Balik Alindog Program: Hair Cut

Happy hump day! Midweeks are particularly dull so I decided to do something fun yesterday.

I was browsing through the TV channels a few weeks ago when I saw Joey Mead King in the latest Asia's Next Top Model. I don't watch the show because the contestants are boring (read: not as obnoxious and ghetto as Tyra's girls HAHAHA) and I dislike Georgina Wilson. She looks and sounds so fake. However, Joey, I like. I also love the hair she was sporting on the show. It was gorgeous on her! I was with my sister then and she urged me to cut my hair like Joey's. She said it would suit me. I was not sure because I do not have Joey's bone structure but I needed to cut off the dry ends and I wanted to do something badly with it because I was bored. Plus, I'm meeting Franco soon. hihihi E ano kung may MERS? #truelove HAHAHA KAINIS.

This is how I looked before going to the local salon. Not really awful but it was meh.

I wanted the curly parts from my Japan salon experience gone because they were dry and it was in an awkward stage. It was designed to be a wavy lob (long bob). Also, if I let my hair grow longer, I wouldn't have the guts to cut it short because sayang.

So, without further ado, I present my short hair. Ta-dah! HAHAHA As if.

My head feels so light and my hair feels so healthy! My Dad told me this morning during breakfast that I look like my Mom when she was a college student. HAHAHA OK

Overall, I like it. Franco likes it. My family likes it. Weee! Achieve! (Or it's just in my head but whatever. Still weee!)

How's your hump day?

xoxo

Preview x Happy Skin

I love Preview. It's my local go-to magazine for fashion and beauty. I have been reading it for years. I also love Happy Skin. I have been using their products since their first collection. I'm so happy and proud that we can create such good quality makeup with beautiful designs and packaging. 

Naturally, when these two collaborated, I was one of the firsts who ordered. No swatches? No reviews? No problem. Gimme that box of lip crayons.
The packaging itself is gorgeous! It's quite genius. It looks like a mini Preview magazine. If you remove the lipstick holder inside, it can serve as a box to store trinkets. I'm using mine as a decoration on my vanity right now.

Inside are two of the most necessary lipstick shades in a woman's life -- nude and red. Classic yet modern at the same time, very Preview. The nude is called Too Cool while the red is Hot Stuff.


I was not concerned with Hot Stuff because I love red lipsticks and have learned how to make them work for me. However, I was a bit apprehensive with Too Cool because it looked too nude to me. I'm on the fair side so this shade might wash me out.
Judging by the swatches on my arm, they look OK to me. The consistency is amazing! It's not like any other matte lipsticks I've tried before. They are so creamy!
Hot Stuff
Hot Stuff is gorgeous! I love vampy reds because it gives you that oomph while still keeping it classy. This is more of a nighttime lipstick but can be worn on daytime, too. I can wear this to events, parties, and any where but my workplace actually. It lights up my face and suits my complexion. I believe this will suit almost all Filipina complexions.
Too Cool
Too Cool, as I expected, is too nude (for the lack of better adjectives) on me. It looks like a concealer on my lips, my sister commented. It's just a teeny weeny bit darker than my skin tone. However, I think I can make this work with some smokey eyes on or mix it up with some of my very bold lip colors. It's gorgeous but not something I would wear everyday.

These matte lip crayons from Happy Skin glide on like butter. I haven't tried using them for hours but I doubt they'll dry my lips. Over all, I'm really happy I bought these. I'm excited to use them!

Happy 20 years, Preview! #IamAPreviewGirl
Congratulations on the matte lip crayons, Happy Skin!

BB Cream Frenzy


It just happened. I have seven (7) BB Creams on my vanity. How did that happen? I was not a big fan of BB creams. I was in South Korea, "home" of BB creams, when they became popular. I wanted to be in so I tried a couple of them, however, Korean brands offer very limited shades. The darkest was still light on me and there was a gray cast. At that time, I was a busy graduate student, who was always in the rice fields. The gray cast looked horrible on me. I think I found one that worked for me but it was not mind blowing, hence I couldn't even remember it.

I then discovered liquid foundations and completely forgot about BB creams. I have been using liquid foundation everyday for the past couple of years. However, what you're thinking is right, liquid foundation is too much for everyday. I needed an alternative. I bought a BB cream.

This is my current pile. My sister gave me one more (not in the photo).

My current stash includes:
 7 - Missha M Vita BB Cream Moisture SPF20 PA++ (not in photo) (PHP 499)

Excuse my veiny hand.
They are so different from each other yet I somehow learned how to make them all work for me. It needed a little bit of patience and a lot of practice plus different shades of powder for setting. HAHA

I didn't really intend for this post to be a review but while writing this I thought somebody may want more information about these products. So if you would want to read a review or comparison of these, please let me know. Otherwise, katamad. HAHA

xoxo

Balik Alindog Program: Yoga

Today I learned that I don't know how to meditate. Surprise, surprise!

I live in the probinsya where, unlike in Metro Manila, we don't have a lot of gym and fitness studios. Fortunately, my workplace encourages health and wellness so we have a nice gym and sports facilities. Aside from that they offer a multitude of fitness classes, one of which is yoga. I attended yoga as much as I can but our teacher left the country and so we were left hanging. Yoga classes were postponed indefinitely and was replaced by Zumba. I have nothing against Zumba I just didn't feel the need to attend.

I was so happy when a co-worker's spouse offered to teach yoga to those interested recently. I immediately responded to her email and enlisted in her class. Then I wondered, why am so interested in yoga when it doesn't really make me lose weight or make my tummy flat? I can do sports or just hit the gym. Why yoga?

I attended the first yoga class today and it hit me while I was in the Sphinx position, I don't know how to relax and meditate. My muscles are always tense and I can't seem to just focus on my breathing and body. I kept opening my eyes and looking at the girls around me. Halfway through the class, I learned that I focus better when I count my breathing. However, as I get deeper and deeper into it, I felt so sleepy. The positions, the breathing, and the meditation are making me sleepy! I don't think it's ok to be sleepy while meditating and doing yoga. Am I right? Help me here, guys.

Anyway, I'm planning on attending her yin yoga classes regularly because I need to learn how to focus better and meditate properly. Plus, stretching my muscles and joints ain't a bad thing to do after a day's work. I'll update you on my progress next time. 

Here's to more yoga days! Wish me luck! 

Friday's 10 Happy Things /1/

Happy Things! Yaaaay!

In all honesty, I feel like there is nothing to be happy about. Environment at work has been extremely stressful and worrisome. But that is also why I decided to start doing the Friday's 10 Happy Things, to focus on the positives. Thanks, Helga, for inviting me to do this.

This week's 10 happy things:

1.    I did my first long drive (Nueva Ecija to Laguna) successfully! I was so happy I got to pass through SCTEX, NLEX, EDSA, and SLEX in one day/drive. EDSA was the most stressful of them all.
2.    The 23rd Federation of Crop Science Societies of the Philippines Scientific Conference concluded. I was so busy and tired the past weeks especially last week because of this conference. So glad it's over and done now.
3.    I met my dear friend Alma, who is based in New York, during her visit. She is a NICU doctor at Cornell. Hardcore stuff.
4.    I also met Mini and AJ this week. I love meeting old friends! They bring me so much joy.
5.    I watched Crazy Beautiful You (hahaha I know) with my sister and made fun of almost everything in the movie.
6.    I also watched English Only, Please (again with my sister) and had some good laughs as well.
7.    I met my closest work friend, Lot, after two weeks of not seeing each other. We are so clingy to each other. At the restaurant, I also saw Aprille with Carmi and Camille. I told you, I love meeting friends.
8.    I had red velvet cake.
9.    I went shopping at Clark Duty Free, where I find items I rarely find in local supermarkets.
10.  iMessaging like a fool with Franco.
A photo posted by Jean Melgar (@jeanmelgar) on


What made you happy this week?


Ditz Revolution

Jean the ENTJ

ENTJ - Extravert, iNtuitive, Thinking, Judging
ENTJs are natural-born leaders. People with this personality type embody the gifts of charisma and confidence, and project authority in a way that draws crowds together behind a common goal. But unlike their Feeling (F) counterpart, ENTJs are characterized by an often ruthless level of rationality, using their drive, determination and sharp minds to achieve whatever end they've set for themselves. Perhaps it is best that they make up only three percent of the population, lest they overwhelm the more timid and sensitive personality types that make up much of the rest of the world - but we have ENTJs to thank for many of the businesses and institutions we take for granted every day. - Source
They say ENTJs are one of the rare personality types, comprising of about 1.8% of the population (Source). I don't completely understand why but I guess it is necessary.

Wondering why I am writing about this? Here are a couple of reasons.

I have been seeing introversion as a cool trend in social media. I mean, seriously? Do I have to lock myself up at home? Do I have to say no to every social invitation that comes my way? Do I have to sit in a corner by myself during a party? Do I have to hate small talk? Do I have to be an introvert to be perceived as a deep and smart young lady? I'm slightly offended that extraverts are portrayed to be loud obnoxious individuals who like to party and waste their time chatting away in large groups of people. People are using the "I'm an introvert" excuse so much lately and it's so annoying. Extraverts, like me, also enjoy  alone time, reading books, and having deep meaningful conversations with a small group or an individual. In fact, I do not just enjoy my alone time, I treasure it. A week without it drains all my energy. I prefer spending weekends alone or with family quietly. I prefer having meals and coffee with a really close friend than a large group of friends/acquaintances. I guess I'm just tired of this introverts-are-much-more-cooler-and-smarter-than-those-noisy-extraverts.

I have nothing against introverts.

I'm often misunderstood. I'm bold, assertive, confident, and most of the time, take charge of matters. Often, I'm the leader. Ever since I was young, this is the case. I hate incompetence. I hate it when tasks are to be assigned and people look away so they won't be called. I hate it when leaders drop and forget everything before the finish line. I hate it when people don't deliver their assigned tasks. I hate it when people pass the buck. I hate inefficiency. Put all of these together and what do I get? I'm labelled as pabida. I always get the remark, "Ikaw na!"

Here's the thing. I have a lot of energy and drive. I used to use those to dance everyday. Now, I use them at work and many socio-civic activities. It drives me insane when there is nothing to be done. A couple of days is OK but I thrive in a busy, fast-paced, and competitive environment. I'm not making pabida or pasikat, it's my nature. It is who I am. I never mean to offend or belittle anyone. I'm not making you look bad. It's just how I am.

I'm cold and ruthless. Well, actually, yes I am. You know that friend who you don't want to tell your problems to because she will give you the cold harsh reality check? The kind of friend who will not give you fluffy words of sugar-coated bullcrap? I'm that friend. I realize that I'm not really mean but I see the truth and dislike sugar-coating and beating around the bush. I'm not sorry I'm like this. However, I'm sorry if I offended you in any way.

Reading this you might think, she must be one unhappy overworked b*tch. I'm not. I'm really a happy person who loves babies and children. According to my Love Language profile, I express love by providing quality time and through physical touch. I love hugs and kisses! I'm not that cold.

I'm happy with myself. I actually like myself even if I'm faaaar from perfect. I understand that we are all different and unique. I hope that someday, others will understand that, too.

How about you? What is your personality type? Have you encountered any challenges because of it?
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