Acne.org Products
It seems to me that there are many more failures than successes when it comes to buying makeup, at least foundation. I'm sorry that the Vichy Dermablend isn't what you hoped for. I have tried more foundations than I can count or remember and only recall 3 that I really liked and 1 that I consider perfect (the one I use now Make Up For Ever).
I wonder if the enlarged pores are from accutane because I have noticed large pores on and around my nose also.
I hear ya on the lipstick! My lips look kinda gross with just lipstick right now, but gloss works. I have to rub them with a washcloth every day in the shower to keep the skin flakes at bay as well.
I'm going to get a sample of Make Up Forever foundation and possibly Dr Brandt's Pores No More when I go to Sephora this week. If only I could just have perfect skin and never need foundation. Sigh, one can dream.
So my triglyceride is up this month at 331. =( I have no one to blame but myself for slacking off but I promise to eat healthier and run at least 6 days a week. Anyhoo despite the triglyceride increase, I still got bumped up to 80mg after I told my dermatologist how I felt 60mg wasn't doing much for me and really, really wanted 80mg to finish up those few buggers. She's so sweet and caring.
View from my waiting room. I love overcast days.
Pill 138.
Skin is still doing awesome! No new zits although I do have some tiny clogged pores/blackheads thingy near my jaw line because it's almost my period time. Not a big deal since I can't see them.
The old zit on my cheek may well be finally coming to a head. So happies. About time!! It's only been like 4 months.
So I'm really concerned about my acne coming back but I think if I do it right the first time then there will be less chances of needing a second course. Thankfully, I have the best dermatologist in the world who goes by the progress of my skin instead of what month I'm on.
I really enjoy having a nice photo to look at when I'm on here so I'll be including a picture with every post, just to spruce things up.
I call this one lonely android.
Pill 141.
False alarm -- the old zit that I thought was finally coming to a head was just dry that day making me think something was developing. Even though the redness on my face isn't really going away as fast as I'd hoped, the texture has improved a great deal. Everyday I am amazed by how smooth and soft my skin is.
I've been on 80mg for 4 days now and haven't noticed any changes yet, besides being extra thirsty.
Went to Sephora yesterday and got a sample of Dr Brandt's Pores No More which I will be testing out tomorrow. I wanted a sample of Make Up Forever foundation but the SA was being extra bitchy for some reason. She told me I didn't need it and just went to help someone else. After that I went to the Mac counter at Bloomingdales and met with a super nice SA who gave me a sneak peek at the Nikki Minaj Viva Glam lipstick. This time I tried out the Mineralized Skinfinish in Blonde which was the perfect highlighter because it catches the light on your cheeks whichever way you turn but unfortunately, it empahsizes my pores way too much for me to deem it a perfect product.
Two barmen at Westin St Francis
Pill 143.
I woke up this morning with significantly drier skin and my lips extra peely. Just gotta drink more water I guess. Besides that I don't feel any other side effects -- no back pains, joint aches or tiredness.
My skin is still the same. Everything would be perfect if those two zits would just finally flatten out after all these months.
Makeup Section
Dr. Brandt's Pores No More is not worth the money. It blurred out the pores on my upper cheeks, mainly because they're not that big to begin with, but it did nothing for the gigantic pores between my eyebrows. The product is a foundation color but it offered no coverage whatsoever. I'll pass on this one.
Next up I want to try Guerlain meteorites and Nars eyeshadow duo in paramaribo.
On a film set in LA
Quiescence - Yes, these are my photos. Glad you like them. =)
Pill 144,
Yikes, my skin is getting significantly drier. I ran today without any problems but I did noticed my lower back was slightly sore when I was doing my stretches.
After all this time, I finally have one new zit...I think? I say that with doubt because it is unlike any other pimples I've gotten before. It has just a slight bump with a kind of light pinkish hue and it doesn't hurt at all. Fortunately, it's near my hairline so it's not noticeable at all. Maybe it'll go away quickly.
Tanah Lot, Bali
Thanks, Jesoli. Kind of you to say that.
Pill 147.
Skin is kind of flakey when I apply bb cream but my face doesn't feel super dry or tight. The rash on the back of my hands is coming back so I'm moisturizing it again with Eucerin. I'm definitely feeling the 80mg now because my lower back is starting to hurt. Hopefully this will be enough to push the head out of that remaining zit on my face. I would be so happy.
Last night I had a terrible dream where I started breaking out again due to using a new product my skin obviously did not like. It wasn't just a few pimples but a shitload of cysts, big and small pimples and redness all over. Scary!!
So I read this article about how you should only use the Clarasonic 2-3 times a week or else it would dry out your skin due to over exfoliation. I have not noticed any dryness induced by the Clarasonic and even with daily use of the brush, I still find the need to exfoliate with the cure aqua gel (for the remaining dead skin). Of course I only use it at night just to really cleanse my face and remove all the extra makeup jojoba oil left behind.
I hate dreams like that I'm terrified that I'll breakout again when I finish my course. I only have 17 pills left, but I do have some Tazorac samples to start using when I'm done.
Do you wear gloves at night? I find it really helpful to use a heavy hand cream and wear gloves (or socks) on my hands when I sleep to boost the moisture. It may help with your eczema since it would keep them more moisturized. Gold Bond makes a good, fairly inexpensive, heavy lotion that I love for my hands and feet.
Jesoli, no I only apply Eucerin lotion when I feel the rash coming back. The hand-sock treatment sounds fun though; it'll look like I have kitten paws.
Pill 149.
My back is starting to bother me a bit more and I feel more tired during the day. Face is doing fine except for the gigantic pores and the puffy old zits. I honestly hope my pores will shrink when I'm off this medication or else I will end up like one of those old people with craters on their face.
Those pimples I thought I was getting the other day were false alarms so I guess I haven't broken out in a while, maybe 2 months. I do ocassionally get those non-inflamed clogged pores/nugget looking type thingies but I don't count those as pimples.
Makeup Section
I tried Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer today only to find it non-comparable to my bb cream. The Hourglass settled into my pores emphasizing their notable size and was actually thicker than the bb cream even though it's a tinted moisturizer. The little shimmers did make my face look sparkly but I'll have to pass for now until my pores shrink.
Lancome Rogue in Love lipsticks are overrated but I found Clinique chubby stick moisturizing lip balms to be kind of awesome.
Still a bit too early to tell but I do believe Naruko Magnolia serum is making my skin brighter.
Legs and taxes
I can't wear the Illusion TM either. I tried it last Spring. It looked nice, especially when I mixed it with the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, but it was so hard to wash off (I used Cetaphil at the time)! I kept seeing glitter on my face and would wash again...needless to say, it made me break out. I still adore the Veil primer and wear it every day. Now I just mix a 1 or 2 pumps of it with the Clinique City Block Sheer SPF 25, put concealer where I need it and my face is ready for blush, eyes & lips! When I wear foundation, I mix the primer with it instead of applying it first and it makes it blend in better and faster for me.
Is the Clinique chubby stick balm tinted or just a lip moisturizer?
That picture makes tax time look like a lot more fun that it is in reality Some of your pics look like they could be in Vogue magazine. I swear the lonely android one could be straight out of that magazine.
Jesoli,
Interesting, I'll try mixing the primer with my bb cream. The clinique chubby stick is a tinted lip balm but it's not like others on the market that I find to be too sheer and slippy (like I just had chinese food). The chubby stick feels like the lighter rendition of a lipstick which is perfect for daily use if you find lipstick to be too intense/severe.
Here are some swaches of the sticks. They may look sheer but the color is opaque enough to give you the perfect "my lips but better" color.
http://www.temptalia.com/clinique-chubby-stick-moisturizing-lip-colour-balm-swatches-photos
Pill 151.
Still no new zits. My back still hurts a bit but I'm not experiencing any joint pains from my run. Lips are moderately dry with a lot of peeling going on.
One weird thing I've noticed is how slow my eyebrows are growing. I've only had to pluck them maybe once or twice (and when I did it was only a few hairs) on the 5 months I've been on Accutane.
Can't wait to wax my armpits again; I really hate shaving.
Kateryna
Pill 152.
Hmmm I think I might have a cyst growing on my chin...I'm not sure because sometimes I can feel a twang of pain but when I try to look/feel for it, I can't spot anything. How very curious indeed.
My back is hurting more and I'm prone to sudden naps.
Sometimes I feel like my red marks are fading but in certain lighting they look just as gross as ever. Went into a restroom at gas station today and decided that I hate them. The flourescent lighting makes my face look like shit and brings out all the red marks on my skin, even with makeup on. I think I'll just pee in the bush from now on.
Makeup Section
Finally got the mac palette I've been desiring for a while now, along with some eyeshadows and brushes. I took the tray out so I can fit more than 15 eyeshadow pans in the palette (plus it looks cooler). Taking the tray out was super easy but depotting the eyeshadows took forever and a day. I only got through 5 before reaching the conclusion that I am bored.
Jesoli, if only we could have department store lighting everywhere we go. Usually the makeup they apply on me looks so awesome at the counters but at home it seems like I can never achieve the same look. Curse those bright lights.
Pill 154.
Ow my back. Woke up this morning with a super sore back as if I have been working out or something. If I do another month I will ask to be lowered to 60mg.
My bf saw my face today and said it looks super nice and glowy. This is without makeup. Yay.
big ben
Pill 159.
Fuckk I was on set the other day and forgot to put on sunscreen. It just happened to be on a day when we were shooting outside and yes, it was incredibly sunny. I went home that day and layered on as many lotions and potions as I could to save my skin. It was only a bit red the next day.
Overall though my skin is looking fabulous. I only have to apply some bb cream on my cheeks to cover up the red marks and then a light layer of pressed powder to mattify my face. I finally purchased the Guerlain Meteorites in no. 1 which is supposed to help with redness and I'm loving it so far. The effect is very subtle but it gives my skin enough of a sheen to look almost airbrushed.
A shot from yesterday. Fake rain in LA.
Pill 161.
Still no new zits. =) Accutane is such a brilliant drug. So nice to have something that actually works and pretty damn well too.
The red marks on my face are definitely fading and I have my skincare regime to thank for that. Of course it's partly the accutane too but I really do think the Naruko serums and night gelly are brightening my face and evening out skin texture/tone. I honestly feel okay going outside without any foundation on but I normally put on a bit anyways just to make my skin look flawless.
I'm taking 2 40mg pills everyday at dinnertime instead of one in the morning and one at night, and it's been helping my back pain quite a bit. I don't know why I can handle it better this way but I won't question it.
Still waiting on that annoying bump to come to a head and flatten out. It's been forever!!
Pill 166.
My skin is getting better by the day. Month 6 totally rocks. I recommended that everyone does 6 months or longer if they can get away with it.
I was in NY for the weekend and it was so cold that the eczema on the back of my hands itched and ached even with lotion. I had to resort to slather on some neosporin at night just to keep it moisturized. I'm back home now so Eucerin will do just fine.
My next appointment is this Friday and I just know my triglyceride is going to be quite high. Was kind of busy this month so I didn't really get to run regularly. =(
Hi love are you left with any scarring? Im on day 104 and havent had a spot for a week or so (woop!!) but noticing as my PIH fades I'm left with lots of shallow scarring x x:( wondered what you have found in month 6? x x
I have some old scarring so they're still there unfortunately, but my new scars are definitely filling up, getting smaller, and fading. My skin texture is starting to look like it did freshmen year in college when my acne was not so bad. Yay. Don't worry, your shallow scarring should be gone too.
Pill 168.
Face is good. No new zits still. Red marks are still there. It's weird but sometimes I feel like they're almost gone while other times they look as red as ever. Doesn't matter, my skin still looks awesome.
On a different subject-- I got into USC film school. Yay. It's a major deal and I'll be ready to face all the challenges with my clear skin. =)
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you getting into the film school!!! You must be so excited
My red marks do that too. Some days I feel like I can go without foundation and others days I look blotchy and need foundation. I ordered some Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 to try so I have something in between. Have you ever tried that one? I chose it because it's a good one for sensitive skin.
It's so nice to finally be clear isn't it?! Have you looked back at the beginning of your log? You were miserable about your skin (we all are if we need accutane), and now you can say you're skin looks awesome! Hooray!
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you getting into the film school!!! You must be so excited
My red marks do that too. Some days I feel like I can go without foundation and others days I look blotchy and need foundation. I ordered some Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 to try so I have something in between. Have you ever tried that one? I chose it because it's a good one for sensitive skin.
It's so nice to finally be clear isn't it?! Have you looked back at the beginning of your log? You were miserable about your skin (we all are if we need accutane), and now you can say you're skin looks awesome! Hooray!
Thanks, Jesoli! I'm still in disbelief I got in. I had an interview at Columbia University as well so there's a chance I might get into there too. Wouldn't know which school to choose.
No, I haven't tried that yet but I'll be sure to get a sample of it. I'll definitely miss all your beauty tips and advice. Can't believe you're almost done! Today is your last day right?
Haha I try not to look at the beginning of my log because I'm embarrased by how whiny I was. Accutane has changed me into a much happier and lively person. I can go outside now without makeup and still be confident. I don't think it was ever really about other people's opinions about my face (most people are too busy worrying about themselves to notice anything) but how I felt about myself. Definitely feel very comfortable with myself now. =)
SUPER CONGRATS on getting into USC!!!
Gracias, lnymphl!