My Make-up Story

 I have loved makeup ever since I can remember.   My earliest memory of buying makeup was when I was 13 years old and I bought a Bronze and Silver lipstick from Lakme. Yes, I said silver lipstick. And now you can say eeeeks. I didn't know what I intended to achieve with these lipsticks because firstly, I was too young and too conscious to wear them and secondly I was in school so I never got a chance to wear them other than the privacy of my room where I would use it like a crayon on my face and go crazy with it. But I just HAD to have them cause they were so amazing to me at that time.

When I was 14 I visited America where my cool older American cousin gifted me some makeup - a lip liner, an eyeliner, and a lipstick. OH MY GOD. I had hit jackpot. Everyday I would religiously apply my eyeliner, my lip liner and my lipstick. I looked and felt so mature. Then after vacation I came back to India and had to go back to school where none of this was allowed! Boy did reality hit me so hard! 

When I entered 11th std, I finally had the freedom to wear a kajal and be just like the pretty senior girls that I admired when I was a wee one. Everyday I would carefully line my eyes with kajal. I had brown, black and gray. Oh the excitement of choosing which colour to wear to school!! Revlon and Maybelline were in the market by then and their eye pencils used to cost 280 Rs, I think. It was a big sum and god only knows how I convinced my mom that I had to have that eye pencil. 

Then I went off to America to study. I had by then a bit more makeup that in the 12th std. I had assorted lip glosses, some eyepencils, some no brand eyeshadows that come in those huge makeup kits all gifted by my American aunties on their India visits.  I used to do whatever I could with that makeup but literally felt very frustrated when I couldn't achieve those amazing makeup looks I saw all around me. How could I? I had no clue how to blend and apply eye shadows or to use mascara or to even use brushes. 

Life really changed for me when in 2001, my cooler, older American cousin took me to a MAC pro store in San Francisco for a makeup class. Yes, so MAC does this from time to time, they close the store to the public and conduct a one time class. Don't know if they still do it anymore. They basically talk about tips and tricks and techniques. There is a registration fee but you can buy products for that amount. So we went, and it was amazing! This makeup artist pulled someone from the audience and did her face makeup from beginning to end - just a really pretty every day kind of makeup look. I learn't a lot from that one class. I learnt about brushes, outer V, using contrasting light and dark colours, applying makeup to the crease etc. After the class, we browsed the store and I ended up buying a bunch of products. I still remember what I bought - A studio finish compact, 3 eye shadows, a pigment and 3 brushes. I think I spent around $150. Out of those brushes I still have 2 of them. Yes it's been 12 years and I still have them. 

Anyways, since that day my makeup life took a different course. I started learning more about makeup. I started buying more products, improving my collection and applying more makeup in general. It's been many years and I really owe it to my cousin to properly introduce me to the world of makeup.

I've been through many phases with makeup. I even started this blog to document my looks. I would love to have a YouTube channel one day but I love my anonymity and privacy too much so it will probably never happen. These days I don't get the opportunity to wear to much makeup because it's just too hot all the time. Nevertheless for special occasions, I enjoy spending some time doing my makeup. My makeup collection is not too massive. I have enough to keep me satisfied and going. I still religiously watch my favorite YouTubers ever since I started watching in 2008.
I really enjoy these especially:

Marlena from MakeupGeekTV - she's the one blogger I've followed religiously from day one.
JlovesMAC1 - She doesn't do too much makeup but I love her personality
QueenofBlendingMUA - does some crazy looks that I love
Other YouTubers who I find interesting from time to time are: Farah Dhukai, Misschievous, Nikkie Tutorials, Vintage or Tacky, JeanFrancoisCD

So that's it for this post. What's your makeup story? 

Minimalism in my life

I've moved a lot in my life. In the past 5 years, I have lived in 4 cities and sometimes in multiple houses within a city which means I have a lot of experience with renting a house, moving, packing etc. I really do hate moving and packing - it's been the bane of my life every time I've had to move. The one honest and sobering realization that has happened is that I have a lot of STUFF. I mean seriously, how, when and where did I ever accumulate so much junk?? You only realized how many possessions you own when you have to pack it all up.

This really set me thinking and after my most recent move I decided that I did not want to be burdened by this stuff anymore and carrying it from place to place. I then discovered a couple of amazing blogs where I learnt the concept of minimalism.

What is minimalism? There's plenty ways to define it but I will share what it means to me: Minimalism is a journey. A minimalist removes from his or her life things that have no value. A minimalist avoids excess. Minimalism allows you to let go of the need to possess and own things.

Okay don't freak out - it's not as crazy as it sounds.Now this doesn't mean that you give up your possessions and becoming a Sadhu, wear orange robes and live of the charity of people.Minimalism has just allowed me to get rid of a lot of stuff that I owned and felt was necessary for me to be happy. The truth is, this stuff was weighing me down and getting rid of it was the best feeling ever. It's also help bring a sense or order to my life and has helped me realize what's really important to ME. 

If you have some time, please check out these blogs that have inspired me to de-clutter and minimize.

www.theminimalists.com

www.365lessthings.com

I hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I did.

If you can, you should.

Yes it's been forever since I posted and yes now that I have a good internet connection and a new laptop, I will be more regular and no, I am not going to launch into an explanation of why I haven't posted in a while. (Don't want to be a bore).

Coming back to the title of this post: this is something that I've learnt from my mother. She once said that if some one asks you for something and if you have the means, then you should give. It was a very profound thought. I'll be honest, I don't always give freely especially when it comes to money. I can give away clothes, kitchen items etc. very easily. I am very careful with my money - that's what I learnt when I had to live on a shoestring budget when I got my first job in India. I earned very little less and I used to have about Rs. 6000 to for my monthly expenses including groceries. Yet, I managed and I'm glad for that experience because it taught me to be careful and budget wisely. It also meant that I had no money for extras.
Now that I earn a lot more, I am slowly learning to be generous with my money. It's tough and it doesn't come easily. Most religions say that you should do "Daan" or donate to those who need. So now I am starting and I urge you to do so too, if you have the means.
Avoid judgement if you can, when you give. Don't assume that what your maid/driver/ watchman/beggar or whoever earns from their various jobs is enough for them. Money is never enough! So open your hearts and give -even if it is ten bucks for "chai-pani" or 50 bucks or a 1000 bucks.
If you can, you should.

Back after a hiatus

Oops I did it again. I fell off the blogging bandwagon. Now that I think back I cannot remember the exact reasons why. I think it was a combination of factors. The honest truth is that my pride suffered a bit because I fell prey to the demon we call 'comments'.
We all start blogging with great intentions, to share, express ourselves and connect with our readers. Somewhere along the line we start judging the worth and value of our blog through the comments.  And then when thet don't come, we feel upset and disappointed. At least I did.
The last couple of yeard have been tough. Life happened, a couple of big life changes have happened. I'm in a new city now, getting used to life and work here. Honestly it's been hard. But I've gotten to experience a lot, see new things and appreciate life with a fresh perspective. I hope a little wisdom and maturity has come my way too.
So I want to get back to blogging with my original intentions, to share, connect with you and express myself anonymously :)
Thank you for listening, if you have.