When Life Gives You Lemons

Pain is real.

Have you ever gone to office or school nursing something and you don’t know if you can get through the day? Something has upset you or hurt you, you have a problem, you had a fight with someone, you’re not feeling well, in short, meron kang pinagdadaanan. But you just have to work, or attend your class just the same. No excuses. Isn’t this challenging? You don’t want people to notice. You just want to keep silent but you can’t help but talk to them anyway. Isn’t this the pits? You wish that the hours will fly, so you could go. You just want the day to end.

It’s hard to put up a brave front, to put up a show that you’re ok, when deep inside you are not. You cannot tell your boss that you can’t work or your mind’s not working and you can’t focus. It’s hard to pretend that you’re your usual self. That everything is ok. You can’t even pause for a while and cry or mourn. Or when you just can’t control your emotions, isn’t it awkward when they hear you bawl or sniff?

Sometimes, we are given a bitter pill to swallow. Or sour ones. When life gives you lemons, and things don’t happen the way you hoped or how you planned it to be, how do you survive? What do you do when things are not going right for you? And how do you pick up the pieces?

Give yourself a break. Coach Tim Cone (PBA's most accomplished coach) said, quoting Stephen Covey, in our midyear conference, “After losses, pull back. After wins, push hard.” It’s ok to lose sometimes, don’t be too hard on yourself. And it’s ok to fail. Sometimes, we fail to live up to expectations. But wala naman nagsasabing dapat perfect tayo all the time.

Keep your sense of humor. This has always enabled me to survive and kept me going. Focus on the good and find joy in the moment even if it’s damn difficult, even if it’s a great effort to keep your spirits up during these times. Ito ang pinakamahirap gawin. We all know that somehow, we will heal and we will bounce back. “This, too, shall pass.” And well-meaning friends will tell us the same thing, “Kaya mo yan.” Pero yung “at the moment” or yung “in the meantime”, yung proseso that you have to go through, that’s the hard part.  

In everything you do, put your 100%, give it your best shot - even if there’s no guarantee that you will be happy and successful, that you will win. Even if they say walang forever.  In the end, at least you would say you gave it your all. And you will not say you regret the chances you did not take.  

Embrace the struggle and let it make you stronger. It won’t last forever. Remember: tough times don’t last, but tough people do.

~TheGoodGirl

Brow-tiful

Because I promised to update you on my brow-tiful (eyebrow embroidery) experience…

I had my retouch session with Tin Lucas / Eyebrow Embroidery Manila last June 12. Yes, Independence Day at that! Seeing Tin again is like meeting up with an old friend. She inspected my brows, and drew points and lines where she said she will improve on, fix and fill in any areas needing correction or modification. I asked if she can extend or darken a bit the ‘begin brow’ of my left brow and she asked me to draw it so she can see what I meant. And this time I was prepared, I brought my contact lens kit so I can remove my contacts before the procedure, to allow my eyes to rest as they’d be closed most of the time. Waited 45 minutes to allow the numbing ointment to take effect, then the browjob began.

It was still a painless procedure, but you can feel the strokes of the needle as it mimics the direction of my real brow hair. I don’t know if it’s because it was the second time already, but I felt it was shorter, faster this time. She handed me the mirror to ask if she was able to do what I wanted with my begin brow, and yes, it was ok. Wow, this time, I saw blood on my brows (during the first time, I didn’t) but it wasn’t scary, don't be alarmed. My brows were swollen when I was putting on my contacts. “Talaga bang ganyan ka-red?” I asked Tin. I was worried I looked awful because I was going to the mall afterwards. I kept on asking Alex if I looked alright. And he said I looked fine.

This is me after the procedure, and having lunch in SM SouthMall (click on each photo for a closer look):

Again, I was not to wet my eyebrows for at least 24 hours. I was advised to use the A&D ointment until they are healed. Just after a week, they are ok and I was surprised that it took me just about a week for healing. I showed them to my husband, “Parang ang bilis gumaling this time,” I said. “Baka hindi na masyadong nasugatan, unlike the first,” he said, but he asked me to ask Tin if that was normal to be sure. Tin said, healing varies from person to person. “Iba-iba,” she said. I also said I was just worried that I did something wrong, or I wasn’t following instructions right. Maybe it’s because of my regular Vitamin C and E intake. Whatever.

My brows after a day:

After two days:

After six days:

All I need is lipstick and these beautiful brows :)

After a week (just after taking a shower):

After almost 2 weeks:

Two weeks after:

I am really happy with this experience. And for entering the wonderful world of eyebrow embroidery. I didn’t realize that this could change my life. Well, it sounds dramatic, but for someone who does her brows every day, this is just amazing. My only objective and all I ever wanted was to have brows right after waking up, or taking a bath/shower, or washing my face. And it was achieved.

In our President's birthday luncheon, Rico, a good friend and one of the bosses, said he has long wanted to visit me. Why, I asked. "Para makita yang kilay mo."

The clincher was when Bong, a male colleague, after a meeting, told me, "Pam, I can say now that I have finally seen the famous eyebrows. At last I have seen them in person. And it's true, ang ganda nga." That cracked me up. 

After the meeting

I still use my L'Oreal Brow Artist, though, to further enhance them. I even bought a new brow tool from Etude. I guess, old habits die hard. But to use a stencil or to take minutes just to shape them, then erase if I don’t like them, nah! No more of that. No more smudging, smearing or fading after swimming, jogging, sweating, working out.  My brows look natural and subtle, and I just love them. I love the days when I am make-up free and all I need is a lipstick and I’m ready to go.

It’s only semi-permanent so my brows will be with me for two years. And after that, I might need a retouch. I’ll save up for that again. Until then, they make me look great! And I feel great, too.

If you are interested in having permanent make-up, 3D brows, eyebrow embroidery, eyebrow tattoo, feathering, stranding (however you call it), make sure you do your research thoroughly – choosing the tattoo expert, or artist/cosmetic technician, procedures, cost, advantages and disadvantages. Consider most importantly yourself and your readiness – are you afraid of needles? of blood? How’s your pain tolerance? Is your skin sensitive? Don’t be afraid. Don’t be shy to ask around. Every day I see more and more eyebrow artists emerging, check out Facebook so you can compare. Permanent make-up is like a normal thing nowadays, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Bottom line is, you’re doing it for yourself. It’s perfectly alright to look good and feel good. And that’s something that cannot be taken away from you.

For my previous blog entries on my browjob, please visit:

Browmance Part 1 

BrowJob Part 2 

BrowJob Part 3 

You can also get to know Tin Lucas at

Make Up by Kristine http://www.makeupbykristine.com/

Kristine's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/kristinelucasmakeupartist/

~TheGoodGirl