A (Tiny) Skincare Primer From Your 50s

Some wisdom re: aging/feeling GOOD, my daily routine (including a vibrating cleansing brush I'm obsessed with). And, bonus: another GIVEAWAY, this time for Paid subscribers✨.

In the spirit of giving and getting very good things this month, all NEW annual Paid subscriptions to ATA are 40% off. That means a huge glittery✨ chunk of our tiny, wonderful world is up for grabs for just $30. More thrifting, more design discovery + (mini) makeover magic, more life lessons on doing a lot with a little…join us🧡🔥

A few weeks ago, I was having dinner with an old friend who shared with me that she’d had surgery on her eyes. I hadn’t noticed. Even when she pointed it out, I couldn’t see anything notable that seemed like some sort of before/after situation. My friend is younger than me, not much, but still in her 40s. Along with this update, she was also sharing that more and more professionals are urging folks to consider cosmetic surgery like this earlier so the results aren’t as noticeable.

Suddenly, I felt judged. She wasn’t judging me, but instead of focusing on our meatballs and bitter salad greens, I became immediately preoccupied with my own face. Was she thinking I should have already had surgery, too? Had I already missed the boat? Where will I get another $20K? Shit, is it more than $20K?!

I assure you, it was all me—being back in that familiar spot of feeling perpetually behind when it comes to skincare and fancy miracle tools. I mean, I’m not as bad as one of those people who says all they do is wash their face with an Ivory soap bar, but I’m close. Because I find skincare both baffling and also very time consuming. And expensive…

I know so many people who spend a lot of time researching serums, facialists, high-tech laser procedures, pricey at-home doodads that allegedly deliver mind-blowing results without ever spending a 3/4 of a day shlepping to the Upper East Side. Serious beauty care way beyond the Ivory soap people—and BRAVO to them. For me though, I step into a Sephora or anywhere there are more than six brands of day cream and I immediately regress into this.

Beauty—and specifically skincare—is something that just eludes me.