Makeup Madness: Flawless Face

I don't know about you, but what gives me the most anxiety is my complexion, which probably in turn creates more pimples. I think it's because a lot of it is completely out of our control. Hormones are a B!, let's just get that out in the open right now. I won't go off on being a girl because I've done that before (here). But breakouts are the absolute worst. I think we can all agree. It's hard out there for a girl! Sure, celebrities never seem to have the same problems as us, but then again, they can spend hundreds of dollars on face creams and makeup artists to fix the problem. For us normal gals, we aren't that lucky. I mean, who do you think of when someone says "flawless complexion" or "perfect glowing skin"? I think of the women like Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Alba, and Charlize Theron. It seems like they NEVER have a bad skin day!

What many women (and most men!) don't realize is that it takes A LOT of makeup to look "natural". As many as 7 products (or more!) are used on Jen and Jess and Ms. Theron to make them look that great being "natural". Not that they aren't natural beauties, because that's an indisputable fact. "Real natural" is just not what we think of when we think of looking natural, you know what I mean? In any case, we're all in search of a flawless, glowing complexion that makes us feel like movies stars. And with the right makeup, you could get it!

Face/Complexion Essentials   

Face Wash: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser, $9

Starting off on the right foot for a good complexion requires a good face wash. For normal to oily skin, this Daily Facial Cleanser cannot be beat. For dry or sensitive skin, go for their Gentle Cleanser. It's no wonder that this staple is sworn over by celebrities like Diane Kruger. It's gentle yet effective. Say hello to clear skin! 

Moisturizer: Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Combination Skin, $9

I love this moisturizer because it's light and leaves no oily residue. My skin feels sufficiently hydrated without feeling like it's being caked on, and it has SPF, which is great!

Face Brightening Primer: Benefit That Gal, $29

I love this primer. It really does boost your complexion and give you a nice natural glow. I know it can be expensive to try, but Ulta sells a travel size package of this accompanied by another favorite primer of mine, The Porefessional, for $12! SUPER GOOD BUY! Especially if you're just trying it out! I use this on my cheeks and under my eyes for a healthy-looking boost.

Pore Minimizing Primer: Benefit The Porefessional $31 

Yes, it's kind of expensive, but as mentioned above, Ulta sells a travel size combo w/ That Gal for $12. And honestly, I only use a pea size amount on my nose and forehead and chin (where I have large pores) so it lasts FOR-EV-ER. And honestly, this is something I am SO self conscious about and it really does minimize the appearance of pores, leaving my skin looking smooth and even. The idea is that the primer fills in the gaps on your skin and your foundation/powder goes over the top of that. Let me tell you, I'm addicted to it. I use it EVERY day!

Foundation: Bare Minerals Pressed Powder, $29  

This is an oldie but goodie. I liked the pressed powder versus the loose powder just because I'm always on the go between work and school and this is definitely more convenient. [Note: they are not the same shades as the loose powder. I spoke with a Bare girl a couple weeks ago and she said they're trying to fix the problem, but they're not 100% the same yet. So if you switch to pressed powder, make sure to have it matched to your skin first! I'm definitely  different shades!] I have been using this for almost 10 years now and I don't think I will ever change. It has an almost "air brushed" quality, but it's actually good for your skin and includes some SPF coverage as well. If you have dry skin, you definitely need a primer underneath or your skin can look flakey. 

Blush: MAC in Cubic or Melba,  $21

I know everyone is about NARS blush, and believe me, I love it too. I used to use it exclusively. But what I love about MAC blushes more is that there is no glitter or shimmer. It's a beautiful natural flush that's buildable and super blendable. Cubic is my go-to, it's a little bit more rose-tinted and Melba is more on the peachier side. Both are fab and I'm thinking about switching to Melba once summer hits! These last at least a year, so think of the investment in regards to the days you use them! If you used your blush 6 days a week for a year (and it only lasted a year) that would only be about 7 cents a day to have a beautiful flush! Not bad, eh! 

Cream Blush: Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera, $25 

If cream blush is your thing, look no further. Stila's Convertible Color blends with perfection and can be doubled as EYE SHADOW AND LIP COLOR! Talk about a triple threat!! :) NARS makes a good one too; all of their blush shades come in "The Multiple" cream-base stick, but they're a lot more expensive than this handy compact!  

Bronzer: NARS in Laguna, $38

 I do LOVE NARS' bronzer, it really is the best one out there. Laguna is ideal for the lightest of skin shades to a darker medium, because it's completely buildable. There are flecks of gold shimmer in the bronzer that bring a nice warm glow to your complexion and make you feel like you just got back from a Hawaiian vacation. But it's completely natural looking!  

Finishing Powder: MAC Prep & Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, $25

I know people don't believe in these translucent powders. But let me tell you from the experience of someone who has an oily T-zone...it is a miracle worker!! At lunch and after work as I'm heading to school, I dust a good amount of this transparent powder along my nose, forehead and chin with a kabuki brush and my face is instantly matte without a trace of shine. I'm still on my first compact and I've had it for 2 years! Plus, they now make this in pressed powder so it's awesomely convenient! You can also use this to set your LIPSTICK! Hello party people! It's multi-talented, like us! ;)  Which really counts for something! 

Remember...

Makeup gives us the chance to be whatever version of ourselves we want to be that day. It doesn't make us fake, it makes us multifaceted; it can make us feel stronger, more empowered, more feminine, more whatever it is that we want! We all weren't born with Jennifer Aniston's glowing complexion, but we sure can have it if we want to! What's more powerful than taking what we want? As always, you're gorgeous because of who you are, not what you look like. And if having the complexion or the eyes or the lips that you want makes you love yourself more and feel more confident, then have at it girlfriend! You deserve it! :)

Lessons I Learned From Veronica Mars

Veronica Mars is one cool chick. When the series premiered on September 22, 2004 I watched eagerly, anticipation boiling over in my blood stream. Sure, that sounds rather dramatic, but hey, what about Veronica Mars isn't dramatic. The show is practically the definition of dramatic. At the time of the pilot, I was somewhere around 15 years old. I had always LOVED a good murder/mystery/thriller, and Veronica Mars had the right amount of it! Plus sassiness, romance, and of course, wit. It was exactly what I needed (still need!) and I was an instant fan. And that continued, I was  loyal until the end, a die hard fangirl, a marshmallow.  

For those of you that don't know, in the Pilot episode, after helping Wallace (her soon to be BFF), he tries to thank her and she says "I had my own reasons for doing it" and he basically calls her out on her tough-girl persona, and replies "You're a marshmallow, Veronica Mars. A twinkie." This term of endearment is then repeated in Veronica's inner monologue at the end of the episode when she says, "I'm sorry, is that mushy? Well, you know what they say, Veronica Mars, she's a marshmallow." The term then became known as the die-hard fan base, Kristen Bell herself calling them [us] "her marshmallows".

Now that you've got the 411 (90's kid!) we can get down to business. Veronica Mars is super awesome. I could probably end this blog right there but...you know, I've done all this work and downloaded all these gifs and images, so you'll have to bear with me. If you're already thinking "Who is Veronica Mars", it's probably best to just leave now, or commit yourself this very instant to catching up. But for those that know, Veronica Mars was (is) every girls heroine. Sure, she has her faults, she is "sometimes" vengeful and "sometimes" finds it hard to forgive others and not hold grudges, but can you blame her? She's been through a lot. And when I say a lot, I mean A LOT. Veronica has our sympathies and so she gets a pass on her faults because who wouldn't build a wall to try to protect themselves from any more heartbreak? Exactly. That, and she's the coolest chick. EVER.

If you're a Kristen Bell fan (I mean who isn't after the sloth incident on Ellen, am I right!?) and Veronica Mars is new for you, WELCOME!! You have some catching up to do, but there's always room for another marshmallow! ;) 

(Just in case you haven't seen this…)

So, without further ado, I'll share the lesson's I learned from Veronica Mars. 

1. If you want people to respect you, you have to demand it. Don't let others walk all over you.

2. If there's one thing Veronica Mars taught me, it's to not take people's crap. I mean, sometimes you have to because of your job or school or whatever. But you should always stand up for yourself and not be afraid to call people on their BS.

3. Nikon is obviously the BEST camera. I mean, obviously. If it's good enough for VMars, it's good enough for us. (I use it too!)

4. Always have a go-to over-the-moon-face. ALWAYS.

5. You always have to believe in the people you love, support them, and do you best to appreciate them. Recognize who your true friends are and never let anything come in between you.

6. Sometimes tough love is really, really important.

7. Hand-guns are still cool. Especially if you make that clicky sound with your tongue whilst doing it.

8. You should always check yourself before you wreck yourself. Sometimes life gets out of control and so do we... Veronica had to learn this the hard way several times, so we should try to do so before we, say, accuse our boyfriends of murdering our best friend. Just sayin'. You can't blame her but we can definitely learn from her!

9. Sometimes the best response is just to pretend like you don't speak English.

10. If you mess the the bull, you get the horns, 'Nough said.

11. Old nicknames or movie/pop culture references are always, always cool. Use them whenever possible.

12. Always have a witty or sassy remark on hand.

13. Embrace who you are and OWN it.

14. Always be there for the ones that you love. And fight for them.

 

15. Know how to execute a wicked air guitar solo and commit to it when the time is right.

 

16. Give yourself the right amount of hype before revealing something awesome. Never let an opportunity pass to remind people of how utterly amazing you are.

17. Be humble.

 

18. Money is SO wasted on the wealthy. 

19. Make sure you have a good glare in your arsenal. At all times.

20. When you find "your person", do everything you can to make it work. And never stop trying. There's only one Logan Echolls, Veronica. One. ONE!! Okay, Okay, I'll stop, but I've waited 7 YEARS FOR THEM TO FIX THE ENDING!! Come on guys!! #TeamLogan

Veronica Mars is DEFINITELY the coolest chick around. She's smart, sarcastic, and she's a fighter. She's super loyal (until you break her trust that is). But she's always got her loved ones' backs. And let's face it, she has the best one-liners in the history of television. End of story. Here's to Veronica and showing us how girls can SERIOUSLY kick the boys' butts. Thanks for going us an intelligent and strong girl-crime-fighting-machine. And, well, you know what they say, Veronica Mars, she's a marshmallow.

Spiders are the Worst

Spiders are the worst. They really are. They're creepy and crawly and thinking about them makes me shutter with disgust. They're just plain terrifying. I hate them. 

I don't know why I fear them so extremely, but I do. And I know I'm not the only one. Most of my fears are rather irrational when it comes to the little buggers, but I can never talk myself out of it. I'm afraid of what evil plans they're constructing while I'm sleeping, and that they're just hiding behind the picture frames on my walls, waiting for the lights to go out and then they come out and put their conniving plan into action. I don't know what the plan is, but I have a feeling it's just to scare the living daylights out of all the humans they can find. And it's certainly working.

My first response to seeing a spider is like the episode from Supernatural (Yellow Fever) when Dean is infected with "ghost sickness" and becomes afraid of EVERYTHING...specifically the scene when they're searching the abandoned factory and a cat jumps out of the locker at him... you know the one. Well let's just say that this is me with spiders:

And you know what? NO SHAME. 

The WORST possible situation is when you're in the shower, suds-ing up and relaxing under the rain of warm water, enjoying the few minutes you have to not be doing one of the hundred things on your daily to-do list. You're working the shampoo into the roots of your hair with your head leaned back and suddenly your eyes b-line to a dark spot on the ceiling. You're paralyzed in fear and your heart races like it's trying to run away but your body doesn't follow suit. You can't break eye contact with it. You think that maybe it's vision is activated by movement like the T-Rex in Jurassic Park...

Dr Grant: "Stay perfectly still. His vision is based on movement."

So you stand, perfectly still, not even blinking. And then it moves...The moment it does, your mind interprets it as this:

I'm not going to lie and say I haven't jumped out of the shower with shampoo still in my hair because of a spider. My body has a 'flight or fight' response for a reason. And it will always choose 'flight', because, you know, spiders kill. I know how to choose my battles wisely, and a brawl with a spider is not one I'm willing to commit to. I know when I've been beaten.

Ultimately, when I see I spider, the first thing that comes into my mind is that it's going to somehow get on me. It doesn't matter how far away I am from it, I know in that instant, it's a possibility. A BIG possibility.

Picture from Hyperbole And a Half

 I mean, really, why SHOULDN'T I be afraid of something with 8 legs that constantly defies gravity!? It would be irrational if I DIDN'T find them terrifying! 

And I don't care that I'm 40,000 times bigger than the spider. I don't care that it's brain is the size of a pin point and my brain weighs 3 lbs and is rather smart, if I do say so myself. ;) I don't care that I could essentially smoosh it in 3 seconds and the whole thing would be over with. They creep me out to no end and I'm pretty sure spiders are vengeful by nature, so the family of whatever spider you kill would come after you like the Godfather. And there's always a chance that you somehow don't kill it all the way (because they have special powers, you know!) and it falls off the wall, crawls under your bed, and bites your foot in the middle of the night for revenge. (Personal experience) 

Not only that, but their DNA evolves in super-spider mode because they no longer die when you spray them with Windex! For years and years, a girl's only defense against the nasty eight-legged things was that she didn't have to get that close to kill them! She could spray them with chemicals from a safe distance and know that it was dying quickly. She didn't have to worry about getting close to it with a shoe and the spider flinging itself off the wall and onto her hand before she could smash it! Nope! She could remain a safe distance away from danger. But now that's over! They've evolved past our ability to spray them with blue liquid that makes your windows super sparkly! Those bloody buggers.

Left without a defense or a viable weapon against them, is it any wonder I choose to run away? Unless of course they're in my bedroom...then it's going down. Sure, okay, I might squeel and jump around a while, but that's an instant reaction one cannot hinder. Even Channing Tatum is afraid of spiders and that's saying something!

It's okay Channing Tatum, I'll hold you.

Eventually I get up the courage to take care of business, but only because I cannot sleep in a room that I know a spider occupies. It just won't happen. I've heard the urban legends, I am no fool. Still, that being said, spiders are the absolute worst. They're a plague on our beautiful planet and if I could, I'd eradicate them all! (Except of course, it would throw off the whole circle-of-life thing, so I guess we have no choice but do deal with them.)

 

How to be Happy NOW

Most of us are relatively happy. Even if we’re not where we thought we’d be at this moment in time, most of us would say we were happy in life. The sky is blue, birds are chirping, you have a jar of mini chocolate bars sitting on your desk and Spotify on your computer with U2 singing “Beautiful Day” in the background, life is great! You’re just walking along, nay, skipping along, humming your favorite song (that rhymed…keppin’ it!) and soaking up some Vitamin D from that glorious sun shining in the gorgeous spring sky. Life really is great!! Until it isn’t.

All of sudden you’ve fallen into a bottomless pit- pitch black, cold, and no way to get out. Everything is not awesome. (What’s up Lego Movie, yeah, I saw you! And yes, your theme song is STILL stuck in my head!) Everything sucks and soon enough U2 has been replaced with the Rolling Stones’ “Paint in Black” because life is awful; you feel awful, you look awful, your job is awful and your paycheck or car or social life is awful. You’re a stressed, sleep deprived, anxious, irritable, snarky creature who has seemed to morph overnight into something out of a Sci-Fy novel. You lay in the cold, smelly sludge at the bottom of said pit and wonder how you got there. Fine one minute and then poof! You’ve dropped down the hole and have no way to get out. Life can be tricky that way.

One minute we feel great, the next we’re snowballing out of control. Sometimes it’s a gradual thing; we just don’t notice that sneaky unhappiness chiseling away at our sanity. But other times, it really comes out of the blue, like a kidney stone or the success of Honey Boo Boo. One day life is great and then BAM! You get smacked in the face with a brick. In either circumstance, there are ways we can pull ourselves out of these horrible ruts.

How to be Happy NOW:

1. Take a Road Trip

You know that old adage "out of sight, out of mind"? Well, it really does work. Not that it will automatically solve your problems, but just getting away (even if only for a couple hours) can refresh your mind, ease stress and make you feel good again. My friends and I will just go for drives around town when we don't have time for a "proper" road trip, and it still works! Plus, for me, the actual driving part really helps! Put on some good music, put your phone on silent, and just enjoy the freedom the open read brings.

2. Music

This sort of plays into the previous one, but music for me can really change my mood. I love music, I enjoy a lot of different genres, some of which really aren't "happy" music. But I know when I'm ready to pull myself out of a rut, I leave certain bands/types of music off my playlist and reach for something happy. U2 (as mentioned above) is a good one, but specifically something soothing- Dashboard Confessional or Jack Johnson or The Eagles. Everyone should have their go-to happy mix, and the effects are almost instantaneous!

***Also, concerts: Live music is an amazing thing to experience. Seeing my favorite bands live is one of my FAVORITE THINGS IN THE WORLD. EVER.

3.  Read

 I just saw a really great quote that said "reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are." I love that! Reading really is a great escape, and it's good for your mind too!! I just pick up one of my favorite books when I need a little reprieve, sometimes (okay, most times!) that's an Austen or if I need a little adventure I pull an Alexandre Dumas off the shelf or if I need a good release of pent up emotion, I go for a Sparks. (Because no one can make you cry like Nicholas Sparks!)  Just stay away from anything Cormac McCarthy...it will only make your sadness worse!

4. Set Goals

I think setting goals makes us feel happy because it helps us to feel in control of our lives. Control is a psychologically empowering emotion, and when we feel like we've lost it, we'll most likely feel stress, anxiety and sadness. So set some goals, even if they are small and short term. When we meet our goals or progress towards them, we feel good about ourselves and build our self confidence, which makes us HAPPY.

5. Meditate (Or take, as I like to call, "alone time")

Meditation is psychologically proven to lower stress and produce feel good hormones in your body. We should be taking time out of your days (if not, our week) to sit quietly, to just think about our life, where we want to go and what we want to do. Now's a great time to incorporate #4 as well! But really, meditation is a great way to clear your mind, lower your stress, and feel good. It's like an instant reboot. 


6. FRIENDS/FAMILY

Surround yourself with good, positive friends and family. Take time out of your busy schedules to see them, and if you don't have a lot of time, just grab lunch or give them a call. Our friends/family have the ability to make us extremely happy! Plus, I don't know about you, but what I do most when I'm with them is laugh, which is an obvious (if not the most effective!) mood booster.

7. Sleep

Sleep is vital to our very existence. The deprivation of such has massively negative effects on our physical and mental health. Whatever your sleep number may be (the # of hours that you feel best when you get) make sure you're getting that most nights of the week. And don't feel bad about sneaking in a nap on the weekends! Sleeping is our bodies' natural way of recharging our system. It will keep you healthy, happy, and functioning well! [Plus, it boosts your immune system and keeps those flu bugs at bay!] 


8. Drink lots of water & eat healthy food

It really DOES make a difference. If you don't believe me, try it out for a week. I dare you! ;) Scientifically speaking, studies have found that drinking water actually produces the release of the hormone dopamine into your system, actually making you happier. But it also keeps us hydrated, helping our bodies to function properly, promotes healthy and youthful skin and also cleanses our bodies of toxins. Win, win! All of that can also be said for eating healthily as well.

9. Go to the beach

The beach, like for most Californians, is my happy place. I can't explain why it makes me feel so good, it just does. From the wind, to the salty air, down to the sand between my toes and the sun warming my skin, it just makes me happy. Take a day trip to the beach every couple months and just relax, grab a book or your iPod and just feel the relaxation seep into your skin and your soul. 

10. Be in a good environment

Make sure your environment is a nice, positive space. Whether it's your room, office space, backyard or car, it should be clean, orderly, and make you feel good. Whatever is "your space" should represent you and give you peace of mind.

11. Do some Yoga! (Or whatever activity you like to do!)

Being active is one of those things that not only makes us physically healthy, but also mentally healthy. The physical part produces hormones (endorphins) which release into your blood stream and make you feel happy. I think this is best summed up by this scene from Legally Blond which EVERYONE remembers: 

What I like best about yoga is that it involves a lot of stretching, which eases stress and toxins out of your muscles. I like the strengthening aspect as well, it makes you feel strong and empowers you to be stronger. Plus, if you have old injuries like me, it's low impact and helps to reduce pain by keeping you limber. It's also great for relaxation and meditation!

12. Love what you do or change it!

 I know this mindset is rather new...some might say that it's a very "millennial" way of thinking, but the truth of the matter is that we have to love what we do. The world is a different place than it was 50 years ago, and we're different people too. Having a job that just pays the bills isn't enough for most people anymore. They want to feel fulfilled and that's okay! I'm not saying to just abandon your job right away because for most of us, there are mortgages, car payments, student loans, etc. to pay and we need to be responsible. But figure out a plan of action, a way to utilize your talents, schooling, or job experience to do what makes you happy! At the end of the day, it really does matter!

13. Save money

Nothing can make us more sad and miserable than stressing about debt and money. Last year I saved every month and was able to go on a nice family vacation in November and actually have money to spend while I was there and to cover me for my time out of work. It was wonderful! It was the first time when my vacation wasn't ruined by stressing about having enough money there or when I got back. Plus, I was able to spend a little extra on Christmas and also buy a couple things for me throughout the year! Saving is actually addicting too! I'm doing well this year and it's become a healthy habit. I actually like to save money. I like knowing that if something crazy happens, I'm prepared! Or, you know, if your favorite band goes on tour, you can actually buy a ticket without having to ration out Top Ramen for the next month!

14. Love who you are

Of all of these, this might be the most important. I can't even begin to describe how vital it is to learn to love ourselves, completely. But out of all of these things, this is definitely THE HARDEST ONE. Not loving ourselves impacts not just who we are, but how we interact with other people and ultimately how we're able to love others as well. It impedes our self confidence and self worth, which is particularly damaging. It might take a long time to accomplish this, but it would be the best thing you ever did for yourself. It's something I'm working on as well, and it will probably always be a work-in-progress, but that's okay. It's not easily accomplished but it's definitely worth the effort! I (like most of the planet) love New Girl and it's star Zooey Deschannel. Throughout the series she's always embracing who she is; proud to be weird, proud to be a nerd, proud to be the silly beautiful sings-everything girl that she is!

She's someone I look up to. She made me want to love myself too! She owns it, all of it, all of who she is, and it's amazingly awesome. We can do the same!

15. Treat yourself

Okay, maybe not every day, but once a week is definitely okay! You are awesome and you deserve it. So whatever goodie makes you happy, splurge (I'm talkin' cash or calories here!) on it! OF COURSE my favorite thing in the whole world is chocolate, but I also like all things glittery, pretty, and fragrance-y, so sure, I'll treat myself to a piece of chocolate cake , or a new nail polish or maybe even a new perfume (okay, like once a year!). But you know what? I am so worth it. And so are you!! ;)    


We all deserve to be happy.  It seems like most of the time, we put ourselves on the back burner for other people, our jobs or other obligations. But we can only do that for so long before we wind up in that dark pit of unhappiness. Take the time to make yourself happy! Don't rely on anyone else, you're the master of your own destiny! AND YOU REALLY DO DESERVE IT!