Category: mental health

Why biking during a pandemic is beautiful…

~ Emmie Reve ~ Leave a comment

So I write about fashion and make up…yes. And I am only interested in that. I will not write about anything else.–NOT! I also write about how to deal with mental and physical health, which is connected to daily life and feeling happy and beautiful…It’s a lifestyle interest, just the way fashion and make-up is also lifestyle interest… So why is biking around where I live, the city of Toronto, a “must-do” for me right now? What does it have to do with the simple lifestyles I promote? It’s important now more than ever, because I heard that as major urban center with the hugest population in the country, Toronto has been in the longest lockdown of any North American city and I believe it. I am just so floored by the year long lockdowns since March 2020, just excluding the small brief windows in the summer months that saw city open up for patio dining and in person shopping. Now that has all been shuttered again until the end of May 2021.

Near the bike/walking path, West Toronto Railpath. It goes along the railway and there is nature and industrial buildings along its path. Here I am in my cute but functional outfit. make up, and hair do!

Boredom is now the norm as it was in the dead of the past Canadian winter. No seeing friends, no dating, no going outside, because it was too cold and everywhere was shut. But a life saver for me this Spring was getting back on my bike; I got transportation without relying on the crowded Toronto transit system. Biking was also an chance to exercise, get fresh air, and just see outdoor sights that were forgotten when I was hibernating in my apartment. Getting to view the cityscape, and the urban wildlife while riding. The sun and wind on my face as I whirled about bike paths and busy main streets. The exercise biking provides helps me stay slim and the mental health it gives me by being me outside and moving. Nothing about being trapped at home and eating was gratifying… Even though that was the message all Ontarians were told to do during lockdown. Gaining weight and feeling old was what the pandemic restrictions were prescribing. That was considered safe, but so much torture as well. But as spring hit Toronto and the weather became sunnier and warmer, out came my bike and all the urban exploring that it would bring.

Dutch braids keep my hair looking good and wispies in place under a bike helmet

Beauty tips for biking:

Getting outside is the most important thing to take from what I’m saying. But hey, I am a beauty blogger so here are my go-to tips for being gorgeous while out and about.

  • Wear sunscreen: the spring time sun is actually pretty fierce as the sun is closer to the earth than before, even though temperatures seem chilly.
  • If desired, minimal make-up is always nice: I have written many articles on no make-up looks. Here’s one of them. But the basic idea is foundation/powder. brows, mascara, and blush…super simple and easy.
  • Stay hydrated. The wind and sun can do a number on the face and skin. Drinking plenty of fluids keeps everything smooth and healthy. I usually pack cold water with a herbal tea bag and let it steep slowly during the ride.
  • Dress appropriately. Pants that are too baggy can get caught in the chains; tight dresses and non flexible wear just restrict movement. Long jackets and skirts are not welcome on bikes. The best thing to do is wear clothing that is semi wind repellant, stretchy, perform functionally and are stylish too. For example; Athletic leggings, bike shorts, rompers, sweatshirts and hoodies, t-shirt and looser jeans (not bell bottoms/flares), a short light jacket, windbreakers….etc…
Urban exploring: In front of the iconic Sterling building. I believe it was a car factory back in the day…now it is the new home of the Museum of Canadian Contemporary Art. (another huge interest of mine)

And the most important rule of all? Stay safe! Obey traffic rules, never go too fast, keep an eye on traffic, explore urban spaces safely without trespassing. And watch out for pedestrians (they still own the scenic paths more that cyclists do). The best way to have fun is to do it safely.

Anti-quarantine Glam Make-up looks…

~ Emmie Reve ~ Leave a comment

The worldwide lock down has brought my spirits down as well. Physical distancing has bound everyone to their homes hiding or imprisoned; letting one’s appearance go is sadly is the new normal daily life. No hair or nail salons, no spas or gyms…basically no beauty allowed.  And with myself being in the beauty industry, I’ve been unemployed for six weeks now. I’m so bored with my inner thoughts and no amount of youtube, disney + or netflix can distract me from myself. I’m trying not to gain a ton of weight during my unemployed home times, and I’m basically living day to day wondering the necessity of pants. This is a dangerous time. I wanted to find a way to make social distancing more bearable. So what better than to share some glamourous full face make-ups suitable for happier days. These make-up looks I have designed are useless during the lock down, but give me something to look forward to wearing post covid, when all eyes may be on myself and the beauty of others!

Plum Smoke Romance:

I originally did this look for valentines, and I liked it a lot for the flirty sultry aspect. Plum is also a lot more inviting and interesting than the usual charcoal/grey smokey eyes.. So here is how to get it…

  1. Prepping the face…for this look, the less shine, the better. everything has to be matte and smokey. That includes the foundation, concealer and powder. I will even do my eye shadow base in a matte nude color.
  2. Define and fill in brows: pretty standard in all make-ups actually.
  3. Find a matte plum eyeshadow and sweep it on the whole lid from eyelash line all the way to the brow bone. Smoke out and deepen the plum with a charcoal violet shadow for a second coat on the entire eye lid.
  4. Using a soft eyeliner, line the top lid and smudge the line with a dark shadow to blend and set the liner. Use that same shade for the bottom lid and line the outer corners of the eyes.
  5. Two coats of mascara always, and falsies if desired. Blush is optional for this look and I kinda prefer without.

Carefree and smokey. I have dark days too.

Playboy Bunny Neutrals:

I made this look one Halloween when I contemplated donning the iconic  playboy bunny costume. The elegant body suit with stockings, bow tie, ears and tail. It’s pure feminine prowess at it’s best. The make-up for this look is a glam relies heavily and a retro cat eyeliner and shimmering nudes and taupes and goes well with any going out outfit.

  1. Foundation and concealer as always. Concealer is particularily important for a flawless matte complexion. Add powder generously.
  2. Fill in brows bushy and fluff them up fully!
  3. Matte shadow base all over top and bottom lid. Shimmer eyeshadow just on the bow bone and inner corners.
  4. Dark shimmer taupe shadow in the crease. Shimmer nude in the main center upper lid. Line with black pencil. Set the pencil line with a dark shadow, black or brown…outline the bottom lid with a bit of the same dark shadow (just the outer corners)
  5. Do a dramatic cat’s eye liner with liquid liner.
  6. Add two coats of mascara and falsies of desired.
  7. Use a matte blush on the cheeks.
  8. Finish with a red lipstick matte or gloss.

I do like to be girly sometimes. What better than to don a neutral glam look.

Ice Blush Princess:

If one could be the fairest in all the land!  Magical and fancy, pretty yet cool, behold the ice princess make-up. With ice pinks and plenty of dewy glow it’s a grown up way to show off baby doll pink.

  1. Moisturize the face with a non greasy lotion: This looks best when the skin is highly mosturized. Cool shimmery colors show every crack/crease on the face when it is too dry.
  2. Foundation and  concealer or brightening serum under and around the eyes is key to achieving that flawless glow; use face powder lightly to set. Finish brows with and filler and fluff aiming for a natural definition.
  3. Shadow work: Neutral non shimmer eye shadow base on top lid. Shimmering highlight shadow on bottom lid and inner eye corner and brow bone under the brow. Blend lightly with a blending brush. Dark mauve pink for the crease, and cool true pink shadow for the main lid area, Blend.
  4. Black eye liner tight lined to the upper lashes. Smudge the pencil line with charcoal gray shadow to widen and smoke up the line. Use the same gray shadow for bottom lid line (just the outer edges)
  5. Double coat of mascara. Falsies if desired! Spray with a dewy setting spray for moisturizing to take away any remaining powdery look!

Ice pinks are so subtle. But hopefully my shiny color palette is visible here.

So which look is the most glam and fitting for me? I like all three and am happy to have been able to try out these looksduring these sad times of having no reason to get dolled up and be glamorous. Hang in there…beauty will reign supreme again some day.

“Pretty-sad”…A make up look that is all about being sad…

~ Emmie Reve ~ Leave a comment

I grew up in the 90’s…a decade that was marked with uncertainty for the youth in a baby boomer run society, and the idea that kids might not be okay. Teenagers were involved in the culture of sad, dealing with depression and anxiety. The 90’s culture, music, shows, movies made being sad more visible in the mainstream. Present day, it seems as if a new generation of happy, well adjusted teens has since replaced the stringy hair, grungy, plaid-clad youth of my teens. And so…as homage to my youth I created the “pretty sad” make-up look.

What is the “pretty sad” make up look? It’s the way one might look after crying and realizing there is no escaping life or destiny. Eyes are red from crying, perhaps at unrequited love, and make-up is not perfect. Half covering up the emotional damage, half smeared and old. Pretty sad is about looking little unwell, fragile and affected. And in a way, I think it’s pretty cool. Sometimes one has to let sadness and weakness surface…as a means to purge these feelings. After all it is much better to look sad than to actually be sad!

Sad Girl Make-up Steps:

  1. Prep and even out the face. Here’s the time to use a tinted moisturizer or a sheer coverage foundation/bb cream. Set with a light dusting of face powder. Why go so sheer? This look is about looking undone. So some facial flaws and blemishes actually look right.
  2. Eyes: The eye make-up will sell this look. What is needed in a good shadow base, and then pinky red eye shadow over the top lid and line the bottom lid too. It gives the eyes a slightly irritated look. As if tears were shed not too long ago! Also line the bottom lid with a thin line of dark shadow as if a liner was once there but has since been cried off.
  3. Liquid liner: Here’s the fun part…don’t do a perfect line. make it blotchy, make it smudged. As if the eyes were wiped a few times with tissues.As if eye liner was quickly reapplied. Get creative with it.
  4. Smudged mascara: use heavy coats of mascara and before it dries, blink eyes tightly together and voila…it’s a smeared, cakey mess!
  5. Blush just on the nose: Ever cried and had a red nose? Yes! Take some blush and power the tip of the nose, the nostrils and the undersides. It’s cute in a pouty way.

This is the “I’m with the band” palette by Essence makeup. See the red shadow in the middle top row? That’s the one to use for a sad makeup look.

Lookin’ like a mess, but feeling ok. Sad make up at its best.

And there you have it. The make-up look that speaks of the melancholic pain that haunts the soul. Have the eyes of a poet, while having the elegance of a made up face! I did this look for school last week and my instructor commented on how I looked sad that day. But the truth was, it was all cosmetic and I was simply celebrating the right and beauty to let oneself be sad.