#ladykin

[tiredwitchplant]

Everything You Need to Know About Herbs: Mandrake (Root)

Mandrake (Atropa Mandragora, Mandragora officinale)

*Poisonous *Medical Herb *Masculine

Folk names: Alraun, Anthropormorphon, Baaras, Brain Thief, Circerium, Ciroea, Galgenmannchen (Germain: Witches’ Mannilda), Ladykins, Mandragen, Mandragor, Mannikin, Raccoon Berry, Semihomo, Wild Lemon, Womandrake, Zauberurirzel (German: Sorcerer’s Root)

Planet: Mercury, Uranus

Element: Fire, Earth

Deities: Hecate, Hathor

Abilities: Protection, Fertility, Money, Love, Health, and Curse (Death)

Why Poisonous?: Contains toxic tropane alkaloids such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine. Tropane alkaloids are powerful anticholinergic agents and causes peripheral symptoms (dry mouth and blurred vision) and central effects (drowsiness and delirium) and can also cause vomiting, difficulty swallowing and abdominal pain.

*Do not consume!

Characteristics: Are perennial herbs with thick, often forked roots that resemble human legs. They produce violet flowers and small berries which were reportedly eaten raw as a delicacy.

History: Is referred to in the book of Genesis in the Holy Bible as the herb of fertility. However, the likeness of the root to a human figure caused it to be feared by many as it was thought to been embodied by a demon. It is said that when pulled, a mandrake root will let out a horrible, shrieking scream that is lethal to one’s ears. A book founded from the year 1870 gave instructions on how to make a homunculus (a small human servant) by using a mandrake root to represent the body. During the Middle Ages, it was used as a charm to ward off scammers and little roots were used to wish for pregnancy.

Growing Mandrake:

Easy to Grow? No.

Rating: Expert

Seeds Accessible: No

Mandrake Planting

Video Guide

Where to Buy Seeds

Magical Usage:

Can be used for binding, strengthening, protection and power

Can be used to represent a person for love spells and healing (potentially can be used to represent a person for curses but I do not recommend)

Was used as a poppet for image magic

A whole root can be placed on the mantle of your home for protection, fertility and prosperity

Can exorcise demons

Can be hung on a headboard of your bed for better sleep, attract love, and prevent illness

Medical Usage:

Was used as a narcotic

Used to knock out patients for surgery and relieve pain

Used to reverse infertility

Sources

[sapphire-to-the-rain]

*plane who just snapped on dawn, morphine after snatching sapphira’s wig in a fit of feminine rage, mhi’ya and nymphia post-whisper fight*

rupaul: ladykins. drag is a sisterhood

everyone: sagely nodding

[heartshapedhackjob]

Making my mutuals a sweater out of my dog Ladykins' hair who wants one

[lapsedmathematician]

ladykins

[fictionkinfessionsarchived]

i feel bad for kinfirming so fast sometimes, like i kinfirmed lady (lady and the tramp) and duchess (the aristocats) in the same day but like... im kin w them!! i just dont take as long to figure it out i guess? but it makes me feel weird when some of my friends kinsider for like months at a time and im here kinfirming in a day yknow -lady and duchess

[cloudusa]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cloud USA: Let It Rain 🌧️☔ (@cloudusa)

Every girl's crazy 'bout a #sharpdressedman... 👔☔ ^@@^ #Repost @catcoco2011 (with @report.for.insta) ... 2019-07-12 @rain_oppa #Korea #LotteDuty #FreeShop #ladykin #Newproductpromotion #배우정지훈 #배우 #정지훈 #비 #가수비 #Rain #rain_oppa (cr.大宝剑他姨.Weibo) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz4Jmf2HCqN/?igshid=cpo488k19ld9

[skincarejesus]

Some brief empties reviews!

Lush The Olive Branch Shower Gel 🍊 

If you’re going to get a shower gel from Lush, this is the one to get. It has olive oil in it, making it more moisturizing. The scent is great; I love bergamot. Definitely not a “girly” scent, so I feel like the whole family would like it.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater 🌹 

Overall very basic. I didn’t notice any particular effects from it. It made a nice aromatherapeutic facial spray for this hot weather.

Hempz Pomegranate Herbal Body Moisturizer 💕 

I like to use the Hempz lotions for nightly hand cream, because they dry down quickly on the hands. This time of year, I also find myself using this on my body. Lightweight with a lovely fruity scent.

Ladykin Affinitic Snail Cream 🐌 

I have a soft spot for snail in my skin care products. The packaging is adorable (its shaped like a snail)! Its also unscented, which is a bonus. However, it is silicone heavy. I find it pills easily on the skin. I would not repurchase this. But I will be keeping the little pink snail!

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ✨

Y’all know I love this. I also featured this in last month’s favorites. Here’s my official review.

Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and One Step Pimple Pads 💖

These are both great products that I’ve already started using my replacements of.

Cosrx Centella Alcohol-Free Toner 🌿

Like spraying water on your face. I didn’t notice any of the skin soothing effect that centella asiatica should provide. This product is a dud and I expected more from Cosrx. I used it up to keep my skin moist between skin care steps. 🤷

[mediumsizetex]

Twilight Sparkle by ladykins

[korekos-blog]

Хорошие недорогие кремы для лица #ladykin в нашем ассортименте🎉 💉с коллагеном 🐌с муцином золотой улитки 🐍со змеиным ядом 💉с гиалуроновой кислотой 💜объем 50 мл 💛цена 490 руб #корейскаякосметикасерпухов #корекос #корейскаякосметикачехов #корейскаякосметика #тайскаякосметикасерпухов #тайскаякосметика #серпухов #чехов #протвино #пущино #кремдлялица #корейскийкремдлялица (at Serpukhov) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwux1PjAV4l/?igshid=183suxalesgqm

[tcobeauty]

KBEAUTY HAUL: Surprise! Mishibox Points!

As I was trying to salve my poor soul over the loss of my beloved Memebox, I got a random promotional email from Mishibox, a subscription I cancelled nearly a year ago, and a site I hadn't bought anything from in actual months: You've got points, they whispered seductively in my weary ear. Thirty dollars in points, to be exact. And we've got free shipping BEFORE the discount is applied. The clouds parted, and I got myself a little goodie box of faves from previous subscription boxes, and a couple new things to try out as well! And once again, I regret nothing.

I had to pick up a couple more of my trusty friend the Ettang Takeout Cup Modeling Pack in Chorella and Propolis. These are always so good for a really long and luxurious skincare regimen, right before a soak under a sheet mask to slurp up all those lovely nutrients and essence goodies. I loved the Graymelin Double Strength Natural eye serum when I got it in back in the February 2016 Mishibox, so I wanted to scoop that up as well. It layers soooooooo nicely for daytime!

Mishibox had a couple new products I wanted to check out as well, including the tiny and adorable mini-size Ladykin Affinitic Whitening Moisturizer snail gel, and the no:hj Pearl Modeling Foil Mask. I've been really getting more into lotus (it is one of my all-time fave kbeauty ingredients for sure), so this Mediheal Petalpoten Hydrop Mask with Lotus essence was a must-try for me, even if all of those words are decidedly made-up. And there's nothing like a good, tried-and-true foaming cleanser and it seems like this Benton Honest Cleansing Foam is the only one out there I haven't tried yet, so naturally I had to give it a go.

Possibly the best thing about this haul was all the extra goodies Mishibox threw in: the Argan Cold Mask Pack for hair (still not available to actually purchase on the site, lol) AND especially the extra sheet masks—all those sheet masks besides the foil one were bonus items! They must have some serious data on me in their system because they know I love the Tosowoong Pure sheet masks, and they figured I'd be into those PACKage Consolation Message masks, which are simultaneously adorable, hilarious, and terrifying.

Paid: $39.45  |  Value: $71 Savings: $32 / 45%

Not quite half-off savings, but I'll take $30 off and free shipping any time I can. I might not subscribe to Mishibox again any time soon, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye out as they expand their stock and selection.

[mightbemagic]

Sooooo I got my tiny sample of snail goo face cream. Do I look any more gastropodian yet??? When do I start growing my shell? I'm really excited about that part. 🐌🐌🐌

[heartshapedhackjob]

This weekend I am going to watch Twister go thrifting be normal buy a $6 red velvet cake contemplate being an aunt again watch Jawbreaker 1999 walk my dog Ladykins read Trauma and recovery watch the weather Channel with my mom and maybe relapse on alcohol.....perhaps have another strawberry milkshake if I feel like getting crazy

[dailyblep]

Bestest Blop. I lost my Ladykins yesterday. 18 years of unconditional love. Life will never be the same. I LOVE YOU with all my heart Ladykins. Please send me some healing vibes.. I could really use them through this unbearable pain. Sending cyber hugs to all of you.

[boyswanna-be-her]

I have a crush on you but also LEAK THE SKIN CARE ROUTINE

I really hope you were serious, because this is something I’ve thought a lot about and I am absolutely going to use this ask as an excuse to go into a skin care deep dive.

Here’s a big-ol high-res picture of my mug for you to inspect.

I pay less than $15 for products that must last at least 3-4 months because I just… don’t have more money than that to throw at this hobby. I’ll link to everything I use and show you the price under the cut.

I only use four of these things below every day–but when I have time, I use as many of them as my skin calls for. I just wanted to show you the whole of my skincare arsenal so as not to be coy about it taking up space and time in my life and routine. It does, and I do work on it.

I’m 33, white with combination skin, lots of prior scarring from picking, lots of sun exposure (Florida!), and several minor autoimmune issues that impact my skin when my health is poor or stress is high. I am prone to whiteheads and inflamed pimples the week of my period. 

You cannot buy, wash, treat, or hide your way to “perfect” skin. Airbrushed, poreless, whitewashed, glowing, moist, unwrinkled skin is a lie sold to us by makeup and skincare companies. There is no perfect skin–there is only skin. 

But if you personally are unhappy with some aspect of your skin, you can develop habits that make you more comfortable with/proud of/happy with your skin, and that’s what I want to focus on here.

Though good health =/= clear and smooth skin in all cases, I am lucky to report that my skin looks clearer, smoother, and younger now that I’m not just generally near death all the time. The story would be very different if I struggled with, say, lifelong acne, or if I had a chronic health problem that I was not able to manage. 

Skincare is a luxury of time, money, physical storage space, and mental space.

“Good” skin is a myth. Everyone’s skin is good skin. I started doing all of this stuff to my skin because I was dissatisfied with how much it HURT all of the time, and how flaky it was. Acne, scars, “discoloration,” different coloration, birthmarks, big pores, “craters,” uneven textures, dark hairs, thick hairs, skin tags, milia, blackheads, wrinkles, keratosis pilaris, freckles, and moles are all NORMAL skin types/features and don’t need to be “solved” if the possessor is unbothered by them. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO LOOK HOWEVER YOU WANT. 

I do this stuff because I like it, it helps my mental health to take care of myself with a routine, and it improves my physical quality of life. It helps me with some insecurities, but if that was the only thing it did for me, I don’t think I’d mess with it this much. When I’m not healthy, my skin is prone to deep cracking and flaking. I have always been self-conscious about redness in my T-zone and yellowness around my eyes (dear god, my poor, poor liver).

My skin has objectively cleared and smoothed and plumped up a lot because I smoke less, drink less, stay in mostly humid environments (because, again, Florida!), and have been managing my stress and autoimmune issues. These are all changes made in the last six months. 

On top of those changes, on an average day when I’m actually taking care of myself, I use the following four steps in the order listed, once a day in the morning. I’m realistic that I’ll only do this once a day in the morning and anything more than that is just a boring time suck for me as a person.

1. COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser - 5 oz for $10.70 - one tube lasts me about 6 months. I use this in the morning and just thoroughly wash my face. It’s very mild and has a fresh citrus scent that doesn’t linger.

2. Kikumasamune Skincare Lotion - 17 oz $12.10 - one bottle lasts me 8-10 months. This is a fermented, watery product unlike anything I’d used before. It smells faintly like sake, bananas, and bubblegum (seriously). I decant it out of the big pump bottle into a little travel bottle. I shake a little in my hand and rub it gently over my whole face and eye area. Probably not supposed to do that, but I’m a rebel. It leaves my skin a little tacky.

3. Hada Labo Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Lotion Moist - 5.7 oz for $12.99 bottle, then 6.4 oz for $10.90 refill packages - 5 oz lasts me 3-4 months. I’ve honestly forgotten what this even does but it’s a nice, thick liquid, colorless and scentless, and I put it all over my face. Leaves my skin a little less tacky but still not slick/neutral.

4. Ladykin Fresh Strawberry Icing Gel Bar - 6.7 oz for $7.99 - one bottle lasts me about 5-6 months. Someone literally bought this for me as a gag gift because they knew I liked skincare and the bottle is… weirdly obscene. But it turns out that it makes a great moisturizer for me and it’s cheap as hell and smells like fresh strawberries so what’s the down side? 

When I have time or when my skin really needs it, I also use the following products:

SHEETMASKS - Stop buying overpriced sheetmasks one at a time!!!! Leave that aisle at Target alone!!! I know they’re at the dollar store too–leave them alone!!! Those are cool if you’re treating yourself for special occasions, but I try to think of sheet masks as a normal part of my week. That means I’m not going to shell out $3-4 PER MASK if I’m using one or two every week! 

The thing with sheetmasks is, in my totally nonscientific opinion, it doesn’t really matter what kind you use. The value is in plopping a bunch of moisture on your face along with cloth that simply forces that product into your skin. It’s the skin force-feeding concept that works more than the product itself. I think. I have no proof. I have made really moronic assumptions before.

That said, you’ll find ones that you prefer over others. Snail mucin ones don’t absorb nicely for me. Exotic animal-sourced ingredients (bee pollen, royal jelly, donkey milk, goat milk, snake venom, bee venom….) sometimes irritate my skin. Other people LOVE them. 

I get sheetmasks in packages online, at TJ Maxx, and at Marshalls. I try to pay under 75 cents per mask, but lean more towards the 50 cent mark. TJ Maxx and Marshalls are great places to try out new masks–just look at the prices and the mask count and do a little mental math to make sure you’re not getting gouged.

A good place to start if you want to try sheetmasking is with the Dermal brand of sheetmasks (16 masks for $11 (68c/per), 24 masks for $14 (58c/per), 39 masks for $21 (54c/per). They’re basic and generally non-irritating with no scent and a thin formula that feels nice and leaves skin smooth and untacky. This is what I generally keep on hand. 

I have a weird sense-memory thing with ginseng, so I also look out for Esfolio Pure Skin Red Ginseng Essence Mask Sheets. I don’t recommend buying from Amazon, as I am able to find these 10-pack boxes cheaper in person.

If I’m going to use a sheetmask, I put it on after I brush my teeth, wash my face, and put in contact lenses (doing them with glasses isn’t impossible–just messier). Then I make tea and just… do stuff with the dumb sheet mask on until it’s pretty dry (20-30 minutes). Then I take it off and rub the leftover mask on my arms and legs and chest like a weirdo, because it’s still full of product, and then I squeeze the leftover product out of the package and apply it to my face. Because I have the luxury of time but not money, I do NOT waste product.

AQUAPHOR - ~$14 for 14 oz - one tub lasts me through 18 months of travel, winters, and tattoos. Apparently everyone who lives somewhere cold already knows that you need to smother your face in petrolatum when it starts acting up or the weather is cold and dry, but this was shocking news to someone like me who was raised in Southern mall culture skincare routines. When my skin is cracked and bad, Aquaphor legit helps more than my prescription steroid creams. I put as much of it on my face as I can tolerate (it doesn’t smell like anything, but it does make you damned greasy) and then go to bed. Waking up with post-Aquaphor skin is like a miracle sometimes.

MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream SPF 42 - $7.20 for 0.2 oz -  This is a new purchase for me, as my favorite sheer, tinted one-tone-fits-all BB cream has been discontinued. This only comes in six colors, and most of those look like they flatter white and yellow skin–so this option won’t be perfect for everyone. I’m still in search of the perfect replacement BB, but this one works for now. In the picture at the top of this post, I’ve just done my normal 4-step thing and applied about a pump and a half of this BB cream all over my face.

***If you have actively flakey skin, I don’t recommend the MISSHA product as it does emphasize flakes and dry patches. Try COVERGIRL Smoothers Lightweight BB Cream (1.35 oz for $6.19) It won’t discolor and emphasize your flakes, if you get dried out during the day.*** 

I fell into the Korean beauty rabbit hole several years ago with @shrimoishere​ –who has been more consistent about these things and as a result has AMAZING SKIN. If you want to learn more about why this stuff works, and how it could work for your specific skin type, I highly recommend poking around r/AsianBeauty. I spent a ton of time researching products and about two years trying different things to figure out what would work for me. This has been a passive, slow journey, so I don’t think anyone who can afford it and would like to pursue it should feel intimidated by the perceived time suck. It’s just something cool to do in the background.

[cloudusa]

Pinstripes abound! 🥰 ^@@^ (7/12. Images credit: 金善伊 weibo via hcyang0115 @ twitter.) #rain_oppa #singer #가수비 #배우정지훈 #actor #jungjihoon #ladykin #cosmetics #lottedutyfree #welcome2life #웰컴2라이프 #july29 @rain_oppa https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz3dlwDpfFR/?igshid=1p3pyo4xvh9er

[sylliepie]

What a cute watermelon bottle! Can’t wait to give it a try back home :D #ladykin #altheakorea #butterflymsia