Does it hurt? Will it make me pretty? I'll do it!
Thursday, December 4, 2008 Chris received an email recently from a business acquaintance who's launching a new web service. It's called Beta Test Beauty and it's "...a market research service for skin and beauty-care makers..." They're seeking people who are interested in sampling products then answering a survey. The products are provided free and participants will be paid. I've signed up, but have no personal experience to share yet - good or bad. Check it out if you'd like.
My Beauty Philosophy (today)
I don't begrudge any person for wanting to look attractive. I currently don't judge women or men who choose to use Botox, Fillers, Thermage, Lasers, etc... if it enhances their self esteem. I also admire those people who are at peace with their appearance and don't feel the need to moisturize, plump, fluff or pluck. How freeing that must be.
My Skin History (like you care)
In the 1970s I recall laying in the sun with Mother. If I was reading a book, resulting in my face looking down towards my lap, she would lovingly say, "Chrisy, tilt your head back. Your face needs a little sun." I was eleven. She was only trying to be helpful.
In the 1980s I lifeguarded during the summers throughout high school and college. I never wore sunscreen. Ever. On my days off, I sunbathed in a bikini so I wouldn't have Speedo tan lines.
During the winters while attending college at NAU in Flagstaff, Arizona, I worked at Snowbowl - a ski area - in the Rental Shop. I loved having a tan face from skiing, and often sat outside during my work breaks, tipping my face to the strong, mountain sun. No sunscreen. Ever.
In the 1990s Chris and I raced mountain bikes. The unique tan lines cyclists get are a badge of honor, but for a gal, not so pretty. When not riding, I sunbathed to even out my tan. For hours. Again, no sunscreen.
Ruh-Roh (not looking like the other girls my age?)
When I turned 35 in 2001, I looked in the mirror and said, "Shit." Years of sun worship had taken their toll. I vowed to use sunscreen daily, leave behind my tanorexia, and pursue safe wrinkle-reducing creams and strategies. Pale is *pretty*, I decided. I also became a marketer's dream.
The Products (you name it, I tried it)
I've tried everything over the past seven years. Expensive, inexpensive, and infomercial products.
Little by little my skin began looking better.
I can't tell you if it was Creme De La Mer, Darphin, La Prairie, Strivectin, Mary Kay, faithful sunscreen usage, or Kathie Lee Gifford's stuff on QVC. Maybe a combination of everything, but there was a definite improvement. The fact that I hadn't been baking my skin for a few years helped, I'm certain.
Then, I plateaued around the age of 40. Nothing seemed to work any more.
Mother (trying to be helpful, and usually right)
"You know Honey, a little Botox and Filler wouldn't hurt you... I really like that More magazine. You should read it..." She's been trying to get me to read More since I was 35 and accused her of prematurely aging me. [FYI, Mother has only heard that Botox and Filler are a "good thing".]
Botox and Filler vs. Expensive Creams? (laughing, snickering, winking with those who know)
So I did it . Not a lot of it, and only a couple of times. Mother took me in July of 2007 and I got some Botox and Filler. To be honest, it was too much Botox and since then, I've found the amount that softens deep lines without affecting expression. I've been told by close friends that it's so subtle, why do I bother? Because it makes me feel better. That's why.
The only creams I use on my face now are Retin-A and Neutrogena SPF 45.
Confessions
1. Even though I signed up for the Beta Test Beauty project, I can't imagine I'll ever return to spending money on creams and serums. Retin-A, sunscreen, and a little Botox twice a year... I'm good. Even if I don't do Botox - the Retin-A and sunscreen are better than anything I've done prior. [Mother gets me Retin-A in Mexico. Shhh.]
2. I like More magazine. I don't have a subscription, but I pick up an issue occasionally.
3. Mother was right. She usually is. Except for the part where she prematurely aged my skin.
4. I haven't had Botox in over six months and it REALLY does leave the body in 3-4 months. I didn't believe people who said that, until I'd done it myself and felt sad when it's effects were gone. I don't know when I'll do it again, but I will, and it won't be very much, but I'll feel happy, even if no one else notices.
5. I had Filler in my nasal labial folds - the parenthesis on each side of the mouth. FYI, Botox does not hurt. Filler hurts.
Moral of the Story
Whether you're choosing to age naturally or... not... Use hair color, hair remover, moisturizers, sunscreen, make-up or... not... Let's try not to judge one another. I don't get professional manicures... you don't bleach your mustache. We can still be friends.
Reader Comments (30)
In 2003, when I met Keith....he made me stop tanning at the tanning salons. For years I would spend my lunch hour baking. I loved it so much. My heart still skips a beat when I pass one of the hundreds of tanning salons in my town. Sometimes I think I will just go and tan just once. I just need one.....
I love Glamour magazine and I was once addicted to a website called Make Up Alley. It is a message board for make-up and fashion. I love reading about all the new products on the market and what people think of them.
What I'm trying to say is that I signed up too. LOL!
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I too was a tanorexic and I still get the urge to go tan when I get a look at my ghastly white legs.
I'm tempted to begin using Botox because I have some lines forming between my eyes from giving people dirty looks all day apparently. I never realized I furrowed my brow so much!
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Confession - I used to never shave my legs. I just couldn't be bothered. Now, I only wax like once every 3 months.
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I haven't started yet, just because I know I won't want to stop once I do . . . but it's definitely coming.
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Mrs. D. - I wonder what "norms" we have now will have our kids saying, "What were they thinking?" - maybe Botox...
Bobbi - You and Connie are so cute. Makes me wish I had a sister. Botox is PERFECT for that spot between the eyes. You'd love it!
Deidre - I agree with you. Self-confidence is magnetic. I've always said, I love the smart, confident, ugly guys. I loathe what Nicole Kidman has done to her face. Expression is very important to me. If you lived near me, I would let you study my face, and test all of my expressions. Maybe I can post a video... or maybe not...
Hairy legs? Honey, Honey. Waxing works Doll Baby. (kisses)
Anna - You're wise to wait until you're ready to commit. Once you take that first hit... well, just be prepared to have a friend for life...
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My friend did Botox and when I saw it - I though it took years off. I asked him how anyone could possibly guess that he did it - it didn't make his face look any different - just smoother in between his eyes. He then showed me by wrinkling his forehead. Now I can always tell. But if you can get a more subtle effect - then why not??
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Now I'm in my 50s. I use a little Cetaphil to wash my face, in the morning shower. I don't wear makeup, except on really dressy occasions, so I don't really wash my face thoroughly at night, except on those dressy occasions. I actually don't really look in my mirror all that much.
I can't tell you how many compliments I get about my skin. Everyone says I don't look like I'm in my 50s.
Oh, yeah, I'm a tad overweight and I'm not classically pretty to begin with. But how weird is it I have pretty good skin?
Botox? Not for me.
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Hey, can someone from the Philippines sign up for the beauty beta thing?
More importantly, can someone with a penis sign up? :P
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Claire, Sounds familiar. Love, Chris
San Diego Momma - What!? I've never heard of that. Are you botulism resistant?
Kate Coveny Hood - I used to power nap in tanning beds too. It's so relaxing. Thank you for being supportive.
g - I should have mentioned Cetaphil too. A wonderful inexpensive cleanser and moisturizer. Your skin probably looks radiant from all that fabulous Mexican food you're eating. ;) Botox isn't for everyone. I sincerely get that.
The Demigod - Of course a penis person can participate! I'll have to find out if they swing internationally though. I'll get back to you. (There's a place on the initial survey where you're asked to identify your gender - I believe men are definitely needed.)
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This time of year I always turn to taking better care of my skin I guess with the dryer air in our home due to heating.
I have not done Botox but am very curious as to the result I'd get. Its' funny because sometimes a great night's sleep can make me look 35, instead of 44. Do you ever find that about being perfectly rested?
Actually I think I look 39. Or 55, depending on my mood.
But serious, I have kept my face obsessively out of the sun since I've been 26. I wear Neutrogena 45 Healthy Defense sunscreen on 365 days a year, on my neck too.
My body - not as careful.
About this time last year I got some great 25% chemical peels off eBay and they really smooth out the olde mug. And they work better on fair skin so you look like you'd be a great candidate.
I hope I will be accepted for the Beta Test thing!
GREAT post!
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I'm from the same school of thought - I don't judge people for whatever makes them feel better. Personally, I could never choose to get any Botox or filler. I'm injected with so many chemicals for my treatment, that choosing to receive more just isn't in me. I'm far from self-confident, but I'm okay with a new laugh line here or there. But, like I said, I agree - if people make that choice because it helps them feel better about themselves, they should do it.
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I'm from the same school of thought - I don't judge people for whatever makes them feel better. Personally, I could never choose to get any Botox or filler. I'm injected with so many chemicals for my treatment, that choosing to receive more just isn't in me. I'm far from self-confident, but I'm okay with a new laugh line here or there. But, like I said, I agree - if people make that choice because it helps them feel better about themselves, they should do it.
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Bwah ha! Can you say l-a-r-d?
sherri - suntanning on the roof is what we used to call Tar Beach, when I lived in NYC!
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I remember getting really sunburnt - but wouldn't dare do that now! How times change.
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