… or foundation, or blush.  Whatever your Go-To Glam item may be.

I’m going to get kinda serious today, which I know is a departure for me but you know what?  Life gets really serious sometimes.  And even though I try to keep things light here … I know we all have lives and things go up and down.   So here we go … I was in a great UTube workshop with this weekend (I’m shy on camera, but would really like to get some videos up.)

Anyway, I’m so glad I went, because I met an awesome woman named Merryl who reminded me of another super important aspect of makeup and personally, one my passions.  When going through tough times, like break ups, lay offs or the biggest of them all, a personal illness … we want to look better, because it makes us feel better.  And a little makeup goes a long way toward lifting your spirits and changing your day.

Merryl is a patient advocate, and has MS.  I think what she is bringing to the world is so important.    My Mom passed from cancer eight years ago, and now my Dad is battling some health issues too.  Navigating the health care systems, talking to doctors and just making sure things are as good as possible can be tough to say the least.  It really helps that to have strong, supportive people around you.  I won’t name mine all – but I hope you know who you are and that I LOVE and APPRECIATE YOU All.

Anyway, Merryl’s passion is to help people do that.  And like me, she’s shy on camera.  But her message is so important, and her passion to help people is key.  And she told me firmly that my passion to encourage women everywhere to feel as pretty as possible is so important.  No matter what.  All Day, Every Day.

I remember working for the American Cancer Society (1-800-ACS-2345), and having cancer patients come in and fit their wigs, try on these gorgeous cosmetic kits through our program Look Good Feel Better, and walk out feeling so much better.   I also remember going home to take care of my Mom when her cancer got really bad.  When she got really sick, just soaking her nails and chatting with her about soap operas made her feel like things were normal.  I would make her giggle, because we always giggled together.  I wanted her to have cute hats when we went to radiation so she could feel pretty again.  Some may say it sounds frivolous, but I don’t think there is anything frivolous about making things light, and pretty and FUN.

Some people act like vanity is a bad thing.  And when I think of women like Merryl and my Mom and those other brave cancer patient patients who walked through the doors of our American Cancer Society office at 3333 Wilshire Blvd, and my friend and colleague Araceli Vega fitting them with wigs and scarves and makeup kits and them feeling just a little bit better and PRETTIER — I sooooo beg to differ.

Vanity can be a very good thing.

PS  Once a fundraiser …. always a fundraiser.  Click here to donate to Look Good Feel Better.  Also, makeup artists like Kat Aragon volunteer their skills and talent to this program.  Call 1-800-ACS-2345 to find volunteer opportunites close to you.

Vanity Girl Hollywood manufactures a niche line of professional makeup mirrors and Hollywood vanities for use on set and in the home.  Vanity Girl is also a lifestyle — sharing tips, tricks and tools on how to bring a little Hollywood glam into your life.  Visit us at www.VanityGirlHollywood.com.