Hey. I know you will love today’s post! I’ve decided to make a regular posting about beauty from my alter ego “The Paupered Princess”. I’m gonna try to do this on a weekly basis. (TRY!)
My Paupered Princess “LYFESTILE” Brand!
While I realize that I am by far NO expert on the subject, I do have a few bits to add.
I’m 60 years old. This means that I do NOT possess the looks that I had 40, 30, 20, or even 10 years ago.
This is 60. I can’t hide anything–especially the scar below my mouth (the one where I literally bit through my lip from a bathtub accident)..but I work with what I have!
I have turkey neck.
Turkey neck, lines, spots, all the “character” that comes with age! I got it!
I have freckles and spots on my face.
I have wrinkles.
I have wrinkles…..and…
The only way I can get rid of them is to walk around like an overexposed selfie. I would look like a FREAK!!!!!! Really–I don’t want to lose face!!!
My mouth isn’t looking as “bee stung” as it was when I was younger—it’s looking more like fish lips.
This photo is by Richard Austin–but how did he know my lips now look like this??
I’ve even been mistaken for a “sir” when I left the house without makeup. Sad and humiliating but true!
Fear not. I know what my imperfections are and I know how to work around them.
I am wise enough to know that NO amount of beauty cream or skin products—including the new “Blur” products will turn back the clock and turn the skin on my face to that akin of a baby’s bottom. Ain’t gonna happen.
I was fortunate enough to try a sample of this. Fortunate enough in the fact I never had to waste the money. This is the biggest waste of money. It is nothing more than a renamed primer! It won’t make you look younger! It won’t erase the lines!
Botox and fillers are out of the question for me. I cannot afford them at this point in my unemployed life! Besides, if I could afford to have these injections, you had better believe I would find the BEST doctor to administer these drugs—I want to be subtle!
With all due respect to Jocelyn Wildenstein, I realize she is a great patron of the arts and animal rights, but this woman was absolutely beautiful before she reconfigured her facial features!
A surgical face lift would suffice—and there’s no way on the face (pun intended?) of this earth I can afford to do that right now!
So today, I’m going to focus on the most basic of my beauty products. The roots of what turn this old and decrepit (well, at least according to advertisers and cosmetics companies I’m decrepit!) woman into a half-way decent human being.
All these products are incredibly affordable too…so let’s play!
Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser: This is my “Holy Grail” of cleansers. I refuse to take my makeup off with anything else. A 12-ounce jar costs about $11.00 and is worth its weight in gold. A little bit is all you need. Makeup and dirt literally “MELT” away. Wipe off well with a damp wash cloth and your skin is makeup free with no residue.
This is the greatest makeup remover of all time! As soon as I hit the bottom third of the jar, I run out to by more. It can be difficult to track down, but I’ve had great luck purchasing this at Bed, Bath and Beyond! It is affordable and a little goes a long, long way!
Water—H2O: OK. We all have to pay a water bill—so this beauty bit is included in that fee! Seriously. After wiping my face clear of the Albolene, I splash water on my face. First, I splash warm water, and then dry with a towel. Then I splash cold water on my face to close the pores—AND it just feels good. Also—drinking plenty of water is just healthy for both the outside and inside of your body!
Don’t forget the importance of water. It IS an essential beauty product!
Moisturizing Cream: Presently, I’m using Olay Active Hydrating Lotion. The cost? Around $6.00 at Walmart. I’ll use the “Equate” brand dupe most of the time which costs about $3.50 at Walmart. I switch between the two when I can’t find one or the other. Either way, BOTH ARE THE SAME! Both creams make my skin soft and don’t make my face feel tight—and that’s the goal. You do NOT need to spend a fortune.
This is basically the old school “Oil of Olay” but repackaged. It works just as well as any high end moisturizer!
Chapstick: I’ve written this before and I’ll write it again. Chapstick, at about a buck a tube, works just the same way that a “Blur” product will. I’ll swipe the old Stick of Chap on crow’s feet and around my mouth and it helps to fill those little lines in. Is it a miracle worker? Hell no—but it assists in the smooth application of makeup!
I apply the “Stick of Chap” to my crows feet. They still remain, but Chapstick fills in those lines just a l’il bit–AND is far less pricey than any “blur” product!
Sally Hansen Crème Hair Remover Duo Kit: Ladies—this is all about that friggin’ moustache AND the halo of fuzz that we grow with age. Do NOT tell me that hasn’t happened to you because then I will be very jealous and/or not believe you! (Just kidding—if you are not privy to this, you are lucky!). This remover does have a little vial of skin conditioner but I don’t use it. The hair remover is more important to me. I paid five dollars and change for this due at Ulta. It works. It works just as well as the wax job I get at the nail place, but truth be told; sometimes I’m just too lazy to drive down the street to get my lip waxed. Five minutes after applying, the hair is gone. But—I wash my face and HANDS like crazy after this. God forbid any gets on the TOP of my head—the hair I DO have left is too near and dear to me!!! I can’t lose any more—LOL!
Two recent purchases at Ulta. The Crème Hair Remover Kit by Sally Hansen is a must to have on hand when you just don’t make it to have your face waxed!
My impersonation of Santa Claus? NOPE! It’s my Beauty Cause!!! Gotta look like a girl again!
Bye bye lady whiskers!
Toppik: Speaking of the hair on my head…….Toppik is another one of my “Holy Grails”. The price has gone up to $24.95 recently, but with that price jump comes more product. A jar of this lasts me about 8 weeks. That’s about 12.50 a month. Believe me; this is priceless in terms of confidence and self-esteem!
As you can see, the shaker went from .36 oz to .42 oz. More of the stuff I need. Reminds me–I have a blow out tomorrow. I have to put this in my purse!
Note-these are just the basic roots of my beauty products. From these products I build. Some days I don’t even bother to wear makeup at all—but I still use these products. Other days I’ll just put a bit of makeup on and others—well, I do the whole shebang—but those are for my future Beauty Bits!
Random Inexpensive Beauty Masks: You can find these in any beauty aisle of any drug store or in Ulta or Sephora. I usually pick one up when I feel my skin needs a bit of extra love! Take a half hour to just sit and Zen!
Hey. I scared my dog, Chippy, with this look–but a face mask is a fun and relaxing Zen moment for your visage!
My point is this: you do NOT have to spend a fortune on skin care! Save the money for a dinner at a great restaurant or put the money saved to your travels!
BTW, this is how I look today after using the cheapo skin products and some makeup. The lines are still there, but I work around everything–and I’ll always be cross-eyed, but I’ve learned it’s ok–that’s what makes my looks way different and unique! OH..and I did my hair myself—on Sunday. Dirty hair looks good!
I’m going off topic (or shall I say “Toppik”) today with my music. I’ve been listening to Cajun music and I LOVE BeauSoleil. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Louisiana. Here’s “Lil Darlin”—because all Atypical60’ers ARE Lil’ Darlin’s!! XOXOXOXOXOO! Get up and DANCE!!!!!
