Beauty?
A British article I read talked about how British women are probably the most exquisite natural beauties when they're in their teens: fresh faced complexions with rosy cheeks, slender bodies and healthy, shiny hair. It then goes on to say that this is true, they adhere to "natural" because as they age they do not seem to make any effort to upkeep their appearance, and that's where American women have them beat. Americans (in general) go to extraordinary lengths to keep themselves looking fresh and youthful, whether it's going to the gym a few times a week and buying clothes that fit right...or regular botox injections, crazy low-carb/high-protein/no caffeine/no processed/no fat/low cal, etc. etc. diet. Although I definitely have heard the opposite, that British women are much more "posh" than Americans (and while we're at it, Europeans in general are more so than Americans) because we always dress casual and look like we're about to parade off to the beach. Who has it right? The British author who splits time between the UK and the US, or my friends who are studying abroad who see & hear how barbarian Americans take care of themselves? It's food for thought.
I'm totally paraphrasing here, if you want to see the actual article: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/beauty/article3029451.ece
Course it did make me think about how much time/effort I put into myself. Not the $700/month that the author talks about-I don't have that kind of money-but I have to say I do my fair share of upkeep. Probably a number of you would be frightened at how muc of an effort I make...
Daily attempts, but mostly failures
-Drinking 8 glasses of water (I probably consume closer to 5)
-Taking vitamins (I never remember)
Daily routine
Morning
-I wash my face with Aveeno daily facial scrub, or whatever they call it, and then brush my teeth. Followed by breakfast, using Aveeno daily moisturizer (with spf 15), and getting dressed.
-Then comes the hair: First a spritzing with Nexus Heat Protexx. After it dries, I use a flat iron...yes I know I have straight hair, but it won't be styled straight unless I use an iron. Blow drying it helps a little, but not enough that I ever bother doing it. After straightening it, I apply Garnier Fructis smoothing milk, and sometimes spritz with Herbal Essences "dangerously straight finishing spray." Aside from the heat one, the products that go on after sometimes vary-depends on what I feel like, but I have like a mini salon (I <3 CVS)
-Makeup: I use bare ecsentials foundation & mineral veil. I use the foundation all over, then spot it with a small brush for concealer, another dusting all-over, bronzer (instead of blush), and then the mineral veil. If I'm wearing contacts (rarely) I'll do a coat of mascara, otherwise nothing on the eyes. Lips is some sort of tinted lip gloss, whichever out of the various ones I have I like at the moment. Usually it's either Clinique's superblam, CS Bigelow menthal lip tint (from Bath & Body) or Cover Girl wet slicks fruit sprizters (as seen on the finale of ANTM).
Night
-Shower...which I have two versions of, because I wash my hair every other day. When I do, I usually shampoo with Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal shampoo, then follow with the conditioner. While it's still in my hair, I wash my face...currently using Clean & Clear deep action cleanser or whatever they call it. After that I rinse out the conditioner and put in John Frieda's clear glaze (supposed to help make your hair shiny-it's a waste of money, I'm not getting it again after I finish this bottle. It was $10 so not too horrible), and leave it in while I "shower." For being so picky about other stuff, I don't particularly care what body wash I use, as long as it doesn't make me smell like a boy.
-Before bed: brush my teeth, and use some kind of toner/astringent to get off anything that didn't wash away in the shower. After the shower, I spray on a leave in conditioner before I brush it, and I usually go to bed with my hair "towel dry" if I washed it, becaue I don't like taking the time to blow dry. Because I still have acne, but am paranoid about getting old (I'm crazy, I know) I use Neutrogena's anti-wrinkle/anti-blemish cream. No idea if it works. Then regular chapstick and lotion, then off to bed.
Weekly
I know, there's more! Actually, once a week I use a clarifying shampoo and extra intensive conditioner to get out any build-up and extra protection for my abused hair. I have a scrub/mask thing that I'm supposed to use once a week, but when I remember it's more like once a month.
So I don't even want to know how much I spend per month...seeing how most of the above products last for at least a couple of months, averaged out it's maybe like $50?
I know I'm a little insane, especially when it comes to haircare. Besides all the protective measures I take to prevent/repair damage from daily use of a flat iron, I cut it like every 3-4 months. Now if I could only manage to eat better, drink more water, and exercise, I'd be every bit the high maintenance American girl I'm "supposed" to be. I didn't even get into clothes and accessories...and for everyone's sake, lets just not go there.
I'm totally paraphrasing here, if you want to see the actual article: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/beauty/article3029451.ece
Course it did make me think about how much time/effort I put into myself. Not the $700/month that the author talks about-I don't have that kind of money-but I have to say I do my fair share of upkeep. Probably a number of you would be frightened at how muc of an effort I make...
Daily attempts, but mostly failures
-Drinking 8 glasses of water (I probably consume closer to 5)
-Taking vitamins (I never remember)
Daily routine
Morning
-I wash my face with Aveeno daily facial scrub, or whatever they call it, and then brush my teeth. Followed by breakfast, using Aveeno daily moisturizer (with spf 15), and getting dressed.
-Then comes the hair: First a spritzing with Nexus Heat Protexx. After it dries, I use a flat iron...yes I know I have straight hair, but it won't be styled straight unless I use an iron. Blow drying it helps a little, but not enough that I ever bother doing it. After straightening it, I apply Garnier Fructis smoothing milk, and sometimes spritz with Herbal Essences "dangerously straight finishing spray." Aside from the heat one, the products that go on after sometimes vary-depends on what I feel like, but I have like a mini salon (I <3 CVS)
-Makeup: I use bare ecsentials foundation & mineral veil. I use the foundation all over, then spot it with a small brush for concealer, another dusting all-over, bronzer (instead of blush), and then the mineral veil. If I'm wearing contacts (rarely) I'll do a coat of mascara, otherwise nothing on the eyes. Lips is some sort of tinted lip gloss, whichever out of the various ones I have I like at the moment. Usually it's either Clinique's superblam, CS Bigelow menthal lip tint (from Bath & Body) or Cover Girl wet slicks fruit sprizters (as seen on the finale of ANTM).
Night
-Shower...which I have two versions of, because I wash my hair every other day. When I do, I usually shampoo with Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal shampoo, then follow with the conditioner. While it's still in my hair, I wash my face...currently using Clean & Clear deep action cleanser or whatever they call it. After that I rinse out the conditioner and put in John Frieda's clear glaze (supposed to help make your hair shiny-it's a waste of money, I'm not getting it again after I finish this bottle. It was $10 so not too horrible), and leave it in while I "shower." For being so picky about other stuff, I don't particularly care what body wash I use, as long as it doesn't make me smell like a boy.
-Before bed: brush my teeth, and use some kind of toner/astringent to get off anything that didn't wash away in the shower. After the shower, I spray on a leave in conditioner before I brush it, and I usually go to bed with my hair "towel dry" if I washed it, becaue I don't like taking the time to blow dry. Because I still have acne, but am paranoid about getting old (I'm crazy, I know) I use Neutrogena's anti-wrinkle/anti-blemish cream. No idea if it works. Then regular chapstick and lotion, then off to bed.
Weekly
I know, there's more! Actually, once a week I use a clarifying shampoo and extra intensive conditioner to get out any build-up and extra protection for my abused hair. I have a scrub/mask thing that I'm supposed to use once a week, but when I remember it's more like once a month.
So I don't even want to know how much I spend per month...seeing how most of the above products last for at least a couple of months, averaged out it's maybe like $50?
I know I'm a little insane, especially when it comes to haircare. Besides all the protective measures I take to prevent/repair damage from daily use of a flat iron, I cut it like every 3-4 months. Now if I could only manage to eat better, drink more water, and exercise, I'd be every bit the high maintenance American girl I'm "supposed" to be. I didn't even get into clothes and accessories...and for everyone's sake, lets just not go there.