Me, late 40s (Photo by Darlene Foster)
I don’t do facials.
The other day someone said to me that if I don’t enjoy facials I haven’t received a good one.
Wrong.
I received many “good” ones. I don’t like them — period.
First of all, except for my husband, I don’t like anyone touching my face (especially women with creepy long nails). Facials aren’t relaxing to me. They take too long and I can think of a million better things I’d rather do with my time. And if the person giving me a facial is a talker — forget about it! Nothing is more irritating than senseless chatter.
Mind you, I have gotten facials in amazing health spas that are classy, clean and have a very spiritual atmosphere. But if something is not your bag — it’s just not your bag! I will not pretend to be into something just to keep up with the Joneses (unless it’s a very sexy Jones like Tom Jones in the 1970s!)
Yesterday I was in Whole Foods and one of the women sampling products commented on my “beautiful skin” and how I looked like I was glowing. Mind you this woman was at least 10 years younger than me. So to hear how great your skin is from a much younger woman is truly a compliment.
When I told her that my beauty regimen is just slabbing coconut oil over my face first thing in the morning, she couldn’t believe it. Then she added, “Coconut oil seems to be the latest thing.”
I’m not one to follow beauty fads. My love for coconut oil came by chance. A few years ago I realized my skin got a little sensitive in my old age and it would turn red with regular beauty products. (Mind you, for the past 20 years I’ve only used all natural products that don’t test on animals).
So coconut oil seemed to be the purest thing I could use to keep my skin soft and it works! (I prefer Spectrum brand).
I do not sleep with the oil on my face, but I put it on every morning. I work out and then relax and have breakfast. Then I take a hot shower and the oil gets into my pores.
I did not read about this routine anywhere, I just figured it out on my own.
I also think eating clean, organic, natural foods attributes to healthy skin.
Bernardo LaPalla is 109 years old and eats a pretty clean diet. I also read somewhere that he puts olive oil all over his skin. This man looks amazing! More like he’s in his 70s than 109! Of all I read of him, I never once read that he gets facials.
I honestly think facials are unnecessary and a waste of money (and worse, a waste of time).
Bernardo LaPalla — age 109!
One of the tips Bernardo gives in regard to staying young is “Don’t be an uptight fanatic.”
I totally agree with that because being a fanatic about your health is very stressful. And I know when I’m very stressed, I’ll get a blemish. So when people say beauty is from within, they are correct. Stay positive and happy and your skin will look great.
So two cheap tricks that don’t take up a lot of time and cost much:
1. Be a nice person
2. Coconut oil or olive oil
ENJOY!
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta 
Thank you for the great tip. I have not thought about coconut oil except for cooking and as an alternative to butter. Are you using a liquid form or a solid form? I think I will have to try the coconut oil. And it is true beauty does come from within. On a good day I don’t look my age and I love to tell people, yes this is the result of being a vegetarian (now vegan), no smoking, drugs or alcohol (although now I do drink an occasional glass of chocolate wine or stella rosa).
I have always said that as we get older who we are on the inside does start to show up on the outside.
Great Post.
Ivonne
Hi Ivonne, thanks for your kind words! I use Spectrum, it’s in a soft solid form. I love the stuff. But for cooking I use Jordan Rubin’s Garden of Life brand.
You definitely don’t look your age and you are one of the prettiest girls! That is true about not using drugs or smoking. I do like my alcohol though but have cut down tremendously over the years. What is chocolate wine? That sounds amazing!
Love ya! xo
I thought I had done a post on chocolate wine but I can’t find it. It’s a port wine infused with chocolate. Ok I be doing a post on it and tell you more about Choc wine.
Wow, that sounds wonderful! I’m a fan of lambics too — raspberry tastes like champagne but it’s actually beer fermented with raspberries.
I really don’t like messing with my face either.
Terrific! Another low-maintenance beauty — I love it! Thanks for checking in. Now I’m curious to read how many others don’t do anything 🙂
You do have beautiful skin! I have had a couple of facials and really liked them but your’e right they do take a lot of time and I just hate sitting for that long, thinking of all the things I should be doing.
Ahh, I’m so glad you’re with me on the time factor! I feel that way about massages too — it’s like, when is it going to end?! (Unless my husband is giving me one, then it could be a three hour event — hee-hee!) The only “long” service I really enjoy is acupuncture because my body just doesn’t want to move!
You have fabulous skin, Mary Anne. What a classic beauty you are!
I don’t do facials either. I’ve noticed since I moved to the tropics that my skin is glowing and I think it’s because of the amount of water I’m drinking (I have to because of the heat). I’ve heard before that you should drink a lot of water to improve your skin and I didn’t really believe it until now!
I’m going to find some of that coconut oil and try it. Thanks so much for the tip 😀
Aww, thanks so much Dianne! (And I’ve told you before that I think you are gorgeous too!)
It’s interesting, over the years I’ve heard so many women speak of how great their skin responds when they are in a different area. One lady said when she visits Japan even her hair is better!
Let me know how you make out with the coconut oil 🙂
If I looked like YOU, I wouldn’t bother with facials either!! I try my best to be nice, but my skin doesn’t seem to notice. Rats! Off to buy some coconut oil… 😉 xo
Really? I think you look fantastic! (You have a retro 1960s look that I love — and if my husband saw you he’d totally think you’re hot!) Are you subconsciously upset about something maybel? My skin always reacts poorly when I’m stressed. I always miss my beloved late grandmother around the holidays and this year a little weird skin thing popped up around my eye, it was like a swelling, then it went away in a few days, but it was annoying because you always wonder if something is going to get worse.
Oops, I meant to put “maybe” not “maybel”
Haha! I agree! lol As for the cosmetics…lordy I have so many now!! I buy heaps and only really use 2 jars. Shiseido facial lotion and Estee Lauder neck firming cream. I stay away from cosmetic parties as I’m Bipolar! What does that have to do with anything? Everything! lol You have a tendency to spend unnecessarily! LMAO Hugs Paula xxxx
I totally need neck firming cream, Paula! Thanks for reminding me. I’m going to try the aloe vera gel like Ivonne recommended.
Ha-ha! I used to buy a ton of cosmetics too so I could always “match” my outfits, but then realized I’d rather just go with the colors that look best on me 🙂
Remember being a teenager when you first got into make-up? OMG, I LOVED the smell of the make-up when I first discovered it.
HUGS! xo
I was crazy, I plarsted that stuff on like I was a painetr or something.
Cyndi Lauper was my idol…I even dressed like her! lol xxxxx
What a coincidence, I once acted as Cyndi Lauper for a lip-synch contest (I didn’t win). I also dressed like her for Halloween once, but again didn’t win (but my date at the time won for dressing as Paul Stanley from KISS!) LOL! xoxox
Cyndi is great. I saw her twice in concert. Once warming up for Cher and recently with Dr. John.