Vanity Insurance

Ever since we arrived in Paris, I couldn’t help but notice how much older everyone looks. With deep wrinkles on their forehead, crows feet around the eyes and discolored teeth, the Parisians seem to age faster than nature intended. With this in mind, I further examined my own perfections and began to wonder: Will the city of lights cast a dark shadow on my quest for a youthful glow?

There are those elements I can control. No smoking. No drinking. No excessive late night excursions to the dance clubs. But others are much more difficult to manage. For starters, the water in Paris is loaded with calcium and other hard minerals. Not only do these wreak havoc on your polished nickel faucets, they turn golden hair delights into muddy, dishwater blondes. Beyond that, I wondered if the hard water would clog my hair follicles. I’ve seen what I look like with a shaved head. It wasn’t pretty.

So on the advice of my hair stylist, I’ve began rinsing my hair with purified water. No, it’s not Evian, but rather filtered water from our PUR system. In addition, I purchased a line of hair products found in Europe that helps to invigorate the scalp and promote hair growth. I’m not taking any chances.

My friend Jamie is partly to blame. Yesterday, while accompanying him on a business trip around Paris, we sidestepped into the local Pharmacie for a PowerBar bar. What we found were nutrition bars no bigger than a domino, a special whitening toothpaste, tan enhancing pills, eye whitener used by the models, and Rene Furterer’s 76% guarantee to not only improve the hair you have but grow some in the process.

With my basket in hand, I bought:

Complexe 5 – It tones the scalp and strengthens the hair
Triphasic – Regenerating serum for thinning hair
Fortifica – Shampooing stimulant
Karite – Nourishing, conditioning cream

Yesterday at the gym was my first experience using the products. Needless to say, I was in the shower for over 15 minutes. Fortunately, you can somewhat see through the smoked shower doors. This comes in handy for many reasons, but for the case in point it will be beneficial in proving I’m not entertaining myself.

I’ve also requested additional Dermologica skin care products from home. Currently, I conduct a four-step process including exfoliation, cleansing, protection and moisturizing. Considering the harsh pollutants in the air, I’m considering adding a fifth – weekly mask treatments to remove impurities the other steps leave behind. Consider it insurance.

So let the city of lights shine brightly on those less vain and nonchalant towards the aging process. I’ll be at the Pharmacie, in aisle five, looking for the fountain of youth.