No, I am not trying to tease your sweet tooth…but yes, you are staring at cupcakes for a reason. ??
That reason would be this: I started a new job this week! At a bakery!
I know, it’s out of my lane, but with Connor going to preschool five days a week now, and me having been working at home for eons, I’ve been going a little stir crazy. Then one day a couple weeks ago, an opportunity arose to bake for a local bakery, and I took it.
If you’ve followed MBB for a while, then you probably know that I love to bake at home, and I’d love to get better at it. I want to learn to make all teh things! And I want to be surrounded by sugar and gluten and chocolate and frosting ALL. DAY. LONG.
I’ll try to temper/limit the amount of baking-related pics and info I share on MBB (unless you REALLY want to see more, in which case lemme know), but I’ve been doing MBB for almost 13 (!) years now. I love it too much to stop, but mama needs some other interests too. Way I see it, I’ll still be wearing makeup to work at the bakery, so I’ll still have plenty of makeup and skincare to test and talk about. So…you won’t be getting rid of me yet. LOL!
The new new gig is “back of the house,” which means that my primary responsibilities will be the actual baking…of all the delicious things.
Mmm…
First thing I noticed this week in the kitchen for training was that it gets REALLY hot when the ovens are cranking, and even HOTTER when it’s also hot outside, like it has been the past few days.
I wore the littlest amount of stick foundation on my first day (and I also happened to skip powder), so my base had all but slid off my face by the end of my shift.
So, for my second day at work, I busted out the long-wearing guns…
Base
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation (my shade is Honey Bronze) and Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer (I wear Golden). Both of these base products last a long while, and neither one looks or feels heavy. I set them with a light dusting of Chanel loose powder, which has a lovely natural finish.
Eyes
A liquid bronze eyeshadow base (Wander Beauty Amber Wave! Layer it under your bronze eyeshadows for added intensity and staying power) with a dusting of a shimmery warm bronze from the new Urban Decay On the Run Mini Palette in Highway Queen. I also went with a long-wearing purple liner on the upper lash line (UD Ether, which pairs well with bronze shades and doesn’t look *too* obviously purple. Unfortunately, it’s discontinued.). Next, I used a long-lasting curling mascara on my lashes (MAC Extended Play Perm Me Up Lashes).
Eyebrows
I was blown away by how well my brows made it through the second day, because — no joke — it was hot ? in the kitchen. I’d assumed they would disappear, BUT THEY DIDN’T! Anyway, I wore NARS Komo brow pencil and MAC Clear Brow Set.
Note to self: this combo frickin’ lasts.
Cheeks and lips
Charlotte Tilbury Ecstasy blush on my cheeks, along with a couple of shades from the Wander Beauty Cloud9 Mini Lipstick Kit (the lipsticks are super creamy, so they don’t really last more than two hours) mixed together.
It took me 15 minutes to do this look, which I put on at 6:45 in the morning.
I’m writing this post a full 12 hours later, and after five hours in a hot kitchen, all of the makeup I used in the morning still looks pretty good, if I do say so myself…with the exception of the creamy lipstick.
Oh, and just in case you’re wondering, I don’t eat cupcakes all day long now, HA HA HA!
I certainly want to though. ?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Wow, Karen, that sounds like so much fun! Do you get to bring home lots of goodies for Connor Claire and El Hub? Definitely want to see lots of pictures of all the delicious yummy things you will be baking. Will you be baking cookies and cakes, too? I always wondered what it would be like to work in a bakery, so now you can fill all of us in on what it is really like. Congrats!
Hi Daphne,
It’s been fun and a steep learning curve so far. The other bakers know so much about technique, so I have a lot to learn. I love it, though! Keeps my mind happy. My body is happy, too, strangely enough. I’ve mainly had jobs where I spend the majority of the time sitting, so it’s a change to be so physically active in a kitchen for long stretches of time.
I have yet to bring home any goodies, I do get an employee discount which I plan to take full advantage of, LOL… We also make gluten-free cupcakes, which I’m sure El Hub will find quite thrilling.
And yes, I’ll be eventually baking cookies and doing cakes, too! I really want to get to the stage where I get to decorate cakes, because I have a feeling that it would be fun. I’m also hoping to learn more about recipe development, which I think could be creative and cool, too. 🙂
Thank you for your well wishes!
I’m so happy for you! Do what makes you fulfilled, so that you can energy for the really important things in life (like Conner, cats, El Hub).
Hi Max,
Thank you! I’m excited about it. 🙂 Have a wonderful Friday, ok?
Congrats Karen! Does this job happen to be at Rustic Bakery in Novato? My friend and I stopped there when I was in CA visiting (I have a cousin in Novato) and it was soooo good. Also fine if you can’t tell me. I’m curious, do you have to work insane early morning hours? My same friend worked at a food co-op for a while baking their breads and her shift started at 4 AM! And yes, please show us all the yummy stuff you bake up! And share any tips and recipes! So excited! You can change the name of the blog to Makeup and Beauty and Baking Blog!!
This is so exciting! Congrats!! I’m glad you’ve found another career that you really like! I am about as into sweets as I am makeup but I can’t WAIT to see all the pics of your goodies. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of bread pics, too. Hint, hint. HAHA! I’m so proud of you for getting out and mixing things up. I’m sure this will be a fabulous experience! And your hair isn’t cray – it looks great! The mixing pun wasn’t intentional, but I like it. 🙂
Congratulations!!!! That is so cool. Also, I was very suspicious when you mentioned that you were reading a cookie book the other week. The one you had was an older one, which made me think something was up.
I’m glad you’re going to be getting out amongst adults some of the time, especially surrounded by SUGAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want all the baking pics.
When I first saw your email pop in my inbox I thought it said makeup for hot kittens! I thought, well, I may have a few miles but I’m still a hot kitten!
Enjoy!
What, this is amazing! I always thought a bakery would be such a fun place to work and learn how to do more. I hope you continue to have fun!
You go, Karen!! This sounds so up your alley, actually, not out of your lane. What a wonderful opportunity and way to blend passions. I’m all for it and wish you the best and such fun!
Now you gotta check out Beauty Bakerie makeup! ;D
Wow, I would love to do this! Maybe someday when the kids are older and I’m closer to retirement. In the meantime, please post your baked creations and the tips you’ve learned. I will live vicariously through you!
Nice to know which products hold up in the heat as well. ?
I hope you do get a chance to do it someday, Kate! 🙂
Congrats to you on your new job. It’s nice to have some time to do something you enjoy. I have been out of work for almost 4 months and while there have been a few interviews, nothing has happened yet. I am waiting to here back from the local community college, so keep your fingers and toes crossed.
I am going on my first week at 60 and so far, it has been good. Zack came home for a few days last week. It was really nice to have him home. He got to relax, play his xbox and have some home cooking. He is loving Ithaca and having a great experience. We go up in two weeks for Family weekend.
Anyway, got to replace my Clair Obscur quad bur now I’ve seen the Chanel holiday collection which looks amazing. Not sure if it is on the agenda.
Hope you’re safe from the fires. Be well!
Hi Jane,
We’re south of the fires and we’re OK for now; thank you for asking. We haven’t spent much time outside today though as the smoke has drifted over to our part of the Bay. There’s still a chance that they’ll turn our power off but right now ours is supposed to stay on (knock on wood) through the weekend.
Glad you were able to spend some quality time with your sweet boy!
SOOO excited for you! And , yes, of course we want to hear all the baking stuff! New things are exciting and scary – good for you for stepping out!
Exciting and scary is the perfect way to describe it, Deretta. I’m feeling all the things, for sure.
Hope you’re having a nice Friday!
Congratulations! It sounds amazing and YES, I would love to see pics of all the goodies!!
Have a great weekend.
Thanks, Barb! You have a great weekend, too.
Dang, I’m a bit jealous. I’d love to work in a bakery but I doubt anyone would hire me without any particular baking skills. Not sure I could stand the heat either.
Good luck to you. I hope you have a fun, interesting time and learn a lot.
Thanks, Tatiana. It’s only been two days and I’ve already learned so much. First thing: get an accurate oven thermometer ASAP! I just read article on one brand recommended by Cook’s Illustrated, but I want to do a little more research first before buying it.
Congrats on the new gig! I can imagine getting stir-crazy. Your hair looks amazing and great that you found a makeup look that lasts! I often wish I had a more physical job.
Thank you, Chelsea!
Amazing! Congratulation Karen! I wish you the best and you know what? It is a great lesson for your little girl, a life lesson! Great humans, was these children, who saw their parents fighting to make their lives better and do what they love. Big hugs from Greece!
Big hugs back from the Bay Area, Amalia!
Congratulations on your new adventure Karen! I look forward to reading all about it. *Hug*
Thank you, Fieran! Have a great weekend.
That sounds great! I look forward to some baking posts! I hope it’s as wonderful as it sounds!
I’m a chef who has worked as a pastry chef and I SWEAR by Estée Lauder double wear!!! I also use the mabelline age rewind concealer from time to time, but I find that I go through it so quickly that I gravitate moreso towards benefit brightening concealer (the one in the pot), or Estée Lauder double wear concealer if I have to be on camera that day. I find that contouring is a losing battle (if I have to be on my phone at work, it instantly transfers and my pale skin looks patchy) but I’ve been having good luck with Laura mercier’s bronzer for all over bronze and Milani’s luminoso blush layered over a higher pigment one like cover FX. As for mascara, I’ve entirely given up (even with waterproof mascara, if you pop your head in an oven too quickly your eyelashes will melt together, not cute), and have given in to lash extensions. If I have a competition, I rotate between two eyeliners, benefit’s roller lash liner or tarte sex kitten, but I’m still searching for my war paint holy grail. For lipstick the only one that I really trust for hours on end when I can’t check for touch ups is mabelline liquid lipsticks. They. Don’t. Budge. Another tip: if you work in a kitchen that wears black chef jackets, beware of makeup past your jawline. Whereas my instinct is to blend into my neck, anything with a collar will pick up foundation or bronzer the second it’s warm. I try to taper my foundation past my cheekbones and blend it out that way. Thanks for the eyebrow tip! What I’m using isn’t working. Happy baking!!
Congratulations on your new exciting job! You will be great and I can’t wait to see creations you make and any tips you pass on. My sister worked in a local supermarket bakery and said it was her favorite job. Lot of exercise lugging big bags of flour.
Congrats on your new job!! And, yes…you’re making me want cupcakes. The ones you have there are beautiful!! Have fun in your new venture!!
Gratz on the new job!! So exciting. I can’t wait to see all teh things…
Karen I LOVE that you’re doing this! Actually I’m jealous : )
Congratulations! Also I love the practical makeup advice for this kind of job. Very creative. Happy baking!
Congrats on your new job and expanding on a passion of yours. Please share your experience with us. I’d love to read it!
I wonder what flavour cupcakes Pretty Girl Rosie would like? Freya will eat any cake whatsoever,,!
I don’t get it – you’d think they’d only like things that are meat or fish-flavoured, but no…
Congratulations on your new job!! I used to work in a bakery myself for two years when I was going through grad school. I worked “front of the house” cause I’m certainly not that great at baking! So I helped customers, taking orders and answering phones. It was cool being surrounded by all that sugar, but it could be very difficult during peak seasons like the holidays. I still used to wear makeup, but it was usually quite light so if it faded away in the heat, etc no one would really notice!
oooh! so excited for you- congrats! it’s going to be great having co-workers outside the house again. That’s the best part. and I foresee some fabulous birthday cakes in Connor Claire’s future.
Congratulations! You sound so excited and happy. It’s good to get out of the house and do something you love to do. When I was still in high school, my mother told me that whatever career path I decided to follow, I should make sure it put a smile on my face because I’d probably be doing it for a very long time. She was right. I retired after 45 years working in education—a career in which I found things that made me smile every single day. I hope you’ll find the same satisfaction in your new job, Karen. Baking is hard work, but the creativity and knowledge that you’re making everyone’s life sweeter should put a smile on your face.
Wow! I’m so excited for you! Yes, please post more about baking. Funny enough, I have recently been thinking more about how I can incorporate my love for baking into my day-to-day life (and potentially turning it into a job too!).
I am all here for diversified interests, and if it involves cupcakes, I really cant blame you for taking the opportunity.
Please do share more of the delicious baked goods you will be creating.
So happy for you! Getting out on a regular schedule can be such a delight! And I love this look. ❤️
Congrats on the new job! I’m a bit behind reading the blog, so forgive my lateness.