Feeling Pretty {India Werner}

              Don’t all ladies like to feel pretty?  In my mind, there’s a difference between feeling pretty and looking pretty.  When I have a fresh pedicure, I instantly feel prettier but that doesn’t mean that someone else will notice a difference.  To me, feeling pretty gives a boost of self-confidence when I am lacking.  It helps me be the best for my family.  A little extra time for self-care can go a long way, you know?

              If you’re thinking, “But ‘favor is deceitful and beauty is vain!’”…well, let me explain.  I do not believe for one second that there is anything wrong or selfish about taking care of yourself.  The Proverbs 31 woman intentionally took time to present herself well to those around her.  Proverbs 31:17, 22 says “ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms….She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.”  The virtuous woman’s physical appearance or clothing is certainly not the focus of the passage, but it is briefly noted nonetheless.  If you read these verses in context, you will see that the way she took care of herself benefited those around her, specifically her husband and children.

              Where we must be careful is in our motives.  If we are spending exorbitant amounts of time on our physical appearance in order to make people look at us and say “Wow, she’s gorgeous!”, than we are placing too much value on “favor and beauty” as mentioned in Proverbs 31:30.  Obviously there is nothing wrong with receiving compliments for the way we look, but we must be careful.  Our happiness should not be dependent on how we look or on who notices the fabulous new outfit we are wearing.

              That all being said, let me share with you what I have been doing lately to feel pretty and take better care of my skin.  My mom recently told me that she wishes she would have started using two products when she was my age: an under-eye cream and anti-wrinkle cream on her neck.  Those of you who know my mom know that her skin is beautiful, so when she told me what she would have done differently, I listened!

              I bought an under-eye cream, an anti-wrinkle cream for my neck, and a night cream for my face.  I did this towards the end of January and committed to faithfully use each one before bed every day (after washing my face, of course).  I can already tell a difference in my skin tone, which surprised me!  When I started using the products, I was thinking that it would be more of a preservation for my skin.  While it does that, it also seems help how my face looks, which is a plus. Lol.  It also helps me in the feeling pretty department, even if no one else notices a difference!

The brand I use is called “Himalaya”.  This is one of the best brands available to me here in India, and it is very affordable.  You can actually buy their products on Amazon and other sites if you’re in the States.  They cost a little more on there but they are still reasonable, especially for good skincare products!  Honestly, though, I think everyone has to find what works for them and what is in their budget.  Don’t stress about the brand.  Just make sure that the ingredients and price are good and go with it.

The other thing I added to my beauty regime is a pumice stone.  For the longest time, I had been annoyed by my dry feet.  I cringed when the cracked skin would snag on a blanket as I crawled into bed at night.  Yes, this sounds gross but I think a lot of us deal with it!  In India, I can a great pedicure done for under $10.  At that price, you would think that I’d do it often, but time is an issue when you’re a stay-at-home mom.  Plus, my amazing husband always cuts, files, and polishes my toenails for me.  That’s why I decided to go the pumice stone route.  It is one of those things that takes time, effort, and discipline, but I’ve stuck with it for a couple months now and it has paid off!  I normally use it on my feet at the end of a shower, once my feet are thoroughly wet and the skin is softened.  My feet are noticeably better, which is extra motivation to keep at it.  I try to use the pumice stone at least every other day as needed, and usually follow-up with a Himalaya foot cream at bed time.  I’m saving money AND my feet are softer!  Win-win!  Let’s face it, having nasty feet wasn’t helping me feel pretty.

I hope that these few beauty tips can get you thinking.  I’m always looking for new and inexpensive ways to step up my game!  Just remember that a little extra care now will benefit you down the road, whether it be your skin, your hair, or something else.  Think of it as an investment.  It might take time and effort, but it’s worth it.  On that note, it’s time for me to get more serious about my workout routines… ?  Let me know if you have any thoughts in the comments below!  Happy Monday!