A Wrinkle In Time... and one on my forehead too.

This has been kind of a crazy year for me. I'm not sure whether it has been stress, kids, too much sun or simply getting older (because let's face it, I'm not in my 20s anymore), but I noticed a while back that my forehead is starting to get ... gasp!... wrinkles.

Now I'd like to say, being a staunch feminist, that I could give a rat's ass about whether or not I'm starting to show signs of age. But, quite honestly, I'm a woman and it's ingrained into us pretty much from birth to care about how we look- and I am no different. I fall prey to vanity and comparing what is in the mirror to what is in the media. At the same time, I'm also pretty damned honest in that department. If you ask me, I will tell you my age (I see nothing wrong with being 31), my dress size (I'm actually quite pleased with it right now), my height and weight (the former of which is shorter than you might think- hidden 95% of the time by my love for heels and the latter has bounced about throughout my life- topping the scale at over 200lbs- a fact which very few people know), even my bra size (though I'm not about to post that on here!!). I will admit to dying my hair (darker most of the time- I find people take me more seriously), wearing contacts, wearing undergarments that suck me in and push me up when need be, and knowing how to hide acne, injury and serious under eye circles with the right kinds of makeup. But, while I fall prey to vanity and giving in to fit the media's view of women, I also openly admit to my faults (though I certainly don't like to call them that). I feel like if we as women remain honest, if nothing else but with each other, then perhaps with time we can help change the idea of beauty to one less nipped, tucked and airbrushed and into something more natural.

And so that brings me to today's blog. The first one I've written in a LONG time. But, as I've always said- empowerment through honesty. So here goes... my foray into the world of anti-aging products.

I ran into Walgreens today to pick up my normal face wash. I was actually in a hurry to get home, but Walgreens has a way of tempting me always to buy more than I should. I found myself before that wall of facial care products, overwhelmed with all that was in front of me. A myriad of creams, gels and sprays to help you fix every possible facial ailment (even ones you hadn't even considered UNTIL NOW that you might have). Ingredients I can't even begin to pronounce (or spell, so I'm not even trying). And suddenly there I saw them- the anti-wrinkle creams. I steeled myself up, knowing that I might as well take a look. After all, I had seen those little wrinkles beginning to form within the frown lines of my forehead. And the big ones that go where my smile lines are at my mouth (though I'm not necessarily in a hurry to get rid of those). Perhaps some preventative maintenance is what I need- or so that was the thought running through my head as I continued my perusal.

I stared for far too long, reading labels of the miracles each item could work- yes, I DO look tired (two kids and a full time job will do that to you)... hmm, I'm sure I could stand to be revitalized... rejuvenated, most definitely... shrink my pores and reduce fine lines and wrinkles- ooh, I want that!! ... collagen, retin-A, microdermibrasion, vitamin this and that and the other... oh my! It was more than enough to make my head spin.

Fortunately, I spotted a clerk nearby who appeared to be somewhere in the age range of my own mother- and when you don't have your mom with you to help, someone else's mom will have to do. Plus, she had wrinkles, so I figured she was no stranger to my dilemma. And so I wandered up to her, clueless deer in the headlights look in my eyes and, like the little lost child, asked her, "Please help!" She asked what I needed and I admitted pitifully, "I need help picking wrinkle cream!!" She found this quite funny and had a good laugh (with me,not at me!). I lucked out in asking her though, as it seems she had already tried quite a few of the creams on the shelf and, being both the clerk for the cosmetics section and a consumer, she knew all about what each one did and the research. She told me quite honestly which ones worked and which ones weren't worth the fancy packaging they came in. When we finally settled on something, she set me up with a $5 coupon and a $15 rebate- reduce wrinkles AND cost! Score one for Walgreens!

And so I spent my small fortune on two tiny tubes of miracle gel and headed off home to my little wrinkle producers. I gave the products, some system by Neutrogena which claims to be "a breakthrough anti-aging technology using the power of bioelectricity" (the fact that spell check doesn't even think that's a word makes me giggle), a try this evening. It didn't seem to be anything overly unusual. But, according to the box, in four weeks I will see positively electrifying results in my skin. Hmm... is electrifying really a good thing? Should I be frightened?

So, should you happen to see me in four weeks or more, feel free to point out my wrinkles and comment on their (hopefully reduced) size... at your own risk of course.