Mostly Beauty Don'ts

I've been blogging about the kids for quite a number of years now, and while I talk all about them and the fun things they do, I've never allowed them to have input on my blog. It's my blog, after all. But I think it's high time I remedy that. In an unprecedented turn of events, I'm allowing my daughter to interview me. I promise to answer (most) questions (semi) honestly. Heh.

You could be in for a fun ride, people. The mind of a tween-ish girl can go just about anywhere. Fasten your seat belts and enjoy the ride.


Becky: So, Mom, at what age did you start wearing makeup?


Mom: Oh, geez. I was a late bloomer, hon. You know I was such a tomboy that I didn't take interest in anything girly until I was nearly old enough to get married. I think I was a junior in high school? A senior? Prepping for college? Yeh, way later than you were that's for sure. Way to start right in on the Embarrass Mom questions.


Becky: What was the first popular hairstyle you tried out? And I mean, like, something you personally decided to do and not that Grandma made you do.


Mom: Now that's something I can answer with a bit more confidence. Sometime in high school (stop laughing) the big new style was pulling the front back and clipping it with a barrette at the back. It sounds super complicated and fancy-like, but this is what it was. Bow included.

Not me in the photo, but my hair style was JUST like that and I couldn't have been more proud. STOP LAUGHING. This was the 80's, hon, and it wasn't how fun you could style your hair, it was all about how big you could get it.

Becky: What a loser. People do that every day now.

Mom: Yeh, laugh away. I pioneered that look.

Becky: So what was your favorite thing to wear?

Mom: At what age? And in public or at home?

Becky: How about age 16, and in public.

Mom: You would pick that age. It was a bad one. I'd like to forget that stage of my life but people like you won't let me. I was obsessed with culottes. (Seriously, it's a wonder I ever met guys, much less got married.) And to make matters worse, I was also fascinated with making my own clothing. Handmade culottes, in every neutral color known to man. Here's a picture for those who (blessedly) have no idea what culottes are. Again, not me in the photo. Pinterest is a great place to find what you need for visual reference. And yes, I delighted in wearing them in public. I rocked them.

Becky: YOU WORE THOSE?! Were they actually in style or did you just, you know, like, look like Luke and wear coveralls in town even if nobody else does?


Mom: No, they were in style. Not the cutting edge of fashion, but you could buy them in stores. I was too cool for that, though. If they weren't unevenly hemmed, I wasn't wearing them.


Becky: Wow. You were a winner as a child. Like, extra loser-ish.


Mom: Yeh, rub it in, but apparently your dad liked it. Moving on....


Becky: What kind of shirts do you wear with that? And the shoes. I want to know the shoes, too.


Mom: I thought we were moving on. I made some of my own shirts, too.


Becky: OH, MY GOSH. (Insert hysterical laughing.) The fact that you can't even make a hemline straight on pants, I can't imagine what your shirts looked like.


Mom: I went to take my drivers test in a homemade shirt. I remember that day clearly. I was so proud of it. Not even six months later, I looked at it and thought, "My Word, I wore that in public!" It was so bad. I think it had an unfinished seam somewhere.


Becky: Why did Dad marry you?! I'm glad you got better at sewing.


Mom: Yeh, me, too. I pretty much wore sneakers everywhere I went, with scrunched down socks because that was cool.


Becky: Oh. My. Gosh. Sneakers with culottes? OH. MY. GOSH.


Mom: Yeh....


Becky: At what age did you start shaving? And did you shave legs and armpits?


Mom: Why did I think it was a good idea to have you interview me? You're never going to take any advice from me ever again. I did shave before I applied makeup, so there's that. I think I was about 15 or 16.


Becky: EWWW.


Mom: Whatever. If you don't want to know, don't ask. Once I started shaving, I shaved it all. But my mom didn't give me any advice or help in that department.


Becky: Good job, Grandma.


Mom: Well, she did supply the razors. But I had to learn from friends that it's way easier to shave in the shower than dry.


Becky: Oh. MY GOSH.


Mom: I was incredibly naive. It was sad. But shaving in the shower was a real lifesaver for my legs. And then I was introduced to shaving cream. That, too, was a life changing day.


Becky: So you're telling me that shaving cream is going to be your best advice to pass along?


Mom: Yep. Profound. And I've found through the years that a shaving cream made for women is more fun than the one you take from your dad's medicine cabinet.


Becky: Wow, you were a winner.


Mom: We covered that sufficiently, thanks. But seriously, shaving cream definitely gives you a soft and smooth shave and your skin is way prettier than mine was when I dry shaved and it was all bumpy and red. A fun shaving cream smells awesome (I love the fruit scented ones) and have found that a gel like Satin Care Passionista Fruit Shave Gel will leave your skin almost satiny. If only the 16 year old me knew that was an option. *sigh*


Becky: So any good razor will do, right?


Mom: One of my favorite razors is the Venus Embrace. Few nicks and cuts is a very good thing. One of the key things you need to look for are multiple blades. A single blade isn't going to do the job of a 5-blade razor like that Venus Embrace I love. AND it has a fun moisture ribbon thing. Refillable blade cartridges are nice since they store in the container and you can switch out right there in the shower if you're faced with a dull blade.


***************


Well, that was entertaining, wasn't it?


Now that everyone thinks so much less of me, I'm going to attempt to level the playing field here. We've all got some embarrassing moments in our past that we'd rather not share. To encourage you to open up, I've got a $50 Visa Gift Card to give away to one lucky reader who's willing to share an embarrassing story of their own fashion and beauty faux pas. It's $50, people! I spilled for free because my daughter asked me. Make me laugh, and enter to win that $50 Visa by commenting below with your story.


Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/26 - 8/23.
Be sure to visit the Venus brand feature page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!


Have you checked out the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com? There are some great tips and expert posts on everything from Looking Your Best to Getting Happy and Getting Organized!