I loved reading this! So many of the tools I have already dabbled in. During pregnancy I started using my gua sha in the shower daily. And now that my babe is here I’m doing it 2-4 times a week. It’s so great to unwind. I love the invincible stainless steel!
I also naturally decided not to keep up the monthly biab mani, how would I get time for this with a new baby!? I’d been half heartedly using a cuticle oil pen which I love for its ease of application.. but it’s not refillable!
Thank you for creating a space for all the non-Botox natural beauty girlies. Investing into quality tools every so often and ditching the regular pricey treatments means we can invest into other things than bring us joy.
Please share your reflexology chart! I’d love to see some videos of you doing all of these things!
All of this Alison, echoing my gnawing feelings these past years.
Multiple truths simultaneously - we can take pride in our appearance and enjoy the dignity that comes with feeling ‘groomed’, while drawing the line at beauty services / expenses that no longer align with our evolving priorities.
I’ve also started applying the gender question before I consider a beauty treatment - if the men in my life wouldn’t do this, why am I?
Because ‘it makes me feel good’ is one answer, and again no judgment to all who choose their choices.
But when I ask myself why does X (facial/ hair dye etc) make me feel good?
Does ‘feeling good’ = appearing youthful? Why is female youth our metric of beauty and success?
When we start excavating our beauty rituals and routines it can be an expensive, deep hole to peer into.
Disclaimer - I just bought a few of the products you recommended!
Thank you for highlighting some more mindful beauty and self care options which don’t disguise/ freeze our true selves.
Thank you for sharing ✨ this really resonated with me and it’s something I’ve been considering deeply for a while now. I’ve written several pieces that touch on this recently too (both for my own substack and some external online publications) as I feel many women grapple with this during mid life, often after becoming mothers. But it can still be extremely difficult to sit in alignment with our true selves, when everywhere we look we are confronted with faces that don’t move/emote/age… even more so, perhaps, when we didn’t have preventative Botox and the creases on our faces are now more deeply etched than those of our peers.
I’m in agreement with you that there is no right or wrong, or judgment either way, but it’s a conversation I feel needs to be had and heard more broadly x
Thank you for the reflections. I really do think the preventative thing is real. I suppose I didn't really believe it but now I do because I'm nine months without Botox and there's no significant lines or grooves appearing. A pleasant surprise.
Absolutely loved reading this Alison. Reminds me of this quote from my #1 book of all time...
‘People who have Botox injections and can’t furrow their brow are less able to perceive another persons worry because they can’t physically reenact’
It’s so fascinating. They have actually proven that it hinders our human ability to sense emotion, concern etc in other humans.
Another gem from the greatest book ever.
‘How to know a person’ by David Brooks the NYT journalist
Xx love Nim
Sounds right up my alley! Thank you.
I loved reading this! So many of the tools I have already dabbled in. During pregnancy I started using my gua sha in the shower daily. And now that my babe is here I’m doing it 2-4 times a week. It’s so great to unwind. I love the invincible stainless steel!
I also naturally decided not to keep up the monthly biab mani, how would I get time for this with a new baby!? I’d been half heartedly using a cuticle oil pen which I love for its ease of application.. but it’s not refillable!
Thank you for creating a space for all the non-Botox natural beauty girlies. Investing into quality tools every so often and ditching the regular pricey treatments means we can invest into other things than bring us joy.
Please share your reflexology chart! I’d love to see some videos of you doing all of these things!
Ok video series incoming on Insta! I did little teases but I will definitely do my whole routine. Thanks for the invitation to share. ♥️
All of this Alison, echoing my gnawing feelings these past years.
Multiple truths simultaneously - we can take pride in our appearance and enjoy the dignity that comes with feeling ‘groomed’, while drawing the line at beauty services / expenses that no longer align with our evolving priorities.
I’ve also started applying the gender question before I consider a beauty treatment - if the men in my life wouldn’t do this, why am I?
Because ‘it makes me feel good’ is one answer, and again no judgment to all who choose their choices.
But when I ask myself why does X (facial/ hair dye etc) make me feel good?
Does ‘feeling good’ = appearing youthful? Why is female youth our metric of beauty and success?
When we start excavating our beauty rituals and routines it can be an expensive, deep hole to peer into.
Disclaimer - I just bought a few of the products you recommended!
Thank you for highlighting some more mindful beauty and self care options which don’t disguise/ freeze our true selves.
EXCAVATING. Wow, that's the right word.
Thank you for sharing ✨ this really resonated with me and it’s something I’ve been considering deeply for a while now. I’ve written several pieces that touch on this recently too (both for my own substack and some external online publications) as I feel many women grapple with this during mid life, often after becoming mothers. But it can still be extremely difficult to sit in alignment with our true selves, when everywhere we look we are confronted with faces that don’t move/emote/age… even more so, perhaps, when we didn’t have preventative Botox and the creases on our faces are now more deeply etched than those of our peers.
I’m in agreement with you that there is no right or wrong, or judgment either way, but it’s a conversation I feel needs to be had and heard more broadly x
Thank you for the reflections. I really do think the preventative thing is real. I suppose I didn't really believe it but now I do because I'm nine months without Botox and there's no significant lines or grooves appearing. A pleasant surprise.