thefrozenpineapple

Just this past week, I had to check a box.

Yup, that would be the “30′s” box in the field marked AGE.  I figured that choice was more accurate than “20′s,” as I’m a mere months away from the big 3-0.  (And, in context, this was a skincare/makeup questionnaire, and while my skin still looks fantastic–thank you, Mom–it certainly isn’t as perfect as it was when I was 20.  Alas.)

But I feel I should be honest, here.  I’ve been aging myself!  Not only have I been telling people I’m 30–why I skipped a few months, I’m not sure–but I certainly haven’t been doing a body good these past few months.

With the extra stress and caffeine combined with severe lack of sleep I experienced last semester, I shudder to think of the years I’ve taken off my life.  (It’s true; Shape Magazine said so.)

Sometime last semester, I texted a girlfriend of mine who is as into skincare products as I am (interestingly enough, it was also her party at which I filled out the above form…) with a question about UNDER-EYE CONCEALER.  I had dark circles.  Or I was afraid I did.  I don’t even know if I could tell.  But I was sure of it.

She recommended Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind.

I’ve been using it ever since.  It certainly brightens, although I’m hoping the (though still not enough) extra sleep I’ve gotten on this winter break will do more to rejuvenate my skin than any product.

Another thing I’ve noticed?  Sensitive teeth.

Not sure when THAT started happening, but it wasn’t until I was at the dentist a couple weeks ago that it all clicked.  Getting a bit older.  Drinking more coffee.  Brushing too hard.  A few receding gum-lines.  No wonder I’d all of a sudden started preferring to leave my water bottle on the counter during the day, rather than keep it nice and cold in the fridge.  And just the other night, the cold of the ice cream on my teeth was definitely noticeable.  (Not that it stopped me from eating it, or anything.)

So, the dental hygienist handed me a couple sample-sized tubes of this:

OK, now I’m really old.  Seriously.  Beauty creams and makeup–no matter what they do–make me feel pretty.  Toothpaste for sensitive teeth?  I feel downright geriatric.

(I must admit, though, it totally works. The hygienist recommended brushing once a day with regular, and once with the sensitive stuff.  At least I get to straddle the fence a little while longer…)