked. Incredibly irked. Dan has pin-pointed me as someone who can't just let things go. I always need to have the last word. He's right. If I don't feel like I've had a good resolution, I will perpetuate the dialogue. It's not about having to win, it's about having the issue put to bed. I wrote back to the friend in anger.

We had it out and then I felt like we had a real, sincere dialogue and I got the apology and understanding that I needed. I am still hurt, but I am no longer confused. I accepted the friend request, although I am not sure that we are exactly friends. It's tentative, a good faith gesture. It's a nod to the good times that we had and the friendship that existed prior to everything going south.

I've had this happen with a few friends via Facebook. Facebook provides a unique forum for allowing the wounds to heal. You can interact as much or as little, let the person in as much or as little as you want. It gives a sense of control over the situation and lets things slowly resolve or fade away.

I know that there are some people that I would never allow into my Facebook or real world, they're relationships not worth salvaging. However, I've found those that I have given a second chance to (after a sincere amends), have been worthy of that second chance. I also would hope those that I may have wronged, would grant me a second chance, if the situation warranted it.

I feel better to have made the decision to forgive, happier for it. I feel like I learned lessons from the situation, as forgive doesn't mean to forget, but to tread carefully in the future. This year is getting better with each day.