Try and Try

#241: Trial Make-up

I am faithful to my hairstylists. My hair is a bit strange so it takes a really talented person to make it look nice. If you cut it the wrong way, waves go in weird directions and looking normal becomes a daily struggle for me. Now, most hairstylists here in the Philippines can also do make-up. Not all will be good but majority will be quite capable.

If other brides already know what kind of dress they'll wear from the word, "Yes" (like, "will you marry me?" "Yes!"), I already knew who I wanted to have for my hair and make-up. I could be wearing rags for all I care. I just needed to have nice hair.

And so I booked Ms. Sydney. She did my eye make-up once (because she was so fascinated with how well I carried the new cut she gave me) and I just felt fabulous walking out of the salon that time. That sealed the deal for me.... which, on retrospect, was a bit short-sighted and shallow on my end. It's like choosing a shoe because it fits your right big toe.

I did my trial hair and make-up with her last June and because I trusted her too much, I basically gave her free reign on what to do with my look. She gave me 6 hairstyles and told me that for my make-up, she was going to do this: (pointing to Angelina Jolie's almost bare face on the front cover of a magazine.) Good choice. I like the au naturel look. While she was putting on my make-up, I basically gave her all my bargaining chips. I told her that I'm considering no one else but her to do my hair and make-up... and that if she gives birth on the day of my wedding (she's due late October, early November), I'll cry. Little did I know that I'd want to cry a lot sooner.

She finished off my make-up with a bright pink lipstick and a glassy lip gloss. I looked at the mirror and swallowed hard. Hello Japayuki version of myself!

It took my parents, my friends and my fiance to convince me to abandon that option.

"Yes, we know you love her, Gladys but you can't look like that on your wedding day!!!"

Well, to be honest, I don't know if I can look like that any day! (Except on the day I decide to make a career change and fly off to Japan to be a Yuki.)

Left: Japayu-Me Right: Just Me

I called the other person who had been doing my hair before Ms. Sydney. (I lost track of her at some point because she just kept jumping salons.) Thank goodness her number was still in my old SIM. Her name is Rita and my trial hair & make-up with her was a lot better. She gave me just two hairstyles but at least, she captured my coloring better, she didn't change the shape of my eyes, and I walked out of the salon looking like I'm just a better version of myself. Ah, finally, a stylist who gets my make-up philosophy.

Me? Make-up? No, I just woke up gorgeous!