Pinal County, AZ 91°F
At an altitude of 8500 feet, and right smack in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, Georgetown, Colorado can be a scary place to play outside for an innocent little six year old girl after a snowstorm, especially with the risk of curious mountain lions staring down at her from the steep surrounding mountains. So, in lieu of sledding in the freezing temperatures with my numb, snot-nosed, screaming peers, I would stay inside my cozy home sipping hot chocolate dolling up my dad's hair and nails.
My dad was such a good sport puting up with the latest fashion creations I would come up with. From whipping up 5 pig-tails in his hair at once, to polishing his toes ruby red, to applying barbie pink lipstick on his manly lips. O the nightmares my poor daddy likely suffers to this day!
It was right about then as a young girl that I discovered my passion for making people beautiful.
Fast-forward 12 years later and 5000 miles away. Paris, France is a little bit different from my family's humble little lakeside home in Georgetown (weather's just a tad different, too!) Sitting in a seemingly non-touristy cafe in the middle of the city, trying not to blow my cover as a local, I simply can't stop staring at all of the different people. Some buzzing by with a sense of purpose, while others take their sweet time in a calm fashion, as if even time itself would wait for them to finish unwinding through a mug of liqueur coffee.
How different. People here seem to dress their age. The fashion-conscious women look so beautiful, but in a brilliant, effortless, nonchalant manner. At least that's how it seems. Trying to figure out what it is that sets them apart from their American counterparts, I realize the whole idea is NOT to look like you've spent hours making yourself up. Walk into a pharmacy here and you will see far more product aimed at repairing blemishes and decreasing pore size than you will for covering it all up.
Parisian women are not beautiful simply because they are from Paris, or because they've been gifted with good genes. After all, people are people no matter where you go. Parisian women are beautiful. A more accurate statement is "Women are beautiful." Parisian women have mastered the art of highlighting their natural, personal beauty. And then amplifying it with fashionable, respectable clothing that subtly, yet effectively, lets people know that they have self-respect and confidence.
Self respect and confidence. These are two invaluable possessions that solidify the aura of your beauty, yet possessing them can sometimes be a challenge without seeing your own beauty. No, I'm not talking about painting on a thick, pretty face like a Vegas performer. I'm talking about finding the right hairstyle and color to match your face, body, and personality just right. I'm talking about exploiting the flattering aspects of yourself, and making you feel good about yourself.
Have you found out how to highlight YOUR beauty? I would love to help you find it.
Makala Huerta is a licensed cosmetologist at Shear Gossip by Sabrina located at 119 E. 4th St. in downtown Casa Grande. She can be reached at 520-450-2495 by voice or text.
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