Real Mom Beauty Adventures

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Just as I have learned it is better to put the font size for this blog on the "larger" setting because it is easier on my eyes, I have made some adjustments for the fact that a bikini is no longer a good choice for me.  In other words, I'm going down--we all are--however, I am determined not to go down without a fight. In fact, my favorite fantasy is the one in which I win the lottery and then split my time between my family, my historic school preservation projects, and working out.  It's not that I don't like the way I look, I love and enjoy my body.  It's just that, well, there's a little more of it than there used to be.  And it seems to require so much more maintenance, what with little health challenges that come with middle age.  For a busy mom/teacher/preservationist/hobby farmer this poses a dilemma...at the same time that my other priorities demand more time and money than ever, looking reasonably good also requires more effort. 

Along the way, I made some observations, and I have some gentle suggestions for other 40-something moms.

Hair: Let's face it, almost no older women looks good with long hair and long, thick bangs.  The wrinkles on your forehead make you look wise, for heaven's sake, don't try to cover them! For the bangs to look good you would either have to be seven years old, or a sexy 20-something punk rocker. In fact, I am an advocate for a new rating system for hair styles that falls under the truth-in-advertising concept.  We desperately need this rating system to tell us just how good-looking you have to be in order to pull off certain hair styles.  Moms!  Snap out of it!  Take the time to get a haircut, even if it's a $9.99 haircut, so you don't look trapped in time.

Skin: Now, I'm really going to date myself, but I remember the original Muppet show.  One piece of beauty advice that stayed with me was when Miss Piggy said "Don't put on anything on your face that is from the hardware store."  I don't get my facial care products at the hardware store, but I don't spend a lot, either-- think Dollar General.  You can accomplish a lot for less than $10.  Here is what to buy: For toner- Witch hazel ($1/bottle). For pore minimizing and breakout prevention- Stridex pads ($3/box, or $2.50 if you tear off the little coupon on the inside flap before you go to checkout line).  For moisturizer- Generic aloe lotion ($2/bottle)- even my son says this lotion smells nice, and it works without clogging your pores.  

The challenge for all of us is to dedicate some time every day to take care of our physical selves.  Consistency goes further than expensive beauty products.  When the first study came out linking poor dental health to heart disease, I thought it was a fluke.  Now I realize that it's true: Taking the time to floss daily not only keeps teeth more attractive, it actually protects your health, because it keeps your mouth from harboring too much bacteria.

Stay tuned for Real Mom Beauty Adventures Part II, in which I have eyebrow hairs ripped out (aka "threaded") in the name of beauty by a nice but serious Chinese woman...