“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” - Coco Chanel

Makeup has been used for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Here is a brief overview of makeup history:

Ancient Egypt: Egyptian women used makeup as early as 4000 BCE. They applied black kohl to their eyes, which was made from galena, a black mineral. They also used red ochre on their cheeks and lips, and to dye their hair and nails.

Ancient Greece and Rome: Both ancient Greeks and Romans used makeup, although it was primarily used by actors in the theater. Women would apply a pale powder to their faces made from lead or chalk, and they would also use rouge made from red ochre.

Middle Ages: In the Middle Ages, makeup was largely frowned upon by the Christian church. However, noblewomen would still use makeup, particularly to whiten their skin using a mixture of lead and vinegar. They also used rouge made from ground-up plants and berries. I love seeing the old masters' paintings with the beautiful porcelain skin tones on the female subjects.

18th and 19th centuries: In the 18th century, makeup became popular among wealthy women, who would use lead-based white powder to achieve a pale complexion. Rouge was made from a red dye derived from crushed cochineal insects! In the19th century, new synthetic dyes were developed, allowing for a wider range of colors in makeup.

20th century and beyond: The 20th century saw the rise of beauty companies such as Max Factor and Estée Lauder, who introduced new products and marketing strategies. The 1960s saw a trend toward bold, colorful makeup, while the 1990s popularized a more natural, minimalist look. In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward organic and natural makeup, as well as an increased focus on inclusivity in the beauty industry.

This makes me wonder where we are heading with makeup in the future!

Why do you use makeup?

Is it to increase your confidence? It sure does help to bring out your eyes and help you look a bit more professional and 'put together'. You may have some freckles, dark circles or breakouts that you would like to cover up, to have a more even skin tone, which can improve your overall appearance and self esteem. Makeup can be a form of expression with styles that create a unique look.

Ultimately, the decision to use makeup is a personal choice, and different people have different reasons for using it. My recommendation: less is more!

I get a lot of questions on how to do an easy makeup routine to do in the morning, preferably without too much time involved.

Here are 6 Easy Steps for a Healthy Glow

1. Hydrate first

The best foundation for makeup is not the actual foundation product.... it is a good moisturizer! Using a hydrating serum and a cream will plump up the skin and make the makeup products used after last all day. My favorite hydrating serum and moisturizer have hyaluronic acid in them. They are like a drink for my skin and the foundation I use goes on so nice and smooth.

2. Light, sheer coverage

You don't need a ton of makeup, you are not a clown ;-) Mixing a little moisturizer with your foundation helps to give it a soft see-through look, or use a tinted moisturizer such as Beautycounter's Dew Skin. When using a concealer for the under eye area, make sure it is a peachy shade to counter with the blueish shade you are trying to conceal. Smooth with a moist sponge.

3. Blush, not rouge

Bring some color to your cheeks with a soft creamy blush. I use my ring and middle fingers of both hands. Rub them together and start tapping the blush into the skin on the part that puffs out when you smile. Gently keep tapping towards the hair line, without putting blush too close to the nose or eye area.

4. Bring out the brows

One of the most important steps in a light makeup is bringing out the brows. The easiest (and quickest) is using a Brow Gel. Swipe the brush along the neck of the tube, especially when it is new. Then lightly brush the brows in an upward /outward motion. I have a few grays in my brows and they are getting sparser, so I actually go against the grain and make then look fuller and thicker. Brushing through with a dry, clean spoolie is a must.

5. Mascara Must-do

If you are looking to make your eyes pop (and who doesn't?) a few layers of mascara is key. May I make a note of importance: Mascara should be tossed after 3 months of use. Also mascara can be harmful for your health if it contains coal tar or heavy metals, so use a safer choice. Brush upwards with a zig-zagging motion. If you see a clump, just take your thumb and middle finger and squeeze the lashes to remove the excess of product, or use a dry brush to comb through. Two layers will create more length and make sure to get it close to the base of the lashes.

6. Lovely lips

As the cherry on the sundae, the lips need to have some attention, and some TLC as well. So choose a hydrating lip gloss or lipstick that will feel good and stay on nicely. Bright colors are fine if you don't have too much eye makeup such as eyeliner and eye shadow. Better to play up either lips or eyes, not both. Check your lipstick for lead as yes... they are still out there!

This should not take more than 5 minutes in the morning! Just practice and have your products set up so you can easily grab them. I have a tray in my bathroom cabinet with my makeup and that works just fine.

You may notice that I use mainly Beautycounter's safe skin and body products. I eat well, I try to live healthy and value a clean home environment. This is why Beautycounter products mean so much to me. The company stands for safety, sustainability, advocacy for better regulations and the products are amazing!

Check it out here and let me know what you think. I am happy to help you with any makeup shades, lip colors etc!

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