Of High Heels, Makeup and Other Girly Stuff

I am not your typical kikay (someone who is girly-girly) girl. I cannot be bothered to wear sophisticated makeup everyday. I shun from wearing high heels because I don't want to get more calluses and would like to walk briskly sans the hassles. I am lucky to have what I call "sexy hair", meaning it perpetually looks like I just tumbled out of bed. I never have to comb it all the time (I only do it once - after taking a bath) to keep it in place because it looks prettier messed up (I can comb it using my hands and you would not notice the difference, haha!). Suits the messed up, highly irrational, low maintenance owner well, if you ask me.

However, as part of my Scorpio nature to transform, I occasionally heed the call to beauty - and try to stick to the routine for as long as I can. As some of you may know, I have just gone through a rough patch in my life - no thanks for trying to upset the balance of almost every aspect of my life all at the same time (moving house, getting crap at work, cutting ties with someone dear, wanting to give up and go home, etc.). I knew that the time will come when I will get tired of crying and fretting over things beyond my control.

High Heels

The whole process started when the decorative strap of my favorite pair of shoes snapped. Digging through my pile of unpacked stuff, I found my pair of Charles & Keith "sexy heels" which I specifically bought for the staff party last year. I eyed them tentatively because I know these will kill my feet if I stood on them for long hours. Unfortunately, there wasn't any working pair that I could wear to work. It took time before I got used to the heels but I also began to understand why lots of women wear them. Aside from the obvious increase in height, heels make you stand more straight, make your legs look longer (thankfully I've got shapely legs) and make your butt look bigger (which I unfortunately do not have! hahaha!). Of course a little visualization helps. I always have a mental picture of a beauty queen parading in her evening gown & swimwear or a model gliding down the runway. And so it is like this for me everyday - swaying my hips gracefully in an effort to keep my balance - I can see my mother laughing at me now. :)

Blue Eyeshadow

I must confess that among all the articles of makeup, the eyeshadow is my favorite. It highlights and gives character to my best asset - my peepers. After experimenting with metallic hues, natural colors and different shades of blue, green and purple eyeliner pencils, I decided to go after the blue eyeshadow I've been pining after for a long time. The eyeshadow palette comes in six different shades - from the metallic bluish white color to a smoky dark blue. Each day brings a new set of possibilities and the combination I pick depends on my mood. I love, love blue! :)

Eyebrow Threading

Again, I am blessed with having tamable eyebrows - not too thick that it needs massive reshaping and not too thin that I need an eyebrow pencil to actually draw an eyebrow. The process was quick but not altogether pain-free. I could feel a tear threatening to fall. I fought hard while keeping my eyelid relaxed as the lady threaded my eyebrows, little snip-snips echoing in the background. When it was time to open my eyes, I felt a sense of relief - eyebrows came out very nicely, thank you very much. Neater eyebrows really open up the face. I immediately raise one eyebrow and project. Perfect!

Manicure, Pedicure, Footspa

I made a second trip to the salon the following week. I must have missed my monthly treats back in Manila (FYI, for these three services, I paid four times the amount I would pay back home. It then makes more sense to just do these at home, although much remains to be said about how I do my nails - haha!) that I decided to close my eyes and treat myself for more pampering. One Filipina attended to my feet and another one attended to my hands. I felt like a princess.

While waiting for their work to be finished, I asked them how long they have been in Dubai. The pedicure lady answered seventeen years and the manicure lady proudly said she has been in Dubai for twenty-five years! I was floored - how can somebody stay in a foreign place doing something that does not earn much for such a long time? I wondered aloud how long I will be staying in this crazy city. They both said they liked Dubai and that the city has been good to them. We then launch into a long discussion about our country's current state of affairs and both of them have expressed dismay and hopelessness about the Philippines. In the same breath however, they said that they would also like to go home, if only for a visit. The ladies also expressed frustration about Pinoys back home who think that just because you are living abroad, you live comfortably and have lots of money. These girls just gave me a lot to think about!!!

The mani-pedi-footspa treat went very smoothly if only for the pedicure lady's "attack" on my nails: "Bakit ba ganoon, malaki ka namang babae, napakaliliit ng mga kuko mo?!?" (Why is it that for a big woman you have the smallest nails?). I just said, "Well don't you like that, at least you can paint my nails in no time!" The manicure lady agreed, saying she had a customer with the largest nails that she would pay extra because one bottle would not be enough to paint her nails and feet. Ah well, you can't really tell what strange remark would come next so I decided to pay and say thank you.

Haircut

It was more of a trim actually. Seven months after having my long locks chopped in Manila, it was time for my bi-annual (Yes, I only have my tresses cut twice a year. Thanks to a round face and wavy hair, I can never wear my hair very short.) meet with the salon scissors. The lady just fixed my layers and blow-dried my hair expertly to give it a much-needed body. I must have been pretty pleased with the outcome that I decided to take pictures when I got home. (See Facebook album "Roma Version May 2010"). One picture ended up looking very flirty - I like! hahaha! I guess it's back to the blow-dry - leave on conditioner routine in the morning, argh! Ah, the price one pays for vanity and its upkeep!

The makeover seems to be working its magic. The girl with the mischievous eyes and smile is back - and people are starting to notice that. (Or maybe they just pay more attention now because they all have to pass by reception and I am the only one sitting there now. Haha.) It must have done wonders to my confidence as well, especially now that I am starting to say hello to the world again (but the heels are just strictly for work - I don't want to punish myself too much!). To the people who were generous with the compliments - thank you for noticing. For the rest of you, watch out as the process of transformation continues! ;)