Introducing The Glow Journal: Finding Radiance

Original Post: 1/24/25 6:11 AM blogger.com The Skin Luminare in the Glow Journal When I sit back and reflect on my own radiance journey on this “unfiltered Friday,” I thought it best to kick things off with a little bit about me.

Merriam-Webster defines radiance as being “marked by or expressive of love, confidence, or happiness,” and I think that’s pretty spot on. But let’s be real—how do we find our own unique radiance in a world overflowing with influencers, magazines promoting perfection, and celebrities flaunting “#NoFilter” while being photoshopped to the nines? Self-acceptance and self-love with these pressures weighing on us can feel like elusive goals.

Using myself as an example, I can say that radiance is an inner light we all possess. The question is: how much of that light are we willing to share with the world? Our environments, the people we surround ourselves with, and even the foods we consume can all play a role in how brightly we shine. For me, discovering my light came hand-in-hand with my self-care journey.

As I became more in tune with myself, I started to refine how I showed up for myself. I learned to express myself more authentically with the people around me and even found joy in the smallest of things. Happiness, I realized, wasn’t something I could get from others—it was something I had to cultivate within myself. That realization was a game changer!

Growing up, I was often labeled as “different.” My racial background, textured hair (great for the 80s, not so much for the stick-straight trends of the 90s), and lack of access to the coolest brands left me feeling like an outsider. My mom always told me I was beautiful and unique (thanks, Mom!), but I struggled to believe her. I still felt the weight of societal expectations. Fitting in felt like an impossible task.

This isn’t meant to be a “woe-is-me” tale—it’s just my reality. Over time, I began to see that my differences were actually my superpowers. But let’s be honest: understanding that and truly embracing it are two very different things. It took years of self-reflection (and a lot of effort) to move from “I guess I’m unique” to confidently walking in my own light.

One pivotal moment for me was an eight-year hiatus from Facebook (sorry, Meta—I’m old!). During that time, I started to realize that my inner beauty far exceeded anything I could apply to my external self. I had to do the inner work before I could truly care for and appreciate the external “me.”

Maturing, aging, and gaining new experiences taught me how to interact with myself in more loving ways. I embraced acts of self-love like smiling at myself in the mirror (yes, it works—try it!), affirming positive things, and getting facials. I learned that small gestures, whether a kind word or an act of generosity, could shift not just my energy but the energy of others around me.

Then came COVID—a major “come-to-Jesus” moment for many of us. For me, it also brought the new challenges (and joys) of becoming a wife. These experiences forced me to ask: “Who am I?” “What am I about?” “What sparks joy for me?” The answers weren’t always clear, but one thing became certain: my passion for skincare was undeniable.

After years of building a career in project management and paying off student loans for degrees I no longer used (hello, existential crisis!), I realized I should’ve gone into skincare from the start. I’ve always wanted to help others feel confident and embrace their uniqueness—and skincare gave me a way to do just that. And so, “The Skin Luminare” was born.

Radiance might look different for each of us, but that’s the beauty of it. So, let’s walk this path together and uncover what it means to live luminously. Through this blog - “The Glow Journal” - I’ll share not only my personal stories but also skincare wisdom to inspire radiance in every reader. Think of it as a vessel to illuminate knowledge, encourage growth, and help you uncover your unique glow.