Healthy Vanity

Healthy vanity: do I think I'm too cute?

 I saw the term "healthy vanity"...somewhere, I can't remember. Anyway, I saw it and it made me think of, well, myself, of course! I am not obsessed with myself, but I do think that I am not too shabby at all. I love my features and even with the imperfections that I notice (more than anyone else ever would) I wouldn't change a (permanent) thing. I just recently went from deep brunette to a goldenish blonde and I love it! I like the way that I look and as I find myself taking note of my appearance more and more, I was afraid that I was teetering over the line of being overly "healthy" in my vanity.

I'm sorry, but I had to.

    
    "Vanity" as described by Dictionary.com is:

noun, plural vanities.

1.

excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities,achievements, etc.; 

character or quality of being vain; conceit:

Failure to be elected was a great blow to his vanity.

2.

an instance or display of this quality or feeling.

Now, what makes one's pride "excessive"? 

I am looking at the term "healthy vanity". With the huge surge of body positive images, campaigns, advertising and media that have washed in recently, women are (sort of) being told to love the way they look and not to give a damn what the world thinks. 

Please see anything about the 2015 Met Gala if you haven't yet for a little dose of some body positive fashions. Women young and old, thick and thin, hairy and smooth, are throwing their negativity and self-doubt to the wind and it's amazing.

The question that I pose is this: what is the line between narcissism and healthy vanity truly? Is it really okay to think of yourself highly? How many is too many selfies?

I won't get into the real body dysmorphic and psychological issues that plague some people, I am looking at a general, day to day normality of an acceptable amount of self love. Some may say that of course you can't love yourself too much, but I beg to differ there. Ever heard of Narcissus?

There is much to be said of humility and modesty. They are traits that are treasured in anyone who possesses them. However, walking the fence on this one: how can you love others if you don't love yourself? Not to get terribly deep, but you have to see yourself as worthwhile and important for others to see you as such, and you generally have to know love to give it. It's kind of like how you have to be pepper sprayed in order to carry it; you have to know how it feels.

I think that the idea of "healthy vanity", while maybe still relatively "new" is so empowering and provocative. It's okay to think you're pretty. It's okay to enjoy compliments. It's okay! Treasure yourself, because if you don't why should anyone else?

"but what do we say when we clean up after your ass?"

I also want to say that wearing makeup does not make you any more vain than anyone else. Actually, so what if it does? I know that I now put makeup on more days then I don't, not because I am terrified to be seen without it, or because I need it per se, but because I like the way I look with it on and I really enjoy the act of "putting on my face". I don't personally do a terribly full coverage of makeup like some choose to, but I do like looking smooth and even and fresh. 

All in all, I want to say THANK YOU to the companies that push the body positive movement, like Dove, even if they do trick you into paying that pink tax. THANK YOU to celebrities like these lovely ladies:

Are you "pretty"? Yes! Am I? Yup. You be whatever you want to be and love yourself while you're at it, and I'll leave you with this:

Say in mirror 3x daily. Repeat as necessary to gain full effect.

And look fabulous while you're at it.