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| "have only what you need, consistency is key" |
If my mother teaches me anything about skincare, she just says to keep it simple and consistent. Funnily, we never bond over beauty products so I kind of explored the world on my own. She was never the one to be researching into skincare and makeup, and did not use anything on her face until very later. So when I started to have breakouts at the age of 19 and I asked her for advice, she said she was not sure "but take a look at The Body Shop" (not much option where I lived, really). When I moved overseas to study in Australia, it was there that I discovered alternative options other than The Body Shop, Neutrogena, or whatever was in the supermarket / department store. When I came back to visit, I talked to her about truly naturally-derived beauty products, about its efficacy and health perspective, she said "ok, makes sense, show me".
The last time I peeked into her beauty cabinet was in 2014 when she used Amala Brightening Range. She stuck with the brand until the very last drop but stopped using it because Spirit Beauty Lounge discontinued shipping the brand overseas. She moved onto Sodashi which I introduced to her when I lived in Australia, a wonderful Australian skincare range which worked for her. But waiting for Sodashi package would mean a long delivery time because they moved to the US three years ago. Plus, she discovered another brand which she was willing to try.
At the age of 50, her top concerns are dryness & dehydration and brown spots caused by the sun exposure. She never fusses so much about everything else, she just wants a routine that will help her skin looking at its best. She used to have slightly oily skin when she was at my age and used to deal with clogged pores (👀). She is usually a loyal one-brand user because she believes the synergy of the products is created to complement each other. The time has now slightly changed since she realizes that not all products in one brand will get along with her. She mostly uses Odacite which she has stuck with for almost two years. Her routine is as follows:
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| "Moss Revele Cleanser has silky and light texture that makes cleansing so pleasant" PS: it's my father who has been using the black mint cleanser sample |
DAYTIME
Cleanse with Moss Revele Pore Purifying Oil. It is non-stripping, easy to rinse and cleanses well, all that she needs. She has Fitglow Sea Toning Mist but often forgets about it. She loves moisturizing with Odacite Beautiful Day Cream for its lightweight deep hydration in a cream form. She would often directly apply one of their Serum Concentrates first underneath, but she has no rules as she just chooses what she feels like. She finishes with Fitglow Redness Rescue Serum, to get rid of her tendency to go slightly red. "it is not covering but it keeps the skin looking more even". She really loves it.
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| she has put the concentrates in order, from left being the most hydrating (this is how she chooses which boost to use) |
EVENING
Cleanse with Moss Revele Pore Purifying Oil, her only chosen cleanser. Quickly put one of the serums, gravitating towards the Private Collection as it is the most hydrating. Then, moisturizes with Night Time Antioxidants Repair Serum.
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| customizing mask with concentrates |
Occasionally, she deep cleanses with Green Ceremony Cleanser and Synergie[4] Masque, because they 'zap out' congestion, but slightly leaves the skin dry. So she tried samples of Jojoba Beads Exfoliant and Deep Hydration Masque and they make the top of her wishlist because they are more suited to her skin concern.
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| make up organisation |
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| foot balm that smells like chocolate and peppermint it has an interesting ingredient called grass-fed tallow (=beef / mutton fat) |
MAKEUP & BED-SIDE TABLE
For makeup, she only wears one lipstick, one blush and one powder foundation (if you notice other things, they just happen to be there). She used to wear W3ll People powder foundation but the new formulation has changed which changed the color and she did not approve. Btw, if there is one thing I remember about which product my mother has always used, it is FOOT BALM! Going back to 5 years ago, 10 years ago, 15 years ago, as long as my memory can remember.. there is always a foot balm. She said it is because her heels tend to get dry.
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TALKING ABOUT BEAUTY OVER MAKING PASTEL
(I call her 'Ibu' (ee-boo) which is an Indonesian way of saying mother)
Pastel is this pastry
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| roll roll, that is my brother's hand strength doing the manual rolling. Thanks, dude! |
Me: Dear Ibu, what does beauty mean to you?
Mum: Obviously the heart. The heart is the only thing that will live forever even after we are dead.
pauses for a second
Mum: The heart will reflect all your thoughts and actions in this world, it is literally the only thing that matters and how you will be accounted for. The deeds that you do to others, and what you need to do for yourself to please Allah SWT (Our God in Islam).
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| similar to making dumpling, you gotta put just the right amount of filling and make those folds |
In my eyes, I see beauty in her that means strength and diligence, consistently doing what she feels right, learning from failing, and doing that over and over again. She wakes up before the sun rises every single day and continues carrying on. She is a stay-home mother and works tirelessly to keep the family well and healthy while pursuing her endless curiosity and learning. In spite of all her firmness, she has a childlike spirit which makes her such a sunshine. She will literally dance and makes us go "mother please", shower us with her wittiness and making us laugh.
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| thank you for the conversation, ibu. |
💝
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