Today we’d like to introduce you to Roxanne Cavazos-Decker.
Hi Roxanne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In August of 2010, I was diagnosed with pustular psoriasis. What started off as a small flare-up on my left elbow quickly spread throughout my entire body, including inside of my ears and my scalp. The dermatologist I was seeing at the time, refused (for reasons I have no idea) to sign off on paperwork that would start treatments. To make an extremely long story short, I went to another dermatologist. This new dermatologist immediately signed off on all proper paperwork, within a few days, I was on Humira injections.
The pain I suffered for those 6 weeks, due to that 1 dermatologist, I will never forget. Having psoriasis covering over 90% of your body is painful. My skin was constantly shedding, my eyelashes were coming off and I was embarrassed to leave my house. Thanks to Dr. Mark Garcia in New Braunfels, Tx I have healed.
The toll that psoriasis can take on not only your body but also on your mental state can become quite a battle. I now have anxiety and at times suffer from depression. It isn’t easy but to become stronger, you must get through it. I am now on my 4th treatment, Tremfya, and now have 100% clear skin. It took over 8 years to get 100% clear skin, but here I am.
One of the reasons I created my blog, Roxie’s Polished Life, was to help others. Yes, I mainly focus on makeup, nail polish, skincare but I’ve also shared my journey with psoriasis, anxiety, and depression. I wanted to let people know that just because you post on social media about makeup or beauty products, there’s a whole other side that people don’t post. To not feel ashamed of what you go through behind closed doors. Because no one should ever feel as if they are alone.
As much as I would love for one day to have my own beauty brand, I’m working on having my own foundation for helping find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to also bring awareness to it. Again, psoriasis is so much more than what you see on the outside, it goes so much deeper than that. I hope to 1 day be able to help others who are going through what I once went through. If I can help just 1 person, then I have done my job.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Let’s just say, “The struggle has been EXTREMELY real!” Having an autoimmune disease is no joke. Tie in anxiety and depression and daily tasks can become quite challenging to say the least. Having my blog has definitely been a good way to share my journey but it’s also been a creative outlet.
Of course, there are people who criticize anything I put out, but that’s to be expected. Do I take it negatively? No. Some criticism, I see as ways to make my blog better. There are some who will leave me spiteful emails, but again, it’s to be expected and I don’t pay it much mind.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Most people would know me because of my love for nail polish. I get tagged in manicure tutorials or new nail polish collections that are being released. I often get told to try to recreate certain manicures. I have to admit, I love that when my friends see nail polish, they think of me. Nail polish has always been my “thing” ever since I was a kid.
There are 2 moments that I’m most proud of. 1 is when I was featured on a psoriasis blog, I was interviewed and featured. I was completely blown away by it. The 2nd was being chosen to be a part of the Sally Squad. I’ve always been such a fan of Sally Hansen products and to be chosen was a dream.
I hope that people enjoy my honesty, I may be a little too blunt at times but I will always be honest. I’ll always give it to you straight and I won’t ever be fake about anything. If I were to lie, my facial expressions would give me away too easily.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My all-time favorite childhood memory is Christmas at my Momo’s house (my grandma). It was such a joyous time. Everyone sitting in the living room around the tree. Hearing laughter and Christmas music playing. My brother and I trying to see which presents were ours and how big they looked. Seeing my Aunt Carmen in the kitchen pouring hot chocolate into a mug, looking back, it was simply the absolute best and such treasured memories. Most of my family has passed away, including my father, and when I look back at Christmases with all of them under 1 roof, it just makes me realize how blessed my brother and I were. I love looking at pictures from back then, a reminder to always tell your loved ones just how much you love them.
Contact Info:
- Email: cavazosroxanne@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @roxie_c_decker
