My Layered Dainty Necklaces & New Skin

I'm not a jewellery person, but like to layer the few necklaces that I have. I have 4 and that's it! I don't wear earrings but wear specs. I like to keep my jewellery dainty because it works well with my small frame, colour palettes, and more maximal style. 

Here are two Winter versions, and exactly one year apart:

#1. On a plane to see my Dad a year ago, back when we travelled.....

#2. Today and now!

The second photo is my new skin. I have had a heck of a time with facial skin rashes this year. Good grief. My skin doesn't usually give me trouble - my feet do! - but this year has been hectic. One thing after the next and on it went..... 

The most recent skin irritation was a recurring bad reaction to the steroid cream I was using to treat something else. The steroid cream treated the initial problem really well, but caused  others :( 

As a result, I've had to stop using EVERYTHING on my skin apart from  pimecrolimus cream. The last few weeks I was able to add Vani moisturizer and Vani cleanser (new products that are working). Hopefully I'll be able to add a sunscreen of sorts next year. Thank goodness for grey and rainy Seattle right now. 

All this to say that I haven't been using tinted moisturizer for 6 weeks. I would use it daily to even out my skin tone because I thought it made my skin look better. But actually - and I'm much surprised - going without looks much better to Greg (and I see it too). My skin feels healthier, dewier, and fresher -  although the skin tone is visually less even. Onward we go without tinted moisturizer, and HOPEFULLY no more skin irritations. 

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37 Comments

  • rachylou replied 3 years ago

    Looking great, Angie!

    Makeup is fun, but industrial safety rules have taught me it’s basically smearing toxic dirt on your face... that’s just how it is...

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Rachy, you crack me up, and thank you. Cheers to fewer toxins on my face!

  • Irina replied 3 years ago

    You look so beautiful, Angie.
    I’ve learned to live without tinted moisturizer, too. I use tinted sunscreen once in a while but mostly my own skin and sunscreen :)

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Thanks, Irina, and now I bat for your Team too! Vani moisturizer, sunscreen, and my own skin. I have to work my skin back up to the sunscreen.....

  • Runcarla replied 3 years ago

    Welcome to Team Naked (Skin)!   You look lovely in both your photos, Angie.

  • replied 3 years ago

    Well I see no obvious difference - and so your new regimen must be working ! I’m sorry to hear you’ve been having such trouble though - is it likely stress related ? Stress manifests itself in odd ways . Lastly . I love both jewelry looks and can’t believe you only own 4 necklaces !

  • replied 3 years ago

    Your skin looks tip-top!  It's great that you've found a solution to the problems you were having.  I'm unfamiliar with the brands you're using -- did your dermatologist recommend them?  Do you think the problems were caused by mask-wearing?  Well, whatever it was, it's gone now, so I'm celebrating with you!

  • MsMaven replied 3 years ago

    You always have great looking skin, Angie. I'm glad it's getting better.

    The pandemic is teaching a lot of us that less is more. As I get older I find I'm sensitive to a lot more ingredients. 

  • rebekahphoto replied 3 years ago

    you look relaxed and refreshed Angie! Mr rocha also prefers a no-makeup look. & Ive been wearing less and less. Since pandemic, basically nothing! kinda like a fresh face! 

    My skin is sensitive too so as little as possible seems to be the best. Ive tried some of the various wrinkle/retinal creams, but most are too much. I do have some Glo products which are lovely. 
    always seem to end back with Cera-Ve and Eb-5 moisturizer--a great one! 

  • Style Fan replied 3 years ago

    You look lovely, Angie.  I have always stayed away from tinted moisturizers or foundations because my skin is so sensitive.  I do like CeraVa.  

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Carla, Style fan and Rebekahphoto, thank you for the warm welcome! Fun to be on your team :)


    Lisa P, so far so good! I need to make it through the next few months to be sure since the steroid induced rosacea keeps on coming back. Not out of the woods yet. Greg is convinced that stress has made things worse, and I agree. But things were also very chemically imbalanced. At least we are on a good wicket now. Holding thumbs.....

    Xtabay, thank you! The recurring itchy, sore, and unsightly rash occurred on my forehead and neck too, so masks are not the culprit. YES, Vani creams were suggested by by dermie. Good stuff. 

    MsMaven, so true, and thanks for the compliment.

  • Janet replied 3 years ago

    Well, your skin looks lovely. I’m envious as mine is, well, not. Lines and wrinkles, and lots of spots I guess from sun exposure. I need tinted moisturizer to look presentable in public, although I go without many days lately. I have a spot on the bridge of my nose that I’ve had forever and I’m increasingly self-conscious about it. Not sure much can be done — that’s such thin skin. I am terribly overdue for a dermatologist checkup.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Janet, you look wonderful without tinted moisturizer! The forum was fast to keep on telling you that this year. I've never noticed the spot on your nose. All I see is natural beauty. 

  • Helena replied 3 years ago

    Beautiful skin and beautiful necklaces! So annoying how allergies and sensitivities can just come and go as they please, isn't it??

  • slim cat replied 3 years ago

    Looking fresh and cute! Glad the skin problems are leaving you for good.
    I can’t go out without a little bit of this and that around my eyes - and they still look tired in the mid day :-/ .

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Thanks, Helena. YES, my Dermie said that this was hard to treat. I hope it's gone. Fingers crossed. 

    Slim Cat, your eyes look sultry :)

  • Joy replied 3 years ago

    Angie, your skin looks fab and I especially like your layered pearls.

  • Lynne replied 3 years ago

    Your skin always looks glowing to me, Angie, I hope you're free of this bother soon, x.
    I must be the only person with a renewed interest in make-up this year :).

  • Brooklyn replied 3 years ago

    The necklaces look great. Wearing them shorter is a great way to avoid issues with bag straps.

    Your skin always looks lovely.

  • nemosmom replied 3 years ago

    Well if you had not mentioned a skin problem, I never would have known! You look radiant as ever!! Skin flare ups are just miserable- especially when the actual cause is a mystery. Glad to hear you are sorted now (and I hope you will get to visit your papa again soon)!

  • Suz replied 3 years ago

    Angie, you always glow, and here, you look beautiful with or without the moisturizer. I am sorry your skin was irritated and very glad it is getting better now. Skin irritations can be very frustrating. 

    I don't wear tinted moisturizer but I do wear a bit of cover cream under the eyes and on little imperfections. No foundation. It is really just a preference thing -- I have never liked the feel of makeup on my skin, though of course I do wear lippie and eye makeup. I am sure part of the reason is that my skin is easily irritated. No doubt I tried and failed with a number of products as a teen and got scared off. I do remember some bad irritations at around 18-20. 

  • anchie replied 3 years ago

    Your skin looks great, I could never tell that you had any issues with it. It is glowing.
    My skin is my biggest insecurity, it has been since I was teen. Aknes and scars, and saggy skin these days. I spent so many money on various treatments and tried so many different products that promised to fix it, but they did not deliver. I finally made peace with it and don’t even try to hide it anymore. One thing that I managed to sort is psoriasis that I would get arround nostrils, eyebrows and hairline. It took me years to figure out that it is caused by gluten. I don’t eat gluten free anymore but every time I eat to much of it and my psoriasis flares up, it clears up completely after only 2-3 days of eliminating gluten.
    I hope you find out the source of your skin issues too - it is so much easier to manage when you know the reason.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Joy, Lynne and Nemosmom, thanks for being awfully gracious. I HOPE this is the end of it, because it keeps on coming back. We will see... 

    Brooklyn, YES to short necklaces working well with crossbody bags! 

    Suz, I was naked skin all my life until I came to the US 17 Years ago. I saw a friend wear Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer and thought that was the new thing. So I did it too! It feels quite liberating to be rid of it. I HOPE I do not react to sunscreen when I start using it again.

    Anchie, you have good skin! I've seen you in person :) ...... good job you know what is best for it. 

  • Minaminu replied 3 years ago

    Angie, you have a beautiful glow! Sorry to hear you have been having problems with your skin, hopefully this is sorted now :) .

    I don't wear any tinted moisturiser, but I use a tinted sunscreen (Ilia) and it makes a very natural finish. I use sunscreen even in winter!

  • anchie replied 3 years ago

    Forgot to mention that after allergic reaction to hair dye, my skalp was so irritated and inflamed that I had to use steroid cream. But steroid cream caused even bigger long term problems that in the end I regretted using it :( Skin issues can be so frustrating.

  • JAileen replied 3 years ago

    You look beautiful in both pictures.  I hope your dad is doing well.  I really like the flowered jacket.  Do you still wear it?

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Minaminu, thank you, and hope so! I usually wear sunscreen EVERY day too - but stopped because of these ongoing irritations. I will try again in a couple of months.

    Anchie, I asked my dermie if I was allergic to food, and he was convinced I was not. I have zero gut issues, and can eat any food. Do you have gut issues with gluten? Or is it skin issues. 

    Janet, you are so lovely. My Dad is thankfully doing much better. And yes! I LOVE my velvet floral blazer, and wore it a lot in the Autumn. 

  • Karie replied 3 years ago

    Angie, your jewelry collection might be small, but it is stunning. I wear my necklaces but rarely wear earrings as the dangling ones (which is what I mostly have) always seem to get caught in my masks.
    I’m sorry you’ve had such problems with your skincare. Hopefully you’ve found a solution that works. I use moisturizer but not tinted, a little under eye cream, no blush when I’m wearing a mask, and most days I don’t bother with mascara anymore either (I absolutely hate putting it on).
    How awful that you haven’t been able to see your dad in a year. Hopefully he is doing well and you will get to visit with him soon.

  • Jaime replied 3 years ago

    Your gorgeous skin is just as gorgeous as I remember and I am glad the irritation is down and this didn't happen in the summer when the sunscreen issue would be much tougher. Your jewelry is perfect and signature!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 3 years ago

    Your necklaces are so pretty and complement each other nicely. Inspiring!
    I'm sorry to hear about your skin troubles, and glad you have found success in dealing with them. Your skin looks radiant as ever!

  • Jane replied 3 years ago

    Your skin always looks so good, so fresh and bright. I am pleased you have found something that works. I love your necklaces. I like the way the A is sideways.

  • anchie replied 3 years ago

    Angie - for what is worth, I also don’t have any gut issues and can eat anything. Only my skin reacts. That is why it took so long to make connection. It also doesn’t react to small amounts - only if I eat a lot of gluten few days in a row. But once my psoriasis activities it can stay for months, it goes away only if I eliminate gluten completely for couple of days. Hope this helps.
    My family doctor also told me that steroid creams are like sweeping dirt under the carpet :) They don’t treat the cause, just hide the problem.

  • Deborah replied 3 years ago

    I love your necklaces! And I am sorry to hear your skin woes. You do have beautiful skin ams honestly you look gorgeous in both photos. I see very little difference.

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Oh, ladies. You are SOOO nice. Thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement :)

    Anchie, good to know. If I continue having skin rashes, I will go without gluten for a while.

  • lyn67 replied 3 years ago

    Love the necklace layering and both of your young and beautiful faces! :-). I cannot believe but so sorry you had to deal with facial skin problems, it might be  caused/worsened by the constant  mask wearing? 
    (I have to confess, my heart was singing seeing you on the plane---thought somehow you are finally able to go visit your Dear Papa...silly of course, just  forgot the pandemy for a short moment---and wanted to tell how much I feel for you missing him- and so hope He is still doing well!).

  • unfrumped replied 3 years ago

    Apparently Sam agrees with Greg-he is gazing adoringly and is adorbs.

    Sorry about skin woes. No fun and also nerve - wracking waiting to see if an intervention or course of action is working or making things worse.

    I also had the experience of stopping daily use of tinted BB type cream , initially thinking it would just be because if working outside ( wearing sunscreen) and not fitting in for that activity.
    But overall I am preferring the naked skin more-doesn’t have that tacky or sticky feeling , not worried about color rubbing onto clothes.
    I will still add a little blush at times( Zoom!) but may use just a touch powder blush rather than cream-though still will likely the right cream blush at this stage of life. Again, the HEWI is something creamy but not “ sticky “.

    I don’t know if it’s just a new reality/acceptance or if my skin really does better without more stuff , but it’s good either way!

  • Angie replied 3 years ago

    Ufrumped, you are wise. 

    Lyn67, you are so nice! It's not the mask causing the skin rashes because it was also on my forehead and neck. I hope to see my Dad by September next year. Phoning and Skyping a lot :)

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