Lets face it... everyone wants to look good and be admired... but it's a lot of work looking great once you pass 30-something. Some of the most blindingly beautiful men and woman I know have one thing in common... they are happy. They are happy with themselves, their life and embrace their flaws with their assets... I remember a few years ago I saw a man and woman and they looked stunning with their skiing tan lines and the gleam in their eyes of a life lived and enjoyed ( I did notice that they did not have the tell-tell signs of cosmetic surgery or botox... I'll discuss that a little bit later) I thought to myself when I grow up I want to be like them... and I am.
The ingredients to looking your best are pretty basic... good health, a great attitude and living in moderation--- I'm a firm believer in not denying yourself all of the things life has to offer including seared foie gras and Champagne and and candied violets topping a chocolate mousse... but you can't have that all the time or you would probably be as big as a house and your cholesterol would be staggeringly high.; not to mention when you have these treats irregularly I think you appreciate them a bit more and the festive times they represent in your life. Another key part in all this is living a fabulous life... I'm one of those people who truly advocate a good nights sleep as part of any beauty regime but don't miss the chance to go dancing until dawn or go skinny dipping in the fountain in front of The Plaza Hotel (they take a dim view of people doing this for some reason but it was on a friends bucket list) I'm a firm believer that life's adventures keep a smile on your face and your skin glowing.
What we are going to be dealing with now is the daily maintenance of facing the world with your game face and your best foot forward. Nora Ephron said it best "I think that not having to worry about your hair anymore is the secret upside of death." She is one of my favorite writers and I'm sad that her life was cut short but her wit and wisdom live in my heart.
Hair Apparent ---
I mentioned last week that I have spent a small fortune on my hair and it's true but I don't regret a single dollar or the hours invested. One of the things about my hair is it enters the room and is always noticed and appraised or scorned a nano second before I am part of the whole picture so I always have to take that into consideration.
Finding the right person to do your hair is like finding the right person to have a life long love affair with and it's not easy... Some of the men who have run their hands through my hair include...
Mr. Kenneth
Yusuke Suga
Jon Peters
Vidal Sassoon
Jose Eber
Philip Kingsley
I have had some of the greatest hair care available in the free world and I leaned something about life and myself and my hair from each and every one of them but some were not the best fit for me and my lifestyle... so though choice or fate I have finally found the person who understands me and my hair best and that is half the battle of healthy beautiful hair... the ultimate prize is I get my hair done in the privacy of my own home... but don't get me wrong I still like to go to a salon once and a while for a shampoo and blow dry; not only do the professionals know how to give a better blow out but you get to read all the magazines you would never be caught dead buying.
My hair left to it's own devises looks like a bad home perm... so in an effort to control it I've had it relaxed, permed. I've had it colored, highlighted, lowlighted... and the thing I'll tell you is the longer you avoid chemically processing your hair the better for you and your hair--- because once you start it's likely you will never have virgin hair again. Now I have my hair highlighted a few time a year and colored as needed. I finally stopped fighting with my hair and accepted it as a messy, slightly curly with some straight strands and deal with it the best I can. (some days you just have to put a baseball cap on and not worry about it). Much like getting the best cut using the optimal shampoos and conditioners for your hair is critical. I use a variety of products specifically for blonde and treated hair but one of the best things to come along in a long time are the Chaz Dean Wen products... I can't recommend them highly enough... my advice is unless you have extremely oily hair you should not wash it every day... do it as necessary. If you want to make a great conditioner for your hair it's pretty easy (most of the ingredients are available from a good chemist or drug store)
1 cup Cetostearyl alcohol
1/2 teaspoon almond oil
1/4 teaspoon lanolin
1/4 teaspoon Benzalkonium chloride
3 pints distilled water
Heat all ingredients on low heat until melted and and combined remove from heat and continue to stir until cool.
Finally make sure you have a balanced healthy diet and your hair, body and finger nails will thank you but be mindful of the effects of sun, sea and chlorinated water... also take into account any specific problems you might have could be a side effect from stress, prescription or recreational drugs or alcohol use; in which case you should consult a physician or dermatologist.
Blemished Reputation---
The beginning and end of good skin care is keeping your face clean and balanced...
- Wash
- Tone
- Moisturize
- Normal Skin
- Oily Skin
- Dry Skin
- Combination Skin
- Sensitive Skin
I've been using Erno Laszlo since I was 15 and had a short fling with Ilona Of Hungary and Georgette Klinger; but I'm back to Sea Mud Soap and Normalizer Shake It... I use Clinique soap and toner during the summer and La Mer is the best moisturizer I have ever used--- I've also found a few special treatment products from Peter Thomas Roth. The best way to find the best products and what works best for your skin and lifestyle is by experimentation (but don't spend a fortune in the process start by using the samples) One of the biggest issues in skin treatment is once you find the perfect product for your skin it's discontinued... don't get me started on this. I also like to go and get a professional facial once or twice a year--- They really do help your skin and morale. Oh and one more thing that I was late to embrace as part of my daily ritual is to get a good sun screen that works with your other treatments and drinking a lot of water to keep myself hydrated (especially on long aircraft trips)... but better late than never.
Clip Joint---
So now that your hair and skin are looking better it's time to do something about those hands and feet of yours. You don't think you need to bother... think again. People judge and assess you every single day from head to toe... if you don't believe me you are living in a fools paradise. The finishing touch and the thing that most men overlook is a good manicure and pedicure. Think about how many times you have extended your hand to shake hands with someone (what did your nails and hands look and feel like?) Remember back to when you had to take off your shoes and your feet looked like Kaiser Rolls with toes that resembled dirty fingerling potatoes?
Learning how to properly take care of your feet and your hands yourself is probably one of the best investments you can make in your appearance --- all you need are curved nail scissors, nail clippers, emery board, a bowl of warm soapy water (Yes it's Palmolive dishwashing liquid Madge), orange sticks, q-tips, cuticle remover, a pumice stone, hand cream and a nail buffer... but it's such a treat to go to a salon once and a while to have it done professionally ( I once sat next to Elliott Gould and had one of the most fun hours of my life). Again I keep it as simple as possible--- clean short nails, cuticles trimmed and I skip the clear polish and get buffed if I'm putting on a tuxedo... but this is a personal choice for you to make. In terms of overall foot happiness make sure your shoes fit and are comfortable and if you get athletes foot Dial Gold soap is the best and least expensive treatment.
Hair Today Gone Tomorrow---
In terms of hair removal there are a wide variety of options available--- I'm pretty much finished after facial shaving and bit of manscaping but if you have hair issues that require consideration of waxing, electrolysis or lasers I strongly suggest you go to a professional who comes highly recommended; there are just things you should not do yourself or have your room mate help you with... ever. Would you perform your own appendectomy or have your best friend help you?
The First Cut Is The Deepest---
The only thing I have experience with is necessary reconstructive surgery after an accident and some dermabrasion, mole removal and a vanity botox treatment before appearing live on Japanese television... If and when the time comes that I want to try to fight the hands of time with cosmetic surgery I'm going to really do some serious research and seek out referrals... doing it successfully is when you don't look like "The Joker" in the old Batman series or constantly appearing surprised or amused.
Happy Endings---
I think one of the best kept beauty secrets is loving someone (especially yourself) and avoid at all costs avarice, malice and envy; horrible people age hideously... and don't read beauty magazines they don't have a clue who you really are and what suits you best. And last but not least the treatment that is worth it's weight in gold is a good massage therapy treatment; the choice is yours whether it's more sensual or physically therapeutic but a good massage will reduce muscle tension and increase blood circulation that will bring out a healthier tone to your skin and help your body best utilize it's nutrients... it helps you maintain good muscle tone and you feel like a million dollars when the session is complete.
So put your best face and your best foot forward and have a great week. Thank you!
