beauty Archives - Suzanne Carillo

Hindsight is 20/20 vision and looking back I’m able to see that some of my choices made in the quest for beauty weren’t the best.

Here are a few that I won’t be repeating anytime soon…

5 Mistakes I Have Made In The Quest For Beauty

#1 Tanning.

I was the manager of a tanning salon for a few years and tanned in tanning beds religiously for 45 minutes a day. It must be noted that at that time I was such a hedonist I didn’t think I’d live beyond thirty. I didn’t think it would matter how old and wrinkly my corpse was. Needless to say, I was an idiot!

I also laid in the sun by the pool on tinfoil and rubbed baby oil over my body when I was maybe fourteen. I burnt to a crisp. In fact I burnt often and never seemed to learn my lesson. I have very light sensitive skin. Once, when I was in Acapulco, it was so bad I felt like I might need medical intervention for my burn. Instead, I took it upon myself to ease the pain with Tequila slammers. In Mexico at the bars they had helmets they’d bring out onto the dance floor and pour out shots of Tequila mixed with 7-up. You’d slam it upside down on your head/helmet, it’d fizz like a volcano and you’d throw it back. After a couple of those I felt no pain.

This was of course all in pursuit of that “golden glow” which, in reality, actually made me look radioactive.

I’m paying for all that sun exposure now with age spots and wrinkles everywhere.

#2 Getting A Tattoo

It wasn’t a typical tattoo. It was my lash line on my eyelids so I could try to avoid using eyeliner. You can read all about the drama here. While I did like the look of this initially, the tattoo shrank by 80% and the pain just isn’t worth it. Also, did I mention? It has to be redone every 4-5 years.

#3 Not Learning How To Apply Eye Makeup

I didn’t learn how to apply eye makeup till I was in my mid 40’s.

Learning the right way to apply my eye makeup has made a huge difference for my photos. My eyes are small and hooded so learning how to make them appear larger is helpful.

This was self-taught through experimentation.

Full makeup me.

oscar reactions suzanne carillo — From our Oscar Party.

wear florals in winter by suzanne carillo — From the Christmas floral Anthro dress post.

No makeup me.

It must be noted that I’m not a huge fan of makeup. On a regular day the only thing I normally wear is lip balm. If I go out to the post office I might smear on some lipstick.

Robert Suzanne 2017 Honk Kong — Hong Kong 2017 Hiking

suzanne and robert dec 25 2016 — I may be wearing a bit of lipstick here.

If I’m heading out to meet people then I will take the time to apply makeup.

I have very sensitive eyes and skin (sometimes makeup exacerbates my Fibromyalgia) so I feel better when I’m not wearing makeup.

#4 Bad Spas

I tried out this nightmare of a Spa. My face needed weeks to repair the damage.

#5 IPL (Intense Pulsed Light Laser)

*Warning: Graphic Photos*

If the insane, torturous pain of IPL wasn’t enough (it felt like a fully heated iron was being placed directly on my face) the crazy swollen and excruciating Mr. Puffy face certainly was.

I did not think I’d get through the extreme pain and came very close to telling her to stop. Then I would have had only half a puffy face.