I remember clearly cringing a day before I turned 30.
I remember not wanting to reach the big 30.
I remember thinking to myself, “Such an old age. Sure get wrinkles. Sure get grey hair.”
I do not remember jumping for joy.
But as I am typing this right now (and just two days shy from turning 33), I feel really gooooood! In fact, I canont wait to celebrate my birthday.
I have never felt more comfortable in my own skin.
No longer do I feel the pressure or need to be perfect or beautiful in others’ eyes because the confidence just comes naturally the older I get. Gone were those days where I felt the need to be a wannabe just to fit in. Gone were the days where I ached to look and dress like someone else.
At present, I no longer need affirmations from anyone to tell me that I am beautiful or I am aging gracefully because well, I am already self-approved. LOL.
So what if I am not as (stick) thin as before?
So what if I am aging by the day?
So what if I cannot remain a teenager forever?
Let me tell you why I am just oozing with confidence.
Somehow being in the 30’s gives me the confidence to develop my own style. I know what suits me best. I love being myself, and I am finally doing things I really enjoy or things I consider valuable.
“One of the biggest form of flattery is knowing that just by being your normal, wonderful self, you can make someone fall in love with you.”
When I go out alone, I no longer slouch a bit in an attempt to hide myself from the public. I no longer look down when walking. I put in more effort to pamper myself. I make it a point to dress up no matter what the occasion is.
Sure, being older also means that I need to think twice before doing certain stuff like err…EATING A LOT. I can no longer eat anything and everything I want because health is of utmost importance now. Or so I thought. LOL. Sometimes, I just cannot help it. But for a start, I try to eat rice only once a day now. Sometimes, I try to not eat rice at all for the entire day. A bit tough, this self-control issue.
But does that mean that I cannot have fun and that I cannot continue to enjoy life like I am forever 21?
NO WAY.
It’s really just about having the right attitude in life.
The mistakes most women make is not doing anything at all about themselves. And then they will compare themselves to other women and wonder why they cannot look just as good if not better.
Many women keep doing the same things they’ve been doing or wearing for decades. My ladies, you got to realize that certain hair styles or clothing that made you look fantastic in your younger days will not even cut it as you grow older.
Makeup too needs to be improvised with age.
I now know better what kind of makeup works for me, and which makeup products are just a waste of money and effort. Finding the right look and makeup products for your face can be pretty intimidating, especially when you do not really know that much about makeup. I mean, how will you even know which type of makeup will flatter your features, and which will make you look like a joker right?
I think the very basic of makeup that every woman should know is how to make their makeup stay instead of making the vanishing act every now and then.
First thing first, know the type of skin you have.
If you have oily or combination skin, then you should know that your makeup will have difficulties staying put no matter how many kilograms of foundation or powder you keep putting on your face.
However, there are ways to make your makeup stay with minimal effort, you know? Read on and I will reveal!
Next, what kind of look do you want to go?
Dewy/shimmery/glowy look?
Matte look?
Now, if you have oily skin, please refrain from going for the dewy look unless you want to fry an egg on your face, of course. Oily skin and dewy look will just make you look super greasy. Ewww.
Personally, I have always preferred the matte look on me for reasons more than one!
Let me tell you know why.
Now, what is matte makeup?
Matte makeup is when your face does not look shiny or dewy.
No, being 33 does not mean that you will be facing fine lines, wrinkles and open pores. Why, if you take good care of your skin and pamper it monthly with facial for instance, you can fight them fine lines and wrinkles!
However, do you know that the normal dewy, shimmery or mineralized makeup can surface wrinkles and lines on your face easily?
And now, let me tell you the main reason why I have always preferred the matte look.
MATTE MAKEUP MAKES US LOOK YOUNGER!!!
Now do you finally understand why I look forever 21?
LOL LOL LOL LOL.
Okay laaaa, kidding laaaaaaa.
But I was not kidding about the wonders of matte makeup.
Let me now reveal to you some of my makeup secrets. Not going to be a secret anymore after this.
Recently, I have started using two amazing makeup products from Benefit Cosmetics!
The first product?
the POREfessional
What is it?
It is basically a translucent and oil-free PRO balm which acts to minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines for smoother than smooth skin.
Why I love it?
Besides the fact that it helps my makeup to stay put, it also contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals!
How to use it?
To use under makeup: Apply to clean, lightly moisturized skin. Pat on problem areas & blend with fingertips.
To use over makeup: Pat on lightly over makeup & blend.
The second product?
Agent Zero Shine
What is it?
It is a shine-vanishing PRO powder which instantly minimizes shine and helps smooth the look of pores.
Why I love it?
I love how compact and travel friendly Agent Zero Shine is! I have been bringing it everywhere I go, but I hardly have to take it out because the makeup can pretty much stay matte for as long as I am out. Agent Zero Shine comes in only one shade and works like a translucent powder. That said, it does not leave a powdery finish. What you will have instead is a super matte look and oh yes, a super fresh face! Even after a few hours of having makeup on, Agent Zero Shine will not cause the makeup to be cake-y. The makeup will stay matte for at least four hours, if not more.
Don’t believe me?
LOOK AT THIS THEN!
How to use it?
Impressed already?
Both the POREfessional & the POREfessional: Agent Zero Shine can be purchased from any Sephora outlet in Singapore.
Now, the next question will be, “Just what and where is Sephora?”
AIYAH SEPHORA IS WHERE YOU CAN SHOP FOR MAKEUP, SKINCARE AND FRAGRANCE FROM EMERGING BRANDS LIKE BENEFIT COSMETICS AND MORE!
SO WHERE TO FIND SEPHORA? CLICK HERE!
You can also follow Benefit Cosmetics in Instagram.
@benefitcosmeticssg
NOW, WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN BOTH THE MAKEUP PRODUCTS I JUST MENTIONED?
HERE’S YOUR CHANCE!
Read this well, okay?
I am going to pick three lucky winners to win a set each of the POREfessional & the POREfessional: Agent Zero Shine worth SGD96!
All you got to do is to impress me good.
Show me how much you love reading my blog.
Prove to me how big a fan you are.
I need evidence. I need proof.
It can be a poem. It can be a photo collage. It can even be an essay.
Touch my heart.
Make me laugh so hard.
Make me cry with your sincerity.
EMAIL ME YOUR ENTRIES AT ASKETRANGLE@GMAIL.COM BY SUNDAY, 2 MARCH 2014 WITH THE SUBJECT: FANS WITH BENEFIT
Come on, it’s not everyday that I ask you to flatter me. But since I am turning 33 and all, just do it for me can?
IT IS A BIGGIE OKAY SINCE THE NUMBER 33 IS VERY BIG ALSO.
HAPPY 33RD BIRTHDAY TO ME ON THE 25TH!
(Make me really happy right now, please? I think deserve more than 33 LIKES for the post. <3)
LOVE YOU PEOPLE!