Workspace Beautification.
Yes, your workspace aught to be a reflection of all things beautiful too…absolutely! I do understand that work is work and for many, just a necessary requirement to keep us in the lifestyle that we have become accustomed, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful. In my office, I have several small, yet cherished items that just keep me connected to the more sumptuous elements of life. They are just little reminders of the abundance of loveliness in the life we lead. I have a small electric essential oil burner that wafts about the most perfect essential oil reminders of the exquisite things. I vary the essential oils I put in according to mood or situation, but Neroli, Ylang Ylang, and Petitgrain are favourites. This blend seems to give me a calming yet confident boost to the day. Lavender, rosemary, and basil essential oils spark the little grey cells with great aplomb. These are just some of the fabulously fragrant essential oils that you can combine to enhance your existence in any workspace. I occasionally drip a few drops of essential oils on a tissue and tuck it in my handbag or pocket for a delightful little sniff to keep me on track.
Crystals and minerals are also wonderful items to beautify your workspace. Have a few on hand to gaze at and to energize your work area. Celestite is one of my personal favourites to have about (as pictured)…not to mention Fluorite, Amethyst, Labradorite, smoky and clear quartz to name a few. (But you don’t want to get me started here as I have so many beautiful stones that I hardly have room for my papers!). Stones, like people, are infinitely beautiful too and generously give so much by virtue of their beauty alone. Place one or two, at least, in your work environment and enjoy their magical presence.
Candles, photographs of cherished ones and adored places, small mementos and keepsakes also keep beauty abounding and our thoughts and energies high. Just like Doreen Virtue says, “beautiful thoughts lead to beautiful outcomes.” Never truer words were uttered. Wouldn’t you agree? Do chose something though, no matter how small to beautify your space. It’s amazing how something so small can have such a beautifully big impact…It might even make your day! I suspect it might, in fact. *wink*
*The gorgeous Celestite image courtesy of the lovely Rebecca, owner of That Crystal Site. “When Quality Matters”, That Crystal Site is just extraordinary and my “go to” site for stones…every time!
Sponge, Fingers, Brush?
Q. As a makeup artist, could you please tell me which you would recommend: the use of fingers, brushes, or sponges for the best foundation application for me? I am pretty new to the world of makeup.
A. To be completely honest with you, Beauty Marked!® believes that the best way to apply foundation, is largely based on which one of these application methods you feel most comfortable with and the most confident in using. There’s not much more to it than that. There are definitely merits to using sponges, fingers and brushes. *whispers* -Sometimes all in the same session.
Some folks don’t feel very confident using brushes and this lack of confidence can interfere with one’s makeup application. Getting the knack of using a synthetic foundation brush can be tricky, but worth it as it certainly gives a seamless look to liquid foundations when applied correctly. Foundation brushes are at their best when made of synthetic material so that they do not absorb the foundation and as a result you will use up far less base. Bonus.
Sponges are notorious for sucking up foundation. But their greediness aside, foundation spreads rather evenly and without streakiness when sponges are used. Sponges also seem to handle the many different foundation consistencies too, without too much drama. You can even stipple your foundation on with sponges, which will allow you to vary the depth of coverage in desired areas.
Fingers…well, these are ‘the’ original applicators, aren’t they? There’s absolutely is no shame in applying your foundation with your fingers. Fingers allow you a gorgeous intimacy with your face that is wonderful. The warmth from your fingers will also help the foundation to warm up, spread on, and blend onto your face in a fashion that is highly controllable and gives you a lovely and subtle veil of coverage. The choice is yours.
As a makeup artist, Beauty Marked!® has been known to use all three during a professional makeup application or use just one or two of the ways of applying foundation in a single session! Oy vey! Try them all and see how you feel. Go with the method or methods that you feel most comfortable with and that gives you the finished look you are after. Most importantly, have fun while you’re doing it, because that’s what it’s all about. Shoot Beauty Marked!® an email or post a comment if you’d like to know anything further. Plus, we love to hearing from you!
A Beauty Secret.
Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. - Franz Kafka
Benefit Doesn’t Mess About.
Benefit Cosmetics doesn’t jive around when it comes to their nifty oil-free makeup remover for eyes and face. Benefit’s Gee…that was quick! démaquillant non gras makes light work of removing the day’s eye and face makeup in an instant without leaving a messy oily residue. A few drops on a cotton pad and it’s well and truly a case of “Now you see it! Poof! Now you don’t!” It’s like magic. Benefit’s Gee…that was quick! is that beautiful assistant you’ve always wanted.
Fairy Dust Is Always Required.
There is something beyond magical about the radiance and joy of a little girl as she frolics gleefully in the delightful realm of the fairies. Whether she’s dressed in her finest fairy princess regalia or just imagining that she is, the beauty that she so confidently and generously bestows is just undeniable. She feels as magnificent as she absolutely is. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if her rightful sense of her own infinite beauty were not to be limited to times when she plays with the pixies, but for always? Why not ensure that each little girl is instilled with and feels free to express the beauty and light that is so natural for her, from this moment on. What a wondrous and beautiful individual she would continue to be.
Whipped With A Thread Of Cotton.
As beautifully asked…
I am a Middle Eastern woman, who has done nothing to her brows and they have no discernible shape. I am keen to have them look nice and shaped, as you have highly recommended in the past. But, I am certainly not keen on waxing or plucking my eyebrows. Are there any other suggestions as my eyebrow hairs are very fine and do not seem to be removed very easily, but seem to just snap off and remain as stubble?
As answered with pleasure…
Have you ever considered Threading? Threading is a long established form of hair removal in India, The Middle East, and in many other Asian countries as well, in fact. This method of hair removal is an amazingly effective way to shape your brows and remove any unwanted hair. Even the finest hairs can be removed by Threading. What’s even better is that Threading comes into its own and works its best magic on fine hairs that are generally not easily removed by waxing or tweezing! Sounds perfect, hey?
So how’s it done? A light dusting of powder is applied to hair to be removed. The threader then winds two threads of cotton between her fingers across her two hands. The hairs for removal are targeted and precisely removed by twisting the thread between the fingers, capturing the hairs in question and extracting them from the root. Since the hair is removed in its entirety by the threads, the hair is not snapped off, as some fine hair can be when waxed or plucked. The hair’s regrowth pattern seems to be the same as with waxing or tweezing, when done properly.
Even though Threading has been around for donkey’s years, it may be a bit hard to find places to have it done in your local area, but absolutely worth the hunt. Perhaps try asking in your local Indian or Middle Eastern spice shop or grocery store if anyone knows of a good threader in your area. I hope this helps and please let us know how you go. Good luck!
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes…
Well, actually we rather that smoke gets on your eyes. So in true Vic Damone style, today’s post is in reverence to the ever so supremely sultry smoky eye. Beauty Marked! considers the smoky eye as the ‘go to’ look when you’re set to smoulder! The quintessential smoky eye is the classic cosmetic equivalent of the LBD (little black dress) and is always appropriate. Thanks to L’Oréal Paris and for a limited time only, you can get set to smoulder effortlessly. L’Oréal Paris new ColorAppeal Smoky Eyes duos make light work of getting even more gorgeous.
L’Oréal Paris ColorAppeal Smoky Eyes duos have arrived on our shores in 5 sumptuous shades. After all, who said your beautiful eyes should only be smoked out in charcoal?
-Smoky Eyes Hazy Brown 219
-Smoky Eyes Hazy Burgundy 220
-Smoky Eyes Hazy Green 221
-Smoky Eyes Hazy Blue 222
-Smoky Eyes Hazy Grey 223
For flawless application, place the darker of the two colours in the day’s duo (I said the day’s…because you’ll “need” them all) along your lower lid and to your upper eye lid and lightly smudge. After you’ve smudged the darker colour all around your eye like a slender halo, apply the lighter colour to the crease area of your eye and blend the crease and gently upwards. And just to be sure to be sure, blend the area where the two colours meet on the upper eye a little bit more. Now all you have to do is apply lashings of mascara to your curled lashes and wait for the well deserved compliments to come flooding in and will they ever. Viola! There you have it: devastatingly beautiful smoky eyes in an instant.
LE L’Oréal Paris ColorAppeal Smoky Eyes are on counter now, but only while stocks last.
* hysterically screams* We love you Vic!!
