The day before Valentine's Day, 2014, I was diagnosed with Melanoma Skin Cancer after having a mole on my cheek removed. I had initially had it removed purely out of vanity, it had started to raise and get darker and was obvious even under makeup. I didn't expect much to come of it at all and was floored to hear the diagnosis.
Stumpy nails, cancerous mole. 13 February, 2014
I then had to have what I call 'a scoop' removed from my face as the margins around the old mole were removed and then had several other spots on my body checked and removed in the same way. The resulting treatment left me very run down physically and mentally and I turned to alternative forms of medicine to help. I became a pescitarian and limit my dairy and sugar intake. I began detoxing regularly and drinking green teas in place of other beverages and taking supplements to strengthen my system in hopes to lessen the scaring.
About two months later I realized, sort of out of the blue, my nails and hair had both gotten substantially thicker, longer, and stronger. I'd been a MUA while putting myself through school and although I had a keen nail lacquer collection, rarely used it. That changed.
I began exploring nail blogs and searching Instagram and soon found so much inspiration! I'd had square nails in the beginning, but found that they wore on the edges quickly and 'folded'. I do work with my hands a lot. I decided on a whim to just file them into almonds and I've been amazed at how much sturdier the shape is!
Freshly manicured and oiled. 27 August 2014
Every day I'm excited to part of a community that's been so motivating and welcoming and I'm excited to take the next step of my journey and share it here with you.
