#gloup

🤌🏽

Me, years later, remembering my Transformers phase:Oh my god, I ABANDONED MY GAL.

So I decided to doodle her and colour the doodle, to see how well I remember her design. I changed a few things about her looks too and I like the glo-up she had. 😌

Her old design (with face mask), for reference.

My skin has always been dry but never flaky or wrinkled, until now. I’m on my 20′s and my skin is begging me some care. I used to wash my face with Avène face wash, hydrating it with Avène hydrating cream for sensitive skin ( because my skin is really sensitive ), and cleaning makeup with Garnier micellar water.

At some moments of my life I used Bella Aurora soap, and Avène +50 spf fluid. I have chapped lips, and used Baby lips, but winter is killing them, and Baby lips it’s not enough, so I tried Lancôme lip balm with color, and honestly, in my opinion it’s not worth the price.

I started reading about GOOD skincare this year ( 2021 ), and I began using Cerave nourishing lotion. As soon as I started seeing some results, I wanted to explore more and pamper my skin. 

I watched a lot of videos and read a lot of posts to discover what my skin needed. 

Although my skin has always been pretty decent, I never had it glowing, fresh, clear. I have dark spots, dark circles, skin texture and some marks. 

That’s why I will center my skincare on new products in a religious routine.

M🌞RNING:

- Cleanser + moisturizer + Vit C (3xW~daily) + SPF

NI🌘HT:

- Cleanser + moisturizer + Retinol (1/2xW~3xW) + BHA/AHA (3xW~daily)

✨Either:

- Niacinamide (2x day)

- HA

*Jojoba oil *Hydroquinone

I will use Cerave hydrating cleanser as my basic cleanser.

I will keep using Cerave nourishing lotion as my basic moisturizer. To help my skin adapt to the serums I will use it right after the cleanser.

Vit C - should be used from 10% to 20% concentration. As I have very sensitive skin, I will use a lower concentration. It’s an antioxidant, helps to lighten hyperpigmentation and brown spots, even out skin tone, and enhances skin radiance. I will use La Roche Posay Pure Vitamin C10 serum. 

SPF - I will use either Avène or La Roche Posay, but fluid. Helps preventing skin aging, marks...

Retinol and retinol esters - are not the same; retinol is stronger and proven to have effects, and retinol esters are softer but don't cause irritation on skin. I still don't know which one will I choose, but definitely one from The Ordinary. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen, stimulates the production of new blood vessels in the skin (which improves skin color), fades age spots and helps with skin texture.

AHA - ( lactic acid ) for me it’s a good exfoliating agent. I will use the one from The Ordinary, who also has HA. It exfoliates your skin, makes it bright, boosts collagen, reduces wrinkles and fine lines, helps reducing hyperpigmentation, acne, minimizes sun damage...

aka Lee’s-post-mental-breakdown-bubble-bath-for-grown-ups.

So, I’ve been having a pretty rough time lately. But as Sylvia Plath once said, “There must be quite a few things a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them. Whenever I'm sad I'm going to die, or so nervous I can't sleep, or in love with somebody I won't be seeing for a week, I slump down just so far and then I say: 'I'll go take a hot bath.’” This statement has proven to be particularly true for me, so I thought I’d share my bath routine (as well as post bath) for when I’ve got a night off to dedicate an hour or two to give myself some attention.

1. Gather up what you need

I like to go all out since I don’t have baths often (more of a shower person - we’ll get to that.) At this point I’m grabbing a hair mask, a wash-off face mask, a bath bomb or bath salts, my usual shower supplies, maybe a good book (or getting an audiobook ready), candles, and whatever else you want in your bath. Feel like bathing surrounded by rose petals? Do it. Get it all ready to go. Grab a towel and a robe, maybe a cozy pair of socks depending on the season.Wash your face with your favourite cleanser(s).

1(a). Optional but highly recommended - turn off the lights and light some candles around the bathroom! This is the best when my dysmorphia is acting up but I want a peaceful bath; everything’s moving and odd looking by candle light, checkmate brain. But dysmorphia aside, candles create a relaxing atmosphere and smell extra nice. Be safe of course! Keep the candles in your sight at all times, don’t light them next to things that can catch fire, etc. Be careful loves.

2. Run your bath

Get the bath running at a comfortable temperature - test both the water directly from the faucet and in the bath itself. Toss in any bath bombs, soaks, treatments and/or bubble bath. While my bath is running, this is where I like to put in my hair mask and my clay face mask. Hop in once you’re ready.

3. Relax!

This is the time to just chill. Read a book or listen to an audiobook. Lean back and relax for a while until your hair and face mask are about ready to be washed off. This is your time. Sometimes I’ll stay in longer than my hair mask really needs; it’s okay. Relax until you’re feeling good again. Cry, contemplate life, plan your next day, do whatever you need to within the comfort of your bath.

4. Exfoliate

If you prefer to exfoliate your body through topical acids, skip this step. If you use a physical exfoliator, now’s a good time. Give yourself a good (but gentle!) scrub. Focus on areas prone to dry spots like your elbows and knees. Avoid sensitive areas.

5. Shave

You may want to save this step for in the shower, but I find doing it at the end of my bath is just fine as I shower right afterwards. Use your favourite shaving cream or conditioner and just shave everything you want to shave (if you’re into hair removal - never make yourself shave if you don’t want to!) I won’t cover much here considering most people have been shaving for a long time at this point, and shaving tips could honestly be a post of their own.

6. Rinse

When you’re ready, drain your bath and run a shower. Rinse your face mask and hair mask. Depending on your hair mask you may want to shampoo your hair at this point. Wash your body with your favourite body wash. Quickly go over any spots you may have missed while shaving. Finish up anything else you have to do and then hop out.

7. Moisturize

Moisturize moisturize moisturize. Gently pat your skin dry and put your hair up in a towel. Use your favourite lotion or body butter, giving some special attention to dry areas and areas likely to be touched. Once your lotion has sunk in you could even follow up with your favourite body oil if you have one. Throw on your robe to let everything soak in and make you feel like a rich, luxurious housewife.

8. Skincare

Finish up with your skincare routine and dental routine.