Even though so many of you were so complimentary on my fantastic good looks in the previous post's family picture, there are some days when I feel like maybe I could use a lesson or two in how to be a mom to daughters. I mean, my own learning curve in figuring out the what's and how's of modern American womanhood has been especially (and sometimes embarassingly) late and long. And while I'm infinitely grateful for my eventual education in underwire, and the roundbrush, and the tampon, not all of modern American womanhood has been a happy discovery. Little did I know that ignorace was bliss when it came to figuring out that not all eyebrows are created equal. I can't help but feel sorry for poor Susan Boyle, because no one tells you that once you start some kind of plucking regimen, that you have to do it again; like the next day. And then again....and then again....and then again...and again. And that from then on you will stop looking at people in the eye when talking with them because you'll be too distracted and frustrated by wondering how they get their own eyebrows to look so symmetrical and clean, when save for a pact with the Devil, you can't. Maybe she rues the day that someone forced her hostage with an incredibly sharp pair of tweezers aimed only inches from her eyeballs, or perhaps the millions of dollars in royalties has eased the pain of that transition; but personally, I'm doubtful.
I'm thinking that I eventually I'm going to need a much bigger grooming budget when my own daughters come of age to have to learn this stuff, because it might be better for all of us if I could just hire it out to a well-equipped professional. Until then, I will own up that I still have not the first idea about how to properly apply any kind of eye makeup (or that I am usally trying to learn in the car on the way to church), that I deliberately keep Olivia's hair short so that I'm relieved from a daily, grueling hair-fixing duty, and that most days find Isabel with her hair fixed from the day or two before when she had her last bath giving her that overall orphan appearance. But I have to document the times when I at least try. Even when the braids turn out as asymmetrical as my eyebrows.
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19 comments:
I had to laugh out loud at some of your comments - especially the underwire, round brush, and tampon as I think I recall some of those discoveries of yours! hah!
My way of dealing with this is to only have sons. So far so good.
Birds of a feather.....
I'm still fascinated by the idea that people get their eyebrows and other parts waxed. Fascinated, terrified, curious, and paralyzed. I can't tell you how many years I have been trying to get up the courage to even have someone wax my eyebrows.
Cute braids. I only know how to do lopsided braids as well. It's my specialty.
FABulous post!
You need to know, you are beautiful. And your daughters have never looked like orphans to me.
Having grown up in a home where my mother often said, "even a barn looks better painted," and "I think you forgot to put your on lipstick," I am going in the opposite direction then you are. I am on the down ward slope. These days I am taking it easy and not applying make up every-single-day-of-my-living-life. And enjoying the days that my daughters DO look like orphans. I have Delaware to thank for that. Thank you DE for teaching me it's okay to wear a pony tail and your work out clothes all day .
I'm a big fan of hiring out the eyebrow thing. I didn't start until my early twenties and when I see pictures of myself before that time I do kind of fixate on my then unibrow. My girls are quickly following in my brow filled footsteps and I'm committed to budgeting for a monthly visit so we can all be waxed together. It does hurt a little but it is oh, so worth it.
I'm with you on the hair and make up thing. I had to admit to another grown woman the other day that I have no idea how to put on blush. And Siena's braids are always lopsided. It kind of freaks me out when I see little girls with perfectly parted ponytails. That kind of symmetry is unnatural.
Oh, and the braids are impressive!
This makes me laugh,and maybe I don't know you as well as I think you do but you are a wonderful mother for girls - lopsided braids and all (that's how little girls are supposed to look - even if you were able to braid symmetrical they'd be messed up because of playing too hard in a few hours anyway!).
Hilarious.
I miss you, friend.
You have some adorable orphans! Kids look like that no matter how they leave the house in the morning. I wish Grace would let me do her hair!
LOL. Pretty funny post. I also grew up hearing "don't leave the house without wearing lipstick" and all sorts of other comments focused on my appearance. Although I still am a pretty regular make-up (and lipgloss) person - I am trying really hard not to force that on my daughters. Addie shows little interest in hair or make-up and I try hard to just let her be who she wants to be. Cate on the other hand begs to put make-up on. I think when the time comes - your daughters will probably take the lead and let you know how much they want to delve into that kind of stuff.
And the eyebrow thing? I was married by the time I discovered my many strays! Now I have to admit - I am a little obsessed. Tweezers are part of my daily routine :-)
I plucked a few eyebrow hairs a couple of weeks ago for the first time ever. And I've NEVER had a manicure nor a pedicure. On the other hand, I do feel fairly confident about doing my girls' hair--occasionally, when I feel like it and they'll let me--but I can't do French braids! I mean I think I know how in theory, and I remember learning how at girls' camp, but the one or two times I've tried them on my girls I gave up.
Most of the time Mabel would rather I not do her hair, but Rose will let me more often, and then she'll stand in front of the mirror and say, "I look beautiful!"
Great braids!
Ok, so I have 4 girls...I did finally learn the french braid thing when #2 was in kindergarten..I have never attempted to shape my eyebrows (but constantly wonder if I should). I don't wear makeup, have no clue how to apply it, didn't even have any for my wedding. I have no fashion sense. I rely heavily on hand me downs from cousins to outfit my children and had a friend say once that I should at least buy my girls one new outfit for school that is in style. Like I would know what was in style.
Girl, you've have totally got the Kate Moss "I'm-too-cool-to-try-too-hard" fashionista thing going on. These are the braids of any mega-celebrity cruising around L.A., hoping that Us Weekly will post of a picture of her in the "stars are just like us!" section. The only difference is that those women spend hours trying to get the haphazard thing just right...
I really enjoyed reading this post and that is because, of course, I am so like you!
The orphaned look is one I know well- I call it the "rag-a-muffin" look or the "it looks like no one loves you" look.
Ah, dear friends! I love you all, lipstick-ed or not. Thanks!!
Maybe I'm still ignorant. I have never plucked my eyebrows. I don't care. and after reading that I'd have to do it over and over and over......well, lets just say I'll pass.
I am an eyebrow shaper queen, though I can never get shaped quite it right. I used to leave it up to the professionals, but I finally broke down and bought my own hot wax kit last year so I wasn't spending 14 bucks every few weeks to get them done. Each time is an adventure, let me assure you!
And I just don't braid my daughters hair. She is growing up quite distraught about it, that is for sure. But I can't. I just can't;)
Jennette,
I am so proud of you and Isabel's braids. It just takes time and practice, but at least you are trying.
By the way, I think your eye make up is perfect.
I just spent the better part of an hour catching up on you and your great family. It seems you are all doing well.
I was tickled to read about the "Kirkland Temple" a few posts ago. Stephen and I have called Costco the Kirkland Temple for years. It is our most consistent form of temple worship.
D.
I am so glad I'm not the only one that feels like I missed out on the class of how to do all these womanly things. I told Mark for my next birthday I want lessons on HOW to do makeup. Especially for those sick or pregnant days and weeks I really need some pointers to bring my face back to life.
Megan already needs some plucking or waxing and I'm worried about being too vain about it & wonder when to start. They're so cute, but a super thick unibrow in Kindergarten is a little much.
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