A reflective essay on routine as care: makeup, daily rituals, and managing depression, inspired by a grandmother-in-law’s steadfast elegance.

“At the end of a week of studying each other, [the] preacher got out his Bible, placed the woman’s hand on top of it, and laid his own on top of hers. Then they bowed their heads in silent prayer, and when they raised them, they were man and wife.”  — Dorothy West It was in this light with which we wished to wed. No Bible was present, but just as the Bible facilitated their union, books have always helped me figure out how I want to live my life, including how I get married.

Leaving my PhD Program

I used to think beauty was shallow—something done for the male gaze, or worse, to distract from “real” accomplishments. But somewhere between binge-watching RuPaul’s Drag Race and revisiting feminist history, I realized: femininity is work. It’s skilled, intentional, and yes—sometimes a labor of love. This isn’t just about lipstick and lashes. It’s about reclaiming power through self-presentation, honoring the creativity in “frivolous” things, and making peace with the parts

Struggling to find the right eyebrow and eyeliner colors for your medium-deep skin tone? In this post, I’m sharing the lessons I’ve learned

This summary includes relevant keywords (e.g., Kiss Nude Acrylic Nails, beauty routines, self-care, stress), while also providing an overvie

I’m excited to share that I’ve finally taken the leap into the world of YouTube! 🎥 After battling my fears for what felt like ages, I create

Have you ever felt that achieving your goals left you feeling more empty than fulfilled? This summer, I learned that achievement can be...

While waiting for me to finish putting on my makeup, a friend asked me, “Why do you wear makeup? It seems like more time than it’s...

Before anyone starts hyperventilating, I will be re-taking my exams in September. Nothing has been disrupted in terms of my visa and I...

Whenever someone has a birthday, I ask them to give as many lessons as years lived in their lives. What I have is a mix of a few lessons...

Coming home on Christmas break always brings a confluence of two feelings for me: reconnection and reflection. This is a reflection on...

Professors and senior grad students always advise you to write a letter about why you are trying to pursue a PhD. This is me listening to...

On following envy and creating a personal archive Writing on envy feels like a surprising appropriate way to open up my first blog post....