Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts

5.03.2011

Is "pretty" unholy?

Someone who used to go to my church once told me that women shouldn't wear make-up--or even lipstick--to church. I was shocked.

In my Wordpress blog post "In the 'kikay' of the beholder," I wrote that looking well-put together is my way of honoring God as my Father. In his bestselling book "Your Best Life Now," Joel Osteen said that how we present ourselves in our personal appearance is not just a reflection of how we feel about ourselves. It is a direct reflection on God. I liked the way he drove home the point. As a father of two, he knows that if any of his kids would be seen looking unkempt, people would probably say "What kind of a father would let his kid go around like that?"

A final check before walking out the door

We serve a God who loves works-in-progress. It's as simple as that. Let's say you walk past a shabby garden, won't you feel bad that the owner doesn't even bother to prune the trees, pull out the weeds, and water the plants and flowers? Of course you'll feel terrible, because it's such a waste. You'll feel bad because we're called to take care of what we've been given. The same goes for our body and appearance.

As we work out to get healthy and toned, we're pruning trees of dead limbs. When we apply sunblock and moisturizer, we're protecting our skin like it's the softest, most fragile of petals. When we go for a wax... Nah! That's too graphic, not to mention a metaphor overkill.

You have to strike a balance, though. Ecclesiastes 7: 18 tells us to "avoid all extremes." I must admit that there's a very thin line dividing vanity and excellence. It all comes down to your motivation. A preacher once told me, "When confused about something, ask yourself this: 'Why do you do the things that you do?'" It's interesting that the best advice I've ever gotten so far is actually a question.

Does prettifying herself make a girl unholy? NO. What makes it unholy is what you're doing it for. In my case, I work with what I have, showing my appreciation to God by taking very good care of it, and more importantly, strive to be a better person each day. After all, Proverbs 31: 30 says, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

3.04.2010

Gaga over Mineral Make Up

In the cosmetics industry, "mineral" is the buzz word of the decade, and I believe that most women agree with me. Call me a late bloomer, but it's only just recently that I started using mineral makeup. At first, I thought that it was just all hype. Now, I'm completely gaga over mineral make-up. Instead of simply telling you why, I've decided to show you. What you see below is not a BEFORE and AFTER shot. Using only the webcam, I took different shots of myself wearing conventional pressed foundation (LEFT) and mineral makeup (RIGHT). 
See the difference? You'd have to be color-blind or just pessimistic not to. I absolutely love its "candle-light glow" effect on my face. Plus, it gives me full coverage with a barely-there feel.

Mineral makeup may be described simply as loose powder in nude shades. It is made from mineral pigments, such as bismuth oxychloride, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or even talc. Typically, makeup of this kind don't contain the common skin irritants found in most cosmetics, such as fragrances, preservatives, and synthetic dyes. As there are no approved standards as to what constitutes "mineral make-up," however, some cosmetics are sold as "mineral make-up" with only 1% mineral content. So be very cautious and read the label!

Mineral makeup pros and cons


On the one hand, experts say that it is kinder to the skin than most cosmetics. It is also non-comedogenic, which is a fancy way of saying that it won't clog your pores. Hence, it is more suitable for women with acne-prone skin. Its base ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are  also naturally anti-inflammatory. Some brands of mineral cosmetics may have "auto match" qualities that adjust to your natural skintone for a more even complexion. As it has gentler and long-wearing qualities, it is ideal for day-to-day use. On the other hand, wearing mineral make up does not and should not make sunscreen unneccessary--no matter what the ads say. It is also more expensive than conventional make-up. 

How to get flawless, model skin with mineral makeup

Before applying makeup, make sure that you give the make-up bottle/package a good shake, especially if you're using it the first time. With a swirling motion, dip the kabuki brush into the container to get a very small amount of powder onto its tip. Work the brush around your face with the same swirling motion, starting from the outside of your cheekbones, around your cheeks, and onto your forehead, nose, chin, and jawline. Start with the tiniest amount of powder, and just add more powder for the kind of coverage you want.

Bear in mind, though, that mineral make-up will only enhance your complexion. To ensure a healthy, beautiful skin, wash your face with mild soap or facial foam and water before going to bed. Ads may say that mineral is "make-up you can sleep in," but it doesn't mean that you should. 

1.23.2010

Do-It-Yourself Oatmeal Facial

Oatmeal is not just good for the body. It's great for your skin, too. Oats are rich in Vitamin E and zinc. Vitamin E plays a major role in fighting off the early signs of aging on your skin, such as fine lines and wrinkles, while zinc is a nutrient that helps prevent acne and oily skin. To be honest, if it weren't for these many benefits, I wouldn't want oatmeal for breakfast EVERY DAY.


If you can't eat it, wear it

Fortunately, there are other ways I enjoy my oatmeal, like turning it into a beauty mask, for instance. I try to exfoliate once a week to get rid of dead skin cells and sport a natural, healthy glow. Although there are great exfoliating products around, I like to indulge in homemade beauty regimens because I don't have to spend much and I know exactly what's in it. One of my favorites is my sister's recipe for oatmeal facial mask. It leaves my skin feeling fresh as well as smooth and supple to touch.





My sister's oatmeal facial mask recipe


1-2 tbsp dry oatmeal or oatmeal powder
1 tbsp egg white
lemon juice




 Mix the oatmeal and egg white together in a clean bowl. Add 2 to 3 drops of lemon juice. If you're within Southeast Asia, you can use calamondin orange, also known as calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa), as this is more common in the region. Mix all the ingredients together and set aside for application.





Instructions

Wash your face with mild soap or facial wash and lukewarm water. Pat dry with a towel. Slather on the oatmeal facial mix onto your face, making sure that it's applied evenly. Leave on to dry for 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.


gonegaga's Notes
 
Calamansi has skin-whitening properties, so if you have dark elbows and knees, you can use the mixture to exfoliate these areas as well. If you have dry skin, include the egg yolk in the mixture because it's great for moisturizing. I'll share variations to this recipe in future entries. Try this at home!


Photo credits:
www.dkimages.com
www.bellybytes.com
americanindavao.com/blog/

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