Study Break Style
After a night of furiously cramming weeks’ worth of content into my head, I rarely entertain the idea of trying to look cute in the morning. Usually, I take a look in the mirror and sigh. Eye bags? Check. Messy (and maybe a bit greasy) hair? Check. Lumpy sweater and leggings? Check. My outer appearance is a reflection of how I’m feeling inside, so if I’m feeling like rock bottom, I’ll dress like rock bottom, too. However, this relationship goes both ways: my outer appearance can also influence how I feel. If I dress a bit better, paint on a cat-eye liner look, maybe throw on a pair of cute earrings, I’ll feel less defeated. Looking nicer is a way for me to stare down life and say that I’m not knocked down completely. It’s a way for me to boost my confidence a bit, from the outside in.
One of the easiest ways to push a reset button on the day is through skincare. Nothing beats getting home after a grueling day and washing off my makeup. Sometimes I’ll go through all the frustrating or upsetting things of the day while I work up a lather with my cleanser, and when I pat (not scrub! Scrubbing creates wrinkles) my face dry, I feel like I’ve also wiped my day clean. Maybe it’s all in my head, but it works. While studying, it’s easy to apply a sheet mask or face mask to get some double duty, healing your skin while working on your brain. These Tosowoong Pure Propolis sheet masks are perfect for healing and reducing skin inflammation while moisturizing and soothing.
Study breaks are essential to absorbing large volumes of information and maintaining productivity. During your next break, watch an episode of your favorite TV show while doing your nails. Essie’s Model Clicks polish color is a gorgeous aubergine that is perfect for the winter weather. If you’re not a nail polish person, pamper yourself with a fresh candle and blast some of your favorite music. While focusing on work is all good and well, it’s just as important to take time for ourselves to breathe and recenter.
If I’m squeezed for time, small things like wearing my favorite pair of fuzzy socks or taking an extra few seconds to swipe on some concealer can make me feel that much more ready to face the day. A thick knit turtleneck will keep me warm and stylish, and if I have a minute or two between classes, I’ll go to the bathroom and curl my lashes. These minimal things may not be noticeable to other people, but they’re pieces of my armor.
In the midst of midterms, where everything feels out of control, it’s nice to know that I can still control the way I look. Even though we’re all busy and struggling, we can still pamper ourselves here or there, whether that means doing a bit of retail therapy or throwing on a power red lip to make ourselves feel a bit more confident.