Makeup: Paint for the Face

With or without makeup, you're awesome!

All throughout my life, I've heard a lot of the issues that people have with makeup.

For instance, some think it's pretentious, as they assume that we are insecure and hide who we really are when we wear it.

While I'm not here to change anybody's mind about anything, I just wanted to put my personal perspective out there for anyone who enjoys using makeup, yet feels like s/he might be doing the "wrong" thing by devoting time and energy to something that's been called "superficial." Maybe you can relate to something here.

Personally, I don't see makeup as a MUST.

You don't need it to love nor accept yourself.

You don't HAVE TO wear it before you step outside.

Simplistically, I don't think that true beauty has anything to do with externals. What we choose to do with our appearance can say a lot about the kind of person on the inside, but I don't think that someone who is well-groomed--attractive though she may be to look at--is automatically the kindest or most compassionate person.

I also wouldn't go to the other end of the spectrum and say that this person is vain and selfish just because she looks good. That's more of a judgement than a fact.

Being well-groomed is what it is; the person took the time to look nice, but to assume he is either a "good" or "bad" individual because of this says more about the one doing the judging than the one being judged.

While it is true that makeup can be used to disguise what doesn't feel particularly flattering to you, like undereye circles and uneven skin pigmentation, I personally look at it more as a plaything than a lie.

I enjoy playing with makeup because I like being artistic, and if my face can serve as a canvas for this passion of mine, I'll take it. By all means, I'll gladly paint others' faces too, hahaha!

All those colors to experiment with...

All the looks to create and recreate...

Such thoughts make my blood rush through my veins, instead of merely flowing through them.

Besides, I don't believe that our personality is who we truly are anyway (as compared to the soul, which has greater depth). It's more of a tool to navigate through the world, and who's to say you shouldn't be bolder than you usually are, or more soft-spoken today as compared to yesterday, if it pleases you?

Makeup--along with other things, such as your hairstyle and your outfit--can assist you with getting into character for expressing your mood or using the world as your stage if you want to play out any fantasies. It is a tool that helps you look sophisticated one day, wild the next, and avant-garde next week, if that's your thing.

And if it isn't, that doesn't make those who do love it terrible people just because you don't share the same interests. How do we know that the person we've formed a negative opinion about based on our own issues isn't actually a really awesome person? Whether they are or they aren't is, more often than not, not even our business in the first place.

I'll be back on this blog soon. If you found this relevant and want more, you can click HERE for an older post along the same lines, and HERE for a vlog on the subject on my YouTube channel.

Wishing you a BEAUTIFUL day,

~Lea

On Red Lips

When I was thirteen going on fourteen, I was in a beauty pageant for teenagers. I used pink lipstick whenever I made myself up for pageant events, because I felt it was fresh and youthful, basically age-appropriate.

However, the pageant organizer, who hailed from the days of perfectly coiffed and made up old school film stars, always told me to put some lipstick on.

What he meant, of course, was to put RED lipstick on.

After all, despite its status in the distant past as something that painted ladies put on to appear more enticing to customers, red lipstick had become a classy classic--an accessory that could make a woman look pulled together and dressed up, even if she wore no other makeup.

While I've grown to appreciate this item of makeup, I also still love wearing pink and nude lip shades. As a makeup artist especially, why choose only one color?

Blowing you lipstick kisses,

~Lea

P.S.: You may also like this blog entry, also on lipstick: http://yourmostbeautifullife.blogspot.com/2010/09/standout-lips.html

...and here's a recent pin-up tutorial where pink-red lipstick is used as an alternative to true red:

Click HERE for the tutorial

What Matters Most

With my precious baby boy

When you get a wake-up call that threatens to turn your life upside down in quite frightening ways, you realize all the more what really matters.

You find yourself making choices that you wouldn't have made before, because your well-being depends on a new way of life now.

I can't assume that everyone who finds themselves in such a situation would feel or act the same way, but that's exactly what I've been experiencing lately.

Without going into to much detail so I don't bog you down, I've had to change my entire diet along with a bunch of eating habits. This wasn't a New Year's resolution--in fact, I hadn't made any. Yet, it was a necessary move if I wanted to stay alive.

I am grateful that the changes aren't just going to help me survive, they are actually going to help make my life much better, as I've chucked quite a few foods I used to have on a regular basis, if not everyday.

You might think, Oh, but you can go slow. Cold turkey's not necessary, but see, I just can't touch those foods anymore. The moment I have them, even in small amounts, my body reacts in ways I wouldn't wish on anyone.

Besides, it's not like I gave up healthy foods; what I've crossed off my list are items that aren't good for anyone to make a habit of eating or consuming anyway despite any pros there may be for ingesting them.

So goodbye, caffeine... Goodbye, refined sugars.

Since my list of foods from the past has dwindled considerably, now the only other option left to me if I want to get and stay better is to eat healthy foods in order to have a balanced diet.

We take something good for granted, and only start to realize how much of a blessing it was once we no longer have it, or something changes that we no longer have the same access to what we once had... even if only temporarily.

And now, all the more do I want to reserve my energy and attention for the things and beings that uplift me. Arguments and negativity in various forms only drain my time and precious energy. You really feel how sucked you are of your strength when you've gotten so sensitive due to these changes, that you want to devote what you do have to things that make you smile, in turn raising your energy.

The good news is, the changes I've made have been helping a great deal. While I still am in the process of stabilizing and getting used to this new way of eating, I am feeling much better than I did in the past few weeks, when my body started to signal to me its need for nutrients rather than empty calories.

I don't want to sound preachy, but I just have to say that in my experience, it's true: what you eat does matter. What you put into your body does make a difference. It took more than three decades for me to get that, but I think the lesson's finally sinking in. :)

So... how has your 2011 been so far? Here's to a really blessed (and more conscious already it seems!) year for those who want it!

Love,

~Lea

Finally: New Vlog!

It's been quite a while since I last posted an inspirational vlog where I ponder upon subjects I feel passionately about, and share what moves me with anyone out there who also just might find the topic personally affecting.

In a few hours from now, after quite a few requests from some viewers of my YouTube channel, I am finally uploading a new vlog with a spiritual theme.

I thought I'd start my return to the world of vlogging with a beauty-related post so that those who come to my channel for the makeup tutorials won't feel neglected; maybe some of you out there who haven't previously been into self-exploration and metaphysics might even find that you're also very much interested in this other passion of mine.

Take note: I am using this occasion as well to more visibly incorporate my metaphysical work into my makeup artistry. In my life, there's no way when I paint a face--my own or anyone else's--that there's nothing more to it than what meets the eye. Applying makeup to me isn't about denying what I look like, even when a look is on the elaborate side; for me, it's a way to have fun with expression... to play or even role-play, since all the world's a stage.

Besides, makeup is just an extension of my love for beauty.

...and I don't mean this in what might be labeled "superficial," where what you see on the surface is everything. I've spoken of this in at least one older blog post (click on "older blog post" to see it): There is beauty and inspiration even in situations that may be taken for granted as they are so commonplace to the beholder, or appear unattractive as they are perceived as dark and dreary.

Yes, you read that right--when I speak of beauty, I am not just referring to what looks lovely. The nature, vibe, or feel of a person, situation, event, or anything else has a lot to do in my book with how beautiful it truly is regardless of how it appears on the surface.

So, if you have been waiting for me to post a vlog again, it will be up on my channel by tomorrow. On the other hand, if you're new to this aspect of what I do, thanks for joining me here today all the same. See you later!

♥,

~Lea

Me, excited after a year of posting video tutorials but not vlogs!

Can I do your makeup, pretty please with whipped cream on top?! :)

Since I was little, I've loved beauty, glamour and The Arts.

In terms of expression during those much younger days, I particularly enjoyed sketching designs of outfits I came up with in my head, applying crayon makeup to Barbie and her friends in my coloring books, and wearing a different hairstyle to school everyday.

Some people thought these loves and behaviors of mine were weird and/or impractical, but my enjoyment of lovely things and the process of creating them remains to this day, and I embrace them with all of my heart!

After all, whether you and I share the same interests or not, we can coexist on this planet as long as we make it a point to never infringe on anyone else's rights or free will.

What's more, we can pretend to be someone other than who we really are inside, but that won't make our personal truth go away. For instance, I've played up other sides of myself--such as the intellectual, the mystic, the nerdy bookworm, the rebel, et cetera, et cetera--in the past to cover up both the artist and the beauty lover, but I eventually ended up feeling like a big fat walking lie.

...and I can't live like that. The voice of my Authentic Self has always been too loud for me to ignore.

In my experience, there were challenges in the beginning when I chose the path of being true to myself regardless of who would approve or disapprove, but you know, the disapproving ones disappeared from my personal reality the more comfortable I became with no longer having to hide who I am and what I fancy. In other words, the people surrounding me and, more importantly, my reactions to their reactions were all just reflecting back to me where I stood at the moment. Once I had no more need of certain reminders or life lessons, the people and experiences who were there for me to test out my responses to these automatically went away so they were no longer part of my life... OR they seemed to change so that I could actually enjoy them instead of being rubbed the wrong way by them.

So.

All that said, can I do your makeup pretty please?! :)

Whether you enjoy experimenting with makeup to enhance your natural beauty, or as a smoke and mirrors way to create different looks, I invite you to come play with me as Lea, the makeup artist.

If you need some help with looking extra stunning for a special occasion--like a wedding, huge movie premiere, prom or other party where pictures are going to be taken liberally throughout the event--I would love, love, LOVE to do your makeup!

If you've never seen my work before, you can go to my YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/LeaWhiteFeather to view some makeup tutorials created with love. If you like what you see and don't want to miss future videos, make sure you subscribe as there's so much more to come over there. For quicker updates, feel free to join me on Facebook as well: www.facebook.com/yourmostbeautifullife

And if you decide you want your makeup done by me or want my assistance with personalized lessons so you can learn how to do your own makeup flatteringly and with a professional touch, I invite you to get in touch with me HERE and I look forward to using your face as a canvas for one of the most enjoyable arts I've ever indulged in!

I currently work out of my own location, which is in Los Angeles, CA, so keep that in mind prior to setting up our makeup playdate.

All my best,

~Lea

***

If you've never heard of me before but happened to stumble across this blog post and are curious about my background, here is my brief bio as it appeared on one of my Beauty Editor's pages:

I have been a professional makeup artist and instructor since 2004; however, my passion for beauty goes all the way back to childhood, which is when I began educating myself on the subject. Aside from facilitating one-on-one sessions and workshops on makeup and beauty, I also maintain a beauty blog and write articles that have been published online. I have worked in locations such as the Philippines, New Jersey, New York, the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. You can find me as well at www.youtube.com/LeaWhiteFeather

Coming to You from Los Angeles

I've finally arrived at my new home today. Of course, a lot of unpacking will need to be done, and there will have to be some decorating as well before my new house can become a home, so to speak.

However, the process excites me because the journey IS the destination.

Even though I've had a home I didn't share with anyone but my sweetheart prior to this, I didn't decorate it because it didn't feel like we were going to be there for very long.

This time, it's a different story; as a teaser for anyone who follows my YouTube videos, I now live in an authentic 1920s building that's been restored and maintained by the property owner, so yay! I have an awesome new backdrop to film my home videos from. And since all around me are historic and other attractive spots, I'll see what I can do as well about filming vlogs regarding locations that appeal to me.

If you reside in the Los Angeles area and enjoy my videos or my work, you may want to come to a workshop I am tentatively calling "Be Your Own Makeup Artist" sometime within 2010. I am also available for one-on-one lessons, so you're more than welcome to get in touch with me if knowing how to apply your makeup flatteringly is one of your priorities or makes a huge difference in your line of work. It thrills me to meet anyone who approaches life and its nooks and crannies as an art rather than just plain routine!

Thanks for stopping by today. I'll be back with more updates and news of upcoming projects really soon.

At Madame Tussauds Hollywood with Jennifer Aniston's wax likeness.

Signing off from Tinseltown,

~Lea

Getting (More) Creative on YouTube

Photo of my Kristen Stewart-Style Makeup on YouTube, the video for which you can view here

I am so thrilled to be making improvements to my YouTube channel!

As I write this I am still in the planning stages, but feel like I can't wait for the changes to be in effect already. After all, being perfectionistic is one of my personality traits; while I don't want to let that stop me from getting anything done, I feel like my world is a little better when I can allow my artistry (sometimes also known as "sense of control" hahahahaha!) to be ever present down to the so-called little things in life.

Since my YouTube channel has been serving as an outlet for creative expression--another highly vital part of my Earthly existence--I will be making the experience as rich and pleasant as I possibly can as time goes by. This way, it will be beneficial for me as I exercise my creativity, and will be more enjoyable for viewers as well.

It's a surprise at the moment exactly what I will be doing, but I hope and pray that I will have started "Your Most Beautiful Life" version 2 on YouTube before 2009 ends.

Let's just say for now that you can expect a great deal more color, lots more texture and an overall more professional feel to the videos as we go along. Maybe not all at once, but this is the direction I intend to be moving along in.

In the meantime, I will continue making videos, switching elements up a little bit here and there as I evolve in my video editing skills and get more ideas. Let me leave you for now with a video I worked really hard on just so it would produce a decent thumbnail for you to click on (I am not a YouTube partner yet as I write this, but I will be soon enough and can finally pick which thumbnails to go with my videos instead of choosing from only three that YouTube churns out--I am thankful to all who watch my videos and have subscribed to my channel; your doing so speeds up the journey towards YouTube partnership).

Presenting my "Megan Fox-Style Makeup Application" how-to video:

(This blog has been ready for about a day now actually, as I've been waiting for my final version of the video to come through especially for this entry.)

I will see you again soon. Look for me on http://youtube.com/LeaWhiteFeather if you want more updates and uploads on a regular basis. Do subscribe for FREE too while you're over there, and you'll catch my promised exciting changes. Thank you for joining me here today!

Love,

~Lea

"Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me..."

Beautiful photo by Leprechaun Art

As what I see in the world lately is more chaotic rather than harmonious, I am seriously considering a major life revamp. After all, what is mirrored back at us is but a reflection of decisions we've made and circumstances we've allowed to be a part of our life experience.

Even though I believe that chaos plays a role sometimes in breaking down old ways that are sorely lacking in integrity, I would love to not be surrounded mostly by disorder, especially for extended periods of time. What brings me relief is that we can choose to take care of the state of our hearts and minds regardless of what is happening on the outside.

I know it can be challenging sometimes to maintain our cool when someone is being rude, disrespectful, self-righteous and what have you, but it is revealing at the same time how this behavior from others shows up more in our lives at certain times but not so much in others. Have you noticed how when you're in a state of feeling good and grateful that the world overall appears to be a better place? It's not that mean people cease to exist for a few moments, it's more like you're attuned to a different kind of energy that you don't cross paths at the time with anything that's so far beyond your current state; even if you do, you're less likely to notice it or are quicker to forgive or to brush off what would be unpleasant or unfavorable on another day.

So yeah... my personal reality as of late is pointing the way towards a shift in priorities. Not that I've ever given up on the things that have always meant a lot to me, such as spirituality, the Arts, and beauty--it's more like the manner in which I've been living could be healthier in the sense that I focus less on what society in general seems to be giving importance, when it doesn't feel right to me if I want to be true to my personal compass.

In the U.S. for instance, money appears to be at the top of the list. I wouldn't say there's anything wrong with money itself, as it can be instrumental in helping the world or in paving the way for someone to live the life of her dreams; however, when your whole life revolves around acquiring money and/or material things, especially to the point where this is all you do and you ignore other aspects of living, where's the balance? Whatever happened to going beyond merely existing, and what happens to your inner self? If you choose such a life, what happens if you lose all these possessions due to circumstances that are beyond your control, such as forces of nature--who will you be then?

I don't know yet exactly what I'll be doing to shift my reality into something that's more peaceful, regardless of what is going on elsewhere in the world. At this point, I'm thinking more along the lines of simplifying. Whether this means merely taking the time to enjoy what has always been there--like to sit among the trees--or to actually live in a more quiet and less busy location, I have yet to find out.


Peace be with you,
~Lea


P.S.
Only a couple of hours after I wrote this entry, a possibility/option immediately opened up to me. Thank you, Great Spirit. I'll let you know how it goes, dear readers, in case you're looking for an inspiring true story. Much love to you today and always.

More About This Blog and Blogger

Yes, this is a beauty blog.

However... it is different from all the other ones which are classified under the same heading.

What sets this beauty blog apart from the rest is how it goes beyond discussing beauty products and makeup application techniques. Beauty in its familiar and more recognizable forms will certainly be touched upon in some of my posts, but so will metaphysics and spirituality. After all, inner beauty has a lot to do with one's spiritual practices and beliefs. Not to mention that metaphysics is a very huge part of who and what I, the blogger, am about.

Now I know I've already mentioned a little bit about my makeup artistry in the past. This time I am going to talk more about metaphysics in case any of you who follow my blog want some kind of background on it or my work with it.

Aside from being a writer and artist, I am also a professional intuitive who gives private readings and facilitates workshops on the subject. The journey that led to that is a pretty lengthy one to document here, so you'd be better off reading it in its entirety in my book once it gets published.

In a nutshell however, I grew up with a heightened intuitive perception, which includes being able to read people's energy. "Read" means just that: I knew things about people just by coming into contact with them.

From a young age, I also knew or dreamt about things that proved to be true. Some of these related to events yet to happen, others were more of an indication that things were a certain way, such as someone possessing a particular personality trait, for instance. This has been helpful in confirming what I already felt or knew to begin with, or in at least keeping my eyes open to something I may have been blind to.

This ability has always been such a part of me. I never looked at it as a so-called supernatural skill, and only realized much later that others weren't quite as sensitive to energy, hence the need to label such a manifestation as something else, be it "weird" or "awesome."

I finally began educating myself on extrasensory perception and the like at great lengths once I started college, co-founding the first paranormal society at my university in the process. In my second year of college, I was the founding president of the organization. It was also at this time that I began officially giving other people readings. I taught myself how to use tarot cards, which I found hindered more than helped because the symbolism on the cards would pull me one way while my visions or sense of knowing would take me in another direction. I'm not saying the cards were wrong or misleading--I'm saying that what was making itself known to me came at a clearer and much more rapid rate than I could ever interpret the cards based on what they traditionally stood for.

That was in 1996. Since then, I have continued to learn everything I can about spiritual--aka "psychic"--abilities and metaphysical concepts. Other than reading all the books on the subject I could get my hands on, I've worked as an assistant to a prominent psychic researcher and have attended several workshops and seminars--such as Doreen Virtue's Angel Therapy Practitioner® course--on further developing these soul abilities.

(The word "psyche" in Greek means "soul" or "mind." Hence "psychic" is "of the soul" or "of the mind," whichever you favor. It's not as mysterious or scary once you begin breaking it down into bite-size pieces.)

I've also studied healing, and am a Level 2 Reiki Practitioner. It's only one step away from being a Reiki Master, but I do not currently feel called to further this aspect of my spiritual studies.

Instead, I have worked on fine tuning my interpretation of energy and my ability to hear helpful and uplifting messages from Spirit. I do my best to put into words what I pick up so that my clients can understand the information I see and sense in all other ways.

If you are unfamiliar with metaphysics, suffice it to say for now that it's a branch of philosophy that explores the true nature of reality. Hence, when you're probing beyond what is visible, you're delving into metaphysics. When you wonder about your purpose in life, your soul's blueprint and other related matters, you're treading on metaphysical ground as well.

If you are interested in understanding yourself and your life better, or are committed to feeling more fulfilled, try looking outside of what you've believed all your life or were taught when you were little.

You just might discover that a much larger Universe exists outside of the one you've always known.

As for my story, there's a lot more to it, but I'll give us both a much needed break for now. In the meantime, you can look for me on Twitter but do check back here as the best is yet to come...!

What about you--in what ways have your God-given spiritual abilities and intuition played a role in your life?


~Lea

On Makeup and Creativity

Even if you have no plans of becoming a professional makeup artist, makeup application can be valuable in your daily life. Aside from any personal reasons you can think of or come up with on why this is so, applying your makeup is an opportunity for you to get creative.

If you don't paint or draw, or simply never thought of yourself as an artistic person, why not have fun creating new looks as your very own makeup artist? Those who don't have a steady hand needn't worry, as there are techniques so your makeup is flattering regardless of how skillful--or not--you initially are with brushes and pencils.

Rest assured, makeup does not always have to look so finished and polished to the last detail for it to appear more than acceptably attractive. Unstructured makeup is one of the looks even the most skilled pros create on the faces of top models on elite designer catwalks.

I'll share numerous makeup application tips and tricks with you in future posts. In the meantime...

Cultivate your creativity no matter what uplifting and empowering methods appeal to you. If you do, life will be more infused with color and texture than if you resort to the same old approaches every time.


Have a beautiful life!
~Lea

Seeing What's Beautiful

I have a secret to share with you.

I used to trivialize beauty.

I've had phases where I'd go out in old, ratty clothes and my house slippers (even when I had more money than I ever had) because I had issues about putting my best self out in the open for all to see.

This wasn't because I didn't know there was anything of real worth or value in beauty; on the contrary, it was because beauty has always mattered to me immensely but I felt "bad" somehow for being wired that way.

Growing up, I was exposed to ways of thinking that minimized beauty's importance. Having Art as a college major was frowned upon for instance, and being open about wanting to look nice was seen as vain, like some kind of sin almost. You could look good of course, but heaven forbid it didn't come effortlessly.

My people-pleasing self back in those days felt like it could only survive in such a world by catching the least possible attention. If I was noticed for something most everyone else seemed to value, such as academic accomplishments, that was all right--I just couldn't let on that I liked anything other than what that society deemed worthwhile. What kid doesn't want to just fit in and be accepted, or at the very least be left alone rather than bullied or questioned?

Now that I have been on the planet for 30 years however, I have lived long enough to discover that there is more peace in accepting who I am. Following my inner compass is what leads to my personal bliss, which in turn gives joy to those who are meant to be helped by what I put out into the world.

We all have different missions on Earth, so there is no need to attempt to fulfill a purpose not your own. Someone else will take care of that.

You don't ever have to be what you're not.

Your beauty as an individual comes from your unique configuration, which is where your particular strengths lie as well.

As for me, I've finally come out of the closet where I was hiding my love for beauty (among other things, which I'll probably blog about at a later time). Tangible beauty after all is one of the most amazing parts of the human experience. To begin with, Mother Nature is filled with such stunning sights for all to partake of!

Besides, even if beauty isn't one of your priorities in this lifetime, I'm sure that many won't deny how it helps to have clean and pleasant surroundings to work in and sleep in. To give another example, when we consciously pick friends, we want those who have traits we consider beautiful and appealing.

To become more of a genuinely beautiful person from the inside-out, acknowledge all that you find lovely in life.

What's beautiful in your world today?

~Lea

A Quick Word on Beauty

Me with no makeup

As we don't all find the same things beautiful, you may very well define "beauty" differently from the way I do. While I think beauty is too broad a concept to accurately capture in so few words, I would at least like to share where I am coming from when I talk about it.

Beauty, to me, goes beyond what is pleasant to the physical senses. Although beauty in its material form can certainly be uplifting, beauty is never only skin deep. There is that intangible inner beauty that one takes with her (or him) wherever she goes regardless of whether she is dressed in the finest clothes or has any makeup on.

I will be posting entries here on both inner and outer beauty; along with being a professional makeup artist, I am also a metaphysical practitioner in love with all that is gorgeous in the Universe. Know that, despite how much I enjoy playing with cosmetics, I am not promoting makeup as a way to cover up anyone's low self-esteem issues. Makeup application is an art to have fun with; choosing the most flattering makeup is the same as picking out the clothes, shoes and hairstyles that help you feel your best because you've put in an effort to take care of yourself. If you happen to be one of those people to whom none of those matter, that's fine. If you like getting glammed up and dressed up on the other hand, that's okay too.

Different strokes! ;)


~Lea