Blog posts about living in, understanding, and finding the best of mavenhood.
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My sister asked the question and it hit me at my core – “Do we want to be just a weddings and funerals family?” Both our Italian-American heritage and our own extended family history dictated the answer – an emphatic “No!” The concept that family is everything was woven into our very identity. Our connection surely could not be reduced to formal occasions occurring at unknown intervals.
I am the oldest of five siblings and my sister the youngest. Both of our parents are long gone and several of us have partnered and raised families of our own. We are scattered across several states. Yet neither distance nor the passage of time can alter one immutable fact – my siblings are my original circle. They knew me first and longest. They were there, in one form or another, for every milestone and pothole that life has thrown my way. They connect me – viscerally and tangibly — with my earliest memories and experiences.
We often think of family as a static concept—a biological connection that remains unchanged over the years. But in reality, family is a living, breathing entity that can grow, adapt, and flourish through intentional effort and creative approaches. Was there a way to celebrate the strength of that connection with quantity time as well as quality time? The “Brothers Tour is the annual ritual we came up with to answer this question. My sister and I decided we would take a summer road trip that would allow us to go from one brother’s house to the next for a visit and a shared meal. But it was easier said than done. The five of us are spread out over five states from coast to coast – I am the outlier in California and everyone else is in striking distance in the Northeast. We are also not the world’s greatest planners. A save the date could secure attendance at a big event such as a wedding. But settling on a specific summer day for “just us” was a tall order. Given the need for plane tickets, reservations and the specific itinerary, precise commitments would need to be made. We took the leap and made plans, securing an encounter that fit the designated timeline with each of our three brothers.
Somewhat to our surprise it worked perfectly – we had great visits filled with fun and laughter with each one. Perhaps not surprisingly, it brought us even closer – punching up the frequency of our semi-regular check-in calls. An annual tradition was born.
What makes the Brothers Tour so special isn’t just the destination but the intentionality behind it. The trip is designed to be flexible, spontaneous, and filled with meaningful moments. Each summer, we plan our route to visit each brother, traveling from state to state, house to house. Some visits are brief—just a few hours—while others stretch into overnight stays, depending on schedules and circumstances. Unifying the trip is the goal of sibling time. Formal family occasions generally focus on quantity – how many parents, children and grandchildren can we gather in one room. The Brothers Tour is about relationship – a chance for at least us to share some time together. Extra family members, a niece, nephew or grandchild are a bonus but not the real point.
In practice, the Brothers Tour has taken on a momentum of its own. We find this visit – not centered on a special occasion – is an occasion in and of itself. Some aspects of the route and visits have become traditions in themselves. The dinner stop at the large seafood buffet in Rhode Island (where they hand out lobsters one at a time) is a ritual. So is the boat ride on one brother’s boat. Chances to sneak in visits to other relatives who are on the way have cropped up. At other times we use the trip from house to house to have a phone visit with extended family we won’t have a chance to see in person. We are together for no reason but being together and that turns out to be a delight.
Beyond the fun and creativity, the Brothers Tour is fundamentally about reinforcing the importance of family. It underscores a vital truth: relationships can and should be nurtured, even in the midst of busy lives, shifting responsibilities, and geographical distances. The trip serves as a reminder that family isn’t just about shared genetics; it’s about shared experiences, intentional effort, and mutual care.
In a broader sense, the Brothers Tour also exemplifies how creativity can transform ordinary moments into extraordinary ones. With intentionality, we’ve turned a simple drive into a vibrant expression of love and unity. I can’t wait for next year.
As a makeup artist, women in their forties and older often ask me for easy ways to look “put together” without spending much time or looking like they tried too hard.
We all have busy lives and schedules. Personally, I’d rather get a little extra sleep than spend a long time on my makeup.
Here are five simple steps for a fresh makeup look that won’t take a lot of time.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, we may receive small commissions that support this site. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Step One: Sunscreen That Looks Like Makeup
Don’t forget that sunscreen! Sun exposure not only can cause sun damage leading to those sun spots, but also can contribute to the breakdown of the skin’s firmness.
I love the CCC Cream from Cle Cosmetics because it has SPF 50 (SPF 30 in the two darkest shades), comes in 14 shades, has a dewy finish, and you can layer it and apply enough to truly get SPF coverage without looking cakey or made up. You can purchase samples if you’re unsure of your color match, and they offer light to medium coverage. I also love that I can use this product alone or with foundation for more coverage.
Another great option is Iris and Romeo, which comes in four shades, offers SPF 50 sun protection, and contains vitamin C, which aids in brighter skin, and niacinamide to even out the skin tone and smooth any texture issues.
For those who want a matte or natural skin finish, Drmtlgy has two universal shades: their original, which has a natural skin finish, and matte SPF 46, with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, brighten, and offer UVA/UVB protection. Both shades work for all skin tones, help even out skin tone, and play well with all types of foundation.
If you don’t have very dark circles, any of these products can help with undereye issues.
Step Two: Brows That Frame the Face Without Looking Harsh
Brows shape your eyes and face. Define them, but avoid making them too dark, as that can look harsh or make you appear tired.
If your brows already have a good shape to them, invest in a brow gel to give them a bit of color and shape, and keep them in place all day. Brow gel helps sparse brows look defined rather than fake-looking, and helps thicker brows stay in place.
Brow gel
Essence has a great budget-friendly option that contains fibers to make sparse brows look fuller.
Kosas has a great clean beauty option with 10 colors containing hair growth encouraging ingredients, castor oil, biotin, and panthenol.
Brow foundation
If you need a brow base, Trio Beauty has a great kit with 12 stencils and 10 shades of pomade that is smudge-proof, waterproof, and looks natural.
If you prefer using powder, Senna Cosmetics is the GOAT of this category and one of the first items I bought for my professional kit. Three color kits, each containing four stencils and a dual-sided brush. These brows will survive the most trying hot flash!
Both are easy to use. Place the stencil over the end of your brow closest to your nose, line it up, and fill it in.
Step Three: Eyeliner That Brightens the Eyes
I’m a big fan of eyeliner. In my opinion, it’s a great way to brighten and add interest to the eyes without using eye shadow.
Eyeliner works for any eye shape. I love eyeliners that aren’t your typical black or brown because you can use a colored liner to enhance your eye color, or smudge them out for a soft shadow look. Dark blue eyeliner can give you the same intensity as a black liner, make the white of your eyes look brighter, without the harshness that black liner can have after a certain age.
I also like to use liner on the upper waterline to define the eyes and make lashes look fuller.
If you have hooded eyes or oily eyelids, I recommend sticking with waterproof pencils. For an oily eyelid, wipe it down before using a pencil, then dust with a setting powder or a neutral-colored shadow. The powder will help to absorb any excess oil on the lid and help your liner last.
I love the Victoria Beckham liners because they go on with ease, are smudge-proof and waterproof with an ample amount of time to be able to smudge them if you desire before they set. The non-glitter shades are shades for your waterline. There are 22 shades available, and none contain microplastics. And unlike many long-wear liners, they do not dry out quickly. You just need to keep those caps on.
I also adore the Moira Shimmer liners. Moira has a ton of liner options, but these are my favorites because of their versatility. They are waterproof, and there are 20 options to choose from.
If you prefer non-waterproof liners, my favorites are NYX and Wayne Goss. Both glide on smoothly without being too creamy, so they don’t smudge everywhere. They offer flattering colors, and even though NYX has fewer options now, both brands still have a nice range of shades and finishes.
Step Four: Lash Curling and Smudge-Proof Mascara
Many women skip lash curling, but it can open up your eyes and make lashes look longer, even without mascara. I love mascara, but don’t like waterproof formulas. Luckily, we have other options out there that are smudge-proof and easy to remove.
Lash Curling
I don’t have a budget-friendly option for eyelash curlers. I have tried many, and these are the ones I go back to: Shu Uemura and Surratt Beauty. Both are Japanese technology, curl lashes with ease, work on different eye shapes, and they do not pinch!
The best way to curl lashes is to put a mirror below and look down because this naturally brings the lashes up. Curl and pump a few times, and voila, you have lifted lashes.
Mascara
I love tubing mascaras. If you aren’t familiar with them, they’re a newer technology where the mascara wraps around the lashes. These mascaras don’t smudge and come off with warm water. You’re not going to get flaking or gooey mess that doesn’t dry down or become clumpy.
Here are four mascaras I’ve used and recommend because they work. They all come in black and brown:
Milani, both lifts and curls. Plus, this mascara lasts more than 16 hours.
Tarte, also comes in four additional shades. This mascara lifts, curls, and lasts over 16 hours.
Victoria Beckham, also comes in two additional shades. This plant-based mascara is more of a lengthening option than a volumizing one.
Westman Atelier, builds very well and is also completely plant-based.
Step Five: Multi-Use Blush for Cheeks and Lips
I love multi-use products, and I think cream and liquid blushes look the most natural. As we get older, our cheeks and lips lose some of their natural color, so these products help bring back that youthful glow.
The multi-stick products, which also work on the lips, look effortlessly chic as lip enhancers, in my opinion.
Cle Cosmetics has an innovative powder-to-tint lip powder that turns into a liquid tint when you touch it to your lips or cheeks. Whether you get a sheer wash or a bolder color depends on how much you apply. Available in 6 shades, individually or in a mini try me set.
Milk Makeup offers 12 cream lip and cheek sticks in a variety of shades and finishes. These sticks pack a pop of color, so a little goes a long way!
If you prefer a liquid tint that glows on the cheeks and looks like gloss on the lips, you will love the Caliray Social Superbloom Lip & Cheek Tint. It’s buildable, long-wearing, and transfer-proof; available in four universally flattering shades.
I like to apply blush right off the center of the apples of the cheeks and blend up along the top of the cheekbone towards the temple for a youthful, lifting look.
Bonus Step: Color Correcting for a Natural Finish
I confess my routine is more of a 6-step one because I have some hyperpigmentation above my top lip, a few sun spots, and darkness under the eyes.
I use a color corrector instead of a concealer to neutralize dark areas and still keep a natural look.
I also prefer color-correcting products with light-reflecting or brightening effects so they melt into my tinted sunscreen.
Drmtlgy, e.l.f., and Becca color correctors all come in a range from light to deep, so there are options for all skin tones. The Drmtlgy product offers sunscreen and skincare, including niacinamide, which helps brighten dark areas.
Yes, even though these products are labeled for the under eyes, I use them anywhere on my face that needs neutralizing or color correction.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, we may receive small commissions that support this site. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Links to Products Featured
Step One: Sunscreen
Cle Cosmetics CCC Cream
Iris and Romeo Weekend Skin
Drmtlgy Universal Tinted Sunscreen
Step Two: Brows
Essence Make Me Brow Gel
Kosas Air Brow Gel
Brow Trio Stencil Kit
Senna Form-a-Brow
Step Three: Eyeliner
Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner
Moira Statement Shimmer Liner
NYX Slim Eye Pencil
Wayne Goss Essential Kohl Eye Pencil
Step Four: Lash Curling and Mascara
Shu Uemura Lash Curler
Surratt Lash Curler
Milani Highly Rated Lash Extensions Mascara
Tarte Tartlette Tubing Mascara
Victoria Beckham Future Lash Mascara
Westman Atelier Eye Want You Mascara
Step Five: MultiUse Blush for Cheeks and Lips
Cle Cosmetics Melting Lip Powder
Milk Makeup Lip and Cheek
Caliray Social Superbloom Lip and Cheek Tint
Bonus: Color Correcters
Drmtlgy Luminous Eye Corrector SPF41
e.l.f. Putty Color- Correcting Eye Brightener
Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector
