Thursday, August 3, 2017

How-to -- the long version


Reading the New York Times this morning I came upon an article headlined "How to Go Makeup-Free to Beat the Heat."  Because "summer's heat and humidity make a face full of makeup feel oppressive.  But how to go without?"

Having decided to go makeup-free when I retired, I thought the answer would be pretty simple: just say no.

Silly me.  Turns out that in order to give up your makeup you might need to do all kinds of substitute routines or advance preparations.  Such as:

-  Laser treatments to remove your dark spots

-  Pulsed light treatments to implode your spider veins

-  Microneedling to shrink pores and build collagen.

-  Botox to shrink pores.

-  Rhofade cream to reduce red veins

-  Injections of hyaluronic acid filler under your eyes to puff out skin and eliminate baggy circles (aka "tear trough correction")

-  Chemical peel to take away excess melanin under your eyes and eliminate dark circles

-  Injection of "semipermanent fillers" to smooth wrinkles and camouflage bumps

-  Latisse serum to give you thicker, longer, darker eyelashes

-  Eyelash extensions  

-  Microblading, a tattoo procedure that simulates eyebrow hairs.

Of course, there are tradeoffs.  Many of these approaches require several sessions.  Some are painful.  Rhofade and Latisse require prescriptions.  And almost all of the treatments are expensive, whether done by a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or makeup artist.  

Having read this article for you, I will offer my own bottom line: just say no.  If you feel that your naked face looks too awful to go out in public, take it into your studio and make art.

8 comments:

  1. How did we end up here? Why is it women (mostly) who feel we need to do all of this to be acceptable? I admit I feel pressure to hide the signs of aging. But, if we manufacture a new face, the rest of the structure will need renovation too. Is it pride that drives us? Fear? The problem is, if we all say no, so many industries will go under, so many jobs will be lost. So maybe it's just that we feel a sense of duty to carry on.

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  2. I had no idea most of those treatments existed. Silly me, I thought puffy circles under my eyes were one of the least uncomfortable prices I pay for having allergies!
    I found it simple to go makeup free in my mid twenties, forty years ago, by just getting bored.

    Mary Anne in Kentucky

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  3. I had not heard of most of those things. I will say however, given the ageist practices of many employers (I'm still working and dread potential layoffs at my age), as well as potential romantic partners, I can see how these would appeal. Wearing makeup and a nice outfit gets me better service many places. And that's in Portland Oregon, the home of crunchy, no makeup, ultra-casual.

    Personally, I'd consider the first two if those affected me. :)

    That said, a perfect weekend = no bra, no makeup and not leaving the house!

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  4. I haven't worn"make-up" (have done facepaint a few times) since I was very young. I look with horror on the stuff in the chemists, and shy away making signs-of-crosses when approached by the maquillaged types in department stores. The result? I have good skin which does not give me any trouble.
    For many years I had a picture on my notice-board of a 100 year old geisha, in full wig and fig, but no make-up, and wrinkles to die for!

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  5. You gave me a good laugh for today.

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  6. There is a big industry dependent on keeping us afraid of ageing. That said, I do use a tinted moisturizer with sunblock every day... more power to you, Kathy!

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