All I Wanted Was Some Soap, Part I

I've mentioned before I'm not a "girly girl."  I don't know much at all about makeup or beauty products.  I wear mascara to darken my blonde eyelashes most days and that's usually it.  Most of the women in Orange County spend a lot of time and money at the dermatologist's office getting facials and botox and "fillers" and other things I know nothing about.  I've never spent my money or time on cosmetic things.  

I think it probably means I look like crap when I'm in a room with other OC women.

Don't get me wrong, I don't thing there's anything wrong with trying to look your best.  I'm not opposed to plastic surgery when it's done in moderation and/or if someone has a body part that really makes them unhappy.  

On the other hand, many OC women think about nothing other than themselves and how they look.  They become obsessed with superficiality and go overboard with surgeries and treatments.  Their appearance becomes a full time job.  Honestly, I think it's sad.

I do go to a dermatologist twice a year.  I was diagnosed at a very young age with a hereditary and very deadly form of melanoma.  I'm fine, but I need very close skin checks twice a year as a result.  A few years ago, my dermatologist told me about a skin cleanser he highly recommends and I've used it ever since.  I have to buy it through his office because it's not available in retail stores.  That's the extent of my "cosmetic" experience with a dermatologist.

Last Friday I made a quick trip into the derm office just to purchase a bottle of facial cleanser. The office was deserted except for the two women working at the front desk (it was over the lunch hour).  As I purchased my "soap" they prattled on about the new "cosmetic doctor" at the office and how fantastic and wonderful she is.  One of the women told me she had her laugh lines "filled-in" the day before.  The other described her botox and other treatments.

I confessed I really know nothing about any of that stuff.

Right then Dr. Beautiful walked out to the front desk.  The ladies told her they had just been bragging about her.  She took one look at me and invited me to "come have a chat" with her in a back room.  "No charge," she said.

I must be really ugly.

Well, I admit I couldn't resist.  I'd like to say the first thought through my head was, "She can make me look pretty," but it wasn't.  No, this writing thing has become ingrained in me and all I could think was, "Wow, this will make a great post!"

Dr. Beautiful told me to have a seat in the examination room and handed me a magnifying mirror. 

Dr. Beautiful, at first glance, was so remarkably beautiful I was embarrassed to be in the same room as her.  I don't think a heterosexual man would be able to take his eyes off her.  Hell, her beauty was so startling I couldn't take my eyes off her.  

I would guess Dr. Beautiful is 30 years old, but it was hard to pin an age on her.  She has long, flowing, blonde hair.  Her eyelashes are out to here.  Of course, she has perfect skin. Her teeth were startling white.  She has high, enviable, cheekbones.  Her lips are full and pouty.  She's tall, lean, and has big perky boobs.  Honestly, Dr. Beautiful must turn heads everywhere she goes. 

Yes, I felt very ugly and inadequate being in the same room as her.

"Look in the mirror and tell me what you dislike about yourself the most," she urged.

I didn't realize I dislike anything about myself.

Not that I think I'm perfect by any means.  Far, far, from it.  I've just accepted the good the bad and the ugly.  I honestly don't think about myself in terms of what I dislike about my appearance.  I just am who I am and I came to terms with the good and bad of that sometime after my teen years.

"I just came here to buy some soap," I said.

Dr. Beautiful was so taken aback by my statement her eyes nearly popped out of her head.  I think her eyebrows would have raised, but they couldn't.  (Too much botox I suppose.)  I imagine my comment is not one she hears very often ever in the OC.

"You came here to buy soap?" she asked incredulously.

Then she composed herself and added, "Well, look in the mirror because there must be things about yourself you dislike."

I looked at Dr. Beautiful's perfect face and then looked at my own reflection in the mirror. I guess there is a lot to be unhappy with after all.  I hesitated, glanced at her perfect face again, and then back at my own reflection.

I was trying to come up with the one thing on my face I dislike the most.  

Before I could formulate a thought to put into words, Dr. Beautiful said, "Let me help you, I have some ideas on what you need."

And oh my!  Dr. Beautiful certainly did have some ideas as to what I need. Tomorrow I'll publish Part II of this post.  I think you'll be surprised by what Dr. Beautiful suggested for me.  You'll also be amazed to hear what Dr. Beautiful has done to herself to become so beautiful.  In the meantime, leave me your thoughts as to what ONE THING you'd most like changed about your face!

© Twenty Four At Heart

Comments

[Kelly]

I'm first!!

ONE THING? ONE THING? Can I give you a list? I can't wait till I hear what she suggested for you. I saw your photo last week .... what's to be unhappy with? As for me, I have bad crows feet. And I'm getting droopy looking. The droopiness is not confined to my face. How sad!

[Megatonlove]

I applaud your courage and honesty in this post and look forward to part 2.

I'm 48 and have beautiful, lustrous black hair that now has a lot of gray in it. It amuses me how horrified some girlfriends are to discover that I refuse to dye my hair. Although I take reasonably good care of my appearance, the only make-up I ever use is lipstick. If there was one thing I'd like MORE of on my face, I would like more laugh lines. Laughter is the best facelift!

It's sad that some people spend all their time and energy on their looks, as if their exterior is the only thing that defines them. I've always believed that real beauty is an inside job.

[Michelle]

I have a large freckle on the top of my nose (near my eyes), but it is more a distraction than a dislike.

I am happier with how I look now at 25 (41 really) than when I was 25. Something to do with being content with my life, I guess.

[Yvette (Lo's Mom)]

I inherited my mother's bags (sever allergies don't help it either).

Other than that probably the Rosecea.

Would I have surgery? Probably not.

Oh, and Suzanne, you are very attractive. I say this in a totally heterosexual way :)

[sherendipity]

*sigh* Laugh lines. You know, I've earned every one of these laugh lines, and they're mine, and I'm keeping them.
I have two(moles)beauty marks on my face that I would like to get rid of. In fact, I plan on doing it this summer. Other than that, I like my face minus what losing a few pounds could cure.

[mama llama]

Oh my.

I have very thin enamel on my teeth, leftover from an "oops" as braces were removed long ago. I also have some discoloration on my front tooth, from what dentists have told me stems from a high fever when I was very young and these permanent teeth were still developing. I would LOVE to somehow have this discoloration removed--but because my enamel is so thin, I don't think there is much anyone can do for me.

And that's about it. I can't quite believe this experience of yours. But it just goes to show OH SO MUCH about our society (globally-speaking...you see ladies walking down the streets of Lima, Peru with noses bandaged and in Río recovering from boob jobs).

Looking forward to All she found!

Be well, 24.

[Kate]

Hmmm I have some skin tags around my neck and some old acne scarring aorund my chin. But it is all part of my face and I think I like it the way it is. Now a tummy tuck would be nice but I am terrified of plastic surgery after seeing the surgeries gone bad shows on TV.

[Donna in VA]

I'm 48 years old and have the signs of time to prove it, but I don't really care about the wrinkles. I joke about them all the time, but they make me ME.
However, this turkey neck that I inherited from my mother is another story. Add to that a tumor that was removed from my neck about five years ago that has left a huge gaping dent on one side of the turkey neck and it's a turkey neck disaster. Yep, I'd cut that puppy off if I could.
Thanks Mom!

[sometimessophia]

At 56, a facelift sounds tempting in the abstract, but why bother. I've inherited my mother's extremely dry, wrinkly skin and I'm allergic to every known cosmetic on the planet. Plus I have freckles that seem to be clumping together into age spots. I can live with it because my husband thinks I'm beautiful as I am, and I'm too lazy/secure/content to worry about changing who I am right now, physically or spiritually.

Good for you, btw. I'm glad you held your ground. I'm sure Dr. Beautiful was seeing dollar signs, not the great person that you truly are.

[wunderwoman]

I would love to have something done about the acne I have been blessed with...at least with oily skin, you really don't have to worry much about wrinkles, but oh the acne. It has gotten better since I found a soap that helps, but I would like to have a dermabrassion, but alas I am scared.

[Jojo Bean]

I can handle the gray hair and the developing wrinkles. But I will gladly do without the blemishes and cold sores!

[Kristan]

I'd love to get rid of my light acne scarring and my double chin (which exists because of a hereditary weak jawline, not really my weight) BUT like you, I wouldn't really say these are things I dislike about myself... I dunno, what an odd question!

[Alan]

Hmmmm...I dunno. I think I'm pretty damn perfect the way I am. My wife, on the other hand, might think differently! LOL

Look forward to tomorrow's post!

[Pseudo]

This is what I don't like about Los Angeles. That pervasive attitude that youth and perfection rule. It is so unhealthy for our young women to only see themselves in these terms.

She might be pretty, but what a bitch.

[CourtneyRyan]

Gah! Are you serious? You're lovely!

I too have accepted the good with the bad. One thing I would change if possible? My pore size or make my face like half an inch longer.

Oh and the random facial hair. What's up with the stray eyebrows?

[vodkamom]

I loved this post- "I'm just here to buy some soap!!"

can't wait to hear more...

(pssst. my nose......)

[Midlife Slices]

The one thing I'd consider fixing (there is more than one thing I dislike) is the trait I inherited from my mother.....the one where the corners of my mouth turn downward. I can smile and people will still tell me to "smile".....and I say...I AM smiling you moron. Ugh.....I hate it.

[SSG]

maybe my teeth cos their british. but i'd rather spend cosmetic money going on a bender holiday which would probably age me by 10 years but it would be worth it!
have you seen:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1160470/I-spend-810-year-eyelash-extensions-How-does-cost-run-body.html

[Gina]

wow! shouldn't a doctor have some tact?? the way she approached you sounds quite rude to me....

on the one thing i'd like to change? clear skin, never ever having one single pimple, that is my wish :)

[Linda]

I'm w/u 24, there isn't anything I dislike about my face. I've accepted the good, bad & ugly. As a self diagnosis; when I lose 50# my face probably won't sag as much:)

[Sandra]

OMG. If a doctor said that to me I'd be crushed. My ego would deflate. I had my nose done many years ago in 1991 I think. It bugged the hell out of me for years. People commented on it! It went up on the end and the tip had a bump on the left side. I'd hear "look at your cute upturned nose". Yeah. Cute! Or' "I wouldn't have recognized you if it weren'f for your nose." Come closer so I can hit you.

When I was in the plastic surgeons office he asked me what I wanted done. I told him I just wanted the tip fixed. He said "I'd also suggest thinning the bridge so it's not so wide." WIDE? My bridge is wide?? Well, I am Italian so a big nose isn't a shocker but dang, he found something wrong w/me I didn't even know I had. I had it fixed to his suggestions and I'm very pleased. I wanted a normal nose that no one noticed and I got it.

[Kirsten Wright]

I did marketing for a short time for a plastic surgeon - there is nothing like a doctor to make you feel inferior! I never thought I really needed to change anything but in the 3 months I was there, I was constantly reminded that 'a little lipo goes a long way'. It's a sad sad world sometimes

[Mama Dawg]

I wouldn't change one thing.

And no, I'm not saying that for the reasons most people think.

It's because if I have the kind of money needed to do ANYTHING to my face, I'd rather spend it on something useful.

See, I'm just cheap! LOL!

[emmysuh]

Oh, whatever, Dr. Beautiful is probably 89% plastic. I think overprocessed people are disgusting.

[dogmother]

Jeeez....she has no tact...she must pray on women with poor self-esteem....luckily, you are not one of them...good work for not giving in to her questioning....seriously...kind of sick if you ask me.
Well, there's plenty I'd like to have back...but I've earned every gray hair and wrinkle!
I never wanted to color my hair...I actually gave in and started doing it because I couldn't stand the pressure around me re:gray hair....my kids, my mother, friends...."you're so gray...why don't you use some color?" Thank you very much!
Would if I said to someone, "you know, you are so fat, why don't you go on a diet?"
We are a culture that looks at any sign of aging as a weakness, a flaw, something to fear!!
Cannot wait to hear the rest of the story!
Even though I don't have my own blog, since reading yours, I look at situations in terms of their "blog-worthiness", too!

[Liz C]

If I could make my rosacea go away, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I did have some laser treatments for the redness a few years ago (ouch!!) and probably need to do it again but I can't afford it.

Otherwise, I'm 49 and I look 49. Oh well. I just try not to look at my neck/jowls.

I think it's bizarre that a 30yo woman would feel the need to have ANY 'work' done.

[Smart Mouth Broad]

Pick one? But there are so many. I doubt I would ever do anything but I can understand the desire. I also think people, especially in your area and mine, get too carried away. I can't wait to hear what she had to say. And after seeing your picture, I think she had some nerve.

[Christine]

*Sigh* Oh, these plastic surgeons/cosmetic-whatever-you-wanna-call-them-doctors. I've heard a lot of stories where they basically make you feel like crap so you'll have something (else) done.

Fix? Facial hair. My two front teeth aren't flush with all the others. If I wanted to go extreme, my nose, but I ain't messin' with that.

[jennster]

NO NO NOOOO- she did not tell YOU what she would do to your face!?!??! i'm sorry, but ENCOURAGING women to NOT LIKE themselves, or WANT to change- ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH. i want to run over dr fuckface

[Jan]

Oh, I can't WAIT to read the rest of this! If that happened to me, I'd have said, "The only thing I have a problem with is my weight, and there's not a damn thing you can do about that - the only person that can fix that is me."

Well, I have a thing about my really crappy teeth (genetics just weren't on my side when it came to that), but an oral surgeon will help more with that then she would.

She'd have SO kicked me out of there.

[Enchanted]

The only problem I would concider getting fixed would be my neck but I'm too cheap so I won't. LOL

[ballerinatoes]

Without a doubt, the hereditary deep lines that go across my forehead. HATE THEM.

[Renee Couturier]

I must admit, I am a lot like you, I go to the dermatologist every 6 months because I am a good candidate for skin cancer.
I think the only thing I would change would be my complexion. (It's red and blotchy sometime, not all the time though, weird, huh?) But that's it, what you see is what you get.

[Debi]

I have very deep "laugh lines". To me they aren't so funnny. You've been thru so much 24. Dr. Beautiful probably doesn't realize that but we do. You damn well have earned every wrinkle you might have. Although I don't recall seeing any on your photo last week .....

[Julie]

Ha! Must be the OC in me, but maybe we can go in together - you know, two for the price of one!!!

[Joanne]

Have you seen the infomercials for the "Lifestyle Lift"??
Well, I did. I saw them while I was recovering from my shoulder surgery, and I was going to be off work for a month, I had a brand new line of equity on my house with many dollars available, plus I was smashed on pain meds.An 800 number gave me an instant consultation appointment for the next day!
Just this bit of advise..... they require a deposit and it is in NO WAY refundable if/when you come to your senses!I should really do a post on the stuff you learn after it is way too late to back out.

[shaunna]

nothing that'd make me give one cent to dr. beautiful (so she can make herself more beee-uuuuu-teee-full)

[Lori]

As much as I would like to have some things done, I know I won't. I am not a girly girl either and could not imagine living where you live around all of that. Although I think I would enjoy the people watching there since that is one of my favorite things to do. It shocks me that this dr lady would talk to you like and I look forward to hearing what she had to say!

[Life with Kaishon]

You know whats funny? I am not pretty really, but I don't think I would change anything about my face even if I could. I love it because my parents gave it to me : ) I read this part first because I saw that the other edition was part 2. I am so excited to go read it. I am afraid that Dr. Beautiful is going to have been a man before. I just have this funny feeling.

[Joan]

Oh my dear, it isn't my face that pains me... it's what the forces of gravity are doing to the rest of me!