I was scheduled to work until 6:30, and it was one of those days where time moved slowly, all day. When it’s beautiful outside, it’s not usually busy in retail, especially in Massachusetts where we only have so many nice-weather days. Those are days where you won’t see many people in the store shopping, but the ones that do come in are determined and need something.
Nearing the end of the work day, I had mentioned to a coworker that I only had minutes left until my day ended. After a long quiet day, I was looking forward to going home.
I knew better than to say that out loud! Anytime I have done that in the past, it has always lead to a longer day.
I was getting ready to go home, and a lady sat in my chair wanting the perfect foundation match. That does take some time since I want it to be loved by the wearer, and sometimes, needing a new foundation is much larger than just makeup. Sometimes selecting a “new foundation” is really just some soul-fixing time. This goes back to my reason for wanting to make this website.
I started with the usual striping of color- at least three colors near the jawline, and right away she seemed argumentative. She started questioning my methods and such, and then the truth came spilling out of her mouth.
“I am so ugly! I can’t stand the way I look!! I used to be so pretty, and now all I look like is old!!”
She said all these things and more, and the saddest part for me was, she was just beautiful! A beautiful just-about-to-be-50-year-old woman that looked like she has take amazing care of herself, and at almost 50 is seeing the first signs of looking older. That’s it!!
She had just gotten through visiting a well-sought-after doctor that could give her a face-lift. However she stated that the procedure would cost the price of a car, so she didn’t want to do it. She came in to see me at closing time to have her soul saved with a new foundation. A quick fix until she could figure out her dilemma.
And the thing is…..
This wasn’t the only woman that I have met like this. This happens all the time!!
I meet people who would rather have a surgical procedure done than look a little old. Women who have had injections to look younger, and young people who are told procedures will help them stay looking young and are preventative. Now injections and cosmetic procedures are touted as “ant-aging”, and people would sometimes rather invest in that than in great skincare.
I would like to change this thought process and narrative into a conversation about education of taking care of your skin. You can’t ignore your skin for years and then use medical procedures as anti-aging.
When I started working in this field, I started my own study of what works in my own desire to stay looking good or “youthful”. I have read and asked questions through all these years of working, and I have some great ideas of what works and what doesn’t.
Great skincare can be anti-aging!
Great diet and exercise can be anti-aging!
Positivity and happiness can be anti-aging!
Now, if your eyelid is hanging so far down your eye that you are having trouble seeing, that is the perfect reason for medical intervention. However, if you have “crows-feet” from smiling, enjoy your face, your life, and get a great moisturizer!!
