#tackle cleanser

[thebibliosphere]

tw compulsive behavior, skin picking, self-harm, acne. I am perfectly fine; this is just a vent post because I'm driving myself bananas.

So, like a lot of people with ADHD I'm a chronic skin picker.

Except I never used to call it that. I've called it "skincare" for the last 20-odd years and kidded myself that because I used skincare tools to "extract imperfections," I was actually taking care of my skin.

That I've left myself with serious scars from doing this was neither here nor there in my mind.

I've since realized that was bullshit and started tackling it in therapy for the problem it is after my therapist finally helped me realize that it's a form of self-harm that's been masquerading as a skincare routine, so really, I need to get a handle on it because, yeah. That's not great.

And it was going fine. Great, even. Until the mild drugstore cleanser meant for sensitive skin that my old dermatologist recommended, but I never tried until recently, gave me the worst cystic acne breakout of my life.

Because, of course, it did. And, of course, it's taking a glacial age to heal, so that's fun. Love that. Love feeling like my jawline is glowing with pain from all these little lumps and bumps.

Anyway. I'm being so brave right now and not tearing my skin off the way I want to. So, so brave. Not at all having a bit of a breakdown over my face having Textures I can't compulsively gouge out. Nope. No sirree. All fine here.

[dearmura]

nightly skincare routine w ni-ki

☆ cw. none <3 PURE FLUFF

☆ pairings. bf! Ni-Ki × f! reader

☆ synopsis: Ni-Ki doesn't know how he got here, all he knows is that you're doing his skincare and he's trying not to give you the satisfaction of showing you he secretly loves it

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

"Get back here you giant toddler!!" You scream after Ni-Ki, chasing after him around your apartment with a giggle and a face mask in your hands

"You'll never catch me~" Ni-Ki teased back like a child, sticking his thumbs in his ears and wiggling his fingers mockingly, blowing a raspberry in your direction

Scramming into your shared room, he hides from you behind the door. You pretend not to notice and call out for him, admitting defeat

"I give up, Ni-Ki. I promise I won't tackle you" You muster up a defeated voice

He instantly comes out of his hiding place and coos at your pout, coming to hug you. You practically cackle to yourself.

He's just too easy

As he pulls you in, you take your opening and push him down on the bed, immediately climbing over him and straddling his lap with a smirk

"Gotcha pretty boy" you tease with a devastating grin

He sighs, admitting defeat

Truth be told, he did have the strength to push you off if he wanted to, but he found your victory too cute to stop you

"You win, Princess" He holds his hands up, surrendering, still pinned down by your figure, making you giggle to yourself

As you gather your supplies with the hum, he stares at you with pure adoration, he tries hard not to giggle at your cuteness

"Lift your head up for me, darling" you whisper softly, helping him put on a band to avoid the mask getting in his hair. You pretend not to notice the blush creep upon his face at the name

Dipping your brush in the clay mask, you gently apply it onto his smooth skin, ignoring your heart racing at the proximity

"It tickles y/n" he says through giggles, squirming under you. You smile warmly, loving the sound of his contagious laugh

You stop applying the mask, subconsciously, admiring his devasting smile and porcelain skin. You really were a simp for him

He blushes when he realizes you spaced out admiring him. Mustering up some confidence, he brings his hands behind his head

"Take a picture, I'll last longer" He teases

"Maybe I will, my pretty boy~" You coo, rubbing the smooth skin on his cheek with your thumb

You can't hold your laughter at his utterly shocked expression, knowing he didn't expect such a confident reply. He stumbles over his words

"J-just continue with the mask thingy, y/n" he speaks, avoiding your gaze, making you coo for the umpteenth time that day

"As you wish, handsome" you tease one last time before brushing the mask on his face once more

"And...done!" You speak with a little squeal, you get off of his lap, to his dismay, sitting on the bed next to him with your leg tucked under you

He slowly mirrors you, about to reach for his face to feel the foreign substance until you stop him

"Ah ah ah no touching mister, you have to leave it on for 10 minutes" you say matter of factly, hiding your giggle as his eyes roll

You practically see the lightbulb go off in his head judging by his very expressive face

He drags you to the bathroom, leaving you confused, gently grabbing you by the hips and placing you on the sink area, settling himself between your legs

"Your turn, angel~" he mocks with a smooth voice

Looking through your skincare, he places each one in chronological order, recalling the countless times you forced him to stay with you while you did your skincare and unpacked your day to him

Running his hands under the water, he softly wet your face before applying a good amount of cleanser into his hands, emulsifying it before gently massaging it into your skin in small circles

Humming at the soothing feeling, you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding, all the stress in you body melting away at his touch

After a minute or so, he wets his hands again, washing off the cleanser that remained on your face before gently tapping your skin with your favorite face towel to prepare for the next step

You can't help but blush at that fact that he actually paid attention when you rambled to him while washing your face

After your face was no longer wet, he placed a kiss on your nose before leaving the bathroom, coming back about a few seconds later with face masks in his hands

"I was looking through your skincare fridge, I hope you don't mind, and I thought these ones looked cute. Which one do you want, angel?" He asks with an expecting look in his eyes which you can't help but coo at

Surprise never leaving you at his interest despite his seeming hatred of skincare when applied onto himself earlier

You point to a mint colored package, meeting his soft gaze with a smile

"I knew you would pick that one" He speaks in a teasing, babyish tone

Peeling open the package, he carefully extracts the sheet mask and opens it up gently to not tear it

Carefully, he places it onto your clean skin, smoothing some parts so no area was left untouched by the mask

Your heart swells at his gentle nature, very unlike his usual playful self

"How are you so good at this, Ki? Even I can't ever get it to apply this perfectly" You question with amusement

He chuckles to himself, mentally celebrating that the countless YouTube tutorials he watched on how to properly apply skincare actually paid off

"I guess I'm just that good, maybe I'll do your skincare from now on? How about that, princess?" He suggests with a smirk. There's the Ni-Ki you know

A smile creeps upon your lips

"I'd like that, actually" You say quietly but just loud enough for him to hear you and chuckle

"All done, cutie, I'll apply moisturizer after the minutes are up. In the meantime...can we cuddle?" He avoids your gaze at the last part

Rolling your eyes playfully at his sudden shyness, you take his hands and place them on your waist and loop your arms around his neck

"Of course, my pretty boy" placing a peck on his lips with a smile

fin

[windvexer]

Got any super duper cleansing magical tips?

hell yeah I do brother (nongendered)!

this is just kinda how I do things and people definitely have different opinions but here we go, in no particular order:

If at all possible, physical cleaning is going to go a lonnnnng way towards magical cleansing. Even a little cleaning helps. If we're discussing cleansing something big (like, an entire person, a room, or an entire home), there may also be "key points" which deliver the most cleansing returns if physically cleaned. For example, a human person may find that their spiritual cleansing is very much aided by washing of hands, feet, and face - even if they can't fit in a whole body scrub.

Likewise, certain areas within a room may hold more influence than expected. A certain shelf, bookcase, or corner may alleviate the room of much badness if they alone are tidied and dusted.

In the home overall, look for major thoroughfare areas (perhaps near the front door or kitchen) which have little corners that have gone too far untidied, perhaps sticky with dust.

When it comes to objects, even a little wash, rinse under soapy water, wiping down with a damp cloth, and so forth, can go a long way towards magical cleansing. Often I do not magically "cleanse" at all, as a normal clean suffices for me in most situations.

I don't find physical cleaning to be totally necessary for magical cleansing, but it can be very helpful both as a first step, and to tackle stubborn cleansing problems.

Speaking of physical cleaning, home cleaning recipes also tend to work well for magical cleansing. A little vinegar is a very strong cleansing agent. Steep some lemon and rosemary in that vinegar for a few weeks, and forget about it - that's both a general household cleaner, and it'll cleanse the shit out of your magic stuff, too.

Ammonia is regarded to be an immensely powerful magical cleanser - one that must be heavily diluted, and tends to strip not only negative influences, but positive ones too.

Early on in my education, I was advised that a bit of bleach can go a long way towards destroying magical bonds. So, don't discount the household chemical cabinet.

For the own self, applying bleach or ammonia directly to the skin simply doesn't do - but a very gentle shower scrub containing a bit of salt, plus various kitchen herbs (dealer's choice - try sage and rosemary to start with) goes a long way. Wash from top of head to bottom of feet, and don't forget the back of the neck.

Other mundane things, like filling a space with fresh air or good vibes, are useful in cleansing in general, but may not suffice in heavy-duty situations.

A very fine cleansing charm is created with saltwater, this being from Paul Huson's rhyme in Mastering Witchcraft:

Water and Earth Where you are cast Let no spell, nor ill intention last Not in complete accord with me As my word, so shall it be

My personal lazy modification for the use of incense:

Fire and Air Where you flare Let no spell, nor ill intention last Not in complete accord with me As my word, so shall it be

Speak this over a little bit of salt water (after mixing) or incense (after lighting) and then sprinkle/wave it all about the thing to be cleansed. To be done when physically cleaning did not suffice, or when physical cleaning is not possible, or when feeling a bit fancy, or when preferring to just do magic.

In cases of emergency, or when it's desired to strip all magic and influence away from a thing, put it inside a plastic bag and bury it completely in salt. Seal this entire thing up (ziplocks are under the purview of true magicians) and then cover it up in a black cloth (or inside-out black graphic t-shirt, or oatmeal gray pillowcase, or whatever's on hand - doesn't matter really) in the back of the closet for 3 days and 3 nights, or until you feel like dealing with it.

When retrieved, the object should have no magical influence on it whatsoever.

In cases of confusing or unsatisfying results, consider if "cleansing" is really the action you should take. For example, if a tool is acting up and producing bad results, it might not be because it's "dirty." It could be that the tool needs to be fed. It could be interference from an ancestor looking for attention. It could be because your technique needs an adjustment.

Cleansing is a fine first step, and it's probably not going to hurt anything, but it's kind of like the "have you tried turning it off and on again" of magic. A lot of the times it fixes a lot of problems, but it's not going to fix actual issues that require a mechanic. (The good news is, the mechanic is you, so you're going to save a lot on repair fees)

In advanced cases, consider why things cleanse the way they do, and employ this to your advantage. Rosemary and frankincense may be considered to be "cleansing" because they "raise the vibes" and create an atmosphere incompatible with a lot of heavy bullshit. But, neither of these Allies are really attack dogs (at least, not in my experience).

Clove and Jalapeno are "cleansing" in that they will take the offending energy out behind the woodshed and teach it a lesson, and tell it not to come back to town or else. But, in my experience, neither of these allies really elevate a space with the heavenly touch of more celestial Allies.

So while I would say the average "cleansing formula" (whether it be a vinegar, an incense, and so forth) works in most situations, from time to time a more nuanced approach is helpful. Like a stubborn little stain, difficult-to-cleanse energies aren't necessarily powerful or bad - they're just nonreactive with whatever formula you're trying to use.

[logansimmingwolverine]

"Repo What You Bow" - Lama's AC Crossbow as a Repogun DR

This is a quick project that had been floating on my head on and off, but decided to tackle now as a bit of a palate cleanser from other projects I'm working on

This is Lady Lama's Assassin's Creed Crossbow conversion as a functional default replacement for the Repogun.

Why a crossbow, you may ask, what are the logistics of a crossbow taking away your stuff? Magic I suppose, also, Rule of Cool, it looks really cool in action (well, it does have clipping going on, tried to mitigate it as much as I could, but I can live with it)

Credits: Lady Lama for the original conversion

Download

[lilly-chou-chou]

Skincare And Lifestyle Tips To Nourish Your Soul :-

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘

Hello, everyone!! I back at it again with brand new post! This time the topic we're going to dive into is skincare. Now I am a woman who has been doing skincare since she was practically 10 so it's been many many decades and what not, mind you I wasn't one of those sephora kids who are stupid enough to use retional at the age of 10 💀 my skincare back then consisted of just cleanser, toner, sum protecting lip balm and sunscreen.

Today I would like to give general skincare advice that is applicable for ALL skin types. Mind you if you have serious issues then do go to dermatologist because the tips I am giving today is to how to have better skin and very general stuff. Hope you guys like it!! <3 💕

Pre-Advice:-

Always know your skin type. This makes things way easier than people actually realize.

Don't always follow the trend because not everyone has similar skin and I doesn't matter ift hey claim to cure you so called problamatic spefic areas always ready the ingredients, be sure about it, consult with your doctor and then use it.

Patience patience patience. I cannot stress this enough, skincare takes time it may take 1 week or even whole 1 year to heal or to see the results. Don't go blaming products if you skip skincare or aren't using it properly. If you are getting rashes you aren't using correct products. If you have sensitive skin I highly suggest you to carefully select your products because anything can give you rashes or irritate your skin. Be careful and take care.

Step 1

Always make sure you know your skin, make sure you are 100% sure with what you want to tackle. The very first step of skincare and general wellbeing is knowing what you want to achieve, for example the sole reason I do skincare is to protect my skin and to make sure my body deserves better. There are many types of skincare routines, you are free to pick one and be dedicated to that.

My skincare consists ONLY of Korean and Japanese products, few of my favorite brands are suwalhsoo, innisfree, hadalabo and such. Skincare is an investment and I hate to say it but splurging on little expensive products REALLY DO make the difference and they do bring a lot of change. If you don't have the budget then I suggest buying trusted drugstore brands (I am kind of unfamiliar with them 😅) and stick to home remedies instead.

I am Asian and we are known to have thousands of home remedies that actually work. Some remedies that I use on daily basis are cucumber and rice water. For this you need to slice cucumber and soak them in rice water for 3-4hrs and put each slice on your face and let it sit for 20-25 mins and don't throw the starch rice water, you can use that in your hair after you shampoo and conditioner put that water in your scalp and massage it keep it for 10mins or so and wash it off for healthy hair, if you have black hair it looks so lustrous and shiny!!

Other remedy is using loose "wet" green tea leaves and mixing it with pure honey, now for this you need to use organic honey for best results. You can't just go and buy honey from grocery store, simply yuck! I suggest you go to organic market and splurge some on organic real honey. Mix those leaves and honey and put the paste on your lips and keep it for 10mins Or so and wash it off, you will get so nice, plumpy and soft lips.

If you don't wanna do all this work then you can simply use a really good lip balm, I used to use various types but in the end I realized that the lip balm they make for babies are the best because they are mild, made with baby safe ingredients so it's best for sensitive skin and it actually works. If you feel like you're too "grown up" to use baby lip balm then I highly suggest any dior lip balm, sure they are expensive but my lips have NEVER FELT SO PRETTY after using dior. Often times with luxury brands these makeup or skincare is either hit or miss but with dior oh! They ate!! It's so good!! You can also simply use innisfree green tea lip balm too, works wonders. Honestly just plain Vaseline also works wonders but choice is yours.

Step 2

Body! This is definitely a sensitive topic but fret not, it's not what you think. By this I mean what goes inside your body also plays a huge role in your skin and body, we need a balanced life by that I mean yea sure healthy greens and well balanced protein options are good but once in a while it's not bad to eat fast food, I absolutely hate how tiktok people say "chemicals" and refuse to use it like boo, everything is chemicals 💀 the only difference is good and bad chemicals. From toothpastes to even the gastric acid that is present inside our body is all chemicals, when will people learn this?

Few steps to have a nourished body are follows:-

Always drink probiotic drinks after you've had a heavy food at the END of the day. My favorite probiotic drink is yakult, it is best to drink at the end of the day because when you are at rest the good bacteria has great chance of working even more prominently.

This one goes out to all the people who can't live without spicy food. Yes, it's time to put down jalapeno, king chili, thai green chili, especially chili powders from India and give your stomach a rest for at least a day. This is a devastating news but I've had a lot of Indian friends who moved to white dominated country and their skin actually improved because food there is super bland and I'm talking full on painful pimples, acne and even healed stomach issues like ulcers, ALL GONE because of bland white people food 😭💀Yes, so you can definitely eat spicy food but don't overdo it in the name of "must have spicy food or I refuse to eat anything"

Please hydrate yourself, and I am sick of hearing "but water tastes bland, can I mix some juice powder?" Umm no?? If you hate the taste of water drink infused water. Some of my favorite infused water "recipes" are cucumber and lemon, blueberries, strawberry. But tbvh you MUST drink water as it is, even if you feel like it's bland, it's for your own good.

Step 3

Gossip, gossip, gossip. It might seem surprising but gossip does play a huge role in lifestyle. It is a factual thing that your skin and body reacts based on how you've been feeling and how you choose to surround yourself. It is true that bad person do have huge affect on your wellbeing...Especially skin, yes you heard that correctly, bad person do affect skin because when you interact with toxic people their ruin your mood, when your mood is ruined you are often faced with so called "negative" feelings like anger, stress and even anxiety. These things bubble up and have negative side affect on your skin and thus make you not only break out but also cause hair loss, headaches and even chronic fatigues.

People underestimate this so much it's crazy! You must remove all the toxic members in your life. If it's family member and you feel obligated then your next best option is to keep a distance or fight back. You deserve the best and surrounding yourself with genuinely nice people will be so wholesome and nourishing for not only your mental health but skin as well.

Toxic people DO ruin your skin and make you break out like hives! Even if it's a relationship, do find the strength to break up with your toxic partners.

So for now I have only done this much I hope you guys enjoyed this mini post. I had come back from this long hiatus yesterday and it took such a long time to do everything, and when I checked the suggestion post a lot of comments were deleted so I could only pull out this many skincare advices, so sorry for super late post and super long hiatus. See y'all in my next post!! 😭🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🏼

˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘⋆˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘

[kiyoka701]

Chat was being extra toxic but the story was a constant and immediate palate cleanser so now I have to talk about it

(Spoilers for Dawn of Darkness Part 2 under the cut)

Roy is simply gorgeous, one of my absolute favorite Dislyte designs

My boy Amir can't catch a break, first Sloan calls him boy scout and now this...

TACKLE. THAT. BITCH.

As you might have guessed I hate Elif so this put a smile on my face

Nothing to see here just Roy looking stunning and saving one of my faves

Let me tell you the amount of joy I felt when Roy said that Elif wasn't coming back up

Sloan being chucked like an empty can of beer

HE'S SO PRECIOUS!! AND FATIMAH'S SMILE MY HEART CAN'T TAKE IT

[qrowscant]

love love love your work. how do you manage to finish/commit to projects long term? i feel like all my attempts fizzle out

blehhhh idk. for me, its:

having friends to yap to about ideas (that i can then pick through and refine)

not being afraid to experiment/try new things (because otherwise i will get bored)

setting reasonable deadlines/expectations for myself (that i don't always make, but always motivate me to try my best to do so)

taking breaks to experience other art for inspiration/a palette cleanser

actually fucking writing/coding/drawing haha (hard)

making stuff is kind of like a muscle, it gets easier the more consistently you do it. there are going to be times where you hate what you make, or times where you need to redo a bunch of stuff. part of the process (for meeee) is just accepting that and then learning from it, instead of letting it demoralize you.

start with small projects first before tackling anything crazy. short fiction is beautiful and more people need to write it. not everything needs to be a magnum opus, just try to learn something from what you make! poorly done art is still art! somebody will likely still find something about it worth loving, even if you hate your malformed creation. (i know i hate mine!)

(also, if you have a good idea but dont have the means to accomplish it, shelve it. you'll unearth it in the future when you are better equipped for it, i promise)

[dolljunk]

I've had this broken Clawdia body and super gluey basic Abbey doll with nothing but her dress I picked up a few years back from a random lot. I had the vague sense of combining the two but I knew it would require some sewing and rerooting to get Abbey up to my standards.

But since I discovered I could use Cif creme cleanser to soak glue heads in and finally harden up the glue, I felt motivated enough to deglue Abbey and paint this Clawdia body up to match her.

I carved out her shoulder joints and knee joints as they are prone to scraping then I painted it up with custom mixed acrylic paints. I tried matching it to her hands which I didn't realise was slightly off colour from her face.

I then sewed her new custom tights, and arm/leg warmers made from a Christmas stocking I cut up.

I'm still missing her accessories but I'm incredibly happy how I finally tackled this project as I really wanted a taller Abbey doll for so long.

[meekahy]

Memory Game

This one is sad. I'm sorry for that.

TW: death

You were woken up by your phone ringing in the early morning. Groaning, you reached for your phone pressing the answer button as you groggily asked, “Hello?”

“Savannah, I’m sorry to wake you up so early, but it’s Josh,” Your Aunt Charlotte whispered into the receiver. Sitting up quickly, you panicked, “What about Josh? What happened?”

“There were some complications with the tumor, and the doctors had to put him on a ventilator. They’re saying he may have a week left to live,” she weakenedly told you. You didn’t say anything right away. You could feel your heart drop to the floor. 

“Savannah?” your aunt questioned after a beat.

“Yeah, I’m here,” you paused, “Noah and I will come up in an hour or two. Do you need anything?”

“I think we’re okay. We’ll see you soon,” she said before she hung up the phone. You felt Noah shift into a seated position as you looked over to him. He reached up and wiped the tears from your face. You didn’t even know you were crying.

“What’s going on, love?” Noah muttered.

You let out a big sigh, “Josh was put on a ventilator. He only has a week to live,” you said as the tears started to spill out faster. 

“I’m so sorry,” Noah whispered before pulling you into a big embrace. He didn't let go until you were ready.

You started to pull away as you looked at the spot on Noah’s shirt where all your tears collected. You whispered, “I’m sorry about your shirt.”

He giggled, “Oh, don’t worry about it, babe. I gotta change my shirt anyways.”

“Good,” you stated, “We’ve got to get ready and head to the hospital.”

Noah nodded and got off of the bed, headed for his suitcase. You followed suit headed to the bathroom and stared at your reflection. You looked tired, your eyes puffy from crying. Deciding to wash your face, you grabbed a wash cloth and cleanser. After washing your face, you headed to your suitcase and grabbed some clean clothes. You slipped out of the clothes you had on and put on the new ones. You sat on the bed put on your shoes and sat there waiting for Noah to be ready. Noah popped out of the bathroom, noticing you just staring at nothing. 

“Hey,” snapping you out of your haze, “Are you ready to go?” he asked. You nodded, standing up. Noah ushered you out of the hotel room and down to the car. He opened your door and you slipped into the passenger seat. Staring at the dash, you didn’t notice Noah get in the car as your mind was drifting all over the place.

The ride to the hospital felt long. You don’t remember the ride. All you felt was Noah rubbing your arm to break you out of your daze.

“Are you ready to head up?” he asked quietly. You looked him in the eye and nodded, getting out of the car. You laced your hand with Noah’s. He gave your hand a squeeze as you both headed into the hospital.

Up in Josh’s room, you quietly opened the door. Your aunt was sitting next to Josh crying. Uncle Oliver was talking to one of Josh’s nurses. Before you noticed him, your little cousin Jamie, was tackling you in a hug.

“Hey, buddy! Doing okay?” you tried to be cheerful for him.

“Yeah! My grandma got me a new Lego set. Do you want to see?” he exclaimed.

You smiled carefully, “Sure, show me.” Jamie dragged you and Noah over to the window seat where he was working on his new Lego set. You waved to your aunt and uncle on your way over.

“Jamie, it’s so cool!” Noah gushed. Noah and Jamie started putting together the Lego set as you watched and smiled at them.

Your aunt called you over. “How’s Josh?” 

“He has some internal bleeding and he is having a very hard time breathing. He’s in a ton of pain. They’re giving him hours now,” she sobbed quietly. The heart monitor beeped slowly in the background.

A few tears escaped your eyes as what you heard sunk in. Observing you, Noah overheard what was happening. He kept a smile on his face for Jamie, and you. You made eye contact with Noah and let a sad smile grace your face. He returned the smile.

A new voice made you whip your head around. It was Josh’s doctor. He spoke to your aunt and uncle, “Have you decided?”

Confused, you asked no one in particular, “Decided what?” 

“Whether to pull the ventilator out or not,” the doctor replied. 

Dumbfounded, you turned to your aunt and questioned, “What did you decide?” Anguish contorted her face as she whispered, “We all decided to pull out the ventilator. We don’t want him to suffer anymore.” The doctor nodded and left the room to update the nurses.

You didn’t stop the tears that were flooding your eyes from falling down your cheeks. You looked at Noah in horror. He looked devastated. Jamie was still preoccupied, but you could tell he was sad and knew what was happening. Your aunt and uncle must’ve talked to him already.

The doctor came back in with the equipment to take out the ventilator. Your aunt motioned for you to take Jamie out of the room. You reached for Jamie’s hand as you pulled him out into the hallway; Noah followed closely. 

Out in the hallway, you all sat against the wall; Jamie sat between you and Noah. 

Still holding Jamie’s hand, you asked quietly, “Do you know what is going on?”

Jamie stared at the floor and nodded. He said, “Josh is going to die.”

Your heart clenched hard at his words. You looked to Noah, tears in both of your eyes.

“Dad said that we have to think of him before he was sick and not to remember him being sick,” Jamie proceeded to whisper.

“That’s a great idea, Jamie,” Noah responded as you wiped your eyes with the back of your hand.

Noah continued, “How about we think of some good memories with Josh? Do you want me to go first?” Jamie nodded. “Do you remember at Christmas when Savannah and I got you guys Nerf guns and we all played with them? Josh got me right in the eye.” You giggled at the memory. Jamie laughed loudly remembering Noah being extra dramatic to make them both laugh.

“Sav, do you have any good memories?” Noah asked.

“Yeah, do you remember when we took you and Josh to Coldstone for ice cream and you both got the worst concoctions of ice cream? You guys are gross,” you laughed fondly.

Jamie continued your memory game. He went on and on about all the fun stuff they both did until the doctor came out and the nurse waved you all back into the room. You all stood up and slowly walked back into the room. Jamie walked over to his mom and gave her a hug. You and Noah stayed out of the way as Josh’s family said their last goodbyes. 

Letting the tears fall, you couldn’t take your eyes off of Josh. Noah wrapped his arm around your waist, his free arm was deep in his pocket. After ten minutes of watching them say goodbye, it was your turn. 

You quickly walked over to Josh’s side and held his hand in both of yours. Noah was right beside you with his hand on your shoulder.

A loud sob racked your whole body as you whispered your last goodbye and I love you. Noah left you because Jamie was tugging at his arm. Jamie buried himself in Noah’s arms as they cried together.

You looked into Josh’s face while he took his last breath. The whole room held their breath as the heart monitor laid out one single beep.

Your heart shattered into small pieces, Josh taking some with him. You knew then that you wouldn’t be the same.

You and Noah stayed for hours after, making sure everyone was as okay as they could be. It was late, and you found Noah lying down on stuffed animals and Jamie on the bench by the window. You walked over and brushed the hair out of Noah’s eyes as he peeked one eye open. He smiled weakly at you. 

“Ready to go?” you whispered. Noah nodded tiredly. He asked your aunt and uncle if we could take Jamie with us if that would help them. They graciously accepted the help. Noah picked up a sleeping Jamie and carried him to the car after you said goodbye to your family.

Jamie stirred as he was put in the backseat. He asked Noah, “Where are we going?” 

“We’re going to stay in our hotel room for the night,” Noah replied before shutting the door.

You held Noah’s hand tightly as he drove back to the hotel. You felt numb and stared ahead of you until the car stopped, drifting you from your daze. Noah carried Jamie up to the hotel room and laid him down on the bed. The both of you got ready for bed. Jamie stirred as you sat down on the bed. “You’re not going to leave me, right?” Jamie whispered.

You brushed his hair back and said, “No. We both are right here.”

Jamie nodded as he looked between you and Noah. Noah offered him a trusting smile as Jamie laid back down. You followed suit and wrapped your arms around him. You pressed a kiss to the back of his head as Noah laid down on the other side of you. Noah snaked his arm around your waist as you all drifted off into a restless sleep. 

Part 5 coming soon!

Tag list:

@thisbicc

@rottingfern

@crimson-calligraphyx

@lma1986

@ladyveronikawrites

@spicywhenspeaking

@circle-with-me

[randomfoggytiger]

Makeup Myths and Acne Realities

(Credit to: Jacob Lund)

While doing more in-depth fashion research, I came across fact vs. fiction in regards to makeup and acne-- particularly, that improper makeup prep or cleansing leads to acne breakouts so tremendous they are seen through makeup, from a few feet away, or even through online photos.

Now thoroughly intrigued, I set out to tackle the differences in "makeup" acne and more serious acne conditions.

**Note**: If you want to skip straight to the pictures demonstrating the differences between acne caused by improper technique and acne caused by long-term skin conditions, scroll down to MAKEUP BREAKOUTS OR HORMONAL IMBALANCES?

ACNE MYTHS

(Credit to: Susana Ramirez)

The myth most topical to this post is spelled out by dermatologist expert Anjali Mahto here:

There's a misconception that makeup can cause acne, and those with acne-prone skin are often told that makeup will make acne worse. "I definitely don't think we should be shaming people for wearing makeup, as long as they are guided on the types of products they should be using and the application process," says Mahto. "There are clinical trial data that show that wearing makeup will give acne sufferers more confidence. Makeup alone doesn't cause acne. Likewise, going makeup free won't stop excess oil, bacteria or dead skin cells shedding in the pores or control the spot-causing bacteria."

Sticking to the topic of acne and makeup, Amy Derick (MD) succinctly debunks popular acne myths in this WebMD article:

Acne Myth 1: Adults don’t get acne.

Not true. Surveys have found that significant numbers of adults are still getting acne into their 30s, 40s, and even 50s. Acne may look different when you’re 36 than it did when you were 16 -- it’s more likely to be reddish nodules around your mouth and jaw, rather than whiteheads and blackheads scattered all over your forehead, nose, and cheeks -- but it’s acne all the same.

Acne Myth 5: You have acne because you’re not washing enough.

Unless you’re a slob, that’s probably not true. “Studies in teens show that washing your face twice a day is more effective than just once, but more than that isn’t necessary and can dry out your skin,” Derick says. “Cleansers are only on your skin for five seconds. Leave-on products like retinoid creams are more efficacious.”

(Further, verywellhealth also notes: ...over-cleaning the skin can lead to dryness, which can trigger the overproduction of sebum and an outbreak of acne.)

Acne Myth 6: You can’t wear makeup if you have a breakout.

"Some makeup can definitely exacerbate acne, particularly thicker liquid foundations that can clog pores and stage-type pancake makeup. But lighter, looser powder foundations, like mineral powder, aren’t nearly as aggravating to your skin,” Derick says. “Of course, people who have acne want to cover it, and coverage is better with thicker liquids, but you have to compromise.”

We know makeup can cause acne breakouts, though. So: what type of acne does it cause, and how do we differentiate?

ACNE BASICS

healthline lays out a nice, simple guide for all things acne:

Types of acne

The most common types of acne are:

whiteheads

blackheads

papules

pustules

nodules

cystic acne

Aaron Secrest, an academic/research dermatologist at the University of Utah, says these types are broken into two groups:

Comedonal acne, including whiteheads and blackheads

Inflammatory acne, including papules, pustules, nodules, and cystic acne

Both types of acne are caused by:

clogged pores

bacteria

overproduction of oil

hormonal changes

Acne subtypes

There are also several subtypes of acne, including:

adult hormonal acne (occurs due to hormonal fluctuations)

acne excoriée (occurs when someone with acne compulsively picks their skin, leading to scarring)

acne mechanical (occurs due to friction or pressure against the skin)

acne conglobata (occurs when nodules, abscesses, and cysts link below the skin, causing redness and swelling)

acne as a side effect of medications

COMEDONAL OR INFLAMMATORY ACNE

Comedonal acne are the garden variety cookie cutter acne: those divorced from hormonal imbalances or deep-rooted skin issues. Simply put, they are easily created and easily cured, leaving little to no trace in their wake. These are the makeup pimples caused by lack of proper care: whiteheads or blackheads that crop up overnight because of improper cleansing techniques.

Inflammatory acne are the tough nuts to crack: they are imbedded with hormonal imbalances or deep-rooted skin issues-- chronic symptoms of larger issues that leave deep ruts or long-term scars if not treated quickly and accurately. These are lifelong issues: no matter if one cleanses or sunscreens or diets or kumbayas properly, hormonal or cystic acne or modules or pustules will pop out or inflame or set in with very little prompting; and are incredibly difficult to hide-- if at all-- under makeup.

(I recommend this healthline article for an in-depth spreadsheet about the differing types of acnes and their treatments.)

INFLAMMATORY ACNE: HORMONAL ACNE

(Credit to: @SKINCAREGEM)

The common cause underlying all types of acne is an imbalance of the androgen hormone, which flares up during puberty and levels out in one's later teens or twenties.

Hormonal acne, however, is a type of inflammatory acne that rages out of control no matter a person's age or their careful, consistent attempts to control it: breakouts and flareups occur without mercy, and wreck havoc despite careful, consistent management.

Dr. Elyse M. Love says:

"The term hormonal acne is typically used to describe adult-onset female acne, as there tends to be a strong hormonal component to this type,” explains Elyse M. Love, MD, a NYC-based dermatologist. She goes on to say that this acne can can present in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, and impact both those who have experienced cystic breakouts before and those who haven’t.

"Hormonal acne is almost always cystic and inflammatory in nature,” says Dr. Love. “It presents with painful red papules, pustules, and deep cysts on the lower face, and it can create long-term scarring (especially if you attempt to pop it). At its mildest form, hormonal acne presents with a breakout or two near menstruation, but for many, it can persist all month long.”

She explains that hormonal acne most commonly occurs on the lower face (on the lower cheeks, jawline, chin) and body (across the chest, back, and shoulders), but can also present between the brows.

(Credit to: kyliespoon)

And Dr. Joshua Zeichner concurs:

According to board-certified dermatologist, Joshua Zeichner, MD, there are two main indicators of whether your acne is in fact due to hormones: Your breakouts happen along the lower third of your face, and they get worse before your period when there is an excess build-up of testosterone.

And verywellhealth agrees:

"For around 40% of women, however, acne may continue well into their 40s....

healthline states:

Hormonal acne may be caused by influxes of hormones from:

menstruation

polycystic ovarian syndrome

menopause

increased androgen levels

Specifically, these hormone fluctuations may aggravate acne issues by increasing:

overall skin inflammation

oil (sebum) production in the pores

clogged skin cells in hair follicles

production of acne-causing bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes

Unless your hormonal acne is mild, over-the-counter (OTC) products usually aren’t successful.

This is because hormonal acne typically takes the form of cystic bumps. These bumps form deep under the skin, out of reach of most topical medications.

How hard is it to manage hormonal acne?

Example: KiranJagpal shared photos from her six-year skincare journey after recently (at the time of her upload) figuring out how to balance her skincare routine, diet, and lifestyle to better manage bigger breakouts (with no guarantee life won't throw that balance out of the window sometime in the future, despite her best efforts.)

clevelandclinic.org describes:

Causes of hormonal acne that you can control

Stress.

Lack of sleep.

Using hair and skin care products that aren’t oil-free or free of ingredients that won’t clog pores (non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic).

Causes for hormonal acne that you can’t do anything about

Changing hormone levels in women, including around your period, irregular periods, during pregnancy, during menopause or after discontinuing birth control.

Men undergoing testosterone treatment.

Family history of acne (genetic predisposition).

Side effect of a medication (steroids).

Pre-existing medical conditions (polycystic ovary syndrome, other ovarian conditions and metabolic conditions).

Again, that leaves us with the question--

MAKEUP BREAKOUTS OR HORMONAL IMBALANCES?

(Credit to: Makeup by Ren Ren)

Here we reach the key distinction: breakouts due to negligence, or breakouts due to chronic skin conditions or sensitivities?

Makeup is an industry stuffed to the gills with different formulations; and with so much variety, there is guaranteed to be at least one formula that irritates and one that doesn't. If either a foundation formula or an improper cleansing routine creates a problem, it will likely cause a day-or-two comedonal breakout-- which is very different from an inflammatory breakout's raised, textured, or inflamed week-to-month skin.

(Fun fact: clean beauty often fares worse for sensitive or acne-prone skin types because their replacement preservatives do an awful job keeping mold or chemical aging at bay. Not recommended.)

Comedonal acne: whiteheads or blackheads that bloom in small patches, and are easily disguised by makeup-- typically with a thin layer of foundation or concealer-- and practically invisible a foot or two away or through a photo (unless shot up-close.)

(Credit to: ??)

(Credit to: @ValentineKissesBeauty)

Hormonal imbalance breakouts caused by either skin irritation or other external or internal factors: a combination of cysts or pustules or papules or nodules with the previously mentioned whiteheads and blackheads. They are definitely harder to cover-- requiring a heavier duty foundation or concealer (or a thinner foundation and heavier-duty concealer for a "less caked on" look)-- and are still visible from a few feet away or through an unfiltered or unedited photo (and, in some cases, even with filters.)

(Credit to: Samantha Ravandahl)

(Credit to: ??)

CONCLUSION

I thought this topic was interesting, dug up some facts, crunched them down, and whipped this post out. Hope it was intriguing to someone else, too.

Thanks for reading~

Enjoy!

[pinkkycherrishh]

ೃ⁀➷𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫*ೃ༄

❤︎︎𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫?

╰┈➤ A Face Roller, just like a Gua Sha, is neither new in tool or technique. It can be traced back to ancient China, It consists of a handle with two rollers on both ends. The larger roller is meant for your entire face. Whereas, the smaller one is made for areas around your eyes. These rollers are made out of jade or any other type of crystal or semi-precious stone which have special healing and soothing properties❣︎

❤︎︎𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤?

╰┈➤ Science says that when you roll your tool over your face, it creates a light pressure, stimulating blood and energy flow among your facial tissues. This increases blood circulation as well as promotes a more optimal lymph movement which leads to effective regeneration, repair, and protection of cells❣︎

❤︎︎𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫

╰┈➤

𝟏.it prevents your skin from ageing.

𝟐.it renews the cells in your face

𝟑.it increases the blood circulation and collagen in your face

𝟒.it tackles dark circles

𝟓.it results in faster absorption of skin products

❤︎︎𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫

╰┈➤ 𝟏.The first step is to prepare the tool for rolling by putting it into the freezer for 2-3 hours.

𝟐. While your tool is in the freezer, clean your face. Use a recommended face cleanser for your skin type. ✩✩✩

𝟑.

༶•┈┈୨♡୧┈┈•༶

[wellstraightprofessional]

Tame Your Curls: The Best Products for Curly Frizzy Hair

Managing curly and frizzy hair can be challenging, but with the right products, you can achieve smooth, defined curls that are free from frizz. In this guide, we'll explore the best products for curly frizzy hair, including top recommendations for keratin treatments, shampoos for damaged hair, and standout products from Well Straight Professional. By using these carefully selected products, you can keep your curls looking their best while tackling common issues like frizz, dryness, and damage.

Why Curly and Frizzy Hair Needs Special Care

Curly hair is naturally drier than other hair types due to its structure, which makes it more prone to frizz and damage. The twists and turns of curly hair make it difficult for natural oils to travel down the hair shaft, leading to dryness. This dryness can result in frizz, especially in humid conditions. Additionally, curly hair is more susceptible to damage from heat styling, chemical treatments, and environmental factors, making it essential to choose products that hydrate, protect, and repair.

Best Products for Curly Frizzy Hair

To keep your curls smooth and frizz-free, consider these top products:

Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners

Why They’re Important: Hydration is key for curly hair. Using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner helps keep curls nourished and reduces frizz. Look for ingredients like coconut oil, argan oil, and shea butter.

Top Picks:

DevaCurl No-Poo Original Cleanser and One Condition Original: This sulfate-free duo provides deep moisture, leaving curls soft and frizz-free.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner: Enriched with natural oils and proteins, this set nourishes and defines curls while taming frizz.

Leave-In Conditioners

Why They’re Important: Leave-in conditioners provide ongoing moisture and help detangle hair, making it easier to style. They are essential for keeping curls smooth and frizz-free.

Top Picks:

Well Straight Professional Leave-In Conditioner: A lightweight, nourishing formula that hydrates and strengthens curly hair, reducing frizz and enhancing curl definition.

Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner: A detangling conditioner that smooths the hair cuticle and reduces frizz without weighing down your curls.

Curl-Defining Creams and Gels

Why They’re Important: Curl-defining products help enhance your natural curl pattern while providing hold and control. The best products for curly frizzy hair should offer definition without stiffness, allowing your curls to move naturally.

Top Picks:

Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel: This gel offers excellent frizz control in humid weather while defining curls without leaving them crunchy.

Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream: Infused with argan oil, this cream adds shine and bounce to curls while keeping frizz at bay.

Frizz-Control Serums

Why They’re Important: Serums are essential for smoothing the hair cuticle and adding shine. They create a protective barrier against humidity and environmental damage, making them perfect for taming frizz.

Top Picks:

John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum: A popular choice for smoothing stubborn frizz and leaving hair glossy and manageable.

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil: A blend of six lightweight oils that hydrate and tame frizz without weighing down your curls.

Best Keratin Hair Products for Curly Hair

Keratin treatments and products are known for their ability to smooth and strengthen hair, making them an excellent choice for those with curly, frizzy hair. Keratin helps rebuild the hair’s natural protein structure, resulting in smoother, more manageable curls.

Keratin-Infused Shampoos and Conditioners

Why They’re Important: These products help maintain the results of a keratin treatment and can be used to repair and protect curls from damage.

Top Picks:

Well Straight Professional Keratin Shampoo and Conditioner: Specifically formulated to strengthen and smooth curly hair, these products help reduce frizz while maintaining moisture balance.

Keratin Complex Keratin Care Shampoo and Conditioner: This duo is designed to extend the life of keratin treatments, providing gentle cleansing and conditioning while reducing frizz.

Keratin Treatments

Why They’re Important: Keratin treatments can significantly smooth and soften curls, reducing frizz for weeks. While professional treatments are more intensive, there are also at-home options that provide similar benefits.

Top Picks:

Brazilian Blowout: A professional-grade treatment that smooths and softens curls while reducing frizz. It's a popular choice for those looking for long-lasting results.

Well Straight Professional At-Home Keratin Treatment: This easy-to-use treatment smooths and strengthens curly hair, providing long-lasting frizz control.

Keratin Styling Products

Why They’re Important: Keratin-infused styling products help maintain the smoothness and frizz control provided by keratin treatments. They are ideal for keeping curls defined and manageable.

Top Picks:

It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin: A multitasking leave-in treatment that repairs, smooths, and strengthens curls while providing heat protection.

CHI Keratin Silk Infusion: A lightweight serum that adds shine, smooths frizz, and strengthens hair with the power of keratin and silk proteins.

Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair

If your curls are not only frizzy but also damaged, it’s essential to choose a shampoo that addresses both issues. The best shampoo for damaged hair will cleanse gently while providing the nutrients needed to repair and restore hair health.

Shampoos with Reconstructive Proteins

Why They’re Important: Shampoos containing proteins like keratin, silk, or collagen help rebuild the hair’s structure, making it stronger and more resilient to breakage and frizz.

Top Picks:

Well Straight Professional Reconstructive Shampoo: Infused with keratin and silk proteins, this shampoo strengthens and repairs damaged curls, reducing frizz and enhancing smoothness.

Redken Extreme Shampoo: Formulated with a protein complex that fortifies damaged hair, leaving it healthier and more resilient.

Hydrating Shampoos

Why They’re Important: Hydration is crucial for both repairing damage and reducing frizz. A moisturizing shampoo replenishes the hair’s moisture balance, leaving curls soft and smooth.

Top Picks:

Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo: This ultra-hydrating shampoo is perfect for dry, damaged curls, providing deep moisture and nourishment.

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo: A sulfate-free formula that hydrates and protects color-treated, damaged hair, leaving it soft and frizz-free.

Sulphate-Free Shampoos

Why They’re Important: Sulphates can be harsh on curly hair, stripping it of natural oils and leading to dryness and frizz. Opting for a sulphate-free shampoo helps maintain the hair’s natural moisture balance.

Top Picks:

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo: This sulphate-free shampoo gently cleanses while hydrating and enhancing the curl pattern, making it ideal for frizzy, damaged hair.

Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo: A sulphate-free formula that smooths the hair cuticle and reduces frizz, perfect for those with damaged, curly hair.

Conclusion

Finding the best products for curly frizzy hair is essential for maintaining smooth, defined curls. With the right combination of moisturizing shampoos, conditioners, curl definers, and keratin treatments, you can transform your curly hair from frizzy to fabulous. Incorporate high-quality products from Well Straight Professional and other top brands into your routine to keep your curls hydrated, strong, and frizz-free. By understanding your hair's unique needs and choosing the best keratin hair products, you can achieve the smooth, defined curls you've always wanted. Say goodbye to unruly frizz and hello to beautiful, manageable hair

[niennawept]

Oooh, I'm interested in She doesn’t know how to ride a horse (LotR folder) 👀

Ha! I hoped someone would ask about this one!

It's a story about Éomer and his canon wife, Lothíriel of Dol Amroth, getting together. I think it'll be a pretty lighthearted romantic story set in Rohan, but with some cultural misunderstandings and hijinks. The seed of this one is that Lothíriel, being from a city where horses are only allowed to pull carts of goods into the city, never learned how to ride. This obviously is a bit of an issue for the Rohirrim. I haven't really read any fics featuring these two, so this might be a common trope, but if so, I hope I'll tackle it differently than folks have before.

This is mostly a story about learning to love someone when you are on different pages at the start. It's partially outlined, and I might get to it as a palette cleanser during some of the heavier parts of my main longfic.

Thank you for asking!!! <3

[from this ask game]

[chiimi-png]

Reads of the year

Happy Place - Emily Henry

Book Lovers - Emily Henry

Beach Read - Emily Henry

Folk of the Air Trilogy - Holly Black

Six of Crows Duology - Leigh Bardugo

Dracula - Bram Stocker

Dollhouse - Henrik Ibsen

ACOTAR - Sarah J Maas

The Catcher in the Rye - J.D Salinger

The Outsider - Albert Camus

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

Not pictured: Haikyuu manga, AOT manga, Chasing the Boogeyman - Richard Chizmar, Babel - R F Kuang, Kingdom of the Wicked - Kerri Maniscalco

Overall an all over the place list of titles ngl, tackled 3 more classics for my checklist, read some cute contemporary romance as palate cleansers, finally read the Six of Crows duology while travelling at the beginning of the year, read the Folk of the Air trilogy, and reread some of my favourite books. I might do a recs post once I'm done with my tbr so give it or take next year. Might I add that I did enjoy every book I read this year, which is a really welcome surprise for some of these.

[comfortmindbody]

Your Ultimate Acne-Fighting Skincare Routine! ✨🧼

Dealing with acne can be frustrating, but the right skincare routine can make all the difference. Whether you’re battling occasional breakouts or persistent acne, these essential tips will help you achieve clearer, healthier skin:

1. Gentle Cleansing Start your day with a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities without stripping your skin’s natural moisture.

2. Targeted Treatment Incorporate acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in your treatment routine to tackle those stubborn spots effectively.

3. Hydrate, Don’t Skip Even acne-prone skin needs hydration! Opt for an oil-free, lightweight moisturizer to keep your skin balanced and prevent overproduction of oil.

4. Sun Protection Never skip sunscreen! Use a broad-spectrum SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, which can worsen acne scars and inflammation.

5. Consistency is Key Stick to your routine daily for the best results—no skipping steps, even on busy days. Consistency will help manage breakouts and improve your skin’s overall health.

Want to dive deeper into an acne-fighting skincare routine? Click the link in my bio to explore all the tips you’ll ever need for clear, glowing skin! ✨🧼

#AcneSolutions #ClearSkin #SkincareRoutine #HealthySkin #AcneFighters #BeautyTips #DailyRoutine #GlowUp #SkincareEssentials

[megaderping]

Tokyo was quite the lively place. The crowds, always a current of people moving to and fro. The trains roaring through tunnels, ferrying people about. City lights shone so bright that you could barely see the stars, and in such a densely packed population, crime naturally followed. That was how Naoto Shirogane, the Detective Prince, found himself seated at a comfortable, red booth at a polished, black table, with little plates of sushi whizzing by on a looping conveyor belt.

One would be forgiven for finding him unusual, particularly in the field of private investigation. At a mere 152 centimeters, he had hardly the most imposing stature, though his cold, grey eyes and perpetual poker face made up for it, in his humble opinion. Short blue hair, matched with a blue cap atop his head, a blue blazer over a collared white shirt, teal plaid pants, and black dress shoes provided a coordinated, professional appearance to offset any assumptions about his temperament based on age.

But for once, Naoto sat not alone after an arduous mission, nor with his grandfather. Across the table, a tall, slender woman with long, silver hair rested her hands on the table and watched Naoto with the faintest ghost of a smile. She wore a black dress suit and slacks, and her black turtleneck and high heels completed her polished and professional appearance. Upon taking a plate of salmon nigiri, she carefully seized a piece in her chopsticks and dipped it in soy sauce with a level of poise that matched her classy style and cool demeanor.

This woman, Sae Niijima, was the eldest daughter of Officer Akihiro Niijima, who the Shiroganes had recently partnered with to tackle an insidious trafficking case in the Shinjuku ward. With the case wrapped with a neat little bow, Sae had invited Naoto out for a celebratory meal. It was honestly surprising, given the way that most adults viewed him as useful only until he played his part, then cast him back into the proverbial playpen until they had a use for him again.

Sae chuckled. "Feeling introspective?"

"Ah… my apologies, Sae-san." He bowed his head, then fetched a plate with some unagi as a palate cleanser. The heat and light seasoning on the eel kept it distinct from the otherwise cold selections. "Thank you again for having me." Read from the Beginning | Full Chapter

-- The special Naoto interlude for my Persona 4 Akechi AU! I used he/him pronouns for Naoto due to Naoto's current masc persona, but tbh my approach to Naoto's gender is honestly more "Gender is Detective" at the end of the day. So probably something NB-adjacent? And certainly queer in some capacity. Next chapter drops in a few hours, bringing us back to Akechi's POV!