Just because I haven't posted any pictures yet in February...

Matt came up behind me in the bathroom the other night as I was getting ready for bed, and he intoned, "The priestesses used many oils and unguents in their rituals..."

And then he fled before I could decide to make his sacrifice the next part of the ritual.

But I have to admit, he's got at least a bit of a point. My evening and morning routines have acquired something of ritual about them - and more than a smattering of oils and unguents.

It starts in the shower. I wash my hair, scrub my skin, and apply conditioner.

My legs are particularly dry, so they get a daily moisturizer. Other parts, as needed. My fingernails get a little extra treatment. And I've finally found a moisturizer for my face that doesn't leave it feeling oily. (If the weather is particularly cold, I have sample-sizes of two different creams, one for dry skin and one for oily patches.) And because the skin around my eyes is extra-sensitive, there's a special gel for them.

Weekdays, I also throw on some foundation (just to de-redden my cheeks and reduce the bags under my eyes) and eyeliner (though I should note that the eyeliner was a free sample and I'm not likely to actually buy it once the sample runs out).

Several times a day, I use hand lotion. I never used to need it, but I've found lately that if I don't use lotion after I wash my hands, they'll start getting itchy and dry. I've got an assortment of tubes of chapstick and lipgloss all over my house and work for when my lips get chapped, but my current favorite is this one.

And then at night, after I change into my pj's, I wash my face with an anti-bacterial wash (that I can't find a link to, which I guess means I'll have to find something else when the current bottle runs out, alas!), apply my moisturizer and eye gel, and then touch up any extra-dry spots and my lips with night cream.

Mind you, these are just my every-day products. I'm not mentioning the once-a-week or once-a-month things. I've got at least six other lotions, balms and moisturizers hanging out on my night-table and dresser. There are half a dozen or more soaps and cleansers lurking under the bathroom sink, just waiting their turn.

I have to admit, it's a little overwhelming to lay it all out like that. Especially since, five years ago, the entirety of my skin-care routine was a daily shower.

The priestesses used many oils and unguents in their rituals...

(Though I notice he seems to appreciate the results.)

--Liz