Beauty Secrets

I don't claim to be any kind of a beauty.  But I do want to stay looking as young as I possibly can, for as long as I possibly can.  I think every women wants that.  I feel like I have been more successful than not; most people mis-guess my age by about 10 years.  What I mean by that is that when they guess my age, they think I am 10 years younger than I actually am.  Most of my student's parents, for instance, are quite shocked to find out that I am the mother of nearly grown kids.

So, here are some of my 'beauty secrets' that have helped me defy my age (so far).

First off, I just have to say that I believe in growing old gracefully.  That means that I won't resort to any kind of plastic surgery to make my face look younger than it actually is.  That also means that when I do go grey (hopefully white), I will probably just go all white rather than try to maintain a color.  I have no problem with coloring hair, it just isn't me.

Now, on to the secrets!

1. DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER!!!  That is your number one age fighting tool!  Not juice, not soda, not coffee or tea.  Water.  It flushes out your system of toxins that might settle in the layers of your dermis and do damage.
2. SUNSCREEN!  When growing up in the Seattle area, I scoffed at this one.  Who needs sunscreen?  Who ever sees the sun, anyways?  Well, when I moved to Utah, I discovered just how powerful the sun can be.  My first summer here, I went to the pool and spent the entire day swimming, splashing, and sunbathing... with no sunscreen.  I didn't realize what a severe mistake I had made until it was too late.  I was beyond burned.  I got physically ill.  So sick that I was shaking uncontrollably with chills and fever.  I was nauseated, lightheaded, and had a migraine.  I had sunstroke.  I blistered on every inch of my body that had been exposed.  It took a long time to heal, but boy!, did I learn my lesson!  I ALWAYS wear sunscreen now!  Winter, spring, summer, fall... it doesn't matter.  Nothing less than 55 SPF for my face, and nothing less than 30 SPF for the rest of my body.
3. SUNGLASSES!  While we are on the topic of sun avoidance, let's talk about sunglasses.  You can prevent lots of eye wrinkles and crinkles just by being religious about wearing sunglasses.  They keep you from the constant squinting you'd be doing without them.  I wear them in all seasons.  They are so much a part of me, that most of the time they are just perched on top of my head while I am indoors and my students come to expect them to be there.
4. NO SMOKING!  This one is no secret (of course, neither are the first 3, really).  Studies have shown again and again the toll smoking takes on the body.  I am grateful that I have never in my life been tempted to pick up such a toxic habit!  It always seemed so backwards to me... inhaling smoke?!?  That's what they always caution about it you're stuck in a fire; the smoke will kill you before the fire will!  So it only stands to reason that you shouldn't let any kind of smoke get inside of you, right?
5. LOTION, LOTION, LOTION!  I live in a desert.  I am a very dedicated to keeping my skin hydrated.  I have lotion in my bathroom, my bedroom, my classroom, and my purse.  Also, before I step out of the shower, while I am still dripping wet, I rub on a layer of oil.  Yes, oil!  It seals in some of the moisture and creates a barrier to prevent it from evaporating in this dry climate.
6. FOR ZITS AND OTHER 'RED' SPOTS... Did you know that you can use allergy eye drops to pull the redness out of acne on your face?  That stuff is supposed to remove the redness from eye tissue, but it will do the same for other tissue as well!  Just squeeze a drop of it on the red spot and rub it in.  It will take a few moments, just like it does for your eyes, but it works.
7. FOR PUFFY EYES... I have heard people say that you can put a spoon in the freezer, then use it  to reduce swelling and puffiness around the eyes by putting it up to the eye and letting a pocket of cold air form between the eye and the metal of the spoon.  I usually don't have spoons sitting around in the freezer, or the time to put them in and wait for them to get cold.  Instead, here is a quick fix, as long as you're careful!  You know those nasal sprays meant to reduce inflammation in your sinuses?  It will reduce swelling elsewhere, too!  Spray some in your hand and carefully use your fingers to dab some of it on the swollen tissue under your eyes.  Be careful not to get it in your eyes!

I can't really think of anything else off the top of my head, so now it is your turn!  What are some of your beauty secrets?  Leave a comment and share the wealth!