and not those of the menopausal kind.
The kind that is brought on by cold winter temperatures, those on the minus side of zero.
My skin has been rather parched by being outdoors and when indoors the central heating wreaks havoc on it too.
I have a small patch on my cheek that looks flakey despite my best efforts to keep my skin exfoliated and moisturized.
I find this exasperating....
I suppose I obsess about my skin...
with a no make up look I cannot slack off in the skin department.
I'd rather spend money on my skin than buy a new outfit or handbag.
It's something people notice right away when they meet you.
A frosty welcome...
not my style
( in case you are wondering...I am NOT a doormat!)
I am not vain
nor beautiful
or remarkable in any way, shape, or form
I am
an aging woman
who has started to sag
wrinkle
with a waistline on the move
expanding hips
who chooses to focus on her skin
as there will be no cosmetic surgery
no nips
nor tucks
or magic tricks
just due diligence
and
a happy attitude towards the future.
“Nature gives you the face you have when you are twenty.
Life shapes the face you have at thirty. But it is up to you to earn the face you have at fifty.”
~ Coco Gabrielle Chanel ~
It's been months since I had one.
(I will use the gift certificate I received from Mr. HB at Christmas)
I enjoy a little pampering...
My daily army of products are these 5 basics...
I regularly have a home spa day for exfoliation and a mud masque.
The Olay version of the Clairsonic is a great tool which I use several times a week.
Rosacea is a tricky skin condition that needs lots of TLC.
The Sea Buckthorn ointment is only used at night.
I love it when companies put together packages...
this one has eye make up remover and eye cream.
I have not been a regular user of eye cream because my eyes are so reactive.
Rosacea affects the eyes too.
Interesting that the size of these two products are the regular sizes that are on the shelf not travel sizes.
The cost for both was $10 more than the eye make up remover alone.
French women value their skin and take great pains to maintain their complexions.
My Inner French Girl is listening...
I will be visualizing
smoother, plumper, softer, clearer, more radiant skin.
Mother disapproves of spending money on facials and pedicures
she has never gone to a Spa.
My sister and I are trying to persuade her to go with us so we can all be pampered together.
My sister has booked all three of us into a luxe resort in February
which BTW has an outstanding Spa...
so we'll see what happens.
How do you feel about skin care?
Would you consider a face lift, Botox, Restylane ?
If you do, or did, would you tell anyone?
or
would you keep it secret?
57 comments:
I take far less care of my skin as you. I think that I have only once had a facial done- did not like it at all, totally overpriced.
I wash my face and body with the same liquid soap, use eye creme day and night. Night creme and day creme. That´s it.
When it´s cold, I only rinse my face with water in the morning and add some more creme.
I have never had Botox but I did try Restylane once, several years ago, for my parenthesis lines around my mouth. It didn't work - as soon as I smiled, the Restylane spread, away from the mouth area. It was a total waste of money, in my opinion.
I can't say that I will never have any Botox or any plastic surgery on my face, but I think it's unlikely. The main reasons are that I am too scared something will go wrong and too cheap to spend the money. Plus, my husband has asked me repeatedly not to mess with my face.
There is a woman in my life - not a family member, not a friend, just someone I know - who has been getting various injections and whatnot for over a decade. Her face is frozen and expressionless (she overdoes it) her eyebrows are closer to her hairline than her eyes and her lips are so big it's distracting. I often wonder what she'd look like (she's in her early 50's) if she had just left her face alone.
All I do for my skin these days is use my Clarisonic twice a week, Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler cream every day, sunscreen, under eye cream and hope for the best. I do get facials every now and then, but not nearly as often as I'd like.
You and your mother and sister are going to have such fun - that is, if you can convince your mother to join you.
xoxo
I'm really oily so I don't dry out in winter but the rest of the year it's a full time job of powdering and mattifying. I don't have facials or visit spas, I find them incredibly boring, I would rather go to the gym than have a facial. I have great skin for my age because I wear sunblock but I don't buy fancy creams, they are all hocus pocus.
If my jowls descend I think I would be tempted to have a lower face lift, but that's a long way away, and of course I would blab!
Oh and I'm trialling a new at home laser device for the blog, I'll be sporting about it on Friday.
I find your facial posts very interesting and helpful. The aging woman faces different skin/facial "specialities" than a woman of 40, 50, 60. Now, at 72, I think I have always found, "caring for myself" a priority and I am noticing more and more the importance of caring for "me" in the seventies! The word DRY is the culprit . . . , I think, moisture, lotion and more of, are "musts." No nicks and tucks, Botox for this gal but facials, manicures, pedicures are a regular part of my "care." I recently made a trip to my wonderful dermatologist and had this chemical like peel treatment for some "issues" I had going on and wow, miserable to go through but the results were phenomenal. So, "Hostess" I appreciate your hints and wisdom . . . I like your look and style and find you to be a savvy, beautiful woman!
Love your white shirts/blouses . . . And H scarves!
Dear Hostest,
I was thinking of you and beauty today but of a different sort. It was a rose I thought you and yours might enjoy. Her name is Mme Hardy and you can read about her on the David Austin site as one of his recommended roses. A rose loving friend says she is his favorite.
Sheree
Dear Hostess,
when I look at your photograph, which I like very much, I am quite aghast when I read what you are writing about not being beautiful: you are, so that is nonsense what you write there! Growing older is not always fun, but I see beauty in that too (I don't jump high with joy when I detect a wrinkle, but I accept it, and will also not do anything artificial). Young people are so much nicer in valuating beauty in many apparitions, the worst critics are ourselves. I don't bound to the dictate of Youth Cult - it is much more what makes a person charming than a small waist.
Great skin care is good - but I wondered when I read the word "exfoliation" (I know what it means), - I cannot believe that it is good for sensitive skin? I learned a lot about skin, and for very sensitive skin it might be enough to rub dead cells away with a washcloth made of muslin (you know, the fabric that nappies were made of). Another tip: when you go out into the cold in winter, it is not bad to use night cream outside and day cream inside - inside you need moisture because of the dry air, outside you need fat. If it is really, really frosty outside one should protect sensitive skin even more: for our baby we used 'Hametum', very protective (but I don't know if it is good for rosacaea, because it also warms the skin a bit - so please ask a pharmacist if you want to try.) Avene has beautiful products - just check in winter that there is not too much water in them when you go outside.
Am with Britta on the exfoliation issue..my dermotolgist said as we age too much stimulation of fragile skin does more harm than good.
I no longer use toner, and use a face cloth/muslin to exfoliate my face.A few weeks back I had a red rash on my chin it was caused by the dreadful SLH that is used in most cosmetics....weird I had had no problem with it before!!! So most of my creams etc have been thrown out.
I do not have facials as i do not like my face been massage....never would have any cosmetic surgery even botex is a poisonous substance.
My health and skin are too precious to experiment with....though I do miss my beautiful sharp chin line (sigh).
I do like your new photo 'blue stocking' look. Ida
Please don't be so harsh about yourself! I think you're quite attractive, with a great person style, and more with and charm than many women I know. So stop it! Now. I've decided that serums, creams, and extremely gentle cleansers are my absolute musts...even if it means less wine and champagne funds! I've a question for you and all the readers: I'm getting white eyelashes, along with a few grey hairs. It doesn't bother me, except that the lashes are straight as a board and don't curl when I use a curler or mascara, leaving them to stick out like arrows ( and the grey hairs on my head are wiry, unlike my stick straight hair. Go figure). Anyone have recommendations to deal with these crazy eyelashes?
Gretchen: You could dye them, I have white eyebrow hair which doesn't bother me but if it was lashes, I would dye them at home.
I don't go in for needles or scalpels, but did have a laser treatment a bit over a year ago and might consider another. But you're right: nothing replaces a good and diligent skincare routine!
I also agree with no physical/mechanical exfoliation, preferring instead to use physician strength vitamin c underneath my thick Ella bache classics. I have always used EB and I believe it has helped in preventing wrinkles and keeping my skin hydrated by providing a protective barrier to whatever comes along. I also have extremely sensitive skin and have to be so careful, I have to not be too rough with my skin and more recently, make sure that the water isn't too hot. Lately I have been using the Garnier BB Miracle cream and it is fantastic, was put on to it by a few bloggers here in Oz, really inexpensive at $13 and worth a punt. I am so happy with it! I totally agree that you might need a thicker, greasier cream out in the cold, I know I do in winter here. And funnily enough, makeup provides another layer of protection from the elements. I wear it every day if leaving the house, the new mineral ones are really good and may help.
I know how heartbreaking it is when you don't feel you look and present your best from a rash or a pimple or a birthmark! Just keep trying to find something that works, what works one year may not work the next too!
I think if your skin is dry, a mud masque isn't the best type of mask ~ something more hydrating would be better. I'm a big exfoliator, and it does work for my skin. I have also had a few laser (Fraxel) treatments, and will be getting another in a few weeks. Helps even out my skin color, and works on the collagen underneath to keep my skim "plumped." I change around products, but always use a vitamin c/e serum underneath whatever night cream I'm using.
And Hostess, you're beautiful and remarkable. Don't like to read you writing that you're not.
Wanted to add, that I use some of the Skinceutical products and I think they're great. They're expensive, but I agree with Hostess, would rather my skin be looking it's best, than having another piece of clothing.
Your skin is radiant looking so I wouldn't change a thing!
I agree with your husband about keeping it natural. I feel sad for your acquaintance whose face is not as natural and she is only in her early 50's. That would make me think twice before getting botox.
Oh I'll be interested in that laser post.
Lynne- A chemical peel does sound a bit strong. Nice to know the results were worth the discomfort.
You look fabulous and 72 wow you've certainly maintained your great looks.
Sheree- I love David Austin roses and have several growing here in the Humble Bungalow garden. I pick them and make bouquets all summer long. Mme Hardy looks like a lovely rose.
Britta- I don't think I would ever use the term beautiful when describing myself. That's just how I feel.
I am happy and am not at all worried about getting wrinkly and aging. I look at my mother and see how gracious she is and how elegantly she has aged and hope that I will be fortunate enough to do the same.
The exfoliation is very gentle and was suggested by the specialist that I went to a few years ago. He also said to pat my face gently when washing and drying.
Thank you for your observations and tips, we are all in this together!
ida- I'll ask about exfoliation when I go for my facial. I cannot use toner either.
My chin is on the downward slide too...I think I'll befriend turtlenecks!
Gretchen- I'd suggest an eyelash curler and some great mascara...
try Lancome Definicils it's amazing!
You can have them dyed too, but please don't try this yourself.
Tabitha- Oh I'd be afraid to dye my own at home.
Would you consider doing a blog post about this procedure?
Jodie- I wear mineral make up and it has an SPF in it which is a bonus. Sounds like you have found a great line that works for you which is half the battle.
Kathy- That's a good point. I got a gift with purchase of an Avene moisture mask which the cosmetician said to put on and leave on all night. Are those laser treatments uncomfortable? I know they are very expensive.
Hostess,
Actually, I did afterward. Here it is: http://www.unefemme.net/2010/10/ipl-omg.html
Leslie and Tabitha- I used to have them dyed BC (before children) and it was great, but I still needed mascara. I use an eyelash curler and mascara now...the white lashes take the color, but not the curl! Ugh. Maybe I need to traipse up to Vancouver (best. City. Ever.) for a consultation! Meanwhile, slather on the night cream when you go outside. Wild crafted Shea cream is my suggestion..with extraordinarily sensitive skin, This is about the one and only heavy moisturizer I can tolerate.
I do leave moisture masks on all night some times. Never use a clay one anymore. They put a numbing cream on your face for about an hour before the laser treatment, so I don't find it painful at all. I do have a high pain threshold though. Afterwards your face feels very hot, and at my dermatologist's office, they put ice packs on my face afterwards. But, I didn't have any "down time" - went out to dinner that night with friends. There are many types of laser treatments now - your dermatologist would know which would work best for your skin.
I think all options are within reason, as long as one doesn't go overboard. My favorite and best skin care treatment for fine lines is prescription strength Retin A, which I swear by...and a good sun screen. But the only thing that will help sags and bags is a good plastic surgeon...anything else is a waste of time and money.
Kathy- I am slathering on my new moisture mask tonight! Wish me luck!
La Vie Quotidienne- I will be the Bag/Sag lady! I really have an aversion to needles and surgery.
I'll invest in creams and potions and hope for the best.
I'm going to sleep with a thick layer of shea butter all over my face and neck! We'll compare notes in the morning.
There will be no surgery, nipping or tucking for me. I've earned my face - every smile, every expression has left its mark. I use a day cream and a night cream and have never used makeup - couldn't be bothered. The 'up' side of this is not scaring the grandchildren in the morning at the sight of Nana without her face.
Hostess - I also have rosacea and use a product called couperose oil from a Hungarian line called Eminence. Facials monthly. Great results. Also, don't moisturize right before a walk outside in the cold; water in moisturizer chaps your skin.
Pondside- I love your attitude!
I can think of no accessory more lovely than a genuine smile, especially on a woman who is comfortable and confident, wrinkles and all!
I have heard of the Eminence line of products as many of our local spas use and sell them.
I can only imagine having monthly facials !
I love Avene, I am a bit of a cosmetics virgin, but I did get a set of minis for Christmas, I have just moved and don't have them with me, but I think the one that I really liked is called Radiance, it contains Vitmain C and I am sure a very light tanning agent as it really does make you look radiant. The other cream that was given this year was PH Advantage Lip Advantage that I use all over. It is very, very rich (quite different in texture from the Avene products, but if you need something super protecting because of extremes of temperature this would do the job.
Hostess, I too seem to have the same sort of skin as you and we are about the same age. Would you be able to share which Avène products you use. I am afraid that a facial is a rare treat for me, but I hope to improve my skin care routine and achieve results that way.
You have a lovely blog. I look forward to reading more. Bonnie
Hi Hostess,
I was wondering how you liked the rosacea products you were trying out last month. I suffer from it as well and would love to find something natural.
Maybe I missed your review post?
Thanks,
Maria
p.s. Thanks to Adrienne for introducing me to your great blog!
Maria
I use the following Avene products...Redness relief dermo-cleansing milk, spray with their spring water after cleansing, extremely rich compensating cream ( morning only), soothing eye contour cream, as a mask it's the soothing moisture mask, and the Avene gentle eye make up remover.
I use Sea Buckthorn at night as it is good for rosacea but quite rich and my mineral make up for daytime doesn't seem to set on top of it.
Good luck I hope that this helps.
I tried vitamin C and I felt that it was a bit too harsh on my skin.
Good luck with the unpacking!
Happy to have you along for the ride Bonnie!
Maria- I like the Sea Buckthorn ointment and use it only at night as the mineral make up did not set well on top of it. I use mineral make up as it is gentle and has an SPF in it which I was advised to use everyday even if the sun is not shining. Rosacea and sun are not a good mix, the sun exacerbates the ruddiness and a lot of sunscreens are too harsh for sensitive skin like ours so be careful when you read the list of ingredients.
I agree, no surgical procedures for me either. I had a facial the other day to pamper my dry skin and my soul. I've been using rosa mosqueta oil for a few years to help tame the red areas around my cheeks. It was recommended by my naturopath and has helped calm my sensitive skin. I'm heading to the sun soon and would love a recommendation for a good sunscreen.
Cheryl- I got some luxe rosa mosqueta spray for Xmas. It smells divine!
I tried the Canadian Beaver Brand sun screen this summer, it was the most natural option and yet it was quite greasy...not my fave.
I have been using mineral make up with sunscreen in it to avoid a chemical load. Eminence Peaches and Cream No. 3
I am not a savvy dermatologist so you might want to do some research before venturing into sun country!
I sent your birthday card and gift off today! Happy Happy!
XO
Hostess
First off may I say how much I love your new geek chic glasses? You look tres chic Hostess. I am very into skincare and would never miss a proper cleanse at night and in the morning. And occasionally I do have a facial too. But like your Mother mine would also never e"waste" (as she would think) money on such pampering. I hope to one day persuade her otherwise!! X
No to surgery or injections for me and I feel sad that some women think they have to cut their face or inject botulism toxins in it. But I do love pedicures! (How does Mother reach her feet?) Facials seem to make my skin unhappy, and tried many that promise they won't. In general I view most spa treatments as not returning good value but there are a few, such as the water therapy circuit at Body Blitz (Toronto) that seem well-priced and worth it.
Semi Expat- Thank you, I am getting used to my new glasses. My mom is a no nonsense independent kind of gal and feels she can take care of herself in every aspect of her grooming, she even cuts her own hair! ( you'd never know it)
Duchesse- Mother does reach her feet but she never uses polish. I love pedicures too but only induldge in them from spring to September for sandal season. I have had great experiences at a Spa in a large landmark hotel here in town but it is not inexpensive...perhaps that's why I only go every few months!
I thought I would wait a while to see how people replied before commenting. It seems that I am the only one who has had surgery. At an early age I developed a severe turkey waddle neck without an excessive sagging jaw line and large bags under my eyes...one much larger than the other. 2 1/2 years ago at age 53 I had both problems 'taken care of'. Three months later no one could tell anything had been done...unless I showed them the 'before and after' photos. My doctor was very good and does not do 'extreme' surgery. I have always been an average-looking woman, rather than a beauty, but the waddle and the bags made me self-conscious. I’m VERY pleased I had the surgery.
JW, I've had a face lift, and have no problem admitting it. I even did a post surgery blog post, showing my stitches and staples .
My surgeon was also very conservative, and none of my friends noticed until I told them.
I have had botox and fillers over the past years; but they don't work well for me. I feel I look puffy, and my husband doesn't like the affect on my smile. Fortunately they weren't permanent.
It sounds like you have had a great experience....
Duchess of H- you are very brave.....
first to underdo the surgery and second to admit it!
Try La Roche Posay. Shoppers recommended that for my sore achy hands and it has helped a lot! It's good for baby skin too so not harsh at all!
Good to hear from you Duchess of H. No botox or fillers for me but, as I said, I'm glad I had done what was done. It was pain-free and only slightly uncomfortable the first couple of days. I'm done helping Mother Nature...unless my upper eye lids get any heavier and affect my vision.
Yes, and a great doctor. :)
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