A new beauty secret?

What is a friend? For me it’s someone I can talk with about the silliest and the most intimate things, a person I can giggle with or laugh out loud with, joke with or cry with when we’re sharing stories about sorrow. I remember when I was younger I had two bosom friends — Carmen and Linda. Most of the time we were lunching and teasing each other but when we wanted to cry we would go to my home and watch Camelot on my Betamax. Now Carmen is dead, was burned to death with her family; and Linda lives somewhere in Las Vegas. They are both gone. I can’t reach for them anymore during good or sad times.

We were friends when we were young, lovely enough, not worried about wrinkles or white hair. I remember a time we were exercising together, trying to get our bodies, which were not bad, in better shape. If she were alive today Carmen would be pushing 70 and Linda would be in her middle to late 60s. How time has flown! How did all those years so quickly pass, leaving a trail of memories? What else does someone hope to have in her 70s when you’re too wrinkled to find a man who will at least look at you?

Moriel and Brando Estrella are two of my closest friends because every time we see each other we always laugh together. They are around 10 years younger than me but we have the same sense of humor. I call Brando my virtual husband and he calls me his virtual wife, much to Moriel’s amusement. Moriel, of course, is his real wife, mother of his children, custodian of his home and my buddy. She also has a beautiful singing voice.

 Anyway, at this late age, what do Moriel and I have to talk about? Being women, we speak about beauty, of course. I mean, women are vain. I’ve got the perfect product for your face, Moriel tells me in hushed tones. You use it and it will ease these two marks by your mouth that all your smiling and laughing has left on your face, and. . . these two deep little lines from the corner of your mouth going down. Where did you get those lines anyway?

 I’m old, I tell her, 72 going on 73. Of course I will have lines on my face even if many say I look at least 10 years younger. And those little lines are from the way I sleep. I sleep on my side, cheek against pillow. See, the right side is deeper? Because usually that’s the side on which I sleep but trying to make my lines even I also turn and sleep on the left side. Shhh, don’t point, I tell her.

Well, she says, there’s this new product called Alpha Lipid A.G.E. Telomere Serum. It’s very light, made from plants so it’s organic, it stimulates production of new stem cells. Your skin will be younger-looking.

Really? I said sardonically. Are you using it?

Yes, Moriel said, it’s a bit expensive but it’s really worth it. Really, try it. You will see your skin get plumper and firmer.

Fewer wrinkles? I asked.

Definitely, Moriel says. And then I discover that they also have facial masks. I love facial masks. They stretch your skin and they are comfortable to fall asleep in for a while. They also have a soap that’s not a soap but it cleanses your skin very well. You apply it like soap and leave on for two minutes. When you remove it later you can see your skin slough off dirt onto a small white towel. Then there’s an intensive anti-aging moisturizing cream called Bee Venom. This cream is embellished with natural exotic oils such as Jojoba, Almond, Macadamia Seed, Manuka Honey, Evening Primrose and Shea Butter, all of which combine to plump and lift the skin.

All the above products contain bovine colostrum, a phrase that sort of shocks me. What’s that? I asked. It’s colostrum from cows, Moriel said. You know, colostrum from mothers to their newborn babies. It’s very good, right? Well, for adults we get the same protection from cows. This colostrum from cows is wonderful for everything because it develops our immune system and supports healthy aging.

You know, it’s very hard for me to resist the sales talk. I bought a whole set of the beauty products and have been trying it for almost a week now. Pretty good, pretty good pricing too, but in the end pretty worth it. Maybe when I finish the products there will be a long line of younger men at my door. Ah, the dreams that the promise of beauty weave, especially when you’re in your 70s!

But if you want more info, just call my friend Moriel at 950-6192. She knows all the answers.

* * *

Please text your comments to 0998-9912287.