ALTAR EGO
My last post discussed the power of self-care in the ongoing struggle against racism. Here, I’ll be making the case for a vanity space that fights the patriarchy. I have lofty goals for makeup and skincare, I know. But it’s always been sad to me when whichever wave of feminism has felt the need to attack expressions of classic femininity as adhering to male chauvinism, when I think the opposite holds true: Women have used beauty (and style) for centuries to wield power in a world in which they otherwise have had little to none. That power has no doubt been subverted by an industry intent on creating insecurity and establishing unrealistic standards, but it’s also precisely why transforming your regimen into a ritual to celebrate yourself can be an act of rebellion. It’s time to reclaim the goddess in you and build an altar for her.
Maybe it’s the former makeup artist in me, but I like to stand and move when I apply anything to my face, so I’ve devised my perfect altar by propping a large gilt-framed mirror on top of my long dresser and adding a marble tray and decorative boxes to hold all my fragrances and makeup, respectively. Fresh flowers, a scented candle, and raw rose quartz are also essentials for me.
If you prefer to be seated, you can put together a more classic vanity without resorting to cookie cutter sets. I love juxtaposition, so try pairing a ghost chair with a traditional wooden surface. (Desks or tables offer more room to spread out, I find.) Sitting comfortably on a plush cushion in front of a floor mirror is yet another option.
More important than any decor, though, is creating a ritual that will help to center you and step into your power as a woman. The world is about to inundate you with a million messages of who you should be and what you should look like, so these few moments at the altar of you are essential to fortify yourself against outside influences.
I don’t believe in treating beauty as a chore, and I refuse to think I need to fix or conceal anything; everything I put on is to enhance what I love and celebrate my femininity. Some days I do a smoky eye just to write all day in my home office, and others I’m going to dinner in only highlighter and lip balm. The bottom line: it’s for me, not for anyone else.
There is a little bit of magic in every lotion, potion, and powder. Beauty may be skin-deep, but it reminds us of our limitless potential to transform and express ourselves. Shop my suggestions below and get inspired to create a space that honors and enhances your own innate divinity.
x Kate
