self portrait, Canon Rebel Xti

I was a bit late to the whole girly thing. I wasn’t a tomboy really, just super athletic and not ever really into the makeup thing. Oh, wait, except for that embarrassing period in the 80’s that featured lots of blue eyeshadow and bangs sprayed into a wall jutting several inches off my forehead. You guys remember that, right?

Anyway, I’ve been very minimal about the whole skin care, makeup, girl thing in my adult life. I feel like a 7th grader when I walk into the cosmetics store. I have no idea what the difference is between cover up, concealer and foundation. I’m not sure if I need a lip pencil or an eyebrow pencil or how you remove all that mascara without waking up with dark circles underneath your eyes? Oh, and one more thing. I have never washed my face. Only water in the shower, no soap or anything else. In my own way, I think I’ve been rebelling. (Against the whole beauty industry thing and the way women are expected to dress and pretty up)

But lately I’ve been inspired.

It’s mostly as a result of getting older (ack!) and having my hormones go haywire from having a baby. When I returned from Puerto Rico, where I got lots of sun, I realized that my face had new freckles and dark patches. I was a bit horrified… and did some research. It’s called hyperpigmentation and is totally common as we age but one more reason to keep our sunscreen on. (A friend of mine has the most adorable spot on her face in the shape of a heart)

In honor of my new post-baby skin, I decided to splurge on my first facial. I have to admit, I felt all glowly afterwards. And I totally drank the koolaid on the whole skin product thing. I am now washing my face for the first time since high school! and mostly because she used the yummiest stuff called Eminence. It’s organic and lovely. It is also gently and slowly helping to lighten the darkened patches on my skin. I thought I discovered a brand new thing, but it turns out my sister is also a big fan and my favorite store down the street just started carrying it. I thought I’d share it in case you are looking for a healthy way to feed your skin. I’ve been loving all of the stone crop products and the SPF30 powder is amazing.

Oh, and I just got an eyebrow wax for the first time ever. Not convinced, but it was fun to try. How am I so late to all this stuff? How do you like to get girly? I’m just learning that it can be kind of fun.