There are tons of books, schools, and styles of meditation, but the basic principles are almost always the same:
1) Pick a time. Since the benefits are from meditation being a regular habit, try to choose a time that’ll you be free every day, like when you first wake up, on your lunch break, or when you first get home from work.
2) Set aside two minutes. If you start small, you’re more likely to stick with it, and get long term results. You can always add time once you start to feel like two minutes isn’t enough.
3) Find a quiet space. Silence your phone, tablet, and computer. It doesn’t matter where you are, as long you won’t be interrupted.
4) Find a comfortable seat. You don’t need to sit in lotus, but many people find that sitting cross-legged is easy on the body. Try sitting with your hips propped up on a folded blanket or cushion. You can lean against a wall, or sit on your couch; just sit anywhere you can sit straight, comfortably, in stillness.
5) Focus on your breath. Once you’re comfortable, take a long, slow, full breath. Follow the breath as the air enters your body, into your nose, down the length of your throat, into your lungs, deep into your body. Keep your exhale long and slow, and follow the breath from the base of your lungs all the way out. Keep your eyes open or shut, whichever helps you focus more. If your mind wanders (and it will) just notice that it happened, and bring your mind back to your breath.
That’s it! Easy, right? This type of practice is all about learning to focus your attention – perfect for those of us that can’t help but scroll through our Instagram feed while we’re supposed to be working. The benefits can be amazing, and since it takes such a small amount of time, it’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
Blush has never really been my thing, I can’t lie. It’s not that I don’t like the idea of having some color on my cheeks, but basically because I have rosacea (e.g. rosy cheeks without blush), I’ve always just honestly been scared of the idea of adding a splash of pink to my already-red face…it’s a thing. I was recently introduced to a new blush, an HD (high definition) Blush, if you will, and I gotta say…color me impressed. At first I was intrigued by the idea that the blush is HD because, at least in my mind, anything HD is cool and hi-tech, but then I started getting tons and tons of compliments after the makeup artist put some on me which instantly had me SOLD. So what’s the deal? MAKE UP FOR EVER HD BLUSH is a cream blush (which can also be intimidating) and its formulated with a balance of oils, waxes, and powders that makes the blush really glide on your face easily. What’s also cool is that it can be worn over or under makeup, meaning if you’re not wearing any foundation (lucky you), you can still wear the blush without looking like a clown.
And speaking of clowns, here’s the best and most universal way to apply blush:
Apply the cream blush onto the apples of the cheeks in a figure “8” motion
Sweep from the top of the apple downwards, then up and back towards the top of the ear
Set the blush (especially if you feel like it’s REALLY bright) with a pressed powder (like Make Up For Ever HD Pressed Powder), which reduces shine, slightly mattifies the skin, and softens the appearance of fine lines and pores. By the way, this pressed powder is best applied with a Kabuki Brush.
And, if all that seems like way too much work for you (hey, I get it), you can always just apply cream blush with your fingertips…just don’t go nuts.
Back in the day, before my quarter life crisis, I was a BIG America’s Next Top Modelfan—I mean like, who wasn’t? But for some super weird reason, one episode stands out in my mind more than any other. In the particular scene, Tyra Banks informs one of the contestants about the importance of filling in her sparse brows. Tyra even confesses that her own makeup artist chastises her whenever she goes out and has her picture taken without her “eyebrows on.” Oddly enough, that phrase has stuck with me since and now, I never leave the house without my “eyebrows on.”
That’s why, with the announcement of Michelle Rodriguez and Cara Delevingne‘s relationship, I decided to emulate the supermodel’s signature brows and put on my own for #beautynewbie.
BEFORE
So to create the look, I used BENEFIT GIMME BROW in MEDIUM DEEP. I applied the wand to my brows with short and light strokes, paying special attention to naturally sparser areas and focusing on the front areas to give it a more natural look. I also extended the fill past my natural line to create a bolder feel. Finally, I swept over each brow with a brow brush to ensure that the gel was spread evenly without clumps.
Now if only I could look as cute with crossed-eyes….
Have a trend you’d like to see me try? Tweet me @han_cran, #beautynewbie, with your suggestion!
I just watched the new episode of GIRLS, “Incidentals,” and really took to the scene where Hannah realizes that she makes actual decent money at her GQ advertorial job, even though it’s not something she ever thought she’d do or, gasp, enjoy. It’s a funny thing that whole making money thing…sometimes, especially when you’re in your early 20s, you hold down jobs that you really don’t like, or even actually HATE. I’ve done it…and I’m sure you know tons of others who have done it as well, and even though sticking with a job that you loathe sucks beyond belief, it DOES have its benefits. For example, back in early 2008 (pre-recession), I accepted a PR job that gave me a HUGE pay boost…we’re talking like HUGE, and I remember the feeling I had walking down the street in SoHo when I decided to pop into Bloomingales to buy myself a new purse. I bought myself the purple MARC BY MARC JACOBS DOCTOR’S PURSE (above, no longer available) that just made me simply smile. I was proud of the fact that I could easily drop a few hundred dollars on a whim, just because. Even though I had a job I didn’t really believe in or like, I was happy that I could afford the little luxuries I had always wanted for myself…and that’s something to be truly proud of, regardless. I still have the bag and I think it may have to make a wardrobe comeback in the next few months, just because.
What have you bought yourself as a “just because I rock” present?
Get your Oscars party on (image via CupcakesandCashmere.com)
