Angelina Jolie
What do you think about the beauty fad for the ‘trout pout’? I know this is a very random and unexpected question to read first thing so let me back track a bit…
Yesterday as I was out and about in London… I saw someone… someone I thought I knew, but couldn’t quite place… you know that feeling? This woman was mesmerising… I couldn’t stop staring at her… rude I know… I was discreet… well not super discreet… but I couldn’t help it… She had the most major upper lip I have seen for some time. It was captivating… if I were crueller I could describe this lip as ‘self-mutilation’ but I believe we all have the right to like what we like and do what we do, so I can only presume she was happy with this very unnatural protuberance from her very pretty face. The thing was… This woman was gorgeous… slim, tall and stylishly dressed… her face was classic… high cheekbones… big eyes… she had it all going for her… and then… the mouth… It was so disproportionate to the rest of her face that instead of ‘bee stung’ she looked ‘b’ ridiculous. I sound critical… I am not… I am curious. What makes a beautiful woman feel the need to take cosmetic enhancement to such a ludicrous level? I was not the only one looking… this was not a modicum of filler or a little enhancement around the edges to defy a narrowing lip line… This was not ‘Angelina’ sexy, it was downright comical… As the seconds ticked by, the penny did drop… I did know her… well not know her, but know of her… she had been a neighbour in London. We never spoke or had any kind of relationship, yet when I saw her, I always thought how elegant and gorgeous she was. Her dress sense was impeccable and her grooming always immaculate… one of those women that always makes you feel you should go back inside and make more effort… put the heels on, fluff up the hair… Once I figured out the who… my curiosity turned to sadness… I had not even recognised someone I had previously admired… Why had she felt the need to take such extreme measures? As an onlooker, I thought she had it all… and more…
I am not judging her… I am confused. Has this woman so little self confidence that she needs to distort her looks in order to feel beautiful? Or is she simply following a fashion trend… Is a new lip like a new pair of shoes? Wear it while it works and change it every season. I don’t know the answers but I do know that her new ‘look’ wasn’t flattering… the lip marred her beauty not the opposite. We all want to be admired… to be noticed… but for the right reasons…
My thoughts on cosmetic enhancements… on plastic surgery are simple… moderation. Be moderate, tailor make procedures to suit yourself. Do whatever makes you feel more self-confident, happier with yourself but move slowly and carefully… We all want to look younger, fresher, tighter… women are never happy with their looks… that’s a given… but it is important to hasten slowly, to never loose ourselves in the process. French women seem to understand that beauty is about individuality… beauty is not formulaic… Beauty is not a fad in France… it is a lifestyle.
What do you think? Have we gone too far… have we tipped the beauty scales in the wrong direction? xv
Parisian Chic: A style Guide by Ines de la Fressange… she seems to get it right?
If you want the feel of the ‘bee stung’ lip… try this Lip Venom… no pain and everything to gain…
Ugh! I don’t think I can stand going through the knife just to alter something on my face. And I hate looking at those fugly lips especially the ones on celebrities we’ve seen better lips with.
Oh Vicki,
We have DEFINITELY gone too far …. we are living in a ‘Stepford Wives’ world and it’s getting out of hand. This is only my humble opinion but I think that some are finding it very hard to accept that they are just getting older. We have had our youth but our later years can still be good without resorting to surgery and enhancements.To pump botulism into ones system just doesn’t seem right to me and, I do think that, in a few years time, there will be some nasty consequences much like we have seen with breast implants.
My philosophy is to embrace my mature years and make the most of them, whilst doing my best to look as good as I can without resorting to knives and hyperdermics…….also, nearly everyone that I have seen who has had work done look awful. Why do people think that great fat lips look nice? It only looks good if mother nature blessed you with them.
….but, of course, each to their own but, at 61, I can’t see me going down the surgery, fillers, Botox route.
Do you see many French women and, of course, men with trout pouts and faces that look as if they have just walked through a wind tunnel ? haha I can’t imagine it somehow.
Sorry for long comment but this is a subject that fascinates me !!
P.S. The other thing that is quite worrying is that young people in their 20′s are having these things done ….. how are they going to look when they reach their 50′s and 60′s ? XXXX
Hii,
we stopped by your blog and red this story about cosmetic surgery.
First of all we’d like to say your blog is very nice!
Second, we do think people have tipped the beauty scales in all sort of wrong directions. But who are we to say so when the media is going in that direction and telling us we should stick up with the regulations they are telling us.
We’ll we think it is just important that you find yourself some borders and stick by your own regulations of beauty.
We hope you’ll stop by our blogg sometime!
mixt-new-with-old.blogspot.com
Bye xoxoxo
I am sure this is going to be a hot topic for comments. Having four beautiful daughters from age 26 to 37, to me their beauty comes from their heart. A woman becomes more beautiful over time by putting the right things inside her body, mind, and spirit. She becomes a more generous soul. She radiates. Her beauty is an attraction because her glow is real and bright. Exercise is a lifelong commitment. I am 58 and proud of my age. The more real a person becomes, the more beautiful.
I admit being a little out of my depth with this, and I admit further that I am a total believer in people doing whatever they like as long as it doesn’t hurt someone else, but that being said I think [other than in cases of injury or illness of some sort of course] that cosmetic surgery is just a tragic waste of …….well everything. Women that are proud of their laugh-lines [because they have laughed a lot] and are comfortable and luxuriantly sexy in their own bodies are what appeal to me. And, I suspect, to most mature men, which is the irony of it all. Women [or men] who may at first glance be attractive but then obviously have had some “work done” scare me. I suspect vampires and shape-shifters. Or at least raging narcissism. I then head the other way. My deeper suspicion is that most of this type of surgery is done to impress other women.
Sorry! That is my one “deep” and “serious” comment for the week! Back to martinis and Cole Porter!
ML
mlanesepic.blogspot.com
When I look at a woman’s face and the only word that comes to mind is “alien”, then, yes, we have gone too far- for years already.
We are doing a wedding for a client who looks (trying to look) younger than she did twenty years ago when we first met her.
I find it sad.
I see far too many women of a certain age who have a decidedly odd, stiff look to their upper lip and what used to be called “smile lines” and are now called “puppet lines.” I’m sure it is due to the use of some sort of filler. I hope this doesn’t become some sort of new normal that is required to look fashionable, because I think it just looks weird. Thank you for sharing your opinion too.
Best regards,
Ruth
Dear Vickie,
I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this subject and I agree with you. Aging is not fun. It is a great challenge to find the “inner beauty” in old age. Some give up and others manage quite well. Genetics can deal out some pretty bad cards and I understand why some women choose a little alteration. I have seen those who go too far and end up like looking like the joker… I found some beautifully aging women on Pinterest… I also think the hair color some women choose is too harsh for their skin color. Those who highlight their natural color or take care of the grey look so much better.
I’m with you on extremes, Vicki. While I haven’t had any type cosmetic surgery, I may consider a reasonable lift. Not one that changes your appearance, but just makes you look a little younger.
I have friends that had destroyed their faces for life. I just don’t see it. Insecurity, I assume.
Happy Thursday.
Teresa
xoxo
I am a firm believer in living with what God made. Beauty is skin deep – one must radiate that from within.
No amount of plastic surgery will do that.
One person I admire for living with beauty within is Nie Nie. Here she is showing us all how to celebrate life after enduring such tragedy.
Funny, how we can immediately spot what nature did not create. Plastic flowers don’t do it for me either.
pve
My goodness, this is a great subject for discussion and I am looking forward to reading the other comments. Was it Angelica Huston who said that cosmetic surgery won’t make you look younger only different (maybe it was someone else)? And yet I know how much I have struggled with the strong frown line between my eyes for example. And yes, that is linked with a lack of self-confidence–to put so much importance on an outer trait…thanks for this post, something to think about…
Here in parts of LA, cosmetic surgery is “expected” and normal among a certain set. And you see some pretty egregious examples walking around. Women who were probably quite beautiful to start with, but now have a pinched, pulled look, Mt. Everest cheekbones (implants), Trout Pout, and a very fake, plasticky look. I see some of these women and wonder, “You really think that looks GOOD??”
Lips are a funny thing…lips should be noticed, BUT not like an exclamation point. I find many women wear way too dark a lipstick, and the older they get, the paler the color should be, same with hair. Just my personal opinion though…
I am in your court on this one. This should get the blog lines buzzing! I know a woman that looks clownlike rather than younger. It is so sad. She was a beautiful woman and probably still would be…what do they see in the mirror?
Hi Vicki,
First of all, thank you for your wonderful blog, it is one of my must reads.
Regarding the cosmetic work, I just returned from vacation in the Palm Springs area
where many of the women are chasing youth. I thought so many of the ladies started all
looking alike: the eye job, the lips, the pulled mouth. Being of the age where I have
contemplated “work”, I decided to skip it and just age with a little Botox now and then.
I think trout lips look like some strange new body part that is inexplicable.
R
I think there are two things going on here…. I think the first is that a woman has a little something done and looks and feels great, gets compliments and its generally a good thing.
Buoyed by her success she has a little something else done…. and a little something else…. and again…. and so on…. and so gradually, very gradually over the course of 2 or 3 years, she ends up with having a LOT done, without even realising it. Its a boiling frog situation, where the temperature has been raised so gradually she doesn’t realise the harm that is being done….
The Second thing is this – those trout pout lips look very very odd in profile, but not so strange from the front. I was actually quite shocked the first time I came across a lady who had had this done, because she looked fine from the front, but as she turned her head, her lips looked grotesquely out of proportion. I suspect that the woman having this done has not looked at her profile (and honestly, how many of us look at our profiles ?)
Lastly: I have a girlfriend who has just come back from London – she’s my age – late thirties and she has both botox and lip fillers done regularly. I was AMAZED – she looked fabulous, not in any way frozen (she raised an eyebrow for me
and her lips simply looked plump. If she hadn’t of told me, I wouldn’t have known. She has a keen eye (she’s a designer) and seeks out the very best “Cosmeticians” for her work, and on her it was quite natural and lovely, so it IS possible !
For me – no
I’ve always relied on my wit and charm (HAH !:) rather than my looks and they improve with age, rather than fading…
Since I live in LA,LA Land-”big lips” are a normal happening around this town + What happens when the fad runs it’s course? and it will! They will still have fish mouth as it is lovingly called. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Hi Vicki, This post echos my questions on why gorgeous women do what they do to themselves. On the other hand, I’m seriously considering having “a little work done.” But do not want it to be noticeable — I just want to look “better”/”fresher”…We’ll see. I posted on Japanese Lacquer restoration today–I think I’m going for something like that.
xoxox, Mary
I am 67 later this month and I am lucky to have good skin and therefore not too many wrinkles.
I dye my hair ( which is dark brown ) as I always think of myself as having hair that colour.
I do wish we could all except that age happens to us all, in itself it has its own beauty.
If the media wasn’t so obsessed with youth that would help a great deal BUT we MUST try ourselves too.
I know about becoming invisible when one gets older but there are ways around that – just find who you are and stick to it.
My make up goes on every day as I prefer that but I’m not going to start worrying about the odd line.
There are so may beautiful older women, not always in the conventional sense but PLEASE lets see more of them in the press and celebrate their beauty not try to be a young woman again.
As some of you know I had a stroke last year, happily it hasn’t caused me long term damage but it has made me look at life in a very different way, an older face and body is so unimportant – I can do what I did before that very scary day and that is just the best.
I have been noticing a lot of that too!I vowed a long time ago to NEVER do a thing!In fact I’m letting the grey hair grow in!I want to see what is there!I’ve earned it so I want to see it!My facial gal is a gorgeous GREEK..natural beauty she is screwing around with this stuff on her face which I have to say has ruined her!SHe looks bloated,puffy is the word…………and way too young to be doing this kind of thing!In my opinion its VERY sad.We all notice it and think FAKE!Is that how these women want to be noticed?
Interesting and thoughtful post Vicki. I’ve spent 30 years working in the medical field (starting my career as a Dietician) and now I work in Dermatology as a medical aesthetician. It’s interesting how women perceive themselves and what they are willing to do attempting to appear younger. Although most of my patients are seeing me for problematic skin, I do see a number of women that inquire about anti-aging regimens. The decision to augment facial features or to have botox is a very personal decision and one that takes careful consideration on the part of the patient and M.D. I always tell my patients that beauty starts first on the inside. A healthy diet (no extremes, eating in moderation, etc.) and getting plenty of rest. Women can be beautiful at any age providing they have taken some very basic steps to take care of themselves. Bottom line, it’s the sparkle in the eyes that’s what people will find the most attractive! I wrote a post of Vanity that talks about this very topic. Check it out!
leslie
Vicki, I am not a fan of artificial enhancements. Living in Calif and visiting the malibu, Los Angeles area, it is like an epidemic. I am with you, I feel sad for these woman that are all trying to get the same Barbie like look. It is not natural or pretty. I fear for their future when nature takes its course and there is no amount of botox, or surgery to lift the bags and sags. I am a proponent of aging with grace and be the best you can be at any age. I will be 63 this year and I am loving my life and I just try to take care of myself and I do primp and buy creams and lotions and potions, but nothing artificial for me, thank you very much.
KATHYSUE
I don’t usually think about plastic surgery until I see someone who so obviously has had it. Then I wonder, as you did, if they really think it makes them look better. Why do something so drastic that everyone KNOWS you’ve had “work” done. I saw Jane Fonda on a video the
other day, and she looks fantastic. She’s in her 70′s but looks much younger. She’s probably had plastic surgery, but you can’t tell it. Her eyes aren’t funny, her face moves normally (at least from what I
could see on the video), and her skin isn’t pulled-tight. I vote for the natural, normal look — it doesn’t yell, “I’ve had plastic surgery” from across the room.
Why do they do it? Because people criticize people. Because people pick one particular person they know nothing about and criticize them on a public forum (such as this). What a woman is ostracized for doing today, she is criticized for not doing tomorrow.
I guess it would be normal to wonder. I have, too, about certain things I have seen regarding what is beautiful or fashionable. But I find it no weirder than the bleached blonde Barbie look of a lot of women in L.A. area; such as those on The Housewives of OC or Beverly Hills. They end up all looking the same, and not one has anything distinguished about herself. It is not elegant. But, what is beautiful to one person is not necessarily to another. Fashions and beauty standards vary around the world, don’t they?
I too think everything in moderation. As I age (62 and counting) I can see the changes almost daily, but feel that I always want to look like myself. You ask if things have changed? Well, growing up back in the 60′s the only ‘acceptable’ face shape was oval. If you had a round face or a thin face, you were encouraged to arrange your hair or apply your make up to camouflage it. So, at least now many looks are accepted as beautiful.
Best, Lisa
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Okay, I’ll jump in. As I age I realize I DON’T look 38 anymore. I’m with you, I think women need to do what they feel will make them happy, but I’m not one of those who would ever get a face lift (there are some who might think I could use one) but fortunately, my husband and I have talked about this and he’s happy with my doing what I do which is to always be well groomed, wear make up that hopefully enhances and wear a smile. The lip thing has gotten so out of control. I’ve asked my husband and male friends our age what they think and they all say the same thing…it makes so many women look cartoon-ish.
I believe in live and let live, but I too am saddened when women feel they have to go to extreme measures at the first smile line.
I believe in aging authentically for the most part.
Thanks for the discussion prompt.
Karen
oh dear – I did not recognise Angelina in your ‘photo either!
It is getting easier for me to say no thanks to all of this manipulation of the self.
I question what would happen if the money ran out and these ladies couldn’t continue the treatments………all of a sudden there you are faced with your real face without the privelege of adapting to it over the years. I believe Botox for instance can only be used until one is 65 – what then – imagine meeting your 65 year old face for the first time all at once at 65!!
I believe it is vital to begin this process when we are still relatively young, unless it’s for a major correction. Like the 40′s. Before any real change has occurred. Reason? These procedures (like sagging jaw line), done early, will pay off as you go forward in years. Your friend sounds like a big mistake was made. Most of the fillers don’t last too long, so as time passes maybe her lip will recede a bit. I have very fair, thin skin so the fillers last forever with me, the little creases between our eyes are erased at once, and it is lovely to look up and no longer have to worry about them. Proceed slowly, as you said.
I totally agree with you about the “fat lips” I find I can’t look my friend in the eye because of it and it makes her look like a U-bangi—not that there’s anything wrong with that!!!!
When I see pictures of (formerly beautiful) actresses who have had cosmetic surgery, I feel sad for them. It must be so frustrating to constantly have to “improve” themselves as they age. Many of them had thriving careers until they started tampering with their looks.
I would never have cosmetic surgery of any kind. I’ve never been beautiful and will never be beautiful. And yet somehow I’ve managed to live a good life and accomplish so much. If people don’t like how I look, they always have the option of not looking.
very interesting, I look at the magazines and commercials and sometimes I think I could look better if I did that, but, then I think well if I do do that I will have to give up some studio supplies, that always rips me back to reality, I guess I would rather create my beauty on paper than display it physically on my body, it really is just a matter of choice, thanks for your provocative questions and the willingness to make us look, think and enjoy your world and ultimately ours, hugs
I’m a believer in the old saying “Everything in moderation”, including cosmetic surgery. The problem with that, however, is that the definition of moderation can be subjective depending on each individual.
I’ve seen my share of “trout pout” syndrome on otherwise beautiful (or sometimes not so beatiful) women. The first thing that comes to mind for me is that of grasping…grasping at youth, an image or a desire to be something they aren’t.
I’ve always felt cosmetics and surgery are there to enhance not completely change a person.
Interesting and rather thought-provoking post, thanks for the mental stretch.
I once heard a cosmetic surgeon say that ‘if you start with fillers in a small quantity early enough, the results will be natural not noticeable’. A good cosmetic surgeon would never continue to keep plumping a client to the ‘duckbill’ look.
There is nothing sexy or kiss-able about duckbill lips.
Here in the “OC”, lip “enhancement” is epidemic. Cosmetic surgery is the norm, I am sorry to say. Several of my friends have had their lips done. Under-endowed in the lip area myself, I am, too saddened when I’ve seen it go too far. It often appears reasonable head-on, face to face, but the profile is very unnatural. Fillers are ‘de riguer’ in my age group. Here, we all grew up at the beach, in the water, and the sun damage is undeniable.
I think it would be prudent to take a page from Linda Evangelista’s care of her valued face. She has a program of laser resurfacing, rejuvenating what has creased, fallen, or otherwise deteriorated. If she has had anything else done, it is so small as to appear refreshed and not redone.
I’ll go with her, right to my dermatolgist appointment, 9 am, next Monday morning!
I think most women are reasonable about it. It seems that the ones who aren’t are motivated by unusual circumstances, such as a cheating husband, fame, or obsessed with losing beauty as they age. My best friend passed away at 29, so I don’t mind growing old, we all do… Unless we die young!
“Is a new lip like a new pair of shoes?” Have you seen The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills? The answer, apparently, is “Yes.” The shoes are incredibly odd as well, as a matter of fact. Sad. Women can make some enhancements if they so choose. I choose not to. But some enhancements and body dysmorphia are very different things.
Best…Victoria
I agree, it is confusing, and sad. I can only think it stems from fear – of aging, of death, of not measuring up to those younger than we. Getting older can be a shock for a woman. I love the line in the wonderful new movie, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, when one lovely character exclaims… “I don’t want to get old. I don’t want to be the first person they release from the hostage crisis!”. I suppose we all feel like that. I am not immune. I look in the mirror and see changes that sometimes give me pause. But my soul, there is so much more to this short life. One thing I have learned on this journey… the women who are the most captivating, the ones who make me want to know them better, to be like them, are the ones who have laughed at aging, choosing instead to embrace life and all it offers fully and joyfully. They are the women who would never dream of plastic surgery, who know the value of a beautiful shawl, a good red lipstick and a grin. Besides, it’s called “Plastic” surgery for a reason.
Great question. Yes, moderation, definitely moderation if one decides plastic surgery is essential for whatever reasons.
I must say I’ve been very surprised to see so many “lips” in Paris, particularly in the 16th. I often wonder what the women think before and after, that terrifying moment when they gaze into the mirror with their new “enhanced” (terrifying) pout. Are they happy or do they want to cry?
xo,
Tish
The above comment says it all….beautifully. Here’s to a joyous life without any fillers/surgery/botox et al.
first. this is a first world problem. aging isn’t easy but what a luxury it is to choose to go under the knife to enhance one’s look.
and though the goal is to look younger? prettier? better? sadly, i have to tell folks that no. no one looks “younger” at all what so ever. they just look like someone trying to look younger.
of course, to each their own, but i’m hoping women collectively swing back to the direction of growing old gracefully. there is such a thing. and it’s absolutely beautiful
another lovely post, vicki! thank you!
Hi Vicki,
Thank You for such an emotive and thought provoking post. I agree with your comments and feel that most “things” in our life work best when taken in moderation, food and face especially. Like you, it saddens me to think that your neighbour and so many other women like her, are dissatisfied with themselves and feel the need to enhance the features that others already admire. It’s such a shame that the benchmark of beauty has been moved, and that women feel inferior without the surgical enhancing (depending on your opinion on what constitutes enhancing) procedures. Many of the younger girls at our local department stores have undergone facial procedures that have rendered them stare worthy, but not for the right reasons. Like a car crash or some other terrible disaster, humans feel the need to stare, almost compelled, and stare we do, sometimes it’s not even subtle, just a a shocked look, proceeded by another of longer incredulous duration! However, I could not purchase anything from these young women, as they are not doing their products a positive service. What of their self esteem and feeling of self worth? what do they see when they look, truly look in the mirror? What has happened that for some so very young and indeed in the prime of their lives and beauty, that they feel the need to “enhance” what to so admire? Conversely, at the other end of the age scale, women decades older doing likewise is also (in my mind) questionable for so many reasons. Sure, getting older and finding wrinkles and grey hairs is not on everyone’s list of favourite things, but looking like a twenty something in a wind tunnel, would never be an option for me. Subtle, softly, ever so softly, and undetectable. Does that exist in the world of cosmetic surgery? Embrace and love yourself for all the wrinkles and crinkles, grey hairs and more. It makes you, you, an individual, a one off model, rare and priceless. Visit the hairdresser more and soften the makeup maybe? Apparently in the surgical lane, it’s difficult to change lanes once travelled, and is likened to an addiction. Once started who knows where it leads? Thanks again Vicki.
The scary thing is that it’s beyond our control..the mistakes anyway. You might go in for a bee stung look and come out with a slugger lip. And then it’s too late.
It’s so easy to say when young and perfect that you would never never…but as I get older, I tend to think I will…not like my mother though…I keep hoping in my lifetime it will just be a little thing we can do
The French understand that beauty is not one dimensional. It’s the beautiful smile, not the tout pout, the sparkling eyes, not the tight eyelids… For those who would like to have a little enhancement done by a plastic surgeon, more power to them. It’s when a person comes out looking like something has been lost in translation (surgery), that’s when it’s not so great.
The thing I loved the most about looking at my Mother was as she aged her face became so beautiful and soft. The soft lines at her eyes, not too many frown lines (from 5 children), bright blue sparkly eyes even in her 90′s, curly short dark hair with whisps of grey – there was nothing hard. Today maybe a little enhancement if you wish as long as you don’t look hard. To age gracefully is said for a reason.
Isnt it sad the pressure people are feeling to have a feature some one naturaly has & dont think that they might have a good feature some one is wishing they had. I would love thick lips but I learnt how to make my lips look bigger with make up & it worked for me which is great as I hate injections.
There are a few wrinkles appearing but I think I will go the safe route & grow old gracefully like Helen Mirran you can still look stunning with out the surgery you just have to believe in your best features & to be honest you have to be happy in your own skin then beauty will naturaly shine, but words are easy to say if your self esteem is low I guess people can do anything unless they have the support of friends & family to stop them from this crazyness.
We are turning into a race of plastic people I hope I have brought up my children to make the naturel choices & stop judging a book by its cover, only time will tell on that, I have a few more years to not have to worry.
Also we are living longer & feeling younger so I guess the mind is still wanting to be young where as many years ago once a granny you dressed like one, now my mum who is a granny is a groovy granny & am guess she isnt a mad granny who has gone to see the surgeon (even though I know she has thought about it) we keep telling her she is gorgeous so she can be groovy with her wardrobe instead
))
I think that we’ve lost sight of what is ” normal”. Between photoshopped magazine images and even news presenters needing to be perfect looking, we’ve lost a sense f balance. It’s nice to see some actresses backing off, like Nicole Kidman. Great topic!
Yes it is a women’s perrogative to do as she wishes to her face and body but I do think we have gone too far. I am yet to see a woman who has had a “touch up” that has changed their face for the better..in 99% of the cases they look altered..sometimes a little foreign..unrecognisible. We should perhaps pay attention to the wise words of one of the great beauties..who grew old so gracefully..
For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.
Audrey Hepburn
oh Vicki what a great topic – and so you’ve written of your experience so beautifully.
Im not sure how I’ll go later in life ( Im mid 40′s now). There are lines appearing but for me at this point its about taking the time to make the most of what Ive got – trying to be the best I can be consistantly and without going to high maintenance extremes.
I love the idea that French women see beauty as a lifestyle, its very inspiring and altogether acheivable for us all.
I certainly NEVER want any of that crazy enhancement – do you think it was a proceedure gone wrong for the woman you saw?
Each to their own but as you say moderation is surely key.
Think about when you meet someone mesmerising, rarely do you even notice lines between the eyes, or a sagging eye lid or chin….what you do remember, and want to go home and copy is the great haircut, the balanced makeup, the stylish sense of dress, and a genuine smile. No stranger will notice the lines but they sure will notice the two balloons where your mouth should be. Spend the time and energy on the former and give the latter away. Yet another interesting post.
Hi Viki& fans
I feel sad for these women, it purely is a case of beauty = self esteem, women who are pretty and told that all through their lives are the ones most prone from what I see, they just can’t handle that their looks just don’t “do it” anymore whatever “it” is. I think too many women rely on their looks for feeling good about who they are. I am a makeup artist for women over 40 and how not to look old is always top of their list. I always quote Style Guru ALBERT ELBAZ “Respect your age! Nothing is more appealing than a woman who embraces her maturity. What is a turn on is a woman who respects change and the passage of time. So please never look back”
A beautifully written post, Tish…I believe a lot of women have gone too far with cosmetic procedure and it is so very sad to see, as in the case of your lady. I look at women like Ines de la Fressange who is growing old gracefully and with self acceptance, that is the woman I want to be, whatever you do you cannot turn back time..and there is a part of me that wants to see how I age naturally. I agree with Sylvia people don’t notice the lines or sagging eye lids or chin they notice YOU and how you are and make them feel as Lauren Hutton says ‘If you obsess about your looks, it kills your spirit.’
Catherine
xx
I think Sophia Loren has it right on this one Vicki…
“Beauty
is how you feel
inside,
it reflects
in your eyes.
It is not
something physical.
…Sophia Loren
Amen to that!
Jeannexx
GOOD MORNING VICKI! Thank you for coming so quickly early this morning (for me!) and I have you on the list as a participant….maybe I misunderstood? Thank you for visiting me my dear. Now that I am off of school, I am going to savor your book on these long and lazy days of summer. BISES! Anita
I have no desire for any lips than the ones I have. To paraphrase Ben Franklin said, imagine the entire world is blind and then what would your focus be. It’s gracious to maintain oneself, but everything in balance. Overboard signifies skewed and rather shallow values IMHO.
Makes me think of all the children in the world born with cleft palate and no money to fix it. I met a great surgeon, Dr. Donald Laub at Stanford http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Laub when we worked on a writing project together. He founded Interplast (that is now ReSurge) that operated on poor children around the world to give them a new smile and better chance at life. He (and his wife) were beautiful people..and also owned a palm tree farm.
My grandmother said, beauty is as beauty does. I thought that was just something grandmother’s say…but now I think it’s true. A person can have everything, even movie star looks, and not be very attractive at all.