There’s no doubt that the 50’s were a glamorous time.  Any woman worth her salt would not have been seen in public, or even in their own home (heaven forbid if the washing machine repairman showed up!) without perfectly coiffed hair and a swipe of lipstick.  Nails were polished, undergarments discreetly in place (hoisting and hiding those slight imperfections), making one practically perfect in every way, coquettishly teetering in sky high heels or poised in natty ballerina or tennis flats.

Nowadays, it seems that anything goes.  Sure, there’s still red carpet glamour and beautiful dresses and dramatic makeup, by those who make the time consuming effort appear naturally seamless.  But more often than not, we’re working in our jammies, hair not even brushed, and how many times have people appeared in sweatpants and pajama bottoms worn in the grocery store, mall, or heaven forbid, even out to dinner…

Why does a person dress up and make their best face forward?  May some did it to hide their flaws or insecurities, or because it was expected, that everyone else was doing it.  But what about accentuating the positive, playing up a pair of deep set eyes, glossy hair, or a figure curvier than average?  And who does a person do it for?  Some have the concept that we do it to preen and catch a man, objectifying your beauty in a negative way.  Why not consider the radical concept that one chooses to do it for oneself?  That pretty lace that gives an extra kick in a person’s step, the scent put on lightly that pleases the wearer’s senses, a little extra color that makes a person smile each time they pass by a mirror.  Superficial shallacking can be overdone and uncomfortable on a regular basis (but fun for a special night out, playing the proud peacock once in a blue moon does wonders for a girl), but a little touch of glamour can make the day a little brighter, and just a secret present to yourself!

Toodles,

Barbara Jean