Makeup and Oily Skin

I am 36 years old and I’ve been a Mom for almost 8 years now.  And I’ve had acne since I was likely 12.  My skin, as a young teen, was awful.  I had acne vulgaris (sounds bad, right?) and I will never outgrow pimples, blackheads, or the scars of constantly poking at my face.  I was actually called “pizza face” when I was in that brand-new-teenager, self-esteem-issues area of life.  Obviously that’s not something someone forgets.

Despite all the fun and (legal) drugs I took during my teen years trying to overcome my genetics and oily skin, I’m not ashamed to show my face with no makeup.  Yes, there are scars, and some weeks there are pimples, but I’d rather go out as me then hide behind products that make me look different than who I am.  Years take their toll on everyone – scars, birthmarks, wrinkles, it’s who we are and what makes us unique.

I am such an infrequent makeup wearer that my kids always ask “where are you going?” when I take a few minutes and put on some mascara.  And then they want to put some on too, but they usually just ask for the blush and lip colour.  Unless I’m off to a wedding or another big social function (Christmas party maybe) I don’t even open my makeup bag.  And because of that I still own makeup that I purchased in highschool.  I know, ick, right?  I’ve been throwing things away every time I pull down that makeup bag – one of these days I might have to go buy something new!

When I do wear makeup it’s just the bare minimum: mascara, lipstick (or coloured lip gloss) and maybe eyeshadow.  I never learned how to apply makeup so it looks natural, or even nicely blended.  Foundation is awful to me.  I hate how it feels on my skin, and how it rubs off at the slightest touch.  I have been known to mix a few drops of foundation in my anti-aging, SPF-filled moisturizer just for some slight coverage, but I can’t stand wearing it over my moisturizer.  Even on my wedding day I just wore mascara and some eye and lip colour.

I’m trying to embrace my oily skin.  I know it’s the reason makeup and I don’t get along.  But when I think into the future I know my wrinkles will be nice and gradual because my skin has a lot of (oily) youthfulness.  My mom’s skin still looks great and she’s on the oily side as well.  But I also know she still gets pimples, and she’s in her 60s!

Now that I feel comfortable in my own skin I’m battling another 30+ year old woman issue – chin hairs.  But I’m going to leave that post for another day…

~Jess