A Woman With Facial Hair Is Beautiful

Photo credit

I was kind of having a self-hate day. It was one of those days where I could only notice the bumps and bruises on my skin, the seeming lumpiness of my thighs, the way my head and shoulders appear to connect without any kind of neck between them, the roundness of my cheeks, the planetary-size of my forehead, the shortness of my toes, the unevenness of my eyebrows, the number on the scale, the tiredness in my eyes. I was making a list like this one and I began brainstorming a list of physically transformative tasks I could complete to become less hideous. Lose weight, moisturize, take vitamins, go on a juice fast, run two miles a day, color my hair, re-think my wardrobe, dress for my body-type, work on confidence, take yoga, cut out carbohydrates and processed food, become a vegetarian, destroy all mirrors in the universe.

And then, this article popped up on my homepage and, suddenly, I felt this deep sense of security and peace. This is what Balpreet Kaur wrote about the importance of beauty and purpose in life after being targeted and attacked for her personal appearance: “Yes, I'm a baptized Sikh woman with facial hair. Yes, I realize that my gender is often confused and I look different than most women….My attitude and thoughts and actions have more value in them than my body… by not focusing on the physical beauty, I have time to cultivate those inner virtues and hopefully, focus my life on creating change and progress for this world in any way I can."

I need to be friends with this woman. This is the kind of honest challenge I needed. Sometimes I look in the mirror or I compare myself with others and my values get jumbled. I am once again reminded that so much of our culture defines beauty by an external (and, in most cases, unrealistic) standard.

I titled this post provocatively in hopes that people might read it but the fact is, Balpreet’s life is not about being beautiful IN SPITE of her facial hair. I honestly believe that Balpreet redefines what it means to be beautiful, to be feminine, to be powerful and important and genuine. I am interested in that kind of beauty. I encourage you to make your own list of what makes you beautiful. Just imagine what might happen if we started defining ‘beautiful’ not as what we want to be, but by what we already are.*

love, elizabeth

*I am not the first person to say that, by the way, so if anyone remembers who said that best, let me know.

A Total Lush

I kind of dread the mail. It feels like most of the time it’s just junk and bad news and bills. But SOMETIMES…it’s stuff like this. *I realize that the following is going to sound like a paid advertisement but I assure you, it is not. I am sharing LUSH with you out of the goodness of my heart. You’re welcome, Internet.

I’ve talked about LUSH on here before because, you know, it’s pretty much amazing. Who is seriously NOT interested in handmade, organic products made with vegetarian, cruelty-free ingredients that, oh yeah, smells like heaven in the form of a soap bar? Bonus: everything has a cute name like “Honey I Washed the Kids” or “Turkish Delight” or “Blue Skies and Fluffy White Clouds” and comes specially wrapped and packaged and sealed with a kiss, apparently.

For my birthday this year, Sarah sent me a gift certificate and I definitely spent some serious time picking out my merch. That’s short for merchandise, in case you didn’t know.

I settled on The Buffy Bar, which is a LUSH best-seller for a good reason. It’s an exfoliating bar that you scrub on and rinse off and it literally makes your skin feel like butter and silk (except not as greasy or weird as that sounds).

I ALSO bought the It Started With a Kiss tinted lip balm. Which smells like cupcakes and berries and is so cute in its little itty bitty tin.

I am also happy to report that LUSH included a copy of their latest newsprint catalogue which I never feel bad about having because A) it’s so pretty and fun to read and B) I use every last scrap of it to wrap presents. So much cooler than wrapping paper. Want to get your own? You can subscribe free here by going to the top of the page and clicking on LUSH Catalogue. If you’re in a different country than me, like Canada (where LUSH is made) or somewhere else, you can find your country’s website by going here.

So there you have it. LUSH is awesome and no one paid me to say it. Unless, of course, someone from LUSH is reading this and wants to pay me to say it.

What about you? Have you fallen for a new product or beauty line lately?

love, elizabeth

Madigan Gets a Makeover

Dear Readers:

It’s been awhile since I’ve addressed you directly. What can I say? I’ve been on va-cay, having some serious me-time. But events have transpired and I feel I should break my blog silence.

You know how you think something is a good idea and then it really isn’t? But it’s too late because you’ve already said, “Oh, hey, yeah, it’s totally cool if you give me a hair cut”? I’ll admit it. I was getting furry. But who doesn’t like to let it all hang out in the summertime?

But my mom was all like, “Oh, Madigan, it’s so hot, let me give you a haircut, it’ll be super easy, do you want a treat?” And I was all like, “Sure, yeah, whatever,” totally not even KNOWING what I was agreeing to. Have you ever seen a picture that made you think, “OMG, someone please invent time travel”??? Here I am in the bathroom, awaiting my fate. So naïve, so innocent. So blissfully ignorant.

And then…stuff got real.

Why don’t they just legally change my name to Patches or Bald Spot or The Dog Who Foolishly Believed Her Owners and Let Them Give Her a “Trim” and get it over with? I told Mom if she was that interested in saving money on haircuts, I would be more than happy to cut her bangs for her. Revenge is so sweet.

Want to read more of my thoughts? You can. Here and here and here and here. And here.

You know you love me.

XOXO

Madigan

PS: I’m on a GG marathon right now, peeps. Sue me.

My Indispensable Summer Beauty Products

I’m not a huge believer in “the indispensable.” I’m pretty sure I could live with very little (and certainly way, way less than I have) if I had to. But in these humid Ohio summers, there are a few beauty products I’m totally thankful for.*

1. Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner.

I’ve talked about this stuff before. Sarah introduced it to me and now I can’t stop raving. It smells great and my skin is soooooooo happy. Since I’ve pretty much sent my foundation packing, this toner has been my best friend.

2. John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease Curl Perfecting Spray.

If you like my hair in this picture, you might also enjoy this fine hair product. It’s kind of a miracle for a girl with wavy, frizzy hair (emphasis on the frizz) like me. If you don’t like my hair, then you might still enjoy this John Frieda concoction. I don’t know. I’m not omniscient.

3. Intuition Plus Razor by Schick.

This is totally my beauty splurge. I realize that we all define “splurge” differently but since the replacement blades for this razor are kind of on the expensive side of the drug store (they actually lock them up now), they’re a splurge in my book. And um…totally worth it. Since I’ve switched from the old-fashioned razor and shaving cream combo, I have completely eliminated razor burn and the 25 minutes of shower time it used to take to achieve it.

4. Women’s One multi-vitamin from Rainbow Light.

A bajillion thanks to Kate for introducing me to the Rainbow Light line of supplements. I have a sensitive stomach when it comes to vitamins but these are whole-food (rather than synthetic) and I can totally take one of these on an empty stomach, no problem. I realize that not everyone is a vitamin person but I’ve noticed a difference in my complexion and energy levels so…I guess I’m a vitamin person.

*This is a totally sponsor-free ad. That’s right. I am just THAT in love with these products.

Alright, share with me. What is on your “indispensable” summer list?

love, elizabeth

PS: Did you get a chance to meet these bloggers? They’re awesome.

The No Make-Up Challenge

I really love make-up. I love to wear it. I love putting it on. But I sometimes find myself troubled by how much I need make-up to feel like myself. Sometimes I don’t like the face underneath. I’ve always been envious of those women who seem to have a natural, unmasked beauty, a radiant and organic glow that says “I just woke up so refreshed this morning. I took a bath in a forest stream and some little birds brought me these uber-flattering yoga pants. I moisturize…with apricot nectar and fairy dew drops.”  I’ve been dying to know…Do I have a natural beauty hidden behind the foundation and eyeliner? Where are my little birds and yoga pants? Where is my radiant glow???

So last week, I gave myself a little challenge – just a chance to try to appreciate my skin and my face, unenhanced by cosmetics. I used an exfoliating face scrub from Bath & Body Works, Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner (which I only mention because I recently discovered it through Sarah’s blog and it’s awesome), and the generic substitute for Aveeno Daily Moisturizer. One week, no make-up. I took pictures everyday. No touch-ups or editing. The only change I’ve made to any of these pictures is to use auto-levels to better represent natural light. The challenge was to love the face in the mirror sans make-up.

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Day Four

Day Five

Day Six

At the end of the week, I can say I’ve made a new peace with my appearance. This face is flawed. It has blemishes and freckles and unevenness. Maybe this face doesn’t have a place in a magazine or in a movie but it is my face, the one God gave me, a face that is half my mom’s and half my dad’s. It is a map of all the places I have been before, it is a signpost along a journey I am continuing to make. I will look back at these pictures and know what it is to have been there. I have found a comfort in that. I kind of like my face.

I still loving wearing makeup. But I think I’m ready to let my own skin shine through a little more.

I want to hear from you. Is wearing make-up an essential part of your routine? What makes you feel most naturally beautiful? What makes you feel confident as you begin a new day?

love, elizabeth

Girl Confessions

I’ve had some girl-thoughts this weekend and it’s time for me to share them here. That’s how utterly consequential they are.

1. I really love wearing make-up. And Kyle’s old band t-shirts. It makes me feel like I’m still 17. Sometimes I miss being 17. My friend Sarah over at Sarahcastically is sharing hilarious eye make-up tips today. Check it out.

2. Sometimes I pretend I’m in a music video. Like this one. Just for example.



I probably couldn’t pull off that sweater.

3. While I remain faithful to both my real-life husband Kyle and my movie husband Ryan Gosling, I need to say that Billy Baldwin is really beautiful. I know, I know. He is sooooo 1991. But let’s be serious. How is he not a cop/fireman/fbi agent in real life? He really makes diving into the water sideways while shooting ex-KGB militants look like a cake walk. And he does that surprised/man sad look so well. Plus he’s the only actor who wear that much hair gel and not look like a New Jersey car salesman.

Photo credit

4. I really, REALLY love Valentine’s Day. Sometimes I just walk up and down the Valentine’s aisle in the grocery store, just to try and absorb all the hot pink gorillas and conversation hearts. It’s a problem.

Here’s a tiny preview of what you’re all going to have to suffer through in the month of February…



I made that.

And that’s ten minutes you just spend reading this that you are never going to get back. You’re welcome.

Bring on the Monday!

love, elizabeth

PS: Be sure to stop back for the Valentine's Day giveaway tomorrow!

Mad for Madigan: Summer Beauty Edition

Dear Readers,

If you haven’t been keeping up with Mad for Madigan, CLICK HERE to read past features!

Today I’m talking summer beauty. Obviously, I am pretty much an expert on being beautiful. And since Mom is pretty clueless, I thought I’d share 3 indispensable beauty tips to bring out your inner babe:

1) Drink plenty of water and leave the makeup at home. Mom thinks I just lick her face because I like the taste of her foundation. Puhleeease, girlfriend, you need to wash that gunk off and let the summer air do the rest!

2. Get outside with your pets and enjoy the sunshine. Nothing to put color in your cheeks and a spring in your step like a walk with your furry pal. Trust me. I’m GORGEOUS.

3. Accessorize with kindness, not trends (think: smiles, not purse dogs). It’s hot outside and people are in a hurry. Take that extra minute to hold a door open, thank a grumpy salesperson, pick up that stray piece of trash, offer to help your neighbors with a chore, and give your people and puppies kisses. There is nothing more beautiful.

Stay excellent.

Madigan

PS: If you own an Etsy shop that offers pet accessories, I would be happy to review and advertise any product you would like to send me or to host a pet-friendly giveaway!

PS2: Have a topic you’d like Madigan to cover? Submit your suggestions to loveisadventure@gmail.com.

Flower clip: Goody

Collar: Bow-Wow Couture on Etsy

Gorgeous fur coat: Mine, all mine.

Be Kind to Yourself: The Weight of It All

via Pinterest

You know the saying, 'I'm rubber and you're glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you'? Yeah. I hate that saying.


This is actually kind of a hard post to write. But I think it's important because I was inspired by a guy at the pool yesterday who I overheard telling his friends how fat he thought I was. Of course, I immediately felt embarassed and hurt. My first reaction was to think, I should leave. I don't belong here. I want to go home.


Maybe it's a sign of my own personal growth that I didn't completely fall apart or shut down. I'm kind of surprised that it didn't hurt more. Maybe it's because I know that I am beautiful. Maybe it's because I'm positive that stranger's comments had a lot more to do with something going on inside of him than they had to do with me.


Lately, I have been so inspired by some interviews with one of my favorite singers, Grammy Award winner, Adele Adkins. Not surprisingly for the entertainment industry, Adele is constantly receiving questions and criticism about her weight. "My aim in life is never to be skinny," she said once. And later, in Rolling Stone, "[T]hat's not what my music is about. I don't make music for eyes. I make music for ears." I find her confidence and obvious joy in who she is so refreshing. It gives me hope for my own self-image.


But I am learning that part of being kind to myself is letting the worst things, the unkind things, pass through me, not letting them stay inside of me, festering, putting down roots. It's silly for us to think that we can deflect the hurtful things people say about us. The human heart feels pain. And that's okay. I am giving myself permission to feel pain but to let the poison in those words fall away.


This post really isn't about fat or skinny. It's about caring for yourself. Because our worth cannot be tied up in how we look or what we wear or own. Worth is inherent in you and in me. Worth is in the soul. I hope today you will find a minute to be kind to your soul. Like Adele says, "I don't have a hole in my soul!"

ADELE

Source: aheartisaspade.com via Lynn on Pinterest

PS: I have jumped on the Bloglovin' bandwagon. So if you are a Bloglovin' person, feel free to follow Love is the Adventure there. You can click the link above or the widget on the sidebar.


Also, today is the LAST day to enter the Teeny-Tiny Spa Giveaway! It's easy to enter - just be an official follower of this blog and comment telling me that you are. You can earn a second chance to win if you follow me on Twitter and then tweet to let me know. I will be announcing the winner tomorrow morning so be sure to stop by!