Grad school is stressful but in a different way than undergrad. I think it’s easy to feel directionless in graduate school because there is less emphasis placed on advising and not much student “hand-holding.”
In my case, the typical graduate school stress was coupled with the stress of living abroad on my own. I grew two grey hairs at 22! I’ve learned to just take it day by day and go easy on myself. This past semester’s workload felt lighter than undergrad but I know this situation won’t last long. The workload is two-fold this upcoming semester and the deadline for my dissertation nears closer and closer.
Still, I’m super excited to embark on a fresh start come next semester and get closer to the finish line to finish this MA. I hope to continue to practice self-care and better manage my studying time. My favorite self-care practice as of yet is getting facials and manicures when I can. ❤
I’ve gotten box braids with extensions done three times now. The first time I got the style installed was in North Carolina. The stylist made the braids skinnier than I anticipated and used *gasp* 20 packets of hair!
I loved the results of this first experience. The hair was not too itchy and the quality of it was nice. The braiding process hurt because of the weight of the style. Plus, it made falling asleep comfortably an impossibility. I took a bunch of Advil to push through during the styling and afterward.
I probably will only do such an extravagant style again for a special occasion. It took about 6 hours for the stylist to finish my hair. She charged $350+ for the style and did not provide the hair. The hair totaled to around $80-$100. (I can try and search for her contact info if anyone is interested)
I disliked how frizzy the front of my hair became when I first got box braids. I think the thick parting made my hair frizziness more noticeable. I took the braids out a few days short of a month later on.
The second time around I flew to London to get box braids. I went to Natural Gloe Hair & Beauty. Address: 14 Northfield AvenueW13 9RJ www.Naturalgloe.com
I highly recommend the salon, the owner was incredibly professional. Two stylists — the owner and her assistant worked on my hair at once and finished in 4 hours. The salon provided the hair. At my request, they washed it pre-styling for me because my scalp is sensitive to the chemicals put on synthetic hair.
I had a nightmare braiding experience in 2017 that taught me this, I had to take out my $300+ braids the night after getting them done because my scalp burned and itched horribly. 😦
The style only amounted to around 120-150 euros. I was super happy with how much lighter the hair was but I preferred the softer quality of the hair I used in my first box braiding experience.
2nd box braiding experience
I just recently got box braids done again a third time in a thinner style. The stylist only used three packets of the high-quality hair that I purchased called “RastAfri – Freed’m-Triple-Braid”. Though I was unhappy about my stylist’s professionalism, I am pleased with the results. I hope that this time once the braids get frizzier it will look less obvious and more purposeful, akin to Zoe Kravitz’s skinny box braids look. ❤
Far left are two pictures of first box braids style. Top three across are photos of the second time. Bottom three across is the third time and most recent.
I’ve received L’Occitane Aqua gel face wash and lotion as a gift. I’ve used these products for a few days now and can confirm they’re fantastic! The face cream feels like a splash of water on the skin. I’m thankful to have the face wash gel in my skin care regimen because its gentle. Given that most of my face washes have a scrub element and are drying for the skin if they’re overused. I think both of the products make a wonderful gift, especially the face lotion because the packaging is pretty. The lid is silver and the jar is made of glass.
Another go-to product I realized I forgot to mention in my last post is the Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment. I love this bad boy because it dries down pimples super quickly. I need to buy a new one ASAP. ❤
I love skincare! It’s the one thing I always feel a-okay spending a bunch of money on. I have pictured above some of my most used products.
Sokoglam is my most frequented online Korean skin care store. The Triple C Lightning Liquid is the only product I’ve used that completely gets rid of pigmentation. Its better than pricer products like the pictured nearly empty Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Radiance Serum.
The Vinoperfect Radiance Serum brightened my skin but did nothing for pimple marks. I do not plan on repurchasing that serum, but I enjoyed using it.
I think a better overall face brightening product is the Kiehl’s Turmeric and Cranberry Seed mask. It sounds dramatic, but I cannot imagine life without this product. A little of it goes a long way; one container lasts me like 4 months. I love Kiehl’s products hence why so many are pictured above. 🙈
The Kiehl’s pore mask (pictured on the far right) minimizes pores very effectively. I like that there is a lot of product to work with within one container.
The pollution mask is fantastic because it makes my skin appear softer and the smell is pleasant. I think it’s an affordable (college or grad student budget) luxuriating skin care product.
I’ve heard so much hype about the Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream that I decided to try it out and switch from Origins Ginzing eye cream. I think it’s better than Ginzing because it more easily melts into the skin. I used to have issues with white eye product sitting on my face after trying to tap the product in.
The last product pictured in the leftmost corner box is the Kiehl’s day face lotion with SPF. This day lotion makes the skin appear radiant, it’s very thick and best suited for winter.
The last two products to talk about are pictured in the middle image: L’Occitane Perfecting Mattifying Fluid and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate. First of all, the best night skin care product of all time is Midnight Recovery (Kanye voice). It diminishes pores and makes my skin appear supple.
I also really love the Perfecting Mattifying Fluid as an alternative lightweight day cream. My only complaint is that it takes like five pumps to get enough lotion for my face and the bottle is small. I think this product is very pricey because it takes so much of it to get the job done. But I do notice a difference in my skin. I’ve noticed this product makes my face look like I’m wearing makeup when I’m not. Also, with makeup, it creates an airbrushed look.
During my first semester of graduate school, my skin broke out. My skin’s texture began to look patchy. I typically use Sokoglam lemon pads to even out my skin’s texture but not even that method worked.
I am back in the U.S. on break from school. I have begun using Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial and my skin is much clearer.
Next product I want to test out and share with my mom is La crème Beautè bee venom. I have to confess I only want it because model Devon Carlson uses it and her skin is flawless. I think the product is an investment but it’ll be worth it. Plus the reviews are stellar! ❤
Christmas came early?! I feel extra icey now that I’ve gotten my navy and silver accessories from Rebecca Minkoff. I think navy is a great colour because it works all year long. It works in the winter with sliver/glitter looks and in the summer with tan or neutral outfits. I got this small navy crossbody on sale from RM. It has two small inner compartments and a sizeable inside opening. I can fit my phone and passport inside with room to spare. The strap is adjustable and a good length. The leather shoulder part is a smart design choice because it allows for extra comfort when worn. The phone case has sliver glitter underneath the design for a wintery touch! I’m very excited to wear my new bag and flaunt my phone case for the rest of late fall and winter. I recommend these purchases. ❤
Fall is almost over 😢, so its time to listen to holiday music and look forward to winter! One of my favourite autumn class outfits is pictured below. I wore an Anthropologie sweater top, INC jeans, and Anthropologie boots. My statement earrings and coat are from Pennys. The coat was steal, super warm and only amounted to about 30 euros! ❤
This red top is from Topshop as are the olive booties, and the jeans are from New York and Company. Oh how I love this festive red blouse! I just hand wash it and hang it up near my heater to dry. Its like new after about 10 minutes of drying.My button-up is from New York and Company. I love it because it has an iridescent quality and can appear pink or light purple in different light. The skirt is from Penny’s. I need to probably wear a belt with it next time because its a size bigger than my usual size.My coral sweater is from Ann Taylor and my flare jeans are from Topshop. ❤Pennys coat ❤
Since my last post, I’ve eaten fish and chips at two very different places. Once at Dicey’s located in The Russell Court Hotel and the other time at the Fish Shack in Dun Laoghaire.
Dicey’s is what the name implies ––– a dicey place, a “nightclub,” famed for cheap drinks. The fish and chips there were a tad oily, as expected for “bar food,” but the fish tasted reasonably fresh. They provided lemon, ketchup, and tartar sauce. I enjoyed the perfectly salted flavour of the thick-cut fries and I give them a 5/5 score, the fish freshness and batter 2.5/5, overall flavour 3/5, and presentation 3.5/5.
Oh how I love Dun Laoghaire! It’s a very beautiful costal town known for fresh seafood. Fish Shack had a long line and half an hour wait time, and I understand why. At this location, the fish and chips costs 14.50 euros. The proportion is small, but still enough to satisfy. The fish was so fresh that it still had the skin on. The flavour of the catch was not overly fishy either. I ate the entire thing, presentation decorations included lol. I rate everything 5/5, and I cannot really find any faults in my meal. I appreciated the inclusion of chili peppers in the fish batter. The flavour of the fish was simple and not spicy, but still had a bit of kick. Neither the fries or the fish was oily. I highly recommend! ❤
