When it comes to makeup I take a pretty hands-off approach pretty much at all times. I only ever wear mascara for most things, and don’t mess with actual skin makeup unless I’m going all out for a fancy date or a party. Most people might think that this is a pretty daring thing to do; most women, from my experience, don’t really want to be seen in public sans makeup.
I tend to take a different approach, one that would probably get me a one-way ticket to What Not to Wear (which may not be terrible now that I think about it…). See, it’s not always that I just don’t feel like putting makeup on or getting ready. I’d say that’s the case about 60% of the time; being a work-from-home mom just makes for some really busy days, so the times that Wes and I are out and about I just do my best to try and at least smell like I’ve showered.
But here’s the deal: the rest of the time that I don’t wear makeup or don’t even try to do something like wear lip color or eyeshadow it’s because I don’t want to stand out. Most days I don’t really care about makeup, but on the days that I want/need to look nice I don’t want to get too much attention. I don’t want to be the girl who didn’t know how to apply red lipstick correctly, so I just don’t even try.
While this approach is pretty wallet-friendly, I found through my first little #liveboldly experiment in wearing bold lipcolor that this is probably going to be harder than I thought. It’s easy, in the moment of making my list of bold things to try, to say that I can surely wear red lipstick and be totally fine.
So Saturday I went to the store, bought some red lipstick, brought it home and tried it on. And then immediately wiped it off. And then got scared that wearing it to my 30th birthday dinner would just be too much. Too much Heather all up in people’s faces. Too much poorly applied red lipstick. Just too much.
As we were getting ready to leave I momentarily forgot where I put the lipstick and let out a small sigh of relief. Thank goodness I could sit back and blend in again… But Nate wouldn’t let me, so we searched for the lipstick til we found it and then I put it on my lips in the car on the way to dinner. I was terrified the entire time that I would just be too much.
When we got to the restaurant I took the mandatory “see? I totally wore the lipstick” shot on my phone and something changed. I looked at that photo and thought, “WOW! I don’t look terrible!” I actually LIKED the way that I looked in that lipstick. And I felt beautiful.
I know this little challenge may seem silly. It’s just makeup after all, right? But the more I’m delving into this 31 day experiment, the more I’m seeing that there are a lot of heart issues bubbling just below the surface of that red lipstick. If I were to guess it’s probably got something to do with the fact that after getting married and having a baby I had gained some weight, and while I’ve lost some of it the mindset of being the towering big girl is still there. Like maybe I feel like I already stand out enough…why would I want to draw anymore attention to myself?
Y’all, as I dig through this I’m seeing already that God has plans to reveal himself to me through me. I hope that the boldness of his sacrifice will challenge me to become bold not just in seeing myself as beautiful, but in knowing myself as the daughter he knows me to be. The outside is only going to show what is felt on the inside, and that little bit of red lipstick was the first of what I hope will be a piece-by-piece revealing of the woman the Lord created me to be.
I’m so blessed to have you guys. Love you!
Heather
Have really enjoyed your living boldly series. Love the red lipstick, colored jeans, haircolor but especially love your sweet spirit in how to deal with conflict. Our senators and representatives could learn from you right now.
You look beautiful. Rock that red lipstick, girl! (And belated happy birthday!)Also, I don’t think this is silly. Little changes can be powerful.
Haha THANK YOU! And you’re so right, those little changes can add up to really big things!
I had a similiar lipstick experience, but for a different reason. Growing up, I played flute, then trumpet — so I never really learned that lipstick was a daily thing. Then I became a music teacher, where I play recorder, and it was too messy so I didn’t bother. This summer, we had to go to a formal function, and I took the risk and bought a new shade of lipstick. I thought it would be plum, and it turned out to be dark hot pink — not a color many people can wear after the teenage years. However, I started wearing it to school as part of my goal (if I look more put together I’ll feel more put together and be a calmer, saner person) and darn if it didn’t work! I have 600 students, and at least half of them have noticed, commented, said,”You look pretty today,” or the like. It didn’t change anything drastic or cause there to be more attention, it just perked ME up a bit. Now it’s an everyday thing. (Plus, my 2-year-old is now addicted to “lipstick kisses” to help when I leave him at daycare.)
The lipstick kisses sound so cute! I bet my little one will love them once he figures it out 😉
🙂 I think you look great with red lipstick, it really brings out your eyes.
Thank you Lauren!!!
Heather, you’re such a babe! You are seriously working that red lip like no one’s business.
I think it’s really important to do what you did and try to figure out why we shy away from living boldly, even in the little ways (i.e. you don’t want to draw attention to yourself…although, homegirl, the good Lord made you beautiful, and His handiwork is hard to hide…ain’t nothing wrong with a little red lipstick to help remind you of that). Way to step out in boldness, and I look forward to hearing more about this journey!
It looks terrific! I think it really makes the blue in your eyes stand out. Keep wearing it:)
I’m the same way with lipstick! The bold look freaks me out, so I wipe it off. In fact, the other day, my husband asked, “Do women still wear lipstick?” Yes, yes they do… just not me. Haha Anyway, you look great!
What a beautiful message and look at you! Gorgeous! I also have that sweater (Stitch Fix?). It’s like wearing a cozy throw all day 🙂
Maybe it’s something about turning 30, but I did the same thing as well earlier this year. I thought for sure people would say “Seriously? Who does she think she is?” The first day, one of my kids told me I look like Taylor Swift, and I realized that it made me feel like a real lady – even when covered in food stains and with unwashed hair. No matter your size, shape, ability, or age, God made you to be a lady. Sometimes you just have to wear red lipstick to remind yourself of it.
Amen. Just AMEN! Thank you so much Amanda!!!
Heather, that color of red looks great on you! You have such a sweet heart & it really shows through on your blog. I would say more women can relate to this than you think. Keep wearing that lipstick:) Have a blessed day!
Thank you Abby! I kind of took a stab in the dark when I picked it out; I was pleasantly surprised!
Love this. I have exactly the same relationship with lipstick. Every time I wear it (for weddings, etc.), I immediately blot most of it off, thinking that people are going to be thinking to themselves: What’s she trying to be now?
Love that your husband made you do it, and you totally do NOT look like a clown in this picture – you look fabulous 🙂 You can pull this off! Looking forward to your other bold posts!
I love this. I’m the same way about bold lipsticks or certain clothing choices. I see them on other people and love it but think “I could never pull off red lipstick.” It’s a comparison game, in which I always lose, and it’s not healthy. You totally ROCKED that red lipstick girl! Thanks for inspiring us all to live boldly!
Ok, seriously, red lipstick looks great on you!
Oh, bless your heart. I could have easily written this at any stage of my life. Maybe it’s the curly hair thing–too many people comment on that. I don’t know. I used to worry about it, but now I just try to be content in who I am. Not always an easy thing to do, that’s for sure. Stephie is just like my best friend Sheila, who seems to know exactly what to do with the makeup, while I stand in front of my mirror, sure that I’m doing it wrong. You look beautiful no matter how much makeup you have on. I’m already enjoying this series. Have a blessed day.