All About Deidre!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi! I’m Deidre. I don’t think I’m very interesting. I’m 36, married to an awesome person who is better than I deserve, and have five amazing fur-kiddos (3 dogs and 2 cats, and I will die happy if I can have a hedgehog). We are otherwise kiddo-free, but we love our friends' little ones. I’m an assistant professor of rhetoric in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies and Coordinator of the Writing Center at Virginia Military, a small, public, liberal arts, military-style college. Yes, I wear a uniform. Yes, I go by a military honorific. Yes, I have to wear a bun everyday. Yes, I feel like I have lost my identity. I have rediscovered it through skincare and beauty. In fact, I might have a little problem. I can’t even count how many eyeshadow palettes and lippies I have at this point. But it’s my hobby and creative outlet, and I’ve enjoyed developing my skills and teaching my friends some tricks to help their game.

I love all things geek. I’m writing this while catching up onLegends of Tomorrow. Behind me is a wall of Marvel comics covers. I’m a Whovian. A Potterhead. A Star Wars fan. A comics lover. YA lit lover. I read steampunk and fantasy YA. I’m trying to get back into video games after years away. (Darn you, academia!) If I’m not playing with makeup, I am sitting on my sofa either reading or binging on geekdom.

What results have you seen with Sabbatical Beauty products? Has your skin changed? If so, how?

I’m new-ish to Sabbatical Beauty. I’ve been lurking in the group for a couple of years now. I bought my first SB products about a month ago--Dorian Gray’s Anti-Aging Serum, Asian Powerhouse Serum, Marine Serum, Eye Gel-Oil, Witch’s Brew, and Vacuum Cleansing Oil.

My skin is much more toned and hydrated than it was when I was using drugstore products. Also, my blackheads are nearly gone from my nose, which is amazing! The Eye Gel-Oil has, generally, helped with fine lines and volume under my eyes.

How would you describe your skin type?

Dry, even more so during the winter months. Just this weekend, I’ve been complaining about my skin itching everywhere. I also have aging skin, especially around my eyes. I’m rarely acne prone, but I will have the occasional hormonal outbreak. Speaking of hormones, I have PCOS and hypothyroid disorder. Because of the PCOS, I have some hormone-induced discoloration (melasma) over my upper lip.

The wrinkles and dry bother me. The dry skins is just plain uncomfortable and itchy, but the two issues (coupled with the melasma) affect my makeup LEWKS. The dryness causes patchiness when I apply foundation and concealer, and those products usually settle into my fine lines under my eyes, where I’m trying to hide dark, genetic circles.

What kind of climate will you be living in during the review period?

I live in Western Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s already getting cold, but it’s also pretty wet. We get a lot of rain throughout the winter months. Unfortunately, my skin reacts worse to the extreme cold and the high heat indoors than it does positively to the moisture in the air. (Last year, my damp hair developed icicles. ICICLES!)

What results are you hoping to see using the Winter Box?

I’m hoping first and foremost to see better hydration in my skin during the winter. If I can get through the next few weeks without my face feeling dehydrated, then I’ve won the battle! I would also like to see some continued firmness in my tone, better color, and maybe a reduction of fine lines.