The other day I was in a drugstore and ran across this advertisement. It appears that big, bright (gauty) eyemakeup is now the "in" thing. I want to know: Who decides this type of stuff? Is it that there is way too much blue, purple, and hot pink eyeshadow left over from the eighties that we need to bring it back 20 years later?
From the look of this brochure, it appears that the idea of looking natural is certainly not en vogue at this moment in time. So it made me think... hmm.. If I wore this type of eyemakeup, what would happen?
I'd be spending more time trying to explain to my friends and coworkers that it was the latest style and much less time being "admired" for how fashion saavy I appeared to be.
To wear makeup that emphasizes natural beauty will never go out of style. If you stick to that, you'll never have to try to keep up with the newest shade of blue eyeshadow. (what a relief)
The promotion is titled "Color is Intense". Then they have certain "Disharmony" looks. It's nice that the writers are aware that these looks certainly won't bring HARMONY to your face (or to anyone else's who sees you.)
Look at these girls! Don't they look hideous? They would probably look so much better with no makeup on at all.
Or take this one: Disharmony #3. Doesn't this look like somebody's kid sister was home by herself and got into her mom's makeup? She should be grounded for going out like this.
A few years ago, I was in a college choir. Every year they would schedule one big week-long tour over spring break. After spending 2 hours everyday in practice together and then going on a week long tour, I felt like all 49 of them were family.
During the tour, all the girls would flutter through the bathroom, all sharing each other's makeup, blow dryers, curlers, etc. as we got ready for each night's performance. I learned some good makeup tips that week just by watching others.
Each day we would usually have group time where we would sit down together and talk about what was on our minds. This was a chance for us to wind down, to pray for one another, and find relaxation.
One of the mezzo sopranos (like me), Sharon, was a senior. She was absolutely gorgeous with long black hair and a great complexion. She was honest, mature, friendly, and had a great personality. I remember one day she spoke up in our sit-down talk. She shared that she had given up wearing any makeup for lent. She was feeling rather insecure about her appearance and just wanted prayer about it. I remember that moment. Most of the girls just made a gasp/sigh. I looked at her really close and.. well, was shocked. She was so BEAUTIFUL. Yet, in looking close, you could tell she was makeup-free.
Since our choir tour was during spring break, that meant that she was forbidding herself from wearing makeup that whole time. I thought that was an awesome feat. It was certainly something I believe God appreciated as he knew it was a tough sacrifice for her.
In looking back upon that, she has still stuck in my mind as an amazing example. Her sparkling personality and wit outstood her physical appearance... So much so that NO ONE even knew. Not one person. We didn't even realize that she wasn't sharing mirrors with us everyday.. She wasn't borrowing eyeliner and sharing beauty tips. She was spending time in the hallway, reading the Bible and communing with God.
Last summer I took the 40 day Sharon Challenge. Mine may have not been as challenging as hers was because i wasn't living close with 24 other girls. But i did have to go to 2 weddings unmakeup'd, play w/ the band a couple times (in front of an audience), and go to work every single day looking as some call "tired". (Guys usually say "You look tired" when they really just don't realize that she's not wearing makeup. Other girls can usually just tell when another girl isn't wearing makeup and typically doesn't comment on it.)
It was a great experience. I think every woman should do it. At least once. So you can remember that God tells us beauty comes from within. It is not in the way we look on the outside, but on the inside that counts.
Makeup is like a hobby to me though. It's fun when I get new makeup just to experiment and see what different combinations of things look like.
Out in Cali, Cris and MaryAnn took me to Sephora. This AWESOME makeup store that has anything and everything you've ever imagined. On site was one clever and oh so cute makeup artist. He bounced over to us as he saw that I was looking for someone to try some new stuff on me. He was happy, funny, and rather girly himself.. but WOW- did he do an amazing job. I wanted to take him home in my pocket. He made me dazzle "like a disco ball" -as he would say.
At least I still had the natural look going. Just with a little added shimmer.
