Behind the selfies and eyeliner, there was a surprising amount of “homework.” We were encouraged to try manifestation, dip into psychology, learn about self-development, as well as pick up makeup skills. There were chat groups upon chat groups, and the best of those was the Glamazons. My university friend Sarah, who first got me into it all, led the group. It was full of strong, fearless women who showed me something I hadn’t had before: the power of female friendship.
Up until then, I’d mostly been “one of the lads.” I hadn’t really valued or understood how much I needed other women in my life. The Glamazons changed that. We cheered each other on, swapped stories late into the night, and lifted each other when things were hard.
Over the years, those women have gone on to do extraordinary things. At least two have beaten cancer. Others have built companies, risen to C-level careers, got married, left relationships that weren’t serving them, raised children — some homeschooling, some with babies whilst others’ babies are now driving. Even though we don’t all talk now, we’re still cheering each other along. I’m so proud of what they’ve created, and I’m grateful for the shift they sparked in me: learning to lean into female friendship, not away from it.
Back then, none of us would have predicted the lives we’re living now. What I’ve learned is that grief and gratitude often arrive together. Most of us have experienced loss in some form and with that we’ve grown an appreciation for life’s small, sunny moments.
That’s something I first discovered long before makeup. When I left an abusive relationship in 2011, I remember crying with gratitude simply because I was free! Free to skip down supermarket aisles, free to live without fear. The smallest things suddenly felt enormous. I don’t think I actually had a word for it back then, just the emotions. Younique gave me the smarts.
Younique, being run by a Mormon family, leaned heavily on gratitude. We were encouraged to celebrate rekindled friendships and share our wins, even if they were as small as flogging someone an eyeliner or getting a promotion (in and out of the MLM scheme). It was women first, makeup second. And I carry that with me today: women lifting women, cheering each other on.
In the years since, I’ve been busy building a company, renovating a house, growing our food in my allotment, keeping chickens. All helping to keep my Crohn’s disease at bay. After a recent flare-up, my first in a decade, I’m starting again with medication this time (for now). It feels like putting down a streak medal and resetting the counter.
And that’s OK. Because gratitude is about noticing the small things, acknowledging the changes, and letting yourself grow.
It’s also about noticing the people who walk alongside us. For me, that’s been the women I’ve had the privilege to know — from the Glamazons to the friends who show up now and have shown up and moved on or away and I can't see as often as I'd like. Female friendships are powerful, life-giving, and worth celebrating. They remind me that women lifting women is one of the strongest forces I know.
It’s October now. A time for rest. For making strong roots. For looking inward, and preparing to start afresh. So let’s get started with a new flavour of being Beautiful, Smart, Confident.
What little things — and which friendships — are you grateful for today?
Here’s to telling our stories with confidence, Justine
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