Yep, you read that right. It’s not just my unique story — it’s my Younique story. I just hit my year anniversary with the company, my business Younique by Liz Hall, and I’ve been spending some time reflecting a lot on how I got here. Because while it started with a mascara (and some skincare products), it’s become a lot more than that for me too.
I could list all the facts (I started eight months after hearing about the fiber mascara and wish I hadn’t waited so long), and all the milestones I’ve hit (three promotions among some sales goals, like personally selling $10,000). But that’s not what I’ve been thinking about.
I’ve been thinking about how, prior to a year ago, no one in my life would have described me as a makeup girl. Heck, I hardly wore makeup, especially after the birth of my daughter. No. They would have called me a reader, a writer, TV news junkie, someone who loves to travel, and maybe even someone who knows more than her fair share about social media… but they wouldn’t have called me a makeup girl.
In fact, story time… I wore makeup here and there starting in high school, but I was a bare minimum girl, always. (Even now, I’m all about the all-natural look). Part of that reason was because I have super sensitive skin. In high school, I was constantly going to the dermatologist to help not only my acne but my rosacea. And a lot of products simply irritated my skin, including eye liner and mascara. I’d wear it every one in awhile, but inevitably they’d cause me to break out along my lash line. Yes, my lash line… which resulted in lots of hot compresses to my eyes. So not fun.
Fast forward to 2015. I heard about Younique from a friend Morgan (now my sponsor and mentor too), and I was intrigued, but understandably wary that I could even wear the makeup. So when she offered some samples of the skincare product, I decided to give it a go. I tried the BB cream, the cleanser, the moisturizer, and I noticed a difference, in a good way. (For starters, my skin became baby soft).
And then someone said something to me that really drove me into action. A word of caution: it was brutally honest.
I know you’ve had a kid, but that shouldn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of yourself.”
Words? They have power. And that hurt, a lot, especially coming as it did from someone close to me. My daughter was barely four months old at the time; I still felt like I was “surviving” and figuring things out (heck, I’m still figuring things out since life with a kid is constantly changin).
But it also reminded me of something I needed to hear — if only more gently.
I needed to take care of myself too.
Part of taking care of myself was taking care of my skin. And part of taking care of myself was also doing something for myself: like starting a business that I could take pride in, one that’s mission-focused, and not just because of the Younique Foundation (much more on this later).
Fast forward to today. I’m a makeup girl. (Or as some of my customers say, their lash lady). I’ve taught myself a LOT about makeup over this past year (hellllloo, YouTube videos), and I’ve learned a lot from fellow Y sisters. (Because, yep, we’re a sisterhood, a group of gals that work together).
I’ve felt a confidence that I’ve honestly never felt before, and it’s not just because of the mascara (and naturally-based makeup, and skincare). It’s because I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone more times than I can count, and I’ve learned a ton about myself in the process. I’ve learned how to manage my time better (having a kid will teach you that too), and I’ve discovered the joy in helping other women like me reach for their goals and, in all seriousness, follow their dreams.
I like inspiring people, and I hope my Younique story, and this blog, will inspire you too.
Want to chat more? Post in the comments, or shoot me an email at lizsfhall(at)gmail.com.
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