How To Deal with Sensitive Skin

Hey guys! Many people believe they have sensitive skin, but do not have a clear idea of what is really is. It is not something that is easy to diagnose on your own, which is why you should see an doctor for a proper check-up. For those of you that have sensitive skin, it can be a challenge to find the right products for your skin's needs. I'm one of those "lucky" girls that have sensitive skin (oh, joy). When ever the weather changes, my hands and forearms get so irritated, and I admit that it's hard to resist scratching. there have been numerous times when my skin broke out do to a type of clothing detergent used to wash my clothes or a facial lotion that made my skin so red and irritated that it felt like it was burning up! I also have acne, which thankfully is under control by a couple prescriptions, and cleared it up right a way.

Thankfully, I outgrew some of the effects of having sensitive skin, but there are still a lot of effects that happen. To combat this crazy skin menace, here are some tips that I hope will help y'all out. But, I'm not a doctor, so take any issues up with one immediately, if you have any questions!
 

Acne vs Self Esteem

Hello my superb readers! How are you enjoying life? Today's post is a bit different from what I normally talk about, but I hope it comes in handy for some of you. It is something that I was contemplating to blog about earlier, but I guess its never the wrong time to talk about it. The title is a dead giveaway, but its perfect, in it's own way. Keep reading to find out!

Our teenage years, as well as life in general, are already pretty tough. I love life, and I hope you all find it to be just as amazing. However, acne can get in the way of our daily lives, and can cause noticeable changes in the way we see ourselves. Discussing acne can make some people uncomfortable, but its a part of life that a large portion of the population has to go through. It may seem like nobody else in your school, city, etc is getting it, but your not alone. A lot of people don't realize how common acne really is, there are still people who treat it like some rare disorder. It shouldn't have to be like that.

Some of you are probably wondering How can one tiny spot affect self esteem? The thing is, most people don't realize how that "one little spot" can really take a toll on your self esteem. The only reason I can think very little about my answer while I am typing, is because I have have had acne for along time. I have had acne since I was about 10. It started out as a little bit of acne, and eventually cleared up every so often, but it never really went away.It has become slightly worse, but people hardly notice, so I don't mind it. I know that acne can be "fixed" by using prescriptions, as well as hyped-up gimmicks, but its not as easy as that. There are many drugstore products, as well as over the counter medications, that claim to cure the dreaded acne curse, but the search for the perfect product may take a long time.

Searching for a way to get rid of acne is time consuming, as well as stressful. Some products may worsen acne, or cause chemical burns, and lead to lower self esteem. A last resort for many, is to just pile on the makeup, so it is won't be as noticeable. This can lead to even more acne, and even more layers of makeup. there are also instances where people change themselves within society, becoming more introverted, or even more boisterous to compensate for lingering insecurities.

Among all the negativity, there is hope. For many people, its a long battle, to get back that confidence, and to stop worrying about their skin. I don't let my acne bother me. Sure, I sometimes dread having it, but its going to go away, so its not something to worry about. Acne is a normal part of life, as I wrote earlier, don't let your acne get in the way of doing the things you love. It may take a while to stop fretting over your skin, but you will get there in time.

I hope you enjoyed this type of post, let me know if you readers would like more of these types of posts. Well, stay tuned for the next post, which will be up shortly! Thank you for reading.

Happy May

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Beauty Tips: Fact or Myth?

Hello my fabulous readers! How are all of you? I am currently putting together a few other posts for you guys, as I have not put anything exciting up for a while. This post is something that is based around the age-old debate of what is said to be true, and what is not said to be correct. I hope it makes you think about the tips you have heard over the years. Well, onto today’s post!

 

The field of beauty is constantly evolving and expanding, even as I type. We all go through the process of trial and error until we get what we want out of the experiments. Sometimes, we try to see how well a method will work, and will keep using that method over and over again, to achieve the same results. When satisfactory results are achieved, the information gets passed onto our peers and then becomes the accepted way of doing something. When it comes to beauty advice, the water can get a little muddy, and it can be hard to see past all the rumours and truths flying around. Keep reading below to see a few surprising facts and myths. Just as a reminder, I am not a physician, a registered expert of any kind, or a health professional. So please read and use your own discretion when researching. Well, enjoy!

Tip#1- Fact or Myth?: Use a washcloth on your face to scrub out all the acne-causing bacteria. This will make your face brighter, and acne free.

MYTH- Okay, so for some of your, this is one of the most useless tips you have ever heard about. Others may use this tip daily. The only problem? Scrubbing acne-prone or any type of skin with a washcloth can actually irritate your skin and cause damage to your skin as well. Also, it can make your face dry and red, from all the scrubbing. I know, I made a post about using a washcloth as an exfoliator, but there is a proper way to use it in that way. I remember reading an old beauty book in the library. It was full of tips and tricks, and one that I remember was “scrubbing your face hard with a hot washcloth will make you skin acne free and clear”.  If you really want to try to heal some acne on your face/body, try lathering up your favorite cleanser, and gently gliding your fingers over the specific area. Your fingers should not feel like they are rubbing your skin, you should feel your skin under your fingers, but do not apply a lot of pressure. This may contribute to achieving clear skin, as you may have been irritating your face too much with all the scrubbing.

Tip#2- Fact or Myth?: -All moisturizers are the same, there is  no difference between any of them. Buy any and it should make you skin clear and soft.

MYTH- This is actually untrue, as many moisturizers are built around certain skin types. From experience, I can tell you that not all moisturizers work the same. I once bought a moisturizer meant for dry skin, thinking that it does not really make a difference, but my face began getting small patches of spots on places I do not usually get them, such as my cheeks. I have oily/combination and sensitive skin (if that is even possible) so I now know how to tailor my skin routine to suit my skin.

Tip #3-Fact or Myth?: For many people, toner can be a waste of cash. Skip using this product, it will save you money.

FACT- Toner has been excessively marketed for years, claiming to be a vital part of an individual’s cleaning regimen. A lot of people still buy toner, because advertisements tell consumers that their skin needs it. If you do not use toner, you are not missing anything, though others may argue that your skin may not be completely “clean” without it. If you really want to use a toner, try asking a dermatologist for more information. Also, toners may end up over-drying the skin, as cleansers are more efficient than their predecessors.

Tip#4-Fact or Myth?:You can open and close your pores by using heat/cold.

MYTH- Based on the research I have done (and the biology classes I have taken) your pores do not open and close. They do not have muscle attached to it, so how could it open and close? A lot of companies market products that can open/close your pores. It seems kind of silly to me. It may seem as though a product is affecting the size, but most likely it isn’t. Many reputable mediums over the years have reported that you cannot open and close your pores.

Tip#5-Fact or Myth?: Toothpaste is a good way to get rid of spots on your face, just leave it on overnight and  it be gone the next morning.

MYTH- Using toothpaste on your face, may sound like a good idea, but in reality, it can irritate and temporarily damage your skin, as it can give people rashes on their faces. However, it does work on some people. I wouldn’t recommend it, the chemicals may be too harsh to use on your face. Using it on your teeth or to polish silver is good enough.

Well, there you have it! This post was a bit lengthy, but I will try to make it a bit shorter with more myths/facts next time I do this type of post. If you have any questions, or want to point out any inaccurate information, feel free to contact me through the comments section, twitter, or my Electric Advice page. Stay tuned, as I will have a new post ready for you all soon. Enjoy your holidays, and thank you for reading.

Happy Holidays

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Face Matters

Good evening you avid readers! How have your summers been so far? Today has been a lazy day for me, but hopefully tomorrow will be full with plans. I was biking earlier today, and wore an old ball cap. As soon as I started crossing the road, my hat flew off, and the crosswalk timer was running out. By then another car already ran over the hat and took it with it. Poor hat, it never knew that it would end up like that.  Enough ranting about my hat, onto today’s post!

The internet age has opened many doors for those seeking advice, but it has also cause many issues. I feel concerned over the growing number of people that give skin advice over the internet, and I must say, that it can get unsettling. Suggestions get thrown around, and they are often ones that can lead to bigger problems. An example of this is ways you can treat acne without having to buy any medicated lotions, wipes, or exfoliators. One “remedy” I see all the time is to use toothpaste containing baking soda. I am not a dermatologist, but I can certainly tell you that this is something that will irritate your skin. Just because you cannot feel the irritation, it doesn’t mean that it is not irritating and causing damage to your precious skin. Another remedy I recently found out, was to place stinging hydrogen peroxide on your skin. It does not seem very safe to me, and I do not specialize in chemistry or biology (yet). All I am typing out is that you should always take online advice with a grain of salt. Yes, acne can go away on it’s own, or can be relieved with simple homemade solutions, but please take caution when trying anything on your skin. Lemon juice may seem safe to use, but it can cause irritation as well. I am wary when it comes to taking advice from aestheticians, as some do not have the proper knowledge about the various layers of the skin and the science behind the many skin treatments. Going to a doctor with worrying questions is the best way to go, as they went to medical school for a reason. Take care of your skin, and remember to always ask your doctor, they will be more than happy to answer any gnawing concerns.

If any of you readers ever have any concerns or need to point out any flaws in any information I give, please be free to contact me through twitter (@electric_blush), the comments section below, or even on the Electric Advice Page. I will not be offended, just glad to know that there is something I can improve on to ensure that I do not display false information to any of you. Don’t be shy; you will not be negatively confronted. Well, see you tomorrow.

Happy Testing

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Fashionable Reads

Photo from Microsoft Word 2010

Hello again my brilliant readers! How are you guys today? The fashion and beauty world is a fast-paced and constantly morphing place. New faces come and go, and the same trends pop their fashionable heads up every now and then. The best place to go fill your fashion needs in doubt has to be…the library. The library may seem like a place only fit for just ordinary books, but you may be surprised on the amount of fashion and beauty books that you may dig up. Fashion lovers may draw inspiration from reading articles or even books written by their favorite designers and stylists. If you lean towards the makeup end of the spectrum, books sharing beauty tricks and inner-beauty tips may appeal more to you. If you’re a hardcore bookworm like I am, then you will have no trouble spotting a good read in the most unexpected places. The library is also good for those who want to pursue a career in the fashion and beauty industry. Reading books may also assist you in becoming ahead of the trends, instead of struggling to find them, if you follow them. It may also be the foundation for developing your own looks or style. Go on, and give that library a second look, you might just become reliant on it. Here are a few good reads :

Model- by Cheryl Diamond

 This book is a memoir written by model Cheryl Diamond, about her first few years in the modeling business. I recommend this book, as it shows a hidden side of the modeling world, that we do not often see.

Who What Wear: Celebrity and Runway Style for Real Life- by Katherine Power and Hilary Kerr

Many of you might be familiar with the Who What Wear website. The creators of the website bring you a wonderful guide that is sure to get you out of any style bind, for any occasion.

Making Faces- Kevin Aucoin

Again, many of you may be familiar with this fantastic book, its hard not to notice the detail and timelessness within the many pages. This is a great read for makeup admirers, as it teaches both the basics and the unknown.

The Teen Vogue Handbook- by Teen Vogue

 Filled with photographs on every page, this handbook is very helpful to those with budding careers, as it contains interviews with successful and well-known figures in the fashion and beauty industry.

I hope this post helped you readers, you never know what you can find in the library. If any of you are interested in subscribing to this blog, there are three options for doing so on the right-handed sidebar, by email, to comments, and through a reader. Well, enjoy the rest of the day.

Happy Reading

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