Closing Out

Hi everyone! First off, I want to apologize for the tumultuous posting schedule. I had some tough issues back at home that took me away from the blog. I had to focus on my family and myself in that time and hope you understand.

Now, I want to take some time to reflect on this blog and what it has meant to me in these past few weeks. When I first started Beauty Uni for class, I thought it would be something that I wouldn't like. And I don't mean that in a sense that I wouldn't like doing it- I've always loved writing and it can be therapeutic for me at times. I thought that I wouldn't like creating this type of content for my readers. Even though I do have experience in fashion and beauty, I feel like I wasn't justified to give advice on the topic. Especially with the inclusion of my own personal experiences, I thought this blog would come off as narcissistic and self-centered. Beauty and fashion are both very vain concepts in their core, there's no denying that. But they have impacted my own confidence for the better and I know it has the same effect on others who are also interested in that world. And I really am interested and very invested in that world of beauty and fashion. It is a passion of mine to style outfits, create a beautiful makeup look and even model someone else's vision. But preaching to others about that topic  without legitimate credentials just seemed superficial and ingenue as I attempted to make my first blog post.

As the posts continued, I felt that unease slip away. It became much easier to compose my thoughts and write them in a way that I felt comfortable with. I wanted to keep the tone casual and conversational, and it came effortlessly. I felt like I was being my complete self and was happy to share some of my experiences with my readers because I always seek solace in the experiences of others if I am gong through a similar problem. It didn't feel weird to be so candid and it felt great to share things that help me in hopes of helping another.

As the posts went on, I also became more comfortable with the idea that I was justified to give my opinions and tips. I had consulted with skin experts and I had personal experience in the modeling industry that has given me a whole new insight to fashion and beauty. Without this experience I wouldn't have gained this much knowledge about the industry and wouldn't have been able to put certain products and looks to the test on myself. It seemed pretentious to assume that I could give advice at first, but I realized I had been doing that for years. My roommates and friends all ask me for style and makeup opinions. My family even relies on my product recommendations for the holidays. I had been helping people with their fashion and beauty needs on a daily basis, I just hadn't ever given the advice in this type of format.

When it came to lifestyle tips or tips that hit on a deeper level, I really threw that in there for myself. I feel like I really need help with that realm of life. I definitely needed it these past few weeks. I know this sounds weird but it was effective to give advice to the readers because it really made me understand what I was saying. If I am telling my audience to take steps to help the adjust and live in a healthy mindset and put themselves first, I should listen to that advice as well because I am the one speaking it into existence. I always give friends advice, but I hardly ever take my own. That could be for fear that I have to own up to actions I'm taking or I don't feel worthy of helping myself up out of a rut I fall into. It was kind of an effort to clock myself to get my advice to stick in my head. And I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have been able to try this method because I think it did make a difference.

Thank you to you guys for reading or even just clicking on this blog. It was great while it lasted and I'm happy I could make an impression on you and myself. - Char