TEAM CLAIRE BALEST LOOKS AT 2021 : A CONVERSATION ON BRIDAL TRENDS, AUTHENTIC BEAUTY + A GREAT PARTY PONY

CLAIRE : In light of what has happened to both events and personal style in 2020, what are our thoughts on how those changes might inform bridal trends? Just as events have taken on more intentional directions I feel like there’s going to be a movement towards more authentic beauty. Clients want to look and feel special but our baseline changed in 2020, I think what “special” looks like will change with it.

GRETCHEN : Absolutely, Claire! Authentic beauty is going to be the focus of 2021. We are already seeing it in the industry as a whole - clients are much more focused on their skin and wanting to wear less makeup. 

MEGAN : Simplicity has definitely made a comeback in 2020. “Less is more” is the new norm. I see so many ways where quality has stepped in over quantity : natural hair, healthy skin, mascara, a good lip. I think 2021 is going to be a refreshing year for the beauty industry. 

CLAIRE : I love this, Megan! I hope it is. When I make the choice to be grateful for some of the things we were handed in 2020, simplicity is at the top of my list. We have all spent the year reevaluating and assessing what would make the cut in our lives, from beauty routines to makeup essentials to relationships and on and on. We’ve been cleaning out our proverbial closets and making some big changes. I’ve pared down my own beauty routine to an absolute minimum and find it so refreshing. As far as how this informs bridal trends - I think gorgeous skin is the new black. This begins long before the wedding day, of course, but people are putting in the time now. Simple beauty is what women are wanting, to feel “effortless” and that always begins and ends with great skin.

KELLI : Beautiful skin and full eyebrows, am I right Claire?! 

CLAIRE : Kelli always has to tease me about my eyebrow obsession! But yes - beautiful brows that aren’t heavily drawn on. Layering products to create a soft, naturally full brow. This is key to that “no makeup makeup look” everyone wants.

KELLI : A gorgeous brow is so important. It frames the face and even plays a role in how the hairstyle looks.

CLAIRE : I think simply elevating natural beauty will be the aim for brides. Gorgeous skin, full brows and subtly enhancing the eyes - not in a glamorous way, in a way where she feels special but still herself - truly what makeup was intended for. Brides are aspiring to stand out without feeling over the top. A great way to achieve this is to pair a bolder, blurred lip with natural skin. Depending on the season it could be a bright pink, mulberry, deep rose... It’s understated but special, it’s chic without being extravagant. It has a minimalist feel but is still striking. This is the chord clients are looking to strike right now.

MEGAN : I absolutely love that look, it has such an effortless feel. 

CLAIRE : It also photographs beautifully. What about hairstyles - how does this natural approach translate for brides? What can they do to be distinctive but not overwrought?

KELLI : I would love to see more brides take the opportunity to transition into different looks between the ceremony and the reception and even the afterparty. It allows her a moment to step away and refresh as well as an opportunity for her look to evolve. Who doesn’t love a fun pony for cocktails and dancing?

CLAIRE : I’m a big fan of a late night pony. It’s so casually chic. And it does refresh the entire look even if she doesn’t change her dress. Never underestimate what a fresh lip and a ponytail can do, right? I love when we stay on site to make those quick, fun changes. 

KELLI : I like using leather pieces to secure large braids or ponytails, adding interest to a simple style. It’s a bit western chic, which is definitely trending right now.

ASHLEY : After all the photographs and ceremony it gives the sense of a new phase to the evening, one where they can toss their hair up and have fun. We’ve all been so disconnected, I think people are ultimately wanting to feel beautiful and connected with their friends and family. Brides are leaning towards more natural, lived in looks. It’s less of the Pinterest photo with every hair in place - they’re wanting to feel more like themselves.

CLAIRE : Yes! Natural and lived in. Absolutely. It’s authentic. 

ASHLEY : Authentic! Yes. If 2020 has taught us anything it’s how to slow down and be more authentic. 

CLAIRE : Agreed Ashley - that authenticity has been reflected in events this year. I hope it’s the new normal, it’s been so much more remarkable to experience. The brides planning weddings right now are having to really determine what is most important to them and it’s creating such a special feel to things.

KELLI : Something brides always need to consider is the season - climate plays such a role in how hair will hold. Consider wearing your hair down in more of a natural state for fall and winter weddings and transition to an up do or pony for the end of the night. If the event is during spring and summer, perhaps a loose up do to start while finishing the night with more tousled, lived in hair.

ASHLEY : And an easy way to elevate the simplicity of that lived in look is with a great hair accessory. They offer the freedom to go a bit simpler with the hair, which can allow a bride who doesn’t want an up do to feel like herself but still step it up a notch.

CLAIRE : Lelet NY continues to be my absolute favorite for hair accessories. I think so many brides want to wear their hair down but feel like they’re supposed to wear it up for their wedding. You can wear it down with a special piece in it and it’s just perfect. 

ASHLEY : Claire, this is so true! So often brides feel like they’re supposed to look a certain way on their wedding day. I think the coming year will see a diversion from that attitude with brides just wanting to feel good and look like themselves. If you want a top knot, go for it! If long, loose waves are your thing, go for it! The whole notion of what is “supposed to be” has been shattered by 2020, and I’m so glad to see that happen.

CLAIRE : Agreed Ashley! Add “shattering unnecessary obligation” to my list of things I’m grateful for in 2020.

KELLI : I could see hair trending toward’s embracing natural hair texture - from tight curls or very fine straight hair and everything in between. It feels like the right time to let go of that overly fixed look and work more with what you naturally have. We keep coming back to authenticity!

CLAIRE : After this year that’s exactly where we should all continue to land. I see everything being more meaningful, more intentional. I love that we get to play such a part in helping our clients navigate the beauty aspect of that. Cheers to a new year, new beginnings and to finding authentic beauty in 2021. 

Beauty in the time of Corona

It’s been a long time coming.

We’ve been catching glimpses of it. We saw it when Meghan Markle married Prince Harry. We saw it in the brilliant launch of Emily Weiss’ brainchild, Glossier. We saw it in the monochromatic makeup trend that emerged on the runways and the red carpet.

We were already seeing this beauty movement towards simplicity, a push away from excess and extra. Trends like these continue to grow in popularity as people search for a simpler way to do makeup. We were already seeing conversations about going back to the basics. And now we find ourselves at home and reaching for a small collection of products each day as we work from home, prepare to jump on a Zoom call or FaceTime with family. Extra just seems so...extra right now. Women are giving their hair a break from heat and embracing their natural hair textures. We’ve seen the hashtag #quarantineessentials. We are realizing that what we really want are the basics. But could our quarantine essentials have become our new daily essentials? With the stay in place orders and virtual interactions likely to continue indefinitely, is this moment in time driving us into beauty minimalism?

The beauty industry is a market that is so very saturated with products and launches that we have bought into the idea that we need all of the products all of the time - even when we don’t have a clue what they do for us or how to apply them {I still don’t have a client who is confident about the way she’s “supposed” to be contouring}. This time at home is giving us space to consider our routines and the reasons behind them. In a world with limited access to assistance from the experts we are being allowed an opportunity {or forced one, as it were} to create our own definition of beauty. We have looked to the experts {qualified or otherwise} to tell us what we should have but the reality is we’re really just wanting to know what we need. 

This is our chance. We get to decide what’s truly important to us now. As a makeup artist I can promise you that beauty isn’t contingent upon the number of products you have. So take this time to figure out what your essentials are. What sparks joy for you in your beauty routine? Take this time to eliminate the extra so that when we come out of this we aren’t weighed down by all the products we have and don’t use. Schedule a virtual lesson with a makeup artist who can help you to eliminate the excess. This is the perfect time to let go of all the unnecessaries you feel tied to. Beauty in the time of Corona is simple and easy, which we could all use a little bit more of.

A Glowing Review ABOUT Halo Laser Treatment

I chase beautiful, glowing skin like it’s my job. {Technically it is.}

Recently my aesthetician was raving to me about a treatment her office was beginning to offer. She’s brilliant and never pushes me to something she knows I don’t need or won’t love - so I knew it had to be special. When I found out it’s the same non-invasive laser that so many celebrities are using on their gorgeous skin, my interest was piqued. {I love to hear about anything that will give a glow and doesn’t involve a needle or a knife.}

I’ve always been generally content with my skin. That being said, years of living as a southern girl chasing the sunshine has left me with my fair share of sun damage and hyper pigmentation. But good makeup can cover a multitude of sins so I had always worked to make my skin look great - from the outside. 

I’m not someone who obsesses over looking young or not aging. I think women who age beautifully {with confidence and great style} are so stunning, it isn’t something I try to run away from. I ascribe to both embracing each stage of life and also looking your best while you’re in it - basically the French approach to beauty. I read in a great New York Times article : if there is a secret to aging well, French women must know it. I love their approach to aging : instead of trying and failing to look permanently young, they aspire to be the best version of the age that they are. It’s a huge part of my beauty philosophy : I try to help women celebrate the way they look by enhancing the best parts of themselves, not necessarily by trying to make them appear younger. 

And so realizing there was room for improvement in my skin, I found myself saying yes to this new treatment. Halo is the first Hybrid Fractional Laser that basically gives you incredible results without surgery. It’s geared towards someone who is wanting to improve on skin tone and texture, stimulate collagen and reduce fine lines, wrinkles and pores (I know, basically everyone). And the “downtime” is minimal - most people have their treatment before the weekend and return to work on Monday.

 The day of the procedure I went in to the office where they applied a topical anesthetic. After an hour numbing I was brought in to begin the treatment. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect - apparently people experience a wide range of sensations based on their varying pain thresholds. Most patients don’t feel any discomfort at all during the treatment, but I tend to be quite a baby about the mere suggestion of pain. My experience was like a sensation of a sparkler being held close to my skin. It wasn’t painful, more like a bit uncomfortable. But after twenty short minutes, the treatment was over. 

And then the heat began. When I stood up from the chair my face was absolutely on fire. They assured me it would only last for about an hour and sent me home with an Evian spray and promises of how much I was going to love the results. Once the heat subsided it was so much more bearable, as if I had only been sunburned - it was tight and very warm. {When my husband first saw me at home he said it looked like I had been floating on a raft in the middle of the ocean for three days - to which I responded, “That’s exactly what it feels like.”} 

DAY TWO : I woke up and momentarily wondered what I’d done. My face was very red and swollen and there were little black specks everywhere {which are referred to as “peppering”}. This was the most satisfying part though, when the pigmentation is working its way out of your skin and fresh skin is being regenerated. I had been sent home with post procedure products and I followed the directions from cleanser to serum, hydrating as often as possible because I can’t stand for my skin to feel dry.

DAY THREE : My skin felt super tight and a little itchy. It was even more peppery than the day before and felt like sandpaper to the touch. 

DAY FOUR : Flaking like crazy. This was my worst day for going out in public. You’re allowed to wear makeup at this point but honestly, wearing it looks worse than not wearing any at all. I could see little patches of fresh skin though and it was the smoothest, prettiest skin I’ve had since I was a baby. 

DAY FIVE : I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The flaking was almost gone and I was no longer wondering what I had done to myself but realizing why this is the new go-to for great skin. My skin was plumper and glowing. I didn’t even want to put on foundation because my skin was evened out and didn’t need it. 

This treatment gives what they call the “Halo Glow” because it stimulates collagen production and restores a glow to dull skin. And the amazing thing is, the results last. You do have to commit to protecting your new skin with sunscreen (which I now carry on my person like an epi-pen), but this isn’t a treatment where the results fade after a few weeks - they actually continue to improve. I ended up having two treatments - the number of treatments is based on your skin tone and texture and your desired result. But I can’t believe what it did to my skin. All the melasma from my pregnancies, all the damage from years of trying to get just a little “sunkissed,” all the smile lines that had been working their way down my cheeks, all the redness that had made my skin perpetually uneven is just GONE. 

Working in the beauty industry I tend to not be easily impressed by things that claim to be new, exciting or promise transformative results - but this time you can color me impressed. The truth is we’re all going to continue to spend money on bottles of anti-aging, lightening, brightening this or that for years to come. It makes sense to invest in something that will actually yield visible results, something that makes your skin look like it lost a few decades. 

The French have a beauty rule : skin first, makeup second. They establish such regimented skincare routines and in the long run need less makeup because of it. I’m here for it - and now I definitely feel like I’m rocking the best version of my skin in my 40‘s. 

***applies sunscreen while ordering a latte + a croissant***

***My aesthetician is Cheryl Houser at the office of Dr. Jason Hall, Knoxville Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery. https://drjasonhall.com/  

CREDITS :

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/fashion/15French.html

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-french-women-get-right-about-aging-well

SUMMER BEAUTY FAVORITES {MY GUEST BLOG WITH INVISION EVENTS}

Named a top makeup artist by Martha Stewart Weddings and a top wedding hairstylist by BRIDES, Claire Balest wants to make sure you’re using the best products during the summer with her summer beauty list. We have absolutely adored having Claire and her team on some of our favorite weddings, her style and approach to beauty is impeccable. Being smooth, glowing, and natural are her top priorities during these hot months, and we are going to let you know how she achieves just that!

R+CO MOON LANDING ANTI HUMIDITY SPRAY

Claire likes to tame her hair during the summer with this hair care line. She suggests this product for anyone that deals with frizz from the inevitable humidity. It smells great, feels light, and is perfect for the hot summer months!

NATUROPATHICA : MANUKA HONEY CLEANSING BALM, GOTU KOLA INTENSE REPAIR BALM, LAVENDER PROTECTIVE MOISTURIZER SPF 17.

Through her connection with Barbara Close, the founder of Naturopathica, Claire fell in love with mixing beauty and holistic health together. Keeping your skin dry is tough to do when the heat is soaking up the moisture in the air, and this product will leave your skin glowing skin from the inside out.

NARS PURE RADIANT TINTED MOISTURIZER

This foundation is always on Claire’s favorites list during the warmer and more humid months we have here in the south. While it has the coverage you’re looking for, she says it also has a weightless feel that will keep your skin easy and breezy in the heat.

SARA HAPP THE LIP SCRUB in LEMONADE

Claire suggests exfoliation in all forms during the summer, adding that most people forget about loving their lips. This scrub will leave your lips soft and healthy. Just don’t forget to follow up with something hydrating, like a lip balm, afterwards

RODIN LUXURY LIP + CHEEK OIL

Claire wants you to glow which is why she suggests Rodin Lip and Cheek Oils as an essential in your makeup bag. You have five shade options, and she has been loving the Berry Baci for a slight wash of rosy pink on her lips and cheeks.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY in LOST CHERRY

Clear skin and a bright lip is an easy makeup look to try. Claire knows you would probably prefer soaking up the sun and salt water than be in front of the mirror, doing your makeup. Mix this stunning lip color into your routine for an easy way to make a statement.

See more of Invision Events: https://invevents.com

Wedding Makeup That Feels Like You: Tips From An All Star Makeup Artist {MY INTERVIEW WITH LOVEPOP}

Wedding Makeup That Feels Like You: Tips From An All Star Makeup Artist

Written by Sarah Lessire

Bridal makeup everything! We were thrilled to interview makeup artist Claire Balest on her superpowers, the big names she’s worked with and her views on what makes women beautiful. Claire is on a mission to make all of us realize just how gorgeous we really are and, well, it’s working.

Tell us a bit about yourself! How did you get into makeup?

As a 4 year old I was obsessed with all these magical things my mother had on her bathroom dresser - lots of shiny, black palettes and these gorgeous mulberry colored lipsticks. I told everyone I was going to be a “lipstick seller” when I grew up. I believed that if everyone loved lipstick as much as I did, I could sell hundreds of lipsticks a day standing on a street corner. While I didn’t actually end up selling lipstick on a street corner, I think it’s so incredible that my 4 year old self knew the path she wanted to pursue!

Any superpower you are known for?

That’s quite a label! But I would say I am gifted at highlighting a woman’s natural beauty. I have a considerable number of clients who are actually afraid of makeup and want a really natural look. (Everyone has had that one horrible makeup experience that makes them forever fearful of having someone do their makeup.)

As an artist it can be challenging to hold yourself back from what YOU think would make someone look beautiful and instead choose what would actually make HER feel beautiful. I always tell my brides, you want people to say, 'She looks gorgeous!' NOT 'Look how gorgeous her makeup looks!' That’s a fine line to walk, and I think it’s a gift of mine to walk it well.

What are some of your favorite looks to create, and why? Nude & natural, full-blown glam diva, classic, retro?

For brides I enjoy doing the natural and classic looks a lot, but then it can be really fun to have that client that wants to do the unexpected, which is inspiring and fuels your creativity beyond the ordinary. I had one bride who had this Great Gatsby styled wedding, and we did this bold 20’s makeup look for it and it was just so much fun to see it all come together.

We love what you say on your website about your time at Bobbi Brown and how the brand “teaches women to celebrate and play up what they love about themselves, instead of focusing on hiding what they don't”. How are you continuing to instill this message in women?

Working for Bobbi Brown was incredibly influential to me. Bobbi completely redefined the way I see women, the way I see myself. I would say this has become my platform, so to speak. I can’t touch a woman’s face and not communicate some part of this message to her while she’s in my chair. I am constantly pointing out to my clients what is beautiful about them, which is the opposite of what they’re in the habit of doing, of course. No one focuses on what they love about themselves, they focus on what they don’t love, right?

You can’t see beauty and be critical of yourself in the same moment. You choose one or the other. No matter her age, every client who sat in my chair would begin pointing out what was “wrong” with her, what she needed to have “fixed.”

When I realized how very much time is wasted on disliking ourselves, on speaking negatively to ourselves about our appearances, I couldn’t stay silent anymore. It’s like the Beauty Gospel. I have to spread the word. So instead of camouflaging what they DON’T like, I teach women to play up what they LOVE about themselves! If you think your lips are too thin, wear lighter lipstick and play up your eyes. You tell people where to look with makeup. And if you highlight what you love about yourself, others will see it too.

What is the one product that you put on all of your brides?

I’m known for the lashes I do on my clients. I only use individual lashes, never strips. It drives me crazy when I can see a bride has on a strip of lashes, it looks so unnatural to me. Individual lashes look like you just have incredible lashes, and they make everyone feel really beautiful. I also always use a waterproof, long-wear cream shadow base on the eyelids of all my brides. This makes everything I layer on top of it long-wearing as well. Brides need their makeup to last a LONG time, so I make sure that what I put on their faces is going to take them from the first look to the dance floor into the morning hours!

What's your favorite wedding makeup you've ever done and why?

That really is terribly difficult to pick a favorite! But if I have to... It was a November wedding. She wanted very simple, understated makeup, but wanted to make a statement at the same time. I kept her skin clean and fresh and used this winterberry lip color on her lips and cheeks, that made her look as if she had just come in from the cold. And her eyes are just stunning: they stand out but you don’t really notice the makeup, you notice the bride. My favorite kind of makeup. Soft definition on the eyes and lots of lashes. I think this look is just perfectly timeless.

You’ve also done a lot of makeup for TV and theater... Did that work influence the way you go about bridal makeup?

Not so much... The bride is my client when I am doing bridal makeup, but on set I answer to the directors and producers. That being said, I think all of my experiences have informed how I relate to my bridal clients. It can be a very vulnerable place, being the center of attention, having so much pressure on you, so many eyes on you, it makes a lot of women extremely self conscious. I suppose in that regard, the talent on set and brides have somewhat similar struggles. I feel like my job is to put my clients at ease and make them feel their best, so that they can do their job (whatever it is that day) well. Depending on how I care for my clients when they’re in my chair, I believe it can affect how the rest of their day plays out - either their performance or their confidence and experience of their wedding day. It’s a great responsibility to touch someone on their wedding day. I don’t take that lightly.

What do you think the next big bridal makeup trend will look like?

I would love to see bridal makeup trends swing back to the basics : clean, gorgeous skin, and a more natural look all around. As I said before, people need to see the bride, not the makeup! Softer, less sculpted eyebrows. A movement away from heavy contouring. I think the rise of makeup tutorials flooding the internet has caused trends of heavier makeup altogether. The fact that contouring has become something every woman thinks she is supposed to be doing on a daily basis is just insane to me. Subtle contour is great for sharpening softer features, but I just don’t care for the mask-like makeup trend. Bring back natural beauty! I’ll help usher it in.

Find out more about Claire Balest:
Website:  http://www.clairebalest.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/clairebalest
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clairebalestmua/

Head over to Lovepop blog to see the interview and more at Lovepop, Wedding Makeup That Feels Like You

3 Basic Beauty Rules of French Women

I recently spent a week in Montreal, Canada, traversing the city and enjoying an enviable amount of coffee, croissants and wine. As I walked the streets I was able to spend a great deal of time people watching {particularly the women and their fashion}. I had always known it was a French-speaking province but was surprised to find their charm is European in essence and it pervades their beauty sensibilities. This got me thinking about how perpetually fascinated American women are by French beauty and how very different it is from our approach to it. Here are three basic beauty rules of French women {and how to easily make them your own}  :

1. PERFECTION ISN'T CHIC. Irrefutably, one of the signature styles of French women is the "undone look." Not disheveled, but effortless. Not messy, but chic. This is a far cry from the somewhat mask-like makeup that seems to be so ubiquitous in the States. Instead, they own their looks while neither apologizing for them, nor concealing them. This is certainly the allure : when a woman appears comfortable with herself, she gives off an enviable confidence as well as an overall sense of style that cannot be equaled by a full face of flawless makeup. Perhaps what these women appear to have figured out is that it isn't about the makeup... When a woman owns what is under her makeup, what she wears on her skin then transforms from a mask to a stylish accessory.

2. BE A MINIMALIST. French women are simplistic : they value the easy, the uncomplicated, the casual chic. They aren't walking the city wearing full faces of makeup. They are minimalists who want to make a statement. {They've made a red lip paired with nothing but clean skin a French classic.} I've always loved how Coco Chanel advised women, "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off." If we began to think of makeup as an accessory instead of a way to conceal our perceived flaws, would it change the way we wore it?

3. MAKE IT LOOK EFFORTLESS. These French speaking women have mastered the art of looking chic with such ease, it’s as is they hadn’t tried at all. They walk this line so flawlessly that they appear to have put almost no effort into looking so fabulously stylish. It is just who they are inherently : perfectly imperfect.

And isn't that what we all really are?

Easy Makeup : How to Create a Rosé Inspired Makeup Look

Rosé is super trendy right now - we're seeing it everywhere - and as usual, things that are on trend always seem to find their way into our skincare and makeup. Rosé has all different variations in color but all have that gorgeous peachy pink color that is so fun to drink {and to photograph}! Peaches and peachy pinks tend to be universally flattering and a great way to wear makeup that looks easy and effortless {and not over the top}. I want to show a few simple steps to create a rosé inspired makeup look that is super wearable during the day and show-stopping at night!

SKIN

You always want to start out with fresh, glowing skin, which is the perfect palette for any makeup look. Make sure you wear a foundation that really evens out all of the redness in the skin so that when you add color it doesn't end up looking uneven and excessively pink {we all tend to have extra redness in the nose and mouth area, so give extra attention to making sure those areas look flawless}. You also want to make sure you use a concealer that really brightens the under eye so the makeup on the eyelid is what steals the show {and not any tired, red eyes!}.

CHEEKS + LIPS

Hourglass Illume Sheer Color Trio palette in Sunset is one of my favorite options to achieving a rosé glow on the cheek. It has a cream bronzer, blush and highlighter, and the blush is the perfect shade of rosé. {I'm a lover of cream products, they always give a natural, dewey finish to the skin.} Hourglass Girl Lip Stylo in Dreamer is also a great color option for a soft and wearable peachy pink lip color {and you could even blend it onto the cheeks for a blush color as well - I love to make a product work double duty}!

EYES

To achieve a gorgeous rosé eye, I adore the Stila Liquid Eye Shadows. They have a striking, intense color payoff that comes from just one product. There is a color called Rose Gold Retro that looks like liquid metal and gives a striking, rosé-like statement eye. If you're wanting something a bit more understated, Tom Ford Cream and Powder Eye Color in Golden Peach is a still stunning and less intense alternative. Finish the look with a deep brown liner {like an espresso or a walnut shade} very close to the lash line with as little or as much intensity as you prefer. Top it off with a few coats of mascara and then call up your girlfriends to meet you out for a glass of rosé!

What to Have in Your Makeup Bag for your Destination Beach Wedding

You've finally decided on the coastal wedding location of your dreams, but you need to make sure your wedding makeup can stand up to the destination and survives the day! Here are some tips on what to pack in your makeup bag for your destination beach wedding.

LOOK FOR WATER RESISTANT AND WATERPROOF FORMULAS. 

These are going to help you battle the breezy, humid, ocean air and keep your makeup looking camera ready throughout the day and night! Bobbi Brown cream shadows are waterproof and work great alone or can be layered for a more dramatic look. (Pro Tip : Bobbi Brown's Sandy Gold cream shadow is one of my favorite shades! It looks amazing on almost everyone. Additionally, the shade Shore is perfect for giving the eyelid a clean, even tone.) Mascaras are also important to find in a water resistant or waterproof formula. I recommend trying out different formulas before your wedding day to find out which particular formula works for you (be on the lookout for smudging, flaking or eye irritation) and is the perfect one to pack for your destination beach wedding!

Take a great bronzer. 

You're getting married at the beach...you want to be bronzed and glowing, but finding the right bronzer can be tricky. Using a bronzer is going to add warmth and a beachy, sun kissed glow to your skin, but you need to find one that is skin tone correct - one that isn't sparkly (that won't photograph well!) and doesn't appear orange on you. A little shimmer can be pretty, but stay away from anything with glitter. Some favorites are NARS Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzer in Laguna or Tom Ford Bronzing Gel. (Pro Tip : Make sure you don't just apply bronzer to your face. Take the bronzer down your neck and onto your upper chest to ensure that the color in your face matches the rest of your body!)

Think peaches and pinks! 

When it comes to lips and cheeks, peaches and pinks tend to be some of the easiest colors to wear for most every skin tone. A soft, peachy pink lip and cheek will keep with the beachy, bridal feel of your destination wedding, and give you that effortless but beautiful look you want by the waters' edge. Think rose golds, soft peaches and sunset pinks - these will all complement the natural light at the beach. (Pro Tip : Steer clear of any sticky lip glosses that might prove problematic when the ocean breeze blows your hair around - you don't want to be fighting that battle while you're walking down the aisle!)

Use a setting spray! 

Skindinavia's The Makeup Finishing Spray Bridal is kiss-proof, cry-proof and sweat-proof and resists excess moisture to keep your makeup looking flawless at your beach wedding. This is one of my favorites. There are lots of setting spray options; find one you love and use it! You're going to need it to stay looking fabulous when you're dancing until midnight under the stars.

Happy Destination Wedding! xx

Anne & Philip - Blackberry Farm Winter Mountain Wedding

Anne and Philip's wedding, recently featured on Style Me Pretty, was one of my favorite weddings at Blackberry Farm - a place which, no matter the season, is an undeniably perfect spot for a destination wedding! This stunning, rustic Tennessee wedding, planned by Jennifer Laraia, showcased the winter mountain landscape combined with the bride's color palette of gorgeous neutral colors. Anne was such an incredibly happy and radiant bride, which is truly reflected in her photographs by Natalie Watson Photography. She loved makeup - and liked the idea of playing up her striking brown eyes, so I really brought the focus to her eyes with rich browns and long, black eyelashes. I allowed the cold winter season to inspire her lip and cheek color, using deep winterberry colors to finish her classic bridal look. 

Her Romona Keveza dress was so elegant, and so perfect for a winter wedding in the mountains! (And her Jimmy Choo shoes were out of this world!) One of my favorite elements of the wedding were the bridesmaids wearing Monique Lhuillier dresses wrapped in fur stoles, gifts from the bride to wear to the wedding. Such a perfect bridesmaid gift for the ultimate destination wedding! (and such a luxe detail to complement a cold, winter wedding!)

Anne and Philip - who truly looked like Prince Charming! - were such a delightful bride and groom, and the day could not have been more perfect with their sweet families surrounding them at the wedding! I loved some of the special moments captured : Anne's sister touching up the bride's makeup, Anne with her mother and sisters, and little moments between the bride and groom. This luxury winter wedding was full of fresh mountain air, warm fires, and stunning, unforgettable details!

Photography: Natalie Watson Planning: Jennifer Laraia Venue: Blackberry Farm Hair: Bangs and Blush Gown: Romona Keveza Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo Bridesmaid Dresses: Monique Lhuillier Flowers: Whimsical Gatherings

RELATED POST: 3 TIPS FOR BRIDES WHO DON'T LIKE MAKEUP

3 Bridal Makeup Tips for Brides Who Don't Like Makeup

Photo Credit: Natalie Watson

I often have brides contact me about their wedding who confess that they’re “not into makeup” but know that they need to wear it for their wedding.  They experience a lot of apprehension about the process and are nervous about not looking like themselves.  My advice to you natural ladies : stay calm!  There is a makeup look for everyone. Here are my 3 wedding makeup tips for women who aren’t into makeup, and honestly, even those who are :

1. You need to wear makeup.

It’s your wedding day.  I know you say you don’t wear eyeliner on a daily basis, but this isn’t your usual day!  You’ve bought a stunning wedding dress and you're having your hair done; your makeup needs to look as special as the rest of you.

This doesn’t mean you have to be unrecognizable.  Lightly playing up your features will elevate your look from ordinary to extraordinary.  Adding some radiance to your skin and evening out skin tone will make you look flawless and dewey in pictures. Making sure your eyes stand out with a little eyeliner and mascara is so important; if you can be convinced to wear individual lashes, your eyes will be spectacular!  Framing your eyes by filling in your eyebrows will make a huge difference.  And a pop of blush on the cheeks and a soft, natural pink lip color will make you glow in pictures.

You hired a photographer to capture every special moment, you need to make sure your features are accentuated in them and that you feel gorgeous in the photographs - and it takes a little bit of all of the above to make that happen!

2. Make sure you have a makeup trial.

Doing a trial ensures that you and your makeup artist are on the same page and that you both know exactly what makes you feel beautiful - and what doesn't.  If you have makeup inspiration pictures or pictures of your dress, now is the time to share them.  This is where you consult, discuss options, where she gets to know you better and has the opportunity to show you what she thinks would be a good look for you based on all this information.

You want to be comfortable and feel like yourself, but now is also the time to experiment and allow her to maybe take you a little outside your comfort zone and try things you wouldn’t normally try.  Clients often end up surprised at how gorgeous they feel in something they might never have attempted on their own.

But generally speaking, your artist needs to listen to your likes and dislikes and make sure that the makeup is an authentic representation of who you are.  As I often tell my clients, I might think a red lip would be stunning on you, but if your idea of makeup is tinted chapstick, chances are a red lip isn’t going to make you feel beautiful.  So this is REALLY important : your wedding day isn’t about what your makeup artist thinks would be best for you, it’s about making you feel like the best version of yourself.  That being said...

3. Make sure you hire a makeup artist who listens to you and understands your style.

There should be dialogue about how much makeup you usually wear, what you like, particularly what you dislike, and just your overall thoughts about the wedding day look. If your artist is focused on you, she will take all these things into consideration.  Her job is to take your everyday look and elevate it to the most beautiful version of yourself.  This doesn’t mean there has to be an over-the-top amount of makeup involved.

The important thing is that you speak up when you don’t like something so she can adjust it.  If you don’t tell her, she won’t know!  It’s an easy fix.  Remember, it’s about you, not the makeup artist, so your voice needs to be heard!  This is why hiring someone who's makeup you like and who's work you identify with and gravitate towards is so important.  

So, don't be afraid to be a little picky! It's your day to feel the most beautiful, and your makeup artist should understand that and be willing to do everything in her power to make you feel that way. Check out some of my favorite bridal looks here in my portfolio, I'm always taking on new clients and would love to hear from you! Visit my contact page to get in touch with me, or leave a comment below!

RELATED POST: BLACKBERRY FARM WEDDING FEATURED IN MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS

Larkin & Eric - Blackberry Farm Wedding featured in Martha Stewart Weddings

Being a makeup artist is a dream job. Having your work featured in Martha Stewart Weddings is a dream...and this past fall I was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings! Larkin and Eric's absolutely stunning wedding at Blackberry Farms was featured in an 8-page spread in the November 2016 issue of Martha Weddings. And let me tell you, Martha picked an amazing one to feature.

This wedding was the perfect marriage of bridal simplicity and luxe detail. It was like a fairytale wedding hidden in the woods at Blackberry Farm. Everything about it felt just perfectly exquisite and celestial. Even Larkin's makeup - she wanted her makeup to be "ethereal," like a "woodland fairy." 

The flowers were magical. I don't know any other way to describe them. Amy Osaba made them just come to LIFE. 

One of the most breathtaking moments of the day was when I saw Larkin step out in her dress, designed by Pnina Tornai. I remember actually catching my breath when I saw her in it. It was positively the most striking wedding dress I had ever laid eyes on. The exquisite beading and the plunging back with its dramatic detail...it was otherworldly.

One of my favorite things about working on weddings at Blackberry Farm is how so many of the brides that come there hire the most talented creatives. They hire us to do what we do best, which means they don't usually control too much of the process, so everyone's creativity is just flowing and it all culminates in this incredible event. I love that. And Blackberry Farm itself is such a stunning venue, from the natural landscape to the animals meandering around on the farm, to every detail being top notch...it's the ultimate luxury mountain venue. 

Enjoy this peek into the wedding!

Photography: Natalie Watson Planning: Jennifer Laraia Venue: Blackberry Farm Flowers: Amy Osaba  Gown: Pnina Tornai, bought at Kleinfeld Bridal NYC Hair: Bangs and Blush Cakes: Magpies Bakery Bride's Head Piece: Maria Elena Bridesmaids: BHLDN Wedding Dresses Stationary: Ceci New York Calligraphy: Nicole Black Bouquet Ribbon: Froufrou Chic Table Ribbon: Silk & Willow Rentals: All Occasion Event Rentals Lighting: Bandit Lites

Easy holiday makeup : from everyday to instant party

I recently made an appearance on WVLT news with a segment on easy holiday makeup : taking your everyday makeup to an instant party look.  I've received so much feedback about it that I thought I would go into more detail here so all your questions were answered!  So feel free to watch the video and then see below for more details and some of the products that I used...

These tips aren't product or brand driven, they're all about COLOR {whether you find it at the drugstore or the department store} and choosing colors that have a lot of impact for an instant holiday party look. 

I'm working on a model who's wearing very basic, everyday makeup - a little foundation to even out the skin, a neutral lip color, and a little eyeshadow + mascara.  Adding a gold-based illuminator to the cheekbones + apples of the cheeks adds a gorgeous radiance to the skin {one that we all tend to be without in the winter months}.  Then I add a deep, berry-colored cream blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend it in with my fingers to give her that perfect winter flush, the just-came-in-from-the-cold look.  This step adds so much life to the face, and pairs perfectly with the berry lip that follows {or also works great with a nude lip if you wanted to keep it a little more demure}.

The next step is a high-impact, bold berry lip color, which is a fresh + inspired party look : I find a deep pink like this to have the intensity of a classic red lip, but it's a little more wearable.  It's a very modern party look that is flattering on most every skin type.  {*artist's tip : make it REALLY easy on yourself and cheat a step by using the berry lipstick you pick out on your cheeks as well.  Just swipe a little lipstick on your fingers and blend into the apples of your cheeks for a perfectly matched blush color.}

Black eyeliner is the final step {and really the most important}.  A strong, black liner on top of the eyelid grounds the whole look, adding just the right amount of drama to the eye {without it being too much}.  Apply a richly pigmented {pencil, gel, or liquid} close to the lash line so that it mimics and enhances the lashes themselves, and the entire look is done {or almost…}!

If you want to take your look a little farther, pop on some gold or silver metallic eyeshadow to the eyelid to make the eyes really sparkle.  Don't be afraid to use sparkle!  Regardless of age, I think a little sparkle or shimmer on the eyelid is the most wearable place to use it without feeling overdone.  I used a gold metallic on my model {I tend to prefer the warmth of gold on the skin}, which finishes this super easy instant party look.  

All of this takes MINUTES to do and requires little to no technique {read : no more poring over You-Tube videos or combing through Pinterest to find your next holiday look}.  

*Again, this was not a product-driven segment {because these colors can be found anywhere, and you can invest in them as much or as little as you would like to}, but since so many people were asking specifically which products I used on my model, here's a list of them : 

*Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer in Kitten Shimmer

*Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Raspberry

*Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars in NSFW + Queen {custom mixed}

*Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink

*Make Up For Ever Star Powder 920                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

{musings on} age, industry secrets, and this whole *pretty* thing

"Where there is perfection, there is no story to tell."  {Ben Okri}

Most of my {somewhere} over 40 clients sit in my chair and present me with a prepared list of what's *wrong* with them, what they *need to have fixed,* and what they *can't wear* because they're just too old.  I've always struggled with this.  Truth be told, I don't generally consider a woman's age when I'm doing her makeup.  Let's be honest : we all want the same results.  We want to feel prettier.  We want to look the way we felt when we were younger.  We want to appear fresh and radiant without looking like we're wearing anything at all.  That being said, as time, life and stress {ahem, KIDS} begin to take their toll, there are a handful of makeup tips + industry secrets I pass on to clients who want to achieve these results.

SKIN.  Most of my more mature clients tend to be dehydrated {honestly, most of all my clients have dehydrated skin, regardless of their age}.  As we age, in addition to losing our skin's elasticity, we also lose moisture.  Using a dense, rich moisturizer morning and night will instantly plump the skin and give you a drastically more radiant, dewey finish.  {I'm not talking about a lotion here, I'm talking balms, creams and oils.}  Think of the difference between a grape and a raisin : WATER!  You really can't over moisturize, ladies!  This is my number one tip and the most important step to a great makeup application.

FOUNDATION.  Mature skin looks better in a more hydrating, liquid foundation, avoiding powder foundations entirely {yes, I'm talking about mineral makeups as well!}.  Powders will settle into lines and also dull the dewiness we're wanting to bring back to the skin.  Remember, we don't want the foundation to wear like a mask.  We don't need more coverage as we age, we really look best in a lighter formula {even a great tinted moisturizer}.  It might seem counterintuitive, but I promise it will lighten and lift your overall look.

EYEBROWS.  As we age, eyebrows tend to thin - and we often lose the ends of the brow entirely.  It's super important to remember to give attention to your brows {women often skip this step}, they really anchor the face.  Use a coarse brow brush and a neutral shadow to add thickness and fill in sparse areas.  If you need to add definition to a brow that's lost shape and volume, first use a taupe or grey pencil to define the brow and then fill in the brow with shadow. Using this technique will add dimension to barely there brows and look far more natural than using a pencil alone.

LIPS.  I find that women tend to gravitate towards browns {what they consider neutral shades}.  While this works more readily for eyes, I've never been a fan of brown lip colors {and darker shades in any color will make the lips appear thinner}.  The best way to find your natural lip color is to study your lips when they have nothing on at all - they're rarely brown!  Pinks and roses will add life to the face and make your look fresher.  *{artist's tip : lip gloss adds instant plump to thinning lips too, have a favorite shade on the ready in your bag}

THINGS THAT SPARKLE.  Clients tell me this all the time : "I'm too old to wear sparkle."  What does that even mean?  Who put an age limit on FUN?  It makes me crazy that women think if they happen to be {gasp} over 40 they can't wear something that draws attention to them!  Here's what I know : women spend our lives being drawn to things that glitter, sparkle and shine.  You don't suddenly need to stop wearing beautiful shimmers because of your age; using a sparkly product is perfectly age appropriate {at any age!} and will look amazing - it just has to properly placed.  A super easy way to wear sparkle is to pop it on the eyelid or use it in a lip gloss.   Choose an area you want to highlight and pop it there!  I promise you'll feel brighter and happier adding a little bit of fun back into your makeup bag.  *{artist's tip : remember that sparkle and shimmer will draw attention to the areas on which they're placed, so make sure to avoid areas you don't want to highlight, like areas that are heavily textured}

These are a few solid, basic tips to consider if you're feeling stuck with your look or just have an increasing awareness of features shifting and things just not being quite how they used to be...  But I think we also have more of a mental block to wrestle with than makeup techniques : I think as the years pass we just somehow stop noticing what we like about ourselves.  It's like we need to be given permission to accept where we are in life, to not fixate on what we think is going wrong, but to play up what's RIGHT about ourselves.  Contrary to what the beauty industry tells us, beauty ISN'T about youth and perfection.  It's about being confident and comfortable in your own skin, whether that skin is 23 or 73 {picture Meryl Streep + Betty White : gorgeous!}.  I find that whatever the *issue* {age, thinning lips, fine lines…} it's hard to notice a woman's "flaws" when you're distracted by her own acceptance of them.  I honestly wouldn't want to go back to my 20 year old self {she had so, so much to learn}, but I want to feel the youthfulness I associate with that time in my life.  And that's what makeup is all about : it's not a mask or a youth serum but a way back to PRETTY.

tending to the details{musings from a makeup artist to the bride}

Makeup is never one of the first items thought about when one becomes engaged.  The venue, the caterer, the photographer...these get checked off first.  Makeup tends to be a bit farther down the list when it comes to tending to details.  As a makeup artist, I've collected a somewhat random list of beauty odds and ends I think are important for brides to address as they're considering their wedding makeup.

The first item {generally remembered in a panic at the eleventh hour} is skin.  Brides need to think early on about a skincare plan.  Your makeup artist may be brilliant, but if they aren’t working with a smooth canvas, it's difficult to achieve a flawless finish.  Commit to a skincare regime months before the wedding day.  The one thing I desperately want my brides to be doing before we meet is EXFOLIATING {and hydrating...ok, that's two things}.  Whether it’s an at - home regime* or {my personal favorite} microdermabrasion treatments from a spa, brides really need to focus on smoothing and hydrating their skin long before a makeup artist shows up.  Not only will you absolutely love the way your skin looks and feels, but the makeup application will be flawless.  *{My personal favorite at - home treatments are Bobbi Brown's Buffing Grains + Balm Rinse {mixed together} and Philosophy's Microdelivery Peel.  They both leave your skin feeling deliciously soft and smooth.}

The next item on my list : LASHES.  I truly believe that every bride - whether she considers her makeup style to be 'natural' or 'dramatic' - should opt for lashes to maximize and amplify her look.  My go - to lash for weddings are individual lashes.  They look like real lashes {erase visions of drag makeup} but add polish and intensity without being over the top.  A few individual lashes on the outside of the eye will take your look from the everyday to the very special.  

Also - there needs to be someone designated to carry your lipstick / lip gloss who will actually remind you to use it when she sees you need freshening {the task generally falls to someone in your wedding party}.  I have to admit it makes me a little crazy when I see a bride in photographs who's makeup looks beautiful but who's lipstick is long gone.  It just doesn't look right - and of all days, this is the day a bride wants to look perfect - from the start of the ceremony to the final dance at the reception.  My personal recommendation is to designate a married friend this awesome responsibility.  My reasoning is this : other women who have been through the insanity of wedding planning and the craziness of the wedding day know and understand firsthand what goes into it, and tend to be a bit more locked on to the bride's needs than her single friends {no disrespect intended for the single gals, but y'all are going to be worrying about your own lipstick}.  So married friends are always my preference for delegating tasks that you don't want to be forgotten - and lipstick is definitely one of them.

Another important detail that is often forgotten : include a makeup artist in the rehearsal dinner preparations.  Remember that the entire weekend is special, not just the wedding day.  Even if your photographer isn't coming to the rehearsal {or especially if they are}, there will be many cameras flashing through the evening, and you'll want to look your absolute best as the spotlight will most certainly be on you the entire night.  Including a makeup artist will ensure you're camera ready for every photo, not just the ones taken on your wedding day.

Finally, the wedding day tends to be particularly stressful for the mother of the bride {especially} and the mother of the groom.  They’re wanting to look their best, but I sometimes notice {and am often told} they don't always feel important enough to put the focus on or pamper themselves.  That being said, having their makeup done always takes them from nervous and self-conscious to calm and confident, every time.  It's a gift I so love to give a mother : the ability to face such a big day with the confidence, polish, and assuredness that she looks and feels her absolute best.  Make sure you insist your mothers are included in the makeup lineup.  They'll thank you for it - especially when they see the photographs!  

It's all in the details, ladies.  Spend some time talking with your makeup artist about what you envision for your wedding weekend and {please!} remember to give your skin some attention long before the big day.  Follow these cues and you'll be flawless walking down the aisle...and thrilled every time you see a photograph from your wedding. 

console + conceal{the joys of motherhood}

I have a five month old son.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned about makeup in the last few months :

1. God created undereye concealer for new moms. Everyone else merely benefits from its existence {you’re welcome}. But I’m quite certain that it was created for us {we are unarguably the least rested creatures on the planet}. As a new mom, it's not imperative that you have on a full face of makeup, but it is imperative that you have concealer on. It has the transformative power to make you feel {and appear} somewhat human during the months of sleep deprivation.

2. If you have a baby that absolutely will not nap and demands to be constantly held, you must take advantage of the very tiny window of opportunity during the early morning hours {you know, the time of day when the last thing on your mind is makeup} to put something {anything} on your face. If his fleetingly brief state of self- contentedness passes you by, you will most assuredly end up going the entire day with no makeup on whatsoever.

3. When your baby has a complete and total meltdown in public, you will feel infinitely less self conscious {as everyone stares at you} with makeup on than without.

4. If you manage to get out of the house and successfully make a run to the store without the aforementioned meltdown, you will feel like a supermom. If you are unsuccessful in this venture, you will still feel like a supermom because you at least have makeup on. It's a win - win.

5. While your child doesn’t know or care {nor will he remember} whether your face had makeup on during the months comprising his first year, there are a great many cameras flying around these days. You will get caught in pictures. And you will see the pictures and wonder why you couldn’t have at least put a little concealer on. 

{im}perfection

My favorite photograph of my mom was taken circa 1968 in Carmel, Indiana.

I don't love it because she looks perfect {although to me, she does look perfect}. I love it because she looks beautiful and confident and unbelievably comfortable in her skin. I remember looking at this picture as I grew up, wanting to look just like her. I longed for her delicate Audrey Hepburn-like features. I desperately wanted to trade in my green eyes for her rich, brown ones. I wanted her {always flawlessly} stylish, coiffed hair in lieu of my boring, predictable cuts over the years. I think though, more than anything, what I’ve really always wanted was to be as relaxed and accepting of myself as she appears in this picture. This is undeniably gorgeous on any woman : the quiet confidence that comes from knowing your strengths and your shortcomings and living in peaceful acceptance of them both.

What stands out to me in this photograph isn't perfection, it's beauty. When did we stop distinguishing the difference? I look at this picture and decide with certainty that I don’t want to be perfect {it’s so uninteresting...and what is it, even?}. I want to be the woman who is so comfortable with herself she can stare down the lens of a camera and smile with this kind of self-assuredness. This isn’t perfection, it’s beauty. And beauty is infinitely more interesting.

I think about the women I esteem as absolutely beautiful, and it’s never perfection that draws me towards them. It’s their life experiences that make them so engaging : the way you can tell that they’ve been through crazy adversity and come out the other side, stronger and so much more breathtaking than any supermodel. Not just the woman who thinks she’s strong, the woman who knows she’s strong.

Perfection is just so limiting. There aren't many {are there any?} of us who can be described as perfect. But, honestly, {forgive this cliche} every face I touch is beautiful. Perfect? Never. But always beautiful. However, in all my years as a makeup artist, there’s never been one woman to sit in my chair, hold up a mirror to her image and respond in any way other than disdain and / or disgust to something {if not everything} on her face. "I've got to get a face lift," or "I've got horrible skin." "I need Botox," and "I've got to have my eyes done."  I get it, of course - none of us look as fresh, rested, or youthful as we want to {I can’t remember when I was last fresh or rested, even in my youth.}. We all need a fabulous undereye concealer and a healthy dose of blush on the apples of our cheeks. But when in the world did we determine that perfection was our standard? Ladies, we’re rapidly moving towards leaving a multi-generational legacy of discontent and self-loathing, and we’re passing this on to our daughters, who will continue to carry the torch...

I’m quite certain that my mother has never considered herself to be ‘perfect.’ But when I look at her photographs through the years, when I think of her as I was growing up, with a face of impeccable makeup {in the early 80’s...I remember shiny, black Lancome duo compacts neatly lining her bathroom vanity}, she was perfection. It was her own uniqueness that came to represent real femininity to me, mysterious and powerful. She was what I aspire{d} to be, feminine and commanding at the same time, smiling with her deep, mulberry colored lipstick. Who needs perfection when I have this?

This is my siren song to women everywhere. We need to relieve ourselves of this duty to perfection, and we need to redirect our goal : to be confident in our own beauty, comfortable in our own skin, and to be pretty in our makeup. It’s time to collectively blast Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire” as loud as our car stereo will play it, and for the first time, for even just one moment of the day, believe in our own fabulousness.