I Forced a serious GLOW UP to get rid of anxiety

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Let's be honest, I actually don't know if a glow-up (glo-up) can help with anxiety, but if the root of this anxiety is at all what I imagine it to be – I may have a chance.

For the past year, I’ve been super focused on working out, doing typical self-care, growing my business and this tribe of healthy gals. It’s been a magical, scary and unthinkable journey – yet I’ve forgotten about one tiny thing, grooming my cute little self.

I let my bangs grow to really funny levels. The makeup brands send me sit at the bottom drawer, begging me, "please use me!" And the few pretty clothes this essentialist wanna be has, are running out of patience.

The issue gets kind of serious when you add entrepreneurship to the mix. Growing a business and communities is beautiful yet tough work. There are ups and downs, insecurities, learning curves, etc., etc., etc. So, when you look at yourself in the mirror and see mostly a hair bun, onesies and socks, sometimes it's tough to believe that that woman is the next hottest entrepreneur.

What do you say? Time to changes things around? Hell yeah, it’s definitely time to change things around! Let’s go for a face mask, a new haircut, a pretty dress, makeup and some fake eyelashes! Because as Mama Ru once said, ““With hair, heels, and attitude, honey, I am through the roof.” Let’s destroy the damn roof!

First we begin with a face mask. They always make me feel better after long days and lots actually do great things for your skin. I'm using Innisfree real squeeze aloe mask. It's my first time using it and I like it. It's light and delicate to my skin but potent enough to deeply moisturize the skin.

Moving on to getting a haircut! But first, did I tell you about my bangs? Girl, I went to a salon from hell where a "pro" gave me actual Cleopatra bangs. And look, I love our girl Cleo, but those harsh, straight bangs are NOT for everybody. Did I tell you what I did to "fix" them? I trimmed them with nail-clippers! Needless to say, I made it worse.

This time, no mo' nail-clippers. Hell no! I'm visiting a place that a dear friend sent me to. She sworn it was the only place where they knew how to cut thick and rebellious hair like mine. This so-called miraculous place is Broome &Beaty in Soho, NY.

Liam Carey is the not only the CEO of Broome &Beauty, but the master stylist who's about to transform my hair. And transform he did!

This is me before and after the cut.

Girl, you thought I was done? We gotta use the makeup in that bottom drawer! And we are starting with a light face cream as primer. I'm specifically using Murad.

I like to apply a nourishing lip balm early in the makeup process so that my my lips get a chance to moisturize and prime for any kind of lipstick. Today, I'm using Clarins Eclat Minute Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector.

Next, I fill in my eyebrows. I tend to do this early in the process but other times I leave to towards the end. Turns out, thin eyebrows are super versatile. I can draw them whichever way I feel better compliments my makeup. To do this, I've been using Urban Decay's Brow Box, which comes with a balm and tiny tools to get those eyebrows on flick.

As a makeup primer, besides the light moisturizer used before, I also use a bb-cream primer called MISSHA M BB Boomer. It actually keeps my makeup in place and because it's meant to be for bb creams, it's light a gentle to my skin. It also has this unicorn-like glow that gives the appearance of naturally glowing skin. It's SOOOO good.

To dress my skin, I'm using Forever Dior Foundation, which has incredible coverage for very little product. I'm using a wet PÜR Contour Blending Sponge to maximize coverage and create a light appearance. For concealer, I'm using It Cosmetics Bye Bye BreakOut Concealer.

To add a layer of makeup "protection," AKA, I don't know the actual makeup term... I'm using Young Blood's translucent powder. Don't they call it "setting in?" No idea!

To add a little more color and dimension to this already 3-D and colorful face (because why not), I'll use the famous, Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzing Powder.

On my cheeks, let's do Anastasia Beverly Hills Blush Trios - Peachy Love.

To give my eyes a little extra life, I'm savagely using the "snobby" and "sultry" colors from palette The Balm Nude Eyeshadow. I'm also adding a thin eye-line using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Eyeliner.

Time to ATTEMPT to apply some fake eyelashes. In this case, I'm using JIMIRE 3D Mink Strip Lashes Full Volume Eyelashes. I'll be 100% with you... this is probably the 3rd time in my life in which I try to do so. And even though almost every faux lash company is kind enough to create video tutorials for us gals, I've never taken the time to watch a single one. But here's what I did!

Blame not the faux but my skills. (*I do think they look kind of cute 🤷🏻‍♀️)

I'll pair all of this tanned makeup with a gorgeous chocolate matte lipstick, Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Long Wear Lipstick Naughty By Nature.

And the final result, ladies and savages....

The question remains, how do I feel after this makeover? Did it help at all with anxiety? The answer is simple, it's a step towards it. To me, it's like treating a wound. The wound doesn't heal immediately. It takes continuous treatment and gradual improvement.

The big shock, my huge lesson here was realizing that makeup, a pretty haircut and a cute dress is part of self-care as much as a visit to a spa or a relaxed day binging on Rupaul's Drag Race is.

Now, I'm not saying that I'm gonna wake up every day and put on fake lashes, but I'll make it a plan to do it as much as my heart desires it. That, I promise to my already beautiful self.

So...would you watch the video? Because I think you'll enjoy it. Click here! ;) And let me know, are you inspired to try a glow-up? You could also send me your before and after to relations@millennialcleopatra.com I would love to share them on my social channels.

Bye girl!

Te quiero. XOXO

Brenda