Friday, August 15, 2008

A Can of Spackle, Adorn Hairspray and a full color palate from Sherman Williams

Have you noticed all the information on makeup and facial care that's coming out of the media these days? You pick up any magazine (well maybe not Hot Rod Weekly) and they have an article on how to put that makeup on and look as though a pancake applicator has never touched that fresh dewy face. What's the point? If it doesn't look as though I've spent hours in front of the mirror trying to attain that plastered wall smoothness, why have I wasted my time? I learned to put my makeup on from my mother. I can remember her dressing table with the tubs of wrinkle cream and foundation, the tiny little jars of rouge of every hue...there was "daylight blush" for that " you've been out in the sun just long enough to get a little color" look. There was "dynamite" to show that you were in a temper and might be in the mood for a little romance...but there was nothing that said "dewy innocence". No "fresh face, no makeup need be applied". Nada. The foundation was light, as Mama was very fair skinned (as am I) and by light I mean in color, not in texture. The foundation actually had a small triangular little doohickey that you used to spread the thick goo on your face...sort of like a trowel...then you spread it out with your fingers into your hair line, down under your chin to the throat...if not, you were in danger of looking like one of those Japanese wall masks that were in vogue a few years ago.

I can remember approaching Mama's dressing table with something akin to fearful awe. This is where "Mama put her face on". I heard Daddy say "don't bother Mama, she's putting her face on" so much that in nightmares Mama would appear faceless. No eyes, no mouth no nose...just a white blur. One day, I sat on the edge of her bed and watched the master at work. Her face was pretty to start with, but she had a smattering of freckles across her nose (as I do...Mac loves my freckles) that she attempted to banish nearly every day of her life. I watched as she examined her face that morning, turning it this way and that, lifting her chin, taking three fingers of hand and using the topside of those fingers, began tapping on the skin beneath her chin. I asked her what she was doing. She told me she was trying to beat back time, and laughed. Her laugh was like the tinkling glass of a wind chime, and I can hear it now, in my mind. She picked up a jar of something called "Disappearing Cream". I watched in rapt attention to see if anything on her face disappeared from sight. But no, her skin just glistened a bit. Then she lightly patted at her face with a tissue before lifting up the little trowel and dipping it into the jar of foundation. She put six blobs of a pale beige goo on her face. One in the middle of her forehead, two on each cheek one blog on her chin and two on either side of her throat. Then she picked up a little white sponge (in a jar of many little white sponges) and began to smooth the foundation over her face, up into the hairline, up her throat. At this point she stopped and said, "notice I'm drawing the sponge in upward strokes...this is supposed to help keep the skin from sagging down...which is just a fairy tale that I'm afraid to go against," and she laughed. She picked up a little compact that held different colors of eye shadow, and picked one to apply. Then she took the mascara from the small drawer in the dressing table. I watched her apply it, her mouth making an "O" of surprise, one eye closed as she applied it to the other. When she was finished, she took a powder puff and lightly dipped it into some loose face powder, shook off the excess and lightly went over her face to "seal it". She then removed the pins from her hair and combed it out, put in a clip or two, picked up a can of Adorn Hairspray (the precursor of Freeze Spray) and sealed her hair in place, too. And finally, she picked up a tube of "Fire Engine Red" lipstick and applied it lightly to her lips. She was beautiful. (To see a picture of Mama, she's on the sidebar with her beloved Shelties.)

All this took approximately forty five minutes and the fact that I could sit still that long just shows the amazement that captured my attention for the rest of my life. I now knew the secrets of "putting on your face." I never forgot them. At one time, it was a routine I went through every morning of my life. I often arose before Mac to "put on my face" (as though the face that lay beneath the makeup was so repulsive he might turn away in horror at the nakedness of it!). But then one day I was telling a friend about my morning ritual and she nearly had a stroke laughing. At first my feelings were a little hurt, but she assured me that that was not her intention. She put her arm around my shoulder and said "wake up girl, it's the 70's, women are burning their bras and throwing out their makeup! Get with the program!" Okay, so I got with the program...slowly. This was a ritual so firmly ingrained in me that it was hard to go cold turkey. I weaned myself off the makeup mornings a little at a time...then one morning at breakfast, Mac ran his finger down my nose and smiled. "Hey, I didn't know you had freckles, " he said. "Imagine that."

54 comments:

Jeni said...

Once upon a time, I used to do some of the makeup routine -as a former Avon Representative, maybe I felt I had to do that. I dunno. But for several years now, I have completely stopped wearing the regular make-up save for an occasional dab of blush and/or lipstick on very special occasions. Free at last, free at last, ya know!

Anonymous said...

When I turned 60 in March I thought, it's time to ditch the make-up. Now I get to sleep in longer, then wash my face, add some moisturizer and I'm good to go. I thought I was the only one who gave it up. Who knew? Thanks for reinforcing my decision.

Gretchen
birdnestcottage.typepad.com

Terri said...

Sounds like she used Mary Kay...did she?

Anonymous said...

thank you Sandi. I left you another remark on you last post. Please know that award is for you that is on my blog and come get it when you can!
Love you girl

NeereAnDear said...

Ahhh thank you for the lovely memories... I often remember my mother doing the exact same thing... she was beautiful too and didnt need it but went through the whole ritual of putting on her face before her and dad went out or before they entertained....

I truly loved watching her get ready and put on her little dabs of perfume in all those special places as the finishing touch...

You brought back a special time for me... so grateful am I...

By the way KJ thinks you are a hoot too.... see I am not the only one !!

HUGS AND LOVE

JO

Sally said...

Aw, that is the sweetest story ever!! I can just see you watching your mama, and then in later years replicating her routine. I saw her picture on the sidebar; she sure was a pretty lady.

My mother wore no makeup at all with the exception of light powder and that bright red lipstick. Although she had tons of freckles and she told me; when she was young she tried to eliminate them with some 'miracle cream' and ended up with burned skin. And she had a date that night. hahaha

Lee said...

There was a class to teach us how to put on makeup when I was a teen in boarding school. We learned some very good routines. Then other makeup companies gave workshops later at other friends homes. It was fun for a long time. But I got tired of it and stopped when I moved to San Antonio. I don't think I've worn makeup in 16 years. Well, unless I'm going out on a date or to a special event. Darn that stuff has gotten expensive! Last time I bought foundation it was $60. To heck with that, I'm going to the grocery store next time.

Hugs!

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Hooray for freckles I say. I do wear make-up sometimes but really only out of kindness to others and it's not a daily task/chore, only if I'm off to the shops. And I've never worn lipstick - can't get on with it.

I remember once when my children were tiny I decided to put on a face mask (one of those that hardens). Whilst I was sat waiting for it to take effect my little girl came up to ask me something and when I turned to answer her she screamed. I laughed and the face pack cracked. Oh well.

A

Vee said...

What a wonderful memory you have! Your mother was a beautiful gal...truly lovely.

I remember my mother and grandmother putting on their lipstick, but they never did more than that for their beauty routine. I was the first woman in the family who ever wore full makeup. I still do when I'm going anywhere "special" and I always wear lip gloss if I'm leaving my dooryard. Funny that your friend was telling you that it was the
70s and time to toss it when I was just taking it up and have never put it all the way down. :D

I bet your freckles are cute!

Akelamalu said...

My mouth was a perfect O whilst reading about your Mom putting on her mascara. I am a slave to beauty products and make-up, just like your Mom I'm afraid of what might happen if I don't do it! :0

Anonymous said...

But what is Spackle?

I loved this one - it reminds me of a few things I'd forgotten. Being allowed to have the last few drops in a perfume bottle, Mum putting on her lipstick and hairspray just before going out of the door, oh, and the Vanishing Cream! We didn't have Disappearing Cream, we had vanishing cream! I remember my brother teasing me and saying if I dipped my finger in it, my finger would be gone. I was so scared! He dared me to do it but I wouldn't! LOL!

smilnsigh said...

What if you had kept those freckles hidden from him, forever?!? -sigh- See how sad that would have been. :-)

Miss Mari-Nanci
Smilnsigh
Photos-City-Mine
When Twilight Embraces

Sandi McBride said...

I can remember my SIL Ginger and I making a pact that when we left this earth, in our hands would be a can of spackle for filling in the cracks in eternity and a can of hairspray to keep each hair in place! It wasn't Mary Kay, it was Elizabeth Arden...and I only do the full makeup in winter...anything to add a bit of color to my skin...I once had a friend tell me I was the whitest woman she had ever met!

Debra from Bungalow said...

I loved that sweet story about your MOM. What a great memory you've shared with us. My Mom didn't wear much makeup,just lipstick.

I don't do that whole makeup routine very often...

I was so very sorry to hear of the loss of your pet.
Hugs, DebraK

SandyCarlson said...

Sandi,
I remember hearing about "putting your face on" and the scandal of not having it on when someone came to the door! And going to powder the nose....Wow. I'm old.

My father used to joke that it would be quicker for my sister to add hers on if she used a four-inch brush. His humor was not always well-received!

Gill - That British Woman said...

I am into the au natural look, wrinkles and all..............

GIll

Lib said...

Lol ,Another great post Sandi!
Hope you're having a great wk.end!
Blessins',Lib

Anonymous said...

One of my special memorie is watching my mother put on her makeup. I've learned from the best. I adore makeup.

Lee said...

Love the virtual Hound. She's so cute. I tried feeding her and playing with her. Then she actually jumped out of the basket. How cute!

Hugs!
Lee

Cath said...

Very touching. Very poignant. Wonderful memories and your smiles at the memories shine through.
Thank you for sharing them.


Sandi - just glancing through I can see you have had a bit of a rough ride with one thing and another. Just know I am thinking of you and send you hugs and lots of love. I'll be back over to read properly, but right now it is 2.45 am and I need to go get some shuteye!
Take care of yourself.
xoxoxoxox

Anonymous said...

Maybe there's more demand for "dewy innocence" nowadays because women do not feel the need to "hide" anymore, refusing to put on somebody else's idea of "a face"?

Makeup can do wonders to a face, if you feel the need to change your "natural" look. I find it very interesting, and enlightening, to see say Isabella Rossellini, in her "natural" state, and with full makeup in one of the LancĂ´me glamour shots, for example. She's beautiful in the first, and the other too, in my opinion. Applying makeup is an art, after all. ;-)

My mother used mascara and an Elizabeth Arden red lipstick (may have been Avon's, really), and she looked quite glamourous, what with her hair in the darkest shade of brown, almost black. Photographing and sensitive skin has let me reduce my "face routine" even more (eye makeup smudged one to many times while looking through the lens), lip gloss it is, most of the time.

Aunt Julie said...

Oh, gosh--makeup? I have to say I'm a "minimalist" now, although once upon a time...I have to say that I thought of you yesterday. We returned from the beach, and one of the cats had something cornered under the TV--a little mouse was preparing a "hoemcoming" of sorts for us? Well, we disposed of the pesky pest; thank goodness the kitty was on the alert!

i beati said...

Funny how I couldn't wait for make up - And I haven't worn one smidgeon in 50 years hahahah- now my house I could do once a year easily

Hadriana's Treasures said...

I liked the image you conjured up especially as a little girl watching your mum..."disappearing cream". Loved it. My hubbie hates all forms of make up so I'm with the program(me) too!

Jeanne said...

LOL Sounds like our moms came from the same school of beauty. What memories this brings back. All the hairspay fumes must have messed with our brain cells don't you think?

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I do not wear makeup. I tried it and it made my face feel hot and ucky. So I do not wear it. Sometims a little nail polish. LOL......Hugs my friend...Mary

Justabeachkat said...

Hi sweet friend!

I'm a girly girl who loves her makeup, especially lipstick. I wear it from the time I put on "face" until I take off my "face" at night. LOL! Your post was fun to read though. It brought back memories of when I watched an older girl I carpooled with when I was young. Either her Mom or my Mom would drive and she put on her "face" every morning in the car on the way. What a ritual! I was too young to wear makeup at the time, but oh how I wanted to!

BTW...today is my blog's 3rd birthday! Amazing!

Hugs!
Kat

Sandy said...

I remember makeup with a "spatula" and Adorn Hair Spray. I quit wearing makeup about 3 years ago. It all makes my eyes water so bad that I just figured there was no use in torturing myself by wearing it! LOL

CatHerder said...

omg i remember in the 70's being allowed to put on a little blue eye shadow lol...i graduated to a full "80's" face complete with cat eyes made possible by loreal bright purple and cobalt blue..tons of black eyeliner and black mascara...bright fuschia lipstick (loreal seafleur which i still use on occasion)...i NEVER went out without my face until two years ago...I actually havent worn a stitch of make up all summer....and forget the hairspray...i think i singlehandedly blew the ozone layer out with aquanet in the 80's..it used to take me 2 hours to get ready. For the last 17 years since my first son was born...i let all the layers grow out and all i do is wash and go.....i cant even believe i EVER went through all that...and the funny thing is...i look MUCH BETTER NOW! The only time i wear a full face now is if we have somewhere to go like a wedding...ps..i dont ever remember my mom wearing make up..but she did use those pink rollers and tease and spray her hair in the 60's!

Terri Steffes said...

What a fabulous essay!! I remember this as well, my mom was a product of the 50s and 60s and had this same routine, down to the Adorn hairspray!

Such a delightful piece.

(ps, I am jealous of those who have those delightful freckles!)

Jo Beaufoix said...

Sandi that was so beautifuly written. I could just picture her. I remember wacthig my Gran and wondering why she powdered my nose as I thought shiny noses were quite nice. Hee hee. I use Virgin Vie face bake foundation as it's a very light powder. I'm also pale and this is just right for me.

I love that Mac noticed your freckles. I have freckles too.

Anonymous said...

I did go,but I didn't see it. Do remember im getting blind though.
Thanks for thinking of me!

Alison said...

Love love love this story--I felt it took me back in time. Forty-five minutes to put on her face! I'm glad it doesn't take me nearly that long even when I use everything I own.

Anonymous said...

Mom used/uses Aqua Net. I still say it's the best. Great post Sandi.

lime said...

i think i was affected by my childhood in the bra burning age. i didn't even wear make-up on my wedding day. yes, i know i am some sort of freak of nature in admitting that.

such a sweet reminiscence though. :)

and thanks for stopping by my place.

Jodie Adams said...

No one ever taught me how to apply make up. What a good memory that is for you to have. I just love how he noticed your freckles. Now that is love!

Country Cottage Chic said...

Please pop over to my blog to collect an award (it's like the Olympics!)

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

I learned how to put on make up from Aunt Ginger - she was always so good at it (and still is, come to think of it). I think I may need a refresher course...or maybe I just need better make-up. Back in the day, the stuff I preferred was by Elizabeth Arden. I think it was more Bondo than actual make-up, but it did the trick. I couldn't use it today, though. All that Bondo might permanently settle in the cracks...er, I mean wrinkles, and I'd never be able to smile again. lol

Sissy

Cheffie-Mom said...

I love how descriptive you are in this post. What a sweet story - and what wonderful memories you have.

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Oh goodness make-up ~ I used to never walk out of the house without it but now have no problem no wearing it.
Have a fabulous week.
Blessings,
Sandy

Jules~ said...

Awe...I love Mac's comment about your freckles.
And I love how you would watch your mom. I used to watch my mom all the time too. I smiled as you recounted so many of the same movements in applications.
And yes it was hard to stop that routine. My mom confesses that when she first married she would set the alarm for 2am so that she could "put her face on" and fix her hair. Then she would go back to bed for an hour before my dad woke up.

tlchang said...

What a lovely memory. I don't wear lots of makeup, but I have kind of permanent dark circles under my eyes and nearly transparent eyelashes - so if being out in public I do like a little. One advantage to working from my home, it greatly curtails your required 'public appearances' (can I tell you how many days I work in my jammies as well? :-)

Georgina said...

Yep, I'm back!
What a wonderful post, it brought back many memories, the smell of my Mum's lipstick on a tissue that she'd spat on to wipe something off my face. She used Max Factor and her initials were M.F. I thought it was all personalised and we were very posh.

Me, minimalist, I'm afraid. I've had the same eyeliner pencil for twenty years! You do well do be proud of your freckles Sandi, I always wanted freckles. Debs x

Unknown said...

I used to watch my mother with the same rapt attention! My mom was and is beautiful. I always thought that she looked like a movie star.

I wore Merle Norman make-up for some time and smeared their thick cream foundation over my face. I always got so many comments on how perfect my skin looked. Thankfully, I did have good skin. I probably didn't need to camouflage it.

Now, I wear bare minerals. I usually don't feel like I have make-up on. My skin is not as even toned as it used to be.

This is a fun post!

KJ

Unknown said...

Okay, now you have my curiosity standing on end... If you have any blog links to photos of your 250 year old furniture, please send them to me. I would love to take a look at what has to be colonial furniture! I was imagining a friend coming over to you home — who could identify each piece in your home by Braille — and they go crashing to the floor because you had the audacity to move a chair!!! LOL! Seriously, if you ever placed photos on your blog, this chick would love to see this gorgeous home!

Your water garden sounds wonderful! We rent a home in California that is mostly tropical in nature. Oh, how pretty a water garden would be right outside the master bedroom.

Have a great day, Sandi! And, thanks for stopping by...

Hugs, KJ

Unknown said...

Just as a bit of Trivia... I was noticing that we share some favorite movies and actors... My Uncle Sam is in the movie Scrooged. He was a professional, award winning cameraman in Hollywood at the time. When you see the cameraman peek from behind his camera and say (I think), "Only you, Frank," that's my uncle. He now lives in Hawaii, poor suffering soul...

Oh happy day!
KJ

Unknown said...

What a wonderful story Sandi! I remember my Mom putting on her makeup at her vanity. I never could do any kind of liquid foundation, just made it look like streaks across my face. I do like playing with makeup though. Hope you are doing well.

Anonymous said...

IF I can remember to put on makeup, it might be a bit of something on my eyes, and a wee bit of something on my lips. And if we're going somewhere special, I'll do some blush. It takes something outstanding to get me to do the whole enchilada, and that doesn't happen often!
I have freckles, too, and I like them! Except lately some of them are sort of meshing together, and looking more like age spots...

Love Bears All Things said...

Oh, I love this post. I could see you sitting there watching and I could see her and hear her laugh. I'm trying hard to leave the whole routine behind and sometimes I succeed, sometimes not. When I moved here to Memphis, I thought, I don't know a soul so I can go anywhere looking any way I please. The first time I went to Walmart, I came face to face with a girl from my Bible study class. Guess you'll always know someone.
One nice thing about age is that: Honey Bear needs glasses for close up and so without his glasses on, he still sees me as I was. I love it!
Mama Bear

San said...

Fabulous post, Sandi. The description of your mother's laborious (and loving) putting-on-of-the-face ritual. (Did you really have a dream of her faceless? If so, that's one hell of a nightmare.) Your taking on of the ritual. Your letting it go. You and your mother never needed the ritual. Natural beauties, the two of you.

Even so, there's something to be said for a woman taking the time to pamper herself a bit. To luxuriate in her femininity.

Christine Boles said...

I LOVED this post! It was fascinating hearing about your mama and her makeup routine! I guess we all have that ingrained interest in it!

Hilary said...

You've certainly evoked a lot of memories with this wonderful post. Beautifully done. Here from David's.

Cath said...

Hiya bud. I'm back over prompted by the well deserved POTD. How you doing? Hope you're ok.

((((HUGS)))))

Jamie Dawn said...

Yep, my mom always says she's "putting on her face" too, also, as well. I loved reading your recollection of your mom putting on her face. I scrolled down to see the photo of your lovely mother. Very lovely indeed.
I wear makeup, but not foundation. I decided not to worry about the imperfections that show through. They are there, and that's that. I use powder for that finishing touch and to try and keep shine away as long as possible... which is futile in my case, since my skin in oily.
A little makeup does wonders. I'm glad I have mine!
The great thing is that if we're seen sans makeup, it's not the end of the world. Even sans bra goes without much notice.
Hooray for the changing times!!!