1, 2, 3...as confident as you can be

Confidence…isn't it something that we all long for. I personally experience ups and downs with this. Some days I feel on top of the world and comfortable, and a lot of other days I want to hide in my room, cry myself to sleep or just feel miserable. Why? Because I am not happy with the person I am. I am not happy with a lot of things. I sometimes feel like a loser, or an anti-social person. I am not outgoing enough, I'm not skinny enough, I don't wear expensive clothes. So many reasons why I am not satisfied. 

''Be confident. Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we arent. Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when you accept everything you - and aren't - that you will truly succeed''

The reason why we are not happy with ourselves doesn't have to do with the person we are, or became, it has to with our surroundings. Open up a magazine, watch tv commercials, see skinny models or by watching movies we influence our perception of how we are supposed to feel, look or act. It takes us away from reality and creates a perfect picture. But that picture does not exist in real life, it is a not achievable dream. Therefore we need to stop thinking about what if... or maybe... I created some steps to follow to become the confident person we all want to be.

Beauty essentials (budgetproof)

Like a lot of other girls (and boys) I like to add some confidence by using some colours and tools. So today, while going through my stash I asked myself the question; What if I could only use one more product, or can only take one on my vacation....which one would I choose? To be honest, no clue. But, having that in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my makeup musthaves, or my favorites. I have it in order of what I would wear in full make up, which might seem a lot to some people. I don't include everything (e.g primer, eye base etc)



1. Tinted moisturizer
Probably one of my very favorite products, I love the ones from Nivea (and its affordable) and just gives you a healthy skin tone and glow. You seem refreshed and awake. If I feel lazy I only put some tinted day creme on and it kind of works like a foundation. A tinted moisturizer can range from 4 dollars to 100, but one from nivea would be around 6-9 dollars. 

2 CC Cream

I guess this is a new thing, after the BB cream we have a CC cream, from L'oreal.( I have to be honest, I have tried several BB creams and did not like them.) 
You have several CC creams, but the one I use is anti-redness, and I absolutely love this one. WARNING: do not use when you have a a very fair/pale skin, or did not get any sun just yet. It covers redness, (it actually does it job) but if you are pale you might look a bit orangy. But other than that I love this one. 




3. Dermablend Foundation
I LOVE this one. It is the only foundation I use. My skin is quite red, no matter what, and this foundation has extra pigment, so the red doesn't appear. I have tried 10+ foundations but none work to hide my redness. You can get it in some drugstores or in a warehouse, but I usually just order it online for around 15-20 dollars; since its thick you only need a little and it will last for a long time. It comes in five different shades, and I use the lightest one, nr 15 in the winter and one darker, nr 25, in the summer. 
(After having found out about the CC cream I barely wear foundation, or a really really thin layer, as I barely need it anymore)

4. Mascara
I think mascara can add so much to a face, and really open up and highlight your eyes. When I don't go anywhere but don't like feeling 'naked' I put on some day creme and mascara, and feel so much better. At the moment I am using one of L'oreal, and loving it, the volume collagen mascara. It adds both length and volume, and your eyes kind of pop. It's around 15-20 dollars, but I always buy when its on sale; 2 for 1

5. Eyeliner
I don't use eyeliner everyday, but I have three laying around that I all use. One from essence ( a european brand) and it's a fineliner; so very thin which will give you a nice straight line. This one is around 3 euros, but I don't think it is sold in the US. The other one is a gel liner from Maybelline, but I don't  like these. It smudges and just doesn't apply very well. 

6. Eye shadow
My favorite palette is the naked one from Urban decay. As this one is a little less affordable I have looked for a 'fake' naked palette. I found one from Catrice, a European brand which has 6 colours (highligher, 3 eyelid colors and 2 for the crease). It was around 4 euros, and for the price I think it is great.

7. blush 
I love this blush, its called true rose from L'oreal. It is a very soft, sweet pink and not very present yet gives a nice healthy look. I prefer to use a blush in the summer, as my skin is not that fair and has gotten a tan. Again, I buy all product when they are on sale only! Which means 2 for the price of one or 50 percent off (same thing) I think this one was around 8 dollars (full price). 

8. Bronzer
I have only used one bronzer for the past three years, and I am a big fan. It is the shimmer waves from the body shop. In the winter you want to watch how much you apply, but it has a nice shimmer, light glitters and gives you a health glow. You can purchase it for 22 dollars, and mine lasts around 15 months, so it is a good investment.


9. Lips
To be honest, I am not a lipgloss kind of person. First of all you put it on your lips, and after a while it is gone...wonder where it went. Right, in your mouth. The only thing I use is chapstick with colour when in need. But otherwise I go all natural. My lips have quite some pigment in them, so I don't feel like they are naked. 

Accomplishment

I wish you
Comfort on difficult days
rainbows to follow the clouds
smiles wen sadness intrudes
faith so that you can believe
sunsets to warm your heart
laughter to kiss your lips
courage to know yourself
hugs when spirits sag
patience to accept the truth
beauty for your eyes to see
confidence for when your in doubt
friendships to brighten your being
and love to complete your life

Accomplishments


Whatever struggle you might be going through, whatever path your are walking right now, whatever goals you are trying to reach, you will make it through. Because you are stronger than you think you are, much stronger. Some day you will look back and wonder how you made it so far. Why? Because you believed in yourself, and made the decision to not give up, but to continue. Be proud of your accomplishments and more important: be proud of who you are. I believe in you, God believes in you, and you should believe in yourself. We might be struggling and having a rough time, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Tell yourself:
'I love you, you did the best you could today, and even if you didn't accomplished all you had planned, I love you anyway'

Psalms tells us:
'Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me'

Love, 
a girl trying to stay strong