To be killed or fattened?

Looks matter. I build my work around this fact. The way we look on the outside greatly impacts the way people see us, treat us, the way we behave, how we socialise, the groups we get into, etc. But how much is too much? At which point is it not just a matter of socialization, and becomes shallowness?

I have very recently been diagnosed with a condition that not only brings back the tortuous acne of my teenage years, but makes me put on weight too. Even better news is that the treatment for it also causes weight gain! Before asking about the dangers or consequences of this condition I am literally traumatised about gaining weight! I am researching more than I did on my thesis about how I can live through this without getting fat. Only meeting brick walls, I want to crumble into a ball and hide from the world.

A bit dramatic? I know. But I am not exaggerating. I don't want to eat. I don't even want to watch other people eat. I'm looking at recent pictures of myself in disgust. Helpless and hopeless. I have even considered not undergoing the treatment!

Am  I crazy? You would think so, but, No. There are so many women who think just like this. There are people who never leave the house without makeup. There are girls who throw up after lunch to save themselves from imperfection.

I consider myself to be relatively intelligent. So for someone like me to be absolutely overwhelmed with anxiety over a matter of appearance, well, it scares me. I think about the more impressionable young women who cause themselves physical harm to protect from ugliness. You might be tempted to call these girls dumb, stupid or silly, but think about where it comes from. There must be some small actions you do that may be signs of your potential obsession with appearance. Think about it. When you wake up in the morning, do you first run to the mirror? Do you constantly suck in your stomach in public? What do you spend most of your time talking about?

Be aware of your level of shallowness. Don't let it overcome you.

Splurge vs steals: My picks for the best alternatives to pricey makeup

The first step to building great style is knowing and loving who you are; in whatever shape, size, colour or personality. It your blueprint for design, before any building can take place. You must first know who you are, in order to go about finding the right tools and equipment to build around  your personal style.

The foundation to be laid after this, is your body. Take care and nurture yourself with luxurious-feeling products. Take long baths. Exfoliate. Cleanse, tone, moisturise and photo-protect. Exercise. Eat well. You know what to do!

I definitely choose to invest in professional hair and makeup products. No matter how fab the outfit is- the power of a Bad Hair Day cannot be overcome. However, these things can get pretty pricey, and I'm always on the look out for less expensive alternatives. I have already found some makeup and hair products and tools that I would even choose instead of the bank-breakers. Here's what I love so far!

1. While running to the Guardian building for our CNC3 interview on a hot Monday morning, my Co-host for "Own you Beauty, Power and Magic", Sacha, was stunned that my face remained matte and fresh. She on the other hand likened herself to a Saheena! (I didn't say it eh- she did. I didn't think she was quite at Saheena-status yet.)  I whipped out my secret for staying dry! I know what you're thinking- it has to be the MAC Oil Control Lotion, right? While I think that MAC has an amazing product, L'oreal's Translucide Powder over my liquid foundation, seems to seal in all moisture, leaving me fresh-faced all day! Best part is, I got it at a nearby SuperPharm for under TT$100!

Came home after a loooong day, and my skin still looked as fresh as when I left the house hours before!

2. I firmly believe in having great makeup-applying tools! I searched long and hard for affordable yet quality brushes, and often found myself spending hundreds on each brush since the cheaper ones basically SUCKED. The bristles were either too loosely packed and would fall out on my face, or they simply didn't feel good on my skin. I had decided that brushes would be one of those things that I had no choice but to splurge on, and then Eco Tools came into my life! Not only are these brushes (case and all) made from natural (bamboo) or recycled materials, but they feel amazingly soft, and apply makeup just as well as any professional brush would! I got all mine at SuperPharm, but I see that you can order from their website too! I see a whole bunch of brushes that I will soon be adding to my list at  www.ecotools.com Here are some of the ones I use:

My First EcoTools Purchase- No turning back now!

My Latest EcoTools Purchase

Most Convenient: Retractable Kabuki Brush

3. We are all on the search for lipstick with staying power. No one likes to see their mouth left behind on a glass, or worse; running down their chin! While I was in UWI I discovered L'oreal Infallible Lipgloss, and over the years I experimented with all sorts of other stuff, but I would always go back to the Infallible! The first one I ever tried, has always been my favourite; Undeniable Mauve. Recently at a Bridal Shower, I won in a game, an Infallible Lipstick in a bright Coral Colour, which is now competing with my first love though! I just love how these lipsticks stay on through meals and constant chatting! Even better is the number of different colours to choose from! It seems endless.

First Love: Undeniable Mauve

Charismatic Coral

4. I have tried a tonne of tinted moisurisers, but none took me through the day without looking like I rubbed my face on a bag of phoulorie. I had been on the look out for something easy as a rub-on cream, that provided some sort of coverage, but would keep me from being shiny. I experimented with the most celebrated tinted moisturiser; Laura Mercier, as well as Dior (which looks fab in the first hour, but doesn't go further than that) and some others. They weren't quite doing it for me. My cousin suggested I try Garnier's Skin Renew BB Cream, and upon taking that advice, I must say I've found it! I love that BB creams have added benefits for the skin, so I feel really good about putting it on. The coverage is pretty sheer, so I tend to add my concealer of choice under my eyes and on my pesky post-acne demons. Under some sheer mineral powder, this BB Cream is fantastic for day.

Face Forward

Cosquel : Gaudy, overdone, garish. www.izatrini.com defines it as "Tacky- looking"
As a style observer, "cosquel" is one of my go-to words, as so many women in Trinidad love their head-to-toe matching bright colours. Rhinestones are a Trini girl's best friend.

However, today I'm not here to write about Chanel's magical words of advice : "When accessorizing, always  take off the last thing you put on" but instead the opposite- I'm talking about something that many women don't bother to put on at all- MAKEUP!

Sometimes we get distracted by all the print and bling that we ignore the other major style crime that is being created by neglecting the first thing people notice about us- our face! To those of you who have witnessed the magic of Spanx, think of it this way- makeup does for the face, what shapewear does for the body. It adds that extra oomph that completes your look. It is the foundation of a more polished presentation. It helps accentuate all the good stuff while downplaying the things that make you self conscious about your looks. I think it is a huge injustice to a fab outfit if you just go out barefaced and lipstick-less. It's like being barefooted in a suit.

So I can imagine u saying "I don't like the way makeup feels", "I have problem skin and makeup irritates it", "I like to look natural" bla bla bla. I'm not saying to walk around looking like Christina Aguilera. I'm just saying to apply enough foundation to even out your skin tone, and colour to highlight your natural assets.
I you're still not convinced about foundations, there are some sheer alternatives (tried and tested by yours truly) that work really well. Try tinted moisturisers or tinted BB Creams.

I got my Garnier BB Cream at SuperPharm, Trincity.
Pennywise has a wider variety of brands though.

I've been using this Garnier BB Cream (Beauty Balm) under my MAC Mineralize Skin Finish powder for a clean and fresh day look. It looks so natural yet definitely gives a better overall tone to my complexion. The BB cream also has a long list of skin enhancing benefits such as SPF and dark spot correction.

MAC Mineralize Skin finish can be bought
at any of the MAC branches in Trinidad. I got
mine at West Mall

I've gotten this tinted lip balm at SuperPharm before

If you don't like wearing makeup your daily routine can consist of BB Cream, powder, a peach blush (I like Peach Twist by MAC) mascara and tinted lip balm (try Burt's Bees) Wont take you more than 5 minutes, and you will no longer look like you're a hobo who stole someone's clothes on their way to work.

Tinted moisturisers have a bit more coverage than the BB Creams. You can get the same result by mixing in some foundation into your preferred moisturiser. It's best to use on with a good SPF protector. This is a great choice if you have dry skin, or spend the whole day in an air-conditioned office. My favourite tinted moisturiser is Hyrdra Life by Dior. With a sheer powder on top, it makes your skin look flawless.

Jennifer Lopez is a great celebrity to look at for makeup
inspiration. She always looks young, fresh and glowing.

So I'm hoping you try this out and all the compliments you get like "Did you do something new?" or "You look so refreshed today" have you excited to push this makeup experiment a little further. Trini women love them some black eyeliner. I'm guessing it comes from our heavy Indian influence. While black eyeliner looks beautiful, sometimes it can be a bit much for the daytime. If you have fairer skin, go with colours that are more bronze or copper. I love wearing plum or eggplant smudged liners during the day. Darker complexions look great with chocolate browns, navy and deep emerald. If you insist on the black, don't draw on the lower lashline, but just along the top to make lashes appear fuller. Curl lashes with an eyelash curler before applying one coat of mascara.

The last step to a basic face is to colour your lips. Anyone who knows me knows that I am borderline obsessed with red lipstick. Most of my lipsticks are red and I would wear the brightest shade to simply run a bank errand! Lipstick draws attention to your mouth and therefore to what you are saying. Avoid them looking chapped or uneven in colour. My favourite lipstick right now is Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Pink Truffle. It is the perfect nude and is so creamy and soft like a balm, but with perfect opaque coverage. My lips tend to get very dry, so this lipstick is a miracle for me.
                             

                                     

Remember, we are recognized most easily by our faces.Do you want when people cannot remember your name that they say "The really drab looking girl with the dark circles under her eyes" Nightmare! Taking 5 to 10 minutues out of your morning routine to spend on the face you put forward to the world, shows that you give a shit about yourself and the image you portray. You already have a great canvas, so do it some justice with a daily masterpiece.