Mom's Tips & Tricks

I've been thinking about my mom a lot lately. With Mother's Day just a few short days ago it's obvious that she would be on my mind. In addition to Mother's Day her birthday was yesterday (and I forgot to call...although she did tell me I'm not the only one who didn't call so I guess it's a tie for the "worst daughter of the year" award)! It hasn't just been those two things that have brought her to mind though. My mom has always suffered from poor self esteem. I don't why. I could guess, but I don't want to get into it right now. At least not in this post. It may be good for discussion some other time. The point is, she's beautiful. She's 54 years old and has been mistaken for my sister on more than one occasion. She looks amazing.  Example: I found this picture of my mom holding my youngest daughter when she was born (less than 2 years ago) and you'd never know it was her grandma and not her mom holding her.

See what I mean? Total babe, right?  (I know my dad thinks so because he tells me all the time. So sweet!)  Anyway, people have always been awed by my 54 year old mom's basically flawless and wrinkle free skin. (go ahead, zoom in, I dare you!)  I've often been told "you're lucky you have good genes" but the truth is it's not her genes. She actually takes care of her skin. Really good care. And I thought you might like to know just what her secret is. So here they are. Mom's tips and tricks to beautiful, young, healthy, glowing, wrinkle-free, you get the point, skin.

1. Mom never wears foundation. Ever. If you're thinking "there's now way that will ever be me" then we are in the same boat. I have to wear foundation. So here's the key. Put your foundation on as gently as possible. First, by not pulling so hard on your skin you will help prevent wrinkles. Second (and this is my own knowledge), if you rub too hard you are just rubbing your foundation off. It's not rubbing in the harder you do it. Trust me. It's coming off. So be gentle with your foundation.

2. Wash your face ever night. Even if you don't wear foundation, like mom, it is an important step. Wearing make up to bed ages you! So ladies, take it off!

3. When washing your face: A: wash with hot water; B: dry off your face by lightly patting a dry or damp wash cloth over your face. Mom uses a fresh, clean wash cloth every day. If you are using a dirty cloth to dry then you are just putting the germs on the cloth back on your face.Not good.

4. When applying lotion use the tips of your fingers and lightly pat the lotion into your face until it absorbs. No rubbing! This stretches your skin and will give you wrinkles.

5. When working with your eyes (whether applying lotion, foundation, or make-up) only use the ring finger or pinky finger to apply. They are your weakest fingers and will keep you from using too much pressure.

That's it. Mom also wears sunblock if she will be in the sun for an extended period of time and she always wears sunglasses and a hat in the sun. This has something to do with headaches (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree on that one) but I think keeping the sun out of your face as much as possible helps (but that's just me talking).

Other the fact that I wear foundation every day I try to always live by these rules.  I'll be happy if I look half as good as her when I'm 50.

Love you mom.