...the bar you set for your expectations will be based on love, rather than loathing ...
you are a treasure Valerie!
I live in South Korea and the situation here is out.of.control. every single conversation I have with a woman eventually - within an hour! - turns to her face, what's been done, what should be done.
I really do feel like everyone here has gone bonkers and I'm witnessing the decline of civilization, sometimes I feel like i'm living in that episode of Twilight Zone (you know which one). NOT that i'm against it and Not that I don't need it . I just wish it didn't take up so much of everyone's time and life energy. sigh.
Good to hear about your experience with the colloquially called "vampire facial," Val. I've read about it and know one person who's had it done. I didn't see any change in her face, but apparently one needs several sessions to see results. And it is, of course, expensive. I was considering it, but I think I'll pass.
I'll never again be able to look at Bridget Everett without thinking of you. Maybe the three of us can hang out sometime? HNtFUYF just keeps getting funnier and more informative.
Oh but you do have a wonderful personality -- as evidenced by your wit and charm throughout HNTFUYF! As a beauty writer, I love your mantra most; we can play with all of the serums, facials and the like but loving our face regardless is the true key to happiness. xx
[To continue] is a friend, when people were closing in on her on some occasion in the South, "what do they think, that it's going to rub off?" I have had my own small piece of renown, it's now gone, but while it lasted I just wanted to run away. You want to be known as who you really are, and you don't get that on the street.
Meeting or even knowing the famous is something I'm familiar with. I could list some of them but won't. The thing you have to remember is that they're just people, not unlike yourself--and you, by the way, are semi-famous through what you do--and in many cases want to be treated like just people not unlike yourself. I see it out here all the time, where a lot of writers and artists and the like gather, and other people want to suck up to them. As Eudora Welty once said to Tom Harris, who, by the way,
Jun 13, 2023·edited Jun 13, 2023Liked by Valerie Monroe
-- Well, it could be a good time to say that I find your personality very alluring! I actually appreciated the first part of the essay. Sometimes, our feelings respectfully win the race. In the end, it must always be a good thing whenever we can remain true to who we are, to what we believe. About the whole blood process, I will only say that I love the L-PRP & L-PRF potentialities, so I think your doctor made a great choice. Xo.
Love this amazing post! A subtitle might be “All You Need is Love” (for your face, for others, for the planet) as a crucial first step in taking any positive, informed actions.
As for the fear of saying something stupid should one actually have the opportunity to speak to a celebrity, I thought what you said to Bridget Everett was both charming and disarming. I’m sure BE felt likewise—and is used to being “ambushed” by admiring fans.
Your delightful encounter also made me think of what I imagine to be a celebrity’s feelings about being recognized by one’s public as one pursues their private life. Last night I watched a very moving documentary about another luminous Valerie: Valerie Perrine , who at 79 is bravely battling Parkinson’s disease. As the end credits rolled, there was a quote, VP’s reflection on fame, being a celebrity and what it all means. It went something like this:
“In life, I am an actress. In public, I am a movie star. In reality, I am Valerie.” I think that if I were ever to see this courageous, spirited woman across a crowded room, I’d be tempted to wink at her too.
I watched the trailer for the show and it looks so good. Perhaps I'll pay for a month and binge-watch! Regarding devices for facial treatments, I think of all the things I tried when I was in my tender 30s and 40s and to this day, I'm not sure they made much of a difference except in my bank account. One treatment which involved electricty (!) actually hurt a little and I did wonder, "Hmmm...and why am I doing this??" Even now I've tried a home version of that roller-thingy with needles and realized maybe it wasn't so safe, sanitary or effective doing it this way. These days I'm trying to simplify with a serum here and there, and something to gently slough off dull skin especially in the winter.
...the bar you set for your expectations will be based on love, rather than loathing ...
you are a treasure Valerie!
I live in South Korea and the situation here is out.of.control. every single conversation I have with a woman eventually - within an hour! - turns to her face, what's been done, what should be done.
I really do feel like everyone here has gone bonkers and I'm witnessing the decline of civilization, sometimes I feel like i'm living in that episode of Twilight Zone (you know which one). NOT that i'm against it and Not that I don't need it . I just wish it didn't take up so much of everyone's time and life energy. sigh.
Yes yes YES to Somebody Somewhere. Bridget Everett deserves all the awards, because she's incredible.
Good to hear about your experience with the colloquially called "vampire facial," Val. I've read about it and know one person who's had it done. I didn't see any change in her face, but apparently one needs several sessions to see results. And it is, of course, expensive. I was considering it, but I think I'll pass.
“...based on love rather than loathing.” 100% yes
I'll never again be able to look at Bridget Everett without thinking of you. Maybe the three of us can hang out sometime? HNtFUYF just keeps getting funnier and more informative.
Honestly it was that amazing thumbnail gif with the multiple faces shooting out of a Stationary head that made me click thru 🤣🤣🤣
Oh but you do have a wonderful personality -- as evidenced by your wit and charm throughout HNTFUYF! As a beauty writer, I love your mantra most; we can play with all of the serums, facials and the like but loving our face regardless is the true key to happiness. xx
[To continue] is a friend, when people were closing in on her on some occasion in the South, "what do they think, that it's going to rub off?" I have had my own small piece of renown, it's now gone, but while it lasted I just wanted to run away. You want to be known as who you really are, and you don't get that on the street.
Meeting or even knowing the famous is something I'm familiar with. I could list some of them but won't. The thing you have to remember is that they're just people, not unlike yourself--and you, by the way, are semi-famous through what you do--and in many cases want to be treated like just people not unlike yourself. I see it out here all the time, where a lot of writers and artists and the like gather, and other people want to suck up to them. As Eudora Welty once said to Tom Harris, who, by the way,
-- Well, it could be a good time to say that I find your personality very alluring! I actually appreciated the first part of the essay. Sometimes, our feelings respectfully win the race. In the end, it must always be a good thing whenever we can remain true to who we are, to what we believe. About the whole blood process, I will only say that I love the L-PRP & L-PRF potentialities, so I think your doctor made a great choice. Xo.
Love this amazing post! A subtitle might be “All You Need is Love” (for your face, for others, for the planet) as a crucial first step in taking any positive, informed actions.
As for the fear of saying something stupid should one actually have the opportunity to speak to a celebrity, I thought what you said to Bridget Everett was both charming and disarming. I’m sure BE felt likewise—and is used to being “ambushed” by admiring fans.
Your delightful encounter also made me think of what I imagine to be a celebrity’s feelings about being recognized by one’s public as one pursues their private life. Last night I watched a very moving documentary about another luminous Valerie: Valerie Perrine , who at 79 is bravely battling Parkinson’s disease. As the end credits rolled, there was a quote, VP’s reflection on fame, being a celebrity and what it all means. It went something like this:
“In life, I am an actress. In public, I am a movie star. In reality, I am Valerie.” I think that if I were ever to see this courageous, spirited woman across a crowded room, I’d be tempted to wink at her too.
I love that you wink at stars from across the room, Val. What a pro move. Though I'm sure they'd love speaking with you too!
Have you already discussed microcurrent devices like NuFACE? Trying to better understand what their deal is.
What a fun post! Glad I found you, Valerie!!
I watched the trailer for the show and it looks so good. Perhaps I'll pay for a month and binge-watch! Regarding devices for facial treatments, I think of all the things I tried when I was in my tender 30s and 40s and to this day, I'm not sure they made much of a difference except in my bank account. One treatment which involved electricty (!) actually hurt a little and I did wonder, "Hmmm...and why am I doing this??" Even now I've tried a home version of that roller-thingy with needles and realized maybe it wasn't so safe, sanitary or effective doing it this way. These days I'm trying to simplify with a serum here and there, and something to gently slough off dull skin especially in the winter.
Did you face time little lady M after the toy truck facial? If so, please let the fans know what unintended brilliance came out of her tiny mouth!!