Going Silver and Less Makeup!
Last time I wrote a blog post was back in May. Since then, I’ve been in a personal funk for a variety of reasons. I’m trying to regroup, get my mojo back. Ya know what I mean! Thankfully, I’m starting to see that “silver” light at the end of the tunnel! 🙂
Recently, I looked at photos taken of me in my early 40s. At the time, I thought I was fat and flawed. Now that I’m in my 50s, I think I looked fabulous in my 40s. Although I can’t get those years back, I don’t want to look back at my 50s and have the same realization. No, I’m not going to waste my time dwelling on negative thoughts promoted by a culture that doesn’t appreciate the aging process or the fact that women have a mind to think for themselves and do what they want with their own bodies. So, goodbye to the personal funk, I’m here to enjoy the present moment!
That said, self-acceptance statements are showing up everywhere…we are so privileged to be alive now. For those of you who have followed my posts over the past 34 months, you know that I stopped highlighting/low-lighting my hair and started wearing less make-up! I wanted to be in touch with the real me! I was inspired by Cindy Joseph and her Pro-Age Revolution. Recently, I heard that Alicia Keys has stopped wearing make-up. I actually cried HAPPY tears when I read her essay in Lena Dunham’s Lenny Letter, these words really touched my soul:
“…I don’t want to cover up anymore. Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing.”
Like Alicia, I feel this is my path … it’s time to BE ME. And, if it’s not for you, take Alicia’s advice, “Do you!” Another female celebrity who encouraged me was Colbie Caillat with her song “Try“! Wow, what terrific lyrics and the video is so empowering! Young girls are so lucky to see and hear these messages! It gives me hope for the girls and women who struggle to keep up with the unrealistic airbrushed women in magazines and online. Check out the color (see below) I was hiding under my highlights and low-lights! One of the stylists at the salon thought I had highlights to get this color! No, this is the real, raw ME!! I love it!!!
Thirty-four months, no color: Aug 31, 2016
So, if you are in a personal funk, be strong. Do you! If you are having issues making the transition to silver – check out the what some young people are doing – and join the grey craze. The Grombre look is the latest thing! For those of us who are naturally turning silver, we have it easy. Join me and many others who are discovering the freedom of less makeup and trips to the salon!
6 Comments
Earl Jewell
September 3, 2016at 10:28 pmYou may not like this, but I believe it is good advice, Like you I see pictures of myself when I was younger and Hey I looked pretty good. but at the time I was not that happy with how I looked. The thing is it makes no difference how you look as long as you are taking care of yourself. How we look is what distinguishes us from all the rest….sort of like our finger prints.. it is, … what it is, and the sooner we accept that the sooner we can move on and start enjoying the AWESOME world around us. Cover-up all your mirrors and only use one long enough to make sure your presentable then start being the wonderful accepting person that you are and enjoy those around you. Like it or not there is a certain amount a vainness in worrying about how we look……..!
glenda nelson
September 12, 2016at 6:19 amGreat to hear from you, Earl! You are so right and that is exactly the path I’ve been on for the past few years. It took a long time for me to get “out of my head”. Yes, I was vain. But, I wasn’t born that way … I was raised on media messages that tell women we need to look and act a certain way to be accepted and loved. Women had to be skinny, it was as though the Mad Men creating the media messages wanted us to disappear. But, aging gracefully has changed all that and life experience has made me realize that living in the present moment (physically and mentally) is the way to go. I’m no longer trying to cover up who I am — I am showing up just “as I am” and, as a result, enjoying life more! Like you said, the world around us is AMAZING … stop looking in the mirror, because all too soon you will be looking at the rear view and will have missed the best view of life! Carpe Diem!
Deborah Chandler McNutt
September 4, 2016at 10:11 pmLove your hair I stopped coloring about 10 years ago and it is too hot to wear make up in Florida. Love your look. Too bad you were not smart enough to listen to me 20 years ago. See how smart I am about you beauty?
glenda nelson
September 6, 2016at 5:39 amOh, Debbie! You’re the best! And, yes … you are a smart one! You make me smile!! You and my mom are such amazing examples of natural beauty … I am blessed! Love you lots!
Madison Artchick
September 10, 2016at 9:41 amI spent the last year transitioning. I had long red hair, and that was my identity for a very long time. My last color was 52 weeks ago today. In October of last year, after going through a devastating relationship loss and a move I was sitting at my dressing table and trying to cover my roots with a Madison Reed root touch up kit. I suddently realized how ludicrous it was and said to myself, “I’m done.” I cancelled my next hair appointment. At the end of the month I went to visit my son and his family and got brave enough to chop it from 25 inches to 3 inches at it’s longest. I grew it for 8 1/2 months, living and loving myself through the awkward multi-color stage. On May 20 I chopped all the dyed color off. For 16 weeks now I’ve been growing it out, and it’s all silver… I am going to see if I like it long, that was my promise to myself. I wear less makeup now than I ever did, and I think I look younger because my hair matches my skin tone very well. I LOVE my silver. I love everything about not having to spend my time making myself artificially beautiful. It has translated in to me making a decision to go back to being a full time artist in 10 months and in the meantime, I am creating so much beauty through paint! I have made over 45 paintings since making that career decision…just since July 1! I am so happy I decided “I’m done!” I loved this post. Thank you for sharing your story and upbeat nature. We are kindred spirits!!!!
glenda nelson
September 13, 2016at 4:43 pmHi Madison, my kindred spirit! What an awesome note … I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story! Wow, from long red hair to short, sassy and classy! I love your determination! From “I’m done” to well-done! I LOVE your silver … and your Facebook picture makes me think about having bangs again! I’m so glad you are going to let your hair grow … I’m sure you will like it long (again)! I think you look great. And, I totally agree that less makeup allows your natural skin tone to match your hair … and the end result is that we look younger and fresher. I’m with you, I love the extra time it gives us, too!! It’s a win-win! And, congrats on being a full time artist! Again, well-done. Once I hit “reply” I’m heading over to your website to check it out! Thank you so much for your beautiful response. You made my day, my week! I can’t wait to watch as you grow your locks out … this will be fun! Thanks again for your kind words! You’re the best!