Eye Shadows

I applied to college with the intention of pursuing a fine arts degree.  That didn't happen but makeup is a fun way to play with color on your face, especially with eye shadows.  The inner artist in me relishes the opportunity to pick up a brush again and create a unique look from day to day depending on my mood.

Job U

*  I received this book from
Blogging for Books for this review

I'm doing a lot of research before plunging into the job market again.  I just finished this book called Job U  to find out what skills I need in order to get hired.

I expected it to be a straight how-to book, but it read more like an academic essay.  The author, Nicholas Wyman continually repeated that the whole notion that everyone should attend college in order to attain "success" was flawed.  If you don't think college is necessarily for you or you've been there, done that.  You should consider professional certifications, associate degrees, apprenticeships, or occupational learning.  Besides the associate degree, I didn't even know these options were available!  He only shared a handful of programs in specific chapters.  Luckily, the appendix shares a lot more resources, so I'm going to be checking out those websites next.

I wish I had read this book while in high school because it would have saved me a couple years and a lot of money.  I was hoping that by the end of the book, I would have had a clear career path illuminated for me, but this book is just a helpful tool.  In closing, Mr. Wyman said, "What I am here to tell you is that when considering your next step, take in as much information and guidance as you can, but ultimately only you can make the decision about what job or career will be the right fit."

Did you go to college?  Are you in college?  What's your job or are you seeking one too?  If you have any career advice please share.  My uncle told me to get over myself.  There is no dream job.  You just need a job.  I hope that my life is not as depressing as his.

Have a Great Day!

March 20, 2015

I'm sure that you've had your fair share of bad days.  So, when I read in an interview, that Ms. Noel stated that she's never had one, I was skeptical.  What she did since she was a child, was to stop and close her eyes to "start over" after a difficult situation.

Why have I never heard of this technique before?  Sometimes, a comment or a task that I didn't complete dashes my confidence and derails me.  But considering her approach, it's true, you can have bad moments, but why should you let that negativity linger and define the whole day?  Don't let one instance ruin the remainder of the 24 hours in your day.

I Am No Genius, Are You?

"I'm a full-time believer in writing habits.  You may be able to do without them if you have genius but most of us only have talent and this is simply something that has to be assisted all the time by physical and mental habits or it dries up and blows away."

- Flannery O'Connor

In Full Bloom

So, I specifically set out to read books that fellow Asians had written and came across In Full Bloom.  I related to the protagonist so much that I finished it in 2 or 3 days.  I had to find out what happened to her so that I could get a glimpse of what might happen in my own future.

Refrigerate It

Do you finish all your face products before purchasing the next one?  I didn't.  When my skin was acting up, I'd buy this and then that hoping to find a cure.  (I'm still trying to figure out that perfect blend of products that will keep my face splotch free forever.)  Research shows that in order to truly gauge the effectiveness of a product, you should apply it regularly for 6 weeks at the minimum.  Obviously, when the product is new and is doing wonders for your skin, you'll stick with it.  But even when it's apparent that the product is not having any effect, keep using it for at least a month so you can know for sure.

If you have products that used to work for you stashed in your medicine cabinet, put it in your refrigerator.  Or seasonal things, like that super thick face moisturizer that you depend on in the winter months and never touch in the spring.  If it's extremely old (I'm talking years) throw it away.  Once you finish testing an existing product and figure out it's not right for you.  Give it to someone else or toss it.  Try that oldie again for the allotted period and see if you can bring those good times back.

You're spending all this money on makeup and skincare, you should protect your investment as much as possible.  Refrigerating products will prolong the life of them, especially if you live in humid climates.  In California, it seems we've skipped spring altogether and went straight into summer.  I've gone through my collections and stored a lot of stuff in the fridge.  Face creams feel so good to put on when it's nice and cool after a very lukewarm day.

25 Reasons Why You are Great

Springtime Haikus

I feel like a broken record to continually tell you all that whatever it is you want to accomplish, you need to make a habit of it and keep doing it in spite of your fear and reservations and lack of time.  So today, I give you a haiku exercise.  The Writer's Devotional said to write one about your favorite season.  I'm not sure that I have a favorite season but I'm looking forward to spring "because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket."  Do you know where this quote is from?  keke

Happy St. Patricks Day

Even if you don't feel like it, you are a lovely, lucky duck

Highlighter

Obviously not these.  And not powders either.  The only highlighter I use is Anastasia's Highlighting Duo Pencil in Camille and Sand.  There is a matte highlighter on one end and a shimmery one on the other.  Once again, it's a chubby crayonish shape so it is super easy to use.  I dot the shimmer highlighter in the inner tear duct area.  And the matte highlighter underneath the arch in my browbone and just the inner part of my undereyes.  I use a different undereye concealer, which I already wrote about here.  Tap gently with your finger to blend and you're good to go.

I know that others may highlight the bridge of their nose or their Cupid's bow or even a little above the browbone, but I don't do that.  I don't use a highlighter for the tops of my cheekbones either because I just don't like shimmer.  Also, I get dewy throughout the day so why bother?

* Since I already told you my essential 7 products as a base, the remaining products I mention will be shared in no particular order.

Positive Intention = Positive Impression

I'm sure you've already heard that 90% of communication is nonverbal.  That means that even a glance or smile has impact.  Ms. Noel says, "When you aren't acting with positive intention, you leave room for negative interpretation."

Keep Writing (or Whatever it is that You Do)

"What I write when I force myself is generally just as good as what I write when I'm feeling inspired.  It's mainly a matter of forcing yourself to write."

- Tom Wolfe

I haven't read anything of Tom Wolfe's but he spent more than 25 years writing investigative non-fiction and is considered a father in the field.  I'll keep it short today.  Stick to the positive habits you've created.  I made a posting schedule with this blog early on and I haven't missed a day.  It's actually the posts that I decided to write on a whim that are sitting in my draft pile, while the "forced" ones are the ones that I actually publish.  Perseverance wins over inspiration almost every time.

What actions have you successfully implemented since the new year began?

My Essential Seven

Let's recap my seven essentials so far.  On the top right corner, I've already got chapstick and sunblock on.  The photo underneath, I've concealed my blemishes.  Bottom left corner, I've drawn in my eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil.  Next, I've curled my eyelashes.  Finally, I've applied lipstick.  And completed the look with blush.  (I have a very light hand with blush.)

If I wear these and nothing else, I can get away with using one Bioderma pad at night instead of two.  Super easy both to apply and take off when the day is over.

I apologize for the mediocre picture quality, but I wanted you guys to have a face to the person behind sun over eden.

Happy International Women's Day

to all the beautiful, wonderful ladies in the world, we have come so far

Purpose Before Problems

February was not good to me.  It's March already and I have yet to get closer to the goals I set out earlier this year.  One good thing that I am patting myself on the back for is at least posting regularly on this blog.  I keep saying that this blog is about positivity, but I have yet to adopt positivity as a way of living.  I feel so behind, but I'm fighting my natural tendencies and striving towards a better me.  Cathy Rudder, a fellow good morning reader, reminded me to, "Fill each day with purpose--not problems."

The Trick to Being Creative

Whether you are just in a slump or you think the creativity gene just missed you, everyone can be creative.  The trick is to break out of your usual routine, to startle your brain with something new.  Most of us function on autopilot due to habit so the only way to rewire those brain networks is to confuse and challenge it.  Even Albert Einstein needed help to think more creatively.  So, he picked up the violin.  Winston Churchill learned how to paint landscapes.  It doesn't matter what activity you choose so long it's something of interest to you.

I've dabbled in painting, book making, cross-stitching, kickboxing, baking, doll making, and the like.  I agree with Salvador Dali who said, “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.” And “if you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced,”  said Vincent Van Gogh.

Wash Dem Brushes

How many times a week do you wear makeup?  And how often do you wash your makeup brushes?  There are some parties that suggest sanitizing them daily.  I'm not that diligent, but I do wash them weekly.

Some general tips to washing dem brushes are:

• I use a Sephora Professionnel Purifying Brush Shampoo, but you can use baby shampoo or even a gentle bar soap.  There's no need to be really picky about what you use so long as it gets those brushes clean.
• I swirl the soapy brush in my palm for a light lather and rinse under water.  If the water isn't clear, I repeat.
• Squeeze out the excess water from the brush, then reshape and lay it flat or upside-down to dry.  Never, ever  leave them upright to dry or else you'll ruin them.
• While you're at it, if a brush sheds a lot or no longer holds its shape, it's time to say goodbye to it.

Look Alive with Blush

The trick to looking alive?  Besides doing your lips and filling in your brows?  Blush.

I went to Korea last year and bought my first blush.  (Ok, technically I bought a blush before this but does it count if it's from the equivalent of a 99¢ store?)  I didn't go with a list of makeup I wanted to buy.  In fact, I had almost given up my search for a coral blush until I spotted Missha M Prism Blending Ball Blusher in Peach Glow at the last minute.  Being Korea, it happened to be a knockoff of Guerlain's Météorites Perles de Blush.  I am such a sucker for pretty things.  Not only did my Missha M Prism Blending Ball Blusher cost about $30 (which is about half Guerlain's price), but it has a mirror and comes with a handy brush.

I've been using the brush that was included.  I gently press the brush into the pearls and then pat, pat, pat on my cheeks.  The store associate said that you could separate the pearls by color and use it for separate highlighter and blush.  It's very easy to build color and it creates that perfect flush that I have been craving.  A girl even complimented me on cheeks. keke