The Single Woman's Facial Regiment
Yes, here I am before I had a baby cruising around Ethiopia. Yup, I washed my face twice a day. I always used my daily exfoliant, toner, eye cream, serum, and night and day face creams. I had multiple masks and used them two - three times weekly. To top it all off, I got facials once every three months. I used high end organic face care products. And was super committed!
My friend and I used to joke about how we could fit all our belongings in one suitcase and travel around the world. If you looked inside, you would find that a quarter of the bag was body care products. Even on my many month excursions in developing nations, I prioritized my skin. When I narrowly averted death and burned my face, arms and chest in Ethiopia, I was sure glad for all my skin products! And now as a mom, I always have my handbag packed with the essentials. I'm being straight forward because being prepared and taking care of your skin daily as well as in emergencies is crucial. So let's look at the mom's life and her skin care more closely.
My friend and I used to joke about how we could fit all our belongings in one suitcase and travel around the world. If you looked inside, you would find that a quarter of the bag was body care products. Even on my many month excursions in developing nations, I prioritized my skin. When I narrowly averted death and burned my face, arms and chest in Ethiopia, I was sure glad for all my skin products! And now as a mom, I always have my handbag packed with the essentials. I'm being straight forward because being prepared and taking care of your skin daily as well as in emergencies is crucial. So let's look at the mom's life and her skin care more closely.
Then I Had a Baby
Many mothers will relate, I couldn't find any web appropriate pictures of me postpartum until my son is about 2 months old.
Here we are. I highly doubt my face was cleaned twice this day. I know I hadn't had a facial in three months (pha!), but I did still use organic face care products. I'm sure I had down graded from the $60 face cream to the $15 one though. The priority just wasn't there. And at first it wasn't a big deal. However, I started to notice my skin losing its luster after a couple more months of negligence.
Here we are. I highly doubt my face was cleaned twice this day. I know I hadn't had a facial in three months (pha!), but I did still use organic face care products. I'm sure I had down graded from the $60 face cream to the $15 one though. The priority just wasn't there. And at first it wasn't a big deal. However, I started to notice my skin losing its luster after a couple more months of negligence.
The Big Shift
One day last year, when I was looking in the mirror, I just couldn't stand it anymore. I wanted to feel good when I saw my reflection. I wasn't expecting 22 or anything, but let's face it, these wrinkles were not becoming of a 33 year old. So I recommitted.
I made a drastic shift. This is a great tip for any new mom who hasn't figured it out.
First, I got real! The old days of long face care rituals were over. Motherhood just doesn't allow for it. However, I still needed to nurture my face. And then it dawned on me: put the products in the shower! So I did. Not just my face wash, but my exfoliant and my mask moved into the shower, too. And just like that I had figured out the obstacle and removed it. When the products lived in a closet, I couldn't find time to make a special moment for face care. I take a shower daily - and there in lay the solution.
I made a drastic shift. This is a great tip for any new mom who hasn't figured it out.
First, I got real! The old days of long face care rituals were over. Motherhood just doesn't allow for it. However, I still needed to nurture my face. And then it dawned on me: put the products in the shower! So I did. Not just my face wash, but my exfoliant and my mask moved into the shower, too. And just like that I had figured out the obstacle and removed it. When the products lived in a closet, I couldn't find time to make a special moment for face care. I take a shower daily - and there in lay the solution.
Make It Work For Your Lifestyle
So now, I incorporate my various elements of nurturing in the place I end up daily - the shower. It's as easy as washing my hair. I know it may not happen with a newborn baby because most of us don't even get to shave one leg in the very beginning. However, my strategy is this: My water-loving toddler stands and plays in the shower while I do everything from my hair washing to starting my facial mask. Then, I get out and our shower time evolves into his bath time. I now finish up my regiment, take off the mask, apply my toner and cream, etc. all while he enjoys playing with the bath toys. It was so liberating to find a way to manage my facial self-care into my daily mothering life. Some people may have someone else to watch their child or children while they do this, but many of us do not. If you are anything like me, this may be helpful.
My Facial Self-Care Ritual
I would love to share my favorite face care products with you, too. I really used to love the whole Eminence line of organic face care products because it's made from fruits and vegetables. However, it is pricey, and it's the kind of line where you need many products to be effective. As a busy mama, I had to slim it down.
Here is what I use:
1. A pure, organic face wash like Humphrey's Witch Hazel and Jasmine Cleansing Milk or a like a line called Himalaya Herbal Healthcare depending on the season. Whatever it is, it MUST have ALOE VERA in it for hydration.
2. Then I use Hibiscus Healing Herbal Face Toner with Jackass Bitters for the anti-everything properties. I prefer my toner in a spray bottle because I don't have time to deal with cotton balls.
3. Finally, I use one cream that does takes care of the eye cream, serum, and day or night cream: True Science Face Cream.
4. Sometimes I add Elemi, an Essential Oil, for stubborn blemishes.
This is my Facial Self-Care twice a day. One is during a bathing ritual. Every other day I exfoliate. Right now I love Exfoliating Walnut & Wood Apple Face Scrub, and once a week I do a mask. There are so many to choose from. Have fun with it and find the one that suits your inner flavor.
Here is what I use:
1. A pure, organic face wash like Humphrey's Witch Hazel and Jasmine Cleansing Milk or a like a line called Himalaya Herbal Healthcare depending on the season. Whatever it is, it MUST have ALOE VERA in it for hydration.
2. Then I use Hibiscus Healing Herbal Face Toner with Jackass Bitters for the anti-everything properties. I prefer my toner in a spray bottle because I don't have time to deal with cotton balls.
3. Finally, I use one cream that does takes care of the eye cream, serum, and day or night cream: True Science Face Cream.
4. Sometimes I add Elemi, an Essential Oil, for stubborn blemishes.
This is my Facial Self-Care twice a day. One is during a bathing ritual. Every other day I exfoliate. Right now I love Exfoliating Walnut & Wood Apple Face Scrub, and once a week I do a mask. There are so many to choose from. Have fun with it and find the one that suits your inner flavor.
Curious for More Facial Self-Care? Check-out My Colleague Diane Avitable
I absolutely love when I can find time for the extra love of a facial. Often, the Esthetician helps me understand what products will help me nurture my skin more effectively. I am honored to share Diane Avitable with you because she gives guidance in this department!
Here's what Diane offers:
"Interested in a professional consultation to help you find your customized skin care regimen to get you on path of finding the skin you love and keeping it? Contact me for a free 30 minute consultation to a get personal 3-5 step regimen to meet your skin care goals." dianeavitable.com
Go ahead you're worth it!
Here's what Diane offers:
"Interested in a professional consultation to help you find your customized skin care regimen to get you on path of finding the skin you love and keeping it? Contact me for a free 30 minute consultation to a get personal 3-5 step regimen to meet your skin care goals." dianeavitable.com
Go ahead you're worth it!
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