March Recap 2016

 
      I feel like I begin every one of these posts by saying that I can't believe how fast the month has gone but seriously, I don't know where time goes because March went by in the blink of an eye. March was very balanced between home time and Chicago time. I was trying to be good and stick to my budget. That was working out pretty well until spring clothing came around (haha), but I really hadn't bought any clothes for myself in a really long time, so I don't feel too bad about it. Overall, it was a fun month. So let's see what I've been up to!

Week One

     The highlight of week one was definitely my girl's night with my bestie, Megan. We hadn't had a one-on-one night in quite some time, so it was definitely overdue. We ordered some Indian food, went dancing, had brunch the next morning, and then walked around the city a bit. It was such a great start to my month and I was really glad to spend time with her. It was reminiscent of high school when I would come over to her house and we would just have a girl's night and have girl talk. Our girl talk sessions have always been one of my favorite parts of our relationship because Megan is a really great listener. I tend to be more on the quiet side, and sometimes can feel a bit lost in groups (it really depends, though!), so one-on-one time helps me feel a little more involved. I had such a great time with her and I was so thankful for our time together.

Our yummy dinner (Ps. Naan is seriously life. If you haven't tried it, you need to!)

A pic from our night out! (Sorry about the quality. Club bathrooms aren't well lit lol)

Can you tell brunch is my favorite meal?

Watertower is one of my favorite spots in the city. I used to work in the mall across the street, so coming back there always reminds me of senior year. It's crazy to think that it was only a year ago!

Week Two

     Week two was rather chill. I had been scheduled to work the weekend, so I didn't really make any plans. I had an impromptu meet up with Elida for a quick drink on Saturday, but we didn't really stay out late. Then Sunday, I went to the America's Beauty Show Convention with my sister. It's a convention for stylists that is held every year in Chicago to show off what salon products different brands have to offer and they also have a lot of cool hair demonstrations. My personal favorite part was our lunch spot afterward. We went to Eleven City Diner which was super cool. It is this diner-style restaurant that offers a mixture of diner and deli-esque food. As St. Patrick's Day Celebrations were in the air (St. Patrick's Day is a really big thing in Chicago), I decided to have a green river float in celebration. Green River is a green pop (soda for my non-Midwesterners) that was invented in Chicago and pays homage to our tradition of dying the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day. I had a healthy entree so naturally, dessert was a must. I was blown away by how amazing their red velvet cake was. Em and I shared a slice and omg, I would go back to that place just for the cake. If you are ever in Chicago, I highly recommend that you pay them a visit!

My Green River Float!

The cake of all red velvet cakes! It was well worth the food baby.

Week Three

     For week three, the main event that I had planned was to go bowling with some of my college friends. If you've read last month's recap, you've heard me mention Hannah and Alissa before, and they were the one's that I went bowling with. I was talking about my upcoming bowling date with them to Megan, so I asked her to tag along. I was a bit nervous because sometimes friend groups don't always mesh well, but It went rather well. We had a great time and I think everyone got along really well. Bowling is kind of my tradition with Hannah and Alissa because they were the ones that took me bowling for my first time last year so now we try to do it every so often. I need some practice, but I'm not too shabby for a novice.

This is our regular bowling spot. We love to come here because they have cosmic bowling!

A picture of the group!

Week Four

Week four was Easter weekend, so It was mainly spent at home. Earlier in the week, I met up with my friend Chandler for coffee. She was home from Vet School, so It was nice to catch up with her since I don't get to see her quite often. Saturday, I went to the park with my dad in the afternoon. I went for a run and he flew his kites. He has a few really nice stunt kites that he has had ever since I was little and he always gets so excited to fly them when the weather gets nice. It's kind of adorable to hear him geek out about them and It always makes me smile. I had a really good run that day and then I met up with some girls from work for a night out. We didn't really take pictures but don't worry we still had a good time haha. On Sunday, I spent the day with my family. Aside from being Easter Sunday, it was my dad's birthday. So, my mom made a nice dinner and some of my extended family came over. It was rather relaxed, which is the typical tone for our holidays.

My dad with one of his kites

Me with my sister Eme and my cousin Val

Me and Eme

     Overall, March was a blast. It was pretty neat that the last day of the month actually lined up with this post, so it feels more officially and I don't have to leave anything out.

Looking Ahead

     Next month, I have some fun things planned out. It is also my last full month before beginning my pre-mats program. So, I will be trying to enjoy my freedom as best as I can. I've also been on a healthy. I'm trying to get myself in better shape before medical school, so hopefully this next month it goes pretty well. 

I hope you guys enjoyed seeing what I've been up to for the month of March as I always loving sharing my month. I hope you guys had a great month and that next month is even more amazing! talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

How to Become a Morning Person

     At the beginning of the year, this post would most likely never have even been an option, because I was the furthest thing from a morning person. Now, I wouldn't exactly say that I am always a morning person, but I have definitely gotten better at it. For me, being a morning person has become part of my weekly routine mostly because I wanted to be more productive and because I wanted to change up my routine. My "morning person" days usually are those that I really need to get things done. Otherwise, I will let myself sleep in (haha). So, as someone who has seriously struggled with mornings, I wanted to share some of my own tips that allowed me to get my butt out of bed and on to being productive.

1.) Have a Purpose- I know that this sounds like weird advice but for me, if I don't have a specific goal in mind that I need to get up early for, I will most definitely sleep in. So, instead of having yourself saying, "Pssh, I don't really need to get up at 7:00" know that it's a necessity. For me, my main purpose of getting up early is to get a workout in before work. Some mornings, I have to be at work by 9:30 so in order to get a workout in for the day, a 6:00 A.M. wake up call is the only way to get that done. It's definitely rough, but knowing that if I don't do it then, it won't get done really helps me pull off the covers and get going.

2.) Go to Sleep Earlier- Trust me, I know this is really difficult and I still struggle with this one. I live in a house with night owls, so trying to get myself to go to bed before they do takes quite a bit of effort. Aside from that, I know that I can personally fall victim to browsing online for way too long instead of going to sleep. What has helped me to prevent this is to have a cut-off time. By midnight, I must have everything turned off and I should be in bed with the lights off. This doesn't always happen, but for the most part, I am pretty good at sticking to it. I also remind myself that Instagram, YouTube, etc. will be there in the morning, so I should just go to sleep.

3) Re-Train your Circadian Rhythm- For my non-science peeps, Circadian Rhythm is just a fancy way of saying your body clock. Our bodies get used to waking up and going to sleep at certain times, and sometimes in order to change that, you need to re-train it. There are times post late night weekend, that I need to do this because my circadian rhythm is way off and how I do it is by implementing melatonin into my nighttime routine. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in your brain that signals to your body that it is time to go to sleep. You can buy melatonin as a supplement at pretty much any health/grocery store and you can take it before bed to help you fall asleep. When I know that my body has gotten used to late nights, I take some melatonin about 20-30 minutes before I go to bed, to help my body prepare for sleep. It will typically take a couple nights before my body is back to getting to bed at that time, but the melatonin helps for a better transition. 

4.) Develop a Routine- Having a morning routine will help make mornings a bit easier because you'll already know what needs to get done/you'll have a way to transition from being in bed to starting your morning. For me, a typical morning will begin with getting up, heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash up, and making my bed. No matter what time I need to get up, this is my general routine. What I do after making my bed really depends on what I've got going on for the day. If I need to be at work early, I will get dressed and head to workout. If I have the day off or don't have to be at work until much later, then I'll head downstairs and make some coffee. Having a general schedule for my morning helps keep me on track and coaxes me out of bed. Also, making your bed helps a lot because then you can't climb back under the covers. Just putting that out there.

5.) Learn to Love Mornings- I know if you struggle with mornings, this might seem crazy, but finding things that you love about the morning will help make getting up early more enjoyable. When I first started my "morning person" transition, I noticed how peaceful mornings were. No one in my household was up so I could roll through my to-do list without being bothered. It was awesome. Also, having the kitchen to myself was pretty great, as I could eat and have some coffee and still have some quiet time. In general, I learned to love mornings because I could get so much done! There were days when I checked off my whole to-do list before noon and that made me feel like a bad ass. So definitely, find your own reasons to love mornings.

     I hope these tips are a starting point to get you on track to starting your day earlier. As always, I hope your week is off to a good start! I'll talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

Applying to Medical School

     This past year has definitely been a crazy one, and of course that all had to do with the fact that I was applying to medical school. Now that I've pretty much completed the process, I wanted to share my "review" of the medical school application process.

     I did make a video about this, and that will go into the general overview of the process. This post will mainly be dedicated to explaining some of the things that I mentioned in the video and giving you more of a sense of the timeline (I'm a visual person, so this is for my other visual people).

     

Timeline

     (All beginning in the year prior to medical school entry)

May: The primary application is available online

June: Primary application (along with supplementary materials) should be sent out by the end of the month.

July: Secondary applications are sent out to applicants by the end of the month. Applicants can also begin sending in their secondaries as soon as they are completed.

August: If the secondary application was sent in early, applicant might be invited for an interview.

September: Interview season begins.

December: Deadlines for most secondary applications.

March: End of Interview Season.

April: By April 30th, you can only have a spot saved for one school. If you have multiple acceptances, you will have to cancel the ones for the schools you will not be attending.

Things Mentioned

Primary Application: This will be the first "round" of the application process. If you are applying to allopathic (MD) schools, you will be filling out the AMCAS. If you are applying to osteopathic (DO) schools, you will be filling out the AACOMAS. The primary application is a general application that is sent to all of your selected medical schools, so it is mainly focused on your background information, personal statement, extracurriculars, and letters of recommendation.

Secondary Application: The secondary application is sent out individually by each medical school. Every school has different requirements for their secondary but for most schools, the secondary is mainly a set of supplementary essays set by the school. At this point, schools want to get to know you a bit more beyond your grades. 

Interviews: In order to be considered for acceptance, each applicant must complete an interview. Despite being intimidating, interviews are a great thing because you'll literally have a foot in the door. If a school is inviting you to interview, this means that they are already interested, but that they would like to get to know you in person to see if you would fit in the environment of their school. For interviews, I would say that of course, you have to bring your A-game but at the same time have fun. You should be seeing if the school is a good fit for you. After all, you'll be the one studying there for the next four years.

Acceptance: If all goes well, you will be getting a big white packet in the mail offering you a place in the entering class and instructions for the next steps. At this point, you respond to their offer and you save yourself a place at the school.

     I hope that this post gives you a better breakdown of the application process. I know it is rather general, but I think it gives you a general overview of what to expect. I hope that you had a great week and I'll talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

Daring Greatly

     One of my most recent reads was Brené Brown's Daring Greatly. As someone who loves to seek inspiration, this book was right up my alley, and as someone who tries to remind herself to be braver, I loved what Brené had to say. Like my last book post, I won't go into the book in incredible detail (I want you guys to still read the book!), but I will share some of the points that stuck with me.

    Brené is a shame and vulnerability researcher, so her book talks a lot about shame in our society and how we can change our reactions to allow ourselves to live happier lives. The book is filled with her research findings and personal accounts of how this research has impacted her own life, but what struck me the most was how her information fit into my own life and how valuable her advice was.

Some of Her Points

1. Scarcity- One of the topics that she focuses on in her book is the concept of scarcity in our society and how it brings up the concept of a "never enough" mentality. She explains that this mentality stems from our constant comparison to things in our environment. We compare ourselves to our peers, to people on social media, or just our idea of how our lives should be going. How often do we scroll through our Instagram feeds glancing at pictures of beautiful people or beautiful places, wishing that we could have those things? She also makes a point about how many of us have a set of criteria for our worth and that if we have all of the attributes on our list, only then will we be good enough. The solution? Of course, to be kinder to yourself. Realize that having such a list will only set you up for failure, and that instead you should focus on believing you are enough without having to mark off a checklist. This could also extend to perfectionism in our lives and not feeling good enough until you get everything on your list completed. I know that I could identify with this because at times I would feel discouraged if I didn't get everything that I hoped to accomplish done. Over time, I've realized that if I, at least, mark one task off my list that demonstrates that I am trying and that is enough.

2. Uncertainty and the fear of failure- In the book she explains that putting our ideas or works out into the open without the assurance of acceptance or appreciation makes us vulnerable. But, we shouldn't let the fear of failure stop us from doing the things that we want to do. She mentions that she has the quote "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" hung above her desk as a reminder to take risks. She explains that many people are waiting for the right moment or for things to be perfect to do the things they want, but that they should instead just do them. Thinking about the quote on her wall, I know there would be many things that I would've done if I knew that I couldn't fail or things that I would've pursued if I knew that I would be successful. Heck, for a while I wanted to start blogging, but I wanted to wait for the right moment. Until one day, I just decided I was going to start, and I just went for it. From her advice and personal experience, it is important to just go for things, because sometimes the "perfect moment" might not come and we can miss out on something really great.

3.Who Defines your Worth- Brené says, "Nothing has transformed my life more than realizing that it's a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the reaction of the people in the stands." I thought this couldn't be said any better because it is so true. Everyone will have a different opinion about the things you do, but the most important thing is to determine who's opinion really matters. For me, it is always my own and those of the people that I love. They are the only ones that have a full understanding of who I am and can make an accurate judgment. If I valued the opinion of everyone I encountered, I would miserable trying to make people happy. I see many quotes relating to this on social media and one that always comes to mind is " You can't please everyone. You are not a box of chocolates." Everyone is unique, so don't ever be discouraged because someone doesn't like what your have to offer. It just might not be their flavor.

4. Know Your Intention- Why do you do the things you do? Is it because you love to do them?
Or because you want to make someone else happy? She notes that you should do things because you want to do them, not because it would please someone or it would make you more like someone. I know that this is something that I always try to remind myself. I want to do things in my life because they are things I am passionate about. This is something that I think about when I think about this blog. Of course, I would love it if everyone enjoyed reading my blog, and I write it with the hope that I can reach out and help someone that is pursuing a similar journey. But, If at the end of the day the only people that read this are me and my friend Megan (she's the best), that will be good enough for me. 

     Brown frames her book with a wonderful quote by Theodore Roosevelt that excellently captures the intention of her book and serves as great inspiration for life (you better believe I wrote it in my planner) and I want to share it:

                                     
                                                             " It is not the critic who counts; not the

                                                               man who points out how the strong man

                                                              stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could

                                                              have done them better.

                                                              The credit belongs to the man who is actu-

                                                              ally in the arena, whose face is marred by dust

                                                              and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly;

                                                              who errs, who comes short again and again,

                                                                                                                                  

                                                              because there is no effort without error

                                                              and shortcoming; but who does actually

                                                              strive to do the deeds; who knows great en-

                                                              thusiams, the great devotions; who spends

                                                              himself in a worthy cause;

                                                              who at best knows in the end the triumph

                                                              of high achievement, and who at worst, if

                                                              he fails, at least fails while daring greatly..."

     I hope this post inspired you to pick up this book because it is a really good read and Brené gives great advice. I also hope that you had a great weekend and that the beginning of your week has been going well. I'll talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

Beauty Products For Spring

     One of my favorite things to do every season is to switch out some of the products that I have in my makeup bag. Now that it has been feeling a lot like Spring, I thought it was the best time to do this. 

     Obviously, the best way to present this was to make a video so that I could better describe the products, but I'll put some pictures of the products below, so you can get a better look at what I show in the video.

Products Mentioned:

AG Hair Texture Kit

Powder Blushes

(L) Hikari blush in Tango (R) Sephora blush in Orange Pop

Cream Blushes

(L) MAC Casual Colour Lip and Cheek Colour in Relaxation (R) Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pale Pink

Lip Products and Makeup Brush

Brush is the Contour Brush from the Real Techniques Core Collection Lipsticks: (Top) Rimmel Colour Rush in Lady Marmalade (Bottom) Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in  Showy

Bronzer

Tarte Bronzer in Park Ave Princess

Nail Polish

(L) OPI Nail Polish in "Do You Take Lei Away?" (R) OPI Nail Polish in "Rich Girls & Po-Boys"

Swatches

(L) Rimmel Colour Rush in Lady Marmalade (R) Revlon Colorburst in  Showy

(L-R) MAC-Relaxation, Bobbi Brown-Pale Pink, Sephora-Orange Pop, Hikari- Tango

   I hope you have a great weekend and I'll talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

   

What You Can Do In High School If You Are Interested In Being Premed

     Now, I definitely don't want to scare anyone into thinking that you should already know whether you would want to be pre-med in high school. But if you are interested (like I was), there are a few suggestions I have that could help you as you work your way towards college and exploring your interest in greater depth.

1.) Seek knowledge about the profession
    
      I think one of the best things that you can do if you are considering studying medicine, is to get familiar with the field. Sophomore year of high school, my English teacher had us do a project where we had to research our "future career". Of course, as a little sophomore, it was quite daunting to think about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, but I think it was a great exercise. Back then, I was interested in becoming a pediatrician, so my research focused on that. For my project, I had to look into the overview of the career (pay, job responsibilities, etc.), research the academic track to becoming a pediatrician (the amount of schooling seemed really scary back then), and then I had to interview a person in that career ( I interviewed my cousin's pediatrician). Overall, the project was very informative, and I obviously wasn't deterred by the amount of work it took to become a doctor. Of course, you might not have to do what I did for school, but I think it would be helpful to do something similar, especially interviewing a doctor. Something that I wish I would've done in high school was to shadow a doctor because it would've allowed me to get a better sense of the clinical environment ( which didn't really happen until junior year of college). Doing your research will help you see if this career is a good fit for you, and I think it is important to start looking into it early on.

2.) Volunteer

     For me, one of the things that reinforced my desire to become a physician was my volunteer work. I did most of my volunteer work in a clinical/hospital setting, but those aren't the only areas that you can volunteer. The medical field is at its core a field of service, so getting yourself familiar with that aspect is very important. I think it's also very important for you to find a cause that you are passionate about, and what a better time to do that than in high school? If you can find a hospital/clinical setting to volunteer in, that's fantastic. You'll be in a good place when your med school apps come around and you can write about how you've been volunteering in a clinical setting since high school. But, I think it's very important to show that you are dedicated to giving back to others, and that can take many different forms.

3.) Focus On School

     I'm sure this one might seem like an obvious one, but it is very important. I think high school is a great time to start getting yourself on the track towards being a great student. Take your classes seriously, challenge yourself, and definitely, find what works best for you. I know your workload might not be exactly comparable to what you'll experience in college or medical school, but it is a great time to start developing the habits that'll help you succeed later on. Aside from working on getting good grades, I think it is important to work on being well rounded. For one, it'll help to clarify whether you love science enough to pursue it as a career. Also, it'll help integrate other skills that will aid in your work as a physician. The greatest example that I can think of is reading. One of the reasons that the MCAT has a verbal reasoning section is because being able to dissect important information from a larger component is something a doctor deals with every day. One day, you'll be listening to a patient giving you loads of information and it is up to you to pick apart the pieces that are pertinent to their diagnosis. Of course, high school isn't the time to become an expert on this, but it is a good time to get your practice in.

4.) Find Yourself A Mentor
     
     This point kind of goes with the first point, but I think it doesn't only have to be a doctor. Your mentor could also be a college student, medical student, etc. The point is to find someone that is going/has gone through the journey that you are interested in. I always find it less intimidating if I know someone has already done what I wish to do, and it's so helpful if they tell me how they did it. Also, it doesn't always have to be a live person. For me, I love to read blogs or follow medical students and doctors on social media. It allows me to get a glimpse into their experience, and that allows me to better direct my own journey.

5.) Do What You Love

     When you apply to medical school, one of the things that they'll ask you about will be your hobbies. If all you do is school, there won't be much to talk about. So, take the time to do the things you love, or take the time to discover what these things may be. Aside from that purpose, I think it's so important to live a balanced life, especially in high school. In high school, you are still in your safety net (you'll get exactly what I mean when you get to college) so enjoy this while you can. Have fun, go out with your friends, and live life to the fullest. There will be plenty of time to be focused on your career and your future and on all the responsibilities that come along with them. Don't start worrying about it all too early.


     I hope you guys all had a great weekend and that you have a lucky St. Patrick's Day week;)
I'll talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

A.P. Exams and College

     Something that I wish I would've known a little more about before I started college was how my advanced placement credits (A.P. credits) would work towards college credits. I know the logistics of college credit really depend on the school, but as it worked out for my benefit, I wanted to share my experience. 

     My junior and senior years of high school, my schedule was loaded up with as many A.P. Classes as possible. If it could be taken A.P., I was most likely taking it A.P. And if it wasn't A.P., I was taking honors (I even took choir as an honors class!). So, it's safe to say that I had a pretty hectic schedule, but looking back on it, I really appreciate that I did. Having such a heavy course load allowed me to work on the organization and perseverance necessary to make it through difficult academic circumstances. Now, I'm not going to lie. Some days when there was an assignment due in every class, I questioned whether or not I had put too much on my plate. But even if I had, it was too late, and all I could do was push through. This allowed me to gain the mentality that I needed to succeed and also the mentality that I assume I will need in medical school. 

     I also believe that my A.P. Courses better prepared me for college. Now, the thing about college classes is that they typically work on a level system ( i.e. level 100, level 200, and level 300) with the courses increasing in difficulty by level. By senior year, your major classes will most likely be in the 300 levels. A.P. classes are most comparable to 100 level classes, which is totally fine because these are the classes you'd be starting out with freshman year anyway. Also, many of the "core" classes you take are 100 level, so if you get A.P. credit for a class, you might not have to take one of your core classes ( I got lucky and my A.P. U.S. History credit got me out of two history core classes!). Aside from the credit, I think the best thing you get out of your A.P. courses is the familiarity with the structure of a college class. Like college classes, A.P. courses have the typical test, quiz, homework, project components with comparable difficulty. The difficulty of a college class will really depend on your professor as they are the ones that generally set the grading scale and expectations for the course. But difficulty aside, A.P. courses will allow you to better navigate through freshman year (and the other years if you come in with a lot of A.P. credits).

     A.P. Credits and College Credits

     I'm not quite sure how this works out for each school, so I'm just going to speak to how it worked at my university. For my school, courses were typically worth around 3.0 credit hours. If they were worth more, it was because they had another component to the class (i.e. an associated lab). For A.P. credit, you typically have to score a 3 or higher in order to get college credit, and I believe that what you get depends on how you scored. Some of my A.P. courses I did craptastic on ( *ahem* calculus) and didn't receive credit, but the ones I did well on, I got a decent amount. So, I will share those with you.  

        My A.P. Classes and Credits

1.) A.P. Literature and Composition ( score 5)- I didn't have to take my freshman writing seminar (worth 3.0 credit hours).

2.) A.P. U.S. History (score 4)- I didn't have to take my two required history core classes (worth 6.0 credit hours).

3.) A.P. Literature and Language (score 4)- I got credit towards one of my literature cores (worth 3.0 credit hours). 

4.) A.P. Psychology ( Score 4)- I got out of taking psych 101 which went towards my minor (worth 3.0 credit hours). 

5.) A.P. Biology ( Score 4)- I got out of Freshman year bio in its entirety. That means, Biology 101, Biology 102, and the two labs (worth 8.0 credit hours!).

     After adding up the credits, I received about 23.0 credit hours from my A.P. exams. An average college semester is usually around 15.0 credit hours, so I got a whole semester (plus a little more) out of the way. This worked out really well for me as I had the ability to take less than 15.0 credits (if necessary) each semester and could still meet the credit requirement for graduation ( for me that was 120 credits and I actually graduated with more than that). Not having to take as many credits was  super useful junior year when I was studying for the MCAT because I had the ability to have a "lighter" semester so I could fit in MCAT prep. 

     So, if the above information didn't make it apparent, my whole point was to emphasize how beneficial A.P. courses can be. Along with the class, I highly suggest that you take the exam. I know they are a bit pricey (especially if you have to take several like I did), but they are totally worth it if you score well. Even if you don't, the worst part is just losing the money you paid for it, because you'll still gain the experience. 

   I  hope you had a great week and that you have an awesome weekend. I'll talk to you soon!

                      ~ Genesis<3

Makeup Brush Guide

     If anyone saw my makeup brush collection, it would be safe to say that I have enough brushes to work backstage at fashion week. Now, I know I have way more brushes than any single person would need, but the reason I have so many is that I like to test out different brands to see what they have to offer. Through the years that I've been doing this, I've found some pretty great brushes and I thought I would share what I have found.

     When it comes to makeup brushes, there are tons of brands and types out there. Prices vary greatly depending on the company, but this doesn't mean that you have to spend a fortune to get yourself a good set. I think this is particularly true if you are just doing makeup on yourself and just need a standard set to get the job done. I've tried brushes on both ends of the pricing spectrum, and I can say that pricing doesn't always mean that they are better (This is obviously based on what I have personally tried). So, let's talk about what I've tried.

Brands

1.) Sigma

    From my experience, Sigma brushes fall into the category of "higher end" brushes. When I purchased these a few years ago, I remember paying between $80-100 for this set. It was my first set of "professional" brushes, so the price tag really wasn't a deterrent, especially when compared to the price tag on M.A.C. brushes. Sigma has definitely grown from the fledgling company that it was when I purchased this set, and a set similar to the one above will run you between $125-180. If you are looking for a really good brush set and don't mind to splurge, this one is pretty excellent. I've had mine for several years and it still looks great. I will say that the large fluffy powder brush sheds like crazy (even after I've washed it several times), but that's really my only complaint.

2.) Morphe

     Morphe would fall in the middle range, as you can't purchase them at the drugstore, but they aren't necessarily high-end. I purchased this set last year while at a beauty trade show and I'll have to say that I was pretty impressed with the brand. I bought this set along with some individual brushes and they've become some of my favorite brushes ( I use the bottom brush almost every day for foundation application). The brand's pricing isn't too terrible either. This set above is normally priced around $45 ( it's currently on sale for $22.99!), but I got a deal at the beauty show and I got it for $30. I thought this was a deal, as just one of the face brushes would cost you a minimum of $20 in the higher end market. They have plenty of sets on their site ranging between $40-$100+ depending on what you are looking for.

3.) BH Cosmetics

     BH Cosmetics would fall into the same category as Morphe, but I would say the pricing is way better. They are always having some sort of sale, and while their brushes are priced around $30, you can snag yourself a really good set for around $10-$15. I paid about $12 for this set, and I love it. I also bought the same set for my mom and sister as a Christmas gifts last year and they also love it. The brushes are really soft and sturdy for the price, which is something that is typically my concern. If you are just starting out, I think this is a great company to try, as their brushes are great and affordable.

4.) Sonia Kashuk

     Sonia Kashuk falls into its own category, as I think the brand itself is high-end, but it is also sold at Target. What I love about Sonia Kashuk brushes is that they are typically very pretty ( if you couldn't already tell by the picture). Her brushes have the beauty girl aesthetic down, and for the most part, the brush sets are pretty solid. I think her larger sets run around $40 but she also has sets for around $20 (which is what I believe I paid for the turquoise set in the picture). If you don't want to go through the fuss of ordering online, this is a good brand to try.

5.) Real Techniques

     

     This brand was created by YouTubers Sam and Nic Chapman from Pixiwoo. They are incredible makeup artists, so naturally, their brushes are also great. The brand is marketed more towards the drugstore realm, as you can find them at Ulta or Walmart, but that doesn't take away from the quality. A set of four Synthetic hair brushes will run you around $18, which isn't too bad. I am a huge fan of their face brushes, so I'd say they are worth a try if you are in the market for some.

6.) Coastal Scents

     This brand is comparable to BH cosmetics as it is an online brand. I haven't tried their brush sets, but the individual brushes I've tried are pretty great. The brushes range from $2.00-$5.00 each and are a good option if you are just looking to get a few brushes. Also, the handles are a solid black. Mine have a turquoise end because I painted them in order to prevent them from getting misplaced ( I live with two women and my sister has no hesitation in "borrowing" my stuff).

     This post is just a brief glimpse of what's actually available for makeup brushes, but I hope that I gave you a better idea of what to try. I have quite a few brushes, but I might be trying more in the future as I'm always curious about other brands. I hope you have a great week and I'll talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

Naturopathic Medicine

     Over the summer, while taking a medical assisting course, the class was learning about non-traditional medicine when our instructor brought up the topic of Naturopathic medicine, specifically, her experience with a naturopathic doctor. She said that she had gone to visit this doctor out of sheer curiosity about what the heck a naturopathic doctor was and what the experience would be like, and found herself pleasantly surprised at the results. My instructor explained that she had gone in because she had been dealing with high blood pressure for a while and wanted to see what a naturopath would suggest. She said that the doctor assessed her and put her on a course of natural treatments to follow, including what she couldn't eat and what supplements to start taking. Although skeptical of its ability to treat her high blood pressure, she followed the treatment anyway, as she really had nothing to lose. To her surprise, after a few weeks, she could notice the effects. She had lost some weight in her face due to the removal of excess fluid retention and when the doctor checked her blood pressure, it was within normal range. She was shocked. How could this have been possible without the use of medication? Obviously, she wasn't quite sure, but she was impressed that it had worked. I don't quite remember why my instructor stopped visiting the naturopath, but her experience definitely piqued my interest.
     As someone who grew up in a Hispanic family, finding natural remedies to cure your illness has been pretty standard to my upbringing, and to discover that there are doctors that actually practice this way, was rather intriguing. In hopes of educating you on something that I found very interesting or also something that you might want to pursue, I wanted to write this post to give you more information. Of course, I am not an expert on the topic, but from what I've gleaned from the sources at my disposal, I want to share the bit of knowledge that I have acquired.

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

     By the definition of the American Association of Naturopathic Medicine, Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals' inherent self-healing process (1). What their practice includes is clinical and laboratory diagnostic testing, nutritional medicine, botanical medicine, naturopathic physical medicine, public health measures, hygiene, counseling, minor surgery, homeopathy, acupuncture, prescription medication (NB: This depends on the state of practice), intravenous and injection therapy, and naturopathic obstetrics ( this is natural childbirth for my non-science peeps). Overall, what naturopathic medicine emphasizes is using the most natural methods to promote healing in the human body with the mentality that your body has the ability to heal itself. 

How Does One Become a Naturopathic Doctor?

     Similar to someone pursuing an MD, to become a Naturopathic Doctor ( or ND) one must attend an accredited naturopathic medical college. This is a different type of medical school from where you go to pursue an MD, but from what I learned from the information put out by the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges(2), the two types of programs share similarities. Both programs heavily emphasize a strong core in the basic sciences in the first two years of schooling. So, like MDs, NDs have to review biomedical sciences, such as biochemistry and anatomy. NDs also learn to diagnose illnesses. So they are also taught the diagnostic sciences. Where the programs differ is in years three and four. For MD programs, years three and four are spent doing clerkships ( rotations through the different medical specialties). These are typically observational, so you are mostly just shadowing at this time. For NDs, years three and four are typically more hands-on. From what I understand, they spend those years practicing the skills that they will be utilizing during their practice and this helps prepare them to begin practicing once they graduate. Also, like MDs, Upon graduation, NDs have to pass a postdoctoral board examination ( their version is the NPLEX) in order to receive a license.

Differences Between MDs and NDs?

     One of the initial differences between the two programs, is the availability of medical colleges. For MDs, there are a myriad of colleges across the country. I know that just in Illinois alone, we have seven medical schools. For NDs, The AANMC states that they only offer seven accredited programs at eight campuses in North America (3). Two of these campuses are in Canada, so if you are aiming to stay in the U.S. you'd only have about six schools to choose from.

     Another difference is licensure. While MDs I'm pretty sure, are accredited in every state, there are only seventeen states ( along with D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) that have licensing laws and a specific scope of practice for NDs (4). Oddly enough, one of the states that isn't included in this list is Illinois, although one of the AANMC's listed naturopathic medical programs is in Chicago. 

     The scope of practice also differs in each state. I'm not sure how this all works in Illinois ( I know some NDs practice here even though it isn't a licensing state), but I know that some states allow NDs to prescribe medication, while some do not.

     One of the main differences between the two types of doctors would be the focus of practice. For NDs, their practice of medicine is typically primary care. So, they'll mainly focus on family medicine. For MDs, there are all sorts of specialties out there. This is one of the main reasons that MDs have to do residencies. While in medical school, MDs survey the different specialties and during their fourth year, apply to residency programs in their specialty of interest. They will then spend an additional 3-7+ years ( This all depends on which specialty is chosen) training to become that type of doctor. So, if you have always dreamed of becoming a pediatric hematologist, ND wouldn't be your desired route.

My Thoughts on Naturopathic Medicine as a Future MD Student?

     Regardless of the differences, I think that what naturopathic medicine has to offer is pretty cool. They tend to focus on a more holistic style of treatment ( assessing the person as whole) and I think that is definitely something that could be ( and I believe is more so heading towards being) integrated into allopathic medicine. I also like the idea of using more natural methods of healing. Many of the treatments that NDs utilize have been around for ages (i.e. acupuncture) and I'm pretty sure there's a reason they are still around. The earth is teeming with natural substances for medical usage, but of course, we don't know what every little thing does and when we do discover the possibility of something being used as a cure, it needs to be heavily researched. I am obviously very Pro-MD (after all, I am pursuing one), but I think that NDs would be an excellent addition to the health care team and could serve to educate allopathic medicine on alternative ways to cure illnesses.

     I hope this post gave you a better Idea concerning Naturopathic Doctors and possibly sparked your curiosity. As always, I enjoyed sharing this with you and I hope you have a fantastic weekend. Talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

Links and Resources

1.&3.-American Association of Naturopathic Medicine: http://www.naturopathic.org/medicine

2. &4.-Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges: http://aanmc.org/

Makeup Kit Essentials

     If you've ever walked through the makeup section at any store, I'm sure you've noticed the plethora of products available. I'm also sure that if you don't know much about makeup, this experience can be rather overwhelming. Before the girl at the beauty counter convinces you that you need to spend a small fortune on getting yourself put together, I want to share some of my makeup essentials and hopefully enlighten you about what you should start out with in your own makeup bag.

    This post is inspired by my little cousin. Last December, she told me and my sister that she wanted to start wearing makeup and that she wanted her Christmas gift from us to be a makeup starter kit. It got us thinking about what a girl really needs in her kit, and we figured out the basic essentials.

The Essentials

1.) Foundation- Now, I'll say that foundation isn't essential all the time. My cousin Val and my best friend Megan have beautiful skin, so in these cases, I'd be reluctant to push foundation. I personally tend to wear foundation on a regular basis because I get quite a bit of redness on my skin and the foundation helps me create more of an even base for my makeup, but if you have great skin, you can get away with wearing a tinted moisturizer for day-to-day usage. Foundation is definitely great for special occasions when you are getting glammed up. So, that's why I think it is a good idea to have some in your kit.

2.) Concealer- If you're going the tinted moisturizer route, this will be its best buddy. Concealer is great to cover the areas that your foundation missed and will help prevent you from piling on the foundation. I remember a tip I learned from a makeup artist who did my makeup for one of my dances and she told me that foundation should be used to create a base layer for your makeup. You shouldn't expect it to cover absolutely everything. Just create your base and go in with concealer for reinforcement on the areas your foundation missed. 

3.) Eye Shadow- Having a nice little eye shadow palette will allow you to get creative with your makeup and try out different looks. I think every girl should have some neutrals to start out with, and you definitely don't have to spend a fortune on them. The Maybelline The Nudes palette is what we started out my cousin with and it is a great little palette that you can find at most drugstores for around $10. If you want something high-end but don't want to break the bank, I'd say that you should try the Natural Eye Palette by Too Faced. Of course, if you go higher end you'll have a myriad of palettes to choose from. If you can still get your hands on the Gwen Stefani Palette by Urban Decay (pictured above), I highly recommend it!

4.) Face Powder- I don't have this pictured above, but I do think it is something that you should have in your kit, especially if you have oily skin. This product would go on after applying your foundation and would help to set it so that your makeup lasts longer. I used the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder for years, and I know you can get that one at Target.

5.) Mascara- If I could only apply one product, it would probably be mascara. Mascara just helps you look more put together and even on my no makeup days, I'll put some on. There are hundreds of really great mascara options at the drug store ( The CoverGirl LashBlast is a cult favorite). I'm currently testing out the L'Oreal Voluminous Superstar Mascara, which comes with a pretty nifty lash primer.

6.) Bronzer- This will help to prevent your face from looking too flat from your foundation. You can also buy a matte version and experiment with contouring. If you are completely new to makeup, I'd say, hold off on tackling contouring until you've got everything else down.

7.) Blush- Blush is also essential to look more natural after applying foundation. Try to find a Natural Shade that way you can wear it with any look you want to create. 

8.) Eyeliner- My go-to look always involves some liquid liner, but if you're just starting out with makeup, I'd avoid the liquid liner until you get more practice, but what you should for sure have is a good eyeliner pencil. I'd say go with a classic black, but if you have lighter eyes or fairer skin, a brown shade will look less harsh on you. Physician's Formula Eyeliner Trios are a great place to start.

9.) Lipstick- Lipstick is one of my favorite products and where I get most adventurous. I'd say that everyone should have a neutral pink to start out, though. Both CoverGirl and Maybelline make some fantastic lipsticks, so I'd check them out.

10.) Brushes- There are many different brushes and brush companies out there, but when you are just starting out, I'd say you don't have to break the bank. The bare minimum brushes you should have in your kit are a Powder brush ( you can use it for powder, blush, and bronzer), a flat shader brush ( to apply eyeshadow to the lid), and a crease brush ( to blend out eyeshadow). Brushes can range greatly in price, but some really great inexpensive ones to try out are EcoTools brushes. You can usually find these at places like Target, Walmart, or Ulta and they are typically reasonably priced.

Non-Essential (but helpful!) Extras

1.) Eyebrow Pencil- Filling in your brows helps to create a more polished look, and will amp up your look, especially if your natural brows are pretty sparse. One of my personal favorites is the micro brow pencil by NYX.

2.) Primers- Using a primer will help your makeup last longer, and also will aid in making your eyeshadows pop and will help prevent them from creasing.

3.) A Fun Lip Color- Besides your natural lip color, it's always great to have another fun color to wear for special occasions or when you just want a pop of color. I always love a classic red lip, but a bright pink or fuschia lip always look beautiful too!

     Of course, there are hundreds of other beauty products you could have, but these are just the basics that I think will be great to start off with. Hopefully, this was helpful! I hope you have a great week and I'll talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3