Cosmetics Anonymous

Okay, so here's an example of a Rehal World story. I bought a new lipstick today. Elizabeth Grady - Rasberry. I seem to have this thing for lipsticks. I'm always on the hunt for the perfect color. I gave up trying to find one that stays on. I know better than that. Here is what baffles me.

Women spend millions of dollars a year on health and beauty aids. We buy foot scrubs, body rubs, facial peels, sunscreens and bath products. Our bathroom closets and vanities are full of shampoos, conditioners, hairsprays, scented soaps, bath oils, ointments and nail polishes. Is there anything more relaxing than a good long soak in a tub full of foaming bubbles?

The answer to that might be a day of beauty at a local spa where we could get a full body massage, a facial, manicure, pedicure, waxing and purchase a jar of their latest age-defying miracle cream that is guaranteed to make wrinkles vanish overnight.

In my medicine cabinet, I have a variety of lipsticks with matching liners, several glosses, powder blushes, cleansing milk, skin toner, my favorite moisturizer, foundations, eye shadows, make-up brushes, perfumes, body lotions, hand creams, mouthwash, dental floss, one hydrating mask, an electric toothbrush, cold remedies and a jar of Noxema.

With all these amazing products that promise to keep me young and vibrant, I should look gorgeous, feel soft, smell awesome and be wrinkle free. So why do I have fine lines at the corners of my eyes, hair growing where I don’t want it and dry skin? Why do I call it a medicine cabinet when the only thing in it that comes close to being classified as medicinal is a jar of Vicks Vapo Rub? I should call it my cosmetic cabinet. That would make more sense.

Women aren’t the only ones who indulge in such items. Inside my husband’s “medicine” cabinet I found shaving cream, after shave lotion, several colognes, deodorant, shampoo, hairspray, ear drops, sunblock, foot powder, ointment, bandages, Q-tips, Robitussin and my Susan Lucci skin care system. The vanity drawers are overflowing with items we both use such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, disposable razor blades, soaps, combs and brushes.

Medicines should not be kept in the bathroom. They should be stored in a cool dry place out of the reach of children, as stated on the bottles. I keep my medications in the kitchen. There isn’t any room in my medicine cabinet.