Note: This is my official entry for the GlutaMAX Contest
My life is an endless series of “New Me’s”, for every year, I seek to improve myself, not just in a subtle manner, but in such a way that I always channel Madonna ( one of the greatest music artists of all time, I firmly believe, ), who evolves. It’s pretty amazing, looking at Madonna’s timeline on her looks from the raging 80′s until now. I want to be like her – a constant flux, ever evolving, ever improving. I believe that our life’s purpose is to be the best that we can be.
A New Me – Self Estem On A New Pedestal
I would not deny that during my early years, I would devour fashion magazines and wish that one day, I’d be as beautiful as the fresh-faced models gracing the glossies. I’d memorize tips, I’d save up my allowance for beauty products – do all those sorts of things. In other words – during my early years, my dream was to blossom into a beautiful woman.
My puberty years was wherein acne hit me hard. Oily skin, breakouts further diminished my self esteem, and one day, one of my friends told me that my crush identified me as “the girl with so much pimples.” I could not remember my exact reaction, but it definitely changed my life forever. I started looking for more ways to cure my acne as my mom did not believe in seeing dermatologists at such an early age, I started experimenting with anti-acne products, vowing to myself that I would never be branded as the girl with so much pimples again. I must admit that my self esteem was really crushed with that incident ( no matter how shallow it seems right now – hey, we keep these at heart when we were young! )
Fast forward, from highschool to college, I continued experimenting with beauty products, devoured more beauty and fashion magazines, until I became the ultimate beauty nerd. My friends would call me whenever they want to go beauty-product shopping at the mall, as I became the go-to girl for beauty advice. I was happy as I could give them good beauty advice and product recommendation! I also started applying makeup to cover up my post-acne scars, and everything was going good.
Post-college, I would receive comments wherein I looked different, I lost weight ( thanks to exercise, and diet ) , or I am blooming. I guess that’s a mission accomplish for my self esteem!
A New Me – Taking Beauty More than Seriously
With me being confident with my beauty advice and product recommendations, a crazy idea about starting a beauty blog popped out of my mind, as I would always read international beauty blogs. One great decision in my life was to start Beautynomics, the first Filipino beauty blog. I was my own beauty editor, and I had my own space in cyberspace that people would visit and take my articles, reviews, and product recommendation seriously. One of the things that compelled me to start this blog was to share what I know to the world – hoping to reach out to the girls who are experiencing self esteem problems which are natural during puberty years ( and sometimes, beyond that! ) In my own way, I really hope that by reading my blog, no one would feel that they are inadequate, for today’s modern technology even extends to beauty, that there is always hope, and a cure for our problems. In other words, we are blessed by modern technology, that nothing is impossible anymore!
Also stumbling into the world of mineral makeup, I discovered that mineral makeup is heaven-sent for those who have problem skin, as it helps skin breathe and does not clog pores. I started Beauty & Minerals, importing mineral makeup from abroad, and offering them online. I started holding Beauty & Minerals days wherein I would give girls free consultations on what mineral makeup they can use, and application tricks. I became a happier person for I have reached out to those who think that makeup will ruin their skin, and feel that they have no hope with their skin condition already. I felt like I made a difference in their lives. I felt that this was my calling.
As I was feeling that beauty is starting to flow heavier in my bloodstream, I made a decision ( that I did not know, would branch out into an even bigger decision ) to take up basic make-up during weekends. With this, I became more confident with my skills, and started doing professional makeup. However, I enjoyed coaching and giving lessons more than doing makeup, as I feel that I am a natural consultant, from my early years. I always wanted to impart not only know-hows, but more importantly, confidence. Confidence is a rare good nowadays – it is very hard to attain. Giving this precious gift to girls out there feels like a completion of my soul’s destiny.
Another huge decision that followed the year after was taking a break off from work and living in Singapore for 6 months to study advanced makeup artistry and airbrush makeup. I felt another wave of self esteem boost as I was able to advance my makeup skills, and learn makeup on an international level. To add, it also helped me become more confident with my advice and recommendations. But more than that, living in Singapore helped me become more independent as it was the first time that I was away from my family for such a long time – doing my own grocery, walking alone exploring Singapore, and meeting new people and appreciating a different culture.
I came back from Singapore a whole new person - more independent, and definitely more confident. With that, I was ready to do my bazaars for 2009!
The bazaars I joined this 2009 were definitely ALOT for I felt I did not exert effort in working for the first part of the year. I was able to meet more people, give more consultations, and just had a test-run on going full blast during the ber months. Post-bazaar, I was able to confirm that I would just love to be in the beauty industry for good as I am very comfortable with my niche. With that, I would continue with my beauty business, beauty coaching this 2010, hoping for bigger, and brighter things!
One realization also occurred to me - at first, I just concentrated on making myself beautiful. As the years go by, it all changed, from centering my goals to myself, into wanting to extend help to others. I’ve always wanted to give the gift of beauty to people – and I am a very happy person right now because this is what I am doing.
A New Me – Discovering Rest and Relaxation
Rest. Time for yourself. Pampering yourself. These three things to do are not just luxuries – but are must-do’s.
November and December have been really hectic for me for it’s the time of the year wherein I join bazaars, exert extra effort, as I would always tell myself – once it’s all done, I can finally rest and sleep all day.
Hey- don’t get me wrong, joining bazaars is just my passion as I am very much comfortable with giving consultations to clients ( turned friends also ). Beauty runs in my blood. I think it is how I am designed to be – the beauty consultant! Stress cancels out all those great feedbacks I get, and really kind messages I receive on how using mineral makeup, or using the products that I have recommended has drastically changed their lives. I live for that. My food for the soul rests on results. I think I will forever be like that.
But then, looking at myself, with not-so-subtle hints of sleepless nights and stress is a nightmare. I see my eyes showing tiredness ( oh, how my eyes always show it all! ), and my face breaking out from lack of sleep, I would just avoid looking at the mirror. Quick fixes as applying makeup ( mineral! for it won’t clog your pores ) would do the trick. But then, at the end of the day, as every trace of makeup goes away. I’d chug in more than a liter of water everyday to salvage my skin, I’d exfoliate my skin to keep on revealing new skin – the least I could do during those really busy days. I even tried taking Glutamax Reduced Glutathione as it would improve skin condition from within, brighten and whiten skin – one thing I could quickly do at home ( since I don’t mind losing my tan this time of the year, so go! ) ! Even I missed my dermatologist during that time of busy, busy work!
And finally, as my last day of bazaar participation came to an end, I couldn’t whoop in joy for I had no energy. I just sighed in intense relief and sank on the bed, sleeping for the entire next day! Oh, how I missed sleep! The next day, I also visited my dermatologist , told her how much I missed her and had that long-overdue chemical peeling – oily skinned dudes and dudettes NEED their peeling from dermatologists for it is imperative to slough off dead skin cells as dead skin cell buildup causes acne, and mixing it with oil and dirt would be a really deadly combo. Difficult and costly as it may be, maintenance is key to good skin, specially for those prone to acne.
The New Me : My before picture is me without proper rest and time for myself, the after picture of me, is me getting spoiled with sleep and mega pampering and glamming up! What do you think of my new hair? Should I make it permanent? *wink*
Fast forward, after days of complete sleep and a fabulous Holiday vacation, I’m back, with a new, and relaxed me, all glammed up, realizing that too much work is no good – one must always set aside time for some pampering, for we owe ourselves some ‘ol tender lovin!
Now, I am all happy, bright, glowing, and ready to face 2010 with all my dreams, aspirations, and good vibes!
Here are tips for a New You this 2010. Do something new, try something new, and feel brand new!
Skincare Tips :
1. Try applying sunblock EVERY SINGLE day even if you are working indoors. For those complaining of having oily skin, NO EXCUSES. We have powder sunscreen already!
2. Try religiously applying eyecream day and night to preserve those peepers. We would want to stall those fine lines from showing up!
3. Take your skincare seriously. Exfoliate twice a week ( thrice a week for those who have oily skin ) and take skincare supplements. Glutamax Reduced Glutathione is a great antioxidant supplement that gives you a boost of Vitamin C, making skin glow from within, and glutathione for some fair and even skin!
4. Sleep at least 8 hours a day. Nothing beats rest. It’s night time when our skin is being rejuvenated and is being repaired from the day’s worth of work.
5. Drink lots of water to keep complexion clear as water detoxifies!
Makeup Tips :
1. Try skipping liquid foundation as much as possible. Try mineral makeup as it is the makeup that stays on your skin and does not clog pores.
2. Try a yellow-based undereye concealer to cancel out hints of sleepless nights. We need to erase all evidences of stress for a burst of freshness!
3. Lightly shade your eyebrows with a faint brown shade using an angled brow brush for more definition ( try it! it really works wonders )
4. Try eyeliner. Start with pencil, lining as close to the lashline as possible, smudging upwards. You can also apply eyeliner at the lower rim of your eyes – white for a wide-eyed look, or black, for a sexy, smoky Elizabeth Hurley-inspired look!
4. Try a new lipstick shade – Be it Barbie pink or a vampy red, a new shade would always make your makeup more interesting! Do not be afraid to play with colors!
Be-Gorgeous Tip
1. To be gorgeous, there is just one secret- ALWAYS SMILE. You will lose nothing from smiling, but gain more friends, and charm others with your positive outlook! Keep on smiling!
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Ang galing!
Happy New Year dear Sophie!
Because of you I learned about mmu and became addicted to online shopping, and nail polish, and makeup in general, and, and…!
Haha!
Hay naku, Nikki, we learn from each other, remember the MMU thread that we frequented before? 
Happy New Year! 
Shobe, i love this post! you will definitely inspire a lot of people to do what they want and to be happy!
Love your new ‘do and I think you can go permanent!!!! You are blooming, obviously IN LOVE *winks*
Happy New Year!
Gosh, it’s been so long since I last attended a B&M day..I miss you all! ^_^
ate sophie…we got close lang by pms and yms tapos..poof! remember pa im the one na nagpipilit sayo mag resell ng pureluxe..lol . love you ate:)
A beautiful post indeed
I became an mmu convert because of you! My skin and I love it 
Hope to see you soon Sophie 
i forgot you even wore braces…but then i forget i even wore one either ahahha
i love that hairstyle on you
i purchased from your online store once and have been reading this blog (not knowing it’s you) for a week or so and was surprised to know that it’s you
hahahaha. did that story make sense?
[...] my official entry for the The New Me Contest by Nuffnang? Well, I’ll let you in some behind-the-scene preparations for that [...]
congrats for winning! You truly deserve it.
[...] of Glutamax’s The New Me Contest by Nuffnang. With my really well-thought ( and reflected ) The New Me contest entry, I was keeping my fingers crossed, hoping to win the grand prize, which was the Apple Macbook. ( [...]