7 day no mirror challenge

Posted by noemi in Beauty Over Age 50, New Media | 2 comments

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TweetYou don’t need the mirror to tell you that you’re beautiful.

I took the challenge.

Last week, I got this invite for Dove 7-Day No Mirror Challenge! , as part of their global campaign to empower women to embrace their unique and individual beauty, takes one step further by liberating women from dependence on an everyday essential – the mirror.

Come to think of it, I often looked at the mirror as a growing teen-ager. I always thought I was an ugly kid just because my uncles teased that I was “dark”. Dove thinks that “as we gaze at our reflections in the mirror, we expect to see the physical ideal that we have been conditioned by society to accept. And when we do not, as is oftentimes the case, we are filled with a sense of self-loathing and dissatisfaction that cuts deep into our very selves.”

No such thing happened to me. I saw a lovely girl, not the usual stereotype mestiza that was associated with “beautiful girls” back then in Cebu. I smiled and from then on, I believed I was beautiful. Now that I am 53 years old, I have never felt more beautiful inside and out. Even my high school or college friends swear that I look even more beautiful today than I was in my teen years. I believe it is confidence and belief that inner beauty brings out the real beauty in a person.

The challenge
The Dove 7-Day No Mirror Challenge requires me to avoid looking into any mirror for 7 days. I will wash my face with Dove beauty bar at least twice a day – once in the morning when I wake up and once in the evening before I sleep. After 7 days, I can resume gazing in the mirror.

This is the part where Dove promises beautifully moisturized skin that is soft, smooth and radiant. More importantly, the time spent away from the mirror will be liberating, helping us appreciate our real and true beauty, in whatever form that takes. Actually, I don’t need the mirror to tell me if I am beautiful or not but let’s see what happens.

What will I do?

The challenge starts July 14 and ends July 21. What makes it even more challenging is I leave for Singapore tomorrow for a Singapore Food festival and I will need to look presentable to meetings with the Singapore Tourism board and the other food spots that I am invited to. The challenge is also how to put on my makeup.

The kit contains two Dove beauty bars, a white Flip Cam, and a calendar

As part of the challenge,I need to create a daily video diary using the Flip Camcorder ™ that Dove provided. The videos, which should last at least 1-2 minutes each, needs to be recorded at least 3 times throughout the day.

Day 1 July 14 at 7:20 AM
Taking a joy in living is a woman’s best cosmetic- Rosalind Russel

It is the day after Typhoon Basyang . There is still no power at home so here I am at the UCC Cafe using their fast wi-fi and having cereals and fruits for breakfast . The night before I got barely any sleep because my two girls moved to our bed. The howling wind was just too scary. It was just too early to get up but I was wide awake. I remembered the challenge so I rushed to my bathroom, set up my tripod and the Flip Camera and started soaping my face. It’s been awhile since I used Dove Beauty bar. It was a soap bar that we used as teens. The beauty bar is not as soft as it used to be. I remember it was harder to rinse off then. Here is a snapshot and my first video.

Afternoon was spent with DOT Secretary Bertie Lim and some travel bloggers. I didn’t bother to check my face but Melo Villareal swears I look good. Too bad my video wasn’t too focused but here it is.

(With travel bloggers with Tourism secretary Alberto Lim)

Today was my first day without a mirror. A mirror does not tell me that I am beautiful in mind, body and spirit.

Day 2: July 15, 2010
Beauty is how you feel inside and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical. Sophia Loren

(Shopping at the Sephora at Ion Orchard)

I had to wake up earlier than usual at 4:00 AM to get ready for the airport. I didn’t realize my bathroom door was open so after I was done with my beauty washing, my dear husband asked me why I was talking to myself. Showing him the Flip video cam, I announced that I joined the 7 day no mirror challenge. He was horrified that I would be showing myself to the public. I said not to worry and that only my hands and soapy hands will be shown. My husband always tells me I am beautiful. I believe him, of course after all he married me.

The last time I felt truly beautiful was on my 25th silver anniversary photo shoot at the university campus last March. It shows in the photos taken that day. It must have been the trials we have been to the past 25 years and the sense of fulfillment that we made it this far.

(Photo shoot at the UP Campus, March 2010)

Day 3 – July 16, 2010
Beauty is truth, truth beauty- that is all ye know Earth, and all you need to know- John Keats

There are just so many mirrors in my hotel bathroom. I just avoid if possible. There is a mirror at the bathroom door just before I enter. I turn left and I see a full length mirror across the bathroom and when I face the sink, there is a full mirror in front of me. Maybe the hotel wants to remind the person to take a look at their appearance before leaving the room.

(At the Opening ceremonies of the Singapore Food Festival at the Read Bridge, Clark Quay)

Day 4- July 17, 2010
Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.- Kahlil Gibran

(At the Sky park in Marina Bay Sands Hotel)

The ten things I like about myself:

1. My smile
2. My eyes
3. My being playful and naughty at times
4. My being smart and ability to learn new things
5. My lips
6. My loving and nurturing nature
7. My recovery as a work in progress
8. Being gentle to myself
9. My slim legs
10. My multi-tasking abilities

As you can see, four of the things I listed about myself are about my physical attributes.

Day 5- July 18, 2010
Beauty … when you look into a woman’s eyes and see what is in her heart.- Nate Dircks

(Having brunch before my flight back to Manila)

I am not ashamed to say that my inner beauty shines brighter every day. It shows in my eyes and in my heart as I show my love to my husband and my family. Being back in Manila that night felt good.

Day 6 – July 19, 2010
I’ve never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful- Author unknown.

I just stayed home today to rest from the four day trip to SIngapore. If there are five ways, I can share to make you feel good about yourself ( not related to personal appearance), here it is:

1. Get a me day or “Pamper yourself” day at the salon
2. Get a therapist to give you a soothing massage at home.
3. Listen to music that reminds you of your carefree past and just be.
4. Offer help to a community or organization that needs your help.
5. Talk to or reach out to your sister, or best friend

That reminds me..I need to talk to an old friend soon.

Day 7- July 20, 2010

The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.- Hellen Keller

Nothing has changed actually. I still feel beautiful. The only thing that has changed is (if I can help it), is not staring at the mirror.

View the video playlist:

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