Progress on Clothes

I wasn't planning to do any work on my clothing until the end of the year, but I already made some progress because my husband bought me clothes for my birthday! I don't know how he does it, but he has great taste and he can pick out items that are extremely flattering. In fact, generally I look better when he dresses me because I buy items more because of price than anything else! Thanks, sweetie!

Itty-Bitty Beauty Bump #2: No picking

This mini beauty task is going to be much harder: stop picking at my skin. Once again, I point to Paula Begoun as my mentor. She is the ultimate Gentle Care advocate, even going so far as to suggest tepid water for washing your skin as opposed to warm, cold, lukewarm, etc. I have no idea how long it'll be before I see results from this change, or even how easily I'll be able to stick to it!

Month One Evaluation

My Little Guy is teething, which means that spare time is even more specious for me right now. But it's been nearly a month since I started this project and I thought I should reassess the changes I've made.

1. I'm already pleased with the improvement in my appearance in my photographs. Before I began this project, I was appalled with my appearance in about 95% of my photos. Now I'd say it's closer to 50%, and that's mostly because LG is demanding and adorable, so while I may not have a chance to do my hair and make-up every day, LG is too cute for a day to pass without a photo opportunity.

2. I wonder if a year is going to be enough for me to make any progress?

3. I'm going to need some faster products. I can do foundation and powder on some days, but not all. I think I'll trade those in for a tinted moisturizer with SPF protection.

Itty-Bitty Beauty Bump #1: Cuticles

In my efforts to become pretty, or more photogenic, I'm going to adopt small lifestyle changes that I hope will advance my efforts in small ways.

My first one is to stop pushing back my cuticles on both my hands and feet. I just read in Paula Begoun's The Original Beauty Bible that this actually compromises your nail and it's not going to do your cuticles any favors, either. The solution is to moisturize your cuticles daily and you'll see improvements in your nails and cuticles after six months of not pushing them. Okay, then. Sometime around my son's first birthday I hope to have some beautiful cuticles!

Body

Interesting blog, considering my project. Although some of these moms are way too fit for me to feel like this helps me much:


http://theshapeofamother.com/

Skin

My focus right now is on make-up, but any cosmetologist will tell you that you have to start with a good canvas. I've struggled with acne since I was 13 and let me tell you, it has been a battle. I've tried everything from Proactiv to prescription products and everything has worked for one year, then stopped. The best my skin has ever looked was at my wedding. That year I spent about $1000 on chemical peels because my skin was pretty weathered, but I was also following a strict regimen that involved three different chemicals and 10 minutes of icing my face every night. And I still needed two cortisone injections the week before my wedding to avoid a flare-up.

This means I am extremely sensitive about my skin. I have a few family members who received my grandmother's beautiful skin who still manage to suggest that I have an acne problem because I don't know how to take care of my skin. Have I ever considered seeing a beautician? Have I tried X line of products? You know, they just are a little careful about the make-up they choose ... have I heard of hypoallergenic foundation?

Lord help me. I've lost count of how many dermatologists and cosmetologists I've seen. They all get excited when they see my skin and they know, they just know that they can fix my skin. After a few months they're still spinning their wheels. "Well, let's try this semi-controversial product ... it may give you cancer, but it should clear up your skin."

I'm being facetious, but only sort of. It's amazing to see my skin become the bane of someone else's existence.

Now I have another issue with my skin care: I'm breastfeeding. While I was pregnant I had to stop most of my typical regimen. My doctor prescribed an ointment that was safe to use while pregnant and it did pretty well. But now that I'm nursing my son, the options are wider ... sort of. It is really difficult to test products for safety and efficacy in pregnant women. In nursing women? I don't know if it's difficult or if no one thinks to do it. I'd like some really conclusive evidence about glycolic acid and breastfeeding, but apparently it's too new to be included in the books of my La Lache League leader or the lactation consultant who runs one of the playgroups I attend. They think it should be fine, however, so I'm using it.

Already my skin is looking better. Of course I still get flare-ups. And I'm not sure whether some of them aren't caused by my foundation. But I'm back to a three-part ointment system and supposedly because they're only topical and don't enter my bloodstream, they're safe for my son.

Here's hoping.

Lessons from this week

1. Don't apply liquid eyeliner when your glasses are still on.

2. Prioritize. Today I put off taking a shower until after my little guy's (LG) morning nap. Big mistake, since he was doing something so adorable my husband ran to get the camera and I was still wearing my nursing pajamas.

Also, LG was not interested in his bouncy seat today. He was fine in it while I showered, but not long enough for me to get dressed, fix my hair or put on make-up. This was a problem because I had started on my make-up, but I still wasn't dressed. And I'm only talking about being out of the shower for about a minute -- if I have to forgo anything because my baby needs to be held, it's going to be hair and make-up, not clothes.