Sand Off Your Face
Men, just skip through to the photo at the bottom. Ladies and any metrosexuals who have dropped in, read on:
I'm not one to use expensive face products, save for my Anthelios #50 sunblock -- expensive here, but which I buy by the dozen in France for about $15 a bottle, once you translate the euro to our sad American dollar. Other than that, I use $3 St. Ives scrub in the shower, and cheapo Cetaphil at night. But, last Sunday, Gregg was shooting a photo of me for my book cover, so I tried something new, Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel:
Stuff is amazing. As I wrote about it in my link to it on "Amy's Mall":
I bought this in a silent auction at a newspaper conference, thinking it was probably expensive and I'd sell it on eBay. Well. I used it last night, thinking I was a little dumb to do so, since we're shooting in just a day and a half and I have sensitive redhead skin. It did make my skin red at first -- for about 20 minutes. But, the results are absolutely amazing. And I'm a skin care skeptic. I think most of the stuff out there is just well-marketed bullshit for the gullible. This stuff seemed to rub off a layer of skin, leaving my skin extremely smooth, soft and just better looking. It tightened up my skin, too, it seems. I highly recommend this stuff!
Results here:
Not bad for an old broad.
And thanks, all of you, who have been buying stuff from my mall to help me through the downturn in newspapers. One guy e-mailed me that he spent $1,000 on Amazon through my links. And I do get the kickbacks, even if you buy stuff that isn't something I've linked to, as long as you go through my Amy's Mall links.
A lot of people buy used books -- which is great -- every little bit counts. But, every now and then I get this sort of thing in my daily Amazon report:
Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 and 2-Inch Receiver)
Amazon.com price: $323.95
kickback rate (goes up w/# of purchases thru my links): 6.50%
Amy's kickback: $21.06
This is especially great because I just got word that the Orange County Register is cutting me along with five other columnists because they had so many pages cut from their features section. They're my biggest, best-paying daily, and I know my column is popular there. Apparently, if people read me on their online site on Tuesday, they might keep me online at least. I'll post a link on Tuesday.
So if I buy a, say, stand mixer (OK, OK I have a stand mixer on my shopping list - that hand-held thing just ain't cuttin' it any more) from Amazon but do so by entering Amazon through your store, you get a spiff? Cool.
OK. I can do that. If I get my list together, I'll aggregate a bunch of purchases. A real food processor would be nice....
BlogDog at March 15, 2009 6:14 AM
Amy, have you tried to find your column on the OC Register's website? It's NEVER there. If you can find a link, I'll be surprised. When your column started showing up hit and miss in the Register online awhile back, I just started coming here to read your columns. I also sent a letter to the editor (a lot of good that did me) because so many of the columns I had gotten used to reading were also hit and miss.
By the way, I love your blogs! I think you're a very talented writer, and it's nice to know common sense hasn't gone completely out the window in this crazy world.
Sara at March 15, 2009 6:40 AM
You do get it hit from the used book purchases?!? Excellent.
And for the record, you are far more than "not bad" for an "old" broad... You remind me of a younger version of one of my old clients from Portland. It was hard to deal with her at times, because it is really easy to forget that she's nearly seventy and not as sharp as she was twenty years ago. At nearly seventy she looks like a lot of women do in their mid to late forties.
No plastic surgery either. Just good self-care, good diet and moderately priced skin products that actually work. It may even be the one you are referring to in this post, but I really can't say for sure. In the line of duty, I ended up in the bathroom cabinets and cupboards of a great many women. I know I recognize the product, but it could have been any one of many clients.
DuWayne at March 15, 2009 7:06 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/15/sand_off_your_f.html#comment-1638500">comment from SaraSara, this is such valuable information - thank you so much. The editor said they don't get a lot of online traffic for my column. I know it's very popular there from my mail. I'm going to copy the editor on your comment. Thank you again! -Amy
Amy Alkon at March 15, 2009 7:07 AM
Yes I had trouble finding your column in the Register and feared it had been discontinued. Thank you for posting your website. I find most advice columns and blogs submitted to OCR column too stale and missed yours.
Oh its hidden somewhere online in the Life section.
Stacy at March 15, 2009 7:48 AM
If I may comment on this; this is one glamourous picture you got there Amy. The term "Not bad for an old broad" really underestimate you.
Toubrouk at March 15, 2009 8:40 AM
tease.
SwissArmyD at March 15, 2009 9:15 AM
I know we're supposed to be looking at your skin, but wow, I can't get over your beautiful hair. I am fiercely jealous!
Sarah at March 15, 2009 9:17 AM
I'll second Toubrouk's assessment, and point out that you look hotter here than on your "Free Advice" book cover, printed 13 years ago.
Martin at March 15, 2009 9:19 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/15/sand_off_your_f.html#comment-1638516">comment from StacyThanks, Stacy and Sara - just sent both of your comments to Rebecca Allen, my editor there. She's not a bad person -- had to do this -- but I want her to recognize that my column is very, very popular there. If they are FLOODED with complaints, there's a good chance they'll bring me back, maybe even in the print edition.
Beyond not wanting to lose that paper, I'm kind of amazed that they'd drop me because I'm a voice for fairness for men (as well as women), and give advice based in science and reason rather than succumbing to the male-bashing others seem to find no big deal, and a correct approach to advice giving.
Amy Alkon at March 15, 2009 9:22 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/15/sand_off_your_f.html#comment-1638521">comment from Toubroukthis is one glamourous picture you got there Amy. The term "Not bad for an old broad" really underestimate you
Aww, thanks. I'm hoping my publisher will go with a cover image of me that is representative of me. That's why we shot one ourselves. Gregg and I sent them a comp we did that I've been testing on people, and so is he. Everybody loves it. (The publisher wants us to shoot some more shots.)
The cover we sent them very representative of me, my humor, and the contents of my book -- as opposed to so much of the desperation design you see in book stores, a lot of trendy type styles and colors screaming, "This a really lame book, but maybe if we distract you enough from that, you'll buy it!"
The problem with cover design is, cover designers generally don't read the book and the author is treated as sort of an annoyance -- they don't even talk to you before designing it.
On a related note, does anybody know why publishers seem to think white book covers are a problem to sell? It happens to work with my image since I have red hair and I'm wearing black in the shot on our comp. But, I've heard this twice in the past week.
I'm of the mind that whether a cover is good depends on the cover itself -- there shouldn't be blanket rules. Take my hair and outfit and stick it on a blue cover, as they did with their comp, and it waters down the strength of the image, and we have a super strong image (although I can't show you on my blog just yet).
Amy Alkon at March 15, 2009 10:05 AM
Along with DuWayne, I like to buy used books from Amazon, but it's not clear to me that you do get a percentage of that (although the links for used books are present at your store.) Can you confirm (OR DENY!)?
jerry at March 15, 2009 10:22 AM
Amy, I would have to agree, that the picture of you is stunning. From one redhead to another, I wish I had your hair and skin...gonna have to go buy some Philosophy!
Thanks for letting your editor know also. Since the Register changed its online format it is NOT very user friendly.
Sara at March 15, 2009 10:46 AM
Amy, a Redheaded Irish girl like you should be at todays St. Patrick's day parade in South Boston.
I know a redheaded Jewish girl here in Boston who gets pissed when people assume she's Irish.
sean at March 15, 2009 11:37 AM
I know a redheaded Jewish girl here in Boston who gets pissed when people assume she's Irish.
I'm not picky. As long as they notice me, I'm happy.
Amy Alkon at March 15, 2009 12:54 PM
Along with DuWayne, I like to buy used books from Amazon, but it's not clear to me that you do get a percentage of that (although the links for used books are present at your store.) Can you confirm (OR DENY!)?
I get a cut of every purchase you make if you go through my links -- even if you don't buy any of my recommendations, and buy something totally different. This includes used books. I sometimes get a kickback of 6 cents (when a book costs a dollar). And you know what, that's great, and I appreciate that, too. Every little bit helps.
And FYI, I'm working to change my financial model -- these Amazon dollars will, I hope, help me through the coming year and support my column so I can continue writing it.
Amy Alkon at March 15, 2009 12:57 PM
Wild-ass guess
> why publishers seem to think
> white book covers are a
> problem to sell?
In the sea of colorful jackets on the shelves of a Barnes & Nobel, a Black & White jacket looks like something serious and studious from the old part of the library.
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at March 15, 2009 1:13 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/15/sand_off_your_f.html#comment-1638540">comment from Crid [cridcridatgmail]The one we comped up doesn't look serious and studious. Also, it's not just black and white but black and white and flaming red hair and arms that are arm-colored (okay, so I'm not exactly the color of chocolate milk, but my skin's a color of sorts!)
If it were just b/w, I would understand.
We have to do another shoot at the end of the month. Don't ask.
But, back to the cover issue - apparently, there's some issue for book sellers about covers being "too bright" or something if they're white? I don't quite get it.
Amy Alkon at March 15, 2009 1:18 PM
To my OC readers, my editor at the Reg wrote me back, and said:
Will find and post the link later today or tomorrow.
And thanks, Sara and Stacy - without you I wouldn't have known this. You may have helped me save my column. I know it's very popular there, and if enough readers scream, complain, and just read me online, there's a good chance they'll keep me.
Amy Alkon at March 15, 2009 2:54 PM
So, let me get this straight: newspapers in trouble are dropping authors who are interesting in order to cut costs? What are they smoking? If you print interesting stuff, people will buy your fish wrapper, you idiots!
And having seen Dawn® and Vampirella® at Dragoncon, I can only wonder about Revengerella!
Radwaste at March 15, 2009 4:26 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/15/sand_off_your_f.html#comment-1638566">comment from RadwasteThanks, Rad, for reminding me of that. Behind in e-mail, among other things!
Amy Alkon at March 15, 2009 5:08 PM
Meep! Jesus, Amy--I'd love to help you out, (and your skin does look fab!) but $65 a pop is a bit much.
I'll go ahead and stick with the $10 bottle of glycolic peel solution I get off eBay that lasts me a year. :/
Kim at March 15, 2009 6:45 PM
Hey, I know you're busy. But not busy enough. So this week, I'll make it my project to petition some papers to carry your columns.
And of course that's a fine picture. Cheers!
Radwaste at March 15, 2009 6:47 PM
Oh, P.S.--I notice you have Ramit Sethi's blog linked on here--his new book that's coming out in a week and a half is pre-selling like crazy on Amazon, so I'm sure if you put that right in your store window and talk about it a bit on here, you'd get a bunch of kickbacks from it! (Quite honestly, I'd be glad to buy that book from here if it'd help you out.)
Kim at March 15, 2009 6:49 PM
On a related note, does anybody know why publishers seem to think white book covers are a problem to sell?
Did they tell you that people don't like to buy books with white covers, or that they don't like to market books with white covers?
If it's the latter, it may be that they show wear from handling more readily and so generate more returns and discounts sooner.
Mack at March 15, 2009 7:11 PM
YAY...Amy you are on the pull down menu at the Register...FINALLY! Thanks for looking out for your OC readers. Don't feel bad that you weren't there, even Dear Abby is still MIA from the online paper. Not that I'm promoting Abby, I just happen to be a creature of habit and browse the Register every morning at work while I have coffee - of course after lunch I catch up on your blog.
Sara at March 15, 2009 8:58 PM
Post the link!
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at March 15, 2009 11:06 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/15/sand_off_your_f.html#comment-1638590">comment from MackDid they tell you that people don't like to buy books with white covers, or that they don't like to market books with white covers?
They didn't say why -- I heard the sigh, "Oh, all writers want white covers" and then the comment that they're "too bright" (don't know what that means, and I heard it second-hand).
Amy Alkon at March 15, 2009 11:07 PM
"Life" section, 2nd screen.
Crid [cridcridatgmail] at March 15, 2009 11:08 PM
My editor acknowledged that it's been difficult to find -- I think they posted it more prominently after I sent her Sara and Stacy's e-mails.
Amy Alkon at March 16, 2009 3:35 AM
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sections/life/columns/amyalkon/
Sara at March 16, 2009 6:04 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/15/sand_off_your_f.html#comment-1638619">comment from SaraI just went to the link. My columns have been butchered by them -- seriously chopped up, some of them, and they have really old content there. I'm disgusted and pretty upset. Wrote to Rebecca Allen, the editor, to express my upset, to ask them to run current columns. I'm sure not getting a fair shot there. And it's pretty awful, the way they've cut some of my columns.
Amy Alkon at March 16, 2009 7:27 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/15/sand_off_your_f.html#comment-1638628">comment from Amy AlkonRebecca's been pretty great about this so far (apart from firing my ass!). I think, because they've run my columns in butchered form and they haven't been reliably online, nobody's been reading them there.
She just sent me this:
I sent her the last eight columns I did -- they need to at least give my column a fair shake to show what the readership is. And in some papers, I'm not so sure. The OC Reg, I get TONS of mail from, and I really consider it my hometown paper.
Amy Alkon at March 16, 2009 8:34 AM
Amy, I am so glad you brought this up in your blog the other day and that you're working on this issue with your editor. I think it's a huge disservice to not only you, but other columnists what they're doing over there. It drives me nuts that newspapers are butchering their online versions. They're already down in readership for the print edition and the Register is really making it difficult for me enjoy the online edition. Yet, they wonder why they're in such dire straights trying to retain readers. I was thinking about emailing the Register again about this and other issues but I don't want to rock the boat too much for you because I would hate it if you lost the Register all together.
Sara at March 16, 2009 9:05 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/15/sand_off_your_f.html#comment-1638638">comment from SaraSara, thank you again - it's only because of you I found this out (about the online columns). Please, please do e-mail them -- if they're flooded with e-mail they may keep my column and not just in the online Reg but in the paper. It's Life@ocregister.com - but a caveat: it needs to be people who are Register readers who e-mail them...otherwise it's not valid for them. They need to see how many of their actual readers will miss me.
P.S. If people don't e-mail them and start reading me online fast, I WILL lose the Register. They're going to give it a few weeks online to see the readership I get and to see the level of complaints they get. They need to get thousands. Please get people who'd miss me to write. Life@ocregister.com -- let them know you want to read me.
Amy Alkon at March 16, 2009 9:25 AM
Ok Amy, I wrote them. This is the text of my email today. Also, I encourage all of us who read the Register to write and tell them what a huge mistake it would be!
For a number of months - basically since the Register launched the "new and imporved" website - I've had difficulty locating a number of my favorite columnists, mainly Amy Alkon. While reading her blog the other day it came to my attention that she may lose her spot on the OC Register due to low readership. Frankly, I'm shocked! How do you expect Amy's readers to read her column in the Register - Online when it is so difficult (read: impossible) to find! You instituted the handy drop down columnist menu when you redesigned the online paper, but until late yesterday afternoon, she hasn't even been available as one of the drop down choices. On the other hand, on the rare occasions when I "accidently" find her column online, it's barely recognizable because it's been chopped into bits. (By the way, I've noticed that this is also the case with the Dear Abby column in the online version. Abby also does not appear in the drop down menu and her columns are always cut short.) How do you justify this? It's not as though you're truly limited to column space as you are in the print edition (although I also know the columnists write to fit that amount of space). How does the Register expect to maintain loyal readers, either online or in print, when they're hiding our favorite columnists from us? And how is it you threaten to axe a favorite writer from your newspaper because you claim there isn't enough traffic to their column but you make it impossible to find? I have to be honest, I was upset when Mayrav Saar was no longer a contributor and seriously thought about cancelling my print subscription at that time. But, I started becoming more and more annoyed when I wasn't able to find other columnists easily, if at all (i.e. there was a time when even Frank Mickadeit was difficult to find in the online version and forget about finding Jeffrey Seglin - who knows where he's hiding, or if he's even a contributor at this point). Your redesign leaves quite a bit to be desired and even though I also buy the print edition, my preferred method of delivery is the online version. I enjoy sitting at my desk first thing in the morning with my cup of coffee and the paper - on my monitor. Wake up Register - if you want people to continue using YOUR product make it user friendly! Don't cut Amy's column! There are a lot of fans in Orange County who would miss her special brand of advice and humor. Thank you for your time, A Loyal Reader,Sara Gomez
Sara at March 16, 2009 4:01 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/03/15/sand_off_your_f.html#comment-1638678">comment from SaraSara, thank you so, so much -- really strong letter...really means a lot to me that you did this. Please let anybody you know who reads me know that their e-mail counts. The thinking is, in newspapers, that for every letter they get, 30 people feel the same way, but haven't written.
I'm on deadline today, on a really tough question, but tonight I'm going to try to dig up e-mail addresses of people from OC who've written me nice notes and send them an e-mail asking them to both write and to go read my column online.
Thank you again -- might be able to save this thing. I've had this happen before -- paper has dumped me and then gotten such an outcry from readers that they bring me back fast.
Amy Alkon at March 16, 2009 5:37 PM
I just want to know: Is the hair color real?
Jen at March 18, 2009 12:06 PM
Hey, Amy:
Saw this new SPF 50 face cream from Cetaphil on the shelves and thought of you:
Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense Spf 50 Facial Moisturizer
Kim at April 29, 2009 9:36 AM
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