Transformation At The Flick Of A Make Up Brush - What We Can Learn From Promise Tamang Phan's Tutorial Videos

Here at InnerBellissima I have one rule: make up is used as a tool of self-expression and as means to highlight your best features. Well, some of us use it for that purpose; but Nepalese make up artist Promise Tamang Phan has caught worldwide attention through her YouTube channel. Promise transforms herself into different people...mainly celebrities like Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Scarlet Johansson and Michael Jackson. She spearheads each look with steady handed patience and creativity.

It got me thinking on the day-to-day use of cosmetics: women magazines are bombarded with products, all seemingly, suited for several skin types, shades and flawlessness. There are countless correctors, concealers, colours, all of which, are aiming for the same goal: perfect looking skin. I can't help but feel the marketing and media is sucking the life out of this beautiful creative tool Promise has demonstrated.

In fact, it has never been easier to transform ourselves through cosmetic skills - just take a look at all the make up tutorials available on YouTube; we're so spoilt for choice. The point I want to make is this: Are we after cosmetic mastery or idealistic perfectionism when it comes to our faces? Do we have fun applying make up or are does the obsession of covering up flaws gnaw at you? Have a think.....

Check out Promise's chameleon looks here: <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?video_pcode=RvbGU6Z74XE_a3bj4QwRGByhq9h2&height=348&embedCode=52eHBoNDpdIXl0xiz2ciPIvB0Q19JMN-&width=620&deepLinkEmbedCode=52eHBoNDpdIXl0xiz2ciPIvB0Q19JMN-"></script>

How Eva Fraser's Facial Exercises Made Me Make Peace With The Mirror

I remember meeting Eva Fraser, the guru of facial exercises in the summer of 2010. I had approached her with a view to doing an interview on how she became the guru of tightening droopy eyelids, sagging jowls and flabby cheeks. To make sure I understood her techniques, I asked if she could give me a show 'n' tell of her facial exercises. Whether I enjoyed it or not, I had to look in the mirror in bright day light to examine my face and look at the areas I wanted to tone. This was the time I could either cave into internal criticism or learn to make peace with myself. I felt uncomfortable. The mirror and I were enemies, especially with this amount of bright light. The voice of criticism was sparked: "your cheeks are flat, your eyes are hollow, your nose is bent, your lips are too thin...". On and on it went. I wanted this annoying voice to shut up. I had come in search for natural anti-ageing techniques, or better still, a literal hands-on-method without having to resort to plastic surgery later on in life.

So what did I do? Well, as simple as it sounds, I fully brought my mind into the present moment. I was there to learn; not judge myself on how attractive I was. I wanted solutions; not obstacles. I began zooming in to every technique Eva was showing me because my time with her was precious. It's no easy task silencing the mind, but it sure was worth it. Doing facial exercises meant I had to look in the mirror each day, which I began to do with mindfulness; it was a technique I began enjoying and with each passing day I appreciated the gift I was given by a wise lady. Thank you Eva Fraser! 

Miss Essence of Kindness: A Pageant For Inner Beauty, Without The Bikini Contest

Ever fancied a beauty pageant that no longer judges a woman by her looks? Can such an event exist? Ex-beauty paegants, Katharine Watson and Jodie Eardley from Abergele, Wales, have turned dreams into reality. They are ploughing the path to creating a beauty paegant with substance. Having had experience in the cut throat world of beauty queens, they are providing a platform for girls to bolster their confidence - without the bikini contest! The aptly named Miss Essence of Kindness,  is on the hunt for women who have a cocktail of self-confidence, inner beauty and ultimately, kindness. Much more than swishy, glamorous ball gowns, these girls will demonstrate through interviews and their efforts in raising money for charity, as to what makes them unique.

The aim of the paegant is for every girl, no matter her size, shape, colour or race will have the opportunity to compete. Moreover, the woman who emanates kindness, and inner beauty will win the crown! Hurrah!

Photograph: digitalart from www.freedigitalphotos.net

Maintaining Your Beauty Through Cancer

Last night I was introduced to a beautiful, fun-loving blonde friend. Now, whilst she sucked on a dainty cigarette, she said something interesting: "I spend so much money on my face and my body to maintain it!". (I felt it too rude to ask if she opted Botox or plastic surgery, but didn't see the tell tale signs). Here, I was chatting away with a bubbly blonde, who non-nonchalantly complained about several things: including her wrinkles and how her roots were showing; when ironically, we were two streets down from Harley Street, the most famous medical street in the world, where hundreds of ill patients seek expert treatment for cancer. Any type of cancer can leave even the most beautiful woman feel unfeminine and questioning whether she is beautiful.

The point I'm trying to make is: those who have beauty often get sidetracked by insecurities, leading them to hundreds of ways and means to maintain it. As the saying goes: "You don't what you've got until its gone". It got me thinking about women battling with cancer who look for ways to soften the blows of cancer: they search for ways to maintain their femininity, their physical beauty and their mindset, whilst they watch how cancer takes its toll on their physical appearances. I began searching for videos on cancer and inner beauty (which I've posted below) to see how cosmetics is used as a tool to bring out a woman's femininity. I felt these woman began to appreciate and understand simple ways and techniques to harness the healing process. Some opted for health eating, others sought out glossy, real human hair wigs and others tuned into yoga. All in all, when I researched this topic, I could see female cancer patients, even if their exterior appearance was crumbling, they picked up the pieces and cemented a whole new beautiful person!

I hope these videos shed light on inner beauty and what it means to feel beautiful :0) Enjoy

One Man's Journey to Show Men that Inner Beauty Should Be Acknowledged

Photo: Michal Marcol (www.freedigitalphotos.net)

Online dating: is a hot bed of harsh, or often judgemental comments on people's profile, who may not always be on the supermodel list, but have qualities, characteristics or a je ne sais quois sex appeal that isn't always picked up from virtual reality. 

One man, however, is determined for people, especially men, to see beyond pretty faces. Ex-D.J Jonathan Marga Luhur, launched Updaterus.com for Indonesians, after having first-hand experience of always having been surrounded by gorgeous faces in the entertainment field. He understood how man can be intoxicated by a woman's exterior appearance and sadly side line her character; when in fact, she could be the ideal women for him. Ultimately, he believes, it's a woman's attitude, characteristics, goals and hobbies, which shows her true beauty and this is what men should  acknowledge. 

I would love to hear your comments, opinions and thoughts if you've tried online dating and feel like you're being judged on your looks. After all, what has attracted you to that person? Looks? Personality? Or both? I look forward to reading your comments :0) 

 

In the Name of Inner Beauty, 60 Days Without Make-Up & True Beauty - Amen

Make-up techniques and how-to's can rule YouTube and search engines. After all, once you lose your cosmetic virginity you know you're a woman; a woman who wants to know how to paint herself beautiful. So I ask you: Do you remember the first day you applied make-up? Or watched your mother or sister doll themselves with real cosmetics, whilst you toyed around with fake lipsticks, compact mirrors and blushers? Each girl has her 5 minute or 1 hour pat, puff, conceal and highlight cosmetic routine that begins at an early age and continues right until the walking sticks appear. But what if one day, you zipped up the cosmetic bag, declaring "enough is enough!" - you will show the world what you truly look like first thing in the morning, without your "artificially painted face".

Well, two brave women unabashedly withdrew from their daily cosmetic routines and their challenge was: no make-up for inner beauty.

Molly Barker and Caitlin Boyle both run organisations to help teenage girls develop their self-esteem. Barker, who trains girls to be triathletes, felt she needed to abandon eye palettes and lip glosses to endorse the true meaning of inner beauty.  She then joined forces with Boyle (who runs OperationBeauty.com) and both set aside their clockwork beauty routine. They proudly named their experiment The Naked Face Project, were they gave up nail polish, anti-wrinkle creams, hair accessories and deodorant for 60 days, to show that sometimes women depend heavily on cosmetics. However, the beautiful point they made was how each of them felt more comfortable in their own skin; they felt lighter, more youthful and were at peace in "their own skin". 

Neither of them are beauty bashers, but through this journey, they've come to understand what truly empowers them. And that's what true and inner beauty is all about: knowing that external items or lashes are mere camouflages to the empowered woman that lies beneath.....

To find out more or to take part in The Naked Face Project click here http://www.thenakedfaceproject.com/

Below is a video posted by www.OperationBeauty.com with an inspiring message of beauty - Please take a few minutes to watch it:

Video on Inner Beauty - Can We Truly See It?

As children we see beauty everywhere, and in everything.  As adults, we tend to let out judgemental eyes scour over which face and body is attractive. I came across this video that questions how and if we actually can see inner beauty. What I loved about this video is how the girl saw people's beauty despite their physicality. She does her best in suspending judgement and begins analysing and understanding what makes each individual person beautiful. It really makes you think..... watch it with an open mind and heart.