Really, who has the energy to go out after that and how is it possible to stay fresh after such a long day? Even more so when you have your period. Sometimes, it can feel like you have to work your schedule around your period.

But I’ll share with you a secret. The different days of your 28 day cycle actually have certain benefits to your daily life. I previously was one of the Whisper’s Happy It’s Here ambassadors who got some tips and insights into the secrets of the cycle. It showed me how I could maximise the benefits of our cycle! In reality, it’s not that big an inconvenience and you can actually stay fresh and dry throughout the day regardless of your activities. So with what I’ve learnt, I thought I’d share with you some of my beauty tips on how to stay fresh all day, more specifically Ultra Fresh.

1) Water

We all know the benefits of drinking water, and I cannot emphasize how important it is to drink water to keep your skin hydrated and fresh-looking. 2 litres of crystal clear water is the minimum we need a day. But here’s a simple tweak you can make to your lifestyle to help you through your periods: Instead of your usual ice cold water, drink warm water to help reduce those cramps.

2) Keep a bottle of fragrance in your bag

Regardless of wherever I go, I love to keep a bottle of eau de toilette or body mist in my bag. In fact, I have about 2 different scents in my bag at the moment. Whenever I’m in need of a pick-me-up, I just spritz on some of the refreshing mist and I’m ready to face my next challenge! Also, it’s hard not to get some heads turning when I smell this good.

3) Indulge in a little chocolate

Did you know that your body burns carbs the best on the first two days of your period? Yes it’s true! I will personally attest to feeling and looking much skinnier on the first two days of my period. Since your body is metabolising carbs so efficiently, it’s the PERFECT time to indulge in a little bit of delish chocolate. Your body deserves it, really. Go on, one little piece wont hurt.

4) Dance baby, dance!

Exercise helps to chase the blues away. And with Whisper Ultra, I get the freedom of movement without any worries! I feel, clean, dry and fresh all day long. I’m free to turn on my music in my room and dance like no body’s watching. I can break out in whatever funky moves I want without anybody judging! Hahaha. My all time feel-good track? Whitney Houston – Wanna Dance with Somebody

5) Get dressed in your favourite outfit

They say “clothes maketh a man” when it really should be “clothes maketh a WOman“. Dressing in my favourite best outfit never fails to make me happy. But if your period hits and you want to keep yourself looking perfect, Whisper Ultra keeps you fresh throughout the day. When you look good and feel comfortably dry all day, you naturally walk with your head held high. And you can be sure that in the fashion realm, confidence never goes out of style.

1. I HATE mint: mint leaves, mint sweets and even mouth wash that tastes like mint. Vietnamese paper rice rolls all have mint in them and I usually order them without the mint.

It’s kinda weird how I dislike only certain types of mint though. Till date, I still cant figure out if it’s spearmint or peppermint that I dont like.

2. I’m a sneaker kinda gal. I could live in my Converse and Adidas sneakers all day, all over the world.

3. The biggest fashion faux pas I’ve ever committed is dressing like a $5 hooker for a dance performance. Ripped stockings, bright orange top over a bright cyan bandeau. Never. Going. There. Again.

4. I eat tau huay, toufu and tempe but dont like the taste of tau pok and tau gua.

5. I generally have a high threshold for pain and that’s made even higher when it’s day 19 to 21 of the cycle. Post ovulation is great because sensitivity to pain is low! I calculated and that’s just in time for me to schedule a facial before the Nuffnang Blog Awards! I can sleep through extraction and not feel a thing. When I wake up, my face will be all clean! HOORAAAYY for low pain sensitivity!

6. I’m such a gadget-phile. I use an iMac, carry and iPod Touch and love my Blackberry to death. Oh I also have DSLRs. Well, technically one’s my brother’s. But we exchange and swap our cameras all the time.

Unlike that first week when you should truly be happy it’s here, the post-ovulation stage again changes your body in subtle ways preparing it for the arrival of your period.

My tummy’s starting to bloat a little and I am a little frazzled this week. Counting from day 1 of my period, I realise I’m entering the post-ovulation stage of the cycle. And here I thought my bloat was due to the overwhelming number of cakes and macarons I had those first couple of days. Haha!

Starting day 14 onwards the first signs of PMS appears! The mood swings havent hit me, but I’m sure I can combat it by letting off the extra energy by working out tomorrow! Doesnt help that this week is crazy week for me too. Meetings, excursions and finals this Thurs! But a nice relaxing shower and scrub in between the madness will do the trick to unwind those tense muscles.

The increase in oestrogen at this stage is the main cause for the classic symptoms of PMS. Oh how I miss the first 2 stages of the cycle! The better articulation, the more efficient burning of carbs and of course, the better hair days! Wheeeee!

So to cheer myself up and let loose a tad from this intense week, ima gonna show you the foods you can enjoy whilst having your period. Guess what, chocolate is always a good option!

I swear after tasting the macarons from Canele I got from the Whisper dialogue session, I’m hooked on them. I’ve tasted macarons from Canele, Bakerzin and now Obolo but still find that Canele’s taste the best. It’s texture is consistent and the shells are crisp regardless of which flavour you pick. Call me Macaron Monster if you must! I am thoroughly guilty.

The macarons from Obolo come in a box of 8, perfect for indulging when you feel a need for a chocolate pick-me-up. I chose raspberry, hazelnut-chocolate, rose, ruby, macha, mango-passion AND FINISHED OFF 5 at one go! Haha. The flavours are very unique and fragrant I must admit. However, I did wish the shells were a little more crisp.

What you REALLLLYYY have to try is the Dome Amore made of dark chocolate-raspberry mousee with a core of white chocolate creme and raspberries, Valrhona crunchy chocolate pearls and chocolate genoisse.

Smooth creamy mousse with a zesty raspberry twist, accompanied by the crunchy bits of chocolate pearls make for a very appetising and flavourful experience.

If you’re lucky and are currently experiencing day 1 to 7 of your cycle, give yourself a chocolatey treat! You deserve it.

Where?
Obolo
452 Joo Chiat Road
Singapore 427665

As for me, I probably will release my pent-up frustrations by cleaning out my room! Haha.

I think the question on most people’s minds is: how on earth do you pick your nose?!?!!

I don’t have an answer to that but do have a method of imitating a gel nail manicure for a fraction of the price. One set from the manicurist’s, on the average, costs anywhere from $70 to $150. Depending on the design, prices might sky rocket beyond the said price range.

Surprised by my friend’s set that wasn’t exaggeratedly long, I decided to embark on replicating a set of my own, at the same time, putting my enhanced creative skills to work; all thanks to the increased oestrogen levels during pre-ovulation (days 8 – 14 of the cycle).

Psssst! Increased oestrogen levels during this period gives you better looking hair, heightened verbal fluency skills and increased memory! I think the heightened verbal fluency must have helped me during my QnA segment last Saturday! Wahahaha! Perfect timing.

Things you need for your DIY:
- clear base coat
- 2 of your favourite glitter nail polishes

I chose a gold glitter polish from The Face Shop and some random cheapo blue glitter polish that costs $1.
- top coat

To fully recreate the effect of gel nails, it would be best if your nails were a leeeetle long say about 0.5cm long, but that’s not a definite requirement.

The How-to:
1) Apply base coat to clean nails.

2) Starting from the edge of the nail, apply the first coloured glitter until the middle of the nail. The glitter goes on thick near the tips and slowly decreases in intensity. Use a dabbing method to achieve desired effect. The best part about using glitter is you dont have to be neat about it!

3) Following that, when the first coat is almost dry, apply the second colour only to the tips of your nails. Again dabbing it on until desired intensity.

4) Finally, paint on the top coat and wait for your nails to dry fully!

The result

Yay!

Day 1 of my period is always the best time because I feel so much skinner and I actually AM skinner. That’s because my body’s burning carbs more efficiently than other days of the cycle. Guess I have an excuse for the Old Chang Kee and bubble tea I had earlier then. Hee hee.

Coupled with the run I did yesterday, despite it being shorter than my usual route, I bet my body will still be in good form very soon. YAYYYYYYY!!! Hello abs! No worries about fitting into my favourite pair of skinnies or wearing a figure hugging top. Ima gonna keep up the fitness level and be more disciplined from now on. Probably schedule another run this Friday.

Go me!

My complexion is a little oilier than usual. I can see the tiny oil bumps on my face and pimples have appeared in the weirdest of places like behind my ear. Haha. However, when that happens, I usually know my period is coming in the next week or so.

I checked the seekrit sheet Whisper provided and it says I’m spotty thanks to the higher level of progesterone. But I wouldnt worry too much about it because from personal experience, it goes away soon enough.

It does makes me GREEN thinking about my will-be glowy skin once this pre-menstrual stage clears. So, in the mean time, to help combat the spotty complexion, I’m going to follow in the footsteps of The Hulk and enjoy a mint mask which helps calm my skin and absorb the excess oil while surfing the Facebook page for more seekrits of the cycle.

RAWR! =D

I’m happy today’s here!

Why? Because I’ve got the secrets of the cycle in my hands! Wahahahaha.

It came at a great time too because Im due to have my period.

When I was approached to join the “Happy It’s Here” initiative by Whisper I immediately thought YES! It was a wonderful opportunity to better educate myself about my body. Knowing is half the battle won! Im such an information junkie like that. Heehee.

Something like this happens once every month and why not see what it’s really about. I mean, when we first got our periods we were ecstatic and so were the people around us.

It was the first step into womanhood.

But now after so long, I have to admit to not keeping a good track record of when my period is because I can honestly tell by the signs my body gives. I have to admit at this point I cannot remember when the last time my period was. *guilty face* However, I’d say Im pretty good at telling when my period is coming. Yes, we complain about how it makes us feel bloated but then there are times when I do feel SKINNIER after my period. True fact!

So this is my attempt to track the various stages of my cycle and share its secrets with you so we can appreciate the little things that make us women.

I am woman, hear me ROAR!

I am currently in the pre-menstrual stage (Day 21-28) of the cycle and experiencing bloatedness/water retention. Eep! But it gives me the excuse to dress up in them sweet babydolls. Yay! Oh and definitely have to cut down on consuming too much coffee. Had too much last week, explains my water retention. Gonna be a good girl and drink more water instead of dehydrating fluids.