Thursday, July 17, 2014

Colbie Caillat and Me

It seems that I am at the forefront of a new trend.  Colbie Caillat told Elle magazine that she's tired of being Photoshopped.  She wants to be able to walk out the front door without makeup and without judgment.

I've been doing that for years.

Big Cuter says I have spoiled him for all other women, since it takes me no time at all to get ready to go.  I search for my keys and my phone and my wallet - you'd think I would have learned to keep them in the same place by now, wouldn't you? - and I'm out the door.  I don't own any makeup to put on. My hair is wash and shake and finger comb to dry.  I like everything in my closet these days and the temperature is always hot so there aren't that many decisions to be made. I can be up and in the shower and in my clothes and out the door in less than ten minutes, if I have to.  I don't look that much different when I have an hour to prepare. 

Colbie Caillat told Elle that she worries about disappointing her fans.  That's akin to a first grader freaking out when he sees his teacher holding hands, wearing shorts, walking near the zoo.  You get over it.  If her music is dependent upon her appearance, if her listeners can't appreciate its value without imagining a glamour puss mouthing the words, then she might have a point.  But I've been enjoying her for years and have never given much thought to anything beyond the sound.

No one should have to be on all the time.  Celebrities should be able to run to the corner store and grab a paper (does anyone do that anymore?) without worrying about being on the cover of the supermarket tabloids.  But, since my should's don't rule the world, those in the public eye have to punt.  Jackie Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis in part because he had enough money and influence to allow her to live a life out of the public eye.  Buying an island or a mega-yacht isn't possible for most, so they worry.

I suppose I could worry, too.  I have gone beyond clean-and-pressed, washed-and-dried, nothing-more; I wore makeup on special occasions until sometime in the 2000's.  I know I didn't move any to Arizona in 2006.  The rest of the wedding party had their makeup done and they looked lovely.  I brought my face to the party, clad only in sunscreen.

My samples go straight to Elizibeth, who regards them as manna from heaven.  Then, again, she's 16 and trying to decide what she looks like.  Face paint is just one variation, for now. She knows I think she's gorgeous when she rolls into the dining room with bed-hair.  When pushed, she'd probably admit that she knows it, too. 

That's where it gets tricky. 16 and hiding behind war paint?  We are not alone with our insecurities, the opening opines. And then, there's this:

Do they like you?
 
Do you like you?
 
I like you.
 


This is one of those posts which ends up in a different place than I'd intended. I'm glad to know that I am on the cutting edge of a burgeoning trend.  This video prompted lots of comments and likes and shares on Facebook, so it obviously touched a nerve.  It's never been a big deal to me, one way or another.  I'm not very good at it, I'm lazy, it's an expense I can avoid..... I have lots of reasons but the biggest one is that I just don't care about it that much. 

I do, however, always wear good underwear, because Bubba was right.  You never know when you're going to end up in the hospital.  Trust me on this one, denizens, even if you are reading this as you are applying mascara.

4 comments:

  1. I have friends like that who wear no makeup, look fine without it, although they don't get ready any faster than I do. I have long hair, shorter at the moment because i cut it myself because I wanted a change. I cut my own hair a lot of the time mostly to avoid time in beauty salons. It isn't that they don't do a better job but that I don't want to take the time. I do get a permanent once every year or two and then try to justify the time and expense with watching the clientele especially those getting color jobs. Boy that's complex. I also don't do pedicure/manicures for a lot of the same reasons. I like my nails as they are, and with the life I lead, breaking off one isn't unusual which would have me upset if I put money into them.

    But make up, yes I do. But it does not take me more than a couple of minutes. I wear eyeliner more regularly than anything else which might be a product of my age. In style or out, I wear eyeliner. Then I wear a lipstick, the 99¢ sort which I buy in large quantities because finding my color in lipstick isn't easy. I wear a very pale shade to lighten my lips because my natural lip color is darker than looks good on me-- especially when I am wearing that eyeliner. I've never looked good with dark lips mainly due to my bone structure probably-- too sharp and dark lips make it look sharper. Around the house sometimes I still wear the eyeliner just for me but it's more iffy than if I am going out. Still I can be out the door also in 10 minutes or less-- even taking the time to put in my contacts. I am actually generally ready before my husband who has no makeup or contacts ;).

    Incidentally, I enjoyed this post. I have seen the popularity of the selfies with no makeup. I've done a few like that and frankly can't see much difference even considering the eyeliner but then a photo doesn't tell the whole story ;). The makeup look I go for is one that looks like I didn't use any except my eyes stand out more. Well other than the days I am in a mood to go owl eyed ;)

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  2. I wear very little make up and sometimes feel somewhat dowdy compared to others. I love this video. I am comfortable with my minimal look, but need to be reminded that I am just myself. I see many young women who have no idea of their beauty and who cover themselves up with lots of makeup. I also was told to wear clean undies. I've had some times (not as serious as yours, thankfully) when I was glad for having followed that advice.

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  3. I agree with Colbie Caillat, but I feel rather plain when I don't have some color in my face and no eye-liner. I don't wear make-up at home at all. I usually just pull my hair back and put on some comfy clothes. If I'm going to the office, I wear make-up. If I'm out for the weekend running errands, I put on a little just to give me some color and I don't look washed out. I'm not one of those people though that takes a long time to put on make-up. I rarely wear mascara because I end up rubbing my eyes to much and then I'm a mess. So it's basic stuff that I can put on in five minutes. Any longer and I feel like I've wasted time primping.

    I do feel that too much makeup makes one look silly. Makeup should enhance; not make one look over made.

    Will have to watch the video at home tonight.

    Sending hugs!

    Megan xxx

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  4. P.S. that should be too and not to in my post.

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