FitBeauty: Self-care is two simple (but significant) steps away!

I did two things last week that have made me smile many times each day since and are contributing in small but significant ways to my wellness. No, this has nothing to do with my, errr, abs or almonds or range-free chicken. It does, however, have everything to do with my follicle and facial fitness.

First, I finally (FINALLY!) got went to the stylist to get my hair cut, highlighted and styled. I've been a slave to the family budget and stretched out the time in between haircuts to three long, painful, scraggly layered months. I also been DIYing the highlights since April and even though I am an artist in other corners of my life, wielding that coloring wand is not a talent of mine. I was in the salon for more than three hours (I've had many nights of less sleep than that!), which may lead some sweet but skeptical readers to believe that I was in for a major overhaul rather than a quarterly tune-up, but really, this is just the way in this particular salon. Since there was no speeding up the de-graying potion with fumes that could kill a cat but treat my hair and body image quite nicely (thank you very much), I read two magazines cover to cover, studied the hair and clothing of each and every funky stylist in the joint and mentally rearranged all the furniture in my apartment. I gave into the experience fully, making only slight suggestions to the stylist and then letting her put her shears and experience to work on my head, and it was delicious.
I admit, I left the salon not sure if I was ready for another few months with the Posh-inspired graduated bob (although retooled from my previous cut to be a bit swingier and with longer layers) and concerned that my copper and blonde highlights and chestnut lowlights were just a tad too stripey. Instead of fretting, I took a deep breath, looked at myself in the mirror and said, "Darling, this is what you have. Choose to believe it is more Pink Meets Playgroup than Forever 21 Check Out Tween Meets Overenthusiastic Beauty School Student, more Tossled than Tapestry Throw Pillow." And so I did, which made my mom's squealing, "Ooooh! You're hair's so hip!" comment a validation rather than a scary curiosity about what my mom's imagined vision of "hip" is (ditto for mother-in-law).

The thing is, the change feels good. And while I am all for the DIY and on-the-cheap approaches, sometimes a good, long visit to the salon is in order. Having someone massage the shampoo into my scalp before lathering up two different custom-blended conditioners is heavenly. Asking for help to sassy up my look is relieving. Choosing to spend money on myself for something not necessary but certainly happiness-inducing feels validating. Actually taking the time to blow dry and style my hair (even in five or ten minutes) rather then let air-drying work its magic or madness on my partially-wavy, sometimes stubbornly straight hair feels good too. All of these little bits add up to me reminding myself that I require care -- and even pampering -- every once in a while and that I am better able to be active and attentive and myself when I feel good.

That one afternoon reminded me of what I'd tell a girlfriend but often neglect to tell myself: It is absolutely OK to add beauty into your wellness regimen. It is perfectly fine to want your hair to look great and your nails to be done and your skin to be moisturized. It helps.

After I took care of coif business, I was inspired to clean out my make-up. I decided it was time for me to stop digging through a small cosmetic bag for my make-up and stop storing eyeshadow samples, bonus buy lipsticks and old concealer just in case. If I hesitated, I simply asked myself, "Just in case, what?" There is suddenly a shortage of animal fat to produce coral 48-hour lipwear? Just in case the apocalypse comes and I've just applied the very last smidgen of plum liquid eyeliner and feel the desperate need to eek any remaining crumbs from the remainder of my first eyeliner from eighth grade? Just in case Paris Hilton or Lily Allen invite me out to the clubs and I need a swipe of glitter across my cleavage or silver eyelash extensions? If it did not meet any of these apparently imperative needs and I hadn't used it in the last two months, I pitched it. And this time, I didn't dig it back out of the trash just in case hot pink blush reappears in next season's trendy magazines.

I found a handy little plastic organizer that just happened to fit perfectly into a wicker basket that was collecting bobby pins, plastic clips and ponytail holders that my new 'do does not require. I stored party make-up (the smoky eye stuff and one lone, last tube of that body glitter) underneath the plastic tray and promised myself that I'd throw it out too if I don't use it by New Year's Day '08. Then I took a baby wipe and cleaned up all the remaining make-up containers, used a few handfuls of baby shampoo to make my brushes squeaky clean, and arranged all my little bottles, tubs and other cosmetic goodness in an orderly fashion. No more spilled powder, no more wondering if that one lip liner is hiding in there somewhere, no more debate about whether I need another nude lip gloss (nope) or liquid eyeliner (oh yes).

Each morning when I pull this little basket down from the shelf, I feel organized and happy to spend a few minutes turning my tired eyes into sparkly peepers. It doesn't mean I'm healthier or more organic or have lost any weight. But it does mean I am taking that good feeling of giving some well-deserved attention to myself that I felt at the salon and putting it to work as I start each day. I don't have to pile on the make-up -- in fact, sometimes, a nice thick layer of moisturizer makes me feel just as well-cared for -- but I do have to look myself in the mirror and know I am doing what I can right now to be good to myself.

And right now, lady friends, from the neck up, I am doing just fine.



Now your turn, dahhhlinks: What little rituals make a big difference in how you take care of and feel about your gorgeous self?