Are you feeling it? That frazzled, overwhelmed and undermotivated post-holiday crash? There's a degree of stress, going back to our routines after the happy chaos of the holidays. The more hectic things get, the more I like to simplify when I can.
When did "simple" become a bad word? There's nothing wrong with simple or easy or basic. My wine doesn't have to be the oakiest, my car the snazziest, my shoes the totteriest, my nails the blingiest. And my makeup looks don't have to be fancy, done with 32 products, and difficult to execute.
Simple is OK.
Simple is comfortable, like a favorite pair of jeans with an oft-washed tee. Simple is homey, like a roast chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and broccoli. Simple is traditional, like dinner and a flick at the mall theater. Simple is a break from stress, like a walk in the park with your dog or a friend. Simple is familiar, like a playlist of all your favorite songs. Simple is a reward of sorts, like being curled up on the couch with a book, some tea, and a throw.
Simple is OK.
Easy, familiar things are calming and soothing any time, really, and are things I lean on more and more the older I get - anytime, not just when I'm stressed.
I think I'm going to focus on Simple this year on BSB.
It's not that I do particularly complex looks anyway, but I put a lot of pressure on myself thinking I should. But most -like 95%- of my makeup clients want simple looks and tricks. Maybe there are some blog readers who are looking for the same thing...? Maybe they don't want rainbow eyes or 5 shades of shadow and 3 lip products! They want easy and dependable over fancy and complicated. They want something they can do everyday, quickly, but have it look good. They want products that work, and when they find them they'll buy them over and over and over.
So, I'm going to focus on Simple. Ease. Comfort. Dependability.
Here's my first Simple Look.
It fits the bill by using basic and flattering colors that enhance my features but isn't hard to do. Take a look...
How to get this look, simply.
- I counteracted my undereye circles with Bobbi Brown Corrector, then used concealer to cover spots. (My shade: Porcelain Bisque)
- A little foundation mixed with moisturizer and/or primer gives a believable look to skin while still evening-out my skintone and adding a bit of radiance (so I don't look as haggard as I feel!). (Primer: Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Dewy Finish; Foundation: MAC Face & Body)
- I filled in my brows because they help frame my eyes. What does that really mean? It brings attention to my eyes (where most of us like the focus to be) and makes me look "done" (but not overdone, if I keep it light!). (Chanel brow trio)
- I lightly brushed a glowy peachy shade onto my cheeks, which makes me look more lively (catching onto the theme?!).
- A dab of primer on the eyes (I used Urban Decay Primer Potion today) helps shadow adhere and not crease. An extra step, yes, but worth every second and penny!
- A light, shimmery-but-not-glittery shadow went from lash to above the crease. This brightens andlifts and opens up the eye area so I look awake-ish. (MAC Grand Entrance ~ champagne shimmer)
- My eyes are full in the area above the crease, so I like to dab a slightly darker shade there to "contour" (read: pretend that area isn't so puffy). Totally a skipable step if your eyelids aren't fat! (MAC Style Snob ~ grey/taupe shimmer)
- I took a creamy brown and pressed it onto my lashline. In this case, I used a Paint Pot but any cream, gel, pencil or powder would work. (MAC Quite Natural ~ creamy midtone brown)
- Simple: brown mascara. Three coats. (Covergirl Lash Blast)
- My favorite neutral lipstick is MAC Gleam (shimmering, frosty taupe-mauve). What's yours?
And that's it, my friends. Simple. Pretty. Simply pretty!