Regular

I’m a regular looking woman. All of my features are stock and came with the body I’m currently in. The older I get, the more I prefer to keep it that way.

On most social media feeds, I see a lot of flawless, gorgeous women who lead really glamorous looking lives. They’ve got perfect skin, hair, lips, curves and on top of that they're acting like all of that just came effortlessly. It’s a carefully curated show that is often unattainable for a lot of women.

I hear a lot of women comparing themselves to what they see on Instagram. Or to the Kardahsian’s or Real Housewives or whatever new TV show is featuring women who refuse to age or are in fact 22 and supposed to look that way.

There’s about a thousand tutorials on everything from baking your makeup to contouring your legs. Products made to make our lips bigger and our waists smaller. New fillers and sculpting and 15 minute workouts and low fat recipes everywhere.

It’s unhealthy.

I also quite frankly find this look boring and played out.

I’m not saying it’s all bad. If that’s the look you crave, do you, you’re doing the right thing for you. What is bad is the constant feeling that you need to look a certain way. If you’re doing anything to look some type of way because it pleases others, that’s a problem. If how you look controls your entire world, that’s a problem.

I’ll be honest, I have considered getting Botox or other procedures and sometimes I still do. Yet the more I see the way women are spending money, time, energy and peace to look perfect, the more I’m ok being regular.

I’m probably not going to age as well as some of the women that are having work done. I’m going to look older sooner. I’m at peace with that. That may change, but right now, I’m fine with it.

I don’t like the overdone look. That overly plastic and perfectly unlined flawless image is just not for me.

I’m not saying let’s shame women who choose to look that way. I’m just saying let’s normalize women being regular too. Normalize women who just age and stick with the hair and nails as their maintenance. And not because its “brave.” Because it’s actually damn attractive to just love how you were made and look like the unique person you were born as.

Whatever works for you is great. Just made sure you’re doing these things for you. And only you.

All My Friends Are Getting Botox

Self care and anti aging techniques have certainly changed over the last decade and now that I'm in my 30's, I'm noticing more and more that all of my friends are utilizing injections to keep up.  Whether it be Botox, peels, fillers - things I don't even know about, women younger and younger are trying them.  

I'm team do you boo.  Meaning I am all for doing whatever you want to your body as long as it makes you happy.  Whether it be Botox to extreme plastic surgery, it's your body, you do you.

Personally, I'm both curious and absolutely terrified of injections.  I like to do my research.  I need long term, sound data from reputable companies.  And then I also need testimonials from about 382 people before I even make an initial consultation.  That being said, I will most likely (LOL, make that WILL) have some "work" done at some point in my life.

I wanted to talk about this because of how common it is becoming, how much women are talking about it with each other, and how much it still carries a bit of a taboo.  

Aging has always been a battle for women.  Men seem to get more distinguished and become sexier with grey hair and women have to do everything possible to prevent the wrinkles, greys, sagging and lines.  And while I'm all for aging gracefully, owning getting older as a gift, I'm still a bit vain and I'd like to avoid some of these things in the process.

There are so many options for injections, lasers, peels - I sunk into an entire black hole the other night looking at just how many procedures exist.  Honestly, it's all really overwhelming as someone who just figured out what clay masks are.  But it's also really cool because this girl loves research and she loves good skin.  I also happen to have a secret weapon - a best babe who is in the industry, and she knows her shit.

I like to think most women who hit 30 are at least semi curious about all the options when it comes to aging. I've been very lucky and I have some great skin.  But at 32, I've started noticing the small imperfections and I'd love to explore what I can do to fix these as well as what to do as I continue to get older.

I want to keep it natural and I'm really into preserving what I've got going on.  So I'm starting small.  Microdermabrasion.  I don't even think this qualifies as work, I think it's just an intense facial.  But it's going to be the first thing I do outside of face masks and creams and I'm excited to see the results.

All of my friends are getting Botox.  And while I'm not there yet, you bet your ass one day I'll be there, and then some (probably sooner than I think!).  Obviously, you've got to do what works for you - whether that be to not touch what the world gave you or go full reconstruction, do your research, meet with a doctor, ask your friends - and then do what makes you healthy and HAPPY!