CURRENTLY COVETING: GLOWING SKIN

Here in Newcastle Winter seems to be lasting forever and my skin has taken a hit. I recently had to write an article on getting glowing skin for my School's Newspaper The Courier and I thought I would share that article here. Achieving glowing skin isn’t impossible you too can have skin that looks like it has been airbrushed to perfection. It just takes a solid routine, some go-to products, and a positive can do attitude.

Step 1. Hydrate
The first, and most important step to achieving a sparkling complexion is super simple, H2O
Beauty comes from the inside out so we have to treat our inner self just as well as our outer. What we put into our bodies effects the outside of our bodies, so if you are feeling your skin is looking extra dull and dry ask yourself if you are getting enough water.

Step 2. Cleanse
It is key to make sure to wash the day away from your skin, luckily there are so many options for cleansing that you can find multiple options that work for you. Make sure to really scrub with some kind of electronic brush like a Clarisonic it gets below the surface for a complete cleanse. Dr. Bronner’s castile soap is all natural and mixed with a little water it clears the dirt away without being too harsh on your skin. Cleansing waters are a big trend right now and they are also a lazy person’s bestfriend because you don’t have to rinse it, just slap some on a cotton pad and go to town. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is an affordable option. Cleansing oil is great if you subscribe to full face glam makeup on the daily; these oils break down your makeup for easy removal. L'Occitane Immortelle Oil Make-up Remover and Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil are wonderful oils.

Step 3. Exfoliate/Mask
This is a step that isn’t needed every day, only about 2-3 times a week depending on what your skin is up to. Lush Cup O’ Coffee smells amazing and helps remove any dry flaky skin; you can also use this scrub on your body. Lush has a plethora of masks options and are pretty affordable as well, I recommend BB Seaweed for baby soft skin.

Step 4. Tone
This is a step that a lot of people forget to do but it is essential if you want to clear up your complexion. Toners help to brighten and even out your skin by lifting imperfections from the depths of your pores.  Toners come in many strength levels and can be drying depending on the strength. They make toner for every type of skin so just make sure that you read reviews or YouTube your favourite guru for suggestions. Pixi Glow Tonic is a great one because it is oil and alcohol free so your face won’t scream when you apply it.

Step 5. Moisturize
Last but certainly not least is moisturize, especially in the winter when the cold and wind are hammering away at your face. Make sure you add a little sunscreen if what you are using does not have in it. Neutrogena Hydro gel is light and your skin will say thank you after using it, it is instant moisture. If you like to go au natural, try coconut oil! Coconut oil is magic and helps protect your skin from the elements, you’ll also smell super yummy.

YOU NEED A 50 PERCENT TO PASS

Now that I have one semester down and into semester 2 I can speak more about the grading system here at Newcastle. Before attending school here I heard about the British system and how it differs greatly from the US. I was warned to not freak out when you see your first marks (grades). Even knowing this I was still quite shocked when I received my first marks a shallow 52. I knew that the marking system was different but I still wasn't ready for what I saw. Here at Newcastle a passing grade is a 50, yep you read that correctly. In the states a 50 is a definite FAIL, usually anything below a 65 is failing.  My 52 equates to about a C, I wasn't happy with that grade because I felt like I had done better than that.

Furthermore, as a masters student do not expect to receive a grade above 75, 80s are extremely rare for masters students. I had a lecturer explain it to me like this "we leave the top 20% for PhD level work" so essentially you will only see 80s and 90s if you are a PhD student. None of it really makes sense to me to be honest but I have adjusted to it. Where as in the states you are always striving for 90s which are definitely achievable.

Another key difference here in the UK vs. the US is the length it takes to get your marks back; in the states after I turned in an assignment it usually would take up to a week to get my grades back, sometimes I would have them back within 24 hours. Here in the UK it takes just about a month to get your marks. I find that frustrating because any feedback given doesn't really help and cannot be applied to further work. For example I had a big essay due Jan 18th for a semester 1 module and just received my marks back this week. We are now into semester 2. I am not sure why the process takes so long but if I could change one thing it would be that. You potentially do not know how well you did until way into the following semester. In college, I always knew exactly what I needed to get on an assignment in order to get a specific final grade BEFORE the final exam or assignment. I know that may not sound important but it helps in planning and preparation for finals.

I would like to add that my marks for my remaining modules' assignments have been really good (60s and 70s), so overall I am doing well here at Newcastle Uni despite the a bit of a rough start.

BELIEVE BEYOND BOUNDARIES

If you ask people close to me they will tell you I have a love hate relationship with Penn State but there is something about State College, that brings joy to my heart.The thing that makes me the most proud as an alum is THON. THON was founded in 1973 by PSU students and is a 46 hour dance marathon fundraiser where proceeds go to Childhood Cancer and the Four Diamonds Fund. Last year THON raised 13.3 MILLION dollars, yep you read that right. It has inspired dance marathons all over the country and is the largest student run philanthropy in the WORLD (find out more HERE). If you are still confused about it take a look at this video 

HEY BLACK CHILD, DO YOU KNOW?

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about casual racism and micro aggression, a friend of mine let me share her story on this platform READ THAT POST HERE and I am so thankful for it. It sparked something within me and I wanted to start a series of similar posts to share throughout the month. I reached out to friends and family inviting them to share their stories with me on this blog. The next story in the series comes from my cousin, as she talks about her son's experience as a little black boy in Boston, Massachusetts. Already at the tender age of 5, he is experiencing disgusting ignorance from his peers. He is facing ugliness about his black skin and being made to feel less than by someone near in age, but where did that child learn those things? I always get frustrated when I hear people PROCLAIM that racism is dead because the generations that formulated it our dying out. I want to ask them what does it feel like to be so blissfully ignorant? One is not born hateful, you must be careful taught. Our experience in life shape our perception of the world and when the people of influence in our children's lives repeat negative stereotypes the cycle continues. When you make that causal joke about a person's sexuality, race, religion and you think that your child isn't listening, guess what they hear you, and then they take it to school and spread it like a virus. Thank you Ash and K for sharing your story, you are so loved by many. 

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