One thing that blew my mind moving VT from Boston over a decade ago was how few women here dyed their grey hair. Whereas in Boston area undyed hair meant women were old enough to be retired and no longer need to, up here might be anywhere between 20 and 100 and it’s just a sign that you’re too busy/don’t give a fuck.
Frankly make up and cosmetic procedures and dyed hair are far outside the norm up here and it’s so refreshing
Thanks Michelle! Yes I completely agree about the geographic differences with these cosmetic treatments. My friend in Seattle was saying the same thing, and I do feel lucky to live in Cambridge and work at Harvard because in these settings it’s much more likely to see gray hair and facial lines even than in other areas around Boston. Conversely, in some areas around New York and LA it’s much less likely. My fear is that it’s “spreading” to more areas of the country.
Love. I think Kristen Bell’s work is very noticeable and yes it’s wild that it has been normalized. Check out the beautiful 39 year old Keira Knightley in Black Doves, face moving naturally and I hope she keeps at it. I’m almost 54, a makeup artist in NYC and have not done anything to my face. No judgments against those who do but let’s remember it is more than ok to NOT do anything - therefore let’s not judge those of us who don’t either.
Yes! I’m watching Black Doves too and I noticed the same thing. And totally agree about the fact that there shouldn’t be judgment of people who don’t get cosmetic work. Justine Bateman is an interesting figure in that regard.
I’m in the no Botox club and it feels great, 49 in March and no regrets! Personally just seeing sweet Veronica Mars transition into cat lady is enough to keep me raisining til the end. When Raymond’s wife and Veronica Mars started to look within the same age range and a member of the large cat family I saw the “we have taken this too far” and promised myself, Never!
Yes!!! To option 3!
One thing that blew my mind moving VT from Boston over a decade ago was how few women here dyed their grey hair. Whereas in Boston area undyed hair meant women were old enough to be retired and no longer need to, up here might be anywhere between 20 and 100 and it’s just a sign that you’re too busy/don’t give a fuck.
Frankly make up and cosmetic procedures and dyed hair are far outside the norm up here and it’s so refreshing
Thanks Michelle! Yes I completely agree about the geographic differences with these cosmetic treatments. My friend in Seattle was saying the same thing, and I do feel lucky to live in Cambridge and work at Harvard because in these settings it’s much more likely to see gray hair and facial lines even than in other areas around Boston. Conversely, in some areas around New York and LA it’s much less likely. My fear is that it’s “spreading” to more areas of the country.
Love. I think Kristen Bell’s work is very noticeable and yes it’s wild that it has been normalized. Check out the beautiful 39 year old Keira Knightley in Black Doves, face moving naturally and I hope she keeps at it. I’m almost 54, a makeup artist in NYC and have not done anything to my face. No judgments against those who do but let’s remember it is more than ok to NOT do anything - therefore let’s not judge those of us who don’t either.
Yes! I’m watching Black Doves too and I noticed the same thing. And totally agree about the fact that there shouldn’t be judgment of people who don’t get cosmetic work. Justine Bateman is an interesting figure in that regard.
I love this and relate so much! In the Chicago area I am not the norm for aging naturally. I really miss seeing people’s facial expressions too.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Kelly!
I’m also in Chicago and I’m definitely not the norm either (on the North Shore no less hahaha) 😉
Watching first episode of White Lotus, Season Three, which reminded me of this post!
Yes! I just watched the first episode last night and thought the same thing. Thanks so much for your comment, Allison, and for following my Substack!
I’m reading a really interesting book, Faux Feminism, by Serene Khader. Thought I’d pass the title along, in case it might be of interest!
Great piece, Karen, so smart and wise and funny. Do you remember the movie, The Triplets of Belleville? Great song in it celebrating being wrinkly!
Thank you so much John! And thank you for subscribing! I don’t know that movie but I will definitely look that song up :)
I’m in the no Botox club and it feels great, 49 in March and no regrets! Personally just seeing sweet Veronica Mars transition into cat lady is enough to keep me raisining til the end. When Raymond’s wife and Veronica Mars started to look within the same age range and a member of the large cat family I saw the “we have taken this too far” and promised myself, Never!
Haha, this is great!
I feel bad when I compare our current beauty standards to large cats, but, once I saw it I could not unsee.
I love this so much!
Thank you so much Marty!
This is sooo good and funny Karen. I could see this in a large publication.
Thank you Michaela!
“Craggy is cool” >> great turn of phrase and rallying cry
I LOVE THIS!!! it made me laugh !