Forever young
Remorse started early in my life.
I was only 14 when I began bemoaning the genetic flaws passed on to me by my folks: pear-shaped hips, perennially dry skin, non-visible eyelids, et cetera, et cetera. Had I known what was in store for me in my 20s, I wouldn’t have beaten myself down so much.
Your 20s are when you celebrate the survival of teenage awkwardness and when the threat of crows’ feet and droopy eyelids is still too far off to worry about. It’s just that there are so many 30-year-old cautionary tales about what excessive joie de vivre can do that it’s hard to bask in the sun of my youth without worrying about looking like an unmade-up Cameron Diaz, or even Oscar-night-2008 Cameron Diaz, by the time I hit my 30s. They say that the aging process actually begins in your mid-20s, when the collagen production in the skin starts to slow down. If I had known that this was what awaited me when I turned 25, I would’ve done less whining and more hat wearing before. I sure as hell would have tried getting out of cheerleader and Girl Scout duties in school.
However, there are beauty products that can help stave off the effects of aging, no matter what stage you are in the fight to keep your body unlined, tight and pointing north. Sisley Paris, a French cosmetic company known for its line of high-quality beauty products, is the pioneer of the innovative concept of Phytocosmetology, which is the application of natural plant extracts to beauty products. Under Phytocosmetology, beauty products are more effective through the presence of botanical essential oils, which accelerate surface microcirculation, promote toxin elimination and have immediate and preventive bactericidal effects for a radiant complexion.
As my skin is hopelessly dry and sometimes even flaky, I was excited to try Sisley’s Energizing Foaming Exfoliant with essential oils of rosemary and lavender. Its cool and refreshing smell is so unlike the cloyingly sweet scent present in most bathing products. The gel easily became sudsy upon contact with the skin, softening the impact of the little round scrubs. After rinsing and toweling off, I slathered Conforte Extreme body cream all over myself. Made for dehydrated skin, the body cream has shea butter and kokum butter that instantly soothe and repair skin, as well as chestnut extract that strengthens the skin and improves its protection against drying external agents. The result: smooth skin all over, even after 10 hours of confinement in an air-conditioned office.
Next on the list of my self-preservation efforts is the part that most often suffers from the abuse of time and gravity: the face. I began with Sisley’s Gel Nettoyant Gommant, a refreshing facial gel that buffs and “wakens up” the skin with its microsphere scrubs. Its mild pleasant scent, courtesy of natural botanical extracts of poppy and essential oils of verbena and lavender, provided a fresh and pleasant sensation. Now there’s no more reason for me to be carrying around days-old dead skin cells on my face.
After getting my mug clean, I put on the main artillery against aging: the Sisley All-Day All-Year Essential Day Care, an anti-aging cream, and the Sisleÿa Daily Line Reducer, an anti-wrinkle serum. The All-Day All -Year Essential Day Care anti-aging cream works on three levels of skin defense against the aging effects of the elements. First, its exclusive complex of microencapsulated sunscreens protect the skin for up to eight hours as it blocks 90 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Second, apple skin extract protects the skin’s collagen and elastic fibers while white willow extract stimulates production of natural anti-stress proteins. This means the skin remains supple and new skin cells surface soft and intact. Even with its heavy-duty powers of skin protection, this cream felt light on the skin and didn’t leave any greasy residue.
Another anti-aging agent is the Sisleÿa Daily Line Reducer, the answer to the threat of wrinkles. The Daily Line Reducer reconstructs the skin’s framework by using an exclusive combination of three cutting-edge active ingredients, Alkekengi’s calyx, soya and Padina Pavonica, which preserve the dermis fibers and stimulate the neo-synthesis of collagen. Even after just one use, the Daily Line Reducer gives an immediate sensation of freshness as it re-hydrates the skin; dehydration lines, the less-scary cousin of wrinkles, are erased and the skin is plumped out. Simply put, it’s youth(ful appearance) in a bottle.
Another great defense against aging is the Sisleÿa Eye and Lip Contour Cream, an intensive skincare formula that helps prevent and diminish the appearance of skin aging on the most sensitive areas of the face. Formulated with botanical extracts (hops, horsetail and cucumber) and essential oils (camomile and rosemary) that regain firmness and resilience to the skin around the eyes and the lips, this cream gives visible signs of improvement even after only a half hour after application.
Another must-try product is the Masque Eclat Express, a cleansing facial mask that is easily absorbed by the skin through its combination of plant extracts — licorice, matricaria and rose hips — along with a special blend of clays. To be left on for five minutes, it has a gentle deep-cleansing action that rids the skin of impurities and leaves it clear, toned and luminous.
After fortifying my skin against wear and tear, I tried the Sisley Phyto-Teint Éclat to provide coverage to my uneven skin tone. A long-lasting, oil-free, non-comedogenic fluid foundation, the Phyto-Teint Éclat both hydrates and mattifies the skin, leaving it luminous and evenly toned. For once, the tip of my nose wasn’t a repository of grease by the end of the day.
Some anti-aging techniques need not be too complicated as well. A lot of times, a little trick can go a long way in creating a more youthful look. One such trick is to make your eyes look bigger. Cosmetic surgery may not really be the answer (as demonstrated by Joan Rivers and Jocelyn Wildenstein), but fantastic mascara is. Japanese cosmetic brand Fasio introduces its Hyper-Stay Mascara Shock Free Curl Long, which features an advanced 3D comb brush. “Shock Free” means this product is immune from mascara shocking and ruining tics, such as constant blinking and rubbing of the eyes. Water- and tear-proof, it contains long lash fibers that extend and curl eyelashes. Its 3D comb brush can reach even the hard-to-get short lashes, ensuring an even coating and finish. To remove the mascara at the end of the day, Fasio has its Perfect Cleansing Oil, a facial cleanser that can remove dirt and even waterproof makeup. This quickly absorbs grime and grease and rinses off easily as well, unclogging dirt from deep down the pores.
Another vital body part that also requires TLC against aging is the hair. Indeed, the costly and rigorous maintenance of the coif is a trademark of women who want to stay at a certain age forever. If you want to avoid future expenses in recovering the lustrous glory of your hair, take care of your strands now. For this, keeping them moisturized is key. L’Occitane’s Aprés-Shampooing Daily Conditioner is a gentle conditioner that helps detangle the hair and keep it moisturized all day long. Made from the highest-quality olive oil, an ingredient known for its moisturizing qualities, this conditioner is the perfect follow-up to the potentially oil-stripping effects of shampoo. Gentle on the hair and scalp, it leaves no chemical residue and keeps the hair soft and smooth.
I may have spent too much time griping about the wrong things when I was younger; but now, I’m better armed for the uphill battle to stay young. And while I still can’t be too careless with my skin and hair care regimen, at least I can kick back once in a while and enjoy the benefits of being in my current age bracket. God knows it goes by too, too fast.
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Sisley Paris, Fasio and L’Occitane products are all available at Rustan’s Essenses.
