If we're going to be talking about skincare and makeup, I think it's important that you know a bit about my skin. What works for me might not work for you, and vice versa. There is no one perfect skincare or makeup routine that will work for everyone. That's why there are so many cosmetic lines out there- people have different preferences.
I also think it's important to show my skin and face without makeup, so you have a point of comparison when you see me made up. You deserve to know what makeup and skincare are and are not capable of. There is a lot of distrust between beauty gurus/bloggers and their audience because of Facetune, filters, and editing. Makeup cannot get rid of your pores, and eye cream cannot make your dark circles disappear. Before and after pictures are misleading because there are literally hundreds of different factors that could effect both pictures.
I want to be honest and transparent here, because none of my recommendations mean anything if you don't trust me. So I took some raw photos on my iPhone of my bare skin. I washed my face with Indie Lee's Brightening Cleanser, toned with Indie Lee's CoQ10 Toner, and applied 3 drops of Vintner's Daughter. Here's what my face looks like:
Skin type: Oily/combination- oily through the t-zone, normal everywhere else. Top layer is often dehydrated.
Skin concerns: Post-acne marks, dark circles, congestion/blackheads on my nose and chin.
Because my skin is both oily and dehydrated, I look for products that are deeply moisturizing, yet light enough to not clog my pores or leave a heavy film on my skin, especially before makeup. I'm always on the hunt for oil-controlling primers, foundations, and powders that are long lasting, but natural/luminous looking.
Even though I prefer the way I look with makeup on, I feel confident without it-- but I wouldn't have always said that. I struggled with my skin in my teenage years, and could have only dreamed of the skin I have now in this picture. I remember thinking to myself, even praying, "if I didn't have acne, I promise I wouldn't wear makeup at all." I realize that bargaining with god about your skin is extremely first world problems, but I just want you to understand how much mental energy I spent on feeling bad about this.
I spent hours online, researching home remedies, dermatologist prescribed creams, supplements, everything. I learned about ingredients, how the skin interacts with and absorbs product, what to look for and what to avoid. I asked the dermatologist for everything- Spironolactone (worked ok), Retin-A (made me a grease ball), antibiotics (hell on the rest of your body). I tried home remedies- toothpaste, baking soda, lemon juice (all of these- YIKES). And I could have filled a tub with all the drugstore face washes and creams I tested. In retrospect, it was a blessing in disguise because I learned more about skincare and makeup than anyone I knew my age. My skin problems led me to discover my love of makeup and skincare, which I always had an affinity for.
This whole journey ultimately led me to where I am today- totally skincare and makeup obsessed, and on a 80/20 green beauty diet. Most of my products are 'green' but I make exceptions for some irreplacable makeup products. I now get to do what I love, makeup, and help other women and teens like me find routines that work for them.
These pictures were taken 10 seconds apart in different lighting. Be skeptical of before/afters! I included these so you can see the texture and tone of my skin more clearly, and how it changes in different lighing.
Even though my skin still isn't perfect, sometimes I think back to how teenage me would have looked at these pictures. I am so appreciative for the miracles of the self-healing body, my health, and where what started as a negative experience has taken me.