Silver Sparkle DiseaseSidetracked Sisters

makeup When I was young, my older sisters always wore makeup. I remember thinking that the well-placed makeup transformed them both from pleasant looking to “beautiful women”.

I remember one night when I was in 8th grade, there was a dance at school. I decided to try to apply makeup as I had watched my sisters do many times. I focused on a bit of coverup under my eyes and then eyeliner and mascara on my eyes. I topped it off with a shade of lipstick that was not my best color but it worked.

I said goodbye to my parents. They were both watching something on TV and never noticed the new me. I headed off to our 8th-grade dance. I wore one of my favorite wool skirt and sweater outfits. I must admit, I felt pretty for the first time in forever.

When I arrived at the school, no one mentioned makeup but several of my friends commented on how nice I looked. That’s all it took. I was sold. My parents weren’t crazy about my new makeup routine but I kept it conservative and they finally gave in.

Silver Sparkle Disease

As time went on, I added things like the line of sparkly silver eyeliner above my original dark brown eyeliner. I went to the eye doctor during this time and he kept looking at my eyes from every angle. Finally, he asked if I was aware of the silver cakey substance on my eyelids. I was surprised at the question but admitted that it was eyeliner. He heaved a sigh of relief and told me that he had been trying to figure out what kind of eye problem was causing these silver scales!

I enjoyed playing with makeup as I moved into High School. I’d always had eyes that disappeared and the makeup definitely helped. Wearing makeup helped me feel more attractive. I seldom left the house without applying the basics including my favorite “Sunset Spark” lipstick.

It’s only been recently that I have felt comfortable on an at home Saturday, going sans makeup. Thanks to the pandemic, having to wear a face mask each day has saved me a fortune on lipstick.

I have a niece who came to visit with her parents thirty plus years ago. She was about 11 years old and she lived with her mom and dad in Switzerland. She asked me why I applied all that makeup. At her young age the makeup bug hadn’t bitten her yet. She said it was unattractive and took away from my natural good looks.

I’ve kept in touch with my niece over the years. It’s now obvious that she has had a change of heart about makeup. She is a natural beauty and is even more attractive with makeup. I have a feeling that the speech she delivered to me way back then might have had a touch of coaching.