This is What a Feminist Looks Like...

I have been told before that what I do for a living is shallow, superficial and un-feminist. I’ve always disagreed. There is nothing wrong with wanting to face the world looking your very best, healthy and beautiful.

As a makeup artist and esthetician it is my job to help women to become the best version of themselves and it is an honor to be trusted to touch someone’s face.

Everyone I’ve ever met has a love-hate relationship with their appearance and despite all the staring into the mirror; they often don’t see their own best features. It is great to tell someone they have lovely eyelashes or great bone structure or beautiful lips and see the look of surprise on their face.

“Me? They say? No…” But it’s true. They just can’t see past their flaws and see the good things that everyone else can see.

I am a Peacekeeper Cause-metics demonstrator which means that I get the chance to not only educate people on all of the wonderful causes PK supports but also help them choose the right color.

I find that the products tend to look slightly different in the tubes than they do on the lips so whenever possible I apply the colors for them. (After sanitizing the products and using a fresh disposable applicator)

Everyone is always amazed when they learn that 100% of after-tax profits are donated to human-rights issues. Like me, they thought they would get around to donating money to causes they believed in at some point…when they had more money. And also like me, they spend money several times a year to purchase new cosmetics.

With Peacekeeper, you can do both. Indulge your girly side and your activist side and know that they are both important and worthwhile.

MamaSpa Wellness Center

I was laying in bed nursing the boys thinking about how it's sometimes hard to blend being a mom with having a career, in my case a holistic esthetician/makeup artist/skincare rep. I love my work so much and lately when I am working I feel the most rapport with other moms. Bring up a case of hormonal melasma and I'm right on top of it.
Also, I know so many talented mamas who haven't gone back to work because they care more about motherhood than getting some lame job and I know talented women (ME!) who are basically trapped in their houses because it is too overwhelming to get out. I was just thinking how incredible it would be to be able to go to a space where you can drop your kids off with a sitter who is also a mom, grab a latte and ACTUALLY DRINK IT WHILE IT'S HOT, get a new bra, pop in for a brow wax and, well since the kids fell asleep you may is well take a yoga class or get a pedicure.
Or--you have a bunch of baby clothes that your kids outgrew so you stop by, drop off your bag and get to choose a few new items in their size.....and pick up a new lip gloss and a multivitamin while you're at it!
Or--you are a mom who likes to care for children or you're an esthetician (me!) or you are a therapist (my MIL....you don't need to have given birth recently!) and you need a great job where you can bring your kids.
Enter MamaSpa Wellness Center, where every woman is a well woman! No one has to put their jobs on hold or stay isolated in their homes because it's too overwhelming to venture out!

For Moms, by Moms: (EVERY employee is a mom!)

Here is a stream of consciousness list of what could be available--

Facials, waxing, skincare services, makeup classes for moms and teens, makeovers
Manicure/Pedicure
Hairstylists
On-site childcare for employees and clients
Yoga classes
Acupuncture
Therapists specializing in postpartum depression, mother's issues, and child stuff (art therapy, etc.)
Parenting classes
Post partum doulas
Nutritionist
Cafe
Toy lending library
Baby clothes swap nights
Mom's night out with free makeovers once a month
boutique with some clothes, local jewelry, nursing bras, etc.
Lactation consultant, LLL meetings
Support groups for PPD, special needs children, grief, etc.
A rotating space for mom artists to hang/sell their work
Craft room


I wish this could exist...can you imagine the amount of money it would take??? I know so many women that could work there with me, though. *sigh*

Makeover Time!!

* Lately I've been kind of obsessed with creating a makeup questionnaire that I can use when doing makeup. I sometimes have a hard time ascertaining whether or not I am on the same page with a client and that gets tricky. While I've never had anyone say they were not happy, I have had the impression that we are not speaking the same language. (you say 'berry' and I think strawberry and you are actually thinking more apricot)
I think this could really help me really give the recipient of my makeovers exactly what they had in mind. With people I'm friends with I can kind of guess or make choices for them but for someone I don't know well, it can be very difficult. I created a 'look book' with different makeup looks I ripped out of magazines and put into a binder so my clients can also have a visual.

Here it is blank:
(below I've filled it out with my answers because it's fun. feel free to print it and take it with you next time you brave a department store makeover!)



Makeup Questionnaire:


1. I wear makeup _____________________

(ex: everyday, most days, sometimes, for special occasions, never)

2. Most of the time I want my makeup to be __________________

(ex: fun, simple, natural, dramatic)

3. I feel best when I look ________________

(ex: glamorous, healthy, well-rested, trendy)

4. If I had to wear one lipstick for the rest of my life it would be _______________

5. I prefer lipgloss/lipstick/lipbalm (choose one)

6. The one makeup look I would never do is __________________

7. The one makeup item I can't live without is _______________

8. Today I want to look __________________

9. I would be really unhappy if I looked ______________________

10. The products that are perfect for me are _________________________

I am still looking for the perfect __________________________________

11. I am able to experiment with different looks/I am most comfortable with a certain look (choose one)

12. I consider my skin to be:
(normal/combination, oily/problem,mature, sensitive)

13. T/F: I exfoliate regularly

14. T/F: I moisturize regularly

15. T/F: Today I am happy with the way my skin looks.




I looked through the book and I the ones I liked the most were:

Natural: pretty, neutral,romantic, balanced face, soft rosy cheeks and lips, dewey skin

Natural/Sun kissed: beachy, neutral, peach cheeks, apricot lips, bronzed skin

Dramatic: lots of color, metallics, focus on the eye, shimmery skin

Dramatic 40's Retro: vampy deep red lips with neutral eyes and cheeks, matte skin

Dramatic 60's Retro: Cat-eye liner, lots of mascara, pale mouth, velvety skin

Dramatic 70's Retro: Dark, smudgey liner, tough punk rock style, imperfect skin



Other Comments/Questions: _______________________________________


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Makeup Questionnaire:


1. I wear makeup most days

(ex: everyday, most days, sometimes, for special occasions, never)

2. Most of the time I want my makeup to be simple, natural, flattering, like myself but more glamorous

(ex: fun, simple, natural, dramatic)

3. I feel best when I look healthy, well-rested

(ex: glamorous, healthy, well-rested, trendy)

4. If I had to wear one lipstick for the rest of my life it would be a color like Dr. Hauschka #11 or Glominerals Snapdragon or Bare Escentuals Wild Woman Josie

5. I prefer lipgloss/lipstick/lipbalm (choose one) lipstick

6. The one makeup look I would never do is a lot of bronzer and orange-y colors.

7. The one makeup item I can't live without is lipstick

8. Today I want to look pretty.

9. I would be really unhappy if I looked trashy.

10. The products that are perfect for me are mineral makeup, Blinc kiss me mascara, powder blush, cream or liquid highlighters.

I am still looking for the perfect nothing. I am happy with most of my products.

11. I am able to experiment with different looks/I am most comfortable with a certain look (choose one) The first one

12. I consider my skin to be:
(normal/combination, oily/problem,mature, sensitive) normal/combination when in balance, a bit problem during stress or period

13. T/F: I exfoliate regularly T

14. T/F: I moisturize regularly T

15. T/F: Today I am happy with the way my skin looks. F




I looked through the book and I the ones I liked the most were: The first one but with soft/smudgey brown liner and shimmery eyes.

Natural: pretty, romantic, neutral, balanced face, soft rosy cheeks and lips, dewey skin

Natural/Sun kissed: innocent,beachy, neutral, peach cheeks, apricot lips, bronzed skin

Dramatic: lots of color, metallics, focus on the eye, shimmery skin

Dramatic 40's Retro: vampy deep red lips with neutral eyes and cheeks, matte skin

Dramatic 60's Retro: Cat-eye liner, lots of mascara, pale mouth, velvety skin

Dramatic 70's Retro: Dark, smudgey liner, tough punk rock style, imperfect skin



Other Comments/Questions: _______________________________________

Demolicious

Mychelle demo at Whole Foods Market Lamar

Right now my job consists of doing demos and events for the reps of Mychelle Dermaceuticals and Dr. Hauschka skincare. It's fun and flexible and has been a good way for me to get my feet wet and make contacts at the local natural foods stores.
Demos are great for me because I love merchandising. A big part of the fun for me is setting up and creating a display to work from. The challenge is getting people interested in what I am doing there.
I did one demo and one event for Dr. Hauschka this month. Once people hear that I am a DH certified esthetician they are excited to talk to me, which is great. At the event I just did, a Day of Beauty at the Whole Foods flagship store I was fully booked and did two Decoratives makeovers and ten skincare consultations. What shocks me is that even longtime users of the line are usually using it slightly incorrectly. Maybe using the wrong moisturizer or not knowing about compressing. I love being able to educate them about the nuances of the line so they can get even better results.


Dr. Hauschka Day of Beauty, Whole Foods
Market Lamar