I’m Taking The #Empties Challenge!

McKennaRishmawy#emptiesmakemehappy, #projectempties, #projectuseitup, beauty product empties, empties, empties challenge, makeup challenge, saving money, tips for saving money on beauty, waste reduction 3 Comments

I’m a self-admitted beauty junkie. My hairstylist back in California knows it, my friends know it, my family knows it, and the people in a couple local Sephora locations now know it. I know that I don’t buy nearly as much as some, and I did manage to whiddle down my hair products to a much smaller collection before I moved to Chicagoland, but I do love trying new things seeing what other people use, and I’d choose to browse around the Bloomindale’s beauty floor or book a Friday post-work blowout over a pair of new shoes or piece of new tech any day. I also manage to find ways to acquire things for free, whether through Sephora rewards (scored a full-size Bumble&bumble CitySwept this way at an event they held at an OC salon), gifts, giftcards, or knowing the right people. Life finds a way.

However, with a new job starting next week, added healthcare premiums with an impending new plan, the need to save up after not having income for two months, and a general desire to be more mindful with my purchasing, I cannot … and some of you are laughing at me for this because you know how futilely I sometimes try … but I cannot be making unnecessary beauty purchases these days! In fact, I don’t believe I can even justify acquiring more beauty products right now even if they don’t cost me anything!

However, making a vague and awkward rule for yourself of “no new beauty products” can be hard to stick with. It can also be easy to find ways of justifying a new find when you don’t give yourself clear guidelines, or when it’s free. So, in order to inspire and motivate myself, II’m going to try to a fun challenge involving the emptying (or finishing) of the beauty products I currently have. It’s important that I learn to appreciate my own stash and cabinets, and that I learn to actually acknowledge and use what’s already there. We’ll call this my own version of the #empties challenge, as inspired by the popular Instagram hashtag that I originally discovered with Eva Chen, former editor in chief at now-defunct Lucky magazine and current head of fashion partnerships at Instagram. You can see what others are doing with their “empties” through the following hashtags: #empties, #projectempties, #emptiesmakemehappy, or #projectuseitup .

None of these are empty. Yet.

For my own personal challenge, I’m instating a rule of no new beauty products or services (and this includes hair, skin, makeup, nails [now that they’ve grown back], fragrance, blowouts/hair services, and even massages which I only book maybe twice a year) without fully using up two products that I already own first. If I happen to be given a product for free (even if it’s just a free sample), I can keep it but I cannot use it until I have finished two full-size products that I already own first. If I am given a gift card or a gift certificate for a service, I cannot use it either until I’ve satisfied the aforementioned requirements. The only exception to any of this would be the offer of a free trim or blowout by someone I know personally that could take place in a home and not in a salon. However, I currently don’t know any hairstylists out here so it’s likely I won’t be encountering such an offer for at least a while!

So, here are the specifics I’m putting in place. The two empty products can be in any beauty category, but both have to be completely finished. I cannot be sneaky and choose to give away or throw away anything and count it as an empty (which I have done before with the reasoning of “Oh, I don’t like this color anymore” or “I’ll never finish this”, unless it is clearly expired as evidenced by odor or something like that). I have to finish off the whole thing myself for the product to count. Additionally, I’m adding price categories to this game I’m playing. If I use up two drugstore purchases, I can purchase a new drugstore product but I cannot purchase a new department store or specialty store product (which we’ll call a luxury product). That can only happen when at least one out of the two “empties” is also a luxury product. Example- finishing a L’Oreal gloss balm and a Sally Hershberger heat protectant spray from CVS will only merit a similar purchase at Target or a drugstore. Now, if I were to finish the heat protectant spray and a $32 NARS bronzer compact, then I’d be good to purchase one item from Sephora or the beauty department at Nordstrom. Get it? Good. And just so it’s clear, luxury empties will still only merit the purchase of one product- no extra rewards just because they’re more expensive! So, using up a Davines conditioner and Rahua shampoo will still only earn one purchase or service, and if it happens that I choose to buy something for $5 from a drugstore, then that’s it. Two empties, one purchase.

Lastly, if I desire to purchase a product at a drugstore that is priced above $16, it’s automatically bumped up to the luxury category. So for instance, there’s a Neutrogena anti-wrinkle serum that I’ve been eyeing lately as my possible first foray into the anti-aging category thanks to some creases cropping up on my forehead. The serum costs around $21 at Target and drugstores. It’s therefore in the luxury bracket and has to meet the requirements for the more expensive purchases. Same goes for the Burt’s Bees oil cleanser I’ve been eyeing that costs $17 at Target.

I’m actually very excited for this. I haven’t given some of my makeup much of a chance because I just haven’t used it enough to see its value or versatility! Additionally, my tastes and abilities have grown over the years so items that I got tired of a couple years ago are now met with new enthusiasm and skill. This challenge also forces me to deal with the consequences of buying. You wanted to own it? Now you have to use it, all of it, and make it worth your money. Moreover, this challenge will encourage me to be more creative with my personal styling. Want to get rid of that tube of high-shine TIGI hair gel? Better get used to a lot of sleek buns in the near future or experimenting with the “wet look”! That Dior eyeshadow palette just sitting there? Time to figure out a daytime smokey eye! And this is all more motivation to find people here to style and use my stuff on, too!

Anyone willing to take this challenge with me? I’ll be trying to upload pictures every time I get rid of at least two empties. I look forward to being more creative with what I have, and this gives me less of an excuse to not use my makeup, or to not style my hair. And in general, it’s just good for my personal economy, great for the environment as it lessens needless waste, and my hope is that it encourages me to just spend less overall. What do you say, people?! Time to wear eyeshadow every day! xo, MR

August 10, 2015the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff.

Hello, again.

McKennaRishmawybeauty blog, beauty blogger, beauty Instagram, Chicago beauty blogger, Chicago makeup artist, Chitown beauty blogger, freelance makeup artist, makeup blog, makeup blogger, The Bright Blush, thebrightblush Leave a comment

Hi.

My name is McKenna. I’m a California native, now living in the Chicago North Shore area. I like to read and write about beauty. I like to engage in beauty through social media, as well.

What this all looks like is following a variety of blogs, scrolling through Instagram, reading endless amounts of magazines, actually doing makeup when the occasion presents itself (on both myself and others), browsing without purpose through Sephora (or Walgreen’s, or the Saks beauty department), and just thinking about hair, makeup, and skincare in general on a pretty consistent basis.

It looks like taking selfies when I’m excited about how my hair turned out for the day, getting really pumped over an ‘Olivia Palermo for Ciate’ nail polish collection (even though I currently have no nails), smelling every perfume on the glass counters at Nordstrom, getting possessive and angry toward IntoTheGloss because you feel like Emily Weiss has sold out since you first read the blog six years ago, and flipping out over Kate Mara’s new pixie cut.

I’m not ashamed of any of this.

What this doesn’t look like, at least for me, is making how-to videos (though they have been requested and I am considering it), using a blur effect app on my photos, and doing a lot of contouring and strobing and lining outside the natural lip line. And no, contouring and strobing aren’t the latest moves or drug trends you’ll pick up on at EDM, though it sometimes feels that way.

My makeup muse is probably Keira Knightley. Which means my actual makeup muse is her regular makeup artist, Kate Lee. I’d be happy to discover what products are favored by Kristen Stewart, and I also admire Diane Kruger, who typically does her own makeup for red carpet events. I also enjoy makeup artist Nick Barose, who typically works with Lupita N’yongo and doesn’t seem to take his job so seriously that he can’t laugh at the ridiculousness that is makeup industry sometimes.

My makeup anti-muse is probably Kylie Jenner or any of the beauty Instagrammers/vloggers that seemingly try to emulate her techniques. It always looks good, but it’s just so much. I’m usually suspicious of anyone whose makeup is always “on point and flawless”. This is why I’ll probably never become a paid and sought-after professional makeup artist- I admit that I don’t like really “makeup-y” makeup. My favorite kind of look, by the standards of many, would probably be considered very basic and boring. My philosophy has always been “Skin first, makeup second” as Glossier puts it (and yes, I even go by this philosophy on your wedding day), and a lot of the makeup I see these days on social media doesn’t put the person’s skin first. I’m not about a transformation; I’m about an enhancing of what’s already there.

So what does my MUA resume consist of? A lot of good faith, the pictures you see here, and decent reviews from women I’ve worked with before (who are mostly brides and, admittedly, mostly friends). Yep, I’m pretty much a makeup artistry amateur and it will likely stay that way! But that doesn’t mean I can’t pretend to be professional when I talk about it.

My list of hair muses is endless, with some of the regulars including Charlotte Gainsbourg, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jennifer Connelly, Lily Aldridge, and a whole barage of women who’ve set the most unrealistic standards for hair since the Disney princesses of yore. For the most part, if it’s messy, wavy hair with some good texture and grit, I’m highly inspired by it. I love Tracey Cunningham on Instagram for her coloring wizardry, and Anh Co Tran for the imperfectly perfect texture he brings to his cuts. Oh, and Justin Kamm of Salon 9 in Orange County, CA is pretty amazing as well. I’m not sure what I’m going to do when the time comes for new color and I can’t get out to see him.

My skincare muse is the French woman. I mean it. That stereotypical image of the French woman who cares little about how sleek and shiny her hair is but cares obsessively over the condition of her skin- that’s what I like and feel I can relate to. It also makes it easier to walk out of the door for work without a stitch of makeup on, but with the knowledge that at least my skin is doing great. Downside- This makes me an easy sell for skincare product lines that apparently hail from the land of guillotines and fondue (and no, I’m not referring to Garnier), but hey, it makes life fun. Even though all such “French” products are probably being manufactured in Minnesota and managed out of New Jersey, or something.

Other sources of beauty inspiration for me come from movies, cities, and art. For some reason, all of these things seem to feed into my appreciation for makeup, skin, and hair. I think it has to do with the fact that I see them all as beautiful things. As it is with lovely hair or skin, a vibrant city, striking architecture, and a mesmerizing film all carry the common thread of beauty. So, this makes sense of how when I see a haunting movie, I suddenly have the urge to try something new with my makeup. Or, how when I walk through a museum, I feel the urge to do someone’s hair or write about beauty as I am now. It’s all very interconnected.

Anyhow, that’s pretty much me in regards to all this beauty stuff. Like I said in the beginning, I love to read and write about beauty. I kind of just really love to read and write (though not nearly as much as some people I know), but the whole makeup thing tends to kick these itches into overdrive.

So here I am, back after a long hiatus, re-introducing myself to you. I’m here to write about beauty.

My name is McKenna, and in this particular space I go by “The Bright Blush”. Nice to have you here.

xo, MR

April 6, 2015the Hair stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff., the Review stuff., the Skin stuff.

An Autobiographical Top Shelf

McKennaRishmawy#ITGTopShelfie, aveda, Bare Minerals Original SPF 15 Foundation, beauty, best balm stain, best black eyeliner, best curling iron, best drugstore makeup, best drugstore skincare, best gloss balm, best mascara, best moisturizer with SPF, best natural moisturizer, best natural shampoo, best nude lip color, best powder blush, best powder foundation, best texture spray for hair, bob haircut, Bumbleandbumble Cityswept Finish, Bumbleandbumble Dryspun Finish, Caudalie SOS Thirst Quenching Serum, Christian Siriano for Victoria's Secret, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, davines cutting team, davines momo, davinesus, Desert Essence Daily Defense SPF 15 moisturizer, Dior Addict lipstick Tulle, Emily Weiss, graduated bob, hair trends 2015, Hot Tools, Justin Kamm, kerastase conditioner, Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation, Living Proof Instant Texture mist, loreal colour riche balm, MAC Eye Kohl Feline, MAC eyeshadow Embark, MAC eyeshadow Sketch, NARS blush, NARS velvet matte lip pencil, oil cleanser, Old Town Orange, Orange County salon, oribeapresbeach, Origins A Perfect World, Origins Clear Improvement, r&co, r&cojackpotstylingcreme, Rahua shampoo, Salon 9, uniteeurotherapy, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Vice, www.intothegloss.com, Yes to Cucumbers facial wipes, yves saint laurent rouge pur couture rebel nudes 1 Comment

This post is done in the style of Into The Gloss’s Top Shelf feature, which I’ve been obsessed with for about five years now. So basically, I’m pretending I’m being interviewed by Emily Weiss on all the products I love, in my own home, complete with “professional” photos/selfies. Fake it ’till you make it, right?

My routine is hard to explain briefly. I’ll say this, though- I am not low maintenance when I don’t have to be. There’s no shame in that. I’m addicted to haircare, skincare, makeup, all that, but I really don’t afford myself much time to enjoy it on a daily basis. I either want to spend an hour getting ready just the way I like, or I want to be out the door in five minutes. All or nothing. It’s part of how I appreciate beauty- I hate doing any of it halfheartedly. One of my least favorite things is when I try to quickly wiggle on some mascara in the morning on the way to work and then it turns out all sloppy and incomplete by my standards. It’s not worth it. I’d rather bite the bullet and go bare.

SKINCARE

So, what I do depends on the day. If I have time, I start from the bottom layer and work up, though I try to make the skincare thing happen every day. I typically begin with a serum, and I’ve decided Caudalie’s S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum is the best. I tried Shiseido’s Ultimune, but I like Caudalie’s better for the money. It feels so fresh on my skin, sometimes I forget to put on moisturizer afterwards. It’s been hard to pin down a great moisturizer for me because I’m always looking for something natural, but effective and with SPF that doesn’t leave a weird residue. I’ve been using Origins A Perfect World Moisturizer these past couple months. It smells amazing and has SPF 25. I’ve also like Desert Essence’s Daily Essential Defense Moisturizer from Sprout’s or Whole Foods, but it wouldn’t absorb well when it was hot out so I continued my hunt. When I checked out Origins, the lady helping me gave me a quick facial and she talked me into the toner from the same line. I haven’t used toner in forever because I feel it’s unnecessary and drying, but this stuff felt tingly and actually left my skin moisturized. There’s a lot of white tea in it. We’ll see if I keep it up.

For face wash, I alternate between Origins and Desert Essence, which is entirely made of oils and some castile soap. It sounds basic, but there’s a ton of random stuff in it like bladderwrack extract and goldenseal root extract that I hadn’t even heard of before using it. For a night cream, I’ve been using Acure’s for a couple years and it’s really rich with lavender and chamomile. It’s very calming. I think they sell it at Target now, but it’s been at Whole Foods forever. For zits, I’m pretty faithful to Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion. My husband loves it too. I try to just leave zits alone for the most part these days; I find that doing anything to try and “heal” them just aggravates them or doesn’t quicken their disappearance. Sometimes I’ll do a mask if I’m just watching Netflix late at night. I’ll use Lancome’s Hydra Intense Masque. It’s super cooling and smells amazing; I love putting on some I Love Lucy and having a late-night snack when I do a mask. Best ritual ever! I’ll also use Origins’ Clear Improvement charcoal mask for porous areas; the lady who gave me the facial at Origins gave it to me for free! I like face wipes too, and my favorite are the Yes To Cucumbers kind. I can’t tell you how many packs of those my mom has jammed into my Christmas stocking over the years. I buy them in bulk at Target.

The one thing that’s still sort of a mystery to me is eye cream. I like ones that are cooling and depuffing, and I like rollerball kinds best because they’re more sanitary than dabbing your finger into a jar of cream and then putting it on your eye. Simple Skincare makes a good one, as does First Aid Beauty, but I don’t know. I’m just not there yet.

HAIR

My hair stylist knows I’m a major product addict. The funniest thing has been when I’ve asked him about products from lines that he uses before they’re even out yet or before he’s heard about them! I read about hair stuff in magazines and then I want to go out and try it. New hair products are what I get most excited about, so I’ve tried a lot but I can finally say I have favorites. I wash my hair every three or four days, and I alternate between two shampoos. I’ve been using Rahua’s shampoo for over three years now, and it’s pricey but I feel absolutely no guilt using or purchasing it because it’s so natural. There’s really no soap in it. It’s another product made up mostly of oils. I’ll use another shampoo every other wash, typically an Aveda one like their Color Conserve or Dry Remedy. I’ll try anything for conditioner. I’ve been obsessed with conditioners since my late teens because I was always trying to find ones that would make my hair grow or repair it, but I don’t really believe conditioner does that anymore. I’ve used one from Davines for a long time called Momo; I love it. I’ll also ask for Kerastase samples from my friend who works at a L’Oreal salon because I can’t afford Kerastase, but their deep conditioners have the craziest reputations so I’m always desperate to try them. I also like Alterna, mostly their treatments from their Caviar line. They’re good for when I want to grow my hair out. I use Unite’s 7 Seconds Leave-In Conditioner to detangle with a wide-tooth comb after I wash, but I think I like Bumble and Bumble’s Prep spray better for this. I’ll go back to it after I run out of the Unite. The Prep spray has hops and rosemary, the latter of which is good for lice prevention. I work around kids, and lice is one of those things that you can’t really avoid if you’re in that environment. It’s part of life, so you just have to do what you can. Tea tree oil works well for this too, by the way.

For styling, I’m a sucker for anything to do with texture. Living Proof’s Instant Texture Mist is great for giving that pliable “chunk” feel that I love for hair, and I also like Bumble And Bumble’s stylers like their Dryspun Finish and Cityswept Finish. If it mattifies, gives texture, or extends a blowout, I’ll try it. Anything for the second- or third-day hair look. I like Oribe’s Apres Beach Wave And Shine Hairspray too, though my hair does “beachy” really well on it’s own. I love Oribe’s products for their scent. And the best dry shampoo in the world is Klorane’s, hands down. The non-aerosol kind has stretched out so much time between washes for me. It can make your scalp itchy if you put too much on and don’t brush it out, but it’s still the best. The drugstore kinds suck. If I want a smooth or blown-out look I’ll use R&Co’s Jackpot Styling Creme. The scent is intense but it stretches out my hair beautifully, and the effect lasts around three days.

I got into the R&Co stuff because my salon started carrying it. I go to Salon 9 in Orange, and I’ve been going to Justin Kamm for nearly ten years! He’s a genius. He teaches workshops and is part of the cutting team for Davines. We finally, FINALLY cut my hair past my shoulders just this weekend. I’ve always had my hair long or mid-length, because I love long hair and I love playing with it. I miss topknots and ponytails and long waves, but the bob that Justin gave me feels so right. It’s good to do at least once, and I’m surprised at how comfortable I feel with it. I feel reeeeeally French. And the best part is, all those texture products work so well with this cut. I still put a bit of wave in it with my Hot Tools iron, but roughing it up with some kind of product gives it that grit that I’m always after.

MAKEUP

Makeup is tricky. I’ve tried a ton, but over the years I’ve come to find that I’m actually really picky and haven’t tried quite as much as other people (which is encouraging). Makeup is expensive, and I take forever to run out of anything so buying too much is a really wasteful choice for me. I don’t use primer much, but I like BeneFit’s The Porefessional when I do makeup for brides. It feels silky. I like to use Clarins’ Beauty Flash Balm on myself and then immediately put on powder or foundation once it absorbs. I prefer this to primer. It sort of gives skin a brightening effect. For foundation, I love Bare Minerals’ Original SPF Foundation because it still leaves a glow. I don’t like a matte skin finish; I’m all about dewy skin and mattified hair. The opposite feels too Vegas or Miss America for me. If I want a liquid foundation, Lancome’s Teint Miracle is nice but I still haven’t landed on a favorite. I just don’t think I like liquid foundation. I even have a BB Cream that I like but I just don’t use it too often. You can’t escape the feeling of liquid makeup on your face, which I hate. I immediately want to take it off. Concealer is nearly always Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Eclat in Luminous Vanilla. I used to hate it, and I’m not sure why. It’s the most lightweight formula I can find that still gives coverage. However, I’m not too concerned anymore with getting rid of dark circles anymore because for some reason, I like them now. They seem to give a touch of character. A heavy concealer under the eyes looks too finished for me. You need that bit of wear in your face.

NARS Bronzer in Laguna is pretty standard, and I’ll try almost any blush. NARS has the best ones. I’ve liked their creme formula in Lokoum for a long time but I think it’s discontinued. Their other powder shades are bonkers; I love Exhibit A and Liberte. MAC has a gorgeous one from their Mineralize line called Warm Soul. It super pretty for everyday, but mineral blush on top of mineral powder it can make your skin look funny. I like it on bare skin. MAC’s Plum Foolery is also good; I wore it for my wedding day and my mom wears it, too. I have a couple Chanel blushes too, but I hate to admit that I bought them because they were honestly just too expensive and frankly, MAC and NARS make better ones. The Chanel ones have perfume in them. You feel glamorous putting them on, but they’re a murderous, stupid splurge. Spend that kind of money on groceries or not at all, for God’s sake.

Eye makeup is a journey for me. I take forever to decide what I’m going to do with my eyes. Eyeshadow feels like such a commitment, which is probably why I wear it the least out of anything. It’s takes me a lot of time and concentration, and I always need to put shadow primer on if I’m going to do it because it makes such an undeniable difference. I think I like purple shadows on myself best. It’s just enough of an interesting color to feel special, and it does wonders for brown eyes. MAC’s Sketch and Embark are good. I bought the Embark because it’s the closest thing I could find that matches this special edition Victoria’s Secret eyeshadow I have. Christian Siriano from Project Runway did a collection for them a long time ago and it included this eyeshadow that is literally perfect. It’s matte, smooth, has amazing concentration, and is this deep purple-brown shade called Royalty that, of course, ended with the collection. I’m going through it really slowly, but I love using it for smokey eyes. A lot of that stuff with a ton of MAC’s kohl liner in Feline, and boosh- I feel like Catwoman. If I’m really going for it I’ll use Urban Decay’s eye pencil in Vice, too, and smudge it out. The best is when a smokey eye looks sweaty and sparkly, like a hazy night at Studio 54 in 1978. This pencil does that. Oh and my mascara is pretty much exclusively CoverGirl. I swear, theirs are the best.

Lips are simple. I do very little, unless it’s something like a red lip. I like lip colors that look like just a bit of something, because I usually like to focus on my eyes. A lot of times it’s just a few swipes of Burt’s Bees. Everything I like tends to be pinky-nude. I’ve liked Dior’s Addict lipstick in Tulle, L’Oreal’s Colour Riche Balm in Nourishing Nude, and Yves Saint Laurent’s Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in Nude Provocateur. I guess I gravitate toward balm stains, or gloss balms, or all those hybrid formulas we see these days. Nothing too lipstick-y. An exception would be NARS’ lip pencils. Those are brilliant.

Oh! I almost forgot about brows. I use one thing- CK One’s Brow Pencil and Gel Duo in Crafty Raven. I like thick, groomed eyebrows, but I hate how many rules and standards there are with them these days. They have to be perfectly shaped, tapered, filled in, not too thin, all that. I’m not into it, and same goes for the contouring craze. It’s just too much, too Kim with all the banana powder and shading and all that. I’m not into tricks that transform your face into another face, though it’s cool that it can be done. I like to look like myself, but with a bit of a wink I guess. That’s the best for me, at least. xo, MR

January 5, 2015the Magazine stuff., the Me stuff.

The Problem With January Issues

McKennaRishmawyfashion magazines, Glamour magazine, InStyle magazine, Jennifer Lopez magazine cover, Marie Claire magazine, new year makeover, new year resolutions, Reese Witherspoon, Reese Witherspoon magazine cover, SELF magazine Leave a comment

And by issues, I mean magazines. Or do I?

As you may know, I’m an avid reader of, like, ten gazillion magazines. Well, maybe not quite that many, but I do subscribe to and purchase quite a good amount of glossies. I like to talk about them, too, and I’ve often said that if I could go through my college education a second time I’d probably major in journalism with the goal of writing for some publication, whether online or in print. I would write for magazines, and hopefully one day, a fashion publication.

I love fashion publications so much because they add flavor and color to the seasons. There’s always something new to see or try, and there’s always something ahead to be excited about. You see Amy Adams in a sparkly, sequined dress on a December cover and you just think CHRISTMAS- the gift guides (all under $500!), the “how to party without gaining a pound or losing a wink of sleep” nonsense, and all the articles on glittery makeup for grown-ups. Or you see a tan, boho-waved Kate Hudson on a July cover and you feel like summer is finally here, with all its reviews of the latest sunblock innovations and tutorials on creative ways to braid your hair when it’s oily and disgusting. I’ve mentioned it before, but the September and March issues tend to overwhelm me because they’re so large, and it feels like such a non-negotiable forecast on my style choices that I get panicky. Isn’t that weird? I feel such feelings of urgency and inadequacy when I read those issues that I need to go out and get those lug-soled heels right now before fall has past and I’m completely off trend and the season is over and I missed Fall Fashion Week and now it’s time for bathing suits and YOU’RE LATE BYE FELICIA.

No one else feel that way? No one? Whatever.

Now, January issues are different. January issues I love. Why? Because the insanity and emotional roller coaster that is the holidays (or at least, that’s how it’s felt for the past few years in my case for a variety of reasons) is finally over, and it shows in the January issues, let me tell ya. Celebrations, parties, and family get-togethers, while generally enjoyable, tend to come at a price. There’s planning, there’s gift-buying, there’s people-pleasing, there’s Christmas-card-writing, there’s family-seeing, there’s dressing up, there’s anxiety, there’s so much shopping that you’re practically suffocating from all the perfume samples, and then there are just the general emotions of nostalgia, longing, and reflection that come with the season. You feel weak. You feel tired. Maybe you even feel sad. You feel desperate to finally get the holidays “right”. You again need to be reminded for the billionth time of what Christmas really is and means, whether through a tearful viewing of “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!” with your husband or the hymns you sing or the sermon you hear. You’ve arrived at another year’s end and realized … again … that you’re barely hanging on to your humanity, and you’re weak. And you’re tired.

But January issues. January issues wipe all that away and seem to want the world for you. The cover lines would have you believe that the world is your freaking oyster!

Your Happiest Year! Let’s Motivate! The 2015 Change Your Life Guide! 31 Days To the Best You Ever! Love Your Body!

And no January issue ever seems to be longer than 100 pages … totally doable!

Every January issue is nothing short of devoted to empowerment, to starting over, to self-renewal. And I do love it! Whether at home, at work, in beauty, in health, or in love, January issues are all about pressing the reset button and creating entirely new goals with eardrum-bursting enthusiasm. And this can’t be anything but good, right? I mean, we should call this all great, right?! Every page dedicated to mantras like “Do What You Love”, “Jump Start Your Career”, “Make Your Mark”, “New Year, New Do”. After all the madness that was December, you just cannot wait to take those cover stories seriously and make this new year your happiest year. Whether it’s that new haircut, that new workout plan, or that new travel goal, this new year should be your happiest year.

But a funny thing happened to me as I perused through all those January issues this past week, through all that encouragement, through all that self-motivation and those ceaseless chants of YES YOU CAN!

I felt even more anxiety than I had before. I thought, as I read through those endless suggestions of how to be better, how I should do more of what I love, how I should go after what I deserve … I need to change. I need to change right now. This needs to be my happiest year! It’s time to take charge. It’s time to transform. This has got to be MY YEAR. It’s time to turn into a workout machine, or a simplified, organization boss who’s rid herself of all unnecessary possessions, or a mentally tough person who isn’t afraid, or the girl who at least does her hair really, really well all the time (and with the Instagram followers to prove it!). I will finish writing that novel, I will travel more, I will stand up for myself, I will work for that butt I want, I will sprinkle chia on everything, I will treat myself more, and I will conquer my deepest fears! It’s time to be happy, it’s time to love myself! I need … to love … my self … NOW!

And suddenly, those feelings of urgency and inadequacy … there they are again. And the September issues are still a whole seven months away.

I can’t help but believe that maybe an avalanche of “self-help” isn’t the whole answer to our stress and weaknesses, and that wiping the slate entirely won’t fix the problems that, well, can’t just be wiped away. Don’t get me wrong- January issues really might be my favorite issues of the year. I’m serious, I bought ALL the magazines. However, I think I just want to speak to the people who see cover lines like “Your Happiest Year!”, and quietly worry to themselves “What if it’s not my happiest?”, or even “What if this one’s worse than the last?”; or those who know that a juice cleanse and new membership at the yoga studio can’t make the pain you felt in 2014 magically go away. There are those that cannot even see the written expression “2015” on a magazine cover without perhaps being filled with a sense of dread and fear of the future, and I mean to speak to you.

And honestly, I want you to know that this is okay. When you see Reese Witherspoon looking confident as all get-out with her words “I don’t do regret” on the cover of Glamour, it’s okay if you do feel the pang of regret and failure in your own life. When you see Jennifer Lopez on the cover of Self, claiming “I’m facing my fears and working on myself”, don’t sink into despair if your fears still cripple you at times and you barely even know who your “self” is.

“I want to prove I’m a superwoman” … you don’t have to be, and you are free from ever trying to prove such a thing. “You have to live with an open heart all the time” … but if you struggle with vulnerability, don’t be discouraged.

What I also want you to know, however, is that you can still take heart and have joy. Don’t be so discouraged as to not even look through a January issue. Don’t be so discouraged as to not light that candle of hope, to not believe that with all the darkness 2015 may bring, that it won’t come without its own promises and healing. And I mean this in the smaller sense, as well. Buy those new yoga pants. Sit down and start planning that trip you’ve always wanted to take, even if it’s just a drive to the next big city. Come up with that new plan for tackling your “to do” list in the mornings at the office. Stock up on blueberries, or find a new lipstick shade you love. Try baking the cookies with the coconut flour. And maybe even chop off your hair. But give yourself grace, and don’t be afraid to feel the pain that so unavoidably comes with life, even if the world around you is telling you that this should be “your happiest year”. 2015 will not be a loss.

The kitchen “mini makeover” (that never feels so “mini” in the end) can wait if it has to, and it will come when it should. So can the barre class, the social media account, and that amazing entrepreneurial idea of yours that’s going to change the world. After all, the happiest years are yet to come. You are enough for 2015. xo, MR

September 29, 2014the Hair stuff., the Me stuff.

What to do, what to do.

McKennaRishmawyangelina jolie hair, best haircuts, celebrity bangs, celebrity hair color, fall 2014 hair cut, mila kunis hair, Olivia Palermo hair Leave a comment

I’m in a real pickle.

I just don’t know what to do with my hair. Yes, this is what’s consuming me for the most part these days when it comes to beauty. That and a beautiful bottle of the new My Burberry fragrance, calling my name. Or my nose.

Some are telling me to just keep my hair as it is. I’ll admit that I think I’ve finally grown it out to what I’ve dreamed it could be for a while. It’s versatile, the color’s good, and it’s the longest it’s been in a while. However, the changing of the seasons always seems to put an itch for change on my brain. So here, observe exhibit A.

This is my hair as it is, right now. It’s my usual formula of letting it air-dry (and probably sleeping on it that night twisted up in a soft scrunchie), and then wrapping a few sections around a 1.25′ curling iron the next day. I love what it’s doing these days (especially when I actually do it), but you know how it goes. The grass is always greener, the hair is always prettier. I wish someone could’ve shown me this shot one year ago; I probably would’ve been drooling. Now, of course, I’m half over it. I really should learn to remember how hard I worked to grow this out.

But oh, the possibilities! The idea of change for autumn! It just makes me want to twirl in menswear-inspired Zara coat and chop it all off into a blunt bob. But change in hair for me doesn’t even demand something drastic. However, I’m still having trouble weighing my options. Observe exhibit B.

This would mean going lighter all over. Now, I’ve gone lighter, but I’ve never gone lighter all over. Could mean more maintenance, could mean more damage. But the idea is exciting! And I’d take perhaps an inch off to bring it to Olivia’s length.

Now, exhibit C.

BANGS! I’ve done bangs before, and I complained more than your two-year-old at Target around 1:00pm without a nap. However, I always think that I’ll do better with them this time around. Will I? There’s no way to really find out without just going for it. I will point out though that growing out bangs just seems to be a lot worse than growing out a shorter cut. The bangs just get more annoying and in-your-face over time, and styling cheek-length bangs is murrr-derrrr.

Aside from the cut, I also love the bronze-y color of Jolie’s hair, here. It’s so warm and beautiful. I’m thinking I’m leaning toward the warmer side as far as color goes. I used to think the fall season meant it’s time to go darker; now I’m thinking fall means more golden, more auburn, more colors of the leaves!

And then, there’s the thought of going in a different direction completely. Enter exhibit D.

The last time I had dark hair, I was going through a difficult season. I now unfortunately equate darker hair with negative emotions and circumstances, and so I’m reticent to go here simply because I’m scared my mind will, in a self-fulfilling prophecy kind of way, cause that sad season to repeat. I’m also convinced that darker just isn’t as flattering on my features. But again, I haven’t done this in a while and I haven’t had long, dark hair in years. Mila’s still carries a warmth to it, too, that feels rich and chocolaty.

So in conclusion, I need HELP. I don’t know what to do! And I need your input. Any other suggestions? Comments? OR SHOULD I JUST SHUT UP AND LEAVE IT?! Help a sister out! xo, MR

August 1, 2014the Hair stuff., the Me stuff., the Skin stuff.

Old Reliables

McKennaRishmawybest BB creams, best conditioner for dry hair, best detangling product, best heat protectant for hair, best natural deodorant, best natural shampoo, Boscia, Bumble&bumble Prep, Davines, Davines Momo conditioner, Desert Essence Organics, Rahua, Sally Hershberger Hyper Hydration Super Keratin Spray Leave a comment

I’ve been wearing some ugly clothes lately. Mom jeans (hear me, they were literally labeled as mom jeans), Birkenstocks (the originals), and tapered track pants with mules. There’s something freeing about forcing yourself to try and make good out of something known as “ugly” by conventional standards. It’s a good challenge in personal creativity, and you sort of give up on how others feel about what you’re wearing.

One trend I haven’t been dabbling in, however, would be the return of overalls. And by gosh by golly, even Olivia Palermo’s been wearing those and Lord knows how I drool over her! I don’t know, I think it has to do with the fact that they bring back old memories of the cool girls in middle school who would wear their overalls (which were nothing short of a staple back in the day) with … tube tops. Yep. Hot pink tube top, overalls from some place now deceased like Anchor blue, top it off with an Etnies skater jacket, and you’re good to go. Did we want to be Fred Durst video girls or farmers? We didn’t know, but we had to have the best of both worlds or God strike us dead!

So, I’ll try a trend here and there (or in my case, more like here, there, and everywhere), but I’d say I’ve now managed to round up my set of old wardrobe reliables that I’ll probably keep in rotation until I die or my then-20-year-old child tells me it’s time to stop. Such items include leather jackets, striped tees, a lot of denim, and a pair of leopard print pumps.

Now what, may I ask, would be the beauty equivalent of these items?

I’ve mentioned all of these items in previous posts, but if I’m buying them multiple times then they’re worth mentioning again.

I’ve used Bumble&bumble’s Prep Spray for years as a detangler once I hop out of the shower after washing my hair. Speaking of washing my hair, it’s very likely that I’ve also just used Davines’ Momo conditioner for dry hair. The scent (sort of gummy and cotton-y, yet addicting), the texture, and the long-term effectiveness of this balm have managed to give it a top space at an extremely long list of conditioners that I’ve tried. I try to focus more on moisture with my wash as opposed to “damage repair” or protein (which I do every so often), because it can lead to more breakage as I’ve previously discussed.

So anyhow, after washing, I give a few sprays of Prep directly into my roots, sort of massage my scalp a bit, and then gently comb through with (only!) a wide-tooth comb. I appreciate Prep for the vitamins and, again, the detangling qualities, but I don’t think it really serves a styling purpose. That’s fine with me considering I tend to let me hair air-dry completely most of the time before laying any heat on it.

I keep a couple shampoos in rotation, but Rahua has been in my shower for two-and-a-half years now. It is completely free of detergents and soap, is safe for color-treated hair, and has an almost wholly natural ingredients list. It is not particularly cheap, but I love it so much. My hair is noticeably less dry after using it, thanks to the lack of ingredients in drugstore shampoo that ironically do more harm than good for dry hair. I love it, and it gives me an excuse to go to Bloomingdale’s.

Once my hair is dry and I decide to break out the hot tools, I spray a liberal amount of Sally Hershberger’s Hyper Hydration Super Keratin Spray on each section. It works as a heat protectant, but also serves as an argan oil spray to smooth for blowouts. The scent is phenomenal, and I love spraying it all over my hair once I’ve twisted it up in a bun at the beach, just to keep it hydrated. The more concentrated versions of argan oil tend to be too heavy for me, unless I’m going for a pin-straight, shiney look.

And finally, once my hair is taken care of I move on to face and body. I’ve often sung the praises of Desert Essence’s Tea Tree Oil Deodorant for the fact that it has no aluminum (which means it’s not an antiperspirant, and yes, your body can acclimate to this as all bodies once did a few decades ago), and it contains no propylene glycol. Tom’s of Maine’s natural deodorant worked for a couple years before I found myself with red, peeling, burning rashes in both of my armpits that would not stop itching. I discovered this to be the fault of propylene glycol. Desert Essence is pretty much all oil, and yes, I do not go through my day sweat-free when I wear this stuff but you’re seriously not supposed to go through any day sweat-free. Bad.

Once I’ve moisturized with some kind of somethin’ (still trying to nail down a favorite), I’ll move on to my precious BB cream from Boscia. I loooooove this stuff like no other. This will sound hilarious, but I cannot believe how good my skin looks after putting just a dab of this on! I like to mix it with some kind of face lotion because it isn’t super spreadable, but I love how even and luminous it makes my skin. There is a lighter version, a bronze version, and it contains SPF 27. I recommend this one to anyone with a face. Anyone.

Any mainstays in your own repertoire? Holler at me; I’m always curious to know what others can’t live without, whether it’s a tube top or a good nail polish remover. xo, MR

December 26, 2013the Hair stuff., the Magazine stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff., the Skin stuff.

The Best of 2013!!!

McKennaRishmawyAishwarya Rai, Aishwarya Rai Cannes Film Festival, BareMinerals, best BB cream, best eyeshadow palettes, best natural moisturizer, best Orange County nail salons, best pedicurists in Orange County, best skincare products, Boscia BB cream, Dior 5 Couleurs, Elisa Sednaoui, Hi-Tek Nails Orange, Jennifer Lawrence haircut, Jessica Biel teal eyeliner, Lucky magazine, Lupita Nyong'O, Lupita Nyong'O makeup, Marion Cotillard teal eyeliner, Nikki Reed teal eyeliner, ombre hair, teal eyeliner Leave a comment

How does one introduce a post like this? I have a theory that you really shouldn’t even try, so I’ll just go with this- the following consists of my favorite and most significant beauty moments of 2013. Some involve me, some don’t. But this is what made the year fun, exciting, and especially peaceful when it came to beauty and all that it involves. Enioy!

#1 Hitting my hair stride.

Last year, as regular readers know, I cut my hair into a blunt long-ish bob and colored it a deep, ashier shade of brown. I did it as an inaugural celebration of autumn, but the problem is … autumn ends. And having dark, ashy hair during winter just did not suit my mood. In fact, I’m not entirely sure when it will suit me. I came to the conclusion in 2013 that I am a brunette with spackles of light, and my hair, at this point in my life, is meant to be long.

Growing it out has been a fun, exciting exercise in patience. There has been many a “good hair selfie” (at least according to my taste), but it’s just been too fun documenting the growth of it. I’ve used my favorite hydrating and restorative conditioners by Davines and Sachajuan along with my trusty Rahua shampoo just twice a week for extra health insurance. Little scalp massages, just enough protein, and plenty of moisture have allowed me to avoid the dreaded in-between phase of uncertainty, accompanied by a desperation to just cut it. It’s been a long journey, and I’m gunning for one to two more inches, but whew … I think we’re just about there. And you have to understand, I know the hair fixation has probably been a bit much for you readers, but this has been a long process of really choosing to like my own hair. I’ve always been okay with my skin, and I’m decently handy when it comes to makeup, but when it has come to hair, I had always wanted anyone’s but my own. I feel that within the past year or so, I can finally say that’s no longer the case (even if I’m crazy about everyone else’s hair, still).

#2 This person existing

I don’t know where this person came from, what she was doing before 2013, or how she managed to fly under the radar for this long, but Lupita Nyong’O is Thee. New. Thing. Her role in Steve McQueen’s Twelve Years A Slave managed to catapult her into the spotlight literally overnight, and once I laid eyes on her, all I could say was OHHHH MYYY GAWWWDDDD THE MAKEUPZZZZZZ!!! Whatever makeup artist that took hold of this girl before her first appearance (or who knows … maybe she did it all on her own?) seriously put their foot down and must’ve said, “GO BRIGHT OR GO HOME.” Lupita’s makeup has been nothing short of showstopping in nearly every picture I’ve seen of her (and I seriously pee my pants just thinking about awards season). You know those ridiculously obnoxious, acidic shades of NARS eyeshadow or MakeUpForEver lipsticks or Illamasqua blush that have made you wonder who could wear this and why is this here? Lupita Nyong’O, ladies and gentlemen. That’s who, and that’s why.

#3 Finally making peace with this haircut

You may recall that last year, I was somewhat traumatized by the amount of hair-choppage that had been occurring among celebrities. I felt frustration over seeing girls with long locks deciding to go the way of the pixie. Of course, this had much to do with the fact that I felt I could no longer identify with them, as I so strongly identify with longer hair. However, this year presented me with a few challenges involving liking and enjoying people that aren’t like me. What a bloody novel idea, right? So anyhow, the lessons and growth within these challenges trickled down to even the most seemingly meaningless things, like the acceptance of short haircuts on celebrities. So when Jennifer Lawrence chopped her locks this past November, I made the conscious decision to like it. Get over the fact that you’ll probably never do it yourself; a damned haircut on someone else doesn’t have anything to do with you. Lessening one’s focus on oneself enables you to actually enjoy others, to actually be happy for them. And so this is why I like Jennifer’s haircut. Because honestly, it looks good and I just need to shut up.

#4 Going luxe with these babies

This year was a year in which I chose to invest. It probably wasn’t always necessary, but Sephora gift cards and some celebrity makeup inspiration will do that to you. And honestly … I just love makeup. It’s fun. I’ll save on clothes, use the same laptop that I’ve had since 2007, but when it comes to beauty, I’m a sucker. So what’ll happen is this- I’m an introvert in the sense that I tend to recharge with alone time. On an afternoon where I’ll be feeling especially antsy, I’ll head off to Bloomingdale’s or some place like that and I’ll just wander through the beauty department (NK Space is particularly dangerous for me). I’ll mess around with the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, play around with the Kevyn Aucoin, put some Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Foundation at the YSL counter, and try on the most expensive moisturizer I can find. The SK-II “Try me” jars are especially exciting (at $250 per jar of “everyday” moisturizer). Of course, I buy very, very little of it, but sometimes I’ll splurge. These Dior 5-Couleurs Palettes are a couple of those splurges. For the record, “Earth Reflection” is my favorite. And they’re all seriously more fun than a box of kittens. And if you know me, you know how I feel about boxes of kittens.

#5 Discovering this picture

With all things being said about the acceptance of others’ hair, it’s still an admittedly good thing to find some true inspiration for your own. For the longest time, all I could think about in terms of hair was Olivia Palermo, Olivia Palermo, and more Olivia Palermo. Something about her hair seemed so wholly unattainable though, almost surreal. I imagine that she gets blowouts every week, as many New York socialites do, and that kind of thing is just discouraging to us layfolk. Comparing oneself with the privileged (or anyone, for that matter) can truly wreak havoc on your appreciation for what you have. And so, I tried for a good while to give up my Palermo obsession. I had to really fight to love my own hair, you know? And while on the road to recovery, I discovered this shot of Italian-French-Egyptian actress and model Elisa Sednaoui. What struck me was the fact that I didn’t want her hair, but instead I felt that I sort of already had it. Hers was just a little longer, but the texture, color, and thickness of it just seemed right on the spot. Suddenly, I didn’t want someone else’s hair, but instead I was even more excited for my own. Instead of comparison, this felt more like encouragement.

#6 Finally finding a home for my Hobbit feet

Fact: Mani-pedis give me anxiety. I’m not kidding. I can’t say I understand fully why, but there’s this- I have a fear of language barriers. Real talk. I get anxious when I fear that I won’t be able to understand someone, that the aesthetician won’t understand me, and that we’ll ultimately just have a shared, awkward experience full of silence and clinched teeth. This has happened before during a nail service experience (or at least, it’s what I perceived to be happening, but it may just have been in my head which is so frequently the case). When it comes to beauty services, be it massages, pedicures, or blowouts, I want the professional and I to feel comfortable. Coming from the service industry, I get that the most fun, worthwhile interactions with customers are ones where you feel like you’re both human. So consequently, I’ve avoided mani-pedis for fear of the awkward and for fear of looking like an idiot.

The problem, however, is that my feet get kind of, um, janky. See those remnants of polish? This photo was taken in December, and that polish is from … the beginning of August. Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh. And I know I could take care of it myself, but honestly, I let it get to the point where my feet literally need to be left to the hands of trained professionals. It’s bad. And that right big toenail is really as jagged as it looks. Like, Matterhorn kinds of jagged. I mean, it’s easy to let your feet go in the autumn seasons because you’re wearing close-toed shoes and all, but sometimes, around late November, I worry that I’ll take my boots off and my feet will have sprouted bushes or something. But the only place I’ve ever gone to have my nails taken care of is the place out by my parents’ home, just out of sheer fear of trying a new place. However, on the day I took this photo, I decided something needed to happen now.

So where did I take my little Hobbit feet? Oh, just the place right outside my apartment complex that’s literally steps away from my front door and that has awesome Yelp reviews. Hi-Tek Nails, folks. If I could slap a sticker on that place’s window that says “THE BRIGHT BLUSH SEAL OF APPROVAL!”, I would! But that sticker would probably look more like a piece of masking tape with my writing on it. Anyhow, the pro that helped me out that day is Christy (not sure how she spells it, so we’ll go with this). She was amazing. She was a human. And I acted like a human. We talked. We laughed. Like humans do. I saw so many regulars coming in and out of the place with Christmas gifts for all the ladies working there; you can tell Hi-Tek has a loyal clientele. And they were playing The Andy Griffith Show and Flipper on their TV! I mean, can you imagine watching an episode of The Twilight Zone and getting a pedicure at the same time?! That’s like, my heaven.

Thanks, Hi-Tek! I’ll be back, now that my Hobbit feet are out of their hole and on off on an extremely unexpected journey in some Birkenstocks. And properly painted a glittery black.

#7 Teal eyeliner EVERYWHERE

Talk about a fast and easy way to change up your look. I don’t know about you, but I saw teal eyeliner in every magazine, of seemingly every month, on almost every celebrity this past year. We were adding it to our upper lids, our lower lids, or all around our eyes. We were wearing it on more formal occasions, and on casual Saturdays. We wore it as an edgy statement, or as a haphazard, last-minute add-on to spice up an everyday look. And I loved it.

I especially love that this shade seems to work well on everyone. It’s so flattering, and it’s so unexpected. There’s a girl that I work with who wears teal eyeliner almost every day, and I love that it’s the first thing I notice about her. It’s like this extra little punch of personality in your look that feels so free-spirited.

Even just the slightest touch of a darker shade of blue can work magic. I love that the teal eyeliner is almost unnoticeable on Marion here, until you get a closeup look. It’s like a hidden secret that just adds that extra half-inch to the whole package. I can’t encourage you enough to give it a try, especially the next time you’re about to step out the door but still feeling blah.

#8 Reaching the end of my face makeup journey

This is it. This is the stuff. I don’t really care about finding anything else. I don’t wear all of this at once (obvi), and sometimes I only wear that little guy over there to the left (sunscreen/moisturizer), but mostly, I’m just happy with what you see here. When I want to go the extra mile and give myself a little brightening mask, I reach for Clarins Beauty Flash Balm for a tightening and cooling effect. I then immediately apply my loose BareMinerals if I’m going out and need a bit of coverage. Sometimes, if I’m feeling a bit dry or want an extra glow-y look, I’ll mix Weleda’s Skin Food with Boscia’s B.B. Cream and forget the Aubrey moisturizer altogether (as the B.B. has SPF in it). And typically I’ll apply my NARS Creamy Radiant concealer because my dark circles are pretty much Mordor kinds of dark (inherited from my dad’s side), but if I want something lighter in coverage and consistency I’ll go for the Yves Saint Laurent Touche’ Eclat, which I’ve also used as a highlighter.

And that’s it. I don’t want any more searching. I’m good. My only skincare goal for 2014 is to add a serum into my regimen so I can start taking those first baby steps into the world of aging prevention and damage recovery (which for me comes in the form of dark spots and scars from years of picking zits). But other than this, I’m done! Achievement unlocked.

#9 Remember this person? Yup. She showed up to the Cannes Film Festival this year. And you wanted to be her.

This, ladies and gents, is Aishwarya Rai. She’s an Indian Bollywood queen with a huge fan-base, a former Miss World, and once cited by 60 Minutes as the “world’s most beautiful woman”. Unless you’re a weirdo that’s only attracted to goldfish, it isn’t hard to see why. The buzz about Miss Rai seemed to reach a peak in the mid-2000’s (from what I remember in the States). But she then decided to go off and do the stupid, dum-dum thing called getting married and having a kid. Ugh. So not modern. And then she stated that she wanted to take some time off from work so she could “simply enjoy motherhood”. Um, excuse me? What tomfoolery is THIS?! You can’t take time off and ENJOY motherhood!! That is giving away your independence! You are MISS WORLD!!! You get yo’ butt back to WEEERRRRK, Miss WORLD!! No dumb baby should stop Miss WORLD from being Miss WORLD!!!!!

If you don’t sense the sarcasm here, I can’t help you with life. And I mean it.

So anyhow, post-baby Aishwayra chose to take some time off from Bollywood, and in the process of pregnancy and enjoying motherhood, proceeded to gain some weight. Like most child-bearing humans. But what happened then wasn’t so human- she received widespread criticism from her fans and the media for not losing her baby weight immediately and getting back to WERK. A commenter on the Daily Mail claimed, “She is a Bollywood actress, and it is her duty to look good and fit.” Another said, “She needs to learn from people like Victoria Beckham who are back to a size zero weeks after their delivery.”

Yup. That happened.

So fast forward to the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, a couple years later. Aishwayra had been invited to appear at the glitzed-out affair of international cinema royalty, and the pressure to show up in her former supermodel form was ON. So how would she look?! Like the skinny actress she was just BORN to be?! Would that baby weight be totally gone?!

Nope. Oh sure, the baby weight wasn’t gone, but instead, she showed up looking like a FREAKING GODDESS WITH A TOTALLY NORMAL PERSON’S BODY. BOOM.

See, this is what I’m talkin’ about. She isn’t nearly as thin as in her earlier days, but can you seriously even argue that it matters? I’ve never been so stunned by Ash as when I saw some of these photos of her at Cannes. She’s glowing; she’s regal. Her face, body, and hair are full, and it just looks divine. And I’m sorry, but that face is just unbelievable. I’m not comfortable with the word ‘exotic’ to describe a particular look, mostly because we can’t truly seem to define what exactly it means other than ‘you are a desirable, tan object hailing from the tropics’, and so to describe Ash’s beauty, I tend to favor the word ‘global’. She’s full Indian, but her features appear as if to be a mix of all kinds of ethnicity. She’s got that all-over-the-world look that’s so interesting and different. Pretty fitting for Miss World, no?

Yeah, that right there is seriously your quintessential HATERS GONNA HATE face. Eat your heart out, critics. And you enjoy that baby, Miss Ash. Treat yo’self 2013!

#10 Making peace with no makeup on weekdays.

I have no image for this because the last thing any of us needs is another selfie #nomakeup. So I’ll just use my words for this one. I used to whine and complain about not being able to get my fanny in gear to the point where I could put on a full face of makeup for work every morning. But I’ve finally arrived at the point where I’m okay with saying that that’s just me. Makeup is for weekends or when I have the time. Makeup is for when I can enjoy it. Makeup is not a necessity (though the concealer, eyebrows, and lip balm can’t really be compromised). Makeup doesn’t have to happen everyday, and that’s what makes it special. Nice, freshly-washed hair isn’t a necessity either. Sometimes a topknot and sunscreen is all you can ask of a Monday. Or Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Or Thursday. Or Friday before 5:00PM. And that’s okay. Just enjoy it for what it is, and don’t be a slave to it.

And these, my friends, are my favorite moments in beauty for 2013. It’s been a good, challenging year of acceptance and learning to enjoy the routines I have rather than ache and yearn for ones I don’t. I’m not even compiling a “worst of” list this year because there’s wasn’t anything that got me too irked anyhow! It’s been a great year, and let’s keep in up in the one to come. xo, MR

P.S. Oh, and a total bonus #11- Thanks to new editor in chief Eva Chen, Lucky Magazine is totally on the comeback trail. Remember how last year I wrote an entire post about how terrible it had become? A year-and-a-half later and I’m thinking just the opposite. Can’t wait to resubscribe and see Zoe Saldana on the February cover! Woohoo!

November 13, 2013the Friends stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff.

Weddings: Why they can be hurtful and beautiful all at the same time.

McKennaRishmawycriticism of Pinterest, criticism of social media, marriage blog, meaning of marriage, natural wedding makeup, Pinterest culture, post-wedding blues, Star Wars wedding, themed wedding, wedding blog, wedding commentary, wedding humor, wedding makeup 1 Comment

I’ve had weddings on my mind lately. I frequently reflect on my own for one reason or another, but sometimes it’s someone else’s nuptials that trigger something in you, and you just can’t help but pour over your own pictures, watch your wedding video again, and let your heart sort of go back to that time when you were preparing for all of it. Preparing for all of those two seconds the wedding and reception seem to last. It’s over before you know it, and you suddenly wish you’d relaxed a little more over this or that, paid more attention to this detail or that, or been more present and in the moment at whatever time. And you then get the bittersweet joy of seeing what feels like hundreds of others’ weddings documented on your own social media feeds, and then the nightmare of comparison ensues. Or you see someone else’s, whether in person or on Instagram or wherever, and you suddenly miss your own. You feel like your time is done; it’s now everyone else’s turn and yours will soon be forgotten …

It’s hard. Wedding culture in modern America is hard. I’m saying this two-and-a-half years after having mine. I’m still struggling with it in my own ways. I don’t know what I would’ve done or how I would’ve behaved if I’d had a Pinterest account at the time of my engagement. I didn’t have an Instagram account, either. No wedding hashtag. I can only count that as God literally looking out for my weak soul on what turned out to be a beautiful whirlwind of a day. But even so, after it’s all been finished and over with for years, it is still hard letting other brides have their turn. It’s sometimes hard even letting grooms have their turn, if you know them, simply because the attention is so completely not on you. Our cultural surroundings don’t exactly help us with wedding recovery and the cultivating of a selfless attitude, though. We are fed such delusional visions of grandeur surrounding our own nuptials, whether it’s through social media or the wedding industry or the strange idea that this is “the happiest time of your life” and you have to express yourself and be THAT wedding that NO ONE will forget and that this day is ALL ABOUT YOU, that when it’s all over, you feel as if you’ve had a rug pulled out from under you. Or your wedding dress snatched right off you. You’re done; it’s time to move on. Of course, these struggles of mine don’t even begin to speak to the real meaning of a marriage covenant. If I actually had a consistent amount of perspective on what was actually happening at my wedding and what really mattered that day, mason jars and artsy-craftsy creativity and cute boutonnieres and color palettes would suddenly cease to impress me. For good. But nevertheless, I manage to dig myself into a sad hole of Eeyore from time to time, and, in the words of my husband … well, these are things.

I think my point is that I mustn’t be too hard on myself. Grace is necessary, all the time. However, doing bridal makeup over the past couple years has been an extremely helpful exercise in letting other brides “have their turn”. When I offer my services, it can’t be about me, at all. I mean, the groom literally could not care less who applied the blush on his bride’s face. In fact, he may not even realize that she’s wearing blush and he couldn’t be bothered with such trivial things on a day like this, anyhow. So in summary, doing wedding makeup tends to mean (though not guarantee) that my heart and talents will be focused outward, instead of focused inward on myself. Now, again, this is no surefire exercise in self-help. Believe me- I can stare a bride straight in the eye and have only thoughts for me and my own vanity. Real talk. But the point is to do things that put a selfless heart attitude into practice. Sometimes, if you keep eating the broccoli even though you initially hated it, you begin to love and appreciate and gravitate toward it naturally because of its known goodness for you. And your taste actually begins to change. Though I will say that I hate to use broccoli as an example because it’s now trendy to like it. Anyways.

On to the stuff that really interests you: I had the privilege of doing makeup for two brides under considerably relaxed circumstances this year (or at least, they were relaxed circumstances to me, as I know that’s rarely the case from the bride’s point of view). One bride had been enjoying the planning and preparing for an adorable Star Wars-themed wedding, though calling it “themed” doesn’t really do it justice. The entire bridal party was dressed in high-quality costume, there were basically what you’d call set pieces in the backyard surrounding guests, and each detail was given careful attention and thought so that it might reflect the cinematic theme. I have to say that I was pretty impressed! Cheryl was walked down the aisle by none other than Darth Vader, and even the guests were dressed up!

Below, I’m preparing a beautiful Princess Leia for her handsome Han Solo. Cheryl didn’t have much of a preference when it came to makeup at all, so I decided to just have some fun with metallics and playing up her cheeks with bronzer. Lovely!

My other bride, Ashley, became engaged to my good friend Sean during an incredibly busy time in her life. I remember when she told me what her typical week looked like as far as schedules went, and I was floored. Something like a commute from San Diego to USC a couple times a week, right Ashley?! Her commitment to her education and to Sean during this time was so amazing to me. I so appreciated the trust Ashley had in me when it came to her wedding makeup; a little bit of playing around managed to land us on a a very natural look that brought out her natural features and gave her a soft, highlighted glow. I still love how the inner corners of her eyes sparkle!

In the end, the wedding itself is just one fleeting moment in the life of a marriage. But I think that all the beauty of how a bride looks on her wedding day is sort of an image that speaks to the deepest nature of a marriage covenant: new, beautiful, set apart, and full of promise. When I use my talents for this greater purpose, I find that I don’t need to worry about one bride having her “turn”, and that it never had anything to do with “turns” in the first place. My walk down the aisle was not some sort of one-time strut down a catwalk by a now-forgotten model. No, it really wasn’t about me at all. And before I continue, I’ll simply choose to refer you here for a little further insight into the meaning of marriage. And with that …

… I’ll give you one last look at my “concentrating super hard with the eyeshadowz” face, and bid you good night and good marriage. xo, MR

November 7, 2013the Friends stuff., the Makeup stuff., the Me stuff.

How the dudes feel about the makeup.

McKennaRishmawyfunny makeup stories, guys wearing makeup, makeup humor, Natalie Portman makeup, natural makeup, natural makeup misconceptions, what do guys think is beautiful, what guys think of makeup, why guys hate makeup 3 Comments

Guys have a funny relationship with makeup.

And before I go further, I should state that I absolutely hate blog posts that make gross over-generalizations about the opposite sex. I mean it. It’s like, my very least favorite. Because no, nice guys don’t always finish last, and yes, there are actually some women out there who don’t obsess over chocolate and babies. And ladies, believe it or not, sometimes you are the dense one. And so, just let me say this: I write the following based only on my experiences with guys and their understanding of makeup. These conclusions are based solely on what I’ve learned during my short time in my own teensy slice of the universe, and if I were to meet someone who defied the following conclusions, I would fail to be surprised. So anyhow …

I’ve been a careful observer of how guys respond to makeup for years, and not necessarily for the sake of seeing what attracts the most positive attention. Some makeup features seem to go completely unnoticed, like bronzer. Other things, however, can garner every kind of strong opinion (as one guy I know feels like red lipstick makes you look like “a clown”, and another I know feels it makes a girl look all kinds of 1940s awesome). There’s one thing through this that I’ve found to be certain, though: it is difficult to find a makeup item that’s universally praised and appreciated by guys. In fact, it’s difficult to determine if makeup is universally praised or appreciated at all by the dudes. Shiny, healthy-looking hair is universally appreciated by malefolk. Skin that appears well cared for is, too. Makeup, however, seems to be different. It somehow doesn’t attract the same amount of attention from guys as something like glowing skin or pretty hair, and yet ironically, I’ve found that it attracts criticism much faster than the topics of skincare or hair. The opinions, overall, are fewer, but the ones that exist are quite deep-seated.

I’ve known too many guys who’ve felt that the application of makeup is equivocated with a desperate desire to change yourself. Coloring your hair is coloring your hair, but creating a different look for your face means you are having a crisis of insecurity and identity. It means you want to cover yourself up. It means you hate your features. And now, I’m beginning to feel that I’m exaggerating. Again, this hasn’t been the case for all guys I’ve known, but it’s honestly been the case for a great many. I can’t recall how many times I’ve heard the phrase, “I want a girl who doesn’t wear makeup”, or “I want a girl who doesn’t think she needs to cover herself up”, or “I want a girl who doesn’t spend so much time on herself”. Let me ask you this, gents: Do you even know when a girl is wearing makeup half the time? I mean, I have a feeling you may have something more like this in mind when you think of the word ‘makeup’. But tell me, when you think of the subject, do you ever think of this? Or this? Or this? No? All of the three aforementioned looks involve a great deal of makeup and an even greater deal of time and effort in order to make the look a natural one. It’s quite ironic, you see- most wouldn’t be able to keep their jaws from hitting the floor if they realized the amount of product application, blending, and highlighting it takes to produce a truly high-quality “natural” makeup look. Next time you suspect a girl of wearing no makeup simply because she looks “natural”, leave room for the possibility that she may, in fact, have put in a little bit of effort to look that “effortless”. There’s a science to it. Trust me. And the millions of other girls that are “natural” makeup scientists like me.

Now, I suppose we can all agree that there can come a point where one reaches “TOO MUCH MAKEUP!!!!!”. Where exactly that line is, however, is tough to pinpoint. If you knew just how much makeup Natalie Portman was wearing at, say, the 2012 Academy Awards, you would certainly scream TOO MUCH MAKEUP!!! However, because it doesn’t necessarily look like “too much makeup” from our point of view, we don’t slam her for it. My guess as to where the line between “too much” and “acceptable” is lies somewhere within the judgment of whether or not the makeup begins to obstruct or alter one’s natural features. But it’s even hard for everyone to agree when exactly ones comes to this point. It unfortunately seems to be a subjective case of “I know it when I see it”.

There are those gentlemen, however, that don’t abide makeup in any quantity at all. Long ago, I knew a guy that, upon accidentally coming into possession of my makeup, literally refused to give me my makeup back. There was no negotiating; it was his now and he did not want me to have it any longer. It was the strangest, most alarming thing- he just hated it when I wore makeup, almost as a rule. I realize that such an attitude is probably fairly uncommon among guys, but I have to say that my husband’s first comment on the subject of makeup put to ease any fears of male makeup hatred- “Hey, you know, if the barn looks good red, then why not paint it red?” Now there’s a cheerful spirit!

I guess that’s the one thing I’d want to pass on to any malefolk that are feeling extra suspicious of makeup- to perhaps see it not as a means of changing oneself, but rather a means of enhancing. We like the canvas, and now we just want to have fun with it. I like lining the inner rims of my eyes because of how it makes my eyes look. I like filling in my eyebrows a little bit because of how it frames my face. No, I don’t want to change my face or cover my face; I want to enhance and make the best use of my face. Of course there are always exceptions to this, but I’d say that for the most part, makeup really is just a means of having fun with another artistic media. Trust us, it’s safe in our hands.

However, it is not always safe in the hands of a dude when he’s curious about trying his own hand at a set of brushes.

And furthermore, it’s even less safe when you allow him to attempt his version of a “smokey eye” on you as his first go-round with said brushes.

He expressed a desire to line my lower lids with shadow, but I think his precision was a bit off. Maybe just a little bit? Oh well. If you can’t achieve a Keira Knightley-level smokey eye, at least you know you’ll end up with a female version of Heath Ledger’s Joker. I’m not sure if I’ve ever looked better. Matt, you’ve made me proud.

And I must say you don’t look too shabby, either.

I’m pretty sure he’s wearing MAC’s Ruby Woo, if you’re interested. xo, MR

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Category Archives: the Me stuff.