Skin Deep



I'm not sure whether its the pale Irish skin that has always been my downfall, but for as long as I can remember my skin has been sensitive, very dry and red. While people always complimented me on my "rosy cheeks" they were always a source of embarrassment and resulted in a dip in my confidence.

Now, this may be seen as a slight overreaction, but I used to dread going out at night, even out to restaurants because I knew they would be warm and my face would become tomato red. This is why, for years I have always opted for a medium to heavy coverage - not because I had bad skin, quite the opposite I have always had reasonably good skin, but because I feared people commenting on how red my face was.

I have used countless products to try to counteract the redness of my face, green primers, green concealers, the list goes on. And none of them worked. It was only when I went into a Chanel counter a few months ago that I realised my skin wasn't going to change, but that my attitude needed to. The woman on the counter almost flat out refused to sell me Mat Lumiere because she insisted, like so many makeup artists before her, that my skin was too good and shouldn't be covered up.

Its only literally over the last few months that I have come around to that way of thinking. No matter how well I take care of my skin, it will always have high colouring and instead of caking it with lots of coverage, I'm going to wear the coverage it needs. A week or so ago, I bought Chanel's Pro Lumiere, which is to be discontinued. Typical. This light coverage foundation not only gives me a dewy glow that lasts all day, but makes the best out of my skin.

While it may not block out all of the colour, it gives a beautiful sheen to the skin and has made me realise its not that red. Don't get me wrong, I would never wear it on a night out or much during the Winter; but for the Summer months when the weather is beautiful and the tan is building, Chanel Pro Lumiere is the perfect foundation for me. It looks well, it gives a beautiful coverage and it gives me the confidence to walk around with my head held high.

And then they go and discontinue it. Boohiss.

The Fear

Over the last few months loads of my friends have been planning their Summer holidays to amazing places like America, Spain and Canada. Most are going for a few months to work and others just a few weeks. I'm staying here. And for the first time ever, I'm really happy to be doing so.

If you've read the "About Me" section on this blog, you'll know that all I have ever really wanted to do was become a Make-Up Artist. While I don't mind my university course of English and Drama, I know I'll never use it once its finished. A mixture between Make-Up artistry and journalism has always been my goal and it seems now I'll finally get it. This Summer, instead of going away to the sun and the sea I'm going to be studying in LA MakeUp Academy for two months to become a make up artist!

Finally.

After spending the day there watching the goings-on and meeting the lovely Anouska who talked to me about the course, my mind was made up. I start at the beginning of July and couldn't be happier, especially when I saw the course rundown. But recently "the fear" of failure has taken over me. I've been waiting to do this course for about three years but the idea that I'd be awful at it has slowly been creeping into my mind.

While I don't find it difficult to slap makeup on my face, I may be awful at doing it "professionally" for others! After putting so much into saving for it and waiting to be able to actually do it, I guess I'm just afraid it isn't my "calling" afterall. While I know my mini panic-attacks are completely irrational, the thought of failure won't seem to go away. So my little question to you, is how does one fight "the fear"?

What are your plans for the Summer? Anyone doing anything potentially life-changing?