Going Natural

How Did We Get Here?

I remember looking at the fashion magazines from a very early age and even before high school, the fall issue of Vogue magazine was much anticipated. I would devour it the moment it came out, imagining myself looking as amazing in those outfits as the girls and women who wore them. Their airbrushed complexions were something one could aspire to achieve. I attended vocational high school with cosmetology as my chosen trade. I will never forget my teacher giving us, what must have been her stock speech for all beginners to the program. She told us that people come to us wanting to look a certain way and not everyone has the natural ability to achieve their desired look. But she assured her eager listeners that this was our job to deliver the goods. It was our job, as professionals, to give them whatever they didn't possess naturally and they would pay us well to achieve what they considered to be their ideal. 

This philosophy stayed with me for the better part of my life. It was highly influential and impacted me greatly. If you don't have something, it can be bought. There is always someone out there who can give you what you're looking for but everything comes at a price. You just have to decide what's important to you. Now...I'm not knocking my teacher, because she was genuinely trying to pass along some great wisdom. She encouraged me to follow an inner drive that I've always had and her advice has stayed with me long enough that I pursued programs for licensing in 2 different areas in the beauty industry.  But I've come to realize that trying to look like someone you weren't meant to be is ludicrous.

We are flooded with images of perfection and what is considered to be ideal, almost constantly. Those models in your favorite fashion magazines are so retouched that you would barely recognize them if you passed them on the street. Add some professional makeup artistry and professional photographers and you have what they have intended to create: a fantasy. This illusion is not what women look like so why do we strive so hard to look like the fantasy?

Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima, real life and retouched

The Price of Beauty.

According to the annual plastic surgery procedural statistics, 15.9 million cosmetic procedures were performed in the United States last year. This includes everything from surgery to injectables. We are quick to go under the knife for a fast fix but surgery carries many risks. There's a lot that can go wrong, including death and disfigurement. As for injectables, we simply don't have any information or data on the long-term effects associated with regular use of neurotoxins. To be honest, I've had surgery myself so I know what it's like to struggle with some aspect of your being that feels "not right", "needs maintenance" or that your body has betrayed you. 

The revenue from the beauty industry exceeded $56 billion in 2015, which definitely makes the statement that we put great emphasis on our outward appearance. Those of us who have curly locks spend a fortune and do daily damage to our hair to get it smooth and straight. Those who have fine or thinning hair, seek out volumizing treatments, products and sometimes extensions. Every wrinkle can be injected and every face can look flawless with enough makeup. Instagram is flooded with millions of young "makeup artists", showing off their talents and everyone is trying to achieve perfection. It's the ultimate illusion.

I'm not saying the beauty industry isn't extremely significant. If it weren't, I'd be out of a job. It's essential to feel good about the way you look. When you feel confident, you move differently, waiver less in your decision making and are a generally more content person. But what if I told you that there is a healthier way to go about looking your best? 

Embracing Your Uniqueness & Looking at the Big Picture

There is no one in the world that looks or acts EXACTLY like you. Isn't that amazing? You are an exclusive package and a special edition to the human race. There's no need to look like the women in the magazine (the illusion) because you have your own special look. Sometimes it just takes someone who can assist or coach you in figuring out how to be the best possible version of yourself.

I'm happy to see so many celebrities embracing their natural hair texture. Along with the right cut, an educated and talented stylist can suggest treatment and styling products for curly hair so it can look its best. I have struggled with my curls for a lifetime and although I would prefer to have thick, straight hair... it's just not the case so it's time to embrace what I have and work with it, not against it. I can occasionally blow my hair out if I feel like putting the time in. A good stylist can also assist those with fine or thinning hair by giving the best cut and suggesting alternatives that might help reduce damage and stimulate growth. 

The practice of yoga can assist in a myriad of advantages, both physically and mentally. I asked Rita Stirparo, the accomplished and knowledgable owner and yoga instructor at Inner Light Yoga in Wilmington, DE, about this. She tells us that yoga changes your breathing and when this happens, physiological changes occur. Yoga not only strengthens and tones the body but maintains a healthy metabolism, decreases stress and improves circulation. Cells function better, tissues are oxygenated and overall health is maintained. When you come in and out of yoga postures, you increase the drainage of lymph, which helps the body fight infection, destroy cancerous cells and dispose of the toxic waste products of cellular functioning. Along with all this, the chatter in the mind decreases, minimizing stress and producing a feeling of calm and balance. 

No one wants wrinkles, excess oiliness/dryness or acne. This is where I come in. Educated skincare specialists can clear acne (or at least get you mostly clear) through a combination of treatments, lifestyle changes and diet. There's no need to put medications in or on your body that can have harmful side effects. These usually work temporarily but the core issues need to be dealt with. Someone who is prone to breakouts will always be more susceptible to them and part of the journey is accepting that you can't use whatever you want on your skin, without consequences. But a good esthetician CAN help you get clear and show off your beautiful face. 

Glo Minerals Pressed Base

Makeup Artistry is a profession that transforms an individual into the most exquisite version of themselves. A good makeup artist can make any special event memorable and the pictures will be a lifetime reminder. But it isn't ideal to wear this amount of coverage on a daily basis. Wearing a lightweight mineral makeup (especially if you're prone to breakouts) or a light, non-comedogenic liquid base is the better bet, when you don't need to be event or camera ready. Making sure your skin is in good shape tends to make it easier to keep things on the lighter side. Even most makeup artists don't wear a full face of makeup every day.

Treating dryness or oiliness is easier. There are ways to get hydrated from within (I'm not talking about drinking more water, although it can never hurt) and several options for topical products that help your skin retain it's moisture. Same with oily skin; there are lots of treatments to reduce the appearance of large pores & mattifying products and treatments to reduce the shine throughout the day. Just remember that your oil is what keeps you looking youthful and one day you will be happy to have it! 

There are tried and true methods to reduce wrinkles and hyperpigmentation and more recently, the newer technology involving peptides is eliminating the need for injectables. Why not use something that makes your skin do the repair work for you? It's a great way to solve the problem naturally. Be sure to keep an eye out for the next blog, which will discuss this process in more detail. 

Become Your Own Advocate

You have the power to totally be this self-actualized and amazing person. Accepting what is great about how you look and working with what nature gave you can be very freeing. Knowing that there is no magic bullet is a hard pill to swallow, as there are so many product and treatment claims out there that boast otherwise. If someone promises you instant results on something, you had better run. Run, Forest...RUN!!! 

There are things you can do/use that will begin to show improvement right away but, as in nature, everything takes time. And looking and feeling your best is part of a commitment on your part as well. You won't have less pain, a better physique, great hair or skin without a little work. You can't be completely sedentary, eat whatever you want all the time, continue to have unprotected sun exposure, pollute your body with free radicals and expect to see changes. It doesn't work that way. I've known plenty of people over the course of my time in the beauty industry, who have had painful face lifts and went right back out into the sun and got overbaked. These are the same people who don't want to invest in professional product because they don't feel it's worth the money. Or people who seem to be in constant pain but they would rather take medication than detoxify their bodies because that would involve a lifestyle change. 

All this being said, I still love getting the fall and spring issues of the important fashion magazines, still notice my imperfections, still try to balance my love of food with proper exercise and nutrition, still struggle with keeping my skin clear and my rosacea at bay and still wish I had easier hair. But the reality is that this is who I am and that is MORE than enough! It took me long enough to get here but acceptance and knowledge is power. 

Stay tuned for the next blog on peptides and make an appointment today at Skin Solutions by Wendi to begin your journey to a healthier, more natural way to be beautiful!