Getting through the last month of the semester is either really easy or really difficult. In most cases, however, trying to get through finals, cold weather and 10-page papers can really bear weight on a student’s mental health. The following are some things that have been helping me get through the tough times of April.
Book of the month: “Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi
Tomi Adeyemi’s “Children of Blood and Bone” is a science fiction novel about a young Orїshan girl named Zélie Adebola who embarks on journey with Amari, a princess who dislikes the ways of the Crown, to bring back magic to Orїsha and rid the city of corruption, murder and injustice. “Children of Blood and Bone” is a wonderful combination of “Harry Potter” and “Game of Thrones.” A definite recommendation for those who enjoy science fiction and political themes.
Binge-watching fav of the month: “Gargoyles”
Every 80s and 90s baby’s favorite T.V. show, “Gargoyles,” is a great binge-watch for the weekend. The themes of greed, humility and fighting for what’s right are enough to entrap viewers for hours in this thrilling animated tv show. While “Gargoyles” is certainly a rarity, it can be found on Amazon or in secondhand entertainment stores (e.g. F.Y.E and 2nd & Charles).
Chill/study zone of the month: First floor of Cooper Library
While binge-watching T.V. shows sounds fun, it’s also very important to get some work and studying done. One of the best places on campus to study–or even chill out–has to be the first floor of Cooper Library; it’s quiet and always has space to sit down and do assignments. 10/10 would recommend for the silence and peace.
Skincare products of the month: GlamGlow Volcasmic Matte Glow Moisturizer and Pacifica Happy Essence Hydro Mist
April weather has been hectic for those with dry and combination skin. The cold, dry air has practically blown away all the oils out of the skin. To deal with these problems, there are two products that are guaranteed to leave skin feeling smooth, moisturized and hydrated: GlamGlow’s Volcasmic Matte Glow Moisturizer and Pacifica Hydro Mists (vegan and cruelty-free).
The Volcasmic Moisturizer will leave the skin looking matte and moisturized. Not to mention, it smells fantastic. It does retail for $50, but the splurge is definitely worth having beautifully moisturized skin.
Pacifica’s Hydro Mists are wonderfully budget-friendly facial sprays that hydrate the skin. A personal favorite is the Happy Essence Hydro Mist (now discontinued). It smelled like berries and hydrated the skin really well. Although the mist is discontinued, other Hydro Mists smell just as good and are just as moisturizing as the Happy Essence Hydro Mist.
Lip products of the month: e.l.f. lip scrub, Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb and Lime Crime Wet Cherry Gloss
To further help in dealing with the April weather, the following lip products are recommended to assist in keeping lips moisturized.The e.l.f. (pronounced like elf) lip scrub is great for exfoliating lips, leaving them smooth and fresh looking. Luckily, this little beauty doesn’t break the bank and retails for $3.
A national favorite in the beauty community, Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb is super moisturizing and will help the lips feel so all day long. It also smells really good (thanks to shea butter) and makes the lips look really plump and juicy. All Fenty Beauty Gloss Bombs retail for $18 and are totally worth the splurge.
Another favorite in the beauty community is Lime Crime’s Wet Cherry Gloss. All of the Wet Cherry glosses have a delicious cherry scent to them without being overbearing. The glosses are super pigmented and moisturizing. However, some will leave a stain after a day’s wear, but nonetheless work extraordinarily well in keeping the lips moisturized. The retail price for these glosses are $18.
Body product of the month: Sunrise Artisan ‘Nag Champa’ Body Butter
Sunrise Artisan’s ‘Nag Champa’ Body Butter is absolutely a great product to combat dry skin. A little bit goes a long way with this product as it keeps the skin feeling smooth and hydrated. It also smells really good and lasts all day. The body butter retails for $20,but it’s definitely worth the price for its longevity and outstanding work in keeping the skin moisturized all day long.