The Savvy Life

By Alison Gary

 

Americans are known around the globe for having a disposable culture. We buy, and if we don’t like it, we throw it away. Fabulous shoes that kill our feet, a super cute top on sale that fades and pills after one washing. Toss ‘em, donate ‘em and start anew. The problem is we cannot throw away our skin.

 

In countries like France, girls are taught from a very young age by their mothers the importance of proper skin care and the benefit of regular facials.  They understand that makeup trends come and go, but healthy skin will never be out of style.  How many times have we looked at a photo of a fabulous French woman like Catherine Deneuve and wonder how she can look so amazing?

 

How many times have you gone to bed without washing your face?  Just a few minutes of properly cleansing and moisturizing your face each evening will take years off your skin.  How about self-medicating your skin woes?  Do you buy dermabrasion products from the drug store, acne treatments from the television, skin lightening products from your local Avon lady to end up with the same or worse skin?  You can be sure that Ms. Deneuve washes her face every night and consults professionals on how to care for her skin.

 

Before puberty, our faces were washed along with our bodies and we never had a problem with it.  Then oil and acne and rosacea and dry patches began.  We used alcohol-based astringents that were advertised during our favorite sitcom and harsh cleansers that showed fresh-faced beauties using them in the pages of Seventeen.  We weren’t taught that these industrial-strength products were actually exacerbating the problem.  Adulthood came, and soon we were looking for products to stop or reverse aging, recreate the dewy glow of our youth and make our skin be a little less difficult.  We sought help in the aisles of Target and Sephora and at the shiny cosmetic counters of our favorite department store.  Imagine the skin we could have if we only understood it better.

 

We often feel that we don’t have the money to spend on a facial or the time to visit a dermatologist if we don’t have a specific problem or condition.  The funny thing is we end up spending the same amount or more on products to cover up the issues with our skin.  Get to know and understand your skin and its needs with a medical professional and learn what you can do to repair damage and prevent future issues.  Instead of buying yet another product to transform your face, invest in a facial at a reputable spa or time with a dermatologist you trust.  A certified professional will teach you more about your skin than you have learned in all your years standing in front of the medicine cabinet examining pores and popping blackheads.

 

Our skin is the one accessory we always wear, and the first accessory that people notice yet we often give it the worst care.   You should be babying your skin far more than your car, your manicure or your home décor.  Styles change, cars break down and manicures always chip, but your skin is with you forever.  The next time you desire a new miracle product, think about your skin history and consider consulting a professional.  In the long run it will be a worthy investment toward the one thing we cannot throw away.

Alison Gary is 30-something who believes style knows no age, dress size or budget. She is the author of http://womanwardrobeneeds.blogspot.com/ and you can see her personal style at http://whatsmywardrobetoday.blogspot.com.

 

Over the next four weeks, the demands on your time are going to dramatically increase.

Put your slow cooker back into use and make coming home at night a treat. There is nothing like walking in the door on a cold, blustery day to the smell of dinner that is ready to enjoy.

Use your slow cooker two - three times a week and you will save time, money and the mental clutter of trying to figure out "what's for dinner" at the last minute.

One of my favorite resources for slow cooker meal ideas is the blog A Year of Slow Cooking.

By Melissa Tosetti

 

Even without the frenzy of marketing and media coverage, it's easy to get swept away by the spirit of the holiday season.

Also, as human beings, we have a tendency to make things as complicated as possible.  A few years ago my husband and I decided to buy his aunt and uncle the movie Bottle Shock which is based on the true story of a California winery who famously, trumped French wines in what has become known as The Judgment of Paris.  

Paul and I then decided that it would be cool to also include a bottle of wine from the winery in the movie.  That added an additional $40 to the gift.  We then decided that it would look so much better if we put the gifts together in a basket rather than in a gift bag, adding another $10 to the gift. 

When all was said and done, the $12 movie, that his aunt and uncle would have loved on its own, turned into a $60 gift and the stress of running around trying to find everything we needed at three separate stores. 

Before walking into a single store, make sure you have a complete list of all the gifts you want to purchase.  Stay focused and if you find yourself starting to get really elaborate ask yourself how much time and money your new gift ideas will cost and then ask yourself, is it worth it?

As in many things in life, by keeping it simple you will enjoy the holidays so much more! 

By Todra Payne,

I’ll admit I love reading which makeup looks are in fashion for the holidays. The plum lip color that lit up the runways during Fashion Week is my absolute staple this season. But as someone whose skin is wrecked by cold weather, I need to pay extra attention to skin care. Hydration is my biggest concern this time of year.