Express Yourself: Trying Something New

Style

April 25, 2018

Hi Guys! As this title suggestions, I’m trying something a little different today, but not drastically. Any feedback/thoughts would be helpful so lemme know what you think! What’s so different about today’s post you ask? I decided to do my latest blog shoot without any makeup on and with my hair natural. [Side note: I saw this really funny post on Instagram yesterday that said “I don’t control my hair, my hair controls me” and it actually made me laugh out loud because it’s so true! Not only does my hair decide whether it wants to look good or not, but a good hair-day versus a bad hair-day is the difference between being in a great mood and a mediocre mood.]

Anyway! So I really wanted to put myself out there and shooting blog photos without any makeup is definitely the most out-of-my-comfort-zone way to do that. I think I’m really upfront with you all that I have pretty bad acne, and that putting makeup on makes me feel a lot better. That might not be the healthiest approach, but it works for me! So I wanted to try not “putting my face on” (a phrase I learned from my grandma!) for these blog photos and the experience was: eh.

I felt good about how I looked in this dress, from the head down, but constantly during the shoot I was thinking of ways to hide my countless (yes, countless!) acne scars. I usually don’t look head-on even when I am wearing makeup, but for this shoot especially I was constantly averting my gaze and trying to cover my face with my arm or my hair. And then at some point during the shoot I kind of gave up. So what if you can see my acne scars? If I don’t look as pretty will less people be inclined to read my blog or like my photos on Instagram? Maybe. (Actually I would say this scales tips more towards “probably,” which is really sad!). If people don’t want to follow along with my style inspiration because I don’t have that flawless beauty (that is anything but effortless!) that so many other bloggers boast, then that’s okay. I’m fine with that. But maybe some people with bad acne, just like me, will stumble across my blog and maybe they will find my honesty and the way I put myself out there helpful, and that’s enough for me.

Will I do more of these kinds of natural posts? I’m not sure yet… Maybe? Eventually? Hopefully?

And now back to regular programming! If you’re still reading that is…and my mom probably stopped after paragraph two (she prefers the shorter posts!)…then let me tell you what I love about this dress by Express! And oh yeah, I did that on purpose! Of course I had to wear an Express dress during a blog shoot where I was expressing my natural self. Cheesy? Who me? Never!

I honestly never really shopped at Express, it just didn’t seem my style and well, if I’m being realllyyy honest it kind of seemed like overpriced Forever 21. Am I the only one that thinks that? But! A few weeks ago I saw a dress of theirs pop up on my Instagram and I had to have it! It was this blue and white stripped ruffle dress that I got on sale for under $50 (I’m pretty sure about that). I love the bow detail and how it’s fitted on the bottom, but slightly loose on top so it’s not too constricting. And what I loved most about it was the price! Any dress under $100 is a great deal IMO. And any dress under $50 is a no-brainer!

I’m wearing a size XX in this dress and I would say if you have a more petite bust then you’ll want to consider sizing down because it might be too loose on top, BUT if you have more defined hips then maybe size up because this dress is pretty tight below the waist! Ugg…sorry, after reading that back I know that doesn’t sound helpful at all. Best advice then, read the reviews online! Reviews always save me!