Real Life Sundays, ed. 28

Before this month ends, I felt that I just had to write one last post.  April has indeed been a very eventful and blessed month.

First, there were the North Korean threats, which I believe that through the power of prayers, God answered and pulled us through.  Of course, there may be skeptics out there saying that KJU was just blowing hot air.  But, it only takes one mad man to cause much destruction.  Furthermore, if he were only blowing hot air- then why did my country (USA) readied its subs and missile detractors.  Hence, whatever the situation was or will be- we have to pray.  ^_^

Next, the first annual Young Adult Revival on Guam happened on April 18, 19, and 20.  I was soooooooooooooooo blessed with the event!  When an anointed leader comes to you and he carries with him a vision that you have been carrying in your heart for a very long time, it mobilizes you.  I can't wait to see our vision for Guam materialize in the days to come!  Can I get an "Amen!"???

With my lovely friend on the 2nd night of the Revival.

Finally, some random things that I went through:

The next journey~  my Master's degree!

When I start my Master's, I'm afraid that I'd hardly have time to draw.  :(

Found my old drawings. :)  These reminded me of the days when I couldn't afford to buy
pretty dresses, so I would look at old magazines and design my own- hoping
that someday I would have my own collection.  Seeing these drawings again reminded me
also of God's faithfulness and how far He brought us through.  From days I could only draw
dresses, to days that I can now finally wear them.

That's all, folks!  Feeling groggy now because of my head cold.  Going to take my medicine and have a good night's rest!

Until next time!

Hair Diary: My Hair-y Story

We can be so harsh!





  ... To our hair :)

We like to be different (yet the same with any beauty guru/blogger/celebrity... haha!) and try out many different hairstyles- straight perm, curly perm, hair dyes.  The great cycle of chemicals!

I thought that when I get my hair done, I just needed a very good conditioner to magically restore my hair and gave little thought to the shampoo.  So, my hair became brittle and would often shed.  Although I would try to counter the damage with very good conditioners and oils, which would help a bit, my hair was still very dry and dull. :(

I have never really thought that part of the problem was my shampoo until my Pastor (bless her wisdom!) informed me about sulfate-free shampoo.  She said that oftentimes the shampoos that we use have sulfate and are so harsh- like washing your hair with dish soap.  I never  noticed this until I bought sulfate-free shampoo and tried it out for myself.

Sulfate-free, paraben-free, salt-free, and vegan!  ^_^
(not my photo)

So far, I've tried L'oreal Paris EverCurl Shampoo (not the entire system).  And the difference is phenomenal!  When I used sulfate shampoo before, it really felt harsh and hard on my hair.  But the sulfate-free shampoo made my hair so soft, even in the shower.  Also, with the sulfate shampoo, I would get major build-up, making my hair very gunky after a day without washing (and I kept blaming it on Guam's hot weather).  Now, with the sulfate-free shampoo, my hair does not have build-up and I don't have to keep on washing my hair and scalp everyday, which can dry them out.

The only downside is that sulfate-free shampoos are pricier.  For example, this one was nearly $10 for 8.5 fl. oz.  However, like with any "bang for your buck" products, you get 75% of junk and 25% of the what you really want/need.  Therefore, I think investing in a sulfate-free shampoo is really worth the money!

(not my photo)

For the conditioner, I use L'oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Restoring Conditioner.  It's less expensive than the EverCurl line- for $6.49 at K-Mart- and so far, so good.

So, don't only slather healthy, organic things on your face.  Hair needs some of that lovin' too. ^^

Image:

L'oreal Paris EverCurl Hair Care System

L'oreal Paris Total Repair 5

Real Life Sundays, ed. 27

I have time tonight!  

Praise God, Friday nights are free!

Recently, I have been working on a small photo project and sharing with my Instagram and Facebook.  It's nothing big; just the April photo of the day bandwagon.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Much embellished night sky

Quaint little church in a quaint little village in southern Guam.  It brings back
many childhood memories of my Pa's province in the Philippines.

Outdoor silhouettes

A younger me ^0^

♥♥♥

Guam has been on the national and global news often this year, and it's not even halfway into 2013 yet.  Sadly, much of the news are not about positive things.  Most recently, our beautiful island has been under threat by North Korea.  It is a very uncomfortable feeling when your home is being threatened like this and many people are worried.

I don't know what will happen in the coming days, but I do know that God is faithful and He will carry us through.  He has shown His sovereignty in all times of my life and He would not be any different with this.

Please keep Guam and its neighboring nations and islands in your prayers tonight and for the coming days.  I know that your prayers will help us with our situation.

May God bless you all!

Porcelain skin... Not really!

It is no fun when your little sister picks on your face leaving you with nasty scars.

Plus, redness on the chin, sides of the nose, outer corners of the eyes, and glabella (real word, btw... thanks to Google).  And no amount of BB Cream seems to cover it up completely.

So, let me introduce you to a near miracle in a stick.

I must testify that it really helps give off a porcelain fairness and smoothness to the face!  

This is how I work with this:

Product

     Maybelline Cover Stick Corrector Concealer (Certainly you can use another product ^___^)

Procedure

1. After toner and moisturizer, which will really help make the concealer glide, apply the green concealer onto the areas of your face with a lot of redness, such as the sides of the nose, mouth, and glubella.
2. Apply a very thin layer to the rest of your face.  This will neutralize the color of your skin, allowing you to have a blank canvas to work with.
3. Hide dark circles and other dark spots with a skin-tone concealer.
4. Apply foundation or BB Cream on your face.  
5. Apply a thin veil of loose powder to mattify your look.

I really want to have good skin but if that would not come naturally, I can at least make an illusion of it.  Hehehe!

But guess what?  This technique I discovered to be so helpful was not originally mine.  Check this video out and Happy "Make-upping"!

My Attempt at Dolly Dolly Skin

No filter but I wish I used a better camera. ^^;;

Image

Maybelline Coverstick Corrector Concealer

Real Life Sundays, ed. 26: Happy Easter! and Sasa Haul Mini Reviews

"When He was on the cross, I was on his mind." -Unknown

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." 1 Peter 1:3 

He is risen! Victory is His forever and ever!

❀ Happy Easter! ❀

♥♥♥

I had a very restful Easter Break.  I did not even touch the work I took home at all!  Hehehe!  ^^;;  Even grad applications...  Omehgesh!  Which I really need to skedaddle with!  >.<  Break, we say therefore, break I'll get.

Since this may be the last post I write for the next plenty of weeks (unless it's not...  I'm very unpredictable with this), I will flood this one with random photos and stories.

Mini Review

Kosé Cosmagic Exte Bomber Mascara in Black

I bought this from Sasa.com.  ^^ (Great store, btw, if you have a physical mailing address.) It's a lengthening mascara.  It even comes with a lash guard that challenges you to measure your lashes with.  I haven't used the lash guard but the mascara sure does lengthen.  I am not keen with this product though because I'd rather have fluffy and full lashes.

Here's another photo for y'all:

Arrow indicating lengthening prowess of this mascara.  Also observe that it doesn't
volumize my lashes in any way.  The voluminous ends of my eyes
are demi-lashes. 

In conclusion, I still wuv me some Dolly Wink Volume Mascara.  This mascara gets ♥♥♥♡♡ (3 full hearts out of 5).

Koji Spring Heart Eyeliner in Black

Another product from Sasa.com.  I chose this because of its great value.  And it is a wonderful product!  It has intense black color, a sturdy felt tip that draws thick and thin lines, and is resistant to water, sweat, and oil.  I would purchase it again if only I had a physical address for mailing or if I became shameless enough to bother someone who actually has one.  ///-_-///

♥♥♥♥♥

Sparkly package

Those are what's on this face:

♡♡♡

Photo Diary

Although Guam doesn't have a spring season, the fashion certainly does.  Most likely because Guam imports clothes from countries with seasons.  Ironic with my personality, I have so many dark and grey clothes.  I guess sometimes I am a gloomy person inside.  But I wanted a change in perspective and such and such and such.  So I decided that my closet could use some colors.  Spring and pastels are so pleasant and sunny anyway- which are more like me!  

Also, I got my perm redone.  I now look like Merida!  Which I love, because that's one less thing to think about- you know, brushing my hair.  Hehehe!  I just wish though that I could be an arrow-wielding kick-butt like her.

Since I really need to get some shut-eye, I'll just put up these last photos mindlessly:

My ugly nails in Easter egg colors.  Hey, they kinda look like eggs after all!

Stinky and harsh chemicals and a bowl around my neck- the things we ladies do
in the name of beauty.

Excuse me while I fall for--- moi!  Hehehe!

Good night, world! Good night!  You've been too good!

See you in a week or so! Or so, so, so!