Humans Are Created Not Born
No one will invest in you like you can. Be your own caretaker. Create yourself instead of searching for yourself. Shine because you can; because you're unique. Because humans are created not born.
Sometimes you gotta be "fake to be real".
A fact very few people know about me is that in 2012, at the age of 25, I gifted myself a rhinoplasty—and I felt more myself having contributed to the design of my face than anything else I've done before or since. My personal philosophy is that you only get one body, and if something about it doesn't feel like it represents who you are, and you have the ability to change it, you owe it to yourself to follow your own path and let haters be damned. And yes, kind readers, there were haters. Because despite the fact it was my body, I had a lot of shade thrown my way for doing what I wanted to do with it and a lot of criticism for being "inauthentic".
To quote one of my idols, Dolly Parton,
"Plastic surgeons weren't intended to starve!"
And if you've read my spotlight you already know I don't let people,
"Rain On My Parade" - Fanny Brice, Funny Girl (Barbara Streisand)
So it should come as no surprise that, like Fanny, I refused to listen to the naysayers. I went under the knife and I've never had an ounce of regret.
Alright you Negative Nellies, I can just picture you shaking your heads and saying, "But you have to be yourself," or "You were already beautiful," or "How can you be such a Streisand fan and also be pro nose jobs??"
Well, for as long as I can remember, when I looked in the mirror, the reflection didn't mirror how I saw myself. Noses have character and my nose didn't match how I perceived my character. I can't explain it. I just knew: this was not who I am; this nose that was grown organically is inauthentic. When I saw the final result of the procedure, I remember it was this massive wave of relief. Is it perfect? No. But it feels like it suits me.
And thus my quest began: when everyone else was off "finding themselves" in their twenties, I got busy "creating myself".
I have no plans to stop.
It's not just nose jobs that I'm in favour of, it's ALL plastic surgery and high end, investment beauty treatments.
Let's "face" it, our grandmothers spent thousands of dollars on their bodies too, but they did it in dribbles and drabs over decades with jars of cold cream that didn't do more than moisturize at best. Today, our treatments are science driven, largely safe when done by professionals and in my experience, female led. And don't get at me that it's "unfeminist" to want to be beautiful; there are two sides to that coin—don't shame me for being on the side of playing with living, personal art and I won't shame you for ditching the deodorant (though I might cover my nose when you raise your arm on the bus).
If I want to sit down with my favourite RN and get my 11's frozen to eliminate resting bitch face and follow it up with some filler under my eyes, it's no one's decision but mine. And it's her skilled hand that results in the fact that the difference between 20 and 33 in that photo above is not all that extreme. But I also take good care of my skin day to day; having worked at a beauty based pharmacy for 6 years has its perks, such as starting on high end skin care at 16. Plus, I'm wearing some well done make-up, too and you'll note I kept the pageant hairstyle even though it's cheugy af—because it's who I am.
And this is my point.
If I look in the mirror and like myself, love myself, cherish and care for myself, then beauty treatments are the very essence of authenticity. You don't have to go Dolly Parton level plastic— unless you want to, unless it's part of your art.
"Creating the Real You" Is Worth the Investment.
I'm also pro quality over quantity. A zap of a laser is worth ten tons of cream. When it comes to treatments, don't skimp. Think big picture. What's going to last? Laser hair removal may be more expensive upfront but long-term it's cheaper and better for the environment. Investing in preventative treatments is money well spent in my opinion. But beyond that, if looking like a Barbie Doll is how YOU FEEL, how you want to be seen...
That is what's truly authentic.
Case in point below: my fav person to talk plastic with, a recent interview subject, Calvin Cox, who is the living embodiment of being true to one's internal vision of themselves:
Just Remember, Healthy Is As Healthy Does
Besides beauty treatments, I've invested a lot of my time and energy into psychiatric care and therapy since that first photo. I can say without a shadow of a doubt my beauty choices are a product of evolving as a living creation and not from a place of low self-esteem. To date, I've done Botox, Venus Legacy, Restylane (under eyes and cheekbones), Cool Sculpting, traditional plastic surgery (nose) and a suite of lesser treatments like eyelash extensions. I made each of these decisions after careful consultations with professionals and an examination of my personal conscience.
At this point into the pandemic, and simply because I've been quite busy, my beauty treatments have fallen by the wayside a bit. I'm overdue for my Botox and I'm touching it up soon. My under eye filler is ready for replacing, too.
What Do I Look Like Right Now?
Well, I did a little camera test to get ready for a video conference (December 13, 2021) and sent it to the ladies I chat with from Vocal in our 'Margarita Cooler' hang-out.
This was me going into the meeting:
And me heading to bed. Can you tell I like pink?
The takeaway from this romp through my mind?
P.S. Like Cal, the lips are real! But no shade to anyone whose aren't ;)
First Published by Call Me Les on Vocal Media For the Remarkably Real Challenge December 2021.
About the Creator
Call Me Les
Aspiring etymologist and hopeless addict of children's fiction.
If I can't liberally overuse adverbs and alliteration, I'm out!
Instagram @writelesplaymore
~&~
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