Hello!...I last updated my blog in April and with the New Year approaching I wanted to touch in with you. It's been a busy old year, I hope you are doing ok and making time for yourself, (using a little bit of makeup magic to help you get through this crazy season too?!)
This year as you may know, I have been focusing more on my studio work, so lots of Make-up lessons, (1-1 and Joint makeup lessons), Special occasion make-up, Online lessons and Make-up artist training workshops. I have really enjoyed spending more time in my studio, and not lugging around lots of kit and my chair! I have had some great feedback from my new lessons too, so I am really encouraged by this. This was necessary for me as I have been offering a mobile service for the past 20 odd years, and all of the extremely early starts, huge amounts of kit and large wedding parties and travel has kind of taken its toll! (although I do still work on select weddings now and again).
See below photos of my studio, all set up ready for a Joint makeup lesson. The top one shows the clients area, where I have already selected a few products prior to the clients arriving, (as I send out a Questionnaire so I can cater the lesson for each individual). I've loved helping so many clients this year with their makeup dilemmas and I look forward to doing the same in 2025 (and beyond) too!...
Joint Make-up lesson, (daughter).
I love my work, and to me, it's so important to pass on my knowledge and try and help other people to feel good about themselves, using the right tools, techniques and products, without all of the hard sell and hype that we so often are faced with online and everywhere these days.
I've been trying to lessen my time on social media recently, (I find deleting the apps very helpful and just adding them back on now and again, when I want to post something). I really want to focus more on my website, but I know how "normal" social media is nowadays but I do struggle hugely with it, as I am naturally, happily introverted. I have been so much happier and more productive without it. I have even been learning French!, (via the Duolingo app). I also love listening to podcasts, ( I love Matt Willis' On the mend podcast, he has some great guests on and it's all very interesting and inspirational). I also love listening to books via Spotify, (I especially enjoyed the Ru Paul autobiography). I really want to get back to my Art too, as the last time I picked up my paint brushes was April...but it excites me to think I have it to look forward to over Winter. This is my latest piece...
As-well as reducing things that don't make me particularly happy, I have been concentrating on the things that do make me happy, like exercise, (I love spinning and weights), gardening, walking with my dogs, reading and cooking! I have cut alcohol out of my life now, and I feel so much better for it. I won't say I am tee-total, but I do not drink at home now and if I go out I will just have 1 drink, it's definitely about being more mindful. Alcohol has no benefits, (despite what the media tells us, especially at this time of the year.)
For me, part of my self-care routine not only includes all of the above, HRT and skincare but makeup too. It brings me so much JOY!!! It is so important to me. It is not a vanity thing as such, although yes, it does make me look better, but I think the benefits to mental health are far higher than aesthetic benefits, but it does go hand in hand definitely. If you look good, you feel good, and I do it for me, no-one else, (my Mum was my biggest inspiration - she always put her makeup on every day, come rain or shine, whether she was leaving the house or not). I find the whole process very therapeutic and meditative. Having these routines in our lives, (whether that be makeup, or exercise or whatever works for you), is fundamental to our well-being. I miss her terribly and my lovely Dad.
This is exactly why I love passing on these skills and encouraging this daily practice, sharing my passion with my clients. Passion is something we do for ourselves, it makes us feel good. Purpose is something we do for others, it excites us and motivates us. I love the positive impact my work has on my clients and in turn, my passion is gifted with my purpose!
I am also very excited about my Brush collections and have had so many clients use them, again, giving me great feedback. Using the right tools for the best makeup really is key.
This year I travelled to Ibiza for my 25th wedding anniversary. It was such a lovely holiday. See below my holiday essentials...
Thank you for subscribing to my blog and following my work. Please let me know if you have any questions or looks that you would like me to create or have any skincare/makeup questions. Send emails to tina@tinabrocklebank.co.uk
And so, now is the time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year. Don't forget the 10% offer for any brush set, (if you spend over £150) expires on the 31st of December 2024! Gift vouchers are available to purchase via my Online store too. I look forward to seeing you hopefully next year.
Lots of love, Tina x
