I didn’t put a stitch of makeup on this morning. I washed my face with Cetaphil daily facial cleanser, applied Biologique Rechercher P50 balancing exfoliator and Olay Professional ProX age repair lotion with SPF 30. I also sprayed on Frederic Malle’s Une Rose perfume.
Although my skin felt fresh and clean, and I smelled like a million, I felt like I looked dreary. No, let me amend that. I did look dreary. Makeup makes most every woman look–and feel–better. Even Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta Jones look better with makeup. As a matter of fact, some women who we think are gorgeous are anything but. Makeup, cameras, and photo doctoring can turn anyone into a looker.
Too much makeup should be reserved for clowns, but just the right amount can wake up tired eyes, cheer up sallow cheeks and sex up lifeless lips.
When I told sister Shell that I felt dreary without makeup, she said she feels that way when she doesn’t wear heels. “My legs are one of my best features and heels emphasize them,” she told me as she walked with me across 58th Street in 4-inch heels. If I wore 4-inch heels, I’d fall on my face in seconds and then I’d have to put on a lot more makeup to look good.
The world could do with a lot fewer beauty brands, but I still say: LONG LIVE MAKEUP! It’s one of my oldest friends.
0 Responses to “Will you makeup with me?”
Becky says:
Hi Geri –
I can completely relate to your no-make-up “deariness” and I couldn’t agree more. I have been wearing some sort of of topical enhancement since I was 16 years old and I don’t feel as though I can go anywhere without it. It’s not as though it is medically necessary or anything, but it is certainly psychologically necessary, at least for me. It is important for me to look my best when I leave the house…I may not always look polished but attention to my personal appearance always makes me feel confident and that is definitely reflected in my mood. My mother always taught me to make the most of what you’ve got and I try to do that every day – I expect I always will 🙂
F. Krasowska says:
Is this in response to “the No-Makeup Week Experiment” (http://rabbitwrite.com/the-no-make-up-week-experiment/) or just a coincidence?
I don’t wear it. I don’t like it. I have rarely seen anyone I thought looked better with than without.
Laura says:
My concealer is my best friend. It makes me feel like if slept well and rested. It brightens me up. NEVER ever go out without it…it refreshens my face! Gives me light and healthy look! 100% recomend it. Always use a similiar to my skin color..not lighter, not darker
Geri says:
Hi Toby,
I feel fine. I looked dreary without makeup. But I like your suggestions anyway.
oxo Geri
Toby Wollin says:
OK, here is my super-secret way to get through feeling blah/edge of coming down with something nasty/got the shivers/could go either way but I have to exert myself sort of feeling:
First, I take two aspirins (aspirin works for me; whatever pain reliever is your choice for you).
Second, I take the hottest shower I can stand. And I wash my hair (but mine is short; if I had long hair, I’d put a shower cap on), dry it, do all the usual goop on the hair/drying/etc.
Third, I get dressed in something that makes me feel pretty and adult. Even if I feel so yuck that I’m going to stay home for fear of making others sick, I still wear great pants, good turtleneck, voomy sweater, nice shoes (not heels but nice flats of some sort with tights or socks). and I put on good basic makeup – special emphasis on the eyes since I feel they are my best feature. If I’ve got a horrid cold, I probably won’t put on lipstick, but lip balm for sure.
Fourth, I make a good strong cup of tea and a hot breakfast – probably oatmeal.
Fifth, I arrange my day — if I’m good enough to get to work, that is what I do. I make sure I stay warm at work, drink plenty, visit the bathroom plenty, and get something hot for lunch. If I’m feeling so toxic that I don’t want to leave the house, I still arrange the day — projects to do, good funny movies, and an arranged nap(of the “I’m going to sleep, properly, under covers in the bed, from this time to this time.”).
I learned a long time ago that when I feel ‘bad’, the easiest way to make me feel less bad is to put some effort into looking good – and for some reason, it works. I feel more energetic, get more done, and usually can fight off whatever it is that is hovering at the edge.