Get My Glow On? (Sometimes)

Posted on by Jessica McKeown

Oh, highlighter. So many beauty influencers and makeup novices alike just love covering themselves in the stuff and looking like they just bathed in canola oil. Throughout my time doing makeup, no product has ever made me feel as uncertain about it as highlighter.

Does having a bit of strong glow look nice every once in a blue moon? Absolutely. I’m far from anti-highlighter. I just never feel the need to put it practically all over my face or on my shoulders (as some people do). Nor do I feel like seeking out the boldest highlight that will let aliens pick me out of a crowd. When I do decide to glow, I like it softer to bringĀ just enough life into my dead-looking face (a look which I totally enjoy).

My go-to subtle highlight has been the Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in “Translucent Pearl”. Once I apply it using a slightly dampened fan brush, it leaves me with a tiny bit of glow noticeable when under proper lighting, which is fine. If you like minimal shine, I highly recommend it. (And of course, if you prefer a strong highlight, plenty of other ladies have those recommendations.)

What are your thoughts on using highlighter and types of highlighters? Let’s talk in the comments. I’d love to hear from you guys.

Makeup Playlist Faves #5 – “We Don’t Have to Dance” by Andy Black

Posted on by Jessica McKeown

Summer is just beginning, and that means one of my favorite events of the summer is also on the way: Vans Warped Tour! Even though I attended the festival a few years in a row, the music isn’t particularly what I seek out. (My musical tastes tend to lean a little more old-school rock and roll rather than pop punk or metalcore, which practically dominates the festival.)

Since the day I go for press coverage and friends is arriving, I figured I would make my music segment here a little lead-up to the day. “We Don’t Have to Dance” is one of Andy Black’s (aka Andy Biersack’s) catchier new tracks I felt like sharing; it’s nothing mind-blowing, but the music is fun.

Enjoy!

Partners In Projects

Posted on by Jessica McKeown

While I became a music journalist at 19 years old and continue it today, the photography part was never (and still isn’t) my forte. I know not everyone can have a talent for everything, but sometimes that lack of photography skills serves more as a disadvantage for me compared to my other press friends. However, my friend I wrote for handled all of the show photos, and I never had to worry much about those.

Fast forward to my current outlet, and I have more responsibility regarding every step of the editorial process (photos, contacting publicists and all). I can handle the writing and press communications just fine; photography is the only part that makes me nervous. Even when it comes to blogging on my website, the photography element of my media makes me more nervous than anything else because…well…I’m not good at it.

That’s where my brother comes in.

Conor heavily developed an interest in photography and graphic design near the end of his time in high school, which still goes strong today many years later. But even though he is great at taking pictures, he could never write a 100-word article or write professionally. As we’ve grown professionally, however, we seem to have come together when it comes to our work.

Not only has he taken photos for me in the past, but we also have some press work to do at our Vans Warped Tour date in July. Originally, I was in charge of photography for the day and trying to work out shooting the show with lack of experience as well as a lack of professional equipment, since Conor was supposed to be in Reno at that time. Well, that fell through, so now I’m throwing him to the wolves (which he’s perfectly happy about).

I’ve blabbed enough. But I’m excited to show you all what we’re capable of together.

Post-Wedding Rehab & Self Care

Posted on by Jessica McKeown

While my best friend’s wedding gave me a taste of just how stressful being in the wedding party can be, the day itself was incredibly beautiful. Not only was the venue beautiful, but all of us friends celebrating had a great time, too. The top photo is practically everyone’s new Facebook cover photo, since it captures the happiness and goofiness we all emit when we are together. But so much fun (and my niece getting a pretty owwie boo boo the other day from the dog) also calls for some personal R&R. And I’m more than happy to share some steps with you.

Continue reading “Post-Wedding Rehab & Self Care” →

I’ve Been Having a Tough Time…

Posted on by Jessica McKeown

Hello, all of you spooks. I know I promised the posting schedule will be better, but stressors on the outside have made it nearly impossible for me to focus on my work. My best friend is getting married on Saturday, which led to a few conflicts that blew up into something way worse than it should have been. (Luckily, everything is all right for now.) My full-time job at a casino was insanely busy due to Memorial Day weekend, and I also work extra days straight due to the wedding coming up over the weekend.

A positive side, though: I’m finally starting my Sundays and Mondays off this week, which will leave me so much more time for hangs with friends and actual dates with my boyfriend. (We see each other every week, but I’m not sure that sitting at his house doing his laundry while he works is not the most romantic thing in the book.) Not to mention I worked early yesterday and got to spend the night with my boyfriend, our friend, and his mother.

With every bad, you have to find a positive; at least that’s what I’ve taken away from things happening in my life. You don’t have to be okay all of the time, but you also can’t dwell in the sadness and stay stuck. It’s hard for me to remember that still sometimes.

I hope you all had a relaxing weekend and that you keep on trucking through the tough times in your journeys for happiness.

Maya Brooke 3/4 Sleeve Jacket Dress – Trendy or Trash?

Posted on by Jessica McKeown

Dresses are still sort of a new style for me, since I spent almost half of my life as a “tomboy” type of girl. My current job, however, convinced me to incorporate more dresses into my wardrobe and fewer baggy band shirts and sweatpants. I want my look to project the professional I perceive myself as to others. (Not to mention looking good always helps you feel good in general.)

A trip to JCPenney surprised me, though, when I saw this Maya Brooke dress. Patterns usually fail to catch my interest; I think the red jacket drew me in the most, though. I’ve been missing a sharp, business-like dress, and it just screamed that to me. I totally bought it.

But is it trendy, or is it just trash? Let’s break it down.

Continue reading “Maya Brooke 3/4 Sleeve Jacket Dress – Trendy or Trash?” →

Modeling, Makeup, and Mental Health Awareness Month

Posted on by Jessica McKeown

Though a shroud of stigmas surround them, mental illnesses are probably some of the most difficult disorders to try and deal with. It’s sad when people who don’t understand try to make it sound so easy to handle. On the other end, it’s also a bit exaggerated when people who suffer from disorders like depression and anxiety swear they are unable to at least try to keep it from ruining their life in any way.

Despite what people may think, things really do get better eventually.

I lack the need to lay my whole life out on the table, but I dealt with some tough events in the past up until this point. (Hell, some days the littlest things will still flare me up for a few minutes.) People died, a parent said goodbye (not forever, but had to leave the house), and I wrestled self-loathing the size of a brontosaurus. And I also admit that, up until almost two years, I failed to get myself the sufficient help I needed; it felt easier to sit in bed, mope, and live in ignorance. However, it’s never too late, and I have put in the work necessary ever since on a daily basis, and makeup and fashion were part of that work. Continue reading “Modeling, Makeup, and Mental Health Awareness Month” →