When Essence was going through leukemia treatment, there were changes I expected and others that caught me completely off guard.
One of them was her face.
The skin around her eyes became noticeably darker, and because Essence had always had such an even complexion, the change was impossible for me not to see. Her eyes often made her look tired even when she wasn't. Between treatment, changes in her body, disrupted routines, and everything else she was experiencing, there were many possible reasons for what we were seeing.
At that point, I wasn't thinking about beauty. I was a mother trying to help my daughter feel comfortable in skin that suddenly seemed unfamiliar to her.
Keeping Her Routine Simple
By then, simplicity had become increasingly important to us.
Rather than constantly introducing new products, we focused on keeping Essence's skin moisturized and using products she could tolerate consistently. My Everything Cream became part of that routine, including the delicate skin around her eyes.
There was no overnight transformation.
What I remember most was simply continuing the routine—day after day—and watching her skin change gradually as time passed.
The Photographs
These photographs were never taken for an advertisement.
The earlier photograph captured the darkness around Essence's eyes during a period when her body was going through an extraordinary amount. The later photograph was taken after we had been caring for her skin consistently for some time.
Looking at them side by side now, the difference is striking to me.
But I also think it is important to say what these photographs do not prove.
Dark circles can be affected by genetics, sleep, health, allergies, pigmentation, age, and many other factors. Essence was also recovering from serious medical treatment. I would never suggest that one skin care product can account for every change visible between two photographs taken at different points in someone's life.
What I can tell you is what happened in our home.
My Everything Cream became part of Essence's regular moisturizing routine, and over time, we watched the appearance of her skin—including the area around her eyes—change.
More Than Appearance
When I look at the later photograph, I don't just see brighter-looking skin.
I see Essence looking more like herself again.
That distinction matters to me because so much of the story behind Sheair Butters has never really been about pursuing perfect skin.
It began with trying to care for my daughter.
We wanted fewer ingredients. We wanted consistency. We wanted something uncomplicated that she could reach for every day without turning skin care into another battle.
Those priorities eventually became the foundation of My Everything Cream and, later, Sheair Butters.
The photographs are part of that history.
They remind me that some changes are dramatic when viewed side by side, even though living through them rarely feels dramatic at all.
Most of the time, it was simply one day followed by another.
Care. Consistency. Patience.
And sometimes, only when you look back do you realize just how much has changed.
These photographs document Essence's personal experience. My Everything Cream is a cosmetic moisturizer and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual experiences and results will vary.