Perhaps it's because of my impending 30th birthday (6 more months), or maybe it's because of my own nueroses, or maybe even my own sudden interest in taking care of my skin, but I recently starting wondering what age you should start teaching your children (daughters especially) about skin care.
Every one is different, obviously, but I was never taught anything about skin care. This is not a slight against my mother, but it was obviously something she did not concern herself with...even though she raised 3 daughters. Perhaps it was because she was so young and it wasn't something she worried about for herself - so why worry about teaching it to her kids? Or, maybe she just didn't care about wrinkles? My mother is exactly 20.5 years older than me. Her birthday is January 14, 1963 (YUP! She's going to be 50 in just a few days), and mine is June 14, 1983. I remember growing up, I had the young mom. Her skin always seemed so flawless to me. Sure, she had the occasional pimple or what not, but her skin was so smooth. She even looked younder than her age at the time...which I think she actually hated. Over the last few years - maybe 5 or 6, I have noticed my mothers aging. I think she still looks great. She is a very pretty woman, but her pores have become larger, her wrinkles have deepened a bit, and her looks are starting to catch up to her actual age. Does she look 50? I don't really think so, maybe 45, but still I remember when she turned 40, she looked MAYBE 31 - 32. Of course, a lot has happened in those 10 years. She now has 4 grandchildren, Vanessa went off to college - graduated - became a big girl (paying that tuition was probably stressful), Randi moved home, got a divorce, then disappeared. For nearly 3 years my parents were basically raising my niece and nephew. My grandfather passed away...anyway, the point is that I am sure that the stresses of the last 10 year contributed a wrinkle here and there - which led me to the thought, Can skin care stave off wrinkles? Is it a myth, or real?
My mom never taught us about washing your face, or making sure to remove your make-up, or even how to apply make-up. I didn't start wearing make-up until the 8th grade, and I'm pretty sure the first few times it was applied horribly. I do remember seeing girls with that famous orange streak across their jaw line, and I am sure I sported it too a few times, but I knew I didn't like it, so my make-up application quickly became powder and mascara. I don't think I ever even applied blush until junior prom! Even today, when I wear make-up, it's very basic. I don't even use powder anymore, just some blush, eye shadow, and mascara. My little sister is one of those that can artfully apply make-up. The works, the base, foundation, blush, she can do the perfect tri-color eye shadow application, the eye liner (which I've NEVER really understood and always end up poking it into my eye when I try...I've given up trying)...anyway, she's a master at make-up. She even has all different colors. I have one eye shadow...it's a honey brown color, and I've had it for about 8 years now. DId you know make-up expires? I had no idea. My best friend, Dana, told me that about a year ago when I told her I still have the same powder since high school. Guess what? I still haven't replaced it. Maybe before Vegas I will go replace all my make up??? Who knows.
Sorry for the ramble....right before the holidays we had some family photos taken....upon looking at the pics, I noticed so many wrinkles on my face. For some time now, I have noticed my pores getting larger and larger (also, my face is getting harrier - really freaking me out, by the way). Then as we were driving to Houston for Christmas, I notices these terrible wrinkles...ON MY EARS! FREAKY, right? So, when we got back, I went to buy some anti-wrinke cream...well, if you've ever been to this aisle, then you understand - There are like 9 MILLION different types of face creams. I had no idea what I was doing, so I just bought several, plus a couple different types of face wash. I decided I would start washing my face every morning and evening before bed AND put the cream on my face. I started on the second (I'm really weird about starting stuff on the 1st, because then I feel like it's a resolution, and if I stop doing it for some reason then I feel like a failure and that my entire year will be bad for not keeping my own resolution..I know, I'm a freak!) It was been one week, my face still looks the same to me...I have no reduction on wrinkles, my skin is not tighter, my pores are not smaller....BUT my face is very soft! I haven't seen a reduction in pimples either...but then again, my friend IS visiting, so we will see. I know it's only been a week which isn't a long enough time to decide the validity of skin creams...also, I have to do some research and find out what THE HELL I am doing. What is the difference between a toner, a moisturizer, anti-aging cream, anti-wrinkle cream? Geez, there is so much more not to mention the different brands. Luckily, the stuff I bought was all in the little travel sizes, so I figured A) cheaper, and B)isn't such a waste if I find out it isn't the right thing to use.
So the point of this...what age should I start teaching Landry how to take care of her skin? Not just her face, but all of her skin (which I need to do too, but I'm starting with my face and neck!) I don't want her freaking out about wrinkles when she's 10, but I do want her to know the importance of taking care of herself...not because I want her to be 50 before she gets a wrinkle, but because I think you shouldn't have to be staring down the nose of 30 before you actually start thinking about these things. I mean, really, shouldn't I know all of this stuff by now?
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