One of my earliest memories of traveling with my mother was a trip we took to California to visit my aunt. We went to Disneyland, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and on a tour of stars’ homes. We ate authentic tacos and sat in the audience for a game show. I had so much fun as I listened to my mom and aunt talk, sing, and laugh.

And, then something happened I will really never forget. I watched them bleach their mustaches. I had no idea that women did such things. I was a little girl, who found the entire act absolutely hysterical. In fact, I actually rolled on the floor and laughed.

For the longest time, I thought this was a crazy Lebanese secret that only we of middle-eastern descent needed to discuss. I was thankful for my dad’s genes that gave me light hair and green eyes and thought I would be spared the growth of hair on my upper lip.

Then I turned 35. Suddenly, hair started sprouting from places that I didn’t expect. My neck and chin grew short, course, gray hairs, while my cheeks took on a thicker peach fuzz. And, above my lip, the dreaded ‘stache.

Although my mom set the example, I was not about to put bleach on my face…well, mostly because you can still see the hair; it’s just lighter. I started to notice women with hairy faces and became thankful for winter when I could wrap a scarf around my neck.

My sister-in-law and I tried waxing, but we both ended up bleeding. If there is anything worse than a hairy lip, it’s a scabby one. Short of taking my husband’s shaving cream and razor to my face, there weren’t too many options. I have sensitive skin. I once had hives for months, for no discernible reason; I couldn’t use cream without burning myself.

This is why I jumped at the chance to try the New Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo, a two-step system that includes a Skin Guarding Balm that goes between the Hair Removal Cream and your skin.

The instructions said to test the products on your forearm 48 hours before applying to your face. I did so and had no adverse reaction. I applied the balm to my face as directed then the cream. I left it on for six minutes, wiped it off with cotton balls, and then rinsed my face with warm water.

I had some minor skin irritation immediately following, with some visible redness, but within the time I dried my hair and got dressed, my skin looked fine and felt amazing. Truly, amazing. I don’t even know what to compare the softness to, because I haven’t felt skin that soft since my babies were born. And now, a day later, it is still soft and completely hair-free!

It was convenient and left me feeling much more feminine than my husband’s razor. Just sayin’.

Now BlogHer and Olay are offering you something to make you feel better!

Just tell me what part of your beauty routine makes you feel most feminine and best expresses your inner beauty, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card!

Rules: This sweepstakes runs from 1/3/2012 – 2/3/2012.
No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.

Be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

While we’re on the subject of looking good, you might want to check out the “Looking Your Best” posts in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. There are some great tips and expert posts!

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