Oh, Mr. Williams

Ok, so here’s the deal: I have come to the realization that we all need to take care of our skin. And I'm one of those people who have never fussed over beauty products or routines. Plain soap and water and that was it. But lately I have discovered the awesome feeling of dedicating time to... myself. Undiluted solipsism seems to be its own reward, bae. Especially during this pandemic. I've decided that if I don't make sure I have some 'ME' time, I may be giving myself (and others) a burnout version of myself. And that's just not cool. Don't you think?

But apparently I'm not alone. All kinds of men are making a statement about self-care (and not only gay men, apparently..) and I'm here for it. When I found out that Pharrell Williams had done a video for Vogue I was like WHAT? Gimme...! Because I think the fact that a man who is deep into the culture of hip-hop (Pharrell is a well-known singer, songwriter and producer) and doesn't give two shits about making a video for Vogue about grooming and skin care is quite illuminating. Men in Hip-hop and rap are not the most prone to share the name of their moisturizer with the world, don't you think? Add to that that Pharrell is a cisgender, straight Black man and there you have it: a unicorn.

The idea of dedicating some time to ourselves should be a given: we already shave every morning or trim our beards of do whatever it is that we men do (I cannot grow a full beard but still I do have to shave every day, alas) so why not add five minutes to that routine we are going to go through anyway? It's not going to kill us. If anything, adding some SPF-infused product and a lip balm to our soap-and-water routine can only work FOR us. Yes, you are already exfoliating when you shave. Did you know that? Looking good can influence our outlook. Feeling good during this pandemic has made me look good. And vice-versa.

Yeah, feel free to be as much of a lumberjack as you want. Go out and chop some wood in the snow, if that helps you feel the fantasy. But when you go out, don't forget your face will not feel like sandpaper when you come back in because you did use that little bit of SPF-15 moisturizer, conveniently packaged in a solid black container so your inner Daniel Boone would not suffer. Also, applying some chapstick is not gonna kill you. And when you kiss someone, the contrast between your lips and your five o'clock shadow will have the intended results. Trust me. I know what I'm talking about here. 

Loving yourself (yeah, that way too!) is... what? Fundamental.

XOXO

P.S. for xmas, I was notified that I may get a little travel bag full of goodies! I'll let you know what I got when I open my gifts....