Hair Removal...Plucking

Let me start off by saying this, plucking is a great way to remove hair in small areas, but if you are trying to remove hair from a large area, say your legs or your arms, this is probably not a method you would want to use.  To most women, plucking unwanted hair is probably one of the first methods you use (aside from shaving) And as much as I hate this time consuming method, I find that plucking unwanted hair can be the most effective, least irritating, and cheapest way to remove hair.  Usually this is a method I use if I have extra time, and this is the method that I prefer if I do have the extra time and I want my skin to look its best.  On an area like my chin, neck, side burns, and eybrows, I find I get the best results if I do pluck out the unwanted hair.  As far as tools and methods go I love my tweezerman tweezers.  I like using both slanted and pointed ones.

I also make sure that I have exfoliated the skin very well, that way the hair comes out much easier.  I also make sure that I put a warm towel on each area before I start to open up the pores, it helps the hair to slide right out. 

The Epilator...

Let me start off by saying that I was some what apprehensive to try this device.  Just turning the thing on and hearing the horrid noise that it made I wanted to put it back in the box and send it back to my mothers house.  So upon reading the directions I went on my way to try this out. I used the small guard like the directions suggested for small areas.

Panasonic ES-WD51-P Epiglide Ladies Wet Dry Epilator

So this is the model that I used, and since its the first (and last) time that I ever used an epilator, I am not sure how this device works in comparison with others.  

First off let me start by saying I don't have very sensitive skin, but I do sometimes have issues when I wax, shave or pluck the hair on my face/neck.  Although after using this, I had so many bumps, and spots that I have never had with any other type of hair removal. 

Secondly this was VERY painful to me, I can wax my facial hair and neck hair with hardly even flinching, and even when I pluck the hair it hardly bothers me at all.  The whole time I used this I was grimacing in pain.

And lastly I found that this epilator broke the hair off at the skin which caused a lot of ingrown hairs, and stubble.  To me it just seemed to defeat the purpose.  

All in all I must say that I gladly returned this to my mom.  So many women love the results they get from an epilator, maybe my skin is just to sensitive, cause I didn't have the results I had hoped for. 

Hair Removal...The Problem

First off let me start by saying that I have a big problem with hair, ever since puberty I had to worry about the dreaded hair removal.  Most girls don't have to worry about someone getting to close and seeing that I had hair sprouting from my chin and neck, but for me, that was the norm.  I think since the age of 11-12 I have tried anything and everything under the sun that mentioned removing hair, whether it be temporarily or permanently.  I am now 28, and still try to hide the hair that grows everywhere. From my chin, sideburns, neck, chest, and stomach.  I have been tested for any problem that could possibly cause the "abnormal" hair growth.  I have been on countless medications just in hopes to keep the hair at bay.  Much to my disappointment I have yet to find anything to work.  This has been about a 17 year battle, that I am losing, only to be told that I am just a hairy person.


So I have decided to document the things I have tried, to hopefully help someone that might be in the same situation as me.  This shall be my journey to find something that works...

2011...just another year?

Every year since I was probably 12 I made the new years resolution to "lose weight" or "diet" and I am not going to lie, every year I know that its not going to happen.  So this year I have decided to do away with the new years resolutions that I know that I wont or cant keep, this year I have decided to make it more real.  I am going to focus on my family and friendships, and taking better care of myself (and by that I dont mean to diet) I mean flossing, washing my face every night before bed, get more sleep, not eat as much sugar, drink more water, not eat out so much, try not to spend money just because I have it, no more wasteful spending, my kids do not need every toy that they see, and I dont need to buy something just for the sake of buying it. I am going make more time for me,and to be more patient with my family, try harder to work with the boys with school work, and read to my kids more, have more conversations with my husband, and for that matter my dad and brothers.  Take time out to stop and visit my grandparents, and talk to my cousins more.  I want to not be such a flake, and make more time to spend with my friends.

I am not perfect so I know that some of these things might not be something I do on a regular basis, but my intentions are to try harder.  I know I will flake out, and not be as patient as I would like, but like I said I am going to try.

My Poppy...

Its been over 8 years since my grandpa left this earth.  It was probably one of the hardest things I had to deal with as a young adult.  He was the one that was always in my corner, always believed in me, made me feel like I was worth something.  He was my poppy!  I lived miles and miles away, and yet I had a better relationship than my grandparents that lived in the same town as me.  To me it was so unexpected, I really didnt know how sick he really was, and to this day I am kind of glad of that.  See I was able to enjoy talking to him with out the worry of wondering how he was really doing.  I guess it also showed that I really did enjoy chatting with him.  Even if it was just on instant messenger!  

If you were to ask his children about him, they would probably describe him as a grumpy man, I didn't see him that way, maybe he was just different around me, or maybe I brought out the best in him ;)  (thats what I want to think)  

On 11/23 was my Poppy's birthday, and I thought of him a lot that day, although lately I have been thinking about him a lot more than usual.  I guess I just wish that he was able to see me become a mother, and meet my children (even though I know they would have drove him mad!)  I know that he still watches over us, and that he is the one that is still in my corner helping me through rough times.  

To my poppy, Thank you for showing me that I am important, and that I can do what I put my mind too!  You believed in me when others didn't, and never questioned any of my dreams or goals no matter how big or small they were!  

Thanksgiving

I have been feeling very thankful lately, and for good reason.  I have a great family, my children are happy and healthy, my husband is healthy and still working.  I have parents that are always willing to help me out.  I have 2 siblings, that are growing into amazing men.  My friends are great, always there to lend an ear, they dont judge, and they make me realize that I am a good person.  I feel so fortunate to be where I am in life with all of these wonderful people around me.

So this thanksgiving I am thankful for my life, its not perfect, but I am thankful for it.

Its been 2 years...

Two years ago today, my life changed. Two years ago today my life was spared, unfortunatly 4 others weren't as lucky as me. I guess I was at the right place at the right time, maybe I am just over reacting, but for some reason it gets to me. Maybe I was 10 minutes late, for once being late worked to my benefit. Maybe god had other plans for me, or maybe Im just lucky! I still remember that night, and I still own that shirt that I got out of line for. I cant wear it, and I dont know why I keep it around...maybe its a reminder of how uncertain life can be. In a split second everything can change for the better or for the worse!