OK, so fun fact: right before I put on this makeup, I had a minor meltdown. Long story short, El Hub is back in the office and Connor’s at camp, so it’s just me and Rosie all by ourselves at home, and even though I love her torbie-tude and her sassy company, I’m having trouble adjusting to being alone again. For over a year now, I’ve constantly had someone nearby, and now that I’m by myself again for long stretches of time, well, it’s weird. It’s waaaaaay too quiet. I thought I would love having so much time to myself, but when the house is silent and all I can hear is the hum of the air conditioner…I feel isolated and very lonely.
Anyway, I’ve been trying this new thing where I “lean in” to whatever uncomfortable feelings I’m experiencing, so that instead of fighting it, I allow myself to just feel the feelings and let the sadness pass over me. Does that make sense? Leaning into it for me usually means walking for 10 minutes or so on the treadmill or outside to get my body moving, and listening to music. Sometimes I cry to get it all out. After I do this, I usually feel better.
Yesterday this was the song I listened to while I walked…
Afterwards, I felt so much better that I even put on some makeup. Not a ton, but just enough to feel like myself again. I did blue lashes with coral cheeks and lips and a touch of bronzer. Very summery!
I only used a handful of products…
The main focal point is the blue mascara, which, by the way, is Blue Ya Mind by Colourpop. I bought it on a whim at Ulta last month, and eh, it’s just OK. I probably won’t buy it again because it’s not particularly great at curling or fattening up lashes on its own, but when I layer it on top of a waterproof mascara, it’s doable. I have it here on top of a single coat of waterproof Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara.
I’m also wearing my favorite gel bronzer and gel blush by Chantecaille on my cheeks and lids. I like to do a 50/50 mix on my cheeks, let that layer dry, and then dab just the blush on the apples of my cheeks. For my eyes, I applied the bronzer on my lids with my fingers. SO EASY!
The blue lashes and bronzy coral cheeks pair well with a matte coral lipstick (MAC Crossfade), but I think a coral gloss would’ve looked good with this too.
Makeup worn in this look
BASE: Avene Solaire UV Tinted Mineral Sunscreen, Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid in Sand
- EYES: Chanel Boy de Chanel Brown Pencil in Deep Brown, Colour Pop Volumizing Mascara in Blue Ya Mind, Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer, Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara
- CHEEKS: Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer, Chantecaille Cheek Gelee in Happy
- LIPS: MAC Crossfade
Is anybody else out there experiencing something similar? I can’t be the only person having trouble adjusting to the latest new normal.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I’ve been working in an office since last year, but I have a private space, so I have had very little contact with lots of people. My husband has been working from home for the most part and may go into the City once in a while. My house is a disaster since Zack has been home as well since May and has been working at an internship remotely from his room and at the pool snack bar as well. Being out of the house gives me some respite. I do however, think we are all experiencing some kind of “funk” regardless of what we are doing. A life is not, and may not be for quite some time “Normal”. I just take it one day at a time.
Be well and enjoy the solitude.
I’ll try my best, Jane. 🙂 Hugs to you! And embrace the messy house.
Completely experiencing this. For over a year, I’ve had breakfast, lunch, dinner, and endless watching and gaming time with my guys…and now we’re all over the place. Traveling for work, going into the office, camp, school. I’ve started consciously declining social invitations because I want it to be just us whenever possible!! It’s so hard to going back to texting family and waiting for replies instead of getting a snack together and taking a walk around the block to talk. I really understand this feeling you’re talking about. I think we’ll have to all wait and work and see what new good patterns can emerge. I’m glad you felt a little better and got on some good makeup!
Hi Amy,
I didn’t think the transition would be this challenging but oh, MY HEART! I wonder sometimes if we’ll ever feel “normal” again. Like, what was it even like to just assume all our usual patterns wouldn’t be disrupted? WHAT EVEN IS PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE? lol. I mean, I have no idea if Connor will be trick or treating come October, or if I’m going to see my parents at Christmas. It’s super weird.
I so understand, Karen. It’s less planning, maybe, more living in the moment?! We’re all in this together, at least. Hang in there and keep doing your best!! And keep applying crazy new mascaras. 💗💗💗
Yes, I totally agree with you Karen. I “officially retired” at the end of April. I’m an RN and even though working this past year has been heLL, (wearing N95 masks with blue surgical mask on top and face shield on top of all that, then gown, gloves & shoe and hair coverings) – even though I appreciate my work place that was trying to keep us all safe, it’s so uncomfortable wearing all that gear! So being at home now – after 45 years of working full time as an RN, is quite an adjustment. That coupled with the pandemic, I don’t know which way is up, sometimes.
Actually letting yourself embrace the feeling you’re having at the moment was one of the main tools my therapist gave me at the beginning and it actually works. So I hope it also works for you.
I understand completely the fact of not having the people you’ve seen all day at home, I hope you get used to it soon and I hope we can really make plans for the future.
I’m loving the bright lashes as the focus here. I find most colored mascaras need layered over a white mascara primer or a good black mascara.
Love the new profile pic, Rachel! It’s been a while since I’ve been able to visit so it may not be that new, but I’m just seeing it. 🙂
Thank you, Kim! It’s only about a month old. I hope you are doing well.
I’m still working from home, and my husband is now permanently working from home, so I don’t spent much time alone. I like the concept of leaning into feelings though.
That Chantecaille blush is SO GOOD.
I can imagine it being hard to adjust! For me not much has changed, I was working non-stop and that hasn‘t changed yet, but I can imagine I would feel weird if I suddenly had so much time to myself again.
It’s an abrupt change to go from a busy house to all that quiet. Whatever makes you feel better seems like a good idea. 🙂 We’ve been doing a lot of organizing old pictures for slideshows for the boys’ sports and grad party. It breaks my heart, and there are plenty of times that I’m on the verge of crying, for many reasons. One of the boys will be heading off to college in a couple of weeks, so I’m sure I’ll be a disaster. The other is going locally and only has 2 in-person classes so he decided to live at home. I’m very happy about that… and will try not to smother him. HAHA! The past year and a half has made everything harder. 🙁