It's Genetic

I think it well established that I am a product junkie. I have more lotions and potions than pretty much anyone I know. And when I couldn't find things that I liked I actually went out and created some for my kids.

I think that the sickness has passed to the next generation.

Three pieces of evidence:

1) The "book" shown in the picture is the most popular toy at our house these days. Sprout saw this at the toy store and had to have it. Counted out her hard-earned allowance money and took her little silver wallet back to the store and snapped it up.

I gotta say I wanted to play with it myself! It has little papers with faces on them and real make-up to put on the pictures - like coloring, but better! There is a guide-book that tells you what shape of eyebrows, hairstyle, and blush application is appropriate for each face shape.

Of course, after she carefully applies the cosmetics to the pictures she wants to try them out on herself (and no, I don't let her go out like that).

Even Tater has gotten in on the act. Nothing cuter than a 6-year-old boy carefully applying eye shadows (to the pictures, we're not THAT progressive) and asking whether the colors look right. Maybe I'm a teensy bit biased.

2) We made a potty stop at the Ulta this afternoon (yes, I am familiar with the availability of restrooms in pretty much every store in the area). Of course, I conveniently realized I had a coupon for "2 Points" worth of free stuff. The two kids both followed me around and smelled and tried everything they could get their hands on.

They were comparing the merits of two different kinds of facial scrub based on which smelled nicest. Tried numerous eye shadows on their hands (attracted to sparkles...apparently also genetic). And, while I was checking out, doused themselves in a number of perfumes.

3) Both children have a hair product of choice that they are very enthralled with. Tater has been having some sticking-up-hair days. So we got him some "Morning Miracle" spray mousse from Snip-Its. He LOVES it. If not watched carefully, he will spray himself multiple times during the day. Gotta say this is a vast improvement over his previous attempt a couple of years ago to tame his hair by slathering a generous quantity of hand lotion on his head.

Sprout has somehow changed her sleeping habits such that she wakes up with a fully formed nest on her head in the morning. She has become quite devoted to both Aussie 3 Minute Miracle conditioner and Johnson & Johnson No More Tangles Spray Detangler. I don't know that there have been any miracles, and there are still tears, but the nest is gone before we leave the house!

So, there you have it. Evidence that personal care product addiction is genetic. Or just fun!