The Covid-19 pandemic has shaken up the world! People can't help but fear, panic and worry about what is to come; it's understandable, these are trying times. All you want is to protect and take care of one another; making sure you have everything you need to survive. But what about your need to live? The world is not coming to an end, although it may seem like it. However, this too shall pass, and when this is all over how do you want to emerge from it?
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Now is not the time to curl up in a ball, hide in a corner and lose yourself; your happiness, beauty and pleasure still matter, now more than ever. Tapping into your divine feminine will help you rise above the fear and operate from a place of love, peace and happiness. Accessing your beauty and pleasure is not about being vain or insensitive to the current situation. It's about cultivating a sense of radiance, normalcy and mindfulness; it's important to stay grounded and self-care.
Here are several ways that you can prioritize your beauty and pleasure and become fully present with self.​

Get your morning routine all the way together!

​How you start your day, sets your day and your mood. It's also a great opportunity for some much needed self-care.

As a mother of three, a chaotic grand rising was the norm and still is sometimes. The crying, the fighting, the 1,000 mommy's in less than a minute, the yelling, the TV, computer and smart phones all going at once, was the sound of music in my home. Talk about stress and overwhelm bright and early, not a great way to start the day.

Instead of jumping out of bed all rushed and confused, I like to ease into the day as often as possible; because lets face it, every morning will not turn out as planned. However, we can definitely make an effort to have more stress free and pleasant mornings. 

I am going to share with you some tips on how to get your day off to a good start, incorporating some self-care. For not only a peace of mind, but to also set the tone for the entire day.

"Why makeup? You can do something better; people choose makeup because it's easy. It;s definitely not a career, it's a hobby; you can't make a living doing that. 

A statement I've heard to often, from people that didn't believe in my craft or respect the art.

I chose beauty not only because it is one of my strongest passions, but it's the connection I have with it and its ability to transform and bring out something beautiful in women.

You, see, makeup saved my life. From being bullied in school, to verbally and physically abused at home, to being molested; as you can imagine, I became very depressed and suicidal. However, playing with all the pretty colours and textures of makeup, gave me a break from my abusive reality. It also gave me a sense of confidence I lacked so deeply within myself.

 Did you know our mood plays a big part in our choices when it comes to fashion and beauty? You may have chosen a particular outfit because you felt sexy, or a hairstyle because you felt bold.

The same thing goes for when you choose your makeup style, in particular, your lip colour. Like mood rings that change colour when you are sad, happy or angry, you can also choose lipstick shades based on the same analogy. 

Whether you prefer lipstick, glosses or lip stains, there is a shade to go with whatever you are feeling and match your mood. Below are a few examples of the perfect lip colour for some of the more common moods. 

​​Lipstick shades featured are from the Nicole Webster Essentials collection, launching soon! Visit their website and sign up for a chance to win some goodies from their launch giveaway! www.shopnicolewebster.com

I say yes! It is a great addition to your skin care regimen. Not only does it help with the above benefits; it is also a great stress reliever and fun! The stone/Crystal, also has a cooling effect on the skin, which is very soothing. 

Tip
Leave roller in fridge overnight to keep it cooler longer, increasing  benefits of reducing puffiness and refreshing the skin.

You can use it daily or a couple of times a week; whatever is best for your skin type and the results you are looking for. 

You are enough; what does being enough really mean. First and foremost being "enough" is not a judgement or destination. It doesn't mean you've reached the finish line and won the label "enough". It doesn't mean that you are absolutely perfect and there is no need for further growth, change or knowledge. Being enough is simply and honestly you!

Becoming enough is developed through self-discovery. When you come to the realization that you don't need to be anyone or anything else, you don't have to have it all together, you don't have to be solely dependent on self, you have insecurities and weakness like everybody else. You then become free to be yourself, as is and where you are. Can I just say how great it feels to fully accept who you are and stand in your truth? It doesn't mean that you are settling and will no longer change the things in your life and in your power that need to be changed in order to elevate yourself; it simply means you are being honest with yourself and acknowledging who you truly are at this very moment; without the need to prove yourself. Trying to be someone or something you are not is exhausting and only hinders you from getting to know the real you that deserves to be seen and loved. When you know you are enough, you know your worth and no imperfections or difficulties will reflect on that because you are who you are.

God doesn't make mistakes; you are who you are in this very moment. Through the ups and downs, your strengths and weaknesses, brokenness, mess and beautiful times; all you have to be is you, showing up for yourself and your life one day at a time; growing and embodying the women you were meant to be.

It's 2019! New Year and a evolving me; Over the year I have begun healing past hurt and pain, recognizing trigger points, being more honest with myself, coming to terms with things I need to change and recognizing a need for a deeper self-love. I look forward to continuing my journey into the New Year and empowering you to connect with your inner Goddess.

Join the Divine Beauty Sisterhood Facebook group and Newsletter to stay connected and have access to tools that will help you on your journey to cultivating authentic beauty from the inside out.

As I write this blog post my two year old daughter is climbing up my legs crying, to take over the computer.  Let’s face it ladies, we are busy. As mothers, wives, partners, working women, entrepreneurs, etc., our responsibilities are endless and our to-do lists are long. Take it from a single mom of three and business woman; I know how hectic life can get. ​We give and give to everyone and everything, leaving ourselves for last, if at all! This is clearly not healthy and not being kind to ourselves. 
 
​Self-care is a great way to relieve stress, balance and rejuvenate. When we take care of ourselves we are better equipped to take care of the people in our lives, perform better at work and with everyday tasks and have a more balanced, stress free life. It is a great benefit for your physical, mental/emotional and spiritual health.

We would all love for our makeup to have super powers and last for eternity; but in reality, after 4-6 hours you may just need a light touch up. This is especially the case if you haven't prepped your skin correctly before makeup application and if you have oily skin. With proper preparation and setting of your makeup, you could go as long as 8-10 hours without needing a touch up! Check out my pro makeup tips on how to prep, set and forget.

A common concern with multiple makeup touch ups throughout the day is your makeup beginning to look caked on or darker/lighter than your complexion. This can happen because of incorrect technique and products being used during touch up.

Generally, you want to have touch up sheets or Kleenex available to remove excess oil first; then set your makeup with a finely milled, translucent powder. Watch the video below for proper technique, application and additional information and tips on how to correctly touch up your makeup. If you follow these steps, I guarantee you will not need to touch up your makeup more than once for the day!

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