Author: Mstldelano

Digital curator, art enthusiast, creator of daily luxurious experiences.
beauty

Review: The Ordinary’s Squalane Oil

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Earlier this year, I started using The Ordinary’s skincare products, along with my main skincare line (Mary Kay Timewise collection). I had listened to Wayne Goss’s review of The Ordinary’s primers, and decided to give them a try. After liking how well the primers worked, I started experimenting with the Argiriline solution, the Alpha Arbutin, and the Niacinamide . Today’s review is on the 100% Plant-Derived Squalane Oil.

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If you have never heard of squalane, join the club. I had no idea what it was, and I only purchased out of curiosity. After receiving the product, I looked up squalane and found out that it is an olive oil derivative. The Ordinary’s website mentions that the product is for “surface hydration”, which I take it means that the product locks in moisture.

Even though I have oily skin, I enjoy using a very lightweight oil during the wintertime, after doing my evening skincare routine. A little oil on top of all of my products seems to keep my skin from looking too weather-beaten. And, since the air is drier in the winter, a noncomedogenic oil acts as a great buffer against indoor heating (especially since I don’t normally use a humidifier). I also thought that testing oils now, before the chilly season arrives, would be particularly proactive of me. All in all, I figured squalane oil could be a good option, since “surface hydration” is what I desire, and testing the oil now seemed like a sound idea.

The directions for use are as follows:

“Apply a few drops daily or as needed to entire face ideally after water-based treatments.”

So, the evening after I received the oil, I gave it a try. The product comes in a dark bottle (I assume that it’s light-sensitive) with an eyedropper to dispense the product. I got a dropper full of product and placed it in my palm. I noted the very thin, lightweight consistency and I was excited: I hate heavy oils on my face. However, the oil was so lightweight that my hands (which were squeaky clean and ever so slightly damp) soaked it right up! I had to get another dropper full in order for any of the product to make it to my face. But at this point, I’m still excited because the oil doesn’t feel greasy (another one of my oil “peeves”).

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I applied the squalane oil after cleansing, exfoliating, and using two of my serums. That was a BIG mistake: the squalane made my serums clump on my face. I wasn’t expecting the oil to make my serums pill, so I stopped massaging it into my face and opted to pat it on. When patting, I noticed that the product didn’t seem to adhere to the surface of my skin at all. It did, however, make my eyebrows look very lustrous.

The next day, I tried squalane oil in the morning (when I use only one serum). The pilling occurred again. As a result, I decided that squalane may not be the oil for me. My serums aren’t oil-based, but they aren’t watery enough to prevent the squalane oil from making them clump. I can just as easily find another lightweight oil that doesn’t interfere with the absorption of my serums and solutions.

So here are my squalane oil takeaways:

– The oil is odorless and colorless and, as previously mentioned, very lightweight.

–  The product absorbs easily into product-free skin.

– The product can be applied over other products, but patting is the best application method (massaging will make the previously applied products clump on the skin’s surface)

– The oil is not greasy.

I am still using the oil, but I keep it at my desk and apply it to my hands only. It is great as a hand moisturizer because it’s not greasy (no oil stains on the papers I handle!), odorless (no offending my officemates with strong fragrances) and the eyedropper dispenser makes it easy to apply the oil precisely where you need it (for me, usually the skin between my fingers). If you have dry skin on your face, this would be a great final step for locking in the moisture before applying a heavier moisturizing product.

The Ordinary’s Squalane Oil retails for $7.90, so I think it’s a great price for a good product. If you want to learn more about squalane oil, check out this article. Try it and let me know what you think!

 

(all photos from The Ordinary’s website)

 

 

life curation · reading list

NaNoWriMo 2017: Are You Ready?

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Well, now you all know why I’ll be out of the loop in November. I’m fully participating in NaNoWriMo 2017, so that I can get back into the habit of writing fiction.

clipart library(Photo courtesy Clipart Library)

I’ve written a few books, but I’ve never published. I can’t tell you why I didn’t take the next step, other than the fact that I didn’t believe in my abilities. It’s funny: I can get on this blog, talk about pretty much anything that interests me, and I don’t feel shy about it. But my fiction, where people can actually read the worlds, characters, and scenarios that I create? It feels almost intrusive!

But the thing is, I have to publish my work. I believe in writing for your own satisfaction, first and foremost. But I think it’s powerful to make your words available for another person’s consumption: you never know who will be enlightened or inspired by what you have to say. No writer is required to publish, but it can be a “full circle” action for those of us that choose to do so.

I’m ready to come full circle. It’s time.

So this November, I’ll do NaNoWriMo, and in December, I’ll do my 3rd round of revisions for a previous book I wrote. In January, I’ll start on a new book, and in February, I revise a different book: one that I haven’t revised in a couple of years. I’ll stay on a “Write/Revise” rotation for the next few months, until I have a book that I feel is truly ready for the public (probably Summer 2018).

Are any of you participating in this year’s NaNoWriMo event? Or have you participated in the past? Let me know in the comments below: I’d love to hear your stories!

life curation

Preparing for 2018: Listening to Your Intuition

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Hi friends! I hope you all are feeling wonderful, wherever you are. I’m gearing up for an exciting November, but I wanted to make sure to share this post that I think will help you as you prepare for an awesome 2018.

I previously wrote about what should happen before you set any goals and the importance of committing your goals in writing. But this post is, undoubtedly, one of the most difficult steps for really going after your goals.

You must become an expert at listening to your intuition.

exemplore(perfect photo courtesy of Exemplore.com)

I struggle with explaining this concept, so I will advise you now to check out Jeannette Maw, my favorite law of attraction (LOA) coach. Jeannette’s blog, Good Vibe Blog, and it’s companion, Good Vibe University, have been invaluable in offering ideas for reaching goals more efficiently. Jeannette also has a fantastic podcast, LOA Recon.

I came across Jeannette after listening to some other LOA podcasts and reading some books about deliberate creation. At the end of this post, I will reference the best podcasts and articles that Jeannette has written on the topic of listening to intuition, or “guidance” as she likes to put it (I use the terms interchangeably, and have really gotten fond of using “guidance” to describe those internal “hunches”).

Your intuition is constantly giving you feeback on what you should do. Getting really familiar with how you truly feel is key to recognizing intuition when it speaks. And trust me: when you’re at a crossroad, or confused about what to do next, your intuition has an answer. All you have to do is get quiet enough to listen to it.

mostlymystery

Meditation or, at very minimum, getting quiet, can help you listen to your intuition (photo courtesy of MostlyMystery.com)

That’s right: you have to get quiet. Remove as much exterior “stimuli” as you can, get quiet, and be still. You can say aloud, or quietly to yourself, what you desire and make it plain that you’re confused about how to get it. Don’t attempt to think it through: just state it and relax. Then, start listening for sensations in your body or unexplainable thoughts coming to mind. How does your stomach feel? Do you have chills/goosebumps? Did a thought pop randomly into your head? Look around you: does anything in your physical space catch your eye? Pay attention without overthinking. If it helps, write down whatever comes to mind, for as long as you feel like it.

The more you practice listening, the easier it will be to recognize when your intuition is speaking to you. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself: a light touch works really well for this sort of thing. If you don’t come up with any hunches, then put the practice to rest while you do something else. Sometimes, giving yourself a break can be wonderful for helping you find the real answer.

There is one condition that I like to emphasize: your best bet, when taking a break, is to only do what feels best (Jeannette advises the same thing). The better you are about this, the more likely you are to actually start hearing your intuition loud and clear.

If you can master this, you will reach your goals more quickly and effortlessly than you could have ever dreamed.

If you struggle with listening to your intuition, check out Jeannette’s resources here:

Blog Posts

Follow the Signs

It’s a Simple Process

About Inspired Action

 

Podcasts

Reversing a Downward Spiral

Making Tough Decisions

Secret Instructions to Dreams Come True

 

life curation

A Word to the Late Bloomers . . .

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Happy Monday, beloveds! I want to start off this week with a little encouragement for the “ugly” ducklings that are still trying to find their groove. It’s going to be okay, really it is. You may not know it, but you’re on the cusp of being your best, most amazing self.

I realized that I needed to write this post after talking to one of my fellow late bloomers. We mentioned how much more fun we would have had years ago if we were aware of the tools that could improve our looks and lives. We live in a shallow world: having advantages in the looks department is powerful. But, we were both late bloomers: awkward, conditioned to “fade” into the background, and constantly grasping for our most confident selves.

It took years of reflection, experimentation, and even some harsh critiques, but we’re both looking and feeling our best. Changing our diets, wardrobes, hairstyles, and perspective has done wonders for both of us. We’re finally “pretty” girls, and this side of life has been wonderful. The best thing of all is that being more confident in our physical presentation has led to us meeting more people, and those people eventually discover that our interior beauty – the beauty that never fades – is the most captivating part of us. The “pretty” packaging draws people to us, and those people can get to experience the inner beauty that’s been there all along.

ForHarriet

The inner beauty is always the most import (from ForHarriet)

 

You all have seen my Boohoo hauls (here and here) but you don’t know that I amped up my hairstyling game, too. I recently started setting my hair in Rita Hayworth-esque waves and curls. The attention I’ve gotten has been mind-blowing, especially since my hair is the same length and color: all that has changed is the curliness. I also pared down my makeup, focusing more on intense eyes and less on matte, full-coverage foundation. Again, the attention I’ve gotten is astounding.

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Current hair inspiration, Rita Hayworth (from Allison Barbera Makeup)

 

My advice to any late bloomers is to continue experimenting and have fun on the journey. Looking like an airbrushed supermodel isn’t the goal: finding a look that makes you feel your best is what you should shoot for. Take care of yourself, and be gentle with yourself. You’ll find your lane, I promise.

beauty

More Reviews Coming!

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theordinary

Did I mention to you all that I have been using The Ordinary’s products for the past several months?

I didn’t?

Well, I have, and what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t review them? I’ve used 10 (TEN!) of their products so far, and I’ve got opinions on everything I’ve tried.

I’m most impressed with their skincare products, though I’ve tried their cosmetics as well. I am a fan of how the company makes high quality products at such affordable prices.

I’m thinking that a review (or two) every week should take me through the month of November, since I’m going to be out of the loop for most of that month (more details on that later).

Don’t worry: being out of the loop doesn’t mean that there won’t be posts. In fact, I plan on pre-writing quite a few posts, so I maintain my current post-a-day schedule.

Talk to you all tomorrow!

style

Additional Boohoo Purchases

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I added a few additional items from Boohoo to my wardrobe. Previously, I purchased several dresses from the company and I’ve enjoyed them. But, I needed a few more items with longer sleeves and that are better suited to the cool weather. I ended up selecting four new dresses: Flo Ribbed High Neck Long Sleeved Midi Dress in lilas, Lucy Rose Print Sleeveless Midi Dress, Eva Tie Waist Fitted Dress in fuchsia,  Eloise Gathered Waist Midi Dress in navy.

The grand total for my purchase? $51.

Here’s a look at the dresses I got (as of today, the Flo dress in lilas is no longer available, however, it does come in several other colors).

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Flo dress

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Lucy dress

evafuchsia

Eva dress

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Eloise dress

I’ve worn two of the dresses so far, and, similarly to the other Boohoo dresses, I’m pleased with the fit and construction. I can’t wait to see how these hold up over the next few months!

food

Review: Tempo di Pasta Food Truck

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Before the autumn weather gripped the Mid-Atlantic region, I regularly got out and went to the food trucks throughout the city. The trucks still come out, but I’m not eager to take in the chilly weather just to get something to eat. This time of year, I’m much more inclined to either bring my meals with me, or to have food delivered to the office.

However, while the weather was still warm and I felt like taking in the sunshine, I tried a truck I’d never seen before. Tempo di Pasta is an Italian food truck that stops at different points in DC every week (though I’m not sure if they are maintaining this schedule during the fall). The truck offers an array of meat and vegetarian entrees, all featuring fresh and flavorful ingredients.

I tried the crab and lobster ravioli ($12). The food was generously portioned: there were 8 large stuffed ravioli and I was satisfied eating half for lunch and the other half for dinner. Here’s the dinner portion, plated and made pretty for your viewing pleasure:

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I found that the ravioli was delicious and perfectly seasoned. The sauce is flavorful and rich, but not overwhelming. This was, by far, one of the tastiest Italian meals I’ve ever had, from a truck or otherwise. I loved it! I can’t wait to try more of their dishes. Here’s hoping they come out on a few of the remaining warm days, so I won’t have to wait until next summer to try Tempo di Pasta again!

luxury

Speaking of Gemstones . . .

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A few days ago, I posted a link to a course that teaches the basics of gemology. Well, it wasn’t long before I came across a gem that would put all of that recently acquired knowledge to use … Feast your eyes on this beauty:

 

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(photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)

Sotheby’s will be auctioning this breathtaking pink diamond in Geneva, Switzerland on November 15, 2017. The stone, named The Raj Pink, is expected to fetch over $30 million.

For those that don’t know, fancy colored diamonds of any hue are rare. Fancy colored pink diamonds are even rarer, and to have a fancy pink diamond with this size and clarity makes it among the rarest in the world. I hope whoever decides to purchase it will allow the Smithsonian Institute – or some other prominent museum – to display it for a period of time. I’m sure that the public would love to see this beauty up close.

In case that first photo wasn’t enough for you, here are two more:

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(Photo courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar)

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(Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)

I simply can’t get enough of this stunning stone! I can’t wait to see how high the bidding will go, and who will be the lucky purchaser of The Raj Pink diamond.

beauty · international

Review: Korean Bath Mitts

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Let me tell you all: I *will* be enjoying baby soft skin this winter. Of course, that’s my decree every year. But this year, I have a new tool in my arsenal:

I ordered these Korean bath mitts from Amazon and was kind of confused over how to use them. Fortunately, the customer reviews were invaluable: kudos to the reviewers that gave tips on using these.

Here’s the short version of how to best use these:

  • Don’t use these on your face! They’re far too abrasive for the delicate skin on your face. I’ll admit: I tried these on my face initially, because the photo on the package depicts a woman using it on hers. My skin behaved just fine and yes, my skin even looked better after using this twice a week. But, I noted that my skin felt more sensitive – not uncomfortably so, but it was noticeable – so I stopped. The reviewers on Amazon advise against using this on the face, and I’ll second that recommendation.
  • These shrink up – a lot. The smaller size makes for a snug fit on the hand, so just expect the shrinkage and you’ll be fine.
  • The best way to use these is to soak in a tub for ten minutes, then rub the skin with the mitt while wet. That removed the dead skin gently and effectively.

I’m enjoying these mitts, even though I was surprised by the shrinkage and used them on my face when I shouldn’t have! I tried using them the recommended way and I loved how soft my skin felt, as well as how my skin responded to moisturizers afterward. I’ll be purchasing more and keeping these in rotation during the months to come!

 

life curation

Preparing for 2018: Commit It In Writing

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“Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie, though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:2, 3)

Happy Tuesday, loves! Look at me, already with a third part of the Preparing for 2018 series (Have you missed the other parts? Catch up here and here). This series is part inspiration, part instruction, and part reverse engineering. There’s no better way to duplicate success than to analyze what you did and try to recreate the results.

As part of the Preparing for 2018 series, I want to touch on one of the most powerful tools I’ve used on my journey. Without it, I’m not sure that I would have made progress as quickly as I did. That tool is, of course, the power of WRITING my goals.

I use writing to not only clarify my goals, but to help me identify my stumbling blocks, visualize the steps needed to accomplish my goals, as well as reflect upon what worked well and where I should apply some course correction. Writing is my favorite recommendation to anyone trying to turn their dreams into reality.

I advise everyone to get a journal and use it for capturing thoughts when inspiration hits. But, in this case, I go a little further: having a journal dedicated to your 2018 vision can really help you materialize what you want faster. Funny enough, writing down what’s happening all around us may help us see that what we really desire – happiness, prosperity, love – is already present in our lives: we just needed to pay closer attention.

Here is a book that I’ve referenced many times over more than ten years (!), which explains how to use writing in powerful ways:

I’ll do a review on “Write It Down, Make It Happen” by Dr. Henriette Anne Klauser in a future post. But for now, let me just tell you that this book is my ultimate guide when it comes to inspired writing. And, for the upcoming year, writing down your goals and vision should be nonnegotiable. After all, we actually want to accomplish our dreams, and writing them down will put you ahead of the game in so many ways; why wouldn’t you want such a powerful advantage?

That’s it for today. I have a special little series coming up soon, so look out for that. Until tomorrow . . .