Return of Venus

Confession: Not having a "reason" to get dressed or do my makeup has definitely contributed to my lack of motivation in the appearance department. Also, did I mention that I turned 40 during the stay at home order? That was hella depressing. I've been struggling with confidence and self-esteem this year, to say the least.  

Went to the salon, finally have cute bangs again

On one hand, I truly to appreciate natural beauty. Many of the items used in my skincare and bath and body routine are herbal treatments I have made myself. There's nothing better than feeling of soft, fresh skin and hair without product in it. That being said, who doesn't love glamour? The dedication and skill that some people have when it comes to their aesthetic simply amazes me! 

Honestly, I think my biggest hurdle in recent years has been managing my time and energy due to some other health related issues that happened before Covid. Also, my skin needs and hair texture have changed a bit, so many of the products I had were no longer working for me, especially my foundation and concealer which tended to be more full coverage and matte. And of course, there are so many new makeup brands out there now to try. After my salon appointment, I went to Ulta but since you can't play with testers, it is difficult pick out a good foundation. If anyone has a recommendation for a medium coverage, natural matte foundation, please share!

Recently found the perfect cool toned neutral palette with a variety of matte, shimmer and glitter. The formula is amazing!! I am trying to learn better eye-shadow techniques but my vision isn't the greatest so...

Cremated palette by Jeffree Star Cosmetics

For my birthday, I decided to treat myself to a BPAL order. If I'm going to be stuck at home, I can at least smell good! The Luxuria bath oil is simply divine and will be definitely be a repurchase. Are you a BPAL fanatic? If so, I'd love to hear which scents are your top picks!

Spellbound is a long-standing love; I'm currently enjoying 51 for summer. 

One of most treasured memories of my Nana is how she always let me sit at her vanity to choose a perfume to wear for the day. This was back when perfume bottles had beautiful designs and weren't cheaply formulated celebrity fragrances. I remember even the drugstore bottles like Chantilly smelled so good and had pretty packaging. Of all the beauty rituals, the application of fragrance is probably my favorite. Will definitely be making more of an effort to enjoy my perfume collection. 

Gemini zodiac perfume bottle found @sagegoddess.com

Bringing beauty back into my life feels so necessary to me at this time. Of course, I certainly understand that we all express ourselves in different ways and have different levels of access and privilege when it comes to treating ourselves. That being said, I don't think invoking beauty has to cost a dime. Gifts from the Goddess are all around us <3

What beauty rituals are you currently enjoying? 

Welcome to my little corner of the web

I'm choosing to blog here because other social media platforms have become toxic and unenjoyable for me.  Remember when Facebook was fun? Obviously, we are still dealing with a dangerous virus and other important social issues. I'm not suggesting we ignore those things. At the same time, I think it is wise to examine our relationship with social media to see if it is actually healthy for us. 

Like many people out there, over the past few months, I've found myself growing more depressed, anxious, and feeling helpless about the world. However, I know that some of this is my own fault. Getting off of FB and IG is a first step. One thing that sounded the alarm for me was the fact that I found myself unable to concentrate. I have been a voracious reader since childhood and the fact that I couldn't read more than a few chapters without getting antsy was really upsetting to me. After some research, the truth was undeniable. Smartphone addiction is real and I needed to take back control. 

We all set goals and resolutions. I even follow the "word of the year" method and am a huge advocate of finding a planner system that fits your lifestyle. As soon as the shelter in place order was issued, it became very clear that my planner system and goals I had set really weren't going to work. 

After a lot of soul searching, I decided that big goals and definitive timelines needed to be put on hold for a bit. Changed my word of the year to "enchantment" and realized that I missed feeling inspired and connected to the world around me. 

I've always been the black sheep of my family. March to the beat of my own drum and probably a little too rebellious for my own good. I've been accused of being a daydreamer, being too sensitive, etc.Turning 40 during this pandemic was a real eye-opener for me. I was at a place where a decision needed to be made. Reclaim my life and live it to the fullest, or continue on this path that was only leading to depression, boredom and a zombie-like, inauthentic existence. 

Who knows what the future holds? Time is not guaranteed to us, even more so in the era of Covid-19.The only thing I can do is nourish my creativity and sprinkle my life with enchantment wherever I can find it. Sure, I might be a skeptic who's been disappointment by life from time to time, but I still believe in magic. It exists when we live in tune with nature, when we express our authenticity, and when we cast sacred space beneath a full moon. As I age, I'm fully convinced one of the bravest things you can do in this life is to truly know yourself and live in accordance with your values- critics be damned.