Honestly, we have our “ugly” days and our “beautiful” days. It mostly depends on what you feel on the inside, regardless of how others view you. This was one of the better ones. My host mother and I went to get sunblock and cream for my super dry/cracked eyelids. During the process, we noticed a facial mask with “ikra”, or salmon roe, as the primary ingredient. We were certainly tempted to try it, but weren’t sure if it was worth the purchase, so my host mother asked the woman at the cashier who told us more about it. 

I ultimately didn’t try the face mask with ikra, but I did paint on some papaya goop on my face. It sat for fifteen minutes as my host mother and I watched a Russian TV drama.

Afterwards, I washed it off. And this is what we got. A nice, fresh face that feels wonderful too! #Nomakeupselfie, say what you will, but it’s okay to be a bit mundane and vain once in a while.

I’m excited to see what other fun beauty experiments my host mother and I try. Hoping that we do our nails together one day, and maybe play a game of cards called Durak (Idiot in Russian). We also have some cooking plans lined up. I think we’ll go grocery shopping and make sushi this weekend, which should be fine, since I’ve practiced quite a bit. 

You can find a sushi shop on about every corner of Cheboksary, Moscow and Petersburg. Although there are a few places here, it doesn’t seem as popular in Vladimir, so I hope the ingredients will still be easy to find. 

Nam nujno budet/We will need: