I say this not to take us off the hook for our shared responsibility but rather to refrain from judging ourselves and others too harshly. We just haven't had the experience to react and behave flawlessly. Also the recovering perfectionist in me needs to hear it.
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Our culture loves an enemy to direct its rage (undigested trauma) upon so this virus is getting the treatment! As big thinker/writer Charles Eisenstein says, “If there is one thing our civilization is good at, it is fighting an enemy." In this same jaw-dropping essay he says and asks “Covid demonstrates the power of our collective will when we agree on what is important. What else might we achieve, in coherency?"

I hope you are well and able to connect to your loved ones. Each of you have ventured out in your own way. I respect everyone’s pace. I have found that each reintroduction may bring up some anxiety but with practice I have found more ease. Grocery stores for example. In April and May I was doing pick-up and delivery. Now I am not only back in the stores but slowing down, reading labels and bagging my own groceries--where they will let me. What are you doing now that in April seemed unthinkable? That is resiliency!

Like me you may have once thought the reminder that others have it worse is useful under times of stress. Well intended but I find it not helpful as a strategy to manage stress day to day, moment to moment. I suggest this IChill app, not flashy or advanced, just a simple and easy way to introduce strategies that you can use, in real time in the moments you need it--so unlike that old shaming mindset.
The above logo is the property of The Trauma Resource Institute, the owner of the above mentioned IChill app.

If you aren’t already, join me in saying Physical Distancing in place of Social Distancing. This is an important distinction. My goal as the weather cools down is to bundle up and toughen up. Keep walking even when it’s cold, keep meeting with friends in my garage or outdoors when the sun or a fire can warm us or we’re lucky enough to have an unseasonably warm day. I know that keeping connected socially is important. What are you doing for yourself in these challenging times? What are your resources? Could I again be a resource for you?
​Please reach out. 614-321-9202.

It seems more and more of my clients and friends are developing sensitivities to eye color cosmetics, usually mascara and/or eyeliner. Have I found a mascara that is safe for all to use? No. Mascara has several problematic ingredients: shellac (maybe listed as polymer on label) in one study on contact dermatitis was found to be the key sensitizing ingredient. Another probable correlation exists with nickel allergy and mascara (and curlers). Nickel won't show up on the ingredient list because it results as an impurity in a raw material used to produce another ingredient.  We know the thinner skin on our eyelids allows chemicals to go into the skin at a faster rate making contact dermatitis common around the eyes. This same article states that sweat allows chemicals to penetrate even easier.  All mascaras have some kind of pigment, even the "natural" ones. That is how they darken your lashes so if you are sensitive to those you'll have a harder time. Then there is the possibility of reacting to the preservatives. Preservatives are crucial in a formulation like mascara, and even with them you need to pitch yours every three months.
Take homes:
1.) The more you use a product the higher the chance you will develop a sensitivity to it. This makes sense because you don't hear this as much with younger people. Do you really need to wear mascara every day? Definitely don't exercise/steam or sauna with it. Be sure to remove all of it every night. Don't be stubborn and rely on the old "I've always used this and it's always worked for me." Things change and YOU change.
2.) You won't find a mascara to move to just by shopping cleaner brands or reading labels. You'll have an easier time if you are a cosmetic chemist but most of us it will be trial and error--or trial and learn as my Dad says. Especially considering raw materials (the ingredients in the ingredients) can be big unknowns. I have an earlier post about the FDA's role in cosmetics. Use your best sleuthing skills. If you also react to your eyeliner or other product, see if you can find a common ingredient.  Some brands have started carrying sample or travel sizes, so take advantage.
3.) Keep me posted on your trials. We can learn from each other and maybe (just maybe because we are all different) shortcut someone's tedious process. Meanwhile, if you can't go natural, curl those lashes to open up your eyes. If you have no nickel allergy use a metal crimper or try one of the heated models, like this one from blinc.

Hydrosols are the water by-product from steam distilling essential oils, but they aren't just water, they are better because they contain the chemical constitutes of the plant with all of its active phytonutrients. By misting with a hydrosol after I've removed your mask I am rehydrating your skin. Following with a facial oil or moisturizer, while still damp, I am recreating the top layer of the skin, the acid mantle, which is made of of lipids (oil) and water. The acid mantle is critical to healthy skin. It is why I named my private line Mantle Skincare. I expect I'll see more dehydrated skin once it cools off outside and the heat goes on inside. Hydrosols are also in many of my facial mists I retail for home care. Take one home to add to your regime. It may be the ticket for balanced skin, boosting the results from your moisturizer and possibly allowing you to use a lighter one.

If you or your child has a lighted magnifying mirror BEWARE. It is exponentially easier to go too far with eyebrows and skin. You are viewing yourself at an unnatural range. Trained artists know that you must take breaks from intense focus and step back from your art and view it from a more distant perspective. 

​If you or someone you love starts overdoing with eyebrows or habitually picking at skin, it is time to consider letting that accessory go and scheduling an appointment with me.
 
What do I recommend for at home? I like my small round suction cup magnifying mirror attached to my bathroom mirror. It isn’t high magnification; I can not sit and use it, thereby shortening my time in front of it. I even have it in a bathroom that I don’t use to apply makeup. I may do a quick check in it after I am done getting ready, to brush off a hair from a makeup brush or clean up a mascara smudge, but then I get on with my day. You guessed it, I have learned the hard way that I am better off without a high magnification mirror.
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Worrying about age and its impact on our appearance does not allow us to be present or mindful but rather compares how we look today with how we looked in our youth (the past) or how we fear we will look in the future. I absolutely believe better care of the skin can improve its appearance but I avoid the term anti-aging for this reason. Who wants to be against our very destiny?

Find your skin condition on the Dr. Alkaitis site and follow their recommendations, which like mine, allow for flexibility and experimentation. Listen to your skin and tweak. Sometimes you may do one thing in the morning and another at night or you may alternate days. Remember these products are adaptogenic. The intermingling of ingredients adapt to your skin’s unique needs.
 
Yes, it is recommended to use the oil at night on oily, combination and blemished skin to balance oil production. It is lightweight and will not clog pores. It is a luxury to use this oil while giving yourself a facial massage. (Something I especially recommend for non-fragile mature skin).
 
Their site has great suggestions for mixing and alternating products. It is not a hard fast rule that you must tone after cleansing. The toner is recommended for large pores and for soothing sunburn specifically. If your skin is inflamed or red (not from sunburn) skip toning and apply the Gel pre-moisturizer instead.
 
Have dry skin and have the Gel in your travel kit?
Use it as a first aid product on anything you tend to grab an antibacterial product for. It has the word Soothing in the name! If you were mixing the Oil and Toner and the Toner has run out, mix the Gel and Oil together as a beautiful serum layer during the day. Serums are applied after cleansing and before moisturizing.
 
Cleanser notes:
Cleansing should not be rushed so keep the water off and only turn it on to wet fingers periodically and at the end to rinse.
 
This cleanser is different! It might replace other home exfoliating products as it is excellent at removing impurities and invigorating skin. I occasionally rub some between my fingers and spread undiluted on dry skin. (Do not do this if you are sensitive or are inflamed with rosacea or acne. Use wet fingertips instead.) Begin wetting fingers and slowly emulsifying the soap so it stays fluid on the skin. Keep moving it about. When it won’t glide, wet fingertips again and move it about again. Don’t rush and keep away from eyes. Now, after a minute or two of the above pattern, rinse thoroughly, ending with a cool splash and pat dry. Your face will be tingly with a rush of blood.
 
Note: Mineral sunscreens and/or makeup can be removed first with an Oil Cleanser or Jojoba Oil and wiped off if the Dr. Alkaitis Cleanser doesn’t remove adequately. Never use the Dr. Alkaitis Cleanser to remove eye makeup.