Category: Health

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Makeup Monday: Sharing My Foundation While Living With Lupus

SUNDAY MORNING
Everyday I get told in person, by email or through social media I wanna be like you.  I always respond with “No You Don’t”. Many always see the glam side of my life working as a makeup artist with celebrities but never the ugly side. Being that it’s Lupus month I decided this month I’ll show you both worlds. I’m finally showing you my real foundation what make me look flawless everyday. Like many women we put on a facade going through whatever challenges it takes to get through the day. My challenge is lupus, every time I share that I have lupus it’s always hard for people to believe because I don’t look sick from a far but if you ever look in my eyes then you will see pass the hair, makeup and smile. Hopefully my strength of allowing you in my real life will help you understand what lupus is. How this auto immune disease effects me and others living with it. 

MY REAL FOUNDATION

Starting today living with lupus will no longer be a silent disease. If you know of anyone with lupus I need you to do one thing, be understanding with them. I can never express how everyday is a challenge, you never know what your going to get. One day you can wake up your age the next day your body can feel like a 90 year old person. On Monday you can be on social media taking tons of selfie but the next day you can’t get out of bed or worst you could be in the hospital fighting for your life. Having fun on Monday can cause a flare up that last for 3-4 days. 
MONDAY MORNING
So be understanding. Instead of being angry with your friend for canceling a girls night out, or whatever the situation is how about doing something nice for them especially if your friend have kids. Maybe order them a pizza because trust if they are having a flare up they can’t get out of bed to cook for their kids. Be creative, be supportive, not everybody with lupus have understanding people around them. Life is hard & living with lupus is harder. 
See you bye & luv you mean it!!!

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My New List Of Meds So I Can Get Through The Day

Since I didn’t get any better on Monday I had to go see my doctor to see what’s going on. Having a weak immune system my body picks up anything and everything. A simple cold for an average person can go away after a few days of cold medicine and rest. For me it turns into a respiratory infection, acute bronchitis  and acute sinus. 
Back home in bed resting organizing my new list of medications on my phone so I’ll remember to take them at the right time. Can I just vent in say I’m so tired of taking meds. I know I need them if I want to continue to work doing what I love but some days I just hate it. 

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Lupus: Having A Bad Flare Up

After a fun filled day of shooting outside at Yale University yesterday, today I’m home in bed all day with a flare up. The weather in Hartford, CT was not as sunny as it was at home so on our way back I had a coughing episode. I was praying that it wouldn’t happen plus it didn’t help that my inhaler was empty. When my body has a flare up like this all I want is hot tea, no food no snacks. With a lot of my meds my body does ok with just tea in my system. So I’ll remain wrapped up under my electric blanket until tomorrow.
I’m to tired & in pain to type…See You Bye & Luv You Mean It!

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Lupus: Mornings And Flare Up’s Is Hard For Me

Mornings are usually hard for me because of lupus. My joints are so stiff in the morning that it takes me forever to get out of the bed. My hubby set his alarm to get up before me in turn the heater on placing it by my side of the bed before I’m schedule to get up. Then he help me by rubbing my arms & legs until I’m able to move on my own. 

Last week one of my girlfriends sent me a nice gift; an electric blanket. What a thoughtful gift. All this time I never thought about getting one. Let me tell you I feel a big difference since using it. My joints are not stiff in the morning, my blood is flowing better, and muscles are staying warm. It’s a must have item for anyone who suffer with their joints.

Can’t wait to snuggle in bed especially on my flare up days. This electric blanket is a  great gift…Melissa V. thank you so much for taking time to research what lupus is and for understanding my new lifestyle change in how lupus has effected my daily life. Your a sweet friend, love you! 

ABOUT BRANDY GOMEZ-DUPLESSIS
Connecticut Makeup Artist & Beauty Expert Brandy Gomez-Duplessis works in New Orleans & New York City. Brandy is a hidden gem makeup artist in living in Connecticut with her husband and 2 kids. She was recently diagnosed with SLE Lupus but she keeps her lupus maintain while still doing what she loves and that’s makeup. Brandy resume is like the who’s who, she has done makeup on and for; Hillary Clinton, Ralph Lauren Fragrances for Esquire Mexico Magazine, Polo Player Nacho Figueras, Golden Globe & Oscar winner Melissa Leo, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Aniston, Lauren Hutton, Queen Latifah, Kim & Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, 2x Olympic champion Gymnst Aly Raisman, Jordin Sparks, Ellie Goulding, Angela Bassett, Barbara Walters, Edie Falco, Alysia Reiner, Chiqui Delgado, Robert Redford, Brad Goreski, Usher, Ne-Yo, Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz, Phillip Phillips, 2 Chainz. Brandy also created looks for Theodora & Callum summer & fall makeup look for their upcoming video shoot, and created makeup looks for Donna Karan 2015 Holiday campaign, and Donna Karan Resort 2014 Collection during market week. Brandy recently worked on The View, MTV 10 On Top, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Mob Wives Ramona Rizzo, Project Runway, Project Runway All-Stars Season 2, Lifetime “Project Runway” Promo Photo shoot, E News, MTV TV Show Hip Hop Pov, Ralph Lauren, Ebony Magazine, Real Simple Magazine, Stila Beauty Event, Fox and Friends Saturday, NBA All-Star Weekend, Donna Karan Fashion Show, DKNY Fashion Show, Mercedes Benz Fashion Show in New York & Miami, New York Fashion Week, Sundance Film Festival, VH-1 Divas, Real Simple Magazine Holiday Pop Up Store in Bryant Park, GLAMOUR Magazine #WOTY, OPRAH O YOU, L’OREAL Paris, Project Runway Finale, VOGUE TV, Sperry Top-Sider, Burberry Beauty, International Latino Film Festival, Essence Music Festival, New York Post and more. Brandy is a L’OREAL Paris Makeup Artist and the Beauty Editor for Caribbean Posh magazine. Brandy is also a high demand bridal makeup artist in Connecticut, bridal makeup artist in New York, and a bridal makeup artist in New Orleans. She had been hire to do bridal makeup at many destinations weddings in Jamaica at Half Moon resort.

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Glam Life Of Being In The Hospital During The Holidays

I promised I would keep you posted about everything involving my glam life as a makeup artist living with lupus. 
Well this week has been rough for me. I held out as long as I could without getting sick but I didn’t make my best friend wedding in LA. I hope she doesn’t hate me. With my pressure being 203/113 I would not have made it to see her walk down the aisle. Doctors also caught the blood clots in time. I’m now wearing compression boots. 
My heart is stress so I have a mobile heart monitor that go where ever I go. I never was asked if I needed to see the priest and if I had a will. That really freaked me out. 
About an hour ago was told my kidney is dehydrated so they are giving me more fluid through the IV. I just want to get out of here without no complications. My lifestyle must change again. I have to go on a strict diet like really strict. 
I don’t know when I’m going home but hopefully it’s tomorrow. I‘ll keep you posted my babies. 

ABOUT BRANDY GOMEZ-DUPLESSIS
Connecticut Makeup Artist & Beauty Expert Brandy Gomez-Duplessis works in New Orleans & New York City. Brandy is a hidden gem makeup artist in living in Connecticut with her husband and 2 kids. She was recently diagnosed with SLE Lupus but she keeps her lupus maintain while still doing what she loves and that’s makeup. Brandy resume is like the who’s who, she has done makeup on and for; Hillary Clinton, Ralph Lauren Fragrances for Esquire Mexico Magazine, Polo Player Nacho Figueras, Golden Globe & Oscar winner Melissa Leo, Kerry Washington, Jennifer Aniston, Lauren Hutton, Queen Latifah, Kim & Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, 2x Olympic champion Gymnst Aly Raisman, Jordin Sparks, Ellie Goulding, Angela Bassett, Barbara Walters, Edie Falco, Alysia Reiner, Chiqui Delgado, Robert Redford, Brad Goreski, Usher, Ne-Yo, Fall Out Boy, Pete Wentz, Phillip Phillips, 2 Chainz. Brandy also created looks for Theodora & Callum summer & fall makeup look for their upcoming video shoot, and created makeup looks for Donna Karan 2015 Holiday campaign, and Donna Karan Resort 2014 Collection during market week. Brandy recently worked on The View, MTV 10 On Top, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Mob Wives Ramona Rizzo, Project Runway, Project Runway All-Stars Season 2, Lifetime “Project Runway” Promo Photo shoot, E News, MTV TV Show Hip Hop Pov, Ralph Lauren, Ebony Magazine, Real Simple Magazine, Stila Beauty Event, Fox and Friends Saturday, NBA All-Star Weekend, Donna Karan Fashion Show, DKNY Fashion Show, Mercedes Benz Fashion Show in New York & Miami, New York Fashion Week, Sundance Film Festival, VH-1 Divas, Real Simple Magazine Holiday Pop Up Store in Bryant Park, GLAMOUR Magazine #WOTY, OPRAH O YOU, L’OREAL Paris, Project Runway Finale, VOGUE TV, Sperry Top-Sider, Burberry Beauty, International Latino Film Festival, Essence Music Festival, New York Post and more. Brandy is a L’OREAL Paris Makeup Artist and the Beauty Editor for Caribbean Posh magazine. Brandy is also a high demand bridal makeup artist in Connecticut, bridal makeup artist in New York, and a bridal makeup artist in New Orleans. She had been hire to do bridal makeup at many destinations weddings in Jamaica at Half Moon resort.

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