In my late 20s I started to notice booze doing horrible things to my face, although I don’t think that’s strictly chemical. Whenever I drank I’d lay awake from 2-4 am considering every past and future humiliation I could/ would put myself and my loved ones through. So yes, I blame alcohol for the purple bags under my eyes and for the early morning downward slope of my lips. I quit a year and a half ago and really do feel better, which I’m sure enhances my radiant aura (right?).
PS Andrew Huberman the neuroscientist/ podcaster has a great episode on the health effects of drinking. It’s kind of spooky--unless of course you’ve stopped in which case it makes you feel extremely righteous :)
Well, maybe. I believe in moderation in all things (except joy).
I drink moderately -- wine only, not beer (simply because I don't like it), and I'll have a mixed drink maybe a couple of times a year. I take care of my skin and limit my sun exposure, though god knows I didn't as I was growing up and into my 20s. I also never wash makeup off at night before I go to bed -- I know, horrors!
Strangers often compliment me on my skin, and look positively stricken when I tell them I'm 65.
As for JLo, I'm sure she's had and continues to have every beauty treatment under the sun, in addition to having good genes. Also has anyone else noticed that she always has her hair pulled tightly back? Frankly, I think it's to make her face look more taut. Try it yourself -- pull your hair tightly back in a ponytail; it does give a temporary lift.
One of the many reasons I gave up alcohol 3 years back was vanity. Pure vanity. I definitely notice less puff and dullness and more tone, definition, and brightness in my face since quitting.
Also, any amount of alcohol impacts sleep, and getting better sleep is good news for my skin (amongst other things). Now if only I could sing and move like J.Lo... Hearts to you, Val!
You're not one of the best, you are the best beauty substack out there. Damn, I've been reading about beauty stuff since my first sub to Seventeen when I was 12. Yours is the most reassuring, smart, actually helpful and useful content out there.
Jun 20, 2023·edited Jun 20, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe
-- I have never drank in my whole life and I am so glad about this decision, especially now that I am in my thirties. The alcohol and also the sugar, are both such scaring ingredients when it comes to our skin’s physiological health. In my opinion, the “sweetest” choice we can make, is primarily try to understand how these substances work when inside our cells. At least this way, one can go after them w/ not only guilty pleasure, but also real awareness. Xo.
Well, when you weren’t looking, I did indulge in the occasional glass or two. (Remember all those beauty press events with their signature cocktails? LOL!) These days there are much wider gaps between the occasions.
On another note, walking through Nomad today, on my way home from a visit at my cardiologist’s, where we discussed how to keep my very healthy heart even healthier, I noticed the sidewalk signs outside the bars of a couple of swanky hotels. One said, “Come get tipsy with us.” A block or two later I saw another: “Alcohol may not solve all your problems but neither will water.” The message that you can’t have fun without boozing it up is everywhere.
So I’m happy to see that your own important message today has been so well received by the HNTFUYF community. A votre santé! xo
I appreciate the effort that you take to write and share on substack. Thank you for the Laura Geller recommendation, as well. I used the code, love the products, and spent my savings on a subscription to HTNFUYF.
I do not drink, and while I tried when I was younger I was never successful (thank the goddesses!)
My question is this: I know I am aging each time l look in a mirror! But seriously, I understand I may have a few issues because I live with RA/RD (rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease). I have read diseases that cause a lot of pain may cause lines which the patient may not have had to deal with had they not had the illness. My question is this: are there things people like me or others with autoimmune diseases can do to prevent or tamp down on these added lines?
I know lot of the mouth line are from smoking, but are things smokers can do (besides quitting- yeah I know)
Your Pic in Oldster was absolutely FABULOUS!! I thought it was a photo from younger days! My gosh you definitely did not FUYF!!
any and all accolades justly deserved! and thanks for the Ben Affleck positive shout-out...we who were raised in the Boston area are a fierce defensive tribe and protect our own and reserve the right to judge our own...take THAT ohhh cruel cruel world heh
Don't know about my face but the middle of the night waking is definitely brought on by booze. I try to keep drinking to weekends only (emphasis on try). Sleep through the nights when I abstain. Then again, lack of sleep doesn't do much for the face....
Halfway through my 80s, I realized that I would no longer handle my nightly vodka, even though for a while I was chief liquor blind tester for Smart Money magazine. Ah, those were the days. Now I like a glass of dry red wine and that's it. What it does for my complexion I have no idea, but I'm so glad I'm not addicted to anything and can go days without even a glass of Malbec. As for dope, I no longer like what it does to my brain. Random thought from a really old guy.
Val! I just realized my skin cancer check with Orit Markowitz went from annual (pre pandemic) to non existent (post pandemic)! Thanks for the reminder. I'm calling her office now.
I did manage to avoid cigarettes and the sun but the booze??? Working in New York restaurants taught me how to drink. When I tried sober curious I learned a glass of wine is 5oz, hard booze
is 1.5 oz. My skin is good due to genes not for my love of a glass of wine...or two. In reading your post I started to wonder...would foundation help return my skin to the dewey look I used to have naturally? Kim and Jenn over at EIF podcast were going gaga over Jones Road Beauty's, What The Foundation. Have you tried it? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Right now my foundation is Elta MD sunscreen. It keeps my Rosacea in check. More important, can you wear foundation without it interfering with sunblock? Thank you!
In my late 20s I started to notice booze doing horrible things to my face, although I don’t think that’s strictly chemical. Whenever I drank I’d lay awake from 2-4 am considering every past and future humiliation I could/ would put myself and my loved ones through. So yes, I blame alcohol for the purple bags under my eyes and for the early morning downward slope of my lips. I quit a year and a half ago and really do feel better, which I’m sure enhances my radiant aura (right?).
PS Andrew Huberman the neuroscientist/ podcaster has a great episode on the health effects of drinking. It’s kind of spooky--unless of course you’ve stopped in which case it makes you feel extremely righteous :)
Well, maybe. I believe in moderation in all things (except joy).
I drink moderately -- wine only, not beer (simply because I don't like it), and I'll have a mixed drink maybe a couple of times a year. I take care of my skin and limit my sun exposure, though god knows I didn't as I was growing up and into my 20s. I also never wash makeup off at night before I go to bed -- I know, horrors!
Strangers often compliment me on my skin, and look positively stricken when I tell them I'm 65.
As for JLo, I'm sure she's had and continues to have every beauty treatment under the sun, in addition to having good genes. Also has anyone else noticed that she always has her hair pulled tightly back? Frankly, I think it's to make her face look more taut. Try it yourself -- pull your hair tightly back in a ponytail; it does give a temporary lift.
One of the many reasons I gave up alcohol 3 years back was vanity. Pure vanity. I definitely notice less puff and dullness and more tone, definition, and brightness in my face since quitting.
Also, any amount of alcohol impacts sleep, and getting better sleep is good news for my skin (amongst other things). Now if only I could sing and move like J.Lo... Hearts to you, Val!
You're not one of the best, you are the best beauty substack out there. Damn, I've been reading about beauty stuff since my first sub to Seventeen when I was 12. Yours is the most reassuring, smart, actually helpful and useful content out there.
-- I have never drank in my whole life and I am so glad about this decision, especially now that I am in my thirties. The alcohol and also the sugar, are both such scaring ingredients when it comes to our skin’s physiological health. In my opinion, the “sweetest” choice we can make, is primarily try to understand how these substances work when inside our cells. At least this way, one can go after them w/ not only guilty pleasure, but also real awareness. Xo.
Well, when you weren’t looking, I did indulge in the occasional glass or two. (Remember all those beauty press events with their signature cocktails? LOL!) These days there are much wider gaps between the occasions.
On another note, walking through Nomad today, on my way home from a visit at my cardiologist’s, where we discussed how to keep my very healthy heart even healthier, I noticed the sidewalk signs outside the bars of a couple of swanky hotels. One said, “Come get tipsy with us.” A block or two later I saw another: “Alcohol may not solve all your problems but neither will water.” The message that you can’t have fun without boozing it up is everywhere.
So I’m happy to see that your own important message today has been so well received by the HNTFUYF community. A votre santé! xo
There's just no fun left, is there. xo
I appreciate the effort that you take to write and share on substack. Thank you for the Laura Geller recommendation, as well. I used the code, love the products, and spent my savings on a subscription to HTNFUYF.
Hi dearest Val!!
I do not drink, and while I tried when I was younger I was never successful (thank the goddesses!)
My question is this: I know I am aging each time l look in a mirror! But seriously, I understand I may have a few issues because I live with RA/RD (rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease). I have read diseases that cause a lot of pain may cause lines which the patient may not have had to deal with had they not had the illness. My question is this: are there things people like me or others with autoimmune diseases can do to prevent or tamp down on these added lines?
I know lot of the mouth line are from smoking, but are things smokers can do (besides quitting- yeah I know)
Your Pic in Oldster was absolutely FABULOUS!! I thought it was a photo from younger days! My gosh you definitely did not FUYF!!
any and all accolades justly deserved! and thanks for the Ben Affleck positive shout-out...we who were raised in the Boston area are a fierce defensive tribe and protect our own and reserve the right to judge our own...take THAT ohhh cruel cruel world heh
Don't know about my face but the middle of the night waking is definitely brought on by booze. I try to keep drinking to weekends only (emphasis on try). Sleep through the nights when I abstain. Then again, lack of sleep doesn't do much for the face....
Halfway through my 80s, I realized that I would no longer handle my nightly vodka, even though for a while I was chief liquor blind tester for Smart Money magazine. Ah, those were the days. Now I like a glass of dry red wine and that's it. What it does for my complexion I have no idea, but I'm so glad I'm not addicted to anything and can go days without even a glass of Malbec. As for dope, I no longer like what it does to my brain. Random thought from a really old guy.
Val! I just realized my skin cancer check with Orit Markowitz went from annual (pre pandemic) to non existent (post pandemic)! Thanks for the reminder. I'm calling her office now.
I did manage to avoid cigarettes and the sun but the booze??? Working in New York restaurants taught me how to drink. When I tried sober curious I learned a glass of wine is 5oz, hard booze
is 1.5 oz. My skin is good due to genes not for my love of a glass of wine...or two. In reading your post I started to wonder...would foundation help return my skin to the dewey look I used to have naturally? Kim and Jenn over at EIF podcast were going gaga over Jones Road Beauty's, What The Foundation. Have you tried it? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Right now my foundation is Elta MD sunscreen. It keeps my Rosacea in check. More important, can you wear foundation without it interfering with sunblock? Thank you!
Yeah, I'm a one and done girl these days. It's good to feel and look better even though the under eye puffiness...oy vey!!!