A Journey in Adulting & Self-Care

One of the ways I approach skincare and try to make it more budget-friendly is by finding effective ways to recreate pricey procedures at home. While I know I cannot replicate the high-strength procedures or training of skincare professionals, slow and steady certainly has its benefits in the march against time. Microcurrent technology has been around since the 1980s and essentially uses low-voltage electric currents to help stimulate collage production, ATP development, giving a more lifted and defined look. As we age, most people are either sinkers or saggers...looking at my family, I am a sagger which means microcurrent facials may be use the thing to add to my routine. The Nuface device is one of the first FDA approved device that is available to consumers. Please know, this means that it is safe to use but it does not mean it will guarantee results. It comes with a conductive gel which helps ensure that you do not feel the currents as it zaps your skin. If you can feel it, you eit

 While there are a variety of interventions and procedures available to us, I firmly believe that skincare should suit you and no one else.  We have peels, lasers and other procedures that harness our body's natural healing abilities to help address skin concerns. If you (and your doctor) feel that fillers or injectables are the right step for you, go for it! Some people use these to preserve their features while others use it to enhance them. The latter can become tricky in this age of social media and issues like body dysmorphia can cause us to quickly spiral into uncanny valley. A person who doesn't look like a person...because their face doesn't move naturally = uncanny valley. However, I decided to get Botox when my teeth grinding was getting severe enough and I couldn't sleep comfortably with a night guard. Turns out that you can't just get a portion of a syringe so I figured, why not...let's get a sprinkle of Botox throughout the rest of my face. Oh, boy.

 Admittedly, I was a bit embarrassed typing out the title..."a guide to showering"? I mean, how complicated can it be?? Truthfully, it is not complicated but if you are like me, your showers are your escape for the day, that is until your kid is pounding on the door, insisting that she needs your help with a task that only you and no one else can accomplish. So sometimes, you are luxuriating in it and other times, you are trying to get in and out as quick as possible. Either way, you want your routine and products working just as hard as you do! 1. PRE-SHAMPOO Please take note of the all-caps I used for this sub-heading, yes, it is that important. Now, my natural and curly haired sisters may find they need a different routine but pretty much everyone from 1 - 2b...maybe even 2c, should be using a pre-shampoo. I go into more details with my hair routine here but do not get in the shower without either a pre-shampoo or a shower cap if it not a wash day. 2. Set the Mood Ok, thi

 So, this post may be a bit polarizing...I want to share things that I will never use on my skin but with the caveat that this may work well for other people! So, as with all other aspects of self-care, do your research and make sure it is right for you! There is no one-size-fits-all but hopefully my experience will help you on your journey as well. 1. Pore Strips God, I loved these...the little forest of gross sebum that would be pulled out, the rush of seeing your nose without the connect-the-dots happening on them. I swear, my nose looked smaller because there were less things to look at after I did a pore strip on my nose. Turns out, pore strips weren't pulling out gunk and pus...but sebum, literally the moisturizing oil that we produce to keep our skin in check. No doubt I also got blackheads but they always came back no matter how many I pulled out. Since blackheads are just oxidized sebum plugs and since pores don't actually open and close (did anyone else think of high

 Ah yes, summertime...the season for skirts, shorts and sundresses. It also means that we may need a bit more attention to these exposed parts than we had given during previous seasons so I have here some tips and tricks to help keep your skin hydrated and radiant! I also would be grinning this big if my skin was so radiant! 1. Drink Water Ok, yes...this seems like a no-brainer but my goal is to make self-care accessible and if you don't already know, you know now...drinking water is key to self-care, inside and out. Whether its sparkling water, infused water, water in fun bottles, use whatever you need to help you stay hydrated, just avoid sugar which would defeat the purpose. 2. Exfoliate I usually am a fan of chemical exfoliants but when it comes to body care, I like physical exfoliants. It just seems more efficient with all the ground you have to cover as compared to your face. Dry brushing gives me crazy dolphin skin but learning about macular amyloidosis  (a grey, patchy lesi

If you walk away from this blog only have read this post, then just know that your neighbors will thank you. Smelling good not only makes us feel good but can be pleasant or even down-right alluring to those around you. And before you think all it takes is a shower and deodorant, just know that we are about to level up your aromatic game. The Basics Because this is a blog about making self-care accessible, we will start at the beginning. Shower regularly. Even if you feel depressed, tired sick...a warm shower can work wonders. Even if it is the only thing you manage to do...pull yourself out of the bed long enough to get under that shower.  If this tweet is to be believed...the Vikings and all their showered glory were too sexy for European women so the power of a shower cannot be denied! Great! You are freshly showered! Now what? Use deodorant. If you are using anti-perspirant (the difference being that antiperspirant  actually block your ability to sweat), then use these at night sin

Sun's out, toes out! When the weather gets warmer, we get cuter options for footwear with sandals and flip-flops leading the way. But if your heels are callused and your toes have seen better days, you may find that you are less excited about the prospect of open-toed footwear. Never fear, your girl is here with a guide to keeping your toes as cute as possible at home! 1. Don't go barefoot First of all...if you wear shoes in your home...stop doing that, its just gross. But if you go barefoot at home, wear socks or slippers! Barefoot, even at home, can cause calluses and damage to your feet. 2. Exfoliate! Whaaa...even your feet?? Yes! I personally love the Babyfoot Peel for a bi-annual, at-home pedicure. This magical yet gross process starts with your pre-soaked feet in plastic booties and ends a few days later with sheets (that's right...I said sheets) of dead skin peeling off your feet. It gives you the same, enthralled feeling of disgust you get when you look at a pore st