When in the makeup aisle. . .

Growing up with two brothers, I was never the “glamorous” little girl every parent probably dreamt of. Granted, I did like getting into things, like my mom’s makeup and nail polish and, of course, the closet. I would watch my mom put on her makeup, fix her hair, find out which outfit to wear. But, I also watched my dad shave and put on his cologne, which I always asked for a little bit on my own face before I ran off to school.

As I have aged, I have realized my slow growing obsession with makeup, facial products and hair products. In about sixth grade, I started developing some acne, not debilitating but bad enough to be self-conscious. I tried all the over-the-counter remedies but nothing seemed to work. Throughout high school it got better. In college, I tried the basic Murad solution set, cleanser, toner and moisturizer with tea tree oil. The combination seemed to make my face incredibly oily.

Then came the incredible Proactiv solution – this felt like it was heaven sent! My face cleared the tone and texture improved and I felt like I could finally leave the house without makeup. Of course, at $45 a set, that can get a little steep.

As I started trying every over-the-counter regimen available to compensate for breaking up with Proactiv, I completely stumbled on my new product by chance. One day as I was looking for a cleanser that would double as eye makeup remover that wouldn’t make my face oilier or cost me a fortune, I found it. On the bottom shelf at Publix, the little blue bottle looked up at me – Purpose face wash. The “Gentle as Water” facial cleanser runs about $5 at any grocery or pharmacy and is as effective at cleaning pores as the more expensive brands.

I was mystified as I started using it and my pores began to shrink and skin tone evened out. Purpose even proved to me that as I thought I always had troubled skin, it was just that I was using products that were too harsh for my skin.

Granted, I still swear by Proactiv, but if you are looking for a non-expensive alternative and your skin can handle no salicylic acid, Purpose is definitely worth a shot.

All women should consider themselves a Duchess

Long time no post! Friday night Corey had to work late so I thought I would catch up on my chick flicks. The first selection was Keira Knightley in The Duchess. Knightley plays Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire, who is “sold off” to marry the Duke on Devonshire by her mother. Blinded by the thought of a rich house, title and living in the public eye, Georgiana assumes she and her husband will grow to love each other, considering they had only met twice. Knightley was captivatingly beautiful, as always, in this period piece and I was pleasantly surprised at the movie’s blunt transparency into the time. Not only was the Duchess raised to assume being sold into a marriage was OK, she was also told to ignore her husband’s indiscretions.

The movie really made me think about the mid-late 1700’s and what a modern woman in today’s society would do if placed in the similar situation of Georgiana? I know what I would have done.

As someone who considers herself a modern woman, I have had my share of heartbreak, men who were unfaithful, mean to me; I could go on and on. But to my defense, I never lived in the same household with my boyfriend and his lover, nor pretended it wasn’t going on. To Georgiana’s credit, she did confront the Duke and Lady Elizabeth. I don’t know if they ever reconciled their relationship as friends (Even though in the movie they did, I have yet to read the book), but I believe she was rightfully livid and her husband was repugnant.

Now, in all fairness, we do have to give something to the Duke. The story wouldn’t have made headlines, been made into a book or a move if he didn’t act the way he did. And to Georgiana’s mother, who was equally disgusting, she wanted her daughter to remove herself publicly to lower the chance of rumors. Well, Georgiana showed her with several published works about her, numerous paintings and is still being talked about in the 21st Century.

So every time I think I am being outspoken, too opinionated or quick-witted, I will think of the Duchess of Devonshire and how she turned her tragedy to her favor by being in the public eye and not bowing down to criticism or speculation.

I loved this movie and can’t wait to buy it on DVD.