One of my secret pet peeves (secret no more!) is when women I am working with freak out over make-up. “Oh my GOSH, I would NEVER wear a gel eyeliner! Oh my gosh, that’s WAY too much lipstick.”
I’m like, “GIRL, it’s your FACE. I PRESUME it’s washable?”
When I was a wee lass, my mom gave my sister and me shoeboxes full of her old make-up to play with on rainy days. We had a little table that she set up with theatre bulb lights and big mirrors and it was SO glamorous and fun! So I learned to experiment with different things and have a gas. I learned that you can slather on peacock green eyeshadow and presto, change-o, take it right off with some Pond’s Cold Cream!
I am convinced that the cosmetics industry makes squillions of dollars selling make-up phobic women products that barely show up on their faces for a reason: they’re selling an idea rather than a reality. “Look! Pretty things in gorgeous packaging that will make you feel like you’re wearing make-up!” In truth, though, this stuff is so lightly pigmented that what they’re really selling is the sensual, girly experience of applying it. It doesn’t do a thing to enhance the complexion or looks of anyone whose skin has lived through more than twenty-five winters and summers.
As Exhibit A, I give you Aerin Lauder’s Fall Collection:
Pretty pixie dust. Fine for very young women, but mature women shouldn’t bother. I’ve been around the cosmetics block too many times to fall for this. Aerin’s promotional materials say that this is “effortless” make-up with “can’t go wrong palettes, one for workday, one for weekend.” Savvy Miz PeaceBang reads that as, “No one but you will have any idea you’re wearing make-up. It’s ‘can’t-go-wrong’ because you’d have to apply it with a trowel in order to render it visible to the naked eye. Please spend $70 for the sensation of wearing make-up without any of its actual benefits.”
Oh, here’s the weekend palette:
The super pink tones are switched out for peachier tones. I haven’t tested this kit and I probably won’t, so correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m guessing that these aren’t “universally flattering” but more like “nice and practically invisible for white girls who already have flawless skin.”
I shall continue this in a part two as soon as I feel like it. For now, I leave you with this.
I just wanted to say that I really like the new picture at the top of the blog! [While acknowledging once again that it is YOUR blog and you may choose any picture you like!] WHY THANKS, bebeh! – PB
Hmmmm, interesting. I’m not familiar with this line of makeup but these are the kinds of colors I like to wear, as well as browns and coppers for eyeshadow and liner. Rev. Gidget can attest that I am not at all afraid of makeup!
I also like the banner at the top, fwiw.
Gina wears make-up beautifully.. She could give lessons.
Hello! Yes, I like the new banner too. And maybe you could call it “Gateway Makeup” or “Emperor’s New Makeup”?
In a previous life I worked in the theatre & over & over again the make up artists would say some of the cheaper lines were better than the more expensive stuff. You just need to know what to buy & how to apply.
White girls with flawless skin need love, too 😉
LOVE the header, m’dear!
LOVE the header, m’dear! (except that the niv should be the nrsv 😉 )[Believe me, I wanted to, but I didn’t have an NRSV with the title on the COVER, just the spine. – PB]
LOVING the new banner…and I am re-discovering the fun in makeup. I read fashion magazines to keep my stress levels in check…realising that I will not be a cover model and that once the makeup is off, THEY don’t look like cover models either.
I am blessed with good skin, but I love to apply makeup. It becomes part of my routine in getting dressed. There’s nothing better than finding a new shade of lipstick! One of my parishioners manages the beauty counter at my local drug store and she has reintroduced my love of colour.
I am a woman of God and I like to have fun with my appearance, but IMHO always look appropriate. After all you never know when you’ll be called to the hospital or to funeral home. As long as we know who we are and to whom we belong (God) then we can do whatever we need to do to look beautiful.
Right now my latest craze is mascara.
Rock on PB!
“so correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m guessing that these aren’t “universally flattering†but more like “nice and practically invisible for white girls who already have flawless skin.â€
oh honey I damn near fell outta my chair when I read this line. Thank you for saying it. ‘Cuz I get real tired of seeing all these things described as “universal” anything when the manufacturer knows that their “universal” doesn’t fit me, my mother, any of my female relatives and most of my female friends. And don’t get me started on the use of the word “nude”.
love ya. [Love you back! – PB]
I’m a UCC specialized minister (spiritual direction) and I feel like I’ve found my soul sister Ms Rev Peace Bang. When I went to SFTS for seminary I was about one of two female seminarians that wore makeup. You’d think makeup was a sin or something. I grew up in the south where women did not leave the house without their face. By the time I was of age to call my own shots I was addicted. I love the challenge of enhancing my looks even as I age and those looks are fading. Thanks Peace Bang. (BTW one of my UCC mentors was raving about something you wrote on a blog recently and he says to me, you need to check out this Peace Bang. I’m like I know all about PB and her beauty tips. I’m way ahead of you!). Peace out. [Hey, thanks for hollering! – PB]
Oh dear. I tend toward the subtlety, but I am trying to grow. I had a horrible fail last week when I arrived at (suitably daunting university) for a class where I am trying to walk the line of professional non-traditional student who is centered in her 35 year old self and not trying to be 23. I swooped through the bathroom on my way tools class and looked at myself with alarm. WHAT is wrong with my face? Good Lord, I had left the house as naked as a child. It was me and a chapstick against the world.
Preach, Peacebang!!