On Route to Becoming Jules 2.0

Over the next three weeks, I'm going to be rolling out a new and improved Jules 2.0. She's been in the making for almost 8 months now.

High Maintenance Jules Was On Vacation for Two Years 

This change and transition to Jules 2.0 is happening largely in part because I've been focusing on my career so much. I've been busy and preoccupied with learning and adjusting these last two and a half years. And I also happened to partially leave behind a part of me that likes to dress smart and look well behind during that time.

Hair I did things half-way. I got a bad haircut and didn't try to fix it, because I was more concerned with the campaigns I was working on. I told myself: I can live through this, who cares! Who am I trying to impress?

My pixie cut has been difficult to grow out.

But that era is over. I can live through anything, but the question is - do I want to right now? I just want a quick fix. I don't need to prove how comfortable I am with short hair, I just accept those bangs were cut terribly and need fixing. I'm not going to cry at the salon (some people do that) or hate myself (really, it's just hair!), BUT I want to feel like I'm in control of the mishap or situation. And you know what? I am allowed to want a quick fix aka extensions, as is any human woman or man. 

I am a very style-conscious individual and I love looking my very best. And lately I've been slacking. But that is not true to my character. I have a Lady-Gaga level of maintenance and high expressive and creative standards for myself. I'm a confident lady and  want to look like how I feel on the inside (amazing, powerful, bad-ass, confident).

I choose to be the guarantor of my own happiness again, and to me the small things can lift your spirits and propel you to express yourself the way that you see yourself. (Yes, looks and beautification are small things compared to the truly beautiful things in life like family, relationships, friends, community.) 

That's why on Tuesday June 23 I'm going to Dollbar Toronto to get my fusion extensions installed. I will write a review of my experience, of course! ;)

Health & Exercise Over the past year I've made lifestyle changes to become more healthy, eat better and I ran my first race this May. Yes, I ran the whole way through, it was just 5 KM, I know, but it was a starting point! For me this was a new accomplishment and I'm sharing because it's helped me become more conscious of my health and my future objectives. I have lost only 15 pounds throughout the course of the entire year, but I'm focused now on getting to the next level now that my eating habits and exercise habits are constant, rather than a short-term fad.

Now I'm an intermediate runner. I've been running 3-4 times a week and now I've decided to take things a step further. I'm currently on an Eight Week Running Plan that I concocted myself after seeking expertise from two sources. I made it tailored to my own strengths, needs and weaknesses. So far- it's been challenging and exactly what I needed.

A snippet of the Eight Week Running Plan I made for myself.

Eyebrows I also never realized how important eyebrows were. I have naturally thin eyebrows that require little maintenance and I have platinum blonde hair, so the need to draw eyebrows was never strong. I grew up in the 90s and saw too many unfortunately drawn eyebrows- which made me cautious of playing around with them. Why fix something that ain't broke?

Then eyebrows started becoming thicker and thicker. That was cool but not for me. I couldn't 'let my eyebrows grow out' and wear them like the cool kids because I have thin eyebrows naturally.

Then a year or two ago, I started seeing something completely different- women with really nicely shaped eyebrows that did not seem drawn at all. Nicki Minaj's eyebrows always looked structured and on point, with great shading. I quickly noted her make-up artist, and started following other make-up artists as a result, most notably the very talented Priscilla Ono. Her eyebrows also look beautiful. 

I found out this coveted eyebrow look was achieved with stencils and eyebrow pommade.I realized the natural structured look of gorgeous arches was one I also wanted. 

I tried the stencils, but they weren't for me. I loved the pommade, however, and bought the best on the market - Anastasia Beverly Hills in Blonde. The colour match was perfect. The eyebrow shade proved to me that I really was naturally blonde and I tapped myself on the shoulder. (I'm a dark blonde naturally but some people interpret my natural hair colour as 'brown'.)

My eyebrows have never looked better. They look perfectly natural and wonderfully structured. And how they change one's look and face for the better!  I could dedicate a sonnet to the joy good eyebrows have brought to my life.

Makeup 

I have always been experimenting with makeup and when I was in university in my fledgling formative years I enjoyed the edgier side of things. This is why I still have questionable photos of my more Gaga-esque look from the past. I love high fashion makeup but I completely understand that it is out of place in the professional world, business or politics. It is 'party' make up. It is ceremonial, it is showy, celebratory- and I can wear it to an office party, but not every day to the office.

I eventually learned how to do my makeup in a way that accentuated my natural features and made me look beautiful but not over-done. MAC cosmetologists are geniuses in their own right but they don't always know what to suggest for professional women who needs weightless foundation and a put-together look that's not overdone or over-the-top.

I have a close friend I met at work, Crystal, who rubbed off her love of neutral tones onto a reluctant me. She is the epitome of classy. When her mother had an orange manicure, she was quickly concerned. Crystal wears her eye-shadow light cream, at most beige on a work week, and always has her manicures in beige and barely-there pinks, french manicures, light mint, red etc. 

She knows how to work the professional look effortlessly. And she still has a lot of personality to go around. 

All in all, I currently wear a toner (Biotherm liquid toner) under a light layer of foundation (some pale shade of Rimmel matte mousse foundation). I wear blush on my cheeks (a prismatic Quo baked blush) and a simple coat of L'Oreal mascara in black. Voila. That's my feigned 'natural' look that makes me shine anyday and everyday.

Sometimes if I'm up for a change, I add a bit of winged eyeliner (very little) by MAC. It is their gel fluidliner which I apply with a brush. It's great. I also sometimes put on some white Colour Tattoo 24 Hr eyeshadow by Maybelline, over my eyelids, but under the eyecrease.

So that's it, for now. This is what I've learned about getting to a better self. Honestly, it's all about staying true to yourself but tweaking things here and there to make an effective change! Don't be someone you're not. A genuine image always speaks truer and will keep you happy in the long run!