The {Ugly} Beautiful Truth of Going Sans Make-Up and Hair!!!

Hi, this… is me.

 This is probably how you’d see me at any Moms Blog event, school carnival, Sunday morning worship, a MOPs meeting, or any other “special occasion.” Hair done, make-up on, nails painted all cute, and clothes looking somewhat fashionable. I appear to have myself all put together.

But brace yourself.

Because this… is the real me.  (Yup, just screen-shotted myself from my laptop cam!)

Yeah, I know. I give you permission to cringe a bit.  But this is how I look almost all of the time. My poor husband, right?! Haha!

The truth is, I HATE “getting ready!” No seriously, it is a chore that 95% of the time, I will opt out of doing. Can anyone else relate?! Well today, I’m prepared to let it all out.

I’m that mom who hovers in the corner hallway wearing my huge bug-eyed sunglasses indoors to hide my no-make-up-eyes and a large hat covering my air-dried and split-ended ponytail while picking my kiddo up from Kindergarten. In my head, I’m invisible to you. No one can see me. These oversized accessories are hiding the fact that I look like crap today! Ha!

You’re all busy mommies, you know how it is in the mornings: you dress your munchkins, brush their pearly whites, pack your husband’s lunch for work, whip up some breakfast shakes, make sure the homework folders are tucked away in the correct backpack, and get them all scooted out the door and ready for the day. But wait, someone has been neglected. You’re still dawning yesterday’s yoga pants and a grungy old 5k t-shirt with your hair slicked back in a messy bun and “left-over make-up” smeared under your eyes. Surely you will step back inside and take a few moments to redeem yourself before you walk them to class. Me? Nope.  ‘Aint nobody got time fo’ that!

Don’t get me wrong. I completely understand (and agree) that it is important to take care of yourself and to feel confident and comfortable no matter where you go and what you look like.  But can we be honest?! Blow-drying your hair, putting on eye make-up, and squeezing into those trendy skinny jeans is a time-consuming task.  And us moms have “better” things to be doing with our time.

I say we start a revolution. Instead of secretly rolling those “judging eyes” at the mom who shows up in mis-matched flip-flops and sweatpants to drop her toddler off at preschool, or that momma who is sans make-up at the grocery store buying school-snacks late on a Sunday night, or even that fellow mom who meets up for a play date in a spit-up stained shirt with yesterday’s greasy hair and flaked mascara on her cheeks…. let’s praise those beautiful women! Let’s give them a genuine smile and an “I’ve been there” nod that shows them that we know taking care of a family and yourself is daunting and relentless; and that you understand where they’re coming from. Do you know what I like about seeing “that” mom? I can tell where her priorities lay.

I don’t know about you, but I’m going to save that curling-ironed hair, flawless make-up, and adorable maxidress with the skin-tight spanx underneath for a date night with my husband… where we can both appreciate all the hard work that went into it! Until then, I’m going to rub my itchy eyes all I want and not have to worry about smearing my eyeliner. I’m going to sit out on my deck in my sweaty workout clothes because darn-it, I just don’t feel like showering yet. And I’m gonna pull-up to the school parking lot with a smile on my face and a head scarf covering my hair because it’s quick and easy and I like it!

And, I’m going to remember that we are all beautifully and wonderfully made.  And if our heart is gorgeous on the inside, it won’t matter what our outward physical appearance is. So go, stand proud in all of your un-make-uped glory and give a shout out to all those fabulous mommas who continue to bless others with their giving and selfless sentiment! =)