I was tempted for about two seconds to title this post something relating to minimalism but the truth is that I AM BROKE – for now anyway.
Months ago, I wasn’t one concerned with how I look outwardly and it’s not like I am obsessed with it now, but I have come to understand the importance of a healthy body to the mind. In this case, what I am getting at is how doing more for oneself is actually a good confidence booster.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean you can’t be content or be happy with what you have. What I mean is that when one is intentional about certain things and see their execution, it gives a good boost of serotonin. Yeah…much like goals.
I wouldn’t care in the past what my skin looked like but now I do. Mostly because ever since I made the conscious decision to change and be all I can be, I have been thrust into situations that either educate me on things I neglect or things I should be prepared for.
Frankly, I hardly indulge in things like shopping, spa day or the likes because I always felt it was a waste of money. Why waste money on those stuff when I could use it for more important things, right? Wrong! The first lesson I have learnt is that I AM IMPORTANT. My wellbeing, in all ramifications of the word, is important. I am of value and people won’t see it unless I acknowledge it first.
That is the mindset someone such as myself should approach things like this with. We have to first agree that we are WORTH the time. Which is very hard, but not impossible. So, I had to come to terms with the thought that I am worth every penny of MY money. It is so ironic how I can always easily source out money for other things than myself. When it comes to me, money suddenly becomes hard to spend.
Although I am not going about with a screw loose and spending like a bunny on a lot of caffeine, I have come to acknowledge important things that are actually worth the time, effort and money. The first was my wardrobe. In this post, I talked more on it.
As if the universe heard my silent prayer, a channel opened and more than 50% of my wardrobe took a 360-degree turn. Ha! At no cost at all. Frankly, it was a miracle. Soon, I was thrown into a whirl of meeting with people and seeing what they are like. I got the opportunity to talk and meet with low-key executives and CEOs. Meeting with the women in particular put me on a whole different level of education.
The way these women see things is just totally different. A whole new level of Jutsu. Men are smart but women? Especially the successful ones…different level honestly.
To cut the long story short, I will show you a very simple and minimal skin-care routine. This routine would only cause as low as N7,000 naira (talking to my fellow Nigerian females). The first thing you would need to consider is your skin type. Fortunately, this is a routine for all skin types and it is very simple.
Reminder – It is a broke girl’s routine. The simpler it is, the more affordable.
Now, you don’t have to worry about the effectiveness of this routine because it is tested already, by me on myself. Now that we know that this is an All-Skin Type program, the next is to look at the kind of products we use. Before now, my face was covered in a whole lot of acne spots and burns. Thanks to a certain product (middle finger) and partly due to my negligence.
Let us establish that there is a difference between cheap and effective products. If what you use is “affordable” and still does its job, then you are good. It makes no sense to spend money (no matter how little) on something that does nothing or adds no value whatsoever in your life. Another lesson I learned – Go Big or Go Home. It is as simple as that.
So, I changed my body cream to a hydrating lotion. It took a whole lot of research to get this. In broke girl words, it isn’t cheap but it is totally worth it. My skin tone was uneven especially my face which is darker than the rest of my body. However, in six weeks, the changes were visible.
The next thing was my face. It was rough and covered in acne. I carried out another DYOR operation plus the word of mouth from my fellow women. Soon, I was buying Vitamin C face serum and sunscreen (which I learned that every one – male or female – needs, especially if you live in Nigeria).
But that isn’t it. We need to learn what these things do and why you should get them. But before we do that, let us buttress the fact that a full skin care routine requires time and more money. Also, a whole lot of attention. You need to find what works for you and if you have any possible allergies. Don’t let the Nigerian talk of not having allergies fool you. I was allergic to an ingredient in that previous cream. |
All this would take time and possibly more money than prepared for. We may not have enough of these to spare. So, it is best to stick with something much simpler and easier to follow till you can explore for yourself.
As for my routine it goes like this…
| Day | Night |
|---|---|
| Bath | Bath |
| Face Serum | Face Serum |
| Lotion | Lotion |
| Sunscreen |
Anyone with a full routine would easily notice that a cleanser, moisturizer and so many others (that we can dig into in the future) are missing. Well, another reminder, broke girl here. Also, this routine excludes Mondays and Thursdays that I use egg-whites on my face.
Well, research says I could use it in place of face moisturizer (if I have no allergies). According to research, egg whites work for my oily skin. It “tightens and firms” as well as help with acne problems. Some even called it ‘home-made Botox’.
As for the Vitamin face serum, EverydayHealth tells us,
Research suggests that vitamin C may help protect the skin from many issues, including sunburn, photoaging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, sagging, dryness, and an uneven skin tone.
Some of these are issues I experienced and I have witnessed significant improvement since I started using. Firstly, my acne spots seemed to have reduced by a lot over the past two weeks and my mom’s face has also brightened. That thing about wrinkles, she’s in her sixties so I could see it!
The moisturizer or face cream is basically to keep your skin hydrated. We don’t want a dry skin especially during harmattan. However, I can’t afford that for now and stick to my body lotion which is not bad, but also something I plan to change in the nearest future.
The sunscreen protects against UV rays, sunburns, uneven complexion, sunspots and research suggests it lowers risk to skin cancer. These are just a few of its benefits (again my Nigerian ladies, you need this).
Every day is the same, except for Monday and Thursday Nights. These are the days I apply my egg mask. How?
Get one egg, and get only the white. You can fry and eat the yolk…hehehe.
Beat the white till it is fluffy. Then apply on your skin (after you have had your bath of course).
You are applying in layers. Leave the first layer to dry for five minutes and then apply the second layer. This time leave for ten minutes on the face.
Rinse with warm water and towel off.
Apply face serum and thoroughly massage in circle motion to the face – don’t forget your nose bridge and under your eyes.
Then apply face cream or moisturizer if you have one if not, be like me and use the lotion that works.
If it is day time and you are going out, apply sunscreen. If not, just go to bed.
One thing to take note of when buying Sunscreen – it should contain SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30++ or maximum 60++. The higher the SPF, the longer the protection.
Whether you are male or female, light or dark skinned, this works. One other thing I am looking into now is home-made hydrating mask. I have heard so much about collagen (a nutrient from these ingredients) and decided to start looking into it. Of course, I have to be careful about what I apply.
Anyway, this is The Broke Girl’s Journal. And I will be signing off here...
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