My high school reunion is tonight, and this afternoon I am once again reminded of what a bad idea it is to start experimenting with make-up on the day of a big event.
I don't wear makeup primarily because the few times I've tried, the results have been pitiful. I try to apply a thin trace of eyeliner -- I look like I'm auditioning for the part of Hamburgler. Foundation? One application and you can't see any difference. Second application looks like I spackled my face with tile grout. When it comes to looking pretty, I go from zero to overdone in less than two minutes.
And yet, the pressure (or vanity, take your pick) to look good for a bunch of people I haven't seen in xx years and will probably never see again has driven me to purchase just this morning: eye liner, foundation, and lip gloss. And the only reason I bought the lip gloss is because the label seemed to imply that no one would be able to tell I had it on at all. Six bucks for an invisible product. Those who are furiously peddling bridges and swampland be alert: here's an even easier path to riches.
So for the next hour or so, I'll be in the bathroom playing around like a little girl who is trying on Mommy's high heels and opening all those exciting little bottles on Mommy's dresser.
And then I'll get frustrated, wipe it all off, and shove it all in a drawer where it will sit untouched for three years, or whenever the next big event comes along. At that point, I will toss it out and go buy some more.
Or perhaps I'll just mail thirty bucks straight to Revlon and stay home.
Posted by Cathy at August 11, 2006 02:21 PMYou are one of the lucky ones that actually looks flawless without make-up.
Why fight it?
Lucky for the rest of us women that need to cake the face that there are not many of you out there.
Oh Jo, you are the best kind of liar out there. Thanks. But years of playing soccer in the hot sun have taken their toll. I'm starting to look more and more like some aging hippie who refuses to bend to societal pressures. (I shave, however.) I'm willing to conform - I just lack the skills.
Posted by: Cathy at August 11, 2006 04:35 PMWhy the stress when your personal shopping consultant and licensed beauty pro is just a cry for help away?
Posted by: Night Writer at August 11, 2006 05:14 PMI know, I know. The shame is all mine for not calling on the Mall Diva.
Posted by: Cathy at August 12, 2006 09:26 AMCathy:
You make me laugh out loud. I just had my 30th high school reunion in June, and I don't wear makeup often either. I did put on a bit of mascara and lip gloss, but by the end of the night, I'd laughed/cried the mascara off, and chewed the lip gloss off too! Who cares? Just be yourself and HAVE A BLAST! Dance, eat, drink, and talk to everyone you can.
Hugs!
Mary