With the vanity only another woman can appreciate, I map every crease and line in my face. I catalog them and remain on high alert for changes and additions. I am intimate with every imperfection. Years ago I made the commitment to try to control the ravages of time. At a time when I could afford such luxuries, I spent weekly sessions having the latest cutting edge facial treatments. I was a VIB customer at Sephora and fell for every product that claimed to reverse the effects of aging and reduce visible lines.
I do believe you can make a difference with attention and a routine. When I was working I would never go to bed without first removing my make-up, cleansing and moisturizing. Nowadays, I don’t wear make-up but still adhere to my ritual. I’ve tried to impress upon my daughters that starting early in life will make a difference in how they will look when they reach my age. Of course, they didn’t spend their youth mixing baby oil and iodine for that sunburn, skin cancer producing summer cocktail. No one today would ever consider that potion nor would they mix-up a homemade version of “Sun In” to get those perfect blonde highlights – pure lemon juice and water.
Have we learned anything along the way? Do we really want to deny the badge of age and wisdom our skin portrays to the world? As my finances compressed I looked at the cabinet of potions, oils and creams I had amassed. I started to winnow down the steps I took twice a day to slow the clock. Unfortunately, I won’t know what really was working until I stop using something and the results show up. Then it will be too late, right? Was I roped into this fear by astute marketing? With no crystal ball to show me the alternative, I keep up the arsenal of products and the routine.
I am at peace with my laugh-lines and less than firm countenance. How can I not be when I live with a being who embodies the beauty of loose skin and heavenly rolls?
The dreaded “muffin top”
You can’t complain until your butt looks like this!
If, as they say, owners look like their dogs, I am in trouble!
Therapeutic Misadventures 
Although I am several years younger than you, I gave all of that up a long time ago. I now wear my age with pride. I stopped coloring my hair and said “Be damned to anyone who cares that I’m graying!” Wrinkles and gray hair adds character! But I’m sure the babyoil/iodine combo didn’t help skin either, what were we thinking?!?
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If I wouldn’t look like the wicked witch for months while it grew out, I would definitely go gray!
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I also stopped coloring my hair, mostly because I no longer wanted to have carcinogenic goop on my head for 45 minutes once a month so I could look younger. Besides, I only did it to fool the hiring managers and executives who look askance at “old women.” Once I stopped working I was free to be myself and embrace my inner grandma. I also saved $45 a month at the hairdresser’s. But I still cleanse and moisturize my face twice a day and wear sunblock in the summer.
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Looking forward to the day I can go gray, though I may have to cut my hair to be able to stand the transition…
Thanks for stopping by Aline!
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I’m Irish so growing up I had fair and oily skin. Kids picked on me in middle school when acne is at its worst. But what comes around, goes around and today I have been told I look ten years younger than my actual age. Guess having that oily skin and not being able to stay out in the sun for more than five minutes at a time had some positives.
Of course I started to go gray at eighteen and have colored my hair for more than twenty years. I was told once by a hair dresser that should I ever decide to let my hair go gray, it would be a very pretty silver color. It wasn’t enough to convince me to stop coloring. Not yet anyway. 🙂
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I’m with you Cindy. I don’t know your age but can only assume it is a well kept secret from the look of your photo. I hope this all pays off in looking better if not younger and I’ll hold off on the gray until I can do it gracefully!
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I wonder why those dogs have so much extra skin. It must serve some useful purpose, but I can’t imagine what it is.
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Agreed, Alan. Nature must have had a reason at some point, I can’t help laugh at her all the time so for me, that is the reason for the skin!
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Due to lack of money I’ve been cutting back on the creams and potions too and looking for more natural alternatives I can make myself in my kitchen. You’d be surprised at how easy it is and how cheap some of those must have magic ingredients are. My favourite is ascorbic acid (vitamin c) powder dissolved in water then a little glycerine added. As good as all the shop bought serums and hardly costs anything.
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Thanks Marie, I have been following your posts about body butters and such and will certainly give them a try. Nothing like saving on stuff we all know is not really a “Magic Potion!”
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