Two years ago, I gave up wearing make-up for Lent. I actually blogged about it, on LiveJournal. I also took several digital photos of myself, to see what I actually looked like. Well, to see what I looked like not in the mirror, in something I could really look at, and then delete.
I would never ever post one of those photos. When Jodie over at Fresh Art Photography posted a photo of herself without make-up, and criticized it, I remembered my own Lenten photos. And I was struck at how lovely _I_ thought Jodie looked. A blog comment and a few e-mails later, and Jodie started the Fresh Reflection, where we try to listen to the voices of other women, and believe them when they say we’re beautiful.
Jodie asked me to guest blog for the Fresh Reflection, so I wrote about my original no-make-up experience. (Interesting to re-read my LiveJournal post from 2008 after writing my post for the Fresh Reflection–I repeat a few key phrases and images.)
I attached a photo of myself without make-up, from that Lenten time, to the blog I sent Jodie. I thought she might include it in the post. I also thought: I believe in the Fresh Reflection, I believe that I am not my make-up, I believe I should show up bare-faced more often.
Of course, I didn’t know Jodie was going to make it the most gigantic photograph of my bare moon face ever. I saw it fill up my computer screen, winced, and had to laugh, “Okay, Universe: I get it. Very funny.”
Some time in the last few years, I stopped worrying about putting on make up every morning. Now I don’t even remember to add make-up when I get all gussied up. I figure that men don’t have to worry about that stuff. Why do we women.
I just plaster a big ‘ole smile on my face and figure that will do the same trick as make-up.
I haven’t worn makeup for years. B didn’t have the patience to wait for me to put it on. For awhile I still wore mascara and lipstick, but I stopped that too when it would end up on my pillow because I went to bed without washing it off. Now it is just cream (I am aging) and lip balm and that is it. But then I don’t color my hair either, I am truly one of those “what you see is what you get” girls. I’m with K a big smile does a lot of good especially if it comes from deep within us.
HA! Just seeing this and laughing that the photo was so big! 🙂 I think you’re gorgeous!
And thanks… you’re incredible.