#bath and body works smoothing shower scrub

[y2kbeautyandother2000sstuff]

BBW Cucumber Melon Smoothing Shower Scrub

1990s-maybe early 2000s?

Found on Ebay, user thesteelnest

[missdollcouture]

achieving buttery smooth skin ° ᡣ𐭩 . ° .

achieving soft skin starts before the shower!! so having a pre shower routine is essential

DRY BRUSHING

get. a. dry. brush. just do it. it made my skin so so soft before I even got into the shower. dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system, exfoliates the skin, removes toxins, etc. i do this one- two times per week! but it all depends on your skin sensitivity.

MOISTURIZING

right when you get out of the shower, you need to moisturize. lotion, body oil to seal everything in, and then perfume, all in that order = the softest skin ever

SHAVING

something that could cause dry skin is your shaving routine. its recommended to use at least a four blade razor to get the closest, smoothest shave. I personally like using baby oil or something along the lines of that to shave because it doesn't irritate skin and it always makes my shave come out amazing. please please exfoliate before you shave. it removes the layer of dead skin so you're able to get a closer shave

EXFOLIATING

same thing with the dry brush, i love a good sugar scrub or exfoliating gloves. keep in mind you don't need to use these every single day since it will damage your skin.

SOME OF MY FAVE PRODUCTS FOR SOFT SKIN:

EOS vanilla cashmere body lotion

palmers cocoa butter body oil

victoria's secret vanilla body oil

bath and body works strawberry pound cake lotion

treehut sugar scrubs

pure shea butter

palmers body gloss

[eveningepiphany]

pirates gold | H.S series, part two

[part one]

[series masterlist]

summary: challengers are arising as life on the ship continues. not only that, but all kinds of tension is building between you and harry. good and bad... and something that feels forbidden to even entertain in your minds eye.

warnings: swearing, tension, fluff, sexual mentions, talks of violence, harry being so so fine, mentions of kidnapping, one bed trope.

a/n: i cannot believe how long this took me to write, I’m praying I can do part three in half the time. thank you for your patience my loves<3

———

There are plenty of moments you are left wondering how in control of your life you actually are.

If you truly have any power at all— because sometimes it feels like everything is spinning relentlessly out of your grasp.

Well, especially under your current circumstances. Since your last 4 days have been spent as someone else’s prisoner.

Which, you couldn’t have predicted would lead you into the bathroom of your own captor and being left to bathe with his own personal collection of things.

Being in there was a shock enough as it is because… of course you’d noticed how well-groomed he appeared. But to see that he actually had things like soap and hair wash…

Another stereotype you presumed, was that pirates were horrendous when it came to maintaining a sense of personal hygiene. But it was another thing you were evidently incorrect about when it came to Harry. And seemingly the rest of his crew as well.

As you washed off in the shower, scrubbing away the collected dirt, dust and sweat off of your body, you felt almost like a new person.

It felt inexplicably good to use soap again, which is a luxury you took for granted much too often back home. But finally getting rid of all the residue on your skin was an amazing feeling. Including washing away the salt from your ocean dip a few days ago. Which was stuck in the crevices and creases of your skin, like it was slowly dehydrating you from the outside in.

So you took probably longer than you should in his shower… but it didn’t seem as time ticked on that he was in his room or at the bathroom door.

Not even when you eventually stepped out from the water, drying yourself off with a rag-like towel. Looking at yourself in the mirror, taking in your frame, and how the skin under your eyes is a tad less sunken in after a long shower.

Maybe it was from stress, or lack of sleep. But either way, you rubbed your fingers underneath them. Attempting to smooth out the remaining darkness there, as if that would work.

Settling on the fact what was left of them was only temporary, you decide to just get into the clothes Harry had given you. Pretending it doesn’t weird you out as you slide his black shirt over your body.

It was far from tight on you, and the fabric probably could’ve swallowed you up as it clung to you. And as you pulled the soft pants up, they were equally as big.

You gazed in the mirror again, looking at how his clothes fit you. Struggling to envision him in such simplistic clothing.

Suddenly, his body filling out the once baggy pants and shirt is taking up the confines of your mind. They certainly would fit him properly. And likely hug the muscle built on his chest... you have to swat the mental image away, before it conjures into something more.

So immediately, you jump to distract yourself. Eyes roaming around the bathroom until they lock onto the cabinet beneath the bathroom bench.

Your hands don't hesitate, coming to the cupboards to open them, pulling the handles so they unlatch.

It’s sadly sparse inside. Almost entirely empty despite a few miscellaneous items. A hair comb, a dagger sheath and a… sewing kit? You frown at the sewing kit, unable to imagine him doing anything as delicate and time consuming as hand sewing.

However, he does wear intricate outfits. He seemingly prizes them, actually. So, it seems fitting that if wear and tear got to them, he'd be keen to fix them. That's the conclusion you're going to go with anyway.

But regardless, in the small wooden confines, there is nothing you can steal for your own benefit. You think of shutting it, but in the silence something urges you to open the small plastic box anyways.

You drop onto your knees, sliding the container to the edge of the shelving, and hooking your fingers into the latches and pulling the lid upwards.

There are several little threading needles— even clothing pins— placed among regular cotton thread in an array of colours. But there’s also multiple wads of fishing line, which immediately makes you wonder why it's in there. Trying to pinpoint what kind of clothing needs fishing line as a stitching.

You’re about to pull it out, but conveniently, there’s a rattle outside of the door. One that indicates someone is coming into his quarters. You hold back a frustrated sigh, suddenly wishing you had of taken a shorter shower.

Your body kicks into quick movement, hurrying to click his sewing box shut and put it back where it was in the first place. Pushing hard on the latches that now suddenly don’t want to cooperate with your haste.

It’s silent outside of the footsteps that trail to the bathroom door, making you wince as the latch on the cupboard echoes a tiny clack as it’s shut.

The feet stop at the door, and your breath is held from where you’re kneeling. Not sure if you’re hoping for Harry or not.

“Y/N?” His voice calls with a rap on the door, “y’decent?”

“I—“ you slowly rise from the floor, cringing at the creak of the boards beneath your feet as you stand.

“Yea… yep.”

The lock jingles and the door swings open, revealing Harry— who looks no different to how he did almost an hour ago. Black blouse, black pants. Nothing had changed.

You feel suddenly vulnerable standing in his clothes in front of him, and you have to force yourself not to wring your hands at the bottom of his long shirt.

“Mm, nice to see you actually showered, ‘stead of tryin’ to break out.” He comments, nonchalantly stepping in through the door. Eyes scanning you in his clothes.

As he steps closer, the only difference you notice is the red bruising around his knuckles, on the hand hung down by his waist.

“Oh, I tried.” You mused, attempting to push confidence in your tone— adverting your gaze away from his bruised hand.

He hums, still staring at your frame, “To no avail, I see.”

“I suppose not.” You remarked, to which he shrugs. His body language is casual, but you’re still unconvinced that everything is normal.

Now you're staring at him, trying to decipher what the fuck is happening right now. Given the fact nothing about this seems planned.

“But I am confused...” You prompt, and to it, he cocks an eyebrow.

He steps forward, “Go on.”

“What exactly have you done in the last hour?” It comes from your mouth as an accusation. One that draws out a rash laugh from him pink mouth.

“Why is it you assume I’ve done something?” He's awfully close to you now, and it highlights the features on his face. Ones you're desperately trying to pay no attention to. But it's much harder to ignore the fall of his hair over green eyes when its up close.

“Because that just seems the most likely.” You stated. Walking to brush past him—shoulder passing his chest with a light touch— the bathroom feeling far too cramped for the two of you. And the air around you had suddenly gone hot with tension on your end.

You make your way out into his quarters, making use of your need for distance, and deciding to inspect the room while you could.

Harry turns on his heel, watching as you now suddenly walk around his bedroom like it was your birth right. Hands trailing over frames on the wall, and picking up random objects he’d strewn on the floor.

He sighs at this, part of him wanting to stop you from snooping around his place, but he’s also undeniably curious at your mannerisms while looking around. The way your eyebrows pull down into a frown as you pick up an array of things. Including odd ones, like a bag of dried out barnacles, and whetstones block he uses to sharpen his blades with.

“I bought ya up here t’shower. Because unlike many, I have a hygiene standard, darlin’.” He says, and you turn from where you were touching the cover of his unmade bed. Fingertips noting the softness of it. He sleeps here… your brain announces as though it’s unfathomable to imagine him at rest in his own bed. Which was tucked into the corner of the all-wood room, three circular windows running beside its edge.

Looking at his hand again, finally getting the courage to bring it up.

“And your knuckles are swelling up. All bruised. They weren’t like that earlier.”

He smirks, completely bypassing your question, “looking at my hands, ay? Didn’t pick you to be that kind of girl.”

You sneer at his stupid tease, irritated at his arrogance.

“Just seemed all rather impromptu, and now you’re back here with bruised up fists that you didn’t have earlier.” You challenge, after walking slowly away from his bed.

“You don’t stop until you get an answer y’like. Is that right, princess?” He scoffs.

But he knows you’re brilliant at reading someone, tragically so. And it’s obvious you’re not as stupid as he wishes. Because he watches as your eyes narrow, clear that you know he’s dodging your questions for a reason.

“And you don’t give answers unless it suits you best, I take, captain?”

To that, he chuckles, and decides to prove you right, walking over to grab your wrist with the unscathed hand.

“M’clothes are a bit big on you…” he comments, partially using it as an excuse to drag his eyes down your body again. Completely changing the subject.

“Tomorrow, we’re pulling into port, we’ll buy some stuff that actually fits you.” Despite being the one to decide this, there's a pang of disappointment in his chest at you getting out of his oversized clothes. He ignores it. The hand that's becoming all too familiar to your wrist is leading you out of his quarters, and your eyes dart to take in the room a final time. Hoping to commit it to memory.

“That’s a bit doting. Are you going to take me with you, or is that a far fetched wish?” You drawl, already figuring you’ll be locked away while they roam about. Buying you clothes while you sit prisoner.

You should probably just be grateful for the fact he is willing to spend gold on you, given the circumstances. But who would you be kidding if you tried to portray that right now. ‘Thanks for buying me clothes while I sat locked up in your jail cell!’ He would audibly cackle if you said that.

He chuckles at your bitter sounding tone, “I’d bet you’d be rather upset if we went into town without you.”

You scowl at him, having to bite your tongue as to not say anything rash, choosing not to respond at all.

He’s taken you outside of his room, and locked his door with the small ring of keys he keeps on him. Beginning a slow walk along the corridors of the ship, seemingly in no hurry at all. He pulls your arm to rest firmly between his elbow and ribcage as you stroll the halls, as though you’re on some kind of leisurely walk.

To your silent annoyance, he rolls his eyes with amusement, knowing you'll hold quite the grudge if he doesn't take you out when the ships docks at Sintir. “I’ll think about it, dove.”

The two of you walk in quiet for a minute. Clacking of shoes against decking echoes through the hallways below deck. You get lost in thought, until his voice quickly coaxes you out it.

“We’re stopping for two nights.” He suddenly clarifies for you, “After we buy you some suitable clothes, maybe you can come into town after dark.”

You’re skeptical of his offer, given that it’s not a guarantee. But you’re desperate to just get off this ship for a bit. Not even in an attempt to escape, you know that wouldn’t work even if you tried. Purely to be on land again, and around people who aren’t felons at sea.

So you soften your frown a bit, going quiet for a few moments. You decide to try the hopeless approach, no matter how weak your faith is in it. But maybe you'll get some pity from the man beside you, “I miss the towns, and being on solid earth, that’s all. It's all I've ever known.”

You were already embarrassed at how the helpless tone sounded on your voice. Maybe because is wasn't genuine, but either way, internally you gagged a little.

He laughs abruptly at your words, almost shocked that you attempted to persuade him with that.

“No need to pull the damsel in distress card.” He’d shook his head, smiling wide with humor at your expense, “My decision is impartial to a poor attempt at manipulation.”

“It’s not manipulation!” You turn to snap at him, dropping the meek mannerisms just as quickly as you put them on.

“Oh but it is, darling.” He bumps your shoulder with his own, turning a corner that reveals another set of stairs, “y’bad as any other pirate. Outside of the shitty lying.”

You shake your head, huffing out air from your nose as he leads you up them. The annoying thing is that he's right. However you still fight to prove your point.

“Can you blame me? I just want to go into a town and do something normal. Have a little stability amongst this shit show!” Your grumble made him chuckle, as it seemed to always do. Like as if he could not take a word you say seriously, even if he tried.

“I suppose I can’t fault you for it.” He hums, pushing a hatch open after unlinking your arms. He went through it first so he could help you up. Hands steadying you once your feet come in contact with the floor. Because suddenly, you’re on the bow of the ship. The afternoon sun out and warm on your skin as the waves are calmly lapping over themselves.

You momentarily forget that you’re pissed off with him. All you can focus on is the fresh air and golden sun.

His eyes take in your deep inhalation, and the way you look so relieved to be outside. Understandable given the fact you spent 2 days locked in a tiny room.

A feeling he can’t name stirs in his chest. And the voice in the back of his head is suddenly encouraging taking you into Sintir while the ships docked there.

“It’s… nice out.” You exhale, your gaze veering to him momentarily as you speak. His green eyes are locked onto yours, and you quickly make to slide your attention back out on the blue water.

Which is easy to look at, since it doesn’t technically end. Just melts into the equally blue horizon where the sky meets the sea.

“It almost always is, up this far north.” He nods, pushing the sudden emotion away. “It won’t stay that way once we leave the port. There’s a storm well in due this week.”

You mentally file away that you’re up north, but a part of you gets anxious with the idea of being out while there’s a storm.

On land, you always enjoyed them. They brought a sense of serenity to you. The thunder and rain sometimes came so loud in Kelna it drowned out everything going on in your life. Temporarily, of course, however it was nice while it lasted. But on water was a different story. You’d heard they’re rocky rides, treacherous even. That ships often enter a storm, and don't come out the other side.

“Don’t look s’worried.” He comments at your suddenly terrified energy, he places a palm on your back to usher you forwards.

“Just that I really don’t want to die out here.” You sigh, not denying the fear since it’s clearly that obvious.

You walk willingly wherever he’s decided to take you, sharing a short wave to the man up by the ships wheel. He had messy head of hair, one that you imagined when it was windy, would blow all over the place.

“Have faith in us, Y/N. We’ve weathered many storms jus’ fine.”

“Oi, H,” the scruffy pirate you just waved at calls down to his captain, as he tracks down the stairs with you. Going from the steering deck to the main deck.

Harry tilts his head over his shoulder, pausing on the stairs where you both stand, indicating he’s listening with a nod. You briefly trail your eyes over his side profile. The curve of his nose, and the cut of his jaw.

But his crewmate barely gets a couple words out before he’s interrupted shortly after, “How did ya go wi—“

“Fine, Liam.” Abruptly, Harry cuts in. Not rudely, but curtly.

The man on the wheel, who now has a name to you— Liam— alternates his gaze between the two of you suddenly. Like he’s dawning upon why he just got interrupted.

“Ah, I see.” He nods, quickly busying himself with what he was doing beforehand.

Harry continues walking you down a set off stairs, back down to main deck.

“I’m going to assume that was about earlier, and has something to do with why you dragged me out of my cell.” You say, attempting indifference.

“You’d assume right.” He nods, but you wait for him to say something more— which he doesn’t.

You sigh in frustration, “I'll also take that's why I'm still up here, and not locked back up."

You're trying to gauge yet again how much of his actions are kindness, and how much of them are out of an attempt to gain something.

"Not why you're out here, 'm tryna give ya a bit of sun." He brings you to a stop at the far left of the main deck, smirking as he talks, "I've got to patch up a old sail, incase we need it. No better place to do it but out here."

He pays no mind to you as he kneels down to a storage unit a few feet away from you in the floor, unlatching it, and hauling out a huge canvas sail it. The sheet crinkles as he carries it out, and dumps it on the wooden deck.

You frown, wondering if he's the only one on the ship who can do any sort of needlework... because it seems like the only reasonable option as to why he's doing it himself. So you ask, "Why exactly are you doing it?"

He laughs, striding back over to pull a much larger sewing kit from the bottom of the storage space, and also sheet of spare canvas.

"You are filled with clichés of us, darling. What is makin' y'ask that?" He chucks the kit and extra fabric down, following to sit shortly after.

You're still standing as you try to conjure up an answer that doesn't sound unbelievably stupid. But he is cross-legged, pulling the damaged side of the sail over his muscular thighs.

"Because..." You pause, still unsure how to phrase it as you stare at him. You're looking at his side profile again, and it's lit by the overhead sun.

He glances your way, essentially looking up at you from where he's positioned on the floor. He finishes your sentence for you, "'Cause I'm a captain? And why would I do something productive for myself and my crew when I could make someone below me do it?"

"Well... basically."

"You're going t’find out very quickly the dynamic between me ‘n my crew." he pulls open the sewing box, filled with larger needles, and thick thread.

"I may be their Captain, but we’re all like brothers. I see them as that, not as my workers. They are my team, and we help out whenever and wherever we can." He states, sounding completely sincere, "And, I'm the only one that can actually hand sew things, so here we are."

"Here we are..." you parrot quietly, almost finding it endearing the way he talks about his crew mates.

Delicately, he’s threading up a needle and starting to take it through the sail and its new panel, lined up over the relatively large tear. His hands are steady, hair fallen over his eyes as he concentrated on starting the stitch. You stare at the dark bruising over his knuckles, and you swear that wasn’t as deep a shade earlier.

Without thought, you slowly sink to the ground, back resting against the side of the boat, not waiting long before you start to ask him more questions.

“Whatever happened to put that large of a hole in your sail?” You’d quizzed.

He knew it wouldn’t take long before you started to pry him with more of your wonders, “A cannonball.”

Your face can’t hide the shock, because of how casually he answered you. Your lips were parted in surprise at his response when he glanced over to you. A smirk over his mouth, popping a dimple on his cheek.

“Jus’ a run in with another ship.” He mused, “They tore a hole in our sail, and we tore a hole into the side of their boat.”

You almost sputter a laugh, of course he has to brag about not having lost that altercation.

“I hope you have a winning streak under your belt.” You shake your head, smiling a little.

“Why? Because I’m carryin’ such precious cargo.” Alluding to you with a charming cadence to his voice.

You’re stretched out in the sun as he watches you, and you almost look happy. If he didn’t know any better. But maybe you are a little. Circumstantially, you’re probably far from it. But in this moment, you look calm in a way he hasn’t seen before.

“Obviously. And all this would be for nothing if I go down with your ship and you don’t get your gold.”

“Tragic really, after putting up with y’through all this. Including jumpin' off m'own ship.” He teases.

“It’s been like, 5 days. I cant have been that annoying outside of the jumping thing.” You can’t tell if you’re offended at his jabs like you should be. You wish you fully were, but the banter is almost pleasing to have with him. It gives you something to laugh at. And also gives you an excuse to be insolent with him.

“Mm, if only y’knew…” he sighs in faux exhaustion, a tiny laugh escaping through his façade.

The way the ship cruised through the waves was inexplicably calming to experience up here. With the sun and the warm around surrounding you.

His hands were weaving the needle through the material, it’s mesmerising to watch. He’s definitely skilled at it, since it has hardly taken him long to get one side sewed on.

“You look quite content over there.” He comments, not looking up from where he was.

The observation stuns you a little, because of how true it was.

“I… it’s hard not to be after being in a tiny wooden room for 2 days straight.” You answer, but it doesn’t feel like the only reason why.

“Y'know,” he begins, “I excepted someone like you to have the worst set of sea sickness, and to be constantly terrified, but you've seemingly proved me wrong.”

“Have you underestimated me?”

“Possibly.” He remarks. And you don’t answer him again.

You're struck with the realisation that you actually don’t hate being above deck. Or really on the ship— outside of the reasons to why you’re on it. You think you might have underestimated yourself.

Like a reel of film, your mind flashes through images of a life like this. Outside of the damn cell at the bottom of the boat.

One where you spend your days free on the water. Both free in regards to your imprisonment here— but also from your life and looming responsibilities at home.

You envision yourself suddenly in the most pirate-like attire, standing up on those huge masts like they do in fictions sold at the bookstore— the odd one that would romanticise the life of piracy instead of completely defacing it.

It hits you like a slap in the face. One that stings and burns on the side of your cheek, lingering for days after it initially impacted.

You have to forcibly squeeze your eyes closed, because there is no room to have feelings like that in your already muddled brain.

Harry speaks up from where you forgot he was sitting, “What exactly is Kelna like?”

“Prison.” You blurt, hand almost coming to slap over your own mouth in surprise.

Your head is in disarray, and that somehow slipped its way out. Because all the sudden, you realise you almost felt more trapped in your own home than you honestly do here.

You tried to escape this ship out of fear that you would be killed— or sent somewhere worse— but when that element is removed from the equation, you’re certain anything is better than Kelna.

“Im kidding—“ you hurriedly spew out, but his head is turned to frown at you, “it’s nice… it’s great. Very lovely people and we have… yea. It’s great.”

Of course, you love your family. Some of them. Your younger brother and older brother, your younger sister. But outside of your siblings, there were few people to love.

“Sound like y’trying to convince yourself more than me.”

You guess you kind of were in a sense. And a part of you wanted to just say how much you never wanted to go back, if that were an option. You only ever told your older brother Poe about how desperate you were to get away from the court. One person. One soul out of this whole world of them knows.

Only Poe knows how terrified you were that Misha— Kelna's infamous prophet— would come to the podium to speak the most misconstrued riddle, that supposedly announced you were to take the crown. Your own stomach churns at the concept.

But revealing that to Harry felt like giving away a vulnerable piece of yourself. He doesn't deserve to be the second person you entrust with something so pressing for you. Which you remind yourself that you swore not to lay an ounce of trust in this man’s hands. That your impartialness to a separate life here is due to your life at home. And that freedom on this ship is unlikely.

“I’m not…” you breathe out in defeat. Trying desperately to steer clear of the subject, because its easy to drag you into a pit of ever-welling anxiety.

However, he can sense your complete shift in energy. This is your first time really talking about home. And it seems like you have more than bitterness to it. He expected a whimsical answer. One that showed your longing for return, or that you even valued part of being in a court. But he got nothing of the sorts.

It slips from his soft mouth before he can stop it, “Are you not safe at home?”

He’s completely disregarded his sewing venture, and has turned to look right at you. His features have softened, and he looks genuinely a little concerned. But you brush it off for deceit. Of course he would want to know something like that. Want to pick away at your seams until all the sudden you're unraveling in the palm of his hands, tearing your whole village down with it.

“Yes!” You jump to clear that up. Secondly feeling like he's almost babying you.

“Probably safer there than I am here.” You bark, but it’s hardly true if you really think about it. Attempts on a royals life are always a threat, and it’s happened to your family members before. Which transcends into a whole other story, equally as painful for you as anything else at home.

His brows pull into a frown. He realises he’s struck something sensitive here. The topic seems to make you recoil completely. Your body language has changed, just like that. Straight from relaxed to on edge.

“I feel like there's a pretty equal risk." He provides, picking back up the threaded needle. Seeing what more he can coax out of you.

"I—" you cut yourself off.

"I am fine." Your tone is conclusive.

"Is that why you always sneak out of your royal residence in the middle of the night?" He pushes, a sarcastic lilt to his deep voice.

"That isn't any of your business!" You groan, "I'm not asking why it is you're a felon at sea, or your tragic past life that's lead you here, am I?"

"But you probably wonder..." he smirks, impartial to your jab.

"I don't, you ass!" You state defiantly.

"I'm just trying to gauge how much you actually like your homeland."

You scoff in disbelief, "Oh, piss off. You just want something to hold over me."

It's clear to him something much deeper is going on than what he initially thought. But its also evident that you are far from interested in talking about it now. So, he files away what information and suspicion he had, and finally allows the subject to change.

"Whatever princess... y'getting mouthy, and I've gathered that usually doesn't end well for either of us." he rolls his eyes in amusement, "You'll have to to tell me what kind of clothes you like, so I know what I'm in for."

"It only doesn't end well because you're so goddamn pushy." You huff.

"This is why you ended up locked in a cell for two days." his tone is airy, considering the topic, "Also, best of y'to recall I'm the one who decides whether or not ya coming off the ship tomorrow."

You hold back your bitter quip at his reminder, but not the deep sigh from your lungs. You feel stressed. Overwhelmed even. Which is the only good thing about your tiny room below deck, its stable. You know what you get down there. Yourself, and no personal questions that leave you reeling.

He finishes his double stitch in silence. Thinking of you, and wondering what exactly your perception of your home life is. In a long answer— not the short and guarded ones he's currently receiving.

You sit, still in the sun, but feeling significantly more riled up than earlier. That's when Harry stands from his work, and your eyes dart to the patch that's now one with the sail. Intricately sewed in place, with a clearly detail-oriented eye.

"An' she's done." He nods proudly, talking to himself as he picks the complete task up from where it was spread on the deck. Carrying it back into where it came from— along with the closed sewing kit. Laying it folded in the floor compartment and latching it closed.

His hands brush themselves off along his black pants. They admittedly fit him perfectly. Nipped in at his sculpted waist, and outlining his likely firm thighs.

His green eyes slanted down to you, as if he could feel your own gaze burning into his tanned skin. He smirks, a dimple popping out on his cheek as he looked at you.

He was trouble.

He looked at you like you were a game to be played. A challenge to be conquered. And somehow you met him right at that very level. You wanted to prove something to him— and the thing is, you don't even know what.

Its not something you can reverse, or take back. It's already long started, the second you pushed back from his demands when you first met.

His legs that you were just studying stride over to where you sit. He towers over you, examining you with a silent and smug smile.

"A corset, perhaps?" He proclaimed without context, and your face twists in confusion.

"Although, I've heard they are very hard to get on and off a woman." It clicks in your brain he's currently talking about you. Imagining you in the likes of a corset.

It's like he was pondering it aloud just for his own sick enjoyment, because he keeps going as your expression quickly bleeds into a scowl.

"And, there is no doubt in my mind you'd drive your own elbow into my stomach before you let me help lace you into a corset. Or out of it." His voice has dropped an octave, and his chocolatey hair has fallen over his forehead again. For such a heinous topic, he has the face of an angel. Maybe a fallen one... but an angel nonetheless.

"You would be correct." You confirm, "And I spend enough time in corsets at home. God forbid I wear one when theres no need for it."

He suddenly juts a hand out for you to take, which you stare at for an awfully long time, analysing the dark marks over his knuckles. Eventually settling to let him help you stand. It pulls you up effortlessly despite its visibly injury, and you feel the rough parts of his large hand as it cups yours.

"Espcially if im going to be laying around in a cell, whats the point in that?"

He still has grip on your hand, "Oh, dove, y'not going back down there for a little bit."

Your gaze narrows immediately. And you ask the first question and only question that makes sense in your mind.

"Who else is down there?"

"Someone who deserves to be left in the room with the cuff holders on the wall. Attached to them."

Your stomach sinks a little, recalling him saying thats sectioned off for people who have done truly bad things. Seems like it would explain his battered up knuckles perfectly.

But with the closest thing you’ve gotten to an answer all day, you’re quick to mentally move onto what the effects you the most.

"Where am i gonna..."

He says with a completely unfazed expression, "With me."

“With you?”

“That’s what I said, no?” He raises his brows, “unless you’d rather be down there with him. Who we’d then certainly have to kill once he knows you’re here.”

“Christ.” A wave of shock rocks through you at his vulgar wording, “can you put me nowhere else?”

“No.” He states, starting to walk with your hand gripped in his, “it’s just for the night. Don’t worry s’much.”

“Don’t worry? You just told me you would have to kill a man if I chose to stay away from you.”

You’re glaring at him as he holds open a door for you— one that leads to another kitchen room— despite you’re bitter look, he’s unbothered entirely.

“Let’s get you something to eat. Allow ya to process the fact you’re stuck with me for a night.”

———

Your night was significantly different to all the others you’d had on the ship this past week.

The evening had come on relatively quick. You’d sat above deck after he fed you some fruit, and watched the sun set as his crew gathered to share a pint.

You observed their dynamics, and the way a few men got themselves silly on one too many beers. Stumbling all over the deck.

Harry stayed closer to sober though—a bit tipsy, but nothing drastic— and as evening bleed into night, many of the boys had turned in for bed around midnight.

His blonde crew mate had shouted out for you to come down and have a pint, but you laughed it off. His drunken plea seeming far out of line considering the circumstances.

Not long after most of them had left, Harry came up to where you sat. You were perched atop a step on the stairs, and you know he’d been watching you. Making sure— as you stayed a fair distance away— that you didn’t disappear.

His hand had gestured out to you again as he had apparently come to collect you. You stood without it’s help, and he snorted a bitter laugh.

“You're infuriating, you know? Unbelievably so. And I feel it all the way in my stomach.” The lilt in his voice is intoxicating. He sounds like he disdains you, yet is addicted to the feeling all at the same time.

He’s standing the step below yours, and once you had fully straightened out, you were slightly above him. It almost gave you an added boost of confidence, “Right in here?”

Your hand reached out to breach the minimal distance, brushing your pointer and middle finger against where the skin of his stomach is.

His hand grabbed around your wrist, staring at you— he pressed your palm flat against his chest— you could feel the warmth of his skin beneath the sheer black blouse he was still in.

His bruised knuckles are pressed over yours. The dark spots a mosaic of blacks and blues— you wonder how bad it would hurt if you pressed down on them. Just out of spite, of course.

“Right there.” He affirmed.

“Too bad you have to room with me tonight.” You sigh in mock sympathy.

He looks like he’s about to say something else, when he bites his tongue and does his usual thing— tugging you along wherever he plans to go.

His leftover mates say goodnight as he walks past— all of them regarding you as well, surprisingly.

You’re lead to his quarters as you’d suspected, and you’re now faced with the situation of how this is going to all pan out.

Once inside the dark room, he lights a wall candle with a match— that he pulled from god knows where— casting the space in a golden glow.

He is quick to then shed the black material that’s covering his chest over himself without hesitation. Your gaze skates along the muscled skin of his back. Littered in black ink and scars that immediately piqued your curiosity. Ones that you undeniably want to trace over, and enquire how exactly they got there. Which feels like an odd thought to be entertaining considering how much you push to hate him.

His hands unlatch his belt, still adorning all its weapons. And he walks to the foot of his bed, laying it atop the cover.

“Would I be correct to assume I’m taking the floor?” You put forward, and his head turns over his shoulder.

“That one’s up t’you. Unless you’re that desperate to get away from me.” He drawls, the alcohol making him a tad drowsy now that the buzz has worn off.

A part of you begs to be stubborn. To say no. But the other half of you in rioting to lay down on a mattress for the first time in almost a week. Because you couldn’t physically sleep another night on the hard wooden floor.

You breathe outward, walking over in silence as you climb beneath his sheets without warrant.

He tries to ignores it, but a small smile breaks out over his lips before he can stop it. So he turns swiftly around, unzipping his black pants and shedding them off his long legs.

“What exactly are you doing?” You shrilly ask, palms ready to shield your eyes if he decides to strip the only remaining fabric below his laurel-adorning hips.

“You’re not sleeping naked next to me.” Certainty riddles your tone, and there is no way you’ll budge on it.

But to your statement he laughs, “M’not naked.”

“Not far off it either.” You murmur, observing as he walks over to the candle he not long lit and blows it out.

The room falls into darkness, all you can hear are the plodding of his feet on the wood floor.

Once he’s next to the bed, you hear his voice, “You’re on my side, by the way. S’budge up.”

You scoot over without words, and feel the mattress sink as his weight comes onto it.

“Better than the floor, no?” He asks quietly, and you can feel the heat radiating from his body.

“Undecided.” You whisper. “Comfier I suppose.”

His breath is quiet and consistent as you both fall quiet. You’re certain he falls asleep before you, because you’re awake for a while. Staring at the ceiling wondering how you got here yet again.

But eventually, the tiredness you’ve been feeling for the last couple days catches up on you, and it lulls you into a deep sleep. Unbroken from any uncomfortable surfaces or loud noises. Just peace.

Peace until you stir for the first time in the morning.

When soft light is shining through the circular windows, and you realise how truly warm you are. All the edges of your consciousness are blurred and hazy with your sleep induced state. You nestle into what you thought was the mattress, but register somewhere in your head that your body is pressed against someone.

And after that, it’s confirmed when they move. A slight roll, and a warm heavy arm that drapes over your waist, tugging you closer.

Your eyes dart open, and are met with the sideways view of a swallow on a collarbone. It stops you dead in your tracks. Because slowly you realise your plastered to someone's side. Harry's side. Legs thrown over his hips, head nestled into his neck.

You're frozen for a moment. Because he smells so nice. But alarm bells are sounding in your head. Too close to the enemy, they riot.

The rigidness of your body stirs him again, rolling him further into you. Legs intertwined, and the bridge of your nose bumping against the curve of his throat. Now he's truly swallowing up all your senses. His scent is genuinely intoxicating. Salty, just as you'd imagine a pirate would smell— of the ocean and all that lies beneath it. But it has a woodsy tone to it, deep and masculine. One you wonder how he just naturally carries.

His tattoos are gorgeous up close, chest chiseled and dusted with soft dark hairs. You use the finger that’s between your body and his to brush gently over the butterfly on his stomach. Tracing the details, despite how wrong it feels. In your moments of timid admiration, you don’t realise his eyes have opened. Green and glazed over with sleep, it takes him a solid minute to register what he's watching you do.

An intake of breathe, and his gravelly voice pressed out the only thing he can even think of saying, “g’morning.”

Physically, you flinch. Startled at his sudden consciousness. Finger withdrawing from its tender movements, your heart pounding.

“I— hello.” You whisper, unsure how long he’s been awake.

He stretches, which in turn scoots his body down the bed, leaving you face to face with him. A pink tongue juts out over his lips— wetting them.

“I should’ve established a no-cuddle policy.” You state, eyes wandering the plains of his face.

To this, his morning voice rumbles a laugh, “are you trying to blame me for this? ‘Cause you’re on m’side, touching up my chest, dove.”

You turn your head over your shoulder, glancing to the gap from where you originally feel asleep and where you are now. Red flushed over your face, It does look incriminating on your end.

A guilty sigh falls from your lips before you purse them together. Not having an explanation for how you ended up like this.

“S’okay.” His voice was so deep, and it sunk into your ears. Almost drawing a shiver out of you. It was attractive.

You can’t tell if that observation is coming only from the fact you have just spent a night curled into his chest. But it’s all you can think about.

“Didn’t mean to.” You say, the closest you were coming to an apology.

“Mmm, I bet.” He murmurs, his hand leaving from where it was on your waist and going to comb through his hair.

Perfectly tousled from sleep, he brushed through it with his fingers. You take the opportunity now that his hand has left your waist, to sit up, averting your eyes from the way his touch glides through his soft hair.

You look out the window, and immediately you’re shocked. You see land. Not even that far away.

“Oh.”

“What?”

“There’s land…”

“Ah,” he also props himself up with his elbows, “so there is.”

“Best we get ready.” He shrugs his bare shoulders, and you quickly jolt your head this way.

We?

He’s far from shy as he threw the covers off himself, with the daylight streaming through the windows, his whole body was on display.

You wondered if he realised the kind of body he had on him. Because undeniably, seeing him in just boxers makes your throat bob.

“Do you say we because you intend on taking me off the ship?” You ask, a silent plea behind your words.

“Tonight.” He states, glances back to see the palpable excitement spread over your face.

You rush out of bed, a sudden burst of energy at his confirmation. He is shocked as suddenly your arms collide with his bare waist.

“Thank you. Thank you.” You really are grateful, and you’re so desperate to get off this boat for a bit.

His lips part in surprise, “that’s… y’welcome?”

You hold him longer than you should, a part of you a little ashamed at your lack of self discipline. Because you should be able to contain yourself. You eventually pull yourself from him, smiling in a way he hasn’t seen before.

“We’re probably gonna dock in… 20 minutes? We’ll be gone for most of the day. I’ll come back and get you at evening.”

It sounded like a long time to wait. But you are sure you could do it. So you nod, enthusiastically.

You go and sit yourself on the edge of his bed, wondering where you’re going to end up— what the town will be like, where you’ll go— all while watching Harry go through his closet for an outfit.

It reminded you almost of how a royal would dress, particularly about what came out and what would go with what.

He stands with his back to you, still just in boxers. He has a nice ass.

You mentally scold yourself, yet unable to look away from him as he pulls a maroon pair of pants over his hips. They’re left unzipped as he gets a off-white linen shirt to tuck into them. However the shirt was left almost entirely unbuttoned. And his cross necklace sits between his pecs that are on full display.

He belts his weaponry around his waist, taking it off the wall from where they were hung. Odd of him to leave them so in the open, when you could’ve stabbed him in the night while he slept.

“Are you leaving me in here?” You ask, watching as he collects a few last minute things from around his room.

“S’long as you don’t trash the place.”

You think about teasing him, but decide not to risk it. You piss him off, then you’ll likely get put somewhere without anything to snoop around. And also miss out on getting off the ship tonight.

So you just nod. And at that, he’s satisfied.

“Well, m’off then. Don’t do anything stupid, Princess.” He raises his brows, face serious until it breaks into a small smile.

“I won’t.” You lie, because how are you meant to guarantee that.

He walks out, and obviously locks you in. You wait an hour, until you’ve been docked for a while before you start to dig around his room.

Not forgetting to take some time looking out the window to figure out where the hell you are in the world. Nothing was geographically giving it away, but once you saw a small fishing cart on the pier, you read Sintir fishery.

Sintir is so far away from your homeland, you let out an audible gasp when you read it. There’s no fucking way, you’d thought.

But as you walk away from the window, you register that it has technically been a week since you’d been taken.

You ponder it as you start to go through his things. You feel like some kind of home invader. Rummaging through a trunk under his bed, raiding draws, and flicking through his racks of clothes. Digging into pockets as though you were waiting to happen upon something of value.

It turned out to be the smartest places you looked, because in a thick raincoat, you fucking found it.

A key. One he has to have forgotten about, since there’s no way in the world he’s left you in here without being certain there’s no way to get out.

You ran to the door of his room, and held your breath as the sharp metal got pushed into the lock by your eager hands.

You turned it, jostling it a bit. And it clicked.

Quietly, you reach for the handle, gently pulling it down and breathing out as the door unlatches.

There’s no time to wait as you slink outside. Clicking it shut, and slowly trying to recall your way back down to the chambers.

Every noise has you on edge, and you’re terrified to get caught. Waiting to turn a corner and one of his crew mates to be there, catching you in the act. But it’s not enough to stop you. You may have made a few wrong turns, but you end up in a hallway that jogs your memory.

You make your way down the stairs to the cells, unable to keep your footsteps entirely quiet. It’s without warning you realise the space down there is in fact still occupied by someone… just like you’d initially feared.

You’re met with a guttural groan, and suddenly your anxiety nearly triples. It’s masculine— and when you reach the bottom of the stairs, still out of view from the cell door— you can confirm it when the voice echoes out from the dim room.

“Let me out, you… you fuckin’ bastards.” Whoever it is sounds exhausted, like they’ve been teetering on the edges of life or death for hours.

When you don’t reply he lets out a wet and chesty cough as he continues, “I don’t care about tha’ whore no more! The princess means nothing to me.”

Your heart is racing at the mention of yourself, and the man sounds like he’s dying. It’s certain in your mind now this man’s face was probably what caused the bruising on Harrys fist.

A heavy bang comes from his cell, sounding like metal cuffs being slammed against a wall.

His speech turns to slur as you slowly back yourself back up the stairs. Curiosity always kills the cat, you think. And you wished you’d stayed in Harry’s room.

“Or jus’ kill me already!” He begs, tone shaking with exhausted rage, “already beat me to a pulp after I called that royal a good f’nothing slut. S’cmon!”

That was your cue to leave, and as you break off into a near run down the halls, you’re shaking the whole time.

Yet somehow, despite what anyone would’ve expected, you made it back to Captains quarters without a single run in. Not a soul knows you found a key.

You slide down the relocked door once you’re inside, and pant with not only the physical exertion, but the anxiety you just put yourself under.

It takes a fair while before you can move again, but your hands skate along the floorboards beneath you, tracing the wood grains to calm down.

Rising, you go back to his closet to put the small key back exactly where you found it. Not taking chances in trying to harbour it for yourself.

The room is deafeningly quiet, it forces your mind to hear the likely dying man’s words on repeat. And wonder if Harry really punched the man because he called you a slut…

The only person that knows is him.

He only knows that the second that sack of shit opened his mouth and said the only thing you’d be good for is ‘a quick fuck and some gold’ he absolutely lost it.

He only knows the feeling of pure, red-hot anger that took over him until he slammed the side of his fist into the slimy man’s face. More than once. He’s not sure how many times, until it was bloody, and until his knuckles already had a bruise festering below the skin— darkening by the minute.

And god, can he not stop thinking about how it made him feel. It was all consuming. It solidified that you were not going back down into the cells. He would rather have you in his own bed than within a 5 metre radius of that scum.

So as he walks through the town, splitting off from his crew to go by you clothes, he realises that you’re making more of an impression on him than he thought.

And while he piles up half a wardrobe for you, not even worrying about how much it’ll all add up to, he clocks just how… infatuated he’s possibly become with you.

Just how he’s suddenly ended up in this position. Where he hates you, yet wants to protect you— and even sometimes dote on you.

God— It’s dangerous.

That feeling that lingers when he thinks about you. Both a good and a bad one.

You were dangerous for him… and he’s still trying to decide how much, and in what way. But the biggest thing, is he’s worried for when he finds out.

Whether it’s going to be when you stab him in the back— either metaphorically or physically— or when you trace your delicate touch over his bare chest, so gently his mental resolve cracks along with the walls guarding his heart.

His conclusion as he checks out with a plethora of clothes for you, you’re either going to kill him, or he’s going to end up killing for you.

Oh, and that he’s certain he wants to kiss you. But that’s a whole other thing he has to mentally unpack.

———

taglist:

@saturnheartz @slap-me-harry @ilovehsstuff @ameerakane20 @matildasatellite @harrysslut7 @sunflowersey @styleswiftie @anotheryoutubefanpage @straightontilmornin

thank you everyone for your undying support, you are all the best!! i love you

comment or reach out to be added to taglist—🤍

i really hope you guys enjoyed this part since i have rewrote it and reread it that many times i seriously have no idea if it’s any good HAHA

[thecheekyblog]

How to invest into yourself

In the past 15 years, there as been so many tools and new age techniques to change yourself. All of them more and more complex than the one before. Either it is weird diet, or wall Pilates, there will always be new ways to improve yourself.

However, i had to look back into old traditional beauty tips that have proven effective and helpful. The beauty of those tips is that most of them can be done at home at a very low cost which i love.

So here is a list of things that i do to invest in myself.

Let’s start by the physical investement.

The biggest investment i did was with my teeth. I did Invisalign and now i have a million dollar smile. I understand that teeth are expensive but if you have a chance to do so, it is a long term change that you will not regret. Also Try to go to the dentist at least once a year for a clean up.

My new smile actually even changed my face and i love it.

If you cannot do invinsalign, you can definitely ensure that your teeth are white at all times. I used white strip ( the best one is crest Hollywood white stripe ) with whiting toothpaste! Do it twice a week and within a month your smile will look amazing.

After investing in my teeth, it came time to take care of my skin.

I needed to update my skin care but honestly , with time I realize that the real trick was to be constant and have a simple routine that is easy to follow. It is important to have good product but if you are not committed to the routine there is no point into investing in pricey skincare.

You need to start by understanding what kind of skin you have and base on that RESEARCH the type of product that will work for it.

I double wash my face, than toner, serum, moisturizer than face oil. While my face still look like a glazed doughnut, I will gua sha the fuck out of my face and luvvs Gua sha keeps my skin tight and young. So do not sleep on that.

I not only take face of my face skin but also my whole entire body. I will turn my bathroom into a spa once a week and do a good hammam session to my self. I will take a warm bath for a good 20min just to make sure that the scrubbing is smooth sailing. I would use Moroccan black soap to exfoliate my body. After the exfoliation, i would be taking a warm shower and moisturized my skin with natural shea butter. If you live in Canada, you can find great one at your local Marshall with body oil.

Making sure that i look good, i started getting those cutes fits that would make me feel like that girl, invest in quality product because i now wanted the best of the best for myself. I don’t mean to break a bag but definitely not being cheap with my self. So instead of being the cheapest option, let’s say i will be looking into things that match my budget but still are good. I will take more time researching for things instead of just getting the product that was just cheap.

There will be always many option of the same things so just taking an extra sec to look into those options is you investing into yourself. You cannot be the best version of yourself by doing the same thing and buying the same thing as before. You wont change by doing the same!

Now let’s talk about investing to our mental and confidence!

It all fun and game to look good but if you do feel good about yourself. All of this will be worth nothing.

If you can afford it and if needed, talking to a professional or life coach can be life changing. Learning new skills and making yourself some goals will build your confidence so fast.

Something that really help me feel better about myself was podcast. I would listen to a shit ton of self improvement podcast and it really help me see things differently and broaden my perspective on life. READING too was game changer. So far, since the beginning of this year, i have read 4 books so far and reading my 5th right now. I never felt so smart ! But you know what i mean. Keep learning , reading , journaling , it will keep your brain sharp!

Honestly the best kind of investment you can do for yourself is to invest TIME INTO YOURSELF. Whatever you decide to do, take time doing. Make time when you do your skin care, make time when you talk to yourself, make time for your workout, shopping, hair care, body care.

Just invest time into everything you do. Every time you will try to cheat and go the easy way, you will never win. YOU ARE REBUILDING YOURSELF AND IT WILL TAKE TIME!

Invest time into your budget, finance and you will be able to reach your goals!

Believe me when i say that i am a living proof of investing time into yourself will change/better the person that you are. The more i worked on my self the more i became the woman of my dream and I know you can do it too.

Xoxo cheeky

[captivatingcherub]

My 🤍Vanilla Scented🤍 Everything Shower

Hello, my dears! This is kind of a step-by-step guide/how to on my shower routine :) my favorite compliment to get is that I smell good and since doing this I get that at least once a day! My go to is Vanilla or Coconut scents! I usually do a combination of the two <3

1. Before your shower

I personally believe you have to set the vibes of your shower first, I don’t always listen to music while I shower, sometimes I just like to take that time to think, but if I do I set up my phone/speaker in the shower, make sure I have a towel to dry my hands if I need, and find a playlist!

I also love incense, candles, or essential oils while I’m showering! If I have a headache or I’m not feeling good I’ll use essential oils that target that kind of thing and I find the steam + oils really helps!

2. Shampoo

I like to go top to bottom when I shower! I find it makes me feel the cleanest! So step one is shampoo, I still have not found the perfect shampoo and conditioner for me yet (if anyone has any recommendations please lmk) I’m using the Tresseme Keratin one right now but I want to try more!

Double cleanse your hair!! After I shampoo and rinse the first time I go right back in and shampoo again! Some people use two different shampoos, I would like to do that but I haven’t found any I love enough yet. This makes your scalp so clean and my hair is on the thinner side and I find that this makes my hair look less weighed down after day 1!

3. Hair Mask (Twice a Week)

I use a bunch of different hair masks, usually for different things (damage repair, hydration, elasticity) but it’s totally up to you! I feel like hair masks are so treatment based you really have to find which one works for you and your hair type/hair needs.

Leave the mask in for 5-10 minutes, we’ll do the next couple steps with it sitting in your hair!

Tip: keep a claw clip or hair tie in the shower so you can keep your hair up while it absorbs the product!

*If you don’t use a hair mask put your conditioner in at this step and leave in to soak into your hair the same!*

4. Wash #1

Double cleansing is everything to me, when I tell you like two years ago I was trying everything to smell good, it’s embarrassing lol but I was struggling because I didn’t know what to do + I have rather sensitive skin that reacts to some products in a less than great way so I have found that double cleansing everything helps so much!

For this first wash I use an antibacterial bar soap! Specifically the Dial antibacterial one but you can use whatever you want, this came in a huge pack and I’m only like halfway through lol. I know people love Dove and I want to as well but as far as I know they’re big time Z**nists and I try to avoid!

So yeah, brand of soap doesn’t really matter to me as long as it’s an antibacterial one! That will get rid of the bacteria that produces BO

5. Shaving Time

I know not everyone shaves but I love have smooth legs so this is how I do it!

First, I’ll go in with a scrub! There are a few I like (Tree Hut has great ones and a million scents to choose, Bath and Body Works has some, they’re not my favorite but they work, I really like the OGX coconut coffee one, not expensive and smells great!)

Then, shaving cream! If I’m out of shaving cream I’ll use conditioner instead but you just want something to kinda lube up your legs before you shave lol. As for shaving creams I’m not too picky, I really like the EOS vanilla shaving cream and I’ll get that when I can but I don’t find that the smells sticks around from it so whatever shaving cream works best for you!

Finally, the shaving, I use a 3-5 blade razor, usually the generic brand from Target lol but I find they work really well and I hardly ever get cuts from them! Anything less than 3 blades I find myself getting nicked way more!

6. Conditioner!

So, after you shave, you wanna rinse the hair mask out completely and apply your conditioner! (I’ve been using the matching Tresseme Keratin conditioner but again I’m not obsessed with it)

*if you skipped the hair mask step you can either keep your conditioner in for longer or rinse it out at this step!*

I like to leave my conditioner soaking in my hair same as the mask making sure to get the ends of my hair really well!

7. Brush your Teeth

Some people think I’m crazy for this but I way prefer to brush my teeth in the shower, plus it gives me something to do while I wait for various hair products to soak in haha, idk if anyone cares about what I use but I use an electric toothbrush and usually Crest Whitening toothpaste!

I also do this every day, not just in the shower but scrape your tongue! It helps keep my mouth feeling clean and fresh all day I cannot recommend enough!

8. Rinse your Hair

Get all the conditioner out! It’s healthiest to rinse your hair in cold water and I really do feel a difference in the smoothness and moisture in my hair when I do but it’s hard lol so if you can do a cold rinse (or better yet rest of your shower) that would be best, I usually turn it to a lower warm and pretend it’s doing the same thing lol

9. Wash, wash, wash your face

Now that my hair is clean and all the product is out of it I move on to washing myself, you want to make sure you get all the product residue from your hair off of you! That’s a huge cause of body acne and irritated skin!

I wash my face first, I like the cleansers from The Ordinary and Good Molecules but keep in mind I don’t really struggle with acne, in fact I have pretty dry skin so I try to go for more moisturizing ones! What is good for my face might not be what you need :)

Oh what’s that? You thought we were done? Nope! Wash your face again! Double cleansing saves my skin but kills my wallet lol! I wear makeup and sunscreen and touch my face all day, I want to make sure I’m getting all of that off and then ALSO cleaning my skin underneath! It has made a huge difference in the way my skin both looks and feels!

10. Body Wash!

Last step! Grab your body wash of choice! I have been using Bath and Body Works Madagascar Vanilla scent but I like pretty much any vanilla scented body washes! Then, I take a loofah and scrub my whole body, making sure to get my back and legs because the run off from the conditioner isn’t good to leave on and will clog your pores!

11. Out of the Shower

Ok! Now that you’re all done in the shower I thought I’d tell you about my post shower smell good process because it’s just as important lol. I start with a body lotion (I use a matching Vanilla scent to my body wash) I hear putting body oil on first then lotion makes your skin super soft but I haven’t tried yet!

Anyways, put the lotion EVERYWHERE, arms, legs, chest, stomach, feet, get your whole body nice and smooth!

I use a body/hair mist, right now it’s the Tropical Vanilla one from Pacifica and I put that in my hair and all over the lotion while it absorbs!

Then for deodorant, literally the only one that works for me and doesn’t give me a rash is the Secret Clinical Gel, it smells like nothing, I wish I could use one that smells good but unfortunately my body hates them :/

Lastly! Purfume/purfume oil! My favorites are Sweet Cream and Fresh Cashmere by Philosophy and I’m using the Creamy Coconut perfume oil by Kuumba Made!

All done! Thank you so much for reading! I hope this helped or you at least found this fun! Have a good one <3

[mikefaistslut]

anything for you

chapter 1:

(A mike faist fanfic set in spring 2023, as mike is headed to london for the summer to star in Brokeback Mountain. He meets a girl on the plane there, Emma. He falls in love with Emma instantly. Read more to see how their story unfolds. <3)

Disclaimer: this is entirely a work a fiction and has nothing whatsoever to actually do with mike faist.

Rolling out of bed at what I thought was around six in the morning, I began to get dressed and prepare myself for how anxious the airport was going to make me. I’d never been a good flier, especially on flights that lasted longer than a couple of hours. Today, I was set to leave on a 9 hour and 50 minute flight from Columbus, Ohio to London at 10am. This trip was my gift to myself. I’d always wanted to go to London and do every lame tourist activity that I’d always seen in the movies. I wanted to stand outside the gates at Buckingham Palace, attend a service at Westminster Abbey, take a ride on the London Eye, maybe even fall in love with an adorable English man and never go back home to Ohio. I’d been saving for this trip since I got my first job at fifteen. I’d imagine what it felt like to walk through Hyde Park and see a play on the west end while I scooped an ungodly amount of ice cream for strangers.

The hardest part is surviving the flight there. I made sure to get up insanely early and have some me-time before the flight to try and relax myself as much as possible. After fixing myself a cup of coffee and scrolling through my phone for a solid 15 minutes or so, I decided to take a hot shower. This would be an everything shower, seeing that there's no way I could bring along my arsenal of bath products. But I let myself take it slow. After I finished washing and conditioning my hair, I shaved, scrubbed, and exfoliated every inch of my body. I loved the way it felt to be clean and smooth. Especially clean. I had to be clean to feel like my best self and I had to feel like my best self to be relaxed enough to not have an absolute meltdown on this almost ten hour flight I was scheduled to be on. 

By 7:30, I was all ready to go with an uber waiting outside to take me to the airport. I had two weeks worth of clothes, my favorite blanket and pillow in my carry-on, and most importantly, my anti-anxiety medication for when I inevitably begin to panic as soon as the plane door shuts. I was anxious, but also so overwhelmingly excited. I wasn’t going to let my anxiety stand in the way of the trip I’ve been fantasizing about for almost ten years. Not when I was so close. 

Flying wasn’t a new experience to me. There’d been plenty of times when I was a kid that I went on flights with my family, mostly to visit my grandparents in Florida. But this was different. This was around the world. Flying to London also meant going through customs, which was an entirely foreign concept to me. But I was there and I was ready. First things first, I thought to myself as I made my way to my gate after going through TSA, a snack. I bought a latte and a ridiculously overpriced bag of chips and made my way back to my gate to get comfortable. I still had about 30 minutes until my flight was supposed to begin boarding, so I put on my headphones and played some soft music on my phone. Everything was going to be okay, I kept telling myself. It is so incredibly unlikely that my plane is going to crash, I just need to keep myself distracted and everything will be just fine. 

Those 30 minutes went by faster than I expected, and it was time to board. I gathered my things and made my way to the gate. 

“Excuse me! I think you left this behind.” I turned around to the most beautiful face I think I’ve ever seen. Beautiful blue eyes, thin, almond-shaped eyes and a jawline that was so perfectly sculpted. In a hurry to board, I’d left behind my carry-on bag that contained all my essentials. Phone charger, comfort pillow and blanket and anti-anxiety meds. 

“Oh, thank you so much!” And then I thought about it. “How’d you know it was mine?” I asked the handsome stranger. 

“Oh, it just seems to match the rest of your luggage, I guess.” I had a sense that he’d maybe looked my way a couple of times while also waiting to board the plane. Even if I was being totally delusional, it was a nice confidence boost to assume that’s what happened. 

“Right! Well thank you. You boarding this flight too?” 

“Yeah, actually. After you.” He motioned in the direction of the gate attendant waiting patiently for us both to present our boarding pass and board the plane. Without looking behind me, I walked past the gate and down the long hallway to board the plane into business class to find my seat. I splurged a little and went one step past economy class. I had a lot of time to plan and save, you see. As I settled into my seat, I popped an anti-anxiety pill immediately. If I needed to later, I was also going to take a sleeping pill to hopefully make the flight go as fast as possible. As I was taking my pillow and blanket out of my bag to get comfy and settle in for the long plane ride ahead of me, I looked up to see that gorgeous stranger again. 

“Looks like we’ll be getting to know each other a little better.” He smiles as he sits down in the seat right next to mine. He’s so close I can smell his expensive cologne and I wonder how I got so lucky. 

“I’m Mike, by the way.”

[el1sesstuff]

Ultimate glow up guide to glow up before school!

(I'll try to put these in sections + I'll also be using these tips my self as well)

To glow up you must have to take care of yourself in these areas physically, emotionally, and mentally so I'll try to help you conquer these things!

What is wonyoungism?

A: it's a term created by Ives fans thats centered on the princess pilates aesthetic. Wonyoungism is all about living a healthy lifestyle, positive mindset, keeping fit, eating healthy, and most importantly self love and loving your self!

1. How to enter your wonyoungism era?

Workout could go to the gym or work out home (I recommend pilates and cardio)

Try to stretch every morning and night

Sleep well at least 8 hours a day

Try to build a skincare routine I recommend finding your skin type and finding products that work for it

Ice your face (makes you look more put together and gives you a refreshed look)

Eat healthy or in small portions

Find a make up routine (if you need it)

Be nice to people around you!! If someone is mean you be nice to them

Drink enough water ik everyone says this but its actually really benifical to glow up cuz it flushes out all the nasty toxins in your body. It makes your skin look brighter and hydrated

2. Glow up mentally

Learn to love your self beacuse if you can't love yourself then who love you?

Try I have an idgaf mindset this is so helpful because if someone disrespects you, you don't care

Walk around w/ confidence

Tell your self affirmations

Try to limit your screen time an the amount of negative things you consume (negative things leads to bad mentality)

Try to put your self first

Have a "I don't chase, I attract mindset" this is by song jia

Find motivational quotes to help you feel good

Spend some time alone! Do the things you love

Journal it gets all your bottled emotions out

Write goals you want to achieve

Work on healing your self

Surround your self w/ positive ppl

Start doing meditation and yoga!

Get LOTS OF SLEEP at least 8hrs per night

Try to connect w/ your religion more

Create a summer playlist!

3. Self care

Pamper your self more

Skincare tips:

Use cold water to help your skin

Wash ur face 1-2 times a day w/ a good cleanser

Rubbing ice on your face

Moisture daily (day and night)

Find your skin type

Gently dry ur face after washing it

Shower tips:

User rice water for shiny an silky hair (not too often)

Cold showers

Use conditioner on tips

Shampoo on roots (bubble it up first)

Let hair naturally dry most of the time blow dry it rarely

Wash your pillows frequently

Smooth skin:

Use lotion Immediately after showering or bathing (surprisingly ppl don't do this ?!!)

Body butter after showering to keep skin extra hydrated

Wear silky types of clothing while sleeping

Shave (don't have to if you dont want to)

Use body scrubs once a week so you don't overly strip your skin of it's natural oils

Use body oils when your skin needs it or every other day

Few other tips:

Take warm baths when you need them especially on long mentally draining days to restore your energy

Don't shower with hot water bc it can really damage your skin

Brush your teeth with toothpaste then w/ water (makes them look whiter

Wash your hands regularly to keep them smooth and clean (moisture them after to keep them soft not hard!

Ware gloves while cleaning and washing dishes because the harsh chemicals can make your hands dry and rough!!

Diet:

Drink at least 6-8 cups of water per day

Include fruits and veggies in every meal (try to)

Eat healthy fats like; avacadoes, nuts, seeds, fatty fish. These types of foods contain omega-3 which gives your skin a healthy appearance

Whole grains like; quinoa, brown rice, oats, and whole wheat bread. They provide you fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are good for your skins health

Lean proteins like; fish, tofu, beans, and Greek yogurt they can give your hair and skin a healthy look to it

Physically glow up:

Invest into a good skincare routine

Try a new hairstyle this can change up your whole look

Get your nails done

Everything shower (exfoliate, shave, hair mask, ect)

Find new clothes

Get a SIGNATURE SCENT!

get a tan (optional)

Dye your hair (optional)

Use a gusha and face roller (it changes up your face shape sm)

Summer bucketlist ideas:

Have picnics w/ ur self or friends

See sunrises and sunsets

Paint or draw

Read new books (I love reading webtoon sm)

Go on a road trip

Thrifring

Have a girls night

Go on walks

Make bracelets

Have a photoshoot

Fashion tips:

Always wear accessories they make you look more put together and they can spice up a boring outfit

Always smell good

Don't pair a baige or black colored cargo pants w/ a bright colored top. Pair it w/ black

Some colors beige goes well with ; brown, black, silver

Always do a nice hairstyle that matches your outfit

To make a skirt look better add leg warmers

Pair the right shoe color with the right outfit or else you'll look less put together

[chichiscloset]

My Self-Care Sunday Pamper Routine

This is a continuation of my weekly routine post we made last year. Click HERE to read it first!

Quick Note: Although this post is titled ‘Self-Care Sunday’, it is important to remember that self-care should not be limited to just a day. It’s the constant effort to care for your mind, body and soul.

PART I: Taking Care of Your Body

Yoni Steam: Yoni steaming, vaginal steaming or v-steam, is an age-old natural remedy which has been said to cleanse the vagina and uterus, regulate menstruation, ease period cramps and several health benefits. It is considered a sacred practice and involves squatting or sitting over hot steam, which contains many herbs. Clickhere for a detailed post on yoni steaming. 

Body Care: On Sunday I love to spend time on body care. Beyond, just the regular soap cleansing. I use a foot & body scrub to maintain my smooth skin. You can opt for a bath soak or shower gel in your favourite fragrance and enjoy every moment of how these products feel on your skin. Once you’re out of the bathroom, apply your favourite body oil to lock in your glow. 

Facial care: Cleanse, tone, eye cream, serum and moisturize. This process can be tweaked, based on what works for you. And recommendations provided by your skin-care consultant. If you want to know what products I use, for reference CLICK HERE

Move your body: Put on your favourite playlist and have a private dance party in your room.

Part II: Taking Care of Your Mind and Soul

Feed your mind with positive information:  Pay attention to what you’re consuming on the internet. Use this period to listen to podcasts while performing your body care routine or watch YouTube videos on self-care topics. If you're looking for podcasts to add to your listening list CLICK HERE

Meditate: Meditation helps to calm your mind and put you in a state of mindfulness. You can opt for a guided meditation on YouTube or use an application like Calm or Headspace. 

Write down your affirmations: Affirmations are a powerful tool for manifesting what you want in your life. Say them, write them down and chant them, sing them, recite them till you believe them. Click here to read my top 5 level-up affirmations.

Set your intentions for the week: Mentally state the intentions you have for the coming week or if it makes you feel better, write them in your journal or planner. Your intentions are about you, how you want to touch the lives of others and what you want to contribute to society. They help guide how your day or week will go. Examples are: “I intend to make people smile each day of this week” and “I commit myself to healthy eating.”

I hope this was a helpful guide. Feel free to customize it to your liking and schedule. Sending you love and good energy. Don't forget to read our weekly routine blog post HERE. 

How do you plan on pampering yourself in 2023?

[coffeeghoulie]

Mushy May Day Nine: Aftercare

Thank you again to @forlorn-crows for arranging Mushy May!

Pairing: Aether/Rain/Cirrus

Rating: Mature

Words: 886

Contains: Implied sexual content, they/them Rain

“How’re you feelin’, angelfish? You back with us?” Aether’s voice rings through Rain’s mind as they blink, vision coming back to focus with a groan. They’re laying sprawled out on their bed, their head resting in Aether’s lap. Aether’s running his fingers through their sweat-soaked hair. 

“Sore, still kinda floaty,” Rain says. Aether’s brow furrows for a moment, and Rain adds on, “Good sore. Really good, I feel really really good.”

From across the room, Rain can hear the melodic sound of Cirrus’ laughter as she puts away her strap and the harness. She must have cleaned them while they were up floating in the stratosphere. “That’s good, guppy. Let’s get you cleaned up.” 

Aether helps Rain to an upright position, before offering them a water bottle. Rain drinks greedily from it. They didn’t realize how thirsty they had gotten.

“The bath’s running, Cir’ll get you washed up and I’ll join the two of you after I get the sheets changed, okay, baby?” Aether asks. Rain purrs, rubbing their cheek against Aether’s bare shoulder. 

“Yeah, thank you, love,” Rain says, accepting the hand Cirrus reaches out. She helps them haul themself to their feet. The two of them make their way to the bathroom as Aether starts stripping the mattress. 

Cirrus leads them to the oversized tub, half filled with steaming, lilac scented water. She helps them step in, and they groan in satisfaction as they sink into the water. She sits down behind them, pulling them gently into the vee of her legs. 

Rain, still purring, nuzzles into her neck. “Thank you for that, Cir.”

“Of course, guppy, it’s always a pleasure to fall in bed with you. Huh, pleasure,” she says, laughing at her own unintentional pun. “You were so good for me and Aeth tonight.”

“I like being good,” Rain smiles up at her. “Most nights.”

She snorts, running her fingers through Rain’s hair, letting the claws scrape gently against their scalp. “Oh, you shut it, guppy. I’m gonna get you washed up, just lay back and enjoy your bath.”

Rain settles further into Cirrus’s form, letting their eyes droop closed with her permission. Cirrus reaches over the side of the tub and grabs a washcloth, wetting it and grabbing Rain’s lavender body wash, lathering it up. She runs it over their arms, down their sides and over their chest, carefully smoothing over the sensitive gills along their ribs. 

They hiss in oversensitivity as she cleans their groin and inner thighs, turning their face into her neck. “I know, guppy,” She says, finishing the job quickly before scrubbing their legs. “There we go. You want to do their hair, Aeth?”

Rain’s eyes snap open, turning to face the door. Aether’s holding a pile of clothes. “We forgot clean pajamas and towels,” He says, lifting said clothing up.

Cirrus winces. “Good call, then.”

“And to answer your question, I’d love to wash our baby’s hair.”

It takes some maneuvering of limbs, even in the water ghoul sized tub, but Aether manages to get into the tub with the two of them. Rain gets shuffled around until they’re in Aether’s lap. “Yours or mine, angelfish?” Aether asks. 

“Your shampoo, Aeth, wanna smell like you,” Rain answers, a yawn curling their lips.

Aether urges Rain to tip their head back, soaking their dark curls, as he grabs his shampoo and conditioner. Rain moans in delight as Aether lathers up their hair, taking special care not to snag his claws on any tangles. He turns on the tap and uses the clean water to rinse out the shampoo, going back and working the conditioner through their hair. 

“We’ll rinse that off in the shower,” Aether says. “If someone can stay awake for long enough.”

Rain grumbles halfheartedly, opening their eyes. “I’m up. Wanna go to bed, though.”

“Then we’ll get you rinsed off and we’ll wash up quick,” Cirrus says, pulling the plug on the bath and pulling the shower curtain. “And we can all get in bed.”

Aether starts up the shower head, blocking the stream from hitting Rain until the water heats up again. He quickly washes his hair, skipping conditioner for now. He shuffles Rain and Cirrus under the water, and Cirrus washes up while Aether helps Rain rinse the conditioner out of their hair.

As the water gets shut off, Cirrus hands out towels to the two of them, saving the fluffiest one for Rain. Aether steps out first onto the bathmat, towel wrapped around his waist, extending a hand for Rain to follow. 

Cirrus dries off as Aether braids Rain’s hair back, helping them into their underwear and a t-shirt that was definitely stolen from Mountain at some point, the water ghoul drowning in soft fabric. Aether shrugs on a pair of boxers and fleece pants, and Cirrus claims one of Aether’s own shirts. 

They make their way back to Rain’s bed. Aether lays down on his back on the fresh sheets, opening his arms for Rain, who eagerly climbs into them. They lay on their side, one leg hooked over Aether’s thigh. Cirrus slides into bed behind them, her chest flush with their back. 

Rain starts purring near violently, sinking into their lovers’ arms. Aether snorts a laugh at how satisfied they look with themself. “Good night, little angelfish. Sweet dreams.”

[mamamittens]

Funny thoughts about my little shippy ship

How much care goes into their hygiene routine

So, we know from like, an SBS that the Strawhat men typically was every few days or whatever and the women daily. I can see this being fairly standard across the board for most characters in One Piece.

But!

Starting off with Thatch, I firmly believe he'd likely have a quick, thorough scrub down daily. Either to wake up or wind down for sleep. This is because, of course, he works IN THE KITCHEN. For hygiene reasons, he's gotta be washing up pretty well, especially concerning bulk cooking. Shits messy.

That's just basic hygiene though. I do think he's got a hair care routine to maintain that pompadour. It's a little hard to tell with animation style, but he does seem to have fairly long shit on top to get that large shape. Which means, for good styling, he needs to take care of it. Likely having a wash cycle and, yes, hair care products. Including a shower cap or maybe even a bonnet of some kind to keep it mostly in shape while he sleeps. Can't imagine he grows out his nails, so they're probably trimmed short, and we never see him in any other clothes so no idea what he's got canonically for body hair. (A friend mentioned he's probably pretty hair and, yeah, I get that vibe too lol. It's hard to explain, but it's probably pretty impressive and likely why he covers up so much--to keep any of it from falling into his food).

Skincare is likely nonexistent. Maybe some lotion if he's damaged his hands badly cutting something or using harsher acidic ingredients. Can't imagine what kind of bullshit food he's gotta worry about doing harm before it's taken care of during food prep. Perhaps something for old scars to keep them from remaining stiff so he can keep a good range of motion. But otherwise pretty minimal skin care.

Izou!

Now, Izou definitely bathes pretty regularly. He just... Looks like a man who doesn't tolerate BO. Master of the quick scrub and enjoyer of a long soak. I just know this man has a whole skincare routine and haircare regimen for those luscious locks. Mostly stuff he's made himself or swears by with weird ass ingredients. Probably even a 'spa day' routine every month or so for a deep cleanse.

He's gotta take good care of his body, but it's likely made easier because he just... Doesn't grow hair in a lot of places. Genetics and all that. For nails, he probably has a certain amount of length but keeps them fairly neat and trim otherwise. Shaved whatever he does grow, which isn't much at all.

I think the longest part of his routine is skincare because it's the easiest way to maintain a good makeup base. No need for concealers and color correction if his face is flawless. So there's probably dozens of lotions and such for every inch of his body and emergency solutions for any sudden issues. Scars are minimizes swiftly, dryness smoothed out, and overnight creams for an extra hydration boost.

Izou has a face card he regularly updates, basically.

If there's anything he's lazy about it's probably just perfumes and added scents. I can see him believing heavily in the power of natural scents and whatever his preferred products provide than a particular cologne or whatever. He's probably got a few bottles for special occasions, maybe just borrows Thatch's cologne, which is a lot more like aftershave and heady.

And Nikia!

Another one that regularly bathes! Prefers a shower because baths take... A long time. For no real reason. Probably the most relaxed hygiene scheduled between the three of them. Doesn't do a lot with her hair or skin, but does have a few products and whatever Izou insists she tries (which she does for a while and then infrequently unless he happens to be there when she's primed to use them). Does have a hair bonnet but washes her whole body regularly. She may decide to postpone a shower if it's a long day and chose to bathe in the morning--won't do anything 'outside' until she has though.

The worst part is her wings, but it's impossible to not get them wet so she's just practiced with it at this point. There is a wing version of shampoo and conditioner to keep them healthy with regular washes, but it takes a while to fully use them. So her showers tend to be longer than expected by necessity. Has leave in conditioner and hair oils to keep her hair nice and bouncy with decent success.

Likes her nails long and only trims them when they start to break, but they don't get crazy long either. Has a hand lotion she uses regularly but that's the closest she does to regular, additional treatment outside of her hair.

Izou likes to drag her into a spa session that she appreciates because it usually involves grooming her wings, which is quite lovely and relaxing! Does have perfume and uses it daily. Favors lighter scents or vaguely floral/fruity ones. For fancy occasions, will change to a more 'mature' and musky scent.

[cherrypickedgirl]

so beauty tips from me to you.

Animal fat = GOOD!!!

Healthy and beneficial for your body, skin, mind and overall health and wellbeing. Healthy animal fats will nourish you inside and out. Examples of incorporating these healthy animal fats into your diet would be swapping semi skimmed milk/ plant based milks for whole milk (lactose free if that is an issue), processed cheese swapped with real cheese and red meat/ poultry as protein in whatever meal of your choice etc. i know a lot of diets and health plans/ restrictions will prevent alot of people from eating or using animal products, i don’t blame you for this, what i will say is definitely do research on supplements and real substitutes that will provide your body with the same/ very similar nutrients. cutting these kinds of healthy and important fats from your diet can cause deficiencies etc.

Exfoliating in the shower/ bath:

There is nothing better than feeling, smelling and above all BEING clean, the best and safest way to do this is to exfoliate the dead skins and germs from your skin on a regular basis- by this i mean 1-2 times a week but not every day- to ensure healthy, bright, smooth and squeaky clean skin. You can exfoliate using gloves, scented sugar scrubs and or brushes or stones. i will admit my own faults with this, i have been known to over-exfoliate my skin, using harsh gloves, scrubs and brushes on an everyday basis which eventually caught up to me in sensitive, harsh and very easily ripped and cut skin, so don’t be like me.

on days where you do not want to exfoliate i recommend you start by washing your hair and then doing your body afterward to make sure no residue is left on your skin, potentially causing breakouts like bacne. you can use a soft and light wash cloth with a bar soap, then a liquid cleanser of any scent you prefer (i love coconut and milk!!!) and then finish off with an unscented cleansing body wash around your more sensitive areas, ensuring all soaps and washes clean your body EXTERNALLY!!!

Body butter, oils and moisturisers:

After showers while your skin is still damp, apply a body oil to your skin. i like using Bio-oil as it has skin healing properties like reducing scarring and *apparently* reducing the visibility of stretch marks. the reason is that oil will lock in that moisture in your skin, leaving you with a beautiful glow and silky smooth- and maybe you’ve just shaved too- this will also lock in that sweet sweet post shave softness all day long.

Once your oil is applied, you should go in with a scented moisturiser. if your skin is too sensitive for scented moisturisers or body butters i recommend using baby lotions, they’re a lot softer on the skin and there is a faint baby powder smell that will leave you smelling fresh without that added irritation. i recommend using a scented moisturiser that matches the scent of your body wash, for me that is coconut/ vanilla. this is to really enhance that smell on your skin and really make it your signature and ‘natural’ scent. lotion/body butter will also lock in moisture while adding in some beneficial elements of its own, i recommend applying some to your armpits and then spraying some deodorant on right after, to me this allows it to last longer.

Hair and skin

Get to know your skin and your hair, spend some time playing around with a mirror and analyse your hair texture, how oily or dry your skin is, what shape your eyes are, the length of your hair etc. All of these beautiful jigsaw pieces that make you uniquely beautiful, get to know them and understand them, this way you can correctly enhance their individual powers and create looks based on what YOU need. i don’t have much experience with curly hair as i have very straight hair, there are many blogs and websites available to tell you what hair type you have and how to care for it correctly. what i will say is using hair oils in the bottoms of your hair and a heat protector before applying head to dry/ style seems to work wonders for the shine of my hair.

as for skin, knowing your shade, how oily or dry it is, what colour of blush compliments your skin tone, what colour of eyeshadow compliments your eye shade etc will enhance your beauty by stars and stars!!! all of these unique qualities on your face are yours to learn and love, to build upon and allow to shine, these are all things that take time, experience, trial and error and above all, confidence to try. no one knows exactly who they are, what they like, what suits them and what doesn’t first try, it’s up to you to take the leap and also take feedback and constructive criticism- without letting people insult you- ask a friend what they think about your lipstick shade, or about your eyeshadow that day. sometimes it really does take a village to built confidence and understanding, even about your own self.

the last thing i will mention about hair and skin health and hygiene is making sure they are clean and free of harsh chemicals, dirt and grime for long periods of time. bathing and washing up frequently are important, double cleansing your face and removing all makeup before bed, and finally changing your sheets every 1-2 weeks- i know it is a task that is boring and time consuming but i promise it is absolutely worth it and so good for you. i recommend buying beautiful sheets and quilts that speak to you and motivate you to change them frequently- your hair, skin and overall hygiene will thank you for this.

That’s all for now sweethearts, let me know if you would like more of this from me or any beauty tips you have in the comments!!! i absolutely love hearing other peoples personal beauty secrets and advice!!! lots of love 🫧

[y2kbeautyandother2000sstuff]

Bath and Body Works Juniper Breeze Smoothing Shower Scrub

late 1990s-early 2000s

Found on Ebay, user shippydoll

[kelyon]

Courtship 2: First Date--Restaurant

Mr. Gold takes Lacey out to dinner.

Read on AO3

There was no question of what dress Lacey would wear to dinner with Mr. Gold. Most of her clothes were for work--mud-stained jeans and faded tee-shirts. She had a capped-sleeved sundress she’d worn to graduation and a long black skirt she wore to the funerals. Add in two pairs of slacks and a few blouses and sweaters and that was the entirety of Lacey French’s wardrobe. 

Except for one special dress. 

It had been a present when she’d turned nineteen--the last birthday her mother would be alive for.   

“It’s bold,” Mom had said when Lacey picked it up off the clearance rack at Modern Fashions. Her face had been so thin by that point. Her voice was so tired. “Like you, my brave girl.”

Bold was a nice way of putting it. Too slutty to wear in public was more accurate. Purple-blue and shining with sequins, it was a dress that drew attention to itself, even on the hanger. For months, it had hung in Lacey’s closet unworn. Sometimes she regretted even having it. It was too short and too tight to wear anywhere respectable, too fancy and too fragile to wear anywhere fun. This dress was too frivolous, too reckless, too much. Yet it called to her. The sequins glittered like a trove of jewels, a secret treasure hidden away until it was needed. This dress--thinking about wearing it, thinking about where she’d go in it, who she’d be with, who she’d be--always put a fire in her heart. 

Mr. Gold wasn’t the sort of man she’d imagined wearing this dress for, but he was close enough. It wasn’t like anyone else was lining up to take her out to dinner anywhere, let alone to Bella Notte, the most expensive restaurant in town. Whether Lacey had known it or not, this dress had been waiting for him.

Maybe she had been waiting for him too.

****

On Monday night, Lacey took as long a shower as she could. The plumbing in their building was finicky, but Lacey knew the delicate ritual of turning the water off at regular intervals to make sure the temperature stayed warmish for as long as possible. In intermittent stages, she washed and conditioned her hair, washed her body, and shaved. 

She wasn’t normally one to shave once swimsuit season was over, but a date with Mr. Gold seemed like a special occasion. She slathered conditioner on her legs and in her armpits. Hair conditioner worked just as well as shaving cream, which always seemed like an unnecessary indulgence. 

While she waited for the ancient hot water tank to fill up again, she took a pumice stone to her damp feet. Sitting on the edge of the yellowed bathtub, she rubbed the rough rock over her heels, then across her knees and elbows, anywhere that was dry or scaly. She scraped away dead skin and revealed a new layer, soft and pink. The more she did it the more it hurt, but there was something enjoyable about the prickly pain. It invigorated her, made her feel alive. 

Her friend Mara had given her a sugar scrub for Christmas, homemade with coconut oil and vanilla extract. Rubbing that on was a mixture of pleasure and pain, the oil smoothing the skin that the sugar had irritated. This was Lacey’s favorite way to pamper herself. Other girls might like soaking in bubble baths, but she always wanted to be scraped raw. Torn apart and put back together again. Reborn, and truly cleansed. 

Tuesday night--the night of the date--she only had time to wash her body after work. It was a shower quick enough that the water had only just begun to turn cold by the time she was done. 

Though her dress had long sleeves and a high neckline, it was practically backless--nothing but thin straps crisscrossing until just above her butt. Whatever bra she wore, the band would be on full display every time she turned around. Therefore, a bra was out of the question. Well, that was manageable. Lacey’s boobs were on the smallish side, as her ex-boyfriend had often remarked. She didn’t need to wear a bra, especially if she wasn’t going to be running or anything.

So she didn’t. 

The fabric was scratchy on the inside, not entirely unpleasant. The busy shimmer of sequins concealed the specific shapes of her breasts, so she wouldn’t have to worry about her nipples showing if they poked out in the cold. She could get away with it.

Her black pantyhose had seemed conservative and stodgy when she’d worn them with her long black skirt--first to her mother’s funeral, then to Uncle Peter and Andrew’s. Now, with this dress, the stockings looked risque, somehow scandalous. Probably because the dress was so short that her pantyhose were functioning as skin-tight, see-through pants. That was scandalous. 

And kind of fun. 

All the jewelry she owned was cheap and immature. Charm bracelets and best-friend necklaces and earrings with plastic flowers or hearts. Kids’ stuff. She wasn’t a kid anymore, but she didn’t have anything adult either. Before, any time Lacey had needed to look really nice, she’d supplement her wardrobe by raiding her mom’s closet. Now that seemed tantamount to grave robbing.

More than that, she didn’t want to wear anything of Mom’s on a date with Mr. Gold. This was the first night she’d had in a while where she’d have an opportunity to not think about Mom, to not think about every terrible thing that had happened to her since the day after graduation. For just an evening, she could pretend her life wasn’t her life. She could be someone other than Lacey French, human tragedy and utter waste of potential. 

Miss French, Mr. Gold liked to call her. She’d tried to tell him he could call her by her first name, but now she liked the formality. Was Miss French a different person than Lacey? Was she someone Lacey would rather be? Miss French was going to Bella fucking Notte with the man who owned practically all of Storybrooke. Plain old Lacey wasn’t good enough for that.

In the end, she didn’t wear any jewelry. Probably for the best. Mr. Gold handled a lot of valuables in his pawn shop. He’d know at a glance if she was wearing garbage. Mr. Gold deserved better than that. Miss French was better than that.  

****

Time was running out. She threw her hair up into a messy bun--the only kind of bun her wild French hair was capable of--and put on makeup as quickly as she could. She slipped her feet into the sensible black pumps she’d gotten for the funeral and made her way out the door. 

Dad was in the kitchen, staring blankly at the microwave while it heated up a frozen dinner. He looked up when he saw her.

“You’re dressed up.”

“Yeah,” Lacey tried to stay cool. “I, uh, I have a date tonight.”

Her father’s face softened. He almost smiled. “Things back on with you and Hunter? That’s good. I always liked that kid.”

Kid was the perfect word to describe the boy Lacey had started hanging out with the summer her mom got sick. Hunter Duke and his friends were the rich kids in town, the kind of people whose parents coddled them long after they turned eighteen. Lacey’s attraction had been less to Hunter himself and more to the lifestyle he represented--being young and carefree, feeling like the world was made for you to take. Feeling like security and opportunities were inalienable rights and not something you had to work yourself to the bone to even be able to dream about. 

They had drifted apart after Mom took a bad turn in her treatment. Lacey had needed to stay closer to home--to be with Mom or at the shop--and Hunter accused her of being ‘too serious.’ They never broke up with a big fight or anything, but they knew being together was a waste of time for both of them. She wanted to be responsible and he wanted a girl who didn’t have responsibilities.

“Well, have fun,” Dad said after a moment of awkward silence. “I can open the shop in the morning, but try to be home before noon.”

Lacey gave him a tight smile. It was very weird to hear a parent acknowledge that she’d want to stay overnight at a boy’s house. When she was in school, this had been a ‘no dating until you’re married’ household. Times changed. Maybe this was her dad trying to give her a break. Maybe he understood how much she needed to feel good about things--even for just one night.

“I won’t be that late. But I am having lunch with Mara and Janine tomorrow. I’ll open, if you don’t mind me taking the afternoon off.”

Grunting, he took his dinner out of the microwave and went into the living room to watch TV.

“Oh hey,” Lacey stopped him. “When we get money again, can we hire Marco from the hardware store to fix the hot water tank?”

Dad’s expression didn’t move. “Manny’s coming by this weekend. We’re going to take a look at it.”

“Yeah well, Uncle Manny has been here to look at it a lot and the tank is still not working. I was thinking maybe if we asked a handyman instead of an auto mechanic--”

“With what money?” He wasn’t mean as he cut her off, just blunt. Just accurate. “That bastard and his late fees are going to kill any profits we might get for Valentine’s Day. Things aren’t going to get better until Easter at least.”

Things are never going to get better. 

The spiteful, bitter thought sat on the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t say it. Saying it wouldn’t do any good, wouldn’t tell her dad anything he didn’t know. Instead, all Lacey could do was sigh.

“Okay. Fine. Just thought I’d ask.”

He nodded, and silently plodded over to the couch and the TV. 

****   

The moment she stepped outside into a January night in Maine, Lacey regretted her decision to go without a coat. Usually, she bundled up in a hoodie and a ski jacket that kept off the wind, but that wasn’t the kind of thing Miss French would wear. Why even bother putting on a pretty dress if she was just going to cover it up with a ratty hand-me-down?

The air froze in her lungs, but she pressed on. She walked away from the shop, facing the direction Mr. Gold would be coming from on his way from the good part of Old Town. 

Officially, Storybrooke was only divided into two neighborhoods: Old Town and New Town, with Main Street in the middle. Unofficially, there was a rough dividing line in the middle of both sections that further divided them into the ‘good part’ and ‘bad part’ of each. City Hall--and Mayor Mills’ house--was in the good part of New Town. The bad part of New Town was the docks and the industrial area, where the sight and smell of Fish King Canned Foods ruled over everything. Lacey lived in the bad part of Old Town, historic slums and tradesmen's homes. Technically, she was within walking distance to the good part of Old Town, but those old-money mansions were worlds away.  

Of course that was where Mr. Gold lived. 

Headlights shone through the night as his car turned the corner. Lacey knew it was his car because of how little noise it made. It was a sleek rumble, practically a purr, an engine that was built for power and maintained with wealth. A Cadillac, her Uncle Manny liked to say, was what every other car wanted to be when it grew up. 

She waved him down and the car stopped in the middle of the street. The passenger window rolled down with electric smoothness.

“Miss French?” His voice came from the dark interior. “What are you doing outside? I said I would pick you up.”

“And you are!” Lacey maneuvered around other cars parked in the street to get to the passenger door. She heard a thunk as the door unlocked at the push of a button. Lacey slid onto the leather seat and into a velvety warmth. “God that feels good!”

Reaching over to the controls, Mr. Gold twisted a knob and turned the heat up a notch. Then he put the car in drive. 

“You know, I am a gentleman, Miss French. I fully intended to come to your door.”

Lacey rubbed her hands together in front of the vent blowing out hot air. “That might not have been a good idea,” she told him. “You’re not exactly my dad’s favorite person right now.”

“Ah,” Mr. Gold said. 

They paused at a stop sign, then Mr. Gold turned to her. “Just to be clear, Miss French, my business with your father has nothing to do with anything that happens between us tonight. Your actions and behavior won’t make things better or worse for him.”

She snorted. “I don’t know how things could get worse for him.”

“Oh there’s always a way.”

That was for sure. 

“Well, thanks for clearing the air,” Lacey said. “It’s good to know if I let you bang me it’ll be because I want to and not to save his sorry ass.”    

Mr. Gold made a noise in the back of his throat. In the moving streetlights, Lacey saw his gloved hands squeeze the steering wheel.

“Do you always offer to go to bed with men on the first date, Miss French?”

Her cheeks went hot. It had been a stupid thing to say, but it was the subtext of what he had told her! Going on this date with Mr. Gold wouldn’t help her dad out with the rent. It was just for her. If she did end up sleeping with him, that would be just for her too.    

It was nice to have something in her life that only belonged to her, something that would happen just because she wanted it to.

“Well why not?” Lacey invented a personal philosophy as she spoke it. “We’re not living in some medieval fantasy world where a girl’s virginity is her biggest asset. Consenting adults can do whatever the fuck they want, that’s what I think.”

Mr. Gold pulled into the parking lot for Bella Notte. He turned off the engine and gave Lacey a long look. Maybe the darkness gave her courage, because she just looked right back.

“Whatever the fuck they want,” he repeated softly. “Do you really want that, Miss French?”

She let out a sound even she didn’t understand, some half-laugh, half-scoff, half-sob. “Only because I’ve never had it.”

He didn’t press her on what she meant by that, which was just as well. Lacey couldn’t have put it into words--or she would have put it into too many words. She would have spilled out the entirety of her life, all the pressures and responsibilities and expectations that had once been a structure but now felt like a burden.

“Have you eaten here before?” he asked instead. 

“Just once,” she said. “It’s sort of a shame, I took one look at the menu and was so intimidated I just ordered a hamburger. It was a good burger, but I wanted to be more adventurous.”

“Adventure.” Mr. Gold sounded like he was savoring the taste of the word. “Would you like a culinary adventure, Miss French?”

“I--sure? What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking I would like to order for you. Do you trust me to select what you eat tonight?”

“Oh. Yeah, I guess so. I’m sure you have good taste, and I’m not picky or allergic to anything. Sure, why not?”

He turned in the driver’s seat, so he was looking at her head-on. “Miss French,” he almost whispered. “Would you like to play a game?”

Lacey raised her eyebrows. “Mr. Gold plays games?” 

“Oh, all the time. This one is special because I’m going to tell you the rules before it begins.”

She licked her lips. “What rules?”

“What if you didn’t speak, once we got inside the restaurant? What if you only spoke to me the entire night?”

Her first impulse was to reject the idea, just because it sounded so out-there. But the more she thought about it, the more it began to appeal to her. Not the not-talking thing, that seemed sort of silly and arbitrary. But playing a game with Mr. Gold, that seemed like an offer she’d be nuts to refuse. He was challenging her, and she wanted to rise to his expectations. Hell, she wanted to surpass them. 

“If this is a game,” she said with fake nonchalance, “then I can win or lose, right?”

“Yes,” Mr. Gold rasped. There was something in his voice now, something Lacey didn’t understand, but that she wanted more than she’d ever wanted anything. “If you do as I say the whole evening, you’ll win. If you insist on having your own way, you’ll lose.”

“If I win, does that mean you’ve lost?”

“Oh no, Miss French,” he chuckled. “If you win this game, I will reap the rewards as much as you will.”

She leaned in towards him. “What are the rewards?”

“If you win this game,” he whispered, “then after dinner is over, I’ll take you back to my place, if you like.”

Hopefully the darkness concealed how much she grinned at that prospect. “Okay,” Lacey said. “I think I’d like that very much.”

****

He opened the car door for her and offered her his arm, like something from a God-damned movie. The restaurant was crowded, but the host--or maybe it was a maitre d’--loudly announced that Mr. Gold got the best seat in the house and there was no waiting. Their table was a quiet corner booth where they could see everyone in the restaurant--and everyone else could see them. 

The other patrons nodded at Mr. Gold, but no one looked twice at Lacey. Not many people in this crowd knew her, of course. Or if they did, it was as the florist’s daughter, that kid who drove the delivery van and smiled like someone who was working for tips. They didn’t know Miss French, who stood tall in high heels and a flashy dress, who looked over their heads haughtily and refused to speak to anyone but Mr. Gold.

The first person who recognized her was their waiter. Boyd Monger was a year younger than Lacey. Storybrooke High was a small enough school that everyone knew each other regardless of what grade they were in. She saw the recognition in his eyes, saw his expression shift into genuine enthusiasm.

“Hey!” He smiled at Lacey. 

Her returning smile was tight and she didn’t say anything. She wasn’t going to lose Mr. Gold’s game so soon.

Mr. Gold cleared his throat and Boyd snapped to attention. 

“I mean, uh, good evening. Would you like to start with something to drink?”

“We’ll have a bottle of the 1983 Chateau de Marais.”

“Absolutely, Mr. Gold.” Boyd wrote the order down on his notepad. 

He turned away from the table, then stopped in his tracks. He paused for a minute, then came back looking like he had a stomach ache. 

“Lacey, you’re not twenty-one yet, are you? Can I see your ID?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Mr. Gold spoke before Lacey could even think about how to answer.

Boyd cringed, but stood his ground. “Well, actually, Mr. Gold, it-it really is necessary. It’s illegal to serve alcohol to someone under twenty-one.”

Mr. Gold made a show of looking around the restaurant. “Is Sheriff Humbert dining here tonight?”

“Uh, no, sir.”

“Or District Attorney Spencer? Judge Herman, perhaps?”

“I--haven’t seen either of them.”

“Then it seems legal trouble isn’t worthy of your concern.”

“I--” There was a faint sheen of sweat on Boyd’s forehead. Lacey pressed her lips together, but didn’t say anything that might help the kid out.

“And even if you reported this infraction to an authority, do you think anyone would listen to you? I recall your credibility being somewhat strained, Mr. Monger.”

Lacey had to stop herself from laughing. Mr. Gold was referring to a bad habit Boyd used to have when he was a freshman. Every time he’d had a test he didn’t think he could pass, he would use a payphone to call the police to the school. False alarms had to be treated as credible threats, so the entire school would get evacuated while Sheriff Graham made sure everything was safe. The incident that had finally gotten Boyd caught was when he’d said Ruby Lucas was being attacked by a wolf. Since he was a kid, the paper didn’t report any names, but everyone in town knew what had happened and who was to blame. 

Boyd gave one last effort.

“Mr. Gold, I could lose my job.”

“Or you could lose your apartment.” Mr. Gold was calm, almost genial. He always seemed to be most affable when he was threatening people. “I believe your parents rent from me as well, don’t they, Mr. Monger?”

Boyd’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. Then he straightened up and snapped his notebook shut. “I’ll be back in just a moment with your wine, Mr. Gold.”

Lacey waited until the waiter was back in the kitchen before she let herself react. 

“Wow.” She cackled, as relieved and breathless as if she’d just come off a roller coaster. “I can’t believe you did that.”

Mr. Gold looked at the menu like nothing had happened. “Shocking, really, that Mr. Monger doesn’t seem to understand how things work in this town.”

She tilted her head at him. “How do you mean?”

He looked up from the menu, straight into her eyes. “I mean that I get what I want, Miss French.”

Lacey ignored the heat that washed over her when he said that. “He is right, though. I am underage. I mean, I’ve had booze before, but it is illegal.”

Mr. Gold shrugged, perusing the menu again. “Drive a few hours north into Canada and the age limit is nineteen instead of twenty-one. In Europe it’s even younger. Or in many countries, the sale of alcohol is prohibited to everyone. Given that context, isn’t the entire question rather arbitrary?”

“Wait a minute, you think laws are arbitrary? You with the hundred-page contracts and the sub-clauses and the penalties for minor infractions and the compounding penalties for not abiding by the first penalties?” 

He made a gesture with his hands, gracefully admitting that she had caught his hypocrisy. “But you see, Miss French, all of that goes back to my first and most important principle.”

“That you get what you want?”

“Precisely.”

****

When Boyd came back with their bottle of wine, he was too cowed to look at either of them. He showed Mr. Gold the bottle and Mr. Gold nodded his approval. After Boyd opened the bottle, he placed the cork on the table and poured a small amount into Mr. Gold’s glass. Mr. Gold swirled the wine in the glass and inhaled deeply through his nose. Then he carefully brought it up to his lips for a taste. Apparently it was good enough, because Mr. Gold nodded and Boyd set another glass in front of Lacey. He poured the wine with perfect posture and one arm behind his back.

It was all so formal, so precise, like a dance both men knew the steps to but she had never seen before. For some reason, the ritual of it put her in mind of a powerful wizard casting a spell with the help of his minion. With mundane objects, Mr. Gold ushered Lacey into a new world of enchantment. 

She opened her mouth to thank Boyd, but stopped herself just in time. She had to remember the game and not talk to anybody. Besides, Mr. Gold hadn’t thanked the waiter, so clearly Miss French didn’t need to either. 

“And have you decided on your order for this evening?”

Boyd was looking at Lacey, but she just smiled and looked at Mr. Gold. She had devoured the menu, salivating over words like “aioli” and “white truffle” and “consommé.” But they had agreed that he would order for her, so she let him. 

Mr. Gold’s mouth slid over the Italian words like he was a native speaker. The waiter wrote down everything and left.

Lacey took a piece of bread and dipped it in olive oil. “Am I allowed to know what you’re feeding me?” 

“Don’t you enjoy surprises?”

Most of the surprises Lacey had gotten in her life had been very, very bad, so she just shrugged. “If I don’t like it, I won’t eat it.”

“You’ll like it.” 

There was a warmth around him now, something relaxed and playful. It was subtle--it wasn’t like he was smiling--but Mr. Gold was always so closed off with people that the tiniest shift made a massive difference. A twinge of triumph went through Lacey at merely recognizing his good mood, let alone possibly being the cause of it. 

She picked up her wine glass and took a sip. Lacey knew exactly enough about wine to know that this was a white and that it was probably supposed to taste as terrible as it did.

Mr. Gold saw her expression. “You don’t care for it?”

Lacey swallowed and picked up her glass of water. “I’m sorry. I’m just not used to beverages that taste bitter.”

“Dry is the term in wine. Yes, I suppose a girl like you would be more accustomed to sugary soft drinks.”

A girl like her. He used the phrase as an insult. Or a challenge. Maybe it was a game that Mr. Gold hadn’t told her the rules to. Maybe he wanted her to be a different type of girl. Maybe he wanted her to be a woman. She picked up her glass again.

“I’m sure I’ll get used to it.” She looked him in the eye before she drank. “I don’t mind bitterness.”

Sip by sip, she finished her glass, then Mr. Gold poured her another. The alcohol made her face hot, but she didn’t feel drunk. Just loose, more relaxed. It wasn’t any different from having beers on the beach with Hunter and his friends. Booze made it easier to let go of things that didn’t matter. And--when dinner arrived--the wine paired very nicely with the scallops in pesto sauce that Mr. Gold had ordered for her.

“This is so good!” Lacey desperately tried to keep from talking with her mouth full. 

“Of course it is.” Mr. Gold cut into his blackened sole. “I wouldn’t offer you anything but the best.”

Dabbing the corners of her mouth with a cloth napkin helped to conceal her smile. “What makes me so deserving of that, Mr. Gold? W-why did you ask me out tonight?”

He gave her a long look. Lacey could practically see the wheels turning in his head. He was figuring out what he wanted to tell her. How much he wanted to reveal of the truth.

“Miss French, I believe you have potential.”

Lacey burst out into a scoff. “Yeah. I know I do. Having potential is my curse.”

Potential. Since she’d graduated, she had come to hate that word. All she had was potential. Wasted potential. Unfulfilled potential. Potential meant working so hard and having so much promise, then abruptly finding out every single promise was a lie. 

“Tell me about that,” Mr. Gold said. “Tell me about yourself.”

It was all too terrible to think about. Too terrible and too mundane. Mr. Gold didn’t want to know about all the things her life had been but weren’t now and never would be again. She couldn’t expect him to care about her childhood hobbies, about Student Council and the Literature Club and sleepovers with Mara and Janine. All the little things that had once defined her were all gone and she was left with nothing.

“I’m empty.” Lacey shook her head. She couldn’t look at him when she said it. “All I have is a job I hate and a family that’s hurting as much as I am. Other than that, I’m just an empty vessel.” Now she looked up. He was staring at her. Their eyes locked together. “I’m waiting to be filled.” 

The lines around his mouth deepened. It wouldn’t be a grin on anyone else, but it was for Mr. Gold. It looked like she’d said the right thing.

“Like I said, Miss French, lots of potential.”

****

When they were done eating, Lacey excused herself to use the restroom. 

“Wait,” Mr. Gold stopped her before she got out of her seat. 

Lacey rolled her eyes. “Is this the part of the evening where you tell me to take off my underwear in the bathroom and hand it to you when I come back?”

He stifled a chuckle, then shook his head. “No, that part will come later. For now, Miss French, I want you to take this--” he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded fifty dollar bill “--and give it to young Mr. Monger as an apology for coercing him into committing a Class D crime against the people of the great state of Maine. You may tell him this. Make sure you sound appropriately contrite.”

Lacey took the money and scanned the restaurant for Boyd. Part of her wanted to keep it for herself and lie to Mr. Gold about doing as he asked. After all, it was fifty dollars! That was more money than she’d had in her hand since the Christmas rush. It was a week of groceries for her and Dad--two weeks if the sales were right. Marco could probably fix the hot water tank for fifty bucks, if he didn’t need to buy any parts. This was an electric bill, this was a new coat.

This was one day of late fees on the rent to her building.

That thought took the wind out of Lacey’s sails. What was she doing here, with him? Mr. Gold got this money by swindling and exploiting people like her. People like Boyd. She had more in common with that idiot kid than with her actual date. An unexpected fifty could make their month and Mr. Gold tossed it away like parade candy. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t just.

But she wasn’t Robin Hood. The money wasn’t hers to take. The wrongs of this world weren’t hers to right. It might be more satisfying to tell Mr. Gold where he could stick his fifties, but what would that benefit her? How would that help anyone?

Fuck it. Mr. Gold had invited her on this crazy ride, she might as well go along with him. For one night at least, she could follow his rules and obey his commands. Why not? What else did she have going on?

She found Boyd by the door to the kitchen. 

“Lacey!” he said when he saw her. “Hey, what’s going on tonight? You’ve been acting kind of weird. Is everything okay?”

It was a normal question, but Lacey heard the undercurrent, the blink twice if you need help implication. She heard the unspoken question, What are you doing here, with him?

It pissed her off. Who was this kid to offer to rescue her? Who was he to judge that she needed help? How would he know if she was acting weird? What the hell did this waiter know about Miss French and who she chose to spend her time with?

She held up the fifty between two fingers. “Mr. Gold told me to give you this.” Irritation and inner turmoil made her voice higher-pitched than normal. “He said you deserve a tip for helping to get me drunk.”

“Lacey!” Boyd hissed. He looked around to see if anyone heard. 

“Because obviously the only reason I’d be with Mr. Gold is because he forced me to. And the only way I can stand to be around him is if I’m sauced. No, there’s no way I could enjoy his company. In fact, the only reason I’m going to go back to his house and fuck him tonight is because I’m a gold-digging whore. That’s what you were thinking, wasn’t it?”

“No!” Boyd’s face went twelve different colors in thirty seconds. “No, I swear Lace, I wasn’t--”

“Shut up.” Miss French spun around and tossed the fifty over her shoulder. She didn’t care if the waiter picked it up or not. 

****

She’d just got back from the restroom when that stupid waiter came and dropped off the check. He didn’t speak, or even look at them. He practically ran from the table. 

Mr. Gold regarded the waiter’s retreating form with mild amusement. “What did you do to him?”

“I’m not gonna lie to you, Mr. Gold: I did not make him think I was sorry.”

The lines around his mouth deepened. He pulled out a wad of bills and placed several fifties in the little black check presenter. Then he took his cane and stood up out of the booth. He extended his hand to Lacey.

“Shall we?”

She put her hand in his. It looked so big compared to hers. He helped her out of the booth. Arm in arm, they walked to the lobby.

“Stay inside a moment, I’ll bring the car around.”

“Where are you going to drive me?” she called after him.

Mr. Gold turned around. His dark eyes glinted with something between mischief and pleasure.

“My place.”  

[lolamaehare]

The only everything shower routine you’ll ever need ౨ৎ

Pre shower

Hair -

Scalp oiling: use a store bought scalp oil or make your own. Cover hair with cling film to stop dust and dirt while it stays in your hair for 2-4 hours.

Rosemary water: boil rosemary in water for 20 minutes and allow to cool before straining into a spray bottle.

Scalp massage: massage scalp for at least 20 minutes once scalp oil is applied, increases blood circulation which helps hair growth.

Face -w

Flaxseed mask: mix 1/2 flaxseeds with 3 cups water, bring to a boil until thick while continuously stirring then put into a container to cool. Apply to face once cool and leave until dried, around an hour.

Shape eyebrows: pluck eyebrows, if wanted use dye to define them further.

Hands and feet-

Foot spa: if you don’t have a foot spa fill a bowl with hot water, add bath salts and essential oil for scent and extra benefits

Remove any nail polish

Shape and file nails

Scrub feet: use pumice stone or another tool, then afterwards a body/foot scrub.

Body -

Dry brush: start from the bottom of your body and work you way up. Promotes blood circulation and exfoliates giving you smooth skin.

During shower

Hair -

Double shampoo: double shampoo when scalp oiling to properly cleanse scalp of oil.

Hair mask: while the hair mask sits in your hair for 10+ minutes it’s a good time to gua sha your face.

Conditioner

Face -

Gua sha: open lymph nodes, go through a gua shaing routine, then drain lymph nodes. There are lots of tutorials online to follow. I gua sha in the shower with a face wash and water. Never gua sha on dry skin it damages your skin barrier and causes premature aging, if you skin starts to feel like it’s pulling add more moisture.

Face wash

Body -

Exfoliate: use a glove, net or other exfoliating tool to exfoliate body.

Body scrub

Body wash

Shave (if wanted): use a sharp razor, blunt razors can cause razor bumps. Shave with a cream or wash, never on skin alone.

After shower

Face -

Face mask

Skincare: if you have products that you only use every so often this is a good time to use them as an extra treat.

Eye mask

Lip scrub: make your own with sugar, honey and coconut oil or use a store bought one.

Lip balm/moisturiser

Eyelash and eyebrow oil/serum: castor oil works great for me.

Body -

Body oil: apply a scented body oil straight out of shower while skin is still damp.

Moisturize: moisturise entire body.

Hair -

Leave in conditioner: depending on hair type the amount will vary, if you have straighter hair add very little and only to the ends to prevent greasiness.

Hair oil: once hair is completely dry warm a tiny amount of hair oil in your palms (hair oil is not the same as scalp oil!) rub into the very ends of your hair to help with split ends, shine and dryness

Hands and feet -

Paint nails

Cuticle oil: apply either bought cuticle oil or another skin oil such as almond oil or coconut oil to cuticles of hands and feet after nail polish is dry.

Moisturize: moisture both hands and feet, add vaseline to feet on top and put on socks to help absorption

Extras

Layer scents: mix and match the scents body washes, scrubs, hair products and moisturisers to create your personal scent. For example fruity, warm and spicy, vanilla, etc.

Pick products for your concerns: curate your products to your skin and hair concerns. Use a more moisturising lotion is your skin is dry, use a repairing shampoo if your hair is damaged, etc.

The best time to do an everything shower is on reset days, although it’s a great way to end and start the week these don’t have to be on Sundays. Of course everything showers can be done whenever you feel like relaxing and giving yourself some love.

[sumeruin]

ur the best angel ilysm ty ty ty 😭 do u have any recs for products?? i don’t do like. any of that stuff ever but i want to start!!

of course!! warning though, this is going to be very long. so, i start by putting a hair mask about 45 minutes to an hour before i actually get in the shower. i use the function of beauty wavy hair mask, but you should use whichever one works best with your hair type. then, when there’s about 16-20 minutes left on that, i put on a face mask. i use the crème shop my melody gelee mask, but that just personal preference on texture + what works best with my skin. after those are done sitting, i actually get in the shower. i have an extra long playlist and a shower speaker that i use, but listening to music during it is totally optional. the first thing i do is wash out the hair and face masks, and then i shampoo my hair. i use the nexus damage repair shampoo and conditioner, but again, you should use whatever works best with your hair type. i like to shampoo twice, and then once all that is washed out i wash my face. i use the pixi salicylic acid cleanser, and i know everyone says not to wash your face with shower water, but i sometimes drink the shower water, and if it’s good enough for the inside of my body it’s good enough for the outside <3 after that, i squeeze the extra water out of my hair so that it absorbs the conditioner better, and apply the conditioner. i do not rinse it out yet though!! i leave it in, usually with a shower cap of some sort so that none of it accidentally washes out, and i start shaving while that sits. i exfoliate first, because that helps with razor bumps and ingrown hairs, and i use the tree hut vanilla sugar scrub, but you can use whatever exfoliating product you prefer, whether that’s an exfoliating glove or a sugar scrub or whatever other exfoliating things there are. then, i start shaving. i use the eos shaving cream, also vanilla scented, and the venus deluxe smooth sensitive razor, the one with rifle paper co. because i like the pretty flower design <3 i shave my legs, underarms, and bikini area, using little back and forth motions for all three areas. after that i use body wash and a feminine wash, the ones i use are the native sweet cinnamon hearts body wash and the summer’s eve sensitive skin wash. and then, i finally wash out the conditioner, and i’m done with the shower part. once i’m out of the shower is usually when i do any face shaving that needs to be done, like cleaning up my brows or upper lip, while my face is still wet, and then i’ll get started on body care. i start with lotion, and then do a body butter, and then do a body oil, and then do a body shimmer if i’m feeling like it. the ones i use, in order, are the bath and body works strawberry pound cake lotion, this body butter i got on etsy, and up & up body oil because it’s the biggest container of it i can find. after that i do deodorant, and i use two, one that smells pretty and one that actually works, because we all know that one’s that smell pretty wear off in about five seconds, especially in july humidity </3 i use secret shea butter deodorant first, and then native sweet cinnamon hearts next. after that, i move on to hair care, which is just the function of beauty leave in conditioner for wavy hair and some rosemary water, and then i do my night time skincare routine + a sheet mask and style my hair and i’m done!! usually i do either heartless curls or give myself a blowout for the hairstyling part <3 hope this helped nonnie!!! sorry it was so long lmao

[daneliving]

How to Achieve a Spa-Like Skincare Routine at Home

Introduction A spa day is the ultimate way to unwind and rejuvenate, but who says you have to leave your home to achieve the same benefits? With the right products and a bit of self-care, you can turn your home into a luxurious spa retreat. From relaxing face masks to indulgent body scrubs, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to creating a spa-like skincare routine right in the comfort of your own home.

1. Start with a Clean Canvas

The first step in any skincare routine is to cleanse your face thoroughly. Use a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type — whether it’s oily, dry, or sensitive. A facial wash removes dirt, oil, and makeup, leaving your skin fresh and ready for the next steps. Consider using a luxury cotton towel for patting your face dry to avoid any irritation. Micro cotton towels, such as the Micro Cotton Brooklyn White Bath Towel, are soft, gentle, and absorb moisture quickly without irritating the skin.

2. Pamper Your Skin with a Face Mask

After cleansing, treat your skin to a soothing face mask. Face masks can target various skin concerns, such as hydration, pore tightening, or anti-aging. Choose a mask that caters to your skin’s needs and apply it evenly. For a truly spa-like experience, relax and let the mask sit for 15–20 minutes while you enjoy a cup of herbal tea or listen to calming music. The Micro Cotton Eden Shire Face Towel can be used to gently remove the mask afterward, leaving your skin feeling soft and refreshed.

3. Exfoliate for Smooth Skin

Exfoliating your skin is essential for removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. Choose a scrub that fits your skin type — sensitive skin should opt for a gentle exfoliant, while oily skin can use something a bit more abrasive. Focus on areas like your face, elbows, and knees where skin tends to be rougher. After exfoliating, rinse off with warm water, and follow up with a hydrating lotion. Dry your skin gently with a soft cotton towel like the Prime Club Rivera Bath Towel for a spa-like feel.

4. Moisturize to Lock in Hydration

One of the most important steps in a skincare routine is moisturizing. A rich moisturizer locks in the hydration and ensures your skin remains soft and plump throughout the day. Choose a moisturizer that works for your skin type, and apply it liberally to your face, neck, and décolletage. For an added touch, use a luxury bath towel like the Micro Cotton Luxelite Bath Towel after your shower to gently pat your skin dry. This will leave your skin feeling ultra-soft and ready to absorb your moisturizer.

5. Finish with a Relaxing Bath

Nothing says “spa day” like a relaxing bath. Add some calming ingredients like Epsom salt, essential oils, or your favorite bath bombs for the ultimate indulgence. As you soak, focus on deep breathing to relax your mind and body. After your bath, wrap yourself in a plush towel like the Prime Club Eden Shire Hand Towel for a cozy finish. Your skin will feel soft and nourished, and your stress levels will melt away.

6. Nourish Your Body

Conclusion

Achieving a spa-like skincare routine at home doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple steps, high-quality products, and a relaxing atmosphere, you can create an indulgent experience every day. By incorporating soft cotton towels, luxurious bath towels, and premium skincare products, you can transform your regular skincare routine into a spa experience that leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

For an extra touch of luxury, visit Dane Living to explore our collection of premium bath towels and hand towels designed to make your skincare routine feel like a spa getaway.