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Share Your Mirror Mantra [WIN A PRIZE]

by 74 Comments

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

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. “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.”

    Reply

  9. 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!

    Reply

  18. 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.”

    Reply

  20. 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

    Reply

  21. 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!

    Reply

  29. 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”

    Reply

  34. 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.

    Reply

  35. “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.”

    Reply

  37. 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

    Reply

  42. 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…

    Reply

  44. 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??

    Reply

  45. 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. 🙂

    Reply

  47. 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!

    Reply

  57. “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.”

    Reply

  63. 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!

    Reply

  65. 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

    Reply

  67. 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.

    Reply

  68. 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!

    Reply

  70. 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.

    Reply

  71. 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!”

    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!” :- )

    ====

    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!!

    Reply

  72. 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.

    Reply

  74. 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

    Reply

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