katelevelsup

[katelevelsup]

Hey, lovelies!

Since posting my skincare routines, a lot has changed! I’ve gotten married, and became a mother. And with those changes, came changes to my routines. I now have less time (and budget) to spend on my skin.

With that, here’s an updated routine for my lovelies without as much time for self-care as you might like.

Morning:

Evening:

[katelevelsup]

Hey, lovelies!

Has anyone else ever stood back and taken a good look at what authors you’ve read over the year? At the end of 2024, I realized that I had gone an entire year without reading anything by a woman!

My New Years Resolution was to prioritize reading books by women. It’s amazing how much more female voices resonate with me, like listening to a friend after a long week of only interacting with colleagues. Here is a list of what I’ve read and loved so far:

[katelevelsup]

I’ve been on a bit of an Old Hollywood kick lately. Everything from the Transatlantic accents, to the impeccable makeup speak to my soul. 

Lana Turner

[katelevelsup]

D0L Resource List (Your High Society Education List)

Since I consider myself to be charitable, I’ve decided to share a list of the things I read, courses I study and articles I analyse. This is essentially a high society guide. I highly recommend that with most of these topics - such as history, art, literature and classical music - you begin first with your own country, then your continent and then the global scenario. You need both a micro and macro economic view of things.

You have to build your identity capital. You do this by having a broad understanding of common things and a couple of specific, niche interests. I will be updating this list as and when I feel the need to.

Another tip: your vocabulary, regardless of the language you speak, has to be immaculate. Synonyms. Idioms. Phrases. Sayings. Antonyms. No filler words or sounds. Step one to entering high society is sounding like one.

1. Have basic knowledge of the following:

A) Arts, artists - classical and modern

B) Classical music, musicians - classical and modern

C) Literature, philosophy, authors

D) History

E) Philanthropy

F) Places and travel

2. Pick a subject and make it your niche. For instance, if you discover that you really enjoyed history - dig deeper in what intrigues you. So in the end, you may discover that you have a keen interest in Mongolian history or something specific. Inculcate at least 2 specific niche interests across two different subjects (for example, history - Mongolian history and music - Norwegian pianists, or jewellery- Spanish jewellery or something).

Newsletters:

Subscribe to these newsletters (I’m sure all of them are free). This is your step 1. Read them whenever they come to your email.

Travel

- Conde Nast Traveller

Art

- World Art Foundation

- Art She Says

- The Guardian Art Weekly

Philanthropy

- Asian philanthropy news

Reading

You need to understand that wealthy people act differently based on their culture. German old money folk are very tight-lipped and most lead a life of privacy. Flaunting wealth is frowned upon, so you won’t see that a lot. U.K. old money families may be seen as slightly flashier comparatively, attending social events and the younger generation appearing in tabloids. Asian old moneys such as Chinese, Indian families will usually more conservative, heavy on family values and family systems and very image conscious.

No two old money/ wealthy families from different cultures and countries behave too similar, yet not too differently.

Always look at 3 main indicators to understand where a family stands - economics (of the country of origin), religiousness (highly religious or liberal) and culture (strong cultural identity or leaning towards modernisation/ Westernisation).

How to tell if someone is rich or poor just by looking at them.

Five Surprising Things I Learned from Partying with Rich People

Courses

HighBrow (I use this to understand art, classical music, etc. Only $5 a month)

1. Literature

2. Classical music composers

3. Ancient Greek philosophy

4. Brilliant psychology experiments

5. Most powerful families in history

6. Revolutions that changes the world

7. Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photos And Their Stories

Emily Post (the OG etiquette queen)

1. Dining Etiquette

[katelevelsup]

Nighttime Skin routine!

Good evening, lovelies! I’ve been hesitant to post about my nighttime skincare, as it’s still a work in progress. This post will include unedited, makeup-free pictures of me. 

When I was 27, I very suddenly went from having clear skin, to having adult acne. 

This definitely shook my confidence. 

First I tried a benzoyl peroxide facial cleanser, which, sadly, didn’t touch the problem. Next I tried adapalene gel, which helped a bit, but not enough. 

So I turned to the online dermatology service, Apostrophe. The dermatologist who helped me was kind and responsive, and always listened to my concerns. I recommend Apostrophe as a starting place for anyone struggling with their skin. We tried a few different treatments. Unfortunately, neither the antibiotics nor the spironolactone were right for me. The 0.025% tretinoin cream cleared my skin up a little more, but I needed a stronger dosage, which, unfortunately, Apostrophe doesn’t prescribe. 

Then I turned to another telehealth service, Nurx. The doctor there was also absolutely lovely, and, unlike Apostrophe, they accepted my health insurance. Here, I was prescribed 0.05% tretinoin. 

This had much stronger side effects than the weaker dosage-- peeling and photosensitivity-- but it has also been the most effective treatment yet. 

Here’s my current routine:

I always like to start with a clean slate, but without leaving my skin feeling stripped. This is my favorite evening cleanser. 

It removes my sunscreen and makeup without drying me out. While my face is still damp, I apply a few drops of this. I’ve found that it minimizing peeling. 

After waiting for my face to completely dry, I apply the aforementioned tretinoin. 

It’s a little rough to start with, but it’s been miraculous! 

And this is where I currently am in my skin journey. 

[katelevelsup]

things i’m no longer doing for the rest of 2023

using inappropriate language this goes beyond just cursing; it also includes making dark jokes, making “seggsual” innuendos, self-deprecating humor, and verbal negativity (gossip and saying negative things about self, others, or future plans).

allowing men to take up my time without them giving any type of investment in me my time is valuable, and it’s hard to gain complete access to me, let alone a little bit of access to me. phone calls will be cut short, texts won’t be too lengthy, and if they want to see me, they need to schedule and confirm a date with me.

accepting the bare minimum from not only others, but myself also everything i do from this moment forward needs to be 110% my best. i show up, i work my best, and i leave knowing that i did everything i could in that given time. i’m not leaving any room for regrets this year.

drinking alcohol because of my job in the nightlife industry, i find myself to drink a lot more than i should to help me get through the night. i usually feel gross the next day, it adds to any mental hardships i face, and it’s just not good for my body overall. the only times i will drink this year is if it’s my birthday, new year’s eve, or any other special occasion like a holiday or a special person’s birthday— if so, i’m limiting myself to one glass of high quality wine or champagne. tequila and any other spirit is an absolute “no” for me.

not keeping promises to myself if i say that i’m going to do something, i’m going to do it. i need to build trust with myself and that will allow me to also have more positive thoughts about myself and trust that whatever it is i want in life, i’ll have it because i’m used to keeping promises to myself.

[katelevelsup]

Inner beauty manifests in our outer beauty. You should spend as much time working on your inner self, as you do your looks.

Some feminine attitudes you can work on:

1. Happiness: when you’re happy with yourself you radiate positivity, joy and peace that is magnetic. You are a joy to be around because you make others feel good just by being around you.

2. Classiness: being classy is more than how we dress. It’s also about our attitude, our manners, how we speak and interact with others.

3. Kindness: being “nice” can be faked. Kindness cannot. Kindness comes from the heart, it’s warm, loving, caring, and compassionate attitude that comes from a person who isn’t lead by their ego.

4. Authenticity: authenticity means being the real you, unapologetically. being the real you without living for others or getting triggered and offended by others thoughts about you is the core of self confidence. People respect real confidence and can see through fakeness.

[katelevelsup]

pink home aesthetic

[katelevelsup]

Something I’ definitely struggling with in my own journey. I’ve never been good at keeping my space tidy. It’s still a work in progress. 

friendly reminder that hot girls keep their spaces clean— their cars, their apartments/living spaces, their purses, their bodies, and their clothes. everything is clean, smelling good, organized, and inviting. be a hot girl and clean.

[katelevelsup]

Social Etiquette 101

Do not manifest impatience. Be present in the conversation.

Do not engage in argument.

Do not interrupt someone else while they are speaking.

If you must, gently critique.

Do not talk of your private, personal or family matters.

Do not appear to notice inaccuracies of speech in others.

Do not allow yourself to lose your temper or speak excitedly.

Do not allude to peculiarities of the people present.

Do not introduce topics the people you are with have no general interest in.

Do not speak loudly.

Do not try to force yourself, or be intense, into the confidence of others.

When they give you their confidence, don't betray it.

Keep it light. Do not aspire to be a story teller. Tell short, light stories, appropriate with the current temperature of the rest of the party involved.

Use clear, distinct, gentle and firm words to express your ideas.

Be cool, collected and poised, using respectful and appropriate language.

Always defend the absent person who is being spoken about, as far as truth or justice is concerned. If you have nothing positive to add, leave the conversation.

Allow other people to share.

Don't talk about yourself so much. Your merit will be found in your expression of a subject without having to constantly praise yourself.

Slight mistakes and inaccuracies should be overlooked for the sake harmony and natural flow.

Adapt your conversation to the flow or level of the people you are speaking with. Do not under or over value them. Speaking to them how they understand, will provide more trust and comfort.

[katelevelsup]

[katelevelsup]

Gorgeous. Fresh flowers add a little something to any home. Every lady deserves to have some– regardless of if she has a man to purchase them for her.

Flowers makes me happy. 🌸Happy Monday! Wishing everyone a great week ahead. 😊

[katelevelsup]

Loving this! The dainty pastry, the lovely china. Perfection!

[katelevelsup]

Anyone else struggling to stay healthy and hydrated lately? I know I am. I hate plain water. This pretty pink Camelbak bottle has been coming with me to work every day. I fill it to the top with ice, then cranberry juice and pineapple juice. Throughout the day, it ends up being more water than anything else, plus it doubles as UTI prevention! 

[katelevelsup]

Confession time: I have a candle addiction! I feel like that add such a nice ambience to a room. They’re perfect for a relaxing bath, a quiet evening with a book, or a romantic dinner with a gentleman. I’ve been buying this brand lately. They’re priced about the same as Yankee Candle, but I find the scents to be less headache-inducing. Plus, since I’m going to keep buying candles anyway, I might as well be working towards a nice piece of diamond jewelry. 

[katelevelsup]

Lip Care Routine

I’ve spent my life plagued by chapped, flaky lips. My recent move from a warm, humid climate in the south, to the colder, drier New England has only made the problem worse. My old tinted lip balm can’t handle the change. After my lip cracked and bled at work, I realized that I would have to resort to drastic measures! This routine, twice a day, has saved my life (or, at least, my lips). And, for those with a preference, both products are cruelty-free!

Always start with damp lips. I usually start by brushing my teeth, then very thoroughly rinse my lips and pat dry. 

The first product I apply is this: 

I’m no scientist or dermatologist, but, according to The Cleveland Clinic, hyaluronic acid retains water, makes skin flexible, and help wounds heal faster. I’ve definitely noticed a difference since I added it to my routine. An added bonus: I always love The Ordinary’s cute glass bottles. 

Next is this: 

Yes, it smells absolutely terrible. But hear me out! I came to the conclusion that, if my lips were going to survive the New England winter, I would need a product designed for the New England weather! It contains both lanolin and petrolatum, two different occlusives to seal in all that moisture. I find that it lasts far longer than Vaseline, and I live that it comes in a metal tin. 

That’s it! I haven’t bled since I started using these twice a day. I hope this helps someone!

[katelevelsup]

Morning skincare routine

This isn’t the most picture-worthy part of my life, but I’m starting to build a routine that works for me. 

After brushing my teeth, I start with a cleanse. I’ve been combating adult acne for a couple of years now. This has been working for me:

It’s gentle. It hasn’t been a miracle cure, but it has helped. 

The next step is a moisturizer. Because I like to keep things as efficient as possible, I use a day cream that contains sunscreen. 

This one is amazing, honestly. Far better than I expected from a store brand. It leaves my skin feeling moisturized throughout the day. It leaves a natural, satiny glow without looking greasy. If I spend a significant amount of time outside, I do need another sunscreen, but this gets my fair, easily-burned skin safe for my commute to work. 

Any day I wear makeup, I prep my skin with a couple of drops of this: 

I find that it makes my makeup apply more smoothly, and my skin look less textured underneath. And I love the cute little glass bottle!