Monday Musings: Beauty Myths, Revival, and Baring It All
Last week held a few big surprises for me and for the readers who were especially observant. Surprisingly, I wasn’t embarrassed. I was stunned, and then I laughed my head off. What else could I do?
Baring It All
Last week, I was in the middle of writing a blog post about the products I’ve been using and enjoying lately. As I stepped out of the shower, it occurred to me that my readers might like the body wash I’d been loving, so I grabbed my phone, held up the bottle, and snapped a quick photo for the post.
The next morning, I woke up to a very polite comment from a reader saying she hoped she wasn’t being rude, but thought I might want to edit photo number nine. Still half asleep, I stared at it for a moment before seeing another comment that simply said, “Edit that photo.” Then two emails saying the same thing, which is never how one hopes to begin the day.
I jumped out of bed and raced to my laptop and there, reflected in the shiny body wash bottle for all the internet to see, was my entire naked torso. In other words, more of me than anyone signed up for.
I laughed so hard I could barely breathe. Tears were streaming down my face. I could not believe I had accidentally posted myself nude on the blog by way of bath product reflection.
I yanked the photo down, blurred my reflection, and called my husband, who started to howl with laughter and said he was extremely grateful he hadn’t been the one to take that picture.
The funny thing is, we had both proofread the post and neither of us noticed my accidental self-portrait.
If nothing else, this confirmed two things… I need to inspect reflective packaging more carefully, and I have the most attentive readers on the internet. Truly. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a comment section willing to save them from accidental indecent exposure before 7 a.m.
Beauty Myths
A beauty brand recently sent me several products to try, and after absentmindedly swiping on the lip balm, I turned the tube over to read the ingredients.
Beef tallow. Seriously, beef tallow??? I wiped it off as quickly as I could and tossed the tube.
To be clear, I’m not vegan. But I stopped eating mammals years ago after reading too much about the meat industry in this country. Once I knew what I knew, I couldn’t unknow it. I prefer to see cows in a grassy field enjoying the sun, and to imagine them dying peacefully of old age. When my husband and I drive by, we call them happy cows. So the leap from admiring happy cows in a field to finding one in my lip balm was not a small one.
What fascinates me is how quickly beauty trends can turn the improbable into the aspirational. One minute we’re all trying to avoid oil, and the next beef fat is being marketed as the secret to dewy skin.
I understand the argument. Natural. Traditional. The whole ancestral beauty trend is built around timeless practices and ingredients passed down through generations. Fine.
But I do think we’ve reached a point where “old-fashioned” and “good for you” are being treated as synonyms, and they’re not. Arsenic is old-fashioned too.
Sometimes I wonder if modern beauty culture has confused novelty with wisdom. If something sounds rustic enough, expensive enough, or obscure enough, we’re suddenly meant to believe our grandmothers knew the secret all along.
Mine did not. She used Pond’s Cold Cream and common sense.
What’s Old Is New Again
Back in 2004, I bought this Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolore Handbag in downtown San Francisco. It was the first designer bag I’d ever purchased and I carried it every day for many, many years. Finally, the lure of a shoulder bag gradually won out and it started spending more time in the closet than on my arm. I did not baby it, and it definitely shows signs of hard wear.
I’d been thinking about taking it to a resale shop, but a few months ago, someone mentioned that these bags were having a resurgence with younger women. Apparently, what once looked dated now looks interesting again, because fashion has a way of circling back, sometimes without changing a thing.
I decided to take it out to carry for a while and see if I was really done with it.
My husband and I were heading out to dinner when a young woman, probably in her early thirties, stopped me and exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, I LOVE your bag. It’s so cool. You should keep it always and leave it in your will.”
Which was both flattering and slightly alarming, since I hadn’t realized my handbag had become estate-planning material.
That comment made me laugh, but it also made me think about how strange fashion cycles are. One minute a bag feels dated enough to take to a resale shop, and the next a woman younger than your daughter is telling you to preserve it for future generations like it’s a family heirloom.
I’m still not sure it works for the way I dress now, but I’m glad I paused before letting it go. Sometimes “old” just needs enough time before people start calling it iconic.
We’re heading to Singapore later this week, so things may be a little quieter on the blog while I’m away. I do have a few posts scheduled, and I’m hoping to share updates from the road along the way.
What was exciting for you last week?
That’s interesting about your handbag because I’ve been thinking about cleaning up and using one of my Dooney handbags. I guess I’m with your Grandmother because I’m still using Ponds cold cream 🌼
Jennifer, your hair looks great!
Thank you. I’m having fun with the new cut.
Have a wonderful trip, Jennifer. I’ve also accidentally provided more of me than is suitable for public consumption due to reflections off all kinds of surfaces. Luckily, no one saw them but me and my best girlfriend and I quickly deleted them off my camera or phone. Like you and your husband, we also laughed like hyenas about it each time it happened.
Funny story about that picture!! Readers to the rescue!! Love the vintage Louis Vuitton handbag! It is fabulous!! Don’t part with it!! You don’t see the colorful ones that often! Safe travels and thanks for your great posts!!
The rerelease of these LV classic bags happening this season are not as nice as your 20+ year old version. Today’s releases are made on coated canvas, not leather like your original. So if you do decide to sell yours, it should be much more valuable than today’s releases.
Jennifer, I love today’s story! I have to say I also missed seeing you baring it all in the photo. I wonder, though, if perhaps you’ve noticed an uptick in the number of followers after that blog post? Lol. On a different note altogether, I just wanted to say that I LOVE your new hairdo! You hair always looks wonderful, but I do think it looks thicker with the new cut. As someone who also struggles with fine, thin hair, I hope that you will share how you style your hair using your new flat iron. I always start my day reading your blog, Jennifer. Safe travels in your trip to Singapore!S
Thank you Sandra! I will share one I figure it out. It feels like I do something different every day with it.
Lots to love in this post! I often wear monochromatic outfits and I always enjoy seeing you in one. Your beige head to toe is right up my alley. I have a lot of handbags and often wonder if it’s time to send it to resale shop. Now, I’m going to wear it and if I get positive comments, I’ll keep it!
And, I think our grandma’s knew a lot about self care and some of the “old” ways may have been better than the pricey products we have today.
Enjoy the improving weather.
Well, your reflection on the body wash bottle is proof positive that you use what you recommend! LOL!
Lol, that’s a positive way to see it 🙂
You have a good sense of humor, I would have been horrified if it were my body being displayed on the internet! As far as things that are old be new, since I stopped dying my hair last year, it surprisingly is kind of a “frosted” silvery with some dark underneath. I have had several young girls, like my nephew’s 21 year old girlfriend, tell me it was so beautiful, I love your hair, I would like to do that! (What??) I thought they were kidding, but the woman that cuts my hair says she has young girls come in asking for silver hair! Go figure. I guess it’s “in” right now.
We are trend setters!
Thank you for making me laugh out loud this morning while awaiting the plumber for both toilets. Who knew that everything breaks down in ten years! Enjoy your trip. Looking forward to traveling vicariously through your posts when you return.
I want to comment on the packing cube issue because I have definite opinions to share. As a former international flight attendant, I wish that the cubes had been available then. I used plastic bags.
Now when I travel, I find the cubes have great value in certain situations, and it can depend on how you use them. They don’t save as much space as other methods, but they can be very convenient if your trip has multiple stops. I like to pack an entire outfit in one cube. Once worn, the outfit (minus soiled items) goes back into the cube. This way I know that I’m not leaving a shirt in the hotel closet! Also, I sometime pack in what seems more like a duffel bag than a suitcase (saves space in the car for sure). In this situation, the cubes are invaluable as you can pull out what you need without causing total chaos. You don’t have to refold and repack anything else.
I do pack very differently for a cruise, but still use the cubes for things like underwear, socks etc. I use the same cube every trip for my prescriptions and frequently used non-prescription medications, etc. I keep a list of what I might need inside the cube and refer to it when packing. Otherwise I invariably forget something like Tylenol, Q-tips, or antacids.
I could go on and on… but you get the idea.
Great tips!
I have a couple of RL horse bit belts from 25+ years ago that I love and still wear regularly. A young woman inquired about it at a street market. I had no idea that vintage Ralph was having a moment. Nothing to do but laugh about your accidental reveal. Lesson for us all – never pick up a camera unless one is dressed.
I look forward to seeing your post from Singapore. My husband and I spent a week there as newly weds when he was posted to Bangkok. I still love the Mikimoto pearls that he bought me. We celebrate our 55th anniversary next month. What is exciting for me this past week is the beautiful weather in the Seattle area that is making the trees and gardens pop!
Congratulations and happy anniversary!
Over the years I have created a classic wardrobe using navy, black, grey and cream. I invest in good quality shoes and handbags. Each season I buy a few items that are on trend to update my wardrobe. It keeps me on budget while feeling good about what I am wearing.
Thank you for the Well Styled Life. I enjoy every post. Have a wonderful trip.
is that picture of you with the bag from 2004? And if so, there you are with your ‘new” bob haircut! See, sometimes it is good to go back to a style you had before! And no, I did not see your shower picture! But we are all nude under our clothing right? lol
Lol, true. No that picture was from last Saturday. I think 2004 was my ultra short, platinum phase (which was not flattering on me).
My day had started poorly until I read this blog post. Thank you for a much needed laugh. You have modeled how not to take yourself too seriously. Well done! And Pond’s cold cream is part of my nightly skincare regime.
Oh my gosh Jennifer – that is hilarious! I certainly didn’t notice it, but I’m so happy that other readers alerted you, and also that you saw the funny side.
Bon voyage for your trip to Singapore – hopefully you’ll write about it afterwards, my husband and I would love to go there.
Haha! I missed that mistake entirely so others might have too!
I hope more missed it than saw it 😂
That was hilarious! Fortunately for me, the most exciting that that happened last week was to have my garden mulched. Now that I’m done laughing, I want to wish you a wonderful trip with no snags along the way.
Jennifer, I am glad that you could see the humor in the situation. I have to be honest, I missed it in the photo.
Love the story about the bag. It is funny how everything that is old is new again.
Have a wonderful time in Singapore. Looking forward to hear more about the trip, it is one we too are planning for next year. Safe Travels.