Rosacea - The Struggle is Real

When I was 25 years old, I started having horrible problems with my skin.  I'd always had sensitive skin, but this was a whole new ballgame.   Little crusty bumps that weren't pimples dotted my cheeks close to my nose.  My face turned scarlet red when I ate spicy food or drank alcohol.  Everything aggravated it.  Makeup didn't hide it, and usually made it worse.  I felt hideous.   

I finally went to a dermatologist.  He diagnosed me with Rosacea and prescribed me the metro cream, gave me the pamphlet and that was that.  The medicine helped a little, but it never went away.   I hated my skin.  I struggled for years.  Some times were worse than others.  There were days that my skin cracked open and bled.   Some makeup and moisturizers made it worse.  I could put makeup on my face and feel it turning bright red. Within minutes, I would feel like my skin was on fire and peeling off my face.  The medicine was expensive.   I couldn't afford good makeup.  The cheap drugstore makeup had to do.  I was miserable.

I didn't understand how this could be my face.  The pamphlet said it was most common in "middle-aged" women with fair skin.  I was only 25!!! As I got older, I learned to live with it.  I was constantly searching for something to make it go away.  I bought face cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and continued to use the expensive prescription cream. I spent thousands of dollars over the years, trying to find skin care and makeup that I could use and would hide this awful condition.  I wish now that I had taken pictures without makeup so I could show how bad it looked, but I was so self conscious, I never would let that happen.   I even hated pictures with makeup!  The pictures shown here were on GOOD days with medicine and makeup!!! 

Then the 40's arrived.  The kids moved out and bills decreased.   I found a cream at Sephora that said it would help.  A few weeks and $185 later, I still had some symptoms, but it wasn't quite as bad.   I paid a fortune for a cleanser that said it was gentle and would help also.   Still, the redness showed.  I jumped from product to product, all promising to make things better.  All of them failing miserably.  

No makeup, No medicine! :) 

Then, I became a Younique presenter.  I decided to give the skin care line a try. I mean with a 14 day Love it Guarantee, I had nothing to lose.  If I had a reaction, I could send it back.  At this point, I wasn't holding any high hopes.  I mean if the $185 stuff didn't work, how could a $39 one work? I was skeptical, but willing to try anything. I got the gentle cleanser and Divine moisturizer.  After a few weeks, my skin began to feel and look different.  The Royalty line came out last year, and I added the Charcoal Bamboo Detoxifying Mask twice a week.   Between the skin care and the makeup free of harmful chemicals, the difference in my skin is amazing!!!  Absolutely Amazing!!!   

I'm so very happy to say that I no longer have to use prescription creams.  I no longer spend hundreds upon thousands of dollars trying to find a product to clear my skin up.  I can go out without makeup!  I can wear makeup confidently without it caking into sores on my face.  My face is 100% better!!!  I'm thrilled by the results!  I never dreamed I would have a face this clear.  I am forever grateful to have found Younique!!!

Over 40 and Fabulous

So many people think that as you get older there is a certain way you should dress and look.  I've been given a list of things people over 30 shouldn't wear.   Who's to tell me what I can and can't wear?!?   I mean, what if I just happen to LOVE blue eyeshadow?  and screen print T's,  blingy jeans, rhinestone bedazzled flip flops, and the list goes on and on!  There's more than one list I've been presented with.   And you know what I say they can do with that list?  They can shove it where the sun don't shine!!!

I've been following Baddiewinkle, and I have to say, I really admire someone who is in her 80's and doesn't give a flip what anyone thinks!  She rocks her style and to hell with the haters!  I just hope I can still move around and look that good when I'm 88! LOL  She's a perfect example of someone who doesn't go by any "rules" and stays true to herself.

Just because you're older doesn't mean you have to dress in grey and black and dull colors.  It doesn't mean you can't rock some bright colored makeup and dye your hair the colors of the rainbow!  BE YOURSELF!  You are fabulous the way you are! I was vibrant at 16, and I'm vibrant at 44!!!  I'm not going to fit into someone's mold of what they think someone older should look and act like.  I'm going to be myself no matter what.  If you don't like it, then move along and mind your own business!  I say that with all love.

If people in our society would stop judging everyone and show a little kindness and love to those that are different than how they think they should be, our world would be such a better place.  Can you imagine how boring life would be if we all believed and looked the same?   We would just be robots.

So, next time you look at an older woman dressed in sparkles and sporting bright color makeup that the lists say she shouldn't wear, try complimenting her and watch how beautiful she becomes when that smile lights her face up!!! Admire her self confidence!

And, if you're over 40, go buy that blue eyeshadow and purple lipstick!  Go buy that sparkly pair of jeans and shoes!  Go dye your hair pink, purple, blue, or whatever color you've been dying to try! Rock whatever look you want!  Be you!  I know I will!!!  Who cares what people think?  Just remember, the haters will be over 40 one day too!!! :)