This has been something I’ve wanted to do for awhile.
I’ve always found writing things down as a way of relieving stress, and this practice has taken many forms. There was the murder-y short story phase as a preteen, the my-grammar-is-better than-yours high school paper and college fashion blog editor (when I took myself a little too seriously in extracurriculars), and there is now.
Now I do some editing and writing at work, but it’s not the kind of writing that can go on forever. It’s pointed and succinct. The extent of stress-relief writing there is writing a list and crossing things off. So here I am.
This is not to disparage lists. This letter came from a list. I am a list person. I catalogue the movies and TV shows I want to watch. My favorite restaurants and the ones I’d like to go to. Baby names. Recipes, full menus, and dinner party ideas. Where I’ve been and my favorite places when I was there. And skincare, too. Of course. There’s something comforting of having everything I could need on-hand whenever I need it, should anyone desire a recommendation or if I need to recall how I REALLY felt about something. Please ask me. I love any excuse to open my notes app, to peruse a Google Doc. I will always be deeply flattered.
To me skincare is the ultimate self-care. Doing make-up is cathartic sure… so is shopping. But when I’m doing my makeup or getting dressed up, it’s not to sit home by myself. I put time into my skincare routine before I’m about to curl up in bed, which feels much more for me.
That brings me to the first product I wanted to discuss. It’s not niche or under-the-radar. It’s not something you cannot live without. However, it does, to me, embody self-indulgence and doing things for yourself.
I bought Vintner’s Daughter’s Active Botanical Serum when it was eligible for a promo code last winter. Of course the description is chock-full of buzzwords and every single beauty publication has listed it on ‘Best Of’ list after ‘Best Of’ list. Yet, this is still a product that rings in at $195 for 30ml. Sure it smells phenomenal, and you will wake up hydrated — and not in a gross way if you’re oily — even in the depths of winter. You will not break out, and if you use it in the morning it melds nicely with sunscreen. But I’m just not sure if its really lightyears ahead of other serums that are a fraction of the cost.
What I do know is that when I put his on I feel luxurious. It’s indulgent. Hedonistic. Delightfully decadent. And sometimes you need that. I’m not saying go purchase the serum because it is the best thing you will ever put on your face. It is silky. It does brighten me up a bit. But I don’t see anything earth shattering, in terms of my skin texture or ungodly plumpness. I don’t feel bamboozled though. I do like it more than other serums. However, if I put the time in, a wonderful alternative could probably be found. But I do think there is luxury in not putting in that time and that it’s well worth it to buy something for yourself that makes you feel like the most extravagant and magnificent person that ever graced the earth. The last time I used it, I curled in bed after and slept like un bebe.
So buy the serum. Or don’t. Maybe get a Chanel nail polish instead. Or horde samples of La Mer. Stock up on that Oribe. There probably are products that do the same thing without necessitating mulling over the investment. But once in a while, it is nice not to justify spending money on yourself. To just do it. And let it feel good.