How I did it:

• learnt new make up techniques
• got some new pretty undies
• got my nails done professionally
• bought some new accesories
• took better care of my skin and hair
• tried not to stress

I had to do it on a budget so hopefully my story helps other people in a similar situation.

Lessons & tips: Overall - try not to stress too much by bagging yourself/comparing yourself with other women etc... sure you are probably not as well propotioned as Miranda Kerr and Natalie Portman has better skin than yours - so what, it's not the end of the world!

Resources:

• For make up - xteeener's channel on youtube and makeupalley.com are very useful.  Get a new lipstick - you can get a nice one for about $20 and makes you feel like a different person!  If you are not sure what shade to get, get a shade similar to your natural lip colour. You will never fail.

• undies - matching bra & panties make you feel better instantly.  If you don't have undies in sets, buy similar coloured ones.  For example if your bra is stripe in red, white and pink, you can get a knicker in either red, white or pink.  Do part with old undies - how to tell if an undie is too old?? "If you don't wanna be caught dead in them, throw them out!"

• If you have money invest in nice jewelry but if not a pretty bracelet for $10 will make you feel a lot better.  Make sure it coordinates with a couple of outfits you already own if you wanna get your money's worth.

• Get enough sleep, increase vege & fruits and drink around 1.5L of water a day for better skin then the result will follow - don't worry too much about the skincare products.  Any well known brand's basic ones without too much preservatives/colour/perfume/alcohol in it.  Again, don't spend fortune/too much time on choosing skincare products.  There are literally millions of different products out there - life is too short!! (Unless you have a specific skin condition  that needs special treatment, of course)

• hair treatment as required, I do it at least once a week now.  It makes me feel great without too much effort.  Ideally high-end protain treatment is great but if you can't afford it any drugstore one is fine.  I currently use L'oreal Elvive one it's pretty good.  Make sure you leave it in for a few mins before rinsing it off.

• Hair colour can change your self image drastically. I am Asian and have always had my hair dyed light brown but lately dyed my hair very black and I feel fantastic. DIY if you like. I am very impressed with Garnier hair colour products.  Was not impressed with any L'oreal ones although L'oreal is famous for hair products. It depends on personal preference.

 

• Gel nails in french are the most versatile.  I have never had gel nails before so I asked a few friends about it - if you don't wanna go back every week and have refills, make sure you get either nude coloured nail or clear with white tip (French) so the gap between the aclyric nail and the cuticle is less noticable as your nails grow.

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Jul 17, 2010, 01:11AM PDT | 0 comments | 10 cheers