My dishwasher's possessed

one mom's attempt to find humor in the chaos

Life in the Mirror

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Life in the Mirror

With very few exceptions, I’ve been partaking in a daily ritual since I was about 16.  

I’ve performed it in front of an audience of acting students for a class exercise as well as with a dressing room full of other women, and sometimes men, getting ready to go onstage. I’ve even done it in front of a nurse a few hours after giving birth to my first child. Not to mention the many times I have done it with babies, toddlers, and even teens vying for my attention.

What is this thing I make sure, come hell or high water, I do?  My makeup.

The types of compacts and potions I use have changed and morphed throughout the years. At first it was mostly drugstore brands, mixed in with a few pricier items my mom would buy for me at the mall. As I got older and made more money, I moved up to more expensive formulas with much prettier packaging.

The colors I use have changed too. Gone are the bright technicolors I first loved as a girl in my teens and early twenties who spent days in acting school and nights out at clubs, to the more muted and professional tones of a woman who worked in an office and spent weekends walking in the city with her husband.

Today I favor colors that work with my middle-age skin and my role as part-time writer, full-time mom of three.

My time in front of a mirror applying my makeup is my most sacred time. No matter where I need to be or how fast I need to get there I can almost always find time to do it. There have only been a few incidents in my life where I have been so sick that I haven’t wanted to put on at least some lipstick or mascara.

I instinctively open up my collection of containers and compacts. I look at my face as my fingers reach for the sponge I use to apply my foundation. I reach for a brush and start tapping and swirling it into the translucent powder and then all over my cheeks and forehead. Always making sure to go down to my neck.  As I do this I watch my complexion get more even.

Now that my canvas is ready I can start to paint. Depending on what I have to do that day and how much time I have, I either brush on a little bronzer over my cheeks and eyes before I move on, or I more carefully apply blush and eye makeup. I suck my cheeks in and open my eyes as big as I can as I brush on whatever I chose to wear for the day. No matter what I always end with mascara and lipstick. Again, sometimes it’s just a quick sweep of the lashes and lips, other times I use the precision of a surgeon as I line my mouth or make sure each lash is covered.

My ears can pick up the noises outside my bathroom, but I don’t pay them much attention. I’m focused on what I’m doing, yet my mind is free to wander.

Some mornings my thoughts may go to one of the kids, or a project I’m working on. Sometimes I might think of an old friend or try to solve a problem. Other times I only focus on the task at hand.

After I’m done, I put my make up away, open the bathroom door, and allow the craziness of my day to begin.

Comments

  3. Rena McDaniel says

    This is really something that I struggle with. Growing up with 4 brothers and a mom who never wore makeup is just seems so foreign to me. I rarely wear it, but when we go somewhere special. I would love to change that because I’ve gotten so lazy about my appearance. I rarely leave the house through the week so I seldom even get dressed (I live in my pj’s most of the time). I need to start taking more time for myself. I just don’t know where I would find it between taking care of mom and now I’m watching the twins (their 10 months old now) everyday while my daughter works. Half the time I feel privileged when I can use the bathroom without someone looking for me!

    • Kathy Radigan says

      Rena it really seems counter intuitive when your life is as crazy as yours, but I don’t know how I would have survived all of these years as a caregiver if I didn’t take those few minutes. And actually I don’t need much to feel a little better, there are a lot of products that do double and triple duty. I realize makeup is not for everyone, but for me, it’s been the one thing I have been able to keep for myself.

    • Kathy Radigan says

      Joy I think that is what I find so relaxing about it, I have to focus on me, even if it’s just two minutes to put some mascara and lipstick on. It’s really the only me time I really give myself. xo

    • Kathy Radigan says

      I think we all need something, whatever it is. My BFF is not a makeup person per say, but she does really enjoy doing her hair, that is her time. My mom likes to clean as a way to connect with herself. Thanks!

  9. Kelly Arnell says

    I wish I was like this! I have never been much of a make up person. I have been known to say, that was a waste of make up, if I didn’t do anything fun that night! I love that you enjoy it and didn’t let go of something you enjoy just cuz you had kids!

    • Kathy Radigan says

      Thanks Kelly! I think that is really it, isn’t it, keeping something, even if it’s putting on makeup for ourselves? I hope you have something that gives you a little peace and pleasure! xo

  10. Eli@CoachDaddy says

    I found myself fascinated and impressed at the complexity of this ritual. And then I remembered that I saw a woman doing all this – while driving 55 in a 45 yesterday on the way to work. I think I like your way better, Kathy.

Much thanks to Joseph Radigan, who besides being a great husband and father, also uses his talents to gently and ever so tactfully edit my blog. Joe is a business editor at Thomson Reuters in NY.
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