When one has surgery of such a life-changing kind, it really does (ha ha) change your life…
All the things – and I mean the small, quotidian, boring things like taking a shower (and harder than that; drying all of one’s body), cleaning teeth, sorting out one’s hair, applying make-up – that we take totally for granted, become tasks equivalent to climbing Everest…
Well, okay, maybe not Everest, but Ben Nevis…
It turns out that one’s brain sorts out the prioritising of tasks that a body in recovery has the energy to fulfil. So “daily shower,” tick; “get dry”, tick; “get dressed,” tick; brush one’s teeth, tick; brush one’s hair (and thank goodness for the Tangletease, tick; apply some make-up, er, definitely no tick.
Now, I am aware that not making up in the morning is perfectly normal for many women but for me, not so much. I have always worn make-up; applying it each morning was part of my daily routine for my entire adult life and as natural to me as breathing
For the first 8 months after my op, I couldn’t wear make-up as I had neither the manual dexterity nor the visual acuity to apply it without ending up resembling Coco the Clown. The occasional exception was the odd swipe of blusher or bronzer after I looked in the mirror and gave myself a fright.
Now, although I have a bit more sight and dexterity, I still reserve making up for when I am going out in the evening because to wear it on a daily basis is not just exhausting to apply, but its removal before bed is just too tiring as well. However, after there were alerts across North London to look out for a zombie-like creature answering to the name of Jan, I am now wearing make-up to go out – day and night!
On the same subject of dexterity, it is seriously weird what trivial and apparently useless memories the brain stores: the finger exercises I did when learning to touch-type on a QWERTY keyboard aged 18 (about a thousand years ago) came back to me recently, and I have found them quite helpful as additional physiotherapy for my hands (It’s A, S, D,F, G, F, A for the left hand, and colon, L, K, J, H, J, colon, for the right hand – in case you are interested).
Have any of your very distant memories surfaced to help you with anything in your life? If so, do share them with SoSensational in the comment section below…
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3 Comments
I feel for you. While not having had your health issues, in the last year or so, I have had a number of allergic reactions to my face which have meant wearing make-up is impossible. Also blepharitis of the eyes. I can now only wear mineral foundation powder and pure paraffin moisturiser or plain Vaseline in a tin – all the fancy organic and clean and hypoallergenic and aromatherapy skincare ranges are for the moment out, as my skin will not tolerate them whatsoever. The school run has never seen me looking so frightening. I should like to extend a thank you to the baristas in coffee shops who have not batted an eyelid when faced with swollen-faced, swollen-red-eyed me, but have made me feel like a human being. Am still okay with lipstick, so amen to that!
Hi Sarah, Thanks for reading the blog and taking the time to reply. Sorry to hear about all your issues with make-up. I’m sure you still look great – I think it is our own perception of “self” that suffers. A great pair of Sunnies and some lippy can cover a multitude! I wear mine A LOT these days, even when the sun isn’t shining! Good old Vaseline was what make-up artists used in the 1930s and 40s. Of course, it’s been surpassed by heavily marketed branded products loaded with chemicals, but if it does the job, embrace it. And avoid mascara – the active ingredient is among the MOST allergenic of cosmetics. Also,try to avoid any heavily pigmented eye-shadows or colour cosmetics. Thanks again. Warmest regards, Jan
Just like Sarah I also have Blepharitis – since 2001 (as well as some eczema on my face from time to time) so I can sympathise with both of you as I no longer wear make up either. Other than this I have spondylolisthesis (a spinal issue). It is a big shock when it happens but eventually you do wonder why you ever wore makeup, having said that – I do still miss it. I am now just over 50 and am going on a lovely holiday later in the year and so am contemplating make up once again even if only for a short time. We all have crosses to bear and some are far harder that others; yours makes mine seem far more trivial, you have my sympathies and I empathise completely.