Like so many little girls, I started playing around with makeup as soon as I was able to reach the bathroom counter where my mom kept her everyday frosty blue eye shadow and rose lipstick… (hey, it was the 70’s…)

For special occasions though, she  had this blood-red lipstick, which, of course, matched her nail polish to perfection. Now, I always thought my mom was the most beautiful woman in the world (and she is!) even bare faced, but when she had her red lipstick on she was just something else. It was like she became someone else. She just stood differently, like her whole being was infused with a different quality that was unmistakable and yet so hard to define…. I learned later on what it was: confidence. When she took the time, when she made the extra effort, she looked good, and she knew it!

There is nothing like watching the change in a woman novice to make up, not just the physical transformation, but in her demeanor: she looks at herself in the mirror as if for the first time. Speechless, noticing how the skin is clear, the eyes bright, the lips luscious… “wait, is that ME???” Soon the shock gives way to: “Dang, i look good!” and there it is: She stands up straighter, she looks into her own eyes like she’s seeing a brand new person and finally she smiles in recognition: “I knew you were in there all along, hot stuff!”

Indeed :)