With guest blogger, award winning make-up artist Kelly Jenner, from Kelly Jenner Make Up & Lashes
“Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world." - Marilyn Monroe.
I’m privileged to have been a Bridal Makeup-Specialist for over 12 years now. I’ve made-up hundreds of beautiful brides on their big day, and they all have one thing in common...They have all said to me they want to look ‘the best version of themselves”. But I’ve always believed that my make-up simply magnifies the beauty that already exists for them - not in physical appearance, but inside of them. Is there any sight more radiant than seeing a bride walking down the aisle, literally glowing from the inside-out? That’s not down to the actual make-up, hair, or dress - that is because their beauty is already within them. It’s all down to the inner confidence that each one of us possess. Sometimes it just takes a bit of a pamper to make their inner beauty come alive.
A lot of people use make-up in this way to feel their best. And what their best looks like can be different for each person. One person’s best may look like ‘brows on point’ and a popping highlighter. The next person may have a banging set of lashes. Or you may even prefer a bare face, a designer pair of shoes, and a bouncy blowdry. Whatever it is - make-up or something else - the most important thing to ask ourselves is, “what does the best version of me look like?” The answer to that question is different for everyone, and it’s personal to YOU. It is what YOU do to feel YOUR best, and not for anyone else’s benefit.
Women are often portrayed as ‘vain’ or ‘stuck-up’ if we spend too much time on our self-appearance. You can insult a woman by saying they ‘love themselves’...But have you ever thought about why we’re far too often perceived as vain and shallow to love ourselves? I have known so many people that have spent too many years hating themselves and allowing others to ‘love’ them in negative and toxic ways. Surely loving YOURSELF first is the most empowering thing you could ever do? For you and everyone else around you, self-love should be about putting yourself first every single day. Not only can make-up be used as a self-care ritual, but it can also be used as a time for me, myself, and I - as a form of mindfulness, a chance to switch-off, and to have some down-time. It can be used to get lost in the art of beauty. I know a lot of times when I am doing make-up I can completely zone out and get lost in what I am doing (unless my 20-month-old daughter is there poking me in the face with a brush).
There is so much beauty in those down-times. The moments I treasure so much are when you get so involved in something that you’re transported to a different realm, one where you can forget where you are and all sense of time. When was the last time you did that? If you cannot remember, make sure to prioritise some time for that. Your soul needs nurturing too. However, as much as makeup can be used as a self-care ritual and a form of escapism, there can also be a darker side to makeup if we use it with the wrong intentions. Look at how and why you are using makeup. Are you using it to celebrate and honour yourself? Or are you using it to hide behind a mask all because you feel hideous without it? If this is true, then it’s important you ask yourself whether you’re actually craving something much deeper? Are you wearing it because you feel like you have to? No one should ever feel obligated to wear makeup for others. No one should ever have to rely on makeup to feel beautiful. And most importantly, no one should be dependent on makeup in order to love themselves.
When make-up is a choice it can feel like an empowering and creative outlet. But for a lot of us, this choice is shadowed by a lack of self-worth that further reinforces the belief that we only look good with it. And then we’ll start to believe that we can only feel good on the inside if we look good on the outside...Looking good is NOT the only way to feel good.
We must go inside ourselves to seek the true confidence that we once only thought make-up could provide. Self-worth and self-confidence start from the inside-out, not the other way around. Look inside, instead of outside for the answers. What it boils down to is - make-up is a choice! A daily choice. We can choose to express ourselves through it, we can choose to worship ourselves because of it, and we can choose to hide ourselves with it...or we can choose to never use it. Whatever you decide, make sure the intention is coming from the pure love you have for yourself and you only. Be proud of who you are and not ashamed of how someone else may or may not see you. Own your story - be proud of what makes you, YOU.
Regardless of whether you have chosen to wear makeup today, take some time out of your day to love yourself - in whatever form you choose. Remember beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself and no one else.
Kelly
Over the next few weeks Abundance TEC will be featuring guest bloggers on our website and social media platforms to support Self-Care Sunday.
The aim is to raise awareness as to why self-care is so important and to highlight a variety of ways you can implement self-care into your everyday routine to support positive mental health and well-being.These inspiring business owners and bloggers will be providing their own version of what self-care means to them and why they do what they do to look after themselves.
Thank you to the wonderful, super-talented Kelly for sharing her self-care tips, journey and passion this week.