How I Wear It: Le Face

This post may not be about my OOTDs or frugal finds, but I feel like this post is still relevant to the idea of self-expression because this face is put out in the open each and every day. It's the first front you must pass before getting to know me on a deeper level. It's definitely a hard front to break down because it has been through its fair share of battles. This front is my face.

I have always wanted to blog about this because 1) people are very ignorant about this topic and 2) I think a lot of people can relate to my situation one way or another. I am very sensitive when it comes to talking about my face or even my skin in general, but if someone can get something out of it, then it's well worth the talk.

I have been suffering physically and mentally from acne for 8 years so far, and before then, I had other skin-related issues. I have been on medication of all sorts. I can pretty much recite all of the tropical creams that my insurance covers. I have been made fun of in languages that I don't even understand. I have used a fair share of over-the-counter treatments. Don't even get me started on how much I have spent just to see some progress.

However, all of that is not even the worst part. The worst part is when people talk to you as if you don't own a mirror and think that you don't even try. For one, I own 3 mirrors in my room and my webcam, which I use as a mirror. I am that insecure. In fact, acne was my motivation to dress better to compensate for my ill-looking face. Two, I have been fighting this battle for so long and I've tried all of the tricks in the book. I have been on a lot of different regimes, both modern and traditional ones. Acne is very tricky because for one moment, there would be a lot of progress and the next thing I know, it's back with revenge. Unless you see me everyday, don't talk to me as if you know what's going on with this front that I have.

Like many, I gave up on treating it and I decided to cover it up with a mask of foundation. I only went to one dance out of my high school career and that was my senior ball. For once, I just wanted to look pretty or at least presentable. I asked my parents if I can give foundation a try just for this occasion. I did not want to be dependent on make-up to feel accepted by the public. Unfortunately, my first use of make-up was definitely not my last; sure enough, I was dependent. Foundation was like a girl's best friend. It stopped the awkward ice-breaker of "Oh hey, your acne is really bad. Do you use medication or anything?" I started to feel...I guess, pretty? Well, good things must come to an end and my foundation just couldn't hide the bumps anymore. Applying makeup became a chore, and I just felt miserable.

I then realized that I couldn't just hide the spots and the bumps anymore. I went back to a previous regime, but this time, I'm using it religiously. I even thumb-tacked the instructions on my bathroom walls. I am currently on my second month of Acne.org's cleanser, benzyl peroxide, and moisturizer. I am also using the jojoba oil, which is amaaaaazing, and AHA+, which is not as fun to use...

In addition, I am using my make-up more sparingly; in fact, I haven't applied foundation for about a week because I ran out....but that's besides the point. For the very first time, I feel independent and beautiful despite the weird red marks on my face. Of course there is still some insecurity, but I have learned to respect my own opinions over others. I understand that a lot of people are coming from a good place when they tell me their opinions about my face, but the public have taunted me with their opinions for too long now.

This face is a work in progress and it will never be perfect, but ultimately, this victory is mine.

My ten cents #27: Sometime, most of the time, your opinion about yourself is far more important than those of others because you know yourself better than anybody else. I mean, you have been in that body for how long now...? My point, exactly.

How I Wear It: School T-Shirts (VSA)

Heeeeey there, it has been a while, hasn't it?  I haven't been motivated to take any pictures since my poor NEX-F3 got into an accident and now I can't turn it on. I plan on getting it fixed soon, but as of now, I'm going back to my OG point and shoot. It got the job done originally, so I'm just going to look at it as a little reunion.

Highlight of the day: officially getting my VSA shirt! I love love LOVE the contemporary design of it. Being Buddhist, the homage of the lotus flower made it even more personal. When I was paying for my membership, which came with the shirt, I told my friend that I already have an outfit in mind. Whether she was serious or joking, she told me that I should make a blog post of how I would style it. (If you are reading this, HI SUZIIIIIIE <3) I laughed it off, but she has a good point. How the heck do you wear school t-shirts outside an event that's associated with the org? Being the club junky that I was and still am, this idea is relevant. I definitely want to work on its PPW, and sleeping with it is kind of cheating in my book. I actually get all of my sleepwear for free or really cheap because it not even for show, so I wouldn't invest in a shirt just so I can sleep in it...

Without further to do, here are 3 ways I would wear a school t-shirt or even a graphic band tee. Each outfit is meant for a quarter because you know you want to wear it all year to work on its PPW. ;)

FALL: When I think of fall, I think of layering, especially layering SUMMER CLOTHES into your fall wardrobe (working on that PPW of course). T-shirts instantly make outfits casual. I am not a big fan of casual wear because I like to go the extra mile to look more individualized, but for my lazy days, I like to pair T-shirts with dressy clothes like my black high-low dress from H&M, which cost me $10. As for my shoes, I paired my black Sam Edelman heels that I got from Goodwill for $5 with my gifted knee-high socks to create a casual bottom look as well. I am not a huge fan of the sock plus heels combo, but I like how quirky it looks.

WINTER: I am soooo ready to bring out my coats! I got this brown Forever 21 peacoat before I practiced the "mytencents" principles, so it was relatively expensive; I think it was about $20? I will never make that same mistake again! Anywho, I wanted to go for a sophisticated look with some edge, so I paired the shirt with a Jones New York collared sleeveless top that I got from a garage sale for a dolla, black Bebe denim bottoms that my aunt gave to me, and Mudd laced combat boots that I picked up at a garage sale for a buck.

SUMMER: Ohhh summer, it's going to be awhile until we meet again. What I love and hate about summer is that I can't layer. It's kind of hard to make different outfits when you want to wear a minimal amount of clothes. That is when I rely on accessories to amp up my looks. My very Asian-y mom always remind me to wear a hat during the summer to keep my not-so-light-colored skin from getting any darker. I do not like hats because they add extra weight to my head...if that makes any sense. Being the obedient daughter that I am, I do listen to her by borrowing her hat like this red Nine and Co. straw hat that she got at a rummage sale for $2. :P It does not feel like summer without a pair of high-waisted shorts and boat shoes, so I belted my Calvin and Klein high-waisted denim shorts that I got from my aunt with my maroon Coach belt that I got from a garage sale for $0.50. Lastly,  I sealed the deal with my grey with red accents boat shoes from Nordstrom Rack, which I got for less than $15.

My ten cents #26: Trial and error, baby, trial and error. Try different trends that emphasizes on little accents or make your own! I truly believe in the importance of little details because they make a huge difference! Let it be socks and heels or layering with collared shirts, do what your heart contents.