Sunday, November 28, 2010

30 Chic Days - Day Twenty Seven


Day 27: Look after your skin

I have read that at the age of 13 or 14, a French girl will be taken to her local beauty therapist by her mother and asked to prescribe a skincare regime, which the young girl will then use.

A regular twice daily routine is the best thing you can do for your skin from a young age (as well as wear sun protection).

Even though I’m not French, I was lucky enough that my mother did the same thing for me. In my early teens she took me to a department store and helped me choose a good quality three-step cleanse, tone and moisturise regime.

More than 25 years later and I still do these three steps twice a day.

I am often complimented on my skin and who knows if my skincare routine helped. I have actually had people stop me on the street and say I have beautiful skin.

I wasn't a big sunbather and I think that has been beneficial. And even though I dabbled with cigarettes in my teens, I have never been a smoker. That's a huge one. I don't care what the French say on smoking.

The photo above was on our wedding anniversary last year, age 38 and a half.

20 comments:

  1. Dear Lord, you're skin really is luminous! Thank you for sharing your beautiful self!

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  2. You look gorgeous and your skin is beautiful. You don't look a day over 24!!

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  3. Fiona, ma chere, your skin is luminous. You are a natural beauty. Whatever your regime is--it's working! I am trying to do my best too and you are right, healthy habits are just as important as good skin care. NO smoking, LOTS of water, EXERCISE, not too much alcohol, WHOLE foods...it all plays a part.

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  4. You are such a natural beauty, Fiona.

    I find it VERY hard to believe you are forty. Your commitment to skin care has paid off but I think you must have some pretty great genes too.

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  5. Not to flatter you even more. You do look 28 there:) I just had the best facial this year and was thinking I need this every month as the girl took almost two hours getting all those blackheads out! Yeah, not fun but worth it for your skin.

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  6. You do have gorgeous skin, Fiona...great photo! xxoo :)

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  7. I agree with the other commenters your skin is dewy and glows. You have obviously chosen your products with care, and you must eat and sleep well too.

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  8. skin can be so temperamental sometimes! >_<
    I'm afraid that recently I've had to be involved in a little bit of a skin battle :( but I've noticed that sun protection definitely helps!

    when you look good you feel good! :)
    like you in that photo! pretty~

    ~lenna

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  9. hi fiona,

    what you have is a collision of good habits with good genes and the result is stunning. fiona, your skin (and you) are beautiful!

    ~janet

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  10. Wow! You look so lovely! I am 24 and I would have thought we were the same age. What skin care products do you use?

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  11. Wow, merci for all your kind comments. I'm blushing.

    Vintage Dreamer, I drink loads of water, unfortunately I probably drink equal quantities of wine. C'est la vie.

    Ping, I agree with facials too. I've only two this year though. I want to do better and maybe have four next year. It would be nice to go monthly but can get costly.

    Lenna, skin compliments are quite funny to me, as I had real problems right up until my early twenties. So much so that I took Roaccutane for a while. That worked amazingly well and I've never looked back.

    Jen, I don't have one favourite brand. When I was younger I used Revlon and Clinique, later on Estee Lauder. I used Dior for several years as I worked for them. Serums, the whole bit. Now that I'm back in the real world I'm trying inexpensive, natural ones. My non-negotiable is no mineral oil. I've given up foaming cleanser in the shower too. I just rinse my face with warm water and use alcohol-free toner on a cotton square before my moisturiser.

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  12. Hi Fiona, I agree... your skin is luminous and you look in your 20s. :)

    I try and get a facial every 6 weeks. it is so expensive, I know. however, my husband and I are enthusiastic pub goers, and go 2-3 times a week and for one of those times I drink water and put what I 'save' into my 'beauty fund'. that pays for my facials. I recall a Belgian friend saying to me once years ago 'you must invest in your skin'. I have taken it to heart. however, I deeply envy your pure, yes luminous skin.

    I am just loving the 30 chic days series.... thank you so much!

    irene

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  13. you look very healthy and beautiful! I am happy that I have good skin myself even though I am 51, hardly wrinkles and a good condition. It is ofcourse also in your genes, but I don't smoke, drink too much, sit out in the sun. I have the habit of taking of makeup every night and put cream on morning and night! I started at the age of 16, so I am sure it helped.
    Inky

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  14. Irene, I like your idea of a beauty fund. I could easily 'save' up by making cuts in other areas.

    Inky, I also am very strict about taking makeup off. I've heard that the habit of sleeping in makeup is extremely ageing.

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  15. Fiona, I'm coming very late to the party, but just have to agree with everyone else - you look stunning! :0)

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  16. You have amazing skin. I'm in my mid-20's and taking precautions now rather than having to majorly "fix" anything later. I use sunscreen, moisturize (I splurge on La Mer...it's my one huge indulgence) and make sure to drink plenty of water.

    And thanks to that photo, once again, I think you're lying about your age! :) You definitely look like someone my age!

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  17. You are radiant and look far younger than 39.
    What a beautiful tradition for a young girl. My mom did something very similar to this as well. She is continually complimented how young she looks compared to her age and I can only hope to receive the same compliments when I am her age. Lovely post.
    Fiona, I have enjoyed this entire series. I find myself flipping back through it and just getting an idea when I need it. I enjoyed your suggestion on the last day, I believe it was, as long as you are continuing to try to be more chic, successes will gradually start appearing. Thank you again for taking the time to share your tips.

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Merci for your comment. Wishing you a chic day!