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My Journey To Becoming a Skin Games Competition Finalist

Writer's picture: Lola Del ValleLola Del Valle

I am absolutely thrilled and honored to hear that I was selected as a finalist in the Skin Games. When I first found out, I have to admit, I "ugly cried" – and yes, I'm not afraid to admit it! LOL This journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and I am so grateful for all the support and encouragement along the way.


As the great John C. Maxwell once said, “fail early, fail often, fail forward.” This quote has truly resonated with me throughout this journey. I had my fair share of doubts and setbacks, and there were moments when I contemplated throwing in the towel. In fact, there were three separate occasions when I seriously considered quitting before my final submission. But thanks to the unwavering support of my mentors and the incredible community at the Skin Games, I found the strength to push through.


Initially, I entered the Pigmentation category with unwavering confidence, trusting in my own abilities, especially because it happens to be my area of expertise. I had the perfect candidate lined up, someone I had been working with extensively. However, halfway through our case study, tragedy struck when a close relative of hers passed away in the Maui Fire. It hit us hard, and as an empath, I felt every ounce of her pain. I knew she needed to take a step back, and at that moment, I felt the overpowering urge to give up. Thankfully, the amazing mentors and supporters at the Skin Games didn't allow me to throw in the towel, for which I am immensely thankful.


I was fortunate enough to find a wonderful volunteer who agreed to join me on this transformative journey. This new collaboration presented a unique set of challenges, as I was unfamiliar with her skin and its individual complexities. Nevertheless, this case study became even more interesting than I could have imagined. I had to adapt and pivot, especially when I found myself four weeks behind schedule during the holiday season.


I can confidently say that working with my model was an incredible journey. When I say we started from scratch, I mean it quite literally. It was her first facial ever, and on top of that, she was dealing with some mild inflamed acne. I knew in that instant that I could help her minimize those blemishes, but little did I know it would entail a complete crash course.


From the very basics of understanding her skin and genetics to diving into the impact of habits, lifestyle, and diet - it was all hands on deck. One session had to cover so much. We even had to start exploring the different ingredients that would work best for her skin and have the most significant impact. More than that, we had to have those tough conversations about picking at acne, which can truly set back any progress made in healing blemishes. As a perfectionist, my passion is noticeable, and my commitment to my clients is unwavering. I become deeply invested in their skincare goals because I understand that seeing results is just as important to me as it is to them.


It was challenging, yes, but the sense of reward as we saw her skin respond and improve was amazing. What started as a facial treatment turned into an educational journey about her own skin. I am proud of the progress we made and the knowledge she gained throughout our time together. This experience went beyond skincare; it was about empowering and educating her about her own skin. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to have gone through this with her.


My third and final attempt to quit was when the imposter syndrome crept in, making me feel like my efforts weren't enough. It's during these moments that I realized the power of mindful meditation, gratitude, and self-acceptance. These practices helped me push through and finally submit my case study.


I share this not to gloat, but to inspire. Life, as we all know, presents us with struggles and challenges. It's not always easy, especially when we're trying to better ourselves. But one truth remains: the strongest person is not the one who hits the hardest, but the one who continues to get back up, no matter how many times they fall. So, I urge you all to fail early, fail often, and fail forward. Because in our determination lies our greatest strength.


Stay Tuned for the Grand Finale: Join Me on My Journey to Atlanta, Georgia in March! For now, let's keep working and manifesting. Mahalo for reading.

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