Now THAT is how you put on a face!

So, one thing I've been struggling with lately is my "wash and go" face. I am starting to realize that the youthful, innocent  glow of my late teens and early twenties is...waning. (Relax...I'm only about six months out from the big 30!) But with that being the case, I'm starting to notice when I wake up in the morning, that I may need to "prep" a little more than I used to before I go out. My mom and grandmother blessed me with amazing skin, so now, I've just got to take care of it, and highlight it on occassion.

I've always been into makeup, I think I started dabbling in it right about the time I learned to...tie my shoes! My friends, and family members were often victims of my "makeovers." So now I'm just getting back into my love for it, as makeup is proving to be a staple in my daily routine. I've also had some inspiration from my beautiful sister :) I encourage you to watch this video, and subscribe to this channel on youtube. This young lady does an awesome job and is very clear in her instruction. I do not know her personally, but I am just a fan. Be blessed, and feel free to share some of your makeup secrets below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e5Jcda0O2g&feature=related

Here are a few tips that are helpful, especially for women of color:

1. YOU MUST MOISTURIZE-I use St. Ives Intensive lotion. It's lightweight and has lots of vitamin E.

2. YOU MUST MOISTURIZE YOUR LIPS-An old tip from my mom, I use actual Vitamin E oil by bursing open an actual Vitamin E gel capsule. By now I'm sure they have another form of it available.

3. USE BLUSH!!!!-Many of us, especially women of color forget this crucial highlighting step. It makes your face have that natural glow and it brings together all of the other makeup. So don't be afraid of the blush...I used to be.

4. USE CONCEALER, EVEN ON YOUR LIPS AND EYELIDS-This will really give you an even palette to work with, it will also conceal some discoloration on the lips as well and help to get that nude color if you are looking to work that.

 

 

You ain't GOT no job, MAN !!!

Okay so ...you had to have watched the "Martin" show in the '90's to understand the title of this post. But, unemployment is a serious problem so as I was watching "The Revolution" on ABC, they were giving out tips on finding jobs. So of course, I looked out for ya, and jotted them down.

Five Tough Love Tips for Job Seekers

Sorry but I deleted the first two by accident and cannot find them! But...these were the most helpful:

3. Use your time wisely
Job seekers, don't spend so much time on the computer, but push away and get out and work on getting that face to facecontact. 20% of your time should be spent on the computer, and the other 80% deepening your current networks, or expanding them.

2. Zone in on what matters
What are the key things that your future employer is looking for? Hone in on those skills. Try to learn and master them.
Equally as important figure out how to tell the story in an interview, about how your experience and/skills can fit exactly what they need.

1. Build/Deepen your network
Friends, co workers, church, neighborhood, friends and family, sell your self! Everyone needs to know what kind of job you are looking for and what your skill set is.  Everyone knows someone, that knows someone that can give you a job. STOP THINKING " I don't want to be a bother." START THINKING " I am worth their time because if they get me a job, I am gonna work my TAIL off and they'll be glad that they hired me."

*My personal tips*
Go to places that may not be specific firms for  your field, but places that you know employ people in your profession.

Ex: So you don't have a degree in Nursing? Still, go to the hospital. They have administrative jobs, gift shops, finance departments, janitorial, tech departments, etc.
Check Universities
Local Colleges
Non-Profits

Dress for the job you WANT. So this is key. I don't care if it's a fast food restaurant, or a law firm, I always wear a suit, stockings, and heels to ANY interview. I also dress in business casual attire when inquiring about a position.