Shining Faces on Glossy Magazines....

As a women, how does it make you feel?

As a business owner, young female in a high up professional role and a mom Magazines both excite me and destroy me. But why?

Why do we let those perfectly contoured "glowing" faces bring us down. They don't live in our world, these ladies don't stop working to clean up toddler poop and cat puke... do they? As a young adult in today's busy digital world I've always found magazines so un-exciting compared to Social Media that is until I become a homeowner and a mom. I suddenly love to have them in the home... I don't know how this spark started but it did. Every grocery shop and diaper pickup I seem to end up with a glossy GOOD HOUSEKEEPING or COUNTRY CHIC in my basket. I have always been pulled towards the home magazines as I pride my new house and feel I run a beautiful household, I have a knack for design and this definitely reflects in my decor. BUT every now and again I somehow collect a shiny faced female in my shopping. Like today, a short trip to the store with my little one and this young faced and happy women grabbed my eye only to get home and wonder "Who is this Women?" Am I that out of date that I have no idea...? SAD! Why is she in her Pjs looking like a catwalk model? Is this what men want for Valentines Day now!

Then I stop and think, am I jealous or fascinated? I once listed to a comedy skit that was hosted by a female comedian and she said "Why are we supposed to look Dewy? Doesn't that mean we have been left out....? Overnight? Like wet grass...?" Hilarious? I think so! HOWEVER I am 100% guilty of attempting to achieve this "damp" look and it makes me wonder are magazines helpful or harmful for todays women in business. I am someone who will buy multiple beauty products if I "hear" they work, only to become disappointed when I don't look like the dewy young women sitting on my coffee table with their perfect NON-Pug covered PJs. But Why?

Perhaps because I am in a position that is customer facing? I feel I have an Image to uphold, a "perfect look" I should show to be accepted in my surroundings. How do these looks get decided? What model or celeb says this is the way? Do they also have to look presentable in 45 minutes or less (this includes coffee, make-up, clothing, chasing a naked mini version of yourself AND attempting a meaningful conversation with your partner). What do you think...? Who knows, maybe they do! With all of these famous mothers breastfeeding in photoshoots and the MeToo movement who's to say they don't. BUUUT I feel we are cheated, who sets these expectations for all us working mothers and women?

I have taken my career into my hands and feel this is a great change for me to help myself grow and discovery who I am, my looks though? Well my most recent Sephora bill will be the judge of that...

Tell me what you think! Men, Women, All do you fit the "mold"?

Hannah

Island Efficient Owner

P.S. I type this to you with my hair in dye to cover my ONE grey hair....again why?