Being the kind of person that is often out of my comfort zone when others are in theirs, this week’s escapade continues to surprise me. Unlike most, public speaking does not give me any grief; I actually quite like it if I know my subject. However some of the things I find difficult and make me cringe are dressing up for a formal, trying on togs, running out of money at the checkout, falling over, finding out I texted my nemesis after too much bubbly the night before, finding maggots in the rubbish, and people feeling sorry for me – there are more but that’s enough to make me cringe again.
I was invited to have a free facial with a friend who loves her products and the company she works for. She is successful, fit, gorgeous, and passionate about her product and I was happy to do it as for me it was a treat. I didn’t think much about it, I just said I would love to. If someone is selling a product and looks fabulous I am happy to believe her. Nothing worse than someone trying to sell you a beauty product saying “oh I use these products every day” and you look and think well, that’s one product I won’t be trying.
I also realised my make up regime was really outdated but didn’t know how to change it. I knew I needed a lesson on eyebrows particularly, but also foundation, powder and lippy. I am stuck in what I used in my 20’s and it is not working on this face now.
Well, as I walked in I noticed firstly everyone was very well groomed. I, on the other hand, had come without any make up so I could get the benefit of the facial, and was very aware of my 54 year old sun drenched skin. Then I had to fill out a form about my beauty regime -um, the other day I bought a bottle from Woolies…… Toner? Um…. Gosh how had I forgotten to tone for the past 10 years. Eye cream? Um no, um used to. Cleanser? I actually felt shame as I thought of the soap I had used that very morning while having a shower. I couldn’t come up with a single thing to redeem myself. I couldn’t even remember a brand name to lie about.
So, with headband on it began – Cleanser, Toner, Intensive renewal serum, eye cream and finally moisturiser. As a skeptic I really was surprised at how good my skin felt. Armed with this new self confidence I get up to move to the next ‘station’, the hand and arm scrub area when… I fell flat on my posterior. Well that stopped everyone and I had to pretend it didn’t faze me in the least – hahaha false laugh- as I scramble like an overturned turtle to hop up.
Off to the hands and arms section with a blush – it was lovely – smooth and soft; then over to the makeup. They had a 10+ magnified mirror for us to use…….I peered into it – OMG! Does anyone have any scissors I yelled – a lot louder than I meant to – I had found 3 long grey hairs sticking out of my mole under my nose. I am very very short sighted and although I looked in the mirror daily for my 2 second beauty routine I was not able to see the undeniably unattractive sprout of hairs. How low had I tumbled. So I stopped looking in the mirror as there were no scissors. Again, way out of my comfort zone.
More embarrassed haha’s- then I had my lesson in makeup. It was the easiest simplest thing. In the 80’s it was all about more, lots of products, five colours on eyes one all over then one under the curve then the outside, then the middle; lip plumper, then lip liner, then lippy, it was more more more. This took 5 minutes max. So easy quick and natural. I actually loved the natural simple fresh look with about 5 products.
Can I just say in my twenties and thirties I used to buy every ‘gift with purchase’ available at Myer. I had a good income, no children and my appearance was important to my job so looking after ‘me’ was just a part of life. Once children came along it was such a low priority and just got left behind. I didn’t think anything much about it and I don’t think I was alone in this – you just put it on the back burner. It wasn’t until this experience I realised how long it had actually been.
So, here we are a week later – I am so in love with the process! I got a few samples and honestly – I’m not selling anything here – but the difference is obvious enough for compliments to be given without having to point out I was looking gorgeous. It feels lovely. I have regained some confidence about my appearance again. Doing something feminine, which I am entitled to do, and enjoy, has given me a spring in my step and I actually feel like a woman again. I feel back in some sort of comfort zone and not a Nineties reject. So, I encourage you all to try it if invited, you might not make quite the impression I did but it will be fun. X
