A Little Bit of Holiday Sparkle

Sparkle is one of the things I love about this season, the glitter on ornaments, white tree lights shining through the night, silvery white snowflakes falling on our world. The sparkle helps me beat back the dark, the literal dark of our shortened days here in the Puget Sound region, and the dark that comes on the heels of tragic new stories or simply with missing people I love. 

Greg and I had a chance to join some good friends at a Christmas party last weekend. It was lovely to put on shimmery makeup, get dressed up in a fancy outfit, spritz myself with perfume and wear my mom’s amethyst, her ring I only break out for special occasions, because it’s huge, and on her it looked gorgeous, but on my tiny fingers it has a rather ostentatious look, perfect for dressy, sparkly occasions. 

The party we went to was full of sparkle, from the Christmas lights decorating the charming farmhouse and Christmas tree, to the lovely people and delicious food & wine. I got to talk to other adults and not be a parent for a few hours (kind of). All the other ladies were dressed up too and I felt like I was part of the club. That club being exhausted moms who also enjoy feeling beautiful once in a while. 

Actually I think we girls like to feel beautiful every day, whether it’s on a first date, after smashing the 200-freestyle relay record with our teammates, holding our babies for the first time, or even just running errands in our jeans and sweatshirts. I know true beauty comes from within, but the holidays alway feel extra special to me, one of those occasions when we add the pampering and the radiance, all the lovely touches that make us glow.

Sparkle in the form of makeup may be frivolous but what are the holidays too, if not frivolous? I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but I love to play with it. My mom adored makeup. Gosh, so many things remind me of my mom this time of year. She perfected sparkle in such a classy way. For years she worked for Estee Lauder and Lancôme, and she had an entire linen cupboard full of makeup and skincare samples. When I would visit her, she’d let me look through the cupboard and take anything I wanted. Megan, my sister, and I always searched for the Lancôme définicils mascara first, because it was simply the best. Megan and I still wear Lancôme’s Amande Sucrée lipstick, the same shade my mom wore, a glittery bronze. What better way to give a perfect sparkly kiss?

For the past few years I’ve been discovering new organic makeup and skincare lines. I’ve learned so much and had a blast trying new beauty products without harming the planet or my body. Some of my favorite lines so far are Alima Pure, Osmia Organics, One Seed perfumes, Au Naturale Cosmetics and Vapour Organic Beauty. I thought I’d share a few fun links in case you want to pamper yourself or any ladies in your life with that extra special bit of girly sparkle this holiday season.

No More Dirty Looks “is a book, website and community devoted to natural beauty, wellness and healthy living.” NMDL has taught me so much about healthy alternatives in makeup and skincare. There is a wealth of knowledge on their website and I love the community they foster. They have a special Green Beauty Gift Guide post for the holidays.

Goodbeing (formerly goodebox) “is a premium discovery & trial service providing expertly curated, healthy beauty products, non-toxic cosmetics, natural wellness & sustainable, toxin-free living goods.” It’s a monthly membership of beauty samples delivered to you based on the profile you fill out. You get to try new products each month which is a wonderful way to see if they work for you. How fun would it be to get organic beauty products delivered to your door every month? That or wine, pretty please!

NuboNau and Integrity Botanicals are two lovely online boutiques that sell a variety of organic lines, and both offer e-gift certificates which means you can shop last minute and from the comfort of home.

Give a little sparkle and fun to someone you love. Pamper your wives, your daughters, your moms, your sisters, aunts and friends. Or pamper yourself!! We beauties deserve it!