12.26.2013

Just a Little Lipstick




If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that my love for all things beauty started when I was really young. My grandmother has owned a salon for years, and I spent a lot of time there as a kid. I was an observant child, and something that really stood out was seeing the transformation of the women. They all left looking more beautiful than before, but so happy. That image stayed with me.

Years later, I was attending a conference, and the speaker was impeccably dressed and spoke so eloquently. She began to tell the crowd her story: she came from an abusive background, with a controlling ex. One day, while he was at the store, she did the bravest thing ever and escaped with her two small children. She didn't have time to pack or plan, so they left with only the clothes on their backs. She was able to get into a shelter for women, start over, and become a successful speaker, but the one thing she missed then was makeup. Yes, true beauty comes from within, but she said that having makeup, just a little lipstick, made all the difference in her confidence. Something so small can make all the difference sometimes. I immediately thought back to the women in my grandmother's salon who left smiling and with a bounce in their step.

I truly admired her, other women I've read about, and even women in my family who have been through such struggles. I thought about how I could help them. I returned to the story of the speaker who wanted "just a little lipstick." It turns out many shelters will accept new and sanitized used makeup (see my post here and please ask them first). Think how much makeup/products we throw out, because the color was wrong, or the product didn't work for us. Those could easily work for someone else. Please consider donating.

I'm not brave or courageous like these women. I'm shy! I'm confident in my beauty knowledge, but get me in a room of strangers and I want to hide. Unfortunately, being a blogger doesn't allocate time for shyness. To be successful in blogging, I needed to attend events, which is something I'd avoided for over a year simply because I didn't have the confidence. All of that changed when I received an email for an event for sheltered women who are now entering the workforce and getting a fresh start. My heart knew this was the event, my first, to attend. I was so nervous the night of the event. I couldn't wait to meet and hear the stories of these women. And before I exited the car, I took a deep breath, and added just a little lipstick.

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16 comments:

  1. Happy Holidays!!!
    xo
    MOSAMUSE

    www.MOSAMUSE.com

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  2. What a lovely story! I didn't know about your family history. I can see how the magical transformation of appearance and spirit would impress a child.

    Good advice on the donating. Many of us have less and can use a hand. There's so much waste in our consumer society. As a makeup-newbie, I've received cast-off products from gals who were going to throw stuff out and it was valuable to me.

    Happy New Year!

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  3. Great story! And a good reminder for us all.

    katespitz.blogspot.com

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  4. Such a great store. Thanks you for your comment on my blog the other day.

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  5. What an inspirational post! It's true that sometimes that little boost is what it takes to give you confidence or turn a bad day into a good one. What a great way to help someone else out and make their life a little brighter.

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  6. Good for you! Put on a little lipstick and put yourself out there- and for such a great cause. :) Lovely post, Elle! And for the record, I think you're very brave!

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

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  7. I love how the blogging community is so positive! I don't think I've ever read a negative thing in the comments on someone's blog! So happy I joined and am excited for the future of blogging!
    www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com

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  8. such a lovely post !! i really love the idea of donating :) helping others is what makes you fell beautiful inside and out :) Love your blogs !! i am glad that i found another great blog to follow :) Hope you had a lovely Christmas :) xx
    www.ambifashion.com

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  9. This is such a lovely story, I doubt that anyone would consider donating makeup unless reading something like this!

    Merry Christmas!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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  10. Such a touching story, Elle:) It's always amazing to hear stories of such bravery, and isn't it amazing how such a simple thing can make such a difference?

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  11. Nice. Your grandmother sounds like a really special person.

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  12. I don't have IG but I do have facebook :)

    Merry Xmas love!

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  13. Oh very lovely and cute comunity very interesting!
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com

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  14. Lots of lovely insights here Elle! So true that having something as simple as a little lipstick on can truly help lift one's spirits and confidence. What a great idea--making cosmetics donations to women's shelters. T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  15. amazing story darl, really inspiring. love it x

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