Writing the Self 4: Taking Care Like a Lady

I clip my hair back out of my face with one of my trusted black hair claws, or my “mom clip” as my roommate calls it. Reaching down and leaning into the large brown cupboard underneath the sink, I rustle through an extensive number of facial products that I have grown to have over the years. Although I have many things in here, quite possibly too many things, I realize I have really only used a few of these more than a few times as I dig to find my face wash, toner, and moisturizer. Slipping a wipe out of the small package on my counter top, I begin to gently rub at my eyelashes to remove my mascara for the night, giving my face a quick swipe with the wipe afterwards to get some stuff off of my face before I wash it. I really love to take a few minutes out of my time every single night to ensure that I go to bed with a clean and well cared for face, something I learnt to do through other women at a young age.

With the water running warm, I squirt some cleanser onto my fingertips and take in the sharp smell of tea tree oil that comes with it as it lathers up onto my skin. Making sure to keep the water warm until I have cleared off all of the foam that has built up onto my face, I peek up at the mirror to double check before flipping the water all the way to the right. My skin is jolted with the icy cold sensation of the water for a few moments before closing the tap and patting my face drying, making sure not to touch anything else at the same time as I go for a towel. I am very particular with how I wash my face, as well as the way all of my facial products are handled. Almost finished up with my routine, I wave my hands around to dry off my skin fully, take a cotton pad of toner to my face, and then wave my hands around some more. Finishing up with a small bit of moisturizer on my index finger, I dab it onto my fresh face on each cheek and my forehead before smoothing it out, the light and gentle scent of this being my absolute favourite smell.

Taking one last look in the mirror, I examine my face for any small towel fibers and run my fingers across my cheek to feel the suppleness at the same time. While I take a look at my skin I do, in all honestly, more times than not remind myself that my young looking babyface will help me look youthful for years to come as I always notice how childish it can make me appear at times. There is a certain desire for me to feel as though I am succeeding in taking care of my natural self in a way that makes me feel beautiful and in this, I find myself feeling like a true “woman”.