Turning 30 was a big deal for me. I was no longer a 20-something girl with her whole life ahead of her… In my mind, I was fast approaching 40 and could literally see a new wrinkle every time I looked in the mirror.
Needless to say, I took it quite badly! I know I’m not quite over the hill yet, but without wanting to sound too melodramatic, a significant part of my life (my youth) was now over. I dealt with it the only way I could think of – with the help of a large party and lots of wine! Two years later, I’m finally learning to embrace my 30s, after all, a 30-something Carrie Bradshaw (Sex and the City) was my idol when I was at college and while I may not be on every billboard in Manhattan, I’ve got a fair few Facebook photos that make me smile.
I have, unfortunately, always been somewhat plagued by vanity, shopping and nice things in general and it seems to get worse the older I get. I’m the cosmetic industry’s best friend, always believing what it says on the tin and forever buying the latest lotions and potions that claim to do the impossible. However, I’m also fairly lazy and get bored very easily so these creams tend to sit there unused after a week until I chuck them away.
Lucky for me then, there are plenty of people around to help. One big bonus of living here is the fact that beauty treatments are on my doorstep and are a fraction of the price that they were in London. Taking time out to enjoy a regular facial, manicure, pedicure or massage is a big perk of living here, although it would help if I could actually relax!
I find that instead of drifting away into blissful contentment, I spend the time stressing myself about anything and everything and end up more tense coming out of a treatment than going in! I am also a complete wimp and find myself in quite severe pain every time I have a massage that is anything other than extremely gentle. As is normal with me however, I never say anything – just grimace and count the minutes until it’s over.
You would think that I would learn my lesson and find some other way to relax, but no; I put myself through pain and minor embarrassment time and time again – all in the name of ‘beauty’. These treatments really should come with a health warning! I’m the only person I know to faint after five minutes in a steam room or to have a claustrophobic attack while in the middle of a body wrap.
Perhaps I should just give up and admit that one day, I will wake up and the wrinkles will have won. After all, there’s always Botox…