Thursday 24 May 2012

Brave and Naked?


“She really has let herself go, hasn’t she?”


I stopped in my tracks.


For a minute there, I thought they might have been talking about me.


After all…. my butt is much larger than my self esteem....

I turned around to see two middle-aged women enjoying a latte, cake and pouring scorn over a magazine article.  About this woman.



Hilary Clinton.


Apparently this is what "a brave, naked face" looks like. Clearly they have never seen most of us on a good day then.


Hilary, who is 65 this year and travels all over the world at an exhausting pace as the US Secretary of State, has apparently “let herself go”.


I missed the fuss. I am so out of the loop. It’s apparently been in the press, in all its forms for the past couple of weeks.

Who knew that "letting yourself go" really means wearing your hair loose, a pair of glasses and no eye makeup?


This picture was taken after Hilary had been travelling in Bangladesh for three days straight. Sheesh, if I had done that, I probably would have been wearing a paper bag over my head and my PJs at least.


And here was I thinking that "letting yourself go" meant stacking on 50 pounds of blubber, growing facial hair, drinking gin for breakfast and wearing velour tracksuits day in and out…..

I wonder when society is ever going to accept that 65 should not look like 35? Hilary Clinton is a great looking senior who doesn't need all that war paint to hide behind.


As a former makeup artist I can tell you it's just a tiny bit sad to see women (regardless of the work they have had done on their face) who continue to wear the same makeup they did when they were in their 20s or 30s. Resembling a crumbling statue held together with spac filler and paint is not really the kind of look most of us are intentionally going for.


I wonder if this public ridicule is the reason why more experienced, skilled senior women are not out there doing incredible things in the public sphere?  Achievements don't matter but apparently your face really does.  The pressure must be enormous for anyone in the public eye not to succumb to plastic surgery. I can just imagine Hilary asking Nancy Pelosi, “Love your face Nance, where can I get one?”


I can understand why younger people are judgemental about ageing. However, what I really would like to know is why are more mature women are so critical of each other's looks? We applaud those who have managed to "maintain" their looks and denigrate those who just want to age the way nature intended. And, then vice verse. We need to stop taking it all so seriously.

And if like me you have to see the funny side in everything, watch this video by the wonderful blogger, comedian and book author Linda Lou – I love her spirit and talent.  Ageing is tough and funny but can be oh so liberating. We really should be grateful we got this far....without putting that bag over our heads.


35 comments:

  1. I think shes more beautiful now. Shame on our media who attempt to force us women to think we have no value after 30. I hope your well lily, im doing ok, fighting the fight.

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  2. Now that i know it works ill write alittle more, lol. Im on my tablet which is easier now that im resting more these days. Look at christie brinkley, shes 58, amazing beauty and energy. Even for those not as healthy, i despise the pressure on us. I see many many beautiful ladies well after 50+. That would include us:-)

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  3. Great post!  I admire Hillary Clinton immensely ... she is lovely, no matter where she is, what she is wearing, how much or how little makeup she is wearing!  She is a role model for all of us.  We need to treat each other with kindness ~ ladies!

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  4. When I saw the picture, I thought, "They can't be talking about this photo!"  I thought she looked great.  Make-up doesn't make the person.  Personally, I wish more people would wear less make-up.  The natural look is lovely. 

    Funny video, enjoyed :)

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  5. great clip - maybe everyone should start walking like that.
    I agree and maybe if more people start speaking up the support for looking natural could grow.  People do enjoy putting others down so that part is not going away.  Also, you need to understand that a good portion of Americans dislike Hillary since back when she was First Lady.  I think she is smart and savvy.  There will a that group of people who will put her down no matter what she does.  It's terrible that some people are so closed minded.

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  6. hahaha, just watched that video. Hilarious! And so true. I got those bat wings too. LOL
    Your post brings up a great point. I hope many people read it. I just hate it when woman in their 50's still put on makeup that only young girls can wear. I have a friend like that. HOW do you point this out....delicately??!

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  7. That clip was hilarious.  I nearly fell out of my chair laughing.  Also, it makes me sad that someone would reduce Hilary Clinton, such a phenomenal and impacting woman, to what her face looked like on that day.  It's sad.  

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  8. funny video!  Hillary looks great to me!  65!

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  9. OldOldLady Of The Hills25 May 2012 at 03:26

    Well, in the first place, I don't think Hillary looks that bad, at all! In fact, I think she looks GREAT! And I feel that we have become so cynical and mean-spirited.....It is truly depressing.  Who sets these ridiculous standards???  And what about a persons accomplishments??
    I am finding our world in all it's JUDGEMENTS very difficult.  At a certain point, how we look becomes truly unimportant....What is important is what we need to do to get from one room to another....!
    And let me tell you, how I look while I'm trying to do that has become waaaaaaay down on the list of what is "important".

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  10. If I look like Hilary Clinton at 65, I'll be thanking my stars!!! I am apparently out of the loop too because I heard nothing about this...I don't understand why women are so critical of other women. Let's face it, we are sometimes our own worst enemies. 

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  11. You my dear have a job where you can influence young women every day to focus on things other than how they look. We are counting on you.

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  12. I think Hilary looks damn good too and in fact younger than she did when she was just married. I agree we are getting way more cynical and judgmental. Me included. I want to go to France and they know how to be graceful in older age. I get you, I think you get to a point where you realise the things that are important and increasingly that is your health. Thanks for your comment Naomi. You live right in Hollywood and have seen it all no doubt!!

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  13. Yes i know Christine, not sure I will be looking that good at 65, in fact not sure I have skin like hers now. And Linda Lou is hilarious and inspirational for us older girls.

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  14. So true, lets just forget about her achievements (and she is highly regarded outside the US I tell you for what she is doing in her current role) and focus on the fact she didnt tie her hair up. Jeez!! Thanks for your input.

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  15. I don't think you do Betty. I mean its really ok for people to wear what they like it is jsut sad that we think we have to be what we used to be. We can just evolve and become so much better. I love the wisdom of age but yep just dont like the nasty bits, like the bat wings. If only we could fly....he he.

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  16. It works you know, that way of walking lol. Probably true that she is disliked there but she really is well regarded elsewhere in the world. She is a very clever woman and so incredibly competent. And she is bloody good looking too. And has a great sense of humor. I look upon her as a role model. I really like her, long hair and all. Yes and it is a shame we cannot separate the professional from the personal and looks from what else we have to offer. Always like your comments Bill and to hear the male perspective.

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  17. Yes Aleta the older we get the less we need to look good or at least I think. Lucky men, look at some of those male politicians. If it was judged on looks alone where would they be?

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  18. Yes Helen we do. We all have something unique to offer wrinkles, grey hair and otherwise. I really admire her too. I think a lot of women never forgave her for sticking with Bill through thick and thin. To me, it just made her more human I think. I recall reading her biography and Bill said she was always way smarter than him. I think she got him through law school. I loved the fact she stood by him and supported him yet she was still able to become a politician in her own right and take on a high profile job. More high profile than the President in the other parts of the world.

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  19. Of course, it includes us all. Christie Brinkly is incredible, facelifts or not. I lvoe the fact she has a new stage career at this stage of her life. I think that is the secret, we just have to squeeze every ounce out of life that we can for as long as we can. I am so glad you are doing well, you are always in my prayers. I am doing fine and drinking those green juices like they were water lol!!xx

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  20. I''ll agree with what most everyone's said...I hope I look as good as Hillary does when I'm her age (which is a little over a decade away...yikes!)  I tend to judge people by their personality and actions, not their looks.

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  21. Yes KathyI am not really how people expect her to look.you sould have to have a thick skin wouldn't you?
    o

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  22. Err having trouble typing on my phone. Sorry Kathy

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  23. So long as one is still blessed with bushy eyebrows and a head full of hair at 60+, makeup is optional.... for women that is.

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  24. Love it Young Werther and sorry to get you all excited on Twitter....

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  25. Women are bitches what can I say? Hilary has great skin. And you my dear made me snort ....my butt is larger than my self esteem, loved it!

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  26. Linda Lou is hilarious, very funny indeed. I think if we all kept a sense of humor about the aging process rather than panicked about it, life would be so much easier. I shall go and check out her blog too.

    As for Hilary, bloody hell she looks good. I really had no idea she was 65. I think she looks better than when she was 30. she is an intellectual and never set herself to be a beauty queen anyway.

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  27. Never been a fan of her style and really don't care - her job is not to be a fashion model.
     
    However, in recent months she has done something different with her makeup and the way she presents herself, and she looks better than she has in years.

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  28. Thanks for stopping by today Lilly.  In answer to your question, here's what I do with my artwork!
    http://cmlk79.blogspot.ca/2012/02/what-i-do-with-my-artwork.html

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  29. Linda O'Connor26 May 2012 at 13:20

    Wow-thank you SO much for including my video in this post!  You're right--age is liberating!  I'm 54 and get happier with every passing year.  I was 46 when I started doing stand-up and 51 when my book, BASTARD HUSBAND: A LOVE STORY came out.  It's never too late!  (And I have a lot of other things up my sleeve.) 

    The picture you posted of Hilary is a good one--she looks great.  I can't imagine how I'd look with her schedule.  You're right--we are way too hard on ourselves, and each other.  I do care about my looks and (usually) try to look my best, but there's simply no sense in fretting too much. 

    Thanks again for the exposure!  XOXO

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  30. Wow-thank
    you SO much for including my video in this post!  You're right--age is
    liberating!  I'm 54 and get happier with every passing year.  I was 46
    when I started doing stand-up and 51 when my book, BASTARD HUSBAND: A
    LOVE STORY came out.  It's never too late!  (And I have a lot of other
    things up my sleeve.) 


    The picture you posted of Hilary is a good one--she looks great.  I
    can't imagine how I'd look with her schedule.  You're right--we are way
    too hard on ourselves, and each other.  I do care about my looks and
    (usually) try to look my best, but there's simply no sense in fretting
    too much. 


    Thanks again for the exposure!  XOXO

     

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  31. Thanks Christine, I didn't realise they were so small either, wow! You are even more clever and talented than I currently thought!

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  32. Agreed. Yeah she is meant to be everything including a fashion model according to the press it seems. She certainly is in the spotlight though.

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  33. Lind Lou is fantastic, you should check out her blog, her videos, her book.....

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  34. Women are bitches...harsh but probably fair, lol

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  35. How sad that the media has been focusing on her looks.  Actually, I think this photo you posted of her is pretty nice.  I do admit that I've noticed her looking more tired lately... and why not?  She has had to do an awful amount of work traveling to every corner of the world.  And the world is not so pretty right now.  Hillary Clinton is truly incredible!  I really admire her, inside and out.

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Thanks for your comments.