My Makeup Story

I didn't start wearing makeup until two years ago.  This might not seem like such a big deal until I reveal that I'm 45 years old.

Let me back up.  I did wear makeup for special occasions.  Those being a date, a wedding, going to the theatre, etc.  Makeup then consisted of eye shadow, which in retrospect was very poorly applied.  For pity's sake, I used the sponge applicators that came with the drugstore palettes.  And I didn't call them "palettes".  It also consisted of mascara.  I didn't have a preference, just whatever black or black-brown I picked up at the store.  That was it.

About five years ago I purchased my first MAC products:  three eye shadow pans (Patina, Brown Down, and Bottle Green), a quad palette in which to install them, Warm Soul blush, Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation (C3), and four brushes: (2) 217s, a 239, and a 219.  The reason I got two 217s at the time was because I thought I needed a dedicated crease brush and a dedicated lid brush.  I even labeled them as such.  I was such a NOOB!

Now, this didn't increase the skill of my makeup application one whit.  My makeup routine was still simple: slap some Patina on the lid, toss some Brown Down in my socket area, and line my lash lines with Bottle Green. Blending?  Never heard of it.  I would use the compact sponge to put on my powder foundation and some random brush for blush.  I can assure you, it did not look good. 

Cut to two years ago when my then boyfriend proposed to me.  I knew we would have a very small wedding, but I also knew that I wanted to wear a traditional wedding dress and get properly dolled up.  I also wanted look damn good for the photos which I knew would require a lot of help as I'm hilariously un-photogenic. My gorgeous step-mother (SM) offered to do my makeup for the wedding and I gladly accepted.  Small problem - she was 3000 miles away and I needed to know what looked good on me.  She is something of a beauty expert so a flurry of emails with photos and links to YouTube vidoes were exchanged and, as the saying goes, a monster was born.

Armed with a list (I love lists) compiled with help from SM I hit up MAC.  I told them that I was completely ignorant when it came to makeup and needed help from start to finish because I needed to learn it all by October; this was June.  So the lovely makeup artist gathered up all manner of products and tools, sat me down, and completely did me up.  She explained each step and why she was using what she was using, what it did, and how to apply it. This was the end result:

 I promptly bought ALL THE THINGS.

Not pictured: my weeping wallet

I did end up returning the foundation as I found that, unfortunately, MAC liquid foundations turn me into an Oompa Loompa.  They did make out on the return because when I went I had done more research on eyeshadows and went armed with an Excel spreadsheet (I outgrew my list) and bought more things. 

I also learned how to depot shadows as dealing with 15-20 little pots of shadow was a pain.  I quickly filled my first palette - without the insert.

 
While depotting I learned about Back to MAC and ended up with more shadows and a second palette.

I also started obsessively watching makeup videos on YouTube.  Every night, I would watch about1-2 hours worth trying to learn how to blend, learn how to contour, learn how to apply blush, learn how to apply foundation, learn what an outer-v was and why I wanted to apply shadow to it, etc.  I practiced and wore makeup every day except random weekends when I didn't leave the house.  I permanently changed my alarm setting and got up almost 2 hours before I needed to leave the house so I could have time to do my makeup.

The wedding went off without a hitch despite some rather large hitches in the couple weeks leading up to it, but that's another blog post for another day - please ask if you want the story, it's short, but this intro post is not.  The makeup was gorgeous - we modeled the eye makeup after this Pixiwoo bridal tutorial, I couldn't have asked for a better makeup artist than SM. 

I guess it is true:  all brides *are* beautiful

Considering how much makeup I purchased before the wedding I'm happy to report (though my bank account and husband are not) that my obsession with makeup has not gone away.  It's been almost two years since I got the first make over from MAC and purchased my first products with intent and I've since learned so much and added quite a bit of product to my vanity.

Not pictured: the cubic crap-ton of brushes I own that were drying

I've just recently started experimenting with color instead of sticking to mainly neutrals and I'm having so much fun!

MAC, Makeup Geek, & Morphe represented

I'm not sure what direction I intend this blog to take.  I rather doubt I'm the tutorial sort - I'm still pretty much a rank amateur who can't really put a look together herself, but I love makeup and I love reading blogs about makeup, and watching videos about makeup, so I thought - why not?

What direction do you think I should take?  Reviews?  Pimping of products I love?  I'd love for any guidance anyone wandering through can give.