We are going to take a slight detour today and from the usual makeup tutorials and go a little deeper! I want to know…”When was the last time you looked in the mirror and actually appreciated something about yourself?” Not in a “fix this, hide that” kind of way, but with genuine admiration? In a world constantly nudging us toward perfection (thanks social media and targeted beauty ads!) it can feel almost rebellious to say, “I love this about myself the way it is!”
So let’s take a moment to do just that. As a working makeup artist, I realize that feeling beautiful cannot JUST come in the form of a product or a makeup technique, it’s also in the confidence we carry, the details of our story we own, and the features we’ve grown to love and appreciate.
Love the Way You Look
Before I start every private makeup lesson with clients, I remind them that I will not tolerate them putting themselves down by saying how much they hate “this” or “that” about their faces while I work with them. We only focus on ways to enhance the parts of their face they DO love, which in turn, distracts from the things they don’t love so much.
Today, let’s celebrate and honor ourselves, and I’ll go first with three things I appreciate about the way I look…
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*First, if you’re going to take a good look at yourself in the mirror, do you own a GREAT mirror to do this with? Well, this is my favorite Sharper Image mirror, which is currently on sale if you’re in need. You don’t wear makeup? Totally okay. But you still need a good mirror to see better how to pluck and shape those eyebrows or stray chin hairs! Ha Ha – you know what I mean.
Self Confidence #1
#1 is my DIMPLES. They have been a signature part of my expression since I was born, of course – my husband even has them too, as you can see in these pictures of us below! My dimples show up when I’m laughing, talking with clients, friends, or just feeling genuinely happy when I have all 3 of my kids under one roof.
They feel like little parentheses around joy. This might also be why I am super into blush and highlighter these days, because they are the cherry on top of my dimples!
Current products I use to highlight my dimples: Using the newest Lip Water Stain by Clarins, $32. Yes, you read that right, LIP stain, in shade 03 red water, on my CHEEKS (as well as my lips today), and it looks gorgeous!!! Clarins was kind enough to gift me all the new shades, so I cannot wait to try the rose water and the nude on my cheeks as well!
The KEY is to apply it, then blend in super fast bc it does stain quickly, so tap on a couple of dots then blend in with this Rare Beauty soft pinch cream blush brush, $23, for the perfect airbrushed effect.
Also, if you haven’t tried a stainless steel Gua Sha for areas of the face, like this 5-star rated Sacheu one from Ulta, $32, I’d say give it a whirl. This isn’t specifically for my dimples, but it does help around this area by draining lymph fluids from the face, enhancing your natural contour around the cheekbones, and relieving overactive facial muscles to prevent dynamic wrinkles. Hoping this will keep my dimples looking like small dents instead of turning into major lines sooner rather than later…Ha!
I’ve also been liking the newest Glow Seeker Highlighter from Anastasia Beverly HIlls in shade “Ethereal,” $38, which is a champagne gold with white reflections! I add this on top of the cheek stain and even as a topper to my inner corners of my eyeshadow look to brighten my eyes!
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Self Confidence #2
#2 would be my HAIR. I get my thick hair from my father. He’s 76 and still has a fairly full head of beautiful gray hair. (He’s also the one I got the dimples from :)) I love having long hair too, even at 47, and am pretty sure I’ll have long hair until it goes completely gray!
Never say never of course, but I wore mega short hair up until I was in middle school (thanks mom) and my best friend always had the most beautiful long hair down to the middle of her back that I always longed for. Crystal Gayle was also an icon when I was growing up, so there’s that…
I’d say I get most of my compliments from my hair, and now my bangs are also kind of like a signature look for me after 7 years of having them. They’re A LOT of work (have you seen my YouTube short?), but to me, they’re worth it because they make me feel like me!
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Current products I’m using to love on my hair: This L’Oreal purple shampoo helps to keep the brassiness away, $9, from my balayage and was recommended by my stylist. This R + Co Dallas thickening spray, $34, I’ve been using for years now, really amps up the thick factor – my daughter also likes using it. It smells like an expensive salon. And recently I purchased this honey gloss hair mask, $42, during the Sephora Sale, and oh, is it divine and makes my hair feel sooooo silky smooth.
Self Confidence #3
#3 Would be my love and use of COLOR. This shows up in my makeup, my clothes, my whole vibe. I don’t shy away from bold hues because they reflect how I feel—alive, playful, confident.
You won’t find much sterile gray or white in my house, office, or wardrobe because in order to feel something, color is what drives me. Check out this photo above of our home “art wall” that I keep adding to the artwork my kids and I have done.
It changes out every so often when they create new things. This wall sits right outside of my home office, so I love the joy it brings me every day when I walk past it. Feels so personal since each piece was hand-made by one of us in the house or by local artists here in Athens. And when I do wear neutral clothing, you better believe you’re gonna see me in a bright fuchsia lipstick or colorful jewelry like my multicolored stone Sequin necklace charm, $168, I add to liven up any blah top or dress!
Colorful items I’m loving right now: Clearly this red dress is a bold statement. It’s a simple silhouette, but I love that it is paired with this confident shade. Here are some other simple red sundresses from Tuckernuck, $128, Z Supply, $99, Amazon $46, and Anthropologie, $178.
A few of my colorful favorite things about my office are my Safavieh fuchsia + blue rug, $148 for an 8 x10. This pattern hides all the makeup that drops on the floor in my studio and is offered in multiple bold color schemes. Also, colorful tube bracelets are my go-to; similar ones here on Etsy, make any outfit look like so much more fun! Mixing up the various colors on the wrist makes for the ultimate wrist party.
You can’t see it so well in this photo, but my Bauble Bar monogrammed letter blanket, $78, in pink + orange combo, is just such a cute addition to my tiny sofa. These would also make GREAT Mother’s Day gifts just FYI if you’re thinking ahead for any mom you know.
So today, I invite you to pause and reflect.
Let’s flip the script. Let’s celebrate what we love—not just what we’re working on.
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Closing Thoughts
Self Confidence
Tell me in the comments: What is it you like about the way you look? Not what you tolerate or have made peace with. Your answer might just inspire someone else to see themselves a little more kindly, too.
I’m asking:
- What feature makes you smile when you catch your reflection unexpectedly?
- What part of your face or body tells a story you’re proud of?
- What makes you you—in a way you wouldn’t want to trade for anything?
Maybe it’s your freckles, your hands, your lashes, your laugh lines that say, “I’ve lived.” Maybe it’s your bold brows or soft cheeks or the way your eyes crinkle when you’re cracking up! Thank you again for being here, and if you didn’t catch last week’s post, it’s all about inspiring you to try a retro-vibe makeup look you could sport for Easter Sunday, or really any day of the week!
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