FEARLESS FRIDAY: Skincare is Self-Respect (and Other Things I Told Myself After Falling Asleep in Mascara Again)

Thoughts from a Woman Who’s Still Figuring It Out

Okay, so full disclosure: I fell asleep in mascara again. Not the waterproof kind either—just the regular ol’ clumpy mess that now lives rent-free on my pillowcase and the bags under my eyes. Cute. And honestly? It’s not the first time—and it probably won’t be the last.

And listen… I know better. I run a skincare company for crying out loud.

Honestly, I didn’t grow up knowing how to care for my skin. I wasn’t that girl in high school reading Allure and doing weekly sheet masks. I was using body lotion on my face, sunbathing in oil, and thinking I was nailing it. The skincare aisle? Overwhelming. All those promises in tiny jars. All the big price tags. All those words I couldn’t pronounce.

Fast forward to now—I’m 45+ (somewhere between “Was that a freckle?” and “Oh, that’s just my new face now”) and I find myself stuck between wanting to age gracefully… and wanting to pause the aging process completely until I have time to deal with it.

But here's what I’ve learned: I don’t need to fix any of it. I just need to see myself. To care—even a little. Some nights, “caring” looks like a full skincare routine with my favourite cleanser and a few drops of serum that feels like permission to exhale. Other nights? It’s a makeup wipe and a moment of grace.

Because skincare isn’t about looking 25 again. It’s not about perfection or glass skin or whatever the current trend is promising. It’s about saying—“Hey, you matter. You’re worth a few minutes.” Even if no one else sees it. Even if it’s rushed and imperfect.

For me, that’s the real flex. Not perfect skin. But intentional self care. Moments where I remember I’m more than someone’s schedule keeper, appointment maker, or emotional support human.

I’m a whole person. A tired, hopeful, evolving, sometimes-glowy, sometimes-crusty woman who deserves to feel good in her own skin. And honestly? When I do put myself back on the list—even for a minute—it changes everything. Not just how I look, but how I feel when I look in the mirror.

So yeah, sometimes I fall asleep in my mascara. But other nights, I rinse off the day, press a little something nourishing into my face, and whisper:

So if you’re like me and you're the woman who:

• Sometimes forgets to wash her face…

• Uses her kid’s wipes in a pinch (no judgment)…

• Has 47 open tabs in her brain at any given moment…

• Wants to look good but also wants to crawl into bed by 8:45…

  
  

You’re not alone. You’re in great company. This is your reminder to put you back on the list. Not in a toxic "you should be doing more self-care" kind of way. Just in a "you matter, and a clean face is a pretty nice place to start" kind of way.

So yeah, skincare is self-respect. Even if some nights, we fake it with micellar water and a prayer.

P.S.

If you're looking for a ridiculously easy routine, I’ve been using this face wash, exfoliant, and moisturizer with hyaluronic acid combo that takes about 2 minutes and makes me feel like I’ve got my life together—even if the laundry says otherwise.

But no pressure. You’re doing great either way. Not just on the outside (although, hi glow), but inside.