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The New Year's Day Compact

At thirteen, I wanted it.  My mom said I didn't need it; and in the hindsight that only middle age can give, I realize that she was right.  Nonetheless, I got it; and I abused it for the next twenty nine years.

Now, I'm dependent on it.  Addicted.  And slightly resentful of it.

I'm talking about make-up.

It isn't that I'm applying fake lashes or other appendages, just the basics: foundation, cover-up (oh yes, the cover-up), a little cheek color, lip gloss and Mascara Almighty.  Once upon a time, the transformation process used to be fun.  I reveled in the Before-Plain-Jane to the After-VavavaVoom.  Nowadays, once the foundation's on,  I look in the compact mirror and think "oh, my word...there's so much more that needs to happen here."

Over the past few weeks, we've gone to every function where both people of blood-relation and strangers alike have gathered; which of course required me cracking the compact and proceeding toward VavavaVoom so small children and the elderly wouldn't be frightened.

And that's where I found myself on the first day of 2012.  While Jamie prepped the Bloody Mary bar we were taking to yet another function, I looked at the compact...and wished I could turn back time and tell Thirteen Year Old Me to enjoy the days of optional, non-addictive make-up use.
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Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    make up shmake up.....just be ur beautiful self

    vm

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rochelle FritschJanuary 2, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    Age also affords some other wonderful things -- like the sense enough to surround yourself with people who say nice things like that. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. a.eyeJanuary 3, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    I second Rochelle's comment... but I too am beginning to believe I need to put a splash on to cover up some scars and such each day.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJanuary 3, 2012 at 1:50 PM

    Oh yeah, there was a time when putting on makeup was fun. I wish I could have told my 16 year old self what I know now. I don't wear it much, just the basics like you. BF always tells me I look better without it. I'll keep him :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rochelle FritschJanuary 3, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    I just wonder if our 13 or 16 year-old selves would've listened to us...doubtful (at least in my case), very doubtful

    ReplyDelete

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