My Current Insecurity + Giveaway (VLOG!)

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did you know there is a “right way” to be applying moisturizer? who knew?! i’m learning so much because i am being forced to develop a “skin care regiment” thanks to these annoying pregnancy hormones that are messing with my skin.

here’s my “after” photo:

how to apply mosturizer

on a serious note, this video blog was hard for me to record. i don’t feel very pretty, very confident or very attractive in it but the point is – i did it anyway. it’s a total and complete vanity thing but pregnancy has really thrown me for a loop in this regard. i ultimately decided i didn’t want to “hide” or miss out on things because of my skin so here we go!

as mentioned in the video, i have found that using a moisturizer is definitely helping my skin condition and the one i am using now is ASDM Tepez Hybrid Moisurizer. you are in luck because they are sending one to a lucky reader in the united states!

IMG_9557

as i said in the video, leave a comment on the blog about an insecurity you have faced (recent or not). i think it will help normalize that everyone struggles with something but ultimately, when we step back, we are pretty darn lucky about the rest of the things going on in our life!

the giveaway is open until 4/6/16 to a US resident and the winner shall be chosen at random.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED – CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RANDOMLY CHOSEN WINNER JO!

46 Comments

  1. Danielle Stapleton

    March 30, 2016 at 7:18 am

    My biggest insecurity that I struggled with during high school were my scars (I have several – from surgery and accidents). I used to swear everyone was staring at them and talking behind my back about them (especially the ones on my face and arm).

    One day I got asked about one and joked that I was in a knife fight. It totally got a huge laugh from the person who asked and suddenly let me be more light-hearted about it. Today, I’m proud of my scars and consider them an important part of my story and identity!

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 11:52 am

      thanks so much for sharing that danielle! i am so glad that you found you could be more light-hearted about your scars and now they are an important part of your identity! what a great way to change your mindset about them. thank you!

  2. Jessica Weinberg

    March 30, 2016 at 7:25 am

    My most recent one haside been the obnoxious bags and wrinkles under my eyes. I’m like you in that I am very fearful of moisturizer because I don’t want to cause more breakouts! Ack!

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 11:53 am

      thanks for sharing that jessica and sorry you struggle with what’s happening under your eyes! oh i feel you, i have never even owned a moisturizer but i am finding that it’s not clogging it any more (but did take about a week to get used to the feeling on my face and my skin to adjust)

  3. Claire

    March 30, 2016 at 7:28 am

    I loved your video blog! And we all can benefit from some moisturizing lessons, even if a skin care regime is not in our vocabulary.

    Agreed, internal beauty is endless, but here is my physical insecurity:

    Red.Blemishes.On.My.Face. Not huge, but enough to be like “what the heck is going on?” I just accepted my new fate, and covered it with cover up, and stuck to my regular face wash I used daily (Aveeno).

    But…I learnt (very recently) that I have dry sensitive skin?! Who knew. This means applying moisturizer daily (thanks for the tips) and using facial products that are meant specifically for “dry sensitive skin”. Currently using a sample of YonKa Face Wash and Collin Moisturizer. It is pricey, so will have to find another alternative once the sample is up!

    Thanks as always for your honesty.

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 11:56 am

      ha! ‘skin care regime’ is a new to my vocabulary too ๐Ÿ™‚ claire

      skin is so crazy! i have the combo skin of “dry and oily” but good thing there are products made specifically for that. i hope you are finding that selecting the right product for your skin type is working for you claire! maybe there are reviews or things online to give you a more affordable product that’s comparable with the one you are currently trying.

      thanks for watching and for sharing where you are at right now!

      • Claire

        March 30, 2016 at 1:36 pm

        Great suggestion Chelsea! I am going to check out the Body Shop, I hear their face wash product line is really great.

  4. Melissa

    March 30, 2016 at 7:32 am

    I love that you are so honest on your blog. My insecurity is similar. I have had acne since 5th grade! I am now 27, so it’s been 17 years of NOT clear skin. My skin isn’t awful, but it has never been 100% clear. Even when I have mostly clear skin, there is still at least a tiny pimple or two. It’s frustrating and definitely something I feel insecure about on particularly bad days.
    Melissa recently posted…Shamrock Shuffle 2016 Goals & Thoughts on my Training

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 11:57 am

      ugh i’m sorry you’re struggling with acne too, melissa. it’s no fun and so unpredictable. i would maybe get 1 pimple every 1-2 months for the past few years and then all of sudden one more i counted 30 THIRTY just on my chin. ugh. thanks for sharing

  5. Stazi Lesnansky

    March 30, 2016 at 7:48 am

    Ongoing insecurity – I am a big person! I’m not the tallest person ever or the heaviest, but I am a standard deviation taller than the average woman in America. I’m also 190-200 pounds on any given day – I’m okay with that and packaged well, but clothes shopping is a pain, my size 11.5 wide shoes are hard to find, and I am always very conscious of the space I am occupying when I am around other people. It’s never going to change, but causes issues in my head off and on. But, you’ve got what you were dealt, so I deal ๐Ÿ™‚
    Stazi Lesnansky recently posted…CD16

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 11:59 am

      thanks for sharing that, stazi! clothes shopping sounds like a pain in the ass but i’m so glad you are feeling good with being ‘packaged well’ (i really like that term!) i find myself being super aware of how much space i’m taking up too and yet my 6’4 husband had really never given it a thought until i brought it up to him. wonder if that’s also part of how we are socialized differently too.

      thanks for sharing what your ongoing security is!

  6. Audrey

    March 30, 2016 at 7:51 am

    I’ve never had a lesson in putting on moisturizer, but I do it every day! (What face wash are you using?) I think that my skin is one of my biggest insecurities; it always has been. My acne is better than it was when I was in high school and college, but it’s far from flawless and I really hate that. My skin is SO sensitive, too.
    I think you look great! With and without the powder!
    Audrey recently posted…My USA Bucket List

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 12:02 pm

      thank you for sharing your insecurity, audrey. glad your skin is better than it was but it is hard when it’s not how we want it to look or that yours sounds so sensitive. that would be rough.

      right now i’m using “Kiehl’s ultra face cleanser” because it’s pregnancy safe and very gentle (it sucks because now i cant use anything to spot treat or anything too intense because it could seep into the baby). my previous facewashes were completely drying me out, especially with having to wash my face twice a day. plus a little bit of that stuff goes a very long way

      • Claire

        March 30, 2016 at 1:33 pm

        Kiehls is fabulous!!

  7. Amanda

    March 30, 2016 at 8:22 am

    It’s not skin related, but as you know, I’ve been struggling with hair loss, and as something that’s so hard to hide, it’s taken a toll on self esteem. Thankfully a short haircut is helping mask it a little bit, and a super dose of supplements will hopefully help in time too.
    Amanda recently posted…Life’s Highs and Lows: March Golden Vlog

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 12:03 pm

      i just watched your vlog amanda and i’ve got to say – your hair looks super cute cut short! i hope your super dose of supplements is helping too. i’m sorry you’re struggle with hair loss but i appreciate your honesty and sharing that.

  8. Elyse

    March 30, 2016 at 8:50 am

    As someone who’s had multiple brain surgeries including one in high school where they had to shave (a very small but it didn’t feel like at the time!) part of my head I struggled big time. When I went back to school, I had a doctors note to wear a hat in school BUT unfortunately I had a person rip my hat off in a malicious fashion and it mortified me and him. In that moment though, I didn’t show my mortification, instead I said to him,”Don’t you feel like an *&$%@ now?” He apologized and although I am not 100% certain it changed him, it changed me. In that moment, I realized I’m a lot stronger than I thought I was and that hair/skin/beauty won’t last but confidence does and confidence is the ultimate beauty secret.

    You are totally not alone, Chelsea and I think you look great!
    Elyse recently posted…Going โ€˜All Inโ€™ in 2001

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 12:06 pm

      thank you so much for sharing your story, elyse. when i read the sentence ‘as someone who’s had multiple brain surgeries’ it helps me better reality check myself to be like “goodness, acne ain’t nothing, chelsea!” i know that wasn’t your intent but i thank you for that because it helped to put some perspective on me.

      go you for saying that to the jerk who ripped off your hat and that it lead you to knowing how much stronger you know you are. you rock, elyse!

  9. Brittany Lee

    March 30, 2016 at 8:52 am

    First and foremost, let me just tell you that you look beautiful and what you are doing (i.e.creating life) is such a beautiful thing.

    I am very insecure about my weight. I played sports everyday growing up, played D1 soccer in college and was overall always working out, like hours everyday. In high school and college, I worked out and weight lifted so much I felt less feminine. I was insecure about my body then. After college, I was still pretty active as I was teaching high school and coaching so I was still able to get some fitness in and play soccer pretty regularly. Once I came to graduate school I no longer had hours to work out. In fact, some weeks I was working such long and awkward hours that I just didn’t have the energy to do anything. Also, I just was not eating right or at the right times, etc. Needless to say I have gained weight, but I have still tried to remain somewhat active. Since I worked out so much, I never really learned to eat correctly either. So these days, I am learning quite a bit. I am trying not to diet, but create a better lifestyle in what and when we eat. I am towards the end of my graduate studies now and am writing quite a bit so working out is a nice escape sometimes from being at the computer. Eventually, I will get into my new postdoc and the research/ experiments will pick back up and the schedule will be uncontrollable once again. I am hoping to take this time I have to create a better life style so that when it does get busy again I will be better prepared this time. Hopefully all this work will pay off and I will become less insecure about my weight and body. ๐Ÿ™‚

    All the best and I hope your other two trimesters are better for you!

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 12:10 pm

      well now i’m tearing up so thanks for your kind words, brittany (and thanks hormones for making this even easier).

      i so appreciate your honesty in sharing your experience with exercise, food and weight. i had never really considered that if you are a highly active teenager, you don’t really have to think about nutrition or how/what you are eating. love what you said about not dieting but creating a healthier lifestyle – that’s what i found really works for me too (And some days are easier than others). best of luck on your journey of finding ways to make what sounds like a hectic life a healthy one too, i know that can’t always be easy. glad you are finding that working out is a good escape for the computer – i feel that too and it makes a big difference (now that i can finally work out at 30% of what i’m used but i’ll take it).

      thanks again for your comment, brittany!

  10. Jo Burns

    March 30, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Chelsea, you are so brave! You rock! And just for the record I knew you through your teen years and I don’t remember you having acne. So I’m on the other side, post menopausal and my challenge area is my skin (redness) and finding the just right foundation to cover it that lasts for the day. I’m a once and done girl. Thanks for encouraging bravery in others!

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 12:13 pm

      oh thank you jo ๐Ÿ™‚ glad you don’t remember my acne face from those teenage years (others definitely had it worse and others had it better – much like everything we see as teenagers) ๐Ÿ™‚ oh man i hadn’t even thought about how menopause is going to change everything again! sorry to hear you are struggling with this and the right foundation to work for your skin. i feel you – one and done no muss. thank you for sharing this and i hope you find a good one that works and make you feel more confident soon!

  11. Erin J.

    March 30, 2016 at 9:35 am

    Lately, I have been insecure about how I am doing as a mother. There are so many standards out there for how everything is supposed to be and just when you think you’ve done something right, an article on Facebook pops up all about how you’ve done everything all wrong. I have to remind myself daily that I do know best and I am the best mother for my sweet little one!

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 12:15 pm

      oh erin, this one hit me especially close and i’m sending you virtual hugs. thanks for being honest about what you are feeling insecure about right now. i can only imagine (and then will fully imagine come a few months) just how overwhelming it is to be a mom in this day and age with being bombarded with articles/blogs/books/videos/etc about ‘how to be a good mom.’

      i am going to channel what you said about reminding yourself you do know best and you are the best mom for your little one. i am so glad you are able to say that frequently to yourself and thanks for sharing!

  12. Angelica Wedell

    March 30, 2016 at 9:38 am

    It’s so important to have a moisturizing routine, especially in Colorado, where it’s sooo dry! My skin either will crack and itch like crazy here or some days just over produce oil and I’ll break out. But moisturizing helps SO much! Thanks for sharing and being open!

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 12:17 pm

      oh how i miss the perfect amount of humidity in that oregon air! i think i blocked out how dry and crappy the winter air in colorado makes our skin feel. right you are that moisturizing helps a ton. thanks for your comment, angelica!

  13. Stephanie Phelps

    March 30, 2016 at 9:54 am

    I am dealing with being overweight and having acne that is embarrassing and keeps me from doing a lot of things with my family!

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 12:18 pm

      thank you for being open about your insecurities for where you are at right now stephanie. i hope you are able to figure out ways to feel more confident in both areas so you are able to do more things with your family very soon!

  14. Amber Krusza

    March 30, 2016 at 9:56 am

    I totally hear this Chelsea! Since becoming pregnant, I have had terrible breakouts that don’t seem to calm down regardless of what I do. It’s hard to feel confident about myself some days and every day is different. I know that it’ll all be worth it in the end when I welcome my bundle of joy this summer, but it doesn’t mean it still isn’t difficult! Thanks for sharing!

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 4:40 pm

      it’s so frustrating, isn’t it amber?! then on top of that – we can’t use most of the typical acne medication for the fact it could be passed on to the growing human. so nuts. i am glad you can remember that it’s worth it in the end but you’re right, some days are more difficult than others. thanks for sharing!

  15. Sara

    March 30, 2016 at 11:30 am

    I started getting grey hair when I was 20. Since then it has been something that I am insecure about, especially now that it is a whole lot more then a few hairs. I part my hair to one side most of the time to cover it up. My husband thinks it’s sexy, which I admit I do not get at all.
    Sara recently posted…Currentlyโ€ฆMarch 2016

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 4:42 pm

      you are one of the only people who i know who started getting their grey hair around 20 – me too! it’s so strange, isn’t it. i’m sorry this is something you struggle with – my hairdresser affectionately referred to it as ‘tinsel’ and that has made it seem more fun for me. i actually have a blog post about this too because now it’s like a trendy thing for people to have grey hair?? thanks for sharing this sara

  16. Charlene

    March 30, 2016 at 11:35 am

    Girl you are beautiful! I feel like this is sort of a cop out answer because it’s so many people’s answer to this question, but… My biggest insecurity has always been my body and my weight. Growing up I was insecure about how skinny I was. People would always comment on how small I was and I hated it. And I ate all the time. I out ate my brother and dad most of the time. I just had really good metabolism. Then I got older and stopped playing sports and lost that really good metabolism but, at least in college, I kept eating as much as I did growing up. Therefore, I gained a bunch of weight and now that’s what I’m insecure about.
    Charlene recently posted…#MaugerisDoCali Recap: LA Day 2

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 5:10 pm

      nope no such thing as a cop out insecurity – you feel what you feel! thanks for sharing candidly about you have struggled with weight on both ends for you, charlene. that would be especially hard especially when all of a sudden your metabolism dropped. appreciate your comment!

  17. Jennifer Haston

    March 30, 2016 at 11:42 am

    My biggest insecurity is that I don’t know everything.. It sounds ridiculous to say that..because how could anyone know everything.. ? Unless that person was GOOGLE! So it sounds silly but in my job the expectation is that we KNOW everything but in a recent conversation with my leadership I found.. “the expectation is to find out, not to know”.. I really love that.. and have embraced it. Speaking of embracing, way to be authentic and share about your skin issues. I admire your willingness to be naked with your readers. I am so inspired that I am going to share something I wasn’t sure I was ready to share. Stay tuned!

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 5:26 pm

      oh jennifer, i deeply resonate with this insecurity too – especially embarking on entrepreneurship and owning a business. i am so glad that you had a recent conversation with leadership and go that cleared up about what the actual expectation is – i love that and so so happy to hear you embraced it! thank you for being candid and open with this insecurity. i feel honored that i could inspire a way for you to be open with sharing something and i will definitely stay tuned!!!

  18. Jamie Crain

    March 30, 2016 at 6:47 pm

    This video hit home pretty hard for me because at my 29 years of age I have yet to learn or start any type of skin care regimen. My face has always been my biggest insecurity because of the dark circles under my eyes that my mother, father, sibling, and even my children were born with. I wear my glasses everyday and when asked if I would consider Lasik eye surgery my answer is no because the glasses hide the bags under my eyes.

    Thank you for another awesome video and I cannot wait to watch the next one.

    • chelsea

      March 30, 2016 at 8:10 pm

      thank you for your comment and sharing what you struggle with jamie – that sounds super tough. i never really had to learn either but have had a few friend go to make-up counters (the friendly, supportive ones with nice people working them) and ask them about different products and how to apply them so that maybe that could be an option if you’re looking for something? i appreciate you sharing and watching the video ๐Ÿ™‚

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  20. ESilva

    April 1, 2016 at 2:50 am

    I’m so thrilled to see your vblog!! I’m sorry that your pregnancy (congratulations!!!) hormones have thrown you into a skin care regimen. I can attest to your pre-pregnancy beautiful, glowing skin. However, you are still the beautiful person I’ve meet over 5 years ago!!!

    I didn’t use a moisturizer until I was almost 30! When I began using a moisturizer I selected one that contained sunscreen as well. Like you mentioned in your vblog protecting our skin is important. When applying my moisturizer I apply it in a similar fashion that you do, but I circle in an upward motion rather than downward. I like to think it defies what gravity does to our skin constantly!

    My skin struggle is on my back. Whenever I get stressed out, and we know in our line of work it can get quite stressful, my back is literally inflamed with painful pimples. Being that I live on an island it’s also humid with beautiful tropical weather perfect for tanks and bikinis, but this mama covers up because of the unsightly blemishes that pepper the skin on my back. I have yet to see a dermatologist (the earliest appointment I could get is 5/10) as we have just a handful here. In the meantime I’m looking for other ways to provide some relief and have me loving my skin again!

    • chelsea

      April 4, 2016 at 9:25 am

      ebra! so good to hear from you ๐Ÿ™‚ thanks for your sweet words and congratulations too! ohhh i like the upward motion, i may have to try that!

      sorry to hear about your back currently give you troubles – that would be extra hard to live in the beautiful area you do but feel the need to cover up. i am glad you have an appointment with a dermatologist and hopefully they will be able to offer some solutions for you! great to hear from you and hope you are ever so great!
      chelsea recently posted…One Sentence to Revitalize Your Relationship

  21. Amanda

    April 1, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    Pimples or not, you are still gorgeous. Just saying.

    Anywho. I have dry skin on my face, so I’ve been using a moisturizer since before high school. I guess you could call that a skin care regiment. I also wear little to no make-up on a daily basis. The biggest issue I have is my rosacea. I hate that my skin is always so red, and can get even redder at the drop of a hat. Basically I always look like I’m blushing. It’s genetic, un-curable, and can be expensive to treat. But I am grateful that there are treatments that can help.

    So excited for you and Ryan and this new little adventure! I can’t wait to hear more about it.
    Amanda recently posted…March Favorites

    • chelsea

      April 4, 2016 at 9:27 am

      aw thanks amanda ๐Ÿ™‚ appreciate the confidence boost! sorry to hear about your biggest issue right now is rosacea -especially that there isn’t a hope of it going away and it’s spendy to treat. go you though for looking at the positive that there are at least treatments ๐Ÿ™‚

      thanks for being excited about our new adventure – it’s quite the exciting time!

  22. Jennifer Hayden

    April 2, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    You look wonderful! Women are so very hard on themselves. I’m 41 and starting to show signs of age. Mainly I am losing the softness and texture of younger skin. I really need to start paying more attention to skin care.

    • chelsea

      April 4, 2016 at 9:28 am

      yes we can be hard on ourselves at times but for me these pimples just need to leeeeave! yes i have really only started to pay attention to skin care in these last few months but you’re right that we should pay more attention to it because it’s a pretty important part of protecting our bodies!

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