I remember that around this time the year before last, while I was going through a difficult break up that I began sleeping a lot and became one of the most grumpiest people around. I'm pretty sure I became bitter and will leave out those details for the here and now.A light switched off in my brain and I decided to stop neglecting my body and skincare routines.
One night, while I was talking with a guy who helped me through this breakup; I recalled using nose strips to remove both the blackheads and white heads from my nose. Me, in my slouchy grey clothing and hair pulled back, I was trying every exfoliant out there for my skin. From sea salt,sugar,facial scrubbers or cinnamon. My skin felt dry but clear. I needed to balance out the moisture (gee, I wonder why it felt so stripped)? I realised after much use of these pore strips that it was affecting the ph balance to some degree in my skin or just stripped it from natural oils. Similarly, when I was in my teens and used every facial scrub out there on my skin even the self- proclaimed "gentle enough to use daily" ones. It seemed they worked to a certain degree but damaged or dried out my skin.
It took a year later, to find a great product.
In no way, am I saying that this product is the "cure-all" to all blackheads or whiteheads. I realised how well my skin responds to "natural contents". This product costed me a whopping $150TTD but a little went a long way and lasted me for several months. I only ever used this for up to two full weeks once a day and it proved to be gentle enough. Otherwise, I mostly used it once per week. If you're looking for a product that truly is gentle enough to use a couple times a week or daily,this is worth the buck. (No, I am not being paid for advertising this Neal's Yard's product,see link below for details).
http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/skincare/organic-facial-skincare/facial-masks-scrubs-and-polishes/0080.html#tab3
Pros:
1. Gentle exfoliating agents
2.Water-based versus cream/oil based
3.Herbal fragrance
4."Fresh glowing skin" after- effect
5. Does a good job keeping both black and white heads at bay while balancing skin's natural oils
6. Makes skin feel soft
Cons:
1. Costly
2.Herbal fragrance may not be preferred option
3.Most appropriately suited for oily-combination skin
So,while I don't want to make this too much of a beauty review ( a little too late,huh?). I'll proceed to discuss another routine I have been trying. I am back in a place where I've felt like I was undergoing a dark period in the past few months and reworking on my emotional,mental health and spiritual growth. I am learning so much and will continue doing so. God has seriously become my everything and I am embracing Him more when I feel like I want or need a romantic counterpart present. Truly,the mountain where I run.In Him, I find my comfort,heal learn to create and grow. Again with flicking the switch,I realised my skin needed some caring. As such,I have opted to finding a new skin-care regimen. It seems my skin becomes one of the first things to react when I'm undergoing stressful life events.
It was while I was looking at
https://www.youtube.com/user/CloudyApples/videos that I discovered the concept of "oil cleansing". Dove into some research myself and decided to try it out for a solid three (3) weeks. I became fond of the Oilve oil and Castor oil combination but there are other combinations out there if you're interested. This oil cleansing has helped my skin to return to its natural ph balance while removing makeup.Previously, I would use makeup remover wipes but I began seeing it as wasteful. Stay tuned with how my Oil cleansing routine goes! I am thinking to experiment with Grapeseed oil next time.
Lessons learnt:
1.If things are chaotic and stressful for you,doesn't mean your skin needs to look that way.
2. Some people may see it as selfish and be careful to not use this one as a' cop-out' but, stop giving if it hurts.If you're a natural giver by heart that is, and you realise it isn't reciprocated by other people for whatever reason,it's okay to 'bow-out'. Especially if it begins to affect your personal development.
Maybe in the future blogs,Ill be posting more lessons I have been learning.
Dig Deeper:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”-Deuteronomy 31:6
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”-Isaiah 41:10
Currently listening to: "King of My Heart" by Jeremy Riddle and Steffany Gretzinger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQVRbHv3dHo
xoxo
In grace,
Kesara
My purpose is not to list and expand on all of the reasons why people go on murder sprees but to focus on what the Lord's been revealing in my own life through these events. With that said, I have to submit that I have had a two year background in a psychiatric setting and we often underplay the reality of the large scores of people diagnosed,misdiagnosed or not at all with having some psychiatric illness. In this little platform I do have, I want any of you out there to not be afraid to make the first step in seeking some help. Sometimes life takes us in winding paths or maybe we willfully do so and end up with heartbreaks or otherwise and it may require an extensive road of talk therapy for example. (I'll link below what that means). I was once told that no matter who we are,at the end of the day,we all need help. I guarantee you that you feeling safe on the inside (emotionally)/ affectively as well as in your thought spaces /cognitively as well as on the outside (physically) is worth more than holding all the resentment on the inside or self-destructing. You are truly worth it.We are worth it. Maybe, that's what a bunch of us fail to see. Are we so blinded that we don't see the sanctity in human life anymore? 
