A Journey in Adulting & Self-Care

Regardless of your political beliefs, we all can make small changes that can help make our routine just a bit more sustainable and eco-friendly. The added benefit of it being more cost-effective just makes it that much better! So, here are some easy swaps you can make to make your routine a bit greener. Makeup towel instead of makeup wipes While makeup wipes are super convenient when traveling or at the gym, makeup towels can quickly add up and end up in landfills. A microfiber towel (I use the MakeUp Eraser) is an easy way to get even the most stubborn and waterproof makeup off your face and have your cleanser work on cleaning your skin, instead of trying to get makeup off. Cotton rounds instead of cotton pads If you have toner or eye makeup remover in your routine, you may go through a fair amount of cotton balls. A reusable cotton rounds is an easy way to still get these steps in your routine but without the damage that comes from growing, bleaching and throwing away cotton balls. C

Growing up in India there were some cultural norms that were very different from the West, specifically when it came to dental hygiene. I remember seeing my grandfather chew on twigs from the neem tree to help prevent decay. Of course we had toothbrushes and toothpaste, but this was what he had grown up with. We only brushed our teeth once a day and it was the first thing you did when you woke up.  Moving to the States, our routine evolved to include brushing 2x day, flossing etc. However, as an adult, I am now realizing that there is a preferred order to things when it comes to dental hygiene. MYTH #1: Rinse after brushing Wait, what, no...ew. That was my first reaction when I found out that it is not necessary to rinse after you brush your teeth. Yes, of course, you spit out the lather but if you rinse out the toothpaste, you decrease the protection it gives. Leaving it intact gives just a bit more protection than if you rinsed it out.  Plus, if you can, flossing after brushing means

 This blog was born out of two reasons: 1. for my daughter to have a documented way to take care of herself...when she decides mama has something worthwhile to say and 2. from the numerous friends and family who have asked to have my ideas and research documented for them. The specific topic of healing acne scars was something that has been requested a few times so I thought it was about time to document it! What is scarring? So, for the purpose of this post, I will be discussing acne scars. Many people refer to any mark left after acne is gone as acne scars but there are actually two different types of scars, PIH and atrophic scars. PIH (Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation) These are the red or brown discolorations that are left after your acne is healed. This can be a result of popping the pimple or just because you have melanin and your skin is prone to pigmentation. They are not 3-dimensional and you may have reasonable success in covering it with makeup. These scars will get worse

If you've heard the term "double cleansing" and have an idea but not quite sure what it means, not to fear! I am here to help explain what double cleaning is and how you can add it to your routine. Double cleansing is the practice popularized by Asian beauty where you wash your face twice. Easy enough, right? Well, the cleansing is a bit different each time. First cleanse This is great at removing make-up, sunscreen and more stubborn layers of dirt, pollution or other residual evidence of the day. This is done using an oil-based cleanser which might be in a liquid oil form or in a balm-to-oil form. The whole point is that if you can get this layer off then our second cleanse can focus on a gentle cleansing which doesn't strip your skin.  Personally, I love oil cleansers which are gentle enough to work into my eye area because I like waterproof mascaras and long-lasting brow products. I also look for products which don't drip too fast so it doesn't feel as gooe