Splish Splash

Splish Splash I was taking a ba...NO I AM NOT TAKING A BATH!  I am having a flash.  Yes those dreaded hot flashes that your mother had that "old people" have.  Those flashes that your doctor tells you you don't have but you do.  Well I don't know about you ladies but these flashes are intense and quite pushy.  Yes pushy!  Not taking no for an answer coming back time and time again.  Making us uncomfortable. Perhaps we should equate them with a door to door salesperson or a telemarketer.  Grrr!


What is a gal to do to when these vial heat sensations come upon us and make our skin glisten.  After much research I have found that no one really truly knows the exact causes of these splashes.  Some researchers feel that these are caused by decreased estrogen in the body.  Others feel that splashes are caused by a mixture of low estrogen and progesterone.  Some feel that hot flashes occur when there is a lack of circulation of estrogen.  No matter what the exact cause they all agree that hot flashes happen and that  hormone replacement therapy does assist with this transition.  


Which brings me to this,  my mother died of breast cancer so I am completely leary and very stubborn about partaking in hormone replacement therapy.  In retrospect we suspect that the cause of the breast cancer was the replacement therapy.   I know I know things have changed.  Sorry no can do.  After seeing her suffer and go through treatments that were harder on her small framed body than perhaps the cancer itself I just can not and will not do it.


In the beginning I was able to control these flashes by eating estrogen building foods and watching my diet.  Being mindful not to eat that many sweets pushing away the ice cream and so on.  Grrr!  Then as my body changed and/or additional stress occurred  I found that my diet alone was no longer working.  The hot flashes became so intense that I was having several in an hour.  I never really counted or tracked them but I can tell you with confidence it was more than 4 in an hour.  My work buddies purchased fans for me, brought chocolate, anything that would soothe the savage beast of splashings.  That's when the researching became stronger.

I remembered a class I took about 10 years ago sponsored by the Mlis company that specialized in nutritional healing.  They offer many types of programs one of which is hormone balancing.  As my interest in nutritional health was at it's peak at this time  I completed the entire course and obtain certification in their detox program.  What I like about their philosophy is the fact that it is centered around balancing your body in order for your body to heal and repair itself.  The concept behind such healing is to feed your body with the proper nutrients in order for your body to naturally build or produce what it needs.  The word precursor is used. The precursor would work by introducing plant/natural ingredients into your body that will encourage production of what is needed in order to provide your unique balancing needs.  A precursor assists your body to naturally heal itself.  Here is a link to their company  




Even though my family still uses several of their nutritional support products for some reason the hormone program slipped from my mind.  I went to my library and dug out my training manual and re-read the information specifically designed for hormone balancing.  This with my already extensive research via books and internet (I found this link helpful too)  regarding hot flashes led me to try the closing regime.  


My solution came primarily from the book Nutritional Healing and my Mlis experience.  This is a great book which I have owned for over a decade.  I find it is a useful tool when any family member is ill or for just fyi.  


Ladies, do your own research.  What works for one may not work for another as we are all unique.  When researching use your own judgement and follow your  individual convictions.  I don't always agree with everything I have read but I would rather stick to this natural approach as long as I can.  From what I found these symptoms typically last for about 5 years, some more some less.  If I can get through these and become healthier while doing it great!


Here goes my solution thus far that has really helped.  When I am religious with following the below I find my splashes either completely stop or are very minimal.  Stress plays a huge part in this journey so when you experience times of increased stress your regime may need to be tweaked.  Have patience and know that this will soon pass.  










Mlis Balance:  follow directions
Mlis DHEA:  follow directions to a T!
Calcium:  I love that liquid stuff which I buy a our local Whole foods.  The reason is I feel it absorbs quickly and gosh after taking all these pills I need a break!  
Vitamin E:  purchased at Whole Foods up to 1500 IU (read Nutritional Healing!!)
Evening Primrose Oil: Whole Foods  (as directed)
Thyroid support: Mlis as directed
Zinc: as directed
Vitamin C: Whole Foods 3,000 - 10,000 for flashes (read Nutritional Healing!!)
Vitamin D:  Whole Foods as directed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KmKkV3ddAo :  Ironically this artist is my namesake.  Ummm I could be making that up.....another blog for another day.

A Good Morning goes a long way

A Good Morning goes a long way!  Whilst satisfying our work coffee addiction at my local grocery store in the early am it became painfully aware to me that the art of kindness and courtesy had ceased at this local establishment.  As a morning person I have an annoying amount of high energy in the early waking hours of the world prior to sun even rising.  Due to that my already optimistic and happy personality is well annoying perhaps to others. I realize this but I can not help but to jump into the world with both feet anxiously awaiting the wonderful things that will transpire throughout the day.

I enter the grocery store with this in mind.  Excited about the promise of the pounds of Gevalia Coffee (Chocolate Mocha) that I know will give a bounce in the step of my studio mates as we anxiously mix and blend fabulous colors for our fellow Colorista's of the world.  We had been lamenting that this coffee, our new fav just gave us that extra zing that makes any morning that much better.  So proud of myself for getting up uber early, folding four loads of laundry, cleaning the bathroom, addressing some business emails, and now stopping for the favorite coffee that we ran out of days ago and have been disappointed since.....ok you get the point I'm high on life ok!  So anyways... I bounce into the store to first come upon a clerk sweeping.  The clerk obviously engrossed in her most exciting task does not even look up to say hello to me.  Ok I think to myself... she does not see me, it's early, I get it.

I joyfully enter the coffee isle to see an array of boxes stacked, rolling carts and three stock personnel actively stocking.  I exclaim "Well this is the aisle to be in GOOD MORNING TO YOU ALL!"  I get a glance perhaps a glare, and  cricket cricket cricket.  Ok really????? Really?  Really?  Ergh, my bubble has been burst!  I try again, "I hope you guys are having a great day" I say.  Nothing!  Really?!

Well then, I say to myself.  I grab ALL the Chocolate Mocha Gevalia coffee off the shelf in fear of not being able to satisfy our addiction for even one day and strut on up to the cashier.  The same cashier that did not acknowledge my exhuberance whilst strolling in.  I think to myself I will win her over with my happiness.  She efficiently asks me if I have my bonus card...not a Good Morning, not a hello, just business as usual (growl!).  I promptly hand her the golden card of discounts and say "How are you this morning?"  Dialogue begins and pleasantries are passed.  Feeling a little better now that at least I showered happiness upon one person this am.   I am off and on my way to coffee nirvana.

A Good Morning goes a long way!  Business or pleasure.  Spread joy where ever you go!


Disclaimer:  The writer of this Blog (that would be me, Darin) apologizes for grammatical or spelling mistakes. Smiles

Eye Tips for that Smoke Sizzle and Wow!

Eye Tips for that Smoke Sizzle and Wow!
The Wow factor, how do we get it.  It's a fact that the Wow factor, the true 100% Wow does not happen without being in your correct colors and in harmony.  For those of you that know your personal colors life gets easier especially around this time of year when we are pleasantly or unpleasantly thrown into family gatherings and galas.  Whether your spending time with extended family and friends or decking it out at a gala keeping your look in harmony is key.

A great rule of thumb is that a harmonious look is one where you are seen first not your makeup. Think of Mimi from the Drew Carey show.  Mimi is a great example of disharmony.

No matter how dramatic the look your makeup does not wear you, you wear it!

Sometimes we feel that being dramatic is wearing colors that stand out.  Your makeup should always look fresh and finished.  Avoid colors that lift off your skin.  Colors that you see the color before the person.  Even a bold lip can be worn without that separation.  Being dramatic is a technique not a license to unharmonize.

Day or evening makeup should always emphasize and define you.  You should never be defined by your makeup.

The below image is a great example of super drama in harmony.  Even though the look is bold the colors are in harmony and the wearer is still seen. Following this photo are more snapshots of our everyday eye looks in the studio.  If you scroll down we have prepared some eye and face makeup tips for you.

An uber dramatic eye in harmony.  Lashes make quite the impact.  Note the glitter in addition to shimmer.  This Bright Winter has no problem pulling this look off.  This model is wearing violet in her water line to intensify the look.

A smokey eye with soft colors a beautiful look that can go from day to evening.  False eye lashes
enhance.

A beautiful display of an intensified day time smokey eye moving toward evening.  A harmonious look framing the eye.

The softest of all smokey eye look the trick here was just softly smudging the eye liner does it really qualify as a smokey eye....maybe to some but the point is that smokey can be done in moderation.

Another display of moderate smokey.  A true smokey eye is a lot of variation in the depth of the outer eye to the mid eye up to the bone.  This look was applied for an intense day look the smokey concept is the top lid and the definition in the crease.  This still looks soft as it is in harmony.  Bold colors that blend.  If you were to look at the colors that this model is wearing you would be surprised they look so fresh.  This model has a light blue eye liner applied in the water line to give brightness to the eyes.

Another example of a day time soft smokey eye.  This model uses light blue for an inner eye pop to lift the eye.  Her eyes sparkle.  This model shows a dark cool brown in the water line.

Another example of a moderate smokey look.  Note the brightness of the eye lid and the contour reflecting the smoke.  The bone is a soft cinnamon.  This is the same application of a true dark smokey eye with softer colors.  The colors however on this eye are not soft.  We have deep turquoise, dark brown, purple and soft neutrals in soft cinnamon and flesh.

In all the models above the colors may be strong but do not lift off the skin.  The foundation surrounding the eyes looks fresh and natural.  These are examples of harmony.  

Day or evening makeup should always emphasize and define you.  You should never be defined by your makeup.  

Below are techniques used in the above photos we added some extra makeup tips for the holidays. Enjoy!

• 1.  add shine, spark, or glitter .....  
• 2.  build the lash line with eye liner
• 3.  use a deep violet, blue, black, or deep green in the waterline or go for a brighter eye look by using a light blue or white even a light pink (for green eyes) in the water line.
• 4.  smoke out the lower lashes making the line thicker towards the outer corner
• 5.  smoke out the upper lash line as well.  Either work the smokey eye in it's entirety or just the lash line.
• 6.  add a sexy pop with either a matte lighter pop with white, light blue, gold, yellow, pink, violet, the possibilities are endless
• 7.  highlight under the brow
• 8.  Give your face a pick me up by applying a slight lighter foundation shade from the upper cheekbone upward under the eye
• 9.  need contour use one of our specially designed faux glos to carve out the cheekbone.  Apply at the base of the cheek bone and apply upward. Carve with our blending brush. 
• 10.  apply a soft blusher one the cheek bone and blend well with a finishing brush (Mr. Wonderful) 
• 11.  highlight around your lips to frame and enhance them.

Colors we love for the season..

• Razzle Dazzle pure bright gold Spring family
• Icy a white high shimmer  Winter family 
• Outrageous a great gold deeper than razzle dazzle  Autumn family
• Silver  Summer Family
• Pure of Heart  White matte
• Bolder than Bold  black baby
• Captuous  Cool deep brown
• Reflective Autumn family gold/bronze
• Night Owl  Autumn family green/gold
• Bossy  rich brassy green gold high shine Autumn family
• Demanding  compare to Phlox a seasonal color matte purple/magenta
• Smart a fab copper  a red copper  Autumn family

Learning the Lips

As some of you may know at this point, I am not a makeup genius. My mother has often tried to explain and teach me the basic concepts of makeup but as the Blake in elea blake cosmetics, I am a sorry demonstration of the makeup arts.
As part of the namesake of the cosmetics business though I have put a great amount of effort to learn. After receiving an internship at a respected company I realized that my makeup-less face was just not going to cut it in the business world. There is something very empowering about lipstick and when my mother sent me a care package with the True Winter lipstick palette, I set to work learning how to use it. Heartthrob stood out to me as I am a great fan of the intense lipstick and after putting it on, I won't lie, I allowed myself to linger at the mirror for a bit. It is a strong color and when I wear it, I feel even more confident and strong than normal.
Looking at my lips though, I couldn't help but notice that even though I put it on accurately I had somehow failed to reach my arches. I don't know if that is what they are called but for those of you who don't understand that terminology it is this part;

The area where the black dots pin point

I didn't want to try to use the brush I had as I knew from previous experiences that the brush would make me look like a clown, so I took a lip pencil my mother had given me a long time ago and outlined my lips. I won't pretend... I was at first frightened, as my only knowledge of lip pencils made me think of those scary outlined lips that look fake kind of like this;

"Just in case you didn't get it, the outlined area is my lips"

So when I looked at my work I was so shocked. My lips looked so perky and full of spunk. It seemed to say, "I am ready to present anything now, just leave it to me!"
Yes maybe I am a bit imaginative, but nonetheless, I was ready to present a pink elephant like it was the new Cadillac.
So I guess this is another case where I learned that perhaps I should have listened to my mom a long time ago when she told me that lip pencils were not tacky, but as usual I am only prepared to learn lessons when I can sit in front of a mirror and terrify myself with all of my mistakes before trying something I was told would work.
Go figure.

10 Must Haves According to Darin

Little black, brown, or gray dress: Basically your neutral color.  Something that can go from day to night in a flash.  

This dress can be paired with a bright vest or casual jewelery for a day look, and high heels and nice earrings for a night look.

A great purse: Don't be afraid to go a little over your budget on a purse that you will use daily and that will coordinate with your daily wardrobe. This is a good investment. If you like to have multiple purse choices then introduce a bold color, one that perhaps you're a little timid of.

Shoes/boots: The most common choices for fall are black, white, stone, metallic, beige, burgundy, dark blue, chocolate, deep violet, khaki and red. Animal influences, suede and satin, leather, patent leather, lace, and some influence of fur.

Wedge, Stiletto, and column heels as well as pike and round toes are popular. 

Jacket: A  jacket is a good way to dress down a fancy dress, but to also add a sleek look to jeans or a casual outfit.

A jacket such as this is extremely versatile and will go great with almost all patterns and colors.

Dark tailored jeans: Jeans are a smart wardrobe investment. Fit your jeans to your derier (butt) if the waist needs adjustment take them to a Tailor and have them professionally altered.  Hips, thighs, and derier must fit properly.
 

A good neutral t-shirt: A good t-shirt will be a wardrobe staple. Purchase a nice form fitted tee that will cover your midsection well and be form fitting.

Black, Brown, Gray, or your neutral pants: These are a wardrobe essentials, especially for women in business! 

Sweater in a neutral color: A sweater is a good way to keep warm but still look good and the thing is, they come in so many variations that there is a sweater for any person! Try to get a nice form fitting one, just because its cold outside doesn't mean you should be drowning in fabric.

A Neutral Skirt pencil or A line depending on your shape is a great way to add a boosts of elegance.
Lastly get some really beautiful tights, there are ones at Express that are lacy and have a beautiful floral design. They can really add elegance to any outfit!

Panic at the Mall

Shopping ordeal as portrayed by Blake Wright, daughter of Darin Wright, founder of elea blake cosmetics.

The Scene: A terrifyingly packed mall during tax free weekend.

The Mission: Get needed items before a return to Charleston, SC for college.

The Setback: Blake Wright's impatience and terror of packed spaces and long hours of shopping

The reluctance of her daughter to go shopping was of no concern for Darin Wright, whose joy was the thrill of the hunt for clothing apparel and deals. Dragging her daughter along the packed mall of persistent shoppers enjoying tax free weekend, Wright hunted for the perfect bathing suit her daughter needed for her college. This mission was a lot more daunting then it may seem, as Chattanooga is not a beach location and therefore had very limited bathing suit options. With little faith, Blake plodded behind her mother sighing and complaining.

Suddenly her mother stopped and showed her a somewhat meager collection of bathing suits priced around ten dollars. Knowing her daughter's distrust of colors besides black and white, a waste of a True Winter as her sister, Elea, jealously pointed out, she pulled out colors she identified as 'hers'.

Looking to irritate her mother, Blake pulled out her True Winter booklet smugly thinking her mother could not possibly identify a True Winter color just by browsing speedily through a clothing rack. Holding up her blues to the bathing suit, her smug face slowly crumbled into defeat, as the bright blue was indeed her color.

Outcome: Blake tried on the bright blue bathing suit, ended up loving it and purchasing it for a bargain.

Lesson: Never try to outdo the color experts... especially if they are your mother.

Silly, Step Away From Those Counters

You got your color analysis, you got your color book... now what?

At elea blake cosmetics we believe that color permeates more than just your wardrobe. Getting your color analysis done, only to continue using makeup that isn't your fit, is not only a waste of money but... well frankly... it hurts our color loving hearts.

Sure you can go to the makeup counters and desperately try to find you skin tone or your correct color match, but that is a lot of time wasted in a rather foolish pursuit. You see, we have done all the painstaking work for you. Not only do we guarantee that we have your color but we also can assure you that our makeup is better for your skin. You can go to our website, or call us at 423-266-6222 if you need any help identifying just what you need. We promise to help you begin this exciting journey into color any way we can!