Products I'm loving - Skin & Hair care update August 2025

Sunday, 31 August 2025

 



I thought it would be fun to do this again... so here are some recent additions to my self-care routine that are making a difference:

Bond Repair:  Early 2024 my hair was full of split ends due to water damage, styling while wet, and a lack of pre-pooing. So, I decided to cut it, and I've started using Elvive Bond Repair shampoo and conditioner, which has worked wonders. It's now a staple in my routine. I begin with a dandruff prevention shampoo, then use the bond repair products, and finish off with a moisturizing or protein mask. I'm not using expensive products, yet I'm seeing results. I’ve also restarted pre-pooing my hair with either olive oil or coconut oil, depending on what I have at home. My hair is growing and is healthy, though very uneven from my terrible blunt cuts, but it’s thriving!

Eye Cream: I've added an eye cream to my morning and night routine—it's about time I guess! I'm using MIXSOON Bean Eye Cream and Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum.

Night Cream ad Sunscreen: The Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Glycolic Night Cream is really making a difference. When I first bought it in late winter or early spring this year, I thought I’d been duped by social media influencers. However, now I’m not sure if it’s the combination of the Italian summer (making me sweat like crazy) and the cream that’s enhancing my glow. Either way, I’ve definitely noticed a glow over the last few weeks. The Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Brightening Serum didn't really work for me, but I absolutely love the Caudalie Vinosun Protect Very High Protection Cream SPF 50+. It kept my face protected and tan-free during the two heatwaves. I also used the Vinosun Protect Invisible High Protection Stick SPF 50, which I would reapply regularly throughout the day.

Collagen Powder: I’ve been adding collagen powder to my smoothies for the last three weeks and have noticed a glow in my skin. I can’t prove that it’s solely due to the collagen since it could be because I’m in a calorie deficit, drinking more water, or perhaps even from the eye cream or Caudalie night cream. Anyway, stay tuned; I'll loop back later this year with an update on this post.

Perfume Tok: I went in to a Douglas Italia store to buy Bianco Latte but ended up with Bianco Oro. The most popular perfume in the world, did nothing for me! I only smelt  a plain simple white body soap bar . I know its me and my nose because I can't smelt it. Every video on perfumetok talks about how amazing this vanilla with a blend of milk and honey perfume is, so I thought why not. But I guess not...  I used to love sweet and floral scents, but now I’m really into patchouli. Seems I no longer want to smell delicate.... I adored Gucci Bloom and My Way; those were my go-to scents. Anytime I was passing through an airport, I would stock up. I want to feel feminine, assertive, attractive, and confident. It wasn't a gradual change—I just woke up one day and felt different. I have added Lush's Karma Perfume to my collection too. Let's see where this goes. 

What about you? What’s new in your skin and hair care routines? Share in the comments so we can inspire each other!




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Attempting to adult: self-care and the quest for balance in the disappointment that is 2025

Saturday, 23 August 2025

 

Attempting to adult: self-care and the quest for balance - Happily Flawed Blog

Every time I time I think this year will be different and we are finally on our way up after the pandemic...it IS different but we are not on our way up😰... so in spite of it all it's nice to be in a space where I am starting to feel good about myself again

For months, I've been focusing on self-care by:

  • Eating healthily, even while being on a calorie deficit. It manageable one, I don't in the least bit feel heavily restricted, I just keep asking myself why I allowed myself to overeat in the past.
  • Staying active and starting to enjoy exercise, while also seeing the benefits of strength training home work outs. I wanted to make changes that would gradually become part of my lifestyle.
  • Taking a couple of days off here and there for my mental health, and spending them reading books, listening to classical music or calming lofi, then watching the latest #cdramas.
  • Doing small things to make my apartment a cozy and a safe haven, and enjoying being a home body for now.
  • Continuing my journey to build self-confidence, being assertive, and reflecting on other areas for personal development.
  • Having no guilt....absolutely no guilt for choosing to take care of myself

I now have time to think about my next life goals, including prioritizing the completion of my master's degree.

I decided to take a moment to acknowledge my efforts here on the blog. I'm trying, despite what's happening around the world😭. The uncertainty is high💩. It feels like a paradox; I feel like I should wait for everything to be perfect, but who knows when that will happen.
What about you? What are you up to? How are you practicing self-care? How are you creating balance?







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Fitness Update #9: Maintaining a calorie deficit while keeping fit and sane during an Italian Summer (Heatwave!?🥹)

Sunday, 17 August 2025

 

Fitness Update #9: Maintaining a calorie deficit and keeping fit and sane during an Italian Summer (Heatwave!?🥹)


-No Canestrelli

-No biscotti

- No double chocolate muffins

- No Starbucks Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso (with cream)

- No almond croissant

- No pistachio croissant

- No glazed donuts

- No juice

- No lemonsoda

- No prosecco

- No piccolo from La Romana

- No Aperol spritz with ice (no aperitivo either)

- No cocktails

- No Burger King

- No KFC

- No brownies with cream!


Just counting calories and making sure I reach my daily macro goals because I decided to go on a calorie deficit at the end of July in Italy, just after the first heatwave and before the second one. 


It may seem foolish, but this pandemic weight has over stayed and it needs to go. 

I know... I know ....It may not look like it, but I am putting myself first. 


I’ve become more active and improved my eating habits; now I just need to stop wearing XL sizes in Italy. Surprisingly, everything has been working well. I’m battling through the hunger pangs and still managing to stay active every day with walks and resistance training.


On August 13, a heatwave warning came through online. I left the office for my evening 40-minute walk and kept a good pace because I needed to stop by the supermarket. Ferragosto was just a day or two away, and the population of Turin was dwindling as people retreated to the beach, with all the shops, bars and cafes closing. I didn’t want to worry about food for the next couple of days. 


I came home with three shopping bags, drenched in sweat. The sunscreen was peeling off my face in order of the layers of application and re-application throughout my day. Using the last reserves of my energy, I climbed the last two flights of stairs to my apartment on the top floor. My neighbor, whom I hadn't seen in three months, swings open her front door and looks at me with pity. "I’m so sorry; it must be hotter than where you came from. I'm here if you need anything."


Yes, it is hotter, I thought, but I did this to myself, Signora.😭😭😭 I need to keep up my routine so I can lose the weight. I didn’t have the heart to tell her all this, so I simply nodded.


On August 14, it was 36 degrees outside, and I was working from home, with occasional dizzy spells while sitting on the couch. I finished my work early and did my resistance exercises with heightened awareness because I couldn’t afford to faint in this heat when everything is closing for the August holiday. Luckily I felt fine afterward, had dinner, and slept like a baby.


On August 15, I headed to work, and it was humid; I felt sticky within four hours of leaving home. I was surprised that I managed to have protein and fiber at lunchtime, with only complex carbs and protein—my body had no complaints. As I proceeded with my evening walk, it felt like I was walking through a sauna for 40 minutes with no cold plunge breaks. I made it home without feeling dizzy, but my back and knees ached. After dinner, I checked to see if I had reached my daily macros and slept like a baby again.


I am using an app to track my meals, and it is dawning on me how much I was overeating pre-deficit. That muffin with my cappuccino in the morning, that Starbucks coffee every other week, the occasional ice cream and cone on the way home, the dessert with my lunch then KFC burger or wrap for dinner... all while lying to myself that because I am now active I am burning it off...not good...not good at all. I also learnt I wasn't drinking enough water and yet somehow I thought I was🤦‍♀️... this app and the heatwave helped me double my intake, especially now that I am eating more fiber. 


Now I have to be creative...I want to maintain my exercise routine because my mood has improved, and I feel good about myself, so I need to ensure I’m fueling my workouts while staying in a deficit. This is a great challenge for me and I am enjoying using my motivation and self-discipline tackling it.  A lot of this is mostly pacing myself, being in tune with how I am feeling and knowing what my body can do in the moment. 


What about you? What crazy things are you up to this summer? How committed are you to putting yourself first? Share in the comments.


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Watch The First Night With the Duke - Also very cute & adorable but not our 2025 #kdrama summer hit

Sunday, 3 August 2025

 



I can't believe it was only had 12 episodes. Why? I really wish they had given us more!


The period idol #kdrama revolves around university student K (Seo Hyun), an ordinary young woman who suddenly finds herself in her favorite romance novel set in a historical context. She has become the minor character Cha Seon Chaek, the daughter of a wealthy noble family, whose dream is to lead a peaceful and normal life. While possessing the character, Cha Seon Chaek spends one night with Yi Beon (Ok Taec Yeon), the lead male character in the novel, and everything starts to unravel from that moment..


I thought I had found my “Mr. Queen” 2.0. I was laughing so hard during the first three episodes; it felt so familiar, which is what originally drew me to “Mr. Queen.” The lead couple has exceptional chemistry, and the supporting cast is also hilarious, with great comic timing. Special mention goes to Lee Joo Wo, Ji Hye Won, Oh Se Eun, Lee Sang Woon, and Kim Ah Young. I truly wish they had added more episodes because these talented actors were capable of telling a fuller story. 





I would love to see Ok Taec Yeon in more roles like this. Next time, let’s spend more time on his side of the story. I want to see his battles depicted as epic, with the political intrigue being more compelling and involving of the court. The palace and the royal household should look grand and rich too not bare and empty



We had some good villains, (Lee Tae Sun and Kwon Han Sol) but Prince Yi Gyu needs more depth. Did he really have to be connected to the heroine to have a story? I don’t necessarily think so. He had a solid backstory, and I wanted to understand more about why he was sent away. Cho Eun Ae also needed to express her anger towards the nobles and elites for never making her feel welcome, as well as towards her father for forcing her to keep trying to fit in. They said some cruel things about her, and we never quite resolved that issue. I do appreciate that they tried to address her struggles with Cha Seon Chaek.





All in all, I really enjoyed this series. I just wish it had deeper storytelling beyond the cutesy love story, as there was so much potential. I highly recommend it though despite the weird close up running and horse-riding shots (why?😕 in this AI advancing age !?). I watched it on Viki. Any thoughts? As always comment below.




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