The Necessity of an Update

Now that I'm a working girl once again, I am appalled at my lack of availability for even the most basic of routine activities. I love doing laundry, and I haven't gotten around to mine in weeks! So indeed, I resort to making excuses as to why I haven't updated my most beloved blog in far too long. And in order to make things fair, you should know that I definitely do not have enough time every single afternoon to slap down an outstanding post. Therefore, mark Tuesdays and Thursdays as designated post days, with a few extracurricular events from time to time. I truly hope nobody's feelings are smashed in the door by this alteration.

A few pleasant insights to my life as of this day:

Work, while time-consuming, is stupendous. I count myself among the lucky numbered who actually find themselves happy and successful in their early working days. For those of you in my area, come to ULTA's Grand Opening on Friday! If for nothing more than to check us out, I promise to help you have a great experience. And I don't just say that because it's my job. I have so much fun, and you should too!

Speaking of work, the associate handbook recommends that ULTA associates maintain an appearance consistent with ULTA's current image. This, they suggest, includes wearing makeup carried at their store, always reapplying lipstick or lip gloss as needed, and changing hairstyle and color on a relatively frequent basis. Demanding? Yes. But I have it under control. Today the one woman to whom I entrust my short hair helped me out this afternoon. Constructive criticism is more than welcome.

{BEFORE}

{AFTER}

Alarmingly Charming (finally) created a Facebook page! Also, we recorded a select few songs and made some quick videos the other day, which you would do well to watch on my YouTube account. Expect regular updates from me and my partner in crime. If you're too lazy to click on the link, here are our two most recent uploads:

As demonstrated, lots can happen over a short period of time! But in this instance, things are improving.

Happy upgrading!

{Beauty Tuesday} Get Ready With Your Pal, Me!

       One fine day I was browsing the diverse land of YouTube when I saw a video of a young woman detailing the process she endures every morning to put on her face. After this, I began to see clip after clip of girls doing their makeup. For a while I was extraordinarily confused. One girl may review the latest product, but another may just appreciate the way her face looks from a certain angle and therefore deemed it necessary to stick a camera there while she sat and got pretty. At last it dawned on me. Some of these girls are completely unrecognizable before they slather on the face that everybody else in the world is used to seeing.

       Now, I'm an occasionally lazy individual, and on many days (usually during the sweaty heat of summer) I am not even slightly interested in taking precious time to make myself look especially delicious. So there are plenty of people who have seen me without makeup on, and I am more than fine with that! However, I must admit that I actually enjoy wearing makeup, and I think the right amount with the right application can make any woman's appearance improve. That said, I decided maybe I oughta try making one of these videos myself? I couldn't help but giggle watching the resulting video without sound...I dance and sing and make faces to music (not to mention having several continuous conversations with myself) while I get ready, and that doesn't translate incredibly well when the viewer can't actually hear the music I'm listening to or the words I'm saying. So, just pretend that my mouth is actually following the words.

This is right out of the shower, before doing anything.

This is after making my face up.

And this is how it's done...

       Before you judge me, please remember that I am a human being, just like you! I'm not always this good looking. Wink wink. While I will never pretend that my acne is supposed to be appealing, I am grateful for my flaws and imperfections. We're blessed with weaknesses so that we may turn them into strengths, like an excessively social personality, an obsession with knitting, or big eyebrows. Sometimes it's a relief to remind myself that I don't have it all just yet. I always have room for improvement, and there is a whole lot of "up" for me to go. Some of these videos are more of a reality check than anything else. I have no doubt mine was.

Happy getting ready!