Recently, I received a sweet comment from a young lady, Miss Caroline, who wished to know,
"How do you do your make-up? You always look so pretty and natural in all of the photos you post. Could you let me in on the secret?"
..As flattered and touched as I am by Caroline's words, I am sorry to tell her that...there is no secret! Well..I suppose there are a few, which I will disclose later in this post. But they have nothing whatsoever to do with make-up...truthfully, I haven't the slightest idea in the world how to apply mascara or eye shadow or cover-up. And this is a post to explain why I'm still confident without it all.
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First of all, let me make it perfectly clear that I am in no way "against" make-up. I think it looks very nice when applied naturally, in appropriate amounts. Make-up is for accenting a girl's beautiful features, and nearly everyone I know who wears make-up looks quite pretty with it.
...So why don't I wear it? Well, for starters, our family doesn't feel it a necessity until we are old enough. I don't think we have even yet defined what "old enough" is, but I think when the time comes, we will know. Olivia is 18, and she still doesn't wear it. I believe if we truly wanted to wear make-up/it was something we were dying to do, we would be allowed, but Olivia and I have never felt the need, either. I like being natural. All I have to do in the mornings is pop out of bed and dress...voila, half an hour in the bathroom saved! ;)
Second, I have a few other "prettying-up" techniques that I feel are perfectly workable for the present. I know many of my readers are also non-make-up-wearers, and I know we sometimes feel a longing to at least do something to "touch ourselves up." We all have our ways. :)
Thus, Caroline, I give you...my "secrets:"
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Confidence without Cover-Up:
1. Wash your face.
Cover-up is used to disguise those annoying little blemishes we call "acne." Now, this isn't really fair of me, because I am blessed with clear skin. However, I can develop a few oily spots here and there if I do not help to keep my skin clear by giving it a refreshing wash every night and morning. I use "Cetaphil." It is a remarkable lotion which can be applied, massaged-in, and rinsed as often, daily, as you feel necessary. I first rinse, then use the lotion, then rinse again.
2. Don't touch.
I am so guilty of this. I touch my face all the time without realizing it, but, girls, this is so very bad for my skin! Do you realize all of the germs I have on my hands? Recently, every time I catch myself touching my face/scratching and rubbing absently, I have been 'punishing' myself by making myself wash my face every time this happens. Try it! :)
3. Don't pick.
I know you've heard this before, but I seriously have realized that I am also guitly of picking at a blemish when it develops. This leaves a scar. It really does. I can prove it. ;) Don't pick!
Confidence without Mascara:
1. Curl your eyelashes.
My eyelashes aren't completely straight...they have a little curl to them. But they're straighter than I would like them to be, so, I curl them. Your mom most likely has one of these:
..ask her if you can borrow it sometimes. :) If she doesn't, I believe they are available for a relatively low price at most stores, in the general make-up area. They make a world of difference, and make your eyelashes actually visable, even without the mascara. 'Cause who looks great with eyelashes as straight as boards? Keep in mind that you have to have at least medium-length lashes to curl them. I'm afraid I don't have any cures for short lashes. :(
2. Use the clear stuff.
Nope, this isn't 'cheating' in your quest for the natural path. Clear mascara is available also in the make-up departments of nearly any store...and since you only need to use a little on special occasions, one little bottle will last you forever! I have had mine for two years, actually. Of course, it does help a little that I keep losing it, and use it once in a million years...it isn't vital, but if you use the clear mascara, let it dry, then curl your lashes, your eyes stand out a lot more! This stuff is actually supposed to be applied before use of the regular black/brown mascara, to supply a thicker coat, but us "no mascara gals" regard it as the real thing. :)
Confidence without Eyeshadow:
I am totally not a fan of the "colored stuff." Especially bright colors. It looks rather clownish to me. But, a little bit of natural brown, pale, pale blue or green looks wonderful if properly applied. I really don't have much advice for eyeshadow substitutions--only a warning to stay away from too much, too bright, and too thick, if you decide to wear it. My eyelids have a tint of blue on them already for some reason..probably just veins. But, I make do with ma veins! ;)
Confidence without Lipstick:
1. Chapstick, chapstick, chapstick!
If there is one thing I can't abide, it is chapped lips. I hate them on me, I hate them on other people. Thus, I always carry a stick of chapstick in my pocket or purse. Apply often for soft, supple lips.
2. Drink water.
You've heard it before, but this is a totally vital part of having healthy lips. Eight cups a day or more, if possible.
3. Lip gloss.
If you want a little color without the pasty-ness of lipstick, apply a thing layer of your favorite lip gloss after the chapstick. I mainly use Bath and Body Work's lip stuff, which is amazing and comes in every color imaginable. A nice, light touch-up for pale lips.
4. Don't chew 'em.
Once more, I'm the guilty one here. Which is why I'm bringing it up. I chew my lips (in fact, I just did it a minute ago) all the time, and I am sure it is not healthy for them. How could ruthlessly peeling layers of skin from your poor innocent lips ever be healthy? I'm reminding myself here: don't bite them. Please!
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...and thus ends my little beauty tutorial, which I sincerely hope was of some help or entertainment. If at least the latter, I am happy. :o) No matter what, remember that you are beautiful just the way you are--make-up or no make-up. And while it's nice to work on the care of our outward appearance, it is always, always much more important to oversee the beauty care of our hearts.
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Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
(Proverbs 31: 30)
