Beauty product junkie here. Ok I finally admitted it. It’s something I don’t talk about. I am pretty sure I hide it well. I think it started in my preteen years when my mom got me my first subscription to Seventeen magazine. I would pour over every inch of it, reading every word and studying every picture. The models showing off the latest fashion trends of headbands, leg warmers and acid wash jeans. It was the 1980s after all. There would be articles about makeup and skin care routines too. These were all things I knew nothing about. As with most preteens, I was starting to get pimples and becoming very insecure about it. This magazine gave me hope, if I did the skin care routines, dress like them, buy the products, then I too would look like them.
Thus, begun my search and obsession with beauty products. During my 20s and 30s, I felt I had a handle on my beauty routine. I had my go-to products, but trying new stuff worked too. It was fun slathering on new product and see what it would do. That allowed me to explore the makeup and beauty aisles more freely.
Now that I have, ahem, become middle aged, I find myself searching for the fountain of youth in a bottle. I am hesitant to go down the cosmetic surgery route, as I am unsure how I feel about it. So, I must resort to other means.
I am not one to buy very expensive items in general, so my skin care buying tends to be less extravagant. Unless, of course, I see an ad or an Instagram post promising a miracle. Then I may investigate it more and perhaps buy it. You see I am very easily hooked by a great marketing campaign. The social media claims, celebrities toting the next best thing, clever advertising all suck me in. I need things that lift, plump, take away dark circles, even out skin tone, moisturize, grow my eye brows, lengthen my eyelashes, make my skin like glass, look ten years younger, pull, tighten, give me cheek bones, get rid of my saggy neck, brighten, glow, etc. You get the picture. Consequently, I buy and try and buy and try products over and over.
I have yet to find anything that truly works, at least for me. Is my skin too far gone for help? I have always thought I had taken great care of my skin. Sure, I sunbathed and got the occasional burn, but who didn’t in the 1980s. In my 20s, I got better using sunscreen. As an adult, I have always used an anti-aging cream of some sort. Every day I look in the mirror I find a new wrinkle or see more droopiness. This week my new worry has been my sagging eye lids. It depresses me to see myself age. I am not ready to look old. I feel so young on the inside despite the aches and pains. It’s funny how your mind thinks you’re still in your prime, but looking in the mirror snaps you back to reality.
My bathroom countertop seems to have millions of serums, creams, lotions, masks, makeup, etc. lined up, all containing various amounts left in them. There are some that I will keep using for now. Do they actually work? Maybe. Definitely not miracle workers, but I feel I see a very slight difference. Perhaps that gives me hope that there is a cure out there. I mean with all this technology out there; these scientists can’t find a cure for aging skin that isn’t surgery? Until then, I think I am going to continue to peruse the beauty aisles in Target. Did you notice that they expanded it not long ago? Or maybe head to the mall to check out Sephora or Ulta Beauty. Then again, I can just stay home and check out the latest must haves being hawked on social media.
As you know there is always another beauty product around the corner just waiting to be tried.
Thoughts, comments or concerns?
Wow, what an insightful post! Your perspective really shines through in every paragraph, and I love how clearly you break down the topic—it’s truly engaging. I recently put together a little roundup on oils that work wonders for curly hair and thought some readers here might enjoy. Keep up the fantastic work—I’m looking forward to your next post!