Nearing the end of the work day, I had mentioned to a coworker that I only had minutes left until my day ended. After a long quiet day, I was looking forward to going home.

I knew better than to say that out loud! Anytime I have done that in the past, it has always lead to a longer day.

I was getting ready to go home, and a lady sat in my chair wanting the perfect foundation match. That does take some time since I want it to be loved by the wearer, and sometimes, needing a new foundation is much larger than just makeup. Sometimes selecting a “new foundation” is really just some soul-fixing time. This goes back to my reason for wanting to make this website.

I started with the usual striping of color- at least three colors near the jawline, and right away she seemed argumentative. She started questioning my methods and such, and then the truth came spilling out of her mouth.

“I am so ugly! I can’t stand the way I look!! I used to be so pretty, and now all I look like is old!!”

She said all these things and more, and the saddest part for me was, she was just beautiful! A beautiful just-about-to-be-50-year-old woman that looked like she has take amazing care of herself, and at almost 50 is seeing the first signs of looking older. That’s it!!

She had just gotten through visiting a well-sought-after doctor that could give her a face-lift. However she stated that the procedure would cost the price of a car, so she didn’t want to do it. She came in to see me at closing time to have her soul saved with a new foundation. A quick fix until she could figure out her dilemma.

And the thing is…..

This wasn’t the only woman that I have met like this. This happens all the time!!

I meet people who would rather have a surgical procedure done than look a little old. Women who have had injections to look younger, and young people who are told procedures will help them stay looking young and are preventative. Now injections and cosmetic procedures are touted as “ant-aging”, and people would sometimes rather invest in that than in great skincare.

I would like to change this thought process and narrative into a conversation about education of taking care of your skin. You can’t ignore your skin for years and then use medical procedures as anti-aging.

When I started working in this field, I started my own study of what works in my own desire to stay looking good or “youthful”. I have read and asked questions through all these years of working, and I have some great ideas of what works and what doesn’t.

Great skincare can be anti-aging!

Great diet and exercise can be anti-aging!

Positivity and happiness can be anti-aging!

Now, if your eyelid is hanging so far down your eye that you are having trouble seeing, that is the perfect reason for medical intervention. However, if you have “crows-feet” from smiling, enjoy your face, your life, and get a great moisturizer!!

The post Love Yourself First appeared first on Most Beautiful You.

“The Most Beautiful You”

I always wanted to write a book, or make a movie to tell my stories. Those ideas were big and seemed better off in plans for the future, but a website!? A website could be a place where anyone could connect with me to help them, and for me to tell my many years of stories and advice. I have many life stories to share in hopes to help.

I have been working in the beauty field, specifically as a makeup artist since my daughter was a toddler and I needed a job. I never knew a job in makeup was a possibility, but I was introduced to an agency that placed artists in jobs doing makeup and fragrance sales. One day I would be the expert of one line, and the next day, it could be a different company. Since I was required to be “the expert”, I became a quick study and developed a wide range of expertise.

After the birth of my sons and about ten years off, it was time to get back to a professional job. Makeup became my salvation again when I got a job working helping people in a retail environment. I am currently working selling Armani Beauty and YSL Beauty, and I love going to work and helping people every day.

Now that my children are all young adults, I though it was time to start thinking about my future endeavors, and I think this website is a great place to start! Some of my favorite moments in this business are made when I get to mentor people with better habits and makeup skills, but this mentoring isn’t always about makeup. Makeup and great skin sure makes you feel better, but sometimes it’s just a loving human connection that we need.

This website is truly a passion project for me, and I could never have made it without the help and encouragement of my dear friends. From the beginning it was them that provided inspiration and support of this project. All my photos were taken by the amazing photographer Steve Tocci, my dear friend and husband to my life-long friend Sue Doherty.

I have seen many trends come and go. I have loved some, and found others quite unnecessary. Most recently it seems permanent procedures are being advised as “anti-aging”. As if permanently changing your looks forever is a better look than looking “old”.

In this blog, I am hoping to create a place where we can have a conversation about aging, anti-aging, and loving ourselves! My idea is also based on the old format Dear Abby used in answering life questions with answers that sooth your soul.

So please, ask me questions, reach out, and follow my blog! I am not sure where this is going, but I do know that my intention is to help and share.
Love-

Liz

The post My First Blog appeared first on Most Beautiful You.