Rosacea

Rosacea is not pretty. It's not fun. In fact, I would even go so far as to say it sucks. It doesn't suck like migraines suck, or anything like that, but it still sucks. No one really knows why rosacea exists, but it is thought to have to do with the dilation of blood vessels under the skin (which makes sense since the bright red tomato face is one its hallmarks). I won't go into it a bunch here, but I will say this: if you happen to be younger or less confident than I, my best advice if you suffer from rosacea is to get over it and learn how to put on makeup. Also, tell people upfront that just because you flush/blush does not mean you're embarrassed. Not only am I not afraid of or intimidated by public speaking, I enjoy it. Therefore, when I am giving a talk somewhere, if I forget to mention it upfront, the first time I feel my face to start to turn red, I pause to inform people that I am not embarrassed, that I am aware that I am turning red, and that it is happening because I have rosacea. I then continue where I left off. Just because I know how to deal with it doesn't mean I like it, though.

So, not letting it bother you is the first part. Not letting cheeks that look like someone has been slapping your around define you is the second. For that, I suggest the following easy routine:

1. An awesome concealer: I love Nyx. It's cheap, but has great coverage. I dot it on and then use elf's small stipple brush to lightly blend it in. If you care, I am fair.

2. A great foundation. I have super dry skin (thank you, Hashimoto's!), so I need a moisturizing foundation. I have recently fallen in love with Lumi. I use the elf Studio flat powder (I know it says powder, but trust me - it is a killer foundation brush) brush to apply it. This foundation is very buildable, which is great on really red days.

It does not do the dry cakey thing, which is really important if any part of you wants to set your face with powder. We dry-skinned people don't really like to do this. We people with rosacea who *really* don't want all that red to come through sometimes do it anyway. I go really old-school with the powder and use Coty Airspun Translucent - just a touch. Sometimes I only set my under eye concealer. Regardless, I usually finish with a spritz of elf's finishing spray. That really helps set the whole thing and keep it from looking dry.

Know what the best part is (apart from the fact that elf is so darned cheap, *and* that you can often get 50% off on their website)? I can wear blush when I do this! Counter intuitive? Not even remotely? There is a world of difference between a lovely pink/peach/coral shade of my choice on my cheeks and siren red. This baby is an elf studio blush that retails for $3.00. I have five, I think. I have never paid more than $1.50. They dupe NARS colors like crazy and I think the pigmentation is great. On my wish list? Coastal Scents Forever blushes, but that will have to wait for their 50% off sale at the end of the year. 

So what does any of this have to do with homeschooling? More than you think. Homeschooling can seriously wear us down. It is demoralizing in the extreme. If you're anything like me, some days bring you to tears. Makeup can be a huge confidence booster and a really cheap pick-me-up, though. Honestly, going into the bathroom and putting on lipstick (and, I'll be honest, I have a million of them - but I get great deals!!) can be just what I need to go out and face the monst...er, I mean kids again. 

As to my rosacea, sometimes I think that's a blessing in disguise because it forces me (in my own mind - everyone makes their own decisions about such things!) to put on makeup before I leave the house. I don't want people to look at me and ever think I'm the stereotype of what they have decided a homeschooling mom looks like. A bunch of people I know don't care about that, but I do. 

So, did you know that elf stands for eyes.lips.face? I didn't for a long time. I always wondered what santa had to do with cute inexpensive makeup...