Self Esteem Issues.. It's Real

     What's the first thing we do when we wash our hands in the bathroom??  Look in the mirror as we lather up the soap.  What do people most generally do when they're brushing their teeth?? Looking in the mirror.  What about when we get dressed and need to make sure our outfit or uniform looks appealing.. look in the mirror.  I even have one on my coat closet door so I can take one last glance as I head out.  Whether it's while we're driving, passing a window, or even looking at our phone to get a glimpse of how we look.. it's human nature to want to see yourself.  But what about those that don't like what they see in the mirror?? 

     We've all had those days where we feel bloated, or are having a bad hair day.  Simple fixes:  were cute sweats or a messy bun.  What about those who have bad breakouts??  Oh that's what make-up is for, right??  Wrong!! Make-up is meant to enhance one's natural beauty.  But what happens when you can't see past the blemishes and forget about your beauty.  What if you have sensitive skin and even the touch of washing your face or putting moisturizer on causes pain and inflammation?  Now top that up with attempting to 'beat your face' with make-up, just to see exaggerated uneven texture and and discoloration still peeking through no matter what efforts you made to conceal it all.  

     As a person who has overcome and backtracked with my battle with skin issues, I know how it feels to wake up and try to avoid looking in the mirror.  It's easy to just let yourself go when your face is the main thing people look at while in a conversation and you wish you could be wearing your hoodie with the drawstrings tied as tightly as Kenny did on South Park, so no one could see your skin.  Or regretting the days of work as a make-up artist because you get to make everyone look beautiful, meanwhile your make-up is either melting off or flaking off.  

     I wish I could give great advice or words of encouragement, but that's the exact inspiration of this post.  I have nothing yet.  I suffer from self esteem issues that don't partner well with anxiety/depression.  Now, I know some feel bad juju about openly admitting to depression and/or anxiety but that could be the very problem.  How could one overcome the issue if people encourage you hide it or keep it bottled up.  That's just an emotional explosion just wanting to happen.  I however, want to help reiterate that all of the above are REAL ISSUES.  Everyone copes and handles things differently, and that's ok.  I'm still learning how to work on myself and be happy with the person I am inside and out.  I pray that if anything, I could have at least been of help to someone that's feeling like they're alone.. you're not.. we're not!!  Just try to smile when you do manage to get a glimpse and know that once you're down, the only way is up from there.. as long as you don't give up.  Thank y'all and as always.. stay beautiful!! <3

Adult Acne Battle

     I have been dealing with acne ever since I was a pre-teen and things did not get much better for me long term in my adulthood.  I've tried and retried so many things in hopes of conquering this self-confidence diminishing battle.  As discussed before, I decided to listen to my mother, whom as a Medical Esthetician, knew that my skin issues could not be treated without seeing a doctor.  After visiting my esthetician I was instructed to use Toleriaine Purifying Cleanser, the Sulfa-lo bar, and Toleriane Fluide (along with SPF of course).  I was also seen by the Physician's Assistant that works in the same office and was prescribed Retin-A (to use at night).  After only a week I've seen a major oil reduction in my usually super oily skin.  I have a follow up in 8 weeks to see how the Retin-A is working to treat and prevent breakouts.  I have been using the Retin-A for a week now and so far so good.  

     Using Retin-A speeds up the skin's cell turnover rate causing rapid exfoliation, revealing healthier skin.  That being said, some peeling may or may not occur.  It's also best to ease into a Retin-A because if you go in too strong in the beginning irritation can occur.  Years ago doctors advised not to use a moisturizer so that the effects of the Retin-A would be stronger and faster, but that is not really practiced anymore because it's been found that using a hydrator helps drive the product down to cellular level; causing better product penetration.  

     Before trying something new from a professional, I always recommend asking lots of questions to know the why, how, when, and what to expect.  Had I done this years ago my issues may have been long gone.  I suppose the best thing about my journey is that having these ups and downs has made me so much more knowledgable, so now I can in turn help others with similar issues and actually understand what they're going through.  Please never give up, and always stay beautiful!! 

Enough is Enough with Acne

    *Just wanting to apologize ahead of time for the long read, but it's my journey and I want to help others with similar struggles as much as I can.*

      As an esthetician in training, I wanted to make a strong effort to solve my acne issues as I would try for a client.  What I neglected to do was to admit when things were out of my control and seek the help of a dermatologist.  Just a recap.. I have struggled with cystic/hormonal acne since I was a young teen.  I've tried (almost) everything, but hate the idea of being on oral medications long term.  The issue is, when the breakouts are caused by something internal nothing topical can treat or prevent them.  

     For a couple of months I was using products from the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare line and was so impressed.  I loved the Color Smart Cleanser, Alpha Beta Peel Pads, and Sulfur mask from the line.  My scars were getting lighter, and my breakouts didn't last as long but weren't completely gone.  I wanted to kick things up a notch and add the Acne Clearing Pads to my regimen every other night.  For the first couple of weeks things seemed to be going great.  Once I started ovulating I noticed more of the cystic breakouts starting around my jawline like with most hormonal breakouts.  I thought to combat the issue I'd bump things up to every night until after my cycle, and then drop back down to every other night.  Well the problem was, once one spot would go down there'd be another one that would pop up  by the end of the day.  I seemed to have gotten things calmed down a little bit, but received a facial from school.. big mistake!! My skin freaked out!! I honestly can't remember a time other than in high school that it looked so bad.  I literally had people saying "what happened," "are you ok," "it looks so painful."  Well, not only was it painful but also embarrassing.  There's almost nothing worst than being a make-up artist with bad skin (at least when it comes to being in the beauty industry).  You feel like people don't trust your judgement because your skin doesn't look great even with all the make-up.  It got to the point where I wasn't even feeling inspired to put make-up on myself because I didn't like the finished look.  

     Ironically this flare up happened while my mom, who's a medical esthetician, was in town to visit me.  She watched my skincare routine for a couple of days and gave me her honest opinion and recommendation.  She had me stop using the products because she could see that my skin wasn't broken out from acne, it was extremely irritated and I was making it worst by using the Acne Clearing Pads.  She had me stop using those and switch to a gentle cleanser and moisturizer followed by hydrocortisone.  Each day I did this routine my skin became less and less inflamed/irritated.  One day while I was at work she took it upon her motherly self to research estheticians and dermatologists in the area and set up an appointment for me.  I actually appreciated it because all of this let me finally see things were out of my hands.  

     I went to my esthetician, whom coincidentally worked at the school I attend.  She was already very well educated of my acne struggle and the appointment was great!!  She has me using Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser and Toleriane Ultra Intense Soothing Care Moisturizer day and night.  At night she also has me using the Sulfp-lo Cleansing Bar to help dry out blemishes.   I also use Obagi's Benzoyl Peroxide Moisturizer to further dry out the blemishes over night.  After 2 weeks of not using the Dr. Dennis Gross products and only 5 days of using the regimen my esthetician recommended, my face is experiencing almost no breakouts even during my lovely lady week.  Next week she has me following up with the Physician's Assistant that she works with to be prescribed a Retin-A and possibly Spironolactone.  

     Sorry again for the long read!! I just want to be as open about the progress I make, just in case someone out there is on the verge of giving up.  I will of course keep you updated, and until next time.. stay beautiful!! 

Style Seat

So.. I have some exciting new things in the works, but before I spill the beans completely I'll have you take a look at my online booking site :D

https://www.styleseat.com/teyonnarandolph

Hormonal Acne Update

Still struggle with my battle with hormonal/cystic acne, but I've seen good days. Since mid January my skincare regimen consists of the Dr. Dennis Gross Color Smart Cleanser, Original Strength Alpha Beta Peel Pads, Clarifying Colloidal Mask, and now the One Step Acne Eliminating Pads. I also use a Trader Joe's Face Wash with Tea Tree Oil, Cetaphil Moisturizer, and Clindamycin topically. Today I also purchased the 30 day Clear Skin Solutions kit also by Dr. Dennis Gross. It comes with the mask and acne pads mentioned above, but also his All In One Foaming Cleanser ($36) and the Hydra-Pure Oil Free Moisturizer ($76).. all for $45. Great value!! 

The Color Smart Cleanser and Alpha Beta Peels my complexion looked so bright and clear (aside from ovulating and my favorite time of the month 😑👎). My skin was drastically clear of breakout, which overall made me feel great!! This month during ovulation my hormones got out of wack, so I decided to add the One Step Acne Eliminating Pads. I've heard great things about them combating acne.. including hormonal/cystic which is almost unheard of for something not prescribed. Let me just say.. it stings and itches so bad for like 20 seconds, but quickly subsides. With more use the sensations have decreased. I will alternate 15 days of the Ance Pads and 15 days of the Alpha Beta Peel Pads, so my face won't get used to either product and plateaue/revert back. So far I'm only on day 7 and I'm purging, which is fairly typical. I may tweak the alternating schedule if needed, and will update you on how the cleanser and moisturizer I received in the kit work for me as well. Never give up, and stay beautiful!! 

Brighter Days Have Come (Pt. 2)

As I said before, my skin has transformed completely. I don't know if it's due to less stress, a better water filtration system, the regimen my dermatologist has me on, or what.. but it's noticibly better. There's not a day I go to work and fellow cast members, or clients compliment on how great my skin is looking and wanting deets on what I'm doing. I honestly don't know what to attribute it to, but I'm ecstatic nonetheless!!