Chandler Burr has trashed the new release Chloe in his reviews – in writing and in person – so when it showed up as a sample in a Sak’s order, I thought… well, let’s give it a whirl and see if I agree or not. The little sniff I had before was on paper, and that tells me next to nothing. Notes of peony, lychée, freesia, rose, magnolia, lily of the valley, amber and cedar wood. Peony is a note I adore in everything, so I should be pre-disposed to liking this. It goes on like a floral dud. Seems big and then just bursts, scatters into nothing very interesting at all. There’s almost the smell of bug spray in there. Must be a synthetic note that’s just off in my nose. But with that, and with the proviso that a note may be coloring the whole thing for me, this is awful. It’s mushy with no definition, just a big ole floral soup. Gah.
Now, why do we have the Vanity picture? Well, I treated myself today to the first in a series of 3-5 IPL photofacials. I used to be out in the sun a lot when I was a kid, either working on the farm or later just sunbathing trying to get as dark a tan as my very fair, English skin could manage. Over the years, capillaries broke, there was a lot of underlying sun damage on my face, which is kinda cute when you’re young. As I now am within spitting distance of that major age milestone, the ruddiness on my cheeks/nose was just bugging me. I kept putting off doing the IPL (intense pulsed light) because it is costy and unnecessary, and it really doesn’t add anything to my life or my worth or well-being… except, well, I wanted to be able to once again run around without any foundation on my face and not feel/look like the ruddy washwoman fresh from the steamy suds.
Listen, if you have rosacea or broken capillaries or acne scars or just a really uneven skin tone that makes you feel not as fresh-faced as you would like or that you always have to have your face on before you exit the house… go.now.do.IPL. Save your pennies, take out a second mortgage on your house, just do it. With one treatment, even with the little pinkness the first day, my complexion looks clear as a bell, fresh, youthful. I can’t even imagine what 2-4 more treatments will do, but I absolutely will be able to not even bother putting on foundation – just throw on some eyeshadow and mascara and be done with it.
What is the treatment like? It’s a little annoying. You get all trussed up on your cot, they put on goggles, then she just pulses your skin with the laser. It feels like a little bit of a rubber band snapping your skin. The first few minutes are annoying, but then you get used to it. When they are going over the more sensitive areas around your nose, cheeks, with the most damage, then it can get really annoying, but it doesn’t take long. The forehead is the weirdest, because even with the goggles, you get the bright red light somewhere in your optical area – a strange sensation. Takes about 60 minutes from start to finish.
Am I vain? Not really. And just a little. Yes, those two opposites can live in perfect tension. Nothing in me wants to be young again, I’m just not ready to be old.
How much vanity can a woman live with once she gets to a certain age, and how much aging does she have to put up with so she doesn’t become a cartoon character of herself? This goes for men, too, because I know more and more men are doing cosmetic procedures. How do we know when we’ve gone too far?
I thought of your post today when I was staring at a row of perfumes at local Kohl’s. I was perusing blushes (Good Skin is surprisingly excellent, for the price), when my eyes lit on Ashley Judd’s “bespoke”, if you could call it that, since she’s the spokemodel of the line. It was called “Beloved”, and the bottle was eerily similar to not only the new Chloé but even more obviously SJP Lovely as well. I wonder if not a lot of the contemporary releases are not modeled after the dainty pink translucence of Lovely, for its real commercial success, but it’s horrifying how much they miss the mark in terms of smelling good.
Vanity preserves us, especially us women, from the truth very, very well. [grins] I’ll admit I’m not much attached to my looks, for I am not in truth the sort of person to notice how people feel or react to me, but I have my fair share of intellectual vanity, and I know it’s to prevent myself from acknowledging how often I make mistakes. I imagine the physical kind is more or less the same thing. One of the things that makes me the most angry is how the skincare industry deliberately exploits our insecurities; if you think the perfume industry can be a scam, then skincare a few departments over deserves a far darker pit in hell. Perfume just says, “we sell you popular, we sell you sexy, we sell you cool,” and even occasionally, “we sell you interesting and artistic”, and can fail to deliver on its promise, but sell of skincare is more like, “IF YOU AGE YOU ARE NOTHING SO GIVE US $400 FOR THIS JAR OF CREAM!” It’s incredibly forceful propaganda–don’t get acne, don’t age, use chemicals!, use botanicals! I’m serious about this. For example, did you know that most eye creams are the same product as face creams, when it comes to ingredients, or more importantly, in terms of effect? They add a few more emollients to make it richer, throw it into a smaller jar, so that you’ll open your wallet for the other “necessary” product. Your face moisturizer, unless it has something harsh in it, does essentially the same thing, which is to say, moisturize (I should add, unless you want to treat a specific condition such as puffiness or dark circles, though the latter really has no great cure except concealer–but I digress). Flankers? Pshaw. The skincare industry could teach the perfume industry a thing or two. Perfume is much kinder.
Patty, may I ask a slightly different question? I’ve been trying to get my hands on some Coup de Fouet, for layering over some smoky leather (currently Montale Oud Cuir d’Arabie, but I haven’t decided yet), and though I’ve emailed them a couple of times they have retained a stony silence. I was wondering if this was usual?
*sigh* I always find myself going on and on about… :-\”
Dain –
I must applaud an incredibly thoughtful post. I spent many years in the cosmetics industry (retail and brand advertising) before making a bizarre transition into machining so I know the drill (in 1980 it cost approx. 3c to make a lipstick). Even though I know the scam from top to bottom (the 300% markup – at every transfer point- plus, barring the occasional breakthough ingredient, they’re all pretty much the same), it’s tough as that pit of hell to resist the incredible lures! I’ve become a bit of a reverse snob on some cosmetics for that reason. For example, I used to use BeneFit’s alpha-h creme @ $30 a pop but they discontinued it to reformulate. I was devastated! A young SA, who earned a place in heaven that day, told me to go to Walgreen’s and get their AH creme or lotion……it does the exact same thing for $5.99 and it’s now my drug of choice! Same with the generic version of Cellex-C…. the list could go on forever.
At least with perfume you can immediately determine if YOU think the price is right, don’t you think? I mean, it doesn’t matter if it costs $300 for a Malle or $14.95 for a Coty – if the scent makes you feel beautiful then the price is worth it! Of course, I’m working on a specific premise here, that people buy scent, in general, for how it smells. I’m not talking about the nuances discussed on boards like this one – just that people wouldn’t wear a noxious ‘fume because it’s hyped hard, would they? That would be more painful than wearing too-small shoes. I suspect that’s exactly why so many mainstream brands are so uninteresting (IMO). If they’re neutral enough it allows the pervasive marketing to do its job!
Excellent post! I really enjoyed reading it (I also agree with your comments on intellectual vanity – got that, too, alas. I’m just a seething mass of VANITY :((
Why thank you, that is very kind.
Ah, my friend.
The old conundrum.
A propos of Chloe- ugh.
But WHAT a glorious bottle.
Too bad I can’t wear the bottle.
Back to procedures-
I guess I spend too much on perfume to have much left over, haha…
That, and college loans.
I figure my Tri-Luma costs enough-
But YOU’LL tell me if it’s worth it, in April.
[Never met a Sag who wasn’t ‘hoof-in-mouth’ truthful !]
Enjoy your rejuvenation, love.
Lord knows, we still have plenty to atone for….
Of course, as a Sag, I’ll only be able to tell you how beautiful you are 😡
Nothing to atone for this year…
Funny thing is I just had a long conversation with my 17 year old daughter about the reasons behind cosmetics and related subjects. I wear none but at my age am really noticing that it is harder to get away with a naked face and the under chin lines annoy me. Would I do something about them? Probably not but only because it would take effort that I funnel into other areas.
Now please tell me that the image above was meant to be seen as two images? That the skull is there as some very subtle comment on age etc? It is just that no-one else has commented on it.
I noticed that first thing and then promptly forgot about it! I’m sure it was intended(there’s a term for that (it’s like “magic eye” art – how declasse is that?:-ss (emoticon is NOT using a handkerchief!) and as a painter I should know it but I slept through Art Theory:”> someone on this board who didn’t sleep through will be able to tell you!
Btw –
Patty’s apt title of this post is from the Bible, talkin’ bout our focus on this world instead of the heavenly plain we should be aspiring to, that the world is cyclical (those born will die, etc) and all that…
..but heck, while we’re here we might as well look good and smell divine! (IMHO)
So, I’ve been telling myself, that if I just get enough sleep, or drink more water my frown lines will go away…guessing this isn’t actually the case, but thought I would face up to that in another 5 years…:-s
:”>….About Chloe;this is really a damn shame…this was a perfume I wore a lot for years,and received lots of compliments…it was simple,but ‘good’,ya’ know?Casaque was another one,and the remake was THE WORST….as you may notice,I’m saving the cosmetic surgery for last;and the reason is(please don’t barf)…I used Mary Kay for 30 years,and my skin is still knock-out,tanning beds and all…so being waaaay over 50,I made a decision to spend $$$$ on GREAT haircuts & color,have my nails look great,keep a (fake)tan,and dress with very simple flair,so as not to look like the great-grandmother I am….would I go for more,if I was the age of ya’ll???? YEEEES!!!!…..I used to feel so wierd about my ‘fume’ addiction….but,of course having discovered the Posse,this has dispersed(Lord,I wrote this with no wine…I’m losin’ it)….carry on ladies!@-)^:)^
I know people who Mary Kay works great on, and they look stunning. I think it’s a skin match for some people, but it never worked for me, unfortunately.
I think we all should keep trying, even it small ways, all the way to the bitter, haggard end. 😮
Patty, have you tried Isomers skincare? You can read up on them at Isomers.ca. I’ve found them brilliant, you never know.
at the risk of sounding like a killjoy….
I go for judicious shaping in foundation garments (nordie’s is great) and light weightlifting along with regular walking. I know, I know,…. but it is amazing the difference I have found with only 10 minutes a day of upper body work using hand held weights from Target – built-in support! And the exercise helps the rest of me stay in shape, gives me energy and resilience, and will help me age well. That plus good sunscreen!
Kim, you are so right. I’m a fitness instructor and have been working out consistently for over 20 years. I have managed to keep all of my bits right where they belong and have maintained the same weight since my 20’s. Maybe try some kickboxing. Gets all the aggression out. I like to test a new perfume, then do a class. Talk about skank!:d
Agree on the walking. I try and do 30-60 minutes a day walking/running on the treadmill. I fell apart over the winter with being sick, and I could really feel it. I’ve also added in weights for the upper body, and it’s amazing how just a little every day really does a world of good.
I had IPL done several times, but finally abandoned it because the brown spots and broken capillaries just kept coming back and it felt like a financial black hole. But the laser hair removal was fantastic, that was definitely worth the money!
I don’t have any hair on me! Fair complected and all my hair is just light and looks invisible. 🙂
I’m hoping this sticks halfway decent, but I’m happy to go back a couple of times a year for a refresher. I know she said it’s not permanent.
Underarms, forearms, legs, bikini…great to not have to shave!
Awww, the same broken capillaries come right back?
Going too far…I know my limits. Some years ago, and as a result of thyroid problems, I put on some weight. As some of my friends had had a liposuction and were telling wonders about it, I decided it was no big deal and got one. The sight of my bruised, blackened legs made me cry. On no account am I going to make my healthy body go through something like that again (not to mention the pain!).
I am really sorry to hear about the trauma of that.
Oh, I’m so sorry! I just don’t think I could do it, but people do make it sound like it’s no big deal. Then I watch those discovery/health shows on tv, and it just looks really traumatic!
I’m really interested to see what our resident Hollywood expert–Tom–has to say about all this. I’m sure he sees quite a parade of botched botox faces each day.
I’m totally against plastic surgery, but I’m not against cosmetic procedures where no cutting (or injections) are involved. Facials, peels, waxing, masks, etc. Though I’ve never even gotten a manicure, I would totally do any of these things if I had the money. I’m only scared of facials because I hear you break out really badly after your first.
I’ve had two facials, and I was older when I first got one, but I don’t remember breaking out at all. I think you should go for it. It’s an excellent feel-good thing that’s not horribly pricey!
I second Patty’s recommendation. I get facials about once every 6 weeks (I spend time in very dirty environments, like foundries and machine shops) and they are great. Exceptionally relaxing, too! Do your homework, though, on the facialist – you don’t want somebody who is really rough on the skin. The best thing is to find someone whose skin care results you admire and ask their recommendations.
If you’re scared of the breakouts (and it’s unlikely) schedule your appt. for a Friday where you have no weekend plans. Any issues will be gone by Monday.
Well, of course one can see the results of bad/too much plastic surgery wandering the aisles of everyplace from PinkBerry to Neimans here. That’s the rub- you notice the bad ones because the good ones aren’t noticeable.
Over the past several years there’s this one actress (whom I will not name) I’ve kept running into, on the corner of Canon and Little Santa Monica, at the local Coffee Bean, etc. Now this woman’s big claim to fame was a TV show in the 70’s and now 30 years later she looks 35, tops. Nothing is drawn tight, her face isn’t frozen, and her skin in dewy (and I’ve seen her with no make-up). That’s what expert surgery does.
Either that or she has a deal with the devil..
at the risk of sounding like a commercial, if you have any type of skin problem, from rosacea to acne to sun damage, and you want to find out what really will work on your skin, please read Paula Begoun’s book, or go to her website, cosmeticscop. she researches products and all the new wonder ingredients to see if they live up to claims, and her own products are wonderful and inexpensive. she will recommend others’ products along with her own if they are good. it can be disheartening to find out how much cosmetics companies lie about their products. i had breakouts and redness for years, and each thing i tried would work a little bit, and for a little while, but nothing really helped until i read up on which ingredients would really work for me.
she also discusses various cosmetic procedures in her books, and many of them are quite effective, depending on how much money you can spend. she talks about her own experience with botox, and it was positive.
it is easy now to go too far with cosmetics procedures, because our insecurities about ourselves can stretch as far as our money does. i mean, look at nicole kidman! she was beautiful before the nose job – and before the recent chemical peel/botox/boob job stuff – now she looks weirdly waxen and can’t smile properly.
quite a few procedures can freshen you up, which is wonderful. too many turn you into something you’re not.
I couldn’t agree more. About 10-15 yrs ago this beautiful anchorwoman in Chicago – I think her name was Esposito? decided that her perfect lips needed a little ‘work’….and from then on all you could see were these ginormous wax lips!
And don’t get me started on Melanie Griffith, whose own husband has put a moratorium on any further work! I can’t even tell whose face she’s got on her head!=))
I am all about aging gracefully and think it’s totally okay to have work done, as long as it’s kept within the realm of practical reality (I say that because I doubt that Nicole Kidman’s ‘reality’ in any way resembles my own). Everybody on here makes excellent points about moderation. I’m not much for knife or needle…but I’m good for a sandblast every six months!!! :
I second the Paula Begoun recommendation.
I third the Paula Begoun recommendation. I used to buy her books, Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, but now you can read it online at Beautypedia.com and it is updated very frequently. After I read her recommendations, then I check the products out on MUA.
I haven’t sniffed Chloe, Lilly of the Valley is always a deal breaker for me. Robin has a very interesting article today on NST..that the notes given out for perfumes are not even necessarily a good clue to what you can expect it to smell like. I have had that experience so many times.
But how do you think people actually know when they’ve gone too far? I suspect a good number of people have some body issues that cloud how accurately they perceive themselves, or they are aiming for perfection instead of just keeping the aged wolves at bay for a bit.
very true. i think most people are just limited by money or access. but the cheaper, safer and more accessible it gets …
remember that twilight zone where everybody had cosmetic surgery, and all had the same face? all blond and blue-eyed? scary…
8-x
How do you know when it’s too far? When it starts putting the rest of your body at risk, IMHO. That includes the stress from having to make all of those payments! I have considered, occasionally, getting a little extra up top (still can’t quite fill a B), but I know that it would be such a bad idea considering my second job as a fencing coach. I’ll opt for the ‘enhancing’ undergarments as well.
BTW, my mother used to wear Chloe, and swore that they reformulated it sometime in the late 90’s–she stopped wearing it after that. She was horrified by the new version.
Having gone the other way in the boobage department, I always recommend staying with the small sizes. 🙂
It’s amazing what the docs can do for our skin now. I’m 50 this year, and have had IPL, Botox, mild glycolic peels. Helps a lot. The first IPL treatment made the biggest difference for me. The others just cleaned up after the first one. Amazing treatment…maybe it’s time to do it again. Know what else I’ve had done? Hair removal…best thing since Lasik, and not too expensive.
Doing these things is like wearing perfume. It’s all to make us feel better and enhance our day. Remember when you’re happy, you have the energy to make others happy. Nothing wrong with that…
How many treatments did you wind up getting in all?
Four, I think(?). Maybe five. Yep, too many years as a lifeguard in my youth. Sun-damage up the wazoo…
I have the same questions about aging. When ARE you supposed to throw in the towel? I’m past the big 4 0 by a couple of years & no matter how many times people tell me how young I look, I KNOW how old I am. I recently got on that highly commercial acne treatment that’s endorsed by so many stars. I decided I couldn’t deal with acne & wrinkles. It’s working really well so I guess I’ll eventually have to deal with the onset of wrinkles. I’m actually thinking of checking into Restylane. I’m not sure if I’m willing to follow in my Mother’s footsteps. She’s been overhauled several times & is looking to go back for more. I told her eventually she’ll have eyes on the sides of her head. I guess what I’m saying is that everyone has to find that happy medium and when someone figures out how to do that please share it with the rest of us.
As far as the Chloe, I’m not feeling so bad that I missed out on the bug spray floral. :)>-
Melissa, just a suggestion. If you are looking into Restalyn, check out Juvederm as well. My experience with the Restalyn was bruising and bumps that lasted a week also a little more painful going in. Juvederm, a little pricier, had no bruising or bumps and easier going in. Also lasts about 3 months longer
No overhauling for me! If your lips disappearing are bothering you, juvederm or restylane is awesome. It’s such a subtle thing, you don’t look like you’ve been dabbling in the surgery jar at all.
Patty, if you love Peony, did you get a chance to try NM’s Trance? I love the peony in that!
Your question is a question for people with $$$. Not me, beyond getting my hair colored. All of us are supposed to go lighter in foundation as we age. But…you’re not going to put on any lip gloss (or MAC lip luster, in my case)?
I am *really* happy for your results! I had some kind of strange light treatment when I was a teen for acne. I know what it’s like to go from having skin you hate to having skin you love. >:d<
I am also a peony fan, thanks for the NM rec Debbie. Keep ’em coming!
You’re welcome. It’s beautiful.
I liked Trance, but it just didn’t quite do it for me. Not sure why.
I think whether it’s cosmetics and makeup or whatever, everyone has to address what they are going to do as they age — fight it a little, a lot or go gracefully into the wrinkles and saggy, soft skin. 🙂
Not much lip anything for me. My lips are hard on lipstick and lip gloss, so I wear very little, if any.
I’m all for feeling better about yourself, and if you can afford it, go for it. I’ve done Restylane – time to refresh – is Juvederm better? Right now, I draw the line at any procedure where the consent form talks about risk of death. Patty, would you email me with the name of the Dr./center where you’ve been going? I wasn’t thrilled with where I went last time, and we’re both in Denver. Thanks!
I really prefer the juvaderm. I think they both give similar look, but the juvederm just feels like me an dnot like some foreigh thing. I think the price was the same. I use Dr. Adrienne Stewart down on about 2nd and University.
Oh, one more thing, on the subject of skin care
Philosphy has a really good line. though my favorite exfoliater lately has been jojoba oil and sugar. Then followed with either a honey mask or some moistuerizer mixed with vitamin c powder. my skin never felt so smooth and bright.
To the coffee pot!:d
Actually, I did get some good underwear…though for a really pretty penny. I used to be a decent B/C but after the baby, I’m in E/F territory, and no more wild days of bralessness and lawlessness for me. The girls are looking a little sad when they look at the floor. DH loves it, and I am sure all those boys in HS would die if they saw me now (I fortunately retained my small waist, that combined with some spanx suction looks pretty hot.)
Downside to bigger chest is the back ache, the need to wear a bra all the time and feelign like a circus freak being a petite girl with dolly parton girls.
Boy, I feel like this is tmfi, so I’m going to go make some coffee and hush up!
The way I see it, if we buy makeup or face creams, why not do procedures that are safe? I’m personally surgery phobic, but lasers? I definitely plan to take advantage of them (fraxel treatments are sounding brilliant) and some injectables (my neighbor had Restalyne under his eyes last week and the difference is shocking). I think the critical key is having a superb, not just good, doctor do them. And I think that same doctor will make sure a person puts on the brakes and doesn’t do too much.
I had zero hopes for this latest Chloe, but am now thinking I need to find the original on ebay or at Jaime’s site.
I thought about fraxel, but the lasers are better with broken capillaries.
I doubt I’ll ever go under the knife, I just really hate surgery and want to avoid it at all costs, so it’s just not appealing in the least!
Patty, that Chloe? That Chloe suuuuuuucks. Really, really horrible. We smelled it that day in NYC and I thought, bug spray layered with oven cleaner.
Then I smelled it in the magazine strip — bad.
Then I smelled it at Saks (becuz I am a glutton for punishment and — still bad! Honestly, that weird, sickly sweet-sour thing going on like perfume that you know is covering something bad for you like Raid.
I am so happy you are happy! All my beauty, inward and out, is of course 100% natural 😉 , but I too suffer from rosacea and I have heard … oh, okay. Having the rosacea zapped periodically is so monumentally worth it I don’t even think about the cost.
Re: the boobs (a couple of people up there complained) — can I say three words? A Good Bra? Preferably by a bra fitter? I did that a couple years ago and it was hilarious/embarrassing. I tried to take my old bra “as backup” and she made me throw it in the trash… :”> wearing a decent bra makes a huge difference.
Dangit on the Chloe! I tried it,twice, to no good end (luckily no Raid – just sort of blah, like Patty said). I’m hoping there is someone on this board for whom this scent is the HG…I have two really nice EdP samples, brand-new…:-?
Tried it on El Oso…actually smells better on him than on me – but he ain’t about to wear it! Not that it’s a ‘girl’ scent, he thinks it smells like some bath gel he used to use…
Finally got to Bois Farine! Smells like booze-soaked Cheerios on first blast…dries down to something really nice and warm and toasty. El O really liked it – says it smells like daisies (??)
ps. you were right about Prada Infusion d’Iris…really like it. It starts out kind of oily and round…but is drying down to a very soft, woody floral (does that make sense?)..anyway, I like it!
xo
All of that from Bois Farine? I just get bread; great bread. I loved it enough to order a FB. I have a friend whose only fragrance tolerance is toward those that smell like food. I figure Bois Farine should be acceptable. (Throwing cloak over shoulder)…I shall test it tomorrow.b-)
To be honest, I think that’s why El O liked it – he is not one to miss a meal – but it wouldn’t ever occur to him that a fragrance could smell like chow.
I get Cheerios instead of bread but it’s pretty much the same thing, I think. Since I’ve started that slide into menopause I’ve noticed a greater sensitivity to the alcohol blast in a lot of perfumes. L’Artisan is a line I love – but it takes a minute for my nose to get past the alcohol.
Hope your friend likes BF. I’m not sure yet if it’s bottle-worthy but I have a big enough sample that I’ll have time to check it out at leisure.
How often do you have to go in and get re-zapped?
yeah, I thought the Chloe was wretched, but allowing that it was on a paper stript, I thought, hey… maybe! No go.
Well, the new Chloe really was a mess, worse luck. When they discontinue something that has been loved by many (although I was never too much of a fan personally) to replace with something inspid with the same name it’s irritating.
I am glad your cosmetic procedure has paid so handsomely and you’re glad: it sounds like something easy too!
Re: going too far. When one feels that they *simply must* do something in order to feel happy, then yes, one is going too far. Happiness shouldn’t rely on focusing on imperfections and how few of them are there…
That’s perfect. if I ever felt like I needed some cosmetic procedure to be happy, I’d make an appointment with a therapist instead.
I’ve never been the tanning type, though why I have these broken veins on my nose, I’ll never know (hic! Just kidding – I hardly drink). I’d get em done like a shot.
We need before and afters, don’t we? Eh, girl?
I’ll see if I can snag them when I get done with the series of treatments. They have them at the doc’s office, and I’m sure they can print me a copy. It will be fun!
Well, my nose broken veins *May* be attributable to a little excess drinking. 🙂
Good for you! I’d love to have my rosacea gone. But as I mentioned somewhere before, now that I am no longer pushing 50, I’m dragging it, I’d prefer to get my boobs off my beltbuckle first. Geez, if I knew I was gonna live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself. That first job picking cotton did not help my complexion, bonnet or not.
Well, there is a lot of merit in that. I did a breast reduction surgery about 6-7 years ago. I wasn’t that overly developed, but it was just enough that I had the deep grooves in my shoulders, upper back pain all the time. Best thing I ever did.
I did one of those UV skin scans last year where they show you how much horrid ugly sun damage you have. It was … unpleasant. And I’ve had bad skin since my teens so I’m probably a bit oversensitive but, I can’t imagine liking my skin enough to go out *naked*. Would I consider IPL if I had the cash? Hell yeah. Would I go further … eh, probably not. I know a woman who’s almost 70. She had so much really good work done when she lived in LA that she looks 40somethingish. It’s astounding. Would I risk my life under the knife & mortgage the house I can’t even afford to buy yet to preserve myself? No way. Not important enough to me.
However. Just found Darphin products. They really ARE better than Aveeno & even MD Skincare. Bah. Will I cough up the $$ to get a stash. Yeah. Damnit. Darn SpaceNK SAs.
Yup, they did one of those on me, and it scared the crap out of me.
They did put me on Nia 24, which is suppposed to help reverse rosacea and sun damage. I just started using it, and I’m a freak about face products and have used some incredibly expensive ones, and these are excellent. Provides terrific SPF for day. And in the scale of expensive skin creams, they’re not that bad, and you can find them online or on eBay for a little discount. All the employees at the dermatologist have started using it, they love it that much.
Agree that it’s not always worth it, but my shock at the difference with just one treatment left me pretty flabbergasted at what modern cosmescience is doing.
Hmm, not sure if it’d mix well with Tazorac, my md’s poison of choice for me. But I do need to start thinking sunscreen now that I’ve quit using Aveno & Olay … I don’t think the spf in my foundation is enough for summer. You know this comes out of my perfume budget, don’t you???
Best sunscreen EVAH!? Anthelios by LaRoche-Posay. It’s got Mexoryl XL in it, the stuff that doesn’t degrade in the sun. L’Oreal does one too, but it is really heavily perfumed and a little goopier. I started using it about 2 years ago, when I realized that riding for 8 hours a day on weekends was wrecking my skin. MUA has some reviews on it. I mix it with Mercier’s tinted moisturizer and it works just fine. It’s a little heavy BUT! really keeps the sun damage at bay. I don’t think you need it for everyday wear, unless you are spending a lot of time outside…but for weekend activities that put your skin in sun’s way, it can’t be beat!
Not too expensive, either, so you can keep buying the ‘fume!
I agree; I’m using it too. I’d wondered about the Olay, so thanks for saving me a few bucks.
Er, I mean, L’Oreal.
looove that Anthelios! A friend of mine turned me onto it and I won’t leave the house without it if I know I’ll be in sunlight for more than 15 minutes.:d
Oops!!! Well, a good sunscreen isn’t bad. IS something or other has a powder sunscreen. So you get a little color from the powder, plus an spf 25, and I think that was like 20-something dollars.
I totally trust your information re: cosmetic procedures. Absolutely. I can’t tell you how helpful it was to have you share your Botox with a little R. here. I followed and it was exactly how you described it. So, thank you again Patty!!!
Oh, that’s so good to know. So do you like the results? I went to juvederm the last time I Had it done, and I like it better from how it feels, it doesn’t feel foreign, just feels like my own lip.
well…too far — pammy-lee. She was so cute when they had just discovered her, now she scares me. And that lady who had all the surgeries to look more like a cat. yikes. Michael Jackson. enough said
It seems like it can be addictive and you usually end up looking like a freakish version of your self, or even worse, get botched.
That being said, I’m looking forward to the end of my child bearing days so I can have the girls, the tummy and a few other things put back up where they belong!
Yeah, those examples are really clear of overkill, but I think I’m worried about subtly going past the line. I know haven’t even come near it right now, and I’m not likely to, being fairly pain averse, but… there is a little wattle assembling on my neck that I’m hoping diet will clear up, but if it doesn’t… well, thermage maybe?
I keep thinking as long as it’s a gentle pullback without changing essentially my look – though I know people who do cosmetic procedures like nose jobs, chin implants, etc., that are incredibly helpful in making them feel better about their looks – it’s okay. If I start altering the person in the mirror, then I’ve gone too far?
It worries me, I don’t want to be one of those people.
Yes, those were extreme examples. Though, I do have some friends who get one procedure, then another, then another. Houston seems to be a plastic surgery hole.
I have had friends who had pretty good results with thermage, and for something less invasive it’s supposed to be a pretty good deal. your talking about the shot thing, right?
I saw a photo of Pamela Anderson Back in The Day not long ago. I’d forgotten how really pretty she was. Now …. :-ss