When I was in high school and just starting to wear makeup, I wore a lot of blues and greens. It was the 70s and the hippy generation was still going on. We got away with floppy hats, bell bottom jeans and wallaby shoes. It was the style back then.
Once I began working in Ernest, I toned down the brightness but still wore my blue and green eyeshadows. I just made it less bright by day.
By the time I was in my 30s, I'd graduated to soft browns and smoke colors. I left the brighters colors to my beautiful daughter and her generation. I'd outgrown the flower power age and had traded it in for the soccer mom look so I wouldn't embarrasse my daughter while carting her and her friends around or myself while at my job. We have to grow up sometime, I guess. Even though, every now and again my daughter would decide to make me up like her and her friends and we'd all go have a day at the mall together. Those were days I'll treasure forever.
Then I quit wearing makeup completely. My daughter is grown with kids of her own, I no longer work. Makeup is different now. It's 3D, whatever that means, and to apply it, you need an education like the one Hilary has.
Back in March, she and I decided to go out. For me it was my first outing in quite literally, decades. She went with me to buy some fresh makeup since mine was so old it could have bought its own drinks at the bar. I really wanted to try this new eyeshadow. Back in my day we had matte finish and pearl. Now there's all kinds and it made my head spin. Hilary explained the ones that would work best for my skin type and let's face it, aged skin. At nearly 60 gravity has done a number on my skin and poor habits I've picked up along the way didn't give us much to work with in my eyes. But Hilary saw my face as an artist sees a blank canvas and off she went. We grabbed this and that and these and those. She told me about this undercoat and that finishing spray and this color will highlight this where that color will downplay that.
As we headed out of the store I was making silent promises to toss out all of my old makeup and not feel badly about it. Easier said than done. That was like saying goodbye to old friends but I did it...eventually. well most of it anyway.
The day came that we were to go out. Hilary came over helped me put my makeup on and when she was satisfied headed home to do the same.
Now I'm nearly 60, as I mentioned. Hilary looks like she's still in her 20s. She has such beautiful skin and knows what she's doing to keep it that way I can attest to that. But I got nervous. I looked at myself in the mirror over and over. And kept asking myself just who I thought I was trying to be? At the last minute I panicked and by the time we met back up, I'd rescued my old standby makeup from the bathroom trash can and it was smokey eye that knocked on her door. I just couldn't go through with being hip and glam. I'm just who I am a comfortable bathrobe on a winters day. And I'm good with that. But Hilary, you gave me a fun afternoon and one hell of a fun evening. You are great at your craft even if I don't have the guts to show it off. Maybe next time you can handcuff my hands behind my back before you leave me to my own devices or duct tape me to a chair at your place to keep an eye on me until we're ready to go. Because I'll always revert to that pumpkin if given half a chance. Its in my DNA.
But for those of you who love to look good and show it off, let Hilary show you how to do it right. Whether its beautiful glowing skin you're after or a drop dead gorgeous look, Hilary can do it. I know, I've seen her do it. Thanks for the tips Hilary! I'll be sure to use them from now on.