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. 

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/

Finding your own style

"All dress is a fancy dress, isn't it, except our natural skins."

- George Bernard Shaw

According to InStyle, "All fashion is about seduction." If so, personal style is a love affair. Finding the style that works for you requires intimacy--knowing who you are and what you are most beautiful and comfortable in. I'm not saying that we should get stuck in a fashion comfort zone. On the contrary, I believe that just like in a fulfilling relationship, our sense of style should evolve as we do so.

As you can see, I'm no fashion expert. Neither am I someone schooled in the art and science of style. In fact, the closest thing that I had to education on this subject is reading Cosmo--and even then, I had to call on my style-savvy little sister for help all the time. She would take one look at what I had put together and give me a poker face, which, by the way, is her subtle way of asking, "Are we really related?"

Before she left to embark on her personal adventure, we had taken so many trips to the mall together. In fact, we did it on a weekly basis as part of my "training." Whenever we had our budget prepared for shopping, we'd each buy pretty and versatile items. If we didn't have the money for it, we would window shop but do it with a twist.

We'd pretend that we were really buying an entire outfit, and she'd make me pick my items without her help. Only after I've made my choices and managed to put together a complete "look" would she share her insights. She would tell me which of the items work and which don't. More importantly, she'd explain why. It's as if I was a makeover guest on Tim Gunn's Guide to Style--talk about teaching someone how to fish to feed her for a lifetime!

Now, I feel quite confident about my choices and sense of style--just like what happens to the guests on Tim Gunn's (of Project Runway fame) show. It's not because I can now snag what appears to be a good bargain (with an "okay" fit to boot), but because I've found the style which is a genuine reflection of me: feminine but low maintenance.

One of the reasons why I keep this blog is that I want to share information that has brought me some feel-good, look-good moments. It's my personal epiphany. Even without taking a crash course in Fashion Design, you, too, can discover the style that you can be both beautiful and comfortable in--like a second skin.

To be your own stylist, all it takes is for you to be CHIC:

• Comfortable with yourself - Assess your strong and weak points and accept that not all the latest, most fashionable items will suit your shape, lifestyle, and budget. Be fabulous but keep your style true to who you are.
• Humble - Be open to suggestions and take criticisms in stride. There are always new ways to improve yourself.
• Independent - Know the trends but don't let yourself be enslaved by fads that only make you spend more and that may not even be flattering for you.
• Creative - Play with colors, and don't be afraid to experiment with accessories, cuts, and fabrics. There's no need to shop like crazy and spend all your dough.You can bring a whole new life into items that you already own just by being resourceful and innovative.

Lastly, check your motives. Wanting to look good doesn't make you superficial; it's your motivation that can make you one. Fashion and style should tell a true story, your personal story. As the great Coco Chanel said, "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

Slim Down by Losing Inches Not Weight

The holidays are over, but the effects of my bingeing are here to stay. You know what they say: "A minute on the lips, forever on the hips." Hmpf! In my opinion, the biggest downside to working from home is having to spend most of my time in front of the computer. With no road traffic and DTR systems to beat, I ended up packing in weight and inches (in the wrong places) within a year. Add that up with the holiday binge eating and drinking and ... Ew! Now the weight I don't mind that much, but the inches bother me for several reasons:

1. Limited choice in clothes. When I go out, I usually have to spend at least 30 minutes more trying to put myself together. (Read:  I have to change into and out of a dozen outfits before I could leave my room.) For most girls, that may seem normal, but not for me. Sure, I can be kikay and vain, but I'm quick with make up and I have a knack for visualizing tomorrow's outfit today, so leaving a heap of clothes on the bed just isn't my style. 
2. The loathsome bloated feel. Feeling and looking heavy leaves me literally short of breath most of the time. To make matters worse, I get these little beads of sweat on my forehead after a couple of outfit changes (See item #1)--even if I had just gotten out of the shower!
3. Feeling and looking unhealthy. Aside from the sluggish feeling, for me, the worst thing about gaining these unwanted inches is knowing that I'm not as fit as I want myself to be. It's a vicious cycle; the chubbier I'll be, the more difficult it's going to be to get back in good shape, and the lazier and more impatient I'll get in working out.

When I was in my early 20's, my weight and waistline used to fluctuate automatically without my having to exert much effort. I could eat 5 big meals a day and not get fat. On the rare occasions that I did get a bit chubby (like when I spent a summer in the East Coast), my metabolism went into an overdrive and I was back to my old size in a jiffy (Okay, I meant 2 weeks, approximately). Now, it would take a fairy godmother and a genie to make that possible. So this year, I promised myself that I'm going into an inch-loss (not weight-loss) program. I computed my BMI,  and as it turns out, I'm within the ideal weight range for my height. I want to be slim but fit as well, so I'm not going to risk losing muscles instead of fat. Here are some things that I think will help me accomplish my slim-down goals:

More Diet Resources: Diet Reviews, Healthy Recipes, and Health News

• Taking body measurements. On January 1st, I took out the tape measure and got my body measurements, paying special attention to my waist, arms, hips, and thighs. Believe me, it was a mortifying experience that made its way to my journal. I made sure to measure the "meatiest" parts. It was a tough job taking a cold, hard look at my bounty, but someone's got to do it! I find the measurements unfit for publication, so in future blog entries documenting my progress, I'll just say how much I shall have lost then.
  
• Daily 30-minute cardio workout. My favorite workout is Shaun T's Hip Hop Abs. I absolutely adore Shaun T! His workout DVDs (Fat Burning Cardio, Ab Sculpt, Total Body Burn, Secrets to Flat Abs) make me feel as if I'm just out partying instead of sweating it out. Plus, since I'm into dancing, the  choreography how-to session that's part of the DVD keeps me from losing my groove. This is the part that I love the most. Not only does it make me feel energetic; it teaches me new dance-floor moves.
  
• Increasing my water intake. I know it's cliche, but this is the only way to go. Aside from giving me a full feeling and curbing my appetite for frequent snacking, water flushes out toxins. Also, our body retains water if our water intake isn't sufficient, so with our body made up of 70% water, you do the math.
• Choosing what I eat. Starving myself would slow down my metabolism even more, and I don't want that. Instead of extreme calorie counting, I'll just focus on getting a healthy diet. Everything in moderation.
• Reflexology/Slimming machine. I don't know how effective this is, as I'm just beginning to use it now. According to its manufacturer, my reflexology/slimming machine stimulates blood circulation and helps the body burn fat and eliminate toxins. 

I'll be taking my body measurements again next month. Let's see what happens. I hope I don't embarrass myself too much then. If you have some slim-down tips of your own or tricks you've managed to pull out of the magician's hat, do let me know. 

Making and Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution

Happy 2010! Now that the fireworks display and the holidays are over, it’s time to face what the year has in store: new opportunities, challenges, and causes for celebration. Once again, it’s time to look into changes in lifestyle that we need to make to get there. It’s time to come up with our New Year’s resolutions and make sure that we keep them.

So, what exactly is a New Year’s resolution?

Despite being a common--and oftentimes ritualistic--activity at the beginning of the year, making New Year’s resolutions confuse people into thinking that they are simply making wishes. New Year’s resolutions are actually promises that a person makes, especially in regard to correcting one’s habits. These are positive changes that you can make resulting in something beneficial. Although it can be about anything, the most popular themes in making these resolutions pertain to health, career, and relationships. It could be something as simple as exercising daily, getting to work early, and making time for family and friends. What about those who don’t have bad habits to break? Well, you can double up your current goals, such as increasing your running miles, organizing get-togethers (instead of just attending them) for family and friends, or raising the percentage of your savings. Cause-motivated individuals may also think of doing volunteer work or supporting non-profit organizations which they believe in.

How did New Year’s resolutions get so popular?

These commitments can be traced back to religious origins. Christians make similar vows when they fast during Lent. Jews look back to personal mistakes they might have made and then make a vow to correct these during the Day of Atonement. The general idea behind these traditions is self-improvement, and New Year’s resolutions are their non-sectarian counterpart.

Do people really keep their resolutions?

According to Quirkology.com, 52% of the people who make resolutions feel confident that they’re going to see through their promises. However, only 12% usually get to accomplish these.

How to keep your New Year’s resolutions

While thinking of and making plans to change something about yourself is easy, being consistent and getting the job done is the difficult part. To keep your New Year’s resolutions, here are some simple tips that will surely help:

• Post it. It's easier to forget your resolutions and make excuses when you don't actually see them. Write them down and place the list where you see it regularly, such as your closet door or on the bureau mirror. For me, crossing the items out one by one is motivating and fulfilling.
  
• Be specific. Instead of writing down, "save more" or "lose weight," put in "save $200 per month" or "lose 10 lbs."
• Get real. While being specific is important, writing realistic goals is critical in making sure that you will accomplish them. For instance, to get to the amount of money you can save, consider computing 20% of what you make each month as your savings goal. This means that you can use only 80% for daily expenses and utilities. If you have a charity goal, you can split the 80% further (10% goes to your local church or charity and 70% is all yours).
• Help and support. You don't need to join a support group for this. Just find someone you trust, such as a friend or a sister. The sense of accountability is important especially when breaking tough habits, such as quitting smoking.

As for me, my personal goal is to blog at least 3 times every week and to lose 2 inches (not pounds) around the waist, arms, and thighs within the year. So help me, God. 

(Photo credits: The New Year's resolutions card above is a derivative work by Ivan Akira from the original 20th century card published by Chatauqua Press.)

Camouflaging Flabby Arms

I must admit that my arms aren't my best assets. On second thought, I wouldn't consider them an asset at all. Since I haven't been to the gym lately, my arms aren't exactly well-toned. In fact, during "heavy days," (Who doesn't have one? Oh well, lucky girl of the gene pool lottery, you are--in Yoda-speak), they get a little too flabby for comfort. And when that happens, there's that dilemma-slash-curse which every girl has to face: A closetful of outfits and nothing to wear! Even when shopping, flabby arms limits my choices in clothes, what with halters, tank tops, and--heaven forbid--even cap sleeves dominating the scene. Either go with these choices and end up shrinking in a corner somewhere or feeling like you've grown 2 extra legs. These or hide under a baggy sweatshirt. Whatever you choose, you won't feel comfortable, trust me. I don't know about you, but when I'm uncomfortable with what I'm wearing, I don't feel confident at all--and zero confidence is negative 50 on the fab scale. And the holiday parties aren't helping, thank you very much. What's a girl to do? 

Luckily, fashion is becoming more and more flexible, timeless, and forgiving these days. Why not use it to our advantage? I solved my issue about flabby arms and managed to look fab instead of flab. Don't worry, I'm not going to tell you to "sweat it, sista"--although that's really the best thing to do. It's plain and simple: camouflage--and I don't mean military wear (although the fashion gods are saying that's going to be in 2010's WHAT'S HOT). It's all in the sleeves.

Best Sleeve Types for Flabby Arms

The Batwing

Sometimes called a "magyar," this sleeve has a deep, full armhole that usually starts wide at the shoulders and gets narrower as it nears the wrists. Some blouses have shorter sleeves, tapering toward the elbow instead.


The Bell

As it name implies, this type of sleeve is long, flaring from the elbow or wrist. The flare is soft and flowing, and not exactly huge and ruffled.

The Butterfly

Butterfly sleeves are actually a lot more common than we think. They are flared and wide, especially toward the end. It is, perhaps, the reason why it is oftentimes confused for a batwing or a bell sleeve. Here's how to tell the difference: butterfly sleeves are not full sleeves, meaning that it doesn't go around the arm. They usually just cover the top of the arm and flaps open underneath. It's just that we don't see this unless we raise our arms in a pose reminiscent of Titanic. Butterfly sleeves may be short or long, so for the very obvious reason, I'm referring to the long one.

Juliette

Last but not the least, the Juliette sleeve is a fusion of the puffed and long sleeves. It's puffy from shoulder to upper arm (or elbow) and then straight down to the wrist. It is derived from Italian Renaissance fashion  (Trivia: It's named after the Shakespearean character who said the line, "wherefore art thou, Romeo?" No, it's not Puck).

There you have it, ladies! As a general rule, just make sure that when you  go for long sleeves to cover up flabby arms, NEVER go for fitted sleeves. It's just the same as growing 2 extra legs--except that they're wearing pantyhose.

How to Pick Your Holiday Outfit

'Tis the season to be merry! Unfortunately, 'tis the season us girls seem to get too stressed out. What with the shopping frenzy (read: panic buying for gifts and Christmas party outfits)--not to mention being on a tight budget--and the sense of impending doom of weight gain, I can just imagine how you bite your nails and feel like pulling your hair (or someone else's!) as you read my intro. Don't fret. Since I'm feeling like I have to get into Santa's Nice List this year, I'll share some of the tricks I've learned for picking a holiday outfit.

Choosing the right outfit for office parties and family get-togethers gets half of your To-Do list done. As much as possible, I'd like to shop before December hits. This way, I don't end up grabbing the first thing that fits my frame AND my budget. Aside from being a cliche, however, that is not always possible. Even the most organized shoppers often miss their chance at stress-free shopping due to time and budget constraints, such as bonuses coming in late, blah, blah, blah... So, here are a few things that you can do instead:

1. Get your most recent body measurement. It always saves me trips to the fitting room. You'll be surprised how much most women's sizes fluctuate within a 2-month period.
2. Do a reality check and make a mental list of your problem areas, such as paunch and flabby arms, as well as assets, like shapely legs and sexy collarbone. This should help you decide which cuts and fabric to veer away from and--by process of elimination--which ones to go for. For instance, jiggly arms and a potbelly tells you to steer clear of tight fabric and halter tops.
3. To avoid going over your budget or maxing out your credit card--and feeling guilty afterward for being sooo superficial--pick a top or two that you can mix and match with other articles of clothing that you already own. This way, you can have different looks without worrying about running into someone who goes to the same parties that you do. 
4. Instead of buying too many dresses, choose tops that may be worn in different ways. If you've read my previous entries, you may have noticed that I'm a huge fan of multi-layer wraps and multifunction accessories. They are handy especially when I need to transform my look from daytime to night-time partying or vice versa.
   
5. If you're on a really tight budget, scrap the notion that you need a new outfit just for the holiday season. Instead, just update your accessories. Worn with the right clothes, they can give you the boost of freshness and confidence that you need.

Lastly, feel good to look good. This year, I picked a silk tunic that comes with a belt and a camisole. I must say that I gained some weight, so I don't want to bare my arms. Aside from being loose and flowy, which is an "in" look for 2009, the tunic that I bought may be worn a la kimono (just tie the belt with an obi knot) or as an empire cut top or dress (especially if your legs are really fab). You may wear it with pants, leggings, a miniskirt, or shorts. And the best thing is that come summer, I can even wear it over my bikini (sans camisole and belt) for meandering through an exotic beach on a romantic summer night.

Wear your wrap-around as an asymmetrical top

If you've had enough of halter and tube tops, one way to create a fresh look is to wear an asymmetrical top. The main reason why I love reversible multi-layer wrap-around skirts is that they give me more to work with without the added cost of a new blouse. If you have one, here is a step-by-step guide to help you re-create the asymmetrical top that I'm wearing in this picture:

1. If you have a reversible wrap-around, decide which side you'd like to wear as an asymmetrical top. Once you've made up your mind, hold the ends of the wrap-around skirt and spread it out in front of you. Your preferred side should be on the outside (I'm assuming that you'd be facing the mirror, so that should be the side you're seeing in your reflection).

2. Place the strap over one shoulder (whether you want it over your left or right shoulder is up to you), making sure that one end of the skirt covers your front well. Remember that you can only look good

when you're comfortable in and confident about what you're wearing--meaning, you're not worried about any embarrassing peek-a-boo moments.

3. Hold that end of the wrap-around in place with one hand. If it's your first time using a wrap-around, it may be difficult to continue the task with just one hand free, so I suggest that you use tape to hold the fabric snug across your chest temporarily. If you're wearing a tube or bandeau underneath, you may use a safety pin instead.

4. With one end of the wrap-around skirt secure across your chest, wind the other end under your arm, behind you, and out under your other arm.

5. Pull it snug around your body and across your chest. You are simply wrapping the skirt around your body in the same way those red stripes go around the candy cane. Make sure that when both ends of the skirt meet, one end goes UNDER the one that's over your shoulder and chest. If you want an empire-cut asymmetrical top, wrap it OVER the cloth covering your front, and pull it tight just under your breasts.

6. Most wrap-around skirts (waistline) can go around an average-sized body only twice, which is good, because your top could look bulky otherwise. Once the skirt is wrapped around you snugly--not too tight that you have difficulty breathing, but not too loose that the top might "unwind" and come apart--tie the ends of the strap together. The straps should meet behind you. You can tie the straps into a ribbon or twist them together into a single strap and secure it with a safety pin. 

TIPS:

Wrap-arounds are usually designed to have slits on the waistband. These are meant for straps to go into, so you can secure the wrap well and also create different styles. 

Buy or make reversible multi-layer wrap-around skirts at 2 or 3 different lengths (mini, medium, and ankle-length). Why? Medium-length skirts are good to wear as wrap-around tops or above-the-knee dresses, while ankle-length skirts can be worn as long dresses.

multi-function accessories glam up your look

say goodbye to drab outfits and wasted hours trying to find the right accent. check out my fab find in cebu: a tri-color, multi-functional fashion accessory that will get you all glammed up without the usual fuss.

wear it around your neck, and sculpt away to create different looks . . .

. . . on your hair



. . . around your wrists as bangles



. . . on your arm as ethnic-inspired arm ring, or armlet

 

. . . go Greek goddess and wear it as a cord belt or anklet!

this is, by far, my best buy of the year. but then again, it's only september.

ways to wear a wrap-around

I love summer and sunny days! For one thing, they paint me a picture of white sand, turquoise waters, reggae music, and The Beach Boys. Sunny days are made for donning bikinis, board shorts, and wrap-arounds.

Duh, a wrap-around?

A wrap-around is a piece of garment, usually a skirt, that you can wrap around yourself in various ways to create a different outfit each time. Typically, a wrap-around skirt looks like an apron which overlaps in front when worn. It is also called a kilt-skirt by some, because a type of wrap-around resembles the kilt traditionally worn by men in the Scottish Highlands. Nowadays, wrap-arounds come in a variety of designs and fabric.

Make the most with reversible wrap-arounds

The most practical choice would have to be the reversible variety, as they allow you more versatility. One side of the wrap-around may be made from plain fabric, such as silk, and when you turn it over, the other side may be printed, such as paisley or plaid. When you know how to tie, twist, and knot it in several ways around your body, who knows just how many looks you can create? With just one fashion item that you can wear as a wrap-around top , skirt, or dress, you can still be in control of your budget, which is really important especially in these hard times. What's more, you won't have to worry about having someone point an accusing finger at you and shouting, "You are an outfit repeater!" (Gee, I do feel sorry for Lizzie Mcguire).

Get your creative juices flowing

If you're the creative type (or simply one of the gene-pool lottery winners who can wear their bed sheet and still come out looking fabulousa), lucky you! If not, don't be discouraged. Here are a few styles that can help you get started:

You can actually come up with more designs using just one fashion item. All you need is a reversible wrap-around skirt. I got mine as a present from a friend who went on a trip to Mexico (although I believe the fabric came from India), but you can actually have one made for you by a seamstress. When laid out, this looks like two layered aprons, with one layer smaller than the other. It also has strategically placed slits on the band through which you can slip one or both ends of the straps to make certain designs.

And that's a wrap.

My wrap-around is made by Kariza, and although I would have wanted to say that I came up with these myself, I must admit that the skirt came with an instruction DVD. Still, you can make a few tweaks here and there and voila! You can end up creating your own wrap-around style that's not on the DVD.

So whether it's spring or summer where you're at--or maybe where you're headed for a tropical holiday--you can start practicing the art of wrapping around. For traveling light, a wrap-around would be a good thing to pack in your suitcase. Live. Love. Laugh. Create! And do come back to give me feedback... even if it reads like "How I Spent My Summer Break" back in grade school. :)