Round 2! Sarah was actually put in contact with me by Emily Kydd an RPCV from Kyrgyzstan who is working in Jamaica currently. This is one of the things that I hoped would happen (and has been) is to create a network of PCV women to talk about beauty and discuss how it’s different all over so yay!!

Sarah Cash is from Annapolis, Maryland, and serves as an Environment Peace Corps Volunteer in the breezy Blue Mountains of St. Andrew, Jamaica, where coffee is king. She works with a farmer’s group, helping train them on farming and organizational topics, at her local primary school doing environmental activities, and with a boy’s and girl’s summer camp through the Let Girls Learn initiative.

1. What does feeling beautiful in PC mean to you?

Feeling beautiful is a state of mind, and it is affected by a myriad of factors. To me, feeling beautiful in Peace Corps means feeling strong, capable, and integrated into my community. But feeling beautiful can be more superficial too. When I go to church or a special occasion, I dress up, put on makeup and heels, and feel beautiful because I feel confident. Ultimately, confidence is the key to feeling beautiful (and sexy)!

2. What are some of the cultural beauty standards at your site? Do you find yourself trying to meet those standards or not?

I do try to meet some of the beauty standards at my site. Since arriving in Jamaica, I noticed that women take better care of their nails than I ever have. I don’t paint the nails on my hand, but once a month, I go to my salon and get my toenails painted. I have never been able to do this accurately- paint ends up everywhere and on the nail it looks streaky and sticky- so paying less than US$5 per month to get my toenails painted seems a small price. Plus, I get to chat with my nail lady! Also, in Jamaica, people wear clothes that are more form fitting than I am used to. I like fitted clothing, but leggings paired with a body-con T shirt is an outfit I’ll never wear outside Jamaica or working out. That said, it’s nice to have the freedom to wear that here because let’s face it, leggings are comfort Heaven.

3. What are some beauty tricks that you’ve learned in PC?

Coconut oil is everything. Makeup remover, moisturizer, anti-ager, it does it all. I will never live without it again. (YES GIRL ME TOO!!!)

4. Have you found it harder to meet American beauty standards or the standards at your site?

It depends. The American beauty standard of keeping myself as hairless as a naked mole rat is a little bit more difficult, but only because I don’t wish to spend so much money on razors. That said, I don’t find it hard to stay fresh and clean, and I’m definitely more active than I’ve ever been before. So in some ways, I fit American beauty standards even more. There are many standards that the US and Jamaica share, such as cleanliness, clothes that look clean and ironed (though that is much more important in Jamaica), and generally looking like you take care of yourself. I’ve ironed far more in Jamaica than at any other time in my life. Seriously, why aren’t all clothes wrinkle-proof?

5. What do you wish you could have told yourself before your service that you know now?

Sometimes you might feel like locking yourself away, but no one wants to climb a tower to rescue you; you’ve got to rescue yourself by being open to your community. You’ve got to climb down that tower yourself.