The Meaning of True Beauty

So this post has very little to do with makeup. I realize this isn't going to change anyone's opinion, but I know I've benefitted from hearing this message over and over again, so hopefully you do, too. I've had so many conversations over the years, and it seems even more recently, concerning beauty.  The sad thing is, most of those conversations completely miss the point because the vast majority of beauty exists outside of the beauty industry.

These conversations include women in their 60s literally yelling and being angry at me for being younger than them, women calling those who've chosen to have plastic surgery (or even just fillers) "fakes," and others not feeling beautiful because they're not confident in their makeup skills.

Let's get something very clear.  Beauty has very little to do with what you look like.

Yes, makeup/having great skin/being in really good physical shape all help one feel beautiful (at least I feel that way), and I'll be the first to say I truly appreciate aesthetic beauty, aka what's on the outside.  But I can also say that I know DROP DEAD GORGEOUS men and women who are horrible people, and I don't want to be around them.

So there's a line.  And I think I've found it.  It's called civility.

Let's be civil to those who wear a full face of makeup as well as those who wear none.  Let's get to know the person whether or not she chooses to have a little nip/tuck or to Botox those lines instead of judging.  Or, if she looks scary, let's acknowledge that there are probably some deeper issues and maybe she just needs a friend.  And if someone has the discipline to eat healthy and work out to get the best body she possibly can, let's support her instead of saying she looks good the way she is - when in fact, we don't want her to look any better lest she look better than us.

That's not how true beauty works.  Our lights don't dim because someone's shines brighter.  We have to check ourselves by asking if the person is hurting anyone or doing something illegal and, if not, then maybe we're the problem.  Maybe we're insecure or jealous or whatever, and we must learn not to let our own personal biases make us act ugly.

Can we just be nice to each other?  Seriously.  I can't take so much negativity.  Do what makes you happy, and just be yourself.  If you don't know who that is, figure it out.  If you want a face lift, but worry about what your friends will think, you need you new friends.  And that's the key - look for those who lift you up instead of tear you down (unless you need to be put in your place because we all need a gut check every now and then!), and make sure that you, too, are being a lifter.

That's how you attain true beauty.

And blame the PR girl in me, but this commercial says it better than I ever could...

Featured Image c/o @laurenlovette on Instagram

2016 Beauty Forecast

Not one for trends, I tend to veer towards the classics.  This year, though, I’m definitely on board with 2016’s big makeup trend - glowing-from-within skin.  Think: Jennifer Lopez.

Her makeup artist, Mary Philips, creates an incandescent, never shiny, radiance that is always appropriate and looks just as good on film and photography as is does in person.  Disclaimer: I used to work with someone who worked with Ms. Lopez’s assistants, and JLo dropped an enormous amount of money on keeping her skin flawless.  I don’t blame her, I would, too!  That said, please don’t be too disappointed if your skin doesn’t turn out *quite* as luxurious as hers.

Another rock star in this category is makeup artist Natasha Denona.  She even has a “Glow Collection” to help you attain the most ethereal skin.

And it would be ridiculous not to mention Wayne Goss, who has preached and perfected luminous skin before it was cool.

So how can we normal folk get the glow (without looking like a flashbulb or the $$$ price tag)?  I’m so glad you asked.

EXFOLIATE & MOISTURIZE

You're building a house.  You've put down beautiful hardwood floors, but they need stained to reach their full potential (we’ve been rolling through Fixer Upper on Netflix, just stay with me).  Before you can stain them, though, you have to sand them so the stain can really get into the wood.  Likewise, your face is the floor and the stain is your moisturizer.

Both are really important, but if you don't gently exfoliate on the regular, even the best moisturizer can't get through gunky pores to do its job.  You can add a little sugar to your daily cleanser, use a manual device like the Clarisonic, or even a good, old washcloth.  Just make sure to gently exfoliate at least three times a week (more or less depending on skin's sensitivity), then repair and moisturize your skin with a suitable skin cream or oil.

HYDRATE

Drink water and get your electrolytes and healthy fats!  The vast majority of my clients are dehydrated.  Though they're not walking around like a lost soul in the desert, their skin has a slightly scaly texture, it's dull, and their lips are chapped.

The magic amount of water is half your weight in ounces, so 75 ounces for a 150-pound person.  That's over two liters.  And if you drink caffeine, you're supposed to replace those ounces with water, too.  I know it sounds daunting, but just try to have some water with you at all times in case the urge strikes.

Something I just learned recently is that even though my water intake was good, it wasn't "sticking" because I wasn't getting enough electrolytes.  Also very helpful are the fats found in raw nuts, salmon and avocados.  I've made those regular diet staples, and I've definitely noticed a more "plump" quality to my skin.

GLOWING PRIMER/ILLUMINATOR

Now that your skin is #IWokeUpLikeThis quality, you'll want to add in a creamy, dewy product either as your primer or into your foundation or tinted moisturizer.  My favorites are the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector, Giorgio Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer, and NYX Cosmetics Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator (only $7.50!).  Then, after your makeup is done, dot and blend a little more of the product on top of the cheek bones.

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Especially in the cold weather months, radiant skin really perks up my look no matter what other makeup I’m wearing.  A Friday Flash will be coming up showing my glowing skin routine, so make sure to follow @ElectraLane on Facebook and Instagram to catch it.

P.S. For yet another take on this look, check out The Beauty Department's version HERE.

{Featured image c/o Brides.com}

Trick or Treat (Yo Self)

This weekend is HALLOWEEEEEEEN! As noted last year, I'm not the type who gets all fancy with the makeups on Halloween - some glitter and fake lashes make me happy.  I love Halloween because it's the official start of the Holiday Season, and I couldn't be more excited.

This year, I'll be a ballerina princess for two reasons: 1) who needs an excuse to dress up like a ballerina princess? and 2) I've been working with an amazing organization, called The Tutu Project, that helps men and women offset the costs associated with fighting breast cancer that aren't covered by insurance.  What's so remarkable about this organization is that one of the co-founders is still undergoing breast cancer treatment herself.  Check out the website and, if you feel compelled to donate (even $1 helps!), you can do that HERE.

And to see the ballerina princess makeup, be sure to follow me on Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, all under ElectraLane!

So on to the tricks...

While I may not get all into Halloween glam, here are some videos showing those who do:

1. Kandee Johnson's Edward Scissorhands, Marilyn Monroe Painting, and all of her Everyday Disney Princesses are incredible inspirations, as well as her ideas for kids' costumes
2. Byrdie.com rounded up three lovely tutorials by MAC makeup artists
3. My favorite looks are those from makeup artist Shonagh Scott's #HappilyNeverAfter series.  You can follow her on Insta @ShowMeMakeup.

Finally, you should treat yourself to the new NARS Audacious Mascara.  It's the best mascara ever.  While in NYC, I stopped by the NARS store to pick up a tube, but they were sold out (because it's that good).  So the lady gave me a sample tube.

And it's mind-blowing.  You can see a demo HERE.

It's super black.  It coats every. single. lash.  It doesn't flake.  My lashes are still soft.  It's buildable without getting gunk-y or clumpy.  It's incredibly lengthening.  And, this is really important, when you're ready to remove it, it slides right off.  Perfection.

I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween!

Technique Class - Eyeliner

I had a client with very mature skin and, as we were chatting, she announced that she had never learned how to put on eyeliner.  While some people skip this step, eyeliner is one of my top three makeup products because it makes your eyes look larger and more defined, and makes lashes look thicker. In my opinion, the trifecta of eyeliner, mascara and brows negates the need for other eye makeup (or really any other makeup at all). When it comes to eyeliner, practice a little bit to see if you prefer to apply liner in pencil form or with a brush.  I feel I have better control with a pencil, but even so, I use a small brush to smudge the liner into my lash line afterwards.  My go-to for this is the Smashbox 20, but an excellent duplicate at an even better price ($3!) is the e.l.f. Studio Concealer Brush, available here.

If you have better control with a bush, you have quite a few options for liner: you can grab the pigment from a pencil, use a gel or liquid liner, or use a powder liner (or even an eye shadow).  My favorite liner brush is a run-of-the-mill angle brush:

 

To apply, either with a pencil or bush, I use small dashes from the outside corner of my eye to the middle, then go from the inside corner of my eye to the middle.  Then I connect everything either with the smudge brush if using a pencil, or, if using a brush, I go back over the line a few times to smoothe everything out.

For a wonderful, all-inclusive tutorial, check out the video below.  Happy lining!

Technique Class - The Outer Corner

A dark, smoky outer corner of the eye lid is hugely popular right now. Not only does it add depth, but it can create an instant eye lift. But it's tricky to master.  My top three tips are to make sure the eye shadow you use is dark enough, to blend well using a clean bush, and to practice.

When it comes to application, make sure to use a small enough brush, smudge the color into a V on the outer corner, then tap the color to fill in the V.  Finally, blend the color inward with a clean brush.  If the color isn't dark enough, add more.  And if you blended the color in too much, just take a different brush with a pale color and sweep from the inner corner toward the outer corner.

Since it's difficult to explain, check out the video below for a demonstration.

YouTube

For another take, as well as a phenomenal tutorial for those with hooded eyelids, click HERE for a demo by Wayne Goss.