25 Comments
Jun 7, 2022·edited Jun 7, 2022Liked by Valerie Monroe

I am so sorry to hear about your back pain! I hope you are on the mend. As for the trip to the doctor...my brother tripped and fell over a curb while traveling in Australia a few years back. He called and told me he was in so much pain he couldn't walk. He'd been to the Oz version of an ED, and they'd wrapped it, but they said he really needed to get x-rays, which he declined when the tech said "you need them, but they're really expensive". I told him to march his butt back there because an "expensive" healthcare procedure to anyone, anyone, ANYONE, outside the US, expensive meant at most, a few hundred dollars, not thousands, which is what he'd thought.

Total cost to get his ankle properly x-rayed, set and in a cast: under $250.

God bless America.

But for real, god bless that little angel who loves her Grammy!!! So sweet to hear her voice.

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Val, my darling, I am so dry, I am wet!!

And P.S.

May the gods hasten you to a fast recovery!!

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Jun 7, 2022Liked by Valerie Monroe

Love all the info. So common sense. So intelligent.

Started using an oil cleanser about 10-15 years ago. Almost immediately no more dry cheeks, oily T zone, blackheads, tight skin. Completely balances skin and sebum production. Have used oils from olive, sesame, avocado, etc. Now use Shu Uemura. Only use at night. Takes off makeup and SPF. No moisturizer at night. Rinse off face in shower in morning then light moisturizer with SPF. That's it. Love my skin.

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Jun 7, 2022Liked by Valerie Monroe

Aw, grandkid love! One of the great joys of my life is my kid's relationship with his Nana, so feeling many feels with your video.

Also, very much second the CeraVe over retinol combo. It's also delicious over The Ordinary's hyaluronic serum, as per Dr. Heidi's suggestion, and I love that it's only $8. I tend to mix a dollop of squalane into the CeraVe in the depths of Canadian winter and that helps a lot too.

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Val! I needed this how-to. I've been using Plum beauty oil for about six months and I love it--it smells like heaven and feels like drops of gold. And while it makes me feel royal, it doesn't do a thing for my skin. Because, I realize, I'm skipping steps! I feel grateful for this space where I can get the info I need without worrying it's secretly product placement. So, THANK YOU. Also: "I love you Grammie!" I felt my knees buckle with joy on your behalf.

Feel good!!

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Jun 14, 2022Liked by Valerie Monroe

Love, love love the (drug store) product recommendations!!

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Jun 7, 2022Liked by Valerie Monroe

The “I Love You Grammie” 😭😭💕

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Yay to the vid! Bummer about the pain. So worth checking out - if you haven’t already - the back guru- Stewart McGill. https://www.backfitpro.com/ - a big proponent of letting it heal and looking at what might be triggers. Works wonders. 🌿

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Dear Val, so dreadfully sorry to hear about your back pain. Sending lots of white light and healing vibes your way!

Re treatment, it sounds like you’re in good hands and thank goodness you’re surrounded by loving family! Your video of taxi ride with M is priceless. ❤️ One answer to the question “Why must we grow older?” might be, “To have moments like this!”

On a beauty note, terrific info from Heidi Waldorf. I’ve used the Neutrogena serum, but might give the L’Oréal one a go based on HW’s recommendation. Lately, the CeraVé AM Lotion with SPF 30 is my go-to for daytime moisturizer. Lightweight, doesn’t leave white-ish residue that some products with SPF do and you can’t beat the price! (Somewhere around $10.00 or so.)

Quick Q: HW seems to be saying that while HA draws and holds in moisture, it won’t have much staying power unless it’s “sealed in” by a moisturizer. Am I reading this right?

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