Give Makeup the Power to Empower….You.

Me & My Makeup Guru, Jessica

Up until six months ago, I had never learned how to do my own hair and makeup. I’m (almost) 34.

Now I think this is something every woman should learn in school (right along with how to manage your money, express your emotions skillfully, communicate with men, parent, choose your appropriate form of birth control, and honor your moon cycle).

Sure, since the age of 15 I could put on eyeliner, mascara, concealer, lip gloss, and blush. I could blow dry my hair straight or I could tie it back in a ponytail on bad hair days. I could make myself look good, but not head-turning-knockout great. So, when I needed to show up big (for a photo shoot, wedding, important speaking event), I went to a professional to make me look reaaaally goooood.

When I look my best, I feel more confident, savvy, sexy, and empowered. And when I feel like Queen of the World, it helps me to act that way—even when inside I’m shaking in my boots (or heels).

Last spring, when I looked ahead to all the promotion I needed to do for my book tour–photos, videos, book talks, TV interviews—I knew I needed to consult professionals to help me come across as a professional. I had just taken the biggest risk of my life to date: I had holed myself up for a year to write my book. Now, I needed to really “get out there” to share it with the world. To do that, I needed someone to help me show up as my biggest, brightest self (even when I felt tired and haggard from hotel-hopping for weeks on end).

Here’s what I did:

• I hired a stylist who helped me to see what necklines, accessories, and colors looked best on me on camera and off.
• I hired a hairdresser and makeup artist to teach me how to apply a “5 minute” face that looked natural and elegant and that worked just as well for a TV interview as it did for teaching a yoga workshop. She taught me how to curl my own hair (without making me look like Nelly Olson) and some simple tricks to remedy a bad-hair-day (that don’t involve my old fall back, the ponytail). She told me all the supplies I needed—the foundation and blush and powder and lip gloss that best suited my complexion. (You can get a free makeup application/lesson at most MAC and Sephora stores.)

After working with both women, I felt more empowered, attractive, supported, and prepared to take on the world.

Adorning Yourself is a Self-Care and Self-Love Practice

I realized that just as good yoga, daily meditation, deep sleep, and healthy food and supplements help me feel good and strong on the inside, dressing well and knowing how to do my hair and make-up well compliment that by making me feel good and strong on the outside.

Now, I’m not talking about glamming it up so that other people like me. If that’s a by-product of it, great. What really matters to me here is glamming it up so that I feel better about me. That means I take the time on most days—especially on those days that really matter—to adorn myself as the big She and the big me out of love, devotion, and adoration. To stun and to dazzle. To inspire and to glow.

Sure, there are days when I want to stay home, wear my sweats, and not see a soul. I love those kind of days. But on (most) days when I want to go out in the world and look and be my best, I know that I have the tools and knowledge to really do that, and do it well.

I recently came across a New York Times article about a new study that proves that women who wear makeup appear more competent. Right after that, Gwyneth Paltrow published a tutorial in her newsletter “GOOP” on “How to Do Your Own Makeup for Day and Night.”

Things are shifting. Women are realizing that attending to makeup and our outer beauty isn’t just another way of selling out to the greedy agendas of evil cosmetic companies or of pleasing men. Rather, it’s a way of honoring ourselves, tending to our own radiance to light up our communities, and using how we adorn ourselves as a way to highlight and bring forth the greatest aspects of who we are so that people stand up and take notice.

3 Makeup Empowerment Video Tutorials Coming Your Way!

My experience over these past several months really proved to me that feeling more masterful in the womanly arts of dressing up, styling hair, and applying make-up is empowering, in the deepest sense.

That’s why I’ve invited my local hair and makeup guru, Jessica Licata, to share with you some of what she’s taught me.

Over the next three weeks I’ll post here 3 video tutorials of me and Jessica to help you become a makeup diva, too (and just in time for all of those holiday parties).

Introducing…..Jessica (isn’t she hot?!) :

 Here’s what we’ll cover and when:

• “5 Minute” Basic Face & Basic Eyes: November 16
• Smokey Eyes: November 23
• Sultry, Red Lips: November 30