Come Walk With Me

10:26 AM

This is just going to be a personal entry of sorts, and I know I haven't really done much of this but I am going to try to expand myself and be more open. ^^

I had a good talk with Eki last night and something was brought up that I hadn't really thought of much before: talking about me. I mean, me talking about me. I always intended for this blog to be a helpful resource for others and to share what little knowledge or suggestions I have for making others feel more beautiful about themselves. As difficult as it is for a blog to NOT revolve around the creater, I really didn't have that as my intention. It's my hope that I haven't been too standoffish to have created an image of myself that is hard to relate to or quite different from who I really am, so I may as well tell you how I see myself in my little world.

First of all, I hold dearly to my values. I so value love, wisdom, beauty, truth, faith, and hope and these things really drive me to do nearly everything in life. To me, these are not just words. These are my passion, the reason I want to hold my husband everyday and the reason I drive an hour to and from work. I guess when someone accuses me of having one of these values twisted, it can be hurtful but I've been through a lot of criticism in my life to (slowly) learn what to listen to and what to chalk up to someone else's bad day.

On the internet there will always be people who don't take the time to know you. There will always be the haters who dislike you simply for being you, those who are in cliques and copy others to make themselves feel more important, and those who are nice to your face and cruel behind your back. But at the end of the day, there is only you and your effect on others. Can I just put it out there that I am the type of person who just wants to spread love and make others feel better about themselves? I love makeup because it can lift up how you FEEL about yourself, not just how you look. It's not stagnant, like people aren't stagnant. People can change and grow and makeup can reflect the beauty in change. I don't use it as a mask, I use it as a key.

I didn't come from a rich family and I rarely buy things unless they are on sale. We didn't always have money and I've worked hard all my life in jobs, academically and artistically to get scholarships to pay for my college, and obtain a career path that is difficult but makes me feel fulfilled. I feel like I've fought tooth and nail for the "easy" things in my life and I've finally gotten to the point where I do allow myself to buy something that makes me happy, makeup (and occasionally shoes). Nobody ever bought those things for me and I still can't bring myself to splurge on some of the things other bloggers can get, but I am happy in my life.

I always have people ask me about my skin, and I always tell them, my skin is NOT perfect. I promise, I am not one of those bloggers who just say that and aren't being truthful. Go look at my acne post, I suffered with bad acne for over a decade and I still struggle with it. It was very hard for me to put that out there and show my flaws in broad daylight but I thought, someone out there will RELATE to this and it can give them hope. Am I going to take pics of myself when I am badly broken out? Obviously not. Concealer does just that, CONCEALS. Do not let my or any other blogger's photos get you down. We are all real people under our concealer, real people with pores, blackheads, zits, and real feelings.

So this is just my open call to ask you all to hold my hand and stand next to me in this ridiculous blogger world, rather than to lift anyone up to a standard that doesn't exist. Real beauty comes from within, and makeup and clothes are just a means to aid that. My husband compliments me more when I am gross in the morning with no makeup and ratty hair than when I am made up from head to toe. And you know what? I am okay with that.

Have fun, be happy, feel beautiful, and be empathetic to others. If we all did this daily, wouldn't the world be a much nicer place? ;)

I love you all and can't express how grateful I am for having such thoughtful readers. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, if you actually read through all this. I just hope that readers of my blog can hear this and know that this is who I really am underneath. :)


<3

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61 comments

  1. This... this entire entry is exactly why I follow you.

    Although you don't really share you're personal stories outside of make up and beauty, in your writing you do express that you are a real person. That you aren't any different or better than any of us, your readers.

    I take your advice, tutorials, and suggestions seriously because you project yourself as a real person.

    You were brave enough to share your acne photos, to show us your flaws, and it made me feel "Wow, she looks great with her imperfections I can too." It was that extra boost I needed towards feeling better about myself.

    I don't want to diss other fashion/beauty bloggers, but their collections are so extreme and expensive it gives the feeling that "I can never afford that." You do things on a budget, what any average girl does, and just something small like that makes a big difference.

    So thank you for sharing, it really was a beautiful entry.

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  2. Hey Jen, I've been following your posts and I do feel that you are real and not pretentious about who you are. Thank you for bringing to light the important values that people need to care about and the importance of hard work and modesty. I read your blog because you have something to offer and a friendly personality.

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  3. this is such a great post! Thank you for sharing what was on your mind. I think you totally hit the nail on this. Instead of holding your hand - I'll put you in a horse carriage! WOOT! eheheheh ^_^ I love your blog!

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  4. this post made me realize something about myself :)

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  5. I know it's hard to bypass what others say..but I think you are doing a great job. keep up the good work and dont let others bring you down. You are a beautiful girl inside and outside. :)

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  6. thanks jen for this post! i'm really glad you got a chance to open up. it's always refreshing when popular beauty bloggers like yourself come out and keep it real with their readers. we all have our insecurities and we all know it's never easy to come out and talk about it. (that's why it'll probably be rare when i'll post a picture of myself during the weekdays...i just don't want to scare anyone...haha!)

    make-up definitely affects the way i feel. it can totally cheer me up and put me in a good mood! i know it sounds silly, but it is SO true! work totally stresses me out during the week so i always look forward to the weekend when i can wake up in the morning and take that extra time to put on make-up nicely to start my day. it's nice to know that someone else thinks that way of make-up, too!

    thanks again for doing what you do and spreading the love and knowledge in make-up.

    standing by you and holding your hand, girl! <3

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  7. Hey, I totally agree with Danni's comments. I don't use make-up that much, but when I do, your FOTD's & tutorials are the ones I check out for reference b/c they aren't like SUPER DETAILED, but they're clear & understandable. It's also that your looks are really natural. Enough makeup to let yourself stand out, but not an overwhelming amount. I think it's personal preference & occasion, but your style is the kind of natural beauty I would want to have if I wear makeup everyday.

    I think the more I follow your blog, the more amazed at the time & effort you put into this blog. I'm sure posting/taking those pictures and listing out every single product that you use is such a hassle and time-consuming; but you do it anyways.

    And with like purchases, I mean you DO have a job. If you didn't splurge here and there, where would the simple pleasures in life be? haha, keep it up Jen. (: your readers deff support you <3

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  8. Like Danni said, this is the reason why you remain as my favorite beauty blogger ever. Because you are so real and down to earth I feel that I always can relate to you.

    You gave me hope on how one IS able to improve themselves and their self confidence in this harsh world.

    I agree with you too on how real beauty comes from within and I can see that in you very clearly and its really what sets you apart from most. Yet you also show that wanting to look good does not diminish the 'realness' of beauty but goes hand in hand.

    So yes I will stand next to you in this blogging world :)

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  9. i like your perspective on things :3
    and i agree with all that,
    idk what else to say... but you seem (and i'm sure you are) a lovely person ^^

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  10. I've read your blog since you started ^^;; not a regular commenter but i love how you put so much effort in this blog in efforts to help someone out in this world.
    I've always thought you were very genuine and stand out from other beauty bloggers because they way you project yourself is so down to earth and warm. Even thought you don't often talk about your personal life, you're till able to connect to your readers. That's why I always come back to read your posts : )
    Beauty comes within in for sure.. your inner beauty shines so brighttt
    Keep up your amazing work!

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  11. Oh, Jen, I'd say aside from your outer beauty, your inner beauty is what makes me constantly check on your blog. You're a wonderful person with a pretty face - what else can I say?! We need more people like you in this world! <3

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  12. This was a beautiful post. Many people will be able to tell that you are seaking from the heart and it's nice to read something personal about you, so we feel a connection with the person who is behind the blog. :)

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  13. Hi Jen..

    I think this post really shows what a wonderful person you are. You are down to earth, smart and believe that beauty can exist anywhere, not in expensive products and vanity.

    I love your blog not just for the makeup/beauty tips, but also to get to know the real person behind the posts.

    Don't stop writing! ^_^

    <3

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  14. i love reading your blog! gives me a lot of ideas on where to go look for some shoes and clothes for a petite person. I agree with you beauty is within and that make up and clothes are just accessories. lol my bf is the same he tells me that i look good when i'm in my gross state and he acutally tells me that i'm putting on too much junk (he calls makeup that) when we get ready to go out.

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  15. i'm really glad danni posted her comment first because i think she pretty much sums up what many of us feel. this is my first time commenting but i read and enjoy your blog every day. and i'm really grateful that u are someone with beautiful skin who tells us about ur history of bad acne because it gives the rest of us (like me) HOPE that one day, we can still have beautiful skin. i've been battling acne for a decade too and i'm still battling. i've always been uncompliant with my meds because they took too long to work, and i just HAD to squeeze those white plugs out of my pores. But now i'm using the same products u are, and i'm trying my best to keep my hands from my face and keep faith. :) keep posting!

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  16. Well said!
    And yes I read all your blog,thanks for doing it too!
    Kelly

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  17. Hey Jen! I love your blog and you shouldn't let anything or anyone make you feel uncomfortable blogging because you have readers who love you!

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  18. Wow, well said. Thank you for this post. I never thought of you as standoffish, but quite the opposite, someone who is caring and real honest with yourself and with others.

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  19. wow. i very recently joined the blogger community and found your page intoxicating with all the beautiful tutorials. this post, tho, really changes who i thought you were! (not that i really had a preconception, after all, i just found your blog) you're not someone who takes life for granted and you're a hardworking individual with strong values. i'm so glad you don't splurge on all things to do with makeup/etc because it's a hobby that shouldn't require loads of cash! i don't own any high-end makeup and i think your tutorials show that you don't need expensive makeup to be beautiful.

    its refreshing to know that people are still grounded in accepting their imperfections as who they are. i think you are a beautiful person, really, and i think people out there will really believe in their own individual beauty.

    thanks for your post! it was wonderful

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  20. That was a very honest and heartfelt post about yourself which I really do respect. Totally agree that no one can really fully understand who you are through the internet but as long as you stay true to yourself, it doesn't matter what others think right? I was only a reader of most of these girls on blogger because I actually admired the talent and the passion you all brought to this online community...Then I felt compelled to start up my own blog, stepping out of my comfort zone and following those who dare to be themselves online :) plus I get all the beauty tips from here ahahahahahaa BONUS! Thanks for sharing a lil about yourself, really appreciate it and stop by my blog when you have the time. Take care now.

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  21. Aw, that's great things to live, very positive. (: Well, I enjoy reading your blog, it does help on beauty tips and all. Keep up the good work. Love ya too! (:

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  22. i love this post! it's nice to get to know people for who they are--i mean, a full POSt or something instead of the little bits and pieces through their everyday blogs--which is also awesome. you're so real, down to earth, and just fantastic. i love it :)

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  23. you're beautiful, inside & out. :)

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  24. Like anonymous said - you really are beautiful, inside and out. Keep doing what you're doing, you are an inspiration to a lot of us. =)

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  25. This is a beautiful post. I am glad you wrote this, and gave the beauty blogging world a breathe of fresh air.

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  26. that was just so touching...really felt it from the heart. it was beautiful. you're beautiful

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  27. Jen, thank you so much for keeping this blog. Your entries are really fun to read, and you seem really down-to-earth. Please ignore all those hurtful comments, because there are an overwhelming number of your supporters that drown those comments out.

    Keep up your great work. I have sensed that you genuinely care to help other women feel better about themselves.

    =)

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  28. Jen-
    I have been following your page for awhile now, and this is the reason why I keep going back to your page! You're a great, kind, beautiful loving gal - inside and out. I look up to you in many ways as you inspire me to become a better person. Thanks for always posting, your readers appreciate it. :)

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  29. I absolutely adore you and support you completely! :) I even click on your ads..hehehe! I can totally relate with you!

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  30. beautiful entry Jen! This post is exactly the reason I keep coming back to check out what you have to say everyday. you are such a beautiful girl, and you also have a beautiful heart! please keep writing and we will always love and support you!

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  31. I definately nv saw u as anything but a positive and genuine person!

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  32. Jen - do you have any advice on under eye bags, wrinkles?! everytime I smile I have a baggy under my eye and wrinkles forming and I'm not even 30 yet!!!

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  33. Beautiful in your own ways..no wonder I followed you?!

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  34. JEN! you said it so well <3

    Im so happy you did this post! see all the girls relate to you cause you are who you are, a real beautiful lady inside and out!! people care about you and what you have to say because they can relate to you :) I am thankful to be your friend to have met such a beautiful person like you! keep on being yourself, a beautiful person! I love that <3

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  35. Jen,

    Loved your entry. Been following you for a while now and I've gotta say, out of the many bloggers I've read from, you are the one I relate to the most. Growing up I didn't have a lot of money either, everything that I have now I've gotten by myself and worked hard for. It's probably one of the most rewarding feelings for me. It was wonderful of you to share your feelings with us :) Keep writing!

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  36. I'm glad I follow the blog of such a girl who is beautiful outside and within. (:

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  37. Thank you for posting this! That was such an uplifting post. Keep doing what you do!! :)

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  38. you are one of the most genuine person ever. my friend and i saw that acne post of yours, and although i dont get acne, she does. and no matter how often i tell her that its not bad and i dont notice it, because i really dont, she continues to feel bad about her acne. but after she saw your post she felt like there was a chance, and that she wouldnt have to have acne for the rest of her life. shes definitely more hopeful now, and its because of you, and because you are so real, and i love that :)

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  39. Wow, you are an incredible person! Beautiful inside and out Jen!

    Love always!
    Blaire, xxx

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  40. be what you are and do not try to change yourself for others people^^ it's is a beautiful text that you wrote, thank you for sharing it with us :)

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  41. Oh Jen.
    Big hug for you. <3
    I initially started following your blog because I loved your personality that shined through the posts. Keep up the amazing posts, not just about beauty, but the ones that give us a little glimpse into your life.

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  42. Hi Jen,
    I am an avid reader of your blog not only for your helpful and easy beauty/style tips - but also because you come across as such a down to earth confident kind hearted person! Thank you for sharing! I really appreciate it, you inspire me~ ^^

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  43. I just simply love u! (^____^)
    god bless u girl.=)

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  44. You are amazing and I love how thoughtful and insightful you are.. You have so many people who love what you have to offer- please don't allow the ones who don't, bring you down..You are brave to share your soul- I appreciate it and I send you lots of love..xoxoxoxo

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  45. thank you so much for posting this. I honestly was a tad put down to see how beautiful you are but to know that you have these feelings of modesty and being true to yourself made me a supporter from youtube too! anyway, I still think you're beautiful and keep doing what you do best! :]

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  46. Yes I would love to.

    I felt in love with your wedding pictures, which is the first thing I saw from your blog. And then come the wedding make up tutorial, which is exactly what I was looking for.

    I was not into reading others' blog and stuff (except if they are my friends), but yours is really something different. You are just down to earth, friendly and I also love your writing style ;) Not to mention that your make up stuff are affordable, and your look is always pretty.

    At first I just come here to look for make up tutorial. I did not have a chance to be in Art School, and did not have a huge budget for expensive stuffs, and your blog is simply the perfect one. But then I gradually read the posts, and find out that you are also a very nice person. I am so happy that I have jumped into your blog (I don't remember why, maybe while I was looking for wedding pictures).

    With my busy schedule, I still did not have time to try out any of your tutorials yet, but I am planning to :D However, until now, I still love reading your posts, honest but always humorous. Maybe that is another aspect that I really appreciate from you :)

    So, have a great day, a great time with your hubby and your work. I really hope we will have a chance to meet each other in real life one day.

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  47. i think you're amazing your your tutorials are more helpful than any other youtuber! keep it up, and thanks for keeping it so 'real'.

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  48. Hi Jenn,

    I've been reading your blog for the past couple of days and your advice is so helpful!

    I read your eye brow tutorial and I'm telling you my eye brows never looked better! it's way better than the time i had it done professionally! >.<

    I love your snow princess look. But of course I tried to mimic it and failed! haha

    Keep up with this blog! you're doing a wonderful job!You're gorgeous by the way!

    heart,
    Jenn
    lol we have such a popular name

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  49. I'm glad that your personality reflects the beautiful person you show us in this blog.

    I hope both you and Eki keep blogging about makeup and the inspiring adventures that indulging in skincare and self discovery =)

    p.s. go go midwest!

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  50. thank you so much for sharing this, especially about your acne it really moved me and i even teared a little ;P
    i've been struggling with bad skin for as long as i can remember and it really gets my self-esteem down.
    i love that you're blog is always positive and cheerful and thoughtful, not like many other bloggers who try to work up a kind attitude and get sarcastic or bitchy with their posts; it's so refreshing. but i always kind of held the image of you as one those 'perfect' girls because you looked so good all the time , so although i do love your blog, it felt abit like you were from another universe and i couldn't fully relate all the time. you let me see that i really should never judge a person by how they look, and i can't tell you how encouraging it was to hear about how you won the acne battle. thanks so much :))

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  51. Oh, Jen, this is why I adore you so! In my eyes and all of your readers, You are a beautiful person in and out<3 I can relate to you on many levels, and I thank you for that.

    Come to think of it, ever since my interest in makeup materialized, I've bought almost everything on my own (except for a lip gloss or lipstick from my sister or cousin). I work hard for my money and I reward myself with small purchases, but I don't and cannot splurge. I love your values and how you present yourself to the world: a hardworking, positive, BEAUTIFUL, and real young woman.

    Stay beautiful and stay strong always!

    <3 caroline

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  52. you're ridiculous but in a good way. i love you! <3

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  53. You're awesome. That's why I'm going to start following your blog :)

    Thanks for the post! I can tell it was sincere and that brought a smile to my face.

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  54. I don't want to reiterate what has already been said, but I think you are really admirable, this post is very well written :D

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  55. I know maybe I'm too late to post my comment coz I just start to visit your blog.

    After read about this post, I can feel your feeling & your Inner beauty in real person even I'm never meet u before. Truthfully, I'm feel very lucky that I can found your blog and I can learn many precious and useful tips not only beauty tips but your feeling in that and your advice are very useful to share.
    I found something special in your blog that make me realize that beauty can be seen in your heart and can be show by your kindness. Don't like others who like to show expensive make up and just make the others broken cuz not all people have enough money to buy that expensive stuff. But you share a tutorial, tips and nice stuff which can be easily enough to learn and get the stuff.
    Thank you so much for all your post in this blog. I'm felt very helped because of your blog and I'm believe many people too. ^ ^. I know you are busy, but You always reply my email when I have something to ask you.

    Even I just know you by this blog and only can contact you through email, but I'm really appreciate & cherish you in real person. I'm just feel you are a good person and have a pure heart to share and help other through this blog..
    from the bottom of my heart, I'm very thankful for you.

    언니, 정말 감사합니다...

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  56. Jen! OMG! this is so heartwarming..I'm just checking on your older posts because I'm a new follower of yours...The blogging world would never be the same without you..

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  57. I am so glad I found you. I just recently found one of your videos on youtube. You are the sweetest blogger ever.
    Reading this entry really warmed my heart. Thank you.
    Stay sweet and stay beautiful, inside and out.

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  58. "My husband compliments me more when I am gross in the morning with no makeup and ratty hair than when I am made up from head to toe."

    My boyfriend does just that. We're in a long-distance relationship so we spend most of our contact through Skype. I don't bother with make-up and dress when I'm at home. I even wear those big hair-velcro things on my head. So he sees all this on a regular basis and yes, he calls me beautiful more when I look like that then when I made up. :) He hates my glasses though. Says they ruin how I look. Haha.

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  59. Hello. I felt inspired to post a comment because you wrote in this blog entry that you don't know who some of your readers are. Sorry that I'm commenting on an entry from 2009, I was jumping around from your other blog posts and videos.

    So anyway, I am Judy, a 29-year-old Chinese born American. My immediate family were all born in Asia and I grew up in a small California town. Then when I met my husband, a boy who grew up in Ohio, we moved to Virginia when I was 25 and I've lived here since. I wish I went to design school! But I received my BS degree in math and I've gotten a graphics art certification just recently. I love make up and love your videos! I had really bad acne in junior high through college. I have always been a chubby kid and those Chinese relatives are so cruel with their fat comments! These comments left a lot of scars that still make me self conscious till this day. But as you know, the older we get, the more confident we become. :) I know you say you are not perfect but I adore your personality! You are so smart and your passion to teach us to make us feel beautiful is just wonderful! THANK YOU for inspiring us and making us feel good!

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