Botox? I'm still looking for an alternative to Creme de la Mer. - Overheard

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12/31/2007 9:26 PM

	rundeep
324 posts

Botox? I'm still looking for an alternative to Creme de la Mer.

At about $200 a jar, it was supposed to be the ultimate elixir, developed by a NASAA scientist and a veritable fountain of youth. And in a way, it is. It makes me break out.

So now I'm looking around for a high-quality alternative. Estee Lauder products are my standbys, but my mom swears by Ponds, and she looks fantastic at 70 something.

I'm also searching for something that will allow me to be sentient long enough to write while getting enough sleep for work. Suggestions encouraged.

Oh, and Lisa Rinna makes me a little sick. I'm not sure why, other than that collagen stuff just looks like total crap to me.

12/31/2007 10:12 PM

	Michael Daunt
543 posts
www.quiblit.com

One word:

Clinique

4/17/2008 11:04 PM

	MsZilla
21 posts

Re: Botox? I'm still looking for an alternative to Creme de la Mer.

Can't help with the face stuff. I'm so allergic to so many things I don't put anything on at all most of the time. A swipe with witch hazel in the morning, which I then have to rinse off before it burns, and then I'm done.

But with the staying up part, I'm your girl. I would need a few more details, though. How long are you trying to stay up, and how much sleep do you need for work? Caffiene is odd stuff.

4/18/2008 10:13 AM

	rundeep
324 posts

Re: Botox? I'm still looking for an alternative to Creme de la Mer.

How nice to see you! Actually, I think I have the moisturizer thing working now. skinceuticals is the right product line. Doctor-developed. Works great.

On the other issue: to write, I need to be up till at least 11:30, and I wake up at 5:45 to walk before work. Help.

4/18/2008 7:12 PM

	MsZilla
21 posts

Re: Botox? I'm still looking for an alternative to Creme de la Mer.

Duh! Colleen not read post date; make fool of self. See! That's what sleep deprivation does to you. ;) I'm glad to hear you got that worked out, though.

As far as the sleep, that's going to be hard to do every night. Do the math on that. You're trying to get by on six hours and fifteen minutes of sleep a night at most. That's not enough for most people. Yes, I know I'm being a major hypocrite here. But it's not good for you.

Most of the common tactics are going to be hard to manage on that tight of a schedule, but here's a couple ideas.

Don't do this every night: Pick a few nights a week, maybe where the next day's schedule is the lightest or has the least amount of people-facing time at work.

Careful use of stimulants: You can use caffiene, just be aware of the lag time and plan ahead otherwise you won't be able to fall asleep on time. Caffiene stays in the system for about 8 hours. Between three and four o'clock have a latte or a good strong drip. Have you tried the new Starbucks Pike Place Roast? It's got a nice balance. Don't do it based on whether or not you feel tired; think of it as preventative medicine. You're getting it in place for a crash you were going to have about an hour after dinner.

Avoid sugar and large amounts of simple starches: Don't try to use sugar as a substitute for other stimulants. It may pick you up for a while, but trying to wade upstream through the crash afterward is not worth it. Simple starches like processed or white rice or potatoes will give you a similar effect over a slightly longer term. In moderation they're fine, but don't overdo.

Eat and drink carefully: Eating a big or heavy meal or will make you sleepy so eat lightly. But at the same time make sure you give your body the fuel it needs. If you eat dinner at the usual time that means you're going six hours or more of productive time afterward and that's just a bit much. Make sure to have a light snack around 9 or 10. Drink plenty of water - being dehydrated will also drain you, and to top that off caffiene is a diuretic.

Don't change clothes: I know it sounds silly. Working in your pajamas sounds wonderful, but in actuality you will have lower productivity and be more likely to feel you should be in bed. I'm not saying you should stay in full office attire, but dress as if you could just go down to the front door, grab your coat and shoes and head out.

Don't watch TV: TV and other activities of that nature will relax the body and lower cognitive function. You will have a harder time fighting your way back out of it to get back to work. Get a Tivo or something to record your favorite shows and watch them on your evenings you choose to "take off".

Your furniture: Your desk chair may be part of your problem. Don't cheat or skimp or try to get by with a kitchen chair. Your posture is important - you will feel more t spend the first half hour laying there trying to wrench your brain away from your desk and everything you were trying to get done.

Those are some starters anyways. Feel free to pick and choose what strategies work for you.

Ironically, this post may help me out with an assignment. I was supposed to put something together for a user group meeting in three works about geeks working long hours/overnighters after age 30 and most of this is the same sort of thing I was going to say to them. Thank you very much for the head start. ;)

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