Tuesday, January 27, 2015

ExfoliKate: A case for those with (true) sensitive skin.

I've tried a many skincare products in my life (as many women have,) debunked quite a few (as many women still have,) and lived to tell the tale.

I have eczema & adult acne. They work in tandem with each other. In times when my eczema flares due to exterior influences, my acne flares with internal influences. Including but not limited to: hormones (obviously) & food allergies.

Because who ever thought of someone having their acne flare up because of eating or being exposed to food contaminated with something they were allergic to?

Onwards with the review...

ExfoliKate® Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
This is just the sample I got from Sephora.

This thing is odd. 

I've used tretinoin, Proactiv, benzoyl peroxide, etc to treat my acne. I've used triamcinolone, hydrocortisone, etc to treat my eczema. But anything that went on my face that wasn't a prescribed or doctor advised method needed to be examined, and examined proper. Exfoliation was always a struggle for my skin (it hurts even when it's gentle) as well as anything that wasn't just a slather&go type of care.

The only reason why I say it's odd is that it's similar to a cinnamon-honey acne scrub (it smells like it too), but melts skin away. It's actually kind of nice. Not much is needed to slather on and it spreads pretty well. The green kind of blended in with my skin a bit but not too much to get concerned that my skin was absorbing it. 

Then it started burning about 5 seconds in. Enough to be uncomfortable, but not enough to hurt. My skin is sensitive. (No, really.) 

Grand total = about a minute.

Washed it off, applied moisturizer, and my skin looked just like I had exfoliated. I left it just long enough to not start melting my face off but not enough to not look like there weren't results. Two days later (today) and I can still feel and see the results.

Cons: No mention of aftercare for post-use, which is important to sensitive skin types. Spot test on a cheek or something first if you're worried. Obviously, don't get it in your eyes.

Overall: it smelled too much like cinnamon, probably isn't as bad to other skin types, and it worked. Marketed well, good product, will probably buy if it wasn't so damn expensive.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Done(?): Creation

Been sitting on this one for a while.
How it came out was a total accident, but I really really like what it's doing.

Maybe done?


Sunday, January 25, 2015

WIP: Creation 01

From concept to reality..


Thursday, January 22, 2015

WIP: Galaxy Test 01

I've never done a galaxy painting before.
Don't know why I haven't tried this, it's fun!


Wednesday, January 21, 2015

WIP: Fly 02

About 70-80% done...




Friday, January 16, 2015

Silently Dual.

I am speaking for the ones who have learned how to live, the ones who know the struggle and have chosen how to overcome.

I am transgender. But I don't call myself by my other name.

You know the one that I had to create an identity for. 

I don't cross-dress (anymore), because I feel my identity as both male and female is more important than establishing myself as the gender I associate with.

It wasn't until middle school where I realized that I was different. I am born a girl, with two younger sisters. My childhood was distinctly feminine: pink, frills, dresses, Barbies, and other similar girly things.
I love Barbies, even as a boy.

Yet, not being able to understand womanhood on an instinctual level was difficult for me. I struggled with my first period (my younger sister had to show me how to install my first sanitary pad.) I was never enamored with the sexual appeal of breasts. And, I still liked boys. (Does that make me gay?) It wasn't until college when a word surfaced for this: transgender.


Wednesday, January 14, 2015

WIP: Fly 01

Please excuse the mess that is my desk. It is very small.

 01

02

Monday, January 12, 2015

01122015

Right as I began the nightly chores (because that's what every 24-year-old is required to do while living with their parents' to keep a free roof over their head), Mama called me into her room. Like many Filipino tactful and concerned mothers I have ever known in my life, she asked,

"Why are you spending so much time playing games? Why don't you do your craft anymore? Do something with your design skills."

So I'm drawing again.

Thanks mom :)

(No, really. I shouldn't have stopped.)