My Skin Care Routine

To be honest, I'm pretty lost when it comes to a skin care routine.
Anything skin, hand, or hair care is a whole realm that I have yet to learn about.

I would usually stick to one facial scrub or cleanser to wash my oily face at the end of the day, but I'd still have blemishes. But I recently I went to The Body Shop and had someone give me tips, and they showed me some steps to take better care of my skin. And let me tell you, after I sat down at The Body Shop and had some products tested on my face, boyyy did my skin feel NICE and ALIVE.

Like I said before, I have quite oily skin. I'd feel sweat, oil, and dirt get on the bridge of my nose and between my eyebrows. Yuck. I have bad habits of picking at my skin and baby hairs when I get stressed, so my grimy hands just makes my skin more gross. To get rid of that feeling, I use to use charcoal cleansers everyday -- bad move.

Even though the charcoal left a satisfying clean feeling, it was actually pulling out too much oil and moisture from my skin. After all the oil was sucked out of my face, my skin had to compensate for the dryness by producing even more oil.

This blogpost is about the routine that works for me, so let me know if you have different ways or thoughts on skin care! I'll leave the products that I use below every step, and I linked them if you want to check them out too!

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My skin care routine:

1. Wash your face with warm water.

I try to get rid of as much excess dirt from my skin with some warm water and a face/hand towel. I like to think that the warm water lets the steam open up my pores. It feels refreshing anyways!

















2. Use a cleanser.

Think of a cleanser as makeup remover. You're taking off any of the remaining grime on your face.
The Tea Tree foaming cleanser I use acts as a balance for the pH levels on your skin, and tries to even out the oil and shine on your skin. It's good to use gentle cleansers so you're not stripping away everything on your face, because it could create more problems!

Product: The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Cleansing Foaming Cleanser

3. Use a toner.

You don't have to use a toner, because the purpose of toner is similar to the cleanser. Toner helps balance your skin tone, clean the skin, and control oil production. So, you can choose to alternate between toner and cleanser.

To use toner, dab a good amount into a flat cotton pad and smoothen it all over your face. Wait a minute or two before you wipe your face clean with a wet face towel.

Product: The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner

















4. Moisturize.

After you've cleaned your skin, lock it in!
By using a moisturizer, you're adding back a layer of protection of moisture into your face. This nourishes and hydrates your skin after a long day.

Product: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer
          Eucerin Skin Calming Daily Moisturizing Creme

5. Treating Blemishes.

I started using Tea Tree Oil for my blemishes, and it's been amazing. I could actually tell a difference in the size of the angry red spots on my forehead. After a day or two, the redness subdues and it's practically gone!

Use a cotton bud / Q-tip and add a few drops of the oil on one end, and dab on any red spots or blemishes.

I use to use all kinds of acne facial scrubs, lotions, and concentrates that had beads, benzoyl peroxide, charcoal, citrus, etc to treat my blemishes (Neutrogena, St. Ives, Clean & Clear, Oxy, and Asian beauty products). They would help only for a short period of time, and didn't help me control the angry red spots on my face. Sometimes my skin would end up feeling really tight and it would look like plastic. It would feel clean in the shower right after I've washed it off, but a few minutes later it feels like someone put a layer of floor wax on my face.

The best advice I have for you is to try to keep your skin care routine a constant. If you're always using different products and brands each week it'll confuse your body and more problems could come up.  Learn more about your own skin, and see how it reacts to certain products. Do you notice any significant changes?

Product: The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil



5. Serums.

This step is optional.
Use whatever serums, concentrates, or creams you like. Whether it's for wrinkles or dark circles, use it before you moisturize.

The youth concentrate in the picture above rejuvenates your skin to look and feel healthier, smoother, and softer.

Product: The Body Shop Drops of Youth

6. Face masks.

Treat yourself to spa days at home! Invite some of your friends too if you want to have a pamper day! Wash your face clean, use a face mask, and relax.

Product: The Body Shop Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask
          The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask
          Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask

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I try not to use products on my skin everyday, so I can let it breathe. I'd typically do this routine every 2 or 3 days (depending how oily my skin's feeling). And on the days where I don't do anything, I'd just wash my face with warm water.

I hope this was helpful! :)
It feels nice and different to do something beauty related. I'm pretty sure I'm still 70% clueless on beauty topics though.

x Vicky

A Fresh Start

Do you smell that crisp Autumn air?
I'm so excited for the Fall and Winter!
It's getting chilly in the mornings here in New York, and I'm ready to embrace my sweaters and hoodies!

But every Fall, is the sad reminder that school is starting soon :(
Well for me, I started college in late August, so I'm already feeling the school blues.


College is a new start for me that I didn't get in high school, so I was excited and nervous at the same time. New classes, friends, and campus!

When I was making my schedule and picking out my classes, I was so glad that I didn't have math. Wooh! And I'm finally taking courses that I'm actually interested in. My high school didn't have much variety, so I only had a certain selection. But now, I'm taking film classes, psychology, art, and more! The lectures have been great so far, all my professors seem really friendly and engaged with the class. I'm still trying to get use to the long lectures, because I get antsy after sitting in uncomfortable seats for 2 hours straight. But I'm looking forward to how the rest of the semester will play out!

Making friends was kinda nerve wrecking. Everyone was rushing from class to class, so it was hard to find people who had the same schedule as me. But I've managed to talk to some of my classmates, and they've been really kind and fun to get to know.

I'm commuting between home and college, so I've been struggling to wake up early D:
I would try to do something productive on the train ride, like reading, but I end up sleeping... haha!

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If you're heading to school soon, or already in school, here's some thoughts I always remind myself!

1. Don't care.

Walk down the hallways looking straight, not at the people passing you.
I learned to not blink twice at people sometimes. There are moments when I tell myself, "Okay, that person's not important right now. I don't give two flying cruds of what they're doing right now." As dumb as it sounds, this includes scrolling on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat to see what your friends are doing every second.

2. Pace yourself.

Try not to overwhelm yourself with work. Find a rhythm that works with you.
I am constantly organizing everything, and writing to-do lists.
Be sure that you know what you're doing, and do it with focus!

3. Trends are only temporary.

Don't follow others. This includes fashion, tech, and food trends.
Trends come and go, so don't get too hooked on things and lose focus.
Fashion and technology seems to be the biggest thing that students spend money on -- when you really shouldn't. If you're like me, clothes and the latest tablet is the least of my concerns. Because I know that in a few months, the hype moves on and people will be buying a whole new wardrobe to fit in with everyone else. I say do what is smart, not trendy.

MOST IMPORTANTLY

4. Be selfish of your time.

Find time for yourself, do what you like.
Read, write, paint.
Walk around naked in your room, dance in the shower, sing in the stairwell.

Basically, take a breather.
If you don't find some kind of outlet, the stress is only going to build higher.

x Vicky