Just a thought…
“What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
When I stumbled upon this quotation, I was instantly taken with its aptness. I can’t even recall the amount of times I have heard an individual speak with disdain about an aspect of their appearance. I have had similar thoughts about myself as well, on occasion. But what resounded the loudest with me, when I read Emerson’s words, was that what seems an odd colour, curvy, too big, a bit long, slightly misshapen, short, or freckly, just isn’t seen to be the asset or quality possessing worth that it truly is. I wonder how wonderful it would be if we shifted our thoughts about our qualities from what we would change to how truly gorgeous they already are?
Sometimes You’ve Just Got To Kick It Into Gear.
Yep, as you may have gathered, it’s just one of those days. No matter what you do, it’s just one of those days when your hair won’t sit right, and you cannot…to save your soul, do things like fill your brows evenly or blend your blush perfectly, or even conceal that blasted monthly hormonal horror which is sitting so high up on your chin you might just have to give it a name. Well, it happens to the best of us. Not much more to this post than that. My commiserations.
My best suggestion for you today is just kick it into gear, hold your head up high, and channel the abundance of inner beauty that is lying below the naughty hair, misbehaving skin, and mojo-less makeup, and rock it like you mean it! Why? Because you ARE beautiful!
Never Underestimate The Power…
Of a great red lipstick! What’s so great about a fabulous red lipstick? It’s not its emollient base, its brand or its long lasting capabilities, but its ability to be a powerfully amazing confidence boost. Since our relationship with all things beauty is really about harnessing the abundance of inner beauty that lay within us and displaying it through our gorgeous exterior. Why keep your beauty a secret? Go on, grab that great red lipstick, put it on, and go forth and spread beauty and light.
You’re beautiful!
Thought For The Day.
“We live only to discover beauty. All else is a form of waiting.” - Kahlil Gibran
The Best Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers and Mothers-to-be out there making a big difference in the world. You rock! Plain and simple. Here’s hoping you are showered with gifts, breakfasts in bed and all the heartfelt praise that you so deserve. Thank you for the beauty and love that you fill our world with. Thank you for YOU. The real gift of all gifts!
Lest We Forget.
On this ANZAC Day, I shall spare a thought for the brave men and women of the armed forces who have served, risking all, for our country. Thank you.
Lest we forget the humble shrubby evergreen herb rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) as well. Rosemary is the symbol of remembrance commemorating ANZAC Day. Most of us are familiar with rosemary’s culinary uses, and would have certainly seen sprigs of this herb worn on ANZAC Day, but are not as well acquainted with its aromatherapy uses in beauty. Rosemary can be used successfully in skincare as a highly effective treatment for dandruff, eczema, to encourage hair growth, to improve follicular stimulation, enhance blood circulation, and aid in the treatment of cellulite, just to name a few. Rosemary essential oil has many valuable and varied uses. In fact, its use in skincare, is just the beginning.
Rosemary is the key ingredient in “Hungary Water”, the prized Eau de Cologne made in 1370. Hungary Water was named after Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, who claimed to have retained her beautiful appearance well into old age as a direct result of liberal use of this very early EDT. Hungary Water was not only prized as a fragrance, but as a great medicinal tonic used topically.
Here’s Beauty Marked!’s version of Hungary Water. Mix all the ingredients together, decant into a sterilized glass bottle, and tightly cap. leave your Hungary Water to sit for 2 weeks or more to mature before use. Store away from direct light. Enjoy!
Hungary Water
30 drops of rosemary essential oil
12 drops of cold pressed lemon essential oil
5 drops of rose otto essential oil
5 drops of Neroli (if available) or cold pressed orange essential oil
2 drops of peppermint essential oil
150 mls of perfume grade ethanol or Vodka
50 mls of purified water
**pregnant women, individuals with high-blood pressure, and suffers of epilepsy should avoid use of rosemary essential oil. Essential oils should not be taken internally**
Another Global Beauty Bite.
I remain intrigued by the results of Clinique’s Global Survey that provides a snapshot into the truths about beauty that over 10, 400 women in over 13 countries, whose mother tongues span over 15 languages, have. Today, I was particularly interested in the global makeup and fragrance preferences stated in summary of the vast many women that contributed to the survey and thought I would share them with you. According to the survey:
Makeup essentials vary.
-The makeup products that are viewed as essential vary from country to country.
-Lipstick is most essential in the US, China, India, Mexico, Spain, and South Africa.
It was also noted that in the Asian countries of China, India, and Japan, one-third of respondents said there is no item of makeup they wouldn’t leave home without.
Foundation is the most essential in Japan and Korea.
-Almost all women in Japan wear foundation and a majority wear it daily.
-Foundation is also popular in Korea, the US, and the UK.
-Foundation is least popular in India. Only one-third wear it and then only on special occasions.
Beautiful skin looks natural.
-The right colour match is by far the most important quality in a foundation.
-In Italy, Korea, and Spain, the correct level of coverage is most important
Women smell sweeter in some countries.
-Daily fragrance is popular in Australia, Mexico, Russia, Spain, South Africa, and the UK
-Fragrance was not at all popular in Asian countries of China, India, Japan, and Korea. Women in the US, Germany, and Italy are almost evenly split on the use of fragrance daily.
There you have it…another global beauty bite. Are your preferences similiar to the above? I’d love to know.
*Clinique’s Truth in Beauty: A Global Survey was compiled by the Segmentation Company, a division of Yankelovich, Inc., a full service custom research and consulting firm on behalf of Clinique.
