I've shared some skincare favorites of mine recently on the blog, but today I'm digging a little deeper and sharing a little more than what meets the eye. Recently, I've been really disappointed about my skin. If you know me personally, you might know this, I might have shared some of it with you. If you don't, well, now you know.
It all started with good intentions. Back in beginning of summer 2014, I decided to step away from my prescription acne products. I wanted to see if I still needed them, and part of me was just tired of the chemicals I was applying to my skin on a daily basis. It wasn't so bad at first, just kind of frustrating because I definitely got more acne than I had before. Then, after my Europe trip, I started editing my outfit pictures to put on This Styled Life. What stuck out to me was the huge bags under my eyes that hadn't been there before, and the rough look and feel my skin had. My skin just didn't seem lively anymore. And then, it just seemed to get worse from there, exacerbated by a series of eye infections and problems that rendered me not able to wear eye makeup. And while I know I don't need to wear makeup in order to be beautiful, having that as a fall back on days when you're not feeling your best is definitely nice!
(Europe, July 2014)
(Novemeber 2014)
(January 2015)
This last photo was the last straw for me. All of these are un-retouched, but I am wearing makeup. In my mind, I look like I'm not even wearing any makeup in that last picture. When I uploaded that, I did notice the bags under my eyes looked better, which made me glad! I had been trying more natural products, and had been starting a facial and peel regimen at Ulta, but it was shortly after that picture that I decided I needed to do more. On a trip to Earth Fare, a local natural grocery store, I purchased some new products. I made an order from a couple natural beauty and skincare retailers I had come across online. I decided I was determined to make it all better, to finally be at peace with my skin and feel that it looked beautiful again.
Fast forward to last Friday. I knew my skin had made amazing progress when I barely had to use concealer! I feel much much better about my skin, and even though I still have some post-acne spots that are clearing up my skin feels soft, supple, and lively again. I feel like I have my glow back, and that makes me so happy!
(February 2015)
I know that what is on the outside ultimately has nothing on the beauty inside, but it's certainly frustrating when nothing you are doing seems to be helping. Check back tomorrow for all the skincare products I've grown to love, and then Thursday for my favorite new makeup products.
--Caroline
