Living in a new environment with a different culture and climate is definitely challenging. Keep reading if you are keen for some beauty tips to help you survive the harsh winter days and the solution to the myths about British weather and living environment.
- Bring skincare products you often use from home
Obviously there is a wide range of skincare products available in the UK and there is no harm in trying new products, but if there are holy grail products you buy from home (especially when it comes to Asian skincare products), it is better to stick to them because you know they won’t mess up your skin. All of the skincare products I use are stables I brought from home.
Bring extra backups in case you run out of the products quicker than imagined.
- Moisturize thoroughly
Do you know your skin type? This is very important if you want to know how to hydrate your skin. Use the right type of moisturizer for your skin if you want to protect it from the dry weather (i.e.: water-based or oil-based moisturizer). My skincare routine includes toner, serum, and moisturizer, topped off with sunscreen in the morning.
Also, keep in mind to drink more warm water and herbal drinks that are good for your health and it keeps your body hydrated. Try putting some lemon and honey into warm water, it is a very nourishing drink.
- Make good use of face masks
I always bring a stack of sheet masks over to the UK just so I can give my skin an extra pump of moisture when it needs it. Cleanse your face every day with face wash and weekly with cleansing mud masks; moisturize with skincare products and weekly with moisturizing face masks.
- Use sunscreen
The sky might be grey and gloomy most of the time, it is still important to wear sunscreen to block the strong UV rays. Put on some sunscreen in the morning after your skincare routine because sunscreen is also key to anti-aging.
Myths about British weather/ living environment:
There are many myths circulating the British weather and British environment, don’t worry, they are not all true and you get used to some of them.
- Rainwater will make you lose your hair
I am personally not a victim of this and I don’t think this is a problem that people encounter. If you are really concerned, wear a hat when it is raining and take an umbrella with you all the time, better safe than sorry.
- “Hard” water in the UK
The water in the UK is “harder” or harsher than the water in Asia. I did experience some minor hair loss problem when I first arrived in the UK, the situation improved after I got used to the water here. If you have dyed hair, the hair dye fades a bit quicker but you can always re-dye your hair. You might need some time to get used to drinking tap water in the UK as well, boil and filter the tap water if you feel it is necessary doing so.
- Animals on campus
You will be able to find wild animals everywhere because Exeter is a green city and our campus is surrounded by trees and beautiful grasslands. There are animals like squirrels, foxes, and rabbits on campus, some people are even lucky enough to spot a deer among the thick bushes. Look out for seagulls if you are eating outdoors, they are always hungry and they are aiming for your meal. My tip is to always be on guard and eat quickly.
It takes a lot of effort to settle in a new environment but I hope this blog post has made your process less daunting. I wish I could write down everything I have experienced on paper, unfortunately, it is impossible and the experience is different for everyone. Enjoy adapting to a new environment, I promise it will be great fun in the end!