Ellis Ethan Kirk - Birth story

I can hardly believe that here I am ready to write the birth story of my third child and first boy!
Ellis Ethan Kirk was due to be born on May 15th, but this pregnancy felt much tougher than the previous ones and I was visibly bigger with him that I was really hoping he'd follow in his sisters' footsteps and come 5-6 days early.

He was kind enough to do so. But the trick was to also not be born on Emi's birthday, on May 9th, because she is all abt her birthday and we didn't think she'd like to share that day with anyone.
So on May 9th things went as planned, we celebrated Emilia as planned for. Until dinner time that was, when we went to a restaurant to celebrate her and I started feeling my first contraction. More have followed and we decided to take the girls home and leave them with my mom who had arrived in town the day before (she has great timing on these things, same thing happened when I had Emi).

We went to the hospital around 8:00 pm as we didn't want to wait at home too long (Addie was born pretty fast and we didn't want to take that risk). But almost as soon as we got to the hospital my contractions just about stopped, and we couldn't even leave before an hour from arrival so they could run more tests. At 9:00 pm we left to come home and wait some more. That was a good move as Ethan was able to get more sleep, not me though. And I could have really used some, as the night before, when my mom got into town we stayed up until 3:00 am (not a smart move at all, had I known I wouldn't get any sleep for the next 35+ hours).

But I ended up eating seeds and talking with my mom as contractions started to be closer and stronger. Then I tried to lie in bed for some rest, but I was reacting to each contraction, and that's when Ethan woke up and said we should head back to the hospital. I thought we could wait some more, but he insisted we left then.

When I was checked I was still at a 3 cm dilatation, same I had been all day, but they took me (they had better, it was 3:00 am by then). The midwife also came in, and this was my first time being seen and delivering with midwives. And they have definitely exceeded my expectations. First of all, they were with me the whole time, I expected her to leave the room as docs always do, but she was just waiting there with me (which at first made me feel a bit pressured to move along faster), and then she asked if I wanted help when I felt the contractions, and she started putting pressure on certain points depending on my position. That helped a lot actually, and then morally it also helped to have someone involved at that level. She knew I didn't want a medicated birth and helped me progress and work through the pain all along.

But after two or so hours I was still a 3-4 cm dilated and no water rupture so she asked if I wanted my water broken. My first thought was no, cause I didn't want to mess with the course of things, but I also wanted things to start moving along considering how painful the contractions were at that point. So around 5:45 am she broke my water, and she noticed he had pooped inside, and that motivated me to work through the pain and keep progressing.

My first midwife's shift ended at 7:00 am and although I had hoped he'd come during her shift (she told me the next midwife although qualified for deliveries, wasn't yet fully certified as a midwife, and I thought, oh great, what if she won't be as good as her). But the next one was also very hands on, helping me, she was skinny and couldn't put as much pressure during the contractions as the first one did, but she talked to me and that was soothing.

When I got to a 6 cm I really started hurting like nothing I've felt before, and within the hour I got to a 10. I kept feeling that it was humanly impossible the pain I was going through and when will it end. I also threw up three times (usually my quota is twice) I screamed like never before, poor Ethan he was of course present through it all, the medical staff had to pin me down and tell me to stop yelling and focus all the pain. Which I tried doing, and that's when I pushed with my whole strength once, and I guess his head came out but was stuck on his shoulder, and then I had to push again. The sensation was as if my body was coming inside out, and I was yelling to just pull him out because I couldn't do it, but low and behold I did do it. He was born at 8:14 am on May 10th.

I didn't experience a high, I think I was too traumatized from all the pain. Then passing the placenta was way more painful than the times before, and so was the stitching. I hate that part almost more than the delivery.

It was my first time I had actually questioned my decision of going without an epidural. I don't think I was mentally as prepared as my first delivery. I think I had assumed since I had done it twice that I had this one too, but it was about a third if not more, more painful and more intense. I thought I had gone through what was humanly impossible pain my two previous times, but it turns out we can take more than we even think.

I was asked by a few friends if I would do it all naturally all over again, and my answer is a definite YES, all in all my labor lasted only 5 hours, and to me I'd rather go through smtg intense which is quick rather than drag it for hours more. I also like being in control all through it, and at this point I am more freaked out by the needle going in my back and the paralysis sensation.

My social media fast – what I learned and why you should follow

Our Latter-days prophet’s admonition to take a seven-day social media fast had come to my attention, but I wasn’t going to act on it as his address was during a youth fireside and I simply didn’t think I needed to do it (even though the weeks prior to it had been some of my highest consumption of Facebook).

But my father-in-law, as he usually is very much in-tune with the spirit, at the end of our family visit a few weeks back, sat us all down and before we each left for our homes, he committed us to do just that - what the prophet had urged the young of our church to do - the seven-day social media fast as well as setting a special time aside for the Lord each week for the following three weeks.

After committing to do the fast, the first day I had to decide how to do it. Ethan suggested I erased the app from my phone, which I pondered doing so and maybe even have it permanently removed, but given the fact that I’m working towards my own product business, I know I have to keep in the loop and be proficient using the facebook app (which, btw, it had significant changes even within a week); so instead I moved the Facebook app from the first page to the very last, sitting by itself.

That helped a lot, just having it out of sight and out of mind, but out of habit I still felt like checking statuses and updates all the time in the first few days.

But here’s what I came out with as a result of my fast, also the reasons I would encourage everyone to do so even if for just one week;

• I became more present, paying more attention and in a more natural manner to my girls
• Instead of engaging throughout the day in all these group conversations, and getting distracting notifications of comments or replies to my comments, I had more clarity and quietness in my mind
• I started listening to more podcasts, even meditating and reading more meaningful texts
• I realized the people who really care know what I’m up to even when not broadcasted to the world
• I realized those people are the ones that truly matter, they are the ones that I actually talk on the phone and in person (and sadly enough, there are abt 5 of them besides family, who I talk to on a regular basis offline, one lives back in Romania, 3 are dispersed around the states, and one is in my same city)
• And what was most shocking to me - it made me so far removed from all the noise of social media, that the simple act of posting what we’re doing ALL THE TIME started feeling weird, like I stopped seeing the purpose behind it (I know there are many people who have always felt that way, and have probably laughed at people like myself, but I’m just now seeing the light).

So, obviously I’m still on FB and Instagram. I even thought about making it a two-times a week of an ordeal, almost like a chore, or a work assignment, because no one will really miss me and I will end up getting a whole lot more done in the meanwhile. But for right now, my FB app is still on the last page of my phone, and I am probably checking it about 500% less than I used to.

All thanks to a living prophet who knows our needs and has called us to take actions towards having a more fulfilled life. And just as grateful I am to my father-in-law who was inspired to have us participate.

We Only Get One SHOT

While I was driving down the freeway this past week a thought came to me, which it surprised me a bit. Normally I would think about my to-do list or a big project I have coming up, but what came to my mind is the fact that this life is all we have; that we only get one shot at making it worthwhile.

Typically that thought may make one want to abide by all the rules they know and want to be better so that they’ll reap the rewards in the eternity. But the urge I felt is that I need to enjoy and treasure every day of my life, regardless of how mundane and at times unsatisfactory they may seem. Sometimes I feel like we are waiting for our circumstances to change and then to start living more fully. But even if they don’t change, the fact that this is it and our only shot makes our lives so valuable.

I felt that it’s a bit unfair that we only get one shot at life, because we are small and imperfect and many times don’t get our lessons till is too late, and we could really use a re-do. But God has designed it to be this way, which means it must be the best way.

Ever since that thought a few days ago, I became more aware of how passing this life is and as a result I started enjoying my experience more. Even the though parts of caring for small children and having almost no personal time.

I have a strong feeling that once we’ll pass on into the eternities we will look back upon this life and treasure every single moment of it, the good and the bad. That there will be a sense of sadness that we will never be as fleeing and as limited as we once were while here in mortality.

I don’t know what the future holds or even what I should aim for in many areas of my life, but if there is one thing that I should consistently be aiming for, it should be this: to live my life more fully treasuring each day; by doing so I know I will have no regrets when looking back on my life. 

The Age of Adaline – Her Birth Story

Yes, that’s where we got the idea for her name, and yes the title is cheesy but it applies a bit, because although we had Adaline Esther Kirk full term at 39 weeks, she came looking and weighing more like a 33-34-week baby.

When we had our 20-week sonogram we were told that instead of having a three-vessel cord hers was a two-vessel one. Which it didn’t mean much to us and the way the doctor described it was that it’s like different eye colors in children, that sometimes it happens. But we knew better, so as soon as we got home we googled it and of course it looked way more complicated, as we learned she could have various conditions ranging from minor to pretty serious ones.

For about a day and a half that’s all I was thinking of. I felt a lot of fear and anxiety. With Emilia everything went so smoothly and we were spoiled that way. Having the possibility of something being wrong, it certainly humbled us and gave us a different perspective. I prayed more intensely then than ever before. It was when I embraced the idea that yes, even if there is a condition, there is nothing for me to do, except love and take even better care of her. Only then was I able to relax and to feel at peace.

The doctors have monitored her growth and although she had consistently measured about two weeks behind, they weren’t worried, until the last sonogram on Mon., June 13^th when they saw that she hadn’t grown appropriately. They suggested I be induced saying that the placenta wasn’t feeding her accordingly. I questioned their claims and I really didn’t want to be induced, but I had had no signs of labor so I had to decide very soon. I also took a stress test on Monday where she did well and I was told she weighed around 6 pounds (she was born 4 and 13 oz).

It was that night that I felt some back pain for the first time, which turned into contractions throughout the following day. In the morning I went about things as usual, I even went in to get my eyebrows done and took a nice bath. I also started doing all these tricks I have heard they might get me into labor. I spoke with the doctor and told them I didn’t want to be induced that day and if I won’t have her by Wed morning naturally then we can do it then.

June 14th last day being pregnant 

By 4 pm I started contracting even more intensely and closer together. I didn’t want to go to the hospital too soon but I also knew I may have a much shorter labor this time around. Before we left Ethan gave me a blessing, in which he reassured me that she would come naturally and that the labor will progress as needed. It was a sweet and special blessing focused on my strength and fore-ordination even before mortality. During the 30-min drive the contractions slowed down so we went to McKinley park and walked for about 50 min. There was about 15-20 min in between contractions and I felt like I didn’t want to go in yet, but when they hit and as strong as they had started to be, all I wanted was to check in already. But we waited some more, and around 6 pm we checked in. I was about 4 cm dilated, and I told them that last time around it happened really fast that I progressed from 4 to 10 and that they should be ready for it.

I even had a sandwich as I was hungry and was walking and squatting around the hospital room. Soon enough the contractions started to be closer together and around 10 pm they were really strong. I asked Ethan why I was doing this to myself, and he was quick to search on his phone the downfalls of an epidural (which, btw, it’s not even that strong or anything). But he was encouraging and I really needed him there. He suggested they checked my dilatation as last time it took them by surprise, and I was at a 6 cm but I started feeling things were moving pretty quick. I threw up twice and my body started shaking, which were all good signs. My water broke just about then and I was screaming each time the contractions hit, however I had the sense the nurse wasn’t taking it very seriously; I felt like climbing up the walls and I was lamenting and on my fours. Then I felt her coming out and by now I was trying to keep her in as no one was prepared for it. So during the last contraction I yelled You guys she’s coming, and she did at 10:36pm.

Proud Dada the night of the delivery 

So there was no doctor present as they didn’t expect me to deliver quite yet, but I had three nurses around and of course Ethan, who instinctively rolled up his sleeves when he saw they weren’t ready for it, being ready for anything.

Adaline Esther Kirk a week old 

Comparing it with my first delivery it was definitely shorter but more intense, and last time around I got to meditate, dance around and do all that holistic stuff, this time I was all business, let’s-get-this-over-already attitude. And maybe because of these differences I also hadn’t experienced the hormonal high I did last time. It may also be because I was worried with Adaline. She seemed so small and she was kind of purple, that I asked why she wasn’t crying when they put her on my chest. That worry took over all other emotions for the following days. The only positive outcome of her being so small is that I was able to recuperate a lot quicker than with Emi. A few hours after having her I was walking her bassinet over to the new room. Maybe it’s also a second pregnancy and delivery thing.

I think the reason I was against being induced as well as getting an epidural (which I’m almost certain it would have slowed me down a lot, and I’d rather have it super intense and short than drag it for longer) is because I prefer being in control over the situation and being actively involved step by step. And yes the pain was most likely the highest I have ever felt in my life, but I tried to embrace it and make it work for me, rather than fight or resist it. Also this second time around I knew that the pain is what will make the baby come and I tried my hardest to relax through what it seemed like 10000 volts going through my whole body.

We love her strawberry brown hair 

They were right, each pregnancy and delivery is different. I’m glad is over and that we have Addie in our arms, that although she is really small she had tested well and was able to come home after a day and a half. And it feels like being a new mom all over again, as caring for her is different from caring for Emi. I am breaking all my rules (sleeping in my bed, falling asleep in my arms, feeding on demand and I’m sure there will be more to follow) and she will most likely be a lot more cozied up than Emi. But for right now all I care about is her thriving and becoming strong. 

What being Christlike in the face of same-sex marriage legalization is to me

Never in my life have I wanted to be more Christlike and never in my life have I felt less equipped with knowing what that really is. 

I know we’re taught to act and think as Christ would. And although I am well-aware of it, many times I still gossip, I still spend more time on FB than I do reading my scriptures and many more examples of sort. But when dealing with the gay marriage situation, knowing how tough it is not to become judgmental and rough on those who are gay, but also being able to hold my ground and express my beliefs, it really left me with no direction but wanting really badly to act and do as Christ would.  

But this was tough too; would Christ have changed his FB profile pic to show solidarity and support for the gay community and the recent success? Maybe, but I don’t think so. I also don’t think he would have come very strongly against all those who support it. Christ has both forgiven and mourned with the sinners and those who were weak but he has also condemned the Pharisees, calling them vipers and sons of the devil. So once again, it makes it really tough figuring out how to deal with it all.

I was notified by the recent court’s decision on legalizing gay marriage all throughout the states by my well-informed, politically-savvy husband since being in RO that didn’t really make the news and no one cares abt it over there. 

At first I didn’t think much of it, because we’ve all known sooner or later it will become the standard. But then, all the sudden my FB page was flooded with rainbow pics and praises to the recent decision. My initial reaction was to counter it with articles or opinions which sat on the opposite side, criticizing the decision. I thought that I should be pro-active at defending and promoting traditional marriage. But then I thought abt it and realized that I don’t want to be that person, especially since my interaction with the majority of my FB friends is solely online, and I know how easy it is to be miss-portrayed when limited to cyber interaction.

Then I thought I should just keep quiet and not even participate in this discussion. But I realized it mostly came  from a fear of intolerance (funny enough) from the other side for simply stating what is true and important to me. And being afraid to talk and express opinions it’s not me, nor is it why I chose to live in the United States for that matter. If expressing my views, as unpopular as they are, is being intolerant of others, then America is no longer what it was initially made to be.

Pondering on it all, some scriptures came to my mind. Passages from the Book of Mormon which talk abt if the day comes when the majority of the people choose something which is not aligned with God’s gospel, that is should be granted unto to them. So I accept the reality of it, even though we’re not even sure what the voice of the people would have chosen, since it was ultimately decided by 5 judges, but let’s say it is what most people (50% plus 1) desire in the US, I believe it should be allowed, but what does this mean to me?

I’ve never established my values and beliefs based on what was popular or praised by the world. And of course my support of marriage between one man and one woman springs from my Mormon upbringing as well as being raised in a country like Romania, but ultimately the reason I believe in it comes from how I feel abt it internally. It just feels right to me - and no laws and outside pressure can make me feel otherwise once I internalize such truths.

Now, I’m also well-aware I never felt what a gay person feels nor have I struggled with anything like it, and that’s why I don’t accuse nor condemn the stand they take, I might have done the same in their shoes. And that’s why I was left with wanting to behave as Christ would in these circumstances.

I read 3 Nephi 14 in the Book of Mormon and I was hoping to find smtg in there to give me some answers since I even taught it on my mission that the Book of Mormon holds the answers to all of life’s questions.

This chapter starts with Christ addressing the Nephites, teaching similarly to his teachings in Jerusalem. He says: Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement you judge, ye shall be judged; …why beholdest thou the mote that is in your brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  And I thought, this is it, I shouldn’t judge them (gays, or gay supporters), I should focus on myself and all the work I have yet to accomplish to better myself. And then I read some more: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet.  I know the language may come across as strong and demeaning, but I think it simply means not to bring up Godly things to those who may not even believe in a God. In other words, we cannot even hold a conversation on the matter if there is no point on reference, such as you don’t believe in a higher being, who I believe has established a way of living for us which is meant to bring us higher happiness. Or you have no standards of right and wrong, so everything can go.

And then finally it was in verse 12 that hit home to me, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. And this is to me what being Christlike in the face of same-sex marriage legalization is.

• I desire not be judged nor demeaned because I still believe in traditional marriage, 
• I desire that people would give me a chance when they meet me rather than categorizing and rejecting me based on my beliefs, 
• I desire they don’t take it personally but consider and accept that the way I believe is a deep personal belief which has no intention of hurting or undermine who they are, 
• I desire they know and accept that I can still love them in spite of feeling differently about gay marriage. 

Applying the above principle, I also want to make sure I treat them as I wish to be treated.

I know that one day, in the eternities, we’ll look back on this and realize we all tried to do the best with what we knew and what we had, and that will be all that matters. I know God loves us all and maybe the reason we are dealing with all these issues and dilemmas, is not to try to convince each other to think and feel the same, but to see how well we treat each other in spite of strong differences. 

Books on Taking Care of Your Baby - My Collection

Recently I had a few different friends ask about some of the books I have briefly shared with them before. So I wrote this post for them and anyone else that may want to check out some baby books that I've found helpful and insightful.

The order I chose for the books has to do with the chronological order you'd probably implement them. I will give a short description and share some of the things I learned. Truth be told, I am still in the process of reading each one of them, but I feel like I have a good grasp on each one.

1. YOU ARE YOUR CHILD'S FIRST TEACHER by Rahima Baldwin Dancy

This book it's a good first read because it provides a great background on the relationship you and your child will develop. It describes each stage the child goes through and it's useful in giving you heads up on what to expect. This knowledge will hopefully help you avoid some frustrations or thinking that you're doing something wrong.

What I learned:
- All children develop more or less the same between birth and 8 months old; the greatest impact your influence will make on them is between 8 months to 3 years old, when they'll actually change the most they ever will.
- They love it most seeing and hearing their mother speak to them; this was really sweet to learn, as I had a feeling it's good that I am around Emilia so much, but having the confirmation, has made me want to talk to her and hold her even more.
- She says that the excessive baby gear prevents parents from bonding with their baby; she advocates against the use of car seats outside of what they are made for, when travelling in the car; also she doesn't encourage walkers and bouncers.
- An American mom will only touch her baby an average of twice an hour, while a Puerto Rican mother will touch her baby 180 times an hour. A French mom touches her child 3 times more than an American one.
- And my favorite one, she encourages mothers to dress their child warm for their first year of life. And this was a piece of information I was really happy to read about, because ever since I was in college and I was exposed to American parenting through the students that had kids already, I would get infuriated when seeing how lightly those babies were dressed. The parents were more bundled up than them.

Now you see why I like this book; she addresses things that I feel are important and which are not usually talked about much.

2. INFANT POTTY TRAINING (or a concise version, INFANT POTTY BASICS) by Laurie Boucke 
So before you're baffled and appalled about this topic you should really see what is about and the motivation behind it.
I was referred to this book by a friend who saw on FB that I was going to attempt potty training my daughter who was 5 months at a time.
This method refers to a type of potty training, ELIMINATION COMMUNICATION, based on being in tune with your baby and listening to her natural cycle of elimination and responding to it.

What I Learned:
- Most moms will identify early on after coming home from the hospital the time when their baby will go potty, based on timing alone and/or facial expressions.
- Through the standard procedure we train babies to go potty in their diapers, only to have to undo it later on.

- Through this method, each time you know the child will go peeing or pooping, you place a receptacle under them; I actually learned that I was a bit late starting with my daughter at 5 months, and that this should be done all the way up to 4-5 months, starting as early as 2 weeks.
- Whenever they go peeing you make a Ssssshhhhsss sound, and they'll soon start associating it with peeing; and when they go number 2, you make a grunting face and help them go.
- This is not a forceful method by any means, and for the contrary, it bonds the mother and baby in a very special way. The method is not for all moms, it takes a special type of commitment.
- The motivation should not be to outdo other moms or compete with them, it's about doing what is best for your child and help them function to their potential; when their signals are ignored, they'll stop sending them altogether.

My experience so far:
After I started putting Emilia on the potty at around 5 months and 2 weeks, it took her less than a week to associate peeing with being on the potty. She will try to play around and anything around us will get her distracted, so I try to hide it all. I make the Sshssshhh sound and she goes if it's her time to go. I put her on the potty in the morning when she wakes up and after a quick feeding, after each nap, and in between if we're at home and I sense it's about time. As for pooping, she's been going on demand since the first week. It may be because she's not going very often anyway and when she does she needs some encouragement and tummy massaging. If you're worried that your baby is too little to sit on a porter potty, I used some puppy training pads when she was 5 months old. They worked great because she started disassociating going potty in a diaper, and the air flow helped as well. We now use about 2-3 diapers a day, sometimes including her over night one.

Very important is to not push them if they are not cooperating anymore. If she gets bored and unsettled I take her off and will try again later. Even the book advises to not obsessed over having your baby trained early, and that the bond between you and your baby is more important than having them trained.

I would say that if you're open to it to give it a shot. Everyone seems to have an opinion on it even though they've never tried it, but unless you try it, you won't know what it's about. And I tell you what, there's not much more satisfaction in life than when you've been able to make your baby poop in the porter potty all before 6 months old.

3. SUPER BABY FOOD by Ruth Yaron
Like many first-time moms I felt unprepared when I started feeding my baby solids. For us that was at 5 months old. This book is a great resource to identify when it's a good time to start your baby on solids, and what to feed them and how.

What I Learned:
- Recommended to start them on solids between 4-6 months, before then not only their body and digestive system is immature, but they also cannot refuse food, not turning their head when they're full. You can easily overfeed them, which can lead to obesity and other serious problems later on as adults.
- Feeding them too early may also lead to developing certain allergies.
- You don't want to wait later than 8 months to start on solids; if later than that they may not like the textures and refuse it all together.
- It's based on making all food at home, not only it's healthiest for your baby but it ends up being cheaper too, even when using all organic foods (which it does encourage to do)
- Best method to cook the veggies is to steam them in a steamer and then blend it with some of the water that cooked it. You can make bigger quantities, then freeze it in an ice tray, then you take the cubes and place in a ziplock bag.
- Eating size per serving when you start them is about an ice cube worth of pureed food, which you can microwave.
- You first feed them some milk, so they're not starving, then give them the solid, then you give them some water (it will help with their liver processing the solids), and that's really one or two teaspoons, and then you finish with a milk feeding.
- It talks about child proofing your home and it even teaches how to make homemade and safe cleaning agents (I haven't gotten to that yet, but I'm thinking to try it)
- Do not keep trying to feed the baby if they don't like the food; you can try feed it again in a week or two. And do not insist with that last spoonful if they don't want it, better to toss it away than to overfeed your baby.
- Do not use the sippy cups for any types of foods, use it only for water and milk if bottle fed.
- If the baby touched the food in a container, do not save it for later, their saliva could produce bacteria and spoil it even when refrigerated.

4. HOLDING TIME by Martha G. Welch, MD
I was given this book by a friend who is a triplet and her mom had to really focus on holding each one of them and making sure they each received needed attention. This book is more applicable when they become toddlers and specially if you have another baby. It's meant to help prevent tantrums and sibling rivalry, and produce happy mothers and loving, self-confident children.

What I Learned: 
- You set aside an hour or close to an hour, in a quiet spot in your home, where you and your child will have alone time with each other.
- You hold them on your lap facing you, and you start talking and discussing any differences.
- Instead of time outs, you actually discipline them at first and talk to them about why they acted the way they did, and why they think that was wrong and hurtful.
- After you both share things which are difficult to discuss (it actually says that at first they may fight you, and yell at you, but to not give up)
- Following the more rambunctious interaction between the two of you, then comes a state of calmness and openness and love between the two of you. You make up and continue to be close to each other, often times they'll fall asleep in your arms.
- This creates a pattern for the child knowing they will have that alone time with their mother (father and other family members are encouraged to do it too, but it's most helpful when the mom does it) and it makes them feel safe emotionally.

Sneak Peek: Upcoming post with the baby products I'm using. 

Women's Beauty Products that I Love - A Helpful guide

I'm sharing some of the beauty products I have been using for years or that I have just discovered. For some I have had to try many others to find the ones working for me, and if I can in any way help you avoid that, I thought that I should make it available. For those products that are more obscure I will include links and for those more generic or easy to find, I will include which store to go to. I will also include the price, many times being an important factor when choosing our beauty products.



Face Products

• Facewash around $5 from Tader Joe's - in fact, my husband uses this one as well, as it is light yet effective and foamy but not too much. It doesn't dry my face and I usually use it to remove all my make up at the end of the day 

• Face cream - for this one I have two different products, one that is high end,  Nerium, which is anti-aging. I was actually introduced to it by my dad who is very much preoccupied with looking forever young (he actually already looks pretty young for his age), and being 30 years old myself I figured it's probably time to start some anti-wrinkle stuff. The day cream is light and works great underneath make up; but what's truly amazing is the Night Cream, which is actually so thick that you need to apply on damp face and rub it in. It will be kind of sleeky for a while but it drys off pretty quick. So I'm not so sure it really undid any of my wrinkles, but what it does is it heals my face really well. Also because at times I pick on my face only to regret it at the end; well with this cream it's all cleared out by morning. I've also received comments about my face looking clear and good. So if you have about $120 which is the price for both creams combined, this is the best product in my opinion. And you can order it here

• Face cream - I came across this in 2011 when a friend from Australia who is into healthy stuff had some day cream and I got to try it. Afterwards I had to order myself some more, which is actually shipped from England. I now have a night and day version of it. The day cream I buy from Amazon for abt $15 with shipping. You have to be careful with these products because shipping increases as you add more products. Sukin Day Cream Amazon The night one I also got it from Amazon but I just found a cheaper one, for $17.97 instead of the $26 on Amazon. Sukin Night Cream 

• Face Sunscreen - it was this year that it was brought to my attention that it's a good idea to wear sunscreen on my face every day when being outside. How have I missed this important piece of information throughout my life? So I tried this one from my mother-in-law who is all about sun protection. It's a bit pricier than your regular sunscreen but it's very light and it will last you for a long time, since you only need little bits at a time. I use it on top of my day moisturizer and beneath foundation and/or concealer. You can get it from Target for about $33. It can also come with a tint which may allow you to wear w/out foundation or face powder (regular one can be a bit too light for most)

• Foundation and Concealer - I really like Origins for foundation and concealer because they feel lighter than other high end stuff, but not too light as being ineffective as some too natural make-up. It's also cheaper than high end and lasts for a long time. The foundation is about $34 and the concealer $17.

Hair

• Shampoo - so I've been using this professional shampoo which my mom bought me in gallons two years ago and I'm abt half way through, but that's because I have to have at least two types of shampoos at all times. Head & Shoulders is a good one to have on hand, specially if once in a while you get flakes on your scalps, it does work for me. On a more natural, and better-for-you side, I also have Sukin Shampoo and Conditioner. I only got some because I got them randomly at a Ross for abt $7 each. And it works well, it still shampoos and does what it's supposed to do (I've had some all natural stuff before which felt like using a veggie puree on my hair, with almost no cleansing effect). 

• Serum - Another long-time-used product for me is the Biosilk, which you can apply after towel drying your hair and before blow-drying it. I really think it protects the ends well especially if you straighten your hair on a regular basis. You can buy this at discounted stores such as Ross, Nordstrom Rack or Marshalls, depending on quantity, I usually get the $10 one and it lasts for a long time since you only use a smidge each time. 

• Hair Dryer - I thought to also include this important tool because ever since I was a teenager I've had several blow-dyers burn up on me. I've always had long hair and used to have double the quantity, so it used to take a very long time to dry it, and after a year or two the dryer would burn up. Well I've had Porcelain Ceramic since 2008 and it's never given me any reasons to worry about it, and because it is professional it's stronger and more powerful cutting back on how long it takes to blow dry my hair. Average about $65 on Amazon

Perfume

• My Signature perfume is Irresistible from Givenchy. It's a nice, floral smell, not too strong but it lasts for most of the day. As a matter of fact, I like it so much that I got it twice as a gift this year for my birthday. I have an Eau de Toillette, which is the less strong one, and I use it as a day perfume. The other one is a Eau de Perfume, and being stronger I use it as my night perfume. You can buy it here for much cheaper. The website scentiments.com it's best for perfumes, many times they're cheaper because they're missing the lid or the original box because they're testers, and who would complain abt that, since testers are actually made to be stronger and last longer (so you'll need less of it per usage, lasting you even longer).

• If you want more of a granola, earthy scent (I call it my Zen perfume), I like Origins Ginger Essence. They used to have a vial of it, like a roll-on, which was around $15 and perfect for my needs. They since got rid of it and now only sell it as a full-on spray perfume for $45.

• Another calming, earthy, light one is Karma from Lush. It comes as a vial spray for abt $15 or as a balm for $10. It's also a Ginger based smell and if you usually don't do perfumes, you may tolerate and enjoy these last two ones. 

Make-up 

• Fancy stuff - I like Laura Mercier. It is pricier and you can find it in Macys  department at the mall. But it feels light and it has nice, subtle nuances. 

• Day-to-day - and if you want to keep your make-up minimal and light, I like 100% Pure. They're supposed to be made of plants and not animal tested. And unlike other such products, don't cost a bank, they're pretty reasonable and last a long time. 

• Mascara - Ok, I absolutely LOVE this one from Lancome. As a matter of fact it is the only Lancome product I would ever recommend. I first tried Defincilis Long Lashes mascara when I was a Junior in high-school, and I loved it so much that I've been having one every year ever since. It costs abt $22, but it's a great investment and it will last you a while. I use it when I wanna get all jammed-up and look my best.

• Mascara - on a day-to-day basis, when I don't need to be all jammed-up I found another good, lighter-feeling mascara, 100% Pure, abt $18 on Amazon 

• Nordstrom Rack make-up - surprisingly enough can have quite a collection, I buy my lipstick from there. I like them so much that at one point I had 4 or 5 different shades. I usually get the NYX matte stuff, which feels light and matte, duh...and it lasts for a looong time. They also have the shiny version of these ones. Oh, and have I mentioned that they only cost abt $4 each. 

Let me know if you have any more questions about any of these products, or also if you have suggestions for similar or different beauty products.