Make Your Skin Great Again: The Enhancers

Hello there!  Back again (a month later 😅) for part two of my skincare regimen as promised. In the first part I shared the products that make up the foundation of my skincare routine (you can find it here). In this second and final part, I share the add-ons. So without further due, let's get into it.

1- Versed Doctor's Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask

This mask is an exfoliant containing AHA, BHA, and pineapple enzyme. I alternate between this exfoliant and the Good Molecules one. Because this exfoliant is a mask, it needs to be washed so it is not always practical- especially on the days where I do not feel like doing much. When I feel extra and I have time I like to use it. It does make my skin smooth and glowing after use. It has a jelly like texture and is cooling. Want to make it even more refreshing? put it in the fridge in this hot summer and you got a super refreshing spa moment that will tighten up your skin and leave you glowy. I use this product every other week (when not using the Good Molecule exfoliant) and I follow it with a heavy moisturizer then I apply Vaseline on top of it (aka Slugging. More to come about that soon!). One the days where I want to keep things simple, I just use Aquaphor healing ointment which moisturizes and protects the skin. 

2- Geek and Gorgeous C Glow

BABY!!! I have tried vitamin C serums before but this one swept me off my feet. I first got introduced to vitamin C when I got acquainted with the Drunk Elephant brand. I loved that serum (and so did my skin) when it first came out but eventually it started messing with my skin. I have heard speculations from other users about a change in the ingredient list that might have cause that skin reaction. I discontinued the use and didn't pay any mind to vitamin C again. However, lately I started doing my research again to find a good vitamin C to add to my routine. After doing my homework on vitamin C and the different brands, I ended up settling for Geek and Gorgeous. It is a light weight serum with 15% Vitamin C + extra antioxidants (Ferulic Acid & a smaller amount of Vitamin E). I store this the serum in the fridge as recommended on the website to extend the shelf life and use a mini bottle to decant about two weeks worth of serum. 

3- Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Face Cream (Mini, 0.5 oz)

I finally joined to gang you guys: I started using retinol. This product is a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid & retinol. I cannot really speak on reducing wrinkles as I do not have any but it does moisturize the skin. The instruction is to apply it twice daily to cleansed face and neck. However, because I am a retinol beginner, I am gradually phasing this product into my skincare routine until my skin tolerates it, working my way up to the twice daily recommendation. 


If you are deciding to incorporate those products into your skincare routine, I am adding a skincare cheat-sheet below that I myself use to incorporate products in a safe way in my own routine. More into here. 

As always, please remember to use sunscreen as these products will make your skin more sensitive to the sun. And even if you don't use them, still use sunscreen  because skin cancer ain't cute. This is it for the products that I use for my skincare routine. Let me know what products you use/like and I'll [maybe] try them. 

Until next time,

Make Your Skin Great Again: The Skincare Regimen That Transformed My Skin

Coming back here after being MIA for months is always awkward. It’s like reconnecting with the world after going off the grid for what seems like an eternity. Actually it’s is not like that: it is actually that. A little while ago the content of the blog shifted: there was more of a focus on the mental and spiritual stuff. And while I delight in those topics, I would like to bring more content about the light stuff too. While mental health and spiritual life are everyday life kind of topics, I also wanted to talk about the more practical things and get a little bit into perhaps hobbies, fashion, skincare, haircare, selfcare, etc… So to honor the broadening of my writing horizons, I am bringing to you today my skincare routine. So let's get into it, shall we?

We all know at least one person that when asked what they do for their skin to look nice, they respond: "nothing! I just drink water". Every time I hear that sentence, I roll my eyes so far that I can almost see my brain. Drinking water helps your skin look better but let's be honest: it takes more than that. Hence, this article. No gatekeeping here.

Today's skincare regimen is brought to you by my skin: she looks nice these days but she wasn't always like that. As a child (up until my late teenage years) I suffered with eczema, a condition usually associated with dry skin. And guess who has dry skin? Yup… That’s me! When I speak of dry, for me it’s more than my phone: it's my hair (a topic for another day) and my skin. It's drier than the Sahara. It's drier than a Popeyes biscuit. My skin being dry is [sadly] one of the most consistent things about me: always dry no matter the season of the year. Imagine winter ashy-ness but everyday. Not fun. While some people could skimp on the skincare, it is not a luxury that I had growing up. And it certainly is not a luxury that I have now. I had to learn early and quickly what worked for my skin. So I did and it worked (for the most part) until 2020. I was scrolling through my photo library on my phone and came across a video of me in July 2020 and let me tell you... the state of my skin in that video made wonder had me shooketh. My skin was giving stressed and raggedy. Sis was not cute at all. I remember being aware at that time that something was going on with my skin but being unable to figure out what it was. Living it was one thing but seeing my face in that video almost two years later hit different. I remember back then feeling desperate for my skin to get back to normal and looking up brands/products that I could use to create a skincare regimen because what was happening was just pure trickery and shenanigation. Something had to give.

The state of emergency my skin was in and my frantic research to find products that would nurse my skin back to health led me to Good Molecules. It was a game-changer for my skin. Some people swear by the Ordinary, well… I swear by Good Molecules (and I stand ten toes on that!). I took my time to read about the products and find something that would work for my skin type and the concerns that I had at the time. I was sold on the Hero regimen for dry skin. Since I started using this bundle in 2020, Good Molecules expanded the line by adding the Rosewater Daily Cleansing Gel and Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel; but originally it had the: Niacinamide Brightening Toner, Hyaluronic Acid Serum, an Overnight Exfoliating Treatment, Caffeine Energizing Hydrogel Patches, Instant Cleaning Balm, Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer and an Ultra-Hydrating Facial Oil. Out of the original bundle I have used everything however, my skin seems to not agree with the hyaluronic acid (I dropped it) and I don't really care for the eye patches (not really using it them either). In addition to the bundle, I separately got the discoloration correcting serum and the daily brightening serum because, in addition to having unexplained tiny bumps all over my face and a rough skin texture, I was also struggling with hyperpigmentation (I still do but not as much) and my skin looked very dull.

            

The Hero Regimen bundle (then)  vs.  The Hero Regimen Bundle (now)

             

   Discoloration Correcting Serum                      Daily Brightening Serum

Due to my skin being dry and sensitive, I can only use chemical exfoliant rather than mechanical exfoliant and the Overnight exfoliating treatment was just perfect. I started using it once a week and worked my way up until my skin could tolerate it when used three times a week. It contains AHAs and BHAs which help getting rid of dead (and resurface new skin), smoothing out rough/ bumpy skin, fading dark spots and evening skin tone. The Niacinamide in combination with the discoloration correcting serum and the daily brightening serum help improve appearance of dullness, uneven skin tone (reducing hyperpigmentation), and enlarged pores. I do not have large pores but I have noticed that when my skin acts up/gets bumpy, the niacinamide toner calms my skin down. And if I get PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) after getting a pimple, it doesn’t take as long for the hyperpigmentation to fade. I use those products twice a day, applying the toner first, followed by the serums. For the sake of time (and because it doesn’t say otherwise on the website or on the products’ boxes), I mix both serums in my hand before applying them to my face. I have to say though that you should layer them first to see how your skin reacts and if it doesn’t freak out, then move on to mixing the serums.

Consistently using those products has drastically improved my skin texture and evenness. While it is not everyone’s experience, I can genuinely say that the results from sticking with those products and being somewhat consistent in my skincare regimen is beyond satisfactory. And in case you are wondering no… this post is not sponsored by Good Molecules (but maybe they should consider it… Just a thought). This post is a presentation of what my skincare foundation is made of and it doubles as a review. I went through the entire bottle of toner, daily brightening and discoloration correcting serums and repurchased it. No need to say more: this works. Because I have dry skin, I am only discussing the Hero regimen for dry skin and sharing my experience but, Good Molecules also has a Hero regimen bundle for oily skin. So if you have oily skin maybe look into it. You might like it and it is affordable.

To moisturize my skin I use Eucerin Skin Balance night cream at night and in the morning I use EltaMD AM Therapy. I found out (while writing this article) that the EltaMD AM Therapy is a light moisturizer. While it might work well for someone with normal to oily skin and be okay during the  summer months for my dry skin, I might have to look into other options for the fall/winter.

 

The last and perhaps most important staple in my skincare is sunscreen. Doing all that work (especially when it comes to getting an even skin tone and getting rid of hyperpigmentation) is pointless if you do not wear sunscreen. It’s like throwing money out the the window. Actually it is not like throwing money out the the window,: it is throwing money out the the window. And plus, cancer is not cute. It’s ghetto. So put on your sunscreen. When it comes to sunscreen, the American Association of Dermatology recommends using an SPF of at least 30. I usually am in the 40-50 range and I go for broad spectrum as it blocks both UVA (responsible for premature skin aging) and UVB (skin burn, hyperpigmentation). Also check that it is water resistant. At the moment, I am using EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40.

 It is a 100% mineral sunscreen designed to improve sun-damaged skin and help revitalize it. It contains Squalane which is known for restoring skin's natural moisture and suppleness. This specific SPF is formulated with Ginger Root Extract and Saccharide Isomerate in order to promote a healthy complexion by improving skin smoothness, minimizing dark spots and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains antioxidants which combat skin-aging free radicals associated with ultraviolet (UV) and infrared radiation (IR) and offers high-energy visible (HEV) light protection. It doesn’t irritate my skin or burn my eyes. It doesn’t make me look greasy but it does leave a white cast. That’s the only downside. So far I have managed to make it work but in the future, I will probably explore other options from that brand that do not make me look like Casper the friendly ghost. Just like with Good molecules, EltaMD also has SPF that fits your skin type although the one that I use is fit for all skin types.

So there you have it: the fundamentals of my skin care routine. In the next article, I will share the other products that I use in addition to the ones mentioned in this article.

Until then, be well and put your sunscreen on 😊

New [Face] Beat, Who Dis? Part 1

Hello and welcome back!

I have been MIA for a minute due to life obligations but seems like life itself is asking the entire earth to take a break (and it only had to ask once!)

well thanks Rona *insert eyeroll*

So, since all I seem to have now is time, I decided to do something I have always wanted to incorporate into my blog but was never able to (due to the inability of procrastinating self and creative self to agree): I decided to finally post makeup looks (not tutorials- sorry) and review products that I have bought and used. So let's get into it! 

Look #1

Look number one was created using the following products:

Eyes: Filled in my brows using Covergirl easy breezy brow in the color 115 (deep) then used NYX HD Concealer in the shade cappucino to define them as well as for my base to do my eye makeup.

For my transition shade I used the Huda Beauty Warm brown obsessions palette, then dipped into the same palette using a darker brown to add depth to the eyes.

I then used the Too Faced Chocolate Bonbons palette to create the smoky look.

The color is much darker in person. More like a dark shimmery greenish-grey.

I went back to the NYX concealer to do a cut crease then applied a bronzy-shimmery shade from The Nubian palette (Juvia's place) on top of it.

Excuse the appearance of my palette y'all but it's been on the line of duty since 2016

Using the same color from the Too Faced palette,  I blended the smoky and the shimmery color  before going back to the Huda Beauty palette again, using my transition color to blend the edge around the dark color (see respective palettes above for colors)

I then finished the eye look with NYX vynil liquid eyeliner (winged eyelined) and I applied Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes.

Face: For my base I used NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil Moisturizer in the shade Deep Mocha along with its primer: NYX angel veil skin perfecting primer. I have used the Tinted skin veil moisturizer before but it was my first time using it with the primer. It wasn't bad. It is very shimmery so if you do not like shimmer anything, you might want to stay away from it. The tinted skin veil is not bad either, but it is a bit drying hence can look a *little* ashy and cakey. I always make sure that my face is moisturized well prior to applying my makeup and also that I exfoliate to avoid dry patches.

also it is light to medium coverage so if full coverage is your thing this product is not for you.

*Bonus: if you have oily skin, I recommend spraying your face with the Morphe Continous setting spray after you have applied your foundation to your face THEN blend your foundation. It helps with longevity. Don't thank me: thank Auntie Jackie

yes auntiiiiie! yaaaaaasssss

I reverse-contoured using NYX HD Concealer in the shade Cappucino. I applied it under my eyes, on my jaw , forehead and nose then I blended using a damp beauty blender. It pulls a STRONG yellow when dry so I would advise going a shade darker or balancing with a darker foundation or setting powder. 

Once I was done with the contouring, I set my under eye area with a mix of Maybelline Fit Me loose finishing powder in the shade deep 40 and NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop setting powder in the shade banana. I dipped my damp beauty blender into the dark shade, then into the banana powder, tapped off the excess and applied it onto the under eye area. Then I set the rest of my face with the Maybelline Fit Me loose finishing powder.

Note: if you have dry skin, you can omit powdering the rest of your face OR you can find (and invest in) a setting spray more suited for dry skin. But! it might affect the longevity of your makeup. If you find something that doesn't, please share your miracle with a sister. Don't be greedy...

For blush and highlighter, I used NYX Sweet Cheeks glow in the shade Red Riot and Cover FX highlighting powder in the shade Candlelight.

Lips: Dior Addict lacquer plump in the color D-Fancy (926).

Here is the finished look:

Look #2

Look number two was created using all the elements from look #1 (except for the lips)

Lips: Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle plush matte in the color Clapback (navy blue)

Here is the finished look:

My final thoughts on the products

Eyes

Huda Beauty Warm Brown Obsessions: I absolutely LOVE that palette! It has potential for elaborated looks and neutral looks. As a brown skin girl, I can say that it is 100% WOC friendly. The colors are really pigmented. It is probably the palette I reach for the most because it is compact and it has the colors that I tend to gravitate towards to create looks. It retails  for $27 at Sephora. I highly recommend and would most likely buy it again. 

The Nubian by Juvia's: Also another great WOC friendly palette. Unlike the Huda beauty palette this one is strickly brown shades from light to dark with a few shimmery shades. I have had a dual use out of this palette (sometimes using the shimmery shades as  highlighter- don't knock it 'til you've tried it.) so it is absolutely worth it. The palette retails for $20 at Ulta (12 shades. It's a steal y'all!)

Too Faced Chocolate Bonbons: Okay... When I first got this palette I hated how the colors blended. It was patchy and it took me a while to blend. But when I created this look, the colors blended like a dream. SO... I think maybe I didn't have the right base or I wasn't blending properly... I don't know. One thing that I know is that it blends well. HOWEVER... As a brown skin girl, there are only so many colors in this palette that do not look ashy on me. I am sure I can work my way around it but doing my makeup shouldn't be that hard. I like the palette. It smells amazing (chocolate y'all!!!). It applies like a dream but I will say this: you can do without. I was curious so I bought it (years ago) but I would not repurchase. It retailed (back then) for $49 at Macy's.

Covergirl Easy Breezy Brow: I LOVE that stuff! It's my fourth time using it and it says A LOT. It's mascara but for your eyesbrows. It stays put all day (at least for me) and gives a natural look to my brows. It is a more affordable version of the Gimme brows by Benefits Cosmetics and works just as well. I highly recommend! Retails for ~$10 at CVS.

Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes: Easily my go-to and my favorite. I discovered that brand circa 2013 thanks to Wayne Goss and when I traveled to study abroad in London got to try it and I have been a fan ever since! I have gotten so many compliments on how beautiful my lashes look when I wear it. It coats the lashes beautifuly and gives them volume, length and using the wand at different angles allows to have a fake lashes effect. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! I highly recommend and will be repurchasing soon because I am almost running out. It is a bit on the pricey side ($29) but it is totally worth it!

Face

NYX Bare With Me Tinted Skin Veil Moisturizer : As someone who loves to play with makeup but doesn't really like to wear it that much, this comes in very handy because it isn't as heavy as real foundation. It is my skin but better. However, the fact that it makes my skin appear dryer and ashy on occasions, forcing me to walk around with my Pixi spray is a bemol. Would I recommend? Yes. Do I like it? Yes but not enough to repurchase when I'm through with it. And you my friend can get it at Ulta for $9.75 

NYX HD Concealer: If you don't want your concealer to move and if you need it to dry fast that thing is a stuff from the gods and it is yours. However as a girl with dry skin I use it in moderation (mostly to clean my brows after filling them). It is radiant and will absolutely  take your makeup to the next dimension. Will I repurchase? yes. Do I recommend? 1000%! I got it from CVS but I'm sure you can find it pretty anywhere else including Walgreens, Target, Tjmaxx/Marshall or online.

Maybelline Fit Me loose finishing powder/  NYX Can't Stop Won't Stop setting powder: Absolutely STUNNING! when used the right way. They are both affordable for the amount of product you get. Again I don't wear makeup that much so they might very well last me 5 years. Just saying. I don't know if I will ever run out of these two but if I do I will certainly buy them again.

Cover FX highlighter (candlelight)/ NYX Sweet Cheeks glow (Red Riot): probably my favorite combo but also my favorites individually. I have been reaching for the NYX blush a lot more these days though because it has a subtle glow to it so I can use it as both blush and highlighter and it is buttery, blends beautifully: an absolute dream! The Cover FX highlighter delivers a LOT of punch and a little goes A LONG way! I absolutely recommend and will definitely repurchase! The Cover FX retails currently for $24 at Sephora and the NYX Sweet Cheeks glow retails for $7.50 at Ulta. 

Lips

Dior addict lacquer plump in the color D-Fancy (926): I have heard/read mixed reviews on this Dior lip product but I personally love it and I love that color. Now... It is on the pricey side ($37/ unit) But it goes a long way depending on the level of application you desire (lip tint, lipstick or glossy). It does have a weird consistency (thin and a bit liquidy; not your usual liquid lipstick) but it is OPAQUE y'all... No joke. It's very bold and the attitude (and make) should definitely match when wearing it. I do recommend and would repurchase but unfortunately this color is not available anymore (I looked y'all) so I got more reason to be frugal with this lol. 

Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle plush matte in the color clapback (navy blue): You guys... okay... I NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS thought that I could pull this look but Fenty made me change my mind... And I am absolutely not disappointed I got this lipstick. The pigment is out of this world and although it is a matte lipstick it is VERY comfortable on the lips. It does fade and if you hate to have a booty-hole situation like it is the case with darker lipsticks then you might want to pass. You might need to reapply especially if you are eating but for $18 (sephora)?! Even if I go through it fast (which I doubt I will), I will repurchase again! 

Well this is where we part ways (for now...). If you have used any of these products let me know what your experience was and also let me know which one of the two was your favorite look :)

Until next time!

Surviving The Holiday Season

I don't hate the holidays but I don't particularly care for them either. It can come off a little bit Grinch-y but it is the sad and cold truth. It hasn't always been like that though. There was a point in time where I used to love the holiday season but life threw a few major curve balls my way that knocked me off balance from there on. Then I moved to the U.S and things were never quite the same. As I write these words and share my feelings about Christmas season, I remember that Friday morning not too long ago where me and other members from my church were having a conversation about how what is supposed to be the most hope-filled season of the year is actually the quite the opposite and for many different seasons.

I remember sharing my story and my testimony of how it is only this year that God started that healing some things that had been weighting on me for years and preventing me from being able to relate to the joy, excitement and anticipation surrounding the holidays. For some people the holidays are filled with joy, hope, parties, love and it truly is the most wonderful time of the years. But for some others, like it is the case for me, it just turns out that it isn't: it is a season where some of  us are rigged with anxiety, sadness and/or paralyzed by depression for endless reasons. If you are there too, let me tell you this friend: you are not alone. And I wish I had a remedy or a panache that would magically lift off the weight on your chest, or dissipate those clouds and make the sun shine again. But I don't: I, myself, am still wrestling with those very feelings. And although I don't have a cure that would magically make the dis-ease caused by this season of the year go away, I do however have five tips that I hope you can hold on to during this time like you would to a life jacket until it's all over. 

1- Be gentle with yourself

I came to realize that around the holidays is the time where I am most vulnerable and my mental/emotional health is the most delicate. I have also found that it is the time where I need to treat myself with the uttermost care. Be kind to yourself. Be gentle. Give yourself permission to feel what you are feeling without any judgment. Sleep. Make some tea. Pamper yourself. Do the things that make you feel good but most importantly take it one day at the time. 

2- Surround yourself with good energy.

As an empath, I am naturally very vulnerable to people's energy and twice as much when I am in a low period. Whether you are anything like me and easily pick up people's energy like a sponge or not, it is a fact that energy is contagious: people that complain all the time will wear you out just like people that are happy and upbeat will lift you up. This season, make sure you surround yourself with good energy. And I know the last thing you want to do is to be around people but go against that feeling once in a blue moon this holiday season and surround yourself with people whose energy is worth catching. Give them as well as yourself permission to uplift you and uplevel your energetic vibrations. 

3- Practice daily gratitude

Although it can be hard, especially in times when we're brooding, practicing daily gratitude helps put things in perspective. I personally started practicing daily gratitude after seeing a post one day that said :" If all you had today was what you were grateful for yesterday , how much would you have?" Being grateful shifts the perspective and allows to find little rays of sun in the cloudy days. "A grateful heart is a magnet for for miracles": gratitude won't make your problems go away but it will help you realize [hopefully] that things are not as bad as they seem to be.

4- Do something that matters

Volunteer to serve meals to homeless people or to cheer up people in the hospital or something else but make sure you do something. Not only will it get you out of your head but it will boost your self confidence. Find a cause you are passionate about and throw yourself in it. Not all at once of  course because it can be overwhelming but rather, bit by bit until instead of being consumed by depression you are consumed by the joy of being of assistance and able to put a little sunshine in someone else life. You are giving back to your community and reaching out to other but indirectly, you are also saving yourself so I don't know about you but I think it is worth trying.

5- Know that you are loved and you are not alone.

Depression during the holiday season nine times out of ten is exacerbated by the feelings of loneliness and rejection. You may feel like you are alone but friend you are not. There is a faithful friend who is with you and will always be until the end of times (Matt 28:20). You may feel worthless, rejected and unloved but John 3:16 is the proof of God's love that stands the test of time forever: a life that was laid for you friend so that you could be here. God thought you were so worth being loved that He gave His only son so that by his sacrifice your life could be secured. Depression, anxiety, sadness and hopelessness are real but so is the everlasting and unfailing love of God (Jere 31:3). You are loved, you are seen ad you are worth all the amazing things God has in store for you.

Friend wherever you are as you read those words, I hope they find you well and if you are wrestling with all the not so good feelings that at times are tied to this holiday season, I pray they give you hope and a renewed strength to get through this time and more. I pray you know and remember that you are not alone: We are all in this together. 

Sending you love and good thoughts and wishing you the merriest Christmas you've ever had, praying that you feel more alive than you've ever been.

Until next time,

Friday Talk: Embrace The Change

I have always been an adventurous person at heart. Everybody in my circle knows me for that: always trying new food, new trends, new style (hairstyle), traveling to places on a whim... I'm pretty sure if I had another middle name is would be adventure. Although, I am the kind of person not to shy away from doing those big jumps, I can be ridiculously reticent when it comes to having small changes implemented to my everyday life. When I say small changes I am talking about even switching the place I get coffee from or the order I get when I walk into my usual coffee shop (Starbucks) * No I'm not a snob, I just like good coffee :)*
And it is funny because I even though I hate doing things routinely, I have come to the realization that I have created my very own and personal routine which has turned out to be pretty difficult to alter in any shape of form. But it is not only those small changes that I find difficult to embrace. I also tend to find it very difficult to embrace changes that affect my future such as being in a relationship, getting married, having kids, enrolling into a program I want to get a degree in and probably, the scariest of all, switching jobs (which I recently did). I know right?! very brave. I deserve a red velvet cupcake for that. No? okay...

And I know, you are saying behind your screen "well these are big changes so it is normal that it freaks you up" and I know that. And I totally understand it. But I think beyond the change itself, it is the uncertainty that comes with it that scares me. It is the idea that the choice I am about to make will forever change my life that just scares the living life out of me and gives me all types of panic attacks a human being can possibly have. And I think with the cycle I have been through during my 24th year, life has been trying to teach me something about that, about the fact that as I am growing up there is a need and urgency for me to learn to embrace change.
From all the situations I have been confronted to from the moment I turned 24 to this day, the only thing that has remained constant in my life was change. Not that there hasn't been any change from the moment I was born to the day I turned 24. There were changes but there were in a sense not as noticeable as the ones I have experienced this year considering that all of those situations I was confronted to were happening one after the other. I had to learn and grown comfortable with being uncomfortable. I had to learn to navigate the shallow waters of adulthood and find my way through life in times where the sky was clear AND in days where I had limited visibility and the horizon couldn't be seen from where I was standing in life.

One thing that kept me going on those day was Jeremiah 29:11 and my faith because truly I had nothing else besides that. Of course the people who know me would say "well you are brilliant, young, smart, you have a great heart, you are a fighter" and bla...bla...bla... But some people out there are more talented, smarter, better at what I am doing than me but still haven't made it so far. They  haven't been as successful at navigating the shallow waters of adulthood and the lot of hassle it brings the way I did. So what makes me better than them? And my answer to that was my faith, my resiliency and my capacity to adapt to change; and if I can retain one thing from my 24th year, it would be that when you are brave enough to say goodbye, life rewards you with new and beautiful hellos. I have also learnt that change is not always the negative thing we have been taught intentionally or by default to dread. 

A change is an opportunity to be a better version of yourself, to go beyond limits and obstacles you never thought you would. A change is a transformation that will bring into your life something/ someone better than what you thought you could ever have. A change is a time to break the shell you have been living in and discover a new world you have been closed to exploring because you were too afraid to do so. A change is a trial that life throws at you to see if you are brave enough to unleash your inner Spartan in order to fight and defeat the odds. Don't get me wrong:  there will be times where things will not workout but as long as you keep in mind that everything in life serves a purpose and you learn the lesson behind it, you will always get back on your feet, no matter how long it takes or how hard the transition is.

So smile and embrace change and the endless possibilities you get to be a better version of you that comes along with it :)



Until next time,
xo

Mirror Mirror On The Wall : Makeup Guide For The Lazy Girl

Well hi there! Welcome to the first article of the "Mirror Mirror On the Wall" mini-series which will be a combination of makeup and skin care products that hopefully will help you step up your Best Face Forward game. Today we are talking makeup routine for my own pleasure and for the pleasure of those of you who like makeup as much as I do. For the people who know me very well, they can tell you a lot of things about me. Two of them are a) I love makeup and b) I am not a fan of wearing it every day. I love makeup. I buy it. I spend a ridiculous amount of money on it. But wearing it is another story. It's not that I don't want to. It's just that I'd rather sleep 30 extra minutes in the morning.

But with the years passing and especially because sometimes my bare skin just won't cooperate, I got to a point where I had to come up with an alternative. I had to find a compromise between looking decent and still be able to get an extra shut eye time in the morning. So I tried different routines and was able it narrow down to the products that make decent and alive in a minimal amount of time. So without further due let's get started!

1- Moisturize

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry Skin, 1.7 OZ, CVS $19.99

Depending on the season of the year, I switch up moisturizer to adapt to the needs of my skin and feel comfortable. As the temperatures are warming up (a little bit), I have already switched up my winter facial moisturizer for the Neutrogena Hydro-boost gel cream. One thing worth mentioning is that no matter what month of the year it is, there is one thing about  my skin that is constant: it's dryness. Ashy skin is not a seasonal thing for me: it's an everyday thing, always trendy *sigh* The Neutrogena Hydro-boost gel cream moisturizes my skin leaving it plumped, smooth -without the greasiness or making me look like a disco ball- and ready for my the next step.

2- Brighten up

MAC Prep and Prime Natural Radiance, MAC Cosmetics $42

Dull skin is one thing I have been fighting my entire life and even though my skincare routine has dramatically improved the way my skin looks, I still find a little boost helpful. During those days I reach out to my MAC Prep and Prime Natural Radiance. It is a silky gel that acts as a primer + moisturizer to improve foundation or powder application, control oil and promote a smooth texture. It contains illuminating pearl powders to reflect optic radiance resulting in a beautiful glow. It's double duty property makes it ideal for when you are in a rush (cut the moisturizer out of your routine) but personally my skin is thirsty that those guys sliding in your IG DM after 11PM 🙄 So skipping my moisturizer is not an option: Gotta have it

3- Shape Them Brows

Covergirl Easy Breezy Brow Shape & Define Eyebrow Mascara, CVS $9.99

After moisturizing and priming, I do my eyebrows to allow my skin to absorb the products I just applied. The next best thing after the brow pomade is Covergirl Easy Breezy Brow Shape & Define Eyebrow Mascara. It is a mascara for your eyebrows... I know... It is tricky at first but let me tell you the application is neat. the Moussey formula fix your brow in place the entire day!!! and the curved brush applicator allows for a for precise application: no mess, no smearing or smudging. Talk about saving time! Cut my eyebrow routine time in half and it's ideal when you're on a budget. You're welcome.

4- Open up the eyes

Bareminerals® Well-Rested® Face & Eye Brightener, Sephora $23

I have hyperpigmentation (birth mark) around my eyes and some days it can make me look like one of the cast from the walking dead. So to counteract that, I use Bare Minerals Well Rested eye and face brightener. This pen highlighter has a sheer mineral formula that infuses radiance, highlights and illuminates dull skin. The mineral contains in this formula supposedly help even skin tone while improving skin radiance and visibly minimizing dark spots, wrinkles, lines, and discolorations over time. One twist at the base of the pen provides enough product to work into the inner corner of the eyes for a full wide away look.

5- BFF a.k.a Best Face Forward

Once I am done with brightening up my eyes, I do a little bit of color correction (because hyperpigmentation)

Make Up Forever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer- Radiant Primer, Sephora $37

Then I apply my foundation.

1. L'Oreal Infallible Total Cover Foundation in shade Cocoa, CVS $12.99

2. MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in shade NW45, MAC Cosmetics $22

Lately I have been using L'Oréal Paris Infaillible Total Cover Foundation. It is my go to foundation because on my beat face days, I can use it as it is (full coverage) or sheer it when I feel lazy or I'm going for a casual look. It stays put much longer than most of the foundations I have used ( And I've used quite a lot) and it looks pretty good all day.

*Bonus: I use MAC Prolongwear Concealer to get rid of under eye bags (when needed) and clean my eyebrows (pretty much everyday).

6- Wrap it up

1. Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner, Black, CVS $9.99

2. Eyeko Eye Do Mascara Lengthen & Strengthen, Ulta $26

3. Black Opal Deluxe Finishing Powder in shade Deep, Amazon $15.98

The last steps of my routine are applying my eyeliner and/or putting on mascara (it really depends on how much time I have and what my gut feeling is telling me about how successful my attempt at winging the liner is going to be). For my everyday, lazy/ out of the door makeup face I use Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner and for my mascara I use Eyeko Eye Do. I used to have mixed feelings about  this mascara but I have come to like it after a little while. It does lengthen you eyelashes as mentioned but if like me, you have as many lashed a there are leaves on a tree after a snow storm, you might want to stay clear or double it with a volumizing mascara (article coming up soon...) or play a little bit with it and find a technique that work for you.

Once my eyes are done, I set up my T-zone with my Black Opal Deluxe finishing powder and I'm out!

Depending on how used you are to wearing makeup it should take you anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes to be out of the door (it might take longer if you haven't had your coffee before doing that... Just saying)

I hope you found this article useful and that you look great but I need to go now... No, seriously otherwise I'm going to be late.

Catch you later!

💋

Don't Take It Personally

Have you ever met one of those people whose are constantly mean? Always hiding behind sarcasm, borderline aggressive and never to be caught saying a single nice thing to somebody? If yes you know how soul crushing it can be to be around those people and of course, like everybody else, you have at least once wondered a) if you did something wrong or b) if it's just the way those people are. If you have answered yes to question b) you have most likely asked yourself question c) : Is s/he always like this? The answer to question c is more complex than just a regular yes. But right off the bait, let me state that the undeserved plate of ice cold unkindness you have been served has probably nothing to do with you and more to do with the people who made that "dish" and served it to you. And if this is the case, the purpose of my article today is to walk you (to he best of my abilities) trough some to of the legitimate (to my opinion) reasons why you should just toss that "dish" into the "idgaf" bucket instead of taking any offense that may stem from it seriously.

1- Those people are just in a bad mood

I know what you are about to say and I agree: it's unfair to be mad and say things that are not so nice to other people just because you are in a bad mood but life happens. And there are just days where you run a tad bit overdraft on your "nice and courteous" account and ugly things happens a.k.a you hurt people's feelings. Not that you mean it (well... sometimes you do but it's a different story...) but for a moment the mean troll in you just took control and your will power was like a wimpy kid that couldn't do anything. And when things like that happen you cannot do anything but put the words that are being said to you on the account of a bad mood. You don't want to cling to those hurtful words because really they are not worth the trouble so you just toss it to the side and you move on.

2- Anger is the only things those people know

We were not all fortunate to grow up in the most perfect environment where we are all loved, and the world was all pink and we all walked hand in hand pretending evil didn't exist. Some people had it rough and the only thing that helped get through the emotional and physical challenges they faced growing up was to toughen out and turn into the most horrible creatures of all time. They became that Hulk who instead of literally smashing people, smashes the crap out of people's feelings; even the nice IT guys who was just trying to be friendly but who Hulks calls lame, ugly and pathetic because he is just in fact smart. Not cool...

I do believe that we have the choice when it comes to deciding on the type of person we want to turn into when we grow up; but sometimes there are desperate situations that call for desperate measures and maybe some of those people found themselves in positions where there had no other choices but to be Hulk. And when it comes down to this, no matter what you do, you might never get the kindness and consideration you are looking for. Not because you are doing things wrong  but simply because that person you are dealing with doesn't know anything else but being mean, inconsiderate of people's feelings and careless about how hurtful some words/ behaviors can be. So in this case would it be smart to make a case out of everything that is being said and/or done? Probably not.

3- They are fighting battles you know nothing about

When you are going through rough patches in life, you are like a grenade that can explode at any given moment. And just like any exploding grenade, you are more likely to create casualties. The amount of pressure we are under nowadays, whether it is financial, emotional or social is doing nothing but pushing us to the edge, making our internal grenade mechanism tick faster and faster, until the threshold is reached. And if unfortunately someone, whoever that person is- is around that day, it will be more likely that s/he will be counted as a casualty. And I know saying this it doesn't ease the fact that your feelings have been hurt, but keeping in mind that it could have been somebody else that day is a good enough reason to let water run under the bridge and wash away the dirt / hurt brought by those mean words.

4- They just enjoy seeing other people hurt

As twisted and weird as it sounds, this is true for some people out there: they are naturally mean and feel an unprecedented satisfaction from hurting people 's feeling (hint: bullies)
And the reason why you shouldn't take any of what they say personally is because what they say to you has nothing to do with you. Rather, it is a projection of who they are, a projection of their own feeling, a projection of the reality they live in, which is rather ugly. And giving credit to what they say would be identifying yourself with a reality you are not part of. So why bother? There are more important things in life, which brings me to the 5th reason...

5- You have better things to do in life.

Holding a grudge and/or  nursing the hurt caused by words/ actions that have absolutely nothing to do with you or your reality asks for a ridiculous amount of energy. No only that, but the amount of time you spend letting those feelings control you and consume you is ludicrous. Personally I find it to be such a waste especially if the person who said those words to you has already forgotten! And here you are, sitting like an idiot and holding onto a grudge/hurt that is doing nothing but preventing you from living a happy life, while the person who caused it (unintentionally or intentionally) is living and not even paying attention to you. You end up wasting your time, energy and imagination (yes!) on trivial things when you could redirect them into more significant things. And years from now, you will be sitting at the same spot, blaming others and/or life for not giving you the opportunities you need when in reality, you had all you needed and wanted, but you were so busy rehearsing the hurt that you didn't see the beautiful and amazing opportunities life was offering you. So now that you still have the opportunity to do so: quit being hurt, let it go and start living.



We have all at some point said words we don't mean, no matter how careful we are with the words we say. It is life and it can happen. Those words can be hurtful and while some of us might apologize for them, we don't always end up obtaining the apology we deserve. But it is in our best interest to not hold on to those words and to let go, especially when we are conscious of the fact that those words do not align with our reality but rather, are a projection of the reality the people in front of us are living in at any given moment or have been living in for the longest time. Living happy is a choice and sometimes it starts with making a decision to not take people's words seriously. It starts with training your mind to reject every negative word that could destroy your happiness and embodying the following sentence and living it everyday of your life:

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

And this my friend, is how you win at living life like a boss...

    Just like Emma Stone... 😎

Until next time,

xo

Common Happiness Killers/ Joy Stealers and How To Shut Them Down

I don’t really remember how I got to that point where the idea about that article came up, but one thing I know is that I was browsing for a journal to keep track of a project I have been working on and planning since last year (and which hopefully I will be able to see come true this year). One thought leading to another, as I was looking at the journals and stationary articles available, I suddenly found myself comparing myself to some other people, undermining my potential, being bitter about who I was and somewhat about how my life had turned out and wondering what would have come of me if it had turned another way. This went on for a good 5 min before I caught myself and start correcting my train of thoughts– I know... You might be tempted to say that it is not much but believe me it was enough to make me go from happy and skipping in the street to give-me-a-Xanax 😩 in matter of seconds . What made me decide to write that article wasn’t how harsh I was in the way I was judging/criticizing myself or my life, but rather, how quickly I caught what was going on in my mind before those poisonous thoughts destroyed my happiness garden. So today, I decided to talk about the most common happiness killers/ joy stealers and how counter the poisonous darts they throw at us to bring us down while we are on our happiness journey.

1- Compare yourself to others

 Comparing ourselves to others is the biggest disservice we can do to ourselves when it comes to being happy. See when people compare you to other people they might have some power on what is external and that they can see but you have power over what is internal and is the most important. But when you compare yourself to other people, you are literally tearing yourself apart from the inside out. What is left if people break you down externally and you are tearing yourself out internally? That’s right nothing! So you want to be careful about your train of thoughts and the image you have of your own self. Instead of comparing my life to other people’s life, I have learned to understand that I cannot compare where I stand now to the place in life where other people stand because our stories are different. Our struggles are different. The paths we have chosen to walk are different. But most importantly, the amount of time they have been walking their paths is different than the amount of time I have been walking mine. So comparing myself/ my life to other people is a luxury I cannot afford. I can guarantee you that if one of the reasons aforementioned rings a bell to you, you will get over your habit of comparing yourself to others.

2- Not being appreciative of what you have/ complaining too much

I think this one is a no brainer. The more you complain, the less you appreciate what you have and the only thing you see is what you do not have. And because you do not have those thing you want so much and think will make you happy, you turn out being unhappy. But one thing you need to understand is that linking your happiness to material things will have two directly related effects : a) a temporary happiness that is only present whenever you get one of those things you cross out of your wishlist and b) a vicious cycle that is rooted in a). Being happy starts with being content with what you have. Being happy and content with what you have doesn’t mean that you do not aspire to have better things in life or that you don’t want things that would make you "happier". It just means that you understand that those things are not essential to your happiness or in another word, your happiness is independent of whether or not your get those things. Learn to be content, and you are halfway there on living a happy life.

3- Let people's criticism, opinion and ugly words get to you

I always find it amusing when I see some people paying so much attention to the criticism of persons who do so little for them. I’m just like… why though? Granted sometimes people make some criticisms because they know you can be a better person, you can do better. But honestly, we all know that out of 10 people making criticisms, 3 of them are doing it for your good and the rest just want to tear you down and drag you into the mud. They know that if they can’t get to you physically, their words will just tear you down and do the work their fists can’t do. Whenever someone I’m not close to or don’t even know makes comments or tries to get to me through criticism I’m like: who are you? oh... That’s right! It's irrelevant and honestly I couldn't care less 😒.

Whatever people say about you/ think of you is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! And whatever negative comments they make about you,  Don't let it get to you and honestly here is my advice below...

Do you booboo... Do you.💁🏾

4- Allowing the “what ifs” to take up way too much space

This one is the sneakiest, dirtiest and cruelest (is that even a word? Nevermind… don’t answer that) one. You just have to let life be what it is. The past is gone, the future is not here yet. All you have is the present: make the most out of it! Don’t let anything that is not part of now ruin your happiness and bring you more sorrows than you need. You already (I assume) have a plate full of it, don’t make it harder for you. Don't let those two words haunt you: you have a life to live.

5- Overthinking too much

A.k.a the torture weapon. It will keep you up at night by sending your mind in overdrive, make you tired and paranoid during the day, induce emotional breakdowns and turn you into one of those people who are totally disconnected from reality. How do I know? I have been there. There is only so much you can deal with at a given moment. Don’t try to overdo it. Why? Because you will create issues that didn’t even exist in the first place. It will make you worry sick about things you shouldn’t even worry about and suck every ounce of life and happiness out of you. There is a say in my dad’s village that goes by: “One does not need to rise on the tip of the toes to see what will eventually come”. Granted you have to be prepared for situations but you need to understand that what will happen is what is meant to happen. And no matter how much overthinking you do and your degree of preparedness, what needs to happen will happen. So instead of stressing yourself out, maybe you should try to turn down the overdrive a notch and enjoy life a little.

I am sure there are many more happiness killers/ joy stealers out there, but those are the ones I could come up with at the moment. Let me know if you can think of some and/or if you have more tips to counter them.

Until next time,
xo