I’m trying something a little different today — a different kind of blog post — something other than a makeup review, because, guuurl…my @ss is tired. Third trimester is no joke.
A few weeks ago my friend Jen and I were texting back and forth, and she was like, “I hate to break this to ya, but the third trimester is really, REALLY hard.”
And she was not kidding. And it’s not just hard because, ya know, the achy hips and lower back, the shortness of breath, or how it feels like the last leg of a long, drawn-out race (like running three marathons back to back), but it’s just… I didn’t anticipate being this tired. I’m really tired — like, ridiculously tired.
I’m so tired, as a matter of fact, that I think I’m going to take a nap. A very long, lovely nap. 🙂
But first, can we chat?
So…last night I started reading a new book.
Well, it’s new for me, but I think it’s been on shelves for a while. It’s called The Little Book of Skin Care: Korean Beauty Secrets for Healthy, Glowing Skin, and it’s by a woman named Charlotte Cho (she has a website, Soko Glam, where she sells Korean beauty products, and she’s also an esthetician).
The book is about Charlotte’s life, her experiences and the Korean skin care process. Charlotte was raised in Southern California, but she later moved to Seoul, Korea, for work (she’s Korean, by the way).
I don’t know if you’re very familiar with Korean skin care products, but they’ve grown quite popular here lately in the U.S. (one of my favorite Korean skin care brands is AmorePacific).
The book goes into the process, the philosophy and also lists some of Charlotte’s favorite Korean skin care products, all of which she tests on her website. And then there’s also some interesting tidbits and insights into what it’s like to live in Seoul.
It’s been pretty interesting so far, and there’s great stuff like this cute illustrated 10-step (YES, 10 STEP) Korean skin care infographic…
The process kinda speaks to me, because I know how I am with makeup — I tend to make things a little more complicated than they need to be (Ooh! Only 10 steps!? Let’s do this!) — but these days, with as tired as I’ve been, I’d rather just wash my face, put on some sunscreen, and call it a day, LOL!
Anywho, I flipped through the book last night before bed, and I think it may have even helped me sleep! 🙂 I slept almost all the way through the night, and thank goodness for that because I haven’t been sleeping well lately. I felt great today, but I haven’t really been feeling that mentally great lately…so I went to the doctor earlier this afternoon.
The doctor, actually, was a therapist, and I think I’m going to see her regularly every so often. I don’t know if it’s just because I’m a naturally moody, creative person, but I feel like I could use some extra one-on-one support.
So, I’m going to be doing that, and not just through the end of my pregnancy. I think I’ll be keeping it up long term…
I’m looking forward to just talking to someone new about things and maybe even learn some new ways to frame the conversation in my head, if that makes any sense. So that’s what I did this afternoon, and it’s also why I’m currently not wearing any makeup. None. Nada. Zip.
Because after I got up this morning, I had things to do, so I started doing them before I put on my makeup. Then I had to dash out of the house!
Actually, I haven’t worn any makeup in — wait for it — two days!
But when I do finally put on makeup again, I’m looking forward to trying this new foundation by Giorgio Armani called Maestro Glow. It’s a serum foundation — thin formula, comes with a dropper, that kind of thing — with a dewy finish.
Giorgio Armani already has a foundation in their permanent line called Maestro Fusion Makeup, but this Maestro is different. It has a similarly thin consistency, but more of a glow, and it also has broad-spectrum SPF 30 (I can’t remember if the original Maestro does too).
I’m really looking forward to spending more time with the texture, because I played with it a little last weekend. I put some on my face, and it was so incredibly lightweight that it felt like nothing at all — just exactly like bare skin. I don’t know if it’s going to have enough coverage for me because it’s also super sheer, but we’ll figure it out. I think it’ll probably be a good foundation for summer, when I don’t want to wear heavy makeup on my face. It’s $64 (!) and comes out next month with a new primer (also $64).
Um…the only actual (quote) “makeup” (unquote) I’m wearing today is the No. 28 Lip Oil by Hourglass — the best, most comfortable, most moisturizing lip oil known to womankind (at least this woman). The only thing is the price… It’s $42, so if you ever feel like wearing a very pricey lip balm, and/or you need something ridiculously hydrating, it’s great (maybe for the next Sephora VIB sale). I wear it all the time with a nude pencil. I’ll line my lips with the pencil, fill them in, then pop this on top and yay! — a mega moisturized nude lip.
I hope things are going well on your end. I think I’m gonna go take that nap now… Baby Girl just kicked me, by the way, so I guess she wants me to tell you “Hi.” 🙂 Talk to you soon.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I read that book, and have been trying a modified 10 step routine. My skin is the best it’s ever been (but I’m also using two spendy products I’ve never used before), and it’s fun for me. I love cleansing with an oil product and using that time to massage my face, then a foaming cleanser to get the gook off, masks and specific targeted serums really work especially when topped with a gel moisturizer. I’m trying to talk my friends into the process but so far I’ve only convinced them of sheet masks and acid toners.
May I ask what two products? I am currently reading that book!
Hi Karen, Baby Girl, and Tabs! I saw that book at the library and it immediately caught my eye because it had the word “beauty” on the cover, but I didn’t get it because I thought it would just talk about a bunch of brands I don’t have access to. But now I’m interested in checking it out! Good for you for seeing a therapist. I think if/when I get pregnant, I will be very stressed out (major life changes are not easy for me) and I can see how talking to someone would really help!
It’s great that you found someone you like to talk to! I’ve never been pregnant, but according to all my friends who have, it’s a lot harder than they expected. I think the “best time of your life” and everything being wonderful kind of talk is wishful thinking and the reality is a little different. The thing to keep in mind: it’s gonna be alright! It’s just temporary, and before you know it, Baby Girl will be stealing your Hourglass Lip Oil to go on dates!
I can relate, Karen! Besides the ~other~ hardships that I went through in my third trimester, one thing that I can’t forget is the indescribable pain in my legs during the last few weeks of my pregnancy. Damn. Hahaha!
Anyway, that’s a cute book cover! Korean skin care is sooo big here as well. Every now and then, there are new brands popping up.
Annnnd I can’t wait for you to finally meet your bb girl. March is sooo near now! I know you’re gonna be an awesome mommy! Be ready with some ~major~ lifestyle changes in your life! Hihi.
ILY!
Hi Laarni,
Oh, the leg pain is rough. Did you get cramps? I get them almost every night.
How many kids do you have?
Karen! The leg cramps, I had them so bad my first pregnancy, would wake me up at night and force me to get out of bed. Current pregnancy, I dunno for sure what I’m doing differently but I suspect its the extra calcium, potassium or magnesium I’m taking (talk to dr). Anyway, I haven’t been getting them this time around. I know it’s kind of late in your pregnancy but the cramps carried on for me until I stopped breastfeeding. So maybe this will help you or someone else. Best of luck!
For leg cramping at night it’s the best to take magnesium supplements. works like magic
Yes cramps!!! I have a daughter. She just turned 4 this month! 😀 Time flies! Take care, Karen!
I hope you enjoyed your nap Karen 🙂 I’ve heard that those Korean skincare routines can actually help with anxiety and other mental health problems, as having a routine like that can really calm the mind and get your hormones and brain chemistry back on track (I don’t know the science behind it, but I think it looks interesting!). I’ll have to see if I can track that Soko Glam book down because I do love the Korean approach to beauty.
Glad to hear you are enjoying talking to the therapist. I know a lot of people, particularly empathetic people like yourself, that really benefit from having someone there to bounce perspectives off of and really get a different outlook. And I’m sure Baby Girl is a very good listener, but she can’t exactly talk back right now 🙂 Thinking of you and I hope you get a little sunshine soon!
How interesting! Maybe it’s because the routine is almost like a form of meditation or mindfulness? Or maybe I’m reaching so I’ll have another excuse to add another jar of cream to my bathroom shelf.
If you can’t find the book at a store, it’s also available on Amazon. 🙂
I hope things on your end are good. Have you found any good beauty goodies lately?
Hi Karen!
I think that’s probably the case! If you do end up adding a few more steps, let us know how it turned out 🙂
Well I recently placed a Glossier order for their skin tint and coconut balm, so hopefully I enjoy those! I also recently bought two of the Too Faced melted chocolate liquid lipsticks, both of which I really love. And the scent on those is amazing. It’s a bonus when your lipstick smells like chocolate cupcake frosting, right? 🙂
I think you deserve to slow down pregnancy may be difficult so relax, we’re meeting Baby girl in less time 😀
About Korean skincare routine, if I had the money I think my routine would be
-In the day: Non-foaming cleanser, acid toner, face spray, serum, moisturizer and SPF (Six steps)
-In the night: cleansing oil/balm, non foaming cleanser, acid toner, serum, face spray, face oil and moisturizer (Seven steps)
And I don’t use neither have a lot of interest in Korean beauty (Btw Japanese sunscreen is way better than western brands) it’s more the approach of other bloggers. And yes is relaxing in the evenings to do it.
Talking to a therapist sounds like an excellent idea. It can really help to have someone listen, and who can help reframe thoughts that aren’t helpful to you. I hope you find that it adds something to your life, and I loved that you shared your experience. With so many readers, you may have just helped someone who needs to see someone by showing them that it is okay to do so!
I know it’s tough, honey. I’m glad you saw a therapist to help you through it. Hormones, lack of sleep, tingling in the legs, having all your organs squished up, constantly having to pee…it wears on a person. Growing a whole human being from scratch is no easy business.
It is great that you decided to see a therapist. The hormonal and the actual changes in life throughout pregnancy can trigger a whole disarray of messengers in your brain, and post-natal depression is much more common and sever than people know or want to admit. Add that on top of the strain pregnancy and the actual labour will put on your body and you have a fatal mixture if you don’t get someone to talk to early on.
As far as cramps go, I take a lot of magnesium (three times the usual amount recommended) and that keeps them at bay. Of course I talked that through with my obstetrician first.
My biggest concern at the moment is the pain in the symphysis, it is so strong that I can barely walk sometimes. I already know that from the first pregnancy, but I somehow figured after I had gone trough it once, it wouldn’t be as hard the second time. Guess I was wrong.
And while I am exhausted too and really want to be done with it, I am at the same time freaking out about the amount of stuff I want to have done before baby boy arrives.
Good for you for not only getting the support you need but also for being so open about it! I’m thankful for people like you who help demystify the stigma of adding a therapist to your team. It is a very healthy step, way to go! I wish you lots of sleep as you prepare to cross the finish line of your pregnancy.
Aw, hun, I’m sorry you’ve been feeling so exhausted 🙁 Just a little while longer. As for that book, I totally want to read it, I am so intrigued by Asian skin care.
Hang in there and don’t forget to take all the breaks/get all the rest you can. This is a tough time but I’m sure Jen told you that the first few months after BG are born will be even more challenging. But that’s also when you won’t be going it alone, so say YES to all the family and friends who offer to help. 🙂 We all get through it, and you will, too. It seems crazy now, but in a year you won’t remember any of this (except possibly vaguely, like “I was pretty tired and uncomfortable”. Honest). 🙂
PS The hormonal changes are real and terrible. I’m so glad that you found a therapist that you like. What you’re feeling is very normal and I think you’ve chosen a great way to help get through it.
Third trimester sucks. It’s awful. and it lasts FOREVER.
Therapy is great, good for you. It really, really does help and support.
Love and hugs to you!
xoxo
Thanks for the book recommendation! I haven’t read any beauty related books in a while and this looks like a good read. Back in the day (before the Internet) I got this book from Kevyn Aucoin to learn how to learn more about makeup and how to apply it.
I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. Seeing a therapist is a great idea and I’m happy you took that step forward. Sending hugs and purrs your way!
Hey Karen, hang in there. It is tiring, and the wait can get annoying, but also the most rewarding trimester. I think you’re doing all the right things, especially seeing a therapist at this stage. I was going to suggest retaining the doctor after baby girl’s birth as well, but I can see that you’ve already thought of that – smart girl! You are going to be a wonderful mom, can’t wait to read baby girl’s everyday adventures in a few weeks! 🙂
Karen,
I am glad you went to see a therapist, it’s def good to have someone to talk to who has a different outlook on things. And I don’t know if it’s because of pregnancy but keeping it up after Baby Girl arrives is probably a good idea since so many new moms suffer from postpartum depression.
On a brighter note, that book looks cute and interesting! I have never tried any Korean skincare.
Oh sister, I think the third trimester prepares you for what motherhood is really, really like, a lot of exhaustion.
After reading your post, I am reminded that I was sad at times during my last trimester. I was downright despondent the day before I was scheduled to go to the hospital to be induced. I was reading a book and my mom called to check on me and asked what I was doing. I told her that I was trying to relax and enjoy my last moments of freedom before the baby arrived. She got really irritated with me and said, “you’re 33, you’ve had plenty of time to read and relax.” She didn’t understand at all.
I guess what I’m trying to say is parenthood is a massive change and it’s normal to have stress and upset feelings no matter how much joy you have about becoming a mom. So I’m glad you’re talking to somebody. And on a related note, sometimes, the brain’s chemistry just doesn’t work the way it should for whatever reason.
I must read that Cho book. I’m not an artsy type but I love a book with a few illustrations.
And I must try the lip oil. I foresee a trip to the mothership in my future, perhaps tomorrow. P.s. what’s your favorite nude pencil these days?
Sending much love and hugs and kisses,
I’ve been wanting to try an Asian skincare routine! There’s a whole sub on Reddit for Asian beauty products and product recommendations across price ranges https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/
But yeah, I’ve been feeling so meh lately. It’s mountain cedar allergy season in S. Texas right now and it’s a BEAST. It’s the type of allergen that even affects people who don’t typically have allergies, but I’m one of those allergic to anything that pollinates. I’ve been light on my eye makeup for work since my eyes are watery and this week I’m also going through “Shark Week” so I’m doubly tired and cranky and not feeling 100%. We’ll get through it!
Hi Kalli,
Allergies are rough. Mine usually go cray during spring and again in the fall. Hang in there!
If this helps, best lesson I learned came from my mom. “A happy mom means a happy baby”. What ever you need to do to keep your self happy, do it.
That’s good advice, Jane. Thank you!
I JUST read in the New York Times yesterday that a government-appointed expert panel is now recommending screening for post-partum depression not just after pregnancy but during. Not that I am saying you are depressed, it just struck me as particularly timely and I thought I would mention it. 🙂
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/27/health/post-partum-depression-test-epds-screening-guidelines.html
Thanks for sharing the article, Sandy. Maybe it’ll help someone here who reads the comments. I think screening would benefit a lot of women; at my OBGYN they do a quick screen with a test every couple visits (you fill out a form and assign certain feelings with numbers). I hope more health care providers start doing this!
I actually do a version of the 10 steps (more like 8?) with drugstore products, and I gotta say it does really work! My skin always feels calm and soft after I’m done, and the morning after it’s even better.
Hope this last term goes smoothly for you, Karen! I know your little girl will be worth it 🙂
Eight steps sounds perfectly reasonable to me. 🙂 How long have you be doing your routine?
That’s just way too many steps for skincare. I haven’t got the time or patience for that.
Glad you took a nap. Nap whenever you can. Try to take it easy when you can. Get all the help you can. Mother, mother-in-law, sister, cousin, girlfriend, hired nurse or help. When ever someone offers to help out after baby girl comes, take it. Do not say no. Whether they offer to watch baby girl, make you a meal, do your dishes or a load of laundry, take them up on the offer. Yeah, they’ll do things differently than you. Sometimes you can say how you want or like things to be done. But do not say NO to any help that comes your way. My baby girl was a colicky, screaming mess for 17 hours of the day. One day my Dear Husbands Aunt Bonnie came to visit me. I was exhausted. I tried really hard to be a good hostess. We were chatting when all of a sudden I realized my girl had fallen asleep in my arms. I looked at Aunt Bonnie who had raised a lot of kids (her own, some adopted, some foster) and asked what do I do? She said to go lay her down in the crib and take a nap. I said, but you’re here. She said just do it. I laid my girl down and slept for like four or five hours. My baby girl was already awake when I finally woke up, but Aunt Bonnie had handled everything, so I didn’t hear a peep.
So even if someone says they’ll watch Baby Girl so you can take a nap. Do it!
Karen,
I hope you get to feeling better soon!! Thank you for still making effort to keep this blog up 🙂 I am currently reading that book also and I have been so excited to revamp my skincare. I have been obsessed with memeboxes and all the fab sheet masks and adorable packaging that the products are housed in.My skin has not been my friend in these last couple of months so now more than ever I am determined to find stuff that works for me.
I can’t wait to try both the primer and the foundation, I’m pacing like a caged animal in my head about this one!
I’m a fan of an abbreviated Korean routine. I also like to sheet mask on clean bare skin.
This is such a timely post as my brother is traveling to Korea for business and I gave him a list of products to bring back for me and my mom!
Oy! The third trimester was a rough one! Definitely remember feeling more achy and yes, waaaay more tired! I hope that you nap well and keep hydrated! 🙂
Ah the joy of child birth. I have 2 now 15 and 13 and boy let me tell you that your life will from this point on be one never ending roller coaster ride…sometimes you’ll be cruising along enjoying the ride smiling and laughing so much you hope you don’t get a bug in your mouth and then sometimes you will be screaming in sheer terror asking to get off the train. Just wait till you change baby’s poopie diapers for the first couple of times. First ones black scary tar and trust me no matter how much you think your prepared or how fancy diapers are now a days there is that wonderful yellow grainy mustard poop that travels up their back…I truly believe that’s where the term “mustard gas” comes from. Then when you hear that first laugh and feel her tiny little fingers grip your finger for the first time you realize its all worth it. All in all girl it will be great adventure. Like Peter Pan.
On another note I can’t wait to hear what you have to say about the new Armani products. I’m very interested in the foundation but as an oily skin gal I wonder if it will just slide right off my face. Maybe the primer might help? Oh and that Year of the monkey highlighter soooo pretty. I’ve never met an Armani product that I didn’t like but its a spendy brand so I like to do my research first.
Great job talking to a therapist! I see several pregnant ladies in my practice and I think we don’t talk about depression during pregnancy enough. Hope you’re doing well- pregnancy is hard, but for me the first three months of newborn time were probably the hardest.
I’m using a boscia skin routine now that has been working well, but I think I’ll check out that book, too!
I am very intrigued by the Korean beauty regiment. It looks long but exciting. I wonder if all of those steps would work out for my skin…
Glad to hear you’re having more restful sleep. Make the most of it for now!And of course it’s always nice to have an outlet to just talk to about things and learn from.
I think it’s awsome that you’re going to see a therapist. We all need therapy in our lives, and retail therapy isn’t exactly healthy if it’s long term (and it’s very addicting). I do counseling with kids, but I often get the desire to do real therapy with adults, since they will actually want to see me, where as kids usually are being forced to see me.
I’d love to get my hands on that Korean book too. Sounds very interesting!
I absolutely love naps and just cuddling with my baby kitty in bed in general whether I’m watching tv or playing on my IPad…. The bed is my favorite place, I know it sounds super lazy but I just prefer it over sitting on a couch or whatever.
I tend to take a nap every day though weather it’s 20 minutes or 2 hours, if my kitty wasn’t so warm and cuddly cute I likely wouldn’t nap as much but he gets me everytime
Girl, I am loving this new format! Curious about that book now.
Hi Karen
Thanks for sharing again! I am curious about your impression of the little book of skincare. I am reading it actually. I got it two weeks ago and start to read it this weekend. I can’t stop. I think it is well written and pleasant to follow her in her quest to perfect skin. I don’t have any trouble to recognize myself and my education about skincare in this book. If you can make a review about it i will be very please.
Have a good day!
Audrey