UPDATE 9/20/08: The giveaway is closed, and winners will be notified soon. Good luck!
As women, we often struggle to see beyond our perceived flaws. I know that in my case when I see myself in a mirror I first notice my dark circles, my figure and any fine lines or blemishes on my face before I notice anything else.
It seems like the things that stand out the most are usually the things I’d most like to change.
And I get the feeling I’m not alone. Studies have shown that only 2% of women describe themselves as beautiful.
Makeup artist Carmindy of TLC’s What Not to Wear wants to help women see their beauty before their faults. The overriding theme of her new beauty book, Get Positively Beautiful, is to help you train your brain to focus on your strongest features first.
The book shows how to enhance your natural beauty with step-by-step instructions for eyes, brows, lashes, lips, cheeks and skin. It covers ways to adapt looks to different weather conditions and “beauty moods.” There’s even a useful index in the back that lists high end and budget beauty products Carmindy recommends.
I like how the book uses pictures of real women (not models) in the tutorials and tips, and the personal “mirror mantras” sprinkled throughout the book are my favorite touch.
A mirror mantra is an uplifting statement you say to yourself while looking in the mirror. Yeah, it’s a bit cheesy, but words hold power. If mean words have the power to hurt our feelings, then kind words have the power to help them.
A few of my favorites from the book…
Mirror Mantras
I’m blessed to have a dark skin tone that enables me to wear such beautiful shades.
–Theta, 47, El Cajon, CA
As a war survivor from Cambodia, I am thankful each day for my life and health. Many others were not so lucky.
–Sori, 25, Las Vegas, NV
You have the right to remain fabulous!
–Elaine, 51, Arlington, MA
Get Positively Beautiful Book Giveaway
Enter today’s Get Positively Beautiful book giveaway by sharing your own mirror mantra in the comments.
The Prize
Five winners will each receive a copy of Get Positively Beautiful by Carmindy (222 pages, hardcover); $21.99 value.
How to Enter
To qualify, leave a comment below with your own mirror mantra. It can be as short or as long as you like (up to a maximum of 250 words), and there are no right or wrong answers. I’ll choose the winners at random from among the people who enter by 11PM PST on Friday. Be sure to use a valid email address when you comment so I can reach you if you win! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
“Morning Pretty”
“I will make today a good day”
“While I envy luscious curls and waves, I’m lucky that I have long straight hair because it’s one less thing to worry about in the mornings.”
“I love you!”
Indian Girls last blog post..How To Care For Your Eyes Video !
You are FABULOUS!
“You are blessed with monolids”
“Love yourself for who you are, and who you can become”
gotta make those 5 years of braces pay off…smile whenever you can today. 🙂
Your Beauty is your attitude.. You Go Girl!
When I’m putting my contacts in every morning (which I get tired of doing sometimes) I always try to remember to thank God that I can afford them, and that I can see well with them, and that they allow me to put fabulous eye makeup on!
Beautiful on the inside, beautiful on the outside.
I’m so glad I have black hair and fair olive skin because I can wear every color and get away with it!
I always think “Life is too short to hold back!” before doing a different look. Without that line, I would have stuck with neutrals by now 😀
Daos last blog post..Adorned with Grace Colors in Action
I always tell myself in the morning: ‘just be the best you you can today’ ^^
Karen Bs last blog post..and it all goes downhill from here
“The gap in my teeth adds character and people remember me by it.”
shake what your mama gave ya!
“You are a beautiful positive person who will let your light shine!”
“I love being a girl”
Yay! cool contest Karen. 🙂 I guess mine is
“you are lucky to have blue eyes and long, dark lashes. Play them up! and a super awesome husband who doesn’t mind your makeup collection.”
“I am beautifully and wonderfully made”
Those dreadful stretchmarks across your stomach, girl, are there to remind you that there are 3 more people who believe that you are absolutely the MOST beautiful woman in the world forever, no matter what. Now go show the world that your children are right!
pias last blog post..FOTD – September 18, 2008
Hey ladies,
I am really enjoying everybody’s mirror mantras. While we’re at it I want to share mine:
“You *can* do this, girl!”
Hope ya’ll are having a good afternoon/evening. Keep ’em coming!
Beauty comes from the inside! But makeup doesn’t hurt to enhance the outside! 😉
“My eyes are soooo sexy!”
You are fine, divine and one of kind. Work it. 🙂
“Not bad for 40!”
I love Carmindy’s first book and would enjoy having her second.
i am beautiful from the inside out.
“Smile!”
It’ll make you feel and look a lot happier, even if you really are having a crappy day or not feeling so hot.
when all else fails a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do – lets make things happen!
i say:
“You are blessed because you can see yourself when there are others who can’t”
“you are blessed because you can speak when there are others who can’t”
and you are blessed because you can laugh when there are others who can’t”
Today is going to be a good day
this is fun
“i am sooo late, but i will look sooo fabulous”
“i am truly one of a kind”
You are a strong and beautiful woman.
“Well, Looks aren’t everything”
that’s why I need this book!
You have to love and appreciate yourself before others can love you for your greatness. 🙂
I have naturally wavy hair that looks great no matter what. Work what you were given with.
“You’re pretty cute. You have cute legs, and a little tummy, and that’s okay. You have wonderful friends, the best family ever, and a fun job. A little tummy isn’t the deciding factor in your life, so don’t be insecure.”
I am beautifully and wonderfully created…
Seymones last blog post..Weekend Haul!!!
Well, if this was happening first thing in the morning, it would be something like, “Rrnn. Mmrrn. Not awake.” But later in the day, right before heading out to work, or maybe before a night out, I’d smile into the mirror and say, “You look good.”
Which sounds simple, but I’m not the gushing sort over anything, so that’s a pretty high compliment as far as I’m concerned, and it makes me feel good!
Victorias last blog post..Website Crushes: Cupcake pr0n
“happiness is beauty”
Ginas last blog post..Two months of celibacy will soon come to an end!
Wow I had no idea she had this book. Thanks for letting us know.
“Hello, Fabulous” a la Samantha from Sex and the City
Marisols last blog post..6 Random Things About Me
Work it, girl!
“This is me. I am unique!”
The outside looks are important, but it is the inside beauty that really matters. Color your face with the colors of your soul and enjoy the connection…
Oh shuttup, self. You look fine!
My mantra while looking at my image in the mirror: Obviously you (my face) didn’t get the memo on the “No Wrinkle” policy. Is it too late??
I’m an intern getting my bachelor’s in Early Childhood, recently quit working with 60 preschooler’s to work at an elementary school, and am taking a full load of coarses, so after a long night I wake up, look in the mirror and think, “Yep, all that I’m doing to become a great teacher was worth another wrinkle, lol (and I’m only 25)!” Then I put on some Clinique Airbrush Concealer, lol. 🙂
Be the woman you are meant to be.
Age is just a number, and beauty is an attitude. Remember that you are above all a lady, and a blessed one at that…nothing and no-one can ruin your day and your attitude unless you let them, so throw on your lipstick and take on the world, ’cause it’s up to you to make it a great day!
Nobody is the same outside, but inside we are one, and we are all beautiful. I am beautiful.
I am beautiful and loved!
You have the power to shape someone’s world.
“FIRE”
as in hot like…
quick and to the point.
Maxs last blog post..Cop This: Kardinal Offishall Not 4 Sale
I love Carmindy!! The idea behind this book is awesome.
Tammys last blog post..Big Lots=Big Love
I say to myself, “Hey you,” and then I wink. It makes me feel sassy. LOL.
Love your cheekbones!! Remember, a year ago, you couldn’t even SEE them! (backstory–I had gastric bypass a year ago, and have lost 120 lbs!)
“You are fierce, you are a rockstar!”
“I look how I want, I know what I want!”
“Cliche as it is, I believe I’m beautiful. I look in the mirror and I see myself, not anyone else. What more would I want just to be a unique me? I’m not perfect – I’m petite and my face is average. Beauty is in the eye of beholder, I would love to be the judge above all.”
Nothing else matters if you smile. Smile, and you’re beautiful.
Patience, Courage, and Kindness- beautiful inside and out! 🙂
Christina Aguilera sings:
“You are beautiful no matter what they say
Words can’t bring you down”.
We better listen her!!!
Love your freckles
Love your scars
Girl, it’s who you are!
Melissas last blog post..Fall Wishes
“see that zit on your face, it’s cuz you’re stressing too much at work, stop it or you’ll get more!!”
=)
Mine’s pretty simple:
“Good Morning Pretty Girl…whatcha gonna do today?”
Or sometimes
“Shit…I’m going to be late”.
But usually the first one…you know, more positive and all that!
“If all else fails, I still can be beautiful!”
Each line on your face is a the mark of a moment in time, a physical reminder that you were THERE. Just as Time writes her story on the face of the Earth with water and wind, she writes her story on your face with each laugh, each cry, each furrowed brow, each loving glance. But we do not fault the Earth for her wrinkles and call the Grand Canyon ugly – so why are we disgusted when our own faces develop the same awesome beauty?
Jennifers last blog post..MEOW Cosmetics Introduces Their Fall Colors
You have to live your life for you and enjoy everything that day has to offer. You control your happiness!
Hey Karen. Sorry I’ve been MIA again. Wow…it’s been a busy/rough summer. So I was sick with a horrible cold (how does this happen when it hasn’t even been cold here yet). And the father of one of my close friends passed away from cancer. On top of both of those work has been really crazy because I’m trying to hire a new person and I keep interviewing and not finding a good fit…so between making up for being short one person and also spending a gajillion hours interviewing people I’ve been super busy. I’ve been thinking about you though…and actually feeling a little guilty that i haven’t checked in. LOL I know that’a weird…but well…you know. 🙂
My mirror mantra is “You’re beautiful when you smile.” It’s more to remind me to smile…but it works.
I love my freckles, they keep me looking and feeling young! And each one is a cheerful reminder of a day in the sun with my family and friends!
Be happy you still look young for your age.
I have a couple of them:
“You are just too cute to resist” (variation: “Those dimples/freckles just make you too cute to resist”)
“Your eyes are GORGEOUS today!” (I happen to love my eyes – made up or not. 😀 )
Oh, and this is my fav as a bigger girl:
“There is just more of you to be FABULOUS today!”
I would love to win this and share it with my beautiful (even tho she doesn’t believe it) coworker who is having a hard time turning 30 this weekend.
Of late, this has been a challenge for me. As someone who is partially disabled, and has gained weight because of strong medication, it’s very easy to look in the mirror, and feel just absolutely ugly! It can be easy to want to stay home and hide.
Right now it’s too hard to look at myself and say, “You look beautiful!â€
So, for now mantra is “You have the ability to help others, and the only way to do so, is to get out of the house – with a beautiful lipgloss of course!†:- )
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On a different note, I always have an ongoing file of favorite quotes, and Bible verses to occasionally use as my screen saver. Because of you gals, I have a few fantastic ones to add to my list, and to my laptop! Thank you!!
I am thankful for each day I look in the mirror, I accept and love myself because perfection is an illusion, and beauty is so much more than skin deep.
Beauty exudes with a giving heart and loving every day of your life.
My mirror mantra actually came from an ex-boyfriend that got away.. He would tell me every single day as we stood in the bathroom of my really small studio apartment. He would tell me to say to myself in the mirror that I am a sexy B*t*h ( you get what Im saying) The B part was not to be disrespectful it was meant to be uplifting as weird as that sounds. So even after almost 10 years and being over him, to this day I still look in the mirror and say ” I am one sexy B*T*H!!! It gives me confidence to take on the world and allows me to walk with an extra bounce in my step!!! It works even when I have the largest pimple on my face!!! LOL