Getting Started

I've spent the majority of my adult life proudly eschewing makeup as a frivolous past-time for the vain and self-absorbed. I thought that by showing my bare skin and blemishes I was also showing moral fortitude. The world of academia only added to my illusions of superiority. "Yes," I thought, "I am a woman of substance. I have better things to occupy me than the color of my cheeks or the length of my lashes. Science needs me!"

Geez, I was insufferable. 

Early this year, I realized something profound about myself. I liked to feel pretty. I liked to be feminine, to primp and prep. As a creature of harshly lit labs and filthy field work, this was something strange indeed. But why shouldn't I? How exactly does a fondness for pink lipstick take away from my intellect? In precisely none ways, thank you. Slowly, over the last several months, I have discovered that I can be more than one thing at a time. I can be smart, I can be outdoorsy, I can be tough and rugged and strong... And, I can be beautiful. 

With this realization, I began to reach out into areas previously marked "Here Be Dragons" on my mental map. I've been experimenting with makeup, nail polish, hair, even fashion. It's been eye-opening, illuminating, and even esteem-boosting, as my friends comment on my eyes or my husband notices my care. Most of all, it's been fun. 

In the spirit of fun and new experiences, I've decided to start this blog, to help me experiment with new looks and techniques in a way that I might not be comfortable with in my graduate lab. I plan to document lip colors and shadow placement, highlights and brows and blushes. I'll probably throw in a few things about the rest of my life as well: deadlines met, accomplishments achieved, animals caught (yes, animals). I do not plan to hold to deadlines or content quotas; this is a place primarily for me, not for gathering pageviews and enticing followers. 

With that said, I would like to leave with a look from the balmy days of midsummer - utterly inappropriate to our shortening days and encroaching frosts, but c'est la vie and all that noise.

Products: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation in W1-2, Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso, NYX Je Ne Sais Quoi eyeshadow palette, Maybelline Full and Soft mascara, Revlon Lacquer Balm in Demure.

Eyes closed, showing horrendous blending skills.

Work that non-existent blush! Way to keep things subtle, girl.

Honestly, there are a lot of things I don't like about this look. The eyeshadow is too cool toned and not well blended, my blush is subtle to the point of disappearance, and the lip color is too sparkly for my general taste. However, I believe it represents a good starting point, a place from which to show my growth. Also, I like seeing green things in the background.

Next time, a current look using either a fall lip color or strong nail polish. We'll see!