ID’d

As discussed here, I’m getting all new ID’s bearing my new name. I’m embracing my name change. I’m excited to be a Singer. The downside? Having to get all new ID photos.

I think I’m low-maintenance; my husband begs to differ. Justin agrees with Harry, of When Harry Met Sally fame: I’m the worst type of high maintenance, because I think I’m low maintenance. I don’t deliberate over outfits or spend very much time on makeup. But I do take my time ordering a sandwich. I’m particular when it comes to eating out.

When do I really primp? For big events, and for ID pics. I know to some it may seem ridiculous, but you have your ID’s for years to come! So when Refinery29 featured this post on looking fine for the DMV, I took note.

And I was pleasantly surprised when the cat lady (she literally had a cat with her in the bodega) taking my new passport picture provided the below commentary, in broken English:

“You vain.”

“But pretty.”

“I like you style.”

“You skinny.”

“Where you going?”

“I don’t like Mexico.”

“Ugh, the food.”

AS

P.S. Speaking of vain and skinny, StyleCaster instructs on how to look skinny in pictures, here. (In case you didn’t get the memo about The Arm Trick.)

P.P.S. My first passport pic, from before I was vain J

Love the skin you’re in

This Refinery29 feature was so inspiring. Healthy skin requires the ultimate balance of performing the right skincare rituals for you, and investing in self-care practices like eating healthy food and drinking tons of water. Finding a great dermatologist and investing in the right products also do wonders.

A few of my favorite products, also favored among Refinery29 editors:

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

My fiancé actually got me hooked on this gentle cleanser, but it’s basically the go-to mild cleanser in every skincare magazine article I’ve ever read…

St. Ives Apricot Scrub

In the summer I alternate between Cetaphil and this exfoliant. In the winter I use the scrub sparingly, because I’m prone to dry skin when the weather’s bitter. But it really does give me the best glow.  

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

(Not to be mistaken for its gel counterpart… I made that mistake once… Tragic! J)

I’ve been using this moisturizer for years. I’m addicted. And I always buy the 1.7 oz option; it’s the perfect size for my work tote, evening clutch or travel toiletree case.

Albolene Makeup Remover

Drugstores everywhere only sell the super-sized version. It’s obscene considering you only need apply a tiny amount via q-tip or soft tissue to remove eye makeup. Thankfully drugstore.com sells this 6 oz version. My mom has been using this for more years than she probably cares to share. And I’ve been using it since I started wearing makeup (just a little!) in high school. As promised, it leaves skin soft and cleansed. Added bonus? It also leaves a slight sheen that makes eyes pop when you’re going au natural post makeup removal.

A

P.S. My friend Brian gets glowing skin via this regimen. (And he’s an enthusiastic brand loyalist.)

image via pinterest 

"In Your (Radiant) Face" -- A Tribute To Dr. Hauschka

Today I’m thrilled to be featuring a guest post by my coworker/bestie Brian.

Enjoy!

A

Two weeks ago was my boyfriend’s 30-hmmmmmth birthday and I bought him some Dr.Hauschka products.

Admittedly I was more excited about these goodies than he was (and I bought them with the intention of using all items regularly) but since I also bought him a fancy dinner at Annisa (best meal ever, separate blog entry to follow) and a private session with his favorite Yoga Instructor, I thought the shared gift would be something fun for both of us.

I bought him the Cleansing Milk, the Moisturizing Day Cream, the Neem Hair Lotion, and a Lip Care Stick. After using each product only once, we immediately went out to buy the Lavender Bath, the Facial Tonic, the Daily Eye Revitalizer and the Cleansing Cream (which has a gentle exfoliant that the cleansing milk doesn’t have). I won’t tell you how much we spent. You can go to the website or to one of Dr. Hauschka’s distributors and do the math yourself. The truth is I don’t even know the grand total, I’m too embarrassed, and really too scared to even think about it.

Nowadays washing our faces is done with as much attention and ceremony as the washing of the Pope’s feet. It’s glorious. Warm lavender water, a light scrub, a spritz of tonic, and lush lotions. The lure of washing my face is enough to wake me up in the morning, even when I’ve only had scant sleep.

Originally Benjamin (the BF) and I thought of these products as a one-time special treat.  Now we know we can never live without them. Seriously, I think we’ll choose to live off of PB and J for a month if that’s what it’ll take to be able to purchase these skincare products again.

Of course I haven’t kept this discovery to myself. When I get to work in the mornings, I burst forth into the Yoga studio melodiously asking “How does my face look??!?!?” I make my coworkers smell my cheeks and stare at my pores. It’s gross and annoying, but mostly everyone laughs. Which is fine. I bring a certain amount of “goof” to these interactions, and for the most part the ladies at YogaWorks find me charming. But really it’s a serious matter and I want everyone to know Dr. Hauschka is seriously amazing. And for the most part, my coworkers are interested and believe me.

Amy, however, isn’t convinced by my show. A lady of impeccable taste (we know this to be true) she loves my flair but isn’t necessarily swayed so easily. She has the products that she loves, and isn’t interested in being proselytized. When I get up in her face and apply the Lip Care Stick to my lips while moaning in ecstasy she appropriately rolls her eyes and tells me to get away from her. At that point I usually beg, “Amy PLEAAAASE!  Just give it a try!” I then get a deadpan stare that turns me away with my tail between my legs.

This is all to say you can imagine my delight this morning when one of my favorite clients at the Yoga studio, who I haven’t seen in weeks, came in to the office and IMMEDIATELY complimented my face. This particular client shares my rich taste but probably has the funds to back it up. Regardless, she is a well-grounded individual and I always thoroughly enjoy our conversations, be they about Yoga, about clothes, about art or about perfume, whatever. So when she beamed at me and asked “WHAT have you been DOING with your skin, it looks FABULOUS” in a stop-the-presses tone of voice I IMMEDIATELY turned to Amy and said “SEE? Amy? AMY. SEE???” Amy smiled and laughed, and after my client left, she told me that yes she agreed as well, and would I please write about it for her. Since I’ve been torturing her with lewd noises and in-her-face emollient applications, I figured I owed it to her. Plus it’s a great way to spread the word. DR. HAUSCHKA Y’ALL!!!

Brian