Mind. Beauty. Simplicity

What I Read In April

I’ve decided to start a new book series on my blog where I share what I’ve read each month. And I hope to do a full yearly wrap up in December. Currently, I’ve read 12 books this year – April being the longest reading list of six books. If you are interested in keeping up with my book updates in real time, be sure you are following my bookstagram.

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

I actually started reading this one at the end of March & finished it the first week of April. What made me pick this book up was the author commendatory saying it was similar to Stephen Kings the Shining which I think was a bit of a stretch. I did love the atmosphere of this read & the trope of being snowed in a creepy sanatorium turned hotel. If you enjoy detective stories & “who done it’s”, I recommend this read, It’s the first of three, so I’m curious to know how the story continues in Pearse’s second book, The Retreat.

Let Me Go by Kate Bold

This is your PSA to check out some of the free novels provided on the book app. Although this story was rather predicable at the end, it kept my attention the entire time. It tells the story about a woman who’s past is coming to haunt her when she takes her husband to meet her family & childhood town.

13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do by Amy Morin

I love a good self help book. And although the majority of the book was rather repetitive & filled with psychological statistics, what really made me love this book was the introduction. The author shares her personal stories of lost & how she went through grief.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

I’ve had this Ruth Ware novel on my shelves for over a year & I finally decided to read it. In the past, I tried reading it but wasn’t in the mood. I strongly believe it’s ok to read based on your mood. Don’t force yourself to finish a book. You can always come back to it later. This one was about a young girl who was trying to find her place in the world after losing her mother. She is surprisingly sent a mysterious letter informing her of a family inheritance. When she goes to find answers, she discovers so much more.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

One of the most hyped novels everywhere & I finally decided to read it. This is hands down my favorite read of 2022 so far. If you haven’t read this one yet & are questioning whether it’s worth the hype, well it is! It tells the story of Evelyn Hugo, a 50’s starlet actress who decides to tell her story to a new magazine writer & proposes she writes an entire novel about her life, her seven husbands & other secrets.

No Exit by Taylor Adams

I was going to wait until winter to read this one as it is set during a blizzard & 5 strangers are stranded together at a truck stop. I also wanted to compare the Hulu movie to the novel, which both are very gruesome & dark. I’m more of a fan of psychological thrillers & this was definitely out of my comfort zone.

Have you read any of these?

-B

Why I Decided To Ditch Makeup

Hey, guys! It’s Penny from What Did She Type here, and I’ll be guest posting on B’s lovely blog, Mind. Beauty. Simplicity! I’m very excited to be here! I would like to thank B for this amazing opportunity!

As I’m trying to live more mindfully and authentically, I’ve been making some changes in my life and my daily routine. I wanted to talk about a huge step I have taken recently, and that’s using less makeup in my everyday life.

I was heavily invested in makeup when I had acne problems back in middle school. I wanted to look amazing. I was trying to be someone that I was not.

But my skin wasn’t loving it. My face hated the heavy foundation, and it needed a break. I’m 24 now and I have just come to the realization that I will never be fully confident if I don’t change my mindset.

I always thought that I would have a large makeup collection when I turned 16. Little did I know that, by 24, I ditched half of my makeup stuff. I threw away or gave away the ones that were in good condition to family and friends, including as birthday gifts. I keep gifted samples from certain brands, and I give those ones away to loved ones on special occasions. I have ditched foundation and even BB creams. I’m letting my skin breathe and accepting myself fully with my flaws and scars. People always told me that I had beautiful eyes and a smile, and now I realize that things didn’t require makeup. They are unique and they make me, “me.”

So, why am I ditching makeup?

The Cost

The first reason is that many good-quality products cost a lot. I’m a recent university graduate, and I’ve just started my own small business, so I’m spending money on that at the moment. You really can save a lot of money by not buying unnecessary makeup items, and you’ll be surprised.

Clogged Pores

Second, I began to notice that certain makeup products clogged my pores. I bought Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer, and later I realized that my skin started breaking out because of it! Now I just use it for my under-eye circles, only.

Choose Eco-Friendly Instead

Thirdly, I’m now buying vegan and eco-friendly products. Believe it or not, I noticed that much of our personal waste comes from skincare and makeup products! I am far from being perfect at it, but I’m still trying my best to choose environmentally friendly ones. Unfortunately, many brands use plastic that can take hundreds of years to break down in landfills, and the toxins leach into the soil and waterways.

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Skincare Took Priority

Fourthly, instead of investing in makeup, I started relying on skincare products. When you take care of your skin, you won’t need to spend tons on a foundation that will start looking cakey on your face after a few hours. I have been told that when you take care of your skin, especially in your early 20s, your skin will thank you in your 40s and 50s.

More Storage Space

Fifth, more space! Ever since I downsized my makeup collection, I have noticed that I have more space in my drawers. I don’t need to buy more storage and spend money on IKEA boxes any longer!

More Time

Sixth, I now have more time on my hands. When going somewhere, I don’t spend hours trying to perfect my eyeliner or spend time trying to decide which eyeshadow or which lipstick I’ll use. And… I’m not running late any longer, lol! My friends are very happy about it!

Free Your Skin

And lastly… I feel liberated. My skin feels free. I feel more like myself. This act was definitely amazing, as I started showing myself more compassion! I realized that I’m my own best friend and taking care of myself makes me feel joyful.

These were all my reasons for breaking up with many makeup products!

Let me know what you think about it and are you also planning to use less when it comes to makeup?

Xx Penny / www.whatdidshetype.com

Penny is a fresh literature graduate with a passion for content creation and writes about mindfulness, mental health, astrology, lifestyle, and well-being in her little corner of the internet. She has launched her own little shop on Etsy, where she sells mental health planners and is working on the launch of her manifestation journal at the moment.

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http://whatdidshetype.com/2022/04/14/our-highest-values/

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Easy Plastic Free Swaps You Can Make Today

Happy Earth Day! I’ve been recently on the journey to becoming more sustainable. In no means am I perfect & in all honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever be 100% sustainable but I have found a few easy swaps that have gotten me started down the road of living more Earth conscious. Here are a few plastic free swaps I’ve made in the last year or so…

Wooden Toothbrushes

I’ve used plastic toothbrushes for as long as I can remember – especially the electric toothbrushes. But as of late, I’ve decided to try bamboo or wooden toothbrushes instead. They seem to work rather nicely & they compost a lot easier.

Organic Cotton Pads

I used to be an avid user of those one time use makeup wipes & packs of cotton rounds. But I realized how wasteful it was & the amount of money I was spending monthly on these products. I now use these organic cotton pads from Amazon that can be washed in the washing machine every week or so. They have managed to hold up really nicely & I will no longer be purchasing the one time use alternatives any longer.

Wash Clothes

I’ve been using wash clothes through my childhood. I find loofas to be bacteria havens. I love using wash clothes to apply body wash, apply face cleanser & even take off makeup. I simply put them in the washing machine like the cotton pads & they are good as new.

Bar Soap

I find body washes to run out so quickly. I end up using way too much product & the containers are always in plastic containers. Instead, I’ve been leaning towards bar soaps [ Dove brand ] that come in cardboard packaging.

Metal Water Bottles

I love my Hydroflask water bottle & use it all the time. This is a easy plastic free swap because so many companies sell metal water bottles now a days. It’s perfect for travel & outdoor / active activities like hiking or going to the gym. They really help in maintaining proper water intake throughout the day as well.

Cotton Grocery Bags

Although many stores sell reusable grocery bags, most of those options are made of plastic. Instead, I purchased a few cotton material bags I use for a multitude of things – one being hauling groceries. I am no longer hoarding tons of plastic grocery bags.

Reusable Pads

This last swap is something I’m still on the fence about -but I’m trying. In terms of feminine hygiene, I’m aware how bad pads & tampons are to our bodies. But as much as I want to go to the reusable alternative, I just can’t get behind it at the moment. Maybe I need to browse other brands. But I would love to find period underwear or accessories to make this swap because even on a money saving gain, I know for a fact I would be saving tons of money a month not repurchasing tampons or pads.