Vanity Fact #1

It's never about outdoing others in everything. Having a bigger house, a bigger car, an expensive wedding, a branded bag, a newer computer, or even having a higher calling, a bigger CG or a better revelation, .. Whatever it is, if you are doing all you can to outdo others and be the best, it is vanity and gasping of the wind.

The only person you should try to outdo is, yourself!

By comparing yourself with others, how high can you go? How far can you get?

Will you not be always miserable and unsatisfied because there's always someone better out there?

How many things can you possess? There's always going to be newer and better things coming along.

Spot Fake!

Continuation from my previous post on "Why pay with your life" on some very toxic ingredients found in low quality or fake cosmetic makeup. 

Apart from the lower quality makeup by smaller brands in the market, there are many fake makeup of the bigger brands! These manufacturers earns a big fraction by selling the fake because they substitute important ingredients with the low quality and cheaper ones.

So how do you spot the fake ones when the makeup looks exactly the same as the original ones? These manufacturers copy boxes, colors and prints in boxes. But if you look closely enough, you will be able to tell if the product is a rip-off.

Here's some handy guide:
A) Read through the leaflet. If you notice misspelled words or incomprehensible english, don't buy it!

B) Check item codes. The item codes on the product should match that which is on the box, only applicable for brands with item codes printed.

C) Compare lids and applicator brushes with the original ones. Usually fake makeup comes with an applicator of a different size.

D) Examine the box thoroughly. Some counterfeit items will use a slightly different font or colors to print. There will surely be something that will give it away that it is a counterfeit, so be attentive to the details.

E) Only licensed sellers are allowed to sell branded products. Do not risk for health and skin just to save on the few dollars differences.

F) Be suspicious of cheap branded products.

If all these are too much for you, trust me, just do your purchases at authorized sellers or retail stores for 100% authentic products.

Everything?

Money is not everything but yet you cannot do anything without it.

Dressing up and looking good is not everything, but yet it reveals all that is within!
I am not someone who will make up everyday. In fact, I only do when I goes to church because I believe that we need to look good when we come before our king. 

My recent trip to shanghai, I met a friend and stayed with her for a few days. Everyday I see her diligence in putting make up and looking her best, till the very moment she goes to bed. On the last night, I had the chance to chat with her. Talking about the importance of working on marriage, I realized looking good is also a constant effort in making the marriage work!

Whatever is true on the outside reflects the truth on the inside. Very much like the saying that goes, there are no ugly woman, only lazy ones. When you dress simple, life will also be simple and boring. Using "not a make up everyday kinda person" as an excuse of my laziness was greatly revealed.
When you just wear whatever comes to you without thinking, is really because you are too lazy to stand in front of the mirror to take a look at yourself a bit more to see if it all matches!

Does it cost to look pretty and dress up? Of course it does. I am not going to lie to you and say that it does not cost money. But does it have to cost thousands of dollars for plastic surgery and branded? NO.
Dressing up is about how you can put various things together and give a completely different style each time. With the same pieces of clothing but yet wear out a completely different you, for different events. Fashion is not always about the new and the expensive.

It's never about the brand, it's about the design. It's never about the trend, it's about my style! - Jamie Lin