Friendly reminder – especially to young girls – that influencers who say shit like
"drink this smoothie/juice to lose belly fat"
"this is the ONLY exercise you need to tone your entire body"
"don't do these exercises, do THESE instead"
"do this exercise to lose fat off this specific body part"
"all you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit"
are ALL bullshitting you for views and likes! And you will often catch them in contradiction, but since they look toned and fit and healthy you may think you're the one who's confused, but no, they're lying. I am here to help set the record straight:
No type of food is going to make you lose fat. Some foods get the fame of being fat-burners for being thermogenic (meaning they raise your body temperature temporarily), but it's not enough to make you lose fat if you don't adjust everything else.
No one exercise affects the entire body and if you only do one type of exercise your body will get used to it and its effects won't be as beneficial. Also, if you only do one exercise you will get bored and it will get in the way of your consistency.
You need to do the exercises that make you feel good and fulfilled and that keep you consistently coming back for more. If you like planks over crunches, then you should plank. If you like dancing over running, then you should dance. All exercises, if done in proper form and within your capabilities, are beneficial and correct.
There is no way to target fat loss. This is a very dangerous and widespread myth. It has been shown over and over in studies and trials that fat is lost proportionately all over the body and that it depends heavily on genetic factors whether you will lose more here or there. You can target muscle gain, but not fat loss.
There is so much more to fat loss (which is different from weight loss, since weight is not determined only by fat) than only a calorie deficit. Yes, consuming less calories than you burn is the way to go, but it's not as simple as that: you can do that and still not lose any significant weight! There's genetics, there's nutrition, there's other health factors, there's muscle mass, there's water weight, there's hormones, there's stress levels, there's so much more nuance to consider in the human body than just calories. If it were as "simple" as a calorie deficit, do you think so many people would struggle with their weight?
Health and nutrition and fitness are complex subjects that deserve more of your attention and research than watching clickbait videos on Tiktok from people that are just trying to capture your views, often using underhanded tactics. I say that with love: social media builds trust only for it to be betrayed by algorithmic monetization.
Question what you see and read (including my posts!) and look into things that go against your common sense! It's a tough world to navigate, be safe 💫
Sick of the very obvious pattern on this website where people will rb nebulous “free Palestine!!” posts then proceed to ignore fundraisers, start discourse about the fundraisers being scams, pretend like seeing fundraisers on their dash is the most inconvenient thing to have ever happened to them. Like . Not that it shouldn’t be obvious, but it’s extremely suspect when you’re all for the concept of Palestinian liberation but then act like it’s an impossible request when you’re asked to apply that into tangible effort to help struggling Palestinian families evacuate and afford literal basics you take for granted
Truly asking you guys to push back against this by donating to and sharing Hazem’s fundraiser. This is another fundraiser that has been stalling for so long, despite the fact that Hazem’s siblings are all children stuck in Jabalia camp right now, alongside his parents. Part of me thinks this is because people think they’re entitled to graphic images of his and his family’s trauma in order to find it in themselves to care. That has never been and should never be a prerequisite. These are real human beings, who have dreams, fears, and futures same as you. They don’t deserve to live any less than you do, nor should you be a voyeur of their suffering. You should share and donate because it’s the right thing to do. Please donate. Please spread this so other people can as well.
Please please please help Hazem's family. It breaks my heart that the donations have again dwindled down into nothing. For more than an hour now.
Just a few hours ago, the UN released a report that children are paying the "heaviest price" as the iof continues to stifle humanitarian food aid, with acute malnutrition spiking 300% between May and July in North Gaza. All five of Hazem's siblings, and thousands of children, have been living in these conditions for more than a year. Their families barely able to pay for food, let alone anything nutritious.
Just an hour ago, the iof issued more evacuation orders for Ghazzans living in northern camps, forcing them to be displaced once more. Please this simply cannot wait. I am extremely fearful of these children's safety. Please do your part in ensuring they at least have enough funds to register for evacuation, and have some food to sustain themselves until then.
Any donation is greatly appreciated. No donations in more than a hour.
My name is Hazem, and I am from Gaza. Since 2018, I have not been able to see my fami… Hazem Khalil needs your support for Help my family in
not to keep harping on this but if you HATE shaving your body or any other part of your "beauty routine": stop doing it. just stop doing it, at least for a little while (maybe when you don't have a lot going on if that helps) and HONESTLY gauge how it makes you feel. is this feeling better or worse than the amount of time, stress, and money the routine takes? do YOU actually prefer how you looked before, or are you only worried about what others think? if you stopped doing the routine forever, could you find other ways to feel better about yourself with that energy?
when I was like 19 and the idea of not shaving my legs anymore first occurred to me (bc I had a Cool Progressive Boyfriend that Didn't Care) i just stopped and it was immediately like... a quantifiably large chunk of unnecessary anxiety just sloughed off my life forever. instantaneously I got rid a bunch of effort and stress I had been accepting as normal, and replaced it with more time to do what actually made me feel 'ready' in the morning, like hygiene, coffee, preparing for my activities etc.
and i DONT feel self conscious about body hair personally but even if I did, no amount of shame over hair could outweigh how much easier my life is. not just bc 'shaving annoying' or 'long showers' or whatever, but like. yeah I don't waste as much time getting ready anymore, and I also don't have to realize last minute before some leg-showing event that im unfit for display and have a whole self-esteem plummeting anxiety attack about whether I should rush it unsafely and risk being late, cut up, and stressed out before the event, or go With Hair and feel judged the whole time. i don't have to go through any of those emotions and when anyone does comment on my hair rudely, im in a much healthier place to deal with it and tell them to fuck off rather than validate THEIR fucked up standards by feeling bad.
once I realized I didn't give a shit and neither did anyone I cared about, it also gave me the freedom to cut out a bunch of other shit I was only doing (or Thinking I Should) bc it was what girls Have To Do to be presentable. fuck shaving fuck waxing fuck eyebrow shaping fuck concealer fuck multi step skincare fuck shapewear fuck lip fillers fuck contouring fuck teeth whitening fuck all of it, you do not need to change ANYTHING about how you look Every Single Day.
for those of you about to say "but I like being shaven/wearing makeup/literally pulling hair out of my face painfully every day etc etc etc":
have fun and mod your avatar all you want but for gods sake if you hate it and complain about how long it takes and all the stuff you "have" to buy or do just to "get ready" - you do not have to. you're not just having fun. you are not getting Ready, you are making your mood and experience worse for yourself, which is going to make you feel unready and unprepared for actually being yourself comfortably.
Ego work? I'll love to know more about that, thank you.
To be honest I’m not sure myself.
A diagram of Jung’s Map of The Psyche popped up on my Pinterest and after very little analysis I realised I hear a lot about using shadow work to confront yourself, shadow work to better your relationship with yourself, shadow work to heal… you get the idea
But the self in the diagram is where the shadow and ego meet. So why do we have shadow work but not ego work? Wouldn’t we need a balance of both to truly be ourselves? If shadow work is confronting your less desired traits and trauma does that mean ego work is appreciating your good qualities, good memories and achievements? Or is it too heavily influenced by outside forces for us to identify with? Then should we be trying to dismantle it? Would you still be yourself without it? We hear about inflated egos a lot but if you’re finding the balance between shadow and ego you’d be alright wouldn’t you?
I honestly don’t know enough about Jung’s Theory to answer these questions. I’m just inquisitive.
I’m gonna keep adding questions to this the more I think and learn about it so eventually I can come back to it and hopefully answer them.
UPDATE 1: I found these videos by wested_arin that kinda fit the vibes I want in life and worked through her PDFs and I gotta say I’m more in touch with who I am right now, who I was, and who I want to become.
this post will go over basic information like skin type and how to determine it as well as more in depth info about types of cleansers, moisturisers and sunscreen, how to choose and apply them. Whether you should incorporate toners, essences, serums, masks, or exfoliants into your skincare routine and what to look for in them. As well as some more general lifestyle tips and what kinds of products you should be using at your current age or consider getting in the future.
To determine skin type
Wash your face and let it air dry .
If it feels tight and itchy you have dry skin . You may also see fine lines or flakes on your skin .
If your skin is oily you’ll have more visible pores and your skin will be shiny . This skin type is usually prone to acne , black heads , and white heads .
If it feels tight in certain places or has large pores in some areas but not others. If you notice aspects of both skin types on different parts of your face. Congratulations you have combination skin .
If none of these apply to you and your face doesn’t feel oily or dry then you've got normal skin .
Some people view sensitive as a skin type , I personally don't. Sensitivity can be developed or be sensitive in combination with another skin type .
As you age your skin tends to become thinner and dryer.
cleanse
The types of cleansers
Micellar water - tiny oil molecules suspended in soft water which attract oil and dirt . Especially recommended for those with sensitive skin .
Foam - start out as gel or cream and lather to foam and removes all excess oil from the skin . Which is good for combination skin
Gel - similar to foam cleanser. Good for acne prone or oily skin
Lotion - because of their consistency they’re less stripping thus suitable for sensitive dry skin
Balm - if you wear a lot of makeup, especially if your makeup is waterproof this is for your . Rub the balm over your face . They also have hydrating benefits which makes them perfect for dry skin .
Oil Based - contrary to popular belief oily skin types can use oil cleansers without fear of side effects. They remove dirt without disturbing your skin barrier or drying out your skin .
Clay - draw out all excess oils and toxins from your skin . Not suitable for dry skin as it may be overly stripping but are perfect for sensitive oily or combination .
Wipes - requires no real explanation . You just wipe your skin with the little disposable cloth .
How to use them
wash your hands so you don’t transfer more germs onto your face , that would defeat the purpose of cleansing
Wet your face
Now rub the cleanser of choice between your hands . You only need a pea to a blueberry amount . Some will foam , others will cream , and then there are those that won’t really do anything.
Rub the cleanser gently in circular motions all over your face . Emphasis on the gentle part . Use your pointer and middle finger and imagine you’re washing someone else’s face .
You should do this for no more than a minute , any longer could be stripping to your skin
If your skin is super dry you can use a cleanser once a day so you don’t over strip your skin . cleanse with product at night to get rid of all the impurities picked up during the day and in the morning all you did was sleep in a clean room in a clean bed . That doesn’t mean don’t wash your face in the morning . You should still be using water to wash your face . Not just rinsing , actually wash your face .
If you don’t have this issue you can try double cleansing . This is when you cleanse first with an oil based cleanser then with a water based cleanser . We double cleanse because not all impurities are water soluble . Double cleansing helps to thoroughly cleanse your skin . This method works well if you wear a lot of thick , heavy makeup . Bear in mind that it would be too stripping to double cleanse every day , twice a day. if you really want to double cleanse every night and you’re hydrating your skin well afterwards there should be no problem .
Protect
After cleansing you need to protect your skin . During the day you protect it with sunscreen and during the night you use a moisturiser . I have really dry skin so I use a moisturiser in the morning as well .
A rule of thumb don’t mix your sunscreen and moisturiser ( or any of your skincare products ) layer them .
Sunscreen
There are two number values on the bottle PA and SPF.
SPF stands for sun protection factor, refers to how long protection lasts and protects you from uv rays that cause sunburn. Generally SPF 15 blocks 93% of UV rays and SPF 30 blocks about 97%. Spf that is too high isn’t good for your skin but ideally you want to use spf50 when going outdoors.
PA protects you from uv rays that accelerates aging. Here you want to focus on the number of plus signs on the bottle as they indicate the effectiveness of the product.
Even with sunscreen it’s still advised you stay out of direct sunlight for long periods of time. So wear a hat if you can’t avoid it .
Types of Sunscreen
Chemical - are absorbed into your skin and turn uv rays into energy before they can hurt your skin . Sensitive skin may want to stay away from this type as it could cause a bad reaction . Don’t rule chemical sunscreen out completely though. It may have been one bad brand or ingredient . Note this sunscreen needs to be applied first as it has to penetrate your skin .
Physical - sits on top of your skin and act like a shield from uv rays which means it needs to be applied last . Because they sit on your skin they’re thicker and tend to leave a cast so people with darker skin may prefer chemical sunscreen .
Powder and spray - is more of a reapplication than a primary sunscreen . The idea is you use your physical or chemical sunscreen and every two hours you reapply a powder or spray sunscreen .
How to use sunscreen
Cleanse
Dot a teaspoon amount of sunscreen all over your face (and body)
Gently massage it into your skin . I’ll say that again : Gently , gently massage
Reapply every two hours
If you wear makeup it’s best to apply physical sunscreen over makeup as you’ll have to do so anyway when you reapply .
Moisturiser
Types of moisturisers
Humectants - attract water and slow down evaporation usually comes in gel formulas . They absorb into the skin quickly making them best for oily skin types .
Emollients - fills the gaps between skin with hydrating oils and lipids . These have a light cream or lotion consistency . This type best for dry or combination skin .
Occlusives - seals in moisture and stops it from evaporating . They come in thick creams and balms . Perfect for dehydrated , dry , mature skin .
How to apply moisturiser
Cleanse face and apply chemical sunscreen if using
Then apply moisturiser , a pea to blueberry sized amount
Dab it all over your face
Soothe each up and across your face in circular motions
Again be very gentle using your middle and forefingers
These are the foundations of skincare. Consider the next sections only after you have these first three covered.
Treat
Between cleansing and protecting comes a treatment step. this can be with a toner , essence , serum , exfoliation, and masks . All of the above if your skin can handle it. Layer them from lightest to thickest consistency and exfoliate after cleansing.
Masks, toners, essences, and serums are infused with nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins chosen to treat specific skin concern . I have a section on ingredients to treat skin concerns at the end. When comparing products look at the similarities and differences between their ingredient lists. The order or products is usually from highest to lowest concentration.
Remember an ingredient or product that someone else swears by may not work well for your skin . this step requires trail and error, time and money . Consistent cleansing, moisturiser and sunscreen should fade most concerns so don’t fret over a treatment if you can’t afford to.
If any product you have doesn’t work for you , don’t waste the product and throw it away . You could give it to a friend with a similar skin concern to see if it works better for them .
Toner
Watery consistency , the lightweight helping it absorb into the skin quickly . Applied with cotton pad after double cleansing to hydrate and restore the PH of skin .
If the toner is exfoliating put a couple drops on a cotton pad, don’t drown it, and pass the pad once across your face.
If the toner is hydrating put a couple dots on your palm and gently pat the toner into your skin. If you need more than one layer feel free to repeat this process no more than 7 times
Essence
As hydrating and fast absorbing but thicker than toners. However they're less concentrated than serums.
Application is the same as a hydrating toner but 7 layers would be excessive, 2 to 3 should be enough.
Serum
Usually comes in a dropper . Even if you’ve double cleansed it’s imperative that the dropper doesn’t touch your face to ensure bacteria won’t contaminate the dropper and by extension the serum . Once you’ve applied the serum gently massage the liquid into your skin .
Masks
Types of masks
Using a mask once or twice a week is beneficial but remember it’s not necessary . As long as you cleanse and protect you'll be fine
sheet
Works for all skin types . There are two variations of sheet masks . The first type is a cotton mask drenched in serum or essence . The second is a jelly-like sheet infused with ingredients . Sheet masks are extremely hydrating but the ingredients infused will determine the benefits .
Clay
If you have oily skin this one is for you . It’s a combination of water , clay , and minerals that determine the properties and absorb all excess oils from your skin . For this reason it’s best to stay away from this mask if your skin is already dry .
Charcoal
These masks are best used as spot treatments for breakouts as they help soothe inflammation . Charcoal helps remove excess oils as well .
Cream
This category is for wash off masks that don’t fit into the above categories . As previously stated the ingredients determine the benefits of a mask .
Overnight
As the name suggests you put it on before bed and it works while you’re asleep . What makes an overnight mask different from a night cream are the active ingredients .
Peel off
People with sensitive skin proceed with caution . This mask will literally peel the dead skin from your face . So sensitive skin types be careful . These have no active ingredients because they’re used for exfoliating than treating .
Exfoliate
This is when you remove dead skin cells. However it is not recommended if you have any kind of skin condition like acne, eczema, etc . The most important thing is that you cleanse and protect but exfoliation can remove dry dull skin and improve circulation
Types of exfoliation
Physical : sugar scrubs , clay masks , gommage peeling , dry brushing , sponges , and cloths rubbed onto the skin in circular motions
Chemicals: like AHAs ( alpha hydroxy acids ) that’ll break the bonds holding the dead skin onto your face or BHAs ( beta hydroxy acids ) . PHAs have larger particles and work best on thinner skin. LHA is a milder BHA perfect for acne prone skin .
Oily and dry skin types would benefit from physical exfoliation but if your skin is sensitive avoid rubbing into it harshly . To avoid irritation stick to a mild chemical exfoliant . AHAs followed by cleanser and moisturiser would be perfect for dry skin . if your skin is normal or combination you'll have to experiment with both chemical and physical exfoliants. A general rule is that chemical exfoliation is gentler and therefore better . You should never be too rough with your skin .
Common skin concerns and ingredients
acne
Benzoyl peroxide, 5% for face and 10% for body
Salicylic acid
Clindamycin (with BP)
Azeliac acid
Retinol/retinoids
pigmentation
SUNSCREEN
hydroquinone
Azelaic acid
Vitamin C
Kojic acid
Retinoid creams
Caffeine creams
Steroid creams
Superficial chemical peels
Laser resurfacing
scarring
High strength retinoid creams
Deep chemical peels
Laser resurfacing
Microneedling
If thick scars, steroid injections
Subcision/ filler for depressed scars
redness
Aloe vera
Niacinamide
Chamomile
Resveratrol
Licorice
Sodium sulfacetamide
Sulfur products
Azeliac acid
Bromelain
flaky dry skin
ceramides
Mineral oil
Petrolatum
Hyaluronic acid
Vitamin E
Selenium sulfide
Zinc pyrithione
Ketoconazole
Ciclopirox
Steroid creams/solutions
ideal skincare routine at based on age
- 15
mild cleanser
spf50 sunscreen
Moisturiser
15 - 18
At this stage there’s no need to worry about premature ageing
but you might consider incorporating an acne treatment
Or a hydrating sheet mask twice a week
19 - 24
You may notice dark circles or eye bags that require an eye cream
And consider an exfoliant or vitamin c to brighten dull skin or prevent fine lines
25 - 30
You want to focus on hydrating your skin to keep it soft and supple
And incorporating anti aging into your skincare through antioxidants and damage preventing treatments
31 +
You may notice your skin begin to notice sagging, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation
Thus choose lifting and firming products, anti wrinkle treatments, and ingredients that fade dark spots
Sun protection and hydration are absolutely crucial at this stage
lifestyle habits to incorporate
Correct any vitamin deficiencies and hormonal imbalances
Make sure you do not overeat especially on processed carbs and sugars or under eat to the point of lacking essential nutrients
Be sure to drink enough water throughout the day, the golden rule is 8 glasses a day
You may need to adjust your skincare routine depending on the season eg. Cold dry winter air may leave your skin needing more hydrating products while sweating more in the summer may lead to acne
Keep a regular sleep schedule of 7-9 hours a night on a silk pillowcase as the reduced friction can help prevent fine lines and change your pillowcases once a week to prevent bacteria build up
Letters from Lena inspired me. Your blog has always been a huge comfort and inspiration to me. I’ve been dabbling in photography since 2020, toying with the idea of making a magazine but I didn’t think people would be interested or that I was good enough to do it and that it would be too much work…. Seeing your magazine gave me that final push to try. I only made 3 pages and didn’t use much of my own photography just two sky photos I took that I really liked and used lyrics and poetry instead of pressuring myself to write an article but I really liked how it turned out. I’ve been ruminating about posting it but I really wanted the person who inspired it to see it even if no one else does. I just wanna say officially …
Thank you for inspiring me to try new things ✨💙
ahhh i am so touched! i just want to say firstly thank you so much for your kind words and whenever i hear you guys tell me how much my blog means to you my heart swells up, it is the sweetest thing and the main purpose of why i make content on here and i am so glad i have the opportunity to make you feel that way 🫶🏾 and next i am SO PROUD of you! if there’s anything i learned this year and would tell anyone to take away from this year, it’s would be to just start doing something instead of thinking about it so much, overthinking actually prolong the process of getting it done without you ever realizing and you’d surprise yourself on the process you’d make just by starting.
this is BEAUTIFUL. i am so honored that you decided to share this with me. the whole aesthetic is so pretty and everything vibes together so well and looks so beautiful and looks very professional! please continue to bring your ideas to life and share them! you also could inspire other people as well with your amazing visions! ♡
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