Tag: skincare

Upcoming Books!

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So, as you know, I’m a book reader, a collector, a lover of all things books. So I often buy them in bulk and spend time reading them. I’m going to let you in on what I’ve recently ordered and will be posting about!

“Daughters of Africa” by Margaret Busby.

“New Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Writing by Women of African Descent” by Margaret Busby.

“Akata Witch” by Nnedi Okorafor.

“Stay With Me” by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀.

“Queenie” by Candice Carty-Williams.

“Reaper of Souls” by Rena Barron (A Sequel to “Kingdom of Souls” that I previously read).

You can find links attached to the author and also check out my StoryGraph @ ashilifee! (all lower case, not-sponsored content).

Also check out Buttah Skin! A Black-Owned Skincare business! I talked about them in my recent post but this is what I ordered: Buttah Skin: Super Customizable Skincare Kit (not-sponsored content).

Guess who’s back?

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Okay, so I know I’ve been dropping in like a sack of potatoes and rolling out but after a long but much needed break, I’m back!

What have I been up to?

Well, I started taking care of myself much more than I ever have before. I’m navigating a new life of freedoms that I never really experienced before. I’m asking myself questions and putting them down to be answered and I am loving life. I have to admit, I never thought I would get to this point to where I just love who I am. I did not lose weight but instead learned to love the body that I’m in and when it’s ready to change (we are ready to change) mentally, I’ll be there.

I took a few trips and found love in them. I found that I love traveling and I love doing something new so that’s new. I’ve picked back up on reading books! I’ve finished almost 12 so far this year and I’ve ordered more. I’m so excited to share with you the books I have read and the ones I have in my stockpile. Also, makeup! Ugh, I’ve ordered so much and have been dipping my toes back into it. I love to transform myself. I love what it does.

Relationship? The relationship I had mentioned earlier this year fell though but from the ashes, a new and much better one formed. We haven’t officially met (our schedules have clashed and military life is unpredictable) but we’re finally meeting in December, which means we’ve “talked” for the majority of the year and that’s what made it so much better. I love his love of books. I love his mind. I like him as a person. So in December, maybe we’ll have an update.

Deserving of love…I had this long fought battle that I did not deserve love but when he came into myself. I questioned why I thought that and that maybe I do indeed deserve his ‘liking’ or his ‘love’ or whatever he has to offer but it took some self-reflection to get to that point.

Future traveling: his work is taking him to a new state so I will definitely get to visit and see a new place pretty soon. I’m thinking January or February for the traveling. I’m so excited to have him come here, possibly meet friends and family and then decide our next move.

Skincare? Now, you know I lovessss my skincare and that hasn’t changed. I’ve been faithful to Innisfree but I’m now looking to introduce some new brands into my routine. I’ve just places and order for a new brand. I’m going to try them out for a month and regularly give an update! And they’re #blackowned so I’m happy to see my money go back into my community.

Well, this is it for now. I do plan on updating regularly and switching up my layout to one that its who I am at this point in time.

Love, Ashilife!

Natural Healing

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So for my 28th birthday, I took a trip to the beach. It’s been about 10 years since I have been to a beach in the States. During my slight time out in the sun, my skin started to dry out and itch resulting in eczema. I went through a few days of trying different products to get myself healed up and guess what? None of them worked.

Now, do I think its was the product or my skin? Definitely the product. Something in my heart told me: “Go back to your roots”. So what did I do? Start using Shea Butter. Surprisingly, I was not introduced to Shea butter until about 4 years ago when a friend suggested I use it for my skin since no lotion from the store would really….get into my cracks and crevices. So, I did and ya know what? It worked. My skin absorb it and reflected back bits golds and yellows, when the sun hit it, it literally glowed. In all of my life, I had never glowed before.

I used shea butter for awhile after I have been in China awhile, it was much easier to just carry your everyday regular lotion. Recently, I’ve been trying to get my skin back to a supple, healing state which means drinking more water, putting nutrients and foods into my body that also help my skin and paying attention to it.

So what did I do? I order some natural soaps from my friend! We actually met in China and have been friends every since. I’m so thankful to have a friend like her. She has always had a passion for being creative and it really shows with her soaps. I am lucky to have been with her through the process this entire time, testing out products, giving feedback. I knew that I had to go back to roots and that involved getting rid of the wholesale soap.

I think my order arrived at the beginning of July. I immediately switched soaps and kept up the routine of putting on shea butter and wouldn’t you know…my eczema is gone or at least the bumps are so thin and flat you can’t see them. Whenever I have these breakouts, my skin always reminds me of an alligator (I specifically remember this on another beach trip 10 years ago for Senior week). But, I think with the right regiment, the right dedication, and the time, my skin will tell me why it went left. But for now, we will hold out.

Visit her sight at: https://www.sabounie.com

Where have I been?

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Avoiding life to be honest! Since the last time I posted I’ve: did really bad with my first semester back in college. Like so bad that I ended up on academic probation bad, but what’s the good without the bad? Nothing. But I would like to become more consistent with writing so here we go!

What’s coming up? I’ve been reading a lot to be on the look out for book reviews!

Skincare? Oh yeahhhh, my skincare hasn’t changed much but we (I) do have some new products.

Weightloss? Listen….it didn’t happen. I did lose weight but I’m not sure how tbh!

Life? We’ll get to that…eventually. Life’s been going on and on and I am just on the ride for it.

A little life update

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HHHEELLLLLLLOOOO EVERYONEEE!!! It’s been so long since I’ve updated everyone on where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing..let’s take a look back at my life the past few months.

My birthday was June 14th, so I spent 4 days in New York City visiting a college friend and enjoying the city. It reminded me so much of Shanghai that it was crazy but I definitely enjoy that feeling…the nostalgia.

In July, I was officially accepted in a Pre-Med program at my local university. This route gives me access to work part-time, and also go to school part-time without making such a financial strain.

Weightloss? At one point, I was experiencing a drop in weight due to fasting. I really liked it but decided to take a break to give myself freedom with school.

Work has been terrible but I’m thankful to have a job during the pandemic and also make enough to pay my bills. I’ve worked on improving my credit score and will hopefully have a much better credit standing by the end of the year.

Plans? Right now, I’m taking it one day at a time. I was very stressed last week due to having assignments that needed to be turned in. Virtual learning is very difficult and I commend anyone who actually has learned anything during this time. I’m only taking two classes right now and I have tutors for both. I’m very fortunate that I have the time to have tutors, ask them questions, and get the chance for some face-to-face learning, which is how I learn best.

I was very upset with myself for starting back to school and choosing such a strenuous track that I almost thought about quitting but then I remembered my goals and that I had been working hard towards these moments and that’s what kept me going. I’m proud of myself, and you should be proud of whatever you’ve accomplished too.

Next year? I plan to take Spring Break off and possibly go to California to see if I want to attend a doctorate program there. If the world hasn’t gone to hell in a hand-basket by then! There’s definitely some places I want to visit.

Homesick? Yes. After making China my 1st 2nd home, I miss the atmosphere, the people, my life. It’s changed so much in the year that I’ve been home that I can hardly believe it.

Skincare? OH YOU DON’T HAVE TO ASK. I’m still ordering skincare, it’s become an exciting ritual that I have now. I love taking care of my skin and trying new products. I’m also glowly now and I think that contributes to my happiness.

I’m eventually going to start getting serious about weightless again, but in the meantime, I’ll choose steps over the elevator at school and spend time walking around getting to know my new campus. I love the greenery but not the COVID-19.

I hope you all are doing well! Leave a comment below if you want to have a check in session.

See ya soon!

1 Year of Skincare!

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It’s been a long time since I’ve sat down to write but here I am, away from TikTok and posting about my 1 year of taking care of my skin!!! AMAZING!!! WOOOO-HOOOO!!!! It’s been one year of me trying different products, finding out what works best and what doesn’t.

Firstly, I have to say thank you to my skin who has been the champion throughout this all. It’s taken on an entire new routine and help it together. *claps*

Now, since you’ve read this far, you’re probably wondering what I’ve been using to keep my skin in tip-top shape? About 98% of my skincare is Korean…wait let me explain! When living in China, there weren’t a lot of options that I learned to trust. Of course they had skincare but some skincare has chemicals in it to make the person lighter and for my complexion, that didn’t work. Someone suggested Innisfree. It took a few tries and some research to buy the first product (which was nothing I’d researched or intended to buy). I bought a cleaner and some sunblock. That’s it!

I used it and saw how amazing it made my face feel and when back for more. That was around the end of March/ early April of 2019. And boom, before I left, I’d spent over 5000RMB! (I don’t know what the conversion is…wait let me Google [searches through Google] $707.96 estimated). Listen, under I put that number in and did the conversion, I didn’t realize I’d spent that much. interesting. But any who, since I had started working, I’ve made two more orders to replace my dwindling stash with Innisfree products. So, at this point, I may be inching closer and closer to the $1,000.

Well, what do you use?

Every night, I mostly follow the Korean skincare routine. I cleanse with an oil, followed up by a Cerva cleanser. When I’m doing cleansing, I apply a toner, serums, essences, eye cream, and a final cream to “seal” it all in. I do need to buy more acids to go along with my serums but this method is working for me right now. And also, I have been avoid dairy like the plague. Ugh. I’m lactose intolerant and these past few weeks have been tough on my intestines. So, the elimination of dairy and mostly chocolate has cleared it up (surprisingly, I don’t care chocolate until a few days before my period). I’ve also drank more water! I usually don’t drink a lot of caffeine because I won’t be able to sleep. My eating has been terrible but I’m still hanging on!

And I have to say, my skin is no longer a concern with me. I can nit-pick over issues with my body but I don’t have those anymore with my skin. I wish I had a picture from when I started and after but my skin tells it’s own story. It likes what I’m doing and I like what it’s doing.

And also!!! I submitted my application to attend university again. This time, I’m going to a local college instead of a massive school and I’m starting with biology. During this time, I will still work (maybe not full-time) but I’m going to give it my all! I sent in my application Friday so hopefully next week I’ll hear something regarding transferring my credits over. We’ll see! I’ll keep you updated on how it goes.