Things Are Looking Up: The May Recap

I’ve been trying on dresses from my closet in anticipation of going somewhere where I can wear them. That’s optimism.

I know May isn’t over yet, but it’s close enough! So let me have this one.

In comparison to April, May really flew by. I don’t know if was because restrictions started to loosen up in my state, or because I got to (safely) see my immediate family and two friends, or because I received some grant and loan money or because May is my birthday month, but May kicked April’s ass, as far as I’m concerned. I felt much more optimistic this month, and other than my mid-May eardrum rupture that put me in the (very empty) ER, I’ve physically felt good too. The vestibular/balance issues I’ve been battling for over a year and a half have been good more days than they’ve been bad in this Taurus-Gemini month, and I’m in the low end of my weight range, which always brings me joy 🙂

A lot of 2020 AB Beauty brides sadly had to postpone their weddings this month, but we’ve still been able to accommodate 100% of our reschedules, which I am SO HAPPY about. We’ve booked work with some new brides too, which the whole team is grateful for. We cannot wait to get back to weddings, whenever that may be.

I’ve been busy with The Rhode Island Coalition of Wedding Vendors, and I’ve come up with a new business idea that you may hear more about in 2021. Even though I had no makeup clients or shoots this month and our next wedding isn’t until mid-July (if we’re lucky), I’ve been a busy little birthday girl.

This summer is going to be a lot different in several ways, but I’m still looking forward to it. The weather will get warmer, restrictions will loosen, and I’m going to be an Auntie for the first time in July! To me–and I realize I’m lucky in many ways–this was the best May could possibly be, all things considered. I’m looking forward to life continuing to get better over the next few months, and I hope life improves for you too.

Have a beautiful day 🙂

You’re Blushing: My Favorite Cheek Color Products

A blushing bride.
Photo: Joe Laurin Photography
Makeup: Allison Barbera

Blush, rouge, cheek color–call it what you will, and wear it if you want. (I’m going to go with “blush” because it’s quicker to type than “cheek color,” and a little more current than “rouge.”) Blush has been getting slightly more love in the beauty world the last few years, but I think it’s still an underrated product. Blush can make you look healthier, younger and it can even help with emphasize your bone structure or downplay things you don’t love about your face shape.

We don’t lack choices in the eye makeup, foundation and lipstick worlds, and blush is no different. There are several blush formulations to choose from. You’ve got your powder blushes, cream blushes, liquid blushes and stick blushes. I generally consider anything that’s not a powder blush to be a cream, in terms of when to apply it and who I would use it on. I work with powders and creams and usually use both on a client and when doing my own makeup.

I’ve become quite fond of several blushes during my career as a makeup artist, and I think it’s time I share those with you.

MAC BLUSHES

I’ve been using MAC Powder Blushes since I started doing makeup, and I still use them today. They are long-lasting, well pigmented and come in a huge variety of shades. My favorites are:

Burnt Pepper. A dirty tangerine that looks beautiful on deep skintones.

Fleur Power. A soft bright pinkish-coral that is pretty on those with medium skintones.

Gingerly. A bronze shade that works well on medium and deep skintones.

Melba. A soft coral peach that works well on medium skintones.

Peaches. A pure peach that is beautiful on medium and medium-deep skintones.

Pinch O’ Peach. A peachy pink that I use on many of my clients with light skintones.

Pink Swoon. A soft candy pink that looks great on fair and light skintones.

There are also a couple MAC Mineralize powder blushes that I use. I typically don’t like shimmery blushes, as I think they have a tendency to look fake, and bigger shimmer particles will settle into pores. But Mineralize blushes have just the the right amount of subtle shimmer.

Dainty. This light yellow pink with gold pearl is a favorite of my clients who love blush. It works best on light and medium skintones.

Warm Soul. When I have a client with rosacea, I don’t use anything with red or pink in it on their cheeks because that only brings out the redness I’m trying to cover. So this midtone beige with gold pearl is the perfect choice.

GLOSSIER CLOUD PAINTS

These pigmented, blendable gel-cream blushes come in pretty packaging and man, does a little bit go a long way.

Storm. I’ve used this warm rose on all different skintones. I find it easiest to work with on medium and deep skintones but I’ve used it on light skintones as well (just with a small amount of product).

Dawn. This sunny coral looks pure orange when you first apply it, but then it calms down a little. It’s stunning on medium and deep skintones. I wouldn’t use it on fair or light skin.

Puff. This light cool pink is so pretty! It’s gorgeous on fair and light skintones, as well as light-medium skintones.

Beam. I mainly use this soft peach on light and light-medium skintones. It gives a nice glow without being overpowering.

MILK MAKEUP GLOW OIL LIP + CHEEK

I discovered these pigmented stick blushes in December, so I haven’t had a chance to try them on clients yet (because I was in Charleston for the winter, then I came back to RI and beauty businesses got shut down).

Halo. A pink shimmer that gives my skin a beautiful healthy glow. The shimmer particles are so fine that they’re undetectable, but they leave a little sheen on the skin.

Flare. A coral shimmer that I like better when I have some self tanner on. Again, I don’t notice the shimmer in this one because the particles are so fine.

I’m sure there are other great blushes out there, but these are my go-to’s. If you don’t already wear blush, give it a try! It can really bring a makeup look together.

Have a beautiful day 🙂

 

 

My Current Makeup Routine: Step by Step

A full face of makeup. And I loved doing it!

I’m not trying to toot my own horn here, but I’ve had several people over the years ask me how I do my makeup. Some of the products change, but the process has stayed the same. If you’re wondering how I do the damn thing when I wear a full face of makeup (very rare these days), keep reading.

Step 1: Eye primer. I have combination skin and my giant Glo-Worm eyelids are on the oily side, so without this eye primer, my eyeshadow fades off almost completely within a few hours.

Step 2: If I haven’t previously applied my moisturizer, I do it now. But it usually goes on post hyaluronic acid, which I apply after I shower, since it needs to go on moist skin.

Step 3: Even though my moisturizer contains SPF, I don’t use enough of it (half a teaspoon of sunscreen is the recommended amount) to get the full benefit. So if I’m going to be outside for an extended period of time, I add sunscreen to my routine.

Step 4: By now, my eye primer has completely absorbed so I can start my eye makeup. My base/lid shadow goes on first.

Step 5: Since my moisturizer and sunscreen (if needed) have now absorbed, I can do some pore minimizing. I apply a pore minimizer it to any area where there are visible pores, and well as to the fine lines on my forehead and around my mouth. Sometimes those fine lines are barely visible, but if I’m tired, dehydrated or my skin is dry, they’re out full force.

Step 6: Back to the eyeshadow. I finish that up and add eyeliner. Most of the time, I use eyeshadow as an eyeliner, but occasionally I use a gel liner at the upper lashline and/or a pencil liner in the waterline.

Step 7: It’s foundation time! I use a liquid foundation, applied with my hands and blended with a buffing brush.

Step 8: I fill in my brows next, using a matte brown powder eyeshadow. I do brows after foundation so that they are not disturbed while I’m blending the foundation on my forehead, as sometimes the brush will lightly hit my brows as I blend.

Step 9: I erase any shadow fallout from under my eyes with micellar water.

Step 10: While the residue from the micellar water is drying off, I apply my cream brush. The shades I choose vary, but I typically go with a pink or light peach.

Step 11: I apply a thin layer of moisturizer under my eyes to prep. I blend that in with a fluffy eyeshadow brush, then I apply some concealer. If I need to conceal anything on the rest of my face, I do so now.

Step 12: I apply a volumizing mascara to my top lashes.

Step 13: I set my foundation with pressed powder, pushing it into the skin with a buffing brush.

Step 14: I apply a beauty tubes mascara to my bottom lashes, because the tubes don’t smudge.

Step 15: I apply a thin layer of powder under my eyes to set my concealer.

Step 16: I apply a matte bronzer to add some warmth and lightly sculpt my face.

Step 17: I apply an inky black, lengthening mascara to my top lashes.

Step 18: I apply either more cream blush or some powder blush.

Step 19: If I’m going to wear lipstick (I often don’t), I apply it now.

It sounds like 19 steps would take forever, but this whole process only take me 15 – 20 minutes, and that’s usually with multiple email and text distractions. If you have the products and the tools but don’t know when to apply what, hopefully this post has helped.

Have a beautiful day 🙂

 

Time Killers: The Comedy Edition

I think many of us are watching TV/Netflix/Prime/Hulu, etc. a little more than normal. Do you agree? Sure you do.

As you may know, I love to laugh, and laughing feels extra needed right now. So if you’re like me and looking for something funny to watch, take a little looksee through this list.

YouTube Shows & Clips

I have Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime for comedy shows and standup specials, but there’s also a lot of comedy gold to be found on YouTube.

Lights Out with David Spade. I love David Spade but you don’t even need to to like this show because each episode features different comedian or comedic actor guests. It originally only ran on Comedy Central, then they started posting full episodes on YouTube. Once corona hit, David began doing episodes from home and video chatting with guests. Comedy Central recently canceled the show for the next season, but it may end up on Netflix or somewhere else where the decision makers understand good comedy. This was one of the great pre-COVID episodes, and here’s what things are looking like now.

Something’s Burning. This show is hosted by comic Bert Kreischer, who has two comedian guests on each episode as they attempt different recipes. I thought the funniest episodes were with Theo Von and Andrew Santino, Chris D’Elia and Bobby Lee, and Colin Quinn and Nick DiPaolo.

Jake & Amir. This show from the College Humor YouTube channel ended a while back, but I still sometimes watch episodes. The two coworkers have often absurd conversations mostly due to Amir’s ridiculous character. The episodes are usually three or four minutes long, so the perfect amount of time if you just want a quick break.

Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik. There are clips from this Comedy Central show on YouTube, which is the only way I can watch it since I haven’t had a TV since the early aughts. Anthony is one of my favorite comics, so watching him with other comics I love–like Tig Notaro, Kumail Nanjiani, Natasha Leggero, David Spade and Nick Kroll–is enough to make me happy. It’s worth a try, especially if you’ve never seen a deadpan-off.

Under a Rock with Tig Notaro. Tig is another one of my all-time favorite comics. She’s been in the industry for a long time, but has almost no pop culture knowledge or ability to recognize most celebrities. On this show, Tig meets and questions celebrities she doesn’t recognize to try to figure out who they are. If that premise sounds funny to you, give it a shot with this Tony Shaloub episode.

Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard on Taste Buds. In this Ellen segment, two celebrities are blindfolded and one is supposed to describe what the food they are eating is to the other. I don’t remember any of the other people who have been on this segment, but this Kristen and Dax one makes me cry laughing every time.

YouTube Video Podcasts

I only ever watch video podcasts (you won’t find me just listening, unless that’s the only option) and I also only mess with podcasts hosted by or featuring comedians. Especially with certain comedians, facial expressions are part of what makes me laugh, so why would I just listen if I can also watch?

Congratulations with Chris D’Elia. Hands down my favorite comedy podcast. I’ve never missed an episode and I truly look forward to each one being released. If I were you, I would start with Episode 1 and work your way up (they turn into video podcasts starting at episode 33), because there are a lot of jokes and kind of a language that you’ll only understand if you start it from the beginning.  I’ll help you out: click here.

This Past Weekend with Theo Von. There’s something about a funny person who also has a Southern accent that makes me laugh extra hard. Theo is naturally funny, and the way that man’s brain works is unreal. I especially love the episodes where he has guests on (like this one with Sebastian Maniscalco), as Theo interacts with people like no other. And his Anthrax Challenge videos–where he opens gifts from fans and hopes they don’t contain anthrax–are hilarious. I would start here and then work your way up to Anthrax Challenge #10, which just came out.

Tiger Belly with Bobby Lee and Khalyla. I’ve loved Bobby since his days on Mad TV, and he makes me laugh just as much on this podcast he does with his girlfriend, Khalyla. I especially like this episode with comic Brent Morin.

Netflix Shows

Thank God for  Netflix, right? From comedy series to sketch shows to standup, they’ve got a solid selection.

The Fix. I don’t know how this show is not more popular! I’ve watched the entire season three times so far. The panel show, hosted by comic Jimmy Carr, features D.L. Hughley, Katherine Ryan and two rotating comedian guests each episode. They talk about serious issues–like gun control, global warming and the wealth gap–and then try to to fix those issues with solutions that will make you laugh, but sometimes think “Could some of that actually work?”

Grace & Frankie. Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda star in this series about two women who are brought together when they discover that their husbands are in love with each other. I’ve laughed out loud at every single episode, and I’m sad the series is done after the next season. Lily Tomlin is, in my opinion, one of the funniest people in Hollywood.

Parks & Recreation. If you haven’t watched this, get on it! This is a classic for a reason. It’s the kind of show where you can go back and watch any episode and it’s still funny.  You’ll fall in love with the characters and when you finish the series, if you’re like me, you’ll cry because it’s over. Still worth it.

The Office. Please see: everything I just said about Parks & Rec.

The Good Place. Such great writing on this show about a group of people in the afterlife. I found Ted Danson’s character, Michael, to be especially hilarious. This show is too easy to binge.

Netflix Standup Specials

I’m just going to name the comic, as some of them have several Netflix specials and I don’t have all day here.

Amy Schumer

Anthony Jeselnik

Bill Burr

Brent Morin

Chris D’Elia

Christina Pazsitsky

Craig Ferguson

Daniel Tosh

Demetri Martin

Donald Glover

Fortune Feimster

Hannah Gadsby

Hannibal Buress

Hari Kondabolu

Hasan Minhaj

Jim Gaffigan

Jimmy Carr

John Mulaney

Kumail Nanjiani

Maria Bamford

Marc Maron

Michelle Wolf

Mike Birbiglia

Moshe Kasher (also has a special with his wife, Natasha Leggero)

Nate Bargatze

Nikki Glaser

Patton Oswalt

Ricky Gervais

Ryan Hamilton

Ryan Sloss

Lucas Brothers

Theo Von

Tig Notaro

Todd Barry

Todd Glass

Tom Papa

Tom Segura

Trevor Noah

Sarah Silverman

Wanda Sykes

Zack Galifianakis

Hulu

I’m new to Hulu (started my free one month membership in February then decided to do a paid membership once that was up), but I’ve been making my way through it.

The Mindy Project. This show created by and starring Mindy Kaling was originally on Fox, then was picked by Hulu after Fox cancelled it. This is a cult favorite type of show that really deserves more widespread recognition. The writing, the characters, the storyline, the acting–everything is as good as it gets. I still think about certain lines of dialogue and start laughing, even months after I finished the series.

Community. The six season series about a group of friends at a community college is the most recent series I watched, and one of the funniest. The actors on this show–including Joel McHale, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase, Alison Brie and Ken Jeong, among others–are so good. I find it hard to picture anyone else playing their roles, because they were so perfect for each one. If you watch this series–and I really recommend that you do–please comment with your favorite scene with the dean, because I have one that I think about pretty regularly and it makes me laugh out loud, by myself.

I could keep going, but I have to end this post somewhere. If you’re in need of a laugh, hopefully this helped. I know it can feel easier to cry than to laugh lately, but you can’t be sad while you’re laughing–which is exactly why we need comedy.

Have a beautiful day 🙂

 

April Showers Were The Least of Our Worries: Last Month’s Recap

Anytime I left the house in April.

By late March, I was dreading April. I knew we were looking at a full month of quarantine, and my close-contact business was not allowed to operate (in terms of in-person appointments, anyway). The first half of April went by painfully slow for me. I was having a hard time dealing with being alone 24/7 while also trying to keep my business afloat as more and more summer weddings rescheduled.

On April 17, I created The Rhode Island Coalition of Wedding Vendors Facebook group, and everything changed. I now have a purpose–helping my fellow vendors as we work through issues related to losing (currently) a minimum of four and half months of income due to rescheduled weddings.

Other than that, I’ve been crazy busy with said wedding reschedules, applying for unemployment (success!), applying for loans (more success!) and talking to my attorney, accountant and others who I’ve consulted with about my business. I have had no real in person socialization for 6.5 weeks, which is hard for my Gemini side (the Taurus in me is fine just touching soft things, and you’ll get that joke if you’re into astrology).

By the end of March, I knew April was going to be tough, but I didn’t know I would be interviewed by local news channels four times. I didn’t expect that weddings as far out as August would reschedule. And I had no idea I would be as busy I normally am this time of year, but that my job would not be what it normally is.

I’m so glad April is behind us. I know I’m biased because my birthday is in May, but I’ve always found May to be a great month. It’s probably because where I live this time of year, the weather starts to get warmer and town starts to get busy as we move towards our summer season. That won’t be the case this May, but our state’s stay-at-home order could be lifted this month, so at least we have that to potentially look forward to.

I hope that there will never again be a month like April 2020, which was a bad month for so many of this planet’s inhabitants. I’m looking forward to things getting better, and that’s what I will focus on as much as I can.

Have a beautiful day 🙂