The Beauty of a Fresh Face: How a Trip to Ulta Beauty Shifted My Look (and Outlook) On Life by Elisa Schmitz

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You know how you can just get into a rut sometimes? Doing the same things, putting on the same clothes, using the same makeup, wearing the same hairstyle ... life can get monotonous and your outlook can get dulled. That's why it's important to take some "me time," time that you devote just to yourself, to explore and try new things. That's what I did on a recent trip to Ulta Beauty, and it was exactly what I needed to freshen up not only my look, but also my outlook. 

My daughter, Cassie All, works as a professional makeup artist and Prestige Beauty Adviser for Ulta. Needing some inspiration before date night with our husbands, my friend Jan Mostrom and I dropped in to visit Cassie at work. I didn't know exactly what I was looking for; I just knew I needed hair help and skin solutions.

We walked the store and Cassie showed me some products that would help tame my frizz and make it easier to style my hair. We started with a Wet Pro Detangler hairbrush, which makes brushing wet hair effortless. So much less breakage and hair loss! We then picked out It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In hair product, which makes hair much more manageable before you blow dry (or even if you air dry). For my travels, I also got a small Biolage All-In-One Coconut Infusion Multi-Benefit Spray to help keep hair calm on the go.

She then helped me try several concealers, ultimately selecting BARESKIN Complete Coverage Serum Concealer by bareMinerals that helps hide dark circles and brighten my eyes. I also found a new NARS powder blush and a new MAC CremeSheen lipstick, in a very different shade than I'm used to wearing (Creme In Your Coffee). The ability to test the products before you buy is a huge advantage – seeing is believing, after all, and comparing products is key. (Here's a more detailed post about the three makeup products I bought to brighten my face and get a glow.)

Getting outside of your comfort zone (or at least breaking out of a rut) does wonders for your state of mind. Being creative with makeup and trying things you may not have before expands not only your looks but also your thoughts. It's not just that other people may look at you differently; it's how you see yourself differently. There are infinite possibilities in life, and makeup reminds us of that. You just have to try something new, test the waters, see what happens.

Leaving that store with a fresh face gave me a boost of confidence and a renewed sense of self. When you feel that you look good, you carry yourself differently. Other people may notice, and you certainly will. The bounce in my step is still with me and it feels good. 

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