I remember the days of getting suited, booted, and putting my war-paint makeup on to feel confident for boardroom presentations. When I was caring for Dad with his multitude of comorbidities, my body and spirit felt absorbed into the doing of caregiving until I had a few days of respite—an extension of arms and legs doesn't have a face for makeup.
In respite, out of gym clothes, I'd apply makeup and literally salute my image to welcome its re-emergence.
These days makeup is basic but still, a veneer until I have a few days to myself
I loved reading this. I resonated with this on so many levels...from walking into bloomies for 'the tools', enduring the pain of caregiving, having been conditioned to uphold the cultural mindsets and all of the masks we don for each of those experiences that drain us inside. Masks in the contemporary western cultures means wearing identical hypocritical masks/uniforms to portray the mass produced persona generated by the system to destroy the existence of the individual. The masks you write about are the opposite - they are the masks stylized by the person and supported by their culture to protect the individual and allow that person to survive within a trying role. Protecting ourselves behind such a mask is a brave move- because these are masks that portray individual beauty. It embraces the woman with the nurturing she needs while being so challenged in her life. The masks helps her keep her individuality intact and allows for protection when she feels most vulnerable and needs to hide that from public view.
'Beauty' is paramount in the Venezuelan culture, as well as in many age old cultures, and your eloquence reflects this sense of beauty. And that is marvelous.
Exactly!! You have captured the essence of my meaning. It's our way of self care and hugging ourselves in the face of grieving and the dark tunnel.
I appreciate this, Janine.
I remember the days of getting suited, booted, and putting my war-paint makeup on to feel confident for boardroom presentations. When I was caring for Dad with his multitude of comorbidities, my body and spirit felt absorbed into the doing of caregiving until I had a few days of respite—an extension of arms and legs doesn't have a face for makeup.
In respite, out of gym clothes, I'd apply makeup and literally salute my image to welcome its re-emergence.
These days makeup is basic but still, a veneer until I have a few days to myself
So glad I found you💄
Thank you Janine. I'm so pleased we're connected too!
I loved reading this. I resonated with this on so many levels...from walking into bloomies for 'the tools', enduring the pain of caregiving, having been conditioned to uphold the cultural mindsets and all of the masks we don for each of those experiences that drain us inside. Masks in the contemporary western cultures means wearing identical hypocritical masks/uniforms to portray the mass produced persona generated by the system to destroy the existence of the individual. The masks you write about are the opposite - they are the masks stylized by the person and supported by their culture to protect the individual and allow that person to survive within a trying role. Protecting ourselves behind such a mask is a brave move- because these are masks that portray individual beauty. It embraces the woman with the nurturing she needs while being so challenged in her life. The masks helps her keep her individuality intact and allows for protection when she feels most vulnerable and needs to hide that from public view.
'Beauty' is paramount in the Venezuelan culture, as well as in many age old cultures, and your eloquence reflects this sense of beauty. And that is marvelous.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback, I'm glad you enjoyed my writing❤️🙏🏻
❤️🙏🏻
Just posted part three of "once upon a time in maniapure". It takes place in the E'ñepá Indigenous Territory.
Janine I agree with you that In our custom in Venezuela we embrace beauty and fashion and I love that!!Make you feel realized. As I’m part of it. 😉
Thank you Maru you always look like an impeccable doll out of a box. We both always wear 💄😀