What an incredible journey this has been so far.
Back in March, we started prepping for the Beautiful You project. I sat down with key staffers at Bella Sante to map out a treatment plan, a publication schedule and a wrap event. We took photos of my bare face from every possible angle so you could see all the changes that happen between my first service in April to the final reveal in November. I was excited to see my transformation. I had no idea how fast it would all start to be noticeable.
TRUE STORY: About a month after we worked out the details, I had to go get a couple of things at Shopper’s Drug Mart. I wanted a lottery ticket, so I stood in line at the cashier’s register instead of using a self-checkout. I was baffled when the cashier handed me a coupon for $10 off my next purchase. And then horrified when I got home and checked my receipt and discovered he had also GIVEN ME A SENIOR’S DISCOUNT.
My discomfort deepened a couple of weeks later when I had to stop in at our neighbourhood vet’s office to pick up some dog food and the receptionist said, “I don’t mean to cause you any offence but … well, it’s just that seniors get a discount, so … are you 55?” I stiffened and we locked eyes for a minute while I silently studied her young face. Technically I was still a few weeks away from my 55th birthday.
“What kind of discount?”
“It’s 15 percent.”
“Hmmph. Well good news, then, I’m a senior.” I shoved the cans of food and receipt into a bag and walked out with as much dignity as I could muster.
YET ANOTHER TRUE STORY: Fast-forward to the end of June, about three months into the Beautiful You program. For context, at this point I had tested out Morpheus8, Ultherapy and Botox and had been using the Vivier skin care set for about eight weeks.
I was in the Greater Toronto Area to spend a few days with three of my closest girlfriends. This annual getaway is always a soul-restoring trip — these women have a way of helping me to see my fears about the future as adventures, and my entrepreneurial growing pains as challenges that I can meet and overcome. There’s always plenty of wine and snacks, giggles and tears, and sometimes, an impromptu late-night karaoke on a deck that I’m sure the neighbours talk about until our next gathering (this year, we serenaded Cynthia’s neighbours with an enthusiastic, if slightly off-key version of Prince’s Purple Rain.)
When I headed home, my return flight was delayed for a few hours, so I got a bar-side seat in a little pub at Pearson airport, ordered a glass of wine and was happily scrolling Instagram, when a pair of handsome young lads slid into the chairs next to me.
The one nearest to me said hello, and I said hello, and he introduced himself and his friend to me and the next thing I knew, he was asking about my travel plans and then about my engagement ring. I became dimly aware that this 20-something boy was … hitting on me?
When I laughed and said my husband will be displeased to know my ring is not that effective as a man repellant, he shrugged and said some girls wear rings but aren’t married, so you can’t blame a guy for trying. He and his friend grabbed their jackets and headed to their gate, while I grinned and updated my family in our group chat.
My daughters (aged 23 and 27) were suitably horrified when I told them my Bella Sante program was turning me into a certified hottie.
Faced with another hour-long delay, I ordered a second glass of wine and was enjoying the solitude of my social media feeds and the 90s dance music (I have a soft spot for Usher) when Tyrone, the very flamboyantly gay bartender, said I had good taste in music, adding that “old boomers and GenX are so tired and sad, they never appreciate good music like this.”
I put down my phone and said, “Tyrone, before you keep digging this hole, how old do you think I am?”
And he gave me an appraising look and said, “Like, 34, maybe 35?”
I smiled at him then and raised an eyebrow (slightly, because Botox makes me appear calmer than I am) and said, “Boy, I am 55 mother(censored) years old. GenX is not tired and sad and by the way, our music is OUTSTANDING.” (I stand by that.)
Tyrone’s eyebrows nearly shot off his head. “DAMN, girl. You do not look 55.”
A second guy who appeared in the seat next to me nodded. “It’s true. DAMN.”
So. Y’all, Bella Sante has the secret sauce for turning back time. Go get it. And remember to wear your wedding rings.
See you all soon,
~Michelle
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