High School....how I loved you and how I hated you. Everyone was awkwardly growing into their own skin while dealing with school work, friend drama, heightened emotions, and for a lot of us, bad skin. I wish I could say I didn't care, but I definitely did. My skin wasn't the WORST, but I definitely had multiple zits camping out on my face 24/7.

None of the antibiotics, benzoyl peroxides and hormone pills in the world could have fixed it. While I go more in depth about my discovery of coconut oil and how it has changed my skin (and my life) here, I want to take the time to reflect on my high school self....

Dear High School Jules:

When a cream makes your face red and feel like you are on fire, this is NOT a sign that it's working.
A black smokey eye is nice for special occasions, but everyday? Really?
When you go to the water park, forget waterproof mascara. Just forget the makeup and have fun!!!
Your skin NEEDS a break - let it breath. Put on some coconut oil and just let your skin touch the sun for a few days.
The key to confidence is learning to accept yourself au natural and just using makeup to enhance for that extra special oomph.
"A smile is THE BEST makeup a girl can wear."

High School Me (on a typical day):I would wear a liquid-based foundation, top & bottom eye liner, eye shadow (usually black), mascara and whatever color lip gloss I was feeling. I would powder my face in between classes, reapply my lip gloss constantly, and just constantly touch my face.

SKIN STATUS: red, splotchy, zitty, peely, burney and just irritated.

New Yorker Me:Today, I wear either a tinted water-based moisturizer with SPF or Bare Minerals foundation, Organic Wear Mascara (a few days out of the week), and my go-to pink lipstick or natural chapstick. I don't fuss over my makeup throughout the day - I focus on working hard at my job, and being a positive friend/coworker/human being.

SKIN STATUS: smooth, happy, overall blemish-free (I haven't had one of those underground cystic zits in over a year), and dare I say I feel like my skin has a nice tan glow at the moment?

Sure, you could blame my high school skin status on growing pains....but I honestly believe if I knew in high school, what I know about skin care today, I would have really benefitted.

I am certainly not saying DON'T EVER WEAR MAKEUP! I just want everyone to love the way they look without makeup too, and not be afraid to let your skin breath.