Breaking the Makeup Comfort Zone

Foundation, Corrector, Concealer, Powder, Mascara, Brows, Lips 

There are many parts of our lives where we develop a routine.  From the moment we wake up to the second we can finally shut our minds off, routines are there to guide us.  Routines are great because they can make even the most stressful and hectic of days organized and calming.  But, there are times when I get incredibly bored of my schedule.  I find this occurs the most in my beauty routines.  I get very comfortable with doing one look and I do not deviate for weeks, sometimes months.  Then when I want to change my look, I'm apprehensive.  I'm comfortable with the one I have been doing for months, so why change? 

Over the past few weeks, I have made it a goal to try more looks with as much confidence as possible.  Here are a few tips that have helped me:

1. Try it at home.  The great thing about makeup is that you can wash it off.  Try that crazy purple lipstick and see if you like it before wearing it out.  I do this the most with drugstore products.  I can't swatch drugstore lipsticks, so I just take the plunge at home.  It removes a lot of anxiety knowing no one will see me if it looks terrible.

2. Give it some time.  There are times where you will try a new look and be disappointed.  But, wait, put down that makeup wipe!  Do you not like it because you really don't think you look good or because you're not used to seeing yourself like that?  I know it was the latter when I started wearing bold lipsticks.  Test drive the look while you're at home and make up your mind at the end of the day.  If you feel so-so about it, try it again another day and see if you're feelings change.

3. Phone a friend.  If I'm really unsure of something, I'll ask a friend about it.  It's great to have someone give me an honest opinion without making me feel silly for trying.  Sometimes you need that extra boost of confidence to keep experimenting.

Aaand, that's it!  Do you have any tips?  Leave me a comment and tell me what they are!

Until next time!

Rachel 

Whistle While You Work

Image Source

This weekend was rather dull for me.  I have an exam (tonight, actually!) and spent most of the weekend studying.  With finals season about to hit, it seems that all of my professors are piling on exams and last minute assignments before we completely give ourselves over to studying day and night.  

Coming up with a proper method for studying has taken me a long time to figure out.  At times, it was an extremely frustrating process.  Why was I not retaining information that my classmates effortlessly did?  What was I doing wrong?  My grades would suffer because I did not have a method that worked for me.  So, this post is for anyone out there who is in this situation and needs a little guidance.  I have been in your shoes and I hope my advice helps!

Environment

Where I study or do homework is the biggest factor for me.  Do you like having background noise like music or a television show?  Do you like being comfy on the couch or at a desk?  Are you too distracted at home and need to go out?  Take the time to figure out what works best for you.  Personally, I like a relatively quiet setting.  I'm usually at my dining room table with soft music on in the background.  I love going on Songza and listening to the Classical for Studying Plasylist (how fitting!).  Also, for anyone who has Spotify, Erik Satie is a wonderful pianist with simple and calming melodies.  These are great options for those of us who need some background noise, but don't want anything too distracting.

Method

This was the hardest thing for me to figure out.  Do you need to take an active role in studying (retaking notes) or a passive role (rereading your notes)?  I found that an active role works best for me.  I need to take two sets of notes; one during lectures and the other from the textbook.  I will then compare the two and see if anything from the book was not covered in lecture.  Then, I'll combine my sets and rewrite them.  That may seem tedious, but rewriting my notes really solidifies everything for me.  If you're not too keen on that, writing important terms on flashcards is another great method.  Study groups are also a great way to review information.  Asking each other for clarification on a tough topic or "quizzing" each other is a great way to get a deeper understanding of the material.

Take a Break!

If you find that you're falling asleep on top of your notes or have read the same line 5438345 times, it's time to relax.  Take a few minutes to catch up on blogs, text your friends so they know you're alive, or get a snack to help you recharge.  You need to be diligent about your breaks, however.  If you only need 15 minutes, do not get distracted and turn that into an hour.  That has happened to me more times than I care to admit.  If I take a break for too long, it's so hard for me to get back in the swing of things.  No matter how long your break is, do not feel guilty about it.  Not everyone can study for three hours with no break.  We're not machines, after all!

I hope these tips make studying a little more bearable!  Work hard, take a deep breath, and go in with a positive attitude.  You will rock. :]

What are your study tips?  Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

Rachel

Perk Up, Honey

As I sit and type these are the things closest to me/on me: I am wrapped in a fuzzy white robe with two blankets on my legs, cold water, throat lozenges, a constantly growing pile of tissues, and reruns of old British detective TV series.  Sounds super attractive, right?  This, ladies and gents, is what happens when I get sick.  Since I am very well acquainted with the common cold (I swear I get it, like, 8 times a year), I decided to list my tricks for recovery as well as some "sick day makeup" tips.

• It is okay to stay home.  I know this seems obvious, but for a workaholic like me pushing myself to the limit is all I do.  Challenging myself to do better and be better was how I got through undergraduate.  This method can be productive, but it can also set you several days back on the road to recovery.  Your bosses, friends, and professors will understand if you need a day off.  More often than not, the best medicine is a day of rest and relaxation.

• Keep the makeup light.  If you absolutely have to go out, save the dramatic eyes and lips for another day.  Tinted moisturizer, concealer, powder (if you need it), brows, blush, and mascara are the only things I bother with.  Even though that sounds like a lot, it takes me less than five minutes to put all this on.  Occasionally, I will put on some highlighter to give my skin a little more life.

• When you think you've had enough water, drink one more glass.  This is something I've had to learn the hard way.  It may sound odd, but I do not get thirsty very often.  I have to think about keeping myself hydrated even when I'm not sick.  Water is so important because it helps flush those nasty toxins out of your body.  The last thing you need on top of your other symptoms is dehydration, so drink up!

• Give your skin a little TLC.  Even though I have combination skin, I pick a moisturizer that is slightly more... moisturizing.  (Was that redundant?)  My nose area especially needs this since it gets dry from constant contact with tissues.  Lately I've been using the Korres Pomegranate Balancing Cream Moisturizer, making sure to use a little extra around any areas that are particularly dry.  This stuff is great because it gives me that moisturized feeling without feeling like a grease monkey.

These are my main tips, but please share yours in the comments!  I hope all of you are well and stay healthy!

Till next time,

Rachel