A Daily Dose Of Glamour

A smile is the prettiest thing you can wear – unknown

‘Smile more, it’s an instant facelift’, tip #11 from ‘100 Ways to Age with Grace, Elegance & Joie De Vivre‘  via  Live the Charmed Life . I have to tell you, not only is it an instant facelift, but it makes those around you happier. I was working a makeup event a few months ago, with a team I usually have so much fun around. Not only that, It’s a high energy day where your mainly focused on selling and speaking to customers. So I had a huge grin on my face. All day.  I am one of those people who is unfortunately afflicted by Resting Bitchface Syndrome (RBS),  so when I’m not smiling my face tends to show whatever is on my mind and if it is anywhere near unpleasant or even if I am just feeling calm, I will look like I’m really pissed off. Therefore whenever I am in public I try to keep a smile on my face, or otherwise face the endless question of ‘Are you Ok?’. Yes I’m ok, just resting.

At the event was another makeup artist who I had never worked with. She really had her bitch face on. Everyone all day kept wondering why she was there since she looked so miserable. I passed her by on my way to attend to a customer when for the first time all day she acknowledged me (she had been throwing shade my way the entire day, but waited until now to actually speak to me). Her acknowledgement wasn’t to me in general, but to my smile in particular. She asked me ‘what the deal was’, when I asked her what she meant, she said ‘your smiling… you might want to tone that down a bit…’. I have never in my life heard of anyone questioning someone else’s happiness (she could have used some herself). So I was left feeling a bit stunned and honestly insulted. I spoke with a few other artists that I am friendly with who reassured me that she was nuts and I was fine, that my smile and friendly demeanor is what draws people to me. I knew they were right. All day I had a team of other artists supporting me, laughing with me, and making plans to stay in touch with me after the event ended. The unsmiling artist did not. Her lack of smile (and manners) alienated most everyone around her, which proves my point. When you smile, people are drawn to you, they want to be around you and your smile will make them feel special. A smile really is the easiest way to brighten up yours or someone else’s day.

Wear less makeup. Probably sounds like a ridiculous statement coming from a Makeup Artist, but it actually mirrors my aesthetic as I love a clean, minimal face. I have just never gravitated towards the heavier makeup looks favored by certain reality stars who’s last names start with ‘K’.  So I can actually relate to #63  Wear Less Makeup on the  ‘100 Ways to be Elegant’ list from Live the Charmed Life. It also brings to mind one of my favorite takes on the Wear Less Makeup style which comes from lifestyle guru Jennifer L. Scott, author of the super chic book Madame Chic; 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris. Jennifer calls this the ‘Le No Makeup Look’ and I love the emphasis on wearing just a touch of makeup each day. I believe a woman’s face shouldn’t give away her secrets, and by secrets I mean it shouldn’t be that obvious from such a far distance the exact shade of eyeliner a woman is wearing.  In my opinion, your only focus should be on how gorgeous her eyes are, instead of being distracted by the actual product on her face.  That’s why when I am making up a face I focus on applying makeup where its needed (for your every day makeup routine, foundation all over ones face is honestly not always needed, better to apply it sparingly and only on the areas of the face that actually need the help). It’s also in my taste to apply more natural and neutral tones that bring out a person’s specific and beautiful features. Not saying though that a smokey eye, or a red (or pink, or purple!) lip isnt a fun thing to play with either, but these looks have their occasions and the very limited times I have worn a heavily made up face during the day made me feel too obvious and in fact, less beautiful.

Check out Jennifer’s video on creating the Le No Makeup Look, as well as my previous post on ‘Naked Beauty‘ using some of my favorite products!