A Lifetime of loving beauty products

If you’re wondering how long I’ve been addicted to beauty products…the answer is roughly my entire life. (Although at certain times, it certainly hasn’t looked like that would be the case).

I began my foray into beauty as many kids do; watching my mother apply makeup at her vanity. I loved watching her use what seemed like magical products to accentuate her beauty. As a toddler and small child, I would get caught raiding my mother’s vanity and end up having a lot of explaining to do (But Mom! Of course I didn’t get into your beloved red lipstick!)

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Getting caught using my Mom’s red lipstick that I swore I never used at her vanity. Circa 1991.

Late elementary through just about all of middle school was one massive awkward phase. It also marked years of playing tug-of-war with my mom surrounding two things I desperately wanted. One, to be allowed to wear makeup and two, to get my ears pierced. My mom told me that I would have to wait until I was (gasp) SIXTEEN before I could do either of those things. I was heartbroken and began sneaking into my mom’s makeup collection (now with much more skill than I had at age five) to add small amounts of makeup to my face.

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What awkward years? You know you want to take beauty advice from a kid wearing a 101 Dalmatians Vest, a Pumpkin Beanie Baby on her shoulder, and….plenty of friends. If by friends you mean Beanie Babies. Circa 1998.
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Here I am again with what is clearly my favorite vest. And my American Girl dolls. I know, you’re wondering why I am starting a make up blog and not a burgeoning vest business. Stay tuned, folks.

When I turned thirteen, everything changed. To celebrate my birthday, my mom picked me up early from school and surprised me by taking my to Merle Norman. There she treated me to what is now, 15 years later, still my favorite set of birthday surprises ever–a makeover and ear piercing. It meant so much to me that my mom was willing to let me get these two things done at thirteen, rather than insisting I wait three more years like she had initially told me. My first makeover changed everything for me. I felt like myself but more confident. Most importantly though, I was having so much fun.

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Halloween Circa 1999. My mom did my makeup. I LOVED IT.
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Getting ready to graduate the awkward phase. Wearing makeup. And by makeup I mean swearing by the holy trinity of black liner, black mascara, and lip smackers. Circa 2002.

After my thirteenth birthday, my mom and I began sharing our passion for makeup and trying drugstore products by raiding the sale section of our local pharmacy. We used products that were discontinued, only to recently begin making comebacks…(Hard Candy, Jane, and Herbal Essences). We had a blast roaming the aisles in pursuit of good deals and great products.

In high school, (the early 2000’s) youtube and other social media options did not exist, so learning was done mainly at the cosmetic counters in the mall. MAC and Stila were my go-to’s. Stila’s cardboard packaging and illustrations drew me to their line. MAC was always filled with people who were full of knowledge and could seemingly perform magic with just a few products.

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Freshman year of High School (2003) with one of my life long best friends. Still swearing by the holy trinity (black liner, mascara and lip smackers) but now adding in blush and bronzer. And moving on up to include some eyeshadow (thanks MAC and Stila!)

In college, and beyond graduation, I began transitioning to higher end products. As of now, I do not typically shop the highest luxury level products such as Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Givenchy, YSL, Guerlain, or La Mer. That’s not to say those brands don’t have amazing products. For my preferred price point and quality level, I have been able to find my “ride or die” products from a variety of online-based indie brands as well as tried-and-true high-end brands like Urban Decay, Laura Mercier, Too Faced, and Nars, just to name a few.

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Oh the college days. Circa 2008/2009.

I have spent and continue to spend 100’s of dollars on beauty products. Despite all the money I spend, I firmly believe that to have a fully stocked and well rounded makeup collection, you do not need to spend 100’s of dollars. However, makeup and beauty products are my passion and they are the thing that I splurge on most often. Despite all the money I spend on beauty products, or how much time I dedicate to discussing and researching them, it’s important to know that true beauty comes from within. Being beautiful is about what is in your heart and in your mind, not what is on your face, in your purse, or anywhere else for that matter. No beauty product on the market will make you love or believe in yourself. Having faith that you’re an amazing person and are beautiful regardless of your flaws is the ultimate and most priceless beauty secret of all.

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Me circa 2016. Loving too many beauty products to caption.

 

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A no makeup selfie with my husband on our honeymoon. It’s important to love yourself…even when you’re jet lagged and couldn’t imagine putting a drop of makeup on.

 

Love Always,

Elizabeth

 

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