Soft as a Baby's...

Image from http://www.districtonehospital.com/patients-visitors/dohbabies.html

...You know the saying: Soft as a baby's bottom! I just didn't think it would ever personally apply to me. I bet you didn't expect me to have a giant picture of a baby on here, did you? 

Today I learned differently. Apparently my skin is like a baby's, and I look approximately aged 12. I've got mixed feelings on this one, folks. 

Is this what a 12-year-old looks like?

Apparently so. You tell me! [And I do have tinted moisturizer, concealer, and the remains of lipstick on here. My skin's not THAT perfect!]

Today's little anecdote begins at the Bloomingdale's Clinique counter with a truly very lovely saleswoman whom I shall call "Sally." My mom was shopping with me for work clothes when we saw this lovely gift with purchase of Clinique called "Milly." We have sort of an inside meaning for the name Millie so my mom decided that I should get one of their tinted moisturizers so she could get the free gift.

We went to the counter where Sally proceeded to call me "honey," "sweetheart," "sweetie," etc. Immediately I knew she must be thinking I'm in grade school. She told me my skin is so light and was very helpful getting the lightest possible shade for me. My mother subsequently decided that we should create a custom color for me called "My Fair Lady." I quite agreed.

Sally then proceeded to tell me that my skin was beautiful and not to let anyone tell me any different and to make sure I protect it because it's absolutely gorgeous. So that was good to hear. [Incidentally, my boss this summer asks about my skin and how I get it to look so nice all the time; rather strange to hear from a boss but quite nice, I suppose].

After we decided what to get, shade 01, she asked, "How old are you?"

"I'm actually going to be a sophomore in college." 

She looked absolutely stunned and said, "Wow. Your skin is just like a baby."

So there you have it. Apparently my baby skin makes me look about seven years younger than I am. I promise I'm telling the truth when I say I'm going to be 20 this year. 

I'm sure when I'm 30 and everyone thinks I'm 23, I will feel wonderful. When I was prom dress shopping, however, and the saleslady asked my mom if I was in middle school, it didn't make me so happy. When I deal with even more patronizing salespeople, doctors, dentists, etc., it drives me slightly mad. Then there are the 14-year-old boys looking me over because they think I'm their age. Gross.

Sally was lovely, and I appreciate the compliments and know I will be so grateful when I'm older, as well as the fact that I have pretty decent skin, but at the moment it's simply frustrating. 

On another note, though, I suppose I should mention that I really appreciate the compliments on my skin I've gotten lately. I've had friends tell me I look like Snow White, incidentally my least favorite Disney Princess, and that I should never tan because my skin is so lovely. 

I used to be teased about being so fair. I would have grade school classmates ask me why I was so white ["Oh my god Karen, you can't just ask people why they're white!"] and it's taken me years to come to terms with my skin. 

Being fair-skinned is now one of my favorite features, even though I'd rather not be confused for a baby. 

I'm getting too old for that. 

To skin as soft as a baby's...you know! ;)

xEsther

p.s. If you are interested, here are some skin care tips, and more skin care tips, and my skin care routine. Oh and here's how I fake a flawless face. I'm not using the powder now that it's summer, though.