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Working in cosmetics, I have gotten used to hearing people complain about their looks. They apologize to me about their looks. I was phoning people the other day, promoting our gala, asking people if they’d would like a free makeover. So many people replied with the joke “There’s no hope for this face”. Sure, they were trying to lighten the mood, but I think they fully believed what they were saying. Others asked me if we offered plastic surgery instead of just makeup. I laughed alongside them, not sure what to say that would make them feel better about themselves.
The prettiest ladies come in. I admire their curly hair. Their chic outfits. Their friendly personality. Their adorable children. But the first thing they say to me: “Sorry for my appearance, I look like such a mess”. They end with a laugh but it’s one of those laughs that doesn’t quite finish. A half laugh. Then, they precede to look in the mirrors around the store. Constantly asking me what product could fix the bags under their eyes. What product would mattify their skin. What product could even out their skin tone.
Older ladies come in. Gorgeous ladies. Ladies who brighten my day with their funny stories of their granddaughters. Ladies who teach me new things about the world, tell me stories about what it was like when they were a kid. But they end their stories with complaints. They ask me “what would you suggest for an old, wrinkled prune like me?” They constantly put themselves down. “Oh I’m too old for that color.” “Oh my that is gorgeous but I can’t wear that. Old ladies like me can only wear matte colors.” “I wish I was young again.”
Ladies of different ethnicities come in. Beautiful asian ladies who have flawless skin. Gorgeous ladies who have lovely deep colored skin. But they always ask me for lighter shades of foundation. They say “No, I want lighter skin” as I put on the foundation that perfectly matches their skin tone. “I want skin the color of yours.”
Preteens and teens come in. They are just starting to wear makeup for the first time. They tell me how all their friends already wear makeup. They want to cover up their already perfect features with makeup to fit in. They’re in too much of a hurry to grow up.
Then there are the ladies who come in, so desperate to completely cover up their faces. They ask me for the foundation with the highest coverage. The concealer that will hide every imperfection. The mascara that will make eyelashes impossibly long. The bronzer that will contour 10 pounds off your face. They spend hundreds of dollars on makeup trying to create a whole new face.
But these faces that walk in through the door every single day? They’re already beautiful. I know that by me telling you guys that you’re beautiful isn’t going to change a thing. Self confidence is one of the hardest things to acquire. I know how it feels to want to rip off your face and just replace it with a whole new one. I know how difficult it is to look in a mirror and instead of looking at all your imperfections, to just compliment one thing. But when you come into my store, I don’t see those imperfections that you think dominate your face. I see your perfect bone structure. Your glowing skin. Your big eyes. Your freckles. But I also see your laugh. Your happiness after having a successful day at work. Your motherly love as you stop your daughter from trying out all the lipsticks.
I realize I am getting a bit sappy here but the truth is, when I hear customers insult themselves time after time over the smallest things, I start to get a bit emotional.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t wear makeup. I work in cosmetics. I value the beauty of makeup. I enjoy playing with makeup. I love everything about makeup. But don’t apologize to me for your appearance. The way you look is the way you look. And that way is perfect.
I know how it feels to want to change things about your appearance. But let me ask you this. Would taking away a few wrinkles really change anything? What about having longer eyelashes? What about having clear skin? Your beauty wouldn’t increase. Your beauty is a constant thing. It’s not increasing and it’s not going anywhere either. It’s already reached the maximum and it’s absolutely stunning.