From healthcentral.com
Columnist Lene Andersen shares tips for making your morning routine easier on RA-affected hands
When rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes joint changes and limited mobility in your arms and hands, you might have difficulty styling your hair, caring for your skin, and doing your makeup. One solution is to opt for a short, wash-n-go hairstyle and skip the skincare and makeup routine all together—a valid choice. But if you aren’t willing to part with your favourite foundation and perfect blowout, I have some beauty hacks that might help. This column will explore how RA has impacted my own beauty routine, discuss some of the ways I have adapted, and share tips on how you can, too.
There was a time in my life when I never left the house without makeup and my hair just so, dangling earrings catching the light, my outfit put together with thought and deliberation. It was a way to be seen in the world that often overlooked me because of my being in a powerchair. But more than that, it was about leaning into my identity as a woman, emphasizing my femininity in a body that contravened accepted beauty standards. Makeup and hair can be complicated, tangled up in social codes of behaviour. But when I, many years later, experimented with bold lipsticks, I learned that it can also be wonderfully simple: It makes us feel good about ourselves —and sometimes, that gives us the extra strength to tackle whatever challenges we face.
Once you’ve embraced these cosmetic routines, what happens when RA makes your shoulders hurt so much you can’t lift your arms to curl your hair, your fingers have trouble gripping an eyeliner, and your hands lose the flexibility for a seven-step skincare routine? When you have to consider giving up your favourite hairstyle, a smoky eye, or taking care of your skin, it can feel as if RA has won. That it has taken something so inherently part of your identity that you’re not sure who you are without it.
For me, the answer to my inability to reach the top of my head was a pixie cut, easy to maintain with help, of course, from my mother when I was younger, and now my attendants. Thankfully, it suits my face and my personality, and best of all, once towel-dried out of the shower, I don’t need deal with it the rest of the day. My makeup look has simplified to a smudged eyeliner, some mascara, brow gel, and a swipe of fun lipstick. When I choose to apply it, that is. I’ve become more comfortable leaving the house without my “face” on, a lesson taught by necessity and pain, then embraced firmly by convenience (and laziness). The answer has been low maintenance, not no maintenance. Even if I don’t wear makeup, I still moisturize my face and put on sunblock (yes, even in winter). It’s both a practical task (to reduce dryness and risk of skin cancer), and an act of self-care, taking a moment to make myself feel better in my body.
These are some of the tools I’ve used to find a look that supports my self-esteem:
Get a haircut. The right haircut can make your life so much easier. Have a chat with your stylist about the movements that make you hurt and get their perspective on a cut that will fit you and be easy to maintain. Before you leave the salon, ask for a styling tutorial that respects your joints, as well as recommendations for products to keep your hair looking great.
Change your look and beauty routine. The next expert on your list is a makeup artist. Once again, discuss the moves that are hard for you to do, then work with them to develop a flattering look you can apply quickly (fast = easy on the hands). They’ll likely suggest products that can do more than one thing, such as this Benefit lip-and-cheek stain, NARS the Multiple for lips, cheeks, and eyes, or this OneUp face cream that covers—count ’em—six purpose, including moisturizer, toner, and serum.
Use tools to extend your reach. If RA joint damage has restricted the reach of your arms, getting the right tool can make all the difference. A stand for your hairdryer can save you from twisting yourself into a pretzel to style your hair. Combine it with this long-handled brush and comb which has helped me reach the back of my head for the first time in decades.
Switch up your makeup tools. Out-of-the-box thinking applies to the tools you use for your makeup, too. If your grip or dexterity are affected by RA, find makeup brushes with thick handles that are easier to hold. As well, arthritis-friendly pencil grips help you hold a pen, so why not use them for similar-shaped sin eyeliners and thinner brushes, or choose a design specifically designed for chronic illness. If applying your makeup or face cream hurts your hands, thick-handled brushes can be used for face cream and sunblock, as well as your foundation.
As you try new looks, techniques, and tools, keep an open mind. It may not be possible for you to continue with the look you’ve always had. For instance, my hands don’t have the ability for detailed accuracy work, such as a liner flick at the corner of my eye, but I can create a killer smudged look—much more forgiving—with the Clinique Quickliner. Being open to change can lead you to new and exciting looks that you may not have considered before, like I discovered in my lipstick experiment. My hair and makeup may be simpler and less styled than they were when I was younger, but I’ve learned that a bold lip gives me a confidence I’ve never had before. A new and easier look might do the same for you.
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