Making Up My Mom

I’d like to introduce you to someone immensely special to me. I present to you, none other than my mom!

Believe it or not, I don’t think I’ve ever actually done my mom’s makeup start to finish, so when POPSUGAR reached out, asking if I’d like to talk about the person who taught me about respect for the RESPECT! Challenge, Futures Without Violence, it clicked. There is no one else in the world I could ever credit more than this woman right here, for instilling in me a sense of self-respect, and teaching me how to treat others. Sprinkled throughout are some of my favorite quotes from my mom <3

“It’s more important to be classy than trendy.”

Respect controls and determines so much in a woman’s life–in anyone’s life. Respect is both asked for and earned. I’ve noticed that you are willing to do so much more, go so many more extra miles, for someone whom you respect. I know this because I’ve experienced it, been compelled to do so, and not so compelled at other times. Your sense of self respect determines who you will end up with as friends and partners, what you will tolerate and what you will not. It often makes the difference between “I’ll stay” or “I’ll leave.”

“Don’t call boys. Let them call you.”

I am talking about respect at a time in which we are also discussing and dissecting Kim Kardashian’s choice to pose straight-up nude in Paper Magazine. It’s quite easy to just say this woman clearly has no self-respect. However, I believe that everyone has their own standards for which they measure up to. Kim Kardashian obviously does not feel that posing nude is disrespectful. I don’t think I have to tell you that she obviously lives by a different set of standards than you and I do.

“Be a lady.”

I think it’s most important to establish your own set of guidelines. What might be acceptable in your friend’s relationship or life might be entirely unacceptable to you. That is because we have different definitions and levels of self-respect. That does not make one person right or the other person wrong. I think what is most important is that you are following your own set of guidelines.

“Don’t ever give someone the satisfaction of saying they had you.”

There are just certain things that I don’t feel are true to the Ivy Boyd brand. Looking at yourself from a marketing perspective may sound cold, but if you are a young woman looking to go places in the professional world, establishing your personal brand and who you are and want to become, it’s well worth investigating what brand you’re promoting.

“When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.”

My mom did so many things that fostered my sense of self-respect, but there is one thing that I think is more important than anything else. My mom told me I was smart more than she told me I was beautiful. She told me I was beautiful too, and still does-God love her, but I remember her saying how smart and capable I was more than anything. She made me feel like I could do big things-anything! She made me feel like the things that I was into, like art, were cool and important. She helped me to like myself, and in turn, respect myself.

Now for the makeup!

Something I love about my mom is that she doesn’t do the weird lie about her age thing. She doesn’t refuse to answer when people ask. She is 55. She’s earned it and she owns it!

For her makeup, I did several key things that apply to all women in this age group:

• Aging skin is often dry skin. Wrinkles are accentuated when skin is dry so hydration is paramount. When your skin is well-hydrated, wrinkles are actually plumped up. I used a rich cream you’ll notice, Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate.
• Shimmer enhances texture (a.k.a. wrinkles) on the eyelid area so I’m using all matte shadows from the Stila In the Know palette. It’s one of my favorite matte palettes ever. I highly recommend it.
• Eyeliner can skip and drag over aging eyelids so I always make sure I smudge it out! Make sure you pick a soft liner like Sephora Contour Eye Pencil.
• As you age, your lips lose collagen. Aint that a B. So use lipsticks and glosses with creamy, hydrating texture. I also used NYX Lip Primer to help fill in any creases or cracks.
• I used a cream foundation which looks like skin and is less likely to sit on top of your wrinkles the way powders can. I only used a translucent setting powder and powder blush. I applied the foundation with a beautyblender for added hydration and a flawless finish.
• Apply an eye cream prior to undereye concealer to avoid a dry, pruny skin look here. I used Origins GinZing about 20 minutes before I applied concealer.

I love you so much mom. Teaching me self-respect and to respect others is one of the greatest gifts you’ve given me <3

Who taught you about respect? Take the #RespectChallenge2014 and tell me in the comments below!