"I am Fearless because I've been Afraid, but I jumped anyway" - Gen-zel I published this blog March 2012 without any goal at all. I thought about having this tiny space in the world wide web to share whatever I like. I never even thought it will take me where I am now. It was just one of my best friends who encouraged me to make a blog since she knows how much I love to share pretty things and information that I believe will be useful to other people because I care - which can be both good and bad.
Before I finally decided to have a my own website, I really weighed the pros and cons of exposing to people since I'm a good example of an extrovert-introvert type or person. I feel happy whenever I am able to help in my own little ways, just like telling you my favorite red lipstick and how it can make you look blooming too. However, I care too much to the point that what other people think and say about me is a big deal, and words can either make or break me apart. I wasn't ready for the hate, bashing, criticisms, and labelling of people who only know my name but not my story. But then I realized, if I will forever stay inside this box of insecurity and will never take the risk of putting myself out there, my dreams will only just be dreams.
(This video is made of a Maybelline contest/campaign where I shared my tips of making my dreams happen)
I live on my own since I graduated college. My family is in Australia. I came back here to chase my dreams. Funny right? Because people normally go abroad to fulfill their dreams. Let's just say, I went for what makes me happy in this case.
I got a full-time job as a programmer while I do blogging on the side. I actually never thought anyone will care to read my blog. I just continue to write whatever. I only had my Nokia E5 to take photos when I was just starting (sorry for my ugly photos years ago guys! :D) Then after 7 months, I got my first event invite from Pinkbox, and the rest is history.
(One of my dreams in my list, ticked. To interview one of my favorite celebrities!)
After more than a year, I then tried exploring YouTube. This is when one of my biggest challenges happened. I know I can be a subject of bashers and haters. I've seen even the prettiest and greatest YouTubers experience this up to this day.
I started posting videos on YouTube. Who will not make fun of a girl who has shy voice with forwarded teeth, braces and thin as if suffering from sickness (a classmate in elementary told me I looked like one)?
I heard from a friend that some of my college classmates were talking & making fun of me and my videos. I've read their comments and tweets and all that. What I just can't understand until now is that, these people are the ones who I never talked to in college. I know they exist but I never paid attention to them until I heard what they were doing. Despite of the bad things I knew about them in school, I never say evil nor joined their gossips because that's the right thing to do. If you don't have anything good to say, don't open your mouth.
They got a problem about me being almost 24 hours online. As a social media manager (2nd job) and blogger, as much as possible you need to be online the whole day. They didn't even bother, me seeing and reading their posts. These people really got into me to the point that I want to shutdown my blog and delete all my social media accounts. I lost my self-esteem and confidence to face the world thinking maybe they were right. This ugly girl doesn't deserve her tiny little space online nor offline.
Thankful to all my friends and loved ones who were there for me and encouraged me to move forward. This too shall pass. I took it as challenge. To prove to myself (not to them), that I can do it, I can make it big out there, one day. And when that day comes, I want to hear them again.
I continue blogging and whenever there's a chance I also post videos on my Youtube Channel. Imagine if I stopped and let them win, I don't know where will I be now. Maybe I'll be stuck with the job I don't like and do the normal things I do before.
(Liza Soberano's Make Confidence Happen Campaign)
Liza Soberano is one of my girl pegs ever since I saw her first TVC. I already fell in love with her grace and beauty. I even told my cousin "this girl will make it big in showbiz one day". Oh yes I feel like I have this psychic powers! 😀 I also find her as the perfect IT girl and new face for Maybelline New York (Philippines) together with Georgina Wilson and Gigi Hadid OMG!
Blogging and YouTube paved way to another career. I once dreamed of being a beauty consultant / makeup artist but I wasn't that serious before. Never really saw this coming! As a professional makeup artist, I feel so happy whenever I see my clients satisfied with their enhanced look. Seeing their priceless smiles, it's so fulfilling! This is the job that I wanted. Empowering women and making them feel beautiful inside and out.
For beginners, I offer Personal (1-on-1) Makeup Workshop to train them how to properly put makeup and work on their facial features. I always recommend Maybelline products especially to students who still need to budget their "baon". One of their favorites is the White Superfresh! (Lakas daw maka-fresh and stays all day long!). Let me know if you've tried it too! My shade is Honey Beige, what's yours?
Once you got the right tools + makeups + knowledge + skill = you can learn to enhance your natural beauty.
What keeps me going? YOU! My beloved readers turned friends who are very close to heart. I can never be anywhere without your overflowing, undying love and support. I always try my best to give back to you guys in my own simple ways. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you guys for everything from the bottom of my heart. I love you guys!
Makeup is not a mask. Makeup is the best weapon to focus on your assets and work on your flaws.
Always remember what matters most is what's inside your heart.
It is the beauty that radiates from within and people can see this in you.
We are all naturally born beautiful and don't let other people tell you otherwise.
You don't compete with other girls. You compete with yourself to become better everyday. There will be people who will try to put you down. It's okay to be not okay for a while. It'll give you time to compose yourself and slowly stand up again. I still experience the bashing and bullying until now but I'm doing my best not to let them get into me again. I also find them useful to examine ourselves every time. Don't let the blessings and success get into your head. Respect each other. There are people who are against wearing makeup and when you encounter one, tell yourself, applying makeup is not a crime. It's like wearing clothes to look presentable. 🙂 Be confident. Love yourself and everything else follows.
Go for that dream. Hustle, hard.
I only share this to people I know personally but since Maybelline invited me to join the campaign with Liza Soberano, who would say no? I guess this is the perfect chance to share this story with you and to remind ourselves that each one of us is having his/her own battle in life. Don't blow other people's candles just to make yours shine brighter. Be Kind. Believe in yourself. Make people believe in themselves too. That's the true essence of beauty. # MakeConfidenceHappen
