How To Keep The Glow Even In Busy Times

As you all may very well know, I am living a pretty terrible busy life these past months. Juggling not only my two master degree’s in two different languages and 10,000km of each other apart, I am also working part-time (full-time starting from October!) and trying to keep my social life up to date. Even though my life can be super stressful at times, I made it my inner objective to never let that reflect on my skin and overall outer appearance. Personally, keeping my skin healthy, dressing up nicely and doing make-up are things that help me focus on caring for myself even in busy times. 

If you’ve been reading this blog for quite a while, my first advise won’t be a big surprise to you: chemical exfoliation all the way! Accumulation of dead skin cells on the top surface of your skin is one of the main reasons for making you look dull and lifeless. Chemical exfoliation with glycolic, lactic or mandelic acid is a gentle method to get rid of them all and leave you with brighter and smoother skin! Plus, it helps a great deal in preventing future acne outbreaks and closed comedones. If you’re unsure where to start, here are some of my personal favorites as well as some popular products among Asian beauty fanatics:

Personal favorite: Papa Recipe White Flower Clear Up 8% AHA Gel

Currently testing: Naruko am+pm Total Brightening Renewal Treatment Mandelic Acid 5%

Broke me out but has many fans: COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

Everything Mizon breaks me out but is raved about by many others: Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum

Just like a flower that looks it best with consistent watering, your skin can only look its best with what you put in (or, well, on) to it. Even if your skin is naturally oily, your skin will still crave moisture. A major mistake that I did for years was deprive my skin of the moisture if was actually craving and letting my skin get pretty dehydrated, which resulted in acne, an uneven surface and oily skin. If your skin is oily, focus on layering many thin and watery layers of products (essences, serums and ampoules) on top of each other. Make sure to use products with little fillers and many moisturizing/calming ingredients such as aloe, propolis, snail mucin, hyaluronic acid and the like. If your skin leans more towards the dry spectrum, your skin might enjoy the pampering of thicker formulas and sealing it all in with a good sleeping pack. Also, it never hurts to throw in a good ol‘ sheet mask to give your skin that extra moisture kick it might just need.

Vitamin C is a vital source for feeling energetic and starting the day on the right foot. Instead of only eating the antioxidant, you will receive great benefits from putting it on your skin also! I’ve been using various vitamin C serums for over a year now and will never go back. Not only do the brightening properties of vitamin C help you keep that healthy glow of yours, but it will also help in fighting premature signs of aging like fine wrinkles! Plus, it boosts your sun protection as this little antioxidant is actually photoprotective. Despite trying out many, my personal favorite is still the OST Pure Vitamin C20 as it has the best balance of an affordable price, good ingredients and a nice texture.

It may go without saying, but an excessive use of powder is the worst enemy of a fresh glow on your face. While a matte face can be a great look, it doesn’t go too well if you’re actually trying to make your skin look glowy. So instead of covering yourself in powdery goodness, try one of the amazing cushion foundations with a dewy finish instead (Iope, Skinfood and A-true are the ones I have reviewed yet, but there are many far and in between! Despite not being a cushion foundation, the Luna Water Essence Founpact that I just recently repurchased is my personal master of glory dewyness and what I am wearing in the picture above.)

If all the tricks didn’t help (yet) and you need an immediate glow help, worry not. You can easily fake a little glow by the sneaky use of concealer, highlighter and a little blush in all the right places (anyone heard of Strobing yet..?) Just place the highlighter on the places where the sun naturally hits your face: the apples of your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, cupid’s bow, chin,  brow bone, the inner corners of your eyes, and the center of your forehead. Make sure to blend well with a concealer brush and be amazed by your own radiance. This trick works especially well with morning shifts starting at 4AM when no amount of vitamin C and AHA can get me to glow after only 2 hours of sleep.

What are your tips and tricks to get that healthy glow despite life getting busy? If you have any additional tips please let me know! 🙂 Wish you all a great Saturday and hope you can all relax a bit!

Lots of love,