TOPAZ HORIZON

You saw my makeover photos on Tuesday and if you're wondering what the dolled-up look was for, it's for OK! magazine's staff photo. We always have a staff photo in the April and December issues. So the last time I blogged about our staff shoot was last March! This time, I made sure I brought a camera.

Here I am on Cherry Pacheco's chair. She cleansed and moisturized my tired face, then put on a ton of foundation and concealer!

I've always had bad skin but recently, because I started using Souq Organics Moroccan Argan Oil and SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, my face has really improved. Like, super! I have no more pimples, not even whiteheads and blackheads. All that's left (and stubbornly so!) are the acne marks. I look like I have polka dots all over my face. But they are slowly fading away!!! I love Souq Argan Oil and SK-II!

Progress! I now look like a human being! I love how Cherry made my eyes look large. Dark circles can really make eyes recede. I haven't slept beyond 4 hours since 2010 and I don't know when I'll ever sleep beyond 4 hours ever again so dark circles will be my lifetime companion now. I must learn how she did my eyes!!!

Here's what my hair looked like from the back. Very Gossip Girl! Or very bridal, very ninang, whichever way you want to look at it! I just love that that's all my hair. I was tempted to get extensions because my hair is falling so much due to post-partum hair loss. But the hairstylist just mega curled my hair for volume and voila!

This is Mango Tree at Bonifacio High Street Central. Mango Tree is a Thai restaurant and bar. We dropped by on a hot Tuesday afternoon for our shoot and the place was such a lovely retreat from the heat. We loved the high ceilings, comfy chairs, yummy cocktails (yes, cocktails at 3pm!). We also loved the light! There was so much light!

A lot of people think I'm a party girl who goes bar-hopping for fun. Hmm. Let me tell you two things I love about the places I frequent—I love super clean spaces that are gloriously lit, and I love quiet. I don't like dark, windowless rooms because I can't see if the place is clean and cockroach-free. I intensely dislike loud music because I like conversation and how can anyone talk when there's loud music blaring? And I don't drink alcohol.

Well, I do drink alcohol, about 3 glasses of wine a year. Ya, a glass of wine every 4 months. Since getting pregnant and having kids... Maybe one glass? I haven't had a drink in so long, I don't even remember. Until last Tuesday! Happy hour at 3pm!

This is our photographer Mitch adjusting my pose, then telling me (and she was so embarrassed to say it) to "Suck it in." Haha. I laughed my head off. I never lost the baby belly!

I'll talk about the staff's behind-the-scenes tonight and our fashion tomorrow, on Topaz Fashion. Meanwhile, if you're craving for more fashion, the October issue of OK! is our annual Best Dressed Issue! So grab a copy!

My blog just got a major redesign and I am super loving it! Thanks so much to Patricia of Fancy Girl Design Studio for patiently working with me. I had a definite look in mind—from style, colors and fonts!—and Patricia executed perfectly. It was a huge pleasure working with her.

Now, as long as we're on the topic, let me share with you my makeover today:
Wowza. I haven't even put on lipstick yet and already it's a vast improvement!!! Huge thanks to makeup artist Cherry Pacheco for transforming me today!

Anyway, I wanted to show you that photo because I wanted to share these random thoughts:

I'm still me. Lots of people think I'm this big time, hot shot, just a lady of leisure, super glam girl. They always exclaim, "Nagbago ka na!" Actually, I haven't changed at all. I've just become busier. Most days, I look like the girl on the left (well, when I'm home!). But even on those days when I'm the girl on the right, I'm still the same person.

I may be a magazine editor today but I won't be in this cushy job forever. What happens then? I am grateful for what I've achieved in my life but I can't let it get to my head. My job, my bank account, my trappings, they come and go. So while I enjoy glamming up, I also keep a firm grip on what makes me real—my marriage, my sons, my few trusted friends, my faith.

I care about how I look... but I don't care that much. I dress up. I put on makeup when I have to be somewhere. I like looking good! Caring about my appearance isn't vanity. It's my way of respecting myself and other people (translation: I don't want to be a pain to people's eyes!).

At the same time, I also think my looks don't define me. In fact, even without makeup, I think I look fine, so I don't allow myself to be obsessed with clothes and makeup and trips to the salon. Looks are important but they aren't valuable. There's a difference.

There is always room for improvement. While it's true that people, especially girls, should accept who they are, I also don't subscribe to the thinking that self-acceptance means letting yourself go. For your sake, look at yourself in the mirror, assess your flaws and assets, minimize the bad and highlight the good.

That means please get a good haircut, adopt a skincare regimen, wear clothes that fit you well, eat healthy, exercise. That means take care of yourself. I don't buy that "Real girls have (insert whatever noun here)!" as an excuse to be lazy about looking better.

That's all really. Love yourself, yes. Love yourself more. Love yourself better!


*photo courtesy of Cherry Pacheco

Part of the blog title

A social media widget and a signature

I'm so excited!

And so are my readers who follow me on Facebook! I gave them sneak peeks over at my Facebook page and I'm so glad the response has been very positive. It's a super simple design (the better to showcase the photos!) and I took forever choosing the font and I really hope the artist doesn't think I'm a bitch because I totally let my editor-in-chief persona take over and I kept tweaking and revising and updating and...

It's now perfect.

The big reveal soon!