once or twice a week, Emma and I bop into Sephora while we’re waiting for the bus. There are bright windows at the front of the store, so as long as we don’t wander too far, we can play around with some free samples and still see the bus before it arrives. we typically stick with the roll-on perfumes (i’m sure the shuttle-bus driver appreciates our potent scent when we get in) and tickle each other with makeup brushes. this week, though, i taught emma what eye shadow was. as a rule it makes me uncomfortable seeing kids wearing makeup, even for playtime (i’ve probably seen too many scary detective shows involving over-made pageant kids), but i didn’t think it was fair to keep letting emma think the eyeshadow samples were meant to be worn on the lips.

so, i showed her. and she tried it.

and then she winked at me.

and then (with no suggestion from me) she ran into the light of the doorway and did some sassy runway poses.

when we went outside, she did some more dancing, but shielded her eyes (so the shadow didn’t blow away) and kept asking “is it still on?”

she was so enamored by her “new look”, she asked me to take some pictures (which is like asking me to eat chocolate. sure, i’d love to! thanks for asking! yum!).

i could live my life (and hers) without eyeshadow, but i sure wouldn’t mind keeping that happy confidence, the dancing, the spinning, and the carefree feeling of “wow! isn’t this fun?!”, mixed with a healthy dose of “i feel pretty”.

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“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” ~ Oscar Wilde