(c) www.jilliantodd.com
Recently I posted on my Facebook biz page: “I feel glamorous when________.” The answers varied, but the theme was basically putting myself first. One answer in particular summed it up: “When I take my time getting ready.” Interesting how we don’t do that on a regular basis just because it’s a Wednesday, or any other day for that matter.
Most women I know (especially moms), don’t feel like they deserve to take the time to do their hair the way they like it, rather than running out the door with a ponytail. They swoosh on some eyeliner and mascara when they’d like to put on blush and shadow and maybe get their eyebrows waxed.
When my clients come in to my photography studio, they are pampered: hair done, full makeup including those lashes they would never wear during the day. Why not wear them during the day if they make you feel beautiful. And I know when was the last time you actually put on lashes? Don’t know how? Stand by…
Clients almost invariably say, “I love this! I look and feel so beautiful.” I tell you, it’s really easy to do. Talk to your stylist: get a cut that works with your hair so it takes less time, but keeps you from resorting to that ponytail or hat on a daily basis. Learn how to quickly put on your full makeup. Keep watch here for a video–be patient, I’m not all that good at video editing!
If it makes you feel good and glamorous, go for it: truly, you deserve it!
34 Comments
Love the before and after of beautiful Jen and her daughter! Maybe I am vain, because I do take care when I go out of the house on errands and whatnot. I have lots of clients in my town and I would not want to run into them in my sweats or running shorts. I enjoy my time in the morning getting ready for my “work” day, even tho I do work at home. I feel way more productive when I “get ready for work”. Can’t wait to see the video – I am sure it will be wonderful!
Gorgeous…great photos! And your post and the message really ring true for me. This is a lesson I learned years ago when I was in “mom with young child” mode and lucky to have a shower…so easy to take care of others and not ourselves. So, some days are yoga pant days but most of the time I put in the effort to look and feel good – because we are all worthy of the time and decoration 🙂 Thank you for sharing and love seeing the photos! Brandy 🙂
The photos are beautiful and really how the glow that comes from all the tender attention you provide your photography subjects. It’s hard to remember that we are worth taking time for–even on an “ordinary” day! But I think it’s especially important for people who work from home or who have flexible schedules to find a nurturing way to feel good and look good, whether or not it’s officially a day out in the public eye. Great message for us to hear.
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
Personal-Professional Balance Through Writing
Lashes everyday….wow! I wish:) The last time I wore lashes was for a Halloween party…not even sure they qualify! SO, its when I got married!!! A very long time ago…..so I am looking forward to that video your making. I don’t remember it being easy, and I didn’t do it myself so we shall see! I finally, 4 kids later, have had enough of the ponytails…and got a haircut I could wash and go if I wanted…wavy hair is great for that (when its not unruly!). Having the haircut helped make more little changes along the way…..I was never a big
makeup person…so I use it sparingly….but it still feels good to have it on. Even if its just eyeliner, mascara and lipstick…I am dressed:) Love your photos here…Jen and her daughter are beautiful!!! Can’t wait to see your video….thanks for making us all feel beautiful:) When you coming to the East Coast for my photo shoot, woman, hehehe?!?!?
Rita Brennan Freay
ritabrennanfreay.com
Great article. I love how you help other women feel sexy.
Thanks for sharing the pictures – its amazing how spending 15 more minutes getting ready can change how we feel throughout the day. I’ve noticed that when I take extra time in my appearance, it reflects in my attitude and confidence. Thank you for the reminder to take care of ourselves, which as women, we often neglect!
Oh so true, most moms just don’t spend the time on a regular basis, myself included! I would never think to wear lashes on a regular basis, I do it maybe once a year, but I oh so love the look. Right now I’m going to tell the kids to play on their own for a bit, wash my hair (it’s been two days), fix it, and do my makeup. I have no place to go today, I’m babysitting my niece, but who cares, I know I will feel so much better when I’m done.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Jillian, I am actually one of those people that usually does take the time to put on the makeup and do my hair…sometimes feel as though that is vanity! so I like how you encourage women to look and feel their best…I have to admit when I think I look as best I can it does affect how I feel! I have said this before, but I would so love to bring my daughter and myself to your studio and be pampered! Now that she is living in LA it will be more difficult to make happen, but not impossible. I am looking forward to your video! I know there is so much I can learn from you! I just love the photo of Jen and her daughter; they look as beautiful as I know they are inside.
@JenniferDuchene:disqus and daughter look drop dead gorgeous! I hope that picture is going on your book cover! Jillian I’m impressed – you do beautiful work.
Alicia Dunams
Publisher, Speaker, Creator of Bestseller in a Weekend
http://www.bestsellerinaweekend.com
Taking time for oneself is essential, but never underestimate the power of a compliment, either! Have you ever gotten a compliment from a stranger out of the blue? Didn’t it give you a little boost? Take the time to give a few out — they’ll eventually find their way back to you. 🙂 I got one today from the woman checking me out at the pharmacy (a lovely compliment on my haircut) and so even though I wasn’t wearing much makeup and wearing an old t-shirt it made me feel great and put that sparkle back in my eye!
I must confess I’m not a “girly-girl.” I’ve never liked spending too much time getting ready, but I wouldn’t go out in public looking disheveled (LOL) I have a haircut that I basically wash and wear. I have good skin so am not adverse to going out in public w/o make-up. When I get dressed up I use make-up, but sparingly – I like fun earrings and silk blouses for my version of “glamor”
You are so right Jillian (and by the way, I love the before and after pictures of Jen and her daughter!). I don’t wear make-up every day and that is a conscious choice. On the days I do, I love that my make-up person showed me how to do it fast and it still looks fabulous. I don’t have to take 30 minutes to get glamorous. I love my hair now that I’ve embraced my natural curls (which I fought for over 50 years). It does take a bit of work, but it’s worth it.
Liking what I see in the mirror is more important than anyone else liking it. Something important for me to remember.
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://www.susan-berland.com
Thanks Alicia, did you see the one she chose? HOT MAMA!
Sarah, so true–give ’em out and they’ll come back to you. You are gorgeous, and I am so glad you are seeing it; and glad others are too. xoxo
Clothes, jewelry, make up, anything that gives you that swing in your step I am a HUGE fan of!
Happy to hear you have embraced your curls! I have curly hair, too, and when I want to get out the door quickly, I’ll wear it that way. I love the options–we curly ones fight it, but we are really the lucky ones!
Yes, liking what YOU see is the most important. xoxo
Yes, yoga pants and ponytails were my staple too. Now that my girls are older, I want them to see that mom gets attention too. My intention is for them to be able to care for their well being so they have more to give. xoxo
We really do neglect ourselves; it’s a shame, because we have so much to contribute when we feel confident and have a good attitude. If a beautiful piece of jewelry or mascara or fab shoes does that for us, then so be it–we should embrace that “gene” and go conquer the world! xoxo
Thanks, darlin’! The better we feel the more we contribute I believe!
Ok, maybe I’m the mutant (not maybe!). I LOVE lashes, not everyone does. I will definitely show how to put them on in a snap if you want to wear them for date night.
The haircut is imperative—working in salons for half my life really showed me the difference between a cut that goes WITH the hair and one that goes AGAINST. It’s like anything else, right? The more we resist, the harder everything is…(As your post shows!)
I’m still working on the tour aspect–some “resistance” from hubby! Hahaha!
Thank you so much Judy. Yes, tender attention we give to everyone else we need to lavish on ourselves. I wrote an article about how it relates to us work-at-home businesses…I will get it on the blog this week!
Not vain Laurie; self care self care self care. You give so much to your family–lavishing care on yourself, whether it be a bit of makeup, clothes that are cut for YOU or perfume, seems to be small potatoes, but I believe it helps us be confident, act with confidence and do things we might not be 100% confident about…dad always says, “an ounce of image is worth a pound of performance”!
No no no, not vanity!! Definitely not impossible, LA isn’t too far. As Rita has been encouraging me, I am still working on the whole “tour” aspect of the business. Getting your daughter here or you to LA definitely isn’t impossible.
My dad always says, “An ounce of image is worth a pound of performance”. When he was working, his uniform was always perfect, his shoes were top notch, his hair was always perfectly trimmed. He went to civilian clothes, and his suit took the place of the uniform, but it was no less perfect.
I actually got my shoe addiction from HIM.
Men who focus on their image are never called VAIN, (unless it goes to the extreme and they are called “metrosexual”) but they do get ahead more than the slackers. xxo
YAY! How did you feel after your well deserved shower and hair wash?!
Love this! It’s something I’m learning to do and part of my mission to help put the “me” back in “momME.” Having my daughter wrecked my skin and I realized that because I felt bad about how I looked on top of the weight gain and lack of sleep, I wasn’t in photos with my baby and I was hiding at home and losing me in the process. I found my skincare line and it cleared up my skin within weeks. I felt better, so I started dressing better, which made me feel even better, then I started working out… felt even better and so on. I’m nowhere near my goals, but I love my life and am now on the other side of the camera with my daughter. And instead of spending time hiding blemishes and discoloration, I’m learning to spend that time on all of the “fun” makeup. I’d love to learn to apply false lashes!
Well this is a lovely surprise, and how true are your words, Jillian. My new book “Le Chic Cocoon” 7 steps to creating your Selfish Space is all about honoring ourselves as women and truthfully putting on the glamor is a fabulous way to do it! When I was lucky enough to experience your transformation, I felt all WOMAN! You gave me something beautiful Jillian. Thank you so much.
Jennifer Duchene
Home Makeover Mixtress blending lifestyle laughter and Chic Cocoons™
http://lyshome.com
Well this is a lovely surprise, and how true are your words, Jillian. My new book “Le Chic Cocoon” 7 steps to creating your Selfish Space is all about honoring ourselves as women and truthfully putting on the glamor is a fabulous way to do it! When I was lucky enough to experience your transformation, I felt all WOMAN! You gave me something beautiful Jillian. Thank you so much.
Jennifer Duchene
Home Makeover Mixtress blending lifestyle laughter and Chic Cocoons™
http://lyshome.com
I’ve always loved looking my best, but there was a long period of time when I got lazY: super short hair, dressy sweats and sweatshirts(but either way, still sweats) and flat shoes. About seven years ago, I woke up out of my lull and shifted everything: my style and color of hair, my style of dress, and my shoes. Also more jewelry. The impetus was a relationship with a man after a long drought, but what tickles me is while the relationship ended three years ago, I haven’t revert edback to “being comfortable!” With or without a partner, I prefer to look as appealing and sensual as possible. It not only makes me feel better, but it feels more like me! Thanks, Jillian, for blowing the trumpet of truth on this one…it truly makes a difference.
Hi Jillian,
Thanks for this thoughtful post. I’m not a “make-up” kind of guy, but I always strive to look my best. A few years ago I blogged about wearing uniforms, making the point that, like it or not, whatever we wear is a uniform proclaiming who we are, what we believe, what we value, what we think of ourselves, and how we’re likely to treat you. Well, it looks like I may have been too hasty. Your photography seems to reveal a person’s underlying reality, despite the misleading uniform we might be wearing for convenience or laziness. Food for thought.
Robbie
Absolutely, ‘Whatever we wear is a uniform proclaiming who we are, etc.” Don’t know if you saw it on some of my other replies, but my dad is a big believer in that. “An ounce of image is worth a pound of performance!”
Thank you so much for pointing out the difference between clients’ underlying reality; that really is my philosophy here. Show her the light within. xoxo
I definitely want to hear more about your project! I know what you mean about not wanting to be in photos after having babies. I was ok in stills, but I look at video my husband has shot over the years and cringe. I am barely in any of them, so if I got hit by a bus tomorrow, I don’t think my kids would remember the sound of my voice!
It is so important for us to feel great, take great care of ourselves, and get in FRONT of the camera, especially with those we love.
xox
Aww, Jen, you and your daughter were so fun to work with. I can’t wait to read your book…advance perhaps?!? I appreciate that you are approaching the same subject from another direction. If makeup and lashes and jewelry and clothes aren’t the way a woman wants to express her glamour, but her living space resonates with her, so much the better!
THANK YOU!
Isn’t it ironic that we start to value ourselves when our men value us? I am so happy that you have maintained keeping yourself in a sensual space. The YOU that you are showing shows “him” who you are, what you expect and how you can put yourself and your self care first. xoxo
[…] me that I have to put myself first, and the rewards of doing it. First, I read Jillian’s Glamour on a Daily Basis post that talked about taking the time to make yourself look good, wear the false eyelashes if you […]
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