The One Where I Show You What I Look Like Without Makeup #bestofme

A while ago I talked about transparency and my blog. I vow to bring you the best of me, and the best of me is usually caked with make-up. I'm going on over a decade of fighting with my skin to show the best of me. What I have so far is years and years of damage. Acne scars, large pores, combination skin... everything. It took a very long time to come to terms with my skin, feel beautiful and forgo make-up every once in a while.

I have tried everything under the sun to fix my skin. At this point, it's more about keeping it under control. The last thing I want is to go into my thirties without a clue on how to take care of my skin and find something that works. So as I go on trying new products, I'm looking forward to trying Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair products.

About Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair

Whether you have age spots, or environmental damage from the sun, NEUTROGENA® Rapid Tone Repair is designed to meet the needs of women seeking fast results and healthier looking, more radiant skin. Each product in the line is clinically proven to help fade the look of dark spots, and discoloration -­‐ leaving behind more luminous skin. So now you don’t have to worry about hiding behind your makeup— let your skin breathe and show the best you!

The line’s gentle formulas feature exclusive Accelerated Retinol SA technology, combined with Vitamin C, to deliver even skin tone, fast:

• Vitamin C -­‐ Gently helps diffuse the look of brown spots, evening out skin tone
• Retinol SA -­‐ Diminishes the appearance of age spots
• Hyaluronic Acid -­‐ Helps moisturize, replenish and rejuvenate the look of skin
• Glucose Complex -­‐ Helps boost skin’s surface activity for faster results

I was lucky enough not to have endured years of teasing on account of my skin issues. The hubster loved me and saw through the mess that that my skin was. He never once mentioned it and I believe that he had a big part in me finally being comfortable enough to walk around with naked skin. This week I went three whole days without makeup. I honestly cannot remember the last time I did that. I didn't pick up lip gloss, moisturizer, cheekie... nothing. I walked around looking like this all day:


See the shininess? The large pores? Mind you, this picture was taken at 5:30 a.m. and already I had a desire to slather on the creams, powders, etc. My skin has been years in the making, but under all of that, my self-esteem has been years in the making too. My skin issues have helped me become the woman that I am today. Strong, brave, courageous and willing to bear it all to everyone who reads this post and sees the picture on every social site that I belong to. I thank Neutrogena for giving me the extra push to write this post because it's definitely not something that I would have done on my own.

This post is compensated and in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and Neutrogena.