I came across this video of Susan Cain talking about the Power of Introverts a while ago and thought to myself, this describes me just about perfectly. Like I said in my previous post, I enjoy hanging with people but I also enjoy spending time by myself quite a bit. This video is so powerful, it gives a great insight to what Introversion truly is and it is quite different than what most people think. This is a phrase she said in the video: “solitude is a crucial ingredient often to creativity”. I couldn’t agree with her more.
Growing up in this society of group work, team building, pot luck, buddy systems, etc., it seems like everything is very group focused. I remember wanting to work alone on a project in my high school English class and was labeled a loner by my classmates. The teacher essentially told me I needed help to open up, come out of my shell and learn to work well with others. It’s not that I don’t work well with others, it’s just that I find my creativity flows much easier when I don’t have 3 or 20 people talking around me. I’d rather talk to myself instead. I know what you’re thinking…no, I’m not crazy or mentally unstable. But I do talk to myself.
Introverts, as most people believe, are people who are loners and are shy or maybe too intense. It is a frequently misunderstood personality trait. I think us Introverts simply react differently to stimuli, we process the energy around us on a different level and we’re able to find contentment easily even when we’re by ourselves. With that being said, enjoy this video and let me know your thoughts!
Despite the gloomy mornings (and sometimes days), summer has arrived. Every year we go through this cycle, more coverage (foundation), more color (eyes and lips) and more everything in the colder months, and now it’s time again for the summer no-makeup makeup.
Here are some tips and my favorite products to help you achieve that natural yet perfected summer look!
Skincare is Key
It’s no secret if you take care of your skin and your skin will take care of you. Depending on your skin type, choosing the right skincare products is probably one of the most important things in your daily routine.
What you put on your skin first will determine how well everything will sit on your skin throughout the day.
For example, if you have oily skin and use a heavy cream moisturizer, you makeup will most likely start to show signs of wear sooner than if you had opted for a lighter face serum/lotion.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen has basically changed my life! I was never a huge fan of sunscreen and when I started seeing sunspots around my eyes…I panicked! A client of mine have been telling me to wear sunscreen for probably about 4 years before I started using it diligently. My reply to her was always “I already use a foundation with sunscreen in it”. And that has proven to be not nearly enough.
One of the reasons I disliked using sunscreen is the smell and that sticky, greasy feeling. If you shared the same concerns, well then let me tell you there are plenty of sunscreens out there that are light-weight, non-greasy and without that familiar sunscreen smell. A thin layer is all you need.
The goal for summer is to look like you’re not wearing foundation, but with your skin looking flawless. To achieve this, I’d say it’s a toss-up between using a tinted moisturizer or a sheer foundation when trying to create that natural yet perfected look.
If you have dry skin, then tinted moisturizer should do the trick, as it provides a light coverage while moisturizing at the same time. If you have blemishes that you’d like to cover up, use a medium coverage foundation with dewy or luminous finish so it won’t look heavy. If you have oily skin, use foundation where you need it and blend it out onto the rest of the face.
You can also mix your foundation with a little moisturizer to sheer it down and use it on areas that don’t need as much coverage. There are also tinted sunscreens worth trying out.
If your skin tends to get oily throughout the day, I’d say dust a little powder on areas where you need it, like your T-Zone and your chin. You can also use oil-absorbing papers to soak up any excess oil. But remember: real skin is never matte!
Less is definitely more when using concealer. For oily skin, a liquid tends to stay put better because it dries down. For dry skin, a cream concealer will give you a more natural look. I recommend pressing it in gently with your fingertip and making sure it’s completely blended with your foundation for a flawless look.
I prefer to use cream shadows that are similar to or a shade darker than the skin tone to create that fresh-skin look. Cream shadows mimics natural skin texture the best, so you will be able to define your eyes without obvious traces of makeup. I like to use a fluffy flat brush to apply and blend outwards. The goal is to blend until you can’t tell where the shadow ends and the skin begins.
A quick note, cream shadow dries down quickly so you may need to work faster but you’ll love the staying power once it sets.
Most of us tend to get a little rosy cheeked when the weather gets warm. So whether a blush is necessary is entirely up to you and the look you’re going for. If you chose to add some color to your cheeks, I recommend using the smallest amount and build up the color if needed.
The goal for blush is to look like you just went for a 10-minute walk. Natural is key.
A little color on the lips will complete the look, plus protecting your lips from the sun especially if you’re going to be outside. Choose a tinted lip balm with SPF or a lip stain for extended wear.
Day 1 of self quarantine. I wake up to my cat Bear licking my face, home sweet home. It was just yesterday that I was in Oklahoma City, where we were having dinner and talking about the recent Coronavirus outbreak, when we were called to the urgent meeting that the rest of the tour dates will be postponed. So unreal. It takes me a while to let that sink in and here I am, waking up in my own bed just a day later.
I make coffee, my usual morning routine, and eat a granola bar. Everything seems…normal.
Day 2 of self quarantine. I wake up to my cat Bear licking my face, home sweet home. Yes, I am home, not in some random hotel room and I don’t have to pack my bags to make the bus call. But now I have to get myself situated for the 2 week quarantine time.
Day 45 of self quarantine. I have no idea what happened in the last 43 days as I run out of shows to watch on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. And I have to say I don’t feel guilty at all for lounging around and do NOTHING! Even my cat thinks it’s strange that I’m home all the time and oh all the cuddles and kisses…what horror they are to a cat!
Day 122 of self quarantine. My hair is getting longer and so are my nails. I haven’t worn makeup in almost 4 months. Being less stressed at home and combined with less pollution, my skin is starting to look…better!
Day 185 of self quarantine. Ok, now I really have to do some maintenance so I don’t look like a cavewoman by the time we get out of this ordeal. Where should I start? Trimming my brows? Curling my lashes? Let me lay down and think about the priorities…ZZZ…ZZ…..z…Z…..zz….
Day 3021…
If the above sounds familiar, you’re not alone! We’ve all been there in this past year and we’re so close to getting out, well, almost! So what now? I had my vaccine shot about 3 months ago, feeling invincible at home, less worrisome at work, but extra vigilant when I go grocery shopping.
Am I ready to take off my masks when going outside? Probably not. Am I ready to dine indoors at a restaurant? Probably not. Am I ready to hang out again with friends? Mmm, probably not that either.
Let me tell you this though, I AM ready to spend more quality time by myself even after this pandemic is over.
For those of you that know me, or at least know of me, I am your typical introvert that needs private recharging time. After a year of solitude I found that I am the most happy and most productive when I’m alone.
You might be wondering if I get bored. The answer is yes and no. I do get bored but I can always find something to un-bore myself with: playing with makeup, working on my computer, reading, writing, drawing, playing games on my phone, etc.
I guess you can also argue that I don’t enjoy compromise with others? Haha. Maybe not as much as I was willing to before 2020. Either way, I’m proud to say I’ve become a social distancing expert.
It’s no secret that lighting can affect our mood, whether it’s making us feel hopeful or causing us to feel down.
Pretty much every production has a lighting department for this exact reason, to ensure the right kind of message and feelings are conveyed and provoked.
Which brings me to ask you this question, what kind of lighting do you use when you’re putting makeup on? Bathroom light? Reading light? Natural light? Have you ever had to adjust your makeup afterwards? I certainly have!
Because your makeup may look a certain way while you’re putting it on and look completely different after you step out the door. You may look tired, washed out or too vibrant and cheerful for the occasion.
If your makeup lighting is on the warmer side meaning yellowish/golden like the sunset, your finished makeup may look more washed out as the warmer lighting makes your makeup look at least a shade darker and your skin more sun-kissed, therefore you will put on less.
On the other hand, if you use a light that is more blue, like that headache-inducing fluorescent light, you may end up putting a lot more makeup than intended as the blue light makes you look more pale.
With these two situations in mind, picture what your makeup might look like under the opposite light.
Natural light (sun light/environmental light) is the best lighting when putting on makeup. The color of the light is neutral (mixture of yellow and blue) and you’ll get a good idea what your makeup will look like anywhere you go. Of course, if the sun is not present, make sure to select a makeup light that has multiple settings that you can play with to find the lighting that works best for you.
I mean, who doesn’t like them? But I couldn’t remember how much I LOVED them until I bought some raw ones the other day and roasted them on the skillet myself. Unsalted and fresh. A light snack that I can keep on eating, with minimal calories! I had simply forgotten about my love for these tiny little delicious seeds until I saw them again.
How many times have you tried on makeup in a department store or specialty boutique and remembered you have something similar at home stuffed away in a drawer somewhere? And then you realized how much you loved it at some point in your life. And then you go home to look for it, finally locating it at the bottom of a drawer, renewing your love for it once again.
I moved recently and I can’t tell you how much makeup I have and how many gems had been forgotten until now.
It’s no secret that I love makeup. And it’s not because my job is all about makeup either. I love buying makeup, I love wearing makeup and nothing gives me more joy than to work with my clients and make up their faces for a photoshoot or a special occasion. There are some smaller sized products like liquid eye liner, single eyeshadow or lipstick, they get lost in the mix quite easily. And it’s like a treasure trove whenever I locate that one specific color again after some time apart. The smaller things in life!
A reminder, please don’t forget that makeup does come with an expiration date. And if you kept yours in the bathroom where it’s hot and steamy…well, that date will come sooner than later.
Treat your makeup right, and it will treat you right!
Now take out your forgotten favorites and show them some love!
It’s been a long while since I’ve written a blog. Life was hectic. I was traveling all over the place, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and of course US. I relied heavily on Instagram to share all the beautiful places I was fortunate enough to visit. The only time there was a pause in the busy schedule was when I arrived back at LAX. I would then take a deep breath as I get into the car that would eventually take me back to my home. My sanctuary.
It was exhausting but it was also a lot of fun and fulfilling knowing we were bringing a fabulous show and happiness to each city and every country. Between the long work days and over-night bus rides, there was very little time to dedicate myself to this blog.
I thought long and hard about whether I should start this blog again and whether I can commit to this during all the uncertainties. And yes was the answer. So let me borrow the phrase and say: here we go again!
Kristee Liu + Makeup Artist 