JustAnne.

Another Chip Out of My Soul.

Earlier this week I was lamenting the sorry state of affairs my morning skin care regime has become. Courtesy of dermatitis and a rather judgemental dermatologist my routine now consists of a 'chemist only' cleanser and HOME BRAND sorbolene cream. Oh how I long for the days when my bathroom sink was covered with a variety of interesting and moderately expensive products. Oh how colourful and alluring they were! 

Today I suffered further insult when my GP revealed that it is highly likely I am currently experiencing another dermatitis courtesy of my newly sensitive skin. The implications of this reaction are even more devastating. Indeed, it will strike to the very core of my being. This dermatitis will effect how I do my laundry.

For those of you who know me quite well, you will immediately comprehend my pain. For everyone else it is important to understand that my laundry routine is one of my 'things'. I like it done a certain way. For example, linens and towels must always be washed with a liquid soap and fabric softener. My blacks and jeans must always be washed with Radiant Black Wash. And my bras, knits and stockings must always be washed with liquid wool and delicates wash. And everything is washed with cold water. 

Do not ask me to explain this. We all have our 'little ways' and this is one of mine. 

So. You can imagine my inward expressions of horror and consequent spiral into despair when my GP informed me that I should switch to laundry powder for sensitive skin. 

Why are you doing this to me Universe?? Why??? Every. Time. I try and show myself some special attention, be it with a new skin cream or a new fabric softener, you see fit to make my body reject it. It isn't fair. Next my acrylic nails will fall off and my hair will fall out.

Sigh. This has not been the greatest Friday the 13th. 

I suppose I should look on the bright side. I suppose I still have at least one interesting element in my daily routine. I have some pretty awesome perfumes. Although I am beginning to wonder if I should start spraying them on my clothes rather than my skin.

Sensitivity is a bitch.

My Lady Things.

Earlier this week, as I cleansed, toned, moisturised, applied medicated ointment (to my face (!!)), deodourised, scented, curled and straightened I came to a sort of realisation. I own a lot of products. Products that are specifically marketed towards women for the purposes of face, body and hair care. I often comment to people that this amazing fabulous package of hotness "doesn't just happen". And boy, that is no understatement. And since I have recently declared war on my skin and gotten a spunky new haircut (which my hairdresser craftily derived from the vague description of "spunky, sassy and a little bit rock'n'roll"), the number of products in my 'beauty arsenal' has gotten a little disturbing. 

Let me set the scene. It's Saturday and I am getting ready to hit the town. From bathing to final hotness I will use, approximately, sixteen different products. And that does not include my make-up, the quantity and quality of which varies according to my mood/self-esteem levels. Or make-up removal products. Sixteen! 

I cannot help but think back to my adolescence, when I spurned make-up, did not even moisturise and kept my hair in a pony-tail. I didn't even use perfume and only wore cargo pants and baggy t-shirts (hey, it was the 90s). I actually used to tell my mother off for spending so much time (and money) on make-up, telling her whole-heartedly she was beautiful just as she was and didn't need any of "that shit". My how things change in ten years. 

Adolescent Anne would have been mortified at thought of what Mid-Twenties Anne has become. It's a damn good thing I am totally hot right now and can confidently construct this transformation as a journey of increasing confidence and comfort in myself both physically and emotionally. Otherwise I might be worried that I had fallen prey to all of the marketing targeting women around images of health and beauty. Thank goodness I can make this about self-development and growth and not about my vulnerability to marketing and the mass media. Phew! That's a relief. 

I was recently discussing my new and incredibly complicated beauty routine with good lady friend Cara, and she mentioned that I absolutely had to let her know how the new products went. You see, like many of us ladies, Cara likes to try new things (and by things I mean products). Goodness knows I am constantly consulting the glossies, the interweb and my friends about what new and exciting products out there to try. So I have decided that as a way of 'giving back' to the body of beauty knowledge I am going to start posting weekly pieces on the various products in my 'beauty arsenal'. 

It is really important to point out that I do not get anything for free. I pay through the nose for my products and any information I can give to help other ladies decide what to spend their hard earned money on I am more than happy to provide. Also, it makes me feel a little bit better about the sheer quantity of products I have no doubt spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on. 

I will also be sharing information from the Personal Care section of my newly purchased Guide to Ethical Supermarket Shopping. Upsettingly, it turns out that most of my beauty products are produced by multinational corporations who are the spawn of Satan. But if I am doing this so that other ladies may make more informed choices, I probably need expose some of my less-than-ethical product purchases. So stay tuned for my first little review.

 
(this . . . is just the tip of the iceberg, baby)