I’m so happy to announce CARGO’s affiliation with GiveLove!  Give Love is a charity founded by Patricia Arquette and Rosetta Millington-Getty to develop temporary housing solutions and improved sanitation systems for the people of Haiti. 

I had a great conversation with Patricia and was so moved by the work she has been doing that I immediately wanted to help.   She spoke so passionately about the need, the work, the improvements being made, and most of all about dignity; about bringing dignity and hope to people who have encountered such misfortune.  I often think that each tragedy is a call to each of us to step up.  To do something.

Thank-you Patricia Arquette for so graciously answering the call. And thank-you for calling on CARGO to join you.  We are honored.  In turn, I am calling on each of you to join in.  Donate to GiveLove  (www.givelove.org).  Click on the website and see for yourself how your dollars will be transformed into hope and into action.   

Over the next few months, CARGO will be offering products for sale with proceeds going to GiveLove.   We will announce these launches on our site and on our Facebook page.   Again, we will invite you to join us in giving, in improving, and in celebrating the results when we work together to make a difference.

The day after my first son was born, my mother came by the hospital for a visit.

“Put a little makeup on” was what she said to me.  At first I thought it was a strange request; after all, I had just been through a difficult delivery, was dealing with a new baby, and had not slept all night.  Really mom?  Who could think about makeup when nurses were talking about proper latching techniques (ouch) and my stitches were sore (OUCH!)?

But I obliged, grabbing my compact and putting on a little concealer and blush. 

“Better,” she said.

I was not sure why my makeup seemed important to her that day.  What I didn’t realize was that it would be years before I would understand the true intent of her comment.

As those years went on and my other two children were born, I found myself busier than ever with the demands of work and a young family.  There seemed to be no time for myself; no time for the gym and certainly no time to fuss with my look.  Even my wardrobe had become a mish-mash of at least four dress sizes to accommodate every waistline from early pregnancy to post-partum.  In the fast pace and conflicting demands of it all, at times the last thing on my mind was my appearance and the last person on my priority list was me.

And that’s the thing I grew to understand first-hand about moms—they do so much for everyone else that there is little left for themselves.

I once had the pleasure of meeting Robin McGraw in Los Angeles when I appeared with her on the Dr. Phil show.  She told me that whenever she speaks to women’s groups she asks, “Who here loves her children?”  Of course all the hands would go up.  “Well then, isn’t it important to look after their mother?”  She had hit the nail on the head.  I knew exactly what Robin meant. And I understood completely what my mother was trying to tell me all those years ago:  You have just embarked on the toughest gig on the planet—so look after yourself.  Find that time.  Feel good.  Don’t lose sight of who you are. 

What I have learned and what I think my mother wanted me to know was that whether it is going to the gym, putting on some makeup, or getting an outfit together, the times when you feel least equipped and least motivated to do these things are probably the times when you need it most. 

So, although it is not mother’s day, nor any particular holiday (“every day is mother’s day,” as my mom liked to say), I am sending my warm wishes to all you moms out there who daily give of yourselves so selflessly.  Take care of yourselves.

I’ve been in the beauty business for 15 years and one comment I hear often from busy women is that they don’t have time for makeup in the morning.  “Give me three minutes” is my response.  With makeup, it is not always about full-face coverage or a big time commitment.  A little goes a very long way.  Really.  Here is the three minute routine I recommend to all my time-starved friends:

1. OneBase.  It is a universal best-seller for us for a reason!  Just apply it where you need it (under the eyes, around the nose) to conceal imperfections and then blend it out to your natural skintone.  Easy.  Effective.  It’s perfect for women who don’t want full-face coverage.  If you are looking for a more polished look, add our liquid foundation or blu_ray pressed powder to your routine.
2. Eyeliner:  It’s the quickest and easiest way to bring out your eyes. 
3. Mascara:  One coat for those of you who are extra-rushed (try TexasLash—it gives you Texas-sized lashes in a flash!) and two coats (try 3-TripleAction mascara—it curls your lashes while lengthening and thickening) for those of you who have an extra minute.
4. Blush:  A sweep of blush on the apples of the cheeks is fast and easy!
5. Your favorite lip color.

So, put aside any misconceptions about the time required to get you looking great in the morning.  Invest 3 minutes in yourself.  It’ll impact how you feel the rest of the day; whether  you are a student, a work-at-home mom, or a busy career woman.   How you look will affect how you feel;  and then how you feel will show up in how you look.

Thanks to all of you who have been using our new site, shopping from it, and providing your feedback.  Thanks, especially, for bearing with us while we worked out the bugs.  I hope you will continue to find this site helpful and informative.  We will keep revising and updating it to keep it current and, as always, your feedback is important in that endeavour. 

I want to take the time also to thank our best-in-class field team for their work in stores.  They have been instrumental across the globe in educating and inspiring women everywhere with their tips and talents.  CARGO  is all about empowerment; makeup that makes you feel great, makeup that meets your needs.  Our team out in stores represents that philosophy in action!  A big thank-you to all our team.  We are proud to welcome back Margaret in the New York area!  Sarah, your Voyages 2011 Event was spectacular at Ulta.  Giulio, we are loving your Facebook posts coming all the way from Italy (Ciao!).  Vicky, as always, great job in Spain!

They say it takes a village to raise a child.  In our case it takes the passion of a team of people worldwide to carry out our message—Beauty for the People!