When I was young, I was very self-conscious about my weight. I would repeatedly receive backhanded comments like, “you have such a pretty face. If you were to lose weight, you would be even more beautiful.” That sort of external pressure really took a toll on my self-esteem — If all of my worth is tied up in how my face looks, then I better start taking care of this one asset that I have, I thought. And so from then on, my obsession with skincare was born.
Tending to my skin provided a sort of escape from my struggle with mental health and body image, and gave me forum to feel beautiful.
I had a huge meltdown when I was 24. It all started on Christmas eve, when I overheard uncle tell my dad that my body was unattractive and that I essentially looked like a shapeless monster. His comment absolutely broke my heart and sent me into a really dark place.
In April of the following year, I started to see a psychiatrist where I was formally diagnosed with both an eating disorder and depression. I walked away with a prescription for both medication and therapy.
Therapy has helped me so, so much. I am still in therapy today. While traditional therapy has been a big reason for my recovery, my skincare ritual also played a big role in helping me boost my self-esteem. Skincare has evolved into a really healing force in my life.
Every time I look in the mirror and complete my skincare ritual, it’s a chance for me to show myself compassion. It’s a moment where I get to remind myself that at the end of the day, I do like me, no matter how many negative thoughts I may battle with. When I look in the mirror, I tell myself that I see you, I like you, and I’m going to take care of you.
I use skincare as a way to show my self love myself even in moments where I am tempted to think otherwise. It’s a way for me to tell myself that even when I don’t like me, I can love me.
For me, skincare started as a mechanism for healing, rather than for beauty. Now it’s for both, and admittedly, beauty has also taken the center stage! Skincare has traditionally brought me a sense of relief. Now, it’s like, obsessive relief! I am literally obsessed. I’m spending my weekend at my aunt’s house right now, and I literally brought a Mary-Poppins-esq bag filled with skincare products. Like, why did I feel the need to bring two sunscreens??! LOL.
When I first got into skincare, my first order of business was to clear my acne. I went to dermatologists, used a variety of prescriptions, and scoured the beauty isles of the local grocery store for products that could help rid me of my acne. I started investing in my skin far before my friends did, so I was really on my own in terms of navigating products and skincare advice. I’ve come a long way since, and now am very proud of the skincare expertise I’ve developed as a result (and now get to showcase on my Instagram).
If I’m really sleepy, I just wash my face with micellar water and leave it on as a toner. Then, I use a hyaluronic acid serum and follow with a moisturizer.
If I’m in a zen mood, I’ll do a double cleanse, and then use micellar water on any forgotten areas around my forehead/hairline, then apply toner, then a second toner that’s more hydrating.
Like what you all believe in at Mirra, I also don’t believe in skin types, and instead believe in skin moods! Right now, my skin hasn’t been in the mood for face oils. My skincare routine can either be a 20 step routine or a 3 step routine - it just really depends on what my skin is asking for in the moment.
Always, always, always take your makeup off! In the past, when I would forget to take it off, I would look like I had aged 10 years for the next week! Cleansing my skin properly has really changed my skin for the better. I can’t emphasize proper cleansing hygiene enough.
Also, I think it’s really powerful to use skincare as a way to empower yourself to start your day from a place of compassion. Developing a ritual around your skincare practice, which incorporates both products and self-love, in my experience can really help to make you feel beautiful from the inside out!
