As some of you know, I recently hosted The Cliff House At Pike’s Peak ” Savage Kitchen” on KKTV 11 News with Executive Chef Scott Savage. Several days prior to filming, I was trying to decide what to wear (we were filming multiple episodes so I needed some change of clothes) and also went and had my hair and nails done. I was extra-careful to remember to clean and moisturize my face every night, (I’m a slacker in that area sometimes I admit), I drank more water so my wrinkles might not be so noticeable, and tried to get some extra beauty sleep. So I’d look as good as I could on camera. A couple of days later I said to a group of acquaintances that I hoped I looked good on camera when it aired and someone made the comment that since I was doing a cooking show, it didn’t matter what I looked like since it was supposed to be all about the food.
Well, this led to quite a lively conversation with several people on very opposite “sides”.
Vanity…Several women made the points that women shouldn’t feel like they had to wear makeup, dress up, fix their hair or even stay in shape because it shouldn’t matter what we look like. There were comments about cosmetic surgery and procedures, with the point being if you do that, that means you’re vain and trying to turn back time, and not age gracefully. Someone said, “Men aren’t judged on their looks so why should women be?” Someone pulled out their phone and looked up the word vanity, with one of the definitions being, “excessive pride in one’s appearance or accomplishment.”
Excessive pride….Well, since I hadn’t had my nails done in oh, probably 5 years, I didn’t feel I had been excessive in that area. And while I was planning and putting thought into what I was going to wear, it didn’t consume me. I bought some new clothes (with gift cards I had been given for my birthday), which I mixed with outfits from Goodwill. And as far as drinking more water and cleaning my face, well, those are things I SHOULD be doing. So again, I didn’t feel like I was being excessively prideful.
But then there’s that word “pride” that for some, is a “bad” thing. If you look it up (depending on what dictionary you use) it says pride is a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority. But it also means self-respect or self-esteem.
On the other hand, there were women who said they wouldn’t even check the mailbox without their makeup on, with some admitting, they never went without makeup, ever in public. They get their nails done every week, have facials and belong to gyms. They work hard at looking good and feel better about themselves than if they didn’t.
For me personally, I just feel more confident when I know I look as good as I can. Does it mean I think I’m beautiful or that my features are perfect? Does it mean I think I’m better than others? Does it mean I put my looks before everything else? No, no and no. You know, having my hair and nails done really did give me a boost though, which made me feel less nervous when we started filming. And to be perfectly honest, if money wasn’t an issue, I would be totally open to a few “procedures”, especially on my saggy chin!
Whether you’re a man or a woman, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with trying to do and be your best; whether it’s taking care of yourself, in your career, as a parent, as a human. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being well-groomed, clean and adding some embellishment if it makes you feel good. The way I looked at filming was, The Cliff House and KKTV had entrusted me with a job and I wanted to look, feel and do my best. Plus I’d be standing next to handsome Chef Savage!
Anyway, I thought it was an interesting conversation and since I don’t walk around with a hand mirror so I can gaze at myself constantly, I think I can rest easy that I’m ok. And I will most definitely get my hair and nails done again before we film next!
*Thanks to Ron Rather and Kaeli Tucker at Genesis Salon & Rejuvenation Centre for a fabulous hair and nail experience! (And their prices are affordable-or of course, I’d be going somewhere else!) www.genesissalonco.com