Journalist Anya Sakharova about relationships with herself and her favorite cosmetics
FOR THE FACE "HEAD" we study the contents of beauty cases, dressing tables and cosmetic bags of interesting characters to us - and we show all this to you.
About decorative cosmetics
Six months ago, I began to be brightly painted - inspired by Dasha Evans-Radova, who wrote an article about how expressive cosmetics helped her to take a fresh look at her appearance and change her approach to life. I always wanted to look “defiant”: somehow, at thirteen years old, I put on my mother's red lipstick, put on my funny children's leggings, exaggerated pink down-padded coat and went for a walk with my girlfriend. Along the way, two neighbors giggled over me, and a friend asked: "Damn, is that?" - or maybe even something rude said, I do not remember. I immediately pretended that I had urgent business, turned around and, holding back tears, went to the garages to wipe my lipstick with my sleeve.
I grew up in a residential area of Moscow and knew that if you start to paint brightly, then all your friends will jokingly call you a “whore”, and strangers will seriously consider it “slutty”: “Exhales again, she wants attention.” Then it sounded terribly offensive. In addition, the parents urged that the girl should be modest, make herself up naturally and not attract attention. This did not prevent me from being the first in the whole school to get a piercing - then it was a super-dull, albeit gender-neutral, gesture. Bright cosmetics had a special interpretation: I was afraid that people would devalue my principles because of simple red lipstick.
Only now, when I feel that labels have no power over me, do I paint as I always wanted. Make was a gesture for me against slatstimming: I don’t care what others think, I’m not afraid to be “defiant” and I don’t think that this is bad. I am against the theory that makeup is not a choice of feminists. Because if you wish, any choice can be entered into the system of patriarchal values: too bright make-up - “you want male attention”, it is not - well done, a woman should be natural.
Another use of bright colors - they help to cheer up when everything is overcast and gray. But I can not say about the dependence on this image, I am painted only two or three times a week. Of the basic tools, sometimes I use only concealer - no BB creams or tonal.
About care
I used to have a capricious skin that peeled off and unpleasantly coagulated after water. Now in the morning I rub my face with a tonic, and in the evening in front of a tonic I remove the pollution with milk. It seems to me that this is the most comfortable solution for the tightened skin that can be invented - it has become so pleasant and peach to the touch. I thoroughly wash my face with water and cleanser about once every three days. More to get rid of tightness helps serum before the cream. And the morning face masks invigorate and make you wake up. During the day, I apply sun protection — they now say that it is very important.
I try to use only vegan cosmetics that are not tested on animals. I do not have luxury or expensive means - probably, they have a meaning, but I like the consistency and effect of the simple care that I have already picked up. Most of my money is Natura Siberica. All cosmetics I use to the end, if it suits me. I do not like excessive consumption when you buy something, but it later lies and deteriorates. Empty cans are recycled.
I never went to the beautician, although a few years ago I dreamed about it. At that time I wanted to be an “ideal,” and I thought to laser-polish the skin of my forehead to remove tiny marks from acne. Now it seems to me funny - I have almost nothing on my forehead! But then I was sure that every day I had to become more and more “beautiful”, and the fact that my skin was smooth did not stop my desire to make it smoother. Good thing it passed. In the care and makeup I like first of all the time that I devote to myself, staying alone with myself and examining myself. I like the neat touch, focus on the face as if making contact between the inner and outer me. Like touching the person you love.
About nutrition and sports
For about ten years now I have been a vegan. On the one hand, I love animals, but on the other - even if I didn’t love, I would still respect their right to life. About eight years ago I had anemia, which was easily cured with iron supplements. After I began to eat a lot of greens and lentils, since then there were no problems at all. I do not drink and do not smoke - I think that this is irrational and uninteresting.
I eat a lot of vegetables, greens, whole grains, beans and seeds. I feel cheerful and even cheerful, though I don’t know if it’s a physiological effect or a psychological one - perhaps I’m just glad that I took care of the body. Besides, I cook deliciously, and such food brings more enjoyment than junk food. At the same time in my mode there is a planned failure: every day I eat one fat loaf or drink a cup of coffee. I also take large doses of vitamin D and B12 every day. For me, it is important that food helps the brain to work better, and also I just want to live long to see the development of the story.
Previously, I was engaged in Thai boxing and crossfit - in those moments I had a steel health. But now I’m confused that in sports I was driven by crazy rage and the desire to be better every day and set a new record, although it is physically impossible - this approach only drove me to despondency and training didn’t bring proper pleasure. I want to start practicing again and at the same time to check how my ruthless attitude towards myself in sports has changed.
About work
I work as a freelance journalist and work as an editor. To be more productive, I write three pages in my diary every morning, and this helps to get rid of unconscious anxiety. After that, the day really becomes calmer, and you want to be distracted by any trifles less.
Last year, I wrote an article for FurFur about how I lived with American polyamors. I was inspired by the life of the children and the good interest of the readers to the topic. Now I try to explore queer questions - the situation of LGBTQ + always shows a general attitude towards human rights - to talk about sex education and feminism. Sometimes I write about traveling - in February my guide through Baku should appear in bookstores. And in September I started a vlog on YouTube about myself and feminism.
