Make-up help (going on vacation soon)
MINDY …
Your routine is obviously drying your skin’s surface making the acne and
other problems (as you described) much worse. You need the right
moisturizing, exfoliating, softening … throw out your stuff and start over:
Buy some aloe juice at Walmart - usually under $8/gallon where I live (must
be refrigerated after opening) … or smaller quantities may be available at
health-food stores (they sell it for drinking, but I use it as a
super-enhanced water - very healing). Next, in a blender, grind up rolled
oats. Then combine equal measurements of ground oats, dry milk, and sugar.
This needs to be stored in a container that will not allow moisture in (once
moisture gets in, beastie germs can grow). I use a 2-cup rubbermaid with a
flip-top lid so I can close it with one hand after pouring a bit into the
other. A few drops of warm water to make a paste is what I do, but here’s
where you need to use the aloe juice …
Measurement references to start … approximately 1 Tbsp of the powder to
about 1 tsp of aloe juice. You won’t need to "scrub," and shouldn’t … let
the powder and it’s natural ingredients do the work … just lightly rub, a
thorough fingertip massage in circular motions over face, and then rinse
well. This is so nice it can be left on to dry first for a mask, then dampen
so it will rinse easily. Not only do I use it daily, my son (who said he’d
never put food on his face) depends on it since he started having acne, and
my mother (now 68) loves it too (it’s wonderful for all skin types).
Once rinsed, use about 1 tsp. of aloe juice and a drop of oil to tone and
moisturize … actually, it’s the aloe that moisturizes and tones, and the
oil helps hold in the moisture. Since you’ve severely dried your skin and we
don’t know what level of oiliness you are, just use a drop of pure, grade A
olive oil - it is humectant, but allows the full spectrum of breathing,
sweating, shedding, etc. that skin must do, won’t clog pores, and "soaks
right in" leaving a non-greasy finish. If this is too much moisture, combine
the aloe juice AT TIME OF USE with a bit of witch hazel (or even thin it into
water if the 14% alcohol of the witch hazel is too drying). If the olive oil
ends up being a problem, write back and we’ll go from there (lots of
suggestions, but not without knowing more about your skin’s needs).
AS FOR MAKEUP foundation, this still works … after rinsing, I place a dab
of foundation in my palm, then the toner / oil … and put it on. It takes
getting used to and a teeny bit more time to blend in, but actually does a
superior job (goes on smoothly over any rough patches, etc.). If still
dealing with a rough patch, Dessert Essences sells a fantastic must-have …
99% Aloe Vera Gel. It’s clear and totally "all that." I use a dab and push
into the rough spot (have done over makeup, too) … occassionally, I’ll then
redab the foundation over it (tapping only). This feels great, but if too
shiny, use loose face powder (big brush to dot or press in / brush off excess
in downward strokes).
Make sure your foundation is non-comedogenic (non-clogging). Mary Kay’s
oil-free or others (depending on skin type) never clogged me, and lasts for
approximately 8 hours. Good old Cover Girl (assuming it’s not too old on the
shelf where you buy it) has also been a safe one for me. Mary Kay’s "green
stick" is great over redness if needed, and her "yellow stick" is great over
blue hues (like I have under my eyes). If this is out of budget, utilize a
little green or yellow from an eye shaddow blended with a bit of your
foundation to dot over the foundation at the non-covered spot. You can do
this by preblending in a separate, clean container with a toothpick … and
use a Q-tip to get "just some" … keeps fingers / bacteria out of the mix,
minimizes waste. Do this routine each morning and each evening (to get rid
of your makeup).
AS FOR YOUR GUY, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT … I’m sure he’s noticed your skin
isn’t perfect, but he likes you, right? Apparently, you’re not convinced
that you are deserving of this, but you aren’t giving yourself a chance. As
for the nighttime nakedness, get real … your face is the least
"embarrassing" of all of it. Since you’re trying to improve your skin, a
clean non-made-up face is the preferred "bed"-wear (and it’s not like your
wearing mud masks to bed). Bottom line … if he can’t handle you without
makeup, he has no business handling any of you and isn’t worth your time !!!
While it’s important to you to make yourself nice for him, make yourself nice
for you, as you’re definitely the person you’ll always be with, and you are
worth it! Self esteem is your "cake" and, while acne does tend to discourage
it and clearer skin encourages it, acne is merely the icing on that cake.
Cake is cake, whether iced beautifully, glazed or powdered, naked … and
whether it’s angelfood, strawberry, fruit, full of nuts … cake is cake. In
other words, your self esteem is the cake, the main focus.
Let us know how it goes. - Katie