My Top 5 Rules To Help Any Girl Feel Beautiful!

What is beauty really all about? I've had this topic on my mind for a while. Given that I have four daughters the subject is somewhat of a minefield on some days. Whether it's on a show they are watching, in social media, about a friend, or worst of all... in reference to themselves. We all have bad days, and watching them have bad days is like torture to me. I want to make every growing pain go away. I know I can't and I know trial builds character, still it is horrible to watch when they are down on themselves. 

 

I believe the subject of beauty is among the most difficult, because it is completely subjective. Some think the mountain ranges are the most beautiful part of nature and some think it's the sandy beaches bordering a sapphire ocean. It's no surprise that with people coming in all shapes and sizes our appearances are up for debate, scrutiny, approval, and comparison.

 

As an adult I am completely fine with this, but as a mother I want to empower my girls and teach them to question everything they are taught, read, and see. I constantly tell them to never compare themselves to anyone because it's impossible. To envy someone is such a waste of time and energy. If you want to be that person you will have to take the whole enchilada. You can't have another's face and body without having the parents they inherited it from, and the problems in that family, and the siblings they have, and so on. This simple lesson has cured many cases of envy in my house....not all, but many.

 

Still, the issue of beauty is ever present in our lives. It has been worshiped since the beginning of time in it's various forms and will be until the end of time. The standards will change but it will always be relevant.

 

This brings me to a few opinions I have about it, and how we as mothers and women can help each other. When I look around at the fact that we all come in many shapes and sizes, it is also clear that those many shapes and sizes are considered beautiful. I know we see a sliver of the population on social media and TV, but in reality, not everyone thinks everyone else is beautiful. Some men would happily pass up a Victoria's Secret model for another man...point made!

 

If this is the case, why do we believe the hype we read and hear? Shouldn't we instead be listening to the inner voice we all have, that is more often right than wrong?

 

Here are a my top 5 rules I use for helping my girls feel beautiful.

 

1. Don't criticize other women.... especially in front of your daughter.

 

I see women do this all the time to make themselves feel better, but in reality this only teaches their girls that they need to tear someone down to feel good about themselves. It becomes a beast that is never satisfied. I say starve the beast until it dies before it inhabits your daughters and takes over.

 

2. It is OK to compliment a girl for their outer beauty.

Period. Why not? A compliment is an opinion, and an opinion is subjective. Beauty is individual and should be celebrated. Plus, you just might make someone's day.  Not to mention, they may really need to hear something at that moment... you never know what others are going through.

 

3. Helping others feel good makes you more beautiful in everyway to everyone.
Compliments never get old. I love to see someone light up when I compliment them, and it makes me feel beautiful inside. 

 

4. Self-confidence makes you beautiful.
Feeling good about who you are and what you can do to help and improve something makes you shine from the inside out. Nothing is more attractive than a person with self-confidence... nothing.

 

5. This is my cardinal rule... drum roll please... DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO ANYONE...EVER!

 

I am adamant about this. Comparisons are worthless and only make you feel bad...that's it, they have no other purpose. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We need to be examples for our daughters and embrace ourselves, flaws and all. I am constantly making my flaws a source of humor. I also tackle the flaws I can change, I rarely sit back and do nothing if I am unhappy with myself about something....the last thing I want to do is to teach them to complain about something and do nothing about it. Poke fun or get on your horse and ride I say!

 

We were all given our face and body in this life for a reason. We are all different for a purpose. We need to celebrate all of it in every shape, color, and form! There is beauty in EVERTHING! xoxoxo

5 Reasons Why This Is the Holy Grail Of Foundaions!

I finally found the holy grail of foundation....MAKE UP FOR EVER recently came out with a new foundation  just as I was looking for something better than what I was using. It's called HD High Definition Foundation.  I was previously using a foundation that didn't break me out, but the colors were never right, and I was spending way too much time bronzing it up to make it match my ever-changing skin color. Finally, I decided, with literally thousands of options, I should be able to find something better...anything. I began test driving foundations for about a month, and much to my surprise, I actually didn't feel like I was settling when I tried this one. Here are the reasons why. 

1. I didn't break out.

This was HUGE for me. I literally held my breath each morning after I started wearing it before I looked in the mirror. I was expecting a new blemish to pop up, and to my surprise, I didn't have any unwelcome visitors! Hooray!

2.  The color match was perfect.

I have A LOT of yellow in my skin and it was absolutely identical to the color on my neck, which had some self-tanner on it.

3. It felt light.

It's not the lightest weight foundation as it's medium to full coverage, but it didn't feel overly heavy like other foundations I've recently tried.

4.  It looked great in pictures.

Haven't you ever noticed how your foundation can have a very different camera look? I struggle with this all the time. In the past my foundation has always looked too pink or just plain off. This is the first time I've actually liked the way my skin looks on camera.

5. It goes on easily and blends well.

I use either a blending sponge or brush, but either way it goes on easily and quickly because it isn't too thick.






                                      

In sunlight.

 

Without flash.

 

With flash.

 

FABULOUS lash extensions...My way!

I'm sure you are familiar with all of the hype surrounding lash extensions. I myself am a huge fan but since I do not possess the virtue of patience and I sort of have the mentality of "I want it now" I decided to give it a go myself... but before I get into all of that let me tell you how and why I got here.

 

When I had my first daughter lash extensions were just making their debut. I decided to get them done in an effort to distract myself the fact that I still baby weight to loose (I was on bed rest it was AWFUL)...anyhow. I went in for my appointment and it took about two hours. At first I didn't mind having a little time to myself but as they fell out I missed the full effect and my eyes looked off between appointments. Quickly I began dreading the long appointments and I loathed lying their still and unable to move (my form of torture, for sure), so I decided to let them fall off and use the strips. Finally after a few months of their absence I missed them. I missed waking up looking more wide eyed and bushy tailed and I missed the fact that I could get away with a little concealer and gloss and head out the door.   

 

Now not to dismiss all of the AMAZING lash experts out there but I just could not keep up the routine so I went down to my local beauty supply store bought the individual lashes and temporary glue (not the permanent). I put them on with tweezers at night then in the morning I'd wash my face with a mild soap then apply my makeup as usual. Inevitably they'd fall out but they didn't take my real lashes with them and they fell out at a rate that was easy to keep up with. It was like my eyes had a revolving door of lashes, one out-one in.  After a few years I got brave and decided to use the permanent glue....here is when the game changed, there were more products to buy online...better products.

 

Now my routine is similar but different. I use individual and the fanned ones (knot free) with permanent glue (black). These details above are very important for me. If the flares are knotted it means they are one long strand and can't fall out one at a time. I use black glue because I have naturally black lashes and VERY dark brown eyes. The lases come in array of colors and there is clear glue if you decide to give it a try and you're lashes and eyes are fair in color. I've used several different produces and each has had it's own benefit. I think that the look you want is very individual and specific. I switch my look up, sometimes I go for ultra glam and sometimes I go for natural (but who am I kidding they never look that great naturally).

 

Tools: A glass of wine (not too much), good music (not too loud), tweezers,  a magnifying mirror and excellent lighting.

 

The glue: I put a drop on the side of the tray and dip the tip of the lash in allowing a tiny bit to stick to the end (I mean so tiny you can hardly see it) then I start in the middle and work my way out on either side.

 

Lastly, I am not trained or an expert but I've been doing my own lashes for about ten years and I've been happy with them. I think the key to it working was using the semi permanent glue for a long time and getting really comfortable with the process. 

 

I hope this helps since some of you have asked me about my lashes....If this seems too extreme and you have patience and need a little nap I recommend going to your local beauty bar for a set. If you are feeling brave just remember no coffee before you attempt to try this beauty challenge steady hands are a must! Good luck! 

 

 

   

 

 

Photo credit: Lash L'Amour

 

 

 

 

 

The EVER FABULOUS...Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis!

Wow,  so many holidays have been packed into this weekend. I know that today is meant for us to remember all of the men who ran our great country but I can't help but think of the First Ladies that I believe deserve some well earned recognition. To be honest, I think they deserve a holiday all to themselves but I guess I'll have to settle and use today.

I choose to remember Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Besides having a deep admiration for her iconic style I also have an even deeper respect for the level of class she exemplified through all of her trials and tribulations.  

Jackie O's  trademark style endured and managed to influence generations. I think it was the fact that she was completely herself, uninfluenced and authentic. I love the large shades, shift dresses, triple strand of pearls, ballet flats and trademark trench coat.