I love beauty products. Ok, what woman doesn’t love beauty products? Or maybe more accurately — we love the promises made by beauty products — smoother skin, fuller lips, shinier hair… Dream, dream, dream…. They don’t even have to work. They just have to make empty promises (like men, HA!) and we go crazy for them!
Beauty products have the power to strengthen connections amongst women. Sharing beauty secrets is one of the most intimate ways to say “I love you” between friends, because it demonstrates that you care and want them to look and feel their very best.
Have you ever heard the saying: “Never trust a woman who won’t share her beauty secrets?” Simply put: those are selfish bitches.
This divorce process has left me tired and sleep-deprived. I toss and turn a lot at night. One day, I was taking a walk with one of my friends and venting to her about how ragged and unattractive I had been feeling. What I love about her is that not only is she caring and super thoughtful, but she is a true problem-solver. As I was carrying on with my complaints, I could almost hear the wheels spinning in her head. From homemaking to gardening to dog care — she always has a battery of tips at the ready and this time was no exception. During that walk, she offered a few recommendations, one being a mask that she uses all the time, and swears by. After some more advice, our conversation morphed onto another topic, as usually happens…
A few days later, after a long day of work, I came home to find that very same mask in my mailbox with a note from my friend. I had totally forgotten about our conversation. Clearly, she had not.
What sets her apart from other women — myself included — is that she won’t just recommend a product on the fly; she does all the leg work to make sure you get what you need. She cares that much. She’s exceptional. She’s a do-er.
That mask sat on my bathroom counter for a week and after one particularly stressful weekend, I decided to carve out the time and try it. I felt like because she had gone through the trouble of getting and delivering the mask, I wanted to honor her and make the time to use it when it was most needed. My sallow complexion and the rings beneath my eyes were begging for it. It was time.
The slogan on the package promised smoother, tighter skin. Sign me up!
Now, this was not just any old slather-on-and-go face mask. This was a pre-treated facial towelette, that you must place on your face while lying back to keep it from shifting. There is no folding laundry while wearing; no unloading the dishwasher. You are FORCED to relax, close your eyes and sit still. The mask insisted upon it, and I obliged.
Did the mask keep its promise? After 20 minutes, my skin did feel a bit smoother. My complexion was more supple. But that time spent wearing the mask did more than treat my skin– it treated my psyche.
I collected my thoughts. I lingered on a recent memory. I even dozed off for a few…
In those few stolen moments of peace, my friend (via the mask) gave me a precious gift. She gently reminded this oft-crazed, newly single mommy how important it is to make the time to rest, reflect and be good to yourself –and that may very well be the best beauty secret of all!