I had a Sweet 16.

There.  I said it.

I grew up in Brooklyn, and a Sweet 16 extravaganza was incredibly common.  Honestly, I must have gone to over 30 of them between sophomore and junior year of High School.

The entire experience of planning the party was incredible.  I got the dress at Kleinfeld’s in Brooklyn (this was back in the day long before they made the move to Manhattan), and I remember having my appointment several months before the event to try on dozens of dresses.  I spent the afternoon with my mother and sister, and after hours of trying on dress after dress, I finally found the perfect one.  The one that made me smile.  The dress that is the reason I will never wear a princess dress again.  Because, once you’ve had the perfect princess dress for you, it’s hard to find another that will live up to the same standards.

There was also a tiara.  Not your ordinary run of the mill, tack-a-wack tiara.  I opted for a thin, one layer headband.  It had been featured on the cover of Modern Bride magazine the same year, and was a gift from my sister.  The price tag of said tiara/headband thing is still a secret that my sister and I will always have between us.  She knew it was a must have, non negotiable sweet 16 essential, and that anything else wouldn’t have been perfect – And so, she spared me the trouble of sitting down with my parents and having to explain to them why I needed this tiara – And purchased it for me on the low.  I know.  My sister is AWESOME.

But, I digress.  Seriously, I love so many things about my Sweet 16: The dress, the tiara, the candy bar, the venetian hour, the venue – It was a birthday that every girl should have once in their life.

What I do not love so much is my make-up and hair.

First let me start with the hair.  For one thing, I will never wear an ‘up-do’ again in my life.  Just looking at the word ‘up-do’ typed out across the screen makes me want to vomit.  ‘Up-do’ = BIG MISTAKE.  I hate this kind of hair now, and would never ever in a million years do something so ‘dated’ and horrific to myself ever again.  Sure, my hair was hardly TERRIBLE, but, I think it would have been much more timeless and attractive if I’d worn my hair down.  At least it wasn’t a particularly ugly ‘up-do’ – And I had some sense of style enough to opt for something halfway decent.

Now…My make-up.  When I look back at pictures, I really don’t like it. I also remember not LOVING it when I got it done that day.  The foundation was HEAVY, and cakey, and just unnecessary considering I was just barely 16 and my skin was fresh as a flower.

Then there is the lipstick.  Hmmm.  I just don’t think it was the right color – But, I’m positive I was wearing MAC Rebel which I wore ALL THE TIME circa 1997-1999.  It’s not terrible, and I’d still rock it today…I just think there may have been a better and softer shade (or gloss) that might have been more appropriate for the dress.

I don’t really have any comments to make about my eye make-up.  It’s just ok.  It’s neither a ‘do’ or a ‘don’t', it just is what it is.  Definitely could have been better, but I’m sure the receptionist/makeup artist who did my make-up at the salon was hardly a real ARTIST.  You get what I’m saying?

All in all – It could have been worse.  But, if I had it to do all over again I would have opted for dewy skin (courtesy of a light weight tinted moisturizer), and a delicate shimmery/smokey eye, with a light pink glossy lip.  Much more age appropriate and fitting for the occasion.

Do you have any events in your life, that you wish you would have had better make-up for?