It’s probably because I’ve spent the majority of my existence in school, but September always feels like a fresh start. Autumn is coming, and I always seem to be more productive as I hold on to the fleeting hours of daylight before SAD season hits. By adding a few staples to my life, I find that it’s been much easier to focus on what needs to get done just because I’m happier. While they’re simple solutions, they make all the difference, so here are my top five staples to starting September off right:
1. A Reliable Face Wash
I don’t know what it is, but having clear skin always keeps my morale high. If my face is bright and glowing, I’m insanely more confident and ready to get on with my day. My go-to is the First Aid Beauty face cleanser. I have oily to combination skin and this still keeps me matte while looking healthy. The cleanser isn’t too foamy and when paired with my Clarisonic leaves my skin feeling fresh and free of impurities. Coming in at 150 mL for $25 this cleanser is affordable and lasts forever, only adding to my list of why it’s my holy-grail cleanser.
2. The Right Bra
A good bra makes all the difference, nothing is worse than a bra too tight or faulty underwire. Since I was not blessed enough to just embrace the bralette life when I want to ignore my boobs, this Adore Me bra is the next best thing. The bra is just underwire and lace, no bells and whistles but it’s comfy as all hell. What makes it my favourite is its obvious comfort, but because it’s just lace it moulds to your body and so there’s never any overflow. Spilling out of your bra is annoying at best let alone distracting and this bra is so good, you forget about it entirely.
3. A Mani-Pedi
I know most people cool on the pedicures once fall hits because no one sees their feet, but closed-toed shoes or not, it’s worth it. Skip eating out once in a while and get your nails done, you deserve it. It’s never the same when you do it yourself, and personally, I feel so much lighter and put together afterwards. Self-care is important and this is the cheapest way to get pampered. I tend to stick to shellac because it’s the least harsh on my nails and lasts long enough for it to be worth it.
4. A Trusty Mascara
Even on my laziest days, a little mascara goes a long way. It makes me look like I’ve at least tried and sometimes that’s enough. Not to mention, a full face beat and clumpy lashes are what nightmares are made of. Finding the right mascara simplifies your life, and that is why I use the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. Honestly, I hated it at first because it comes with a bit of a learning curve. The wand is so big and thick that it’s prone to product transfer on your lids but once you get the hang of it, it’s totally worth it. I typically swear by drugstore mascaras because there are so many good ones out there. What I love about this is that the formula doesn’t dry out nearly as quickly as drugstore brands do. I bought the waterproof version and take my mascara off with Micellar water but in the future, I’ll probably switch to their regular version simply for the ease of removal.
5. Podcasts
What better way to stay sane and productive than to keep your mind at ease with a podcast. Long commute? Might as well get a good laugh in or stay informed. I’d recommend:
Call Your Girlfriend to keep you on your toes, challenge your political views and stay engaged with feminist and POC issues.
Or
2 Dope Queens if you’re just looking for a laugh. It’s basically three live stand-up acts recorded and hosted by the geniuses Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson. They work insanely well together, are charming as all hell and will have you so engaged you don’t even notice your commute.
