About as barefaced as you get 😛
Here’s a point to ponder, Ladies (and any Gents lurking) 🙂
Do your skin flaws bother you?
Someone pointed out to me recently that I have pigmentation and freckles on my cheeks. Its pretty obvious and something I don’t try to pretend I don’t have but to me, it isn’t the most serious problem to have. You can also tell from some photos and its visible in this before/after picture in the most recent BB Cream review. I also have pits from old acne scars as a teen (when I and Mom didn’t know any better) and some redness/puffy under eye circles when I don’t have enough rest or my eyes get tired. I do use concealer and foundation to even out my skintone and to diffuse the freckles/pigmentation. But I don’t aim for a perfect canvas every time.
I don’t know. Perhaps its just me, but I just find it too much work to cover up every flaw on my skin (which would take me hours!) and so I just do what I can and live with what I can’t. As I often say, it adds character 😛
Over time, and with a bit of diligence, my pitted acne scars have started to flatten out. My pigmentation/freckles aren’t getting worse and I don’t do very much with them either. I use a whitening product when I remember and I use sunscreen all the time to ensure it doesn’t get worse. So far, so good *touch wood*
I guess I’m not too bothered by the flaws on my skin. I don’t bother with primer to smoothen the skin surface; and I do walk around barefaced although on work days, I do make the extra effort to look a little bit more polished. Usually a touch of sheer foundation and a good concealer does the trick for me to even out my base. Enough to blur the imperfections but I’m not obsessive about ensuring that they are fully covered and concealed to look flawless. I just conceal enough to make me feel just a touch more confident about facing people without them playing “join-the-dots” in their head.
Your say: Do your skin flaws bother you? Are you diligent about making your face look as flawless as possible?
Paris B
espenine says
I wonder what I did in my previous life to deserve acne in this life since teens.
I don’t have pitted scars but red/brown acne marks which bothered me a lot when I was younger. So I did the full makeup – from foundation to concealer – as I don’t want to people to see my flaws.
The irritating acne have reduced with age & my relentless effort to fight back with skincare & diet. But I still don’t get flawless skin. I always use foundation to even out skin tone & reduce redness of the marks when I go out. If the marks still show with foundation, I just let it be. Can’t be bothered to conceal each spot anymore.
The other flaw which I tried to conceal more permanently is my sparse and uneven eyebrows. I had eyebrow embroidery done to make the colour look fuller. I am happy now that even after I remove makeup, I still have ‘normal’ looking eyebrows. 🙂
ParisB says
Eyebrow embroidery! I’ve had quite a few people ask me about it or if I’d do it but I don’t because I would rather draw in my brows which aren’t very sparse (thank goodness!) Great to know the embroidery works for you 😀
Elle says
My acne scars and open pores do bother me when I’m walking around with a naked face. But on normal days, at work, I find having some powder and concealer helps. Makes me terribly envious of people with smooth, baby skin!
ParisB says
I always envy people with smooth skin too! But I think its always to do with genetics … its a consolation anyway
Jamilla says
I had my pigmentation lasered off and I’ve managed to eliminate dark circles with vitamin c ester. BUT I still have eye bags
ParisB says
Guess we can’t have them all eh? I would probably consider lasering off my pigmentation if it was very serious but for now, I think its relatively under control so I’ll leave it first 🙂
Julia says
My acne bothers me when it flares up. 🙁 Especially as I feel like the only 22-year old who still has acne, at least from what I say in university.
I hate how people automatically assume you’re doing something wrong (not take care of your skin, eat bad food), when in fact, I’m probably the only German who not only double-cleanses, but also uses sunscreen every day!
Once I was at The Body Shop to look for the cherry blossom perfume which I loved back then, and the SA commented on my acne in a really rude way (talked to me like I was 15) and pressed me to buy some products. Now I drive through half of Berlin to go to a different TBS store. -.-
I think what that person said to you was really rude! And personally, I don’t think your “pigmentation” should bother you – it’s barely noticleable, and even if they were, they just add character. 🙂
espenine says
Yes, I hate it when people look at my acne flare ups and ask if I ever wash my face properly & starts to give all sorts of nonsense advice!!!
ParisB says
That’s such a wrong presumption 🙁
ParisB says
According to a dermatologist I spoke to recently, skin acne is a skin condition and nothing to do with how well or not we take care of our skin. Of course, keeping the skin clean is important but then sometimes there are other factors – skin condition, stress, hormones – that can cause acne too. I battled acne all throughout school and uni. It was only when I started working that it slowed down and then went away. I think its also due to age 😛 That said, I think SA who comment on our skins in a rude manner should get what they deserve i.e. no sales.
Stephanie/Yukaeshi says
I’m not too bothered by my flaws, really, which are redness and some open pores, though having said that, I would be pretty bothered by breakouts because I had a severe case when I was younger and it really affected me T_T Thankfully with the interception of medication and diligent facials it’s over for now, but even a pimple can throw me into a panic now haha!
I also normally go out with nothing but just sunscreen (Clarins!) and loose powder on top (T. LeClerc), and eyeliner, and that’s it 😀
ParisB says
Wish I had medication when I was going through my acne phase 😛 Or maybe not. Still, I’m thankful those days are behind me!
Stephanie/Yukaeshi says
Same here, that’s why I never hope for a relapse haha!
Mal says
i am v fair so my red pimple bumps and pit holes are so obvious ): and i dont know how to get rid of them because every time one pimple subsides and i start to get happy abt that, a new one pops up somewhere new (like beside it or somewhere ):) and i end up w red marks all over and blotchy skin w dry texture especially if i apply oil controlling moisturizer to try to stop my pimples from festering yet dries out the rest of my skin ): and i cant get over it because lots of pple comment on my skin!
ParisB says
Repeat pimples used to bug me a lot! Or if a cluster appear 🙁 You know what I read somewhere? That sometimes, keeping skin very very hydrated may have a better effect at killing pimples than using those drying topical creams. I remember using those – nasty stuff that leaves dry patches all over my face 🙁
Julia says
I know what you mean! Being fair is great and all, but not only do you burn easily (even with sunscreen), every imperfection just screams, “LOOK AT ME!” >.<
Have you tried aloe vera gel? The Nature Republic one really made my skin a lot better. If it still feels dry, I put on a few drops of jojoba oil on top, which is safe for acne-prone skin. At least it works for me so far, of course, I can't guarantee it works the same for your skin.
Lynne says
I’m pretty bothered by my pitted acne scars, my open pores around the cheek / nose and pigmentation left behind by teenage acne. Especially when I’m buying skincare, I feel especially self-conscious. But usually it comes down to sheer laziness in the morning so I don’t exactly have lots of time fixing every tiny flaw. And anyway my flaws are so numerous by the time i finish concealing I might as well have plastered an entire layer of concrete on my face! 🙁
ParisB says
LOL at the concrete. I’m sure thats not true and concrete isn’t smooth either 😉 I find that if I even out redness in skin with foundation and dab on a touch of concealer, its half the battle won. Better to have “some” flaws showing than to have “all” flaws showing – vain is me! 😉
Violet says
I am kinda obsessed about having flawless skin! I don’t wanna bother too much, yet I end up tensed as soon as I spot a zit on my face also my skin is very vulnerable to tan, acne scars & blemishes so I’ve an uneven skin tone and redness all over my face…well I do have considerable amount of problems to worry about, but I wish I could think like you. Btw your looking awesome in the pic, your skin is looking flawless atleast I can’t see any imperfections.:))
Violet says
Oh! not to forget I have combo-oily skin with large open pores. As soon as I step out of my house my face resembles a frying pan with oil splattered all over, esp on my nose. None of the toners seemed to have worked for me & sunscreens have added to my woes, I’m yet to find a sunblock that won’t make my face look blotchy! Phew!
ParisB says
Hey try the new upcoming Hada Labo sunblock. Its really light and hydrating and doesn’t make my skin oily at all 🙂 Perhaps that will work for you!
ParisB says
Thank you Violet! We all have insecurities with our skins but putting on a little makeup can help soothe those insecurities 🙂 I don’t mind having my flaws showing through my makeup – I just don’t aim to create a perfect flawless canvas every single time 🙂
april says
Your skin is alright. But the first thing i noticed in the pic is your hair. I like your hair!
ParisB says
Thanks April 🙂 This was over a year ago 😀
Mari says
I used to obsess about blackheads and enlarged pores (that only I could see) so I ended up picking at my skin – and thus worsened my condition. Once I learned to let go, my skin really improved and now I barely need to use foundation – just a bit of concealer when I need a more polished look. I know now that true beauty comes from confidence. Without it, you can’t even recognize beauty. So I came to terms with my flaws. 🙂
ParisB says
Yes noticed that too! The more you stare into a mirror, the more flaws one sees. Those magnifying mirrors are the worst! So I don’t own one hehe… And I try not to spend time looking into a mirror – gets me nowhere and makes me pick at my skin 😛 Also, the more confident we are, the less likely anyone will notice anything else 😉
Amanda says
When I’m younger, I don’t care too much about skin care and makeup. Only when I am getting mature do I start to learn how to cover my skin nicely with different products, so I don’t look too terrible in my down times. Sometimes, looking at my own face in the mirror, I have the thought that it’s just me who cares so much about the flaws and scars. Others like my friends may not care as much as I do. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Maybe, the opposite is also true 🙂
ParisB says
You know what I think? I think if it makes us happy and more comfortable with how we look, its great to have makeup on! It most certainly helps me sometimes when I’m not quite feeling up to par, putting on a good face makes me happy and I know I look better even if no one else cares 😉
christene says
It’s bit annoying seeing ladies with serious freckles problem! It’s not just about beauty but it looks “not clean”.
It depends how bad the freckles and pigmentation is. when I grow older, the freckles become more, where I remember my face was ‘cleaner’ few years ago! I have a patch of dark pigmentation on the right of my face too, which I donno how it came.
I do use spot corrector and whitening essence as skin care. It does get fairer but it will not disappear totally. However, my liquid foundation gives good coverage, as if I have no freckles. And yes, SPF is so important to avoid freckles from brcoming more serious. Ya, paying no attention to it, and it will grow more serious! Use SPF and the typical, umbrella! 😀
ParisB says
Nothing can remove pigmentation except laser which comes with its own set of problems hence my reliance on lightening, concealer and foundation. I guess most of us who do have freckles are comfortable with looking “not clean” because the alternative is usually too much work, hassle or cost too much 🙂
Shay says
I care quite a lot abt my skin. That is becoz I don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to see a derm to get rid of my acne again. I don’t mind flaws but I enjoy being successful at having good skin as I used to have really bad skin. 🙂
ParisB says
The challenge to get and maintain good skin is an all consuming one, I have to agree. Girls who are born with it don’t know how lucky they are!
Dawn says
I was never bothered with my very bad pigmentation on my cheeks when I was younger, but as i’m getting older, it’s sort of bugs me. I guess it’s from friends telling me to do something about them. Right now I’m using Kiehl’s samples (Photo-Age Activated…) to try out which seems to help abit more than Shiseido’s whitening serum.
ParisB says
Glad to know you’ve found a product that helps you in your quest! Its always satisfying to find a “cure” for a flaw 🙂
j3nny9irL says
Only thing that is bothering me is the oil seeds around my eyes 🙁 mostly at the bottom near the bags and now it’s getting into my bottom waterline. My eyes are so dry yet the oil seeds are growing and I have no idea how to treat it. At times it will become itchy. Other than that, pimple scars, moles, nah, doesn’t bother me 😀
ParisB says
Might it be a skincare product or allergy causing the oil seeds? Or perhaps just stubborn pores?
j3nny9irL says
Hmm I think not coz I had it since young and only started on skin care at 19. Yup that’s true. I had pimples all over my face and only had a dettol soap bar to wash my face and body 🙁 My mom didn’t let me use skin care at all. My dark circles followed me since young too. I too hope that it would be a skin care allergy or something then I can solve it.
I have not been to a beautician before and still am afraid to go. What to do lehhhhh
yuki says
Acne scar~ thankfully only a few… I dare not step out barefaced anymore…. self-conscious I guess?? not secure? hahaha… I always put some bb cream before I step out of the house… even if I go out just to tapao food… hahaha…
Another huge imperfection is my PORES!! Horribibble~~~ My nose is like filled with craters… ewwwww…. never ending blackheads 🙁
ParisB says
Aww… the problem is for many of us, our flaws are only really major to our own eyes 😉 But that said, a little bit of BB cream never hurt anyone 😉
Junni says
I love reading this post! And I love you Paris 🙂 I believe nobody is flawless. Make up is an extra credit for women but not meant for total perfection. I absolutely agree with you — “Enough to blur the imperfections but I’m not obsessive about ensuring that they are fully covered and concealed to look flawless.” That’s you and that is, I guess the reason I am following your blog up till today. 🙂
ParisB says
Aww *blush* Thank you Junni!
rosejaejoong says
yes it bothers me way to much cos I’m getting married this Christmas and my skin is getting worse.my friends say it’s because I’m so stressed out with work and life.Maybe they are right…
Janene Dalton says
I must say my skin is a big problem. I have acne and while it is not bad, I always feel as if people are looking on me. When I am going out, I can always conceal it, but it would be nice to go out without the makeup.
The funny thing is that my boyfriend says that I should stop obsessing about the skin, as no one is really noticing it but me. I wish I could take his advice, but this has been my dilemma for years 🙁