Saturday, January 19, 2013

Adjustments

In Georgia we like to say "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes".  I know that statement can apply to many states.  This week, Georgia proved it right.  Last weekend, we hit 75 degrees, then had a few days of rain where it was 65, then Thursday morning we started out in short sleeves, but by the end of the day, metro Atlanta was on a winter weather watch (translation - there might be about an inch of snow accumulation beginning about rush hour).  Nothing happened other than it got bone chilling cold.  Friday, we were back up in the 60's and the sun finally reemerged.

As I drove my daughter to school, I was thinking about how the sun used to feel so good on my skin, like a warm hug from God.  About how I have struggled over the past 2 1/2 years, because something that was so good, has become so harmful.  I finally have come to terms that it is still a good thing, but with all things, should be done appropriately. I knew I had my new facial moisturizer on that has a SPF 50, that I also applied to my hands, so I embraced the warmth through my car windows.

As she left the car in the carpool line, the school administrator, told me to enjoy the sun.  I was pondering that, and what kind of post I was going to make regarding sunscreen, as I headed for work. The weather reporter came on the radio and stated that we had traded umbrellas for sunglasses and details would be coming up.  I was wishing he also mentioned sunscreen.  When he came back he said it!  He said we would be needing our sunscreen for the next few days..

There's no point to that story, just events that were on my mind this morning.

I have been contemplating the title of my blog along with the direction it um.. hasn't been going.  I have loved the pale movement that we are seeing in celebrities along with all the postings sharing that. Previously tan celebrities are now embracing their natural skin tone.  They are all beautiful.

I've found that one of my biggest struggles with going natural over the past 2 1/2 years is that skincare and make up are different.  When I am not using the sun to dry out my oil prone skin, I am constantly "de-shining" my face.  When I was tan, I could just wear a powder, but fair skinned, I have to wear foundation and finding one that matches my skin tone has proven amusing.  "No Ma'am, I do not want my make up to match my freckles.... No, not in between the freckle color and the skin color either."  Seriously.  Also, when I am fair skinned, the dark circles under my eyes are more pronounced.  I have yet to find a concealer that doesn't feel like it weighs 10 lbs, that would do the job.   Then there is another surprise, the past year I have been eating healthier, the nutrients in certain foods affect my skin tone.  Sometimes even looking like I have been in the sun, when I haven't.  You are what you eat, but I never expected it to change my skin tone.

I am going to explore more in the skin care and make-up arena.  I know make up isn't as appealing to the men who read my blog, but I hope what I discover about skin care will help everyone.

On top of this, I will also share more of my experiences with getting the word out about melanoma. I have some great stories and observations.  Some are on here already, rapidly typed, in need of major editing.