“hello Gorgeous” has come to the Gorge!

Good morning to my friends, readers, and passers-by! I’ve missed you, and I have tons of news to share.

Many of you have asked where I’ve been for the past year. I so appreciate your concerns, emails, and messages. Contrary to some stories, I did not, in fact, meet my premature demise. I simply took a break from social media (which might, by some, be considered the same thing).

Facebook was just too much of a time suck, and Zuckerberg’s apparent bromance with foreign countries had half the nation scrambling to see if we’d been hacked and if some computer geek in Russia was living the dream with the $37 in my checking account.

Then there was The Election. The one that resulted in, amongst other nasty battles on Facebook, one guy publicly defriending his mother over her vote. And that was on a good day.

Of course, I need to comment on Facebook’s stupid algorithms. Yeah, the ones that decided that I only care about 22 people from my entire friends list, so those were the only posts I want to see. Naturally this didn’t include my son. Since I don’t jump into his threads with his military buddies, Facebook has determined I don’t give a crap, and I haven’t seen one of his posts for two years. Buh-bye FB.

On a much lighter note, during the last year I spent several months looking at new adventures and possibilities for my retirement years. It’s no secret to my friends, family, and readers that I love beauty products. I adore everything about them. The gorgeous jars, the beautiful textures, the rich colors, and the promises, if not of a younger life, certainly a more confident one.

Sifting through the possibilities, I knew I didn’t want to go back into retail sales, selling products somebody else picked out (with too many nights and weekends), and I definitely didn’t want to get involved with franchises (too many rules) or multi-level marketing programs (home parties and recruiting…been there, did that).

Several weeks into my search, I met a woman was happily recounting her afternoon, where she’d had her “colors done.” Wildly popular in the 80s, Color Me Beautiful color analysis is experiencing a strong resurgence. It works, it’s fun, and it’s gone techno.

I used to teach color analysis in the 80s, and it was a blast. The only problem was that we were restricted to four choices. Autumn, Spring, Summer or Winter. But today’s Color Me Beautiful color system offers 372 possible color palettes. Information is fed into a computer, allowing for a unique color palette made specifically for each client. I was beyond excited, and immediately got on a plane and flew to Washington, DC to check it out for myself.

I discovered a cutting edge, computerized color analysis system, followed by a makeup tutorial, including natural looks or special occasion techniques (with quick tips and secrets of the pros…sshhh). It was not a multi-level marketing business or a franchise. I immediately bought the rights to use their system and their logo, and I recently opened my own color analysis/makeup instruction studio in Hood River, OR. Hubs and I chose a spot in my grandfather’s first manufacturing building, where we had built a loft. I decided to call my company “hello Gorgeous,” as a celebration of women everywhere, and promptly had my dad’s office repainted and emblazoned with a dark raspberry logo on the wall. (See picture below.) He likes it. Really, he does.

Many of you have asked if I’m carrying products to sell. The simple answer is Yes. Included in my research back East, I had lots of time to play with various brands and products. I stuck my fingers in the jars, rubbed on the cleansers, massaged in every moisturizer, and appled the makeup products to check blendability, texture, color selection, and environmentally friendly packaging. I won’t sell it if I’m not crazy about it.

I chose to carry the Color Me Beautiful makeup and skin care line, as well as Adrien Arpel. The skin care products are extremely yummy, with all the good stuff that we look for in products for Boomers, and I’m totally in love with the silky makeup colors.

I would love to see my local friends in the Gorge, or friends-to-be, for those of you who come to Hood River to visit. I’m not going to be posting regularly on my blog or on social media about my new business adventure, mostly because I hate it when people pitch me every time they post.

I am, however, available via cell phone or text (541-490-5200) and email (). I’d be happy to answer your questions or tell you more about it, or even better, book you an appointment to find your perfect palette.

This is my new studio in Hood River. Is this fun or what??