Looking into her vanity mirror as she applied lipstick, Marilyn Monroe rehearsed testimony for her divorce proceedings during her opening scene in the 1961 movie “The Misfits.” I describe this method of distracting the mind while doing your makeup as “Vacant Vanity.”
Most times when I finish my makeup, I realize my mind was elsewhere — concentrating on something other than applying cosmetics. Perhaps it’s a situation I’ve been worrying about. Maybe a story idea.
Writers write even when they aren’t writing. They go for a walk for inspiration. They’ll look out the window to think about character arcs.
When I was a reporter, every time I left a press conference or event the drive back to the office always involved coming up with the lede. I was driving, but my mind was elsewhere. Vacant Vanity is a more focused version of daydreaming. It’s work, not leisure.
Animal rights advocacy
I became vegan for the first time in 2004 after I read Pam Anderson’s book “Star: A Novel.” I was 23 and decided to make the lifestyle change after learning someone as beautiful as Anderson was vegan. Then I learned about her anti-fur efforts and animal rights work.
Learning about the horrors of animal testing and factory farms changed my life. For me, Vacant Vanity is also a place where I can document my cruelty-free journey, as well as my writing career.
Most of the time when my mind goes elsewhere, I’m thinking about my work and animal advocacy. Those topics take up most of my Vacant Vanity moments not only while I’m doing my makeup, but also waiting on line, mindless scrolling through social media and cleaning.
What’s your favorite or most memorable Vacant Vanity moment? Share it with me at jen.nuzzo@vacantvanity.com.
Thanks for visiting!
Photo caption: Pamela Anderson. (Credit: Instagram @pamelaanderson / June 11, 2018)
