By Leta Greene
Science says that when we were Neanderthals, we females selected one from the sweaty, grungy males, to share our cozy cave, by who brought home the most meat. Cavemen picked the slightly less hairy, softer-sex version and liked wider hips for birthing little ones to fill the cave. They, and men through the ages, have liked fat lips. Lips! Wait! What? Why?
Fuller lips are a sign of youth. So today, a whole school of thought says, “Fuller lips equate sexy, and thinner lips are a sign of intelligence.” I agree completely. As we age, we loose some of our lip’s natural collagen. Not only do our lips get smaller, but our pigment line also recedes. So, at 36, I am almost in the middle, a little sexy but also more intelligent. In my youth, I had a flatter tummy, I spent much more time on my hair and I wondered how what I was wearing would appeal to my friends or a boy? Now I see myself in a much kinder light,even though the perfection of youth is fading.
As the years pass, I feel that I am more beautiful. Additionally, I think my husband, when looking at the total package of who I am now, would agree, I am more attractive and beautiful, despite my physical weaknesses. My lips may be a little thinner and as I draw on my lips, I don’t worry about how my outfit will be received but rather, I think about my son. As I send him off to school, I hope he will do his best and be well received.
As I put on my makeup, I cover scars and I am aware of others that are not seen. All of them represent an experience –alife lesson. Although I am not perfect, I wouldn’t take away the things that age me, that have given me wisdom. The ideal beauty of our predecessors has altered and changed as well as what was thought to be stylish. I may not be the ideal, and that is good!
Yet, I can be my best. The scar on my face, from the bike accident of my youth, I get to cover up. The lips are a combination of colors to accentuate the shape. And concealer, after some necessary tears, is a good thing to have. We can bring out our best, minimize our imperfections and embrace the adventure of living. For all I do with makeup, it is my job. But the biggest effort at the start of the day is not on my appearance, but rather on my heart and soul so as to be able to embrace those with whom I share my life.