"Beauty" is Not a Dirty Word

Some Color-of-the-Year Beauty Finds

I've been struggling a bit since my YouTube beauty video confession last summer.  Struggling about wanting to share some beauty tricks, tips, or finds in this space.  But in a larger sense, struggling with guilt.

Why?

Lately, beauty seems to have become a bad word.  In an effort to make sure that we, as authentic women, are not owned by the aesthetic, it feels like beauty has been banished.  We don't want our daughters to be judged by whether or not they are pretty, so talking about how we look (or want to look) has become a new taboo.

Yet, when I've received a compliment from a fellow mom or female colleague ("your eyes look really pretty today" or "your skin looks great, what have you been doing"), and I've mustered the courage to admit my YouTube secret, the response I get is almost one of relief.  "Oh, you, too?!" I've heard more than once.  Not only do I enjoy taking a few extra minutes on my appearance when I can, but I'm not the only one!

I've thought a lot about it and have come to realize that we, as women of substance may have thrown the baby out with the bathwater, which is to say:

I don't think beauty is a dirty word - so long as it is not the only word.

Striving to give our children wholesome, meaningful experiences, challenging our minds with intellectual pursuits, and using our hands to create {delicious food or lovely crafts} does not require excluding beauty from our vocabulary and lifestyle.  In fact, making a little extra effort can make us feel like we're bringing our A-game to those other, far loftier pursuits.

So instead of feeling guilty, I'm going to embrace wanting to be just a little bit selfish and girly each day.  And since I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one, I've also decided to share some of that feminine fun here, in addition to my regularly irregular marginalia.

Do you have a favorite beauty tip you've been dying to share?  I'd love to hear it!