Growing up, one of my constant companions was my doting maternal grandmother. She would always tell me I was pretty and all that jazz… and I believed it.
But I was NEVER one of the pretty girls back in high school, not even close. Like every other school we had popular girls, the pretty ones boys would talk about and try to court. I’d observe them. What do they all have in common? They were all slim but back then so was I. They all had nice fresh-looking skin while I remember having super oily skin and zits I would treat with Oxy. They all had long straight hair. Darn! I was born with gross thick wavy hair that just won’t cooperate. I was awkward. My teeth were huge and I needed braces. I was all sorts of un-pretty.
Anlene vs. Osteoporosis event circa 2011
Let’s fast forward to 2011. It was my 2nd year of blogging. More and more, I was getting invited to media events. I would show up in jeans and a lousy shirt. My idea of fixing myself was donning a headband. My blog and I were drifters back then, we didn’t really have any direction. I just blogged about whatever. This went on for a good couple of years. It still amazes me how I gained any readership from those times because I wasn’t exactly role model material. I wasn’t even that great at taking photos. The only thing I could do well was write.
My goodness, back then I couldn’t even be bothered to fix my hair. I don’t know how I could’ve had the guts to leave the house looking so unkempt knowing full well I would be meeting Lea Salonga. O_O
In the few occasions I decided to make an effort to fix myself up, I ended up looking OLD. Gosh. This is an example of how NOT to do your makeup. Imagine this was taken back in 2011 when I was actually in my 30s and I look a lot older then compared to now — and I’m turning 42 this year!!!
2011 was also the year when I officially let myself go. I really gained weight. I had to cover myself in baggy unfashionable clothes. My wake up call was when during one food event, I remember it so clearly, a fellow blogger approached me and said “Grabe Ro ang taba taba mo na! Ano nangyari sa iyo?”. A couple of months later we had our high school reunion and some people thought I was pregnant. It was a very low time for me, I didn’t even want to go shopping because I thought everything looked bad on me.
You know what, I went on a self-guided journey to self-improvement. I didn’t want to be fat and ugly for the rest of my life. I lost the weight (I know I’m still not thin but at least I can wear NORMAL clothes now). I took makeup courses, both personal and professional (believe me it cost a lot since aside from tuition, I had to buy all my own materials too). I attended every single workshop beauty brands invited me to so I could be exposed to different styles — American, Japanese, Korean… and I patiently tried and tested a whole lot of products and techniques to find which ones would actually work for me. Oh yes, very very few people are born with it. Most of us have to work at it — looking good that is.
Workshop loot worth P20k for Marj and Ro’s Beauty Workshop last June 11, 2016… the GCs alone are worth almost P10k already.
So anyway last year Marj and I got to talking about how it’d be cool to hold a joint Beauty Workshop. We can divide the topics and accommodate more students. While one of us was talking, the other one could go around and check on the students. We had our first one last August 15, 2015.
We’ll share everything you need to know about skincare and makeup. I swear by skincare. It’s the reason why I don’t look my age. Unfortunately for the average Filipina, skincare = washing the face. There’s a lot more to it, promise.
Aside from skincare, we’ll cover everything from applying foundation, concealing and correcting flaws, doing your eyebrows all the way to applying eye makeup, blush, and lipstick. We’ll even throw in DIY hair color and contact lenses to complete your look.
There are techniques for both deep set eyes as well as those with chinky or hooded eyes.
I speak from personal experience when I say that knowing how to work with and make the best of your own features is most empowering. 🙂
Marj and I will be holding the second run of this year’s Beauty Workshop on July 16, 2016 at Backyard Coffee in Greenhills from 1pm to 5pm. The rate is P5k per head but early birds who register from now till July 1, 2016 can avail of our discounted rate of P4k per head. You don’t have to bring anything because we’ll provide everything from the makeup brush sets to the products you’ll use every step. You get to take everything home too! Plus we’ll have games and giveaways on the day itself for even more loot to take home.
To register for our workshop, you can message me on Facebook, email me at animetric(at)gmail.com, or text me at 0925-3280005.
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Thank you for posting this. I can totally relate to this because I had my awkward moments too back when I was still in school. There are other girls who look better than me. I felt invisible at some point, like no one knows I exist. I am an introvert by default. Sad to say, no one made the effort to get to know me. I tried and I ended up befriending my other classmates who were less popular because they were more welcoming. I tried my hardest to fit in with those popular girls, but I just can’t because I am quiet. I don’t know what to say at all.
Then, I went to a nearby Uniwide Supermart when I was working. I saw this hypnosis subliminal tape of having self-confidence by Dr. Lee Pulos on sale because its plastic is already tattered, but I bought it anyway for a cheap price, I think 30 pesos but I forgot the exact price. I listened to that daily, and I did notice a change in my personality. I feel I have more confidence afterwards. Sometimes, the social anxiety creeps back once in a while especially when I’m in a new place, and I don’t know anybody.
Aside from that, makeup helped me to gain confidence too. I started wearing lipstick in college. I saw this hot Japanese pink lipstick in a drug store, and I bought it. Then, dark, matte, burgundy lipstick was the trend during my college days, so yeah I got this Fashion 21 lipstick pencil, and Revlon , both in burgundy.
This is really great. I’m at this stage where I really want to improve in this area that I was actually looking for some workshops about this. =) I believe that looking good can really be empowering at some point. This workshop will really help a lot of women. =)
Your story is very inspiring and relatable. I’m also a work in progress and I think it’s good that we know we have a lot to improve pa talaga. Thank you for sharing your story and making the effort to empower women especially mommies. You go girl. 🙂
You look young(er)! And fresh! My golly. You have to share your secret how you do it!!(:
Skincare! I’m really die hard when it comes to skin care… and knowing how to make cosmetics work for you 🙂
Inspiring! There’s hope for me yet!
Same here, it is not too late for me lols! Congratulations on your successful beauty workshop. What a huge freebies!
Such an inspiring post. Gives me the push to really take care of myself now or else I would look pregnant as well or losyang. Congrats on the successful workshop and i bet the second one would be as successful.
If only I lived in Manila, I will surely attend one of your workshops! Your blog is actually one of the blogs that inspired me to, you know, really bother with skincare. I had good skin growing up but now, in my late 20s, I can already feel the signs of aging. I’ve been ~trying~ to follow the Korean skin care regimen and so far it’s working!
I loved putting make-up even as a child. My mom would buy me child-versions of make-ups before. I would watch Ricky Reyes’ show on tv to learn how to do make-up. It was one of my favorite things to do whenever I was going out. But when I became a mom and our maids left, I could hardly find time to fix myself and the only times I really make some time to put on make-up is during events or speaking engagements.
I am not kikay growing up. Even now,i find putting on make up frustrating. My normal look would be limited to lipstick and face powder and I am g9od to go, but i do admire women who are so good at putting make up on.
I can definitely relate to this. I gained a lot of weight AFTER I gave birth in 2011. Because of that I lost interest in dressing and fixing myself up. It was only recently when I learned I was pregnant with my fourth child that I found the inspiration to make an effort. I told myself that this is my last pregnancy. I don’t want to be 37, pregnant and looking lousy. So I bought myself a new set of make-up and made sure my pregnancy clothes are both comfortable and stylish. I feel better. I actually look better pregnant compared to last year when I just looked fat. Haha! Anyway, I’d love to attend your workshop. I feel it’s going to boost my confidence even more. Hope I can enroll soon.
Such an empowering post. Posts like this is one of the reasons why I love reading your blog.
I’m inconsistent in terms of skin care. I think I already mentioned that in my comments before. Happy to share that because of your posts and of some other beauty bloggers, I started investing in skin care and make up essentials, had my facial warts removed and experienced a diamond peel session for the very first time hehehe.
since my budget wouldn’t allow me to join in your upcoming workshop with Marj, I’m looking forward for the next run and will try my best to attend.
Thank you 🙂
I think I’ve said this so many times already, you are really beautiful! And you’re in your 40s? wow! I wish I could attend the workshop. I don’t know much about beauty regimen and make up at all. And yes, I agree, looking good really boosts confidence. Can’t deny that!
Oh wow, this sounds like a workshop I need badly. I’ll see if I can save up for it. Is this the only date?
We had one last June 11, this is the 2nd batch. No plans for a next one at the moment. 🙂
Oh okay. I’ll try to attend if I can come up with the funds. I’m almost totally ignorant on this and I need help badly.
plan one na! 2 na kame ni May na mag iipon for this workshop 🙂
Hello Ro! You are one of my inspirations and my mentor when it comes to skin care. And thank you for always accommodating my questions about skin care or make up products 🙂
And soon makaka attend din ako ng workshop nyo ni Marj 🙂
I can totally relate to the part where people thought that fat = pregnant. As for applying make-up, I am still too lazy to apply although I like buying make-ups but just end up staring and admiring it.
So inspiring! You don’t look your age, I swear 😉 Keep it up!