Pre-Menstual Syndrome (PMS)

    This time around, I'm gonna write about the problem girls hate the most, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). I was reading an article on this and I pretty much agreed with what it says so I thought I would share a little in here what I've read and what my experiences are.

    First up, the very common thing is the stomach cramps. Menstrual cramps, or more scientifically known as dysmenorrhea, are pains in the pelvic or lower belly area during the time of the month. Some feel only a dull pain while some feel intense pain followed by contractions. If it does not have gynaelogical problems causing the pain, then it's normal. But if there are abnormal conditions to your reproductive system and requires diagnosis and treatment, then it is more likely a complication. I've been having stomach cramps throughout my menstrual cycles, but for a year plus now, my PMSes aren't that bad as before. Just a mild cramp a few days before the day comes.

    Secondly, backaches. Oh, my backaches were so bad then that I wished someone could push me in a wheelchair because I didn't feel like standing up. Sleeping didn't feel comfortable at all because by night, my back would've felt so tired and painful that it was like as if it went numb. Often, I'd sleep with a pillow under my back because I don't have a straight back (well, maybe it's because I'm skinny or because I have a really bad posture. Yes, posture, that's right) You know what's worst? It's when you have BOTH stomach cramps AND backaches. You have the pain piercing both back and front, you feel like as though you want to chop off your body. Yes, it is painful being a woman.

    BREAKOUTS!!! I get this ALL the time!! But fortunately, this month, I didn't breakout before my menses came. First time!!! Mostly, my breakouts will lessen for 3weeks in a month, and then you suddenly see an influx of breakouts in a week or so. Yeah, the sign of menses. I hate this one alot because I can bear the pain fine, but breakouts? You make me lose the mood to feel beautiful. Well, this is called the hormonal acne actually. It comes when your hormones go on chaotic mode during that time of the month. Or maybe there had been something I did that helped control the hormonal acne? *curious*

    Grumpiness. I don't know if it's true, but we tend to get more grumpy easily when that time is nearing. I don't know why, but for me, I feel that I get agitated really easily when the time comes, especially on THE DAY. I'm a pretty grumpy person myself, (hahah!) and I get grumpy even faster when I'm having the womanly time of the month. Ohh well~ Maybe it's because my Mum gets a little too annoying too. AHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH~! (So evil, I'm blaming it on Mum...*tsk tsk*)

    Up next, swelling of the breast or breast pain. I only got this weird symptom ONCE. My boob felt a little painful. The pain is not the piercing pain type. It's like the you-knock-your-leg-on-something-and-it-became-purple-kinda-mild-pain, if you get what I mean. Good thing it only happened once. But make sure that the pain or swell goes away after a week of your menses. If not, go get it checked. We don't wanna get a tumor or something~

    I think this one is weird, but I get leg cramps!! It felt like I couldn't feel my toes. My leg went all numb or something and all..It felt like as though my leg doesn't have strength at all and I'm about to collapse, like my legs couldn't support my body weight or something..Even when you try to take a nap to ease the other pains, my leg cramps are still there even after I get up. Yuck!

    Well, these were just the few symptoms I experience when the time of the month is nearing or here. However, why do we get period? Well, this is because the uterus thickens in preparation for a possible pregnancy every month. And if a pregnancy doesn't occur, this lining swells and breaks down eventually then sheds as menstrual flow. When this lining breaks, a chemical compound known as prostaglandin is released, causing the uterus to contract. As such, the body gets to expel dead lining through the cervix and out through the vagina. Furthermore, the level of prostalglandin released determines the severity of your menstrual cramps. It is even more painful when there are clots of bloody tissue from the lining passing through the cervix and worst if the cervix is narrow. Intense pain can also be caused by the backward tilting of the uterus.

    So, what can we do? Of course, we hear this alot: Do more exercises!!! But then, I feel that it's rather uncomfortable to be doing more exercises when you're menstruating because you're in pain and you don't feel like moving around too much, you just want to sit down and you don't want it to bleed more. Put a hot water bag or heat pack on the tummy to relieve the cramps, drink warm water or go and take a rest and curl up. Take more VitaminE and thiamin rich stuff. They reduce menstrual cramps. Omega-3 fatty acids also help to relieve pain associated with PMS. Lack of regular exercise and emotional stress can also be a contributing factor to premenstrual syndrome. According to Chinese belief, drinking cold drinks and cooling food like watermelon and pineapple can induce blood clot and worsen the cramps. I'm not sure if it really does, but many abide by this rule. I don't really recommend this, but if it hurts so badly that you can't take it anymore, swallow a Paracetamol or aspirin. I take a Panadol Actifast because it relieves the intense pain really quickly. I don't know about Panadol Menstrual because I haven't taken that before. Taking 2 normal Panadol tablets don't really work or it works reallyyyyyyy slow. I have friends who take 2 Panadol Actifast which I think is damaging to health. I don't like depending on drugs whatsoever. But if I really had to, I'd only take ONE Actifast. It works really well. Ohh, just why must women be the one who does the child-bearing? If I said I want to give up the 
ability of child-bearing, can I avoid all these pain and maybe even menstruating? Yeah, start daydreaming!

Credits to Aeon Wellness.

My Fashion Pet Peeves-Wardrobe Malfunction

    I don't know if it really was a wardrobe malfunction, or were they just so oblivious or maybe even intentional. It is just totally disturbing when I come across people who wears their clothes like that. Like what? Hmm.

  Well, how do you define undergarment? A clothing that is worn underneath or just one word to describe: lingerie. Yes, so how do you wear them? You wear them underneath your overall clothes, right? But I don't understand how people can wear them as such that either some part of it is peeking out or exposed. I totally don't get ladies who wear tank tops and don't cross their bra straps. Say, the tank top is yellow and they're wearing a black bra. So you'll see the yellow cut-in tank and two black straps popping out at the sides. Like, c'mon!! All I can say is that, either that they're lazy to change their straps, or they think it's nice that way or they're just so clueless about it. *inserts troll face*

  Secondly, I know some peeps love fashion a lot but then, I don't know if they've noticed that your dress or pants is too thin that you can see through it? Especially white garments. They are very thin and the lining underneath is either only halfway or very thin that makes no difference either. Some peeps don't notice it but people can see their underwear colour, which I don't want people to. So before stepping out, I make sure that my dresses are not too thin by standing somewhere at home that has sunlight shone directly and get Mum to look out for me. In that way, if it is too thin, I wear a tight shorts inside.

  Similarly, tights or leotards and pencil skirts are really dangerous as well. Because they are garments that are body-hugging, some people don't really notice it but their pantyline is so clearly visible. This is because the underwear hemline is a little bumpy and the tight skirt or pants traces everything, worst if you're wearing a white pencil skirt and black undies. You can not only see the pantyline but also a black area. TOTALLY EMBARRASSING! Again. I check it both front and back at the mirror and if it's showing, I wear shorts inside to smoothen the surface. Or, just wear a seamless nude undie.

  Do you love wearing low-waisted pants? Almost ALL my pants are low-waisted but one. I don't like midis, but I love high-waisted pants! What is even more disgraceful is people wearing low-waisted pants and their undies are showing when they sit down. Hey, is either you wear a high -waisted pants or change your undies please!! I'm not the type that would purposely change my undergarments for a certain pants I wear. It's either I change my pants or I wear a top that is long enough to cover my not-so-low-waisted-undies. In fact, if I know I'm going out, I would just wear those low-waisted briefs. Simple as that. Some pants are so low that..their butt is even exposed. *speechless* And people can go out just like that. I'd normally try out my pants by squatting down because that's the lowest you can get to see if it's so low that some not so worthy things are exposed. I don't know, maybe they think it's sexy. *pukes*

  Loose, curly bra straps worn with sleeveless clothes. SERIOUSLY? When we sit down, the straps or both lingerie and shirt loosens too. And so the bra strap comes standing up and curly, like noodles. TIME TO GET A NEW ONE, DEAR! If you don't want to change those darling straps, then wear something with sleeves, kay?

  I'm particularly aware of not wearing light coloured or white clothing when that time of the month is nearing because it comes in a sudden and I don't want people to laugh at my back. It's really embarrassing when someone tells you you stained your pants. I mean, accidents do happen but avoiding it from happening is always better than to let it happen, no? Even when I'm wearing skirts, I wear pants underneath to give it double protection. At least, I am an extra layer safer. Hahah~

  Have you tried going out with your zippers down or one of your button is undone? I have once in a blue moon, I don't know how it happened to me. I might be dreaming when I was wearing it on I guess but really it was embarrassing. I had one of my high-waisted pant's button undone that day. There were 4 buttons and it really is hard to button. I went to toilet just undoing 3 buttons but I think the 4th one just popped undone itself and I didn't button it. Good thing it was the last button so it wasn't jutting out. Good thing I realized it fast or else I wouldn't know where to hide my face.

  I'm sorry if the way I describe things were a little disgusting, but those were really what I've been through and witnessed. So be careful gals!!

Breakouts

    Breakouts, acne, pimples or whatever you call those monsters that pop up on your face. Everytime they threaten you with their existence, even the least bit, it freaks us out because it's a hefty piece of effort to get rid of it. We try all kinds of things, put all kinds of things, do all kinds of things but still many a times we fail to curb it from growing.

    I don't have clear skin nor do I know of any good ways to treat it so I don't have the right to tell you what to do and all. My skin is not as bad as Cassandra Bankson as well. I'm not talking bad about her, she's one beauty really but under her makeup are some pretty bad acne. I don't have the skill with makeup to cover up like how she did, I'm not financially capable to try out so many products. So I'm just gonna share what I do with my breakouts. At least having it under control is still better than letting it erupt into a face full of those barbaric things right?

    I don't know how to describe my breakouts. Some are pimples, some are blind acne which doesn't have a head, some are milea seeds, some are white heads, some are just funny bumps that doesn't make my face look smooth. They can't be picked at or whatever like the other types of breakouts I have. I once had pretty clear skin sometime after I reached puberty, maybe it was the microfibre cloth I used that time, *shrugs*. Then, my Mum accidentally burnt that cloth when she wanted to sterilize it. Didn't use it anymore for quite sometime because that piece of cloth is REALLY costly!!! Then those breakout begin again. Then a friend recommended me bamboo charcoal cleanser she was selling. Loved the smell and everything. My face wasn't that bad and an insy bit less oily. Then she left and I didn't get to buy new bottles. My aunt happened to buy me a range of skincare when she came down our place to visit my Grandpa. Since then, I've been using the range and it works fine for me. Except for the exfoliater. It didn't remove that much of dead cells for me because the texture was kinda mild for me. It melts into my face before I could even massage my face with it.

    Well, I don't overwhelm my face with too much products because I'm lazy and I wouldn't have that much of money to buy new ones when one product runs out. My skincare routine is just double-cleanse, cleanser, occasion exfoliater, toner and eyecream. Sometimes when my pimple or blind acne becomes bad, I apply some benzoyl peroxide on it or a thin layer all over my face. Some blind acne are REALLY stubborn and it doesn't go away easily like the one I have on my chin now. You can't pick on it as it has not ripened yet and if you really do, it will get bigger!!! I only had to leave it as it is and just leave it to the pimple cream to dry it out. But be careful, pimple creams or more scientifically, benzoyl peroxides are drying. Your skin may peel if applied too much or if your skin can't take it, your skin will react. So try out the mildest one first. I jumped straight into the one with 10% benzoyl peroxide. Good thing my skin was fine with it or that tube would've been a waste.

    Besides that, I don't put on makeup regularly because no one would really bother to look, I thought. Except on weekends when I go to church or something, I'd put on simple makeup but that's it. I don't use foundations or makeup primers whatsoever. I bought BB Cream for prom last year but it didn't suit my skin really well because after I apply it as my makeup base for say two days straight whatsoever, my face breakout even more!!! It makes my face even more oily too! So now I only use it to cover up spots or pimples or redness and my eyebags. I've been having eyebags for as long as I remember and I hate it alot because when I take pictures, I look like I'm so sleep-deprived and old. Argh~ It doesn't cover up my eyebags completely but as least it brightens it up a little. I don't really like covering my acne with concealers or foundations because I have that mindset that if I do that, it's gonna clog my skin and my acne would get worst. However, I'd only cover it up with my pimple cream, I don't know if you have it but it's called Oxy Cover where the cream is tinted brown. It acts like a foundation to me because it covers as it heals. The coverage is not much, just reduce the redness a little. That's enough for me for daily usage. But like I said, applying it for a few days can dry up the area around the acne.

    To me, there's nothing to hide about your acne because everyone has it. I know it's a social stopper to some because some cruel people out there look down on people with acne problems but then, it's not like we asked for it!! But in case you want to put on make up to cover up your acne, then do it. Search for products that are non-comedogenic, as in products that do not induce pimples and do not clog pores. Mineral products are also said to be better than the normal ones. Also, remember to remove your makeup properly because if you don't, the residue is going to eat into your pores and block them. When your pores are blocked, they can't breathe and would breakout even more because your body is trying to push the foreign particles out. You won't want to play with blogged pores as well because they're not something to be funny about. Remove your makeup with makeup remover, not soap and water (soap is too harsh for the face). I don't really like oil removers because it makes me feel like I just dipped my face into oil. There are some that are water-based. Cleansing wipes are also good but only use them when you're travelling and want to travel light. They are really handy but they don't really clean everything well. But I only deep-cleanse to remove my makeup. It works fine also. But not as clean too. Hey! I don't apply heavy makeup!!

    I also put some aloe vera gel on my acne after I tone my face to moisturize it after applying benzoyl peroxide for a  few days. I've heard of putting some toothpaste on it but I haven't tried it out before because my toothpaste is herbal!!! I don't know if it works too~ But there's a breakout on my skin that has been there for months now!! It's red now, and when it appears lighter, my itchy hands went to prick it that day and it's back to red now. I don't know how to get rid of that. All the other acne that came out after it all came, grew, subsided and vanished but this one is still here, marking a bright red on my cheek. Gah!!

    So the next tip is NOT TO PICK AT YOUR PIMPLE because some might vanish, but if you don't do it correctly, they will come back with an even big and painful one. I vowed to not pick at my acne as a resolution this year. I can't call it a success nor can I call it a failure either because I still pick on it but in a much less frequency now. Compared to before, I always touch my face, trying to find one that I could scrape it off with my nails. I do it much lesser now thankfully, I was able to keep it as that, hopefully to stop touching my face eventually but you know it's hard to resist touching one that has loads of pus inside. Oh, this needs self-discipline, yes it does! That's about it I guess. As I said in my post before that, you may have these problems now but when you reach adulthood, your skin will change and so does your acne!! It will lessen no doubt!! Cheerios~

Oily Skin vs. Dry Skin

   This is the title that I would be writing about to start up my new blog. I don't know if it's to your liking but then, oh well, here it goes!

    What is oily skin? Well, according to a source, oily skin can be easily identified from your T-zone. Your T-zone is the area on your forehead and your nose. It looks and feels oily at that area. Oh wait, you smell like oil too. (At least, I do.)

    What is dry skin? Dry skin feels tight and your face may be even flaking, or your skin starts to peel. Red patches may occur or for some people, the skin looks dull.

    Alright. Those are the two most common problems faced by everyone. Well, combination skin is normal, as in at some areas it is oily some area is it dry. This kind of skin is pretty hard to treat in the sense that it's pretty tricky to find a proper skincare that suits for the different skinzones. However, you don't have to worry much about it. Just use something mild.

    Not sure if you have oily skin? Try your skin first thing in the morning when you get up. Is it oily or dry? If it's oily, then you have oily skin. You may feel that, ah, oily skin is so troublesome and you prefer dry skin because they have less acne or breakouts and such. Don't feel that way!! Because when you grow older, you might say otherwise! Why? Well, people with oily skin age slower. This is because your skin produces enough oil to hydrate your skin. But the menace only happens when it oversecretes oil.

    As for those with dry skin, you will find that your skin is dry and maybe reddish. You may also have smaller pores. You don't have to face the problem of having oily skin and free of pimples and breakouts! I don't mean to burst your bubble but this will not stay forever. Why? Because people with dry skin tend to wrinkle easily as their skin doesn't secrete that needed oil to hydrate your skin. I mean, you can't have the best of both worlds alright?

    Hey!! It doesn't mean that your skin will stay as it is forever. It can and will change according to hormonal changes. Especially for women. Your body changes accordingly. Just as when you reach puberty, when you enter into adulthood, when you become a mother and when you have menopause. All these stages in life involves hormones. So, who knows maybe your skin will change as well? You may have oily skin when you're a teenager, but when you enter into adulthood, your skin may be drier. As I said, it is not permanent.

    If you have oily skin now, you have to control your oil production first. Although those breakouts will always haunt you, remember that when you reach adulthood, your breakouts will lessen and the next thing you got to worry about are wrinkles!! Wrinkles, crow feet and similar things will start appearing.

    For oily skin, it is better not to use a cleanser which is foamy. Use a cleanser that is of gel. Foamy cleansers tend to make your skin drier and more dehydrated. Having oily skin doesn't give you the pass to dry out your skin off its nutrients and moisture so you CANNOT wash your face for 5times a day just because you want to get rid of the oil. No, wash your face only twice or maximum 3times daily and it'll SUFFICE already. If you strip your face off its oil too much, your sebaceous glands will produce MORE sebum, causing you produce MORE breakouts. Just clean your face moderately. If you gloss too much, dab on some powder or blot it out with facial blotter or tissue. You may also choose a cleanser that is formulated for oily skin. But then, it's a really long process to look for a skincare that suits your skin. So don't give up! Use a gentle scrub or an exfoliater twice weekly. I'd recommend not to overload your face with plenty of skincare. Just a cleanser, occasional exfoliater, astringent or toner and maybe an eyecream or moisturizer. Double-cleanse is fine too. STOP THERE.

    For dry skin, foam cleansers are fine for you as oil secretion hasn't been much of a problem. Some would use heavy cleansers or moisturizers. There's nothing much to help it. You can carry some spray water with you so that when you feel your face is getting dry, just spray your face with it.

    That's about it. And my tip about moisturizers is use an aloe vera gel as your moisturizer. Its healing properties are better than the commercial moisturizers. Just my belief. So here's it!! =)

Hi There~!

Alright. I lost the enthusiasm of blogging about two years ago and so I started this one up to boost my love for writing (maybe?). Well, this blog was made to go about with my opinions on stuff that people requests. So if you may happen to wanna hear how I think on a certain matter, leave me a comment and if deemed appropriate then I'd write about it. So, voila! =D