How I Learned To Cure My Anxiety With A Classic Smoky Eye

You know, sometimes we can all get complacent. Even I’m guilty of that. When people say to me, “Tara, what’s it like to be Ireland’s 5th most successful niche literary humour blogger focusing on conversations between fictional stereotypes?” I always say, “It’s a hashtag blessing. Sorry, #blessing. And it’s something which I never, ever, like ever, take for granted.”

But I’m lying. Because sometimes I do totally take being Ireland’s 4th most popular niche literary humour blogger focusing on anthropomorphic writing devices for granted. And that makes me wonder.

What’s it like for bloggers who have to deal with far greater burdens, such as lucrative sponsorship deals, endorsements, and making actual money?

There’s only one way to answer this question, and it’s certainly not with research. If we want to know what it’s like to be a Superblogger, like the ones who get a million hits per YouTube video, or 6,000 likes per picture of a random body part with a coffee, we’re going to have to transform ourselves.

In the interests of social science, therefore, I have herein turned myself into a Beauty Blogger-cum-Wellbeing Guru.

Read this and don’t weep. (It’ll ruin your mascara.)

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HOW I LEARNED TO CURE MY ANXIETY WITH A CLASSIC SMOKY EYE

I get papped and photographed all the time, but you should see me behind closed doors when the camera isn’t on! I literally spend most of my life in my favourite sweats with my hair sticking up in all directions. It’s important to remember that we’re all the same when the spotlights aren’t on us. I might have way more spotlights on me than a lot of people, but even I still have a bad day very very occasionally.

People see me as this superglamorous creature who goes around looking perfect all the time. I get told all the time that I’m naturally pretty, that I must never feel ugly, even on an off day. When I hear some of my fans tell me they feel so ugly that they never ever feel pretty, not even for like half a day, it literally #BreaksMyHeart.

But while I have no problem admitting that I may be a Superblogger, I’m not superhuman! I think the reason my beauty channel is so popular, with 17 million hits in my first year, is because I let people see that side of me – the side that covers up the fact that I’m just like everyone else, with really skilfully applied makeup from the best brands.

People also say money can’t buy you happiness, but it can literally buy you stuff that makes you feel better for a while, which is also super important. Nothing cheers me up better than looking great, like I’m really confident and ready to take on the world.

So whether I’ve been getting nasty comments from the online haters, failed a test, or lost an endorsement deal to a new rival even though I knew they probably wouldn’t last two months past becoming my new BFF, I just whip out the make-up palette, and put on my armour.

For me, there is no more effective weapon than a classic smoky eye. But first, you should learn to nail your signature look: this will be your USP (Unique Superblogging Pathway). Once you become known for your signature look, you just sit back, and count the hits.

MY SIGNATURE LOOK

Everyone should have their own signature look. Mine is the No Make-up Make-up Look. As this has been the most watched tutorial of my dedicated beauty channel since forever, and the look I’m most famous for and get the most comments (and compliments) on every single day, I’m super happy to share my fresh-faced secrets with you!

Note: It can be a bit tough starting off, if you feel you don’t have all the products which are literally essential to look like you’re not wearing any make-up. I started when I was just 12 years old with a garden rake, coal (Dad misheard me), and some silver eyeshadow, left over from the decade when my Mum used to smile. But I think you’ll find the following look easy to achieve with the most basic essentials which are sure to be in everyone’s make-up bag.

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MY NO-MAKE-UP MAKE-UP LOOK: OR HOW TO GET THAT LITERALLY FRESH-FACED GLOW

To nail this look, you only need the following basic essentials:

1. Bamboo Face Cloth
2. Cream Cleanser (1st Cleanse)
3. Foaming Face Wash (2nd Cleanse)
4. Anti-Acne Lotion
5. Glycolic Skin Toner
6. Anti-Ageing Serum
7. Colour-Correcting Serum
8. Daily Moisturiser
9. SPF
10. Skin Primer
11. Paddle-Shaped Foundation Brush
12. Flat Powder Brush
13. Concealer
14. Liquid Foundation
15. Angled Sculpting Brush
16. Contour Brush
17. Square Highlighter Brush
18. Natural Highlighter Shade (For Contouring: Brow Bones, Cheekbones, Nose Bridge & Cupid’s Bow)
19. Natural Lowlighter Powder (For Cheek Hollows and Jawline)
20. Full Fan Brush
21. Invisible Foundation Setting Powder
22. Short-Handled Bronzer Brush
23. Natural Glow Bronzer
24. Buffer Brush
25. Daily Eye Cream
26. Eye Make-Up Primer
27. Eye Shader Brush
28. Tapered Blending/Smudging Brush
29. Eyeshadow # 1: Base (Natural Colour)
30. Eyeshadow # 2: Enhancer (Slightly Darker Natural Colour)
31. Eyeshadow # 3: Smoke/Defining Shade (More Slightly Darker Natural Colour)
32. Eyeshadow # 4: Pop Shade (Upper Lid Centre)
33. Precision Eye Pencil Brush
34. Eyeliner # 1 – Natural Shade (Inner Corners)
35. Eyeliner # 2 – Medium Natural Shade (Upper Lash Line)
36. Eyeliner # 3 – Slightly Darker Natural Shade (Waterline / Outer Corners)
37. Natural Effect Mascara
38. Angled Brow Brush
39. Precision Brow Liner
40. Brow Shading Powder
41. Brow Setting Gel
42. Sculpting Lip Brush
43. Natural Lip Liner
44. Natural Lipstick
45. A SMILE

Et voilà! You’re perfect. Ready to fresh-face the world with that natural glow. It’s as easy as 1-2-45!

You can go to my YouTube channel for further step-by-step instructions, where I have 2 million hits on my fresh-faced make-up tutorial videos alone (every week).

I think you’ll agree that this simple 45-minute make-up routine is a must-have for everybody before you go to school, college, or that date to the cinema you don’t want to look too try-hard for.

For the products I’m loving right now – please refer to my blog for the brands I’m endorsing this week which will really make your face look truly, naturally beautiful.

Please let me know in the comments how much you like my look!