All In The Mole.

I wasn't always proud of this mole. I actually spent most of my life hating it because as I was growing up, kids just kept teasing me that it makes me look ugly and weird or maybe they were calling me "Nora" or "Gloria" ( An actress and a former president in the Philippines). It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but for kids, they made it seem like it was. Some of them even went as far as mocking me for my mole and told me that it'll grow bigger and bigger until it eats up my whole face.

It didn't really stop there. Some of the adults would comment on it that my mole looks "alive" (buhay na buhay) and would describe me to people as the really light skinned kid with a mole. I just hated being described like that and it just made me think that one day I'll have it removed. I was so convinced on removing it until I was 17. You could tell that I just hated it so much because I would even go to an extent of covering it with makeup just because I thought I looked better that way.

I later realized that this mole is what actually differentiates me from other people. It's cool to think that I could actually pull off having it on my face and being lucky that it's natural and doesn't cause any complications to my health. I then started calling it my beauty mark. What added to my confidence was looking at Norma Jean a.k.a. Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn was a very beautiful woman that her mole became a very big asset to her. Her mole was definitely natural, although a little bit faint, she would enhance it more by darkening it. She did however got tired of it in some part of her life, especially with people trying to replicate that mole, so she in a movie that she starred in, she covered up her mole. Nonetheless, she still rocked that look and I'm happy that I have the almost exact same one. (Fun fact: I was born years after the same date that Marilyn Monroe died, a few minutes difference but technically the same. Maybe that's why I feel so passionate about her?)

I'm really happy that I overcame something that everybody made fun of me for and that made me hate how I looked. I have no more plans on having my mole removed and I now want to keep it forever and I actually want people to notice it more.

I'm just really proud of it now.

Painting above is made by my friend Elix. I showed her a painting of some lips that I told her I want it done almost the same but add a mole to it. So, thank you Elix if you're reading this. Her blog will be coming soon all about her artwork, I'll keep you guys posted about that. For now, if you wanna see more of her work or if you want something to be made by her, click HERE.

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A letter to my younger self - Your makeup.

Dear 14 year old Joyce,

Little girl, You are creative and beautiful. Don't let other people tell you otherwise, they don't understand that putting on makeup is your way of expressing yourself. Don't be frustrated that you can't do professional looking makeup, it will get better, you will improve. The people who told you that you must wear less makeup because they want to see you that way... don't listen to them because you can do whatever you wish, whatever makes you happy.. and wearing less isn't going to make you happy but will only restrain you from your creativity. Don't let it be the reason to let go of what you really want.

Those girls who raise their eyebrows at your style, those who teases you and calls you ugly, don't bother with them. Remember that there will be a time where they'll need your help. There are people who still think you're really good at what you do, focus on them and ignore the people who think you should just stop.

You we're always a trendsetter on which makeup product was good and people asked and copied you, but you don't have to return the favor and copy them too. Not everything works best on everybody, so you do you.

You know that you are creative, but there will be times that you get really frustrated that you'll wear really ridiculous amount of products or overpluck your eyebrows that you will regret doing because you weren't ready or wasn't comfortable enough. Baby steps child, like I said, you will improve.

I think that you should believe in yourself. Just practice and don't compare yourself to others. Don't be afraid to make some mistakes here and there, there is nothing you do then that I can't fix right now. And I can assure you, I am fine.So don't worry about me and just have fun.

From the almost 21 year old you,
Joyce ♥

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