Back in the old days, you'd have to purchase certain magazines or books if you wanted to learn some makeup tips from the experts; magazines were a woman's source for the latest beauty products and tips on how to achieve the latest makeup trends. Fortunately, thanks to the internet, we can access sites that offer beauty advice for free! Beauty blogs have been emerging, offering a number of tutorials and tips for those into the beauty and lifestyle scene. Here are a couple of beauty bloggers you must check out:

     24 year old Youtuber hailing from Lacock, United Kingdom, Zoe or Zoella shares videos of mostly her fashion and beauty hauls. With over 6 million subscribers on YouTube, it's no surprise that her first collection of bath products, Zoella Beauty, sold out within hours from release. Zoella has been awarded the Choice Web Star Award for Fashion/Beauty in the Teen Choice Awards 2014.

     Her easy-to-follow video tutorials on YouTube are very helpful and fun. From lifestyle, to beauty, to fashion, Michelle's blog is something you wouldn't want to skip (I learned how to perfect the winged eyeliner from her and she does an amazing job with her makeup transformation art.) She also has an honorary degree from Ringling School of Art and Design.

     Created by makeup artist Amy Nadine and hairstylist Kristin Ess, The Beauty Department offers complete step-by-step hair, makeup, and facials tutorials with photos so it wouldn't be hard to visualize. They also have reviews of beauty brands they recommend for their readers. 

     She's an A-list makeup artist, occasionally doing stints in New York Fashion Week, Allure, Elle, and Vogue. She also has this photo essay project called Beauty Is Boring, that features faces and looks she simply finds beautiful. 

     From makeup artist, Cara Brook, comes this beauty blog that has before-and-after makeovers so you get to see the difference quickly, and a couple of easy to do DIY-projects. She also has her own line of makeup which is currently on sale at her online shop. She was awarded Beauty Blogger of the Year by Allure in 2013 and is currently a beauty contributor for Allure. 

     All these ladies show how fun beauty is. They show how wanting to take care of yourself and makeup in itself is not a sign of vanity. Never shame a woman for wanting to wear makeup. If a woman chooses to wear makeup, let her be, because she's most likely doing it for herself and not for you. 

- Daniela Regis (✿◠‿◠)

DANIELA'S FIRST SHAVING AND WAXING EXPERIENCE:     

     The first time I shaved my armpits was a pretty nerve-wracking event. I had no idea how to handle a razor and I was so afraid of the possibility of ending up with shaving nicks and cuts in my freaking armpit. I guess getting instructions from my mom was less unnerving since she's done it a couple of times already. At first, I wasn't so keen on the idea of shaving because I've read somewhere that it could darken the area, but nevertheless, I went through with it anyway. Luckily, I didn't have any cuts or burns and I ended up having nice, smooth-looking pits afterwards. I guess having hairless armpits made me more confident to dress up in tank tops and sleeveless dresses. 

     Of course, hair grows back and within a few weeks, I had to shave again. Hassle, right? Ugh. After a while, I decided to go to a waxing salon to have my armpits waxed and being a little sissy that I am, I cringed and let out a really high squeal that I tried so hard to suppress. It was a distasteful experience for a 14-year old. Anyway, I preferred the results from waxing as compared to shaving. It look a longer time for hair to grow back which meant less trouble for me! The lady at the waxing salon was nice enough to talk to me about random things to get my mind off the pain I was about to endure. 

     The first time I tried waxing my armpits by myself, however, well, that was tragic and shameful. It was two days before my prom and since I was out of time, I did the entire process all by myself. I read the directions on the box and I did everything it told me to do. I tried so hard but I ended up with below satisfactory results. I had no choice but to pester my cousin to drive me to the nearest waxing salon to get my pits to look silky smooth. 

 ANNA'S FIRST WAXING EXPERIENCE:   

     The first time I tried waxing my legs was when I stole my mother's luxury waxing kit that someone gave her. I was around 11 and I thought that it was about time that my legs would be silky smooth and without hair. It was at night time and I took the kit out. I didn't read the instructions, again, I was 11 and I really just wanted to get my legs waxed. I've seen my mom do it, so that was enough knowledge to do it. I spread the gooey wax on my legs and placed the cloth wrapper on it and pulled. 

      I didn't know that it had to be at a certain direction.

      I didn't know that I had to put it on the cloth strip first.

     So there I was crying in the bathroom because my legs were disgustingly sticky and still hairy. I had to go to my mom in shame to ask for help.

      After all that my legs were hairless and it felt really itchy at first. I didn't scream or cry out of pain because it didn't feel that bad and I guess my high pain tolerance helped as well. Never forget to apply the oil so it won't be sticky or itchy.


Here are videos on how to shave and wax properly:

     Sure, it's troublesome to have to maintain that silky smooth look of your skin by constantly having to worry about shaving or waxing. It's okay to not want to get rid of the hair on your body. If you're confident with that, then fine. It's also okay to want to have a hairless body. Whichever path you choose, flaunt your skin and be confident. 

- Daniela Regis and Anna Cayco
click photos for sources

     In a hurry for school? Well, you're in luck! Here are five unique hairstyles that you can easily do for each day of the school week. No hot tools required!

Thanks to my sister, Keira, for being the model for the tutorials!
-Isis Evangelista