“Magic mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest one of all?” Walt Disney’s animation-turned-live action Snow White just premiered last March 19. This 1817 Brothers Grimm’s classic fairytale depicts the jealous and vain, porcelain-skinned Evil Queen envying her stepdaughter, who was described as having skin “as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony,” which makes her easily “the fairest of them all.”

 

 

Historically used since the early 700s, the word “fairest” originally stems from Old Saxon “fagar,” signifying beauty, prettiness, or tranquility. It described someone or something is pleasing, with its opposite being “foul,” rather than any specific complexion or darkness.

As long as the magic mirror tells The Evil Queen she is the fairest, she is content. However, when Snow White grows older and more beautiful, the magic mirror declares Snow White the fairest. This revelation triggers the Queen’s bitterness and rage, prompting her to plot Snow White’s murder to reclaim her status as the fairest of them all. And, you already know it—she transforms into a wrinkly old woman to accomplish her mission to take down the radiant princess with a seemingly nutritious apple, which was drenched in poison.

 

 

Grey hair, wrinkled skin, filled with warts and moles revealed when the Evil Queen transformed – is this her true appearance all along? Is this why her jealousy of Snow White peaked at that level? Was the Evil Queen only maintaining her beauty through dark magic? Did Snow White use SPF (LOL, maybe not!) What does it really mean to be the fairest in our time today and can we do something about skin aging?

 

This might not be the movie premiere you’re expecting, but as the summer season has commenced being 40°c outside, we hope to mirror with you how you can maintain your realistically fairest appearance in your quest for timeless beauty and fairness without the need for dark magic, driving you insane enough to poison anybody!

 

 

“Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Work-From-Home We Go!”

 

Even if you’re working from home and spending less time in the sun, embracing basic but best skin health practices can help you age gracefully while maintaining a youthful glow, whether you’re a mestiza or a morena.

 

Focusing on these two methods are suitable for your morning and evening routines:

 

 

Exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays is still inevitable even in a WFH setup as it can still penetrate through windows, potentially causing skin damage, and speeding up skin aging over time. So, consider applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen if you’ll be in front of your computer screen or by the windows for extended periods, and explore products with blue light protection to guard against screen-related skin aging. Simple measures like closing curtains during peak sunlight hours can also help protect your skin indoors.

 

 

Growing Old is Fair!

 

We can theorize that the Evil Queen’s insecurity and vanity lead her to fear the natural process of aging. Little did she know that growing old is a beautiful journey; today, with modern, practical techniques, we can embrace it gracefully. By adopting effective skincare routines and lifestyle habits, we can slow down the signs of skin aging.

 

Take note of these age-with-grace must-dos with our very own “Seven Dwarfs:”

 

 

• Stay dope-y by using water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
• Don’t act grumpy when taking vitamin C, and prioritize a healthy diet
• Be happy to opt for moisturizers with Peptides and Ceramides
• Consider using Retinol bashfully; many use it daily, but 2-3x a week is safe
• Sneeze away from exposure to pollution, avoid or quit smoking, and limit alcohol intake
• Visit your skin doc and consider professional treatments such as facials and collagen therapy
• Get sleepy; as an adult, you must optimize 7 to 9 hours of slumber

Remember, aging gracefully is not about stopping time. Enhancing your natural glow and vitality as you embrace each added year, knowing you’re taking proactive steps to maintain your skin’s health, is what should echo, echo, echo!

 

 

“Make a Wish, And Take a Bite”

 

So it turns out the iconic apple wasn’t just for putting princesses in an enchanted comatose—it could have been part of a killer skincare diet (minus the poison)! While we can’t promise magical transformations, clearly, the foods you consume can significantly impact your skin’s health and influence how it ages over time. Incorporating skin-friendly foods and drinks into your routine might just keep you looking as fresh-faced as Snow White herself:

 

SKIN-HEALTHY FOODS:

 

SKIN-HEALTHY DRINKS:

 

“(Self-) Love’s First Kiss”

 

We wish these practical tips will help you embody the beauty and confidence of Snow White. That you wouldn’t bite into the temptation of insecurities of what ageism brings, as aging gracefully is also about self-love, nurturing your natural glow, and manifesting the beauty and kindness you can radiate from within!

 

References:

https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Snow_White_(film)

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Brothers-Grimm

https://row.facethefuture.store/blogs/health-advice/blue-light-protection-skincare

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-that-support-healthy-aging

https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2014/05/16/313154674/mirror-mirror-does-fairest-mean-most-beautiful-or-most-white