It’s not that I’m trying to look younger. I actually think I look pretty good for my age. But I do pay attention to my skin now and notice what’s going on with it. My skin, which used to be oily, has become combination over time. My T-zone is still active, but I also have areas that get dry. That change pushed me to start paying closer attention to what my skin actually needs.

One thing I’ve always been intentional about is lip care. That part is not new for me at all. But what is new is the way I’ve had to adjust my skincare routine altogether. Somewhere along the way, I finally understood something important: for my skin, less is more.

A couple of years ago, I went on the search for the perfect skincare regimen. I wanted the perfect serums, the perfect chemical peels, the retinols, the acids, the whole thing. I tried several brands and spent a lot of money, only to realize I wasn’t really happy with the results. On top of that, the routines had so many steps that it became hard to stay committed to them.

So I stepped back and asked myself what I was really looking for. The answer was simple: ease, simplicity, and products that addressed my specific needs. I was tired of trying to learn every chemical and acid out there. Instead, I turned back to nature, which is what I tend to do in most areas of my life.

That’s when I started connecting my herbalist knowledge with my skincare journey.

What started as a multi-step routine is now down to just two main steps. I cleanse with Dove Sensitive Skin bar soap, and I moisturize with three drops of rose hip oil . I chose rose hip oil because of its many benefits, including vitamin C content, support for collagen production, and the fact that it closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum. It’s also non-comedogenic, which means it doesn’t clog pores when used properly.

In addition to that, I use clay masks when my skin needs them; usually once or twice a month, depending on what’s going on. I also keep an oil cleanser on hand, specifically Burt’s Bees oil cleanser, for the days when I wear makeup. It works especially well for removing eyeliner, waterproof mascara, and my more highly pigmented lip colors. I wear matte shades from The Lip Bar in different reds, and they can be stubborn to remove. Still, after using the oil cleanser, I always wash my face again with Dove Sensitive Skin because my skin is very sensitive, and sometimes it doesn’t love the oil-based cleanser on its own.

Another part of my skincare journey has been thinking about how to “drink” my skincare, not just apply it. That led me to rose hip tea. I invested in them and now make tea with them daily. I’m not just using them for beauty, either. I’m also drawn to their antioxidant benefits.

Right now, I’m shifting my diet toward something much cleaner, and I’m approaching this as a real lifestyle change. This journey feels different from the others because it isn’t just about a countdown to something. I’m 50 now, and I know I need to make these changes for real.

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Honestly, I’m also facing the reality of things I used to criticize in other people; especially people around my age who made choices that didn’t support their health or wellness. I used to wonder why they didn’t stop. Now I understand more than I did before. That awareness has pushed me to do better for myself.

At the heart of it all, rose hips are just one part of a larger shift I’m making. I’m excited to see what changes come from this, not only for beauty, but for inflammation, overall wellness, and how I feel in my body. That’s really the goal.

Thank you for engaging with my content. It’s my hope that you left here with a little more than what you came with.

Shanti, shanti

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2026/05/25

Some people have really been showing their ass(es) lately, and I kept trying to let it slide but… I just can’t anymore twin.

Ya know, people should really consider how they treat others.

To go out of your way to cause harm or disrupt someone else’s life is a pretty shitty thing to do and is a very shitty mark of character.

We live and we learn and at the end of the day, the day’s gotta end so…

Grow the fuck up if you need to.

Shut the fuck up if you need to.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

And if you can’t have an awesome day, don’t go and fuck it up for everybody else, damn.

Anyways

Love you, mean it!

Feli

Thanks for reading ether, air, fire, water + earth! This post is public so feel free to share it.

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This is a share from a previous sub-stack account I had chronicling my journey through a 500 hour yoga teacher training.

Now, I guess its last entry can serve as a cautionary tale instead.

Take from it what speaks to you.

Thanks for listening.

Thanks for reading Ether, Earth, Fire, Water + Air ! This post is public so feel free to share it.