All hail the beauty regime

merriam-webster is quite clear on this, and so am i.

re·gime (n.)
\rā-ˈzhēm, ri- also ri-ˈjēm\
a: mode of rule or management
b: a form of government (a socialist regime)
c: a government in power (predicted that the new regime would fall)
d: a period of rule
i.e. "The Philippines was placed under martial law during the Marcos regime."

versus

regimen (n.)
\ˈre-jə-mən also ˈre-zhə-\
a: a systematic plan (as of diet, therapy, or medication) especially when designed to improve and maintain the health of a patient
b: a regular course of action and especially of strenuous training
i.e. "Her daily skincare regimen includes at least five different whitening products."

i think somebody forgot to tell the singaporeans. not only have i heard "regimen" being swapped for its politically-oriented sound-alike in conversation by the locals ("swimming is good exercise regime, lor") , i've seen it published in more beauty and fitness articles than i can count on both hands. i guess it's easy for the average joe to confuse the terms, but i would have expected more from editors, particularly of some of the international glossies they have around here.

my mental nitpicking has finally found a voice simply because my first assignment for a local mag involves writing about a skin "regime". yep, that word appeared on my job brief. and now i am faced with an interesting professional dilemma. do i:

a. sell out and use "regime" just to fit in? (the very thought makes my scalp bristle)
b. avoid using the word altogether? (a truly creative exercise as it is a skincare article)
c. use "regimen" and meekly await the inevitable striking of the n?
d. use "regimen" and eagerly await my chance to educate an editor? (we all love to be right, don't we?)

i feel like i'm going to get spotted and crucified by a local for criticizing locals, so i'll say this as well: i've found extremely brilliant beauty writers in singaporean magazines. the type who'll leave copy editors and writers with their mouths open, or drive housewives out to the nearest department store without having to drop the ubiquitous word, "must-have". (i happen to be both a writer and a housewife, so i know what i'm talking about). they may have to share space with the barely concealed press releases, but they exist nevertheless.

now if you'll excuse me, i've got a regime to attack.