THE 
March 21, 2008 At The Bodega With Mrs. Beck!
Read this: Love muffins, here is another column from Mrs. Beck!
So last week at www.princessmelissa.com, I divulged that I am having a bit of an issue with hormonal acne. The combination of turning 31, knowing my ovaries are rotting inside as we speak and the general depression that comes with waking up to gigantic zits that have been brewing just beneath the surface for weeks – oofah! Enough to make you stab somebody. I decided to go to my dermatologist and after the hot melting chemical peel, she told me that once the peeling subsided, I should exfoliate. Duh. I started the monetary calculations in my mind and I knew that I was not going to be able to get the Balenciaga gladiatior sandal knockoffs at Nine West. Yeah, it was that deep. Damn the real Balenciagas. Those are but a dream, but a dream. But now, with whatever I was going to have to spend on the miracle exfoliation in a jar, the knockoffs felt all too faraway as well.
To read more……
But my dermatologist surprised me.
She must have spent some of her earlier years cashing in at CoinStar because she busted out with, “Are you familiar with the baking soda mask?” (She is from Kissimmee, Florida and I’m not mad at that. Florida, throw your lighters up.)
I said, “Like Arm & Hammer baking soda?”
She said, “Yes, that…”
I said I was quite familiar but I had no idea that she, after performing a $150 treatment on me, was about to tell me to go to the grocery store with my single dollar bill and pick up a box.
Yes, she told me to exfoliate with baking soda.
Now, listen here. You have to be ready for this jelly. This isn’t playtime. Some of you may have very sensitive skin. If your skin is thin, reacts to every little thing or if you are afraid of the tingling, pulling sort of astrigent feeling that may happen, don’t try this. I told a girlfriend of mine about it. She did it. Said she couldn’t take it. At all. So, I’m saying as a cautionary measure, you should test a spot on your face first.
But others of you, if you are like me, have been messing with your face for many years now and nothing fazes you. If you’re in this here category, follow me.
So here’s what you do:
Wash your hands.
Clean your face of all make-up. Just quick, get it off regular. Don’t go crazy.
In a small bowl, make a goopy paste of water and baking soda.
For five whole minutes, yes, five whole minutes, in small circles gently exfoliate your entire face. Avoid eyes, obviously.
DO NOT RINSE.
Now leave it on for five more minutes.
Go read a blog. This guy B. Scott has a good one. Do some free weights. Don’t move around too much though. It will dry and start to flake off, but you will feel it closing up your pores and your skin will feel really tight. I like that feeling.
Now, after the five minutes have passed and you look a damn fool, rinse it off. Don’t scrub. Just apply splashes of water. Then wash your face. Pat dry. Moisturize. With the back of your hand, touch your cheek and see if the texture of your skin feels softer and smoother. Does it?
Well then, you might just be on the baking soda train. It’s a DOLLAR! You can’t even get 6 McNuggets with a dollar. But a clean face? Come on! Get there. But only get there, like, once a week. I’m just saying.
GossipChick
March 21, 2008 at 2:28 pm
B can i tell u how much i love melissa?! her writing is so witty and entertaining. i love the B/Beck collabo!!
GossipChick
March 21, 2008 at 2:29 pm
and thank u for changing the title to “MRS”
Nikki
March 21, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Awesome, i think im going to try that tonight! I need to find some way to get the scars off mah face! haha.
jrzylioness
March 21, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I AM LOVE MUFFINING THIS NEW FEATURE. Out of love and admiration for Mrs. Beck I was turned on to b.scott and am now dually pleased. Who’s luckier than me right now?
Mo Betta
March 21, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Loving it. I will give it a try this weekend!
Andy G
March 21, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Melissa was one of my favorite real worlders ever!!
Cilla
March 22, 2008 at 8:40 am
I’m on my way to get some baking soda now! Another cheapy product I use is honey. Glop it on. It is awesome but not for peeps with sensitive skin either. My fav facial moisturizer is extra virgin olive oil (a tiny bit.) Try it, it’s amazing.
Mo Betta
March 22, 2008 at 8:45 am
Cilla, you came with it! I use olive oil on my hair too, after you rinse out the conditioner, just put a little bit on it before you blow dry it (this is for black or kinky hair). My cousin has a very fair grade of hair and it weighs hers down. But for the sistas with the kinks it is a great moisturizer for your hair. I’m gonna take your advice try it on my face next.
You’re on point with honey, too. It’s a great detoxing agent all around. It’s a natural anticeptic when taken internally (just never give it to babies, it can be fatal) and if you add a tablespoon of honey under your running bath water (hot water of course), it’s great for adding a little extra moisture to your skin and drawing impurities out of your pores. It won’t stick to the tub either it you melt it under the running water
missvogue
March 22, 2008 at 9:03 pm
oh this is just fabulous.. i’ve read princessmelissa for a loonng time and she actually put me on to lovebscott.com.. and now its like a joining of forces! yessss.
and i’m grabbing my baking soda.. now.
Momo
March 23, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I’m glad Mrs. Beck is sharing. She is flawless! Although she does try to point out some minor things. I guess it makes her a mere mortal like the rest of us…
Mo Betta
April 9, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Okay, so i finally tried the baking soda mask last night and that shyt is the bomb! As my mom says after facials “I look like a brand new copper penny!”
Lihara
April 11, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I have been using baking soda has an exfoliate for about 5 months ..i use to use it with water and change it with the mixture of lemon juice.. baking soda exfoliates the skin cleaning dead skin while lemon juice brightens up the skin..ive been using it for a month about 2 days a week very effective
Danity Kane
April 12, 2008 at 12:30 pm
do u use this once a week