So many different emotions surround how we feel about our skin. It is our largest organ, and the first thing people notice when they see us.
I became more aware of my skin -- to be more precise my face, after a fiction-writing class -- it was in this class that I came up with the idea for Drexa Neptune and my book. Talk about an education. The professor had translucent skin. She exuberated youthfulness and grace. I still remember the delicate lines on her face, the small moles around her eyes (similar to mine). What drew me to her was that we shared the same complexion. I’d finally found someone who I could emulate. And she didn’t wear make-up. Looking back, I think she wore light foundation, but I was so taken with her that I just started researching ways to make my skin better without makeup.
Research. One of the most important steps when it comes to taking care of your skin.
Yesterday, I had a rewarding conversation with Christina, owner of Elastic Wax Center. More on our conversation in a later post, but she mentioned that when her clients would ask her about her skin (she’s 45 with the youngest looking skin I’ve ever seen), she would tell them that her secret is “research.”
And I instantly remembered my fiction writing class. I spent most of my twenties, eating healthy, drinking a lot of water and wearing no makeup (my only vice was lipstick and mascara), while using face creams from Clinique to Kiehl's. It’s all about finding what works for you. Researching what’s good for your skin type. Reading reviews and the ingredients used in the product.
Of course, there were hiccups. To combat writer’s block, I became a bit of an alcoholic, because I believed that alcohol helped me to write (which it did, to be honest) but it also became a crutch. And it made my skin duller. No one hates dull skin more than someone who doesn't know how to use foundation to hide it.
These days, I’ve gotten around to using foundation, a bit of shimmer on my cheeks, eyeliner and no alcohol (ok, a glass of wine, or two. Or three. Haha, who am I kidding?). But seriously, my whiskey days are over (I had a top ten whiskey lists -- but that’s for another time). I’m still researching what works for me. Ways to slow the aging process. Ways to keep looking 21, naturally. And I’ve never been happier with my skin.
So, today, St. Patrick’s day, the first step for anyone who wants a brighter complexion, would be to not overdo it on the alcohol. What a party pooper I am.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!