Cliche's Beauty Blogger of the Week is a new segment on the blog that will hopefully come out every Friday and will highlight a beauty blogger who is making a difference in the blogging/vlogging world. Our first beauty blogger of the week is Jennifer Dawson, who loves makeup and gives great advice on hair and makeup on her Youtube channel as well as on our blog. And after watching her videos I can say this lady knows what she is talking about.
1. When did you know that you really had a passion for makeup?
This may sound silly, but I have had a love for makeup since I was probably four years old watching my beautiful grandmother apply her hot pink lipstick on a summer evening preparing for guests on the patio. She was what I call a late day Marilyn Monroe as she looked so much like her as a young woman and what I would imagine her to look like as a woman in her fifties. When it comes to adult experiences in the freelance makeup artist industry, it can vary from the insecure bride with facial and back acne I was able to cover without looking overdone and telling her "no,no tears" so it wouldn't run down her cheeks or to see a young girl look beautiful at her first prom when a week before she was teased for not owning the most popular clothing trends. Sometimes, being the makeup artist is much like being the hairstylist and we get to be a friend or an ear to listen while they are in our chair.
I hope I pass along some inspiration to others that pertains to outside and inside beauty. Have you ever thought someone was beautiful for months or years and then you had the opportunity to meet that person and the way they spoke of others completely changed your thoughts on their beauty? Suddenly their eyes didn't look so strikingly blue, those white teeth weren't so noticeable anymore or you didn't notice her tiny waist as she walked away. I have and strive to never hurt others with my words. This may sound so cliche, yet beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What I didn't mention was that my grandmother was shot at the young age of 26, being a beautiful young woman on the outside got her some attention from others, but beautiful on the inside for being honest and faithful to my grandfather. She had been pursued by a man that wanted to be more than friends. Being a friend of a friend, he was nicely turned down over and over. Yet he made his way to her back door while may grandfather was working and shot her when she opened the door. The bullet went in under her arm as she was pushing the door closed and came out at the bottom of her spine. He ran. My father was the only witness at seven years old and her father-in-law, being the doctor in the town, came next door to do what he could until further help came. She could have been angry and bitter after lying for months in a bed at a rehabilitation hospital. Instead, she chose to love and be passionate about life. She laughed all of the time, told my grandaddy how handsome he was all of the time, wore beautiful pink lipstick each day, picked out the perfect blonde every six weeks...it didn't matter to her or anyone else that she couldn't walk. Nobody noticed! She took life by the horns and was loved by all, pitied by none. She was beautiful to the eye and in all senses of the word. I know this was a long response, but I couldn't give a cookie cutter answer. I wanted to tell you how it started and how it remains to this day
This may sound silly, but I have had a love for makeup since I was probably four years old watching my beautiful grandmother apply her hot pink lipstick on a summer evening preparing for guests on the patio. She was what I call a late day Marilyn Monroe as she looked so much like her as a young woman and what I would imagine her to look like as a woman in her fifties. When it comes to adult experiences in the freelance makeup artist industry, it can vary from the insecure bride with facial and back acne I was able to cover without looking overdone and telling her "no,no tears" so it wouldn't run down her cheeks or to see a young girl look beautiful at her first prom when a week before she was teased for not owning the most popular clothing trends. Sometimes, being the makeup artist is much like being the hairstylist and we get to be a friend or an ear to listen while they are in our chair.
I hope I pass along some inspiration to others that pertains to outside and inside beauty. Have you ever thought someone was beautiful for months or years and then you had the opportunity to meet that person and the way they spoke of others completely changed your thoughts on their beauty? Suddenly their eyes didn't look so strikingly blue, those white teeth weren't so noticeable anymore or you didn't notice her tiny waist as she walked away. I have and strive to never hurt others with my words. This may sound so cliche, yet beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What I didn't mention was that my grandmother was shot at the young age of 26, being a beautiful young woman on the outside got her some attention from others, but beautiful on the inside for being honest and faithful to my grandfather. She had been pursued by a man that wanted to be more than friends. Being a friend of a friend, he was nicely turned down over and over. Yet he made his way to her back door while may grandfather was working and shot her when she opened the door. The bullet went in under her arm as she was pushing the door closed and came out at the bottom of her spine. He ran. My father was the only witness at seven years old and her father-in-law, being the doctor in the town, came next door to do what he could until further help came. She could have been angry and bitter after lying for months in a bed at a rehabilitation hospital. Instead, she chose to love and be passionate about life. She laughed all of the time, told my grandaddy how handsome he was all of the time, wore beautiful pink lipstick each day, picked out the perfect blonde every six weeks...it didn't matter to her or anyone else that she couldn't walk. Nobody noticed! She took life by the horns and was loved by all, pitied by none. She was beautiful to the eye and in all senses of the word. I know this was a long response, but I couldn't give a cookie cutter answer. I wanted to tell you how it started and how it remains to this day
2. What is one Summer beauty item that you are using right now?
I am really enjoying powder foundations that can be applied wet for more coverage. It is wonderful during this heat wave or if you have very sensitive and/or acne prone skin:) I hate going to work out with no makeup so this type of foundation is great for a light coverage used dry and a bit more coverage using a light mist of your favorite skin refresher or water on your kabuki...then just dip into your pressed or loose powder foundation for additional coverage. Just a tip: I always like to keep my pressed compact open during your workday or overnight, just to allow the product to dry before closing. It will avoid cracking or those ugly "dark" marks in your product. I use that same rule with pressed eyeshadows when I use them with wet brushes.
I am really enjoying powder foundations that can be applied wet for more coverage. It is wonderful during this heat wave or if you have very sensitive and/or acne prone skin:) I hate going to work out with no makeup so this type of foundation is great for a light coverage used dry and a bit more coverage using a light mist of your favorite skin refresher or water on your kabuki...then just dip into your pressed or loose powder foundation for additional coverage. Just a tip: I always like to keep my pressed compact open during your workday or overnight, just to allow the product to dry before closing. It will avoid cracking or those ugly "dark" marks in your product. I use that same rule with pressed eyeshadows when I use them with wet brushes.
3. What are some new beauty trends?
My favorites right now are Coral lipstick, colorful eyeliner on the bottom lash-line with a neutral eyeshadow look or on the contrary no bottom liner at all with a cat eye, nail polish strips that last for nearly two weeks (not the foil, but true nail polish strips) and hair pieces. I love the fact that I can enjoy my very short hair, but with a few clip ins I can take my look to a long asymmetrical bob in minutes. Removable hair being clips or wigs are taking us by storm!
4. What is your favorite Cliche Cosmetics product and why?
Primetime is an amazing eyeshadow primer that I would say is more than just a primer. It is your primer to keep the shadow in place as well as a base to make the shadows jump out at you. Grab that fluffy eyeshadow brush or a concealer brush depending upon your preference and just blend it all the way to the brow for supreme coverage and priming. A little goes a long way so you will have enough for the inside corners of your eyes and under your eyes for the shadow highlight and lower lash eyeshadow. I need to re-stock so I can show everyone in my videos the way it pops. I truly enjoyed this and to give you an idea of how a little bit goes a long way, it used to be sold in the eyeshadow size pans and it lasted everyday for about six months. Truly useful, effortless, economical and it is hard to find a great primer at an affordable cost that lasts for several months. I can only imagine how long the new one lasts...I would use the new one in all of my videos. Birthday request to the hubby...hmmm?
I know you said one product, but may I mention that Dash eyeshadow is an amazing black matte eyeshadow that is much more pigmented than other matte blacks I have used. I was shocked when I first used it...no need to apply pressure. A little goes a long way and blends wonderfully for an outer corner or for use as a liner. If you are filling your magnetized palette, Dash is one to grab! Thanks for giving them all such nice names also!
5. What are some of the biggest mistakes people make when applying makeup?
I always say there are no rules to makeup as I believe we should all express ourselves in many ways with makeup. If I worked for a cosmetic company that would accept any look I felt as though I wanted to wear that morning, I would imagine some days I would resemble the neutral sun-kissed look with gloss and some days I may even experiment with some bright, neon looks for fun. It is all about expression and that is another reason why I love the power of makeup. It can make someone blend into the crowd if she pleases or bring someone to tears with the power they exude with a particular look.
However, there are those guidelines that we all follow For instance, blend your properly matched foundation into your jawline/neck area, an over exaggerated eye is beautiful as well as an overaggerated lip, but not together. Our brows are best when filled in, yet we don't want them to be overdrawn with the "pencil" look, eyelashes are gorgeous as long as we are sure to cover those glue lines with the eyeliner again after the glue has dried. Even the dark glue is recognizable. I always say that the eyeshadow fallout that nobody realizes is on top of their lashes (I cannot see mine, but realize it is probably there by the end of my application) yet we can always use that to our advantage by swooping the mascara not only under the lashes, but on top to add "bulk" to the lashes .To avoid colored teeth, apply your lipstick, pucker and pat, apply again, repeat so you don't have to look to go into the bathroom after a meeting at work to realize you have lipstick on your teeth. Believe me, I did it once and thought I had captured the attention of everyone with my new ideas for office efficiency.Oh, and lastly, just blend until you you don't see anything other than seamless lines on your beautiful canvas, whether it be blush, foundation, eyeshadow, etc.
Also, Check out Jennifer's Youtube page http://www.youtube.com/macface2adore and
her blog http://www.makeupandbeautydiary.com/
Below is a video of Jennifer giving tips on making your cream blush last longer.
I really enjoyed reading this, especially the part about your grandmother. Very nostalgic, loved it <3
ReplyDeleteI love your videos. You have a very strong family. I have watched since you had the tragedy with your husbands stroke and you became a stronger person through it all. I really enjoy watching your videos and reading the tips on your blog. (((hugs))))
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