Hello, everyone!

So, the other day I watched a video in the middle of my university library. I saw a few things on my news feed about a boy, and I didn't understand what it was about since the article titles were quite vague and not touching on the issue properly. But, then when I saw a proper post about this boy, Jonathan Pitre, I watched it, and I am glad I did!

I was so shocked to hear such a condition like Epidermolysis Bullosa existed! He is so brave to be fighting this everyday and how he spoke sounded so wise and gentle. 

It also really helped me to think - I mean, just that very morning I got up at 4am and looked in the mirror and thought, "wow my skin is blotchy and bloated" - and this poor boy is going through this everyday, how can I possible complain?

It's small things like these that have a huge impact! I just wanted to share that since it gives perspective to a lot of things :)

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, lovelies!

I can't remember the last time I wrote a post like this, but now I know what I want to write! Today, I want to write about not feeling like you're good enough.

So, I recently got back the results from my first Japanese exam, and I didn't too well. It's only a small one but it still made me lose all hope in myself for a little bit. I kind of zone dout because I wasn't too sure how to feel.

You see, I grew having so many characterize me as the smart girl in the class throughout primary school, and when it got to mid high school, and now, university, I feel like I can no longer meet those expectations which is quite burdensome.

In today's society, we have lots of burdens: we need to look good, speak good, have a good education, a good job, communicate well and so much more! How can we possible tick each box and say we are perfect? Exactly, we can't. And that easily leads us to not feeling like we are good enough or meet the standards that are set.

How can there even be standards in a world and society like this, that is so full of diversity and different backgrounds? We are all different - that's a well known fact - and for that reason, there is no use in comparing yourself with anyone else.

Rather than focusing on what you can't do, focus on what you can do and how you can improve, for yourself, not anyone else.

I'm so glad at some point I decided to be healthier and be more responsible, in order to become a better person, for myself. It's a good feeling! Definitely try it out! If you focus your energy that you would spend on criticizing yourself, into improving yourself - you will see a change and will get positive results!

Remember, always surround yourself with people that give support you and bring the best out of you!

I believe in you!

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, everyone~

I'm adding another post to my series! This one will give a few ideas as to what to when you find some Asian clothes are too small or the wrong size for you. I don't know about you, but I always have trouble finding gyaru clothing that is long enough to wear.

I am in every mindset to just go to Japan just to personally buy the clothing myself and know for sure it's my size, but that's not that easy. I hope to find a reliable store that will sell gyaru clothing suitable for a girl of over 170cm in height!

Until then, we have to manage with what we have, right?

Wear several layers!

I found that for some short dresses or skirts, it can still work if you slip on a skirt underneath. By having one of two skirts/shorts of a neutral tone- like white, grey or black (but with most clothing, you might need a pink or white one) it might make it easier to quickly add an extra layer underneath your clothing.
You could even put some leggings, shorts or bloomers underneath as well.


Dress too short? Wear it as a top!

Yup, pretty much. Some of taller girls don't have much that we can do about gyaru clothing being too short for our frames - but we can still use it, yes! 

Almost like wearing layers, you can use the dress as a cute top instead and wear it over a skirt or jeans!

Sew on another layer/alter the length

Now for this, I am hopeless at trying to alter the length of my clothing, I'm pretty sure I would make it worse. But if you can, or know some who can, why not alter the length of your clothing through sewing? If not, then maybe a professional can do it, but that would come with a cost,

What is your experience with buying clothes online? What do you do if it's not your size? Do you know any stores that sell Asian clothing that is a good fit for western girls? Let me know!

Enjoy life!

Nina

Hello, friends!

So, recently I have had a huge interest in Korean and Japanese skincare, since it is light years ahead of Western skincare! There skin always looks so perfect for a good reason~

I tried to to write this post in a simple way and break it down as much as I can since this skincare routine is quite extensive. Obviously, I am no skin care expert but I'm trying to learn more and more!

1. Remove Make-up

Well, I guess everyone would know it's important to remove your makeup. You don't want that on your skin all day, and definitely not when you sleep! When you're asleep, your skin repairs itself and you don't want it breathing through makeup that has most likely absorbed dirt throughout the day.

Benefits:

• It'll let your skin breathe and regenerate.
• Your make up absorbs a lot of pollution and dirt - which is what your skin is absorbing the longer it stays on your skin.
• It'll make your pillowcase dirty (or anything else you come in contact with) and it can cause bacteria to grow.

2. Cleansing

I'm sure everyone knows the importance of cleansing the skin as well - it's common in Korean skincare to "double-cleanse" (using oil to remove make up, and then further cleaning the skin with a cleanser) to make sure your skin is free from all makeup and residue. After all, if your skin isn't clean, how will it absorb the products you are about to put on it? It's like feeding a stomach that is already full - and your skin needs food!

Benefits:

• It removes dead skin cells, dirt, dust, makeup residue etc from the skin, allowing it to breathe freely and preventing the dirt from clogging your skin.
• It allows your skin to become a clean canvas for you to apply products onto

Remember to cleanse properly and gently, you don't want to irritate your skin and completely strip it off all it's natural oils!


3: Exfoliate

Exfoliation should be done sometimes, not frequently, as the purpose of exfoliation is to remove the dead skin cells from the surface and promotes blood circulation. 


Benefits:

• Promotes blood circulation.
• Removes dead skin cells, buffering your skin and making it smooth.
• Helps your products to penetrate the skin better.

4. Toning

Toners play an important role in a skin routine as they balance the pH of the skin, making it less prone to oiliness and infection, and prepares it for moisturizing.


Benefits:

• Helps remove the toxins in the skin, detoxifying it.
• It shrinks and tightens pores.
• Reduces acne
• Hydrates and nourishes

Remember to pick a good toner according to your skin tone, an alcohol based toner could dry out your skin!

5. Essence

This is where the skincare routine really get long and meticulous. Also known as lotions, essences help nourish the skin, with it's watery texture that the skin absorbs quickly.

Different essences have different benefits, which is what makes them so great as you can pick and choose according to what your skin needs.


6. Serums

Serums are similar to essences, but the watery content is next to none, allowing it to be a concentrate of active ingredients for your skin.

Benefits:

• Anti-aging effects
• Adds antioxidants to the skin
• Brightens skin

7. Mask

After putting on these products, a mask helps seal the nutrients into your skin.

Benefits: 

• Draws impurities from the skin
• Removes dead skin cells
• Tightens and tones the skin
• Moisturizes the skin
• Brightens the skin

8. Eye Cream

The skin around your eyes is more sensitive and thinner, making it more prone to problems like dullness, fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. An eye cream can target these problems, especially since it's a cream designed specifically for that area.

Benefits: 

• Reduces puffiness
• Reduces dark circles
• Reduces fine lines (putting it on before concealer allows it to go more smoothly)

9. Moisturizer

Everyone knows about moisturizing, right? It keeps your skin hydrated, promotes elasticity, keeps your skin and much more! If you're cleaning and toning your skin, you need to bring back into the skin that was taken away when it was cleansed.

Benefits:

• Increases skin elasticity
• Keeps skin hydrated
• Keeps skin soft
• Anti-aging benefits

Make sure you use the right moisturizer for your skin type!

10. Night Cream

Night creams help to increase the anti-aging benefits of your skin care routine and adds that little bit extra to your routine. After all, at night your skin is regenerating and resting, so it's the perfect time to give it an extra boost.

Benefits:

• Deeply moisturizes
• Anti-aging effects
• Hydrates skin
• Repairs skin

Extras:

Mist

One thing I see commonly used in Korea, is a spray on moisturizing mist that you quickly spray on your face during the day if your skin needs a bit of a pick-me-up.

Suncare

Prevention is better than curing. Always remember to apply sunscreen, even if it feels like you don't need it! Sun rays can be damaging no matter what.

What do you think of the routine?

Has anyone tried Korea/Japanese skin care products or followed through some of the routine before? Any recommendations? How did it go? Let me know, I want to learn more!

Enjoy life!

Nina

Я хочу просто сказать привет!

Меня зовут Нина, и я живу в Австралия. Я говорю по русскому и по английски! Сейчас, я изучаю как говорить по японский в университет!

У меня есть большой интерес в Япония и Корея, и, в красота и мода. Я надеюсь что вам понравится мой блог!

Любити жизнь!

 Нина

Hello, lovelies!

Wow, okay! So! Things got just a bit busy for me these past few weeks, I'm surprised I managed to squeeze some posts in between working and studying! But you know, I stayed positive through it all because I thought to myself, I can't be the only one going through this or has gone through this!

I ended up dropping one of my courses to take a bit of the stress of my shoulders, I feel so bad that I had to come to that decision, but it inspired me to write this post and it was what I felt to be the right decision!

Everyone, please always put your mental and physical well being first! I had gotten stressed in the first couple of weeks and had a breakdown because I was trying to deal with anything on my own. I am quite stubborn, haha.

Always seek out advice with school and anything else that might be causing you unnecessary stress or problems! There is so much support out there for you and many resources to help you cope. There is a very high chance someone has been in the same situation as you!

If it helps, write out a schedule or plan! That way you have something to refer to and follow, developing a routine that you will get used to and cope with! That way you can also see how you can dedicate an adequate amount of time to get everything you need done!

• Set goals and achieve all you need to do bit by bit!
• Plan how you will go about your tasks and where you will fit in the important things!
• Reflect on how you do and try to improve everyday!
• Find support in your classmates, peers or workmates! They will help you and if you work together, you will overcome obstacles together!

Remember if you do small meaningless things, it's harder to find time and room to complete the bigger tasks, but if you do the bigger ones first, the smaller ones will fall into place, as seen in the following video:

Has anything your life caused you stress? How did you cope and find balance? I am always here if you need to talk to someone or need advice!

Enjoy life!

Nina