Beauty Queens

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Jul 14, 2011

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Have you guys read Beauty Queens by Libba Bray yet? It’s the story of a group of the Miss Teen Dream pageant contestants who crash on a desert island where some really weird things go on…sort of like Lost meets Miss Teen USA. Anyway, it’s equal parts satire, feminist manifesto, social commentary, and hilarious read. I highly recommend it. Kaboodle book club, anyone?

Anyway, I’m flipping through the book at the moment, and I’m sorry that I can’t find the exact line, but one of the characters, in a life or death battle situation, begins applying lipgloss. Another character asks her what she’s doing, and she says something along the lines of “I’m putting on my armor.” (Many apologies to Libba for my liberty-taking.) When I read that line the first time, I instantly stopped feeling a lifelong guilt for preferring to face the world with mascara and a touch of foundation.

In that moment, I realized something about myself. When I feel like I look my best, I feel free. When I don’t have to think about the redness around my nose, I can speak confidently. When my eyebrows are groomed, I behave in a much more carefree way. For me, it’s incredibly liberating to put my best face forward. I no longer feel vain when I reapply lipstick in the middle of the day. Au contraire, I feel together and ready to take on the world. That’s not to say a chipped nail can break me down. Everyone’s armor gets a bit dinged up in battle.

I learn a lot about myself by reading books for people half my age. So what if my personal empowerment begins with a tube of lipstick and a manicure. I can take on anything with a mere powderpuff. Finding that out from an excellent young adult book makes me uniquely me. Thanks to Libba Bray’s Beauty Queens for helping me realize that’s okay.

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Comments (20)

How cool. Sounds like such a fun book. Report Spam Posted by mollysaurus at 12:15 PM on 07/15/11
Very interesting insights. I love the lipstick ammunition belt. I wonder if the author watched America's Next Top Model. Report Spam Posted by markblemish at 2:41 PM on 07/15/11
I agree, that is something that makes me feel good too, feeling like I am put together. Report Spam Posted by naominh at 4:17 PM on 07/15/11
Sounds good. I'll add it to my reading list. Report Spam Posted by sorapandora at 5:17 PM on 07/15/11
I will have to recommend this book to my daughters :-) thanks for the suggestion! -nadine Report Spam Posted by nadiner at 9:47 AM on 07/16/11
Love the cover shot! I'll have to add this to my reading list! Report Spam Posted by calypsoart at 12:54 PM on 07/16/11
Nice Report Spam Posted by lissln at 1:14 PM on 07/16/11
cool sounds like a fun read! Report Spam Posted by greentea_ at 2:24 PM on 07/17/11
I like what you wrote! I can identify with that feeling! : ) Report Spam Posted by clothesminded at 7:32 AM on 07/18/11
It's amazing what a manicure or lipgloss can do to the way I carry myself. Thanks for sharing! Report Spam Posted by mamor at 1:46 PM on 07/18/11
Amen sister! I don't read much, but sounds like I should add this one to my list for when I do decide too. And I'm pretty immature, may be right up my alley. ;) Report Spam Posted by w1drwomn at 3:09 PM on 07/18/11
Love this post! I like a bit of mascara and foundation as well. Adding this book to my "must-read" list! (Hope it's available for Kindle!) Report Spam Posted by triplyksis at 3:30 PM on 07/18/11
wonderful insights - I definitely want to read this book - thank you so much for sharing it :) Report Spam Posted by sweetshorty at 1:29 PM on 07/19/11
I totally agree, it's about finding what makes you comfortable and confident! Report Spam Posted by tiffwuhoo at 3:05 PM on 07/21/11
I have always felt that clothing, makeup and especially hair are armor. A source of power. Report Spam Posted by doubleletterlady at 7:34 PM on 07/23/11
lol great post! I absolutely agree with you, when I look my best, I feel unstoppable :-) I definitely want to check this book out, thaks for sharing! Report Spam Posted by sweeetkristen at 8:01 AM on 07/25/11
Added this book to my list! Report Spam Posted by stellastylista at 11:26 AM on 07/25/11
Libba Bray won the Printz award for Going Bovine. That one might be worth a read too! And I totally get that armor thing too! I' don't wear a lot of makeup, but it's rare for me to go out with at least the mascara on! Report Spam Posted by sweans at 5:00 PM on 08/19/11
Make-up for me is totally about empowerment and if a littlr bit of concealer or lipstick is going to make me feel confident then so be it. Report Spam Posted by x0xsharicex0x at 10:18 AM on 08/26/11
I totally am going to read this! Awesome--thanks! Report Spam Posted by ladyluck12 at 9:57 PM on 08/30/11