5 years of waking up for makeup
This beauty blog turns 5 years old today. I’ve also been doing makeup professionally for that same amount of time. I started doing makeup and writing this blog when I was 28 years old. A lot has happened in 5 years so, I wanted to reflect for a sec.
In the past 5 years of writing Wake Up For Makeup and doing makeup, I:
- Have had the opportunity to create content for brands I love like Colourpop and LORAC
- Was a regular contributor to various women’s interest sites
- Was featured a few times on Buzzfeed
- Achieved the goal of competing in the Allure Beauty Blogger Awards
- Met amazing individuals, fellow bloggers, makeup artists and beauty lovers
- Spoke at blogger conferences
- Received PR packages that made me cry
- Participated in live TV segments
- Traveled to LA and New York
- Figured out how to film and edit video
- Made the decision to transition my blog to cruelty-free
- Received rude comments
- Fell asleep while writing blog posts
- Did makeup during New York Fashion Week
- Filmed entire tutorials and deleted all the footage on accident
- Filmed entire tutorials and deleted all the footage on purpose
- Re-evaluated what I think is beautiful in makeup
- Felt embarrassed by previous posts and videos
- Felt proud of previous posts and videos
One thing that I haven’t done in the past 5 years though is lose my desire to keep doing this. I have never, for one moment, not wanted to be here. I’ve never thought about quitting. I have never felt less than grateful.
I obviously cringe at my old looks, posts and videos but I was literally learning how to be better at makeup along with you guys. I have been growing, finding my style, voice and perspective on beauty for the past 5 years and I’m just so lucky to have had you to keep me company along the way.
If you’re wanting to start a blog to make money or get free things, I’ll tell you not to start. It is not money or products that will keep you coming back for 5 years. It isn’t Instagram likes that will push you to work when you’re super sick or meet a deadline because it’s important to you. It is a love that you cannot manufacture or muster with money.
The love I have felt because of Wake Up For Makeup is the greatest gift I’ve received and I have you to thank for that. Thank you all for being here. Love you lots.
Melissa Ramsey
10/31/2017 at 11:33 AMCongrats! Here’s to 5 more! 🎊
Ivy Boyd
10/31/2017 at 11:24 PMThank you, friend!
Debbi
10/31/2017 at 11:35 AMThanks for sharing with this blog. I found you through Root makeup. I love your posts and have learned a lot. Keep it up!
Ivy Boyd
10/31/2017 at 11:24 PMThank you so much, Debbi!
Liz
10/31/2017 at 2:14 PMHappy five years! I found myself nodding as I read the part about “finding your style, your voice, your perspective”. It’s such an evolution, no matter when you start — and in a blog environment, it’s ALL out there, even the missteps or the pictures we post that make us cringe ha! But it’s all part of the story, and yours is a fantastic one. Love following you and your work (and getting to meet you this fall!). Cheers to you and Waking Up for Makeup. *Clink!*
Ivy Boyd
10/31/2017 at 11:24 PMAww, thank you Liz! Hope to see you again soon!
Janine Markham
11/01/2017 at 7:29 AMHas it really been five years already? Holy crow! Congrats girl, love your posts, and your cats, and Jake takeovers, and of course those horse neighbors of yours!
Ivy Boyd
11/01/2017 at 8:18 PMThanks a mill, Janine! I am so thankful for your support and interest in my silliness 🙂
Lisa
11/06/2017 at 9:51 AMCongratulations, girl! I love visiting the blog for all my needs. 😉
Mara
11/06/2017 at 12:43 PMI found you on insta 😍💜😘💕❤️
Erica
11/06/2017 at 9:31 PMCongrats!!
Hannah
11/06/2017 at 9:39 PMCongrats on 5 years 💜💕😻😻