Skincare and Makeup Products: Splurge or Spend?

Posted on January 4, 2023 by memoriesandsuch

I normally don’t write about makeup or skincare but have a few exceptions. The first time I did write a post was on my Korean 10-step skincare and today it is an extension of that post. This post was the result of a conversation I had with GG about spending money on skincare. I had some ideas, but wanted to check if what I thought was true or not and decided to check it out more. This blog post is the result of that journey down the rabbit hole. This is my personal opinion and may not be in sync with conventional views.

I have always believed that if one has great skin, then one can get away with minimal or even no makeup. So I would rather invest in skincare rather than makeup mainly because our skin is with us our whole life and showcases our personality. So what are the skincare and makeup products that one should spend money and what should one save on?

Facial Cleanser: This is a step in that one does not need to spend a lot of money. Any cleanser will stay on your face for a very short time and its only job is to clean the face. So any cleanser that claims to moisturise or give any benefit is just hype, I mean, what benefit can be gotten from a product that stays on the face for less than a minute and is washed off? Just purchase a cleanser that is suitable for your face type which is pocket friendly and get on with your day.
Verdict: Save

Toners: I am on the fence on this one. Toners help balance the skin’s PH level and prepare the skin for the following skincare products and no matter how expensive the product is, the main ingredient is water. So I would say save on this product, but buy the best within your budget, which means don’t buy anything that will strip the moisture from the skin, so nothing with alcohols in it.
Verdict: Save

Serums: Serums have highly concentrated ingredients and are designed to sink into the skin and treat them with a high concentration of active ingredients. They are formulated in smooth and smaller molecules that will penetrate deep into the skin. So the more expensive serums have more potent and effective ingredients like Argan oil, olive oil, hyaluronic acid and green tea that provide visible skin benefits. Using serums consistently should show results and for this reason, it’s better to splurge on serums.
Verdict: Spend

Eye Creams: Eye creams are used to hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes. The more hydrated the skin there, the fewer wrinkles will appear. A good quality eye cream will work wonders in depuffing this area and so it is better to spend than to save.
Verdict: Spend

Moisturiser: Another product I am on the fence about. When I did some reading to pent this post, almost all suggested that moisturisers should be in the save section, but I feel that it straddles both sections. Something that sits on your face for more than 12 hours a day should be purchased with thought. Moisturisers act as an invisible barrier that allows the skin to maintain its moisture levels, but it does not absorb into the skin. So any decent moisturiser that does the work of hydrating the skin and protects it from the elements and any makeup applied will do. So maybe instead of splurging, spend wisely, buying according to your budget, but not breaking the bank.
Verdict: Save

Sunscreen: Sun damage can cause premature ageing, dehydration, dark spots, and even skin cancer. So, sun protection is essential to protect the skin from sun damage, and putting on sunscreen is essential, especially given today’s climatic conditions. No matter the climate, one must apply it daily to keep the skin free from tanning and other complications later on in life. Some of the more expensive brands use ingredients that contain antioxidants which tend to be less runny and greasy and don’t make the skin oily or give the skin an ugly white cast. Sunscreens should also be selected based on the sensitivity of the skin.
Verdict: Spend

Sheet Masks: Sheet masks are used as an extra boost or treatment for the skin. Most of them are packed with active ingredients that will give the skin intense hydration in 20 mins. Prices of most sheet masks vary but depending on the need, it may be wiser to save rather than spend. Hydration or blemish control may need a less expensive mask while for anti-ageing masks which need expensive ingredients to work, spending money on them will be better.
Verdict: Save

Lip Balm: An essential product for dry lips, lip balms protect and moisturises lips from cracking and flaking. The skin on the lips is very delicate and thin and needs more care than the rest of the face. Vitamin E, beeswax, and petroleum jelly are the most common ingredients in lip balm. These ingredients are not expensive and in addition, over 80% of lip balms are petroleum jelly based. So one need not spend too much on these products unless the need for a more expensive product is medical.
Verdict: Save

Foundation: With product technology advancing, the foundation is no longer the first step in makeup, but the last step in skincare. According to experts, one should spend on foundations because of the options available at that price point and the technology used. High-quality foundations make the skin look smoother, cover dark spots better, and diminish wrinkles and fine lines, while also incorporating skincare benefits. The best formulation for the face has to be identified based on the skin type so that makeup can go on smoother and the face looks flawless.
Verdict: Spend

Eyeshadow: Pricier shadows tend to be made with better pigments, will last longer, and blend better. A highly pigmented product will stay on all day, so it’s better to invest in a palette that stays long and withstands tears, sweat, and rain.
Verdict: Spend

Eyeliner: While cheap eyeliners can look the same as the more expensive ones when first applied, the duration of application will prove why cheaper ones should be avoided. These tend to rub or break apart during the day with even the waterproof ones so waterproofed that one will have to scrub the eyes until they’re practically red when trying to take them off.
Verdict: Spend

Mascara: Mascaras have a brief shelf life of a maximum of three months so it’s smart to not spend too much on this product. All mascaras irrespective of their price, tend to dry out quickly, so spending much on them is not advisable. Using a proper brush any mascara that’s available at a decent store, will serve the purpose.
Verdict: Save

Bronzer/Blusher: Bronzers and blushers give that nice glow and finding the right one is akin for some to find the holy grail. The key to finding the right bronzer and blusher is to know what works best with the skin type. They don’t need a lot to look good, because applying an excess will make one look like a clown.
Verdict: Save

Lipstick/LipGloss: The difference between an expensive glossy lipstick and a simple one is that the former looks prettier on the shelf. Lip products also have a shelf life so one can buy the less expensive ones and go for suitable colours. This also allows to try seasonal trends without spending too much money.
Verdict: Save

Makeup Remover: A powerful makeup remover can soften the makeup instantly making the entire cleaning process quick and easy. If one is using waterproof makeup such as waterproof mascara, gel liner, and lip tint, one will need an oil-based makeup remover. Otherwise, micellar water is a great option. If makeup is not removed properly, then it will lead to problems, so its better to spend than save here.
Verdict: Spend

Makeup Brushes: Cheap makeup brushes will often shed their bristles on the face, leaving stray hairs that will ruin the foundation and makeup. Spend money and buy good quality brushes because having the right tools and investing in good brushes will ensure the best makeup application. With proper care, they can last years.
Verdict: Spend

So which products do you spend on and where do you save? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please comment below.

2022 Words of the Year

Posted on January 2, 2023 by memoriesandsuch

With the end of yet another year, most dictionaries announce their word of the year. This word sums up how the English language morphed in the preceding 12 months, to recognize a trend in mainstream vernacular and comment on the human condition at that moment in time. So what did the various lexicographers choose as their word for 2022, one that reflects the world around us in that period?

The Oxford Dictionary which was chosen by the public for the first time is “goblin mode”.
According to Oxford University Press (OUP), publishers behind the Oxford English Dictionary, the slang term refers to a type of behaviour that is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, typically in a way that rejects social norms or expectations – traits that may have become familiar to many during the lockdowns. Social media can portray idealised versions of self-improvement, from waking at 5 a.m. and drinking a green smoothie, to keeping a journal, exercising and planning your weekly meal prep. That era may be on the way out. In its place is goblin mode – the opposite of trying to better yourself.

A group of lexicographers at OUP gave people a choice of: “Goblin mode,” “metaverse,” and “#IStandWith.” “Goblin mode” triumphed, racking up 318,956 votes or 93% of the total. “Metaverse” came in second and “#IStandWith” came third. ‘Goblin mode’ was the most popular word because it resonates with all of us who are feeling a little overwhelmed at this point. It’s a relief to acknowledge that we’re not always the idealised, curated selves that we’re encouraged to present on our Instagram and TikTok feeds. Although first seen on Twitter in 2009, goblin mode went viral on social media in February 2022, quickly making its way into newspapers and magazines after being tweeted in a mocked-up headline. The term then rose in popularity over the months following as Covid lockdown restrictions eased in many countries and people ventured out of their homes more regularly. Seemingly, it captured the prevailing mood of individuals who rejected the idea of returning to ‘normal life’, or rebelled against the increasingly unattainable aesthetic standards and unsustainable lifestyles exhibited on social media.

Over at Merriam-Webster, gaslighting is their word for 2022. In this age of misinformation, of fake news, conspiracy theories, Twitter trolls, and deepfakes, gaslighting or the act or practice of grossly misleading someone, especially for one’s advantage was looked up 1740% more in 2022 with high interest throughout the year. The word comes from the title of a 1938 play and the movie based on that play, the plot of which involves a man attempting to make his wife believe that she is going insane. His mysterious activities in the attic cause the house’s gas lights to dim, but he insists to his wife that the lights are not dimming and that she can’t trust her perceptions.

‘Permacrisis’, a term that describes ‘an extended period of instability and insecurity, has been named Collins Word of the Year 2022. It is one of several words Collins highlights that relate to ongoing crises the UK and the world have faced and continue to face, including political instability, the war in Ukraine, climate change, and the cost-of-living crisis. Six words on Collins’ list of ten words of the year are new to CollinsDictionary.com, including ‘permacrisis’.

At the Cambridge Dictionary, homer, or the informal American English term for a home run in baseball was the word chosen to represent 2022. The word saw more than 65,000 searches for homer on May 5, when it was the answer to that day’s Wordle with 95% of searches outside North America.

I had not heard of Oxford’s word of the year, but I am loving it and I am going to use it as much as I can this year. What is your favourite word of 2022?

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

Posted on December 26, 2022 by memoriesandsuch

COVID-19 has devasted the world and has shown us how much of an impact this pandemic as well as that of major infectious diseases and epidemics has on human lives, wreaking havoc on long-term social and economic development. Global health crises threaten to overwhelm already overstretched health systems, disrupt global supply chains and cause disproportionate devastation of the livelihoods of people, including women and children, and the economies of the poorest and most vulnerable countries. There is an urgent need to have resilient and robust health systems, which can reach those who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situations. The first-ever International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was held on 27 December 2020.

In the event of the absence of international attention, future epidemics could surpass previous outbreaks in terms of intensity and gravity. It is important to strengthen epidemic prevention by applying lessons learned on epidemic management and how to prevent the stoppage of basic services. There is a great need of raising awareness, the exchange of information, scientific knowledge and best practices, quality education, and advocacy programmes on epidemics at the local, national, regional and global levels as effective measures to prevent and respond to epidemics. It is important to strengthen epidemic prevention by applying lessons learned on epidemic management and how to prevent the stoppage of basic services, and to raise the level of preparedness to have the earliest and most adequate response to any epidemic that may arise, and recognising also the value of an integrated One Health approach that fosters the integration of human health, animal health and plant health, as well as environmental and other relevant sectors.

International cooperation and multilateralism play an important role in the response to epidemics. The significance of partnership and solidarity among every individual, community, State, and regional and international organisation, in all stages of epidemic management, can’t be stressed enough, as well as the importance of considering a gender perspective in this regard.

Last month Singapore’s Ministry of Health officially launched a new research programme that aims to build up Singapore’s preparedness and response capabilities for future pandemics. The Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response’s (PREPARE) immediate task will be to work closely with MOH to develop a national epidemic research and development plan. This dedicated research programme will help to bring together multi-disciplinary experts throughout the pandemic research ecosystem in a coordinated fashion and will also further strengthen Singapore’s existing capabilities by forming research networks as well as developing necessary tools, methods, and products to respond to future infectious disease outbreak threats. Internationally, the new programme will strengthen research partnerships, share information and knowledge, and collaborate in clinical trials with various institutions in the region.

The United Nations system, in particular the World Health Organization, plays a pivotal role in coordinating responses to epidemics, per its mandate, and in supporting national, regional and international efforts to prevent, mitigate and address the impacts of infectious diseases and epidemics under the goal of advancing the 2030 Agenda. There is a need to recognise the primary role and responsibility of Governments and the indispensable contribution of relevant stakeholders in tackling global health challenges, especially women, who make up the majority of the world’s health workers. Member states must commit to ensuring inclusive, equal and non-discriminatory participation, with special attention to those, who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situations with the highest chance of epidemic infection. There is an urgent need to have resilient and robust health systems, to reach those who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situations.

The theme for the 2022 International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is

World Saree Day

Posted on December 21, 2022 by memoriesandsuch

When I wrote my series on Indian fabrics and sarees, I was unaware of World Saree Day. And once I knew this day existed, I had to write about it. Celebrated today, 21 December, the day was started to encourage women to wear the saree, a timeless garment which, to me, defines a woman from India and the Indian subcontinent.

The origin of the drape or a garment similar to the sari can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, which flourished in north-western India between 2800 and 1800 BC. The garment developed from the common word sattika, which signifies a woman’s dress and appears in early Jain and Buddhist writings. Sattika was a three-piece outfit that included the Antriya or the bottom garment, the Uttariya or a covering worn over the shoulders or the head and the Stanapatta, a pectoral band. This ensemble may be dated back to the 6th century BC in Sanskrit and Buddhist Pali literature. Poshak, the Hindi word for costume, referred to the three-piece ensemble. The Antriya resembled the dhoti or the fishtail style of tying a sari. It further evolved into the Bhairnivasani skirt, which went on to be known as the ghagra or lehenga. The Uttariya evolved into the dupatta and the Stanapatta evolved into the choli.

Cotton was first cultivated in the subcontinent around the 5th century BC and this was followed by the incorporation of hues and dyes like indigo, lac, red madder and turmeric to create a drape which was used by women to cover their modesty. As the years went by, the elite started wearing sarees with expensive stones and gold thread which could showcase their wealth. But the saree stood strong as the garment of the Indian woman and each region and state had its regional variants, both in terms of fabrics and saree styles.

Industrialisation brought with it synthetic fabrics and dyes and with this came new dyeing and printing techniques which meant the consumers had access to a wide variety of sarees. The development of textiles in India reflected in saree designs and sarees soon started including figures, motifs, and flowers.

An extremely versatile garment, the saree can be draped in more than 80 recorded ways with the most common style or drape being the one where the saree is wrapped around the waist, with the loose end of the drape to be worn over the shoulder, baring the midriff. It is widely believed that it was the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s brother Satyendranath Tagore’s wife Jnanadanandini Devi, who popularised the new form of wearing sarees which we see today.

Today when urbanisation and westernisation have taken over Indian fashion, a day dedicated to the attire which is synonymous with the Indian woman is essential. The saree is a reflection of the subcontinent’s rich cultural history and traditions and should not be allowed to wither away.

So drape your favourite saree today and spread the word on the beauty and lushness of the fabrics and drapes present in the country and beyond.

International Mountains Day

Posted on December 12, 2022 by memoriesandsuch

Yesterday was the International Mountains Day. December 11 was designated as International Mountains Day by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003 which encouraged the international community to organize events at all levels on that day to highlight the importance of sustainable mountain development. FAO is the UN organisation mandated to lead the observance of International Mountain Day.

International Mountain Day has its roots in 1992 when the adoption of Chapter 13 of Agenda 21 or Managing Fragile Ecosystems: Sustainable Mountain Development at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development put a milestone in the history of mountain development. The increasing attention to the importance of mountains led the UN General Assembly to declare 2002 the UN International Year of Mountains. The first international day was celebrated for the first time the following year, in 2003.

Mountains cover 27% of the earth’s surface and are home to 15% of the world´s population or 1.1 billion people, hosting about half of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. They provide fresh water for everyday life to half of humanity and their conservation is a key factor for sustainable development and is part of Goal 15 of the SDGs. More than half of humanity relies on mountain freshwater for everyday life and six of the 20 most important food crops originate in the mountains. Unfortunately, mountains are under threat from climate change and overexploitation. As the global climate continues to warm, mountain people — some of the world’s poorest — face even greater struggles to survive. The rising temperatures also mean that mountain glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, affecting freshwater supplies downstream for millions of people. This problem affects us all. We must reduce our carbon footprint and take care of these natural treasures.

Women move mountains is the theme of this year’s International Mountain Day. Women play a key role in environmental protection and social and economic development in mountain areas. They are often the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, custodians of local culture and experts in traditional medicine. Increasing climate variability, coupled with a lack of investment in mountain agriculture and rural development, has often pushed men to migrate elsewhere in search of alternative livelihoods. Women have therefore taken on many tasks formerly done by men, yet mountain women are often invisible due to a lack of decision-making power and unequal access to resources. As farmers, market sellers, businesswomen, artisans, entrepreneurs and community leaders, mountain women and girls, in particular in rural areas, have the potential to be major agents of change. When rural women have access to resources, services and opportunities, they become a driving force against hunger, malnutrition and rural poverty and are active in the development of mountain economies. To trigger real change towards sustainable development, it is important to engage in gender transformative change. International Mountain Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the need to empower mountain women so they can participate more effectively in decision-making processes and have more control over productive resources. By sharing excellence, opportunities and capacity development in mountains, the Day can promote gender equality and therefore contribute to improving social justice, livelihoods and resilience.

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Memories of a very ordinary life

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