#agave lip mask

[brunetterightsactivist]

Glossier brought back the old formula balm dot com thank you god because ever since I ran out of my last tube my lips have seriously not been right

[sageceleste]

favorite skin details with links!⭐️ | Sims 4 Custom Content Haul (Maxis Match)

watch my full cc haul for my favorite skin details HERE 

CC Links

Skinblends

Northern siberia winds soft rose skinblend

Obscurus skin N27

Cicada skinblend

Ringo skinblend

Fleur skinblend (current default skin)

Toffee skinblend

Bright blends

Gingerbread skinblend

Coco’s skinblend

Kindlespice faerie fire skinblend

IMVIKAI Billy skinblend

Afterglow skinblend

Cookiedough skinblend

Simbience sage skinblend 

Simbience posh skinblend

Soft peach skinblend

Simbience essentials skinblend

Twisted cat so creamy skinblend

Twisted cat glass skinblend

Honey skinblend

Agave skinblend 

Myrica skinblend 

Skin details (freckles, eyebags, nosemasks, etc)

Cerberus freckles

Peachyfaerie Jasmine freckles

Naomi freckles

Simbience Kissed freckles

Glossari Kore freckles 

Melichryses Vitiligo set

Poyopoyo Eyebags N2 

Booboo blush (skindetail)

Pralinesims eyebags (from ultimate collection)

LITTLE DETAILS (collection of facial skin details)

Littlecakes highlighter

Pralinesims nose masks (from ultimate collection)

GS blush skindetail

Vitiligo

Katverse nose mask

Obscurus nose mask overlay N1

Northern siberia winds nose mask N3 & N2

Opal face highlight

Citrine face highlight

Obscurus nose highlighter (maxis match genetics set) 

Lip kit (presets & mouth corners)

Lutessasims moles 02

Ortus birthmarks 

Twisted cat eyebags & eyelids

Eyes (lashes & eyemasks)

Twisted cat eyelashes No2

Miiko 3D Lashes 

Northern Siberia Eyes N27

GPME Eyes G12

GPME Eyes G15

GPME Eyes G34

GPME Eyes G20

Twisted cat lore eyes

[dreamscarx]

Total Drama Island Girls Sim Dump

Skin Details Face Details(NorthSiberiaWinds) Eyelids MM Edition N1-N9 (NorthSiberaWinds)  MMHighlights (Sims3Melancholic)   Nose Kit (Obsurus) Eye, Lip, Nose Mask(Sammixoxo) CheekOverlay(Sammixoxo)   Sclera (RemusSirion) Face-KitNo.1Miiko   Lip Kit(Miiko) FaceLightPores(Faaeish)   LittleDetailsFace(Nesurii) FaceDefinitionOverlay(Nesurii)   Eye Detail(Pirumxsims)   Uncurled Lashes(Kijiko) MooMooBlush(Squeamishsims)   BooBooBlush(Squeamishsims) Spotlight 2 (SimAndy) Lighting Overlay 2.0(Jo_se_oh) Skintone Set V3 Overlay(VibrantPixels)  Contacts #114(Sims3Melancholic) MMSims Blush 1 NorthSiberiaWindsBlueberrySkintones EyelinerDump(Collectionof10) Maggie Lipgloss FaceDetailsOkruee NesuriiTopazHighlight Sammixoxo: Sunflower Skinblend MMSims Blush 2 EyebagsSkinDetailtwo(Kismetsims) NESURII_ObscurusSimsEyelidsMM AboutFaceSkinDetails PralineBabydolleyes N153 PoyopoyoEyeliner N7 (Lutessasims)NoseMask02Overlay Little Heart Skinblend (NorthSiberiaWinds) DecadesMergedSD

Lashawna:  Eyebrows PralineBabydolleyes N153 Earrings Hair Courtney:  Skin: Littlecakes: BrightBlendsV5 & Sammixoxo: Posie Skinblend Freckles Liptint Hair  Heather:  Skin: Nesurii: Agave Skinblend Eyebrows(Kuta) Hair Earrings Gwen:  Skin: Sammixoxo: Selkie Skinblend [NORTHERNSIBERIAWINDS] FEMALE TORSO MASK N1 B MM OVERLAY Hair & Highlight(Chunky Larsaset) TubeTop CropTank DaintyBoleroAccesoryTop Choker Bridgette:  Skin: Pockywasabi: Angelfish Skinblend Hair & Highlight Eye Reflection Lindsay:  Skin: Obsurus: Skin N27 Overlay Hair & Bandana Universal Hair Overlay Eyes Eyelashes Eyebrows Beth:  Skin: Ridgeport: Almond Face Overlay Hair & HairTie AccessoryTop Acne Eva:  Skin: FrenchieSim: Evie Face Overlay  Eyebrows Hair 🌺🌷Defaults 🌷🌺 Chroma Eyes by Golyhawhaw  Cocos Skinblend by Nesurii  Eyelash Remover by Cien  Teeth Replacement by Magic Bot  Replacement Feet by Jius Eye Shine Remover by Teekalu  CAS Lighting by Luumia 🌺🌷CAS Mods 🌷🌺 Color Slider by Thepancake1 and MizoreYukii  More Columns by Weerbesu  🌺🌷Reshade/Gshade🌷🌺  Dove 2.0 by Kindlespice  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Download [Simfileshare][Patreon] ~Tag me on my socials to show me my sims in your game I would love to see them~

[karie-on]

Last updated 02.12.2023 As a few people have come here recently, I wanted to make a post in which I will write a little about how I like to play, what I use most often and what are my must-haves in the game. This will be a bit of a resources/faq.

Am I WCIF friendly? Yes I am, text me I’ll be happy to help.

How do I like to play Sims 4? I like cozy vibe gameplay. I basically love everything about this game.

Maxis match or Alpha? Maxis match only!

What presets do I use? I use gshade, Gia by Kindlespice for screenshots and Luminescent by Hazelminesims for gameplay.

What do I use to edit photos? I don't edit my photos, I only use gshade (Gia preset). Buffs, emotions pop ups I add in Canva

Will I upload my sims to download? Yes I don’t have problem with uploading any of my sim, they don’t feel personal for me at all. It’s just a game. But I create sims usually only with CC so below is the list of what I use.

Skin details/Body details: Eye shine remover Beetle eyes (default and addons) Teeth replacement Pregnancy belly overlay Pierced ear detail Tan lines Little details Belly overlay Stretch marks details Skin detail cc pack by peachyfaerie (clevage and collarbones) Clevage overlay Starch Masks Cellulite overlay Age wrinkles (just a few of all set) Face definition NosemasksSD-faaeish Misc. face details About face skin details by pyxis To the bone nosemasks by pyxis Under Cover Nose Details Dimples by PoyoPoyo Eyebags by Tamosims Wedding ring tan line by XUrbanSimsX

Teeth: Nondefault Maxis Teeth Imperfection Teeths Set Happy Gappy Teeth Set Skinblends: Bare Skintones Agave Default Skinblend Cartoon Skins Thuja Skinblend Aeonium Skinblend Pufferfish Skinblend Posie Skinblend Sage Skinblend

Sliders: Breast sliders Teanmoon Mouth Scale Slider

Nails: Natural Nails True Almond Nails Serpentine Nails Classic Ombre French Nails

Makeup: EA Eyelashes Remover by Kijiko 3D Lashes Uncurled Eyelashes by Kijiko Eyelashes by Obscurus Eyelashes NO.1 by TwistedCat Eyelashes Part [1] [2] [4] [5] by Miiko Petals Blush by Breezytrait Eyebrows N4-N6 by Northern Siberia Winds Every eyebrows (No. 2- No.7) by TwistedCat Maxis Match Eyebrows (61-65) by Obscurus Eyebrows 68 by Obscurus Eyeliner N26 by Cosimetic Lip Kit by Peachyfaerie Honey and Suga Gloss by XUrbanSimsX

Gameplay Mods: MC Command Center by Deaderpool Tidy CAS by YoruQueenofNight Stand Still in CAS & CAS Close Up by Helgatisha CAS Tuning by NSW More CAS Presets by Zerbu UI Cheats by Weerbesu Control any sim by TitanNano Sleep All Night By LittleMsSam No Cold Clothes Inside by scarletqueenkat, (stopped creating so link doesn’t work) Dance Override 2.0 by Steven Studios Shorter University Degrees by Peridot (I'm using 6 credits) Selfie override (single and paired) by DearKim Faster Uni Homework by LittleMsSam Longer Parties & More Guests by Weerbesu The Missing Plumbob by mintvalentine No Zzz by Krys29 Memory Keeper Journal by Ravasheen ISO Full Control Camera by Ravasheen Photographic Memory 2.0 by Ravasheen Sims Portrait Maker by Ravasheen Indoor Dog Potty Pads by Ravasheen Music Festival and Concert Mod by Mercuryfoam Change outfit in Mirror by BrazenLotus Phone replacement by FrenchieSim Steady Sit & Seat Any Sim by Amellce

Food Related Mods: Drink Tray by Somik and Severinka, Grannies Cookbook by Littlbowbub Functional champagne bottles by Somik and Severinka 2xSlower fish and food Spoil by simmythesim Home Chef Hustle Pizza fix by Channel4sims Drinkable beer by Icemunmun Custom Drink Interactions by TheFoodGroup

Romance mods: (because I'm all about the love and drama relationship in my Sims) Wicked Whims by Turbodriver (E404P, Amra72, Kiki, lupobianco, Mia, Mike24, ooOLaLaWorld, Yummy-o-Tummy) Cute Romance by thepancake1 and MizoreYukii First Impressions by Lumpinou Kiss-n-Grind 1.5 by Utopya_cc Passionate Gifts 0.1 by Utopya_cc Carry and Kiss animation interaction mod by Khlas More kisses 1.5 by Maplebell Bed cuddle by thepancake1 and MizoreYukii Romance Interactions by KiaraMods Relationship & Pregnancy Overhaul by Lumpinou Expanded Storytelling Relationship Bits Mod by Maplebell

[nourishandthrive]

Eco-Friendly Beauty Products: Top Picks and Reviews

Embracing eco-friendly beauty products is a wonderful way to care for yourself while also caring for the planet. These products are made with natural, sustainable ingredients and often come in recyclable or biodegradable packaging. Here are some top picks and reviews of eco-friendly beauty products that you'll love.

Herbivore Botanicals Lapis Facial Oil

This facial oil is perfect for calming and balancing the skin. It's made with natural ingredients like blue tansy and squalane, and it's free from synthetic fragrances and dyes.

Why It's Eco-Friendly: Herbivore Botanicals uses sustainable packaging and sources ingredients responsibly.

RMS Beauty "Un" Cover-Up Concealer

A versatile product that acts as both a concealer and a foundation. It provides excellent coverage while nourishing the skin with coconut oil and beeswax.

Why It's Eco-Friendly: RMS Beauty focuses on raw, food-grade, and organic ingredients. The packaging is also recyclable.

Ethique Eco-Friendly Solid Shampoo Bars

These solid shampoo bars are highly effective and come in a variety of formulas for different hair types. They lather well and leave hair feeling clean and soft.

Why It's Eco-Friendly: Ethique's products are plastic-free, biodegradable, and compostable. Plus, one bar replaces three bottles of liquid shampoo.

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser

A luxurious exfoliating cleanser that revitalizes the skin. It's made with natural ingredients like apricot microspheres and BHA from white willow bark.

Why It's Eco-Friendly: Tata Harper uses 100% natural and non-toxic ingredients. The packaging is made of glass and is recyclable.

Ilia Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara

This mascara provides length and volume without clumping or flaking. It's formulated with organic bee and carnauba waxes to nourish lashes.

Why It's Eco-Friendly: Ilia Beauty is committed to clean, natural beauty and uses sustainable packaging materials.

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

Known for their vibrant and effective products, Lush offers a wide range of skincare, haircare, and bath products. The Charity Pot Body Lotion, in particular, is hydrating and has a lovely scent.

Why It's Eco-Friendly: Lush focuses on fresh, ethically sourced ingredients and minimal packaging. Many products are sold "naked" without packaging.

Bite Beauty Agave+ Intensive Lip Mask

This lip mask is deeply hydrating and perfect for dry, chapped lips. It's made with agave nectar, jojoba oil, and lanolin.

Why It's Eco-Friendly: Bite Beauty prioritizes clean, food-grade ingredients and uses recyclable packaging.

Tips for Choosing Eco-Friendly Beauty Products

Check Ingredients: Look for natural, organic, and non-toxic ingredients. Avoid products with harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

Packaging Matters: Opt for products with recyclable, biodegradable, or minimal packaging. Brands that offer refillable options are a great choice.

Research Brands: Support brands that prioritize sustainability, ethical sourcing, and cruelty-free practices.

DIY Options: Consider making your own beauty products at home using simple, natural ingredients.

Switching to eco-friendly beauty products is a fantastic way to support your health and the environment. These top picks offer a range of benefits, from nourishing your skin to reducing waste. By making mindful choices, you can enjoy a beauty routine that's both effective and sustainable.

What are your favorite eco-friendly beauty products? Share your recommendations and reviews in the comments below! 🌿💚

10 Simple Ways to Live More Sustainably

DIY Natural Skincare Recipes

The Importance of Detoxifying Your Home Environment

Follow me for more tips on eco-friendly living and wellness!

[jaybeejaymee222]

Sims 4 Mods and CC!!

Mods:

MCCC and MC WooHoo

UI Cheat Extension

Relationship and Pregnancy Overhaul

Realistic Childbirth

Sims 4 Pose Player and Sim Teleportation

CC:

Peachyfaerie -- Floral Skin Decal CC Pack

Azalea Body Freckles

Jasmine Freckles

Peony Face Shine

Primrose Freckles

Rose Nose Mask

Violet Cleavage Overlay

Meeshi -- Baby Doll Face Presets

Baby Doll Nose Preset

Baby Doll Eye Preset

Baby Doll Lip Preset

Nesurii -- Agave and Azalea Skin Blends

Agave Skin Overlay

Azalea Skin Overlay

Twisted Cat -- Faded Eyes and 3D Eyelashes

Faded Eyes Override

3D Eyelashes No. 1

Yooniesim -- Necessity Skin Blend

Necessity Skin Blend

Obscurus -- Skin N14 and Male Presets

Irle Skin Blend

Quirky Introvert -- Hair collections

June 2022 collection

August 2022 collection

October 2022 collection

[mspirations]

Killer Frost

"I Know Who You Are" - 3x20

"Cause and Effect" - 3x21

"Infantino Street" - 3x22

"Finish Line" - 3x23

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay 24-7 Eyeliner in LSD

Urban Decay 24-7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in YeYo

Urban Decay Razor Sharp Liquid Eyeliner in Retrograde

Urban Decay Cosmetics 24-7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion

YSL Touche Éclat High Cover Radiant Concealer

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

Kat VonD Studded Kiss Lipstick in Nayeon

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

Charlotte Tilbury Nocturnal Cat Eyes To Hypnotise in Silver Leopard

Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

Mac pigment in Silver

Mac Lip Mix in Blue

Kate Somerville Skincare Nourish

Stila Cosmetics Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow in Titanium

Makeup Forever Official Ultra HD Concealer

Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl

Ardell Duralash Knotted Flares Medium Black

Ardell Duralash Regular Individuals

Bite Agave Lip Mask

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy

Thanks for identifying:

Faves Style Source

[trending-rock]

The Best Organic Makeup Products for a Natural Glow

Achieving a natural glow is a top priority for many makeup enthusiasts. Organic makeup products have become increasingly popular due to their minimal chemical content and skin-friendly ingredients. Whether you're new to organic makeup or a seasoned user, finding the right products can make a significant difference. This guide will walk you through the best organic makeup products that help you achieve a radiant, natural glow.

Benefits of Using Organic Makeup

Organic makeup is crafted with natural ingredients that are free from harmful chemicals, synthetic dyes, and preservatives. This means they are gentler on your skin, reducing the risk of irritation and allergic reactions. Additionally, organic makeup often contains beneficial nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants that nourish your skin. Using organic makeup can also be an environmentally conscious choice, as many brands prioritize sustainable sourcing and eco-friendly packaging.

Top Organic Makeup Products for a Natural Glow

Best Organic Foundations

Finding the right foundation is crucial for a flawless base. For a natural glow, look for foundations that offer light to medium coverage with a dewy finish.

Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Flawless Serum Foundation: This foundation blends easily, providing a luminous finish without feeling heavy. It's packed with organic ingredients like aloe leaf juice and jojoba oil, which hydrate and soothe the skin.

ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation: Known for its skin-like finish, this foundation combines skincare and makeup with ingredients like aloe, mastic, and squalane to provide hydration and improve skin texture over time.

Best Organic Highlighters

A good highlighter can enhance your natural glow by adding a subtle shimmer to your cheekbones, brow bones, and other high points of your face.

RMS Beauty Living Luminizer: This highlighter is a cult favorite for its natural, dewy glow. Made with coconut oil and beeswax, it blends seamlessly into the skin without looking greasy.

Kjaer Weis Cream Glow: This cream highlighter provides a soft, radiant glow with ingredients like sweet almond seed oil and beeswax. It's easy to apply and buildable, perfect for both day and night looks.

Best Organic Blushes

Blush adds a healthy flush of color to your cheeks, enhancing your overall glow.

Alima Pure Satin Matte Blush: This blush offers a natural, matte finish with ingredients like mica and titanium dioxide. It's highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush: Infused with fruit pigments, this blush not only adds color but also nourishes the skin with vitamins and antioxidants. Its vibrant shades are perfect for a fresh, glowing look.

Best Organic Lip Products

Your lips deserve the best care with organic lip products that provide color and hydration.

Bite Beauty Agave+ Intensive Lip Mask: This lip mask is perfect for adding a touch of color while deeply hydrating your lips. Made with agave nectar, jojoba oil, and lanolin, it ensures your lips stay soft and smooth.

Ilia Tinted Lip Conditioner: Combining the benefits of a lip balm and a lipstick, this product offers sheer color with ingredients like cocoa butter and jojoba oil to keep your lips moisturized.

Tips for Choosing the Right Organic Makeup

Choosing the right organic makeup involves understanding your skin type and preferences.

Know Your Skin Type: Whether you have dry, oily, or sensitive skin, select products that cater to your specific needs. For instance, oil-based products are great for dry skin, while powder-based products work well for oily skin.

Check the Ingredients: Look for ingredients that benefit your skin, such as aloe vera, jojoba oil, and vitamin E. Avoid products with synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals.

Test Before You Buy: Whenever possible, test the product on a small patch of skin to ensure it doesn't cause any irritation or breakouts.

Read Reviews: Customer reviews can provide valuable insights into the product's performance and how it works for different skin types.

Conclusion

Switching to organic makeup can significantly enhance your natural glow while ensuring your skin stays healthy and nourished. With the right products, you can achieve a radiant look that highlights your natural beauty. Embrace the benefits of organic makeup and let your skin shine with health and vitality.

By using these detailed insights and product recommendations, you can create a beauty routine that not only makes you look good but also feels good for your skin.

[oceanspirebc]

Website: https://www.oceanspire.ca/

Address: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Oceanspire offers health & beauty products made with quality natural ingredients that are safe for us and our ecosystems. A collection of natural, plastic-free products designed with ocean protection in mind, including reef-safe SPF with non-nano zinc oxide.

All packaging is plastic-free and made with 100% recycled product that can be tossed into the compost after consumption.

Our Mission:

Reduce plastic culture, promote conscious consumerism and raise the standards of the health and beauty industry. We aspire to change the collective consciousness about plastic consumption through community engagement and consumer awareness.

10% of all product proceeds goes directly towards ocean conservation initiatives.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceanspire/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oceanspire

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/oceanspire_/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oceanspire.ca

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[nattawinlove-andmygaytea]

Ehhh so I was bored and did this 😁

-here’s weirder asks by

@bisexualnikkisixx

who is/are your comfort character(s)?

Kinn Theerapanyakul,

Porsche Kittisawasd,

Aaron Dingle,

Zhou Shu Yi,

Captain America mcu (do not fucking judge me! mcu helped me through my depression since 2012😎)

lighter or matches?

both

do you leave the window open at night?

sometimes

which cryptyd being do you believe in?

vampires ?

I'm ready, come and get me!!!

what color are your eyes?

brown

why did you do that?

to survive

hair-ties or scrunchies?

both

how many water bottles are in your room right now?

none

which do you prefer, hot coffee or cold coffee?

hot coffee

would you slaughter the rich?

sure

favorite extracurricular activity?

thats not a thing

what kind of day is it?

rainy 🌧

when was the last time you ate?

30 min ago

do you love the smell of earth after it rains?

sometimes yes, sometimes it triggers me and it makes me wanna throw up

are you a parent? (all answers qualify)

of several cats and proud of it! 😺

can you drive?

no, never want to.

are you farsighted or nearsighted?

farsighted

what hair products do you use?

Anything/everything I can buy

imagine we’re at a sleepover, would you paint my nails?

hell yes....but it's gonna be purple 💜

do you say soda or pop?

none

something you’ve kept since childhood?

I have a bugs bunny blanket since I was a baby so it has my age: 28

what type of person are you?

A lot, weird, ethic, kind.

how do you feel about chilly weather?

no much

if we were together on a rooftop, what would we be doing?

starring at the sky!

perfume/body spray or lotion?

none? I can only use a few products I have bad allergy 😬

a scenario that you’ve replayed multiple times?

School times 😥 why nobody tells u that you are neurodivergent?

about how many hours of sleep did you get?

5

do you wear a mask?

yes

how do you like your shower water?

hot

is there dishes in your room?

no, hell no

what type of music keeps you grounded?

emo

do you have a favorite towel?

yes

the last adventure you’ve been on?

an adventure? never heard of it

is there a song you know every word to by heart?

several, it's a thing I'm good at.

what’s your timezone?

GMT-3

how many times have you changed your url?

never

someone in your life, other than a relative, you’ve known for 10+ years?

no

a soap bar that smells good?

vanilla

do you use lip balm?

no

did you have any snacks today?

yes

how do you take your coffee?

black with a hint of agave syrup

an app you frequently use besides this godforsaken site?

instagram

what’s your take on spicy foods?

it's a hell no, it can kill me

you get a free pass to kill anyone, who is it?

bolsonaro

can you remember what happened yesterday?

yes

favorite holiday film?

no, please no.

what was the last message you sent?

ily to my mom

when did you first try an alcohol beverage?

as a kid my dad gave me some sips (ha yes, alcoholic dad issues), but never again. I do not drink.

can you skip rocks?

no

can i tag you in random stuff?

yes

[brunetterightsactivist]

Should I buy the $30 Paula’s choice lip treatment idk

[comeloro]

Lips

We are well into the heat of the summer, which seems like an appropriate time to address an area you have probably always been told to pay attention to but weren’t sure why beyond obvious cosmetic reasons: your lips. Our lips have the most delicate skin on our bodies, and it’s important to keep them hydrated all the time and not just in particularly trying, drying times like summer and winter. The skin on our lips is incredibly sensitive and thin, and additionally, it does not produce its own natural oils. This means that it’s essential to be on top of hydrating this area to avoid irritation and dryness year-round, not just in two of the most taxing times of the year. 

The first thing I look at when deciding on a lip balm is the ingredients— the more naturally-derived the better. I know that this a sudden trend in the beauty world, and everywhere you turn there’s no-paraben, “all-natural” claims. Keep in mind when you’re browsing that “all-natural” is a highly misleading term, and it’s safe to assume that no product on shelves is completely composed of natural ingredients. Everything would go bad almost immediately if that were the case! 

And I’ve digressed… so how do you ensure that you are choosing a healthy, safe lip product? First things first, check out the main ingredients. Think about how when you apply a product topically to your lips you are essentially ingesting it, so it’s important to know what’s going into your body. I generally look for something rich in plant-based oils, shea butter, lanolin, and honey. All of these are ultra-hydrating, naturally-occurring ingredients that I’ve found work effectively for me. 

Take a look below at a breakdown of five of my favorite lip products for use in every season and let me know what you’re using or intrigued to try:

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm 

My holy grail, cannot-live-without lip product. I absolutely love this balm, so much so that there’s about five to my name at all times, which includes three stashed in my bathroom, one in my bag, and one by my bed. 

I first came across this product while watching Jeanne Damas’s British Vogue interview where she reviewed her favorite pharmacy products. Intrigued, I then proceeded to research Nuxe as a brand. I was immediately attracted to their values and commitment to sustainable, plant-based beauty and decided to pick up a few balms on my trip to Canada that summer. I haven’t been disappointed since.

The consistency of this product is similar to honey as the name suggests. It feels thick and creamy but somehow applies matte. It’s the only lip balm that is so fixed upon application that I can even add lipstick over it like normal. I don’t experience any sliding or running when I put color over the balm, and when I wear a matte lip, I don’t get those annoying flakes of dry skin. 

The thick nature and nourishing properties of Rêve de Miel primarily come from beeswax, shea butter, and sweet almond oil, which also makes it handy as a lip mask for nighttime. I like to pile it on while I sleep to hydrate my lips overnight. 

10/10 for form and function. 

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in the shade “Hibiscus” 

There’s no history with this one. It was your classic “let me pop-in to Target real quick” story, which never actually happens, at least in my reality. Probably not needing anything remotely related to beauty or skincare, I went to the beauty and skincare section anyway. I found this tinted balm and decided to give it a go. 

It’s great for those “I’m not gonna even bother with lipstick today” moods. I apply this almost once a day if I want a quick, effective hydration boost and a little natural-looking pop of color. The top three ingredients in this one are coconut oil, vegetable oil, and beeswax. While I’m not keen on the vegetable oil, I justified it because I appreciate their use of shea butter and lanolin as supporting sources of hydration. You have to pick and choose your battles.

Weleda Skin Food Lip Butter 

The texture of this one is not quite a butter but more like an aqueous gel. I’ve used other Weleda products, and I’m a big fan of the entire Skin Food line. I also admire Weleda’s commitment to using plant-based ingredients and taking care of the environment, so I thought I’d give their newest product a try. 

While it is hydrating, it doesn’t stay on your lips for very long. I use it as a quick burst of moisture, but not when I plan on going awhile without reapplying or before I put on lipstick. I’d say it’s helpful to keep in your bag when you’re in a pinch, but not something I’d re-buy. 

Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, lanolin, beeswax. 

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in shade “Smashed” 

This is my newest addition to the collection, and I’m obsessed with the sweetness of agave, the thick texture, and the subtle but flattering color. I use this more like a lip gloss rather than a lip mask and can attest that it also looks great over lipstick for extra shine. 

My first impression when I tried this out was “how does it taste so good?” The agave’s sweetness is incredibly palpable but not overpowering, and the olive and castor seed oils give the lips noticeable plumpness. I primarily use this one in situations where I want that noticeable flush of color without sacrificing long-lasting hydration. 

The shade “Smashed” is described as a “sheer candy apple red,” but I find it to be more of a purple-red, berry-like color. It’s a flattering shade regardless, and it noticeably enhances my natural lip color when I wear it alone. I like to layer the lip mask over red and pink-toned lipstick shades and find that it complements them well. 

Flower Beauty Lip Mask in shade "Sangria" 

I love Drew Barrymore. That’s really it, so thanks for reading!

…

I’m joking, of course. While I do really love Drew, I genuinely wanted to support her beauty line and try something functional. I’m not a huge makeup collector, though the rest of her line is beautiful, and knew that realistically I’d probably only get good use out of something like a lip balm. 

I love the tint of the shade “Sangria,” a sheer, glossy violet. It’s not particularly pigmented, but it definitely gives a flattering hint of color and lasts for a decent amount of time. It’s not an absolute must-have, but it works and I do find that my lips stay hydrated for a couple of hours after application. 

Out of all the lip balms I’ve reviewed, this is the only one without predominantly plant-based ingredients, despite Flower Beauty’s claim that this is a coconut and mango butter- derived product. The top three ingredients include polybutene (a thickening agent), petrolatum (like Vaseline), and mineral oil. 

What do you think makes a good lip product and what products am I missing? Send me a note and we can keep the conversation going about all things lip care. 

[plumbaleena]

Sam // A Fall Inspired 🎃Sim

It’s that time of year again! September is days away so expect to see some fall inspired lookbooks headed your way and why not start it off with Sam? She’s a sim I created for a boy I was getting set up for on my Patreon but I fell in love with her, and I hope you do too! Her CC links are below! Enjoy!

Genetics // 

eyeshape overlay / https://www.patreon.com/posts/eye-shape-43135636

pore details / https://faaeish.tumblr.com/

eyebrows / https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-hair-facial/title/%5B-arella-%5D--brows/id/1414702/

obscurus eyebags / https://obscurus-sims.tumblr.com/post/663058529828175872/obscurus-sims-eyebags-n6-68-swatches-each

peachy faerie freckles / https://thepeachyfaerie.tumblr.com/post/648607321769082880/starry-freckles

clavicle detail / https://ts4ccc.tumblr.com/post/647505691791294464/clavicle

crybaby eyes / https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-makeup-female-costumemakeup/title/crybabies-crystal-eyes/id/1380934/

dreamgirl lashes / https://www.patreon.com/posts/53587923?epik=dj0yJnU9dFBPT1VtSzhOd1dZdmdvTFpVWkFEakMzZ0JBWW80bU8mcD0wJm49QTlvLUF2bzhiQS1RQTlqNlVxcHY1QSZ0PUFBQUFBR01ORllZ

agave skinblend / https://nesurii.tumblr.com/ 

lip mask / https://obscurus-sims.tumblr.com/post/174533730818/obscurusxmelancholic-collaboration-dl-video

Hair //

ice cream for breakfast / https://www.patreon.com/posts/anni-hair-65111574?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_fan

Makeup //

eyeshadow / https://pralinesims.net/post/615423719712686080/spring-eye-makeup-trio-hello-there-over-the

lipstick / https://crypticsim.com/post/647118698997563392/the-new-horizons-collection-this-is-inspired-by

booboo blush / https://squeamishsims.tumblr.com/post/185846308452/booboo-blush-by-squeamishsims-so-ive-tried-so

topaz highlight / https://nesurii.tumblr.com/post/624290225971249152/topaz-a-face-highlight-a-simple-highlight-that

Clothing //

sweater / https://www.patreon.com/posts/cc-pack-june-pt-67509658?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_fan

jeans / https://greenllamas.tumblr.com/post/164288270665/thejeansset

boots / https://www.patreon.com/posts/caterpillar-33648018

Accessories // 

sceptum piercing / https://pralinesims.net/post/649124851581353984/malice-chain-piercing-collection-howdy-guys

hat / https://www.thesimsresource.com/downloads/details/category/sims4-accessories-female-hats/title/toksik-deary-hat/id/1324405/

DOWNLOAD WYATT ON MY PATREON FOR FREE 8/31

[thenukacolachallenge]

Drabble: A Fixer-Upper

(based off an absolutely bonkers dream I just woke up from lmao)

Rating: T

Words: 503

Warnings: Explicit language

Summary: Izumi Tanaka, the new owner of Tanaka Industries, has a lot of work ahead of her.

“So, why do we have to wear hazmat gear here again?” Izumi asked Cremini, adjusting the mask over her face as she glanced around the room. They stood in the inventory building of Tanaka Industries. Izzy had just turned of-age and had inherited the company, and she’d given the employees a paid two-week off period to make some… adjustments. She hadn’t, however, been allowed to step into the building since childhood. Many things were still unfamiliar to her, having changed quite a bit since then.

“All the data I’ve combed through shows that, at some point, the shareholders began allowing the storage of toxic chemicals on-site,” Cremini, Izumi’s assistant and partner in crime, responded. She was also in full hazmat gear, checking a handheld electronic device with a small stylus. “Luckily it’s nothing radioactive, that’s not something we would be able to fix. As well, that would have been really stupid to store where employees work.”

“It’s still stupid to store anything toxic where employees work,” Izzy groaned as they walked through the walls and walls of boxes and barrels. “Ethical issues aside, it’s not even a good business practice. They’ll be paying for workman’s comp issues for decades after.” She paused. “Or, we will, I guess.”

Cremini couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle. “Good to know you’re thinking of the little guy, Izzy.”

“Hey, I said ethical issues aside!”

“I know, I know, just giving you shit, boss,” Cremini laughed at the woman’s response. She continued to scroll through her palm pilot as she walked. “Luckily, it looks like only a minimal amount has been leaking into the ground underneath. Move all these barrels of corrosive garbage out, rip out the flooring, give the whole area to Agave and let her grow some of her plants here for a few seasons. The place'll be good as new. The plants won’t be viable, of course, but they’ll absorb all the gunk and let us get it out of the soil.”

“A few seasons!? Where are we supposed to store actual inventory in the meantime???” Izumi groaned again, even louder this time. “Ughhhhh, why couldn’t these old dolts not fuck everything up for me?”

“Just the joys of inheriting a company that a bunch of fucked up old dudes went to town on, I guess.” Cremini grinned beneath her mask. “Just wait until you see what they did to the main building.”

A loud sigh escaped the new CEO’s lips. “Well, I guess I gotta stop considering it an ‘inheritance’. This bitch is a fixer-upper, and that money’s all going to re-working this nightmare of OSHA violations.”

“Sounds like an investment to me, not an inheritance.”

Izumi chuckled at the woman’s response. “I like the way you think. Now, let’s get the hell out of here and find a hazmat team to properly dispose of this garbage. This suit is sweaty as all hell.”

“Heaven forbid you have to get a little sweaty, Miss CEO,” Cremini joked.

“Don’t make me dock your pay, fucker.”

[soyforramen]

Whoops, I slipped into a follow up of this prompt.

--

“How’s the wrist?”

Such an innocuous question. It rings flat in the sharp crags that line the chasm between them, echoing hollowly between them. But it’s still more than he’d said Saturday night. More than he thought he’d say.

Betty, never one to let any pain shine through, smiles at him. Her face morphs into that perfect Cooper mask, no crack or wrinkle to suggest anything was out of the ordinary. It pierces his soul to realize that he doesn’t know how to read her anymore.

To him, she looks just as happy and carefree as the first day they’d met in third grade.

“Still sore, but no lasting damage,” she says, rolling her wrist as proof. Even her voice is peppy and varnished to perfection. “How’s your head?”

His hand moves without thought to his forehead, his fingertips grazing the ugly red mess. Jughead jerks his head to the right, a move practiced in the mirror this morning to ensure his hair covered the welt.

“Nothing an aspirin can’t take care of,” he mutters.

He raises his coffee cup to his lips to keep from mentioning the whisky and rye he’d fallen headfirst into, a palliative cure after she’d disappeared up the stairs, leaving nothing but confusion and nadir in her wake. The lingering hangover was still a symphony of banging pots and pans along his temples, a never-ending reminder of his regret (relief?) of doing nothing.

They sip their coffee in silence, waiting for the meeting to begin. The artificial bridge he’d thrown across the chasm between them frays, its tethers loosening. In less than a minute, it’s fallen into the yawning black hole that now lies between them.

Betty's words… no. Not that. It was his inaction. His confusion. His uncertainty that created this false rift between them. The gravity of it tugging and pulling at every second between them, every atom, every conceivable future between them, each a warped, stretched snapshot of a future never to be.

It was enough to make him want to crawl back into the bottle and never come out again. His hand shakes, an aftereffect of the late night drinking, and he shoves it deep into his pocket. Betty’s eyebrows draw too close together, too close to concern for his tastes.

Toni claps her hands together, and Betty shoots him one last curious look. He refuses to look at her, turning to refill his mug. When he turns back around, Betty is in her usual seat next to Archie, a plastic smile on her face. Jughead slouches against the counter, too lost in his own morbid thoughts to pay much attention to the upcoming game to notice the increasingly concerned glances Betty sends his way.

Jughead watches as his students shuffle in, the twins he affectionately calls Bill and Ted the only two showing any trace of life. The bell rings, a clanging, offensive noise that makes everyone wince. It’s doubtful he’s the only one nursing a hangover.

“How many of you did the reading?” he asks when they settle in.

A collective groan ripples throughout the room. He can’t blame them; he’d never been able to finish The Odyssey in high school either.

“Pop quiz time,” he says.

Another groan, this time with a rousing argument against it, echoes through his already pounding head. Jughead holds his hands up in a conciliatory gesture.

“I want you to write about betrayal.”

The class quiets, some exchanging glances. It’s a sharp turn, a quick 180 that throws all off them off balance. Jughead has been ruthless so far, both in his grading and in his push to get them to learn critical thinking skills. Even he’s surprised at this course of action.

“Any kind of betrayal you can think of. You can talk about personal betrayal, family betrayal. Maybe one of your friends kissed your girlfriend, or maybe your mother chose your sister’s side over yours. Or maybe you write about a fictional betrayal. Hamlet and Ophelia, Brutus and Julius Caesar, Edward Pensieve and the Turkish delight.”

Wynnie’s hand shoots up, and Jughead inwardly winces. She’s always been the one to push back against any assignment, the one who questions everything he expects from them and makes class ten times longer.

“Can we write about a made up betrayal? With characters on, like, TV or something?”

Breathing a sigh of relief, he nods. “Anything is fair game, as long as you write it in a way that someone not familiar with the show, or book, or whatever, can understand what’s going on.”

“What about poetry?” another student asks.

“So long as you put the effort in, poetry is fine. Text threads, short stories, poems, letters, anything written.”

“Can we work together?” one of the twins asks.

“Sure, as long as you don’t bother the other students,” Jughead says with a shrug.

Bill and Ted high five before dragging their desks together.

Jughead is surprised at how well they’re taking this assignment. Every last thing has been a fight with them, from getting their attention to taking a test. Betrayal, though, seems to be something everyone can relate to.

As the class begins to write, Jughead sits down at his own desk. For a moment, he watches his students, kids in the same position he was once in, and wonders why he’s even here. Riverdale offered him little more than characters he could mold into his own, a setting for the decline of small town America.

Today, though, his mind wanders along words and phrases, glimpses into a different sort of reality. One ravaged by decay and rot, left to perish alone. And yet, he can’t help but see the small, green shoots of the future poke out of the ashes, tiny hints of hope for what’s to come. Perhaps nothing is ever static and unchanging. Perhaps things can turn around.

Jughead reaches into his bag for his own blank notebook.

He’s sitting on the porch that afternoon, struggling with the illegibly written translation. It’s a shame the state requires them to teach only the recommended books; Jughead would love to see how the story unfolds when thrown onto a fire.

“Hey.”

Jughead starts. When he sees it’s only Betty (only?), he stands abruptly, his entire body on fire, his legs jittery and ready to run.

“Hey,” he repeats. “Archie’s not here, but –“

Betty shakes her head and shoves her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “Can we talk?”

He swallows. Stupid of him to think he’d get away from this conversation. Jughead waves to the chair next to him. As Betty passes, her perfume tickles his nose. Long gone is the strawberry body spray she used in high school, a sweet, cloying smell. Now it’s a perfume, one that tickles his nose and clogs his sinuses.

They sit there quietly, neither willing to speak first. He’s lost for words, unable to start.

She sits patiently, calmly. Betty seems as if she hasn’t a care in the world, as if they were there to talk about the weather. Part of her training, he realizes. She’s no longer as impulsive as she once was, reaching and grasping and desperate for an immediate answer. This Betty Cooper is a reminder of the past, but only that.

“I’m sorry,” he manages, starting with the simplest of things.

Next to him, Betty shifts. He thinks he hears her sniffle (crying? allergies? derision at his lame start?), and he has to quash his immediately reaction. All he wants to do is reach out to her, to comfort her, to promise her the world to keep her from suffering.

But he’d done that before, long ago, in a completely different world. And he’d been trod upon, brushed aside in favor of her own cruel form of betrayal. Nothing he could have done after would have fixed the wound she’d carved in his soul. Even now, seven years distanced from the teenage woes, it lay between them, still raw and sore and bleeding from the continued betrayals of his life.

He wonders how he would have responded to her if he hadn’t known. If he hadn’t come home one night early to hear her and Archie upstairs. If he hadn’t turned to the Wyrm and listened to Sweet Peas acidic sniping just to get lost among the agave pinas and the juniper berries.

“It’s not,” he stutters, trying to find his footing, unsure of what he wants to say. “I couldn’t stop loving the Betty Cooper I knew. But I also never stopped hating what she did to me.”

The admission is the first emotionally honest thing he’s said in years. It’s painful to realize how deep it lay inside him, how long it took to finally cut out this festering, putrid thing that burrowed into him. Like a tumor, it could only grow, fed by hate and anger and depression. Hate and anger for both of them. It hadn’t turned out like it was supposed to.

Now that it lay out in the open between them, he felt different. Heavier, in some ways. But there was also a release. The pressure that had been building for so long was slowly lowering, as if he’d finally found the valve that would bring things back to normal.

“And I don’t know you,” he said, the words pouring out now. “Seven years, and only a handful of texts, a few voicemails. You’re not the person I remember. Hell, everyone is different from who they were, who I thought they were.”

He pauses to run a hand through his hair. He can feel Betty’s bright eyes staring at him, pleading with him for something, anything, that will make this better.

“We’re both different now, and there’s no way you can still love me. You don’t know me, you know who I was. We can’t just pick up where we left off, even if we wanted to. There’s too much between… Even if we were stupid enough to try,” he trails off, his words meandering as they try to find footing in the rocky space between them.

“We didn’t leave things in a good place,” Betty murmurs in agreement.

She shifts, and he looks at her for the first time since they sat down. Her legs are tucked up against her body, arms wrapped around them. It’s a protective stance. Against him, perhaps, or against the bare truth that he’s put in the open. He can’t blame her, not since he’s protected himself against most of his own life in other, less healthy ways.

Jughead sighs, empty of anything else to say. He stares at the fading light glowing through the leaves. It’s the perfect, picturesque scene of two high school sweethearts reuniting. At least, it was supposed to be. He didn’t know if he ever could do that to himself again.

Archie’s old truck chugs up the street, and Jughead stands. He scrapes the palms of his free hand along his pants, the other hand gripping his book. Archie waves through the windshield with a bright grin, and Jughead gives a half-hearted wave back before going inside.

He’s exhausted; after being mad for so long, it’s strange to be so empty of feeling. He’d give the world to be able to retreat back to Alphabet City and it’s various loan sharks. There, at least, he’d know the pain was no one’s fault but his own.

Jughead closes the bedroom door behind him, shutting out the rest of the world. It wasn’t his business what Betty did despite her attempts to bring him back into her life. He didn’t know if he was ready for that, or if he’d ever be. Ever since he’d been back, her presence gnaws at him, chipping away at the walls he’d built up over the years against her presence, and it frightens him that she’s stepped back into his thoughts so quickly and easily.

Thoughts and ideas collide and churn violently in his head. He throws himself down on his bed, determined to fall asleep despite the chaos.

But this time, sleep doesn’t come as easily as it always has. Words and feelings and phrases splatter against the back of his eyelids, graffiti tattooing images of a world never known. He pushes back against the cacophony until he can stand it no longer. Desperate to empty his thoughts, Jughead turns on the bedside lamp, pulls his laptop out from under the bed, and begins to write more than he’s been able to for years.

[herradhighpriestess]

Deliberate Exchange

Summary: Elka Green is at work the morning the Exchange. She is one of the hostages pulled onto the motorcycles and not released. Elka is married to a conservative judge, in a loveless marriage, there's all sorts of drugs, sex and violence and political references/quotes that could offend, I hope you enjoy, xoxo I don't own any of these characters etc.

Chapter One: A Personal Note

Elka Green climbed the steps of the Exchange building, her eighteen hundred-dollar Gucci heels sounded in staccato clicks on the pitted and well traversed steps of the Exchange.

She tossed her hair back and adjusted the silk scarf that was loosely wrapped around her slim neck. Elka’s dark blonde hair fell long past her shoulders.

A sharp breeze blew in her direction, and a single tendril of her macadamia nut oiled hair caught in the loose knot of her scarf. As the wind died down, the single strand of warm blonde hair pulled free of her scalp and settled in the silken valleys of the designer fabric.

Elka paused at the top of the steps when she heard someone call her name.

“Elka, hey Elka!”

She forced her lips into a welcoming smile as Jerry Reynolds jogged over to her.

“Hey Elka, how was your weekend?”

“Good morning Jerry, it was pleasant. Thank you for asking.”

Jerry ran a manicured hand through his seventy-five-dollar haircut. Elka started walking again and kept her matte lipstick smile fixed in place as she headed in the direction of an organic coffee cart.

Jerry kept pace and prattled on about his weekend, completely oblivious to Elka’s disinterest. She struggled to not roll her eyes as Jerry rattled off story after adventure about his wild weekend.

Elka’s smile turned genuine when Albert Phinney pressed a white lid on a recycled paper cup and passed it to her as she walked up. “Good morning Mrs. Green, I hope your weekend was well,” he added as she accepted the hot cup from his hands.

Albert watched her intently as she took a sip of the steaming soy concoction. She smiled warmly when the sweet espresso flooded her mouth and coated her taste buds.

“Today, it’s a soy hazelnut macchiato with a dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg.”

Elka took another sip as Albert whispered that he had added some light agave syrup. Monday through Friday, Albert made Elka a mystery espresso. It was a tradition that had started more than seven years prior and showed no signs of stopping unless one of them ceased to live.

It had been Elka’s first day at the Exchange, she had started on the lowest part of the totem, barely clinging to its wooden splinters. She had been obscenely early for her first day, not many people had been around. Albert had been brewing coffee and unwrapping and arranging sweet pastries and Bavarian cream filled delicacies onto plastic platters.

Elka had straightened the stiff collar of her stark white blouse and pinstriped blazer as she approached Albert’s coffee cart. He had offered her a warm smile and didn’t tell her that he wasn’t quite set up for business yet when he saw her nerves peeking out from behind her statuesque and stoic facade.

Elka stood a little over 5’8 and in her Jimmy’s, she came in just a hair under six feet. Albert’s smile broadened when Elka couldn’t decide on a coffee and held up a wrinkled, liver-spotted hand to pause her indecisive litany.

“Allow me to make you a drink not on the menu,” he had whispered in a low conspiratorial tone and bustled about steaming soy milk and adding an amber colored sweet syrup.

Elka had smiled gratefully and accepted that first drink which started the long-running weekly tradition of Albert creating her morning coffee. She always abstained from one of the tempting and delicious looking buttery pastries. Every great once in a while, Albert would top one of her morning espressos with whipped cream and fat light-brown raw sugar crystals.

Elka put a few dollars in the battered paper tip cup and headed to the large revolving doors of the Exchange with Jerry hot on her highfalutin shiny, leather heels.

Elka breathed a sigh of relief when Jerry said he’d catch up with her later and hopped into an already packed elevator to head to the bustling seventh floor. She casually waved at him and continued in her preferred solitary fashion of the carpeted floor of the Exchange.

She sipped at her macchiato and reveled in the sweet coffee as she readied her mind for the day.

Elka was Mrs. Elka Alsina Green. Married just under four years to Justice Calvin Patrick Green of the Supreme Court.

They had met when Elka had been a key witness in a defense case against a legal firm CEO caught up in a masterful Ponzi Scheme. Judge Green had waited until the verdict had come in and had slammed his gavel down before asking her out for dinner.

In their short marriage, Elka’s bullish behavior and competitive drive led to her being promoted to her current position of an Information Systems Analyst Supervisor. Her intense focus at the Exchange led to people loving or hating her, unfortunately Jerry was head over heels for her, smitten beyond belief, despite Elka’s multiple reminders of her marriage.

She hadn’t wanted to hurt his feelings by adding that she held zero attraction towards him.

Elka swirled the coffee in the dull green paper cup as she stalked through the Exchange and paused to say hello or offer a few passing words to several colleagues. After she finished the coffee, she fished a pack of gum from her burgundy Louis Vuitton bag. Soon the sweet and artificial peppermint coated her tongue and chased away her coffee breath.

Elka adjusted the shiny plastic badge over her heart as a familiar and delightful nervous energy filled her body, leaving a vast tingling in its wake that danced through her limbs as she waited for the opening bell to ring.

As Elka’s heartbeat increased and she snapped her gum faster, Jerry had remained at the Exchange entrance and looked down at the older man running a stiff bristled brush over the tops of his shoes.

Jerry could nearly see his reflection in the buffed surface of his shoes.

“You can’t short the stock because Bruce Wayne goes to a party,” Jerry said loudly to the man sitting next to him. The man whose name Elka couldn’t seem to remember. Dennis.

“Wayne coming back is change. Change is either good or bad. I vote bad.” The man who Jerry was looking down upon in his current sitting position as well as in life was a very loyal man with five grown daughters. Esau pretended to be every part the simple-minded man who was shining the shoes of the pretentious, all in hopes for a few crisp bills and shiny coins to rain down around him.

Esau continued to work the brush over the tops of Jerry’s gleaming shoes, urging a glow to swim to the surface. As Jerry and Dennis continued to discuss Bruce Wayne, Esau let his eyes wander over to his black nondescript backpack which held a loaded automatic weapon.

“On what basis?” Dennis asked.

“I flipped a coin,” Jerry answered casually before adding. “Come on let’s go scalping,” he said as he tossed a fresh five-dollar bill to land next to Esau‘s leg.

Esau watched Jerry adjust and smooth down his royal purple tie that stood out proudly against his bright blue and white striped shirt.

While Elka covered a deep yawn, Scott Carthwright pulled a creased ten dollar bill out of his pocket when the delivery guy from Antonio’s, a stellar delicatessen, walked up with a brown paper bag.

Scott opened the bag and pulled out the parchment wrapped sandwich that was supposed to be a mortadella on wheat with a fat pile of pungent pepperoncini and thick rings of Vidalia onion. He was looking forward to the olive oil and balsamic dressing that would soak the bread and impregnate it with the progeny of sweet, bitter, spicy, and savory. Scott let out a dramatic exasperated sigh and looked at the delivery guy who sported sharp features and a hooked nose. “It says rye, I said no rye man.”

The salt and pepper haired delivery man, Joshua, flicked his eyes over to the clock before his gaze landed on Scott’s plastic badge and ID number, G13689.

While Scott continued to bitch about his sandwich, on the marble landing of the carved staircase, Karl pushed a wooden handled mop along the floor after a pair of traders walked past. His beige monochromatic clothing made him almost disappear in the sea of ostentatious bustling busybodies with their platinum money clips, excessive caffeine consumption and high blood pressure.

Karl glanced down at his sunny yellow mop bucket filled with sudsy water.

Submerged in the soapy water was a matching automatic weapon to Esau’s, which laid in deadly dormancy, waiting to take lives.

Elka glanced up at the large clock and made her way to her glass-walled corner office, which was sprawling and spacious, she smiled at the fresh peonies her secretary Janice had left on the corner of her desk.

No sooner had Elka taken her seat and booted up her computer, when her life changed irreparably by a masked man in a leather jacket.

The metal detectors began to blare their alarms as Bane walked into the lobby of the Exchange, armed guards milled about with their federally issued .40 caliber handguns.

Bane’s broad shoulders were encased in a well-worn and creased leather jacket. DCS Downtown Courier Service, was emblazoned across the back in dull brick red letters.

Bane’s thick and heavily corded muscular neck and body were obscured by the fire engine red helmet that drew the attention of Sandra, a full-time member of the Exchange’s security team.

Sandra approached Bane and began to recite her repetitive litany for newcomers to the Exchange.

Her dark hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and she struggled to not roll her eyes in irritation at yet another person not being able to read the sign that clearly stated to remove all headwear, from hat to motorcycle helmet.

“Hey rookie, lose the helmet. We need faces for camera.”

“Come on,” Sandra managed before the red helmet was off Bane’s head and smashing into her face. The bridge of her nose exploded, and she saw bright blue stars before losing consciousness.

She would awake in a narrow emergency room gurney a while later, a plastic IV line in one arm, keeping the pain down to a dull roar.

In a brutal display of startling power, Bane moved to the right and swung the helmet in an arc, catching another guard in his forward momentum. He dodged left and avoided the next man’s reaching arm and gun. Bane slipped around the man’s extended arm and forced him to discharge his weapon before dropping him to the ground.

Bane looked around at the fallen guards, his veins and arteries swelled and became engorged with lethal toxicity. His body moved with the feral grace of felines stalking in the tall brush of the Serengeti.

“This is a stock exchange, there’s no money you can steal,” Jerry said in a tone that still held the repugnant tone of his obnoxious silver-spooned upbringing.

“Really? Then why are you people here?” Bane rebutted quickly and pulled Jerry roughly by the neck to a nearby desk. Bane slammed Jerry’s soft featured face onto the desk’s paper cluttered surface and ripped the plastic access badge from his chest.

Dennis tried to sink into his seat and disappear off of Bane’s radar, his sweating fingers struggled to not drop Bane’s red motorcycle helmet onto the ground. He felt like he was going to piss his pants, sphincter tightening. His stomach threatened to reject his liquid latte breakfast, acidic bile burned at the back of his throat.

While the metal detectors continued to blare their alarms as the masked group of men stormed the lobby. The masked men were all heavily armed and swarmed the offices and took up post by the elevators.

One of the men sprayed a line of bullets in the ceiling and the abrupt gunfire quieted a lot of screams.

Another anonymous man lifted a bullhorn to his masked mouth and began to speak. His voice reverberated through the lobby and reached Elka’s ears as she crawled under her desk and hugged her knees to her chest, through the glass walls, Elka could see that Janice had taken the same position under her own desk.

“Disobedience will be punished by death,” the masked man began and in a brutal display of startling power, grabbed one of the crying interns who was wailing incessantly and pulled her to her feet. He swung the bullhorn in an arc, catching the crying woman in mid-sob and knocking her unconscious to the floor.

“Cooperation and silence are what will allow you to retain your life.” Elka peeked around the corner of her desk as the masked man looked around at the people shaking in fear, the veins and arteries in his muscular neck swelled and became engorged with lethal toxicity. His body moved with the feral grace of felines stalking their unsuspecting prey in the tall brush.

Elka ducked back under her desk as the man’s gaze took to sweeping across the faces of the scared men and women standing in trembling huddles. They were corralled by their own fear, nearly paralyzed with the thought that the next bullet fired was going to kiss them between their shoulder blades.

Elka took a sharp intake of breath and nearly felt the weight of the masked terrorist’s eyes pass over where she was hidden from view. She flinched when she heard his voice grow in volume as he moved down the hallway, his men had spread out and were dragging people from their offices and impromptu hiding spots.

Elka pressed her lips together and inhaled deeply through her nose, she tried to remember all the jargon her yoga instructor spouted about finding a place of calm and being able to breathe away anxiety. She closed her eyes; her heartbeat was pounding in her ears with a dull roar and she couldn’t shake the image of the masked man. A short film on perpetual repeat, danced behind her eyelids of his predatory stalking around the Exchange floor, his eyes found every weakness among the hostage masses, from their red blood cells to their very warm, wet core.

Elka risked another peek around her desk just as the armed man did another visual sweep. His eyes landed on Elka when her face appeared around the mahogany desk. Elka found herself unable to move, trapped under his warm caramel colored eyes.

As the dangerous man approached her with light footfalls despite his heavy boots, he watched her expression fill with fear. He smiled behind his mask as he closed the distance between them, walking towards her with deliberate and painful slowness.

He stopped in front of her, “stand up,” he ordered and pointed to the floor in front of him. He watched her struggle to stand and found he barely had to drop his eyes to return her wide-eyed stare. His eyes fell to her plastic badge indicating her supervisorial capacity.

The next few moments were a blur for Elka, she was startled back to reality by the feel of his massive hand enclose around her bicep.

From the closeness of his proximity, his voice caused her stomach to clench and her mouth went dry.

“How much longer does the program need?” the intricate metal asked man asked Esau, with his eyes completely trained on Elka and the rapid and rise and fall of her chest.

“Eight minutes but they cut the fiber, cells working,” Esau said as he watched the progress of the computer program weave its way into the monetary network.

She flinched when she heard his voice call again to the man that had until not too long ago, shining shoes.

“Time to go mobile,” sounded the masked man’s musically toned voice as he closed a large hand around her upper arm. From the closeness of his proximity, his voice caused her stomach to clench and her mouth went dry.

The next few moments were a blur for Elka, she was startled back to reality by the feel of his massive hand yank her around by her bicep.

Elka heard the shouting of the masked man’s counterparts and fresh gunfire erupted as she was pulled towards the exit doors of the Exchange.

“Everybody up!” a deep male voice shouted and was followed up by a spray of bullets. Some hit yielding flesh with a meaty smack.

“You two, move.”

Bane paused in front of Dennis and pulled at the red helmet that he was clutching like newborn stock options.

“Thank you,” Bane said in a haunting and melodic tone as he pulled the helmet from Dennis’s sweating hands.

Elka seemed to wake up as the physically imposing man pulled her towards a line of waiting motorcycles.

She began a futile attempt to pull free of his grasp.

He didn’t audibly respond to her feeble attempt at resistance, instead he tightened his grip until he forced a hiss of pain from her lips and yanked her towards the closest bike.

Bane didn’t relinquish his stranglehold on Elka’s arm, even as he swung his leg over the bike and settled on the padded seat. He spared a glance at Elka before he pulled her to perch in front of him.

Her fears were renewed when he started the bike’s engine and began to let it idle as the other men with him gathered the remaining hostages at the exit doors and got on the bikes as they gunned the engines to life.

Outside, SWAT and police milled about and argued about the best approach to the terrorists.

Foley and Blake had their firearms leveled at the Exchange as one of the rooftop snipers squinted and called out. “I’ve got something.”

“Steady….” Foley called.

“Steady.”

The hostages started down the steps of the Exchange and the security chief shouted over the growing Gotham Police Department’s adrenaline buzz.

“Hold your fire, they’ve got hostages.”

In the midst of the shouting, Elka tried to slide out of Bane’s grasp, she almost squealed with victory when the toe of her shoe hit the ground. Her joy was fleeting as Bane wrapped a powerful arm around her and pulled her back until she was flush against his chest. She was forced to shift her body until the smooth, metal gas tank was cool against the inside of her trembling thighs.

As Bane and his men tore through the city on their motorcycles, they dropped their hostages one at a time.

The police force erupted in chaos and officers tried left and right for a clean shot at any and all of the terrorists, while trying desperately to avoid the innocents.

Some of the unlucky guys and gals landed poorly and Gotham’s emergency room had a slew of broken wrists and ankles to grit-filled road rash.

The original objective had been to take temporary hostages in order to ensure a safe escape from the Exchange.

As Bane urged the bike’s speedometer higher, Elka squeezed her eyes shut.

Bane kept his grip on her strong and unyielding, through the razor thin vents of his mask, he could detect the sensual aroma of a high-end parfum, sold only in overpriced blue glass bottles.

The fragrance held the sweet and citrus undertones of rosehips and bergamot.

Bane inhaled a lungful of the subtle fragrance as he continued to maneuver the motorcycle through the city.

As he steered them further from the Exchange, Elka began to fall still under her body’s shock response.

“Where are you taking me?”

Bane was genuinely surprised when Elka’s voice sounded above the wind rushing past them. He responded immediately and without delay as soon as her last spoken syllable had tumbled from her lips.

His single word response caused her vocal cords to temporarily cease to function.

“Home.”