I AM A WORK-IN-PROGRESS
At the early ages of 12 and 10, my older sister Haylie and I arrived in L.A. hoping to explore our creative talents and fulfill our dreams. From the very first day my mother was honest with us, explaining that we would face many new challenges and experiences; it was up to us to determine how they would influence our lives. Wisely, she advised us to embrace the positive, learn from the negative, and steer clear of the destructive. I quickly learned that there was to be no place for greed and jealousy and I should compete only with myself to do better. The path was simple: Despite what others may say or do, always stay true to yourself and your family.
With our fair share of mistakes and failures and eventually our cherished first successes, we each found our own niches in the entertainment industry. Seemingly overnight, I went from the unknown Texas “tomboy in a tutu” to Lizzie McGuire, the girl on television who everyone knew and liked just for being herself. Greater perseverance and more good fortune led to success in movies and music; creating fashion, home, and beauty brands; and taking on a meaningful role in charitable causes. Through everything, I have had to learn about patience and humility and, most important, to develop a very good sense of humor. I am still a work-in-progress.
Evolving from a girl to a young woman in a very public way, I learned very quickly that I could not project a positive public persona until I really became aware of my own unique self—both fabulous and flawed. We all have a list of things about our appearance and character that we would like to change or improve. At times I wish I were taller or that my shoulders were less broad—physical attributes I cannot change. That has never stopped me from loving fashion or dressing to express myself. I believe that those self-perceived imperfections have challenged my personal character and freed me to create my own special look. When we feel that all eyes are upon on us, it is often difficult to take chances in expressing our individuality. But my advice is: Always take that chance. Carry yourself with confidence; if you learn to like what you see in the mirror, others will too. It’s worth the risk!
Years before my sister and I were born, my mother started to work as a makeup artist, a career that helped her find her independence as a young woman and allowed her to reach out to others to make a difference in their lives. Perhaps that’s why I have a fondness for makeup and talented makeup artists such as Bobbi Brown. Bobbi is legendary as a creative force in the cosmetics industry. She is an innovator, entrepreneur, teacher, and celebrated author. As a philanthropist she has shared her time, energy, and money to help teens from the Jane Addams High School for Academic Careers in the Bronx prepare to realize their full potential and she has helped disadvantaged women enrolled in the Dress for Success program regain their self-worth as they prepare to reenter the workforce. Giving is beautiful!
I first met Bobbi when she did my makeup for The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection fashion show, an annual New York Fashion Week event in which celebrities model red dresses designed by top designers to raise awareness of women’s heart health. With makeup, as in life, there is an art to accentuating natural beauty and lovingly minimizing flaws. Because of Bobbi, each one of us walked the catwalk radiating beauty and confidence that day.
Beauty is defined in so many ways. Like Bobbi, I find it hard to believe that physical beauty can thrive without cultivating inner beauty. In everything that she says and does, Bobbi reminds us to value the natural beauty of all women. She has empowered us as teens and women alike to celebrate our similarities and yet still be confident to embrace our differences in expressing our own unique selves. Finding out all the ways that we are beautiful beings is a worthy cause.
As you read Bobbi’s book, keep in mind: We are all beautiful works-in-progress.
Love yourself.
