Pursuing your passions through perceived weaknesses. Color Apothecary of 27 years - Dash, Pinch, Smidge, Drop, Snick or Snip

Visual of measuring spoons used in color making

photo credit - Kara Eads

Don't let your perceived weaknesses get in the way of your passion. In March 2024 -elea blake cosmetics® turned 27. What I started by necessity to bridge the gap of perfect foundation matches for all persons turned into an Apothēca dream for color enthusiasts all over the world.

From my teens, the notion of a future that would be immersed in math and science would have been unbelievable. I was always interested in science however I struggled with math in school and was told that I could never pursue a career in science because of that weakness.

At 33, I began compounding colors using measurements such as Tad, Dash, Pinch, Smidge, drop, snick, snip, etc. Never thinking what I was doing was math or science. I just did it. I do have my own kind of math that I use, a form of instinctive math. Once I sought the advice of a mathematician to assist me in creating teachable formulas for my staff. After spending hours and hours with him, he said, "Just keep doing what you're doing, it works". Client formulas are written in short hand that look like T, D, P, S, d, sn/sp. While I use cooking spoons for the better part of my life, I rarely use them at home (pretty great baker though).

In the R&D stage before the naming of elea blake cosmetics® I created colors for my first client and friend in the basement of the church I attended. I was helping with makeup for a play. That was over 28 years ago, she has supported my journey since day one. Today we assist color enthusiasts all over the world.

I can't say that I journaled my dream or made vision boards. My dreams have always been more of a mindset. When I speak them, it is to people in my life that I felt safe with. When I worked for cosmetic companies at department stores or multi-level marketing types, I found that many people just could not find perfect fit foundations. Even in that environment I was compounding for clients by mixing several jars of options be it a concealer, foundation, or powders together to get the the right color. I would even mix products from multiple company lines in order to get the right fits for them. It was terribly expensive for them and a real pain in the neck for them to try to re-create what I did.

I didn't realize I had a gift, an instinctive gift, and that my desire to help people feel fabulous was the spark that made it blossom. Perhaps that came from the fact that I have always felt a bit unusual. I found joy in helping others feel good about themselves. Whatever that spark can be called, I still have it. Even on my darkest days all it takes is a moment with someone that needs color love to lift my spirits. I strive every day to be better at my job and find trying to be a better human helps me with that. The gift of an open mind and the discovery of color has saved me from being bitter and sad. Through color I gained confidence, joy, and purpose. My purpose may seem insignificant to many, yet it is vastly significant to me and those that I shine love upon. The one thing that I glean from being spiritual is that it is in the simple things, the things that people don't necessarily notice, or even contribute to, that is where the magic is. So I wave my wand daily and lift those around me best I can, with all my faults and foibles, I strive to share the rainbow in all it's beauty and deep significance. The strength it wields is not just for me, it's for everyone and everyone can be empowered by a snick of this or that in the land of color.

I've detailed more about my story with this book, "Find Your Strength a love letter to Orange", that my daughter Elea and I wrote together. In this book you learn about the color Orange and why it is the most important color in your life. I share my discoveries and first hand knowledge of why color works for all of us. It is the first of a series on color, the next publication is RED. It takes a lot for me to say this but I think this book came out really great. It was a blast to work with Elea. We try to make everything we do fun and even though this book is nerdy it is also who we are.

So if you ever feel like you aren't good enough at something to be able to pursue your passion, just realize that there is an intuitive power in you when you pursue something you love. Follow it.

Below Me with Elea and Blake - my inspirations and why I strive to be the best me I can be daily. Just like the colors that I create my own life has been sprinkled by dashes, pinches, smidgens, and drops of inspiration from those that came before me and from whom I watched and grew from. I leave that legacy to these two who are both strong women pursuing their passions and seeding into others along the way.

Elea, Darin, and Blake Mother and daughters