End of year thoughts 2016// personal

Another year is ending and this time my heart feels so heavy. So much has happened this year. A lot of good things and a lot of bad things. But the amount of lessons I've learned this year is unprecedented. As much as I laughed at Kylie Jenner's "realizing things" comment, she was right!!! 2016 made me realize a lot of things.

Current Favorites in Skincare, Hair care, Makeup and Fashion (video) 2016

Items mentioned

Aloe vera gel buy

St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Green Tea scrub buy

Suave Keratin Heat Defense leave in conditioner buy

Hask Argan oil buy

Garnier Anti Acne BB cream- medium/deep buy

ELF hydrating face primer buy

NYC Smooth Skin loose powder- naturally beige buy

Maybelline Fit Me concealer- medium buy

Real Techniques Miracle Sculpting Sponge buy

City Colors on the go palette buy

Urban Decay Vice 4 palette (limited edition collection, sold out) 

NYX eyeshadow- showgirl buy

Urban Decay Naked 3 Eyeshadow palette buy

Kiko Milano eyeshadow #41 buy

Maybelline Great Lash Lots of lashes mascara- blackest black buy

NYX lipliner- Nutmeg buy

Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip- Frick N' Frack buy

Tommy Hilfiger Black Tassel Backpack (couldn't find my one online but this one is similar)

Zara two toned scarf (this one is similar)

Zara camel coat 

10 Last Minute Gift Ideas for HER

With the holidays right around the corner, some of you may be entering a state of panic because you haven't started Christmas shopping yet. Don't worry my fellow procrastinators, I got you covered!

If there's a special woman in your life, whether she is your mom, grandma, girlfriend, wife (etc) I got a fool-proof gift guide that any woman will love! With time and money in a crunch, these gifts are guaranteed to put a smile on HER face!

The Countdown Begins! One Month til 25

You may be thinking this is a one-month countdown to Christmas, but it's actually a one-month countdown to my 25th birthday! Yes, I am a Christmas baby (No, it's not cool. No, I don't get double the presents!)

With my golden birthday around the corner (25 on the 25th), there's a lot that I've been putting into perspective. There's a lot that I thought I would accomplish by 25 that didn't happen, but instead of letting that bring me down, I'm going to use it as fuel to push me towards bettering myself for this last month.

What I'm Thankful For

With the constant ups and downs of everyday life, it's rare that we take a moment to reflect and be thankful for what we have. I know it's super typical and corny to suddenly give thanks on Thanksgiving, but it's still a good feeling. 

I always receive wake-up calls from life reminding me that I have to be thankful for the amazing blessings and not to dwell on the things I don't have. As a reflection of my life, I want to share some things that I've been thankful for this past year.

My Hair Makeover: Sunkissed Balayage on Dark Hair #Hairbyhaircait

Hey loves! So about 3 weeks ago I got my hair done by one of my closest friends, Caitlin McDonald. She's a stylist at the David Groshen Salon located at 857 Lexington Avenue in New York City.

For the longest time, I've been wanting to switch up my 'do. I had black/dark brown hair for 3 years straight and I was BORED! This summer, I chopped off 6inches of my hair due to boredom and heat damage, and I loved my new short hair. But after a few months, I was itching to change up my look once more.

Velvet Roses #OOTD

Summer is finally over and we can start busting out our fall attire (my fave!) I love throwing on some boots and an oversized sweater or turtleneck and calling it a day. This week things are starting to heat up once again in NYC so I decided to take advantage of that and wear this vintage rose patterned velvet dress paired with block heel sandals and a tan mini crossbody bag.

Cleansing More Than Just My Body

Lately, I've been feeling more anxious than I've ever felt in my entire life. I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders and my mind feels congested. I haven't had peace of mind in days and I'm wondering what is the cause behind all my stress?

Of course, there are everyday life problems and the endless amount of bad news that we have to deal with nowadays. But lately, I feel as if I don't have any space to breathe. When I'm stressed out, I like to clean the house to ease my mind. Whether it be dusting the furniture, sweeping the floor, doing laundry or cleaning out my closet- I love distracting my mind from everyday problems when working on these tasks.

When I've eaten poorly and feel lethargic and lazy, I like to drink detox teas and eat healthier to cleanse my body and rid myself of toxins. Self-care is at the top of my list but sometimes I let life catch up to me and clean up that mess later.

Besides the basic cleaning and physical detoxing, here are some other ways I've decided to cleanse my life:

1. Cell phone cleanse

- going through the photo gallery and deleting useless pictures and videos that are taking up space

- clearing text and email inboxes

- deleting useless apps (seriously, who needs 5 different photo editing apps when I use the basic ones on Instagram?! lol)

- deleting and blocking people on my contacts list

2. Social Media cleanse

Now you all already know how strong I believe in taking a break from social media, but let's be real- do we really ever unplug? Yeah, I may take a huge break from posting things online but I definitely go on social media every day to check out what's going on with the world/learn new things/get inspired. But I usually end up seeing things that piss me off or discourage me, so that's why I need to cleanse my social media. How?

-by unfollowing accounts that bore me, uninterest me and don't bring positivity to my life

-blocking people that bring negative energy into my life

-deleting pictures, videos, and posts that I am unhappy with

I know there are a certain social media courtesy and unsaid rules, but fuck them! WHO CARES?! If you don't like someone, you don't have to follow them just because it would be awkward if you saw them in real life. If you don't want someone to see your social accounts, block them! If your Instagram feed doesn't have a theme, don't feel bad about it. It's not that serious. Do what makes you happy and comfortable and forget the rest.

3. Friendship cleanse

This is probably the toughest to approach but the most important. Cutting toxic people out of your life is a must, and sometimes it's the people closest to us that cause us the most pain. It's hard to completely cut off friends and family that were once super important to you. But taking these gradual steps can help you live a more carefree and fulfilling life:

- slowly distance yourself from them. Cut down on contact and don't be quick to justify yourself if you get called out for going m.i.a.

-unfollow them on social media so you don't have to keep up with their lives and therefore don't hold any opinions/feelings on them

-keep calm and cordial. There's no need to lash out at someone just because they haven't been a good friend. Wish them the best and quietly move on with your life

-remember that friendship is a two-way street. Have you been a good friend? Or have you left all the weight of the friendship on the opposite end for the other person to carry? If you know you've given it all you can, just live your life guilt free.

-always remember that people are busy with their own lives and problems. Give that person the benefit of the doubt and don't waste your sanity over them. If they want to be in their life, they will make an effort. If they don't make the effort, don't fret.

-say NO more often. Say no to doing favors for someone that only comes around for their own benefit. You don't owe anyone anything.

-be your own best friend

Peace of mind doesn't come easy nowadays, especially because technology has allowed us to be over saturated with information at the tip of our fingers. For the sake of your sanity, allow yourself to drain out all the negative energy from your life. Whether it be someone else causing you this stress or your own thoughts devouring your soul, give yourself time to figure out how you can cleanse your life. It's never too late to turn a new leaf and give yourself the gift of growth.

As always, I hope this was helpful to you. Please share with someone who may be going through a tough time.

Thank you for reading xoxo

Get rid of greasy hair FAST! | HASK Charcoal Purifying Deep Conditioner First Impression & Review

I'm back with another review! This time, it's a hair product. I've always suffered from a greasy scalp. Since I have fine hair, my scalp tends to get oily really fast. Even dry shampoos can come up short when it comes to oily hair. Of course, I've mastered a regimen of once a month ACV treatments and clarifying shampoos. But sometimes I just want a quick fix that isn't going to strip my hair of moisture or make it stink of apple cider vinegar (yuck!)

The other day I was at Bed Bath and Beyond searching for a moisturizing hair conditioner. I suddenly found myself grabbing a bunch of different sample-sized packets of deep conditioners. The one I found most intriguing was the HASK Charcoal (with citrus oil) purifying deep conditioner, and that's the one I went home with.

Watch my demo and review below

Some tips:
- I suggest using this product only once a month. You might dry out your hair if you use it once a week.
- Only shampoo one time before using this product. Since there is charcoal in this mask, it will act as a vacuum and suck all the impurities out of your scalp and strands.
- Even tho the packet suggests focusing the product on damaged parts of your hair, I would focus it on the dirtiest.

Where to buy:
I bought my packet at Bed Bath and Beyond for only $1.99 !!!

Buy it here

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my review! Hope this helped my fellow greaseballs haha

xoxo

"You've Changed" I'd Hope So.

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As human beings, we constantly grow. Yeah, you might stop physically developing but personal growth never ends. Often times, people stay stuck in their ways because they fear change. They fear the unknown. And the worst part is, they expect you to be the same too.

Uncertainty is something that never scared me. I like not knowing what comes next. If we knew everything that would happen next, wouldn't that make life boring? That's what inspires me to keep an open, fearless mind and always welcome change. Without change, our lives would remain the same and we wouldn't grow.

I hate the fact that people think they can place you into a box and that you're supposed to remain that way forever. They don't want to see you get ahead in life, or ahead of them at least. For people that crave acceptance from others, it staggers your personal growth. 

I was like that for a long time. I was scared to express myself because I was placed in molds. My family, friends, classmates, coworkers, lovers, anyone and everyone that I ever interacted with had their prefixed impression of me and who I was as a person. 

"Oh, she's shy quiet Hima. She wears all black and Converse high tops all the time so she must be emo and love punk music. She comes from a religious family so she must be uptight and boring. She cries easily so she must be needy."

The list goes on but the point is, it was unfair for people to judge me based off my personality when I was still a teen. I couldn't dress the way I really wanted to because my parents were super strict. I loved rap, I don't understand why the clothes I wore determined what kind of music I was into?! I had my own struggles with belief and religion and had a really open mind contrary to my family. I cried easily because I'm sensitive and feel things super deeply. But forget all that, because you knew me right? WRONG.

I went through  really hard, lonely times that created the authentic me. I cracked out of my shell so hard that now no one could ever tell me who I am. Every time someone undermines the person I currently am and judges me off the past me, I'm left with 2 options:

1. Stand up for myself and remind that person that I have grown, that I've changed and they have to accept who I am TODAY
2. Distance myself from that individual

I realized I could never ever be my true self in front of relatives because they will always be stuck in their traditional, narrow-minded ways. I distanced myself from people who thought they could walk all over me. I quit jobs or avoided people who would question the changes I was making in my personal life. I never reconciled with my first love because he held on to the girl he fell in love with, the 15-year-old version of me. I was not that girl anymore. I blossomed into a strong, self-sufficient, self-loving and self-respecting woman. I couldn't allow myself to feel the heartbreak and guilt of a breakup from when I was an insecure little girl. I raised my standards, and I'm not going to settle. I knew there was better for me, and I was right. 

The next time someone tells you that you've changed, look them dead in the eye and say "you're damn right I did." That's only if you know you've changed for the better and you're happy with who you've become.  

Finding people that accept you and your growth may seem hard, but it's not impossible. You just have to put yourself out there and correct people when they assume they know all your next moves. Self-acceptance is the most important factor when it comes to personality. You have to like and/or love who you are. Like I always say, you go to bed with your thoughts at the end of the night. You have to deal with yourself the most, so make sure you're happy with the person that you are. And if you're not, then know that you always have the power to change that.

Happy reading, xoxo

Aloe Vera For Acne?

I constantly deal with the insecurity which is my skin. I don't care what anyone says. my acne definitely affects my self-esteem. I just wake up wishing one day to see myself with clear skin- a girl can dream!

A few years ago, my friend introduced me to the GNC Aloe Vera moisturizing cream and it has been a holy grail item in my skincare routine since then. This lightweight moisturizer is perfect for every day and great as a night cream too! The best part? It's only $1.99 at GNC!!!

Buy it HERE

The first time I used the cream, my skin fell in love. I thought since it was a "moisturizing" product that it would feel heavy and greasy, but it did the complete opposite. My skin felt hydrated, soft, supple and shine free! I had a pretty solid skincare routine that I didn't change around too much. If I knew something worked for me, I stuck with it. I needed to up the ante with my skincare, but how?

Lately, I noticed that my skin has been flaking and breaking out too much. I couldn't figure out the cause of it. My mom was a spectator of my constant at home DIY masks and experiments with different anti-acne treatments. Being someone who suffered from adult acne and hyper allergies herself, my mom suggested using pure Aloe Vera gel. About three years ago, my mom started religiously using pure Aloe Vera gel (she used to buy the plants, peel them and cut them up in cubes) and rub that gel generously onto her inflamed skin. Within days, we saw a difference. Within weeks, she was back to normal.

Most recently, her arms started breaking out in hives (possibly due to plant related allergies) and I gave her a tiny bottle of 100% Aloe Vera gel. She saw results right away and purchased the full sized bottle. After watching me pout in the mirror a few weeks ago, she suggested I use the gel as my nighttime skincare for one week and see if there are any good results. Of course, I was hopeless and ready to use anything at this point, so I gave it a go!

Fruit of the Earth® 24 oz. 100% Aloe Vera Gel

What I did: Every night, after cleansing with the Garnier cleanser and toning with pure apple cider vinegar, I would pump the Aloe Vera gel 2-3 times onto my fingertips and slather it all over my face and down my neck. You should avoid applying it anywhere near your eyes because you'll start tearing and feel a stinging sensation in your eyes.

What I noticed: My skin cleared up (for the most part) within two days! The active acne on my face settled down and flattened completely, while the acne scarring seemed to lighten a little. I would go to sleep after the aloe vera gel dried (my face felt a little tight) but I would wake up to a smooth canvas every morning. It's been 3 weeks since I've incorporated this product into my nighttime skincare and I love the results so far.

Aloe Vera Benefits For Skin

• works as a natural moisturizer (ideally for dry skin)
• helps with anti-aging by preventing wrinkles
• soothes burnt skin, aids peeling
• calms inflamed acne and naturally lightens scarring
• contains enzymes that repairs dead skin cells
• soothes any inflammation of the skin

Final thoughts: This is definitely going to be a part of my summertime skincare routine. The hot summer sun definitely leaves my skin feeling tender and delicate. Even though I haven't had a recent breakout (knock on wood), I still don't want to risk any surprises on my face anytime soon. And even if my skin does get used to this gel, I will switch over to using pure Aloe Vera extract from the actual plant.

Thanks mom, you truly know what's best! (sometimes...:P)

What's a beauty/skincare secret that your mom passed down to you? Feel free to share down below!

Happy reading xoxo

Disclaimer: All products were purchased with my money. This post is not sponsored whatsoever.

The BEST Drugstore BB Cream || Garnier Anti Acne BB Cream Demo + Review (video)

Watch the video below!

HUGE THRIFT HAUL (video)

Watch my latest thrift haul!

Don't forget to Like, Comment and Subscribe to my YouTube channel!!

Drawing Inspiration...Literally

I snapped this drawing from a magazine in a hair salon a couple months ago. I remember captioning it #GOALS. Some might perceive this as me wanting a diva lifestyle. You know- full glam squad on board and chatting away on my cell. But I had a different vision.

When I see this picture, I see a BOSS. I see a woman who has the means to treat herself, and I definitely want to have that lifestyle. I have always envisioned myself being successful in the future. But as the wiser of the bunch know, the road to success is not a straight one. You have to go through so many failures and disappointments until reaching that success.

I'm nowhere near my goals, but I can console myself with the fact that I work hard every single day to push myself closer to my dreams. There's not a day I take for granted. Lately, I've been feeling really strange. I am incredibly disheartened by the industry that I want to work in, but at the same time, I am beginning to feel a competitive spirit. But I do want to make it clear: I'm not competing with anyone but myself.

There have been so many moments during this journey where I've compared (or even worse, other people do the comparison) of myself to my peers or others that are succeeding and it discourages me from trying. I get upset thinking I don't have that "it factor," I'm no one special. But then I kick my own ass and remind myself that I am a completely different person than the ones I compare myself with. So in reality, there is no comparison, I've learned to only compare myself to my past, and the old me is always inspiration and motivation for me to do better. I always strive to be a better me than I was yesterday.

Ultimately, I do want to live a somewhat lavish lifestyle, and there's nothing wrong with that, I want to be able to occasionally spoil myself as well as use my blessings to help others. Nothing feels better than making someone's day. These desires are some things that motivate me to work hard towards my goals.

You see that lady in the center of the picture? That's going to be me one day. On my day off, treating myself to some glam before a date or a girl's day out. I can see it clearly, and I will work to make that dream a reality.

What's something that has inspired you lately? Please share!

xoxo

Easy Choker DIY video

As you all can tell, I am obsessed with chokers. They're so cute and edgy, and they go with any outfit. I've really been into experimenting with different colors and fabrics and I was inspired to make more custom chokers after I saw a DIY video on Instagram (@farahdhukai)

This DIY is so simple and easy. You can make multiple chokers to give away as gifts or even for sale!

Watch the video below!

Supplies:

Lace trimming-fabric store ($1 for 1-3 yards, depends on store)

Sticky velcro- Target ($2-$3) but there's a cheaper option at the dollar store

Scissors

Measuring tape (optional)

I hope you try this choker idea out and if you do, share it with me!

Follow me!

Twitter https://twitter.com/cheesehimablog

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cheesehimablog/ 

xoxo

BLACK LIVES MATTER

I couldn't continue posting my regular content without addressing such an important issue. The current condition of the USA is so scary and disappointing and I feel the need to express my concern.

The fact that it is 2016 and people are still being judged, punished, ridiculed and KILLED because of the color of their skin is mind-boggling to me. What's even more depressing is that people still cannot see eye to eye on the matter, and divert their attention to irrelevant arguments.

The whole #BlackLivesMatter vs. #AllLivesMatter debate proves once again that people are ignorant, easily distracted and not aware of what really matters. Yes, all lives do matter. But why can't we focus on the lives that are in the most danger for what has been centuries now?

In the wake of recent events (the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castille among many,) I've sunk my head so far down in shame of calling myself an American. It's so sad that this country is employing racist cowards as police officers. The same people that we are supposed to call for our protection and emergencies are the ones that shoot on the first instinct. How are we safe?

I've personally met people joining/already in the police academy who were racists and it bothered me to my core that these people have access to such authority. If you hate a race of any kind, you do not belong in law enforcement. I'm surprised that there isn't any specific test or rule that removes people of such nature from the police force. Then again, the government is so corrupt so I'm not surprised there.

I want to make it clear that I don't think that all police officers are bad and that all white people are racists. A lot of times, these two concepts become the topic of blame and discussion. What's really the issue here is the concept of superior and inferior races. Who's to say you are better or worse than me because of the color of your skin?

You have white people that tan to become darker, and black people bleaching their skin to become lighter. Yet you still have people that judge others based on the pigment of their skin. I will never understand how this makes any sense because it does not. 

As Nelson Mandela said, "No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

It starts in your home. People have to do a better job at teaching their family about racism. We must all teach each other about love and equality. I say this with hope, but the truth is, my hope is unrealistic. But what is the harm in loving and accepting one another? We could all live in harmony if people would just accept one another.

It's been a tough week. So many things have gone terribly wrong in the world and I couldn't just sit there and continue posting regular stuff as if I am not affected by this matter. I knew the world would move on to the next trending topic (ie: PokemonGo) so I waited til I could gather my thoughts and write about this once the "hype" dies down. 

We have to do better, not only the next generation but as mankind. We can't just join a movement because it's trending. We have educated ourselves and others around us if we ever want to live in peace again. 

I say this all to say that yes, all lives matter- but that's a given. That is common sense. The message that needs to be spread is that BLACK LIVES MATTER. We, as humans, need to protect and seek justice for our black brothers and sisters. 

As Diamond Reynolds, girlfriend of the late Philando Castile said a day after his wrongful death, "It could happen to any of us. ANY OF US."

My thoughts are still scattered and my heart still hurts because of this issue. I will continue to express myself on my blog and hope that no one is offended or misunderstands the message I am trying to spread. Just to make things clear for people who love to make a big deal on people's OPINIONS: this is my blog, my personal space to share my thoughts and I never wish to target any group of people. I just wish we could all get along. That's all for now.

xoxo

Current Style Inspiration || Monica Geller

Do I really need to introduce Monica Geller? Well for those of you who missed out on the hit sitcom "Friends" (seriously, what are you doing with your life?) Monica Geller, played by Courteney Cox was one of six amazing characters on the hit show that is still one of my faves till this day.

Monica's character was a neurotic, neat freak, controlling NYC gal who was like the mama bear of the group. Even though she was a high pitched and high maintenance woman, she was strong, funny and charismatic to say the least.

I find many similarities between Monica and myself. We both LOVE to clean, we can tell when a piece of furniture is out of place, and we are hopeless romantics. But more recently I realized that my wardrobe is starting to look a lot like Monica's from the mid 90's. 

90's fashion has always appealed to me and now it's my groove more than ever. Even though I was born in 1991, I always wish that I was in my twenties in the 90s. Everything seemed a lot more authentic and innovative back then. But for now, I can replicate outfits that make me feel cool enough to lounge at Central Perk cafe. Haha, get it?

From her chokers and spaghetti straps

turtlenecks

floral print skirts and dresses

this timeless tank top & ripped denim look

crop tops and drawstring pants

to the unforgettable cropped cardigans

and the effortlessly elegant silk dresses (can we get more nostalgic or what?)

And alas, the struggle of frizzy hair in the heat!

 These are just some of the outfit pictures I could find. But trust me- every time I watch reruns (which is every day), I am inspired by Monica Geller's wit and fashion sense. If somehow I could sneak into Warner Bros studio and steal the wardrobe...

Who is your style inspiration? I'd love to know!

Catch Up On My YouTube Channel!

Hey guys! If you didn't already know, I have a YouTube channel that you should definitely subscribe to!

In the past month, I've posted a couple of videos and thought I should update my blog with my new videos!

Banner created by Mai Vang

Catch Up On My Youtube Channel!

Chatty Vlog: Why I've been M.I.A from YouTube|| Let's catch up!!

BEAN BOOZLED CHALLENGE FT. NOODLEYRAMEN

DIY Suede Wrap Choker

Thanks for watching and please don't forget to subscribe to my channel!! xoxo

The Simpler Days of Blogging

Last night I decided to check out my first blog from 2009. I was a college freshman who didn't have any friends and a lot of time to kill at the library. I was really into Tumblr back then but didn't think I was cool enough to post on there. I created a blog via Blogspot and would regularly post my thoughts, interests and ideas on there.

Looking back, I miss those days of blogging. It was simply for me to express myself. There was no constant feeling of needing to push my posts for traffic, focus on keywords or SEO (some of you are like WTF is she talking about?!) but the modern day of blogging consists of all this marketing nonsense just to gain exposure on your site.

There are so many millions of blogs and bloggers out there now, which is great! But at the same time, it sucks! It sucks for small time bloggers like myself that aspire to follow the footsteps of full-time bloggers and make a career out of this. But to be honest, I can't rely on that or use that as the purpose of this blog.

I initially created this particular blog as an outlet. Somewhere to express my thoughts and continue my writing, because that's what I love to do. The stress of becoming a social media mastermind and successful blogger puts me off from posting regularly because of the agonizing checklist that comes with this new blogging era:

• Is my topic relevant?
• Is the headline catchy?
• Did I source the images?
• Did I use h2 properly?
• Do I have a focus keyword?
• Did I push traffic by advertising on my social medias?
• How come my website traffic is stagnant?
• etc etc etc

A lot of you just read that list and thought "WTF is she talking about?" But these are just some of the 'blogging rules' you have to abide by if you want to see activity on your blog.

With social media and the constant search for validation via likes and followers, even the blogging world has become a popularity contest. This is not to say that all bloggers and just out there for self-exposure and internet fame. Of course not! To be honest, some of my favorite bloggers are part of why I got the boost to start my own blog. It's just great to connect with someone else through their writing and life tips/advice.

I say this all to go back to 2009 me. Eighteen-year-old "cheesechima" as I would screenname everything back then. I genuinely used my blog as an escape, and outlet to express myself and a vision board to manifest my dreams. I'm going to go back to that.

I'm not going to give a middle finger to the modern blogging world just yet because it has indeed taught me a lot of useful info about content marketing and building my brand. But for the sake of my own happiness and self-respect, I'm going to draw inspiration from my first blog and model my style from that. I hope whoever reads my blog enjoys the transitions and sticks around.

Happy writing makes for happy reading.
xoxo

A throwback to 2009. being careless as could be lol

5 Things To Remember When People Hurt Your Feelings

I get my feelings hurt on a daily basis. What can I say? I'm super emotional human being. And now that I've decided to put myself out there on social media, this blog, and YouTube, I've opened up the doors for a lot more criticism.

I always have to remind myself of certain things when people intentionally and unintentionally hurt my feelings, and I want to share them with you guys!

5 Things To Remember When People Hurt Your Feelings

1. Maybe they didn't mean to

Ugh, I know right. But maybe the person who hurt your feelings didn't mean to! Maybe you're just taking it the wrong way. I know sometimes I take things too seriously and make them a bigger deal in my head than they really are. Trust me, its a lot easier to assume that the person who hurt your feelings probably didn't mean to. 

2. What provoked them

In the case that the person who hurt your feelings did it on purpose, you have to realize that it has nothing to do with you. If a person is going out of their way to bring you down, most likely they're unhappy with themselves. After all, misery loves company, right?

This person was provoked by the dissatisfaction of their own life that they took out their negativity on someone else. Instead of feeding into their negativity and causing self-doubt, just ignore this person and their remarks. It's irrelevant.

3. Don't let this stunt your growth

When people criticize my YouTube views/amount of followers, it definitely makes me want to cringe and cry in a corner. I'm not going to lie, sometimes I just want to throw in the towel and delete my channel. But what for? Because of silly comparisons?

I always have to remind myself that I am a beginner to this. It hasn't even been a year since my channel and I still have loads of growing to do. I can't discredit myself of all the hard work and guts it took to put my videos out there in the first place.

Don't allow these remarks to bring you down and stop you from doing what you love. Whether you're working towards weight loss, education, work, any kind of challenge- keep working towards it and keep track of your success. Whether it be social media related or real life, don't let someone else's success hinder yours.

4. You either confront them or cut them off

In the case that this is a person you cant avoid at all (friend, family, coworker) you have to confront them. You have to let them know that they have been hurting your feelings and that it is making it hard for you to connect with them. Yeah, its awkward as hell to confront people, but how else do you expect change to take place? You cant expect people to know how much they are hurting you especially if it isn't intentional (from their end). Once you confront the situation head on, it will allow opportunities of clarity, forgiveness and give the person a chance to change their approach.

In a case where you've completely given up on this person and know they only cause harm to your life- cut them off. You don't need this person in your life if they are constantly hurting your feelings. Avoid them as much as possible (without going great lengths). Don't hang out with them, avoid going to social gatherings where they might be, and block all forms of communications. They'll get the hint.

Life is too short for toxic people to disrupt your happiness and well being.

5. It's all about perspective

Tying all the factors together, sometimes you just have to step back and examine the situation unbiasedly. Sure, the remark initially hurt your feelings and made you sad. But was what the person said actually beneficial to your growth?

It sucks when someone you lean on for support gives you tough love and accidently hurts your feelings. You have to see it this way: they are trying to help you, not hurt you. Their words may have been sharp, but it comes from a place of love. They want to see you reach your full potential, therefore, they don't sugar coat their critique. Always give yourself a moment to fully sink in their words and then react.

If you can already tell someone's intent was malicious, remind yourself that they are irrelevant. Don't take their words to heart, instead, use it as fuel. Turn their negativity into your positivity and let it be the push that takes you to further heights. Trust me, it's the best feeling to show out on those who once doubted you or put you down. Let your success and happiness make the noise instead of reacting, because they'd love to see you fall.

In the end...

Your feelings are what you're left alone with at night. A hurtful remark may replay in your head over and over again, but we already have so much of our own feelings to deal with. Why let someone else's negativity to take up space in your head?

What I hope you can take away from this is that we are all going to get our feelings hurt, its part of everyday life. But allows give yourself the benefit of learning from these situations. Retrieve, reassess and respond with caution.

Happy reading!! xoxo

Sultra Airlight Hair Dryer || First Impressions/ Demo + Review

Sultra Airlight Dryer

1875 Watt Motor

Price: $149

Buy it HERE

I was lucky to snag a deal and score this dryer for $39 thanks to a promotional deal from the Steals on The Real segment. Unfortunately, this deal is no longer available.

Watch below to see my honest review on this hair dryer (not sponsored whatsoever)

Please like, comment and subscribe to my YouTube channel

Things To Remember When You Want To Give Up #MotivationMonday

No one ever warned me how horrible post-grad life would be, I should've seen it coming, considering the Recession took place during my senior year of high school (2008). I figured by the time I was going to graduate college, the economy would get better. Boy, was I wrong! It seems next to impossible to even get my foot through the door.

It's been two years since I graduated college with my Bachelor's degree in journalism. Two years of endless job searching, interviews, failed opportunities and internships that lead to nowhere. I always want to give up and give. I tell myself what's the point? Why am I wasting my time? Perhaps being a journalist is not in my destiny. But I know that's not what I really think. Failures condition us to be hard on ourselves, to feel defeated and to give up. Though that's the natural reaction, it's the worst thing to give up on yourself.

Here are some things I remind myself when I want to give up, and I hope anyone dealing with a personal battle could take these points and apply it to their own situation.

1. I came this far, why turn back now?

I went through everything for a reason. Every opportunity, every hardship. every rejection, every setback- it all had a purpose. It toughened me, it roughed me up, it made me stronger. I know it sounds corny, but it's true. I am so much stronger because I have been broken into pieces in the process of following my dreams. I've come this far, why stop now??

2. I can't let myself down

Giving up is the biggest "fuck you" you can give to yourself. Once you let yourself down, you open the door for other people to let you down. Just think of yourself as your best friend. You wouldn't want your best friend to give up on their dream, so why would you give up on yours?

3. I can't let my loved ones down

It's so important to surround yourself with genuine, supportive people. Whether it be family, friends, lovers or acquaintances that keep you motivated- it's crucial to roll with people that believe in you. Not only will they motivate you to push forth, but they will set an unintentional guilt within you. This guilt will keep you from disappointing these people. I am so grateful to have a handful of people that accept me regardless of my failures but never allow me to give up on myself.

4. I deserve the best

I can't stand conceited or cocky people. I really can't. And I also can't stand people who feel entitled. But I recognize hard work when I see it. I can spot injustice from a mile away and I always feel a discomfort when I see hard working people not reach the pinnacle of their success. I know I deserve more, and I know I deserve the best for myself. I can't and will not stop until I am satisfied.

5. Hard work and rewards don't have set dates, be patient!

That being said, I'm aware that hard work comes to those who wait, and the wait has no set date. Of course, so many rejections and failures make me feel weak and discourage me from trying. But that's the easy way out, and no one ever said life was easy. 

Here's an interesting report on successful people and the number of times they failed before they reached their success.

Source: Funders and Founders

This is not even a full list of people who failed multiple times before succeeding. The point is, they didn't let their failures hold them back. In fact, they worked harder to reach their success. Why shouldn't I do the same?

Just because I don't know when my hard work will pay off doesn't mean that it never will. You have to be your number one motivation, and you also have to be realistic. Success doesn't happen overnight, and it certainly takes time for your work to reflect itself.

Bottom Line: Don't Give Up

Life is about going up the ladder and becoming a better person. Don't let a few slips off the ladder stop you from climbing higher. In a less cheesy sense, don't give up on  yourself. Everyone is a work in progress and you won't reach success or happiness if you stand in your own way. Keep trying and take pride in the fact that you never gave up.

I hope you found this helpful and share it with a friend who needs a pick-me-up. 

Thanks for reading! xoxo

Instagram Hauls: Updates/Reviews

If you follow me on Instagram (@cheesehimablog) you'd see that I do mini hauls to share what products I picked up to test out. Since its been quite a while that I've been using these products, I thought it's about time to update you guys with my honest opinions and final thoughts.

1. Biore Self Heating One Minute Masks

My first mistake with this product was that I purchased it in the summer, which is not ideal considering that it's already hot! But being the impatient product junkie that I am, I tried it anyways. 

How to use: Open the packet and squeeze out the product onto your fingertips and apply all over the face (or problem areas) and you will instantly feel the product heating up on your face. I really enjoyed that part, because to me if a product stings or tingles a little bit- it's working. The instructions say to leave this mask on for 1 minute (as the name suggests), but I feel like that's such a waste. I leave it on for about 10 minutes before washing it off and following with my regular skin care routine.

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this product! I felt as if it was a luxury skincare experience. I really did help tighten my pores and skin overall. I just wish there were more than 4 packets. Also, it was a bit difficult squeezing the product out of the packet, perhaps Biore should consider a squeeze tube method for this type of mask.

Repurchase: YES!

Buy it HERE

2. Wet n Wild Mega Plump Dual Ended Mascara (in Very Black)

A drugstore mascara with wands designed for both bottom and lower lashes? Yes please!

How to use: It's quite simple, the mascara itself has labels for both the upper and lower lash wands. You hold onto the middle and untwist the side you want to use, and the rest is self-explanatory!

Final thoughts: I love the concept of this mascara. It's perfect for those busy days where you just want to load on the mascara and keep the rest of your face simple. I love love love the lower lash wand! It fits perfectly onto my lower lashes without smudging. But I am not too fond of the upper lash wand. The bristles are fat spirals, which cause my lashes to stick together and I do not like the look of that!

Repurchase: Probably not, I am very fond of Wet n Wild's MVP mascara and their Max Fanatic mascara. But this one missed the mark for me, just because of the upper lash wand. Maybe they should just come out with a tiny mascara for lower lashes!

Buy it HERE

3. Wet n Wild Coloricon Blush (in Rose Champagne)

I went on a whim and purchased this blush because A) it's beautiful! And B) a fellow blogger raved about it and I took her word for it!

How to use: Pretty basic folks, use a blush brush and sweep onto the cheeks.

Final thoughts: This is not the blush for me. It doesn't even show up on my skin tone! I was so disappointed because I thought this blush could give me a subtle glow, but it didn't even show on my skin! All I saw were little flecks of glitter. Maybe it works better on lighter people as a blush and darker people as a highlighter, but for us beige/tan folks- it's a miss.

Repurchase: No

Buy it HERE

4. Herbal Essences Cleansing Conditioner/Color Me Happy

As you can see by the picture, I've been doing the herbal! Lol, Herbal Essences is probably my favorite haircare line, so when I saw they made a sulfate-free cleansing conditioner, I had to jump on it!

How to use: First I pump 2x (more than enough) and work it into my roots and give myself a mini scalp massage. Then wash it off, as that's the cleansing portion, For the conditioning portion, I pump 2x again and apply it onto the mid shaft-ends of my hair and let it sit for the duration of my shower, then rinse off.

Final thoughts: I thought I would hate this product, but I LOVE IT! It doesn't weigh down my hair at all! My scalp actually feels clean after using this and my natural curls are so soft and bouncy. Let's not forget to mention the scent! Holy moly, sooooooooooooo good. They say the product has rose extracts, but this smells way better than roses!

Repurchase: Definitely! Though it is 16.9fl so I'm sure it will last a very long time since I use it about once a week.

I got mine at Bed Bath & Beyond!

5. Garnier Whole Blends Repairing Mask (Honey Treasures)

I swore off Garnier haircare products for a while because they didn't do anything to benefit my hair. But when I saw this natural line of products they came out with, I wanted to give it a shot so I picked up this repairing mask.

How to use: Apply a generous amount, focusing on the ends and leave on for 3 minutes. You can leave it on longer and use it as a deep conditioner. You can use it every time you wash your hair.

Final thoughts: I liked this conditioner, but I didn't love it. It has a slight honey scent to it, and it does make my hair feel a little softer when I use it, but it doesn't compare to my Macadamia deep repair masque.

Repurchase: No

I got mine at Bed Bath & Beyond

6. Garnier Skinactive Shine Control Cleansing Gel

Since my Garnier gentle clarifying gel ran out, I decided to pick up this charcoal infused shine control cleansing gel. As you can see, I'm a sucker for anything with charcoal in it.

How to use: Squeeze a pump or two, and lather up on your face. I usually use it at night time.

Final thoughts: Although it does do a good job at washing off makeup residue (after makeup wipes) and it does control shine, I did not like this product. I hate the scent of it, and it dried out my skin. I used to have a very oily T-zone, and now it is so dried out that it even flakes! Perhaps this formula is too strong for my skin type. 

Repurchase: No. Once I use this up, I'll go back to using Garnier's gentle clarifying gel.

Buy it HERE

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That rounds up the products I've showcased on IG and my honest reviews. Please keep in mind that all products were purchased with my own money and I was not sponsored to talk about any of these (though, I wouldn't mind free stuff haha!)

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful. I think I'm going to do this more often so that I can keep my readers updated on the items that I picked up and if it's worth picking up yourself!

Happy reading! xoxo