The Skin I’m In – 6 Incredible Women Share Their Confident-Skin Stories

There is a movement happening in beauty right now. Platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and TikTok are allowing women the world over to speak candidly about issues that even five years ago were still considered taboo. Acne and skin blemishes, the fatigue of new motherhood and loving the richness and deepness of your complexion in a colorist society are just some of the new lines of conversation that are taking place in these virtual communities now. And they’re helping to power change in real life.

We talk to six inspiring women who are using their platforms to change the beauty narrative for the better – from what they’ve learned from their communities to what they love about their body and skin and their biggest beauty tip.

Plus, discover the need-to-know products and tools curated by our global NET-A-PORTER beauty team and community for The New Beauty Recharge.

While working on Vice President Kamala Harris’s Presidential campaign, one of the things that surprised me – about the woman who might one day run for President of the United States of America – was the way her day was scheduled out. And as I reflect on what I learned about both inner and outer beauty while working with her, I realized that, so often, our rituals and routines are about much more than how we look – often they are about hanging onto pieces of normalcy when our schedules get wild. My skincare was so important to me on the campaign because I was stressed, so I needed time to reset in the morning and at night. As a woman of color in a public-facing role, beauty is something to be considered. It’s often frowned upon or treated as something trivial, but it has a real impact.

I’ve struggled with housing insecurity. In high school, I was homeless – I lived with my partner and their family, and I used to bounce around between my friends’ homes. But my body is my forever home. Through that lens, I’m able to ground myself. Grounding practices are really important to me because my world has changed really quickly. This is the same body that was working in a gas station three years ago, grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and is now living in New York City and going to an Ivy League school.

The times when I feel most beautiful are the times when I feel seen and uplifted by my community, GenZ Girl Gang. I feel most beautiful through the eyes of the people who look up to me. I’ve definitely curated an image online and I like to look good. But my image is about so much more than how I look – it’s also about what I’ve done, what I stand for and what I’ve shown others is possible. The beauty tip I always follow is doing whatever makes me feel comfortable and confident. That may be graphic eyeliner one day, or no makeup at all on another, or wearing whatever outfit I want. When I need to feel confident, I put on my red lipstick. @dejafoxx

Having had acne since I was 11 has taught me the hardest lessons. I almost had to mold into an adult, and think like an adult, from a very young age. I had to be my own voice of confidence and positivity. I felt as if no one understood me and that no one got why I felt alone. It was hard being insulted over something I had no control over. I’ve always had love for myself though and I always knew I was different from others – but in a good way. The world sometimes made me question myself but, deep down, I knew I was a beautiful person who would some day share her story with the world.

My [professional] presence is proof that the beauty industry has changed – and that it’s evolving in a positive way. I’ve been in magazines, on campaigns, in advertisements and on billboards. Growing up, I would have never have thought that someone like me, who suffers from acne, would ever get these opportunities. Personally, I’m now well-versed in most beauty-product ingredients and will make sure I read them over and over again, so that I know what I’m putting on my face.

My biggest beauty tip is investing in cooled face rollers. They are amazing for soothing the skin, depuffing the face and boosting blood circulation. My face is super-sensitive so they give it the relaxation it needs. @emeraldxbeauty

Beauty plays an important role in fashion. It becomes a part of the complete look and helps set the mood to tell the full story of the collection. I’ve been lucky to work with amazing Indigenous artists like Deyah Cassadore and Iona Moura, whose visions in hair and makeup help pull looks together to create impactful images. It can become a way for us as a team to express ourselves in a more artistic way. And the rise of all these Indigenous-owned beauty brands – which include Cheekbone Beauty, Ah-shí Beauty and Prados Beauty have been so cool to watch. A subtle, but avant-garde beauty look is my favorite, with a pop of color here and there.

I’ve had eczema my whole life, which has made for a complicated relationship with my skin. When I was young, playing games, other children would refuse to hold my hand and they would make fun of me because of my skin issues. As an adult, I finally have the condition under control but it is stress-triggered, so I have to remember to be mindful, and breathe, or I can start feeling my eczema flaring back up. Now, as a 36-year-old woman, I’m grateful for the care I’ve had to take of my skin over the years – being conscientious of what I’m putting in and on my body.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I quit wearing makeup for the first few months. But now, it’s become a part of my morning routine again and has helped me find some semblance of normalcy in my day-to-day life. I like to get fully ready for the day: even if the only person I interact with is my mail carrier. It helps me feel confident and ready for anything. I also prefer shopping from small, sustainably focused brands, so I can feel good about myself and my impact. My number-one beauty tip is to stay hydrated because, after all, water is life. @korinaemmerich

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