H O M E . A B O U T . C O N T A C T . T U M B L R . T H E B O O K J O U R N A L . sailorjennie [at] gmail [dot] com

Thursday, 6 February 2014
This is what I look like today.
This morning I put on one of my favourite playlists, gathered a few make up products together and sat on the floor in front of my mirror because I don't have a real dressing table. Ralphie hopped over to have a little look, nibbled the end of one of my brushes for a little while and hopped away. Apparently make up isn't all that interesting to him. I understood. It's difficult to compete with his affections for salad bowls and carrot sticks after all.
I used to look in the mirror and feel a little...ugh. It wasn't hatred it was more... disappointment that I wasn't conventionally beautiful. I looked at my friends with their flawless skin, perfectly applied make up and how they just seemed to encapsulate and illustrate the word beauty so perfectly. And I subsequently spent a lot of time wondering why I wasn't like that. I spent far too many of my teenage years feeling inadequate. There was nothing anyone could have said to make me feel any differently. I just had those thoughts that I needed to figure out and make sense of on my own.
One day, after far too much time, it clicked. Beauty is about confidence and I don't necessarily think you have to really feel totally confident deep down inside all the time, you can just choose to put your confident face on and exude fabulousness. We all have insecurities, it's part of human nature, but it's so important not to let them consume you. You are worth so much more than you know. You are better than your insecurities.
So this is what my face looks like today. I forgot to put mascara on but there's still some left over from yesterday (shhhhh...) so that's good...or bad...always take your make up off properly! I have a few blemishes but there's nothing new there. Sure I'd look a little more cheek-boney (that's totally a word) if I lost a few pounds that I've put on recently. And sure I'd look a little less...quirky, odd, strange, silly (delete as appropriate) without my glasses on. But right now I really like chocolate digestive biscuits. And I love my glasses. And I'm finally at the point where I genuinely don't mind if someone doesn't like me, if they think I need to lose weight, if they don't like my lipstick or the way my hair frizzes up at the back.
I think it says a lot more about them than it does about me. Because, sure, I might have a giant spot in the middle of my forehead but I might also be wearing really nice shoes. And if I were them I'd walk past and think 'oooh cute shoes!' rather than 'eww giant zit!' because there's something positive in everything. Always.
P.S. Just in case - I'm wearing NARS Orgasm blush & Topshop All About Me lipstick.
96 comments:
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Ooh, I like your lipstick! When I read this, I had a funny thought of makeup brush handles being made out of carrots - they wouldn't last very long though! xxx
ReplyDeletehehe they definitely wouldn't! xo
DeleteSuch a lovely post Jennie you always look gorgeous though, I always got the same when I looked in the mirror but my husband loves me the am flaws and all x
ReplyDeleteCatherines Loves
Aww <3
Deletehonest and refreshing as always :) love the positivity! i felt the same growing up. one thing i dont miss about my younger years is the lack of confidence - i feel like now that i'm in my mid 20s i feel a bit more confident and comfortable in my own skin. it's still something i'm working on every day and it's nice to know i'm not alone hehe. ps. i actually love how you look in those glasses, super cute oversized frames those are! pps. uh oh - chocolate disgestives are one of those things where once i hear (or read) someone mention it, i want it. i might have to pick some up tomorrow!
ReplyDeleterachel x
blush&brunch
I totally agree, I don't miss that either! They're so good, best biscuits <3 x
DeleteSuch a lovely positive post. I think it comes with getting older you suddenly just stop caring what people think and that's wonderful. Plus you look lovely :D xx
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteYou are indeed better than you insecurities!
ReplyDeleteAnd Jennie, your are beautiful from the in- and
outside! The transparent glasses looks so
cute on you and the lipcolor suits you well btw c:
Xx
<3 thank you! xo
DeleteI love your glasses! So cool. And that lipstick really suits you - I get what you mean about confidence, it really is key to feeling good. (:
ReplyDeleteIt absolutely is! xo
DeleteYou're a stunner <3 And I love your glasses! ('there's a bit of mascara left over from yesterday' hahahaaa) xx
ReplyDeletehehe ;) x
DeleteLOVE the glasses!
ReplyDelete<3
Deleteamaizng positive post but you look stunning xx
ReplyDeletethank you :) xo
DeleteIf you were a stranger walking down the street I'd immediately think, 'Wow - cool glasses and nice lipstick!' I'm loving all the positive posts recently. Food for thought indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteTara xo
<3 <3
DeleteYou look so good! -Hanna Lei
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteI think you are conventionally beautiful.xx
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteI love your honesty, Jennie! I think you look stunning, the lipstick suits you so well :)
ReplyDeleteJess xo
Thank you sweet <3
Deletestill haven't got round to trying Nar;s orgasm but i must as i've heard so much good stuff! xo fernlaura.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful <3
DeleteYou look absolutely beautiful. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you sweet <3
DeleteYou´re soooo beautiful! and I love your lipstick ♥
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteI wish my dog found make up uninteresting, he just wants to eat it all. I think the glasses look cool! And I'm jealous you can pull off pink lippy so well, I love it but it just clashes with my hair. I think you summed it up in that last paragraph, it DOES say more about them if someone has something nasty to say.
ReplyDeleteBy the way thank you for the mention in your last post you absolute sweetie! Really made my day xxx
Aww hehe! You're welcome <3
DeleteThis is such a brilliant post. I love your words and your confidence; I've recently had a similar 'lightbulb moment' and it's so great to hear of others appreciating how awesome they really are!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I reaaaaally love your glasses too! They're perfect.
Sarah Elizabeth :) xx
Thank you lovely! xo
Deleteyou go girl, you're a fab role model :) xx
ReplyDeleteAww gosh, thank you! xo
DeleteJennie..You are gorgeous!!!:) I love your glasses!!!<3
ReplyDelete<3 <3
DeleteThis is a beautiful post and you have a beautiful face! I totally agree with you that confidence is everything. I think if you pretend to be confidence, inner confidence will follow. Those lipstick and blush colours are so so pretty xx
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely <3
Deleteyou look lovely! the glasses and lipstick combo is fab xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emily! <3
DeleteYou look lovely Jennie! Here's to putting on confident faces and exuding fabulousness!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!! xo
Deleteaww, a lovely feel-good post! :)
ReplyDelete<3
DeleteYou are so pretty, but I understand the confidence issues!
ReplyDeleteThese glasses look amazzzzing on you! :) So jealous ;)
Day Dreams & Daisy Chains
<3
DeleteWOW! lovely glasses!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteI always do that! Just look and think… uh!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are gorgeous though :-)
xxx | daisydaisyxxo
<3
DeleteI think you look absolutely adorable! The flush of colour on your lips and bright lips is way too cute, glad you have stopped caring if people like you or not. I've gotten to that point in my life finally, it feels so amazing! x
ReplyDeletemorerebe.com
Thank you sweet. It really does feel amazing <3
DeleteYou're a babe :) being natural is the best kind of beauty.
ReplyDeletexx
Thank you so much sweet! xo
DeletePerfectly put Jennie! You are such a babe, inside and out. This was a lovely, positive post to read
ReplyDeletexxx
Chambray & Curls
Thank you so much lovely!! xo
DeleteConfidence definitely has a lot to do with beauty. It's great that you've got to the stage where you're getting comfortable being in your own skin, some people don't get to that stage until much later in life. Wouldn't life be amazing if we could all just be that little bit more secure within ourselves?
ReplyDeleteIAmLinderella.blogspot.co.uk
It would! xo
DeleteI always see a quote floating around Tumblr which I love and this post reminded me of: 'Be Confident. Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we aren't. Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses and it is only when you accept everything you are - and aren't - that you will truly succeed'
ReplyDeleteP.S I've recently rediscovered dark chocolate digestives and have developed a serious secret biscuit eating problem! x
Magics in the Make Up
That's a lovely quote, definitely one to remember <3
DeleteLove this lipstick & the glasses are amazing! x
ReplyDeletehttp://the-finestthings.blogspot.co.uk/
<3
DeleteWell done for being so positive and always looking for the good in things - something I think we could all do with a little more of. And I always do think when someone spends all their time criticising others, what are THEY so insecure about?
ReplyDeletex
I totally agree! xo
Deletep.s. that lipstick shade is amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely, think it's my favourite from the Topshop range !xo
DeleteTo be honest, I LOVE your glasses. And I think hair always looks its best natural. And I love the way this photo looks candid and not like you spent three million hours primping yourself for it. Real women are beautiful, and so are you!
ReplyDeletexo, Rebecca
wednesdaypress.blogspot.com
Thank you sweet! xo
DeleteYour glasses look amazing! You are beautiful, I know the feeling waking up insecure about everything me.
ReplyDelete<3
Deleteomg I love your glasses! getting new ones next week so hoping to get some big ones :D
ReplyDeletecheck out the giveaway on my blog
The Mad Orange
xxxx
<3
DeleteLOVE your glasses you are stunning
ReplyDeleteWith A City Dream
Thank you lovely! xo
DeleteWith the glasses on you are looking very pretty dear ! and the lipstick shade that you have on is super cute :) You are a true natural beauty doll ! xx
ReplyDeletewww.ambifashion.com
Thank you :) xo
DeleteYou are crazy beautiful, I hope you truly know that!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a proper makeup vanity either. I sit on the floor, prop my standup travel mirror on my Ikea Helmer and apply. ;D
<3 <3
DeleteI think that the conventional beauty is a bit overrated. We shouldn't guide ourselves from what society tells us beauty is. It's really great that you learnt to appreciate your quirkiness and live with confidence.
ReplyDeleteAndreea | http://catsfika.blogspot.ro/
I completely agree <3
DeleteI love your honesty and the emotion you put into your posts and I think you always look beautiful <3
ReplyDeleteReading this I can really relate to some of the things you said. When I was around seventeen, eighteen, I had no confidence in myself at all. My friends always posed in the mirrors, carefree and without a worry in the world while I could barely stand to see my reflection staring back at me. What you said is ever so true; beauty is about confidence and it comes from within you. Finally after meeting my boyfriend he gave me confidence too, and now sometimes with my make-up on I quite like what I see staring back (I certainly don't feel that way without it haha!)
Sophie xox
Aww that's so lovely! Hehe noone wants to see me first thing in the morning, I'm NOT a morning person at all ;) x
DeleteAhh, but this is why I love you! I bloody love the positivity of this post. And I totally know what you mean! I wish I could go back to my younger self and give her a shake for being so hung up on insecurities which really just don't matter a jot! I think that realisation comes with age, though. And I'm so glad of it!xx
ReplyDeleteN'aww thank you lovely! Ahh I know, so much wasted time, but I think a lot of teens go through that phase! xo
DeleteThis was such a lovely, refreshing post to read :) it's so important to let go of these insecurities and try to look at things in a positive light! xxx
ReplyDeleteI completely agree <3
DeleteYou're a lovely writer, and I'm in love with the way you have put this post together! I'm really liking the way your blog is fashioned :)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
kaleidoscopiic.blogspot.com
Thank you! ox
DeleteHow are you so beautiful? Putting makeup on the floor in front of the mirror and chocolate biscuits all the way! And those glasses are so cute, you pull them off so well. <3
ReplyDelete<3 <3
DeleteThis post is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteIt's so difficult to be comfortable in your own skin, but if that means eating digestive biscuits and not judging the person walking in front of me, then sign me up!
Hmm maybe...
hehe yay! xo
Delete