I grew up slathering my face and hands with Oil of Olay. One of those things you do without ever stopping to think about it because your mom always did. I even kept a bottle in my desk at school. Until that day in the sixth grade when John VandenHoogen notices my jar and mocks me saying, "Oooooooh! Oil of Olay! It came make you look younger too! Goo Goo Ga Ga!"
And right then and there I suddenly wondered, "Why do I use this stuff anyway?!"
Well, it was the one beauty secret my mom had always imparted on me: Oil of Olay will keep your skin beautiful forever. And she always looked naturally beautiful. No makeup at all.
But that day in sixth grade, I gave it up for good. I didn't want to look like the baby John VandenHoogen said I'd become.
Twenty Seven years later, while strolling through Belltown in Seattle, I stopped at one of my favorite neighborhood cafes for a light lunch: A roasted beet, goat cheese and arugula sandwich and a Perrier. And it was delightful.
After lunch, I strolled around for several hours, shopping and enjoying the city before heading back to our home away from home.
And when I stepped into the bathroom to re-apply my lipstick, I noticed something wrong with my lips. Purple lines were shooting out from my lips all around. What on earth was this?! I scanned back through the day in my mind, wondering how on earth this could have happened to me. The Beet Sandwich! I shreaked. It had revealed something I never knew I had. Lip lines. And I, and all of Seattle discovered I now had them.
Thankfully, I recovered from my initial shock of learning that I'm aging and have taken up moisturizer once again. But I'll tell you what, I'll never eat another Beet Sandwich again.
Oh, dear! You know, my mother has also used Oil of Olay for forever--still does. She always used to get a bottle for Christmas!
Posted by: The Hausfrau | February 25, 2010 at 01:08 AM
Hi Sherri,
Right next to Dahlia lounge is the Dahlia Bakery where you can buy yummy little sandwiches and treats and eat them on their sidewalk tables.
Take care,
Serena
Posted by: Serena | February 24, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Hey, I would love to know the name of your favorite cafe in Belltown or any other places you love to go in or Seattle. I still love Portland more than Seattle because I know all my favorite little places. Thanks! Sherri in Sammamish
Posted by: Sherri | February 21, 2010 at 06:26 PM
Oh, but that beet sandwich sounded absolutely delightful!!!!!
I was a Noxema girl myself --- until I got married and my husband didn't like the smell of it. When sis and I were growing up we would slather it on thick each night before we went to bed --- and would sleep with it caked on our faces! No wonder hubby didn't like it!
LaTeaDah
Posted by: LaTeaDah | February 20, 2010 at 04:30 PM
When I was little, my Grandma used Oil of Olay. I used to call it "Oil of Ol' Lady."
The lines around your lips are not lines...we call it "feathering." I usually apply a bit of what we used to call "erase", now called concealer on and around my lips. Then, I draw a lipstick line with a pencil, THEN I finally apply lipstick. The concealer fills in the feathers and the line acts as a border for the greasy lipstick. It's really artwork and paint camouflage!
A little lipstick and a little paint makes you look like what you ain't!
Posted by: Ellen Bloom | February 19, 2010 at 06:10 PM
I've never even had a beet sandwich - but I've got some beetroot and some goat cheese just aching for some bread. Sounds fantastic!
Posted by: Sarah | February 19, 2010 at 02:47 PM
you made make me laugh. i just love the stories you share about your life. im taking all of the comments as a hint to go out and buy some very good face cream asap :)
blessings,
aimee
Posted by: aimee | February 18, 2010 at 09:25 PM
say it isn't so! don't give up the beet sandwich!!! it honestly sounds - to me - like heaven on bread. it is so like to my favorite salad!
but i understand what you mean. i use philosophy's purity made simple cleanser and then follow with hope in a jar moisturizer. it hasn't failed me yet and i love it. i'm a no makeup gal and plan to be for life!
Posted by: Susan | February 18, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Oil of Olay is still my mothers only go-to moisturizer!! And people mistake her and my older sister as SISTERS!! (my sister hates that!!) A fellow coach of my husbands saw my mother and said she looks about 45... I have started to use the good 'ol pink "gold" myself! My Nana (her mother) God rest her soul, looked not a day over 60 when she passed at 83! I'm iin my early 30s and not taking any chances! Your Mother was right...and she had the beautiful, natural looking skin to prove it!!
Let's grow old gracefully!!
Posted by: CountryMama | February 18, 2010 at 10:15 AM
For my mom she used it as well...my gram used Vaseline on her face every night...can you imagine??? It didn't stop the wrinkles but her skin was smooth :)
Sounds just about as bad as walking around with a giant piece of spinach stuck between your front teeth :)
Enjoyed the giggle
Take care of yourself.
Janet
Posted by: Janet Doherty | February 18, 2010 at 07:37 AM
Great story and great picture of your Mom. She's lovely and hip and everything all rolled into one! :)
Posted by: Angie | February 18, 2010 at 04:36 AM
How funny! We all seem to have an age in our brain that defines us. Then, wham! Something hits that reawakens the knowledge that, yes we are getting older and yes, we are more like our mothers than we ever thought possible!! I am an Avon baby; My Mom was a rep and so am I. Wearing foundation at 12 was as natural as drinking tea! My friends never understood but also never questioned! It was just part of who we were. Now at 50, I'm glad she taught me to care for my skin. We all age...just appreciate she taught you with grace!
Posted by: Valorie | February 18, 2010 at 04:33 AM
Oh, don't give up the beet sand! (I've never had one, but it sounds SO GOOD!)
Be proud of those "lip lines" - lots of smiling and kissing got them there!
Posted by: D'Anna | February 17, 2010 at 10:32 PM
I wish I'd started Oil of Olay when I was a child. I might be ahead of the game now. I didn't have my glasses on when I read this post, and was trying my best to figure out how a "beef" sandwich could make those lines show up. I got them, and reread it, and now I'm LOL.
Blessings,
Marcia
Posted by: Marcia | February 17, 2010 at 07:20 PM
I've used Oil of Olay products for 41 years...they are the best...especially the Regenerist line. I've got pretty good skin for an old girl.
Posted by: Evelyn | February 17, 2010 at 06:29 PM
Haha!
I used Oil of Olay when I was a kid too. I think I started at like 9 or 10 years old...
Posted by: Beki - TheRustedChain | February 17, 2010 at 05:11 PM
Your mom looks so sweet. Now I know where you get it.
Posted by: Monica | February 17, 2010 at 03:10 PM
What a beautiful picture of your mom! I am turning 39 next week, so I know what you are talking about! Try to remember: don't sweat the small stuff, lifes too short! By the way, you look just like your mom!
Posted by: Gretchen | February 17, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Serena,
That's too funny. Thought I'd mention to you that the code for your Farm Chicks badge is wrong. It only links to your photobucket not the Farm Chicks blog. Just a friendly heads up.
Posted by: Wendy@ Almota Roses | February 17, 2010 at 02:29 PM
My mother used it too and now I use it but we used to call it "Oil of Ol' Lady!" You know, now that I'm using it, that's just not that funny any more!
Posted by: Lisa B. | February 17, 2010 at 01:20 PM
Darn those silly little school girls who embarrassed us because they didn't understand the nature of real beauty! But oh, darn those red beets even more!!!
Posted by: cathie | February 17, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Hah Hah...so funny! I too had used oil of olay as a teenager and into my 30's. But now it is more heavy duty stuff - Principal Secret "Reclaim". 47 and no "lip lines" yet! And, I hope your last beet sandwich was so great that it will last you through the next 40 some years!
Cheers
Rochelle
Posted by: Rochelle Gaukel | February 17, 2010 at 10:48 AM
your mom is lovely just like you, beet red lips or not!
Posted by: marci | February 17, 2010 at 10:44 AM
Oh my goodness, that is so funny. My mom & grandma have both always used Oil of Olay & the smell just invokes so many memories.
Your mom is absolutely beautiful!
That sandwich sounds so yummy - but without the stained lips.
Posted by: Tonia | February 17, 2010 at 09:39 AM
Oil of Olay, Is that the same thing they used is Olay products?
Posted by: ask a doctor | February 17, 2010 at 08:34 AM
Hahah! Well I'm only 27 and I have lip lines. Guess I won't be eating beets anytime soon! I use Nivea, same as my Mom. But the stuff is so thick I find myself pulling at the skin around my eyes. Now I have to use expensive under eye cream...that I have to go to Canada to get!
Posted by: Nikki | February 17, 2010 at 08:32 AM
Funny. I jest bout tinkled my pants. I love beets too especially in a salad, never had a sandwhich though. I might try it BUT hey I'm 56 and you can see my lip wrinkles without the beet. Maybe in the privacy of my home.
Your mom is lovely, just like you.
Diane
The Library Lady
"Take surprise and delight in the little things"
Posted by: Diane | February 17, 2010 at 08:17 AM
That's funny...but I've got news for you, Oil of Olay will NOT keep those little lines away! I've used the stuff for years and years and to my horror (!) those little lines have appeared...with nary a beet in sight!
Posted by: Nan | February 17, 2010 at 08:12 AM
This is very cute and so funny! My mom used oil of olay too and I didn't really like the smell of it. One night, after she had died, the night of her viewing, I was the last one out of the room. This little thought went through my mind.."Go tell your mom goodnight"...I thought, oh, that just silly, but the thought came again...so I walked back over to the open casket, looked at her with love, bent over and kissed er cheek....I could smell oil of olay. I thought, oh my gosh..some how, some way...that was a communication from mom...it was so sweet. Even now as I share this with you it brings tears to my eyes. I know this life and the life beyond the veil is a very close thing. Come say hi :D
Posted by: Julie Harward | February 17, 2010 at 07:43 AM
I've never tried a beet sandwich, but this is the second time since yesterday I've heard of them. I guess I'd better try one.
Oil of Olay is such a good product! I wish I had been more disciplined with my skin care routine over the years.
Hope you have a great day!!
http://homeswheremyheartis.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Erin | February 17, 2010 at 07:42 AM
In my family, it's known as Oil of Delay...=P
Posted by: Susan | February 17, 2010 at 07:37 AM
Oh Serena, that is SO funny!!!!! My mom used Oil of Olay too. I used to love to watch her slather it all over her face and neck after her evening shower. I, as a teen was plaqued with very oily skin. And as a woman who is now on the very backside of 40, I am ever so thankful for that curse. It has kept my skin a wee on the youthful side.
Happy day!!
Posted by: Kris | February 17, 2010 at 07:30 AM
Hilarious! Thanks for the warning...I too love beets. And I ain't getting any younger. ;)
Posted by: Flower Patch Farmgirl | February 17, 2010 at 07:11 AM
Oh, heavens! You (and your mom) are beautiful, so just enjoy!! Beets, Oil of Olay, Chocolate, Farm Sinks -- It'a sll good! :)
Posted by: maryann | February 17, 2010 at 07:03 AM
Oh goodness....I can relate. I just wrote about my year as a thirty year old on my blog. Yesterday was my 31st birthday. I totally forgot to mention that between each haircut now I get more silver hairs popping up. My dad had the same dark brunette hair and it was grey by the time he was in his early thirties. I better start focusing more on moisturizer too!
Posted by: Lindsay | February 17, 2010 at 06:49 AM
Too funny.......No beet sandwiches for me either!
Posted by: susie | February 17, 2010 at 06:27 AM
Right now, I can still smell that wonderful aroma of Oil of Olay on my Mom when I was young. Takes me right back to protected stress-free days when I was a child. Thanks for reminding me of the nice and cozy memory of Oil of Olay. :)
Posted by: Beth | February 17, 2010 at 06:07 AM
Well, at least you weren't popping Geritols!
I slather on the Ponds Face Cream every morning....nice & thick! As a teenager I was always addicted to Noxema, for some strange reason...I still get nostalgic when I see it at the store.
Smiles, DianeM :)
Posted by: DianeM | February 17, 2010 at 05:30 AM
oh go ahead...enjoy the beet sandwich. we all get lip lines some where along the line. life is short, relish your beet lines:)
Posted by: Le | February 17, 2010 at 05:08 AM
My mom always used Oil of Olay too. I use Nivea- the thick stuff- every morning. But I still have fines lines, and I noticed the ( ) parentheses lines around my mouth. UGH.
Posted by: Lee | February 17, 2010 at 05:04 AM
Oh my, what a shock! That could seriously have happened to me... I wonder if people just chose not to tell me?? I'm off the public beetroot eating aswell from now on, thanks for the heads up!
:)
Posted by: flick | February 17, 2010 at 04:45 AM
L LOL!!! Yes, no more beet sandwiches, at least in public, anyway.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but complexions really start to change after 50. In fact, I have returned to good old Oil of Olay, partly for economic reasons and partly because it works pretty well on this 53-year-old skin.
And it brings back those great childhood memories!
Posted by: Barbara Hunter | February 17, 2010 at 04:40 AM
Oh, Oil of Olay.. that brings back memories. I used it in an early age too, for the same reason you did. I never stopped though, but moved over to other brands when I got older.
It is a little embarrassing to walk around town with crackled red lips (or a flaky face from a bad choice of lotion..) without knowing about it. I understand completely!
Your mother is very beautiful.
Have a very good day,
Sanna
Posted by: Sanna | February 17, 2010 at 02:18 AM