Creating Glow During The Storms
This wasn’t necessarily the tone I had originally had in mind but here I am listening to Taylor Swift’s newest album Folklore which is as beautiful as it is melancholy. My fancy kitty is giving me a dirty look, nothing new. It’s August 2020, enough said. I am at a point in my life where I just want to focus on creativity and staying positive but OMG can it be challenging! I just stumbled across the most incredible post on Facebook shared by wonderful woman I use to sell and apply makeup for while working at Clinique. We quickly became close friends. Essentially, I was enthralled by her positive energy and love of life.
“Even now, as broken as you may feel, you are still so strong. There’s something to be said for how you hold yourself together and keep moving, even though you feel like shattering. Don’t stop. This is your healing. It doesn’t have to be pretty, or graceful. You just have to keep going.” - Maxwell Diawuoh
Deeper than cosmetics…
I originally started this blog mid Summer. Since then, a lot has happened. We just welcomed a fresh start for 2021 so I will do my best to keep this lighthearted… Sorry in advance.
My beloved father fell ill at the beginning of the pandemic, a time where visitors weren’t allowed. Nor services or funerals. Leaving me and the girls with emptiness. No closure. My mother, younger sister Gabby and I never got to say goodbye.
Once the craziness settled in July, I went to visit my family in Florida. As grateful as we were to be reunited, my father was deeply missed. I was grateful to have the opportunity to spend lots quality time with my Mom. This could have been the longest, most intimate time I’ve ever had with her. I was reminded how much I value the friendship we share.
While Mother and I were busy painting on the lanai, baking banana bread, watching Jane Austen movies and going for walks my entire visit in Florida…. Gabby on the other hand, worked extremely hard to finish her last few weeks of her bachelor’s degree program while working full time as an office coordinator. Throughout the generations I would always hear “our family has strong women.” Overtime I have come to understand what that truly means.
Before “the world ended,” I felt like I was working 24/7, constantly dressed up and made up and now that my schedule has completely shifted, I struggle with losing my purpose. As silly as it sounds, in my early thirties, here I am yet again, redirecting my career path and reinventing myself as a woman. Makeup artistry has been my passion since I was a teenager. Being creative and enhancing beauty has always brought me joy even in the mist of all the chaos. But this is much deeper than cosmetics.
And just like Cinderella’s fairy godmother, I transformed my beautiful sister into a flawless bride for a day.
What’s the point in doing your makeup for work if you have to wear a mask anyway?
This was the perfect excuse I needed to become creative and Gabby needed pampering and a self esteem booster. I put my skills and talents to use on the very first face I had began practicing on so many years ago.
Before I left for Florida, I thought it was a wonderful idea to bring my entire makeup kit. Turns out my intuition was on point! It warmed my heart seeing my sister smile. I truly hope she felt as stunning as she looked. This was our special time together.
The Glam
As always, airbrush foundation by Temptu was used. To match Gabby perfectly, I mixed a little bit of Alabaster into Ivory inside my airbrush machine. I wanted to accentuate her beautiful brown eyes with shimmering rose golds and bronze shadows and created a smoked out winged look. I bronzed and contoured with Clinique’s Sunkissed Bronzer. I used dramatic lashes by Ardell. I was very excited to apply a soft raspberry toned lipstick and liner because those tones always make her lips pop and blend well with her complexion. Finally, a gorgeous GLOW was created using Clinique’s Hefty Highlight Chubby Stick on her cheekbones, tip of the nose and cupid’s bow.
My mother made the best assistant I could ever ask for. I know where I get ‘it’ from. She helped arrange the beautiful bouquet while I applied makeup on Gabby. This lady even pulled the most clutch move by offering one of most meaningful props… Her bridal veil from my parents’ wedding. What would have been their 36th anniversary was only a couple of days passed. I was so overjoyed to incorporate this special bridal piece into the shoot.
We Must Stick Together
I couldn’t have done this styled shoot without the help of my Mom and sister. It was a fun bonding experience pampering my sis and transforming her into a bride. The three of us needed an opportunity like this to lift our spirits. I think about my father everyday and will continue to create, express and succeed to make him proud.
I hope this blog gave you all the feels. I dedicate this to my family who have always been so supportive. Ironically, a big Floridian storm joined the party at the later part of the shoot. It didn’t matter because my model was wearing all waterproof cosmetics and still looking radiant and full of GLOW.
