summertime skin, aging, + some favorite products

i’m finding it a funny thing–funny is one word for it–the way we women fight age, and the way we regard men with a certain awe, sexiness, ruggedness, handsome, call-it-what-you-will when time etches lines in their faces. paul newman only got more attractive with time. would we say the same of audrey hepburn? we already know the answer, but seriously what is that? how do we regard our own aging with the same amount of ease, same laissez faire attitude that we as a whole regard men’s aging? the fine lines that sprout around our eyes, those parentheses that are forming around our mouths (they are there from smiling, after all), and the wrinkles in our forehead (mine, anyway) from demonstrative talking. what about the lengths we women will go, and the stuff we are willing to put on or in our bodies to try to fight aging. meanwhile, here’s my 52-year old husband who, kid you not, has a routine that consists of taking off his day’s clothes and climbing into bed in his boxers. and no, there is no routine that comes first. that is the whole routine from start to finish. okay, and when he showers, letting the water run down his face.

so, just as rome was not built in a day, nor are women about to cancel their botox appointments, skip the fancy retinol creams and fillers, or declare the war they’ve been waging with time over. we can however decide that, while we will still take good care of our skin, we will not sacrifice our own health to do so. (i do, fully recognize, that i say this as a 34 year old who isn’t too far into the ‘aging process’ yet.) i absolutely love beautiful products for my skin, taking care of it and feeling confident in it. i hope that the culture starts to shift, and we can perhaps do away with the term ‘anti-aging’ all together. i love beautycounter’s new phrases with the launch of their new line: getting better with age… age is an attitude, good skin is a science. changes are subtle, but they’re a step in the right direction.and so is this new counter time line. it’s the new (not going to say anti-aging here) line to offer something as good as retinol (maybe better?) but without the hazards. retinol gets a 9 on the ewg website. a 9, guys! that ain’t good. the fancy scientists that work for beautycounter (who i had the pleasure of hearing speak in phoenix…so inspiring) came up with what they’re calling retinatural: a mix of bakuchiol and swiss alpine rose–both plant based and shown to have the same benefits of retinol without the risks. bakuchiol stimulates collagen while repairing skin, and swiss alpine rose boost’s skin’s antioxidants. it’s a new day, ladies.

i’ve been using the collection since late may and i am loving it. great for sensitive or dry skin (that’s me) too. it feels amazing on my skin and i think i’m starting to see smoother skin already. i’ll be sharing more about this in the coming weeks and months on my wellness instagram if you’re interested. it’s more products than you see pictured above, but that’s all that my hands could hold. there’s an oil cleanser, an essence, a serum, a day and night cream, and an eye cream. clean, prep, treat, protect. the essence is so, so lovely and the night cream is the most luxurious cream i’ve ever used. each step has a ton of active ingredients designed to give you smooth, bright, firm skin, with all plant-based ingredients. (bonus–all north america sourced glass bottles that reduces beautycounter’s greenhouse gas footprint by 38%!!)changing gears, this little trio is one of my absolute favorites for summertime. they glide on so nice and smooth and creamy. there is a bronze, a pearl, and a rose glow. the rose glow is my favorite for blush, but i love the pearl in the corners of my eyes, my nose, brow bone, and under my eyes but above the blush. you won’t be sparkly. just a really pretty luminescence. and the bronze one i will sometimes use at my hairline where i normally apply bronzer. some people contour with it too. i just had to replace my rose glow because i used it so much!and finally, this countersun after sun gel. apparently finding a truly nontoxic aloe (aside from the plant itself) is pretty hard to do (seriously, just look at the ingredients on an aloe that might be in your house.). this does it and it’s so nice on after a day in the sun. i’ve put it on the boys faces after their cheeks got a little burned the other day, steve used it all over his shoulders, and i used it down my legs. it smells great too and leaves your skin feeling really hydrated after a long, hot day.

if you ever have any questions about beautycounter–colors, the skincare lines, or the business opportunity, feel free to email me.

shirt: old but still available in some colors! jeans: similar (mine are sevens from marshalls!)