My One-year beautification project** Part 2 of my vanity post**the usual long read from me

And here's the 2nd part, where I declare the things that I will do for my wedding look.

I know, I'm taking this waaay too seriously. Might give you the impression that I'm trying too hard. Hey, I'm not panget ha (not that anyone's panget, all brides are beautiful), its just that I want a really simple, yet stunning and ethereal look on our wedding day. I want that Ponds ad moment, where I will be the most radiant girl in the room, and my babe will feel like the luckiest guy on earth. That's my moment, which will only happen once in my lifetime, so I should do whatever I can to look and feel great at that particular time.

Anyway, here's what's included in my one-year beautification plan:

• Oplan Fair-ish skin. I have always taken pride on being morena. Well, there was the phase in high school where I dabbled on a few Block and White, but as I grew up, I have learned to love my complexion. It has been one of my assets, because I believe that bronzed olive skin is sexier. But then, I want my gown to be in off-white and creamy color, and friends say the dress would look so "lutang" in bronzed skin. And I mentioned that I wanted that Ponds moment. I want to be babe's My Fair Lady on that day. So, fair skin it is. I'm not gunning for that alabaster, mestiza type though, as I don't want to look like a metathione model naman, I just want that radiant, rosy, glowy lady-like clear skin that is suited for brides. And with that, I'm trying some of the Garnier Light line of skin whitening products for the face which my friend suggested I try. I'm now using their dark spot corrector and anti-puff eye roller. I haven't tried Garnier's body line yet, but I'm now using a whitening lotion with sunblock. Hopefully that helps. At night, I also lather on Myra E lotion, and I think my sister and I are already addicted to it. My friend also told me to take Myra E 400 capsules which helps in getting fairer and healthy-looking skin. But we have tons of Vitamin E capsules from the States at home, so I'm taking those for the mean time kasi sayang naman. I'm also taking Cee Plus, Vitamin C supplement with Rose Hip that was said to do wonders for the skin especially scars and acne scars (I'm selling this by the way, so if you're interested ;) ). I have really sensitive skin so I'm quite careful on what I take in and the products I use, so I stuck to my soap and facial cleansers advised by our dermatologist. So far I haven't developed an allergy to the new products I'm trying. Yey...


• Bleaching the hair on my upper lip area. I want a soft over-all look on my wedding day, and since I suspect I have more male hormones than any usual girl, facial hair has always been a problem. Lay Bare's threader and waxer is my bestfriend. Yet I have always been apprehensive to have the hair on my upper lip waxed or threaded. I'm not bothered by it on regular days, and I don't really think its too 'out there' but some people notice. So I brought it up during my trial makeup with the great Lorie Abraham and she told me that its best to just bleach the hairs on my upper lip so that they will be lighter and less visible. Waxing and threading may make the strands grow thicker kasi eh. Anyway, I'm still scouting for a good bleach creme, but I think I'm gonna go for the Sally Hansen line since they're known for those hair-removal products. I just hope it goes well and I don't overdo it...I don't wanna have white mustache! Anyway, Ms. Lorie said I should try it out before the wedding to see if I develop an allergy to it or if I should seek other alternatives. I loved how she picked up on things I only mentioned once. It feels like she was really listening, and sincere in dealing with me. Not too many makeup artists are like that. Sigh. But, I have a good one on my team, so no complains from me. Anyway, I hope the bleaching goes well and I get a softer, more feminine look on my wedding day.
  

• Perming my eyelashes. Admittedly, I have always been manang with these kinds of stuff. I don't normally go for these things especially when it requires sitting still for hours, let alone minutes as I'm such a kitikiti. But, after Ms. Lorie's thorough explanation, I realized I needed to do it. See, I have long and thick lashes, but like the hair on my head, they're just so bagsak that they're slanted downwards. That explains why I always get smudges when applying mascara, even when I curled my lashes a number of times with an eyelash curler. So I really should have them permed so that they will curl and open up and make my eyes appear bigger. Because even if I use falsies on the day, I'll still have a problem because they'll be slanted downwards pa rin. Kaya pala ang dalas kong mapuwing! :P Anyway, I'm just waiting for a new contract in work to materialize and then I'll have more time on my hands to devote to these things. I'll probably dedicate one whole day to have my lashes permed, and to get the bleaching thing done.
  

• Wear mineral makeup. This is a tip I got from W@W. I just got so curious about this that I started researching about it. Turns out this is really good for me, because I have sensitive skin and regular makeup usually expires on me. These won't. I can use them for more than a year or so. Plus they won't hurt my sensitive skin. They just seem to be a bit messy since they mostly come in powdered form, and a little more pricey than regular makeup, but I was told they also give maximum coverage, so the pros outweigh the cons.
  

• Get back in shape. Okay, for most of the time, I thought people were actually exagerrating when they tell me that I've grown. But when I looked at my previous photos in Friendster and Multiply, that was when it hit me. I really lost it. I guess it was stopping boxing and exercise that really made me blow up. Thankfully, I lost a few pounds when I got sick and that made me more conscious of my diet. That partnered with constant exercise should do the trick. Three months before I meet my wedding dress designer, I also plan to take these herbal supplements my parents are taking which is really great for weight loss. Imagine my mom already lost 11 pounds on her 3rd week! It's really effective but entails a lot of sacrifice as you'll only have one meal a day. And it's a bit expensive. So, its kind of my last resort. First, I'll try if boxing and diet does it for me. I hope it does.
  

• Be faithful to my beauty and fitness regimen. I know! This is the tough part. But the clock is ticking so I really have to work if I want really visible results. What's good though is I'm so motivated now. I'm updating my kikay kit in a few days, when I get the chance to spend a day in the mall. I also started devoting time to fixing myself before I leave the house for work. And with that I don't mean just getting dressed and combing my hair before I get in the car. Its making sure I apply sunblock, I look presentable and I wear accessories before I go to work. It makes me feel more confident.
  

Anyway, I think this entry has gotten way too long again. I hope you other readers won't think I'm too shallow or conceited. I'm just trying to be realistic. If you wanna look good on your wedding day, you have to prepare as early as now. I'm lucky to have started the preps early, I'm sure I'll see positive results as the days become closer. More than a year to go...

Just a way of measuring my progress for this year-long plan, I took a picture of me without any make-up. I'll check at least once every quarter if there are improvements (fairer, clearer skin, smaller face, slimmer arms,hehehe). So, here it is.uy, aminin niyo its not so bad! :P don't need much work naman diba? hehe.

Here's a closer look.

Haha, that's taken from my brother's Mac so I changed the background. Anyway, this is me without makeup, hopefully next time I'll have fairer skin na and smaller face.

One year? kaya yan! :))