Remember When you Thought You’d Never Age?
Growing up on a farm in central Washington, I never dreamed I would be chosen to model for Elite Models in New York City. At age sixteen, I left the farm, and flew to Manhattan to leap into the fantastic and dysfunctional world of being an object of marketing female beauty. I have many great memories from this time period in my life, including working with Albert Watson, Horst, and Patrick Demarchelier- all world-class photographers and artists. This experience also launched me into my current career as a professional makeup artist, and gave me the acumen to manage dealing with high-touch clients like Hilary Clinton and Al Gore. I am forever grateful for my background, and also for the lessons I gleaned from it in self-acceptance and aging with dignity; lessons that the industry plays against in order to sell products and the idea that looking youthful makes you more lovable than normal aging.
Why Plastic Surgery and Botox are a Feminist Issue
Now that I am fifty-three, I focus on loving myself as I age, and telling my body and face how beautiful it is. Botox and plastic surgery are, to me, the diametric opposite of self-love, and need to be entered into with forethought and introspection. With our current #metoo movement, the toxic patriarchal ideal that women are ornaments is beginning to cave. More and more famous women like Jamie Lee Curtis and Meryl Streep are shunning plastic surgery and showing up with all their power and strong voice to herald a new beginning for what it looks like to be a strong female. God bless them. The unreachable ideal of beauty and acceptance for women is losing speed.
Beauty is not in a Bottle
I can say with absolute certainty that beauty isn’t in a bottle, no matter what cosmetic companies tell you. Wake up. We have forgotten what beauty is, and it’s time to remember. Beauty is your essence, and all of you possess it. It is given to every woman under the sun, and it reachable. You don’t need a fancy class or to read a particular book to discover it. It is in your DNA, it is your forever gift granted to the divine female in all of us. It is the Empress, the woman powerful enough to allow her feminine energy to permeate a room and a culture even though it mostly goes unrecognized and sometimes judged. But it is felt. It is gentle, it is loud, it is courageous, and it is light. I encourage all of you to go inward, and ask for this divinity to come forward. Our world needs you and needs your love, kindness, voice, and innate female strength.
Who are YOU as an Empowered Woman?
I believe in female equality and empowerment. You could call me a feminist, as long as that word holds a positive place in your repertoire. Having said that, I also love men and value what the positive masculine brings to the table. In truth, it’s about balance and respect. We are here to bring balance to the force (if you’re a Star Wars fan you’ll appreciate that analogy.) How can you be true to yourself and allow your own feminine power to benefit your own sphere of people? What does it look like for you to lead in a way that honors you, as well as those around you whether or not they do the same? What does it mean for you to step out? I think it starts with self-acceptance and self-love. Love your wrinkles, love your heart, and love your beauty.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Meryl Streep are very poor examples to “herald a new beginning for what it looks like to be a strong female.” Why? They attained wealth and power when they were young women and have managed to keep that power. If you don’t have it when you’re young, you’re not going to get it when you’re older and don’t conform to white men’s idea of beauty. Deny it how you will, that’s the way it is. Self-acceptance and self-love are great, but they don’t pay the mortgage.
Hi Elwyn,
You are correct on all accounts. I could write an article on the unfairness of the world, how the white man dictates and we must dance to his bidding. I could write on many such things because they are true. I am not blind to this depressing world we live in, what I chose to focus on, however, is not the blatant victimization of women and minorities, but on hope. Without hope, what are we? I DO see changes in our society that lighten my spirit and strengthen my cause. I refuse to “kick against the goads,” because it’s exhausting and unproductive. Instead, I chose to live from my heart and preach that a life well lived, rather than the behaviour of others, is my calling and platform. We cannot avoid the harsh realities of this planet, but we can be the powerful feminine voice of love and peace. Even if very few (white men) are listening.